Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-05-18

war may give during its progress
some feverish impulse to business, but
in the end it interferes with prosperity
and with that calm, peaceful progress
of individuals and community happiness
that has now become so distinctly the
ideal of present political movements. Let
us pray, then, that our government at
Washington may escape this tremendous
task Let us hope that Carranza, If
succeeding to control in Mexico with our
aid and influence, will bring about con-
dition of affairs responsibility for which
will not entail upon us burdensome con-
sequences.
I'VE should take much satisfaction in
some phases of the situation, doubtful
as the others may be. The first is that
the prospect of war does not awaken
general popular enthusiasm. We must
expect that adventurous youth will well
come war as an opportunity for heroic
contest Then there are the newspapers
which thrive upon excitement. Then are
those Americans who have lived and had
business in Mexico. They have been
making their living and investing their
capital in a country where for 30 years
one must sympathize deeply with them
in the danger to life and suffering that
they had to undergo and in the destruc-
ton of their property. But where pro-
lection of their property and of their
livelihood would involve such enormous
cost to this government as we have seen.
we and they must use a sense of pro-
portion.
Whatever the cause, this condition OF
the popular mind is good thing 1t re-
strains the politicians from pressing on
with shouts of martial glory, and 1t up
holds the hands of the administration
seeking to avoid further conflict.
Mediation Benefits
The other good thing is the offer of
mediation by the three great nations of
South America and our prompt accept
ance With the refusal of one of the
warning Mexican parties and the prob
able defeat of the other, it may be that
the actual result of the mediation may
not be what is hoped for it Still, the
situation is SO fun of possible quick
changes that one cannot prophesy that
the sincere efforts of these medlators
may not accomplish good. l have per-
sonal acquaintance with the gentlemen
whom the administration has chosen to
represent us in this mediation and 1
know their ability, their high character,
their common sense and their diplomatic
quality. But whatever may result the
offer of mediation and our acceptance
are in themselves a great step toward
future solution of international difficult
ties in this hemisphere. It is said that
1t ends the Monroe Doctrine. If we can
unite with us the great powers of South
America so as to use our joint good
offices to bring about peace whenever
controversy arises between the nations
of this hemisphere, and to prevent the
oppressive or unjust intervention of Eu-
ropean powers, the Monroe Doctrine is
greatly strengthened for good. We shall
thus remove the ill-will that misun-
Outstanding of the real limitations of
that doctrine has arisen among South
Americans.
Oscar Strauss Speaker
Oscar Strauss, representative of the
United States in The Hague conference,
also spoke. He pointed out that the Rus
sian-Japanese war was settled through
mediation and that Interference by an
outside power in an international dispute
was no longer regarded as an unfriendly