The Washington herald., 1914-02-28
What Step in MexicoY

II
ed as to the manner in which Benton.
the British subject, met death at the
hands of Villa, the, Mexican bandit in
Juarez. That he was murdered is the
only rational conclusion to be drawn
from two circumstances alone.
In the first place ten days have
elapsed since the crime, and an account
of it has been received by the State De-
partment from United States consul
on the spot. If Benton had been tried
and put to death in accordance with
military law it is inconceivable that the
fact would be withheld from the people
of the United States and England, who
have been waiting with admirable pa
tience for the truth. Secondly, Villa,
the bandit, arrogantly and dehantly re-
fuses the natural and reasonable request
of England, made through the United
States government, that the body of his
victim be delivered to the widow that
it may be given decent burial. If Ben
toms body does not bear wounds pro-
claiming murder or assassination, is II
reasonable to suppose that by refusing
to surrender it Villa would court the
hostility of the nation that gives arms
to his followers?
Such superficial examination of the
body ten days after death, as can be
made beside the grave, if it ever was
inferred, will prove or disprove nothing.
The United States, by virtue of the
Monroe doctrine, and by the course of
the administration with reference TO
foreign powers, is in a position where
it must give heed to Great Britain,
whose request for the body of her muir
dered subject will grow into an insist
ent demand unless it is complied with.
But unfortunately this government finds
itself with its hands tied so far as any
diplomatic procedure in Mexico is con-
cerned, for the reason that IT has failed
to recognize any form of government
there. Great Britain, on the other hand,
having given recognition to Huerta's
rule, is in a position to press its de-
mands through the usual diplomatic
channels, and, these failing, to take
sterner measures. The United States is
helpless in Mexico. Great Britain is not,
except so far as she has given acqui-
escence and cooperation TO President
Wilson's waiting policy.
The end of that policy is clearly in
sight. The murder of another English
man or of a German, or the butchery
of few more Americans would end it |
suddenly. Surely the administration,
after a year for observation and prep
aration, has decided upon some step
that must inevitably be taken soon.
What is it?
Recognition of Huerta?
Armed intervention?
A free hand to foreign powers to |
protect the lives and property of their
citizens in Mexico with strict regard |
Tor the Monroe doctrine.
The answer cannot be long in coming.
President Wilson is firm in his attitude
that the sending of an armed force into
Mexico to recover Benton's body would |
be an act of war. Doubtless he is right, |
but it might easily turn out to be a |
one-day war with the net result of
bringing the murdered mans body to
the United States and inspiring the
rebel bands with respect for our power,
at which they now sneer and scoff. Eu-
rope would hardly protest, and as for
Mexico this government does not rec
ognize its existence automatically, so
force is our only weapon in dealing
with her.
The comment yesterday of the Lon
don Express is timely. 1t says:
The Monroe doctrine and the timidity
of Downing street block the way. But
what is the matter with the American
government? Its do-nothing policy is
very injurious to British interests in all
ways and most injurious to the inter-
ests of the United States.
If the Monroe doctrine stands in the
way of another power protecting the
lives of its people or recovering the
body Of a murdered subject, when the
United States is helpless, there is some
thing the matter with the Monroe doc.
trinc. And The Herald asserts its right
to stand in the front rank of patriotic
American newspapers.