The Washington herald., 1915-05-25
plan TO STIFFEN
MEXICAN POLICY
The Presidents Personal Oh
server Urges Abandonment
of Watchful Waiting.
WEST ADVISES WILSON
Other Officials Also Believe u. S.
Must Bring Order Out of
Chaos Before Long.

The necessity for radical change in
this government Mexican policy is now
being seriously discussed by administra-
ton officials.
There is good reason to believe that
! just as soon as the administration adj
justs present diplomatic negotiations with
| Europe. growing out of the war. A new
and more vigorous policy will be adopt
ed by the government in its relations with
Mexico Talk of Intervention is again
| being heard.
| Last night President Wilson had d
! long conference with Duval West. OF
| Texas. who went to Mexico to make a
/ survey of conditions there for the ad-
ministration. Mr.. West is said to have
painted a dismal picture of affairs in the
! southern republic and to have expressed
| the belief that until the United States
| acts Mexico will continue to be torn by
! revolutions fomented by an insignificant
minority. 1t is the understanding that
Mr. West has informed the administra-
tion he has little faith in the Mexican
leaders now prominent in the public eye.
Whether or not Mr.. West has rec
ommend Intervention is not definitely
! known. 1t is understood that Mexico
and Mexican affairs will have consldera-
ton at today's Cabinet meeting.
Intervene Recognize.
Should President Wilson decide to
/ take affirmative action to restore or
der in Mexico two courses are open
to him. He may intervene. or he may
recognize faction in the republic.
Either step would be a marked de-
parture from the present policy which
I has been continued in the face of
hostile criticism in the United States
and abroad.
Conditions in Mexico today are far
worse than they have been at any
time since the fall of Porfiro Diaz.
From all over the country come re-
ports telling of great suffering among
the Mexican people by reason. of the
shortage of food and the ravage of
warfare Mexico City is desolate,
business throughout the republic is at
a standstill, and it is urged by many
that the Washington administration
could perform no more heroic service
for humanity than to take hold in
Mexico and assist the stricken people
in establishing a stable government.
Some administration officials are
convinced that unless the United
States restores order in Mexico be-
fore the end of the European war it
may have grave problem on its
hands. Europe was getting restless
over the menace to its property inter-
ests in Mexico just before the war
broke. and had it not been for the
clash might long ago have forced the
hand of the United States. The stake
in Mexico is large one. and once
peace is restored in Europe it is felt
that the powers will call upon the
United States to clean up in the re-
public unless order is restored in the
meantime.
Carranxa Now Leads.
That Venustiano Carranza looks for
an early change in the Mexican policy
of this government is indicated by re-
cent advices from Mexico Carranza
has made overtures of late that make
it plain that ne is hopeful of recog
milton. The First Chief has undoubted
ly made progress in the past few
months. and the administration now
looks on him with more favor than for
merry. Carranza is said to dominate
IS per cent of the area of Mexico, and
it is represented in his behalf that he
commands the confidence of the ma
DIRTY of the people of the republic.
Carranza has repeatedly directed atten-
ton to the establishment of civil gov
eminent in large part of the territory
that he conrolS, and he has in other
ways given evidence that he has hopes
that this government will recognize
him or ono of his choosing. However.
the administration has not gone to the
extent to this time of giving consider
alton to the question of recognition,
leaving this question as well as inter-
Nention for future determine ton. 1t is
generally known. however. that in a
comparatively short time important
developments bearing on Mexico may
be expected in Washington.