Arizona republican., 1915-01-13
PEACE AT ALL HAZARDS,
(The Hawaiian Gazette.)


IF the United States employs force to stop the
firing by MeXicans the international boundary
line at Naco, 1t will have to be considered an un-
friendly action Notwithstanding what friendly mo-
tive may be used a cloak for the action it cannot
h regarded by MeXicans anything but a desire
upon the part of the United States for war with
Mexico" tOlficaI statement made yesterday by
CaTranza)
Calranza correctly forth the principles now
governing the relations of the countries
They have been clearly set forth during the past
two years. by both President Wilson and Secretary
OF State Bryan
In substance the main principle is that Mexico
is an independent country and must be left to work
out its salvation. without interference by out
sidcrs
The fact that, under treaties guaranteeing pro-
lection, thousands of Americans had settled in Mex
leo and invested hundreds of millions of dollars; and
the further fact that these Americans were
being wantonly murdered and their property
fscated destroyed, according to these interpreters
of American principles, gave for American
interference and gave the aggrieved ones right
except claim for damages. The state department
is keeping list Of these claims and will present
them to the Mexican government for consideration
time in the future when stable government
is established in that country. 1t is possible of
course, that the evidence may have disappeared by
then; but that it not the fault of the Washington
government, which represents the American people
whole, and the whole people have not been in
jured; consequently the government must seek
the greatest good for the greatest number it must
not take action which might lead to
Moreover would cost the people Il whole
than the loss by American citizens in Mexico.
This demonstrates that, matter Of dollars and
cents it will not pay to fight Mexico.
This settles the question
The fact that sixty-two people in the American
border of Naco have been shot by Mexcans
the boundary line during the last few weeks,
affords just ground for forceful action by the
United States American precedent settles this point
also.
The principle long ago announced by the
administration, that shooting American citizens by
Mexicans was cause for interference by the
The records of the state department contain the
names of many Americans who have been killed in
>Mexico; but the persistent and consistent American
ruling has been that this affords excuse for
using force
1t is manifest that, if the United States uses
force stop its citizens from being shot
Americans will be shot in possible ensuing war
than will be the case if we exercise self control,
restraint indignation and rely upon the state
department to add the unfortunate Naco incidents
to the list, and eventually get verdict for fun
damages for every injury inflicted on an American
citizen
1t is regrettable that carly consideration of
these claims is improbable and that collection of
damages may be impossible when awarded; but
the United States government is not responsible
therefor 1t is of embarrassing features of the
case, but have the compensating knowledge that
peace is being preserved few hundred more
Americans may be shot up, but the horrors of war
Why should American on the north side of
the line he treated any differently?
The American citizens of Naco might well
recognize that they have rights which a Mexican
is bound to- respect
The administration Washington has spoken,
and its dicum is law.
If tie Nacoites do want to be shot, let them
move back from the border line How far back?
Far enough to avoid being hit by Mexican bullets
there is plenty of before the Canadian
boundary is reached
Americans may well be proud of their country
1t means something nowadays to be American
citizen. They well say:
I'VE thank thee, oh God-God of Washington; 3
of Lincoln Grant and Lee-that the United States
is blessed with administration which is deter
mined at all hazards to maintain peace-even though
it he peace which passeth understanding"