The Washington herald., 1915-08-02
Time for Action in Mexico.

Two years and five months have elapsed since
the Mexican situation became problem for Presi-
dent Wilson and his Cabinet to deal with, and
two months have passed since the President an
nounced the purpose of this government very
soon" to give its active, moral support to some
man group of men" in restoring peace and or
der, unless leaders of the warning factions should
compose their differences and do the work them
selves. Today the factions still at war and
conditions, far the safety and welfare OF
Americans and other foreign residents af-
fected, in Mexico City especially, are more dis
tressful and alarming than at any time since the
overthrow of Diaz. Even the warmest support
ers of the administration must admit that its in
definite policy toward Mexico, extending over so
long period has, if it has accomplished anything,
led the Mexican belgerents to despise as we'll as
hate u.s. The Huerta hasco, the amusing amateur
arbitration conference at Niagara Falls, the nego-
tiations with Carranza and Villa, the vacillating
course as to the shipment of munitions, and
the several farces enacted along border re-
feet only discredt on government and mark
no step of progress toward pacihcation.
There has been ample time to prepare for a
decisive step in Mexico without endangering the
safety of citizens and those of other
countries. If this has not been done are at
would have to be substituted for note-writing un-
less the administration had determined to drift its
course along with Mexico. If this is not its pro-
gram then surely the time for action has arrived
Mr.. Bryan, having removed himself from the Cab-
net in the period between the Presidents beger-
ent Mexican proclamation of June 2, and the note
to Germany of June 9. is no longer a deterring
factor, and the provocation to action never
greater
The administration has never removed the
handicap it placed upon itself in the beginning by
refusing to recognize Huerta, and hence there
has been no authority in Mexico whom it could
hold responsible for violation of the rights of our
citizens or those of other nations whom we have
taken it upon ourselves to protect There can be
doubt that but for the European war these
other nations would before this have sought
Interpretation of the Monroe doctrine that would
permit them to assume the duty, which the United
States had failed to perform, of safeguarding the
lives and property of their people.
1t is not to be believed that the administration
has decided to drift to the end of its term, with
Americans starving and oppressed, or that it will
accept the immunity from troublesome foreign de-
mands afforded it by the war in Europe as an
excuse for inaction Assuming therefore, that the
administration will do its duty the country may
reasonably expect it to do it now, and there will
be surprise if, upon the Presidents return to
Washington even sooner, he proceeds to put
into deeds the promises of his proclamation of
two months ago. reasonable Interpretation OF
his announced purpose OF giving "active, moral
support to some man or group of men" is that
some authority is to be recognized the first
step; but that this will accomplish his end one
expects. The United States would thus proclaim
itself the enemy of all the unrecognized aspirants
to control in Mexico, and in the hostilities that
would follow it might be forced to take part
In the selection of his agents for the redemption
of Mexico President Wilson's wisdom will be
fortified by long experience and observation and
he must be prepared to give them the whole sup.
port Of the nation behind him.