The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-22

by virtue Of the authority conferred
upon the President by Congress (joint
resolution Of March IA, 1922 Mr..
WILSON has proclaimed an embargo
upon the expectation Of a material
to Mexico, and in a letter to the Sec
rotary of the Treasury ne has limited
the operations Of the embargo to the
States of chihuahua and Sonora and
the Territory Of Lower California,
which General Francisco VILLA con-
trolls. The effect will be to allow the
shipment Of munitions Of war for
General CARRANzA (whose Government
has been recognized by President VIII
SOM not only to Tampico, Vera Cruz
and other eastern ports OF Mexico, but
to Pacific ports and to the border
States Of Tamauipas. Nuevo Leon
and Coahuila along the Rio Grande;
while VILLA will get no war material
mt Juarez. Nogales and other border
towns in Chihuahua, Sonora and Low
or California II the American authori-
ties are vigilant.
1t is instructive to compare condi-
tons In Mexico on March IA, 1912,
when President TArT's omnibus EN-
barge Applying to all Mexico) was
proclaimed, with the conditions now
existing in that country. On March
II. 1912. Francisco MADERO was con-
stitutional President OF Mexico by
election, and all the functions Of the
Federal Government were in opera
ton. while all the European and Amer
lean countries yer represented by Am
ba ssadors and Ministers. Mexico was
a member OF the family Of nations and
her credit was good. Congress was
enacting laws, peace relgned In the
capital. and life and property were re
cure there. as was the case in most
Of the States of Mexico. But there
was a revolt in Sonora and chihuahua
led by PAsCUAL ORozCO against Presi-
dent MAptRo's authority; and More
los. where ZAPArA was supreme, had
not been pacitied. Subsequently an
army under General %lIuERrA, ordered
north by President MADERo. made
short work Of ORozcO and his ragged
and i'll equipped band of guerrillas; but
when President TAFT's proclamation
was issued the conditions in Sonora
and Chihuahua were chaotic. Not 4
gun, not n cartridge was to go to Mex.
ice. either for the Madero Government,
or for ORozCo. or ZArATA.
To-day there is no organized and
responsible Government anywhere In
Mexico. Life and property are not
secure in the capital or at Vera Cruz,
or in any state either north or south
whether the flag of the First Chief or
that Of ZAPATA or Of VILLA floats over
It. Whatever Government CARRANzA
sets up will he experimental. and /,
may prove ephemeral. II it IL t.
stand a chance OF success he must bs
able to borrow money abroad. mill
ions of dollars in fact, and he mus,
command the loyal support Of hi'
followers and inspire public conf
dence among the people in the terri
tory he claims to control. He mus
not only be a wise. far sighted states
man, exercising act and patience. bu'
he must be what is called in Mexic,
"A strong man. VENUsTIANo CARRAN
ZA's temperament and limitations arr
such that it is very doubtful whether
any Government he directs or plan
can bring peace and order to Mexic,
and Justify Mr.. WILSON'S new fount
faith in him.
President TAFT made his embarg,
general when there was n we'll or
ganiZed Government In Mexico, at tn,
! time supported by a regular army an,
an efficient mounted police force
President WILSON declares a genera
embargo and straightway makes /
apply only to two border States ant
"A territory. where General VILLA wit
well equipped forces and a strong hol,
upon the pcon population dispute
The authority of CARRANZA and detie
him. If there was ever Il gamble Il
diplomacy 1t is Mr.. WILSON'S recogni
tion Of the First Chief while his riva'
lately high in esteem at Washington
keeps the field, Such Is the remark
able transformation from watchfu
waiting. 1t looks very much like
leap in the dark. Hardly is the in.
dry on the limited embargo documen
than an ugly fight with Mexicans oc
curs on the border and three Amer
can soldiers are killed and six ar
wounded by marauders operating froI
Carranza territory.
Has the President made anothe
unfortunate blunder?