The Washington herald., 1915-11-01
Democracy Stakes Much on carranza.

With 1000 United States troops entrenchcd
ON the Mexican boundary line, ready to shoot
if Villas expected attack the Carranza gar
rison at Aqua Prieta results in firing into Amer
lean territory, the hope often shattered in the
past, that the administration would eventually
adopt Mexicanf policy. appears to be realized.
There can hardly be another turning back, and
confidence that American interests on the border
are at last to be given the protection the gov
eminent owes to them is justified by the War
Departments activities 1t will be surprising if it
proves necessary for the United States forces
to go into action, though this would probably
cause neither regret nor lamentation among the
people generally on this side of the border. We
have for so long weakly submitted to outrage
and aggression on the part of the various lawless
factions that the country is surely prepared to
support any measures that may be required to
assert and maintain our rights. The chances are,
however that the very display of force and de-
termination absent in the past, will prove SUI
hcient to awe Villa and his followers and that
they will take care not to invite "a volley from
the American trenches. Our course Of advance,
retreat and indecision, it is readily conceivable
has been responsible for the contempt and de-
fance of the Mexicans, who may be expected to
become suddenly tame when they realize that We
can and will fight.
The exhibition of backbone the border is
gratifying, too, for the reason that it indicates
purpose to give material we'll as moral sup
port to our new protege in Mexico. Doubtless
the ACCESSIBILITY of justifying its recognition OF
Carranza by helping him to establish success
full rulership influenced the administration in
adopting sterner policy. At all events the pres
ence of our troops in the close vicinity OF Aqua
Prieta prepared for hostilties will serve double
fI1y he adv Of CarranZa
Perhaps it would better suit the latter to have our
forces involved and to some extent his generals
will control the situation should Villa attack
And since our officers and men weary OF the
prolonged monotony of routine and inaction in
face of great provocation they may be depended
upon not to unduly exert themselves to avoid a
fight so that Villa if he really desires to keep out
of trouble with the Americans, must exercise
caution to which he is not accustomed
Another phase of the changed Mexican policy
not to be overlooked is political. 1t is inaugu-
rated at a most opportune time for the admins
tration If President Wilson's plans to sue
coed Al all this will be apparent at just the right
time to have great effect at the polls exactly a
year hence Events in Mexico may we'll give the
Republicans deep concern. Success for Carranzas
rule, the beginning of the pacihcation of the re-
public and the restoration of order along the Dor
der would undoubtedly provide shield for tn
most vulnerable spot in the administrators whole
record. With the Mexican problem presenting
even the appearance of having been solved the
Democracy could only be assailed for the failure
of its tariff and other business legislation. With
the dawn OF better days under Carranza, the years
of drifting indecision, and submission to murder,
outrage robbery and indignty perpetrated against
Americans will be forgotten in the contemplation
of conditions as they are and the Republicans will
be deprived of most formidable argument. The
administration has staked much on Carranza and
he can count on its support to the limit.