The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-06-04
AN IDEs OF MARCH FOR MEXICO.


President Wilson evidently means
business in Mexico now. This is well.
For two years or SO, the United States
has been little better than a partici-
pant or an accessory in the crime
against humanity and civilization that
has been perpetrated by the brigands
of Mexico under the guise of patri-
otto endeavors. Because of our posi-
ton of prominence on the western
hemisphere, because of the hands
Off that we warn other nations
through our adherence to the Mon
roe doctrine. it is and always has been
our duty, if not exactly our legitimate
business. to see to it that some of our
more or less turbulent neighbors to the
south behave themselves, or, at least,
that they do not violate the lives and
property not only of Americans but
also of other foreigners, and their own
peaceab1y inclined citizens as well,
while they practice the pursuit of
their periodical revolutions. We have
been neglecting this duty in respect to
Mexico. The result has created a most
horrible condition of affairs below the
Rio Grande. Only a scant story of the
outraging that Mexico and the bulk of
her people have experienced during
the past nine months or so has been
told in this country, or anywhere else.
The Mexican situation has been COM
pletely overshadowed by the terrible
ness and magnitude of the European
struggle. 1t is pretty generally agreed
that the Wilson administration blum
dered seriously at the beginning of it's
handling of the Mexican problem. Its
present change of policy is admis-
sion from it's own lips that this is SO.
All that, though, is of the past. It
has been an expensive error for many
Americans who have lost their lives
there, and for other Americans and
the citizens of other lands. who have
had their valuable property destroyed
1t has been even more expensive for
the great majority of the Mexican peo-
pie. They have really been the ma
jor victims of the savagery and plum
dering of the divers soldiers of for
tune who have sprung up among
them. And our duty in Mexico is
nonethe1ess to these helpless Mexicans
than it is to those of our own citizens
and those of other nations who have
elected ito make their homes there.
But this is no time to carp over the
mistakes of the past. President Will
as it is one in the right direction. If
the leaders in Mexico fail to heed it,
they will be making the mistake of
their lives. The American people, I'M
doubtedly, do not relish the thought |
of having to send an army into Mex |
leo to quelI the disturbances there and |
set the Mexican house in order. But |
they will assume the burden willingly, |
if it be necessary. And they are prob |
ably as unitedly behind President Will |
son in his new Mexican policy as they |
are in his dealings with Germany over |
the LuSitania affair. Incidentally, the |
practical procurement of President |
Wilson to the end that he is now of a |
mind to use force in Mexico, if the |
Mexican military factions do not |
speedily compose their differences, is |
also most important as suggesting the
probability that it is not his present |
intention to thrust this country into a
war with Germany, no matter what |
may be the outcome of the present
diplomatic exchanges between Ger
many and the United States over the
murder of the American citizens who
were sent to their death with the Lusi-
tania. He wouldn't be contemplating
the use of force in Mexico If he had
any idea of a possibility of waging
war on Germany. Our army and
navy. such as they are and in such an
event, would be needed for much moro
serious business. The president I'M
doubtedly has in mind, and rightly,
effective and severe reprisals other
than actual participation in the war
against her. that we might make
against Germany if she does not see
her way clear to meet our demands
that her submarine slaughter of nom
combatant passengers on merchant
ships be discontinued.
Evidently the water of the Euro