The Washington herald., 1915-10-11
Carranza's Opportunity.

When the United States formally extends recog-
milton to the Carranza government, in accordance
with the agreement OF the pan-American confer
ence, the administration will take its first definite
step in dealing with the Mexican problem, after
two and half years OF wavering and drifting,
punctuated by spasmodic eNperiment-as
dangerous it aimcss-that was hastily
abandoned when three South American powers
offered to assist in extricating us. This govern
ment having allied itself with Carranza for the
purpose OF deprving Huerta of his power, its logi-
cal course was recognition Of Carranza when that
was accomplished year ago; else why should it
have engaged in the undertaking at all? However,
the administrations Mexican tragedy enacted
whilst had nonlinally in charge OF interna-
tonal policies who could spare from his private
pursuits only sufficient time to give such counsel
in affairs OF state as would serve to hamper and
retard the efforts OF the patriotic and con-
scentious OF the Presidents advisers. Nothing
is to be gained therefore, in reviewing the mis-
takes OF the feeble, imitation craftsmanship that
earned the worlds contempt for our Mexican pol
ICY or rather lack OF policy. The administration
is entitled to commentator for having adopt
ID the obvious course-rccognition OF a govern
ment in Mexico.
There can be almost no doubt that recognition
by the United States and six South American ma
tons will be followed, before long, by recognition
by the principal European countries, and Car
ranza at once becomes possessed OF and
greater powers and vastly increased responsibility
Unless he is wholly untitled for the task it will
be possible for him. with the prestige and the
resources that he command, to crush his
enemies and restore order in Mexico 1t is in
conceivable that this government will stop at
halfway measures Carranza should have
the moral and material support OF the United
States until he proves himself incompetent
worthy OF the trust reposed in him. If at
last make effort to redeem Mexico,
we can give to Carranza in his fight against Villa
and the rest of them no less than we gave him in
hiS fight against Huerta. Arms and ammunition
must be withheld from his enemies and his own
OF supplies must be augmented. II Car
rama can win the United States will be spared
end OF future trouble, must back him to the
limit Ii he fails under these conditions, it is to
be hoped that in his failure stronger hand will
be developed, capable OF doing the work that
TOO much for Carranza.
Villa and his cheftains are already announcing
their plans with uninpressive bombast. but the
future holds nothing for them. II Villa continues
his warfare against Carranza it will be under a
serious handicap and he can scarcely hope to con-
qucr Carranza, supported he will be- Indeed,
having gone far to recognize Carranza it
becomes question whether this country would
not be amply jutiied for the protection of its
own interests in intervening should it be
sary to crush Villa. An end must come to state
OF affairs that compels us, while factions rise and
fight and fall in Mexico, to keep troops on the
border a sen-war footing at a heavy daily
pense to the people. We have made start and
it would that unless to wash
hands OF Mexico altogether, there be no turn
ing back until law and order restored