The Washington times., 1915-01-19
MEXICO AND BRITAIN

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The Carranza government, by lift
ing the embargo on expectation of
oil from Mexico, in response to an
urgent request from Washington,
has satisfied one British demand and
unquestionably relieved the Wilson
Administration of an immediate and
embarrassing problem. In dealing
with Americans who possess vested
rights in Mexico, it is possible for
government which desires at all haz-
ards to maintain peace, to say that
they ought to keep out Of that coun-
try, and to refuse them and their
property adequate protection; but
not so with the persons and proper
ty of British nationals. The his
tory of the English nation is COM
posed in no small part of its efforts
to spread civilization over the
earth; and Mexico, at an inconven-
lent moment, to be sure, is reminding
her of one country that has been neg
lected. England did, indeed, in Oc-
tober, 1861, enter into a tripartite
alliance with France and Spain for
intervening in Mexico, but she with
drew her forces before the establish
ment of Maximilian upon the throne.
Corwin, who was United States min
lister to Mexico in 1861, had fore
seen the inevitable, and wrote:
For few years past the condition
OF this country has been SO unsettled
| as to raise the question. on both sides
the Atlantic, whether the time has not
come when some foreign power ought.
In the general interests Of society. to
intervene to establish a protectoratc or
some other form Of government here.
and guarantee its continuance.
1t is interesting, with Mexico in
mind, to recall the words Of Joseph
Chamberlain, late secretary of stat.
for the colonies, in speech before
the house of commons on March 20
1898, in defense of British aggran-
dizement in Africa:
| hold that. both in matters Of lif,
and money, we may sacrifice both " we
see before us a prospect Of good. and g
| satisfaction for the sacrifice we ma,
have to make. This country has by
that 1t Is our duty to take our shar,
in the work Of civilization in Africa
l believe In the expansion of the
empire. We are not at all troubled
by accusations Of tingoism.
| And in discussing "the true con
ception of empire" in an address be
fore the Royal Colonial> Institut,
March 81, 1897, Mr.. Chamberlain
thus sought to justify English ira
ditions and practices of conquest:
In carrying out this work Of civiliza
ton we are fulfilling what I believe L
be our national mission. and we ar
finding scope for the exercise Of thos
faculties and qualities which have mad
Of US great governing force:
l am convinced that we shall have tn
strength to fulfill the mission which ou
history and our national character hav
| imposed upon us.
!. 1t seems to me that the tendency o
the time Is to throw all power into tn
hands OF the greater empires. and III
minor kingdoms-those which arc non
progressive-seem to be destined to fal
, into secondary and subordinate place
The pax Britannica has worked ex
cellently in India and other lands
: it would seem that General Carranza
in acceding so readily to a deman
from London, does not desire it's ex
tension to Mexico, and the measur
of his respect for other nations ar
] pears to be the measure of his feal
t At any rate, he does not want 81
E Edward Grey to begin "pegging ou
e claims for posterity" in Mexico.