The Washington herald., 1915-08-07
A Time-consuming Conference.

Diplomatic reasons presumably make it neces-
sary for this government to keep secret the con-
ditions upon which invitations were extended to
and accepted by the cnvoys of six South American
republics to enter into conference with represent
atives of the United States upon the subject OF
the future of the Republic of Mexico. At any
rate, the people of this country are kept in total
ignorance of the program and of what is transpir-
ing In spite of the industrious efforts of the alert
newspaper correspondents, the public is not per-
mitted to know whether the administration IS
merely seeking the advice of some of the govern
ments of South America to how best to solve
the troublesome problem that it has hitherto Jeal-
ously regarded wholly its own whether 1t has
committed itself in advance to the carrying out,
snglchanded, OF any plan that may be approved
of result OF the conference, or whether the
hope and purpose is to define and adopt policy
to be put into effect by the concerted action OF
all the nations that are parties to it. Presumably
the invitations to the diplomats were in writing
and in the name of the United States, and the
language in which they rendered and &C
cepted would throw great illumination upon the
methods contemplated for the attainment of the
end in view. But this, too, is well-guarded
secret.
theoretically. the consultation of the South
American republics is a correct proceeding, but
when the question is asked whether it gives prom,
Use of practical results there will be disposition
to look to last years negotiations at Niagara Falls
for the answer. Even if the administration is
asking simply for neighborly advice as to the
management of what it may still regard as its
own affair, it will require time for the South
American governments to agree unanimously upon
what advice is to be given. And if the six re-
+ol Da1 70 ,
definite policy for the pacfcation of Mexico to be
carried out by the United States with their mora
support and approval, much longer time would
necessarily elapse before this country could pro-
coed to action. 1t might be assumed that tn.
latter course would mark the limit to which oui
southern neighbors would to volunteer tc
share our Mexican burden. But # it the in
tenton of the President and his advisers in nvit
ing the conference to attempt to form active
coalition for the regeneration of Mexico, by force
| if necessary, then may quite reasonably ex
pect to the end of the present administration
before any real accomplishment. Such program
would discussion OF the application OF the
Monroe doctrine with view to the future as
we'll the present, and elaboration and debate
in the capital of each nation involved, occupying
far more time than the preliminary conference
promises to consume. The adjournment OF the
conference, after two sessions in Washington, tc
meet some day next week in New York is in
dication that no very rapid progress is being
made.
And in the meantime there is no appreciable
improvement in the shameful conditions in Mex
leo, and the warning factions give no evidence Of
disposition to compose their differences and
restore peace and order in obedience to the Pres
| dents demand OF more than two months ago
| In fairness to the President it must be assumed
that it is his intention to carry out the terms Of
his proclamation OF last June and very soon" give
the active moral support" of this country tc
some group of men, capable of bringing
peace to Mexico, without permitting any long
period to elapse while six South American nation:
arc seeking to reach agreement to the mag
nitude and the details OF the part if any, that they
arc to take in redecming the adjoining republic
! from conditions that for years have been dis
grace to civilization. From present indication:
| it seems a vain hope that the diplomatic confer
i cncc will mark the way for the immediate relic
OF a suffering and oppressed people a duty tina
! the OF humanity and national pride bid
us to proceed to without delay.