Evening star., 1916-06-29
The Developing Mexican Crisis.

Inc developing Mexican Crisis.
Carranza's compliance with the
American demand for the immediate re-
lease Of the prisoners taken in the Car.
rial fight and held at Chihuahua great
~ relieves the tension between the two
countries. 1t makes for at least the
preservation Of the peace, even if ii
does not preclude war 1t removes the
most imminent issue between the two
countries, leaving to be settled if pos
sible, the cause from which that issue
arose.
However grave the situation may re-
main, it is undoubtedly true that the
news spread last evening through Wash
ington by The Stars extra edition is to
be hailed as toker Of present peace
That it was so regarded was plainly
shown by the eagerness with which the
news was received The Star was re-
joiced to give such glad tidings to the
community
In its present situation the ease with
Mexico, however, presents further diff
Guilty following an adjustment of criti-
cal question. If the men captured at
f'arrizal could not legally or rightfuHy
he held as prisoners-and Carranza' s
prompt release of them indicates that
he recognizes the absence of right to
iold them-what of the men who were
'lain and wounded at Carrizal? The
nited States can do no less for them
han it has done for the men taken
prisoner.
If our troops were at Carrizal by
light they should not have been attacked.
If attacked and injured and killed they
were victims of grievous wrong. The
United States was through them af-
fronted and must demand redress of
that wrong. 1t will never do merely
to secure the release of the prisoners,
for the major offense remains to be
sondoned. The conditions which gave
rise to that offense remain for correc-
ton. The American job in and near
Mexico is by no means finished. It is
perhaps only just begun
The United States does not want to
fight Mexico. Everybody north of the
border deplores the prospect of a con
fiict, and hopes that a way may be
found to avoid it. But practically no.
body wants to avoid fight for the
mere sake of avoidance. for the sake
OF peace alone. We might withdraw
every man from Mexican territory and
maintain a strictly defensive watchful-
ness on the northern side of the boun-
dary, putting no American foot on Mexi-
can soil, however frequent or costly the
raids made by irresponsible bands into
our towns and ranches, whatever the
losses suffered. We might mass a great
army along the border large enough to
protect every foot of the ground, day
and night, to keep these brigands from
entering, putting ourselves to enormous
expense, maintaining for Mexico an i'm
mense police force to prevent brigand-
age. But that would not cure the con-
ditions. would not correct the essential
evil. 1t would not implant good faith
n the Mexican heart.
What IS best to do with and for Mex
leo is problem the difficulty of which
is probably not appreciated by the
American people. President Wilson is
confronted with a dilemma which is
taxing his judgment and patience and
wisdom to the utmost. That he is en-
deavoring to find the best way. not
merely for the sake of the people of
this country, but for those of Mexico, is
plain. Seldom has a chief executive
been so faced with perple1ity, and in
this emergency it is the patriotic duty Of
every citizen to abstain from criticism,
TO withhold from militant advocacy of
war as the assuredly only way to meet
the case, and to allow events to develop
without hysteria.