Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-04-15

Is not master in his own house. The Presi-
dent has asked whether are ready to go
into that house, property and
people. For the good Of tho world
must restore order there. Then, for the
sake of our honor, we must leave. But not
till then.
TNHE President has asked the country
i plain question. with the Mexican situa-
ton in every mans mind, there could be no
installing Mr.. Wilson's meaning when he
said:
Are you ready to go In where American
interests and those Of humanity coincide
and to come out as soon the interests OF
humanity have been satisfied? Are you
ready to see that American interests shall
cease when the balance for humanity has
been readjusted2 Are you ready?
The President is entitled to a prompt and
decisive reply.
The United states has interests in Mexico,
legitmately established and justifably claim
ing the protection of stable government
Citizens OF this country accustomed to the
security Of such a government, are now living
In Mexico, and, while anarchy obtained there,
were compelled to look to their native land
for shelter That was the beginning of our
relations with the country beyond the Rio
Grande. The first phase lasted five years,
characterized by serious errors of judg-
ment, by hesitations and fatal delays.
When Carranza was recognized anarchy to
some extent ended in Mexico and only the
minor problem of restoring perfect peace re.
mained. For many months the United States
indicated good faith by permitting the recog-
nized Government of Mexico by itself to deal
with the outlawry centred about the person
of Francisco Villa. The pretense broke down
when, March 0, Villa raided the town of Co
lumbus, New Mexico. Immediately thereafter
separate expeditions formed by the two
countries, apparently with full understanding
of both, for the extirpation of the outlaw band.
There is nothing in this record of fact which
justihes suspicion of the motives of the United
States. Had this country desired an invasion
of Mexico it could have found shield and
buckler ready to its hand years ago. Indeed,
the chief protest against our attitude has been
that we struggling against own "mani-
fest destiny" The United States has scru-
pulously avoided the appearance of covetous
greed as seriously to injure its own prestige
and standing And in the face of this trying
and troublesome sollcitude for Mexico we are
met with the astonishing and impudent
quest from Carranza to leave the country,
with Villa uncaught, with the power of revo-
luton and anarchy laying its dreadful hand
again on the heart Of every irresponsible brig
and in Mexico, as high sign that all is ready
for another debauch of riot and of murder.
Venustlano Carranza, styled the First Chief
of Mexico, has asked the American troops to
withdraw simply and solely because he is
afraid of Mexico. He is not master in his
own house. We know that behind it the heart
of Carranza is weak with fear. He cannot
control his own men, he does not command
his own country. He can hardly expect us
to be frightened when the voice of command
is tremulous with fear itself.
But there is more than a suspicion that
Carranza is playing a sharp game. Some
times when a brawl breaks out in a gambling
house and the police break in, one remains
while the others hide, and assures the police
that the trouble is over. 1t may be done out
Of love for the guilty; 1t may be done out of
fear for self No one fancies that Carranza
loves Villa. He is "stalling" for himself pre-
ferring that Villa escape, rather than the
truth be known. The truth which he wishes
to conceal seems to be that he cannot keep
his house in order.
Whether Carranza comes to open defiance of
the United States or not the situation is now
clear. So long as there was a chance for
peace in Mexico the world could forgive the
monstrous waste of rich material which un-
intelligent, indolent and corrupt exploitation
caused there. So long as Mexico held an open
uoOI u lIe elleIbltS anu the uIlNlnB powers
of other nations, she could safely be left to her
own small devices, That time has passed
The interests of humanity. which President
Wilson invokes. demand a Mexico which is
at peace. The interests of civilization demand
a Mexico open to the development which large
minds can give to II. There are other spe-
cial American interests, there are English
interests and German and international All
of them are our concern, but our first concern
is the interest Of the world. 1t would be an
unfortunate thing If private American inter-
ests having followed our troops into Mexico,
should refuse to withdraw after "the balance
for humanity had been readjusted" 1t would
be far more unfortunate thing If private
American interests should prevent our going
in until that balance should be lost forever.
1t does not mean war, our going in, but in the
present frame OF mind of Carranza it means
the threat of war. That threat should be de-
livered with single voice, answering without |
fear, but with a full sense of responsibility, |
the Presidents question.
I'VE are ready"