The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-06-15
Who but Mr.. Wilson Himself Il
RespOnslblp?


II Is said In Washington that the
reply To CARRANzA's insolent note Is
ready. hut that II will not be for
warded until the Democratic conven-
ton at st. Louis ndjourns, lest Mr..
WILSON he taxed with playing poll
ties with n dangerous situation. We
observe. however. that 1t Is known
In a general way what Mr.. WILSON'S
reply contains.
CARRANzA's demand for the with
drawal Of American troops Is fatty
rejected he Is rehuked for calling
the motives Of the Administration In
question: he Is told that he hns
utterly failed 70 police chihuahua.
Counter charges rejecting upon his
good faith are made; and 1t Ia init
mated that II he had cooperated Wig
orously with General PERspISo the
American expedition would have been
able to retire across the border some
time <
Nv NiE i'Nut' Nti''llt wv Ftilt' III
for convention purposes. No doubt
it fairly represents the character of
the American note, which Is to be n
complete answer To the First Chief.
whom Mr.. WILSON recognized months
ago when VILLAS cause VAS lost.
In dealing with the latest outbreak
Of General Caravans suspicious
temper the Administration has shown
the anne vacillation and infirmity Of
purpose that have marked its Mcvi-
can policy ut all times since HrERrA
was blacklisted. The peremptory and
offensive but adroit note of the First
Chief vas received on May 81. II
called for a prompt reply. All Mex
leo vas mailing the document as n
diplomatic triumph. But Mr.. VIII
soN went of on nm excursion down
the Potomac. The Mexican note was
for home consumption. II was insinu-
ated. Mr.. WILSON would wait n week
before calling the First Chief to &C.
count. But the Administration was
Justly ,ncensed the troops would cer-
talnly not he Withdrawn.
More than two weeks have elapsed
and the reply Is still held. But In
the interval things have happened In
Mexico. The national press has been
abusive, derisive and defiant. AZ
lacks have been made upon the Amer
lean consulates at chihuahua and
Durango. Mohs have demanded that
the First Chief compel the American
troops TO withdraw. Al Tampicn the
insecurity of the American colony Il
graver than ever. Conflicts with
Carranza soldiers have occurred in
Chihuahua. and In one instance
a Carranza Lieutenant Colonel was
killed. There Is no doubt that hos
tility to Americans has increased,
and that an ugly feeling prevails
throughout the country. Secretary
LANSING admitted the other day that
the situation had changed for the
worse. Within n few days 1000
more regulars. including coast artil-
lery, have been ordered IN ha ste "a
the border.
Such has been the result Of fifteen
days Of procrastination when the
emergency called for a prompt and
vigorous assertion Of the right Of TIE
United States to keep It's soldiers In
Mexico indefinitely on police duty,
and also for a steady1ng rebuke IN
the so-called Government In Mexico
with which Mr.. WILSON had entered
into diplomatic relations. And now
the reply to the t%ruculent note waits
upon the adjournment of Mr.. VII
sous personally directed conven'
tion AT ST. Louis because he shrinks
from being charged with making po-
liticnl capital ont Of the dangerous
situation In Mexico. II II IL danger
Gus, who Is 10 blame but the President
himself?