New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-01
Carranza's Plain Questions.

The Administration has good reason 70
be worried over General Carranza's latest
note. Carranza is an accomplished and
resourceful diplomatist. He has got the
better Of every discussion which he has
carried on with our State Department. At
the close Of the last encounter our govern
nent recognized him Internationally as
the head Of the de jacto Mexican Govern
ment, although II had at the outset served
an ultimatunr on him requiring him TO re
Hnouish the Provisional Presidency and TO
oblgate himself not 10 be a candidate for
President at the first election following a
restoration Of order. General Carranza is
q hard man 10 deal with because he is not
TO be put off with ambiguous phrases. He
does not allow an opponent to straddle a
diplomatic fence. He insists on keeping the
record straight and that is the one thing
at which the diplomacy Of this Administra-
ton is least apt.
II has been admitted In Washington that
President Wilson mised the country when
he gave it the impression that United
States troops had gone into Mexico after
the Columbus raid with the permission of
Carranza's government. Carranza never
gave any permit of that sort All that he
did. as the correspondence shows, was to
approve the idea Of drafting protocol
permitting each government in the future
TO send troops across the boundary line in
nursuit Of bandits. That protocol has
never been completed or signed. Our
troops are therefore in Mexico without
Mexico's acquiescence and in defiance Of
the wishes Of the Mexican people and Of
the dc facto government
President Wilson has never puol'cly
abandoned the fiction that he sent General
PershinC's expedition across the border in
consequence Of an understanding with
Mexico lie still maintains that he is not
violating Mexican sovereignty. He says
that the United States stands for the ter
ritorial integrity and political indepen-
dence Of all existing nations. Yet he has
failed to explain to General Carranza why
he himself continues TO violate Mexican
sovereignty.
Carranza rightly says that the hunt for
Villa has collapsed. Why, then, are the
American troops in Mexico not withdrawn?
Il is a plain question which demands a
plain answer. But Mr. Wilson is not will
ing 10 give such an answer, because he
hates to dispel the illusion that he entered
Mexico with ample diplomatic warrant
and to admit to the world that the opera
tons conducted by General Pershing have
been anything but thinly disguised form
of war.
Our troops have no status in Mexico ex-
cept that Of invaders, going there to ac-
complish a purpose which the United
States believes Carranza's government is
unable to accomplish. Carranza says that
there is nothing left for American soldiers
TO do on Mexican soil, and that to keep
them there longer will demonstrate the
hostile intentions of the United States.
How is that clear and accurate statement
o. the Mexican point Of view to be met?
For reasons connected with domestic
politics the President is reluctant to with
draw the army from Mexico. But as a
worldwide humanitarian and pacificator he
is firmly committed to withdrawing them.
What will the outcome be? Will he reject
in his own case the philosophy which he
has prescribed for Europe, simply because
ne fears TO run counter to American feel
ing and TO weaken himself as a Presiden-
tlal candidate?