Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-01-21
The Practical aspect
OF WatchfuI Waiting.

The record of American Intervention to restore
order in Cuba is cited by some of the hotheads
as argument for like procedure toward Mexico.
Theoretically the cases shave something in common
but viewed practically they quite different. As
the New York Globe points out:
Cuba small island, any part oil
which might be reached in a few days. Mexico
is a large country which it would take months
TO traverse and, perhaps. years to subdue
Cuba's population less than two million
a large percentage favorable to Mexicos
population is fifteen million, practically all of
whom would be hostile. Those in Congress
and out of it hurrahing for immediate inter
vention know little concerning the matters in
regard to which they confidently offer ad-
vice"
The Administration prudent in this
troublous situation has been inspired not only by
hgh-minded respect for the sovereignty of neigh
boring republic but also by clear understanding
of cold facts Were the United States committed
TO a policy of land-grabbing, intervention at this
time would be entirely seasonable and proper.
There are a few Americans doubt who believe
that we should act toward our weaker neighbors as
Austria acted toward the helpless little States she
coveted But as a nation are Enthusiastically
against ACKNOWLEDGMENT The interventiohists are
reduced, therefore, to the pretext of protecting
American lives and property. But would not such
a remedy bring ills far worse than those 1t pro-
poses to cure?
If an expedition could be rushed across the Rio
Grande and with few swift strokes put end to
outlawry, and then come peacefully home, the ad-
venture would be worth while But when we come to
stubborn realities and think of army of quarter
of a million or more facing enraged and united
people, fighting a guerilla foe month after month,
and year after year, provoking suspicion and ami
mostly from all Latin America, spending millions
of treasure and sacrificing thousands of lives we
question whether this sort of thing should be un-
dertaken except as a last, desperate resort The
slaughter of seventeen Americans by Villas bandits
in chihuahua was a terrible crime, but it would
dwindle to slight proportions beside the massacres
which an invasion would incte. The inroads
against the property of Americans in Mexico are
deplorable indeed. but they would sink to insig-
niicance beside the wholesale destruction which
Intervention would arouse As a means of pro-
tecting the interests of citizens who are resi-
dents or investors in Mexico, the surest, safest
course for the present at least is to sustain and
encourage the forces that are working for that
country's self regeneration.
The Wilson policy in this regard has been crit
icised as being unduly dealistc, On the contrary,
Il is pre-eminently practical 1t takes sober &C
count of conditions which yawpers of the Roosevelt
pack Historically ignore 1t is policy no less ex-
Incident than just. No one say what crucial
needs or obligations the future may bring. The
Carranza government may fail. Another TEMPEST
of revolution and anarchy may burst forth. The
United States may be compelled to sacrifice its in
erests to it's duty But not until the situation has
reached that desperate stage, not until every fair
test and every reasonable hope are over should we
abandon watchful waiting for wild jngoism.