Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-14


| TT is evident that the Administration realizes
that If police expedition into Mexico
Is to accomplish its purpose without serious
complications the State Department must act
as quickly as the War Department. Car
rama demanded that permission be granted
to Mexican troops to cross the border in pur.
suit of bandits before he would consent that
American troops might enter Mexico There
are preCedents for the cooperation of the
armed forces of both nations in putting down
disorder when the men responsible for it took
refuge In one country or the other.
1t was important that Carranza be reassured
before the supporters of the de facto Gov.
ernment became innamed against the United
States. The first step was to meet Carranza's
demand with a quick and gracious acqui.
escence. This the President has already
done. Then it is desirable that we should
impress upon Mexico our unselnsh purposes
The expedition that is organizing is not for
the purpose of Invading" Mexican soil In
vasion involves warfare upon government.
The purpose o. the United States must be and
is to cooperate with the Mexican authorities
In making life and property safe in northern
Mexico and in the southwestern part of this
country
troops marched from Tientsin to Pekin during
the Boxer uprising. We assumed that the
attacks upon foreigners were made by bands
which were beyond the control of the Dowager
Empress. Our troops acted for the time in
conjunction with the troops of the European
Powers as n Chinese police force. We knew
that our assumption of the innocence of the
Dowager Empress had no foundation, but we
saved the face" of the Chinese by the course
which we pursued
There is no suspicion of the sincerity of the
desire of Carranza's Government to capture
villa and destroy his power for harm. Villa
Is not making raids into the United States
with the knowledge and consent of Carranza |
Nor is destroying the property OF foreigners
on Mexican soil with the countenance of tho |
Government. The case is thus far different |
from that of China.
1t is possible to convince Carranza If he is |
willing to be convinced, that our purposes to-
ward him are friendly. We have recognized
him as the actual head of the only govern
nent that exists in the republic. Our example
has been followed by other Powers We have
tent an Ambassador to Mexico City because
We wish to treat Mexico as an equal in the
amily of nations. Our attitude is diplo-
natically correct. Now that we have granted
to Mexican troops to cross the bor-
Ter when necessary there remains no reason
Lble excuse for Carranza to oppose our pur-
roses.
But whether the eXgencies of Mexican pol-
tics make it possible for Carranza to concede
ur right or not, the Government in Washing
on is expected to continue in the course on
which 1t has set out. Conditions on the border
ave become intolerable. The Mexican Gov.
seems to be poweress to change
hem. 1t cannot protect the lives of Ameri.
ans in its own territory and It is unable to
apture the bandits who have violated Amer.
can territory and burned and looted and
murdered within sight of camp of American
oldiers. The murders In Columbus were not
he first that have been done by Villas men
n American soil, but they must be the last
lila may hide in the mountains, but the
american officers who have hunted the raid.
ng Indians in the Western States and sub.
ued the savage Moros in the Philippines are
apable of tracking him to his hiding place
nd capturing him dead or alive. They can
o it, even if Carranza opposes. They can
isit such condign punishment upon him and
is followers that no Mexican insurrecto now
wing will ever care to challenge like retrlbu-
ion.
1t took the President a long time to make
p his mind to act Now that he has drawn
he sword he is entitled to the whole hearted
upport of the whole nation. II he needs
lore troops than are available they must be
rovlded, Congress is expected TO vote all
he money required to equip all the troops
'hich the necessities of the case seem TO
emand Whether the past Mexican policies
the Administration have been wise or not
OF no Importance in this crisis. Its present
olicy is thus far wise and prudent.