Arizona republican., 1916-06-20
After a War With Mexico, wha.7


 If should have with Mexico. one involv- ing conquest of the country and it would have to be that kind of a war there could be govern mcnt of that country with which could conclude terms of permanent the end of the conflict might find in possession of territory which would have difficulty in releasing. Our situation would be similar to that in which found ourselves after the pacfcaton of the Philippines. The mere dispersal of the Mexican forces of the various factions the fact that had the country without further en- coun,erins organized opposition, opposition at all would not be guaranty that the restoration of order had boen made permanent. We could trust faction and Mexican leader with the reorganization of government. We should have undertake that task ourselves preferably aided by South and Central American governments.
 It would then be question whether we should stand the great expense of the war which had been forced upon whether should require an n- demnty from Mexico If the latter. it would have to he determined whether it should be a money a ter ritoral indemnity. This brings to rather deli cate matter The United States has always set itself against the acquisition of territory by conquest We have territory without paying for it after we have occupied i. by force We have quired territory from Mexco under pressure, it is true. but we have always paid literally for it cept in the of the territory of Texas which admitted after a successful revolution terms diff ferent from those which any other territory was ever admitted to the United States
 We have now especially disclaimed any purpose to acquire any part of Mexico by conquest. The gov ernnlent is bound do SO though things may so turn out that should be obliged to do There comparatively few people in this country who want any part of Mexico. There some along the boun- dary who would like to have the United States seize the northern of Mexico partly because they of and partly because they think that the permanent cupation of territory would afford greater ty to the region along the present boundary-they would desire it as a buffer territory
 We suppose there are many Mexicans, those of the wealthier class whose patriotism has been strained beyond the breaking point within the last five years who would welcome the annexation of the parts of Mexico which their interests lie They must despair by this time of any restoration maintenance of der from within
 Thus there may develop various reasons why the of the may find in permanent possession of considerable additional territory. very likely tuaty would be the strengthening of the international boundary of Meridian II West That would add largely of Arizona also giving us to
 the Gulf of California In that case. the territory of Lowers California which would then be geographically detached from Mexico it has been politically de- tached almost from the beginning of the war would also probably be annexed to the United Sttaes
 However well meaning government may be now, events which may beyond it's control may force it into the position of having been engaged in of con quest for the acquisition of territory to which the op position in this country would be only little less strenuous than the opposition in Mexico.
 But there is one thing must do. We must make thorough job of it and employ all dur ing and after the guarantee it's thoroughness that it will not have to be done again. Oth- erwise the part would be greater failure a larger and ridiculous scale than our costly punitive expedition" has been 3t~.