New-York tribune., 1916-07-10
THE PERSUASION OF FORCE
Frank Brute Strength Is the Only Arsu-
ment Mexicans Appreciate.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: 1t does not seem 20 have occurred 70
the press of this country, TO the paciAstic
party and the party on preparedness that Mr.
Carranzas very modest note 70 this govern
ment can be attributed solely to the formi-
Gable PREPARATIONS that he sees this country
has been making in the last few weeks to as
sert its rights Really, it is a matter OF great
surprise that no comment has been made
upon this phase of the situation.
II President Wilson would only awaken 70
the fact that the only thing that the Mexican
people and the Mexican government fear or
recognize is absolute brute force, II would
seem that the events of the last few days
would have brought that fact most promi-
nently before the Administration.
If President Wilson viii now define a pol
icy which he will lay down TO the Mexican
government and insist upon their carrying It
out and advise them of what this governmen,
will do If they don't carry il out, then we will
get some results. | am one, possibly OF very
few people in this country, who does not be-
leve that the Mexican people will unite as
man against intervention on the part OF this
country. | know Mexico pretty thoroughly
and | know the Mexican people, their char
acteristics, etc, and when one considers the
condition of prosperity that has existed IN
Mexico for the last twenty-five years, up 70
the time OF the present revolution, he cannot
but come to the conclusion that this pros
perity is the result Of the introduction OF
American and foreign capital into the repuo-
lie of Mexico, with the resulting develop
ment of its industries. and the average
Mexican knows this fact too well Il IS for
this reason that We have seen dispatches FOR
the last few days in the papers TO the effect
that the Mexican men and women OF the mid
die and lower classes are calling for inter-
yenton on the part Of the American govern
ment. They realize the difference In the
wages they were receiving before the intro
ducton of foreign capital-25 cents Mexican
money a day-the wages that they were re-
ceiving during the prosperous conditions that
existed in Mexico and the wages that they
are not receiving at the present time.
feel quite confident that any action taken
by this government TO restore peace and tran
qullity 10 the Mexican republic would re-
ceive the hearty cooperation of great many
Of its inhabitants; and as for Carranzas max
ing any promises TO this country OF keeping
peace on the border, we ought by this time 20
know that it is utterly impossible for MIN 20
do so. There are too many dissensions IN his
own camp and he has too many enemies on
the outside 10 justify him in making any
promises that can be relied upon.
The only thing this government can do IS
TO frankly and almost brutally tell the Mex
can people just what We expect them 20 10
and what we expect them 10 do will be as mucn
for their interest as our own-and 20 have
them clearly understand that II they cannon
comply with the conditions We lay down IN
tervention will be the inevitable result
! sincerely believe that the expressions con
tanned in this letter will meet the approval OF
any man who has lived in Mexico or who has
known the Mexican people. l.. {. l.
New York. July 7, 1916.