Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-18
One Good Word for the Mexicans

One Good Word for the MeXicans
WITH all the bowling and shrieking that
w has gone in this country under
Roosevelt Hearst leadership. II is not un-
natural. perhaps, that Carranza and Obregon
should have cherished some doubts of the
unseltishness Of President Wilson's Mexican
policy. They saw strong force of American
troops pursuing wounded bandit far across
the border. they witnessed the mobilization
OH the border of yet stronger forces, and they
heard that shouted demand for armed inter-
venton and prolonged if not permanent occu
patton, What wonder if they mistook the
highly vocal performances of the limoges and
trouble makers for the voice of the American
people!
Associated Press dispatches rectc that
General Obregon entered the conference at
Ell Paso with much apprehension as TO the
real intention Of General Pershing's swift
march into Mexico in pursuit Of Villa and his
raiders. Undoubtedly, Obregon reflect
cd fears felt in Mexico City that the expedi-
ton was i'll reality q step toward inter-
venton'
General Scott and General Funston were
able to remove these approximations, according
to the Associated Press. without making any
promises to the time when American
troops would be withdrawn. That was real
diplomatic triumph. If there is anything the
arera ge American does not desire, it is inter-
head is not absolutely empty knows such an
enterprise could bring neither profit nor
honor, and that ii would cost hundreds OF
millions of dollars and thousands Of Ameri-
can lives.
1t has taken Carranza long time founder
stand the President. AS long ago as October
81. 1915. speaking to the Southern Com
mercial Congress at Mobile. Mr. Wilson de-
clared his conception of the relation and the
duty of the United States to Latin American
nations I'VE must prove ourselves their
friends and champions he then said, "Apou
terms Of equality and honor The
United States will never again seek one addi-
tional foot OF territory by conquest
We have seen material interests threaten con-
sttutional freedom in the United States
Therefore, will know how to sympathize
with those in the rest of America who have
TO contend with such powers not only within
their borders, but outside their borders also"
In these phrases is included the whole
Mexican policy of the administration
"Watchful waiting has been means simply
10 the realization Of these ideals, given to
the nation nearly three years ago. To the
Presidents type of mind it would be an
abomination TO visit on the whole unhappy
population of distracted Mexico the sins of
fraction OF that population. FIe is in
credulous Of the lasting benefits of protec-
torates. A people may be helped he thinks.
government. II Mexicos problems ever are
to b. solved they must be by MeXicans them
selves
Against Mexican ignorance ambition and
perfdy and against American jingosm, self
interest and greed the President steadily has
pursued his way. 1t has been a weary way,
filled with heart burnings and difficulties
and marked by many failures and the end
is not yet Whether it shall have final sue
cess depends now on Carranza and Oregon
and those they control. The United States
may be forced to intervene against its will
We may yet be required to pay the heavy
cost OF alien reformation--and even then may
fail But the skies tighten. If the Mexican
leaders show themselves TO be sensible men,
the ideals long sought for may be attained,
AT least measurably, and their country set
in the path whose goal is liberty, order and
peace.