The St. Joseph observer. [volume] (St. Joseph, Mo.) 1906-1932, 1917-08-04
THE MEXICANS HAVE
CHANGED ATTITUDE

From every authentic source of in
formation dealing with conditions in
Mexico, come reports to the effect that
In SO far 3s the Mexican government
can voice the sentiment of that coun-
try, there now exists, perhaps for the
first time among the MeXicans, SIN
Cere feeling of benevolent neutrality
toward the nations at war with Prus-
stan autocracy. The first and great
est effect of this changed condition is
felt I'm the United States, and the peo-
pie north of the Rio Grande are the
first to acknowledge and TO welcome
this new and better attitude. II Is
gratifying also that President Carran-
"a whose private secretary, Gerzayn
Ugart, recently visited Washington,
and thru whom an unofficial message
was sent to the people of the United
States, Is able to speak with more than
superficial authority. Mexico is to-
day more nearly united nation than
at any previous time since the admin
istration of President Diaz, IL recent
reports many of them apparently au-
thentic, can be accepted The end has
come for the time at least of revolu-
tions which have REQUIRED with
spOntaneity almost approaching reg
ularity, as an end must always come
TO all similar uprisings inspired by
selfish disregard of authority and a
frugal and law-abiding. More than
a stinted measure Of credit Is due to
President CarranZa and his admins
tration for having reached point
where he is ready to stand before the
world and disClaim friendship for
those who have so persistently
sought TO entangle his government in
an alliance antagOnistic to the United
States, Great Britain and France. Ger
man gold and German influences have
been employed unstintedly in Mexico
for many months, If not for years, in
an undlsguised effort to arouse the
enmity OF the people and government
of the United States. Every species
OF unlicensed diplomacy has been re-
sorted to, every deceit practiced, and
every sort Of affrOnt encouraged.
clearly with the hope that an emerg-
ency would arise which would cause
the armed strength of the United
States TO be diverted from the very
undertaking which is now engaging It.
Alluring offers Of money, and the ten
der Of an international alliance which
promised greater political power, were
temptations which some men, in Pres
tdent Carranza's position, would not
have been able to resist Because he
has resisted, and because out of seri-
Gus domestic conditions, there has
been raised up a government which
gives evidence Of stability and integ-
rity. great credit is due to him and to
those who have been equally loyal ia
Mexicos greater Interests. The peo-
pie OF Mexico seem now to realize, per-
haps more fully than ever before, that
the future OF their country Is linked
with that of the United States, No
matter whether or not they choose &c
have IL so, and that any permanent
prosperity which may be enjoyed will
come, in no small measure, thru Co
operation with the neighbor whose In
terest. even the most ignorant peoI
should now realize. is unselfish. Tn,
Mexlcans must realize, also, that thI
: permanent rewards, even of strict neu
trality. will be greater than the trans
ttory rewards OF an illogical and un
natural alliance with the acknowledg
ed enemies OF democracy. But therl
are intimatons, now hardly more thar
mutterinss, that Mexico may not b.
satisfied TO remain a, spectator in
definitely. Now, according TO Mr.
Ugarts, Mexico In neutral. "Wha
change our interests may require" h
Is quoted as saying. II do not know