Arizona sentinel., 1917-01-04
MEXICO

Many of my friends have recently asked me what I think of the Mexican
 situation I have been unable to an swer this question, even in a wholly satisfactory manner to my own mind, though I have given this subject as
 much personal thought as probably any man in this community, and I
 may add even more so, for it is sub
 ject dear to my heart-that of saving the integrity of the republic of Mexico. The Mexican situation is an un-
 known problem. No statesman in
 the United States has yet been able
 to solve it. No man in Mexico is
 brighter, apparently, than are those
 in this country who are attempting to solve this great problem. There are many in this country who think the only solution lies in annexation.
 There are many others who think such course would be "a crime against nature" I am free to confess that think it is unspeakable to even think the United States would ever step over the boundary line that now sepa- rates the two republics, except for the purpose of helying the Mexicans to form a stable government. It would appear more like big, strong, burly man taking candy from little blind baby, rather than an act of war, for the whole world knows Mexico. is de pleted of practically everything that is necessary to conduct a war. She is poor in boot men and money. She is decrepit to an extent that appeals to the better nature of every one. This being true it would indeed seem shame for the United States to declare war against that unhappy country.
 And yet Mexicans continue to com init outrages against Americans. For less crimes the entire European coun- tries are now at war. For the mere killing of a so-called heir-apparenr to the crown of Austria all the coun- tries of the Old World are now in death struggle. Many, aye, many worse instances of atrocities are on record in Mexico, and yet Uncle Sam has been sone enough and sensible enough to forego a declaration Of war against our sister republic. The Amer ican people, as a people, are decidedly against war, and yet arouse them and there is no nation on earth that VIII fight harder than the citizens of Amer ica.
 What is needed in Mexico, more than anything else, is a man who IS strong enough to command the respect of his own people. When such a man looms up on the horizon Mexico will be at peace with all the world. Until that time we may continue to expect chaos. rape, rapine, murder. Porf1rlo Diaz was just such man as Mexlco | needed. In the prime of his long reign he was an ideal ruler. Later he permitted "grafters" to get the best of his judgment Later still these same "grafters," many of whom were Americans, proved so greedy and grasping that they proved his undo ing. He went the way that all tools go-to the scrap heap.
 Then came the unspeakable Huerta. He lasted but a brief space of time. He has long since been sent to hls reward. And now Carranza. He seems to be made of neither fowl or fish. He is an enigma. One day this, the next day that. No one seems to know his mind, and he is certainly not of the same mind two days in succession himself. Obregon, his minister of war and advisor in chief, is probably the strongest man in the republic of Mex ico at the present time. All the other so-called generals" are mere "bush- whackers," with one notable excep- General Esteban Can tu of Lower California. He is the ONLY man in authority in the en- tire republic who has kept faith with his people. He is the only man in the entire republic who has kept faith with the citizens of the United States.