Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-01-02
The Mexican Situation.

Without the moral and material aid OF the
United States, Carranza make no progress in
pacifying and rehabilitatng Mexico. Such slender
power as he now possesses would last hardly
day if American support we're withdrawn, and the
bare necessities of his administration cannot be
met much longer unless financial help in the form
of an American loan is forthcoming.
1t is not to be expected, then, that Carranza
will risk severance of relations with Washington
as long as he has any claim to de facto govern
ment Should his fortunes continue going from
bad to worse until he other chance than
that of the common adventurer, he might throw
all caution to the winds and Va-lke seek to pro
woke war with the United States. Otherwise, there
is every reason why he should wish to retain this
nations good will and buttressing influence.
All along, however, his tactics have been a
strain on our Governments patience and bar to
the free exercise of it's hepfulness He has been
obstinate and captious details at the very time"
he ought to have been open-minded and concerned
only with principles Instead of cooperating with
the United States to put an end to banditry along
the border and in the interior he made matters
difficult as he could for the Pershing expedition.
Villa probably would have been disposed of long
ago and the task of restoring Mexico to stable
ditions would have been we'll under way had Car
rama been more of a practical statesman and less
of martinez.
In refusing to ratify the protocol drawn some
time ago by the Mexican-American joint commits
son he rejects another rich opportunity and lessons
the means by which his country be helped The
purpose for which that commission was formed
was Ito exert one last effort toward making Mexico
a possible neighbor under this Constitutionalist
government" The words quoted from state
ment issued by Secretary Lane chairman of the
American commissioners, when the protocol first
for Carr And
he added with significance:
1--WE are to come out of Mexico just as
soon as decently and in order, and be-
have other for troops who
are there. &. We shall reserve to ourselves
the right to treat her invading bandits as they
should be treated, chasing them to a finish if
necessary, unless Mexico gets right into shape
to do this herself We will help her
to get into good shape if she can
understand that we mean to be her
friend. She cannot be sick and strong at the
time. The world wants new Mexico,
where the poor and ignorant will have a bet
ter chance. To this extent, the world has no
sympathy with exploiters but it has great
respect for rights that vested, and we shall
go along with the world in protecting such
rights"
Under the terms of the agreement reached by
the joint commission, way opened whereby
1
concern, such as food supplies sanitary regulations
and taxation could be discussed by the same COM
mission and constructvely dealt with. The border
troubles as Secretary Lane we'll expressed it, are
| only symptoms, and what Mexico needs is System
treatment" But not until there is reasonable as
surance of border safety, the remaining ques-
lions properly be taken up Not until it is apparent
| that General Pershing's force can be withdrawn
| without endangering American territory will that
ste he aEan Not init
of suppressing outlawry will American troops cease
| to pursue the border Mexican outlaws who
| disturb American communities. Had Carranza
| ratified the protocol these and like matters would
have been satisfactorily adjusted and the commits
sion resumng its conferences, could have advanced
| to issues of broader import.
But Carranza, it appears will be satisfied with
nothing short of the unconditional withdrawal of
| the American troops in Mexico He shuts his
to the fact that banditry is rampant in large
portion of his country American territory and
that the United States is bound protect the prop
erty and lives of its people against repetition of
the Columbus, New Mexico, raid. In sticking over
these and similar questions, Carranza is playing
| rather dangerous game. If he will not come to
an agreement with the United States on these mat
ters the door will be closed to further discussion
| the joint commission will dissolve; and there will
be an end of 'the last effort toward making Mexico
possible neighbor under this Constitutionast gov
eminent"
What the upshot of the situation Will be is as
| yet hardly practicable, but Carranza looks very
| much like drowning man who quarrels with his
would-be rescuers over their manner of throwing
| him rope. His position the strongest
| and now it is precarous if not critical He has
failed utterly to restore safety and order in north
| Mexico, although he boosted that his power
was ample His government is virtually bankrupt
and unless help is forthcoming it will not be long be-
| fore his troops wax murinous. Villa has regained
something of his old prestige and if his recent sue
cesses continue he will be a revolution leader again
| instead of merely bandit chief
In these circumstances, Carranza's one depend
able and sufficient friend is the United States Fail
ing to accept the opportunities of that friendship
"a, Ii