Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-06-17

There were flush times in Juarez when
Pancho presided at the celebrated race
track, the grand stand of which was,
until the other day, about the only whole
structure in the town. 1t is even better
known that foreign exploiters, American,
British and Of other nationalities, have
gleefully welcomed reports of chaos in
Mexico.
But the intimations of these sinister
influences, the belief that Villa was not
altogether friendless in some of the very
regions that clamored for protection
against him, the indisputable knowledge
that Juarez was pest, should have been
factors of substantial potency in inform
ing the governments policy with clarity
and decisiveness.
War with Mexico would be a monstrous
crime. In his avoidance of it Mr.. Wilson
unquestionably reflected the sentiments
of decent Americans. Beyond that, how
ever, it is difficult to see that he has done
anything toward solving a difficult and
critical problem
The Pershing expedition was meaning
less. 1t was neither war nor peace, and
out of such a twilight zone it became
impossible even for the future COM
mander of Americas mightiest armies to
extract anything tangible.
What is imperatively needed now is
precisely what was in order in 1914, 1915
and 19l6-a policy which Americans can
understand and respect and one which
will render future carnivals of murderous
disorder in Juarez or elsewhere on the
border impossible.
1t is equally important, moreover. that
Mexico should entertain no doubts of our
intentions. Villa, Angeles, Diaz, Zapata,
Carranza and the whole pestiferous crew
of rebels, rulers and road agents have
capitalized American vacillation to the
full. American lives in Mexico have been
has been looted and confiscated.
The kaiser may have outwardly scoffed
at US, but it is certain that he feared our
just wrath. Mexico has seen altogether
too few evidences of sane and purposeful
American governmental will to be in
dread Of it.
1t is specifically stated that the entry of
our troops into Juarez and the chastise-
ment administered to the Villa despera-
does is not to lead to any invasion of
Mexico. This is wise pronouncement
proportioned to the aspects of the par
ticular incidents which prompted Briga-
dier General Erwin to cross the nterna-
tional bridge. His action indisputably
safeguarded lives in Ell Paso and rid the
border of an immediate menace.
Battle of Juarez" is forid term. 1t
was brush with bandits who had become
intolerably bold. 1t is the ominous sig
nifcance of the affair which inspires I'M
easness. The American people have no
guarantee that such outrages will not be
recurrent. The scandal in the situation
is its perilous uncertainty.
Criminal absurdity of this kind has
outworn any conceivable palliation.
President Wilson is under pressing obi
cation to declare himself plainly and
without equivocation concerning Mexico.
Perhaps the league of nations may be
intrusted with problem which has out
lived all the tremendous questions of the
great war.
If so, if there is the CLEAN of sens-
BILE, forceful and consistent idea on this
theme in the heads of the responsible
statesmen it should be forthwith dis
closed. Public patience is exhausted.