Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1919-12-17
MEXICAN MANDATE FOR
MEXICO, TAFT URGES
u. S. Can Best Perform Her Duty
by Serving Under the League
of Nations.

A novel proposal for the psciication OF
Mexico is just found by Mr.. William
Howard Taft In AN article IN "The
Philadelphia Public Ledger" 1t is that
the United States should obtain 4 man
date from the league of nations for enter
ing Mexico, occupying it for period and
policing it under limitations laid down
by the league, Mr.. Taft's proposal is as
follows:
'.The Mexican situation presents great
difficulties. There are Americans whose
interests make them anxious to have
the United States use the strong hand,
take over this rich country, administer
IFS affairs and ultimately absorb it into
our domain. That the United States
oould do much good for the poor, hsrried
common people of that misgoverned
nation by forcibly restoring tranquility
and giving them a reign OF law and order
Gfoe without saying. That Mexico
hagrant responsibility IS becoming In
tolershle is also true. 1t would, however,
need an army of considerable size and
would require perhaps two or more years
10 suppress disorder and convince the
rnisled people OF the necessity and Wis
dom of recognizing our rule. ms
campaign would be very expensive and
most distasteful TO our people, surieited
rs they are with war and its necessary
rquelr-
troll. the QUESTION what we were TO
do with Mexico would remain as a
political issue and a problem big with
embarrassment. Enthusiasts like Mr..
Champ Clark would declare for ex-
tending our dominion to the Panama
Canal. The prospect of statehood might
create, even among the heMcans them
selves. party for full annexation and sn
Incorporation of all MeSicans as citizens
Of our Union. The wise and conservative
would look with concern on a proposal
involving the further dilution OF our
electorste by granting the ballot to the
adults OF 8 popula ton of $4,000. 900, so
per cent Of whom are entirely illiterate and
none of whom can speak English.
Meanwhile the Central and South
American States would charge us with
land-grabbing and resent our taking
over an independent Latin-American
State We would intensity their sus-
picioD of our motives IN all our deal
mGs with Latin America Their view
would be that Mexico and the MeN-
can people have right to make their
oun government, and it IS none OF our
business or concern what the govern
nent Is so long as it suits them. That
rs the doctrine which President Wilson
declared time and time again in the esrly
part OF his administration, though 1t
Was exceedingly difficult to reconcile
bis treatment of Huerta and his gov
eminent with any such. principle.
The history OF the world Of late
years points to proper qualification
Of the night of people TO make their own
government and run it. They must not
make themselves an international nui-
sance, or other nations may have some
thing 10 say about their course. Spain
and her government OF Cuba are an
instance. She made such mess of it SIS
10 impose on Us a heavy burden OF policing
30 suppress hhbustering and yellow fever
She thus gave us just cause Of com
plant Any country which becomes
snsrchic snd unable to respond 10 the
obligations Of decent neighbor loses
it's unqualified rights TO, complain OF
intervention. The peace OF the world
requires each nation TO keep its own
house in order If II does not do so.
and thus citizens oi other countries
are continually harassed and abused
within It's borders and its neighbors
arc forced continually to police their
borders 10 prevent forays By bandits
and rowing bands unrestraIned, II may
be properly disciplined i,y its neighbors.
Now If would be greatly better if
this police work could be done under
the authority Of the Family Of Ma
tions so that the intervening nation
rould act under . mandate from the
world. This mandate would contain Il
term OF occupancy and other llInlta-
tions which, being accepted, would be
l.. IL . ka.
taken would and could not be d mere
greedy conquest, hut only an abatement
Of q nuisance The mandate would rest
on the Judgment of those granting it that
the nation complained Of was incapable
of seif-government, had become q nuisance
and needed q guardian. This would
greatly strengthen the mandatory In its
task.
"If we enter the league of nations
under It's present covenant, We shall
find no provision for q mandate for
dist ressed Mexico; but II would doubt
less be easy TO secure an amendment
of the covenant to extend its mandate
provisions 10 any country which, evi-
IDENTIFY lacking the power Of self-gov-
crnment. should berome q nuisance,
requiring Il temporary guardianship in
the interest Of is people and Of the
peace and stability OF the world.
'Mandataries for countries IN the
Western Hemisphere could and should
be limited to American nations. And
u need be, the terms of the charter
for the nandatary could be agreed
upon by the American members Of the
league alone. The mandatory would
then have a definite task. upon the
terms of which all nations. including
the people Of the nation In tutelage and
Of the mandatory, could rely This
is one of the great advantages the league
Of nations could be made TO afford. II
would restrain the iingoes and imperial
.sts. and would reconcile the consciences
u the conservative to much needed
,arnadxr for . r1lurliDo sOre 2