New-York tribune., 1919-05-04

NAA"i4NS DlS DOuHNdiy from lis mOQJn to
Ell Paso. We assumed claims of Ameri-
can citizens against Mexico amounting to
$3,25o,000 and paid to Mexico SIS 10000.
Apparently Mexicans had been learning
to forget all this during the rule of Por-
firio Diaz, but the United States found
two occasions to remind them of 1.-THE
seizure of Vera Cruz and the punitive ex-
petition under General Pershing
Mysti fcuiion
Mexcans were as completely mystfed
by these extraordinary proceedings on the
part of the United States as were Ameri-
cans. They could not and can not under
stand why the United States should have
taken forcible possession of the chief sea-
port of the republic without a declara
tion of war, nor can they understand whv.
having obtained control, the American
forces were withdrawn
Neither can Mcxcans understand whv
General Pershng should have been sent
into friendly territory to capture a bandit
who had formerly been on the best of
terms with the United States, and why
he retired to the United States without
>>NNOiiP'''iti''S NNc uipOSe lOT Wnlch he
entered Mexico.
Diplomacy, as represented by John Lind
and William Bayard Hale, is still unin
telligible to the Mexcans 1t NAV be il
lustrated by an anecdote I heard here of
the departure of Lind.
His conferences with Huerta having
been unproductive, Mr.. Lind called in a
groap of representative Americans and
asked for advice. They had mono to give,
whereupon he decided that the time had
come to deliver an ultimatum. It was duly
written and read to the Americans. and
they were asked what the result would
be. One of them replied that there
wouldn't be any result.
Mr.. Lind Goes TO W'or
"Whatl" cried the super-envoy. "Do Won
think Huerta will dare to ignore the armed
power of the United States of America
He will reply, and at once. or I will with
ara" from Mexico. and war will follow"
"A messenger was accordingly dispatched
to find Huerta, who happened to be out of
town for the time being. He returned to
the palace in the afternoon and the message
was presented. He read it and laid it aside
Beng informed that an immediate answer
was expected he glanced at it again, and
said ne saw no occasion to hurry
But Mr.. Lind will depart for the United
States on the o'clock train if he does nor
receive reply"
Mr. Lind is at liberty to leave Mexico
when he pleases," said Huerta, with grin.
'but II ne wishes to go at once see that a
presidential private ear is placed at his dis
posal"
VIZ. Land, on receiving this message pre-
pared to depart at once, but he again called
IN his acquantances in the American colony
before going to the station.
1T is war, gentlemen" he announced with
more than usual solemnty. AZ shall be on
United States territory within twentv-forr
hours and will Immediately telegrapb q
statement to Washington. The Presidert
Will declare war against Mexico the next
day. tell you this so you NAV eet ont 80
the country as best you may"
Mono of the Americans took Mr ~,
seriously enough to follow his suggestion
about quitting Mexico.
And nothing happened.
Uncertainty as to the intentions of A..
United States with regard to Mexico wos
uhtli American troops got into action in the
Arsonne, accompanied by disposition to un-
dervalue the worth of the American fphtino
1orce AT the time we were building IN y
great army-that army which was to deliver
'he coup de grace to the Hun fighting
mach'ne-a Mexican military official spoke
OF our troops as Chocolate soldiers" in the
course OF conversation with an American
lr'eho' lie was at great pains to apoogize
1or this' after our men had shown their