New-York tribune., 1919-08-16
A New Mexican Policy

"A lNcW NIeXICan ECIlCy
What has been the Mexican policy
which the State Department has informed
Mexico is likely to be radically changed?
a's In essence, as defined by the President
in his speech to the Mexican editors, it is
that Mexicos business is none of our busi-
ness. The President, by no means un-
mindful of what was going on In Mexico,
has steadily, even stubbornly, insisted on
giving to Mexico full opportunity to put
her own house in order. We had four
years Civil War, and as much or more
time might be allowed to stabilize back
ward country.
Not only has there been patient ab-
stention from intervention, but in every
way effort to assist Mexico. When
Huerta, numbering the constitutional
head of the republic, seized power as
military dictator, American influence
aided those who rose against the tyrant,
saying they sought to redstablish con-
stitutional democracy. What demo-
cratic freedom Mexican now enjoys is
thus because of the friendship of the
United States. Carranza and the alleged
ConstItutionalists won and uuerta finally
fled because one side was helped and the
other throttled by President Wilson.
Of course it was not possible to fol-
low this ideaistic policy with perfect
Consistency. AT Vera Cruz and after
Mexicans had attacked and killed the in
habitants of a border town there was
temporary and limited intervention. But
the President went back to the main path
he had marked for himself. Whatever
the future may say of President Wilson
in other respects it will not charge he
displayed a treat 'em rough spirit with
respect to Mexico.
= And what has been the result? Car
rama and his group have put in their
time biting the hand that fed them Diaz
and Huerta were never as unreasonable
nor as bitter against the United States.
Carranza was caught negotiating with
Germany. That he has sought to per
suade Japan to enter on an anti-Ameri-
can policy is not open to doubt. Carranza,
to feed his grudge, was willing to betray
civilization and to upset the Monroe Doc
trne, which once saved Mexico from
foreign tyranny and for nearly century
mas been a bulWark of protection to her.
~ Not only has he done this, but. for
getting all his promises to govern con-
stltutlonally, he is at the head of a
mllltaristic government which does not
dlfler much from that of Diaz or Huerta.
Under HIM elections have been as farcical
as under other Mexican tyrants. He has
returned sneering excuses when law
abiding Americans were murdered. His
WORD mas not been good. He has capital
1zed our Indulgence to his own ADVANTAGE
and has devoted himself to intensifying
Mexican prejudice.
From the very nature Of things such
course cannot be indefinitely pursued
without forcing a change in our poljcv
Aostentlon from action having worked
no cure, it is necessary to consider
whether or not another prescription will
be more effective. We have presented
again the same principle that justified
the expulsion of the Spaniard from Cuba.
1t need scarcely be said that there is
no hostility to Mexico in this country
We wish for her prosperity and her COM
pete independence. Thought of annex
alton is in few minds. No sensible per-
son wants this country to assume the
duty Of administering Mexico. Our
motives are disinterested and Hearsts
mcltations have delayed an alteration of
Pollcy rather than accelerated it. 1t is
not clear to many what should be our
ultimate policy, but that it does harm
rather than good to fool further with
Carranza is Increasingly manifest.
:" Exactly what "watcllful waitines' will
develop into is not indicated. Possibly
uCarranza, deaf to appeals to right will
yield to a different kind of argument
If he does not it may be economic or
other forms of pressure will suffice. re-
moving the need of a resort to force
1t would be in accord with the Pres-
dents habit to use indirect methods first.
But whether the means EMPLOYED are
direct or indirect the declaration of the
. State Department is notice that there
must be change in Mexico.
|