The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-12-04
DO WE WANT WAR.

There are many critics in the United States who
have had much to say about President Wilson and
the course this government has taken in Mexico.
They criticised the president for not going to
at the very time when such course would have
been playing into the hands of Germany.
There is another class which is ardently seeking
with Mexico-the men who have interests there.
or hope to get interests in case of war. The am
muntion makers with them and together they
have kept up constant stream of criticism, usual
ly through the newspapers, for they have had no
desire to attract attention to themselves
The critics who have nothing at stake, however,
and who nothing about conditions in Mexico,
are .i,c most persistent. They may rot know any
thing at all about the in question:, they
are positive that the president should act differ
emily. Were declared these irresponsible per-
sons would be the first to cry out against once
more plunging civilization into with Gerr,an.-
which with Mexico virtually would be.
1t is Up to some ~ the critics to Genre forward
and tel what should be done. The civilized world
today is seeking to reach adjustment of information
al troubles without war. The nations advocat-
ing arbitration. Can it be that the interests lined
UP against the peace treaty. are in sympathy with
a movement for war, because of the money to he
made out of I. ?
1t must be remembered that with Mexico,
means not only trouble there, but probably in
ternal strife here. Just the United States
has about all the domestic difficulties it ham
de- and more Over in Berlin crafty diplomats
have been pulling the wires for long time, but
the United States should be very sure indeed that
this country is entirely justified before declaring
hostties in which, once more. the entire civilized
world may become embroied
If it is possible to settle any by arbitration,
it should be possible to settle this
In the of Consular Agent jenkins, the I'M
der-secretary of foreign relations declared that
there is no treaty existing between Mexico and
the United States. making provision for exemption
of consular agents from the jurisdiction of federal
tribunnl The treaty of friendship and commerce
between the United States and Mexico, drawn in
1881, and renewed in 1918 established no immunity
in favor of consuls, so the Mexican government
claims.
This technicaIity may be only another method
of Mexican 'salling' but the settlement should be
left to the government and war department This
is not time for the people of this country to in
stigate bloodshed Any government which can hon
orably its affairs at this time in the worlds
history without warfare, is criminal If such preced-
ure Is not entered into.
1t is frequently claimed that Mexico is not afraid
OF the United States government, but that state
ment is not borne out in report of deEate on
international affairs recently published in the FIX
celsior Mexico City organ.
In quoting one of the senators in debate. the re-
port says:
Our government did wrong. very wrong in
following pro-German course but there is an
explanation: 1t believed in the victory of the
central powers and believed that Germany
might be our ally, and defend us from the
covetousness of our powerful neighbor. 1t is
true that this policy demands absolute frank
ness, but in fact If is an explanation, like any
other explanation.
: .But' he continued. .when the United States
nutered the European conflict even blind man
mt have seen that the Germans course was