The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1919-12-25
WHAT THE BORDER
THINKS OF MEXICO

Says the New York Times: Taking
notes on the Texas side of the border,
a correspondent of the Times, who
has interviewed men of many call
ings, learns that war with Mexico is
not desired by any community nor by
any person whose opinion is worth
recording; that, in fact, there is prac-
teal unanimity for a peaceful settle
ment of differences with Mexico and
fair play for her people, for a policy
of letting them work out their prob
lem of sef-government in their own
way. If the people of border states
can live as neighbors to the Mexicans
without demanding Intervention as
the only method of exacting repara-
ton for outrages upon American cit
liens, there is no reason why the peo-
pie. of the other forty-five states
should get excited about the short
comings and contumacy Of the Car
rama government, advocate war, and
declare for occupation as necessary if
the Mexicans are ever to know how to
govern themselves and let Americans
in Mexico alone.
It would appear that most of our
jingoes do not live on the border. and
really know nothing about the rela-
tions of it's people with the Mexicans
on the other side Of the Rio Grande
and the international line. AS mat
ter of fact, there is little of that dis
like and aversion for the Mexicans
down there which elsewhere in the
United States is supposed to be the
common feeling. Mayor Charles Da-
viz of Ell Paso says that, speaking
with the authority of an observer who
has lived thirty-eight years in that
border town, "There are no better
people than the Mexican merchants
and professional men. while the Mex
lean peon is no trouble at all, and is
not bloodthirsty if he is left alone"
AS to the Mexican laborer, Mayor
Davis says that he is a good work
man and that Texas could not get
along without him; he is to be seen
Everywhere, on the ranches, farms, in
stores, at work on the roads,, and
"there is no better labor to be found
anywhere" 1t will surprise a good
many people infected with Mexicopho-
bia to learn that Mexicans serve in
considerable number in the United
States army. No less than 80 per
cent of the soldiers of the battalion of
the Nineteenth Infantry that guards
the American end of the international
bridge at FL Paso are men with Mex
lean names, many Of them born In
/ Old Mexico but all American citizens.
Some are veterans of the great war.
Yet the implacable interventionists
have insisted that the Mexicans hate
the United States and all its works,
and are malignant and treacherous.
It has also been declared that DEM
ocratic and responsible government
will always be impossible in Mexico.
But on this point President Bassett
of the Ell Paso Chamber of Commerce
lsays:
"We believe in the integrity of the
Mexican people. We believe In the
future of the Republic of Mexico. We
believe that Mexico has the essentials
of great, rich and prosperous re-
public"
However, all this good opinion. all
these encomiums. do not mean that
Texans believe in the policy of hands
off and drift. Americans have been
ldespoiled of their property, Americans
have been outrageously treated and
murdered, because the Mexican gov
3ernments since the day of aPorfirio
aDiaz have been weak, vaciIlating,
Aeven impotent. occasionally truculent.
"Something will have to be done to
Isettle the Mexican situation" says
Judge Walter D. Howe Of the dis
Itrict court of Ell Paso. But he is not
lfo2 invasion. war and interminable
lpolice duty as means to the end. A
firm stand by the Washington gov
sernment and no backward step will
bring adjustment and full satisfaction,
The. believes. Another FL Pasoan pro-
tposes the seizure of Tampico and
liquidation at the seat of customs. 1t
would suffice, he says. And there i
ithis welcome testimony, that the Mex
iican people are tired of disorder and
1ready TO accept a government under
which they can live, advance and
l prosper. The border sentiment, the
Eborder judgment, point to the true
solution. What may be called firm
Ireasonableness should be the policy of
II the government at Washington. While
Il supporting American rights. it should
be fair to the. .Mexicans and consider
ate of their real interests. But this
latitude requires good faith and fair
performance. on the part Of the Mex
Rlcans.
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