The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1919-03-27

The topic of Mexico is not grateful
one. The reader probably is tired of it.
The writer certainly is. But Mexi-
co will have to be thought about for some
time to come; in fact, until Mexico ceases
to be, as it certainly is today, one of the
major problems of this country.
At present Mexico is in state of what
physician might call collapse Its in
dustry is moribund Its agricultural and
transportation are disorganized. Its fin
ance is bankrupt. Meanwhile the drift is
toward radical legislation, the confisca-
ton of property, and the reputation of
foreign debts. Undoubtedly, bolshevism
is finding fertile soil in Mexico. Oppres-
sion, war, famine, ignorance, disorganiza-
ton, make breeding ground for. theory
uncorrected by experience. The Mexican
politicians are favorable to the absorb
ton of all forms of welfare by the state,
lfOr they are going to be the state The
poems, like the masses of the Russian PEG
pie, are unlettered, primitive, without
knowledge or experience of self govern
ment The road is open for bolshevism OF
the man on horseback.
This is not pleasant prospect for us
who wish only neighbor who will re-
spect our territory and the rights. of our
citizens, keep clear Of foreign complica-
tons which threaten us, and grant our
people such privileges of trade, travel, or
settlement as are consistent with Mexi-
co.'s self interest and the friendly rela-
tons Of nations.
but how this shall come we do not vet
see. Mexico will remain our exposed
flank until radical change in her condi-
ton has been brought about. There is a
pleasant irony in the report that her pres
ent government has addressed our own
as to the proposed oil laws more grac-
yously" than it has the British and the
French. We had foreseen that the events
since April, 1917, would have their effect
upon Mexican official manners and wish
our government would draw the .approp-
rate conclusions for our future benefit.
AT any rate, we hope with a change of
administration will arrive tonic influ-
ence in American policy toward Mexican
y methods for our own sake and for Mex
ico's. The history of the Wilsonian di-
plomacy is one of the sorriest chapters in
our foreign policy, full of unnecessary de-
struction of lives and property, of unnec-
essary rancors, friction and danger. The
quicker we get upon a basis of self re-
tspecting action and let the Mexicans
know they have responsibilities to us and
TO other nations the better for all con-
cerned. Mexico must keep faith and pay
for what her people have destroyed, so
far as payment is possible At Paris our
representatives are indorsing demands
of France and Belgium and Britain and
Italy for reparation. 1t is time that rep
.aration and fair dealing be exacted of
Mexico. We have been touched by the
sufferings of Europeans We have shown
little sympathy for our own people who,
|. having gone into Mexico under Mexican
laws and while living in peace there, have
been despoiled or murdered.
The mass of the Mexican people will,
iaccept any form of government that is
given them, if it be not too oppressive.
Bolshevism there, as in Russia, will re-
turn the country to the primitive pastoral
state fom which it is not far removed ev-
en- now. But Bolshevism has internation-
al implications and in Mexico it infringes
upon property rights already existina
which raise issues of American response
bility not only to ou own citizens but to
those OF England, Canada, France and
other countries. These issues we may not
shirk, and we hope they will be met with
more firmness and consistency than they
| have been since the advent of the varie.
| gated Wilsonian diplomacy Chicago
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