Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1919-08-14
Mexico.

The time is fast approaching when
the United States will have seriously
to consider what it shall DO about Mex
leo. That disorder akin 10 anarchy
exists in many parts Of the country
is something that concerns Mexico it.
self, chiefly but not exclusively. At
all events, if that were the only trouble,
it would not justify even a friendly
hint from Washington TO restore order.
But the violence on our southern bor-
der concerns us, too, because il eX-
tends into American territory. Wheth-
er the Carranza government regards
it with indifference because that gov
ernment is hostile toward us, or wheth
er it is too weak TO prevent it, we can
not look upon it with equanimity.
The real sentiments Of the Mexican
government toward all foreigners, and
toward Americans in particular, has
been made clear by numerous incidents.
What shows it most strikingly is its
treatment of the companies that have
built up its oil industry. The facts
are few and easily understood. MeXi-
co invited Americans and Englishmen
to open up its resources of oil, and BY
promises of just and favorable treat
ment it encouraged them to invest mil
lions in doing it. Seventeen years
later Mexico adopted a new constitu
ton that declared all of the oil lands,
including those that foreigners had
bought, leased and worked, to be the
property of the Mexican nation. Under
that provision the government de-
mands rent and royalties so high that
they amount to confscation. The COM
panies do not object to paying reason
able taxes; but to pay royalties would
be to admit that what they have bought
and paid for is not theirs. They have
not fallen into the trap, for they see
clearly enough that the purpose of the
government is to turn over the oil
lands to favorites.
Our freedom to deal unrestrictedly
with the situation might be doubtful
if the League of Nations were already
established, and if both the United
States and Mexico were members Of it,
and there were no such thing as the
Monroe Doctrine. AS matters stand,
not one of those conditions ties our
hands. Mexico has not even been in
vited to join the League. We have the
same justification for intervening that
we had when we went to Cuba: that
there is brawling and disturbance next
door that is annoying us, putting us to
needless expense, and jeoparding the
lives of some Of our citizens. We are
further justified by the fact that there
are people in other countries, some OF
them in Europe, who cannot obtain
Justice direct from Mexico, and who
are hindered by the Monroe Doctrine
in enforcing their claims. Since 1t is
we who, by virtue of the Monroe
Doctrine, say to them, "Hands off, it
is to us that they look to act for them
and to obtain their rights for them.
What action, If any, we shall take is
for the President to determine. What
action he will take no one can tell
Every American knows that we want
no Mexican territory, and that il any
were offered us we should refuse it.
nor do we wish TO govern or in any way
to control the Mexican people. We
have troubles enough already, without
assuming jurisdiction over a single
Mexican tribe. The assurance that We
gave to Cuba, and that we honorably
fulfilled, we can give with equal sim
cerity to Mexico, il we have TO come to
grips.