The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-06-20
AMERICAS DUTY TO MEXICO.

due to the unexpected developments of the war; but much
of it hiss been avoidabe Some of the public mystifca
tons has resulted from the absence of the President OF
the United States In the absence of that bond OF sym
patty which usually unites President and the people,
which can exist only when the people kept well in
formed the public falls back upon and apprehen
sons some of which baseess 1t is situation that
makes for mischief by giving foreign nations the i'm
preston that the of the United States is d-
vided Advantage will be taken of this supposed inter
nal conflict both by friendly and unfrendy nations to
advance their ends at American expense That is
only natural and to be expected.
Apparently there is not American living who can
rely upon any American policy concerning Mexico.
Every citizen of this country affected may be affect
ed by Mexican Developments and yet the subject Is
srouded in mpenetrable mystery and doubt There is
no consistency of action based upon any known rule OF
policy law, or even expedency. Admirable action
founded upon right and law has been followed some
times by action so inconsistent that the American people
have abandoned the effort to understand the principle
if any, which guided their government
Yet Mexico will not down. 1t is worse than Banquos
ghost for that was only apparton, while Mexico
comes to the council table in the fesh CHASTITY figure of
famine and blood There is pushing Mexico away by
heated words The wounded and dying nation stares at
America and from the parched lips comes the accusing
question, what have l done to your"
Bandits fight like vultures the body of Mexico.
An organization of mitarzed bandits headed by Car
rama the recognized government An organization
of bandits headed by Pancho Villa is at work trying to
dslodge the Caranza band of robbers in order that
fresh band may pagc the Mexican people and such for
eigners as remain. The United States has recognized
Carranza who possesses Ciudad Juarez Villas band at
tacks and bullets fly into Ell Paso, American forces
hereupon cross the line and chase the Villa band away
thus shielding the Carranza band and strengthening its
hold upon Mexican people The next day the usurper
in the City of Mexico protest to go forth against
the Invasion of the sovereignty of Mexico" Villa
hwarted, takes steps to retaiae upon every American
he encounters and if opportunity permits he will make
raid across the line and murder Americans. In
the meantime the people of Mexico starving, with
railroads and mines shut down, money debased life un
safe and all the operations of government paralyzed if
not abandoned.
Has America no duty toward Mexico? Is this nation
bound only to go to the aid of France and never to the
aid of the dying millions below the Rio Grande? Do
Americans owe, duty only to distant peoples, like the
Armenians the Turks the Abanians and not to the
Mexcans?
The stupidity of employing the United States army
against one of Mexican bandits and thus aiding the
opposing set is gross that the War Department
should be able to see it. The futy of the action equals
its stupidity What gained except the intensified
resolve by both Carranzstas and Vistas to kill all
Americans found their mercy? week ago the Amer
can authorities refused to permit Caranza soldiers to
pass through Texas defend Juarez the being
hat it would show favoritism dthus enrage Villa and
lead to reprisas by him against Americans Now the
United States army goes down and attacks Villa himself
not vigorously and effectively but just enough to sting
him into making reprisals defenseess Americana If
the United States army would pursue Villa and capture
or kill him, the Invasion" of Mexico would be more
than justified Of if it should clear out the Carranza
outfit it would be doing equally good work for the Mex
can people. But in Mexico, in Russia, the rule is
while intermeddng to avoid anything effective decs-
i've.
If be true that Great Britain would take mandate
for Mexico under the league of nations the American
cup of humiliation would be complete There is de-
lying that Great Britain would perform the task we'll
but this very fact would bring into sharper contrast the
feebleness and failure of America in doing its duty The
eague of nations, however, is not yet reality far
he United States is concerned. Possibly way will be
found whereby America will befriend Mexico before TAX
ng the government of Armenia, Turkey or Alba
ia.-WashngtOn Post
We see-by photograph-that Uncle Sam is en-
oyng clown Ito interest children in themselves and
heir health" There is no end to the variety of jobs
nntnn