New-York tribune., 1919-03-23


subject that is once more engag-
ing international attention In
the midst of the duties of the peace con-
ference America, England and France
have found time to organize an interna
tional commission of bankers to study
the Mexican situation, while Mexico is
once more figuring conspicuously in the
news columns and on the editorial pages
of the daily papers. But as for what is
the real situation with our southern
neighbor "The New York Evening Sum-
says:
"You can get any kind Of information
you like from Mexico, according to the at
ttude Of the informant Thus a single
days news dispatches assure u.s. first, that
Carranza intends to carry out his promise
of amcabc adjustment with the foreign
property owners second, that decree has
been promulgated at Mexico City ordering
the instant payment of the royalty taxes on
oil for January and February, though the
question of their legality is at issue; third
ly, we are told by a recently returned
traveller that the 'Bolshevki dominate
the I. w. w. to overthrow what order there
is; and, fourth, another faction declares
that the Daz counter revolt is sure to win
and gain possession of the government
"Just one thing cmcrges as certain, be-
yond a doubt, and that is that Mexican af-
fairs are in chaotic state. No one partv
appears strong enough to gain full control.
No one trusts any of the others. 1t is
condition of things that threatens anarchy.
Can we afford to allow it to continue ?"
The divergent points of view on Mex
leo are illustrated by L. j. de Becker in
The Tribune and Russell Hastings Mill
ward in "The New York Sun" Mr.. de
Becker, in dispatch from Mexico CITY,
quotes "a Mexican gentleman who knows
conditions here" to the effect that
revolution has been succeeded by evolu-
tion, that Mexico to-day has sufficient
means for actual expenses, and needs money
only for the purposes of reconstruction
Once friendly understanding between the
two governments has been reached the
financial situation will quickly right itself,
in his opinion, it will involve the mat
ter of credits rather than of cash And
there is every reason to hope, from the
Mexican point of view, that the few exist
ing differences are now being adjusted in
a manner which will prove satisfactory to
both sides.'
"In a word" says Mr.. de Becker.
what Mexico desires most of all at this
time is the friendship of our country,
because Mexico believes that cooperation
in business matters will follow"
But Mr.. Millward says:
1.-THE group now in control Of Mexico can
no more reestablish an orderly government
and develop the country to the point where
the people prosper than they can carry
out the Mexican dream Of conuuering
Texas"
News from Mexico is just as diver
gent as opinion. An Associated Press
dispatch from Mexico City under date
of March Is says:
1.-THE state of Morelos, just south Of this
city, is completely under the control of
government troops after being overrun for
ten years by bands commanded BY Emili-
ano Zapata
"A campaign conducted by General Pablo
! Gonzales, commander Of the government
J forces, has been successful, Zapata and
few hundred of his followers being driven
into the almost impossible mountains near
Puenta de Ixtla, the boundary between
Mexico and Guerrero. His capture, with
that of Generals Genevevo de Lao and Man
uel Palofax, his chief lieutenants, is expect
ed almost any day."
One of the two chief insurrectos be-
ing thus to certain extent disposed Of,
along comes another Associated Press
dispatch from Washington under date
of March 18 and says:
"The American Embassy at Mexico City
was instructed to-day by the State Depart
ment to request the Mexican government to
take every possible step to insure tho pro-
lection of American citizens in the terri
tory in Northern Mexico, where Villa bands
again have become active.
$50 far as has been made known the
State Department has no specific informs
tion as to the operations Of Villa himself.
1t was recalled to-day, however, that only
recently Villa was reported to have. stated
that he proposed to launch campaign In
Northern Chihuahua near the international
line to develop the attitude Of the Ameri-
can government"
"The New York Times" thinks it is