Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-05-01
Mil There Be Too MexiIcoesS
THE spread Of the revolution in north
ern Mexico strengthens the possibility

TIHE spread of the revolution in north
ern Mexico strengthens the possibility
Of that regions breaking permanently
away from the old federation and forming
distinct republic Sonora's secession is a
manifest and but feebIy challenged fact
There have been bold and stubborn revolts
in that quarter in times gone by, but none so
substantial this appears to be- Some sew
en- years ago a band of adventurous doc
trinaires succeeded in setting up a Socialist
republic on the Lower California peninsula
and in maintaining it for five months. A har-
der fling was that of William Walker San
francisco newspaper man who in 1858 led
an expedition of filibusterers who landed in La
Paz, proclaimed an independence, got Sono-
IA itself under sway, and held their grip
till the Central Mexican Government had
placed formidable army in the field against
them. This was the same Walker (the "Gray-
Eyed Man of Destiny he was called), who
fell a few years later before a firing squad
in Nicaragua after brief tenure as that
country's President
But the present situation in Sonora seems
20 De OF character quite different from
tnose rolsterlng escapades. 1t is not of out
side origin. but altogether internal in both
motive and development. Behind it and be-
neath 1t is the discomfort of a people desper-
ately tired of Carranza's misrule and deter
" SCI up d government of their
Ihey nave the resources and the capacities
Tor that enterprise; why, then they argue
go on paying tribute to the Senile Dictator
ship at Mexico City? 1t was foregone that the
ire thus kindled and fed should light SINH
lar ambitions in neighboring States Snaloa
Nayarlt and Chihuahua all are aflame Or
soon will be, if we may credit consistent re-
ports from sundry sources. OBJECTIONS from
the Carranza ranks have been noted at
divers points 1t is significant, indeed, that
fnS &hn 0J,,%yo
widened ripple-like with little or no blood
shed, so spiritless is the CarranZa element
II the trend continues thus and no COM
mand1ng figure rises to hold the federation
intact, is it not likely that we shall have two
Mexicoes, a Northern and a Southern? Or
mayhap, more numerous splitting up of the
now i'll jointed nation? Touching the former
possibility, the Ell Paso Herald observes that
Northern and Southern Mexico have little in
common aside from language and views the
prospect of division with much satisfaction
This may be the beginning of the end of
Mexican troubles" that paper suggests; for
the new republic in the north, being we'll
disposed to our country, might serve as a
sort of buffer State between the American
and Mexican frontiers" That assuredly
would mollify if not remove old vexations as
far as this side of the border is concerned
and might also improve conditions on the
other side. Half Mexico in peace and good
order would be better by far than the strife
LOfu anu WCll-ulSn ldW1GSS Union winch
has darkened the stage, with but few inter-
missions, since the passing of the elder Diaz
Opulent in mines and oil fields, the northern
States would go prosperously forward if once
given stable and enlightened government. AS
much may be said for the southern regions
for their natural resources afford splendid
material for wealth and progress. 1t is quite
conceivable, moreover, that Government
which directed its energies wholly to that
section OF the country, beng freed from de-
mands and perils in the distant north and
west. would prove equal TO the task and be-
come truly efficient. Certainly Mexico is in
netd of intensive administration, and that
would be much easier, in many respects, if
the fields of responsibility were mario we'd.
At this point, it must be admitted, comes the
danger OF fierce contention between the two
Mexicoes which we are imagining, contention
over boundaries and related issues. But if
the seeding States kept their presen. de-
morcations, as doubtless they would, this
problem would be greatly simplified.
in any event conditions could not be much
worse than they threaten to become under
the present maheshift which goes by the
name of Central Government" at MeyicO
City, nor indeed much worse than they have
been during the larger part of Carranza's
Presidency The most which that cantan-
kerous egotist has managed to do in foreign
relations has been to prove his prO-German-
ism during the World War and his petty
spleen toward the United States. Effort af-
ter effort of the Washington Government to
befriend his country he has repulsed with no
pretense to common courtesy; and instead
of doing PATRIOTS part to bring about a
better understanding of the United States on
the part or his people, he mas played the
demagogic game of appealing continually to
ignorant prejudice. Wretched as his foreign
policies have been, they are little worse than
his domestic administration. So long as a
regime like his continues there will be no
reasonable hope of Mexico's emergence into
the light Of peace and opportunity.
1t is natural, then, that the present revo-
lutionary movement, uncertain though it's
consequence is, should be regarded rather
complacently by onlookers who wish to see
Mexico's foreign relations stabilized and her
internal affairs established upon a basis of
law and freedom. That the United States will
pursue course of non-interference in the
issue which Sonora and it's northern neigh
bors have joined with the Central Govern
ment is to be taken for granted. But it can
hardly be questioned that in the minds OF
the majority of Americans this neutrality
will have a decidedly benevolent glance fol-
the insurgents.