Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-09

1t is announced by the Secretary of
State that the United States has no
intention Of Intervention in the Mexi-
can revolt. Nevertheless, orders are
also made public that some 10 airplaneS
are concentrated around Naco, AriZ.,
with instructions to shoot down any
Mexican plane that invades the United
States territory. and the commanding
general has full authority and orders
to take whatever measures he finds nee
eSsary" to prevent any more random
shooting from Mexico across the border
such as has been proving fatal to peace
able Americans on United States soil.
Mexican bombs have been found in
American territory.
Whatever measures are necessary"
is an order sufficiently broad to justify
a hot trail pursuit" clear into Mexico
City under some circumstances. The
hot trail pursuit" is a recognized term
used in international relations, and it
does not mean Intervention.
It might mean humiliation, in case
the culprits do not escape, as did Bandit
Villa after his unprovoked outrage on
Columbus. AriZ.. in 1916, when Brig.
Gen. John ]. Pershing entered Mexico
on the heels of the willy bandit. The
bandits escaped, and SO further "in-
vaSion" of Mexico was stopped, but at
all times 1t had been with the approval
of the federal Mexican government, as.
presumably, any ''hot trail" pursuit of
the rebels today would be.
~
There are some Americans so timid
and so opposed to the Army and Navy
protection of America that they are
still reiterating their claims that we
should abolish all military defense and
rely wholly on arbitration as a sub
stitute for high explosives and chem
ical warfare" under all conditions.
What arbitral court can deal with reb-
els, whom the Government cannot re-
strain?
A new book appears on the shelves
of libraries, entitled Law or War;"
and its argument is based upon the
notion that wars are always unlawful,
even against outlaws and bandits.
Few wars could be begun or con-
tinued except on the basis of misunder-
standing and lies. Courts aim to sift
evidence carefully and get the truth.
War never does, nor do the few men
who make war" So declares the kind
lady who writes the book.
The author illustrates her logic by
pointing to New England city Of $4,000
inhabitants and only two policemen,
adding, Probably not 10 per cent of
our inhabitants would become bandits
and cutthroats. even If they could"
What tribute to New England char
acter! mot over 10 per cent" Of the
fellow citizens Of President Coolidge
are by inclination cutthroatS and BAN
dts, so two police are enough. Why
any police in such community?
Surely those two cops must be busy
with SpeederS from neighboring towns,
and occasionally Down Fastener will
come back from Canada too dizzy for
even two policemen to guide him around
gas post.
But down on the Mexican border the
Mexicans are shooting across the in
ternational boundary-that invisible or
imaginary line-and their bullets and
bombs are killing and wounding Ameri-
cans In their American homes. What
are we going to do II the bullets con-
tinue?
A glance at history shows what the
United States and also other civilized
nations have done In the past to protect
themselves from such reckless muir
ders.
1t is obvious to all who have ever read
the Monroe Doctrine that that much
misunderstood warning to Europe to
keep hands of of America has moth
ing whatever to do with our right OF
self-protection against Mexican bandits
or rebels. Nor do we set up any claim
OF a right to intervene in Mexican do
nestle affairs. nor the affairs OF any
other nation in this or the other hemi-
sphere. We maintain neutrality with
great strictness; but, in accord with an
agreement of all American nations,
we refuse recognition to rebels who seek
to overthrow by force the constitutional
governments of their states.
r ~
Just century ago Secretary Of State
Van Buren, Oater PresidenD sent spe-
cial instructions to our Ministers in Co
lombia, Mexico and Chile, declaring
that they must maintain strict neutral
ity between belligerents in those re-
spective revolution-torn nations.
President Fillmore. in a message to
Congress, in 1851, said:
zone of the settled principles Of this
Government Is that of interference
in the domestic concerns Of nations. In
proclaining and adhering to the doc
with which it is so literally supplied.