MEXICO.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16484, 25 February 1914, Page 8

MEXICO.

It begins to look as if President Wilson will have to put his peace prejudices in his pocket and take a hand seriously in the Mexican disturbance. Theoretically it is no concern of the United States or any other country how the Mexicans behave, but practically the Americans have such va6t

interests at stake that the clamour for intervention will grow in intensity until tho Washington Administration ;s forced to tako action. It must he admitted that the United States has been singularly patient with such a turmoil on the southern frontier. Perhaps it was the possibility of a diplomatic difference with Britain that induced the President to hold his hand when the position became critical, but by this time the two Powers have reached an understanding and it was announced a few weeks ago ■ that Britain would leave the supervision of the trouble to tho United States. It is to ho hoped. that the cabled announcement of Britain’s attitude does not mean, that obstacles will be put in the way of American intervention. It would doubtless be futile for Britain to intervene, but American intervention would be more effective, because the Americans are on the spot and they liave a very close interest in the preservation of order. On broad grounds intervention would appear to be the only Bound policy now, not only to put an end to tho agitation ( in tho United States but also to secure the interests < f humanity. No one doubts that if the authorities at Washington made a determined effort to restore peace in Mexico they could carry the business through satisfactorily. Mouths ago an American Senator, who had had experience of Central American conditions, declared that all the Mexicans needed was a good, big father with a good, big stick, and the United States, if it caved to undertake the troublesome part, could very well and very efficiently act in loco parentis to the disorderly children. Incidentally the cost of looking after the country while the institutions were being restored to order could be collected from the people, who, in the not very distant future, would discover tlilit the money had been 'uncommonly well spent.