The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1919. AMERICA AND MEXICO.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 December 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1919. AMERICA AND MEXICO.

The release of Mr. Jenkins, the American Consul, who was taken by Mexican bandits, and, after being ransomed, was arrested by the Mexican Government on a charge of perjury, by no means settles matters between Mexico and the United States. It is wellknown that Mexico is a hotbed of revolutionary activities, and that lawlessness is rampant. "With such a neighbor it is inevitable that troubles should arise from time to time, and it has taxed- the ingenuity of the responsible American authorities to avoid a declaration of war on several occasions when provoked almost beyond endurance. Of late there has been a manifest drifting towards a rupture, and it would appear that it is only a question of time when an invasion of Mexico by UnitedStates troops will signalise a war that may possibly last for some years, unless the subjugation of the eountry is accomplished by means of aeroplanes, which would promptly bring the authorities to reason. The situation now is more complicated than ever owing to the influx of Germans into Mexico, with the result that evidence of conspiracies, and the spread of

Bolshevism by means of Mexican agencies throughout the United States, German agents co-operat-ing, has aroused attention to the , reality of the Mexican menace. It is stated that President Wilson has reserved judgment on the evidence, a course that is in keeping with his usual policy of watchful waiting. The position is one that should enable American Senators to understand some of the difficulties with which Britain is faced, especially in relation to also why it is necessary for the Allies to take precautions and assume responsibilities which may at any time render military action imperative. So recently as August last it was reported that rebel bands dominated more than half of Mexico, and as guerilla warfare there has been developed into a fine art, the evil is more likely to increase than to decrease. Neither Carranza nor any of his rivals can cope with the bandits who infest the whole country. The amount of damage caused to foreign property may be estimated from the claims filed in Washington a few months ago against Carranza's Government, amounting to two hundred millions sterling. Besides this huge waste of property, there is the toll on life there, hun-

dreds of foreigners having been murdered, and over seven thousand Americans killed, apart from the lives lost in the American border raids on the frontier guerilla warfare. The tolerance of the United States authorities is regarded as a sign of fear, thus engendering contempt and emboldening the desperados to further acts of violence. Modern science has provided weapons that would enable America to put an end, once and for all time, to this state of affairs. It is hopeless to expect that any mending can be done, for the canker is too deeply rooted. The British Empire can fully appreciate the reluctance exhibited by the United States to break away from the traditional policy of non-intervention, though it is clear that sooner" or later there must be a rupture. Aided by the cunning and powers of intrigue of German refugees, the Mexicans may proceed to such extremities that America will be forced to take direct action, just as she was goaded into joining in the war against Germany. It

would be a great shock to American susceptibilities to have to declare war on Mexico, but it is time that the opponents of the Peace Treaty should have their eyes opened to the dangers of ignoring manifest duties, even though such duties may be repeflant to their convictions, i A country like Mexico cannot be expected to listen to diplomacy or reason. The people have become enamored with fighting, raiding, pillage, murder, and destruction. Force, and nothing but force, will avail to protect the lives and property of American citizens. Britain has had to face the same problems at great sacrifice, and unless America does likewise it will be the worse for the country and its people, as well as for the world at large.