AN UNPLEASANT DUTY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15899, 10 April 1912, Page 8

AN UNPLEASANT DUTY.

The unwillingness of the United States Government' to ' intervene in Mexico is natural, since an attempt to restore order in the disturbed republio probably would produce- a costly and thankless war. But a cablegram that wo publish this morning shows that the situation is becoming intolerable. Mexico has been in the throes of civil war for nearly two years and during that time foreign interests in the country have suffered enormous loss. Most of the railways, mines, plantations and banks are supported by capital that has been found by the investors of the United States, Britain and Germany, and at least 100,000 subjects of these Powers reside in the republic. If the fall of Madero, who wrested the presidency • from General Diaz, would end the conflict the outlook would not be altogether dark, but it is painfully obvious, that the new rebel leaders, Zapata and Gomez; are going to fight' for the succession. Zapata is the more dangerous man. He appeared from obscurity when the revolution against Diaz was in progress and served under Madero with conspicuous success, gradually gathering around him a large body of reckless “patriots.” But when the new President ordered him to disband his force he declared a rebellion on his own account. Madero offered Zapata bribes and promises of appointment, and the reply was a raid within sight of the capital. The Monroe doctrine places the duty of securing the restoration of order within a reasonable period on the shoulders' of the American people, and reports from Washington state that the War Department is prepared to take action. Mr A. Maurice Low, writing in .the “National Review”, says that the Americans do not want Mexico, because of its large Indian and negro population, and that they are loth to bear the burden of a military occupation. But President Taft “will not fear the consequences if war is forced upon him. The Mexicans certainly are taxing American patience to the breaking point.