AMERICA AND MEXICO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16205, 15 April 1916, Page 6

AMERICA AND MEXICO.

Mr. Wilson appears to be no more successful in his dealings with Mexico than in 1 his diplomatic negotiations with Germany. The American troops sent into Mexico in pursuit of the notorious Villa, after his raid upon an American frontier J town, have come into conflict with hostile Mexicans, and grave com- | plications are feared at Washington. I If Mr. Wilson stands firm the United ! States may have a Mexican War on its hands; if he procrastinates, the anarchy already prevalent in Mexico must increase, with the possibility of a general massacre of Americans. Several hundred Americans have already been murdered, and many American industries already ruined in Mexico. Patriots have become brigands; revolution has degenerated into banditage; law t and order have ceased to [ exist. This lamentable state lof affairs dates from the close of the thirty years' dictatorship of Diaz, who was expelled five „ years ago by Madero. Madero was murdered; Huerta, his successor, fled; Carranza is recognised by the United States and the other American republics, but has proved powerless to restore order or to curb' his one-time supporter, Villa. Commenting upon the situation an American journal recently said: I

" The United States Government is cordially hated by. all factions. The followers of General Diaz cannot forget that the Madero revolution was directed from our side of the border. The adherents of Huerta remember . the constant snubbing and final imprisonment—(by the United States authorities when he attempted to return to Mexico last year.) Recognition of the Carranza party was not intended as a graceful compliment, and its effect is more than outweighed by the long period of doubtfulness and hesitancy. Villa's hatred of Americans, always in evidence, is now without measure or bounds."