Untitled

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 73, 2 May 1914, Page 8

There is , a lull in Mexican affairs. Both sides are talking mediation while making the most feverish preparations for a military campaign. "When everything is ready for an advance on Mexico City, the mediation pretence will be pushed aside, and the voice of the field gun will be heard in the laud instead of the cant of diplomats, who are merely playing for time. War invariably catches the United States in a state of unpreparedness. With a standing army of less than 100,000 men, the conquest of Mexico is out of the question. Congress has accordingly authorised a war budget of 150 million dollars, and the Military Department is called upon to provide a new army at short notice. It cannot be done. Weeks must elapse belo.-e a sufficient number of men arc drafted from the State militias into the regular army and are equipped for service in Mexico. It is not much use ordering an advance till the United States have forces in the field that will be strong enough, not only to defeat the Mexicans, but to garrison the territory occupied. The "armistice" is also being used by President rjuerta, to strengthen his defences, and although he lacks the financial and military resources of the United States, a breathing space will give him the opportunity of strengthening the defences of the capital and of uniting the various factious in- a common cause against the hated invaders. There is no question as to the deepness of Mexican hatred of America and Americans. Every visitor brings away the impression that the Mexican regards the Yankee as his hereditary enemy, and as long as the powder lasts he will.make no peace.