Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 204, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 August 1915 — The Mexican Danger. [ARTICLE]

The Mexican Danger.

Chicago Tribune. American citizens ought to consider Mexico from their own viewpoint. The fact that conditions in this republic by name are abhorrent to humanity might mean little to the United States if Mexico were located on the shores of th f e Mediterranean, but it is the misfortune of the northern nation that its flank is exposed to European attack by the mischeivousness of its neighbor south of the Rio Grande. Mexico is not merely an American Albania. It is an open door through which European aggressors may enter upon the richness of this continent. Mexico is the present weak and tempting spot in the Monroe doctrine. It is rich in possibilities and provocative in habit. It defies orderly ways, it destroys property, and it invites intervention. It must be known by Americans that whatever the outcome of the war in Europe may be, the certainty in bankruptcy for many nations. Honest students of finance in the nations at war admit that they do not know how Europe is to recover from its expenditures. The notions are laying a burden upon coming generations which will be with difficulty sustained. If a victor may impose indemnities upon the vanquished the problem as it affects the conqueror may be solved, but if there be no decided conqueror all of Europe will be looking for money with which to recover from its losses. The inviting field will be the western hemisphere, where resources are undeveloped, where some notions are primitive and helpless. Europe, has qa.pney invested in Mexico, which cannot pay if demand be made upon it. By tolerating disorder and failure of organization in Mexico the United States is inviting foreign intervention. Mexico is the exposed flank of the United States. There is now offered the opportunity of protecting it and thereby protecting the interests of the United States. If the opportunity be lost and if our southern neighbor be permitted to invite the cupidity of the warring European powers the distress which it may bring upon this country may be immeasurable.