Mexican Disorders.

New York Times 100 years ago today, August 4, 1913:
Fomented and Armed on This Side of Border — How Can We Interfere?
To the Editor of The New York Times:
    Revolution, and even brigandage, would have stopped in Mexico if arms and munitions of war had not been so freely furnished in the United States to those who now use them against the Mexican Government — against a friendly Government to the United States, a Government which has received recognition by the great powers of the world even though the White House has not extended official greetings.
    This situation has caused the Mexican people to think that the United States must have some special interest in the continuation of the disorders in Mexico, which day by day are undermining all authority, sapping the life blood of the country and arousing every sort of hatred, envy, and evil ambition among the lawless elements. I firmly believe that this "special interest" must be centred entirely in Governmental circles by pressure brought to bear in Washington, and I likewise believe that it is indeed the result of "special interests," and not the desire of the American people at large, who are more desirous of developing the relations of their country by the path of friendship.
    Unfortunately, there undoubtedly exists a small group of unscrupulous persons who use every means in their reach to agitate and foment the rebellion in Mexico. It is well known that in 1910 Francisco Madero had aid on this side of the Rio Grande to enable him to rise to be President of Mexico. He secured from the "powers behind the throne" at that time in Washington power, also in American territory arms in abundance, soldiers, and even general officers. These he transported from this side of the border, and it was in this country that he established his principal revolutionary base.
    With the fall of Madero, the "Maderists" converted into "Carranzists" appealed once more to the American interests who had supported the Madero movement. Venustiano Carranza's first step was to establish a base of operations in Eagle Pass and San Antonio, Texas. Carranza and his party are making every effort to have their belligerent rights recognized by the American Government, and for that purpose they maintain numerous commissions in Washington. Meanwhile, it is reported that the Madero family is looking out for the financial end of the new political upheaval in New York.
    In Sonora we have the clearest view of how matters stand: the Pesqueira party is dedicated entirely to war, bloodshed, and the destruction of property, and, like the Carranza movement, has established its bases of operations on American territory, notably in New Orleans, EI Paso, Texas, and Douglas, Tucson, and Nogales, in Arizona. In these places the revolutionists have their Juntas, and they buy arms and munitions of war and carry them across the border to the Mexican side. The revolutionists come and go as they please, without interference by the authorities, because it is reported that the vigilance exercised is for various reasons quite inadequate.
    A new modification of the Monroe Doctrine as propounded by Mr. Roosevelt declared that "chronic disorder" in any of the countries of this hemisphere would justify intervention by the United States. The grave danger of this new doctrine is at once apparent, for who shall determine when a state or "chronic disorder" exists? And what if the "chronic disorder" be fomented from within the territory of the United States? When a situation which might demand intervention according to the above doctrine is of such easy production, who shall blame the countries that lie to the south if they continue suspicious of their powerful neighbor of the north?
    Fortunately, the Government of President Wilson is the most resolute antagonist to the Monroe Doctrine.
        M. CERVANTES.
        Baltimore, Md., Aug. 2, 1913.