If war comes between the United States and Mexico within any near period it will almost surely come, not by any deliberate choice of the American people, or even of their duly elected representatives, but only as a sequel to clashes with Mexican Government forces, after American forces have invaded Mexico in a "punitive expedition," to "protect American lives and property," or under some other pretext, by order of the Executive. Nor can a handful of Republican and Democratic politicians. The oil companies cannot themselves and an American army into Mexico. For such a conspiracy could never attain its object without the active cooperation of the executive branch of the Government. If the Wilson Administration can be shown to be a party to the intervention conspiracy, it would seem to be obvious that it would then be the most dangerous factor therein. This pamphlet is an effort to sketch the more important details. There is a practicable and honorable solution for the so-called Mexican problem not involving intervention. The motives of the conspiracy are purely financial. The case for intervention is entirely without merit. The immediate success of the intervention conspiracy depends largely upon the present tremendous effort to manufacture and mobilize public opinion for the purpose, through the dissemination of false statements regarding conditions in Mexico, the character of the Mexican Government, the relations between the United States and Mexico, and the obligations of the American people in the circumstances. The longer it can be postponed the greater the probability of its ultimate failure. There is a fighting chance to frustrate it. Īlthough the intervention conspiracy is an inevitable result of recent events, its success is not inevitable. The plan is to put it over before the forces working for real democracy, disorganized during the war and still on the defensive, have had a period of legal peace in which to reorganize and expose the crimes of the past. Intervention in Mexico has been determined upon by Wall Street and the Wilson Administration. The disaster to America will hardly be less than that to Mexico. The forces of progress will have to gather swift strength or they will feel the crunch of the Iron Heel. There can be no more important issue than the issue of war with Mexico for all other issues are tied up with it. Reaction will be more firmly seated in the saddle than ever before. American militarism and espionage will become chronic. We shall again have conscription, bond issues, and every other form of sacrifice and repression to which the public has been subjected during the past three years. We shall not only have a war abroad indefinitely, but an indefinite prolongation of war conditions at home. General Staffs are usually optimistic in judging their own capacity for conquest. The General Staff of the United States Army has been quoted as estimating that it will take 450,000 men three and one-half years to pacify Mexico. Our next armed expedition in force into Mexico is almost certain to result in formal war on both sides, followed by an effort at complete subjugation.
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