MEXICO AND THE MONROE DOCTRINE.

Mexico has apparently come to the conclusion that is is the better part of valor to suppress the kidnappers who have been operating along our border for the past two or three years. Our neighbor to the south burned his fingers in the Jenkins case, and evidently decided to take no chances on further complications arising from the kidnapping of the American named Hugo. What it all goes to show is that Carranza, no matter what he says, is pretty well able to dictate to the bandits what they shall and what they shall not do. Americans find it hard to believe that the Mexican Federal authorities are as weak as President Carranza alleges they are; when it comes to a pinch, the Mexican executive can manage to get an American freed. The point is that he sometimes does not want to do it.

For the last six years the Mexican Government has adopted the policy of goading the United States just as far as it is safe, stopping short only when it seems that open war is the next step. American troops have been on the border all that length of time, even when they were badly needed in France. Mexico has been a thorn not only in our side, but in that of Europe as well. The latter will soon reach the limit of their patience. Our much-touted Monroe Doctrine is going to be an embarrassment to any administration we may elect. Euro-pen countries, with vast war debts to pay off and rich consecrations is Mexico are likely to suggest that they go in and make that turbulent nation safe for their investments. The Monroe Doctrine forbids such an encroachment on the Western Hemisphere, but the United States is going to have a hard time convincing our allies that Mexico should be let alone to work our her own salvation. Mexico has had nearly as long as we have had to do that, and to date not much of a salvation has resulted. Apparently the only thing that the American government can do is to show Carranza that there will have to be a change of heart on his part, and that such a change will have to come quickly.