Page:Mexico under Carranza.djvu/206

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
190
MEXICO UNDER CARRANZA

that held aloof either through egoism or through necessity are making up their books, for they fully realize that the fruits of victory will be shared by all, in the measure of their deserts, and of certain special circumstances, and that the keen eye of the investigator will know how to weigh the attitude adopted by each in the war and to give to each what he deserves.

"As members, then, of a community which must shortly be the subject of inquiry of the chanceries of the world, our duty is to help our government in its tasks and to speak frankly, for the day of reckoning is upon us and we must avoid malicious deceptions and futile excuses which can only place our country in a humiliating position. It is preferable to fall face forward than to drop on our knees in suppliant tone.

"For four years and four months, the Constitutionalists in Mexico have conducted things in total disregard for the interests of all who did not belong to the political group in power. Not the most rudimentary principles of practical politics, nor the most elementary rules of diplomacy and courtesy stopped their action. Like the tables of proscription which gave such ill-fame to Scylla, there were expelled from the country nationals and foreigners alike, without regard even for the diplomatic status of some of the expelled. When Belgium was receiving the kindly consideration of all civilized nations for the heroic resistance she offered against the violators of her sovereignty, she received a sample of the characteristic courtesy which the Constitutionalists were beginning to show: her Minister was forced to leave at the express bidding of the revolu-