Page:Hands off Mexico.djvu/11

 a conspiracy could never attain its object without the active cooperation of the executive branch of the Government. The oil companies cannot themselves and an American army into Mexico. Nor can the American press. Nor can a handful of Republican and Democratic politicians.

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. The only part Congress is likely to play will be to legalize an accomplished fact.

In any event. Congress will not take any decisive action not thoroughly approved by the Executive. Even if the League of Nations takes cognizance of the matter, it will only be to sanctify a program first determined upon by the Government of the United States. The real choice of time, place, and action, will rest with the President.

Any adequate consideration of the intervention plot, therefore, must include an inquiry into the extent to which the Administration has revealed a willingness to serve the purposes of the persons and interests seeking intervention.

 

2.

SOURCE OF THE CONSPIRACY

The parties to the conspiracy, insofar as they include financial and industrial interests, are identified by the published membership of the National Association for the Protection of American Rights in Mexico. In this organization is represented America's richest banking, mining, and industrial corporations, 