Page:Mexico under Carranza.djvu/106

90 Mexico, conditions along the border became as bad as, or worse than they were during the pre-Diaz period. Just how bad they were is shown in the letter of Secretary Lansing quoted in Chapter IV. They finally became so intolerable and resulted in the loss of so many American lives and the destruction of so much American property at the hands of invading Mexican bandits that in April, 191 8, two hundred and fifty owners of ranches along the Texas border held a meeting at Van Horn in that state and spent several days discussing measures to be taken for the protection of their homes, families, and property. Later, our Government seems to have changed its policy and to-day along the border shot for shot is exchanged whenever a bullet comes across the line. This has resulted in a distinct decrease in such offenses.

In view of the result that has been achieved by the policy of patience maintained toward Mexico since the beginning of revolutionary activities the query is suggested: Would our officials in Washington have maintained such a policy in dealing with the lawless elements represented by the Carranza government at the expense of our citizens, had they known of the results of the same policy adopted seventy-five years ago and followed for a number of years, as set forth in the foregoing quotations from the messages of Presidents Jackson and Polk?