2 MAY 1914, Page 1

The prospect is not very promising. The mediators evi- dently

recognize that Mr. Wilson's pertinacity on one point stands in the way, for the correspondent tells us that, in spite of official denials, they appealed to Europe to try to argue away Mr. Wilson's idle fixe. The Powers, however, refused to be dragged in. There is no doubt that the mediators are working ardently and with good intent for a settlement, but it should not be forgotten that the Mexican crisis involves for them the whole question of the Monroe Doctrine. The out- come of the Mexican affair may determine the future applica- tions of the 'doctrine as regards the whole of the South American Continent, It is just conceivable that General Huerta may yield if the South American States represent to him that his obduracy will result in a bad interpretation of the Monroe Doctrine from their point of view. Everything at present depends upon General Huerta. We have written further on this subject elsewhere.