BarbarousMexico JOHN KENNETH TURNER

PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION.
Sirrce the publication of the first edition of this book
less than four months ago both the prophecies which it
embodies have been fulfilled. On page 10 I say that
Mexico "is on the verge of a rez'olution in favor of
democracy;" and on page 267, that "The United States
will intervene with an army, if necessary, to maintain
Diaz or a successor who would continue the special partncrship
with American capital."
As this is written, nearly 30,000 American soldiers are
patrolling the Mexican border and American warships
are cruising in the neighborhood of Mexican ports.
Though not a soldier may cross the line, though not a
vessel may fire a shot, this is effective intervention all the
same. The confessed purpose is to crush the revolution
by cutting off its source of supplies and by preventing
patriotic Mexicans residing in the United States from
going home to fight for the freedom of their country.
The action of President Taft in mobilizing the troops
was taken without regard for the wishes of the American
people and without due explanation to them. The action
of the troops in seizing revolutionist supplies and arresting
revolutionist recruits is not only against every tradition
of political liberty upon which this nation is supposed
to be based. but it is unlawful and criminal and punishable
under the laws of the States by fine and imprisonment.
It is not a crime against any federal or state law
to ship food, or even arms and ammunition, into Mexico
with the open intention of selling them to the revolutionists.
It is not a crime against any federal or state law
to go from the United States into Mexico with the open
intention of joining the revolution there. Without a
formal proclamation of martial law the military authorities
have no right to exceed the civil laws and when
they do so they are liable to fine and imprisonment for
unlawful detention.
Martial law has not been proclaimed on the border.
Every day the military authorities there are violating