"We do not want to fight the Mexicans; we want to serve
them if we can. A war of aggression is not a proud thing in which
to die. But a war of service is one in which it is a grand thing
to die."
On the invitation of the United States three of the South American
republics, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile, known from their names as
the A. B. C. Powers, now joined with the United States in trying to
settle the Mexican difficulty. In May, 1914, they held a Mediation
Conference at Niagara Falls in Canada. But nothing came of it, and
the disorder in Mexico continued as before.
In July, however, there seemed some hope of a settlement. Huerta
fled to Europe leaving his friend, Francisco Carbajal, as President.
For a month Carbajal kept his post. Then anarchy worse than ever
broke loose. Three men, Carranza, Villa, and Zapata, each declaring
themselves President, filled the land with bloodshed and ruin.
Once again on the invitation of the United States South America
intervened, delegates from six South American republics meeting
at Washington to consider what could be done to bring peace to the
distracted country. They decided to give the Mexicans three months
in which to settle their quarrels, and warned them that if by that
time order was not restored United America would be forced to take
action.
Soon after this, however, Carranza succeeded in subduing his rivals
to a certain extent, and got possession of the greater part of the
country.
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