The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-11
KNEW CLAYTON AND BULWER.
COL. BEN GREEN RECALLS FORMER
DIPLOMATIC EXPERIENCES.

states Was Disposed to Acquire
Cuba by Purchase and Wanted
Naval station on SANTANA Bay-The
Civil war a Punishment to the
south for the Unjust Dealing of
Her Statesmen with Mexico, Says
Col. Green.
Col. Ben L. Green of Dalton, who is
spending the winter with his daughter in
Savannah, probably enjoys the distinc-
ton of being the Oldest Ewing ex-attache
of the United States diplomatic service,
as he is probably, also, the oldest living
relative OF George Washington, being de-
scended by the maternal line from an
aunt of Washington.
Co. Green was an intimate friend and
acquaintance of John M Clayton, the
Secretary OF State who negotiated the
Clayton-Buwer treaty. which has been
so much under discussion of late. When
seen by Morning News reporter for an
account of the circumstances leading Up
TO this famous treaty, Col. Green said that
he was unable to give such an account
for the reason that he was absent from
the country at the time, having been sent
by Secretary Clayton on a secret mission
10 investigate the conditions in Cuba with
a view to the purchase of the island by
the United States from Spain, and a so
10 negotiate with the Dominican republic
for naval station on SANTANA bay.
Had it not been for the death of Presi-
dent Taylor and the appointment by Pres
ident Fillmore of Daniel Webster as Sec
rotary of State in place of Mr.. Clayton,
Col. Green's mission might have had i'm
asfY
ed nearly fifty years longer under Span
sh rule and was freed only by costly
war on the part of the United States. The
United States is still negotiating for that
naval base on SANTANA bay
Before this mission Col. Green had oc-
cupied an even more important post in
the diplomatic department. When only
20 years OF age he was sent 10 Mexico in
1913 by Secretary Abel Upshur as secre-
tary of legation, Gen. Wadden Thompson
being then the minister from this gov
eminent. Affairs were in a troubled state
in Mexico. and war with this country was
threatening Santa Anna was running the
government and was hostilely disposed to-
ward the United States. Texas had
achieved her independence and this inde-
pendence had been recognized by the Unit
ed States. On this point, the MeXicans
we're very sore.
Just at this time Gen. Thompson re-
quested a leave of absence to return home
to look after his private affairs. Score
tary Upshur was indisposed to grant the
leave and Mr.. Thompson resigned and
came home anyway. Instead of imme-
diately sending out a successor, Mr.. Up
shur decided to let his young friend Green
eujoy the honors and emoluments of the
office for a time. 1t was ticklish posi-
ton for young man Of TO- who looked to
be only a youth of Is, and the Mexican
politicians thought they had an easy
thing in the ''boy minister as they term
ed the young secretary. Santa Anna ana
his ministers soon learned. however that
it was no school-boy they were dealing
with.
While in Mexico Col. Green, through his
friendship with the papal legate, who was
also in disfavor with Santa Anna and his
government got in touch with Herrera,
Santa Annals rival, and a man of much
broader and more liberal spirit.
Through the papal legate, who knew
more about what was going on in Mexico
than Santa Anna and his minis ters," said
Co, Green, Il was able to keep my gov
ernment posted on what was Transporting
far in advance of the other foreign rep
resenatives Through ham 1 CONVEYED
my IDEAS to Herrera on the sit
uation. These were that il would
be the hight of fo,ly for Mex,
leo TO engaged in war with the United
States. Mexico having already achieved
her independence by her own efforts. The
northern provinces of Mexico, being a
very mountainous country, were inhabited
almost entirely by the Apaches Co.
manches and other savage Indians, TO-
gesher with Mexican bandits, who were
continually making forays upon the more
| fertile provinces, causing much havoc and
| putting the government to heavy expense
| in keeping them in check. l suggested
that 1t would be much better for Mexico
TO turn this troublesome territory over 60
| the United States, which would then be
required to maintain force there 10 keep
rhe population in order, thus relieving
! Mexico from the constant annoyance and
| EXPENSE 10 which il was subject on this
/ account Herrera who was then plan
ming to overthrow Santa Anna, was de-
sirous of securing the friendship of the
United States, and signitied his acqui-
| essence in my SUGGESTIONS
Some months later l returned to the
United States Before | reached Washing
ton Herrera had overthrow Santa Anna
and gained control of the Mexican govern
ment Desiring the friendship of this gov
ernment, but knowing the antoginism OF
| his people towards the United States, he
rsou sted that large and imposing en-
| bassy he sent to Mexico to treat with
him for the purpose Of arranging a peace
able adjustment of the differences be-
| tween the two countries. Knowing the
true situation in Mexico and the erect
which some embassy would have upon
the Teople there l urged that Herreras
request be granted. James X. Polk had
! succeeded Fillmore as President and
| buchanan was his chief adviser. Buch-
anan and other politicians advised against
! complying with Herrera's request The re-
| suit was that there was another revolu-
| ton In Mexico, Herrera was overthrown
and Santa Anna reinstated in power and
| war with the United States followed"
~ have always fe,t," said Col. Green,
! that the Civil War was a punishment
inflicted upon the Southern states for the
| wrong which they Gid in forcing an UNI
just war upon Mexico and depriving her
of her territory. The war was unneces-
4 sary as all the good results accruing from
it could have been obtained by peaceful
| means"
After his return from Mexico, Col.
| Green resided in Washington until 1919
when s Secretary Clayton requested him to
take the mission to Cuba and Santo Do
mingo knowing that his residence in Mex
f4a-f Ia tttI