The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-29

i, tive land so long as the Unlted states
maintained the blockade with which II
had closed all the Mexican ports Ev-
cry Mexican vessel in the gulf had been
captured or destroyed; every harbor I'M
States so desired, Cuba would be a.
prison for Santa Anna. He could no
more escape from its shores than he
could get out OF the massive walls of
| Perote
| The United States had no desire for
war. especially with stricken peo-
/ Pile. Mexico was weak and helpless.
There could be but one result II war
| was resumed. Santa Anna would be
! benefactor to his people. would be
4 benefactor to humanity II. when he re-
! turned to power, he would use his
great influence for the cause OF peace
/ and the settlement of strife. Common
sense would teach him that in the
| event of war Mexico would be forced
to pay a heavy tribute. Texas was
j lost irretrievably. II the United States
had to invade Mexico, Mexico would
pay an additional and staggering pen
4 atty by the loss Of its Pacific States.
\ Would 1t not be better TO sink all abb
/ surd ideas about saving the face OF the
4 nation by an unholy sacritce OF hu-
! man life and further plunging the ma
ton into an abyss Of ruin when there
was no need for such thing?
The Patriot.
Santa Anna listened and was deep
~ impressed To all that Mckenzie
said he agreed He had held for many
wears a feeling OF the warmest admira-
Ition for the United States. He pointe
ont how Mexico had modelled it's con.
stitution on that of the northern repub'
; Lie. He told how he had sought e
emulate the example of some OF the
; great Americans and declared that hi:
acts al dictatorf and as President. whlcf
Ihad aroused criticism from students
of history. had been the result OF tAe
: disordered condition and the unprepar
ed state of Mexico, for the form OF gov,
:. eminent into which it had been forcee
after throwing off the Spanish yoke
0 HI was patriot He was lover O
his people. He longed only to serv'
them. He would rule, If the opportunl
! ~ ever came to him again. so as Z
!, win the applause of the world. -
: would rather die patriots death
y temporarily scorned by his people, thal
~ add to the sorrows and the burden
: / If tho NIeSlcans. FIe was soldier, bu
he believed in a resort TO arms onl'
when all other methods talleu. lie W
lieyed the deliverance OF Mexico wa
in his hands or rested with him. IN
dogs and the ingrates who had seize
upon the places Of power In MS az
n sence were devasting the land. he ha
t erred erievously In former days ~ wa
!, true but he saw the future clearly, an
Z when he returned to Mexico. as y
J. knew he should. he would benefit by tn
Y mistakes and follies OF the past an
!. build more solidly and moro enduring
= for the future. lie was a repupllcA1
IL 1t was true, but he doubted II MEMS
!; was fitted for the republican form; 9
y government. Possibly 1t should pc
s empire for half a century at least.
re strong hand should guide IT thfous
the shoals II there was TO ne an en-
= = pire he believed he should be Empero
3 NICK emile played little upon tll
he vanity Of the man, and then VIII
y pledges OF mutual esteem and goo
=, faith he returned to Havana and
\, washington. When he made hrs repol
hs to James Buchanan that solemn o.
=. statesman smiled In gratl1cauoh az
NJ thanked him warmly.
il,i "A few days later George Bancrol
ne the historian, then Secretary of II
~ Navy, sent 10 Commodore conner
81 command OF the Gulf Squadron. II
re- following order;
~ OMITTED States Navy DEPARTMENT,
"May 1s, 1886.
a "Commodore,--If Santa Anna endea'
= ors to enter the Mesican ports sc