Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-20

SENATOR STONE.
Fighting by Mexicans so near the
border as to endanger the lives and
property Of citizens Of the United
States justifies the President in order
ing American troops to put stop to
the fighting. even If 1T leads to a
struggle between the forces Of Mex
leo and the United States. declared
Senator Stone of Missouri in a speech
in the Senate this afternoon.
Il presume these Mexican people have
an inherent right to fight If they want
to fight" said Mr.. Stone. land gener-
ally speaking. to fight wherever they
please on Mexican SOIL but 1 deny that
they have any shadow of right to de-
liberately enter into a furious conflict
on the border line and within easy
gunshot Of populous American towns
and cities. thus unavoidably and i'm
minently endangering the lives and
property Of American citizens.
Attack on Americans.
Il believe that an act Of that kind
10 In effect an attack on Americans,
and that 1t presents a case where the
President would be justified in order
ing our troops to take such action as
might be necessary to put a stop to
the fighting. even though 1t might lead
to q struggle between the United
States and Mexican forces.
In situations like this, where two
countries are separated as these two are
separated. 1t should be a rule incorporat-
ed In the law of nations. If it is not by
fair Interpretation already sO-a rule
founded on high and just considerations
of humanity and on the respect always
due a neutral sOvereign-that zone OF
safety should be established and OBJ
served. within which the belligerents
should not engage in battle. A viola
garded as an act of such offensive and
hostile Indifference to the rights Of the
neutral nation as would justify 1t in
taking instant and effective steps for its
own protection"
Praises President Taft.
PPaising the President for acting wise
ly" In the face of such provocation, Sen
ator Stone urged that Congress should
give the President authority to prevent
a repetition of the killing of American
citizens by Mexican belligerents.
Congress- he said. should at once
dent to employ whatever force may be
necessary to prevent a repetition of the
bloody outrage committed at Douglas.
4Ariz, and repetition of which il threat
ened at Ell Paso, Tex
Proceeding, he declared that Congress
should express its opinion in positive
terms. that 1t is his duty to use what
ever force the circumstances may require
to protect Americans on their own terri
tory and in their own homes from danger
His authority In this behalf" he de-
clared. SHOULD be extended far enough
and have sufficient latitude to fully war
rant him in using our military forces in
whatever way he may deem expedient
and necessary to accomplish the desired
end. even though 1t should lead to an in
trusfon upon Mexican territory.
Make Use Of Troops.
Moreover. If any act done under this
authority by the President for the proper
protection Of our own people on our own
soil should lead to hostile demonstrations
against American citizens resident In the
interior Of Mexico the President should
be authorized. either now or later on. to
use the military forces Of the United
TO protect the lives and liberty Of peace
able American citizens wherever domi-
ciled In any quarter Of Mexico" He
would have the American Iroops put a
stop to the killing OF Americans. even
though 1t led to a struggle between the
forces Of the United States and those OF
Mexico.
IF without fault Of ours the Mexican
people themselves create q condition that
makes II necessary for this government
TO assume an offensive attitude, they
cannot complain" said he, IF we are
compelled against our own will and even
against our own interests to assume an
attitude Of hostility, then the Just Judge
wi u,ba
do. Whatever We do must be right, and
being right We can safely proceed with
out fear"
Japan Not Involved.
Mr. Stone would not agree that Japan
10 in any way involved In the Mexican
situation. nor would he concede to the
Japanese or any old world power til,
right to interfere I'm the Mexican situa.
ton Agreeing that the Monroe doctrine
Is not directly involved, he argued that
nevertheless this country should stand
jealously against any encrOachment by
European or Asiatic nations.
We have not yet" he said. assumed
the ONCE OF a policeman patroiling these
American republics. and even II other
countries insist upon thrusting that sta
ton with it's responsibilities upon US, W.
will At least object to those countries ex
ercIs1ng a supervising and directing no
lice power over US"
Senator Stone declared that the land
ing of the British marines at San Quin
tin. was not necessary to enable thu
three men in question ian Englishmar
and two Americans) seeking to escape tn
danger zone to board the vessel. ant
hence II the marines were land mereI,
to prevent Mexican force attached Il
the revolutionary movement in Mexico
taking possession Of this Mexican town
the act was arbitrary. and being q hos
tile demonstration on Mexican territory
was in effect an act OF war, IL authorized
II was, perhaps In itsAlf an act of 10,