Evening star., 1912-09-09
A Contemplate Charge.

Throughout his course in dealing with
the Mexican situation President Taft has
been most commercially careful TO avoid
precipitating trouble which is certain, II
once encountered. to occupy this country
for a long period and to cost 1t heavily.
He has been patient with the Mexican
governments. both that Of Diaz and that
of Madero, seeking TO avoid an issue cal
culated TO lead TO Intervention. and at
the same time maintaining as far as pos
sible the prestige of the United States by
insisting upon the protection of American
lives and property. A less careful course
would undoubtedly have plunged TINS
country into war long ago, while less
insistent pressure upon the Mexican gov
ernment to guarantee American interests
would have cost this country heavily.
1t has been matter of common ex-
preston during the last few months that
the President was moving in this Mexl-
can situation without the slightest re-
gard TO his political fortunes ignoring
absolutely the opportunity which it al
forded for bringing about q conflict that
would by appealing to the patriotism OF
the American people insure him victory
at the polls in November. less consci-
ent.ous treatment of the case by the chief
executive would undoubtedly have made
political capital for him. and the fact that
he has held aloof from any temptation
that the situation might have exerted
IS to be rated to his credit without
in the least diminishing the merit of his
performance in safeguarding American
interests south of the boundary as far as
has been possible short Of actual inter-
vention.
In these circumstances it is no less than
contemplate to charge the President with
the purpose OF calling Congress into extra
session for the consideration of the Mexi-
can affair, not with the design of placing
responsibility for the ultimate decision
upon the body charged by the Constitu-
tion with IL. but to the end Of withdraw
ing from the stump the orators who are
now at work in behalf of the progressive
and democratic presidential candidates.
This is perhaps the meanest conceivable
motive that could be attributed to the Of
ficial whom the American people have in
trusted with the administration o. affairs.
1t is a reflection Of the whole temper of
the factional fight upon Mr.. Taft and it
ID certain to win immediate reputation
by the public.
- thC AftSiuCHt hdu "iohCo ~ uSii'S
political advantage from the Mexican sit
uation he would have had no need to re-
sort to such a petty trick as the assem-
bling of Congress in extra session in Or
der to weaken the campaigning forces
of his opponents. The bare suggestion Is
too unutterably silly for serious consid-
Grafton, and yet it is put forth solemnly
as the true reason for the intimation that
an extra session may soon be called to
deal with this question. Yet it is not sur
prising. 1t is part of a campaign of
villification and abuse scarcely paralleled
in the history of American politics. a
campaign founded upon treachery and
shameless hypocrisy, upon the repudia-
tion OF solemn pledges and an attempt to
crafty a personal ambition scarcely
equaled in modern times. =,
IL President Taft should call an extra
session of Congress the country may be
well assured that he will do so only be-
cause ne regards the situation south Of
the Rio Grande as calling for American
intervention. and because he recognizes
that this step will involve the United
States in a war the end OF which no man
can foretell. To hint that there is po-
ntICai motive in any such contemplated
move is a disgraceful affront to Ameri-
can patriotism.