New-York tribune., 1913-10-06
An Open Forum for
Public Debate.
, DISCUSSING MEXICAN POLICY
Editor of Mexico" Takes Secretary
Daniels to Task.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: Mexico" a weekly publication in
terpretng the sentiment and opinion or
Americans interested ir fostering friend
" ard mutually advantageous relations
between the United states and Mexico
has freely criticised President Wilson's
Mexican policy.
As editor OF Mexico / wish respect
fully to reply 10 some Of the statements
made by Secretary Of the Navy Daniels
speaking before the Indiana members o.
The Associated Press.
He deplored the fact that many Amer
lean newspapers have seen ht TO criticise'
even frankly and honestly, the stand
taken by President Wilson toward Mex
leo. such criticism of administration
policies should, he thought, be restricted
10 internal matters and should stop al
the waters edge" The world should
know. he contended, that any stand taken
by the President in a matter Of foreign
relations is supported unquestioningly' o
an undivided people. who, il necessary
would execute il by force Of arms. lie
intimated that the press or individuals
giving any different impression 10 me
world were disloyal and unpatriotic
As 20 the press-muzzling purpose OF the
Secretarys speech shall remark only
that it IS the first attempt Of any admin
istration to restrict the cherished freedom
Of the press. The attempt will. of course
not succeed and will meet with the con-
demnation II deserves. As to the ADMIN
istrations evident resentment Of criticism
| suggest:
That frank and honest criticism OF any
stand taken by the President OF the
United States which involves the destln!
Of one hundred million people is necessary
for the safe conduct Of popular govern
ment and should be welcomed by broad
gauced and well-ntentioned admlnlstIa'
tion;
That a national sense Of Justice DE-
mands free and frank discussion oi ou.
relations with other countries, and tne'
this sense of justice is not inconlpatio'
with the purest patriotism. the most III
teligent loyalty;
That any United states policy to"sru
Mexico affects directly the welfare HnO
property Of thousands of Americans }"
Mexico and other thousands VINO nav
commercial or social connections thefe
Therefore it cannot be altogether io''
eign policy and is in a large degree q"
internal one:
That although Secretary Danielss po'"'
of view is that press criticisms IN iN's'
national crises might on occasion Ha"
the avoidance Of war most diihcu' iV'
a peace-loving administration. the lac' :,
that much OF the criticism direc'o'
against President Wilson's Mexican po'
icy has come from those who. kno"'"e
Mexican conditions and the Mexican pe0,
pie. have firmly believed that his me'"0"
of handling the Mexican SITUATION ""'
most likely 10 result In an uhie0eS'"''
unjust and burdensome war
Also. that many of those who ha''
most enthusiastically supported the a','
tude of President Wilson have done 80 !"
the belief that il was impractical ana u.
hope that ii would finally bring "Oo''
armed Intervention. -.
II there were no question OF the ns.'
or justice Of President wilson's a'u.uu
toward Mexico, he would have every
American citizen at his back, 10 wa
need be, and there would be no occasi0s
for the attempt to restrict HahA
honest criticism.
THOMAS O'HALLoRAN'
New York, Sept. q, 1913.