The Washington times., 1913-08-28
THE PRESIDENTS BACKING.

1t is altogether probable that II the Fuerta gov
eminent in Mexico knew, and would admit to itself
the truth about the attitude of the American nation
Huerta would retire within ten days. This Govern
ment, determined to avoid the use of force outside
our own borders willing to make concessions to
weak adversary that dignity might not permit IN the
case of an equal, is backed by the people OF the
United States to extent that unfortunately the or
dinary reAexons, of public opinion do not show
There has been just enough of journalistic anagon
ism, just enough of hostile comment from public
places, to mislead people willing and even anxious
to be mised. Therefore, it would be most effective
if Congressional declaration of oneness with the
President could be presented and adopted by unan
nous vote. Such action would serve the double
purpose of impressing the factions in Mexico and
convincing the powers of the outside world.
In the address which President Wilson made tc
the Congress there was nothing unexpected ol
startling. 1t was strictly in line with the policy oi
our Administration from the beginning. Its dom
mating note was frmness rmness in attitude of dis
approval toward Huerta and likewise frmnesS in de-
termination not to be drawn into avodabe extremes
1t would be an excellent thing if there were il
Huertas circle of advisers some who could make
that usurper understand that moderation is one Of the
traits of strength, not of weakness; that the man
confidence in his strength and in his righteousness o
posture. But it is useless to hope for such desir
able influence to be brought to bear.
Next to Congressional resolution, unanimously
passed, the most effective index of American sent
ment is the demonstration that greeted the President
when he appeared before the joint session of House
and Senate yesterday to read his message In more
than century such incident, in connection with
an incident of foreign relations, has been unknown
II was a solemn and impressive ceremonial made
the more so by reason of the fact that in our Gov.
eminent ceremonials are few and formalitieS com.
monty rather informal.
The President having declared his policy Of pro-
hibtng shipment of arms and munitions to Mexico
from the States, there can be only course for
patriotic Americans. They must hold up his hands
in that policy. The army and navy must be brought
t. his support This paper has expressed heretofore
and still entertains the firm belief that the wiser
course would have been to lift entirely the embargo
OH arms and let both sides in Mexico get if they
could We have believed and still believe, that the
more effective course would have been to give all
factions fair chance The constitutionaists cannot
get arms except through the United States, because
the only frontier which they control is that which
borders this country If the United States effec-
tualy blockades that frontier they are dSarmed. On
the other hand, the Huertistas can bring in arms
from other countries, long as other countries
willing to furnish them The effect, then is thai
one side may be armed and the other may not.
1t is possible, of course that European nations
may join in the American program of shutting out all
arms If they do and if the policy can be enforced
against all flibusters at least the semblance of
fair deal will be assured to both sides. But will it be
more than sembIance? The national forces are
pretty well equipped in this regard already. The
opposition is not.
The crisis would have been forced good dea
sooner in all likelihood, if the embargo had not beer
placed on arms. Brigandage, rapine, and general
cussedness may continue indefinitely, whether arm:
are available or not. Better, it would seem, si>
weeks of something like war, with decisive result
than months of Intellectual rOting murders, guerilla
warfare destruction of property, and outrageS agans
even the decences of regular conflict.
But the President has taken the other view. 1t is
the official attitude of this Government. There is e
only to accept his decision that Of this nation, tc
make it unanimous and to hope that he is right and
that those of us who have differed have been wrong