South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-08-15
MEXICO WAR IS
NOT WANTED BY
UNITED STATES
"WouId be a Calamity" Says
Former Vice Pres. Fairbanks
Claims War With Spain
Was Not Necessary.

INDIANAPOLIS. Ind. Aug. IS
ITO sacrifice the life Of one soldier
for all the dollars invested and spec
ulators have ventured in Mexico
would be the supremest folly" for
mer Vice Pres. Charles w. Fairbanks
Thursday night said in addressing the
midsummer meeting OF the Indiana
Republican Editorial association, upon
the present situation in Mexico. IF
our spectators in Mexico suffer pc
cuniary loss as the result Of recurring
revolutions. that is a matter for flu
ture consideration" he continued,
when a stable government and peace
are fully established in that country.
II Is not warrant for shedding of the
blood OF Americans"
Pres Wilson is doing all that is
possible 20 handle the situation with
out resOrting to force, Mr.. Fairbanks
said. and former Pres. Taft dealt ad-
mirably with the question.
And / believe" the speaker added,
that Ambassador Wilson carried
himself with pOise and good judg-
ment- II seems TO me that the Mex
lean situation is one that need by no
manner Of means cause serious alarm.
The duty OF the United States is
plain one. Pres. Wilson is dealing
with IL the best he can and we should
endeavor TO uphold his hands. BY
doing so we shall make his task
comparatively easy one. II is not an
hour for either little politics or SEN
sational journalism. The clamor OF
the jingoes should not be allowed TO
drown the voice of rational, deliberate
craftsmanship.
Would Be "a Calamity.
The contingency OF Intervention
under all circumstances would be a
calamity which every American in
II
might regard with grave concern.
In opening his address Mr.. Fair
banks referred To the unrest prior TO
the Spantsh-American war and de-
c!ared much of the demand for war
was brought about by persons who
wished TO profit through government
contracts or the exploitation of the
natural resources of Cuba.
"II is perfectly obvious that much
OF the agitation which lead to the war
with Spain and ultimately imposed
upon us the responsibility of govern
ing ten millions of people, and which
caused the government 10 spend
hundreds OF millions of dollars, was
of the most selfish and sinister char
acter."
Mr.. Fairbanks declared. Men who
wanted 10 fatten on government con-
tracts or who were eager for military
distinction or who wanted Cuba an
nexed 10 exploit her railroads. sugar.
and tobacco plantations and other re-
sources Of wealth were eager for war.
The yellow press played its selfish and
nefarious part. 1t was moved by no
considerations Of either patriotism or
national honor.
ct have no doubt that the disturb
ances IN Mexico during the last few
years have been due, in a greater or
less degree. TO the effort upon the part
of ambitious, cunning men TO force
Intervention and possibly annexation
to the United states. Intervention in
Mexico means war; war means the
destruction OF human lives and the
expenditure OF hundreds of millions OF
dillars. II means. furthermore, the
responsibility Of the government of
90 millions OF people for an indehn-
ite period. We are now engaged in
governing 10 millions of aliens as the
result OF the Spanish-American war
"A war which could very probably
have been averted If we had exercised
a little more patience. patriotism and
self restraint.