The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-25
DANIELS ASKS THE
SUPPORT OF PRESS
Editors Should Back Admin.
istration Of Crucial Times
MEXICAN SITUATION
Cites Conflict With Huerta As An
Example--When President Takes
Stand Before World Newspa-
pers Should Support Him

indianapolis, Ind, September 24-With
Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels
the principal speaker and guest of honor,
the annual banquet of the Indiana MEM
bers of the Associated Press was held
at a local hotel tonight. The banquet
hall was decorated with American flags
and back of the speakers table was
draped the flag of the Secretary of the
Navy.
Mr.. Daniels stay in indianapolis was
brief. His train was three hours and a
half late, not arriving until $3.50, and he
was to start on his return to Washing
ton at 10:45 tonight. He left for his
train shortly after concluding his speech
which was given long applause.
The other speakers of the evening were
Governor Ralston, President William
Lowe Bryan of Indiana university, and
Melville E.. Stone of New York. general
manager of the Associated Press. For
mer Vice President Charles W. Fair
banks acted as POSTMASTER.
An appeal for loyalty and patriotism
in the American press, with phases of
the existing Mexican situation presented
as example of the result of unwise
or misleading newspaper publications.
marked the address of Mr.. Daniels
Daniels Talks Freely
Himself an editor, Mr.. Daniels talked
freely with his fellows about the prvi-
leges and duties of the newspaper man,
dealing particularly with the part to be
played when the interests OF the nation
are at stake in an international contro-
versy.
Provisional President Huerta, in his
recent message to the Mexican congress-"
said the secretary, made statement
which arrested the attention of every
American when he said: Besides the
fratricidal strife which exhausts us, the
tenseness of our diplomatic relations with
the government of the United States al
though luckily not with that people, has
put us in a state of apprehension
and retarded the complete pacification
of the republic
The official utterance of the acting
head of the government in Mexico City
not only attracted national attention,
but challenged national denial that any
sentiment existed in the United States
to warrant the declaration But what
plausible ground did Huerta have for
hind the President of the United States
in the latter's efforts to arrive at an
amicable understanding with Mexico?
"Of course, the wish was father to the
thought with General Huerta, but must
be admitted that the attitude of some
of the newspapers of the United States,
and occa sional expressions by well known
Americans, might have given the i'm
preston that the people were divided In
their opinion on this subject of the recog-
milton of the Huerta regime
Misunderstood Situation
1t is far from my purpose to call in
question that the editors of these news
papers and others We're conscientious in
their convictions" Mr. Daniels continued
They are all most excellent gentlemen
and patriotic at heart, but they We're
misguided by misunderstanding the true
situation and misjudging the sentiment
of the people of this country as has been
demonstrated by the practically uani-
nous sentiment OF members of both
houses of Congress.
The representatives of the republic
OF Mexico were Quick to jump at the
conclusion that these agencies repre-
serted large part of public opinion in
this country, and, of course, the views of
this segment of The American press were
telegraphed to Mexico copied in the
Huerta press and were eagerly seized
upon by that government to maintain its
position.
Foreign measures are debatable on the
floor of Congress, in committees of the
House, in conference with the executive
the American government affords every
possible opportunity for the expression Of
individual opinion. But when executive
action becomes necessary and the Presi-
dent, before the world, takes a stand on
any foreign affairs the world must know
he is rendering not a personal opinion on
any international matter but that he is
asserting the will of the nation, which
the people are ready, if need be, to exc
cute by force of arms.
AT such a moment, attack on the de-
clared foreign policy of a President
raises a question not only of morality
and ethics but one of loyalty to the gov
eminent.
Liberty Is Restricted
ITO be sure, free speech and free
press are two of cur most precious pos
sessions. 1t must be remembered, how.
ever, that liberty in this respect is at all
times restricted by the manifest rights cf
others: liberty of speech and liberty os
Continued ON Page Ten)