Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-28
Our High Purpose as to Mexico.

The Presidents address-message to
Congress yesterday on the subject OF
Mexico was in the nature of a report 1t
contained no recommendations and In no
sense was a submission of the matter to
congressional action. II recited, for the
information of the American people. the
record of this governments endeavor,
thus far unayailing, to restore order in
Mexico through an extension OF good
Offices, spreading forth the instructions
issued to Special Representative Lind and
tho full text of the Mexican governments
reply to the propositions carried by him.
u was a straightforward expression of
the good will felt by this nation toward
the people of Mexico. a notice to the
world as we'll as to Mexico itself that
there is no purpose here to seek to lessen
Mexican sovereignty or territory, virtu-
ally an appeal to the world for the exer-
else of moral force upon the contending
factions in Mexico to resolve their Diff
ferences and to establish a stable govern
ment upon a permanent footing.
One reads the Presidents message in
vain for any suggestion of threats against
Mexico, anything indicative OF a purpose
TO intervene in force to resolve the fac
explicit statement of the intention of this
government that we shall vigilantly
watch the fortunes of those Americans
who cannot get away. and shall hold
those responsible for their suffering and
losses to a definite reckoning" What is
meant by "a definite reckoning need not
await events for answer. It Is to be re-
garded as assured that this government
holds itself prepared, should harm befall
Americans who. after opportunity has
been given for departure to all now with
in the Mexican boundaries, are compelled
by any circumstances to remain, to strike
directly to reach those who are guilty of
such outrages- This is the extent Of any
threat Of intervention; meanwhile this
country is to maintain. as to the con-
tending forces in Mexico, a strict policy
of neutrality, going to the extent of for
bidding the expectation of arms or NUM-
tons of war of any kind from the United
States to any part of Mexico. This will
involve the maintenance of strict bor-
der patrol, amounting, in effect. to q
blockade Of Mexico as far as goods con-
traband of war obtained in the American
market are concerned.
Though nothing appears In the formal
reply Of the Mexican minister Of foreign
affairs indicative Of belief that the
President Of the United States lacked
the backing of the united public senti.
ment in this country. 1t has been hereto
fore stated in dispatches from Mexico
City that the position of the Huerta gov
eminent toward the tender of good Offices
of peaceful mediation by the United
States was inspired by the belief that the
President did not have the support OF
the American people. Ii that is true the
reception of the Presidents message to
Congress emphatically discloses the gross
error of the government at Mexico City.
The American people today are, with the
rarest exceptions, DESTROYS of peace with
Mexico and equally DESTROYS of the res
toration OF order in that country through
an adjustment which will not involve the
use of our arms. That is the Presidents
position, and it thus has the whole.
hearted support of the nation. There
may be differences of opinion as to the
efficacy of means adopted to this end
perhaps as TO the wisdom of some Of the
Administrations maneuyers, but today
there is no disputation as to the right
eousness of the Presidents course, the
sincerity of his desire for peace and fol
Mexico's prosperity or his high intention
10 observe scrupulousIy the attitude OF
friendship for that nation which is made
so manifest in the official record Of nego
tiations now submitted by him to the
people through Congress.