The Washington herald., 1913-12-21
mind OF PUBLIC
EASILY SWERVED
Recent Wedding at the White
House Is Cited as an
Example.
MEXICO WAS FORGOTTEN
Developments in Situation Ignored as
Time Of the Wilson-Sayre Mar
iage Approached.

The Wilson-Sayre and the Roosevelt
Longworth weddings at the White House
furnish interesting examples of how the
public mind swerves from the ordinary
channels. Variations of public interest
perhaps are apparent more quickly in
Washington than in any other city, as
Washington is the center OF many activ-
tiles in which the people are concerned.
Up until a short time before the dHte
set for the Wilson-Sayre wedding, every
body in the country was deeply absorbed
in the Mexican situation. People on
street corners, at meetings, In church,
in the schools, around dinner tables, in
barrooms, talked about the crisis which
developed so rapidly in the Southern re-
public. But as the date for the Wilson
Sayre wedding approached, the affairs
which Vexed the heads of the American
and Mexican nations ceased to compel
attention.
1t is to be noted Furthermore that de-
velopments in Mexico were no less critical
during the week preceding November %.
For the Mexican Congress convened in
direct defiance of the American demands
an action which might have resulted in
serious consequences had not the public
attention otherwise been fixed. Huerta
delivered a message to Congress which
bristled with comments on the interna-
be considered as Objectionable by this
nation. But scant attention was paid TO
his comments for the people and Wash
ington officialdom generally were en-
crossed in wedding plans.
EnEIRnd's Act Overlooked.
Great Britain sent warships to Mexican
waters during the week before the VIII
son-Sayre wedding without first notifying
State DanaFfmnanf
son. and the President and Secretary of
state practically overlooked the matter
The Washington administration gave no
sign to speak of that il paid attention to
this discourtesy, but other nations re-
marked the omission so pointedIy that
Great Britain herself took occasion to
apologize TO this government for not
sending Official notification of the dis
patch OF the ships.
In view of the fact that the T-nitad
States and Great Britain are eyeing each
other on account OF the Panama Canal
tolls controversy, this affair might have
matured into something of importance
mad enough attention been paid to IL by
the newspapers But IL had no chance to
gain publicity to any great extent and
languished for lack of discussion. The
White House wedding took the center of
the stage, and every effort of other ele-
COnSDlCuOuS
on the boards was foiled.
The newspapers had a great deal to
do with this. Because the people were
anxious to hear all about the White
House wedding. the newspapers did what
they could TO furnish the news of the |
Forthcoming nuptials. And as telegraph
wire space is limited. other news had
to give precedence to that in greatest
demand. Hence little attention was paid
to Mexican affairs and other interna-
tional complications.
similar situation In 1905.
The same state of affairs obtained dur
ing the week before the Roosevelt Long |
worth wedding on February Il, 1906 Prior |
to the ceremony the country was inter-
ested in the trial OF Pat Grove, the kid
napper. who was caught after having /
abducted the little son of Cudahy. the |
Omaha meat packer. Also the railroad |
rate bill. which eventually resulted in |
revolutiOnizing the railroad systems of
this country. was under discussion. Up
to a week before the wedding all eyes
sought accounts Of what was transpiring 1
at these centers in the newspapers, but |
when the time for the wedding drew
nearer these other matters were dropped. |
This phenomenon can be noticed fire. /
Quently. II will be remembered that last |
spring the American public was clamor-
ing shrilly for immediate Intervention in
Mexico. Just as it seemed the admins
tration here would be compelled to COM
ply with the popular demand, Gov. Sui
zer was impeached and this veered the
public interest Some New York news
paper has suggested that Gen. Huerta
pension Mr.. Sulzer for this signal serv-
ice. It is certain that the impeachment
Of the New York governor lured atten-
ton away from Mexico and Intervention
in the Southern republic was side-tracked
for the nonce by the sensational political
in the Empire State.