Imperial Valley press., 1913-09-26
Secretary Daniels Answers
Huerta's Attack on u. S.

Indianapolis, Sept. 26.-"Provision.
al President Huerta in his recent
message to the Mexican congress" VI
said Secretary Daniels in his speech
tonight at . banquet of the Indiana
Associated Press, "made a statement
which arrested the attention Of every
American when he said: Besides the
fratricidal strife which exhausts US,
the tenseness Of our diplomatic rela-
tions with the government of the
United States, although luckily not
with the people, has put us in state
of apprehension. and retarded
the pacification of the republic The
official utterance Of the acting head
Of the government in Mexico City, not
only attracted national attention, bu,
challenged a national denial that any
sentiment existed in the United States
to warrant the declaration. But what
was the basis that led Huerta into his
error? What plausible ground did he
have to assert that public opinion was
not behind the president of the United
States in the latter's efforts to ar
rive at an amicable understanding
with Mexico?
"Of course the wish was father to
the thought with General Huerta, but
it must be admitted that the attitude
of some Of the newspapers of, the
United States and occasional express
sions by well known Americans might
have given the impression that the
people were divided in their opinion
on this subject of the recognition Of
the Huerta regime"
1T is far from my purpose to call
in question that the editors Of those
and others were consci-
entious in their convictions" Mr..
Daniels continued. "They are all
most excellent gentlemen and pat
riotic at heatt but they were misguid-
ed by misunderstanding the true sit
uation and nisjudging the sentiment
of the people of this country as has
been demonstrated by the practically
sentiment Of the members
Of both houses Of congress.
"The representatives Of the repub.
lie Of Mexico were quick TO jump ar
the conclusion that these agencies
largo part Of the public
opinion in this country, and of course
the views of this segment of the
American press were telegraped to
Mexico, copied in the Huerta press
and were eagerly seized upon by thar
government to maintain its position.
Foreign measures are debatable
on the floor Of congress, in commit
tees Of the houses. in conference with
the executive; the American govern
ment affords every possible oppor-
tunity for the expression of individ-
ual opinion. But when executive ac-
ton becomes necessary and the presi-
dent, before the world, takes stand
on any foreign affairs, the world must
know that he is not rendering a per-
sonA opinion on any international
matter, but that he is asserting the
will of the nation, which the people
are ready, if need be, to execute by
force Of arms. Party differences are
overcome by the logic of the situa-
ton.
"At such a moment, attack on the
declared foreign policy Of president
raises a question not only Of morality
and ethics but one of loyalty to the
government, for the interest of ma
ton, not a party, are at stake when
the president of the United States
goes before the world treating with
a foreign power.
"To be sure, free speech and free
press are two of our most precious