East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1913-08-27

WASHINGTON, Aug. 27.-Presi-
dent Wilson played his trump card in
the Mexican situation at / o'clock
this afternoon when he appeared in
the house of representatives and read
to the joint session of congress his
special message.
The message was addressed to all
Americans now in Mexico. and urged
that they leave that country imme-
diately Mexican officials were in
formed that summary punishment
would follow If American lives were
endangered. The message also said
that the Mexican factions would be
permitted to fight out their troubles
Among other matters, the presi-
dent said tl--t the shipment of arms
to either the federals or the rebels
must be prohibited in order to insure
the neutrality of the United States
The failure of Lind's negotiations
was reported by the president but
he said the doors are still open for
further peace overtures. The presi-
dent regards the situation as critical
but his address broached friendship
for the Mexican people. There was
a note of extreme pessissism in the
message concerning the outlook for
immediate peace because of the fact
that Huerta has rejected the Ameri-
can mediation plan.
Points of the Message.
The presidents message said in
part: 1T is clearly my duty to lay
before you without reservation the
facts concerning the present relations
of the United States with Mexico. 1
do not need to- describe the deplorable
posture of American affairs but it is
my duty TO speak most frankly of
what the United States government
has done and what we should seek
to do in the fulfillment of our obli-
cations to Mexico as a friend and
neighbor, and also as American citi-
zens whose lives and interests are at
fected. ..~
What We do must be rooted in
patience and done with calm and dis
interested deliberation. Any impa-
tience on our part would be childish
and fraught with every risk of wrong
and folly We can afford to exercise
restraint as a great nation realizing
our strength but scorning to use it. 1t
was our duty to offer assistance. Now
it is our duty to show what neutrality
will do to enable Mexicans to set
their affairs in order. and to wait
for further opportunity to offer
friendly councils. The door is not
closed for a resumption of negotia
tions either upon Mexico's initiative
or ours
Danger Will Increase.
while we wait the contest between
the rival forces in Mexico undoubted-
ly will become sharper than ever and
with the increased activity of the
combatants it is to be feared that
there will be an increased danger to
non-combatants. The outsiders posi-
tion always is the most trying and
fun of hazards where there is civil
strife and the country is upset We
should urge all Americans to leave
Mexico Immediately and should as
sist them as far as possible. Not be-
cause we mean to slacken our efforts
| to safeguard their lives and interests.
| but because it is imperative that we
/ take no unnecessary risks. We
] should advise everybody exercising
authority in Mexico in most unequivo-
cal fashion we are watching vigilant-
! ly over the fortunes of those Ameri-
/ cans who have been unable to leave
the country and that we intend to
hold to reckoning anyone who caus-
es them suffering or loss
The Presidents Duty.
1T is my duty to exercise the au-
thority conferred upon me by law or
March 4. 1918. and see that neither
side receives assistance from the Am
erican side of the border. shall for
bid all expectations of arms and mu
nitions of war from any part of the
United States to Mexico. This polio!
has been suggested by precedents
and has been dictated by the mani
fest consideration of expediency. w
can neither be partisans in this quar-
rel nor constitute ourselves virtua
umpire of the contest. The Who'll
worlds desire is for peace and pro
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