The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1913-03-12
PRESIDENT TAKES
SLY RAP AT MEXICO
'We Are Friends of Peace" "
He Continues, But There
Can Be No Lasting Peace
in Such Circumstances
Mutual Respect Is In
dispensable to Friendship"

dispensable to Friendship"
WASHINGTON. March 11.-President
Wilson issued today this formal state
ment of his policy toward the Central
and South American republics:
''One of the chief objects of my ad-
ministration Will be to cultivate the
friendship and deserve the confidence
of our sister republics of Central and
South America, and to promote in
every proper and honorable way the
interests which are common to the
peoples of the two continents.
Il earnestly desire the most cor
dial understanding and cooperation
between the peoples and leaders of
America, and therefore deem it my
duty to make this brief statement:
Cooperation is possible only when
supported at every turn by the or
derly processes Of just government
based upon law. not upon arbitrary or
irregular force.
NO FREEDOM WITHOUT ORDER
We hold, as I am sure all thought
ful leaders Of republican government
everywhere hold that Just government
rests always upon the consent of the
governed, and that there can be no
freedom without order based upon
law and upon the public conscience
and approval We shall look to make
these principles the basis of mutual
intercourse. respect and helpfulness
<6etween our sister republics and our
Nseives
we shall lend our influence Of
every kind to the realization of these
principles in fact and practice, know
ing that disorder, personal intrigue
and defiance of constitutional rights
weaken and discredit government and
injure none so much as the people
who are unfortunate enough to have
their common life and common affairs
tainted and disturbed.
FRIENDS OF PEACE
I'VE can have no sympathy with
those who seek 10 seize the power of
government to advance their own per-
sonal interests or ambition. We are
the friends Of peace, but we know that
there can be no lasting or stable peace
in such circumstances.
"As friends, therefore, we shall pre-
fer those who act in the interest of
peace and honor, who protect private
rights and respect the restraints of
constitutional provision. Mutual re-
spect seems to US the Indispensable
foundation of friendship between states
as between individuals.
THE United States has nothing to
seek in Central and South America
except the lasting interests of the
people Of the two continents, the Sc
curfty of governments intended for the
people and for no special group of
interests, and the development Of per-
sonaI and trade relationship between
the two continents which shall rebound
to the profit and advantage of both
and Interfere with the rights and
liberties of neither.
F&RECAsT OF POLICY
From these principles may be read
so much OF the future policy of this
government as 1t Is necessary now TO
forecast, and in the spirit Of these
principles I may, ] hope, be permitted
with as much confidence as earnestness
to extend to the governments of all
the republics OF America the hand of
genuine disinterested friendship and to
pledge my own honor and the honor Of
my colleagues to every enterprise of
peace and amity that a fortunate
The. president read the above state
ment to the cabinet today and issued
1t shortly afterward to the press.
At the White House it was dis
claimed that the statement was aimed
at any particular country. It was de-
clared that it would be sent to the
diplomatic representatives of the
United States in all Central and South
American countries alike.
MOST COUNTRIES PEACEFUL
While most Of the countries in the
western hemisphere are enjoying do
mestic as well as international peace.
state department officials have exer-
leo. Guatemala. Nicaragua Honduras,
San Domingo, Cuba and Salvador.
While the Mexican situation was be-
coming more and more acute, in the
closing days Of the last administration.
reports were received at the depart
.zhent from its various agencies in Cen
N,ad America that gave much concern
to3the officials, indicating. as they did,
The existence OF a general spirit OF I'M
rest, and of embryonic revolutionary
activity in many quarters.
The general tenor of the off,
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