The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-08-27
PRESIDENT WILSON
DECLARES POLICY
tcontinued from Page One,

in Mexico in the way and on the con-
| ditiOns suggested.
Taking all the existing conditions
| into consideration, the government OF
the United States can conceive OF no
reasons sufficient to justify those who
are now attempting to shape the poIlcy
! or exercise the authority of Mexico in
declining the offices of friendship thus
offered. Can Mexico give the civilized
world a satisfactory reason for reject
Ing our good offices? If Mexico can
suggest any better way in which to
show our friendship, serve the people
of Mexico and meet our international
obligation, we are more than willing
to consider the suggestion
Mr.. Lind's Mission.
Mr.. Lind executed his delicate and
difficult mission with singular tact
firmness and good judgment and MADE
clear to the authorities at the CITY
of Mexico not only the purpose OF his
, visit but also the spirit in which 1t
had been undertaken. But the pro-
posals he submitted were rejected in
note, the full text of which l take
the liberty of laying before you.
II am led to believe that they were
rejected partly because the authorities
at Mexico City had been grossly mis-
informed and misled upon two points.
They did not realize the spirit or the
American people in this matter, their
earnest friendliness and yet sober de-
termination that some just solution for
the Mexican difficulties should be had;
and they did not believe that the pres
ent administration spoke, through Mr..
Lind, for the people of the United
States. The effect of this unfortunate
misunderstanding on their part is to
leave them singularly isolated and
without friends who can effectually
aid them.
$50 long as the misunderstanding
continues we can only await the time
of their awakening to a realization or
the actual facts. We cannot thrust
our good offices upon them; the STU
alton must be given little more time
to work itself out in the new circum-
stances; and 1 believe that only lit
tie while will be necessary. For the
circum stances are new
Our Duty in the Matter.
'The rejection of our friendship
makes them new and will inevita bly,
bring it's own alterations in the whole
aspect of affairs. The actual situation
Of the authorities at Mexico will pres
entity be revealed. Meanwhile, what
is it our duty to do? Clearly, every
thing that we do must be rooted in
patience and done with calm and dis |
interested elaboration. 1mpatience
on our part would be childish and
wrong and folly. We can afford 20
exercise the self restraint of really
great nation. which realizes it's own
strength and scorns to misuse it.
assistance. 1t is now our duty to !
show what true neutrality will do to !
enable the people of Mexico to set
their affairs in order again and wait
a further opportunity to offer our
friendly counsels. The door is not
closed against the resumption either
upon the initiative of Mexico or upon
our own, of the effort to bring order
out of confusion, by friendly co-opera- |
tive action, should fortunate occasion
offer.
while we wait the contest of the |
rival forces will undoubtedly for lit |
because it will be plain that an end
must be made of the existing situation |
and that very promptly; and with the |
increased activity of the contendIng |
feared increased danger to the nom
com batants in Mexico as well as to
those actually in the field of battle
The position of outsiders is always
particularly trying and full of hazard
where there is civil strife and whole
country is upset.
Americans Should Leave.
1--WE should earnestly urge all
Americans to leave Mexico at once,
and should assist them to get away
in every way poSsible-nOt because we
would mean to slacken in the least
our efforts to safeguard their lives
and their interests but because it is
in. perative that they should take no
unnecessary risks when it is physical
~ possible for them to leave the coun-
try. We should let every one who
seems to exercise authority in any part
of Mexico know in the most unequivo-
cal way that she shall watch the for
tunes of those Americans who cannot
set away and shall hold those re-
sponsible for their sufferings and
losses to a definite reckoning. Thai
can and will be made plain beyond the
possibility of a misunderstanding.
For the rest. deem 1T my duty to eN-
the law of March IA. 1912, to see to 1t that
neither side to the struggle now going
in Mexico receive any assistance from
this side of the border. l shall follow the
best practice of nations in the matter of
neutrality by forbidding the expectation
of arms or munitions of war of any kind
from the United States to any part of the
republic of MeXico-a policy sugg eSted by
several interesting precedents and GER
erations of practical expediency. we
in the circumstances be the parti-
sans of either party to the contest that
selves the virtual umpire between them.
Moral Support From Abroad.
I am happy to say that several of the
great governments of the world have
moral support in urging upon the pro-
authorities at the City of Mexico
the acceptance of proffered good offices
in the spirit in which they were made.
We have not acted in this matter under
the ordinary principles of international
such circumstances to act as Mexicos
nearest friend and intimate adviser This
There is nowhere any serious question
that we have the moral right In the case
or that acting in the interest of d
fair settlement and of good government
not for the promotion of some selfish in
terest of our own.
IF further motive were necessary than
our own good will toward a sister repub-
lie and our own deep concern to see
peace and order prevail IN Central amer