The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-10-25
Mrs. Paul Hudson Discusses the
Situation in Mexico.
She Has Lived There IL Years
and Is Posted.
THE COUNTRY'S BIGGEST ASSET
Is Americans and American
Enterprise, She Says.
Respect for Uncle Sam Has Al
most Disappeared.

esTo an American who has the real
love of her native land at heart, IL
seems only fair that if it is possible
to tell her fellow countrymen what tne
present position of the United states
toward Mexico means, she should 90
So"
So said Mrs. Paul Hudson tod lay
Mrs Hudson, who used to live in TO
peka. has lived in Mexico seventeen
wears and has seen, to quote her, Ihe
rise and fall of American prestlge.
She is in Topeka to spend the winner
with relatives ..
have developed Mexico. Europeans
did not begin to go to that country 70
any extent until after the Americans
had invested large amounts OF money
and gone there in considerable num-
hers The greatest asset MEXICO mas
ever had has been Americans anu
American enterprise. -
Until recently the greatest asset OF
the Americans in Mexico has been the
respect and fear of the Mexican peo-
pie for our Nationals. For years an
American accompanied by one Mozo
could travel on muleback in perfect
safety in practically any part of the
republic of Mexico. This condltlon
existed during the Madero revolution;
1t was noticeable during that perlou
that Americans and their property
were almost without exception abso-
lutely respected and protected by Mex
leans They still feared us. During
the Orozco revolution, however, an
American, Fontaine, was deliberately
shot in Parral, and his murderers
were not punished, nor was anything
done by our government except to
issue a solemn warning to the Mexican
people. Shortly afterwards our gov
eminent advised Americans to leave
certain portions of the Mexican re-
public, and the Mexican people began
to feel that Americans could be mis-
treated and their property destroyed
a <1f rot HII-
ton. Since that time over one hum
dred Americans have been killed and
millions in property have been de-
stroyed. The loss of prestige which
be imagined by those who are not
rather intimately acquainted with
Mexican affairs.
Administrations Policy.
1.-The recent announcement of the
present administration in Washington
that it would do nothing to protect
American property in Mexico has been
exceedingly unfortunate, and may lead
to most disastrous results. The Mex
leans have additional assurance that
they can steal and destroy, and the
Americans still remaining in Mexico
have become so incenSed that they are
much more likely to forcibly protect
their property, with the strong posi-
bility of sensational killings which
may still further excite the people of
both countries.
1T is practically impossible as can be
shown, for many of the Americans still
remaining in Mexico to leave, and I'M
less they and their property interests
can be protected, there is not only dam
ger of tremendous loss of property and
great loss of life, but American prestige
and enterprise in all Latin American
countries will be adversely affected.
The Latin respects only strength and
its proper exercise. and will take ad-
vantage of weakness, hesitancy or tim
idity.
Trade Needs Protection,
president Wilson and Secretary Red