River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-09-04

Sp1TlL VI ln0 American p5Opl0 III ILLS
matter; their earnest friendliness and
yet sober determination that some just
solution for the Mexican difficulties
should be reached, and they did not
believe that the present admln1stra-
ton spoke through Mr.. Lind for the
people of the United States.
1.-THE effect of this unfortunate mis-
understanding on their part is to leave
them singularly isolated and without
friends who can effectually aid them.
So long as the misunderstanding con-
tinues we can only await the time OF
their awakening to the realization of
the actual facts. We cannot thrust
our good offices upon them; the situa-
ton must be given a little more time
to work itself out in the new c1rcum-
stances and l believe that only lit
tie while will be necessary. For che
circumstances are new. The rejecttrn
of our friendship makes them new and
will inevitably bring its own altera-
lions in the whole aspect of affairs.
The actual situation of the authorities
at Mexico City will presently be re-
vealed.
counsels Patience.
Meanwhile, what is it our duty to
do? Clearly, everything that we do
must be rooted in patience and done
with calm and disinterested delibera-
ton. Impotence on our part would
be childish and would be fraught with
every risk of wrong and folly. We
can afford to exercise the self-re-
straint of really great nation which
realizes it's own strength and scorns
to misuse it.
cit was our duty to offer our active
assistance. 1t is now our duty to show
what true neutrality will do to en-
able the people of Mexico to set their
affairs in order again and wait fer a
further opportunity to offer our friend
ly 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 the confusion by friendly co-opera-
tive action, should fortunate occasion
offer.
Renewed Conflicts Expected.
while we wait the contest of the
rival forces will undoubtedly for a lit
tie while be sharper than ever, just
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
factions will come, it is to be feared,
increased danger to the nOn-combat-
ants 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 We should earnestly
urge all Americans to leave Mexico at
once and should assist them to get
away in every way possible. not be-
cause we would mean to slacken in
the least our efforts to safeguard their
lives and their interests, but because
it is imperative that they should take
no unnecessary risks when it is phys
ically possible for them to leave the
country.
eve should let everyone who seems
to exercise authority in any part of
Mexico know in the most unequivocal
way that We shall vigilantly watch the
fortunes of those Americans who can
not get away, and shall hold those re-
sponsible for their suHerings and
losses to a definite reckoning.
THAT losses to definite reckoning
than can and will be made plain be-
yond the possibility of misunder-
standing.
For the rest l deem it my duty to
exercise the authority conferred upon
me by the law of March Is, 1912, to
see to it that neither side to the strug-
gle now going on in Mexico receive
any assistance from this side of the
border. / shall follow the best prac-
tice of nations in the matter of neu-
trality 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 pol
icy suggested by several interesting
precedents and certainly dictated by
many manifest considerations of prac-
teal expediency. We cannot in the
circumstances be the partisans of
either party to the contest that now
abstracts Mexico or constitute our
selves the virtual umpire between
them.
IT am happy to say that several OF
the great governments of the world
have given this government their gen
erous moral support in urging upon
the provisional authorities at the City
of Mexico the acceptance OF our prot
fered good Offices in the spirit in
which they were made. We have not
acted in this matter under the ordi-
nary principles of international obliga-
ton. All the world expects us in such
circumstances to act as Mexlco's near
est friend and intimate adviser. This
is our immemorial relation towards
her.
There is nowhere any serious ques-
ton that we have the moral right in
the case or that we are acting in the
interest of a fair settlement and of
good government, nor for the promo
ton of some selfish interest OF our
own If further motive were neces-
sary than our own good will toward
a sister republic and our own deep
concern to see peace and order pre-
vail in Central America, this consent
of mankind to what we are attempting
this attitude of the great nations OF
the world towards what we may at
tempt in dealing with this distressed
people at our doors, should make US
feel the more solemnly bound to go
to the utmost length of patience and
forbearance in this painful and anx-
ious business. The steady pressure
of moral force will, before many days,
break the barriers of pride and pre-
iudice down and we shall triumph as
Mexico's friends sooner than we could
triumph as her enemies-and how
much more handsomely, with how
much higher and finer satisfaction OF
conscience and of honor.