The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1913-08-28

the republic of Mexico The depIorable
posture of affairs in Mexico | need not
describe. but 1 deem it my duty to
speak very frankly of what this gov
Oernment has done and should seek to
do in fulfllment of it's obligation to
Mexico herself as a friend and neigh
Dor and to American citizens whose
lives and vital interests are daily af-
fected by the distressing conditions
which now obtain beyond our southern
border.
Those conditions touch us very
nearly. Not merely because they lie
at our very doors. That, of course.
makes us more vividly and more con-
stantly conscious of them, and every
instinct of neighborly interest and
sympathy is aroused and quickened by
them: but that Is only one element in
the determination of our duty. We are
glad to call ourselves the friends of
Mexico and We shall. I hope, have
many an occasion in happier times, as
we'll as in these days of trouble and
confusion. to show that our friendship
Is genuine and disinterested, capable
OF sacrifice and every generous mani
festatlon. The peace, prosperity and
contentment Of Mexico mean more,
much more to us than merely an en-
larged field for our commerce and en-
terprise. They mean an enlargement
VI tAAC ilSAo Va SSll-6ONSIIl1uSIl dnO
realization Of the hopes and rights of
nation whose best aspirations have
been so long suppressed and disap-
pointed. we deeply syrnpathize. We
shall yet prove to the Mexican people
that we know how to serve them with
out first thinking how we shall serve
ourselves.
Whole World Desires Peace.
But we are not the only friends of
N TINN yl,.~I@ i
peace and progress and the whole
world Is interested as never before.
Mexico lies at last where all the world
looks on. Central America is about to
be touched by the great routes of the
worlds trade and intercourse running
free from ocean to ocean at the 18TH
mus. The future has much in store for
Mexico, as for all the states of Central
America, but the best gifts can come
to her only if she be ready and free to
receive them and to enjoy them honor
ably. America in particular-America
north and south and upon both CONT
nents-waits upon the development of
Mexico; and that development can be
sound and lasting only If it be the
product of a genuine freedom, just
and ordered government, founded upon
law. Only SO can it be peaceful or
fruitful of the benefits of peace. Mex
leo has a great and enviable future be-
fore her If only she choose and attain
the paths Of honest constitutional gov
ernment.
"The present circumstances of the
republic, I deeply regret to say. do not
seem to promise even the foundations
of such peace. We have waited many
months, months full of peril and ankle
ty for the conditions there to improve.
and they have not improved They
have grown worse rather. The terri
tory, in some sort controlled by the
provisional authorities at Mexico City,
has grown smaller, not larger The
prospect of the pacification of the
country, even by arms, has appeared
to grow more and more remote and it's
pacification by the authorities at the
capital is evidently impossible by any
other means than force.
Difficulties more and more entangle'
those who claim to constitute the legit-
innate government Of the republic.
They have not made good their claim
in fact. Their successes in the field
have proved only temporary. War ana
disorder, devastation and confusion.
appear to threaten to become the set
tied fortune of the distracted country.
AS friends we could wait no longer for
a solution which every week seemed
further away. 1T was our duty at Least
to volunteer our good offices-to offer
TO assist If we might, in effecting some
arrangements which would bring relief
and peace and set UP a universally ac-
,knowIedged political authority there.
Lind Sent as Spokesman.
Accordingly ~, took the liberty Of
sending the Hon. ohm Lind formerly
governor Of Minnesota, as my personal
spokesman and representative to the
City of Mexico with the following In
structions
a PRESS yery earnestly mon tEa II -
tention of those who are now exercis-
ing authority or welding influence In
Mexico the following conside derations
and advice:
.s rle government of the United