Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-27


II is clearly my duty to lay before you'
verv fully and without reservation, the
facts concerning our present reiauohs
with the Republic of Mexico. me oo
plorable posture of affairs In Mexico :
need not describe. but I deem IT my outy
to speak very frankly Of what this govern
ment has done and should seek 10 10 IA
fulf1llment of its obligation to Mexico ner-
self. as friend and neighbor, ana 10
American citizens whose lives and vital
interests are daily affected by the dls-
tresstng conditions which now obtain be-
yond 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 constantly conscious OF
them, and every instinct of neighoorly
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, | hope, have
many an occasion. in happier times as
well as In these days of trouble and con-
fusion, to show that our friendship Is
genuine and disirterested, capable OF
sacrifice and every generous man1eSta-
tiOn.
q
| of Mexico mean more. much more. to
us than merely enlarged field for
our commerce and enterprise. They mean
an enlargement of the field OF self
government and the realization OF the
hopes and rights of a nation with
whose best aspirations. SO long sup
pressed and disappointed. we deeply
sympathize. We shall yet prove to the
Mexican people that we know now to
serve them without first thinking now
we shall serve ourselves.
Not Her Only Friends.
But we are not the only friends oi
Mexico. The whole world desires he,
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 fc
be touched by the great routes of the
worlds trade and intercourse running
free from ocean to ocean at the
isthmus. The future has much In store
for Mexico, as for all the states OF
Central America. but the best gifts car
come to her only If she be ready anC
free to receive them and to enjoy then
lhonorably. America in particular
America north and south ana upoi
both continents-waits upon the deVel
opment of Mexico; and that develoP
it be the product of genuine Tree
DOM a just and ordered government
founded upon law. Only SO can II bs
peaceful or fruitful OF the Denents o
peace. Mexico has great ana en-
viable future before her. II only sh'
choose and attain the paths OF nones
constitutional government
| The present circumstances OF the fepuo
lie / deeply regret to say. do not seem 7
promise even the foundations or such
! peace We have waited many months
months full of peril and anxiety, ior IN
conditions there to improve. ana tne
have not improved. They have grow
worse rather The territory In some sor
controlled by the provisional authorize
AT Mexico City has grown smaller. no
larger. The prospect of the pacificatio
of the country, even by arms, has SCENE
to grow more and more remote; and II
pacification by the authorities at the cap
tai is evidently impossible BY any othe
means than force. Difficulties more an
more entangle those who claim to const!
tute the legitimate government OF the re
public They have not made good thei
claim in fact Their successes In the fiel
have proved only temporary. War an
disorder devastation and confusion, seer
TO threaten to become the settled forum
of the distracted country. AS friends W
could wait no longer for a solution whic
every week seemed further away. 1t wa
our duty at least to volunteer our goo
offices-to offer to assist, if we might il