The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1913-09-05
ADVOCATES POLICY
OF HANDS OFF"
PRESIDENT WILSON ADVISES
STRICT NEUTRALITY IN MEX
icAN AFFAIRS.
Explains His Proposal, spurned by
Huerta, and Warns All Americans
to Leave Mexico at Once, consuls
TO Aid in Every Way Possible.

Washington.-Pre Wilson IN
person addressed congress ON wednes-
day, August ~. on the Mexican situc.-
ton as fol -oWs:
Gentlemen OF the Congress: II is
clearly my duty to lay before you very
fully and without reservation the facts
concerning our relations with the Re-
public of Mexico. The deplorable pos
ture of affairs in Mexico / need not de-
scribe but / deem it my duty to speak
very frankly Of what this government
has done and should seek to do in full
nIment of it's obligation to Mexico her
self. as friend and neighbor, and to
American citizens whose lives and vital
interests are daily affected by the dis
tressing conditions which now obtain
beyond our southern border
Those conditions touch us very near
IT, Not merely because they lie at our
very doors. That of course makes us
more viyidly and more cons family con-
scfous of them, and every instinct of
neighborly interest and sympathy is
aroused and quickened by them but
that is only one element in the de-
termination OF our duty. We are GLAD
to call ourselves the friends of Mex
leo, and we shall, | hope, have many
an occasion, in happier times as well
as in these days of trouble and confu-
sion, to show that our friendship is
genuine and disinterested, capable of
sacrifice and every generous manifesto
ton. The peace, prosperity and con-
more, to us than merely an 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
suppressed and disappointed, we deeply
sympathize. We shall yet prove to the
Mexican people that we know how to
serve them without first thinking how
we shall serve ourselves.
But we are not the only friends of
rfa fsTa rrll Il =
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 run
ming free from ocean to ocean at the
isthmus. The future has much in store
for Mexico. as for all the states of Cen
trail America; but the best gifts can
come to her only If she be ready and
free to receive them and to enjoy them
honorably. America in particular
America north and south and on both
continents-waits on the development
Of Mexico; and that development can
be sound and lasting only If it be the
product of a genuine freedom, a just
and ordered government, founded on
law. Only so can il be peaceful or
fruitful of the benefits of peace. Mex
leo has great and enyiable future be-
fore her. If only she choose and attain
the paths of honest constitutional gov
eminent
The present circumstances of the re-
public, 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
anxiety. for the conditions there to im-
prove, and they have not improved
They have grown worse. rather. The
territory in sor : sort contolled by
the PROVISIONAL authorities at Mexico
City has grown smaller. not larger.
The prospect of the pacification of the
country, even by arms. has seemed to
grow and remote and its
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 legitimate gov
ernment of the republic. They have
not made good their claim in fact.
Their successes in the field have proved
only temporary. War and disorder. de-
vastation and confusion seem to threat
en- to become the settled fortune of
could wait no longer for solution
which every week seemed further
away; 1t was our duty at least TO
assist. = WI might, in eIecting some ar
rangeH-en- which would bring relief
and peace and set up a universally
acknowledged political authority there
Accordingly, l took the liberty of
sending the Hon. John Lind, formerly
governor of Minnesota, as my personal
spokesman and representative TO the
city of Mexico with the following in
structions:
Press very earnestly on the atten-
ton of those who are now exercising
authority or welding influence in Mex
leo the following considerations and
advice:
The government of the United States
Goes not feel at liberty any longer to
stand inactively by while it becomes
daily more and more evident that no
real progress is being made toward
the establishment of government at
the City of Mexico which the country
al obey and respect.
The government of the United States
Goes not stand in the same case with
Inc other great governments OF the
world in respect to what is happening
9r what is likely to happen in Mexico
We offer our good offices. not only
because of our genuine desire to play
the part of n friend, but also because
we are expected by tie powers OF the
world TO act as Mexico's nearest friend.
We wish to act in these circum-
stances in the spirit of the most earn
est and dislnterested friendship. 1t Is
our purpose in whatever we do or pro-
pose in this perplexing and distressing
situation not only to pay the most
scrupuious regard to the sovereignty
ana independence of Mexico-that we
taKe as matter of course to which We
are bound by every obligation or right
ana honor-hut also to give every pos
sible evidence that we act in the In
,erest Of Mexico alone. and not in the
interest of any person or body OF per-
sons who may have personal or prop
erty claims in Mexico which they may
ieel that they have the right to press.
We are seeking to counsel Mexico for
her own good and in the interest of her
own peace, and not for any other pur-
pose whatever. The government of the
untted States would deem itself dis
credited If II had any selfish or Interior
purpose In transactions where the
peace. happiness and prosperity of a
whole people are involved. II IS acting
as ITS friendship for Mexico. not as any
SeInsh interest, dictates.
rhe present situation IN Mexico Is In
compatible with the fulfillment OF in
Sernauonal obligations on the part Of
MeEieo. with the civilized development
" MeNico herself and with the MUM
eenancc ot tolerable political and econ
oInle conditions in Central America. u
~ uhon no common OCCASION, therefore,
mat the United states offers her coun-