The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1913-09-05
WILSON PUTS t
UP TO CONGRESS
President Reads His Message
On Mexican Situation.
FUTURE POLICY OUTLINED
The United States Will Observe Strict
Non-lnterference, But viii De.
mand Protection for Its Citi.
zens and Their Homes.

laid bare to the world the details OF
this nations efforts to bring about
peace in Mexico the facts concern
ing Huerta's rejection of the peace
proposals and the policy to be pur-
sued now by this government in the
following message:
Gentlemen of the Congress-: 1t is
clearly my duty to lay before you very
fully, and without reservation, the
facts concerning our present relations
with the Republic of Mexico.
"The deplorable posture of affairs
in Mexico | need not describe, but
deem 1t my duty to speak very frank
ly OF what this government has done
and should seek to do in fulfllment
of its obligation to Mexico herself, as
friend and neighbor, and to Ameri-
can citizens whose lives and vital in
terests are daily affected by the dis
tressing conditions which now obtain
beyond our southern border.
Ours a Genuine Friendship.
These 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 ele-
ment in the determination of our duty
I'VE are glad to call ourselves the
friends of Mexico and we shall, hope.
have many an occasion, in the happier
times as well as in these days OF
trouble and confusion, to show that
our friendship is genuine and disn-
terested, capable of sacrifice and every
generous manifestation. The peace.
nerity and contentment of Mexico
ore, much more, to us than
enlarged field for our com.
'1terprise. They mean an
1.-THE field of self.gov-
.e guai realization of the
hopes\ collf OF. a nation with
whose cations, so long sup.
pressed an, ereappointed, we deeply
sympathize.
I'VE shall yet prove to the Mexican
people that we know how to serve
them without first thinking how we
shall serve ourselves
A Just Government Necessary.
"But we are not the only friends OF
Mexico. The whole world desires her
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
trial 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 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.
Mexico has great and enviable
future before her If only she choose
and attain the paths of honest con-
Btitutional government.
The present circumstances OF the
republic, l deeply regret to say, do
not seem to promise even the foun,
dation Of such a peace.
Disorder the only Prospect.
I'VE have waited many months,
months full of peril and anxiety, for
the conditions there to improve, and
they have not improved. They have
grown worse, rather. The territory in
some sort controlled by the provision
al authorities at the City of Mexico,
has grown smaller, not larger. The
prospect of the. pacification OF the
country, even by arms, has seemed 70
grow more and more 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 government OF the republic. |
They have not made good their claim.
in fact. Their successes in the field
have proved only temporary War
and disorder. devastation and confu
sion. seem to threaten to become the |
settled fortune of the distracted coun.
try
Our Duty to Offer Advice.
AS friends we could wait no Longer
for 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 efecting some
arrangement which would bring relief
and peace and set up a universally
acknowledged political authority there.
Accordingly, 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.
Gtruciiona