The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-08-14

anarchy This is Intervention OF all the powers
having interests in Mexico at the invitation OF
the United States and in conjunction with 1t. with
the understanding that the joint occupation shall
end simultaneously with the establishment OF
stable government and reasonable guarantees OF
indemnity for injuries proved. The obstacle to
anv adjustment Is the insolent, insulting and
arrogant attitude of the Mexican leaders Presi-
dent Wilson and Secretary Of State Bryan prob
ably will be compelled to overlook with the
tolerance becoming a strong, big man dealing
with small and boastful one, or Of grown
man with a fretful. spiteful and ill-mannered
child, much bombast and big, defiant talk. We
have had experience with these people and there
NAV be some interest in recalling 1t Just at this
time.
In 1s45 after Texas had seeded from Mexico
and joined this Union, we were civil and patient
with the Mexican government In dispute over
boundaries. We proposed negotiations but were
repealed in insulting and vanglorious words,
Our ambassador, sent to try to make peaceful
and pleasant settlement, was rejected, as Mr.
Lind is being rejected now. James X. Polk was
president and Mr.. Buchanan, afterward pres-
dent, was secretary of state, as Mr.. Bryan is
now, and both seem to have had the same anx
iety for peace our present president and secre-
tary of state have, The Mexicans would hear
no reason and defied us to combat. They gath
cred armies to invade Texas. They surrounded,
killed and captured a company OF American
dragons on Texas soil With overwhelming
force they surrounded and slaughtered our peo-
pie In the historic Alamo Two thousand Of us
met six thousand Of them at Palo Alto and drove
them from the field. What was left OF the same
two thousand met them next day at Rasaca de la
Palma, charged and scattered them, captured
their general and all their guns. broke them to
pieces. 1t was the same way all through that
war; an unbroken series of victories Of one man
against anywhere from two to ten. until the
steady marches and reckless dashes and rushes
ended In the occupation of the city of Mexico
and terms OF peace at our dictation. merciful
and kindly
Weapons have changed and some conditions
have changed. but the peoples are the same. The
fight began in April of 1916 and ended in The
lefty Of Mexico in August, 1S4S. Some Of oul
troops marched 500 miles through a hostile
country. At the gates Of the capital they were
called on by General Santa Anna recalled from
lexile to unite the Mexican people against tht
invader, to surrender. They responded by talk
ling the city and chasing Santa Anna away
Z Mexican bluff and bombast need not disturb us
Our real concern is to try to bring these vain
helpless, foolish people to order. freedom an
prosperity in the interests of humanity AM
safe development by own citizens and thos
of other countries that the world may be en-
riched and wealth increased and distributed an,
all Of us prosper together, History shows w
can punish them and beat them choose
We were the stronger people in 1S47 and ar
immeasurably stronger in numbers, none,
and resources. We have helped them all W
= could and encouraged them and have abstaine
carefully from invading their rights and inter
, ferng in their affairs. They owe us some cour
tesy and gratitude. We will not quarrel II the
deny both and need not be disturbed by thei
childish insolence. Yet for information and pos
isibe consequences of the future and for on
2 guidance 1t is useful to consider the record @
= the past between the two peoples.