Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1913-08-28

state its case and begin the introduce
tion of testimony this afternoon.
appointed. we deeply sympathize. We
shall vet prove to the Mexican people
that we know how to serve them with
out first thinking how we shall serve
ourselves.
Want to He Friends.
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 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
| honorably. America in particular
continents-waits on the development
of Mexico; and that development can
be sound and lasting only il it be the
product OF genuine freedom. a just
and ordered government. founded on
| law Only so can it be peaceful or
| fruitful of the benefits of peace Mexi-
| co has great and enviable future be-
| fore her. If only she choose and attain
the paths of honest constitutional gov
ernment.
No Hope for Peace.
The present circumstances OF the
republic. 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 Inn
prove. and they have not improved.
They have grown worse, rather The
| territory 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 seemed to
| 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 gov
eminent 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
threaten to become the settled fortune
of the distracted country. 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, IL
we might. in effecting some arrange
| ment which would bring relief and
peace and set up universally ac-
knoWledged political authority there.
Instructions to Lind.
| 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
| structions:
"Press very earnestly on the atten-
tion of those who are now exercising
authority or welding influence In
Mexico. the following considerations
and advice.
"'rhe government of the United
| States does not feel at liberty any
longer to stand inactively by while it
| becomes daily more and more eNldent
that no real progress is being made to-
ward the establishment of govern
ment at the City of Mexico. which the
country will obey and respect.
1.-The government of the United
| States does not stand in the same case
/ with the other great governments OF
| the world in respect to what Is nap
pening or what is likely to happen in
| Mexico. We offer our good office not
only because of our genuine desire to
play the part of a friend, but also be-
cause we are expected by the powers Of
| the world to act as Mexico's nearest
friend.
| 1--WE wish to act in these ctrcum-
stances in the spirit of the most earn
est and disinterested friendship. 1t Is
our purpose in whatever we do or pro-
pose in this perpleSing and distressing
situation, not only to pay the most
\ scrupulous regard to the sovereignty
and independence of Mexlco-that we
| take as a matter of course to winch we
are bound by every obligation of right
| and honOr-but also to give every pos
| sible evidence that we act In the inter
est of Mexico alone and not in the in
| terest of any person or body of persons
who may have personal or property
| claims in Mexico which they may feel
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 anv other purpose
| whatever. The government of the
United States would deem itself dis
credited if it had any selfish or Interior
purpose in transactions where the
peace, happiness and prosperity of a
whole people are involved. 1t is acting
as its friendship for Mexico. not as any
/, selfish interest. dictates.
4. What Wilson Demanded.
1.-The present situation in Mexico Is
Incompatible with the fulfillment of
international obligations on the part of
Mexico herself and with the mainte-
nance OF tolerable political and eco
cOnulIlOn6 III NeIlIdl
| 1t is upon no common occasion, there
fore. that the United States offers her
counsel and assistance. All America
icries out for a settlement.
"a satisfactory settlement seems to
US to be conditioned on
"'(a) An immediate cessation of
|fghtine throughout Mexico. definite
armistice solemnly entered into and
scrLpulously observed;
cob Security given for an early
! and free election in which all will
agree to take part;
100 The consent Of General
Huerta to bind himself not to be a
candidate for election as president of
the republic at this election; and
"'(d) The agreement of all parties
to abide by the results of the election
and cooperate in the most loyal way
in organizing and supporting the new
administration.
1.-THE government of the United
States will be glad to play any part in
this settlement or in it's carrying out
which it can play honcrably and con-
sistently with international right. 1t
pledges itself to recognize and in every
way possible and proper to assist the
administration chosen and set up in
| Mexico in the way and on the condi-
tions suggested.
/