Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-02-27
COL. GRAVES POINTS OUT
PERIL Of COWARD|CE IN
HANDLING MEXICAN CRISIS
'lemporizing by Taft and His Adminis-
tration Foreshadows Attempt to
Abandon Monroe observation-disclosures
Admit Desire to Evade Responsibility.
By JOHN TEMPLE GRAVES

WASHINGTON. Feb 27.-In tn
cloak rooms of the United States sen
ate there is going on day by day a Sc
ries OF private conversations more rev
elutionary than the revolt of Diaz, o.
the accession of Huerta.
II it eliminates along the line o
the present discussion 1t would Great,
a greater revolution in American poll
tics and establish a greater menace t.
American supremacy than the question
which is now holding the presiden
and his cabinet in midnight sessions
and the people of two republics II
suspense.
The actual abandonment of tn,
Monroe Doctrine is the theme Of
serious and general discussion in the
senate cloak rooms and in the intervals
Of tranquility in the house of repre-
sentatives.
Many Senators Are Involved.
There is no possible doubt Of this
l hear il from dozens of sources, and
l have 1t confirmed from prominent
senators themselves.
l am almost able to say upon au-
thority that in case the Mexican situa-
ton should reach the point where in
tervention seems positively necessary.
the abandonment of the Monroe Doc
trine would be seriously discussed.
1t is talked Of day by day with a
frankness that is astonishing, and sem
tinents for such action are expressed
by few senators with an emphasis
which would surprise the public, if the
public could know.
Those who lean toward the aff1rma-
tive Of this monstrous proposition take
the ground that the recent comments
Of the English press and the almost
expressed demands of England and
Germany and other nations that the
American public should calm the situa-
ton in Mexico have caused our coun-
try to realize the enormous RESPONSE
bility which the Monroe Doctrine en-
tails upon US at the present time and
Ia certain to entail in the future.
None Will Declare Himself.
These rank materialists and blood
leNs Americans are shamelessly asking
go on through the generations bearing
the burden the Monroe Doctrine In
all its ramifications imposes upon our
country.
OF course no senator would pub
Mcly express himself upon this ques-
ton. The day is gone by when public
men express their convictions with
fearless individuality In these days
both senators and congressman are
willing to talk privately, but you can
scarcely get a man In either house to
speak about anything until he knows
the attitude of the incoming president
or of the majority of his party or the
sentiment of the country.
But how some of the American rep
regentatives feel was indicated In
some of the comments and suggestions
made today, which l could obtain only
under the usual understanding or
secrecy.
Private Opinions of Senators.
One senator declared 1t might be a
very good idea to allow England and
Germany to join the United States IN
restoring order in Mexico and In land
ing troops He expressed not even an
annrehension OF the aftermath of such
an arrangement
Another senator declared that he
would be glad II Germany or any Other
nation undertook the task OF restoring
order IN Mexico He added naively:
THE Germans are good people
What harm could it possibly be to us
if they went in there and established
peace. even IL they took over part OF
the Mexican territory to themselves
we would then have nothing 10 fear
from them, and 1t would be vast i'm
provement over the present situation
or course. this discussion grows out
of the feeling, which is becoming
stronger every day at the capitol, thai
in spite Of governmental timidity anc
apprehension, the United States Is
being brought day by day nearer tC
the absolute necessity of Intervention
IN Mexico.
Revolution Is Habit Now.
Men on both sides Of the house are
beginning to realize that no power ex
listing in Mexico can establish ordel
and protect the lives and interests O
their own and foreign people.
The strongest man that Mexico hal
known in a century, or is likely to know
in another century, was Porfirio Diaz
For long period Diaz did maintain
order and repressed the always smol
dering revolutions and riots Of the fac
lions by the maintenance Of rule alb
solutely iron in its stern repression.
But in course of time the irrepressi
bic revoluuonists Of Mexico overthrel
the elder Diaz himself and exiled hir
from the country.
Since they have done this. it will b
impossible in a quarter Of century +
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