Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1914-04-29

sentatives OF General Huerta were
willing to go out OF their way to show
disregard for the dignity and rights
OF this government and felt perfectly
safe In doing what they pleased,
making free 20 show in many ways
their Irritation and contempt
U. S. Orderly Was Arrested.
"A few days after the incident at
Tampico an orderly from the United
States ship Minnesota was arrested
at Vera Cruz while ashore in uniform
to obtain the ships mail. and was for
a time thrown into Jail.
AN Official dispatch from this gov
eminent to its embassy at Mexico
City was withheld by the telegraphic
service until peremptorily demanded
by our charge d'afaires in person.
so far as / can learn, such wrongs
and annoyances have been suffered TO
occur only against representatives OF
/ the United States. have heard OF
no complaints from other govern
/ ments Of similar treatment.
U. s. Singled Out for Insult.
Subsequent explanations and for
NAL apologies did not and could not
alter the popular impression. which. II
lie possible, 1t had been the object Of
the Huertista authorities TO create.
that the government Of the United
States was being singled out, and
might be singled out with impunity,
for sights and affronts in retaliation
for its refusal to recognize the preten-
sions of General Huerta to be regard
ed as the constitutional provisional
president OF the republic of Mexico.
THE manifest danger of such sit
uation was that such offenses might
grow from bad to worse until some
thing happened OF so gross and intol-
cradle a Gort as TO lead directly and
inevitably to armed conflict. It was
necessary that the apologies Of Gen
eral Huerta and the representatives
should go much further, that they
should be such as TO attract the atten-
ton of the whole population to their
significance and such as to impress
upon General H. .erta himself the ne
cessity Of seeing TO it that no further
occasion for explanations and pro
fessed regrets should arise.
II. therefore. felt 1t my duty to sus-
tain Admiral Mayo, and the whole OF
his demand and to insist that the flag
Of the United States should be saluted
in such a way as TO indicate a new
spirit and attitude on the part Of the
Huertistas
Such a salute General Huerta has
refused and have come to ask your
approval and support in the course
now propose to pursue
This government can, ! earnestly
hope. in no circumstance be forced
into war with the people of Mexico.
Mexico Is torn by civil strife. II we
are to accept the tests OF its own CON
stitution 1t has no government Gen
eral Huerta has set his power up in
the City of Mexico. such az It is.
without right and by methods for
which there can be no justification.
Only part of the country Is under his
control. If armed conflict should I'M
happily come as a result OF his atti-
tude of personal resentment we should
be fighting only General Huerta and
those who adhere to him and give
him their support.
Hopes War Is Not In Question
"But / earnestly hope that war is
not in question. believe that | speak
for the American people when l say
that we do not desire TO control in any
degree the affairs OF our sister repub-
lie. Our feeling for the people of
Mexico is one OF deep and genuine
frie ndship. and everything that we
have so far done. or refrained from do
Ing. has proceeded from our desire to
help them. not to hinder or embarrass
them. We would not wish even TO ex-
ercise the good offices OF friendship
without their welcome and consent.
The people of Mexico are entitled to
settle their own domestic affairs In
their own way. and we sincerely de-
sire TO respect their right, The present
situation need have none of the grave
implications OF interference Il we deal
with 4 promptly. firmly and wisely.
mo loubt | could do what is neces-
sary In the circumstances to enforce
respect for our government without
recourse to the congress and yet not
exceed my constitutional powers as
president; but do not wish to act in
matter possibly of so grave conse-
quenee except in close conference and
| house.
Use Arms as Necessary.
81. therefore. come to ask your APP
prevail that | should use the armed
forces OF the United States In such
ways and to such an extent as may be
necessary to obtain from General
Huerta and his adherents the fullest
recognition OF the dignity OF the Uni
ted States even amidst the unhappy
conditions now obtaining In Mexico.
There can In what we do be nc
thought of aggression or of selfish az
grandiZement. We seek to maintain
the dignity and authority OF the Uni
ted States only because we wish al
ways TO keep our great influence unim
paired for the uses of liberty. both In
the United States and wherever else
II may he employed for the benefit Of
mankind. WOODROW WILSON"
~----~~S~~>~~~--~~~~~~~~~
ED STATES IN PREVIOUS WARS.