Evening journal., 1914-04-27
preachers DENOUNCE
THE 'BIJNCLED" WAR
Methodist Clergymen Say
Administrations Mexican
Attack Was a Mistake
ONLY ONE STANDS
BY THE PRESIDENT

Possible war with Mexico and the
action of the administration in send
ing battleships to Vera Cruz and be-
ginning hostllites on the ground that
the flag Of the United States had been
insulted. were vigorously condemned
at the meeting OF the Methodist
Preachers Association in Grace M. u.
Church this morning. A number, Of
preachers engaged In the discussion
and all except the Rev. G.. T. Anderson
declared that a blunder in the Mexi-
can situation had been made. Mr. AL
derson declared that the United States
had cause for interfering In Mexico
and deplored the speeches that were
made by his colleagues
The discussion was brought about
by the Rev. Vaughan S. Collins. one
Of the ourators of the association
who proposed that the Mexican situa-
tion be discussed.
The Rev. G.. A. Cook, new pastor OF
Wesley NJ 70. Church, was the first
speaker. He declared that President
Wilson and Secretary OF state Bryan
had blundered IN the Mexican situa-
ton Dr. Cook said there was no
excuse for the United States having
war with Mexico. He declared that
what ever might be said to the con-
trary, the United States had begun
war by its overt acts and there was
no right for such action.
II contend" said Mr.. Cook, that
under all the principles of Christian
ity and the principles on which this
government Is founded that we have
no right 70 go to war except for self
defense. What we have done In Mex
leo Is the same as men used to do.
Years ago when one man failed to lift
his hat to another they fought a duel.
That Is what we are doing today;
fighting n war because the Mexicans
failed to salute the flag"
1T is a fimsy pretext,' said Mr.
Cook. TO say that we are not going TO
war with Mexico. We are going to
war with Huerta: he is a Mexican
represents great number OF Next
cans and Is a part OF the government
there We say We have not recog-
nized him, but we have. We have recog-
nized him by dealing with and recog-
nizing his ambassador In Washington
Mr. Cook said that the money in.
terestsr wanted war in Mexico and
had done many things to bring Il on
/ He declared that in his opinion
neither President Wilson nor Secre
tary of state Bryan wanted war, bu
a tremendous pressure had beer
brought on them and they had finally
yielded.
Mr.. Cook said In closing. that thl
only thing for the government to d
is to recall the dogs of war ac
knowledge the mistake made by thi
country. get our soldiers out o
Mexico and have an Investigation q
what caused the trouble.
DR.. George Edward Reed state
that personally, he was opposed Z
war, except when IL was necessar
for defense OF the country. He de
clared that greater steps should b
taken TO bring the internatona
court TO the attention Of the people o
the whole world that they might Sc
the folly Of war He said If prepara
tions for war and wars, do not stor
the world would be bankrupt. II pc
cent. of the gross income OF tn
United states is spent for the supper
OF the Army and Navy. Dr. Rec
said, while the other 20 per cent
goes for all other purposes.
"We ought to recognize at thi
stage of the world" said DR.. Reed
that YOU cant insult a gentleman
And you can't insult a nation"
He declared that President Wilson
had gone to Congress with "a fail
ure of a salute to the flag" as an ex
cuse for war. This ground for over
acts of war. he said, ought TO max
Americans the laughing stock of tn
world.
He said there was no reason VIII.
the United States should interfere II
Mexico and If war on Mexico is q
be undertaken it should be by all tn
powers
In speaking OF the Monroe doctrine
/ Dr. Reed declared that il had been ex
tended. until the time has come when
the United States has interfered will
Mexico TO such an extent that il at
tempts to say who shall be president OF