The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-07-09
THE PRESIDENTS
MEXICAN POLICY.

NAL. j.. y. h6ElDNlll S WaSQlnRCOn
correspondence in Philadelphia Public
Ledger: eff Woodrow Wilson had been
president ofthe United States in 1860
there would have been no war be-"
tween the states" said a northern man
last night and there are many who will
agree with him.
The presidents passion is for peace.
He believes that no man and no Gauss
is justified by the shedding Of blood.
If he could have his own way he would
disarm the world and spend the wealth
now laVished upon great ornaments
for the alienation Of human suffer-
ing; yet he Is not in any sense a
Quaker nor does he fear to measure
swords with any foe. The whole COun-
try is interested in the Mexican situa-
ton, and there has been for months
much speculation as to the presidents
policy touching this matter. These
questions have been asked:
what really is the purpose of the
Wilson administration with reference
to the Mexican situation? Reams of re-
ports have been printed about the de-
termination of the administration to
recognize the constitutionalists. What
is behind it all?
"Why is it that the president Is so
determined in his antipathy to Huerta?
There must be. something beyond a
mere question of policy in his atti-
tude toward Huerta, because his feel
ing seems to extend not only to Huerta
personally, but to any nan who is
friendly or sympathetic with Huerta.
What can be the possible outcome
If we set up a representative of Car
rama at Mexico City? Would not that
mean permanent occupation?
What is back of all this Mexican
situation? Is there foreign pressure?
Is it pressure from American investors
who fear that Huerta will ruin their
concessions that Carranza will
protect them?" And so on.
1t can be said with confidence that
the president has been Influenced
wholly by moral consideration Of the
highest quality-as he sees it. Mexico
Is a moral issue. He has refused rec
ignition of Huerta because Huerta
achieved his power by treachery and
murder. The president does not believe
that those who come to power and Of
fee through assassination and MUIR
der should receive the sanction and
Endorsement of the United States.
That is all. The president has no
personal feeling against Huerta
other than this, nor has he any per-
sonal feeling against Huerta's friends
and sy~mpathizers other than that he
does not see how these who have sus-
tanned Huerta in his bloody usurpation
are more worthy of the respect and
confidence of the United States than
Huerta himself.
1t can be argued, of course, that
Huerta Is no worse than those Of his
own people who are fighting against
him; that Villa is ten times the muir
derer; that the constitutionalists have
no authority from the people of Mex
leo over whom they would rule; that
they are not qualified to administer
orderly government; but this does not
call in question the righteousness of
the presidents purpose in seeking the
overthrow of Huerta, whose claim of
authority is based wholly upon treach-
cry and bloodshed. The presidents
~antagonism to Huerta's supporters is
based upon the theory Of like master,
like men. A volume of explanation and
comment would not make the presi-
dents attitude clearer upon this point.
AS to what would be the outcome if
a Carranza government should be set
up with the aid Of the United States
in Mexico City, there is room for spec
ulation, but it would be after all moth
in5 more than speculation. Whatever
the government set UP in Mexico City
after the overthrow CT Huerta, it
would be merely temporary or provf-
.stona: until such time as the Mex.
lean people could be afforded the OPP
portunity to choosing a government
for themselves at fairly conducted
elections. That is the theory upon
which the government at Washington
is proceeding. Whatever the govern
ment established in Mexico as the re-
suit Of the present revolutionary con-
|ditions, there will be nothing perman-
ent about it until after the people of
Mexico have given their assent to
it. -,
tits not the purpose of the president
to occupy Mexico or to do aught else
than to aid the people of that country
to manage their own affairs in their
own way, but to manage them without
assassination as a preliminary step to
the acquisition of authority.
What is back Of all this Mexican
situation? " Huerta- If Villa or Car
rama had seized the Mexican owe
ment by the means adopted by Huerta
the president would be sympathetic
with Huerta today instead OF with
Villa and Carranza, 1t is not the men
who are involved, but the issue, and
the Issue, as the president regards it,
is a moral issue far above the fog of