The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-04-21

ionh president OF the republic OF
Mexico.
The manifest danger OF such a 81.
uaiion Was that such offense might
grow from bad 10 worse until some
thing happened OF so gross and intol-
cradle a sort as 10 lead directly and
inevitably 10 armed conflict. Il was
necessary that the apologies OF Gen.
HuertA and his representatives
should 20 much further; that they
should be such as 10 attract the at
tention Of the whole population 10
their significance. and such as 20 i'm
press upon Gen Huerta himself the
necessity OF seeing 10 IL that no fur
Their occasion for explanations and
protested regrets should arise. ].
therefore. felt Il my duty to sustain
Admiral Mayo in the whole OF his de-
mand and 10 insis. that the flag OF
the United States should be saluted
in such a way as 10 indicate new
spirit and attitude on the part OF the
Huertis;as.
such a salute Gen Huerta has re-
fused. and have come to ask your
approval and support in tho course |
now purpose to, pursue. This gov
eminent can. earnestly hope. in no
circumstances be forced into war
with the people OF Mexico. Mexico
is torn by civil strife. II We arc 10
accept the tests OF its own constitu-
ton. II has no government. Gen.
Huerta has set his power up In the
city OF Mexico. such as II is, without
right and by methods for which
there can be no justification. Only
part OF the country is under his con-
troll. II armed conflict should un-
happily come as a result OF his at
titude OF personal resentment tow
ard this government. We should be
fighting only Gen Huerta and those
who adhere to him and give him
their support. and our object would
be only to restore to the people OF
the distracted republic the opportuni
~ to set up again their own laws
and their own government.
But | earnestly hope that war is
net now in question. / believe that
! speak for the American people
when | say that we do not desire to
control in any degree the affairs of
cur sister republic. Our feeling for
the people of Mexico is one OF deep
and genuine friendship. and every
thing that we have so far done or re
Trained from doing has proceeded
from our desire 10 help them, not to
hinder or embarrass them. We
would not wish even TO exercise the
good offices OF friendship without
their welcome and consent. The
people of Mexico are entitled to set
tie their own domestic affairs in
their own way. and we sincerely de-
sire to respect their fight. The pres
ent situation need have none of the
grave complications Of interference
IL we deal with 1t promptly, firmly
and wisely.
mo doubt l could do what is neces
sary in the circumstances to enforce
respec. for our government without
recourse TO the Congress and yet not
exceed my constitutional powers as
president; but | do not wish to act
/ in a matter possibly of so grave con
sequence except in close conference
and co-opera ion with both the Sen
ate and House. /, therefore, come
TO ask your approval 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 Gen. Huerta and his adherents
the fullest recognition of the rights
and dignity of the United States
/ even amidst the distressing condit
ions now unhapplly obtaining in
Mexico. There can in what we do be
/ no thought of aggression or of sci
/ fish agrandizement. We seek tc
maintain the dignity and authority Of
/ the United States only because we
wish always to keep our great in
fluence unimpaired for the uses o.
liberty, both in the United States
and wherever else it may be employ
ed for the benefit of mankind"