The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-03-10

REPUBLICANS AN DMEXICo
Editorial in the Springfield Republ

Editorial in the Springfield FepubIi@
can: From nov on it is the purpose
Of the house republicans to comment
on developments In the Mexican situa-,
ton, thus departing from the policy OF
silence adopted at the instance Of the
Observation-Disclosures York Sun Wash
ington Dispatch. ,f.- #
The democrats were the. opposition
party in the days before tho Spanish
war. Those were critical days. The
yellow newspapers had begun to play
up in their headlines any incident OF
the Weyler regime, whether true or
false, that would infiame public senti-
rnent in this country and strengthen
the popular demand for Intervention
in Cuba. Then came the blowing up
Of the Maine. !
Democrats In congress cut loose very
early in attacking the Cuban policy Of
the Mckinley administration. They
could see in it nothing but vacillation
and ~cowardice. Feeling irresponsible
themselves. they were glad to nag and
torment the republican administration
into war with a European power. And
curiously reminiscent Of that period
Is the speech of Mr. Mondell OF Wyo~
ming in the house Of representatives ON
Friday. The lingo democrats Of the
spring OF 1898 declared they did not
tant war. Mr.. Mondell a he did not
want a But like the democrats Of
that earlier time, when the destruc-
ton Of the Maine had rendered the
Cuban situation enormously more diff
cult. Mr.. Mondell gets busy the mo-
ment things begin to look desperate
for President Wilson.
1t Is a great pleasure to say that the
republicans as a whole in congress
have thus far acted with much re-
straint and discretion regarding tho
Mexican situation. High praise should
be given to the republicans in the SEN
ate who serve on the foreign relations
committee for their conservatism and
forbearance in this crisis. Men like
Messrs. Root in New York and Lodge
lof Massachusetts have showed clearly
that they place country above party.
Nor should we fail to mention EXPIRES
ident Taft's fine expression of moral
support for his successor in his adj
dress Friday evening at Washington,
when he declared against military in
Prevention. Gratefully acknowledging
all this, one may frankly call atten-
ton to the probable results of a rad
ical change from this policy on the
part of any large number OF repub-
leans in a position to harrass the
present administration in its conduct
Of affairs.
II there are enough Mondclis, they
may easily force Intervention upon the
government. But what would prob
ably happen. from the political or
party point of view? Let republicans
remember the political developments
Of the Spanish war period. The mo-
ment the sword flies from its scabbard
which party derives the more political
advantage, the party in power or the
party in opposition? The truth is that
the administration always has the whip
hand in appealing to he patriotism of
the people at war. The lingo democrats
in 1898 were left trailing after McKin-
ley. and a sorry procession of snarl-
ing patriots they made as the presi-
dent they had sought to put in a hole
ran off with all the glory. President
Wilson is altogether too shrewd and
subtle a statesman. he knows the game
Too we'll, to let himself be dished by
teasing party opponents If war is final
ly forced upon him.
There will be no Cubanizing of
Mexico shouted a democratic con-
gresham from Texas in Fridays house
debate, III military intervention ONES.
Mexico Is contiguous territory" he
warned Mondell. In 1846-4S the dem
ocratic administration of tho time on.
quered Mexico and despoiled her OF
immense territories in order to
strengthen slavery in this country, but
the wing party, which righteously de-
nounced the performance went to piec-
es within five years instead Of gaining
strength and power. No one can tell
what selfish forces. what passions a
war of intervention in Mexico would
now set loose in this country, but of
one thing the republicans Of today
may be sure-a policy of criticism de-
signed to nag the administration into
war would be the most stupid imagi-
nable, In its remoter results.