Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-04-23

other States the of need At this time 1T is not
posed that the establishing of blockade along the
Mexican coast will necessarily war; but the very fact
that the federal government making provision for every
emergency connection with the militia with United States
forces Mexican waters shows the mmnence of
hostiities
Right at this time it will be well for the people of Ver
mont to bear in mind of the lessons learned in
with sending of Vermont troops the during
the Spanish-Amercan 1t will be recalled that de-
ermned effort made to the selection colonel
of the regiment Of officer with actual experience in the
army who would know how to handle and maintain military
camp safe and sanitary basis well to command
troops in the field of hostities
Peanut politics played the accustomed part, and
suit regular officer not put in command of the
Vermont regiment The Chicaauga not conduct
ed under truly military discipline and according to the most
sanitary rules, and typhoid fever became epidemic AS
result of the violation of common well military
naXims less than twenty Vermont boys gave up
their lives, not the field of battle but a sacrifice to poll
tics.
1t is the time right before any step has been taken
with reference to the sending of Vermont militia to Mexico
resolve that the experience of 1898 shall not be repeated
but that there shall be placed at the head of the regiment
of experience who look after the sanitary handling
of military camp well command forces in the field.
The position taken by the administration that actual
declaration of will not be made because government
has recognized Huera but that ports will be seized and
the coast blockaded fiction. If other nation
to take similar action with reference to American ter
ritory would know at that it meant Huerta
will have every to regard seizure of Mexican
ports under the declaration of
less he feels that he is not strong enough to with the
United States.
1t is an unusual thing for powerful nation to tenn
poray take possession of the ports of weak and
hold possession until wrongs redressed demands
piled with. England has repeatedly seized Latn-Amercan
ports this way and the demonstration Buefelds cannot
have been forgotten.
Under all the circumstances there is to fear
that Huerta will choose to regard whatever action
take the Mexican coast with armed force naval or
apparently beaten by Villa and he would unquestionaby
rather be drawn from the capital city to head united move
ment against American force temporarily than to be
driven out by Villa and the rebel forces.
There those who hold that political contingency
also confronts President Wilson, and that movement
Mexico will divert attention therefrom and help to
cement American sentiment behind him. just American
invasion might be expected to MeXcan to lose sight OF
their differences and spring to the defence of their country
against common foe.
Those who hold this view overlook completely the fact
that Admiral Mayo and not President Wilson is really the
man who precipated the present situation. 1t Mayo
who, acting strictly in accord with international law and
precedent demanded reparaton for the insult to the nation
through arestng of United States marines and paradng
them through Mexican street
The question with the President whether the United
government should back the demands Of Admiral
Mayo permit this insult to the nation in addition to var
other to Americans personally to without
due reparation We do not believe Americans with
red blood in their veins would have tolerated this insult with
out action
Looking at the situation from this point OF view, Pres
dent Wilson Rad alternative when uerta refused to
make reparation keeping with the dignity of the American
the President could nothing except lay the mat
ter before Congress-.
President Wilson's point of view however it is no.
this nation make Mexico matter
how unrta may regard the matter MIR. Wilson has chosen
to regard Huera individual and it will thus be posi-
BE to merely axe possession OF the two ports Of Tampco
Vera Cruz and maintain blockade Of the American
coast until the MeXcars come to terms
This measure would involve also the protection of the
frontier along hut the invasion of Mexico
Right here the question would be- whether in the long
this semi-peaceabe blockade would solve the problem
whether it would simply the prolongaton of the
trouble
In all human probability if with Mexico does ensuc
it will not end until American flag flies practically all
Mexican territory and the question of fair treatment for
Americans of the Rio Gande has been settled for all
time to come.