The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1914-03-13
TAFT'S WORDS ARE
AID TO WILSON
Publicly Backing Up His Success
Sor Regarding Mexico and the
Hands Of Program.
BY Ernest O. walker.
mail Special to The Advertiser

dent Taft on his recent visit 10 Wash.
ington did a friendly turn for his ne.
cessor. Probably few people who read
his statement, declaring that interyen.
ton in Mexico would be most unwise,
paused to think how helpful that may
be TO the administration at this june.
ture. At no previous time have the
jingoists and alike those who, for more
or less selfish reasons, want us TO 10
across the border, been pressing Pres
ident Wilson so hard. Critics began
to multiply, with the wide agitation
over the killing of w. s. Benton and
the interpretation Of Great Britain in
his behalf Then there came the hang.
ing Of an American citizen, resident OF
Texas, who had been lured across the
border near Hidalgo. Governor Coli
quit of Texas demanded authority 20
send his rangers across the border,
which, of course, Washington could not
! permit. MI
This and much more has made the
Mexican status at Washington decided.
ly acute. Republicans In congress, es-
pecially the house, were growing ram.
pant. IL was then that ex.President
Taft arrived, as head OF the American
Bar Association to appear before the
house Judiciary committee, and 20 de-
liver an address before the National
Geographic Society. President Wilson
invited him to luncheon at the White
House, where there was opportunity
for discussion Of Mexico
Most Timely for wilson.
The ex-President s announcement
anew against Intervention followed and
was most timely for Mr.. Wilson. IL
should be borne in mind that Mr.. Taft
still stands forth as the national leader
of the Republican party and will till
another candidate is nominated for the
Presidency. When he spoke out again
against Intervention, the ex-President
clapped the lid for the time being on
further opposition speeches in congress
and thus quoted one feature that has
been annoying to Mr.. Wilson. While
the ex-President did not undertake TO
endorse President Wilson'S policy in so
many words, the inference was unavoid-
able that he felt in sympathy with what
is being done. Whether Huerta should
have been recognized is something Mr..
Taft did not discuss. But President
Wilson has been pressed of late TO send
marines to Mexico, TO order detaeh.
ment Of troops across the border for
Benton's body, and the like, which acts
he has been holding would be unwise
An Indefinite Problem.
In the meantime opinion grows at
Washington that the Mexican situation
is most perpiexing and promises to re-
main SO indefinitely. The public seems
to be realizing this. Villa and Car.
rama have been very disappointing.
The hope they would pacify Mexico has
been vanishing here at Washington.
Revolution has been raging in Mexico
now for more than three years Level
headed men from Texas, familiar with
conditions to the southwark, say the
fighting between Huertistas and the
Carranzistas may easily last two or
three years yet. There may be moth.
ing to do short Of intervention) but al.
low the bandits and the factions to
fight and fight till they are utterly
worn out, True the country may be
devastated by that time and the large
property interests Of foreign residents
destroyed. The prospect, just now,
seems one Of despair.
Backing Up the President.
Incidentally ex President Taft 3
course Is in keeping with the general
Republican attitude under this admin.
istration regarding TO foreign relations,
There have been Individual exceptions,
but the Republican minority in the
senate (where foreign relations are
chiefly handled as far as congress has
aught to do with them) and, in some
degree, the Republican minority of the
house have sought to help rather than
hinder the President. The senate had
Mexican outbursts months ago but
these were temporarily silenced after
Republicans of foreign relations had
been admitted into the President 5 |
counsels at the White House.
The demonstration, almost unpre.
eedented, which President Wilson was
given by congressman of all parties
when, during the extra session, he de-
livered his special message ON Mexiso,
is not forgotten yet. And during the
contentious over arbitration treaties,
some Of the Presidents strong and in.
fuential supporters were on the Repub.
liean side. Instances might be multi
Piled, all Of the same purport.
K. Needs @. o. P. support.
Ex,President 5 Taft's declaration is
all the more noteworthy, because in 1
confidential communications to Wash.
ington friends he has, on recent oecas-
ions, referred to certain administration
proceedings In a spirit of levity, not TO |
say sarcasm. But he would hardly be |
expected to agree In toto with an ad. |
ministration, opposed to him politically,
and naturally has his private ideas
about our foreign relations, ms do Re.
publican senators, who kick In the cor. |
ridors aud committee rooms, but join
the friendly column whenever there is |
n test which becomes of permanent rec.
ord. ,.... IT,. -.
1t may happen that Republicans of |
senate and house win save the Presl
dent s bill for repeal of canal toll ex.
emption. Many Democrats there are
committing themselves in opposition. As
far as the senate is concerned Repub. I