The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-12-31
ANOTHER UNFAIR ATTACK

being superior to the personal fav-
oritism or prejudice displayed by
most other papers, and in most in
stances succeeds fairly well, but it has
never forgiven President Wilson for
his success, and never fails to take a
whack at him once in awhile. 1t is
obvious that it's criticism of the pres
ident is founded on something more
narrow than public policy, for some
times it finds fault with him for do
ing the very thing that it finds fault
with him for not doing at other times.
It is probable that Mr.. Wilson never
thinks of the T.-U., let alone pays any
attention to what it says, but if he
did he would find it impossible to
please it.
The T.U.'s latest outbreak is on ac-
count of the protest of the American
government against British interfer-
ence with our shipping. 1t complains
first of the friendly Cor as it says
apologetic) language in which it is
couched. 1t also says that the whole
world has been put on notice that the
United States will not fight under any
circumstances, refers to our "jelly-
fish" policy toward Mexico, and winds
up by comparing Wilson's policy with
that of Cleveland as set forth by the
latter's famous message to Congress
in regard to the Venezuela incident.
The Star respectfully submits to
the Times Union that for the past
sixteen years, or ever since Great
Britain gave US her moral support in
the Spanish-American war, that it
has been taken for granted that
nothing could come up between the
two great English-speaking nations
that could not be adjusted by peace
full means. We have seen this tacit
understanding referred to times with
out number in the Times Union, and
as long as it exists practical ulti-
would be out of place.
1t does not seem to the Star that
the language prefacing the note,
which the T.-U. styles as apologize,
is any more than the usual diplomat
ic terms prefacing almost any docu-
ment except declaration of war.
The Star doesn't think the whole
world has been put on notice that the
United States will not fight under
any circumstances. 1t has been put
on notice that it will not fight except
for some very grave reason, and any
reader of the Times-Union would
suppose that paper approved of and
would uphold that policy.
The Times Union has forgotten,
but the Star hasn't, that Mr.. Cleve-
land was as much of jellyfsh in re-
gard to Mexico as Mr.. Wilson; in
fact, more so, for Wilson has proven
by his policy of forbearance that he
is trying to bring good out of evil.
Cleveland allowed American citizens
to stay in Mexican jails without
making any protest, and during his
administration Mexicans raided across
the border, carried off cattle and
committed other outrages whenever
they pleased, unhindered by the Unit
ed States authorities. Also, Mr..
Cleveland, year after year, allowed
Canadian cruisers to annoy, overhaul
and sometimes confiscate American
fishing vessels. The far-famed, and
overturned Venezuela incident was
the only occasion on which Mr.. Cleve-
land ever showed any firmness in
foreign affairs, and there is much
reason to suppose it was only big
bluff.
The Times-Union asks, Glow many
Of Grover Cleveland's protests would
have been UNDECIDED ?" The Times
Union can best answer that question
by giving a list of Cleveland's pro-
tests and showing how much atten-
ton was paid to them.
Quite the opposite to the Times
Unions comment is the following
from the Savannah News:
"No other act of President Wilson
has touched so responsive a chord as
his note to Great Britain telling he1
| that she must respect the rights Oh
this country on the seas. 1t is ap,
proved by both democrats and repub.
licans, in and out of Congress, anc
| the country is ready to back him VI
in the position he has taken"
O