The Washington socialist. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1914-1915, 1914-05-14
THE MEXICAN DIFFICULTY


following. at another point Is Presi-
dent Wilson and at the third angle
are the big land and oil interests with
their special agents in congress. The
I last named are the most formidable
opponents the president has.
4 A few wellltnown families in the
United States own millions of acres
OF lard in Mexico and big oil com
panies have cast oil concessions. If
the United states were to take Mexico,
these lands which were gotten as
grant from old Diaz, or purchased for
ten or fifteen cents an acre, would
increase greatly in value. IL they
should 30 to only twenty-five dollars
per acre that would be an increase
of $4,000 per cent why shouldn't they
want the United Staes TO grab Mexico?
These interests have as powerful
press influence as any ia this country
When Huerta made his way TO power
by the murder OF Madcro. they urged
his recognition 10y this government be
cause IIuerDn would have allowed the
exploitation OF the Mexican people
without molestation
Scheme Of Predatory Interests.
When President Wilson refused to
recognize rluerta, the interests, fear
ing the government might fall into
progressive hands, started desperate
measures to have the United States
make war on Mexico. 1t was the in
tention to have Uncle Sam get in there
and then keep him there forever
President Wilson has had a clear in
sight into the game that was being
played, so he started a counter policy
While he remained officially neutral
as far as the rebels were concerned, it
is very plain that he wanted Carranza
to overcome Huerta and establish
government
This has alarmed the big land in.
terests and their organs Of publicity
and agents in congress have hurled
every malediction against the presi-
dent that they could command, in the
hope of stirring the people to war
Huerta. seeing his power about 70
crumble before the attacks of villa,
began desperate measures to save
himself and the foreign land owners
backing him If he could induce our
government to fight, he might unite
all Mexico behind him and in the end
Mexico would be governed by Huerta
or the United States. either of which
events would be favorable to the big
land interests.
Why Huerta Committed UnfriendIy
Acts.
That he might bring this situation
about. Huerta committed a series of
unfriendly acts toward this govern
ment which eliminated in the arrest
OF an American marine at Tampico.
For this act Admiral Mayo demanded
that Huerta salute the flag as an
apology really believe that the
president would have preferred to
overlook that incident but the event
became too prominent and public
opinion, instigated by the press,
might have been turned against the
president.
He took up the matter with con-
gress and in a special message asked
mi, do
mands against "Huerta and his fol
lowers" so as not to arouse the an
tagonism of Carranza and his follow
ers. In this plan lay the only hope
for an early solution of the problem.
Tools of Big Business Seize Their OPP
portunity
The house passed q resolution EN-.
bodying his wishes almost unanimous.
" and sent it to the senate This
was the supreme opportunity the land
interests had long been looking for.
Quick as a flash, like a spider after
it's prey, Senator Lodge introduced a
substitute demanding that an apology
whole Mexican people. Senator Root
was selected as floor leader and made
a powerful plea for the revolution. 1t
failed to carry but the mischief had
been done. 1t gave opportunity for
the bold declaration by some men,
bers of congress that if the Stars and
Stripes were ever placed over the capt.
; tai of Mexico they would never be
Withdrawn.
This is all the interests wanted.
Such talk in congress would make it
very difficult to deal with Carranza
= and would almost insure a war ending
in the annexation Of Mexico If
p Huerta had had his own representa-
tiyes in the senate, they would have
done exactly as Senators Root, Lodge
, and the old guard did. 1t is not neces-
sary for any one to deny their pa
triotism. 1t is only necessary to point