The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1914-01-15
A misunderstood POLICY.

NiitiCS VI PRESIDENT wilson MeXlcai
policy are shooting their arrows a
what they consider the weakest part OF
his armor. In various language, from
seriousness TO satire, they ask the ques
tion: What right has President Wilson
or any other president of the United
States, TO dictate who shall or who
shall not be the chief ruler in Mexico
Where did we gain the right. they ask,
10 dictate to other nations the mode
OF selecting or the moral character of a
chief executive? They point to Villa,
Iapats, and even Carranza. as undesir-
able from the American viewpoint. and
ilcclarc that if Huerta is dethroned one
of the three Will take his place.
II seems TO Us that these criticisms
show misconception Of President Will
.Vlfs policy. Refusal 10 recognize
iiuerta or even request that be alb
-'N"'N - NV NS'@e'il hNIdClUS WHO
snail be president. Just as an indi-
vidual has right 10 choose his friends,
80 a uation may decide whether it
wishes TO recognize usurper and an
assassin. To take this action is not TO
tissue an edict that another nation must
choose only such rulers rs conform 10
lhe American standard OF morality.
j The action OF President Wilson was
harmony with his announcement that
United States would look with fa-
only on such governments in this
nisphcrc as were established consti.
i0Ha1ly. The first clear case since
sident Wilson g inauguration of
patton in defiance OF all constitu-
sal restraints was that OF Huerta
only did hc seize the government
gally. but he permitted the ruler he
Rhroned TO he murdered, The United
Fthies has moi required by the comfy
~ nations TO recognize Huerta as "A
awful ruler. But, say the critics, Presi |
3csi Wilson diu not stop at such 4
sasslve measure, but went on 10 pro
pose through special envoy that Iluer.
z Sep aside and permit an election To
~ held at which he should not be
nndidate. II President Wilson made |
Gey mistake ii was this. But was il
Flislakol Was it all aGront to the
4eSican people and was il without JUS
laeaton according TO the law of ma
aiopsl
Nbop the clouds Of battle have rolled /
aray 'be Mexican people themselves |
- best answer The question as TO .
spelser they are usulted. The Euro
s'saa r9wcrs have gone even further.
: sin tac United States in debating who
iHiAe'e IN he weaker nations. They
'+Ssr thai the stronger nations have
I, ,''pfests which cutitc them to dictate
No snail lac lulcr, IN buffer states aud
s~lllcS sonllyics where Tie question
'ocG OF bad g5ycnmcul may involve
PIC Icarc pt Europe.
tin this con,iucip the Cuited States
eryapNs 4 simiiur POSITION with regard
- iile weaker nations. but il has a
; rpuecr Justification IN the fact that
! has established tb, Monroe doctrine.
'iv 'li's doctrine We biud ourselves to
picffut foreign natious from pcrnIa-
aentJy scizing torritorv or establishing
t4't s2oVcraE EWis 10 Central and South
+ iwcf'ca. The obligation resting upon
'p' niicd State a. the result Of such
dYctaHe fn4uircS ipat we shall adopt
a"t lfsi and reasonable methods Of
Imerelns the Ioctrinc. If President
Nllson spciieNed illat The elimination OF
Incra was csseliiial to constitutional
aud peace and good order
. pvsssy' apd Ia our own Weli-bcing.
"as Justified in asking lIuerta 20
|teP aside The only doubt existing
4 '"ee'nstief was with regard TO the
Spedeney, OF the action. If il does
pl accomplish its purpose. or if it
2is niunlafeiy 10 accomplish it. thea
may pe criticised ON tbc ground that
"ss "'~'sc' put not illat it WAS I'M
yhc | nitcd States mus, protcct itself
- ''ust protect the Latin Amer.
I'VE ,'p' 'oreign domination. and from
(. II 20 fmc ~ must select unusual
"e'1se these ends. It must
NJ M {ss'on as il arises. On
~ XlAfFe have on, a,,.,, ,,roh.
- Il sst'aie vbetber Prcsi-
ssa vas ,wisc or fool
y De sise, then il
'piished preceden,
''Sfcs demanding