Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1914-03-01

Bismarck, Sunday March I, 1914
Foreigners on Wilson's Mexican Policy
81 It is interesting to note the attitude of foreign
papers to the waiting" policy of President Wilson
in connection with the Mexican situation, and espe-
cially as it relates to the killing Of Benton by Villas
orders. ., N
The Evening News takes this view of. the situa-
ton: Indignation is rapidly growing. not ony in
England, but in the United States, over the murder
Of Benton, and, as it is feared, of several other Brit
ish subjects and American. citizens. Villa is a bandit
and a rufian, and he has been tacitly encouraged and
protected by President Wilson with most evil results
to Mexico. "Now, however, something has got to be
done, and Mr.. Wilson's own country,ncn will not he
the last. we imagine. in urging him to abandon his
policy Of folded hands"
This is the way the Pail Mall Gazette feels about
the matter: "A British subject has been done TO
death and in one way or another retribution must be
exacted for the deed. We have not yet foresworn'
our duty to fling the protection of the flag over Eng.
lishmen in every corner Of the world. But we have
Willingly intrlsted. tie task OF protecting them to the e
friendly government of the United States. We rec
ognized the paramount interest of the American
people in that torn and distracted land and We" will
await the result Of the inquiries which President
Wilson has set aloot,D,..~: i>">: '""'
Only we: desire 10 say at the outset that the" pre-
tense of a c0urt-martial cannot be accepted as justi-
flying the murder Of Benton. If that is the only result
OF the! inquiry, the obligation on the government OF
the United States to act as a mandatory of civiliza-
ton will remain. 1t is the fundamental right Of
every. State to protect its. nationals abroad. We
cannot abandon that right and remain an empire.
'Ardently as we desire the friendship of the United y
States. we cannot purchase it at the price of our
national honor.
There is no desire to embarrass President will.
SON." says the London Globe, "but there are limits
to complaisance and they would be reached If the
sense of griev0us injury we're Knocked by the sug-
gestion that for the .lawless- acts of Villa, General
Huertas must be held responsible. Equally astound.
ing and a%nronting is the contention that in foreigners
remain In Mexico they do SO. at their own risk. 1t
is be. feared that President Wilson hasn't quite
foreseen the full consequences of his own line of
action. The murder Of Benton lis a warning signal"
- In 9 spirit of trenchant sarcasm the London Times
comment thus: THE nation which demands respect
for the Monroe Doctrine has a particular obligation
to the other powers. In regard to the murder OF
foreign residents in Mexico. the obligation is mate
heavier by the fact that the government that upllolds
the Monroe Doctrine is deliberately conniying It a
supply Of rms aud ammunition to the faction by
whom these murders are being committed. This fact
surely imposes direct responsibility on the govern.
ment in question:
Renewed interest in Mexican affairs is manifested
BY the Deutsche Tages Zeitung. 1t says: "Repre.
sensations at Washington that England expects Amer.
lea to take better care of her nationals in Mexico
are practically worthless. The only effective solu-
ton is to support Huerta, primarily with money and
in every other way. IF the British government acts
In its own interests 1t will choose this alternative.
AS Great Britain, however, is accustomed to subordi.
nate Its own interests to the wishes of the United
States. perhaps, also, it thinks the lives of a, couple
Of Englishmen cannot be allowed to disturb Anglo
American relations, especially as President Wilson
has regulated the anama canal affairs In favor of
England. 1t is probable Sir Edward Grey will con.
9tinueE oYapprove the moral attitude of the United
States. which consists Of supporting the rebel party.
The London Financial News openly censures Pres
ident Wilson for prevailing conditions, remarking
sthat-sIf>t the murder of Benton is not. directly trace
able to- President Wilson's door, it may be said to be
the consequence of his recognition Of the rebels and
his removal of the embargo on tho Importation Of
arms and ammunition into Mexico. Something must
be done by the British government for the removal
OF British subjects, even In q disturbed country,
cannot be tolerated for a moment"
Some OF the statesmen who have sojourned in
Washington would be inclined to settle the question
Of when to call by referring to that ancient author
ity on cards, Hoyle.
Sometimes the letter of Endorsement from the
chief which follows a criticism makes it well worth
while for a government official to have been under
fire. - .
Japan is becoming noted for the amount of lis.
tening it can do without in, the slightest dsgree
changing its mind.