The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-05-10
By JOSEPH P. AMIN.
Staff Correspondent Of The Wash
ington Herald.

Stan correspondent OF Inc Wasn'
ington Herald.
Vera Cruz, May Hardy had the
papers announced the formal establish
ment of civil government and the APP
pointment Of civil governor here than
Amer lean merchants and importers OF
American goods began planning to turn
the occupation to commercial advantage.
From now on the President and the
War Department will be beseiged by
manufacturers with demands that
American goods be admitted to Vera
Cruz duty free, a discrimination against
goods of some other nations but dis
elimination which was practiced during
the occupation Of Cuba and which re-
suited in giving American trade a clear
predominance in the new republic.
Among the first callers on Gov. Kerr
today were merchants with goods await
ing passage through the customs-house.
Import duties particularly upon goods
which came largely from the United
States, have been terrific of late. Huerta,
after raising municipal taxes 20 per cent.
tackled a clear so per cent increase on
imports Those who-had American
goods waiting for them Immediately en-
tered a plea that the import duties on
American goods at least be reduced II
not wiped out altogether.
OF course, the inauguration of any
such policy would be a most important
step and one which would bring violent
protests from manufacturers and ship
pers of other nations. There Is not the
slightest doubt that Great Britain, Ger
many or any European nation under
similar circumstances would do like
wise. But, while admitting this. Eng
lishmen and Germans here declare they
mill rhafr - 10 b..
strong protests against any such action.
Feared BY Europe.
This course has been the one most
feared by other nations in American in
PREVENTION. The European nations with
big interests here are perfectly willing
may, anxious-to have us step in and
clean up Mexico and restore their profit
able occupations, but they do not want
US to reap any of the benefits of such
a course.
The problem presented Is one which
probably will have to be threshed out
in Congress, II American occupation OF
Vera Cruz continues long enough or
spreads to an occupation of all or a
large part of Mexico. 1t will be called
by many dollar diplomacy" and win
meet much opposition on that score.
Business men here say that, aside from
the commercial advantage to the United
States, it will quickly reduce and finally
eliminate the military problem presented
by Intervention or occupation.
Take no steps which may tend to pro-
long American occupancy Of Vera
Cruz
This in effect sums up the orders Rob
ert J. Kerr, last night appointed civil
governor of the city Of Vera Cruz and
vicinity, has received from Washington.
The Washington policy will be to avoid
a lengthy occupation with all its con-
tinCent worry and expense.
Gov. Kerr intends to put into effect
much the same policy as Gov. Gen.
Francis Burton Harrison is trying out
in the Philippines with a view to fur
nishing the natives practical experience
in self-government under careful su-
pervision by American officers. With this
end in view. an article in the regula-
lions promulgated by Admiral Fletcher
for the new civil government epecifcal-
ly provides:
The officials to be appointed as herein
contemplated may be either Americans or
Mexicars or any other nationality, 1t
being the intent and purpose to extend
to the Inhabitants of the territory af-
fected hereby as large a participation In
hereby created as may be practicable,
with due consideration for the ends to
be hereby accomplished"
Mas Faces Revenge.
Without an Intelligent inkling of what
is in the hands of the administration as
far as Mexico is concerned, II Is i'm
possible accurately to outline probable
future developments here. Mr.. Kerr has
been appointed for the vicinity OF Vera
Cruz as well as the city itself. This in
hat ha ia civil
of the entire state. 1t would seem from
this that 1t is the intention of Wash
ington to clean out the state, including
Gen. Mas, who should be able to ex-
pect slight consideration at the hands Of
our people.
Gen Mas himself feels this, and Is
inclined to a strongly concilliatory at
titude. Last night replying to a letter
from Consul Canada, he promised that
all Americans in his district would be
permitted to pass into Vera Cruz I'M
molested. This letter accompanied the
train load Of refugees who had been
detained for days and weeks in the fed
eral prison at Cordoba, and sent to Vera
Cruz in a condition to make the blood
Of every civilized being boil with indigna-
ton.
There is little doubt in the minds OF
those who know Mas that he would
welcome an opportunity to surrender him
self to the protection of American arms.
If assured Of a safe asylum. But whether
anything except an unconditional sur
render would be advisable Is a question.
Mas should be made to answer person.
ally for the deaths of seventeen Ameri-
can .blnejackets and marines, most OF
whom were shot down by hidden marks
men placed by Mas after he had as
sured Consul Canada that no resistance
would be offered to the American forces.
Mas did this after Canada had warned
him Of the impending landing In order
Ho! Ye Sufferers,