The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-04-22

Of their property. Lying behind 1t is a
condition of anarchy in Mexico, a con-
dition, which makes it impossible to
and property. Lying back Of this
incident Is a condition Of things in
Mexico which absolutely prevents the
protection of American lives and
property, except through respect for
the American flag. the American uni
form, the American government. 1t
is that that makes necessary the de-
mand that public respect be made the
flag Of the United States.
There is our justification. 1t is a
justification lying not in Victoriano
Huerta or in his conduct alone, but
in the universal conduct Of affairs in
Mexico and the real object to be OBJ
tanned by the course which we are
asked to approve is not the grati1ca-
ton of personal pride; it Ia not the
satisfaction Of a government or an
admiral, 1t is the desire of the United
States to protect its citizens under
these conditions" .
Tension in the chamber increased as
Senator Root. In a voice that sank
lower and lower. reached his con
clusion and pleaded for greater ~justif1-
cation than a mere dispute over the
formal ceremony of a salute, for the
use. Of force.
"If we omit from this resolution that
we are to pass here tonight" he said,
"the matters included in the substi-
tute preamble. we omit the real rea-.
sons behind the action. On the facts
in the resolution as reported by the
committee We would be 2everlastingly
wrong. On the facts in the substitute
we could rest before the world, and
before history, secure.
"Ah. Mr.. President" he said in a
voice that sank almost to a whisper.
and the galleries leaned forward
breathlessly to hear, ."the capture OF
Vera Cruz, the death Of Dur American
marines, the wounds and the suffering
Of those who live there tonight, de-
mand something more, far more, than
a formal insult. for. justification. The
recitals of the substitute preamble are
ing in Vera Cruz tonight. The sub
preamble Is weak, but it gives formal
and adequate grounds for the great
formidable movement of the great
naval and, military power of this gov
eminent. It gives the justification
that Is needed"
AS Senator Root took his seat a
sigh literally swept the chamber and
was lost in a chattering. chorus of
HLISDSISA COIllitlSktl5s LILO WdS SLlllSu
by the gavel of Senator Lewis in the
chair. AS it subsidized. Senator Reed
took the floor.
Secretary Bryan sat on the floor OF
the senate n heard most Of Senator
Roots speech.
Secretary McAdoo reached the SEN
ate chamber just as Mi. Root ended
his speech. He, too, took a seat on the.
floor. Secretary Lane was in the Dip
lomatic gallery.
Reed Replies.
Senator Reed began: ST say with
all respect to the senator from New
York, this is not a contest over the
number of guns, it is over a much
graver question.
1--WE are not standing on punctilio,
we are standing on the majesty OF the
government.
TT may be unhappily that blood has
been spilled at Vera Cruz; it may be
its rudy drops will stain every acre
OF Mexico, but at the other end of this
capitol there sits g. maj who believes.
that this fire may yet be circumscribed
within the territory now controlled by
Huerta. But you on the other side,
who would write into this resolution
your preamble. would declare war
.lagainst all of Mexico and force an in
vasion OF every. foot Of Mexican SOIL"
Senator Reed declared that the
United states was mot a land thief"
and asserted that Mexican territory
was in no sense the object of the ma
tons action.
"The president of the United states
is charged with a great responsibility.
He hopes that the hope OF peace is
not yet gone. He asks for justification
and in reply to that request he meets
a demand that we make a general
declaration OF war"