The Forrest City times., 1914-04-24


 complaints from other governments of similar treatment Subsequent explana- tions and formal apologies did not al ter the popular impression which it Is possible it has been the object of the Huertaista authorities to create, that the government of the United States was being singled out and might he singled out with impunity for sights and affronts in retaliation for it's re fusal to recognize the pretensions of General Heurta to be regarded as the constitutional provisional president of the republic of Mexico
 Situation Was IntoIerabIe.
 "The manifest danger of such a sit uation was that such offenses might grow from bad to worse until some thing happens of so gross and intolcr- able a sort as to lead directly and in. eyitably to armed conflict. It was necessary that the apologies of Gen eral Huerta and his representatives should go much farther, that they should attract the attention of the whole population to their significance and such as to impress upon General Huerta himself the necessity of seeing to it that no further occasion for ex. planatipns and professed regrets should arise. l, therefore. felt it my duty to sustain Admiral Mayo in the whole of his demand and to insist that the flag of the United States should be saluted in such way as to indicate new spirit and attitude on the part of the Huortlstas.
 Such a salute General Huerta has refused and l have come to ask your approval and support in the course I now propose to pursue.
 Want no War With Mexican People
 This government can, I earnestly hope, in no circumstances be forced in to war with the people of Mexico. Mexico is torn by civil strife. If we are to accept the tests of it's own con. stitution, it has no government. Cen eral Huerta has set his power up in the city of Mexico, such as it is, with out right and by methods for which there can be no justification.
 Only part of the country is under his control. If armed conflict should unhapplly come as a result of his atti- tude of personal resentment towards this government, we should be fighting only General Huerta and those who ad. here to him and give him their sup port and our object would be only to restore to the people of the distracted republic the opportunity to set up again their own laws and their own government.
 No Desire to Control Mexico.
 But I earnestly hope that war is not now in question. l believe that I speak for the American people when I say that we don't desire to control in any degree the affairs of our sister re- public. Our feeling for the people of Mexico is one of deep and genuine friendship and everything we have so far done or refrained from doing has proceeded from our desire to help them, not to hinder or embarrass them. We would not wish even to ex- ercise the good offices of friendship without their welcome and consent. The people of Mexico are entitled to settle their own domestic affairs in their own way and we sincerely desire l to respect their rights. The present l situation need have none of the grave l complications of interference if we deal with it promptly, firmly and wise. l ly
 No doubt I could do what is neces | sary in the circumstances to enforce i respect for our government without e course to the Congress and yet not exceed my constitutional powers as president; but l do not wish to ac, on a matter of so grave conseuueuce except in close conference and coop peration with both the Senate and house therefore come to ask your approval that l should use the armed forces of the United States in such ways and to such an extent as may be necessary to obtain from General iuerta and his advocates the fullest
 CCognitiOn of the rights and dignity
 the United States, even agamst the distressing conditions now unhappily obtaining in Mexico.
 There can be in what we do nc thought of aggressive or selfish az grandizement. We seek to uphold the dignity and authority of the United States only. We wish always to keer our great influence unimpaired for the uses of liberty both in the United States and wherever else it may be employed for the benefit of mankind ~--~~--~---~--0---~->~---~-
 Street Fight in Tuscon. Arz.