Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-02-23
WILSON MEXICAN
POLICY is LAUDED
Thousand Men Hear Secretary
Daniels at Banquet of Creve
Cour Club, Peoria.
IDEALS OF WASHINGTON
Speaker Shows How Present Execu'
tive Is Adherin9 to Principles
of Father of Country.

Peoria, Feb. 23.-The policy OF
| watchful waiting in the Mexican situa-
ton, on the part of President Wilson,
was applauded by nearly thousand
boosters at the 18th annual Washing
ton day banquet of the Creye Couer
club at the big coliseum here Satur-
day night. Secretary of the Navy
Josephus Daniels, as the chief speaker,
had specifically stated that President
Wilson was remaining true to the
ideals of Washington, in seeking to
perserve friendship with all nations
and avoiding entangling alliances with
any in the Mexican policy.
1t was an absolutely nonpartisan oc-
casion, democrats, republicans and
progressives being equally represented
among the banqueters, and the cheer
ing came as one volume from all parts
of the hall. The great building had
never opened its portals to more dis
tinguished gathering. Statesmen, cap
italists and politicians of high degree
journeyed here in private cars to re-
spend in person to the clubs invita-
ton. The club itself is nonpolitical, es-
sentially commercial and social. and
plays no party fayorites. The evening
had been ons of patriotic Songs and
addresses when Secretary Daniels
made his emphatic declaration for an
international program that would sti.k
close to George Washington's we'll
known admonition to beware of foreign
alliances. On being introduced Secre-
tary Daniels was cheered for five min
utes, the banQueters rising to their feet
and waving napkins and handkerchiefs,
while from the balconies that were
packed with ladies a like ovation
came.
Colonization Is Opposed.
The secretary frankly stated his
dislike Of fhc procedure which thought
US the Philippines and claimed that
each Filipino had cost Uncle Sam so
much per head"
On this subject the speaker said:
Let JUS apply the question of what
Washington would think of it to the
problems of our day: For example,
what would be his attitude toward the
policy inaugurated during the last de-
cade in changing the spirit of American
institutions by purchasing colonies, and
by the payment of so much per head
for a whole people then engaged in a
struggle for independence? Can any
one suppose, in view of Washington's.
adinonition to his CO intry to beware
of entangling alliances, that he would |
retain sovereignty and govern people
against their will? Would not Wash |
iugton recognize that a chain is no
stronger than its weakest link? And !
that the Philippine Islands are
the weakest link in our chain?
rTEr.- Oh ton,
regarding Mexico. which was given
special significance by his hearers
were worded as follows:
Recently, the eyes of our country
have been upon Mexico, with whom we
have had pleasant relations for many
years. We are knit TO our sister re-
public by many ties. There have been
hose in our country who have crii-
cised the policy pursued by Mr.. Taft,
and later by Mr.. Wilson, and declared
It to be our duty to go into Mexico.
What Would Washington Do? I
What would Washington have done?
It is easy to ascertain He insisted we
should maintain friendly relations with
LII nations, and entangling alliances
With none, more than he insisted upon
anything else. This, together with a
spirit of justice and amity, were the /
guiding stars of his public life.
Does anyone suppose that one ,
whose patriotism was so unselfish
would countenance any action looking
o colonialism, or taking advantage of
neighbours internal troubles? Would
lie not rather say that it was not for
Is to interfere, unless national honor
equired?"
THE name of Washington" said Sec
etary Daniels in conclusion, has been
bestowed upon the capital of the nation.
\ great white shaft therein reminds us
Il the massive solidity of his character
nd the liftiness OF his ideals. Mount c
Iernon remains at our door as he left !
t, and the people pilgrimage there in
reater numbers than even followed /
n the professions at his inaugurals |
he prayers of Washington are still '
eing answered in the blessings of a