The Washington herald., 1914-12-07
I. R. ON MEXICO
PLEASES G. 0. P.
Say He Expresses Right Opin-
ion in Denouncing VIII
son Policy There.
DEMOCRATS ARE ANGRY
Believe Best He Could Have Done
Was to Stay Silent Regarding
U. S. Foreign Ideas.
DEMOCRATS ARE ANGRY

Though Col Roosevelt's statement on
the Administrations Mexican policy
and its responsibility for events in
that country was read here yesterday
and attracted a great deal of atten-
tion, there was a surprising reluctance
upon the part OF public men of both
parties to make any comment on It for
publication.
There was plenty of comment not for
publication. however. 1t may briefly be
summed up as follows:
Republicans are pleased with the
statement, particularly the first part OF
1t discussing the results of the Presi-
dents action regarding Mexico.
| Democrats Angry.
| little attempt TO challenge Mr. RoOse-
yelt's arguments to show that Presi-
dent Wilson meddled in Mexico without
achieving any constructive result, but
there was much Indignation at Col
Roosevelt's attempt to fasten upon the
administration responsibility for the
outrages committed upon clericals in
| Mexico. Furthermore, democrats SEEM
\ ed to think that II would have been
more proper for the former President
to have refrained from such an out
burst against a foreign policy of a sub
sequent President.
Col. Roosevelt charges that the revo-
| lutionary party. which the administra-
ton has supported. with being guilty Of:
Attacks on scores Of nuns.
The murder Of priests and others in
cold blood.
Wholesale robbing and expelling Of
priests and nuns.
The sacking of schools. institutions Of
learning and libraries. and the destruction
of astrOnOmical/and other valuable ma
chinery.
The PROCLAMATION Of churches and the
sacred vessels in a thousand ways in
GLIDING "orgies Of the soldiers and their
and throwing the sacred hosts into the
feed Of the soldiers" horses"
/ CrItIcIses Wilson's Attitude.
Col. Roosevelt, commenting on VIII
sons refusal to recognize Huerta. which
he says should have been done, says:
Unless Mr.. Wilson was prepared ac-
lively to interfere in Mexico and to es-
tablish some sort OF proteCtOrate over It.
he had no more business to pass judg-
ment Jpn the methods of Mr.. Huerta's
Wilson's advent 10 power than Mexico
would have had TO refuse to recognize
Mr.. Hayes as President on the ground
that it was not satisfied with his eco
nomic policy and moreover sympathiZed
with Mr.. Tilden's side Of the ContrO-
versy.
And il President Wilson made up
his mind to interfere in Mexico-fOr, Of
course. the most trenchant type of in
reference was refusal 10 recognize the
Mexican president-he should have noti-
fed foreign powers OF his proposed action
in order to prevent Huerta's recognition
by them. President Wilson interfered IN
such feeble fashion as to accomplish the
maximum of evil to use and to other
foreigners and the Mexicans. and the
maximum of evil to US and to other
but he hit softly. Now, no one should
ever hit II it can be avoided; but never
should any one hit soft"
One Cabinet Member Weary.
There is more than one high official of
the administration who regards the ad
ministration's Mexican course as being
similar to that of the duke who mar he'd
his men up the hill and then marched
them down again. One member OF the
Cabinet is known to be weary OF the
lacking and filling, as II is termed, with
regard to Mexico. though he remains ,ib-
suIuIcly loyal to the Presidents program.
which Is now one Of absolute ina, :inr.
Iy tniS authority it is urged TIM. the
United states should cease all mcdGiinS
with Mexico and make up its mind. UHCG
ard for ALL whether or not this govern
ment mas any duty or responsibility in
Mexico. Should it be concluded ;mRt til.
government has no duty or responsibility.
il IS declared. the government should
leave Mexico absolutely alone, refrainins
(, ON any interference whatsoever in its
in: :@rnal or external affairs, d.rr.tly or
ind re city.
These views are shared by representa-
tives here of foreign governments inter
ested in Mexico. They agre with Col.
Roosevelt that. having undertaken to un-
make an existing government in Mexico,
President Wilson, should have been y
ing to endeavOr to provide satisfactory
substitute.
Say L. s. Helped Destruction.
They point TO the present conditions,
much more chaotic than at any time
previously in the last five years OF dis
turbance, as proof that the United States
government contributed to the destruc
tion OF such government as there was
without providing any substitute.
Those who agree with Roosevelt 5
views Of the problem as a whole regret
his use of the reports of outrages against
Catholics. 1t is pointed out that certain
~ the American government could not
be expected to do more for French and
Spanish Catholics in Mexico than 1t
willing 10 do for its own people in that
country. 1t advised Americans to get
out, and it helped many Catholic refu-
1t is not generally known, but the
fact is that the failure of the admins
tration to take more effective measures
for the protection Of Mexican and Eu-
ropean Catholics in Mexico was a factor
in the last elections. 1t Is known that
many Catholics were urged TO vote and
did vote against the administration in
November because of this issue.
TnnAY rFrrYr,Tnr