Omaha daily bee., 1914-12-17
woo.trr L. Again Inquisitive.

SILVER CREEK, Neb.. Dec. 16--To the
Editor OF The Bee: Is it not somewhat
surprising that after all the talk and
doings in regard TO Mexico since Presi-
dent Wilson has been I'm office he should
not even mention Mexico in his late an
nual message "or address to cohgress7
It would be surprising II we had a states
man In the presidential chair; but with
a mere schoolmaster--well, one need not
be surprised at any unusual or out-of-
the-way thing.
Last spring Wilson conceived the idea
that our flag had been insulte1 at Tam
pico (which IL had not, and u IL had
ample reparation was made); went be-
fore congress and informed It that he
himself, had all necessary power TO en-
force satisfaction (which he had not), but
that on account OF the very great i'm
pOrtance OF the matter IN issue, he would
like to have the congress say that he
would be Justified" In so doing. where
upon an obsequious congress, made up
OF crtnging democrats and cowardly re-
publlcans (moral cowardsl, readily ae-
quiesced; surrendered TO him the war
making power (Which they had no right
to dol, and, IL my memory is not at
fault, voted him 10000 900 for expenses.
Being thus armed and equipped our
great and good president sent fleet of
warships and took Vera Cruz. killing
several hundred men In the operation:
stayed there about seven months, during
which time his agents pocketed 100000
or SS,OOo,OO0 of Mexican money and then
unceremonlously and ignominiously
sneaked out without saying a word and
took the money with them.
In view OF the fact that President Wi.
son said nothing about his work IN
Mexico, ! submit that Congress- should
ask him for fun information. .if not in
compatible with the public service" fulIv
answering such questions as the follow
ing:
l. As the head OF a great "Christ,sr
nation" before deciding to invade Meyicn
tand kill an indefinite number az ts
people), did you enter your closet and
humbly ask Gods blessing on your pro-
posed work?
z During the capture and oceupatiop
OF Vera Cruz how many Mexicana ana
how many Americans were killed?
g. How many widows ana ornbans ana
broken-hearted mothers did their deaths
make?
T. What was the gross amount of
duties on imports collected by you during
your occupation OF Vera CRUZ
D. What was the cost OF collecting this
revenue, and from what source was the
expense met?
8. How much OF the amount collected
went as graft TO Mexieans and how much
to Americans?
T. What was the net amount OF revenue
collected; where lie 1t now and what do
you purpose doing with il; or have you
done with it, already
What was the total expense NJ tba
aforesaid invasion of Mexico from the
first movement OF our. forces until their
withdrawal from Mexican territory?
What disposition in your opinion.
II any. should be made of what remains
Of that $50OOO.ooO appropriated?
10. Would YOU advise that II be divided
up among the American people 10 ba
used in the purchase of war tax stamps
or do you wish 10 retain Il for use I'm
the event of another insult TO our flag?
H. Did you get that salute 20 the flas
that yon went to Mexico after: and. n
so. what disposition have you made OF ~
IL authorities on congressional etiouet
should be OF the opinion that soma NJ
the above questions are unparliamentary
such questions might be eliminated.
CHARLES wOOST,rp