The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-20
Most Remarkable Statement
Made Today by MIR. Wilson
in Regard to
Mexico.
PEACE IS MORE DESIRED
Mexicans as a People Are
Friends of United States
and We Should
Help Them.
tBy j. e. Nevin, staff correspondent

tBy j. e. Nevin, staff correspondent
Of the United press.1
WASHINGTON, April 2O.--In one
of the most remarkable declarations
ever uttered by president of the
United States, Woodrow Wilson today
went on record as an advocate Of
peace and not OF war with Mexico.
He declared that he would uphold the
national honor and national dignity
at any cost but insisted that the great
mass Of people Of Mexico are friend.
ly to this country.
The president declared that the
United States has no Intention OF
fighting the people-the representa-
tive people Of the troubled republic to
the south-but with his eyes flashing
f1re and his Jaws squarely set, the
chief executive declared that If Huerta
was what he was reported, he would
be. be sqEsfsd 81 hfeS ,t forever by the might Of
The president made It very plain that
! the situation now prevailing will now
demand hard and fast blockade OF
Mexican ports. This will probably be
enforced almost Immediately.
The army will be held ready to
back up the navy In case the ele-
ment headed by Huerta undertake re-
prisals.
The president insisted that he has
neither lost patience nor hope, but he
intended that Huerta, whom he de-
scribed as a person who called him
self president" should realize once
and for all that the dignity and honor
of the United States could not be
trihed with by him.
Wants Peace, Not War;
WASHINGTON. April 20.-Pres!-
dent Wilson today raised his voice in
protest against the belief that this
country must of necessity be plunged
into war because Of the Huerta Incl
dent He insisted that in his opinion
actual warfare may not be necessary.
He indicated he does not believe that
Carranza and the constitutionalists
will side with Huerta.
The president explained to the
newspaper men who he saw immed
lately after he had conferred with Sec
retary Bryan that he did not believe
Mexico generally would uphold HUI
: erta. He made It very plain, however,
that he will force Huerta and his ad
visers to respect the american dig
nifty and honor. The president said
that he was going to congress this
afternoon to present a special situa
alton This situation he explained
was An issue between this govern
ment and a person who calls himself
the provisional president Of Mexico,
but who has never been recognized by
the United States in any way and
never will be. The president said
that he was uneasy because he feared
the country was being engulfed with
a great wave Of patriotism that would
engender enthusiasm for war. He de-
clared that he had no enthusiasm for
war: that he viewed 1t with fear but
he did intend to maintain that the
honor and dignity Of the United States
should be respected no matter what IT
might cost to enforce that respect.
The president said the present sit
uatfon in Mexico need not necessarily
I eyentuate in war. The United States
on many occasions he said, had en-
forced its demands; had blockaded
other countries and had even bonn
barded and destroyed towns to en-
| force its demands without ever for
mally declaring war. This, the pres
ident said, encouraged him In the be-
lief that after he had authorization
from congress, he would be able to
take STEPS which would drive Huerta
! from his present defiant position.
The president said that he did not
want the newspaper men TO get the
imnression that this country has any
Intention to fight the real people OF
Mexico. He said that events of the