New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-13
BLAWES PRESTIGE
LOSS ON WILSON
George w. Perkins Says
United States Left
Honor in Mexico.
PRESIDENT INVITED
FOR QUITTING IN"
Columbus Speech Riddled by
Letter That Tells of ScOrn
of Foreign Powers.

The results which followed when
President Wilson -butted IN" IN Mexico
have caused Germany and other ma
tons % realize that our foreign policy
was $50 III considered, 20 shortsighted,
so irnpoteut and pointless that they
have absolutely nothing to fear from
as. and consequently have treated as
with scorn and impunity." This state
ment is part OF letter which George
W. Perkins has sent 10 the President
twitting him on that part Of his recent
Columbus speech in which he said that
so long as he had the power nobody
shall 'butt IN" in Mexico.
Mr.. Perkins thinks that this state
meut is in sharp contrast TO the Presi-
dents actions in Mexico. He insists
that Mr.. Wilson "butted in" in Mexico
when he refused to recognize Huerta;
that he also "butted in" when he de-
manded that the flag be saluted and
sent troops to Vera Cruz.
''You brought our dead away and left
honor behind" he says in his letter.
~And you abandoned your demand that
our flag be saluted."
Because the contrast between Presi-
! dent Wilson's statement at Columbus
appears to Mr.. Perkins TO be at such
wide variance with his action at the
beginning Of the Mexican situation, 1t
occurs TO the Progressive chairman
| that there may be some reason for 1t
which he thinks the President might
at this time be willing TO make known
TO the public"
Mr.. Perkins's letter says:
az am impressed with the following
statement made by you in your speech
at Columbus:
"'The Mexicans may not know what
20 do with their government, but that
is none of our business, and so long es
7 have the power 20 prevent II NOBODY
shall butt in" TO alter it for them
"This statement seems 10 me 70 be
In sharp contrast TO your actions IN
Mexico actions which have caused our
country so much embarrassment and
humiliation. When you refused 70 rec
ognize Huerta you certainly 'butted In
in Mexico.
"a address you on the subject because
I earnestly believe that in the manner
in which you 'butted in in Mexico Is
found the root of all the trouble and
humiliation to which our country has
been subjected, not only with Mexico
but other foreign countries as well.
When YOU butted in in Mexico you
demanded that our flag be saluted. You
sent troops to Vera Cruz. You brought
our dead away and left our honor be-
hind; you abandoned your demand that
our flag be saluted
These, with countless other Incl
dents in Mexico, caused Germany and
other nations TO realize that our for
eien policy was so i'll considered. so
shortsighted. so impotent and polntlcss
that they had absolutely nothing 20
fear from us. and consequently they
have treated US with scorn and impu-
nifty.
"The result is that our prestige TO-
dav in every foreign capital Is at 2
lower ebb than ever before reached.
and I believe that very many Ameri-
cans ioin me in the feeling that all this
Is directly traceable to the fact that at
the beginning Of the Mexican situation
you did not act as you now talk.
"As the contrast between your sta
ment Of yesterday and your action At
the beginning Of the Mexican situation
Is at such wide variance. IL occurs 90
me that there may be some reason for
II which you might at this time be will
ing to make known 70 the public