The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-29

wasted and worn by the struggle Dras-
ito measures-the inexorable rule or
War. particularly OF civil war-had been
resorted TO. and this harsh treatment.
fresh in the minds OF the people, kept
that bitterness alive. Yet In "A compara-
lively short time, az history measures
time, the people generally came to rea-
lise that, after all, perhaps it vas for the
best.
History does not record n single in
stance where. after a war. the horrors Of
the confict or consequences arising
therefrom have not been reviN cd, eSag-
gerated and kept alive by those on the
losing side. The same will probably
occur In Mexico. General S~herman's
characterization OF war wG true In the
SOS 1t IL true to-day. Mindful OF the
unhappiness and loss caused by and fol-
lowing any war the Administration has
done all in its power TO keep this nation
from that calamity. 1t Is so easy TO be-
come involved In a war that the thought
less urge II without looking forward 10
the consequences, TO the loss of life and
treasure which II YOU Impose upon
their W country.
CRITICISM liz ever easy, especially
when the critics do not have to bear the
burden OF responsibility or suffer the
consequences. In this matter. involving
the life and future OF Mexico. the .Ad-
~ itho w a. ~
more extended horizon n those who,
living in Mexico. have sometimes been
actuated by self Interest. Had the Gov
ernInent listened to a certain class Of
Americans in Mexico this country would
long since ave sent It's armies across
the border. with what results, in times
like these. no one can predict.
MI. Taft Advised Patience.
"Former President Taft, at n dinner
given by the American Peace and Arbl-
tration League In New York city on
February 22. 1919. made the following
remarks. AZ published in the Washington
Star on February %, 1913:
"'MeXlco for two years has presented
q very sad picture to every lover OF his
kind. to every supporter OF POPULAR gov
eminent. to every man hopeful OF es-
tablishinE peace under n stable govern
ment. But we must not despair. We
must not In a case like Mexico-for It
differs from the Central American re-
publics-take such action as shall give
them to believe hat we are moved by
selfish purposes or rouse them to OPP
position to US.
1--WE must avoid in every way that
which Is called intervention and use all
the patience possible, with the prayer
that some power may arise there to
bring about peace throughout that great
country. We have to take precautions
and these have been taken.
"'But ] have no sympathy-none at
all, and the charge OF cowardice does
not frighten me-with that which
prompts Va for purposes of exploitation
ana gain to invade another country and
involve ourselves In a war the extent
OF which We could not realize and the
sacrifice OF thousands of lives and of
millions or treasure. and then, when We
had succeeded. what?
mo, We must exercise patience in
q concrete case like this
you direct attention to tho treatment
OF ne clergy in Mexico and especially
to outrages alleged to have been COM
United upon nuns by the soldiers OF tho
present Government of Mexico. There is
no ofncial record OF n single proved
case or this dastardly crime in the files
OF the Department Of State. There have
been many unsubstantiated reports OF
this nature, but non of our consuls or
special agents who have diligently in
vestigated reported cases has been able
to verify them. 1t was said that Mt
Zacatecas a great many OF tho nuns
had been outraged. Our special agent.
who was sent there 10 make inquiries.
after n Thorough investigation covering
two weeks reported that he had not
been able to confirm the report.
Reports Of Attacks Not Proved,
1T Is true that the nuns had already
lott Zacatecas. but they had gone 10
vera cruz. where they remained until
november, when they were sent by THIS
government on a steamer to the United
states, During all the time OF their stay
In Vera Cruz-and they remained there