The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-07-24
GIBBONS, 81, FOR
SWORD IN MEXICO
Cardinal, on Birthday, Urges
Intervention by United
States.
CONDEMNS KAISER'S ACT
Invasion of Belgium to Be Deplored.
Aged Churchman Says. Dis
cussing War.
CONDEMNS KAISER'S ACT

Baltimore. Md. July 23-Cardinal
Gibbons. on his s1st birthday today,
gave expression to some vigorous
views concerning the situation in Mex
leo. and declared that the time was
ripe for intervention. The cardinal
spent the day at the home of T. Her
bert Shriver, at Union Mills. and the
interview was secured from him by
W. L. w. Seabrooke, newspaper man,
So years old.
The first subject he touched on was
the Mexican question. which, as he
said, will not down. Speaking of the
practically unchanged conditions. so
far as our nation is concerned, he said
one year ago today we talked of the
then conditions in Mexico. and my
views have not changed" he said.
Warning Reached Mexico.
The interview I gave you that day
was published all over the world. and
came under the direct notice of Presi-
dent Wilson and Secretary Bryan. The
former sent United States Senator Lee
to confer with me on the subject, and
sent by him copies of kilograms which
he has transmitted to Carranza and
Villa, who were then acting in con-
cert, telling them that If they did not
get together for the best interests of
distressed Mexico it would be neces-
sary for the United States to employ
even forcible means ~or pacihcation.
Il expressed to Senator Lee my
gratitude for the courtesy of the Pres
ident, and my opinion that neither
Carranza nor Villa was capable Of
feeling the influence of lofty motives
of patriotism, and that they would not
heed his message.
Condemns BELGIAN Inyaniou.
THE end has justified. my opinion. I
am convinced that neither expostulation.
entreaty, nor advice will ever have any
effect on those who are now assuming
the leadership in Mexico. and I fear
that the sword is the only argument
that can have any weight and believe
that sooner or later some form of inter-
vcntion must be pursued by our country.
The greatest difficulty will be for our
President to find a Mexican who can be
placed at the head of affairs, unselfish
and patriotic. and for a time at least 1t
will be necessary for an American with
plenary powers to deal with the situa-
ton"
Speaking of the war in Europe. he re-
ferred to the differences of opinion as
to the source of responsibility for its be-
ginning, saying that by many its incep-
ton of the German Emperor, while those
who sympathize with Germany reply
freely that the commerce of Germany
was being threatened and restraint put
upon her legitimate hope of expansion
commercially. Personally. he expressed
no opinion on this question, but said that
the invasion of little Belgium was not
only to be deplored, but condemned.
Don't Need Big Army.
Had Belgium acquiesced TO the de-
mand of Germany and permitted free
of her armies they would have
ma rched straight to Calais and dictated
terms to the world. If the allies should
prove victorious Belgium should be re-
stored fourfold for what she has sacri-
feed. Our prayer goes up each day and
in all our churches that God may bring
to speedy end this dreadful war"
Asked what in his opinion Of the need
Of a strong standing army in the United
States he replied with unusual force:
I'VE do not want 1t. We do not need
it. Let the energies of our people be
directed to peaceful pursuits. Let each |
State have its thoroughly equipped and
well trained militia under the supervi- |
sion of the national government and We
will have an army if emergency should
arise. A well trained militia and aur
coast fully fortified and garrisoned is
wheat we need