The Washington herald., 1915-01-07
LODGE ATTACKS
wilson POLICY
Condemns Presidents Man.
ner of Dealing with Mex
lean Situation.
STONE DEFENDS WILSON
Massachusetts, Senator Declares Ex-
eeutive Has Been Aetuated by Per-
sonal Animosity Toward Huerta.

The lid was lifted from the Mexican
situation in the Senate yesterday. and
Mexico is likely to hold the center OF
the stage in the Upper House Of Con-
gress for the next few days, and per-
haps weeks. For a long time RepubIi-
cans have been chafing under the silence
| they had imposed upon themselves in
lregard to President Wilson's policy to-
ward the southern republic, but now
they have decided to speak out, and the
administrations record will be subjected
TO keen review by Senators Lodge,
Root. Borah and others, who are best
qualified to comment on foreign af-
| fairs.
| The attack upon the administrations
attitude toward Mexico was begun yes
terday in a notable speech by Senator
Lodge, of Massachusetts. Mr.. Lodge
charged that President Wilson really had
had no policy toward Mexico; that his
actions had been aimed at the overthrow
of an individual, not the protection of
American life and property in the south
ern republic-that the President had, in
short, been actuated by animosity toward
Huerta. Senator Lodge coptended the
United States now is reaping its reward
for what 1t had done in MeXico-is con-
fronted with bloodshed anil disintegration
of all social organizations and anarchy.
He boubted whether any policy short CT
military occupation could now be en-
ployed with effect by the United States.
Senator Stone, chairman OF the Foreign
Relations Committee, replied to the
Massachusetts Senator accusing him Of
attempting to stir up religious strife
for partisan purposes, in imitation OF
Col Roosevelt. He served notice he
would reply at length ON the Mexican
situation later.
Senator Borah Joined in the debate long
enough to give notice he no longer would
consent to remain silent on this subject.
He announced he would have much to
say on the failure Of the Wilson admins
tration to protect American citizens
abroad and on the wisdom of continuing
the present policy of inaction.
Senator Lodge began his speech by
reviewing developments in the Mexi-
can situation from the overthrow of
Madero. Commenting on the sending
of John Lind to Mexico by President
Wilson, Mr.. Lodge said Lind's instruc-
tions involved the demand in the nature
of an ultimatum upon Gen. Huerta that
he should abdicate.
1T is not usual" said Mr.. Lodge, "in
entering into negotiations, no matter
how informal and no matter how in
formal an emissary's position may be.
to demand of the head Of a government
with whom that emissary Is to COM
municate, that he should abdicate.
Such a demand crudely stated laid us
open to a telling retort, and that is the |
reason why the letter of the then Sec |
retary OF Foreign Affairs in Mexico |
was so successful a. a reply
Senator Lodge said he was never in |
clined to find fault with the refusal to /
recognize Gen. Huerta, but he did con- |
ha he raFV
was based.
We had an absolute right on inter |
national grounds" said Senator Lodge, |
ito refuse recognition, but when we |
said to another nation that we object
ed to the man at the head of its gov
ernment because he was a person OF
obnoxious character. We intervened in
the affairs of that nation"
Upon the failure of the Lind mission, |
Senator Lodge contends President Will |
son had added to his feelings personal |
resentment because Gen. Huerta had |
refused to obey his demand.
In support Of his statement that the |
Presidents conduct toward Mexico con-
stituted an animosity, not policy, Sen
ator Lodge pointed to the resolution
which came from the White House for
Congress to pass giving the President
power TO take proper steps against Vic
toriano Huerta."
THAT resolution" said Senator Lodge,
was passed by a genial and compliant
House, but the Senate was unwilling to
put the United States in the attitude of
taking a step which might very well
mean war by declaring against an indi-
vidual by name. The United States in
war with Victoriano HueTta did not COM
mend itself to the Senate, as a title for
our action, and the name OF Gen. Huerta
disappeared from the resolution"
Referring to the occupation Of Vera
Cruz by American troops, Senator Lodge
said he had heard the President had been
informed before the landing there would
be no resistance and that We would peace
fully take the port.
That" said the Massachusetts Senator,
''is only a sample of the manner in which
his agents subtracted from the sum Of
human information when they reported
TO him. But after the bloodshed and the
taking II seemed to the onlooker that the
was very much disturbed.
Il did not seem to have much stomach
Tor the unexpected fight that had arisen
and took shelter under the Niagara con-
ference.
The conference never could have had
any results, for the United States and
Huerta sent representatives to 1t, while
the other party in Mexico sent none.
However, the conference enabled us to
escape further fighting, and for that we
may be duly grateful"
Senator Lodge pointed out that the
object of sending the troops to Vera
Cruz was to obtain reparation for an
insult to the flag at Tampico, and also
10 stop the landing Of cargo OF arms
here.
Having called attention to the fact that
nineteen lives were sacrificed at Vera
Cruz Senator Lodge added:
IT do not know what has become of
he reparatlon for the insult to the flag.
4 II has been made I never have heard
II II. My own impression Is that II