The Detroit times., 1915-11-16
Ex-Minister to Mexico
Attacks Administra-
TONS Military Plan
u s. SHOULD
PREPARE AT ONCE
Governments Mexican
Policy Is Raped in
b. of c. Speech

Henry Lane Wilson. former am.
bassador TO Mexico and in the city
Tuesday 10 talk 10 members OF the
Board of Commerce on Mexico, has
no time for the pleas of the peace
advocates who argue against the
armament OF the United States.
IF the people who are opposed 70
military preparedness will study the
history OF the last two years he
declared at the Hotel Statler Tues
day morning. they will discover
now erroneous their views are. The
uudoubted cause of the laundering
mistakes committed by Great Brit
ain Ia her conduct of the war G.ld
ler failure 10 rise TO a standard
commensurate with her greatness
and power as an empire has been
solely her lack of military prepared.
ness
"rhe same thing may be said OF
Belgium and 70 a certain extent OF
Russia. II these nations had been
as efficiently prepared as were Ger
many and Austria the likelihood OF
armed clash would have been re-
mote. II was the invitation OF
weakness to strength and efficiency
which brought on the conflict and
which is today threatening the per
manence OF the British empire and
which has utterly annihilated Bel
-gium.
Another case in point is that OF
China. where a great nation OF 400,-
100000 of people Of peaceable and
Industrious tendencies has seen It's
rights invaded and it's sovereignty
treated with contempt by warlike
nation of 10000 900 of people.
do these things mean anything
TO an American who may hate war,
bat who believes We have something
here within the limits of this repub-
lie worth hghting for and worth sac
rifcing for?"
Mr. Wilson considers the plans OF
the national administration In re-
gard 20 preparedness 10 be OF more
use to the administration in the
campaign OF next year than to the
people in getting ready TO take care
OF themselves. IL extends over such
a time, he declares, that it would be
years before any effect were felt.
Another objection he raises is that
the administrations plans were de
vised by civilians, not soldiers.
complete preparedness plan.
based on defense primarily, is the
suggestion Mr.. Wilson makes. and
he thinks the plan should be work.
cd out by full military and naval
boards. as In European countries.
and not by civilians.
Before members of the Board or
Commerce after the regular Tues
day lunch. Mr. Wilson discussed
the Mexican situation, handling the
administration of his distinguished
namesake without gloves. He de-
clared he had always been opposed
TO American Intervention in Mexico,
but was coming TO believe that IL
would finally be necessary. lie said
regarding the recognition of Car
rama:
ITO properly understand the sig
rifcance of the recognition of Car
rama as provisional president OF
Mexico. II should be recalled that IL
was given out by the White House
three months ago that the policy OF
inaction announced by the president
in his indianapolis speech would be
aabndoued and that, &c efforts to
bring about a union OF the revolu-
tionary elements were not success
ful this government would then
feel compelled 10 actively intervene
In tho situation.
This announcement was followed
nv official consultation with the rep.
resentativcs Of certain aI.tin-Amer-
ican powers. but, as was anticipated
by all those familiar with condi-
tions I'm Mexico. no union was
brought about Carranza rebuking
this government and the Latin.
American governments for their
gratuitous interference. II then
cane about that the administra-
tion's attitude toward Carranza be-
gan 10 soften. and after a diligen.
propaganda through the press the
intention TO recognize the revoln-
tionary element headed by him was
announced That purpose has now
become an accomplished fact