The Washington herald., 1915-08-17
Past Policy of United States in Mexico
And a Glimpse of What Future Holds in Store

, eminent OF Gen. Huerta, but the time
being short before the going out or
his own administration and the COM
ing in of Mr.. Wilson's. he decided.
with a delicacy and amiabIe courtesy.
quite thrown away on the succeeding
State Department. to forego his un-
doubted right in the matter and leave
the question of recognition to his sac
cessor That was another case. Mr..
Taft was advised, in which. If Mr..
Roosevelt had been President he would
have no scruples. And in that case
the advisers were probably correct.
Mr.. Bryan in Charge.
Mr.. Bryan succeeded to the portfolio of
the Department of State in President Will
sons Cabinet and was given full control
Mr.. Wilson had other cares and troubles
of his own, with the place hunters, while
Mr.. Bryan being a versatile man could
attend not only to the rewarding of de-
serving Democrats. but could take full
charge of state affairs as we'll His first
act as Secretary of State was to refuse
recognition to the Huerta government in
Mexico. This was done not so much on
account of the alleged killing of Madero
by Huerta, of which these was no proof
even presumptive. but because Huerta
was not man Of good moral character
that lie was not a powerful man. More
over he drank brandy instead of grape
juice. 1t was decided by the State De-
partment not only that Huerta should
not be recognized as president of Mexico,
but that he should not become a candi-
date for the office in the approaching cleo
ton: also that he must be forced at the
dictation of the United States government
to quit the presidential chair at once.
And all this was decided by the De-
partment of State in spite of the sentI-
ment expressed in President Wilson's
message to Congress: I'VE do not desire
to control in any degree the affairs of
our sister republic. We would not
wish even to exercise the good offices of
friendship without their welcome and
consent. The people of Mexico are en-
titled to settle their own domestic affairs
in their own way. ana we sincerely de-
sire to respect their right" Meanwhile,
despite these expressions by President
Wilson. the Department of State con-
tinued to interfere in the affairs of "our
sister republic" by insisting on the depo-
sition of the head of its established gov
eminent in its capital city. where alone
order and peace were maintained-the
head of a government established by the
votes of its regular congress and main
tained by it. Further interference with
the established government in Mexico
City was continued by our own State
Department giving aid and comfort to
its enemies while murder. rapine and
loot went on merrily against Americans
and other foreigners elsewhere.
War Move by the U. s.
Finally. taking advantage of the mis-
take OF stupid Huerta subaltern In ar
resting boatload of American sailors,
who were quickly released with an
apology. petty dispute over the num-
Der Of guns in a salute to the American
flag was made the occasion OF actual war
on Mexico. in which the siege and cap
ture Of Vera Cruz by the United States
this action eighteen American sailors
and soldiers and more than one hundred
Mexicans lost their lives. Vera Cruz was
held by our forces as against any at
tempt to retake II by the Mexicans till
Huerta resigned the presidency of the
republic and left the country Eventu-
ally. under the advice of the Secretary
Of State. our forces were withdrawn in |
the interest of the peace dove and Vera |
Cruz was turned over to the Carranza |
faction. among the bandits who had |
helped in the overthrow OF Huerta.
And now what Is to be done? Mr. |
Bryan Is no longer in control of the |
foreign affairs of this country and cannot |
be held responsible for the continued |
strife, bloodshed and starvation as In the |
past in Mexico. President wilsonr or his |
new Secretary Of State. Mr.. Lansing. |
must shoulder the burden. A palfcy In |
distinct contrast to the peace" policy |
of the late Mr.. Bryan seems to be in or |
der. There are In the city of Washing |
ton at present, as for some time In the |
past, strong revolutionary juntas'' Of |
The two factions in Mexico. Carranxa and |
villa Equipped with plenty of money
heaven knows where Il comes from-and |
hey are said to be working day and /
night to get the United States govern
nent to aid them in obtaining control Of |
things. to the end that they may be /
allowed to tax whatever there may be |
EFT OF values in Mexico for their own |
selfsh uses. Carranxa just now II said |
o have the best chance for such favor
n account of his hAyinR cnnfxnl e - !