The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-02-16

American life and honor we might
have been opposed but we should
have been understood and respected
by the people of Mexico, because they
would have realized that we were act
Ing within our Observation-Disclosures and
performing a nations duty for. the
protection OF its own people; but when
the President sent an armed force in
10 Mexico to determine the Mexican
presid entail succession he created re-
sentiment and distrust of motives
among all classes and sections OF the
Mexican people.
t with the occupation of Vera Cruz
the moral power of the United States
In Mexico ended. We were then and
we are now hated for what we did for
our feeble and irresolute failure to
protect the lives and rights Of our cit
Izens. No flag is SO dishonored and
no citizenship SO little worth the
claiming in Mexico as ours. And that
| Is why we have failed in Mexico.
"And for the death and outrage, the
suffering and ruin OF our own breth-
rem. the hatred and contempt for ou1
country, and the dishonor OF our name
In that land, the Administration at
Washington shares responsibility.
With the inhuman brutes with whom it
made common cause.
| q Mr.. Root turned to the Administra.
tons European policy; declaring that
some of the people were dissatisfied
for specific reasons. some with a
vague impression that our diplomacy
has been inadequate. SAt this point
IN his address the speaker enumerated
what he declared we're the admins
tratton's .'th=ee fundamental errors"
As to the first Of these-"lack OF fore
sight to make timely provision for
lacking UP American diplomacy by
actual or assured military and naval
force'-Mr. Root pointed to immedi.
ate mobilization by Switzerland and
Holland, and continued: 81
Ordinary knowledge OF European
affairs made 1t plain that the war was
begun not by accident but with pur-
nose which would not soon be relin-
duished. Ordinary knowledge OF mil
itary events made 1t plain from the
moment when the tide OF German in
yasion turned from the Battle Of the
Marine that the conflict was certain to
DO long and desperate. Ordinary
knowledge Of history-of our own his
tory during the Napoleonic Wars
made it plain that in that conflict
neutral rights would be worthless un-
less powerfully maintained. All the
world had fair notice that, as against
the desperate belligerent resolve to
onauer, the law OF nations and the
1aw OF humanity interposed no ettec-
tive barriers for the protection OF neu-
trail rights. Ordinary practical sense
In the conduct of affairs demanded
that such steps should be taken that
rbohind the peaceable assertion OF our
country's rights, its independence and
It's honor. should stand power, mani
fest and available, warning the whole
world that it would cost too much TO-
press aggression too fa:. The Demo.
cratic government at Washington did
i not see it. Others saw it and their
opinions found voice. Mr.. Gardner
urged it: Mr.. Lodge urged it; Mr..
stimson urged it; Mr.. Roosevelt urged
It; but their argument and urgency
we're ascribed to political motives and
the President described them with a
sheer as being nervous and excited.
"But the warning voices would not
be settled. The opinion that we ought
no longer to remain defenseless be-
came public opinion. Its expression
grow more general and insistent, and
finally the President, not leading, but
following, has shifted his ground, has
reversed his position, and asks the
Continued on page 81