Evening journal., 1916-09-29
PRESIDENT IS course
ON PERU attacked
Said to Have Violated Prin-
cipIe Laid Down With
Respect to Huerta
EXPEDIENCY BACK
OF RECOGNITION

WASHINGTON, Sept 90 - Latin
American diplomats are amazed az the
statement in President Wilson's
speech Of acceptance: $50 long as the
power Of recognition rests with me
the Government OF the United States
will refuse to extend the hand Of
welcome to any one who obtains
power in a republic by treach-
cry and violence"
This is the Presidents explanation
of his refusal TO recognize Huerta and
of his Mexican policy Yet the rec
ords show that President Wilson has
deliberately violated this dictnm in
several instances since the case of
Huerta arose.
The most fragrant example was the
PRESIDENTS Reorganization extended 10
Colonel Repavides, head Of the revo-
lutionary Government IN Peru, in
February, 1914. His Government was
founded on assassination, established
by assassination and had no vestige
OF constitutional authority back cf IT,
II came into power on February T.,
1914. when Colonel Benavides led the
harrison troops against tho national
\lace at Lima, imprisoned President
4iliinghurst and assassinated the
mister Of War and all others who,
opposed the coup d'etat.
Minister McMillin reported these
facts fully 10 Washington, and assum'
ed that this Government would decline
n sanction the newly established
regime. The case was identical with
4he Huerta case in Mexico. except a
much more dagrant violation Of the
spirit Of popular government Huerta
had Madero and Vice-President Suarez
imnrisoned. but he became President
Of Mexico under provisions or the con
stitution providing for the succession
nf the Minister OF Foreign Anairs
npon the disability OF the President.
Huerta's accession to the Presidency
was conhrned by the Mexican Con-
gress
Benavides came into power simply
nv killing those who opposed him.
His acts had no basis whatever In the
constitution of the country, and were
not confirmed by the Peruvian Con-
rress. His sole backing wae a iunta
Of conspirators which forced their
viii .on the unapproving people by
means OF ready rifle bullets. Under
these circumstances Minister McMil-
lin naturally assumed that President
Wilson would have nothing 70 do with
Be- ides and his iunta. The Presi-
dent shortly before this had stated in
, q speech al Mobile Ala. I'VE must
follow the course OF high principle.
not expediency. no matter what the
pressure To do otherwise would be
untrue TO ourselves
Mr. McMnlin was therefore mildly
surprised when he was instructed by
President Wilson TO call on the newly
established Benavides and graciously
confer the recognition OF the United
States Government upon him.
In explaining this the President
simply said that "expediency dictated
The recognition % the revolutionary
government Of Peru" He told his
.-dvisers that he had not liked the
personality Of Rilllnghurst. He was
chagrined also with the news that
Billinehurst had intended 20 dissolve
the Peruvian Congress. which the
President said would have been an
Unconstitutional act =
Latin American diplomats az me
time were astounded 20 learn OF the
Presidents action in Peru. They found
that II was impossible 70 know where
the President stood on any matter Of
principle, and informed their Govern
nents that the Presidents personal
xhims doubtless we're 70 be his guild
4nce in conducting this Governments
Latin-American policy