The Topeka state journal., 1916-08-01

Sno" our regard Tor special knowledge
ara experience. 1 propose that we
snail make the agencies of our diplo-
matte intercourse, in every nation
worthy CT the American name.
Blunders I'm Mexico.
The dealings of the administration
with Mexico constitute a confused
cnapter of blunders. We have not
heiped Mexico. She lies PROSTATE. i'm
poverfshed, famine-stricken, over
"nelmed with the woes and outrages
OF internecine strife, the helpless vic
TIM OF a condition of anarchy which
the course of the administration only
served TO promote. For ourselves, we
nave witnessed the murder of our citi-
zens and the destruction of their prop
.y. we have made enemies. not
lrlenos Instead of commanding re-
spect and deserving good will by sin
cerity, hrmness and consistency, we
provoked Misrepresentation and deep
resentment In the light of the con-
ouct or the administration no one
couio understand its professions De-
irving interference, we interfered most
,,t enatsperatinsiy- We have not even kept
OUT OF actual conflict, and the soil of
mexico is stained with the blood of
our soldiers. We have resorted to
physlcaI invasion, only to retire with
out gaining the professed object. 1t
Is record which cannot be exam
of
humiliation.
When the administration came into
power Huerta was exercising authority
as provisional president of Mexico
u! ne was certainly in fact the head of
the government of Mexico. Whether
VI llot ne should be recognized was a
ouestion to be determined in the exer-
cise OF sound discretion, but accord
ing to correct principles. The presi-
ueIit was entitled to be assured that
there was at least a de facto govern
nent; tnat International obligations
would De performed: that the lives
ana property of American citizens
would nave proper protection. To at
tempt, however, to control the domes-
TIC concerns of Mexico was simply in
tervent1on, not less so because dis
claimed The height of folly was to
have vacillating and ineffectiye in
terventlon. which could only evoke
pltterness and contempt, which would
1ail to pacify the country and to assure
Ieace and prosperity under a stable
ted. we do not palliate them. We make
no defense of Huerta. But the ad-
m1nistration had nothing to do with
the moral character of Huerta, If in
.act ne represented the government of
Mexico. We shall never worthiIv
prosecute our unselfish aims or serve
humanity, by wrong-headedness So
rar as the character of Huerta is con-
cerned, the hollowness of the preten-
slons on this score Is revealed by the
70 aW9fnInistration's subsequent patronage
OF Nllla (Whose qualifications as an
assassin are indisputable), whom an
parently the administration was ready
to recognize had he achieved his end
ana fulfilled what then seemed to be
its hope.
Tried to Control Mexican Politics.
Ihe question is not as to the nom
recognition of Huerta. The admins
lratlcn ola not content itself with re-
tus1ng to recognize Huerta, who was
recognized by Great Britain. Germany.
rance, Russia, Spain and Japan. The
administration undertook to destroy
to control Mexican politics.
even to deny Huerta the right to he a
candidate for the office of president
at the election the administration de-
With what bewilderment
must the Mexicans have regarded our
their own affairsl In the summer of
1913, John Lind was dispatched to the
City of Mexico as the presidents
personal spokesman and representa-
tive" to the unrecognized Huerta in
order to demand that the latter e.imi-
nate himself. 1t was an unjustifiable
most offensive to a sensitive
people. John Lind fingered lrritat-
ngly- The administration continued
to direct its efforts at the destruction
IL
In the spring of 1914. occurred the cap
ture of Vera Cruz. Men from one of our
ships had been arrested at Sampico and
had been discharged with an apology But
our admiral demanded salute. which
wns refused. Thereupon the president went
armed forces Of the United States. Without
waiting for the passage of the resolution
Vera Cruz was seized. 1t appeared that
about to enter that port. There was a
na atural opposition to this invasion and
killed. This. of course. was war Our
lead soldiers were praised for dying like
heroes in a war of service. Later, we re
tired from Vera Cruz. giving up this
noble warfare. We had not obtained the
salute which was demanded. We had not
with ammunition which could not land at
Vera Cruz had soon landed at another port,
without interference Recently the naked
trnth was admitted by a cabinet officer.
We are now Informed that 1--WE did not go
he flag" We are told that we went there
to show Mexico that we were in earnest in
our demand that Huerta must CO." That
IS. we seized Vera Cruz to depose Huerta
The question of the salute was a mere pre-
text.
Failed to Perform Duty.
Meanwhile. the administration utterly
failed to perform its obvious duty to Sc
-ure protection for the lives and property
IF our citizens. 1t is most unworthy to
SUR those who have Investments in Mexico
N order to escape n condemnation for the
nom performance of this duty. There can
De no such escape, for we have debate,
md there can be no debate. to the ex-
stence of this duty on the part of our
Let me quote the words of
The Democratic platform of 1912: THE
rights of American citizens
should protect them on our borders. and
90 with them throughout the world, and
,very American citizen residing or having
% and must be given the full protection
If the United States government. both for
himself and his property. The bitter
hatred aroused by the course of the adj |
multiplied outrages. while our
failure to afford protection to our citizens
evoked the scorn and contempt of Mext- |
ans. Consider the ignominious Incident
It Tampico In connection with the capture |
If Vera Cruz. In the midst of the greatest |
danger to the hundreds of Americans !
at Tampico. ships which |
we're in the harbor were withdrawn and |