Evening journal., 1916-08-01

, propose that we shall make the |
agencies OF our diplomatic inter-
course, in every nation, worthy of the
American name.
Mexico.
The dealings of the Administration
with Mexico constitute confused
chapter of plumbers. We have not
helped Mexico. She lies. PROSTATE,
Impoverished ADMINISTRATION, over
whelmed 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 our
selves, we have witnessed the murder
of our citizens and the destruction of
their property. We have made en-
emies. not friends. Instead of COM
handing respect and deserv-
ing good will by sincerity
firmness. and consistency, we
provoked misrepresentation and deep
resentment. In the light Of the con-
duct OF the administration no one
could understand its professions. De-
crying interference, we interefered
most comparatively. We have not
even kept out of actual conflict and
the soil OF Mexico is stained with the
blood Of our soldiers. We have re-
aorted to physical invasion, only to
retire without gaining the professed
object 1t is a record which cannot
be examined without a profound sense
OF humiliation
When the administration came ines
power Huerta was exercising authority
as Provisional President OF Mexico lie
=. was certainly in fact the head Of the
government of Mexico. Whether or
not he should be recognized was a
question to be determined In the ex-
ercise of sound discretion, but ac-
cording to correct principles. The
President was entitled TO be assured
that there was at least a de facto gov
eminent; that international obliga-
tons would be performed; that the
lives and property of American citi-
zens would have proper protection. To
attempt, however. TO control the do
nestle concerns of Mexico was SIM
ply Intervention. not less so because
+ disclaimed. The height of folly was
TO have a vacllating and ineffective
4 Intervention. which could only evoke
y bitterness and contempt, which would
fail to pacify the country and to as
sure peace and prosperity under a
committed, we do not palliate them.
We make no defense of Huerta. But
he administration had nothing to do
with the moral character Of Huerta,
Il in fact he represented the govern
ment Of Mexico. We shall never
.worthily prosecute our unselfish aims
or serve humanity. by wrong-headed-
ness So far as the character OF
Huerta is concerned, the hollowness OF
the pretensions on this score is reveal
ed by the Administrations subsequent
patronage of Villa (whosk qyalihca-
ftions as an assassin are indispntable)
D whom apparently the administration
vas ready to recognize had'he achieved
his end and fulfilled what then seem.
ed 10 be its hope.
The question is not as to the non
recognition Of Huerta. The admins
tration did not content itsef with re
: fusing to recognize Huerta, who wal
recognized by Great Britain, Ger
many. France Russia, Spain ant
Japan. The administration undertook
to destroy Huerta, 10 control MeXicai
politics, even 10 deny Huerta the RICH
- to be a candidate for the Office 0
- President at the election the admins
trasion demanded. With what bewild
erment must the Mexicans have re
garded our assertion of their right q
manage their own affairs. In tn
summer of 1918. John Lind wa
despatched to the city OF Mexico a
the Presidents personal spokesman
and representative" to the unrecog
nized Huerta in order 10 demand
that the latter eliminate himself.
was an unjustifiable mission, most Of
fensive to a sensitive people. Joh
Lind fingered irritatingly. The ad
mfpistration continued to direct it
efforts at the destruction of the onl
government Mexico had.
IN the spring of 1914, occurred tn
capture of Vera Cruz. Men from on
OF our ships had been arrested a
Tampico and had been discharge
with an apology. But our admire
demanded a salute, which was re
fused. Thereupon the President wer
10 Congress. asking authority to us
the armed forces Of the Unite
States. without waiting for the pas
sage of the resolution, Vera Cruz wa
seized. It appeared that shiploa
of ammunition for Huerta was abol
to enter that port. There was ma
ural opposition TO this invasion and
battle occurred in which ninetee
Americans and over a hundred Mex
cans were killed. This of course, wa
war. Our dead soldiers were praise
for dying like heroes in a war Of SCI
vice. Later, we retired from Nei
Cruz, giving up this noble warfar
We had not obtained the salute whic
was demanded We had not .obtaine
reparation for affronts. The sh
with ammunition which could NJ
land at Vera Cruz had soon landed
another port, and it's cargo was. d
Ivered to Huerta without interference
Recently the naked truth was a.
mitted by cabinet officer. We a.
now Informed that I'VE did not go
Vera Cruz to force Huerta to salu
the flag" We are told that we we
there Ito show Mexico that we we
in earnest in our demand that Huer
ms 60" That is, we seized We
Cruz to depose Huerta. The Questi'
of the salute was a mere preteXt-
Meanwhile. the administration u
terly failed to perform its obvious du
, TO secure protection for the lives al
property of our citizens. II is me
unworthy to slur those who have /
vestments in Mexico in order to q
cape condemnation for the mon pc
Torrance of this duty. There can
no such escape, for we havSn no deba
and there can be no debate. as to {
existence of THIS duty on the port
our government. Let me quote [