New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-18
Likening of Patriots
to Villa Bandits
Starts Protest
6. A. r. CHAPTER
DENOUNCES HIM
Members Declare He Is
Unfit for Cabinet
Place

The defence which Secretary OF war
Newton D. Baker offered for Mr.. Will
sons Mexican policies on Monday
night found quick response yesterday
from patriotic Americans-but hardly
the response Nr. Baker could have
wished for.
In a speech in Jersey City, the Sec
rotary likened the Mexican revolution
lists TO the Continentals who fought
with Washington. He admitted the
Mexicans were a rascally lot, but said
their actions were those of all rebels.
The patriots Of the American revolu-
ton looted churches and drove minis
ters from them on their famous march
to Valley Forge, he added.
Protests have come from far and
near. The Empire State Society OF the
Sons of the American Revolution met
last night and adopted a resolution
condemning "in the strongest terms
the unpatriotic language Of the Sec
retary OF War" Members of the society
were outspoken in their denuncia-
tion. Some declared that unless his
remarks were repudisted at once by
President Wilson a movement should
be started to force the Secretary's res
ignstion.
Friend of Bakers Joins
The Empire State Society meeting
WAS in the Waldorf-Astoria. In the
chair was Louis Amin Ames, president
of the society, a Democrat, stanch
supporter OF the Administration and
a close friend Of Secretary Baker. He
was asked il he had any personal COM
ment to make on the action OF the head
of the War Department.
at is all told in the resolution said
Mr.. Ames. "The resolution was passed
unanimously, SO it embodies my views
The resolution follows:
Whereas, II is reported in The New
York Tribune this morning that Secre-
tary of War Baker, at a public meeting
held in Jersey City last night, used the
following language rejecting upon the
character Of the members OF Washing
tons army at Valley Forge, and likened
them to the present Mexican revolu-
tionists:
"I know that the MeIicans do not
respect American life and property,
said Mr. Baker. 4 know that they do
not pay their debts, that they are rag
amuffins, that they desecrate Church
property, that their money is no good
and that they are generally worthless.
But people never respect those things
In revolutions. We did not respect
them in our Civil War. Washingtonh
soldiers in the march TO Valley Forge
stole everything they could lay their
hands on; took the silver vessels out OF
the churches and sold them to buy
drink. They drove ministers out OF the
churches. Their money was worthless
and they were just as bad characters
as the Mexicans.'
"Resolved, That we, the descendants
Of the patriots Of the Revolution, con
denim IN strongest leimo wv
cite language Of the Secretary OF war,
and direct that a copy OF this preamble
and resolution be sent TO him..
Glad He Couldn't Come
Some time ago Secretary Baker was
invited TO be the guest Of honor and de-
liver an address at the annual banquet
Of tho society, which will be held on De-
cember 1S, to commemorate the evacuA-
tion Of New York by the British troops
n. declined because Of q conflicting en-.
oagement. It was tho consensus OF
opinion at last nights meeting that
tbjs saved embarrassment all around;
The resolution was presented oy Jonh
H. Burroughs, treasurer OF the Ns-
tional Society of the Sons OF the Amer
lean Revolution and head OF j. n: BUR
roughs & Son, bankers, at 10 William
There are times" said Mr.. Bur
rouohs' "when silence is golden. There
.re other times when silence would DIS
locate YOUR conscience. Every time we
Gather we pay homage to the Revolu-
Sonary fathers, whose patriotism
whose sacrifices and whose dcvotion
cave us country. Yet it has remained
70 . man high in the circles OF our gov
~.t-.d IN nare g. column