Mountain advocate. (Barbourville, Ky.) 1904-1935, 1916-09-29
WILSON'S PERU
| PROTECE IS WORSE
Il THAN HUERTA
Recognized Benayides as Presi-
dent After He Had Obtained
Power In a Sister Republic
e. Treachery and Violence.
ACT DOES NOT SQUARE WITH
SNUG DlCTUM IN HIS SPEECH

Latin American Diplomats Amazed
When Thoy Read the Presidents Elk.
PLANTATION of His Mexican PoIiey-in-
formed Their Governments That Mr..
Wilson's Personal Whims Doubtless
Were to 30 His Guides In Conducting
This Governments Latin American
Policy.
Latin American diplomats are amaz-
ed at the statement I'm President VIII
sons speech of acceptance: so long
as the power of recognition rests with
me, tho government of the United
States will refuse to extend the hand
of welcome to any one who obtains
power in II sister republic by treachery
and violence"
This Is the presidents explanation
Of his refusal TO recognize Huerta and
Of his Mexican policy. Yet the records
show that President Wilson has de-
liberatcly violated this dictum In sew
eral Instances since the case of Uuerta
arose.
The most fragrant example was the
presidents recognition extended to
Colonel Benavides, head of the revolu.
tionary government In Peru, in Febru-
AIRY, 1914. His government was found
ed on assassination, established by as
sassination and had no vestige of con-
stltutional authority back OF 1t. 1t
came into power on Feb. 4. 1914, when
Colonel Benavides led the garrison
troops against the national palace at
Lima, imprisoned President Billing.
hurst and assassinated the minister Of
war and all others who opposed the
coup detat.
More fragrant Than Mexico.
Minister McAIillin reported these
facts fully to Washington and assum-
ed that this government would de-
cline to sanction the newly establish.
ed regime. The case was identical
with the Huerta case In Mexico, ex-
cept much more fragrant violation Of
the spirit of popular government HUI.
erta had Madero and Vice President
Suarez imprisoned, but he became
president OF Mexico under provisions
Of the constitution providing for the
succession OF the minister of foreign
affairs upon the disability OF the pres
ident. Huerta's accession to the pres
idency was confirmed by the Mexican
congress.
Benavides came into power simply by
killing those who opposed him. His
acts had no basis whatever in the con.
ctt Af hn
confirmed by the Peruvian congress.
His sole backing was junta Of con.
spirators, which forced their will on
tho unapproving people By means of
ready ride bullets. Under these cir
cumstances Minister McAlillln natural.
ly assumed that President Wilson
would have nothing to do with Bena-
Ydes and his tunta. The president
shortly before this had stated in a
speech at Mobile, Ala: 1--WE must fol.
low the course of high principle not
expediency, no matter what the pres
sure. To do otherwise would be I'M
true to ourselves"
Envoy is Surprised.
Mr.. McMillin was therefore mildly
surprised when lie 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 sim
ply said that "expediency dictated the
recognition Of the revolutionary gov
eminent Of Peru" He told his advisers
that he had not liked the personality of
Billinghurst. Ho was chagrined also
with the news that Billinghurst had in.
tended TO dissolve the Peruvian con.
Sress. which the President said would
wye been an unconstitutional act.
attn American diplomats at the time
Ne astounded to learn Of the Presi.
deut's action in Peru. They found that
It was impossible to know where the
president stood on any matter Of prln.
clple and informed their governments
that tho Presidents personal whims
doubtless wero to DO his guidance In
conducting this governments Latin
American DOlicy