Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-08-01

Ho" informed lnat VIC ana not go
to Vera Cruz to force Huerta to salute
the nag" we are told that we went
there ito show Mexico that we were
In earnest In our demand that Huerta
must 60" That Is. we seized Vera
Cruz to depose Huerta. The question
of the salute was Il mere prctext.
Meanwhile. tho administration ut
tcrly failed to perform it's obvious duty
to secure protection for the lives and
property Of our citizens. 1t Is most
unworthy TO slur those who have in
vestmcnts In Mexico in order to escape
n condemnation for the nonperformance
Of this duty There can be no such
escape. for VIC have no debate. and
there can be no debate. as to the exist
ence" OF this duty on the part OF our
government.
The bitter hatred aroused by the
course OF the administration multiplied
outragcs. while our failure to afford
protection to our citizens evoked the
scorn and contempt OF Mc1icans. Con-
slider the ignominious incident at
Tampico In connection with the aptur
OF Vera Cruz. In the midst Of the
greatest danger to the hundreds of
Americans congregated at Tampico. our
ships which were in the harbor were
J " ~ dhb VI 'lllLeuS were
saved only by the intervention of Ger
man officers and were taken away by
British and Gcrman ships. The official
excuse of the Secretary of the Navy
Is an cxtraordinary commentary Our
ships, II seems, had been ordered to
Vera Cruz: but. as II appeared that
they were not needed. the order was
rescinded. Then, we are told. our adj
miral was faced with this remarkable
dilemma. If he attempted to go up the
river at Tampico and take our citizens
on board. the word Of aggressive ac-
ton? as the secretary called il. would
have spread TO the surrounding coun-
try and It was almost certain that
reprisals on American citizens would
have followed and lives would have
been lost"
We had so ncensed the Mcxicans
that We could not rescue our own citi-
zcns at Tainpico. save at the risk OF
the murder OF others. We must take
Vera Cruz 70 get Huerta out OF Office
and trust to other nations to get our
own citizens out of peril. What 4
%travesty Of international policy!
Destroying the government Of HUI
erta. we left Mexico to the ravages Of
revolution. ] shall not attempt to
narrate the sickening story of the bar
baritics committed. OF the carnival Of
murder and lust. We were then told
that Mexico was entitled 10 spill as
much blood as she pleased to settle her
affairs. The administration vaciilated
with fespec, 30 the, embargo on the e1-
por, Of arms and munitions To
Mexico.
BESTOWED FRIENDSHIP
q 4 TIME on VILLA
For a time we bestowed friendship
or Villa. Ultimately we recognized
Garrau2a. not on the ground that no
had Il Constitutional government. but
that II was u dc factu government.
IN. complete failure 10 secure protec-
ton TO american citizens is shown con-
cluaiN,l, ia The note Of the Secretary
u: St-,e II Juuc -. 1915.
7r. ma; fs:bcl massacre. the raid
tatutilus, tie Ll""dshed at Car
.1..ir" fi'-h So Your minds. After
'r''! hlv raid 10 started Il punt
a, c'i;tru w. sen; "a Thin line of
.,- .i"l'. r""s "i miles Int" Mc:i"o,
.;N. :" .." lines "f railway neither OF
'.h'.i. ty allowed 10 use. and
W. Ii .e 90! act feel At liberty Z"
s,,c Nc wcr. refused permission 10
/ vil'.r 'liH in,Vns. Though thus re-
>trictci, the "Hicrprise was SUI re-
} : r 80! ly ihH MeNivans as a menace.
tnr ~ ops faced hostile forces. and II
is lpl lr.N'i ktblt llal our met Itii at
,"r":zal. What other result could he
'>r-"'-d. We were virtually ordered
10 withdraw. and, without accomplish
!ag oar purpose. We have been with
/ r.wiuE. and wc are now c~adcavorine
to safeguard our own territory. The
entire National Guard has been order
-i. ont, and many thousands of our
c~iti%enS have been taken from their
peaceful employment and hurried 10
the !icNicau border. The administra-
lion w..s 10 seize and punish Villa for
his outrage on our soil. 1t has not
punished auyonc we went in only 10
retro, aud future movements are APP
i'Irently To be determined by a Joint
commission.
me nation has no policy of agrees
"ioH toward Mexico. We have no de-
sire for any part of her territory. We
iSh hey To have peace. stability and
prosperity. We should be ready to aid
her ia binding up her wounds, in
relieving her from starvation and dis
iresa. and in giving her in every prac-
/ ticth;e way the benefits OF our dis
Interested friendship. The conduct of
;his administration has created diff
"ulties which we shall have to sur
mount.
Urges MAINTENANCE
OF RIGHT On LAND AND SEA
In this land Of composite population,
drawing its strength from every race,
the national security demands that
there shall be no paltering with
American rights. The greater the Ian
ger of diviSire influences. the greater
is the necessity for the unifyinE force
OF a just. strong and patriotic posi-
ton. We countenance no covert
policies. no intrigues. no secret
schemes. We are unreservedly de-
vo'edly. Enthusiastically. for the United
States. That is the rallying point for
All Americans. That is my position.
! stand for the unflinching mainte-
nance of all American rights on land
and sea.
We have had a clear and definite
mission as n great neutral nation. II
was for us to maintain the OF
International law: to vindicate our
rights as neutrals: to protect he lives
or our citizens. their property and
trade from wrongful acts. Putting
aside any question as to the highest
possibilities of moral leadership in
the maintenance and vindication OF the
law OF nations In connection with the
european war. at least we were en-
titled TO the safeguarding Of Amerl-
| can rights Rnt fhjc l,, 49,.