The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1916-02-28
wilson VIOLATES
Law, SAYS BECK
President Charged with Not
Needing Constitution in
Naming ENJOYS.
CITES LIND AND HOUSE
Executive Said to Have Sent Men to
Mexico to Tear Down Stable
Government.

Asking rs the Constitution only a scrap
of paper" James NJ. Beck, former AS
sistant Attorney General OF the United
States, has accused President Wilson OF
persistent and deliberate violation of the
spirit and letter OF the Constitution. IN
regard to the foreign policy of the United
States.
Reviewing the foreign policy Of the
President, Mr.. Beck charges that Presi-
dent Wilson, by assuming a prerogative
that Is expressly forbidden in the Constl-
tution-the appointing of foreign ambas-
sailors without the approval OF the Senate
is directly responsible for the revolu.
lions that have brought anarchy and
chaos into Mexico during the past two
years. and the discrediting of the am
oassadors and ministers to Europe.
Did Not Consult Senate.
Mr.. Beck. in an article written for the
New York Times. asserts that when Pres
ident Wilson took Office, a stable govern
ment existed in Mexico. The President
without consulting Congress or the SEN
ate, determined to destroy the de facto
government of Mexico. by refusing Ia
recognize It and preventing, through dip
lomatic channels, continued recognition
by any foreign nation.
AS a result OF this attitude" says Mr.
Beck. the originally feeble instruction
OF Carranza became more formidable and
thereupon Mr.. Wilson. without the con-
sent OF the Senate, sent two diplomatic
representatives to Mexico. One, John
Lind. to drive Huerta from power, and
the other. William Bayard Hale, to confer
in the name OF the chief magistrate, and
therefore in the name Of the country,
with Carranza
Mr.. Wilson explained to Congress that
he took the liberty OF sending Lind to
Mexico with instructions These instruc-
lions" continues Mr.. Beck. I'm substance
were to offer the good services Of our
country for the purpose OF disrupting the
only stable government In Mexico These
good Offices consisted OF unwarranted in
reference in the internal affairs. by re-
curing a special presidential election at
which, by the edict OF President Wilson.
Huerta was ineligible.
This, In substance, was war against
the existing government OF Mexico and
waged without the sanction OF Congress
to such success that It finally succumbed.
and since then Mexico has been IN a state
Of chronic anarchy.
Exercised Forbidden Power.
THE appointment OF Col. House as
Ambassador Plenipotenttary and Extra
ordinary to all Europe is still more
striking instance of his usurpatlon OF
power. The wisdom or folly OF Col
Houses mission |. unIm portant, II the
power exercised is in defiance Of the Con-
stituion. but the effect OF such an ap-
pointment is to demoralize the whole dip
lomattc corps OF the United States in one
OF the most vital crises OF history.
IT Col. House has any previous e1.
perience, which qualities him to be tbs
ambassador to all Europe, the worlC
knows It not He may have all the quail,
ifcations OF Franklin, Talleyrand ant
Metternich combined. but the fact still
remains that in accrediting him a diplo
matte representative the President has
exercised the very power which tho Con
stltution withholds from him
The fact that little or no criticism
has been directed to this usurpation Of
power and that even the Senate, once sc
Jealous OF its perogatives, is also silent
fully justihes the humilIating inquiry:
rs the Constitution a scrap Of paper?