New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-26

10 the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The Mexican situation should be con
sidered from two viewpoints; first the rights
of more than fifty thousand American cit-
zens. who went into Mexico many year; ago
under guarantees Of protection by treaty and
other obligation Of the United States and
Mexico, which involves the fundamental
principle of protection to Americans and
American rights in any foreign land. Sec
ond, the rights and interests OF humanity
and the duty Of the United States TO assist
the helpless millions in Mexico who are the
innocent victims of the intolerabe condition
prevailing in that country for the past three
years or more. In my opinion our govern
mont has been crminally deficient on both
propositions.
The Mexican problem is as far from solu-
tion to-day as it was three years ago. For
more than three years Mexico has been a
seething, sizzling anarchistic hell. For more
than three years there has been one con
tinuous series of egregious plumbers leading
this nation into the Mexican mire deeper
and deeper every day.
To he more specific, it seemed most absurd
Huerta officially and at the same time parley
with him for months in an unofficial way.
Hucrts either was or was not President Of
Mexico. Whether rightfully or wrongfuly,
he was the dc fscto President. He wa,
actually performing the functions of and
claiming to be the head Of the Mexican gov
ernment n he was not entitled TO official
recognition he was not entitled TO any rec
IGNITION or consideration.
Diplomatic Joke.
II was huge diplomatic joke Tor the
President OF the United States 10 deny
Huertas authority TO speak for Mexico in
one breath and in the next breath to try TO
compel him to salute the American flag for
Mexico. 1t was the acme of sbsurdity for
the United States to go to war against Mex
leo. take possession Of Vera Cruz and sscri-
fee the lives OF Americans, because one
alleged outlaw, whom the President refused
TO recognize, would not salute our flag, and
then withdraw our army from Mexico at the
dictation OF Carranza, another Mexican
usurper, with no more authority than Huerta,
who was committing greater outrages on
American citizens. II was pernicious activity
in Mexican politics and an evidence of weak
ness and ineficiency on the part of our gov
eminent calculated 70 encourage Mexican
contempt for American rights and defiance Of
the authority of the United States.
It was indefensible for the President 70
advise Americans in Mexico 10 seek safety
under the shadow Of the United States gun
boats at Tampico, and then order the gum
boats away and leave three thousand Ameri-
cans. men, women and children, who had fol-
lowed his advice, surrounded by Mexican
mobs. only to be rescued from their peril by
n T,,tfI
appeals TO our government through the
American consul and others for immediate
protection.
American Rights Surrendered.
at was a base surrender OF American rights
and the protection to American citizens, cal
cuated to embolden the already insolent and
defiant Mexican outlaws. The United States
should either have stayed out OF Mexico, or
should have gone into Mexico TO stay until a
legal and stable government could be estab-
| lished. II our army was rightfully in Vera
Cruz, II was cowardly and wrong TO leave
Vera Cruz as We did.
From the day Of the withdrawal of our
troops from Vera Cruz, to appease Carranza,
up TO the present moment, our people have
been subjected to the gravest indignities and
outrages at the hands of CarranZa and his
| followers, and other Mexican outlaws, both
in Mexico and on this side OF the border.
| For the first time in American history the
President has pulled down the American flag
and notified American citizens in "A foreign
land that they will receive no protection at
the hands of their own government For the
first time in it, history has our government
notified the lawlcss element in foreign coun-
tries that American citizens found in their
country may become their prey and the vic