The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1916-03-30

the lives and rights Of our citizens. No
tag ts so dishonored and no citizenship
so little worth the claimin: in Mexico
az ours. And that is why we have
failed in Mexico.
Policy Of "Watc',fu, .Nyaitino."
IncreuihIe as 1t scri..>. llurgi}! h"n
hrrn turned cut by The assistance of
the AMERICAN government without amy
a,!;tllnlles from the men who were T."
bc set up In his place. and so the NIL.
drring and burning and ravishing lr,s"
gone on to this day. After Iluert"
had fallen and the Vera Cruz expr",
ton had been withdrawn President
Wilson announced that no one WIS
entitled to Interfere in the affairs OF
Mexico: that she was entitled to settle
them herself. He disclaims all re-
sponstbility for what happens in Mex.
leo and contents himself with a pol
icy OF watchful waiting. And for the
death and outrage. the suffering and
ruin of our own brethren, the hatred
and contempt for our country and the
dishonor Of our name in that land the
administration at Washington shares
responsibility with the inhuman brutes
with whom it made common cause,
When we turn to the administra
TONS conduct of foreign affairs Incl.
dent to the great war in Europe we
cannot fail to perceive that there is
much dissatisfaction among Ameri
cans Dissatisfaction il not in itself
ground for condemnation. The stu
alton created by the war has been diff
cult and trying. Much Of the CORE
spondence Of the state department.
especially since Mr.. Lansing took
charge. has been characterized by ac
curate learning and skillful statement
of specific American rights.
Three Errors In European Policy.
A study of the administration pol
icy toward Europe since July. 1914.
reveals three fundamental errors: First.
the lack OF foresight to make timely
provision for backing up American di
plonlacy by actual or assured military
and naval force: second. the forfeit
ture of the worlds respect for our as
sertiun of rights by pursuing the policy
OF making threats and failing to make
them good; third. a loss of the moral
forces of the civilized world through
failure to truly interpret to the world
the spirit of the American democracy
in it's attitude toward the terrible
events which accompanied the early
stages OF the war.
First, as to power:
When the war in Europe began free,
peaceable little Switzerland instantly
modified upon her frontier a great
army Of trained citizen soldiers Stur
dy little Holland did the same. and
both have kept their territory and their
independence inviolate.
Great. peaceable America was farther
removed from the conflict. but her
trade and her citizens Travelled OH ev
cry sea. Ordinary knowledge of Eu
ropean affairs made it plain that the
war was begun not by accident. bu,
with purpose which would not soon b.
reinquished. Ordinary knowledge OF
military events made it plain from the
moment when the tide Of German7inva
sion turned from the battle Of tho
Marine that the conflict was certain tc
he tong and desperate. Ordinary knowl
edge of history-Of our own history
during the Napoleonic wars-made i
plain that in that conflict neutral right,
would be worthless unless POWERFUL,
maintained.
The Democratic government at Wash
did If flfhnrc ii
and their opinions found voice. NJ,
Gardner urged it. MI Lodge urged it
Mr.. Stimson urged it. Mr. Rooscve!
urged it, but their argument ana III
gency were ascrihcd to political .nu
tives, and the president described then
with sneer as nervous and excited
Wilson Has Shifted Ground.
But the warming voices would not b
stiIled. The opinion that we ought m
! longer to remain defensclcss bccam
t public opinion. Its expression grey
more general and insistcnt. and fina!l
I the president. not leading. but follow
? ing. has shifted his ground. has revers
!, ed his position and asks the country t
J prepare against war. God grant tina
he be not too late. But the Democrat
] ic party has not shifted its ground
large part of it's members in congress
! are endeavOring now to Sidetrack tn
? movement for national preparedness
to ;nuddle it by amendment and tur
it into channels which will produce tn
least possible result in the increase q
national power Of defense VIVA
sense of effectiveness in this effort ca
: we gather from the presence of .'oS'
plus Daniels at the most critical pos
Z of all--the head Of the navy depar
u meut-when we see that whel
= preparation has been possible 1t hi
not been made. when We see that COZ
e struction Of warships already autho
lied has not been pressed and in SON
. cases after long delay has moi eve
~ heen begun!
" II an increase OF our country's pow'
=" to defend itself against aggression
Inv tho nrornp% rnOlvrpSR