New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-17
Mr.. Wilson's Wars: |

Middle West and IN the Suffrage
states on the platform "He kept US
out of war" This claim is based on
a half-truth-a pettifogging bubble.
1t is true that since Mr.. Wilson
has been in Office Congress has not
formally declared war against any
foreign nation. But the President
has, on his own initiative, repeatedly
engaged In war, without calling it
war. In two instances (when he
seized Vera Cruz in 1914 and again
when he invaded Chihuahua in 1870
Congress gave an er post fdcto ap-
proval to his military expeditions
and authorized him to employ the
armed forces of the United States
on foreign soil to attain whatever
objects he might have in view.
Those who say that Mr.. Wilson
"kept us out of war" haggle over
definitions. They contend that he
merely employed force in a pacific
manner. But any employment OF
force in violation of another nations
sovereignty is war. The Judge Ad-
vocate General of the Army has re-
Gently given official approval to Vat
tells definition of a state of war. 1t
is, says Vattel, "that state in which
we prosecute our right by force"
Mr.. Wilson has four times prosecuted
by force in foreign territory what he
considered the rights of the United
States-once in Hayti, once in the
Dominican Republic and twice in
Mexico.
In Hayti no authorization to use
force was ever asked of Congress.
Mr.. Wilson simply landed marines,
occupied Hayti's chief ports, over
awed the local factions fighting for
possession of the government and
finally recognized one faction pledged
in advance to ratify treaty which
should establish an American pro-
tectorate.
There can be no disagreement as
TO the facts in this case. Our gov
eminent had long been anxious to
put an end to anarchy in Hayti. The
failure of the republic to pay its for
eign debts or to settle claims brought
against it by foreign governments on
behalf of their nationals had led to
threats of European intervention and
to intrigues through which Haytian
harbors were to be put at the dis
posal of claimant nations, operating
through dummy holding corpora
tons.
The United States, in its own in
terest, demanded permission to in
tervene and straighten out Hayti's
finances. Ex-Governor Fort of New
Jersey was sent to Port-au-Prince
early in 1915 to negotiate an agree
ment. He failed, and Mr.. Paul Full
Ter, sent on a similar mission, also
failed. President Guillaume's policy
was strongly anti-American. But he
was assassinated on July 20, 1915,
Admiral Caperton was thereupon or
dered to land marines from the ar
mored cruiser Washington and to
maintain order until stable govern
ment should be established. He took
Port-au-Prince and later occupied
Cap Haitien, st. Marc and Port-de-
Paix. Our marines crushed out all
resistance, killing one hundred OF
more Haitians in various skirmishes
/ Six marines lost their lives in these
operations.
Having put down open opposition
our government installed and sup.
ported the Dartiguenave administra-
ton, pledged to accept an American
protectorate. The treaty putting
Hayti's finances under American con
troll and providing for a constabulary
differed by Americans was ratified
by both branches Of the Haitian Con
press late in 1915. 1t was ratified
by the United States Senate severa
months ago.
We are in Hayti to stay for twenty
wears at least. We have protected
American interests there, have dis
charged our duty under the Monroe
Doctrine 10 the nationals Of Euro
pean countries having claims agains'
Hayti and have put the semi-savag'
republic itself on the road to finan
cial and industrial rejuvenation. The
results of our Intervention have beer
excellent.
But it is absurd TO claim that these
results were obtained without draw
ing the sword. Diplomacy had failed
absolutely to obtain them. Force o.
arms was employed, and employed
openly, TO coerce Hayti into accepting
a protectorate. The present govern