The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-31
ATTACK OF 7. R.
UNDER SKIN OF
ADMINISTRATION
Democrats Afraid to Discuss
His Mexican Article.
Federal Officials Pay Silent
Tribute to Arguments.
SEEK TO COVER UP FACTS
Party Leaders Fear a Presiden-
tiaI BugabOO.
They Don't Want Public In
terested in Mexican Middle.
Federal Officials Pay Silent
Tribute to Arguments.
SEEK TO COVER UP FACTS
Party Leaders Fear a PreSiden-
tial BugabOO.
BY WILLIS j. ABBOT.

Washington. March 31.-Colonel
Roosevelt need not rear that his Wig
orous discussion of Mexican affairs
has fallen on deaf ears in Washington
though its reception seems attended
by dumb tongues It has been read
by federal officials of the highest
grade and they pay to it the highest
tribute possible in such controversy
they are afraid TO discuss it
The only official who will say a
word on the subject for publication is
Secretary of War Baker. He is new
to the Wilson cabinet. which explains
his courage But all that even the
audacious Baker would say was that
it was remarkable that Colonel Roose-
welt so far from the things he was
speaking Of knew more about them
than those who had opportunities to
know the facts
Afraid of Issue.
To the suggestion that perhaps the
colonel knew no more, but was more
willing TO face the facts frankly than
those who are engaged in conce2l1ng
them from the public. Secretary Baker
made no response
If there is anything which the Of
fetal body in Washington detests it is
discussion of the Mexican situation
The military censorship at the Meu-
can border is supplemented by official
reticence and an attempted govern
mental gag of the press here The de-
mauds made by senators in public
statements that the administration
should make known all the informa-
ton it possesses concerning the Ameri-
can instiga1ors of Mexican outlaWry
have evoked no response
Colonel RoOseveIt's more emphatic
demand. with its recapitulation of the
murderous offenses committed by
Me1icans for which according to the
president Americans must have been
responsible. is apparently TO be ig-
nored in the same way.
Gals II Advertisement
One of the highest officials of the
administration, one who shares closely
with the president responsibility for
Mexican conditions, put aside the
Roosevelt statement with the flippant
remark that he had read part of it,
but that as a general rule, he was not
interested in advertisements This is.
of course, part of the policy which has
steadily ascribed all effort of public
men to force efficient action for the
establishment of order in Mexico
either to their possession of materials
interests in that country or else their
desire to build up g. presidential boom
in the Mexican issue
Apparently the administration is
sorely afraid of that issue in the COM
ing election II strives by every
method to keep it out of public dis
cussion. There is a growing feeling
here that the effort to revive the
crisis over the U-boat operations Is
intended largely to divert public at
tention from the issue of Mexico.
U-Boat Subterfuge.
There is no beseeching of the public
for patience in this matter. The pres
ident has not discovered that the Ger
mans are a proud and sensitive peo-
ple'' like the Mexicans, whose senti-
meuts must not be offended by news
paper discussion Indeed. the gate
way to information and discussion of
the U-bOat controversy is opened wide.
Just as that to discussion OF the sit
uAtion on the Mexican border is
clamped tight 1t is clear enough
which path the administration desires
public attention to follow.
Republicans in the senate comment
on the Roosevelt statement in a way
that does not suggest that they regard
II as emanating from the candidate of
a rival party. It, indeed, expresses
only a little more forcibIy Just what
such senators as Lodge and Borah
have already said in public.