The Devils Lake world and inter-ocean., 1916-04-20

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the lives and rights of our citizens. No
nag is % dishonored and no citizenship
% little worth the claiming In Mexico
as ours. And that Is why we have
failed In Mexico
Policy Of "Watehful Waitins.s
Incredible as It seems, Huerta had
been turned out by the assistance Of
tho American government without any
guarantees from the men who, were to
be set up in his place, and so the mur.
dering and burning and ravishing have
gone on to this day. After Huerta
had fallen and the Vera Cruz expedi.
tion had been Withdrawn President
Wilson announced that no one was
entitled to interfere In the affairs Of
Mexico; that she was entitled to settle
them herself. He disclaims all re-
sponsibility for what happens I'm Mex
leo and contents himself with 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 1t 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 ia 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
fey toward Europe since July, 1914.
reveals three fundamental errors: First
the lack Of foresight to make timely
provision for backing up American di.
plomacy by actual or assured military
and naval force; second. the forfei.
ture Of the worlds respect for our as.
sertion 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 its 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
mobiized upon her frontier 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 on ey.
cry sea. Ordinary knowledge Of Eu.
ropean affairs made 1t plain that the
war was begun not by accident, but
with purpose which would not soon be
relinquished. Ordinary knowledge of
military events made it plain from the
moment when the tide Of German inva.
sion turned from the battle Of the
Marne that the conflict was certain to
be long and desperate. Ordinary knowl.
edge Of history-of our own history
during the Napoleonic wars-made it
plain that in that conflict neutral rights
would be worthless unless powerfully
maintained.
The Democratic government at Wash.
fngton did not see it. Others saw It,
and their opinions found voice. Mr..
Gardner urged it. Mr.. Lodge urged it.
Mr. Stimson urged it. Mr.. Roosevelt
urged 1t, but their argument and ur.
gency were ascribed to political mo-
dves. and the president described them
With a sneer as nervous and excited.
Wilson Has Shifted Ground. e
But the warning voices would not be
stilled. The opinion that we ought no
longer to remain defenseless became
public opinion. Its expression grew
more general and insistent, and finally
the president, not leading. but follow
ing, has shifted bis ground. has revers-
ed his position and asks the country to
prepare against war. God grant that
he be not too late. But the Democrat
fc party has not shifted its ground. A
large part of its members In congress
are endeavoring now to sidetrack the
movement for national preparedness.
to muddle it by amendment and turn
1t into channels which will produce the
least possible result in the increase Of
national power of defense. What
sense Of effectiveness in this effort can
we gather from the presence of Jose
phus Daniels at the most critical post
Of all-the head OF the navy depart
ment-when we see that where
preparation has been possible 1t has
not been made. when We see that con-
struct1on Of warsMps already author
Ted has not been pressed and in some
cases after long delay has not even,
been begun?
II an increase Of our country's power.
to defend itself against aggression III
authorized by the present congress Il:
must be largely through Republican.
votes hecAnRn al the t1ah1fAnna and.