Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1916-08-03

Dor were WlthdTaWn ana our citizen
were saved only by the Intervention
of German officers and were takel
away by British and German ships
Destroying the government Of Hu
erta, we left Mexico to the rayages o
revolution | shall not attempt t
narrate the sickening story of the bar
barities committed, of the carnival o
murder and lust. We were then tot
that Mexico was entitled to spill as
much blood as she pleased to settle
her affairs The administration vacil
lated with respect 20 the embargo or
the export of arms and munitions to
Mexico There was an utter absence
of consistent policy.
For a time we bestowed friendship
on Villa. Ultimately we recognized
Carranza, not on the ground that he
had a constitutional government, but
that it was a de facto government.
The complete failure to secure protec-
tion to American citizens is shown
conclusiyely in tie note Of the secre
tary of state of June 20 1916.
THE Santa YsaDel massacre, the
raid at Columbus, the bloodshed at
Carrizal, are fresh in your minds.
After the Columbus raid we started
punitive expedition. We sent a thin
line Of troops hundreds of miles into
Mexico between two lines of railway,
neither of which we were allowed to
use and which we did not feel at lib
erty to seize. We were refused per-
mission to enter The towns. Though
thus restricted, the enterprise was
still regarded by the Mexicans as
menace. Our troops faced hostile
forces and it Is not remarkable that
our men fell at Carrizal What other
result could be expected? We were
ordered to withdraw, and
without accomplishing our purpose we
have been Withdrawing and we are
now endeavoring to safeguard our own
territory The entire national guard |
has been ordered ont and many thou
sands of our citizens have been taken |
rom their peaceful employment and |
hurried to the Mexican border The |
was to seize and pun
sh Villa for his outrage on our soil
I has not punished any one We went
n only to retire and future move
nents are apparently to be deter
mined by joint commission.
Difficulties to Surmount.
THE nation has no policy OF ag-
ression toward Mexico We have no
esire for any part of her territory
We wish her to have peace, stability
nd prosperity. We should be ready
o aid her in binding up her wounds,
4 relieving her from starvation and
istress and in giving her in every
racticable way the benefits or our I
friendship. The conduct
this administration has created diff
culties which we snail have to sur
lount We shall have to overcome I
ne antipathy needlessly created by {
lat conduct and 10 develop genuine '
espect and confidence. We shall e
ave to adopt new policy, policy
firmness and consistency through c
hich we alone can promote an en- L
lring friendship We demand from t
exico the protection of the lives and t
lie property of our citizens and the r
,curity of our border from depreda I
ons Much will be gained II Mexico t
convinced that we contemplate no d
eddlesome interference with what b
les not concern us. but that we pro c
,se to insist in a firm and candid n
amer upon the performance OF m Il
irrational obligations. To a stable Il
appropriately discharg- "
e its international duties. we should Il
We ungrudging support. A short 81
riod Of firm, consistent and friendly o.
aling will accomplish more than r,
any years Of Nacilation.'
, Faltering With American Rights. t.
the European war and tc
e maintenance of American rights, NJ
r Hughes declared that national IT
curity demands that there shall he m
faltering with American rights" D;
he said: d,
I'VE countenance no covert policies, n,
secret schemes. We are unreserved If
devotedly and whole heartedly for "
e United States. That is the rally tn
: point for all Americans. That is ell
: position. stand for the unfinch- he
: maintenance Of all American tn
hts on land and sea. 70
Our Mission as Neutral Nation.
We have had clear and definite
ssion as a great neutral nation. 1t tn
S for us to maintain the integrity aT
international law. to vindicate our VI
hts as neutrals to protect the 20
es of our citizens, their property by
d trade from wrongful acts. At bo
st we were entitled to the safe of
arding of American rights. But de
s has not been secured. We have fol
brave words in a series OF notes. sta
despite our protests the lives of in
lericans have been destroyed. alb
lat does it avail to use some OF the su
ongest words known TO diplomacy
can receive the I'M sal