The Farmington times., 1916-10-06

clans and editors there is considera-
BILE confusion with respect to modern
American Mexican history. Some of
them seem to think that the Mexican
problem is the creation of the Dem
ocratic administration, that it is a
Wilson problem" The truth is it
is Americas problem, and it was as
much Taft problem as it has been a
Wilson problem, and in the event of
Mr.. Hughes election n would be a
Hughes problem. 1t is very likely
that as Mr.. Wilson handled the prob
lem much as Mr.. Taft did, Mr..
Hughes method of handling it would
not differ materially from that of
Mr.. Wilson.
Let us take glance at the record.
Mr.. Taft became President on March
A, 1909. Within twenty months after
Mr.. Taft's inauguration, trouble in
serious form broke out in Mexico, and
during all Of the balance of his ad-
ministration this trouble continued.
On November 8, 1910, there was
rioting in Mexico City. The American
flag was destroyed, the windows of
American residences and business
houses were broken. A street car
containing American school children
was stoned and the son of the United
States ambassador was assaulted.
These disturbances continued during
November 9th.
On November 10th there was riot
ing at various points in Mexico.
American consulates were wrecked and
the records of the consulates were de-
stroyed
On November 18, 1910, the Madero
revolution broke out and from that
date on there was general disorder
in Mexico.
On March 7, 1911, twenty thousand
United States regulars were mobil-
lied along the Mexican border.
On April 13, 1911, Mexican forces
took Aqua Prieta, opposite Douglas,
Arizona. In Douglas, Arizona, three
Americans were killed and five were
wounded.
On April A, 1911, Mexicans again
attacked Aqua Prieta, half the town
of Douglas, Arizona, was under fire
of Mexican guns. On that occasion
seven Americans were wounded.
Governor Sloan of Arizona called up
on President Taft for the protection
of Americans. The President re-
piled declining to take military ac-
ton.
On October 10 and II, 1911, Mexican
rebels attacked and captured Juarez.
One thousand American troops pa
trolled the American border in Ell
Paso, Texas, five Americans were
killed and seventeen wounded.
On May IL, 1911, Secretary of State
Knox sent to Mexico City note de-
nying that the United States intended
to intervene.
On March 20, 1912, rifles were sent
to the American legation in Mexico
City for the protection of American
citizens. American colonists in North
ern Mexico focked across the border,
and there was great damage to Amer
lean property by the Mexican mobs.
On April IA, 1912, the State de-
partment warned Madero and Orozco
against further outrages to American
lives and property.
That all occurred prior to the pres
idential election or 1912.
On December A, 1912, President
Taft, in a message to Congress, de-
scribed his Mexican policy. which was
practically the same as Mr.. Wilson's
has been, and he called it the policy
of "patient non-intervention."
On February 8, 1918, there was an
uprising against the Mexican govern
ment in Mexico City. Many days OF
street fighting followed. Several hun
dred Mexican civilians were killed, in
cluding two American women.
1t was in February, during Presi-
dent Taft's administration, that Mad
ero was killed and Huerta demanded
recognition; but there was no recog-
milton of Huerta and no Intervention
under the Taft administration.
On March 15, 1911, few days
more than two years after President
Taft was inaugurated and about two
years before his term expired, Pres.
ident Taft addressed letter to the
chief of staff, and in that letter he
declined to do the very thing Repub.
licans are denouncing President Will
son for not doing.
Following is an extract from Pres
ident Taft's letter:
"The assumption by the press that
l contemplate intervention on Mexican
soil to protect American lives or pro.
perty, is of course gratuitious, because
l seriously doubt whether | have such
authority. ...... Indeed, as you
know, / have already declined, with
out Mexican consent, to order troop
of cavalry to protect the breakwate1
we are constructing just across the
border in Mexico at the mouth of the
Colorado river to save the Imperial
Valley, although the insurrectos have
scattered the Mexican troops and were
taking our horses and supplies anC
frightening our workmen away"
On April II, 1911, the Governor Of
Arizona sent a telegram to the Pres
ident, reading in part as follows;
GAS result of today's fighting
across the international line, but with.
in gunshot range of the heart of Dou.
glas, five Americans were wounded
on this side of the line. ..... In my
judgment radical measures are need
ed to protect our innocent people.
It will be impossible to safeguard tht
naOnIa of Douo1ac ,inlace fha fo4yY, bt