The copper era and Morenci leader., 1916-07-28
WILSON'S MEXICAN POLICY

Those who are prone to criticize, even condemn, the policy of President Wilson toward Mexico, are asked to read what Secretary of the Interior Franklin K. Lane, has to say of this policy. Secretary Lane, as a member of the presidents cabinet, is perhaps better qualified than any other man, to give an unbiased opinion of the presidents policy toward the revolu- tion-torn republic. MT. Lane says: l President Wilson's Mexican policy IS one of the things of which, as a member of his administration, 1 am most proud. It shows so well his abounding faith in humanity, his pro found philosophy of Democracy and his unshakable belief in the ultimate triumph of Liberty, Justice and Right. He has never sought the easy solution of any of the difficult questions that have arisen in the last three years. i1e has always sought the right solu- tion.
 MT. Wilson's Mexican policy has not been weak and vacilating. It has been definite and consistent, firm and constructive. How firm is already known to those who have sought to force American intervention in Mex ico; how constructive will best be ap- preciated fifty years from now by the whole world It was to Mexico per haps more than to anything that the president referred the other day when he said that he was playing for the verdict of mankind
 .''The policy of the United States to- ward Mexico is a policy of hope and of helpfulness, it is policy of Mexico for the MeXicans. That, after all, is the traditional policy of this country :.
 Mexico will never be nation in any real sense, nor will the Mexicans ever be a people of agricultural, con- mercial, industrial or political conse- Guence until the individual Mexican has had an economic and an educa- t-onal chance. He must be tied to Mexico, and not to landlord, by the ownership of a piece of land; he must be able to read and write, so that he knows what the needs of civilization are. This policy is that which I char acterized as policy of hope and hope lulness. It is not founded on doubt and despair. It refuses to recognize the Mexican who can only be shot into keeping order.
 If we despair of these people, who is to be their friend? Are we Ameri- cans to see Mexico forever remain a iand of a few rich and cultivated gentlemen, and 12,000,O00 half-starved ill-clothed and illiterate peasants men, women and children, kept in slavery and sub lection and ignorance a people into whose lives comes noth. ing that raises them above the beasts cf the field?
 The people of the United States cannot conceive of such conditions Is It not time to try another policy than that of force alona, which has failed so miserably and wrought such woei Is President Wilson to be criticised because he believes it is not ideal istiC, not outside tbe range of reason able hope, to think of America as the helpful friend of Mexico? Why may not Mexico be led 10 see that we are honest in our willingness to help anG that we can do it2
 President Wilson has clearly seer the end that he desired from the first and he has worked toward it against aD opposition that was cunning and in tetasive, persistent and powerful. | he succeeds in giving a new birth ot freedom to Mexico, he most surely will receive the verdict of mankind.