The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-04-18
HOUSE NOT
FRANK ABOUT MEXICO
New Light Thrown on
the Naval Department
Blunders.

WASHINGTON. April lS.-After
emphatically denying for several days
that Carranza had demanded the with
drawal OF American troops from Mex
lean territory, the White House was
forced to admit by the newspaper
publication Of the ext OF Carranza's
message that he had. Coincidentally,
with this admission came news Of the
clash between American and Carranza
troops and civilians at Pa-ral. which
greatly increased the anxiety Of the
military authorities regarding the fate
OF all or portions of General PERISH
ing's command. Furthermore there
has come the disclosure that the
White House misstated the facts
when it announced that Carranza had
consented TO the entry OF American
troops into Mexico in pursuit OF Villa.
The text OF Carranza's ote now made
public shows that he consented only
III the event OF another raid following
that at Columbus 10 this governments
sending nm armed force after Villa.
With that indirectnesS which Is II
of the chief characteristics OF this Ad
ministration President Wilson lnstruc-
I'd Secretary Lansing to ignore the
condition prescribed by Carran2a and
IL uttSuhAC 40 Ndi dAlGh iNitoCAlACN
o the punitive expedition. Mr.. AN
ing did so but Immediately thereafter
eft for Hot Springs to take "a much
ieeded rest" n step which caused
tmaZement at the time. In view Of the
delicate situation with regard to
Mexico, but which now seems to he
explained by the unwelcome task set
l?m by his chief.
No Change of Policy.
When the news of the conflict 1t
narral was first received 1t was admit
cd nj the White House hat perhaps,
liter all. the American troops would
nc withdrawn. but 1t was stated that
he policy would be decided On at Fri
avs cabinet meeting and the decision
announced thereafter. After the cab
net meeting yesterday it was gravely
nnouncGd that with regard TO Mex
leo there will be no change OF policy.
What that means everyone must guess
Tor himself as there has never been
INV consistent Mexican policy since
Mr.. Wilson's efforts to drive Huerta
ut OF Mexico proved successful and
IS the most astute Judge of internat-
Onal affairs can discern no principle
II the administration in its dealings
18th Mexico which has endured more
ian "a hours. Neither the President
or his secretary would explain what
vas meant by mo change IN policy.
bSence OF change ~
ven when 1t was suggested tti:. an
complete change.
Daniels Not to Blame.
That Josephus Daniels, Secretary Of
he Navy, is not primarily to blame for
The gagging of navy officers and for
most Of the egregious blunderS he APP
%narently has made in the charge made
~ Henry Reuterdahl, the greatest eN-
pert on the American navy. MIR. Reu.
terdahl charges that many have long
inspected that Woodrow Wilson Is re-
iponsible for most of the Daniels
breaks" and that Daniels Is just the
type of little man which Mr.. Wilson
, likes to have in his cabinet. lie pos
! Sesses neither dignity nor character
md is so delighted as simply being in
Inc cabinet that he cheerfully does
whatever the President tells him 10.
iruics the fact with alacrity, accepts
he blame co%nlplacantly and does not
even demur when, as happens from
time to time. the President turns on
him and kicks him. Aside from the
fact that no man knows the inner
workings of the navy so well ms Mr..
Reuterdahl, further color Is given to
his charge by the fact that Mr.. Will
son quarreled with Secretary Gnrri-
son. who was a radically different
type. a real man and forced him out
of the cabinet, while he hangs on to
Daniels despite the wealth of criti-
cism which his retention entails; by
the fact that the President adopted a
course which forced John Bassnett
Moore. the ablest diplomat III the Dem