The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1916-02-01
RODERICKO. MATHESON EDITOR


from the attitude of one turning the other cheel
in rapid succession to man, as press repnrt
describe him, Gin fighting mood VI. q
Why has the President decided that the pre-
paredness which he thought IN. 1915 was not
pressing question Is now question so pressing
that he does not care about the details as Ions
as half million trained men can be secured il
the shortest possible time fs.si 81
1t is not because American rights on the higi
seas are meraced, because .sfneficah ships wets
attacked and captured year ago.
1t is not because American lives have beer
taken by foreign seamen, because that has becom,
almost commonplace, The incidents of the Fa
Iaba Gnlflight and Lusitania happened so long
ago. comparatively speaking that it is only wher
another note regarding them is either despatch
ed or received that the majority recall the wave.
OF indignation that swept around the White HOUSE
at the time 81. H. AK a .8,. \
1t is not because American lives are unsafe ~
Mexico Before Mr. Wilson was inaugurated ths
question OF the necessity for Mexican interven
ton was before the public, and intervention woule
have been inaugurated by President Taft if h,
had been less great man than he is Nothing
that has happened in Mexico during the past two
months is any worse than has been happenint
during the past two or three years, except tina
the contempt the Mexicans feel towards the Am
erican government and people is bit more openl.
manifested. 8BH H T.. +. =. I5
Why then, has the President, quite Of sudden
appeared as the champion alarmist? The cours'
upon which President Wilson has committed him
self is not one with which informed persons viii
disagree, even lacking the inside information
which has forced the President from the stant
which he took last year. Then he declared tina
now was no time for military activities and arm
ament increases in the United States, becaus
such might be msconstrued. The stand he hi
taken today is that now is the hour when Uncl
Sam must prepare to draw the sword or go ,lowr
without honor before some unnamed foe. Blu.
the man in theystreet is able to see nothing men
acing the honor Of this country which has no
menaced II for at least the past twelve months.
Can il be that President Wilson wants his hal
million reserves 10 protect Mexico from being
punished by some European Power willing I
assume what should have been Americas job
The United States is not going to do its duty sout
OF the Rio The President finds occasion to max
that clear in his present campaign for prepared
ness But an invasion of Mexico may come from
elsewhere than the United States, and then nu
Monroe Doctrine as it has been enlarged, may b
threatened. Does the President want an army ant
navy to prevent Mexico from outside interfer
ence in her year after year carnival Of loot muir
der and rape? ~ @ sg.,.
The San Francisco Argonaut, reviewing tn,
latest Mexican outrages against Americans, he
fore the President began his truth telling series
OF speeches on the need of more preparation 70
defense, pointed out the Mexican danger and TIL
position into which the Monroe Doctrine nigh
lead us, after peace has come in Europe, Tha
clever commentator says: %aTEt,s
1t is certain that but for the European the
hand of the United States in Mexico would have
been forced before Other countries have in
vostments in Mexico, if not in terms great as
own least large enough TO be regarded national
interests. England, Germany, g France have been,
sustained and chronic anarchy. Earlier in the
revolutionary period these countries held on out Of
consideration for our larger interest and, possibly
for pretensons under the Monroe Doctrine. They
have continued to leave Mexico alone, not because
they are satisfied with the situation there not be-
cause they any longer have faith in our will and
purpose to restore order, but under the stress OF
more grieyous troubles at home But is there any
body to doubt what will happen in Mexico mme
diately upon restoration of peace in Europef Will
England Or Germany or France, with organized
forces in hand, calmly sit by, witness this inhuman
riot and suffer the losses which il occasions, wait
ing upon us to take the initiativef Assuredly they
70 the situation in Mexico by the only means of
possible effectiveness must ultimately suffer the
humiliation Of seeing some European country take
find ourselves in situation fatal to high flown
pretensions. Our Monroe Doctrine viii go gimmer.
name free from a sense Of humiation. Our time
to act, il ever we to act in the of Mex
leo, is further course Of wRtehful waiting
must surely eliminate not merely in losses and
shame incidental to the anarchy in Mexico, but in
the sacrifice Of long and profoundly cherished ma
tonal tradition. & ts 1891 r.
The theory that the paei6eation Of Mexico under
American intervention would be very serious bust
ness from military standpoint is, We think
bogy. Ii might have been so during the troubles
immediately following the fall Of piaz, for at that
time the country resouTcefu, and all of its ele
ments were united in sentimental devotion TO the
ideal Of national independence But with process of
time and progress Of events the situation Is not what
IL was. The Mexican of four or five years
ago is nonexistent quantity. StagnatOn of
industry, the wastes Of war, paralysis Of confidence
these have destroyed the Onee vital sentiment of
Mexican nationality. The potent of the
country are in exile. What is left Of the wealth Of
infar initial