News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1916-10-04
WILSON'S PERU
PRO7EGE IS WORSE
THAN HUERTA
Recognized Benaddes as Presi-
dent After He Had Obtained
Power In a Sister Republic
by Treachery and Violence.
ACT DOES NOT SQUARE WITH
SNUG DICTUM IN HIS SPEECH

Latiu fNHneTICdn DiPioHldtS TnaAcS
When They Read the Presidents Elk
PLANTATION of His Mexican PoIicy-ln-
formed Their Governments That Mr.
Wilson's Personal Whims Doubtless
Were to Be His Guides In Conducting
This Governments Latin American
Policy.
Latin American diplomats are amaz-
ed at the statement in President Will
sons speech of acceptance: 80 long
as the power of recognition rests with
me, the government of the United
States will refuse to extend the hand
of welcome to any one who obtains
power in sister republic by treachery
and violence"
This is the presidents explanation
Of his refusal to recognize Huerta and
Of his Mexican policy. Yet the records
show that President Wilson has de-
nberately violated this dictum in sew
eral instances since the case of Huerta
arose.
The most fragrant example was the
presidents recognition extended to
Colonel Benavides, head Of the revolu-
tionary government in Peru. in Febru-
airy, 1914. His government was found
ed on assassination, established by as
sassination and had no vestige of con-
stitutional authority back Of it. 1t
came into power on Feb. 4, 1914, when
Colonel Benavides led the garrison
troops against the national palace at
Lima, imprisoned President Billing
hurst and assassinated the minister Of
war and all others who opposed the
coup detat.
More fragrant Than Mexico.
Minister McMillin reported these
facts fully to Washington and assum-
ed that this government would de-
cline to sanction the newly establish
ed regime. The case was identical
with the Huerta case in Mexico, ex-
cept a much more fragrant violation Of
the spirit Of popular government HUI
erta had Madero and Vice President
Suarez imprisoned, but he became
president of Mexico under provisions
Of the constitution providing for the
succession Of the minister of foreign
AFFAIRS upon the disability Of the pres
ident. Huerta's accession to the pres
idency was confirmed by the Mexican
congress.
Benavides came into power simply by
killing those who opposed him. His
acts had no basis whatever in the con-
stitution Of the country and were not
confirmed by the Peruvian congress.
His sole backing was a junta of con-
spirators, which forced their will on
the unapproving people by means Of
ready rifle bullets. Under these cir
cumstances Minister McMillin natural
ly assumed that President Wilson
would have nothing to do with Bena-
vides and his iunta. The president
shortly before this had stated in a
speech at Mobile, Ala. 1--WE must fol-
low the course Of high principle, not
expediency, no matter what the pres
sure. To do otherwise would be un-
true to ourselves"
Envoy Is Surprised.
Mr.. McMillin was therefore mildly
when he was instructed by
President Wilson to call on the newly
established Benavides and graciously
confer the recognition of the United
States Government upon him.
In explaining this the President SIM |
ply said that "expediency dictated the |
of the revolutionary gov |
of Peru" He told his advisers
hat he had not liked the personality of |
He was chagrined also
With the news that Billinghurst had in |
ended to dissolve the Peruvian con-
yress, which the President said would
nave been al unconstitutional act.
3 Latin American diplomats at the time
we're astounded to learn Of the Presi-
lent's action in Peru. They found that
was impossible to know where the
stood on any matter of prin-
iple and informed their governments
hat the Presidents personal whims
were to be his guidance in
onducting this governments Latin
american policy.