Honolulu star-bulletin., 1916-02-16
u. 5. HONOR HAS
been SMIRCHED
DECLARES ROOT
Former Senator From New
York Excoriates Administra-
tons Supine Policies
COUNTRY MADE LAUGHING
STOCK OF WHOLE WORLD
Keynote of Coming Campaign
is Sounded at 6. 0. P.
State Convention

fASSociat1d Press by fodof9 WueleSsI
NEW YORK, N. Y, Feb. 16.-That
the United States has lost the respect
OF the world by its failure to protest
against the invasion and destruction
OF Belgium and by making threats
which were not fulfilled, as well as by
her supine policy in Mexico, was the
gist OF the address made by former
Senator Elihu Root, temporary chair.
man Of the Republican state conven.
tion here last night.
The address, which was received
with thunders of applause by the dele
gates and the crowd present, was re-
garded as the keynote Of the coming
Republican campaign, and IL hailed
as such by the newspapers IN their
editorials this morning.
Taking up the history Of the present
administration, Mr. Root first attack
ed Mr.. Wilson's failure to foresee "
necessity of backing up American dip
lomats In Mexico, and later In Europe.
The absolute need Of military force 70
make good the demands of the ENJOYS
and representatives Of the country
abroad was so self-eyident after the
arise Of the troubles In Mexico, declar-
ed the speaker, that 1t is almost Inn
possible to understand how public
official, In close touch with the situa-
tion, could have failed to perceive the
necessity. Nevertheless, the admins
until driven by public sentiment to
the southern republic, added Mr.. Root,
until driven by, nubiic sentiment to
send down to Vera Cruz force who'll
" inadequate for. the task that II
might have been called upon to per
form, and then after losing q number
of American lives had submitted
tamely to the demand for withdrawal
and backed out Of Mexico without
gaining the object for which Ameri.
can sailors had died and American
treasure had been expended.
xdmlnis,rstion Io1ored outrsoes.
But worse was to come, added the
speaker. The killing OF American
citizens and the destruction Of Amer
fcan property In Mexico had become
almost q habit with certain classes
OF Mexicans, and the administration
had quietly ignored the outrages
where possible, and when not possible
to do that had almost openly condor.
ed them, making friends with one OF
the warning factions of the frevolu-
tion-torn land, when Il found that that
faction was likely to gain the upper
hand without outside assistance.
II had submitted to the defilement
OF the American flag. while at the
same time uttering vain boasts and
threats OF what would happen II the
Mexicans were not good. The whole
world, Mr. Root asserted, was covert
ly laughing at the United States be-
cause OF the sorry figure America had
cut in foreign affairs.
I'VE have threatened and then fail.
ed to carry out our threats" said Mr..
Root. sand as q result the word and
faith Of the United States abroad is
q thing for mockery.
'In Europe, America has gained an
even worse name. Party though the
United States was to the treaty which
was intended TO insure the security
of little Belgium from the horrors OF
a German invasion, not voice was
raised against the callous breaking
OF that treaty by another signer OF
the compact, nor has there been a
word said, even 20 the present time.
nor q step taken officially to assist
the victim Of the war. There Is no
blacker mark against the United
States than this supine indifference
TO the sanctity OF treaty obligations!'