The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1916-10-19
PERU PROTECE
IS WORSE THAN HUERTA
Recognized Benavides as Presi-
dent After He Had Obtained
Power in a Sister Republic
by Treachery and Violence.
ACT DOES NOT SQUARE WITH
SNUG DlCTUM IN HIS SPEECH


latin American Diplomats Amazed
When They Read the Presidents
Explanation of His Mexican Policy
Informed 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-
I'd at the statement in President VIII
sons speech of acceptance: $50 long
~ the power Of recognition rests with
me the Government Of the United
States will refuse to extend the hand
pf welcome to any one who obtains
power In a sister republic by treachery
and violence"
This Is the Presidents explanation
pf his refusal to recognize Huerta and
pf his Mexican policy. Yet the rec
BIRDS show that President Wilson has
deliberately violated this dictum IL
several instances since the case Of
Huerta arose.
" AAhP was llC
Presidents recognition extended to
Col. Benavides, head of the revolu-
4oHary Government in Peru, in Febru-
hry, 1914. His Government was found
I'd on assassination, established by
assassination and had no vestige Of
constitutional authority back of 1t. 1t
came into power on FEBRUARY 4, 1914,
when Col. 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 d'etat.
More fragrant Than Mexico.
Minister McMillin reported these
Facts fully to Washington and assum-
Cd that this Government would de-
cline to sanction the newly establish
with the Huerta case In Mexico, ex-
cept a much more fragrant violation
ut the spirit OF popular government.
Huerta had Madero and Vice-Presi-
Sent Suarez imprisoned, but he be-
same President Of Mexico under pro- |
visions Of the constitution providing |
FOR the succession Of the Minister of
Foreign Affairs upon the disability OF
The President. Huerta's accession to
the Presidency was confirmed by the
Mexican Congress.
BenaYides came into power simply
~ killing those who opposed him.
pais acts had no basis whatever in the
tcenstitution OF his country and were
confirmed by the Peruvian Con-
Uress. His sole backing was a junta
~ eonspirators who forced their
iwAn on the u~napproving people by
ineans Of ready ride bullets. Under
,Aese circumstances Minister McMil-
~ naturally assumed that Presi-
f1snt Wilson would have nothing to
~ with Benavides and his Junta.
H. President shortly before tAis hal
01ated In 4 speech at Mobile, Ala.
We must follow the course OF high
principle, not e~xpedleney. no matter
WHAT tho pressure To do otherwise
Fwsald be untrue TO ourselves"
Envoy II Surprised.
Mr.. McMiilin Was therefore mildly
surprised when he vas instructed BY
Wilson to call on the newly
established Benavides and g~raciously
confer the recognition Of the United
States Government upon him.
In explaining this the President .
said that "expediency dictated
the recognition OF the revolutionary
government Of Peru" He told his adj
visers that he had not liked the per-
.sonality Of Billinghurst. He WAS cha
grined also with the news that Bill
lingburst had intended to dissolve
he Peruvian Congress, which the
said would have beer an