The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1916-10-05

Latin American diplomats are amaz-
ed at the statement in President Will
sons speech Of acceptance: $50 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 rec
Ords show that President Wilson has
deliberately violated this dictum in
several instances since the case Of
Huerta arose.
The most flagract example was the
Presidents recognition extended to
Col. Benavides, head of the revolu-
tiOnary Government in Peru, in Febru-
airy, 1914. His Government was found
ed on assassination, established by
assassination and had no vestige of
constitutional authority back of it. It
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-
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 much more fragrant violation
of the spirit Of popular government
Huerta had MaderO and Vice-Presi
dent Suarez imprisoned, but he be
came 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 tt
the Presidency was confirmed by thu
Mexican Congress.
Benavides came into power simpl!
by killing those who opposed him
His acts had no basis whatever in tn,
constitution of his country and were
not confirmed by the Peruvian Con
gress. His sole backing was junt,
of cOnspiratOrs who forced thei
will on the unapprOving people b!
means Of ready rifle bullets. Under
these circumstances Minister McAIil
lin naturally assumed that Presi
dent Wilson would have nothing t,
do with Benavides and his junta
The President shortly before this hat
stated In speech at Mobile, Ala.
I'VE must follow the course of higl
principle, not expediency, no matte
what the pressure. To do otherwise
would be untrue to ourselves"
Envoy 10 Surprised.
Mr.. McMillin was therefore midi,
surprised when he was instructed b,
President Wilson to call on the newl
established Benavides and graciousl
confer the recognition of the Unite,
States Government upon him.
| In explaining this the Presiden
simply said that "expediency dictate
the recognition of the revOlutionar
government Of Peru" He told his ad
visers that he had not liked the pei
sonality Of Billinghurst. He was cha
grined also with the news that BIZ
linghurst had intended to dissolv
the Peruvian Congress, which tn
President said would have been a
unconstitutional act.
Latin American diplomats at tn
time were astonished to learn Of tn
Presidents action in Peru. The
found that 1t was impossible to kno,
where the President stood on any maj
ter Of principle, and informed thei
governments that the Presidents pei
sonal whims doubtless were to be hi
guidance in conducting this Govern
| -art'c latin. A moricon nolicv