The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-16

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lations Of the United states. long deemed
OF trifing consequence, are recognized
as vital. How can this nation. which
loves peace n intends justice, avoid
the curse OF militarism and at the same
tint preserve its Independence, DEFEND
Its territory. protect the lives and lib
erty and property OF It's citizcns' How
can we prevent the same principles OF
action. the same policies OF conduct. the
same forces Of military power which
are exhibited in Europe from laying
hold upon the vast territory and prac-
tically undefended wealth of the New
World?
Can we expect immunity? Can We
command Immunity How shall We play
our part in the world? Have selfish liv-
ing and factional Quarrelling and easy
prosperity Obscured the spiritual vision
OF our country? Has the patriotism OF
a generation never summoned to sacri-
fee become lifelees? IL our nation one
or a discordant multitude Have we
still national ideals? VIII anybody live
for them? Would anybody die for hem
or are we all for ease and comfort and
wealth at any price?
Confronted by such questions as these
and the practical situations which give
rise to them, Ia the country satisfied to
tTuft ltSelI again VI tWc heiiuS VI NV
Democratic party"
Responsibility Of Power.
When q President and Secretary OF
state have been lawfully established In
office the power Of initiative in foreign
affairs rests with them. The nation Is
In their hands. Theirs is the authority
and theirs the duty to adopt and act
,.,~o~ s,osi,tou a,shtag IN stirh Laws as
Congress may enact within constitu-
tional limits. Parliamentary opposition
can take no affirmative step can ac-
complish no affirmative action.
The expression OF public opinion can
do nothing except as II produces an IN
fiuence upon the minds Of those oficers
who nave the lawful power TO conduct
our foreign relations. Their policy IL
the country's policy because 1t is they
who are authorized to act for the coun'
try. While they are working out theii
policy all opposition. all criticism. al
condemnation. are at the risk OF weak.
ening the case Of ones country ana
frustrating the efforts Of its awful rep
resentatives to succeed in what they are
seeking TO accomplish for the country's
benefit.
An American should wish the repre-
sentatives Of his country To succeed
whatever may be their party, unless
there be wrongdoing against con.
science. However much he may doub'
| the wisdom OF their course he sh"ulo
help them where he can and refrain
from placing obstacles in their way. bu'
! when the President n Secretary o'
, state have acted and seek a new grant
Of power they and the party which IL
responsible for them must account to'
their use Of power to the people IRON
! whom II anne. and the people must pass
Judgment, upon them. and then fun and
frank public discussion becomes TN
citizens duty.
Wilson and M~xir".
The United States had rights amt
| duties I'm Mexico. More than 1000" -
our citizens had sought their fortune
and made their homes there. A Thousand
millions Of American capital had heel
invested in that rich and productive
country and millions Of income From
these enterprises were annually returned
10 the United states not merely FOR tn
benefit OF the investors but for the en-
richment Of our whole country and "A!
its production and enterprise.
BUT revolution had com" and f~actiona
warfare was rife. Americans had hee'
murdered. American property had beef
wantoniy destroyed. the lives and prop
erty OF all Americans in Mexico were II
danger. That was the situation whei
MIR. Wilson became President in March
1918.
His duty then was plain. 1t was. frs'
to use his powers as President to secur
protection FOR the lives and property q
Americans in Mexico and Ia ieauir
that the rules of law and stipulation
Of treaties should be observed by Mexic
toward the United States and its citizens
His duty was. second. as the head of
foreign Power, to respect the indep.nd
ence OF Mexico, to refrain from All In
reference with her internal affairs, froi
all attempt AT domination except ~ h
was justified by the law Of nations ia
the protection of American rights.
The President of the United state
failed to observe either of those dutie'
lie deliberately abandoned them bot
and followed an entirely different an
Inconsistent He interviewed /
Mexico to aid one faction in civil strif
against another. He undertook TO pu
down Huerta and set Carranza up /
his place. Hueyta was IN possession
. He claimed to be the constitutional Pre-,
ident OF Mexico. He certainly was II
de facto Presidert OF Mexico Right
or wrongly, good or bad, he was there
Pullinx Down uurrtR.
From the north tarrauza and Il rrou
Of independent chieftains were endeaNo
ing to pull down the power of Huert
President Wilson took sides with the
In pulling down that power. in Angus
, 1918, through John Lind. he presented
Huerta n communication which was
substance u demand that Huerta shou'
retire permanently from the iovcrnmel
Of Mexico. when Huerta refused Il
: power Of the United States was appli,
to turn him out Foreign nations We
!, induced to refuse to his Government Il
loans OF money necessary to repair u
ravages Of war and establish orde
Arms and munitions OF war We're free
furnished to the northern forces ar
withheld from Huerta.
3 Finally the President sent our arm
: and navy to invade Mexico and captn
: its great seaport, Vera CRUZ. and no
II and throttle Mexican un'
= Huerta fell. The Government OF Il
Z United States interviewed in Mexico
= control the Internal affairs of thaf il
dependent country and 10 enforce Il
= will Of the American President in tho
affairs By threat. by economic pressu
and by force Of arms.
= Upon what claim of right did this u
tcryention proceed Not TO secure r
tee, the lives or property Of our citizens
not to assert the laws OF nations not
compel observance Of the Law Of huma
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