Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-06-24
Watterson on Mexico
Louisville Courier-Journnl.

1t is not true, as in his recent vociferous cam
paign for the presidential nomination Theodore
Roosevelt insisted, that Woodrow Wilson is re-
sponsible for all the evils that have come to pass
in Mexico. Some Of them he inherited from TAFT,
Others were unacceptable But it is true that the
policy of "watchful waiting" whatever may be
said in its favor, bred first and last many misad-
ventures 1t was blunder in the FIRST place. II
was pursued too long The trouble was that the
Wilsonian altruism had bit off morn it could
chaw."
TWAS very pretty quarrel as it stood when
we sent feet to Tampico and an army to Vera
Cruz. As for provocation there was even then
a-plenty. Had the president been more warrior
and less an academician he would have gone on
to the City Of Mexico, disavowng any subjugat-
ing purpose, but making it clear to all men that
we should not come out again until we had estab-
lshed law and order in Mexico, as we had estab
lshed them in Cuba. We might have done this
without firing gun. Instead we tucked tail and
came away, leaving first Villa to arm himself
and then Carranza so that now what was COM
paratvely easy job is beset by multiplied dfhcul-
ties and dangers. 1t is too bad, but the best OF
men will make mistakes
There is no good crying over spilled milk.
Nor has the Courier Journal disposition to twit
now is to strengthen his hand and support his
better-late -than-never change of policy from one
of INDIGESTION to one of thorough
There will never be stability of government in
Mexico and good neighborhood on the border
until the government Of the United States takes
the bull by the horns and addresses itself to the
work of setting up the one and revising the
other. The Rio Grande has never been fit
line Of frontier. We must 60 to the mountains
Arizona and New Mexico must be extended across
Sonora to the sea. We need Lower California
and Magdalena bay In our business and they are
Of small, if any, value to the Mexcans, whose ter
ritory is far too large for them to govern, even
if they had the capacity for self-government. In
short, not before we take over the country, as
we took over the Philippines, with view to its
Mexico be worth living in We do not mean or
wish to rob the Mexicans We are willing to pay
for whatever we acquire. The would put
Mexico out of debt, and, If meanwhile we sup
pressed brigandage and established order, the
new regime could start on its way rejoicing,
land of political volcanoes, stepped in ignorance
and degradation.
Truly we look upon the war before us with
solcitude and sorrow. 1t is lamentable that
we must go to war. But even the pacifsts at
inevitable as to Mexico, but that the rule Of
the survival of the mightest has not yet ceased
to play its part in mundane affairs. Every
where it is still force against force. The mil
lennum is nowhere in sight.
Nothing is left us to do but make the war
so vigorous that it will be short. We should
send an army to Vera Cruz at once. Whilst
Funston, Pershing & Co., are blazing the way
along the old Zachary Taylor line, Wood,
Scott, Bell & Co., should take up the old Win
field Scott line, repeating in 1916 the history
of l848. The president can only make good the
shortcomings Of his "watchful waiting" by get
ting move on now and showing that he is
neither "molycoddle' nor "pussyfoot," but
a leader Of men, and brave men, equal to
momentous situation, and also mighty duty
and transcendent opportunity.
So, the Courier Journal, neither in wrath nor
in glee, but in solemn earnest, cries up with the
flag sound the bold anthem, and may the God of
issue of life or DEATH