The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1916-03-28

his place peremptoriIy demanded thu
withdrawal of the American troops
The universal sentiment of Mexicans
required the peremptory demand, ant
the troops were withdrawn. Still
worse than that. the taking of Vera
Cruz destroyed confidence in the sin
cerity of the American government III
Mexico, because every intelligent mar
in Mexico believed that the avowed
reason for the act was not the real
reason. The avowed purpose was to
compel a salute to the American flag.
Three hundred MeXicans were report
ed killed; seventeen United States ma
rines were killed and many were
wounded. At that very time Mr.. Bry-
an, with the presidents approval. was
signing treaties with half the world
agreeing hat If any controversy should
arise it should be submitted to a joint
commission and no action should be
taken until after a full year had elaps-
ed. This controversy, slight as it was,
arose on the 9th Of April, and on the
21st Of the same month Vera Cruz
was taken. With the occupation of
Vera Cruz the moral power Of the
United States in Mexico ended. We
were then and we are now hated for
what we did to Mexico. and we were
then and we are now despised for our
feeble and irresolute failure to protect
the lives and rights of our citizens. No
flag Is SO dishOnOred and no citizenship
so little worth the claiming in Mexico
as ours. And that is why we have
failed In Mexico.
Policy of "Watchful Waiting"
Incredible as it seems. Huerta had
been turned out by the assistance of
the American government without any
guarantees from the men who were to
be set up in his place, and so the MUIR
and burning and ravishing have
gone on to this day. After Huerta
had fallen and the Vera Cruz expedi-
ton had been withdrawn President
entitled to interfere in the affairs of
Mexico; that she was entitled to settle
them herself. He disclaims all re-
sponsibility for what happens in Mex
leo and contents himself with a pol
of watchful waiting. And for the
leath and outrage, the suffering and
ruin Of u own brethren, the hatred
md contempt for our country and the
lishOnOr Of our name in that land the
administration at Washington shares
responsibility with the inhuman brutes
With whom it made common cause.
When we turn to the administra-
Hons conduct Of foreign affairs Incl
lent to the great war in Europe we
.annot fail to perceive that there is
much dissatisfaction among Ameri-
ans. Dissatisfaction is not in itself
ground for condemnation. The stu
ltion created by the war has been diff
.ult and trying. Much Of the CORE
.'pondence Of the state department,
specially since Mr.. Lansing took
has been characterized by ac-
,urate learning and skillful statement
# specific American rights.
Three Errors In European Policy.
A study Of the administrations pol
cy toward Europe since July, 1914,
eveals three fundamental errors: First,
he lack of foresight to make timely
provision for backing up American di-
by actual or assured military
md naval force; seconds the forfeit
ure Of the worlds respect for our as
Of rights by pursuing the policy
# making threats and failing to make
hem good; third, a loss of the moral
orces Of the civilized world through
allure to truly interpret to the world
he spirit of the American democracy
n its attitude toward the terrible
vents which accompanied the early
tages of the war.
First, as to power:
When the war in Europe began, free,
'eaceable little Switzerland instantly
nobilized upon her frontier a great
rmy Of trained citizen soldiers. Stur-
little Holland did the same, and
9th have kept their territory and their
inviolate.
Great. peaceable America was farther
emoved from the conflict, but her
and her citizens Travelled on ev-
ry sea. Ordinary knowledge Of Eu-
opean affairs made it plain that the
var was begun not by accident. but
nth purpose which would not soon be
Ordinary knowledge of
events made it plain fromsthe
when the tide of German inva-
ion turned from the battle of the
larne that the conflict was certain to
e long and desperate. Ordinary knowl-
dye of history-of our own history
uring the Napoleonic wars-made it
lain that In that conflict neutral rights
be worthless unless powerfully
.laintained.
The Democratic government at Wash
lgtOn did not sec. it. Others saw if