The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1916-04-20

forces OF military power which are ex-
hiblted In Europe from laying hold
upon the vast territory and practically
undefended wealth OF the new world?
Have we still national ideals7 VIII
anybody live FOR thomI Would any
body die for themi Or are we all for
ease and comfort and wealth at any
price7 Confronted by such questions
as these and the practical situations
which give rise to them. Is the coun
Try satisfied to trust itself again In the
hands OF the Democratic party7
In,potsnt Interference In Mexico.
The United States had rights and
duties in Mexico. More than 10000 OF
our citizens had sought their fortunes
and made their homes there. A thou.
sand millions Of American capital had
been invested in that productive coun.
try. But revolution had come, and
factlonnl warfare was rife. Americans
had been murdered. American proper
ty had been wantonly destroyed. the
lives and property OF all Americans In
Mexico were In danger. That was the
situation when Mr.. Wilson became
president In March. 1913. His duty
then was plain. II was, first, TO use
his powers MS president TO secure pro-
lection for the lives and property OF
Americans In Mexico and TO require
that rules Of law and stipulntions OF
treaties should be observed by Mexico
toward the United States and its clti.
zens. His duty was, second, as the
head OF foreign power TO respect the
independence OF Mexico, TO refrain
from all interference with her internal
Affairs. from all attempt at domina-
ton except as he was justified by the
law OF nations for the protection OF
American rights. The president OF the
United States failed 10 observe either
OF those duties. He deliberately nban'
doncd them both and followed an en-
tlrely different and inconsistent pur.
pose. lie intervened in Mexico TO aid
one fnction In civil strife against an
other. He undertook 20 pull down
Hucrta and set Carranza up In bis
place. Arms and munitions OF war
were freely furnished to the northern
forces and withheld from Huerta.
Finally the president sent our army
and navy 20 invade Mexico and cap
ture its great seaport. Vera Cruz, and
hold Il and throttle Mexican commerce
until Huertn fell.
Americans Outraged In Mexico.
The government OF the United States
interviewed In Mexico 20 control the In
tcrnal Affairs Of that independent coun.
try and 20 enforce the will OF the
American president In those affairs by
threat, by economic pressure and by
force OF arms. Upon what claim OF
right did this Intervention proceedi
Not 20 secure respect for American
rights, not 90 protect the lives or prop
erty OF our citizens, not 20 assert the
laws OF nations. not 60 compel observ'
ance OF the law OF humanity. On the
contrary. Hueria's was the only power
In Mexico 10 which appeal could be
made for protection Of life or property
That was the only power which, IN
fact. did protect either American or
European or Mexican. 10 was only
within the territory where Hucrta
ruled that comparative peace aud or
der prevailed. The territory ovor
which the armed power .of Carranza
and villa and their associates extended
was the theater OF the most appalling
crimes. Bands OF robbers roved the
country with unhrldled license. Amer
leans aud McXlcans alike were at their
mercy. aud American men were muir
dered aud American women were out
ragged with impunlty. Thousands were
reduced 20 poverty by the wanton de-
struction OF the Industries through
which they lived Yet the government
OF the United States ignored. con-
doned, the murder OF American men
and the rape OF American women and
destruction OF American property and
insult TO American officers and dehle-
ment OF the American dag and Joined
itself 20 the men who were guilty OF
all these things 10 pull down the pow
er OF Huerta. Why7 The president
himself has told us. II was because
he adjudged Huerta 20 be a usurper,
because he deemed that the common
people OF Mexico ought 10 have great
er participation in government and
share IN the land, and he believed that
CaTanza and villa would give them
these things. We must all sympathize
with these sentiments. but there Is
nothing more dangerous than mis-
placed sentiment.
When our army landed at Vera Cruz
Carranza himself. who was TO be the
chief beneficiary OF the act publicly
protested against IT, So strong was
the resentment that he could not have
kept his followers otherwise. When
Huerta had fallen the new government
which for the day had succeeded 20
his place peremptorily demanded the
withdrawal OF the American troops.
The universal sentiment OF Mexicans
required the peremptory demand, and
the troops were withdrawn. Still
x.yoroa than that tho taking ~ Vera