Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1916-05-26

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 "Watehful Waiting"
Incredible as 1t 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
dering and burning and ravishing have
gone on to this day. After Huerta
had fallen and the Vera Cruz expedi.
ton had been withdrawn President
Wilson announced that no one was
entitled to interfere in the affairs of
Mexico; that she vas entitled to settle
them herself. He disclaims all re-
sponsibility for what happens In Mex
leo n contents himself with a pol
Icy of watchful waiting. And for the
death and outrage. the suffering and
ruin of cur own brethren, the hatred
and contempt for our country and the
dishonor of u 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 administers
lions conduct of foreign affairs Incl
dent to the great wal in Europe we
cannot fail TO perceive that there Is
much dissatisfaction among Ameri.
cans Dissatisfaction Is not in itself
ground for condemnation. The stu
alton created by the war has been diff
cult and trying. Much Of the CORE
spondence of the state department
especially since MI. Lansing took
charge, has been characterized by &C
curate learning and skillful statement
Of specific American rights.
Three Errors In European Policy.
A study of the Administrations pol
icy toward Europe since July, 1914
reveals three fundamental errors: First
the lack of foresight to make timely
provision for backing up American di
plomacy by actual OF assured military
n naval force; second, the forfeit
ture Of the worlds respect for our as
sert1on of rights by pursuing the policy
Of making threats and failing to make
them good; third, a loss Of the mora
forces of the civilized world through
failure to truly interpret to the world
the spirit of the American democracy
in its attitude toward the terrible
events which accompanied the early
stages of the war.
First. as to power:
When the wal In Europe began. free
%peaceable little Switzerland instantly
modified upon her frontier a great
army of trained citizen soldiers. Stur
dy little Holland did the anne and
both have kept their territory and theiI
independence inviolate.
Great, peaceable America was farther
removed from the conflict, but bel
trade and her citizens Travelled on ev
cry sea. Ordinary nowledge of Eu
ropean affairs made it plain that the
war was begun not by accident, but
with purpose which would not soon bt
relinquished. Ordinary knowledge Of
military events made 1t plain from the
moment when the tide of German inva
sion turned from the battle of the
Marine that the conflict was certain tc
be long and desperate. Ordinary knowl
edge of history-of our w history
during the Napoleonic wars-made II
plain that In that conflict neutral rights
would be worthless unless powerfully
maintained.
The Democratic government at Wash
ington did not see it. Others saw it
and their opinions found voice. Mr.
Gardner urged it. Mr.. Lodge urged it.
Mr.. Stimson urged it, MI. Roosevelt
urged it. but their argument and UT
gency were ascribed to political mo.
tives, and the president described them
with a sneer as V and excited
Wilson Has Shifted Ground.
But the warning voices would not be
stilled. The opinion that we ought nc
longer to remain d~efenseless became
public opinion. It's expression grew
more general and insistent. and finally
the president. not leading. but follow,
ing, has shifted his ground. has revers.
ed his position and asks the country to
prepare against war. God grant that
he be not too late. But the Democrat
ic party has not shifted its ground. A
large part of its members in congress
are endeavoring now to sidetrack the
movement for national preparedness.
to middle it by amendment and turn
it into channels which will produce the
least possible result in the Increase Of
national power of defense. What
of effectiveness in this effort can
we gather from the presence of Jose
plus Daniels at the most critical post
Of all-the head of the navy depart.
ment-when we see that where
preparation has been possible it has
not been made, when We see that con
struction of warships already author
lied has not been pressed and in some
cases after long delay has not even