Oxford Democrat., 1916-08-01

Severe criticism of President Wilson's
Mexican policy was made by NJ. Andre
Tridon, the noted lecturer, in an inter
view with Press representative at the
Lafayette hotel last week. NJ. Tridon
attacked the President for sending the
young men of the United States to Mex
leo to suffer from the heat, the sand
storms, the alksli aud the numerous
other troubles in order, as he said, "to
blind the eyes of the United States
people and to insure more votes for him
self in the fall election"
"In the chase for Villa" said NJ. Tri-
don, "the United States has expended
S160, 900 900 and the lives of 60 or 70 of
our sturdy young men. This is far too
high price to pay for Villa or any other
outlaw. Not that we begrudge the
money-but we certainly do .begrudge
the lives of our American citizens. And
we haven't caught Villa yet, either.
Not even bis leg, which he is reported to
have lost in battle, has been taken by
the Americans.
"The whole thing is a campaign
move" said the noted lecturer. evil
son is a man with big mind, but he
ating the Mexican trouble. He should
have taken the same course as that
which was taken by Gen. Funston two
years ago, when he organized a police
force in Vera Cruz
"Had Wilson blockaded the Mexican
seapor,s, we would have been assured
of of peace In that country In short
while without the expenditure of large
sum of money, and surely without the
cost of good American lives. Mexico's
navy consists OF two gunbosts, so that
resistance to this move would be futile.
Our marines must be qusrtered In some
place, and IL might as well be in Mexican
seaports as elsewhere.
"This action would be most impor-
tant. With our ships in each port, 1t
would be extremely difficult for foreign
interests to place arms and money in the
hands Of the rebels, and thus peace
would be restored. 1t would also tend
to make US better acquainted with the
Mexican people, the greater part OF
whom are ignorant Indians, who both
fear and hate the Americans because
they do not know or understand US.
"Carranza needs money. He does not
need il for the purpose Of carrying on
this bloody war, but he needs il for food,
clothing, soldiers wages and what
is much more important, for buying out
his enemies. We have recognized Car
rama as the Mexican leader, and we
must therefore work with him In bring
ing this horrible warfare to an end.
"Carranza has tried to bring the Unit
ed States into war for the sole purpose
of acquainting the citizens of this coun-
try with the sad state of affairs in Mex
leo. War might last so years between
these two countries, for the Mexicans
would withdraw into their mountainous
strongholds and wage guerilla warfare
upon the Americans which would mean
the loss of many precious lives, the ex-
penditure of vast sums Of money, and
which would result in no noticeable sue
cess.
"Our mission in Mexico must be one
of fraternity and not one of martial Of
fence. Should we expend the money
which we are foolishly spending for war
in educating the poorer people of Mex
leo, within so years we would have q
race which we would be proud to claim
as neighbors.
"Wilson 10 trying to bluff the Msxicans
into the preservation of peace, and be Is
trying to bluff the Americans into voting
for him."