New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-30
Mr.. Olney on Mexico.


A policy. to be successfully defended
must first be reduced TO some consistent
and ineligible form. But no one can
.ver hope to reconcile the fragrant contra
iictions and manifold reversals OF MI
Wilson's policy in Mexico.
Here is the best that Mr.. Olney can do:
"They 1.-THE principles and ideals OF
our constitutional government re-
ouire us to admit that Mexico IS en-
titled TO govern herself; that her peo-
pIe. like the other peoples Of South
and Central America, are entitled to
go through all the processes and eXpe-
riences necessary for their education
and intelligent participation in free
government; while the proper role OF
the United States is TO abstain from
interference itself and to permit no in
reference from any other quarter,
and TO secure The solidarity of the two
Americas by securing for our purposes
and policies the appreciation and sup
port of the Latin-American countries.
On these principles the Mexican
policy Of the Administration has been
founded"
There is a certain courage in this sum-
nary. 1t frankly comedies that the en-
torcement of American rights and the pro-
lection of American lives and property in
Mexico never cut any figure in the Admin
strations policy. Mr.. Olney accepts the
Presidents view, restated emphatically IN
his speech accepting the Democratic Presi-
iential nomination, that no consideration
,or American rights OF interests ought to
DC permitted to interfere with the progress
If the Mexican revolution.
Mr.. Olney holds-somewhat vaguely
that the people of Mexico are entitled to
20 through all the processes necessary for
heir education and intelligent participa-
ion in free government" Mr.. Wilson put
t much more definitely. when he said
we could not act directly in that matter
THE protection Of American lives and
property without denying Mexicans the
tight TO any revolution at all which dis
;urbed US and making the emancipation OF
Ter own people await our own interest and
convenience"
It is this obstinate neglect of American
interests. this indifference TO the murder
IF American citizens and the destruction
If American property, which furnishes the
thief indictment against the Administra-
ions Mexican policy. Both Mr.. Olney and
Mr.. Wilson admit that our government
Jailed in the discharge of its primary obi
cation TO American nationals domiciled in
Mexico.
Caring for them was never part OF the
Presidents programme. But what were
he other features of that programme?
Mr.. Olney says its controlling principle
vas Observation-Disclosures from in
reference, as he puts it. But this OBJ
,iously is not the fact.
President Wilson began by boycotting
Huerta. For more than year the chief
object Of his policy was the overthrow of
Huerta's government. He encouraged the
villa-Carranza revolution. He seized Vera
cruz, as his apologists now say, not be-
.ause he wanted reparation for the Tam
oico insult, but because he thought that
lie could bring about Huerta's abdication
through the seizure of the custom house
Al Huerta's chief port.
After Huerta's fall the Administration
packed Villa against Carranza. But Car
-anza's generals finally defeated Villa.
Then Mr. Wilson dema nded Carranza's
retirement as the head Of the provisional
government and the assembling of a con-
ference Of revolutionary leaders at which
a new First Chief should be nominated.
Carranza refused TO retire and the Admin
STATIONS arrogant ultimatum was allowed
o lapse. Not being able to unseat Car
ANA the President made complete face
about and recognized him Internationally.
There has been a quarrel on between them
yer since. Our troops are again in Mexico
ana have been there for more than six
months. Here is an unbroken record Of
Intervention from March, 1913, to Septem-
Der, 1916.
- Nr'oNNNbANA Aiviii iiiLti A'itllNt ~ Do Niit
essence Of Mr.. Wilson's policy, how also
.an his numerous declarations that he had
gone into Mexico ito serve humanity" be
explained awav? He said repeatedly that
&c wanted 10 nave ownership of the land
restored 70 the submerged poems. But
Iuch a programme necessarily involved in
reference with Mexico's political and eco
lomic order. II the Mexicans have a right
% govern themselves, as Mr.. Olney says
hey have, Mexico can never be proper
icld for the exploitation Of either an
American Presidents or a European mon
irch's personal ideas about Serving man
dnd."
In order 10 define Mr.. Wilson's policy
n such a way as 20 make IL susceptible Of
any sort Of logical defence, Mr.. Olney was
compelled tC;gnorc practically everything