American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1916-08-03
H A MEXICAN POLICY

The Democratic leaders evidently
recognize the fact that the presidents
Mexican policy is liable TO be a boulder
in the road that may wreck his politi-
cal automobile, and so are trying to
build a road around it. The secre-
tary of the interior on that account
has consented to be interviewed by a
New York World representative. The
secretary is a good dodger, but he
finds the defense up hill business.
He begins by saying hat there are
things that Democracy must always
be willing to fight for" Indeed yes!
One of those big things is what they
are fighting for now-the reelection
Of President Wilson. It promises to
be about the biggest fight they ever en-
gagged in. He tells of the rule of force
and wealth that Diaz exercised for
thirty years. Evidently Diaz knew his
countrymen and knew the only u
through which order and law could
be maintained there and pursued that
course. He knew there were no ele-
ments of progress within the 8
of them. He said so and invited the
| strong men of other lands to come
and help him, promising them pro-
lection If they would.
Mr.. Lane says that "fundamntal
lasting reforms must be put into eff
feet by some one in Mexico; that they
cannot be made by the United States
unless we are prepared not only to
conquer, but to annex Mexico"
Fortunately hat does not happen to
be a question at issue Just now, though
we have interposed in Nicaragua and
San Domingo without annexing either
country. And something was likewise
done in Cuba
Secretary Lane says we could not
recognize Heurta. He was too bad q
man, and rose to power through
crime; that I'VE did not land in Vera
flag"
That shows the s~ecretary's nerve.
Does he count on the treacherous mem
DRY Of the American people? Some
of us have a dim recollection of the
hasty order that tent the whole At
lantic fleet to Vera Cruz. Destroyers,
turret ships, ~gunboats, cruisers dread
naughts, and great battle ships: then
the dramatic spread eagle speech, more
thilling than a moving picture or
comic opera performance that the pres
ident made to congress, asking that
august body to sanction what he had
done. The burden of that speech was
that the flag had been ~assailed and II
could not be overlooked or condensed,
A petty non-commissioned officer had
insulted the crew OF a row-boat that
had pulled ashore at Tampico from a
war ship to get the ships mail; the
wharf-rat had put the crew of the boat
in the guard house.
So soon as the officer in command
heard of the incident he FASTENED, not
only to release the men, but profusely
apologized for the outrage. But when
the president heard of 1t he demanded
of Huerta-whom he had all the time
refused to even communicate with
that ne, three hundred miles away,
should formally salute the American
flag, which the doughty old soldier and
assassin declined to do. Then the pres
ident who had heard for two years with
calmness If not indifference of Next
can outrages upon American citizens
suddenly was reused to indestructible
wrath, and hurried away the fleet to
the Mexican port. and demanded con-
gress that it give formal recognition OF
the righteousness of his wrath. And
when a few l~evel-headed senators
wanted to change the ~obsequious res
olution that came up to it from the
house and make provisions In 1t fol
the president TO go on and do some
thing, they were denounced by the
Democratic press OF the country az
failing the president in a mighty
crisis.
The national election came off a few
days later and the Democratic con
gress by reduced majorities was sus
tanned and Brazil, Argentine and Chill
interfered and gave the navy depart
ultut OH tACubt " Cdli InO hccl hoiiC
But Secretary Lane Gays:
But what thing Dis there that an.
American can say we ought to be will
ing to fight for in Mexico? Is 1t be
cause railroads built with American
capital have been damaged, that mine'
have been shut down, or ever tina
American citizens have been killed b.
outlaw and bandits? All those thing
Wa can and do very much regret But
who will say that they are grea'
principles for which a Democrat.
should be willing TO sacrifice the bloot
of its sons"
The answer to that Is that a nation
that will not protect its citizens is
disgrace. and when a whole nation be
comes a nation of bandits, or the tool
of bandits there ia but one way To StOl