The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1916-11-03
TAMPIC0 SCUTTLE
A CRAVEN AFFAIR,
SAYS ROOSEVELT
Constituted So Grave an 0ffense
Against the Nations Honor
and Duty That the Man
Responsible Should Be
Removed From Office.
WILSON CANNOT SHIELD
HIMSELF BEHIND DANIELS

Authentic Proof That Americans In
Peril Were Deserted by Their Own
Government Against the Protests Of
the Senior Naval Officer Present
Most Pusilanimous Episode in the
Naval Annals of Our Country.
Theodore Roosevelt in a letter to
Henry Reuterdah, the naval critic,
criticises President Wilson and Secre-
tary Daniels in connection with the
Tampico affair, when the American
warships were withdrawn by order Of
the Administration. The colonel says
you have presented authentic proof
of how the Americans in peril at
Tampico were deserted by their own
government against the protest Of the
senior American naval officer present.
You have shown that the government
at Washington had full knowledge of
the danger of the situation through
kilograms from Admiral Mayo sent
by wireless to the navy department
on April II, u and 10. You also
give the telegram of Mr. Daniels of
April 20 directing the admiral to pro-
coed to Vera Cruz.
Mayo Feared Loss of Life.
"Yot have shown that Admiral
Mayo made an emphatic protest to
the navy department, stating that he
feared the result of the squadron's
leaving would be the loss of American
lives and property. You also quote
the kilograms sent by Admiral Mayo
the following day, containing the pro-
test of the American consul, Mr..
Miller, and requesting authority to
remain at Tampico. You have shown
that, nevertheless, the navy depart
ment on the Dist confirmed its previ
Gus orders and directed the ships to
leave at once.
you have shown that the admiral
put out into the ocean eight miles
distant, but received a protest from
Consul Miller reiterating his demand
for protection. You then quote the
kilograms and signals Of Admiral
Mayo, who, in spite of his orders,
nobly refused to run from the post
Of duty While the lives of American
men, women and children were in
danger"
Can't Hide Behind Daniels.
Of the President and Secretary
Daniels the colonel writes:
president Wilson cannot shield him
self behind Mr.. Daniels, for Mr.. Dan
iels could do nothing that the
mr.
When Mr.. Daniels actions have been
brought to the attention of Mr. VIII
son, and are not repudiated by him,
they become Mr.. Wilson'S; and Mr..
Wilson is fully and completely respoD-
sible for Mr.. Daniels, for all that
he has done and left undone.
'The proof is absolute that when
Admiral Mayo was at Tampico he had
received full knowledge Of the rioting
and of the imminent danger to Am
arican lives; but that, nevertheless,
he steamed away into the ocean, and
that the Americans were rescued by
German and British ships. This ac-
ion constituted SO grave an offense
rom the standpoint Of national duty
ih0 oCiL-A NoPCNtt liAt dliy man c
;ponsible for it should be at once
aiken out of office.
Facts Made Public in U. S.
Shortly thereafter the facts were
made public in the United States. If
AdmiM Mayo had been responsible
md had not acted under orders, then
he only proper course for Secretary
Daniels would have been to order his
Instant court-martial, and in such case
he failure to do so would have shifted
he blame at once from the shoulders
t Admiral Mayo to the shoulders of
uperiors, President Wilson and Secre-
airy Daniels.
Therefore, even If these kilograms
id not exist, even II there had been
o such orders, or those actually is
ued by the secretary Of the navy
} Admiral Mayo, nevertheless, his
uperiors, Secretary Daniels and
resident Wilson, would both have
ecome fully responsible for the
Utility transaction by their acquies-
ence therein. They cannot, as they
ave sought to do, shift the blame
, the shoulders of the admiral"