El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-08-01
MUST MAINTAIN
AMERICAN RIGHTS
Asserts Brave Words, If
Used Must Be Backed Up
By Brave Deeds.

t-ess. and in giving her in every prac-
tica BILE way the benefits Of our disin-
terested friendship The conduct of
the administration has created diff
cuIties which We shall have to sur
mount
Must Overcome Antfpathy.
eve shall have 20 overcome the an
itpathy needlessly created by that con-
and confidence We shall have to
adopt a new policy. policy OF firm
ness and consistency through which
alone We can promote an enduring
friendship " demand from Mexico
the protection of the lives and the
property Of our citizens and the Sc
curity OF our border from depredations
Much vii be gained if Mexico is con-
WINGED that We contemplate no med
diesorne interference with what does
not concern us. but that We propose to
insist in firm and candid manner
upon the performance of International
obligations To a stable government,
appropriately discharging its interna-
tional duties we should give unErUdz-
ing support 4 short period Of firm.
consistent friendly dealing viii ac-
complish more than many years OF
vacillation-
Maintenance If American Rights.
in this land Of composite population.
drawing its strength from every race.
the national security demands that
there shall be no palterlnE with Amer
lean rights. The greater the danger
OF divided influences. the greater IS
she necessity for the unifying force
Of a just. strong and patriotic posi-
ton We countenance no covert poll
cies. no intrigues. no secret schemes
We are unreservedly- devotedly. whole
Eeartedly for the United States That
IS the rallyin2 point for all Americans
That is my position I stand for the
UufliuchiuE cOuntenance Of all Ameri-
can rights on land and sea.
Brave But Futile Words.
We have had clear and defl1fte
mission as a great neutral nation. II
OF interna tional law il is to vindicate
our rights a neutrals- 20 protect the
lives Of our citizens. their property
and trade from wrongful acts Put
ting aside anv question as 70 the high
est possibilities Of moral leadership
ia the maintenance and vindica ton OF
the lax Of nations in connection with
the European war. We were at least
entitled 20 the safeguarding Of Amer
lean rights But this has not been
secured We have had brave words
in a series Of notes but despite our
protests the lives of Americans have
been destroyed
What does II avail to use some OF
the strongest words known TO diplOu-
acy If ambassadors can receive the
Impression that the words are not 70
be taken seriously II is not words
but the strength and resolution behind
the words. that count The chief func-
ION OF 1lplouldC1 = prey ent-Ou- DuE IN
this our diplomacy failed. doubtless.
be cause Of its impaired credit and the
manifest lack OF disposition to back
words with action
We should Have Been Firm
Had this government by the use
~ informal and formal diplomatic op-
pOrtunities left no doubt that when
We said strict accountability we meant
precisely what We said and that We
should unhesira tinzlv vindicate that
position. I am confident that there
" Ould have been no destruction Of lives
by the sinking Of the Lusitania There
We had ample notice. in fact, published
r office
Furthermore. We knew the situation
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