Western Kansas world., 1916-03-25

flag Is so diShonored and no citizenship
so little worth the claiming in Mexico
as ours. And that is why we have
failed in Mexico.
Policy of "WatchfuI Waiting"
Incredible as it seems, Huerta had
been turned out by the assistance of
the American government without any
guarantees from the men who were TO
be set up in his place, and so the muir
dering and burning and ravishing have
gone on to this day. After Huerta
had fallen and the Vera Cruz expedi-
ton had been withdrawn President
Wilson announced that no one was
entitled to interfere in the affairs of
Mexico; that she was entitled TO settle
them herself He disclaims all re
sponsibility for what happens in Mex
leo and contents himself with a pol
icy of watchful waiting And for the
death and outrage. the suffering and
ruin of our own brethren, the hatred
and contempt for our country and the
dishonor of our name in that land the
administration at Washington shares
responsibility with the inhuman brutes
with whom it made common cause
When we turn to the administra-
tion's conduct of foreign affairs Incl
dent to the great war in Europe we
cannot fail to perceive that there is
much dissatisfaction among Ameri-
cans. Dissatisfaction is not in itself
grouud for condemnation The stu
alton created by the war has been diff
cult and trying. Much of the CORE
spondence of the state department.
especially since Mr.. Lansing took
charge. has been characterized by nc
curate learning and skillful statement
of specific American rights.
Three Errors In European Policy.
\ study of the administration $ po!-
icy toward Europe since .Tuly, 1914.
reveals three fundamental errors: First.
/ the lack OF foresight to make timely
provision for Lacking up American di-
llomacy by actual or assured military
and naval force; second, the forfei-
ture of the worlds respect for.our as
sertion of rights by pursuing the policy
of making threats and failing to make
them good; third, a loss of the moral
forces of the civilized world through
failure to truly interpret TO the world
the spirit of the American democracy
i'm its attitude toward the terrible
events which accompanied the early
stages of the war
i First, as to power:
When the war in Europe began. free.
peaceable little Switzerland instantly
mobilized upon her frontier a great
army of trained citizen soldiers Stur-
dy little Holland did the same. and
both have kept their territory and their
independence inYiolate
( Great, peaceable America was farther
removed from the conflict, but her
, trade and her citizens Travelled on ev-
cry sea Ordinary knowledge of Eu-
ropean affairs made it plain that the
war was begun not by accident but
with purpose which would not soon be
relinquished. Ordinary knowledge of
/ military events made it plain from the
! moment when the tide of German inva-
sion turned from the battle of the
Marne that the conflict was certain to
be long and desperate. Ordinary knowl
edge OF history-of our own history
during the Napoleonic wars-made it
plain that in that conflict neutral rights
would be worthless unless powerfully
maintained.
The Democratic governmental at Wash
inEton did not see it Others saw it,
and their opinions found voice Mr.
Gardner urged it, Mr- Lodge urged it.
Mr. Stfmson urged it, Mr.. Roosevelt
urged 1t, but their argument and ur-
gency were ascribed 10 political mo
/ tives, and the president described them
/ with "a sneer as nervous and excited
Wilson Has Shifted Ground.
But trthe warning voices would not be
stIIled. The opinion that we ought no
longer to remain defenseless became
public opinion Its expression grew
more general and insisteut, and finally
the president not leading, but follow
ing, has shifted his ground, has revers-
ed his position and asks the country to
prepare against war God grant that
he be mot too late. But the Democrat
ic party has not shifted its ground A
large part of it's members in congress
are .endeavoring now to Sidetrack the
movement for national preparedness.
to muddle it by amendment and turn
it into channels which viii produce the
least possible result in the increase of
national power of defense. What
sense of effectiveness in this effort ca
we gather from the presence of Jose
phus Daniels at the most critical post
of all-the head of the navy depart
1 ment-when we see that where
preparation has been possible it has
not been made. when We see that con
4 strucfion of wdrships already author
ized has not been pressed and in some
cases after long delay has not even
been begun?
If an increase of our coantry'S power
TO defend itself against aggression is
authorized by the present congress it