The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1916-08-04

l
speech of acceptance in New Yorl
Monday night, the issues upon whic
he will conduct his campaign for tn
presidency.
Mr.. Hughes assailed the administra
tion for the course it has pursued wit
reference to Mexico, maintenance O
American rights during the Europeal
war, preparedness and other grea
questions Of the day. He declared fo
a new policy of "firmness and consist
ency" toward Mexico, for "the un
fiinching maintenance of all American
rights on land and SEAS, and for ade
quate National defense; adequate pro
lection on both our Western and East.
ern coasts.
"We denounce all plots and conspir.
acies in the interest Of any foreign
nation" said Mr.. Hughes. "Utterly
intolerable is the use of our soil for
alien intrigues. Every American must
unreservedly condemn them and sup
port every effort for their suppress
sion."
The nominee assailed the admins
tration for its direction of diplomatic
intercourse" from the beginning, de-
claring that where there should have
been conspicuous strength and expert.
ness there had been weakness and in
expertness. He cited Santo Domingo
as an instance where appointments had
gone to deserving Democrats" and to
the failure to continue Ambass ador
Herrick at his post in Paris after the
war had started as "a lamentable sac
rifice of international repute."
II indorse the declaration in the
platform in favor of woman suffrage, !"
Mr.. Hughes declared, and he added
Opposition may delay, but in my
judgment cannot defeat, this move
ment. / favor the vote for women"
One-fourth of the speech was devot-
ed to Mexico. Step after step taken
by the administration with reference
to Mexico was assailed, from the days
of Huerta to the note sent the de facto
government by the State department
June 20 last, part of which was quoted
in the speech. The seizure of Vera
Cruz, the nominee said, was "war, of
course"
Later we retired from Vera Cruz"
he continued, "giving up this noble
warfare. Recently the naked truth
was admitted by Cabinet officer. We
are now informed that we did not go
to Vera Cruz to force Huerta to salute
the flag. We are told that we went
there to show Mexico that we were in
earnest in our demand that Huerta
must co.
America" Mr.. Hughes continued,
has no policy of aggression toward
Mexico, no desire for any part of her
territory, but wishes her to have
peace, stability and prosperity.
"The conduct of the administration
has created difficulties we shall have to
5urmount," he said. "We demand
from Mexico the protection of the
ives and property of our citizens and
he security of our border from depre-
lations."
Safeguarding American rights abroad
ad not been accomplished by the ad-
linistration, he said. There had been
brave words in series of notes."
ut "what does it avail to use some of
ne strongest words known to diplo-
lacy If ambassadors can receive the
npression that the words are not to
taken seriously"
The nominee reiterated his declara-
on that had this government left no
'ubt that it meant to hold Germany
to strict accountability" there would ,
ave been no loss of life on the Lusi- {
lima. I
Discussing preparedenss Mr.. Hughes !
nd 1t was apparent that the United
tates was "shockingly unprepared." t
THE administration has failed to
scharge its responsibilities" Mr.. 4
ughes continued. Apparently it is t
wv seeking to meet political exigen-
es by its naval program. But it has t
,posed upon the country an incompe- v
mt naval administration. v
I'VE demand adequate protection on
th our Western and Eastern coasts. A
Q demand thoroughness and efficiency h
both arms of the service. It seems "
be plain that our regular army is p
small. We are too great coun- h
to require of our citizens who are t,
gagged in peaceful vocations the sort ii
military service to which they are I,
W called" %
Of the present prosperity, Mr.. O.
lghes said: r,
We are living in FOOLS paradise. m
1T u.s." he said, ga prosperity
'ught about by the abnormal condi- W
ms of war. For the protection of al
industries and workingmen of the re
ited States against the competition m
IAN energized Europe" iti
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