The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-03-24

forces of military power which are ex.
hibited In Europe from laying hold
upon the vast territory and practically
undefended wealth Of the new world
Have We still national ideals? VIII
anybody live for them? Would any
body die for them? Or are we all for
ease and comfort and wealth at any
price? Confronted by such questions
as these and the practical situations
which give rise to them, is the coun-
Try satisfied to trust itself again in the
hands of the Democratic party?
Impotent Interference In Mexico.
The United States had rights and
duties in Mexico. More than 10000 Of
our citizens had sought their fortunes
and made their homes there. A thou
sand millions Of American capital had
been invested in that productive coun-
try. But revolution had come. and
factional warfare was rife Americans
had been murdered. American proper
ty had been wantonly destroyed. the
lives and property Of all Americans in
Mexico were in danger. That was the
situation when Mr.. Wilson became
president In March. 1913. His duty
then was plain. 1t was, first. to use
his powers as president to secure pro-
lection for the lives and property Of
Americans In Mexico and to require
that rules of law and stipulations of
treaties should be observed by Mexico
toward the United States and its ciu-
zens. His duty was. second, as the
head Of a foreign power to respect the
independence Of Mexico. to refrain
from all interference with her internal
affairs. from all attempt at domino
ton except as he was justified by the
law Of nations for the protection of
American rights. The president Of the
United States failed to observe either
of those duties. He deliberately aban-
doned them both and followed an en-
tirely different and inconsistent pur-
pose. He interviewed in Mexico to aid
one faction in civil strife against an
other. He undertook to pull down
Huerta and set Carranza up in his
place. Arms and munitions of war
were freely furnished to the northern
forces and withheld from Huerta.
Finally the president sent our army
and navy to invade Mexico and cap
ture its great seaport. Vera Cruz. and
hold 1t and throttle Mexican commerce
until Huerta fell.
Americans Outraged In Mexico.
The government of the United States
interviewed In Mexico to control the In
ternal affairs of that independent coun-
try and to enforce the will of the
American president in those affairs by
threat. by economic pressure and by
force Of arms. Upon what claim Of
right did this Intervention proceed?
Not to secure respect for American
rights. not to protect the lives or prop
arty of our citizens. not to assert the
avs of nations. not to compel observ-
ance Of the law of humanity. On the
Huerta's was the only power
In Mexico to which appeal could be
made for protection Of life or property.
That was the only power which, in
fact; did protect either American or
European or Mexican. 1t was only
within the territory where Huerta
'uled that comparative peace and or
Ter prevailed. The territory over
which the armed power of Carranza
md Villa and their associates extended
was the theater of the most appalling
crimes Bands of robbers roved the |
country with unbridled license. Amer
cans and Mexicans alike were at their |
mercy. and American men were muir |
Tered and American women were out |
aged with impunity. Thousands were
'educed to poverty by the wanton de- |
of the industries through |
which they lived. Yet the government |
II the United States ignored, con.
loned. the murder Of American men |
md the rape OF American women and |
destruction Of American property and |
insult to American officers and defile- |
nent Of the American flag and Joined
tself to the men who were guilty of |
III these things to pull down the pow.
r of Huerta. Why? The president.
AssS WIN US. ~ was UCNuuSc
lie adjudged Huerta to be usurper.
ecause he deemed that the common :,
'eople of Mexico ought to have great
r participation In government and
hare In the land. and he believed that
,arranza and Villa would give them
hese things. We must all sympathize
With these sentiments. but there Is
othing more dangerous than mis-
laced sentiment.
When our army landed ut Vera Cruz
'arranza himself. who was to be the
hief beneficiary Of the net. publicly
rotested against 1t. So strong was
he resentment that he could not have
ept his followers otherwise. When
luerta had fallen the new government
'hich for the day had succeeded to
Is place peremptorily demanded the
of the American troops.
he universal sentiment Of Mexicans
equired the peremptory demand. and
ne troops We're withdrawn. Still
'orse than that. the taking Of Vera
ruz destroyed confidence In the sin.
GRITTY of tho Amaricon ,ynro,,,r,o,. A. |