The Coconino sun., 1916-10-20

ventured for one moment to "call to account by direct challenge and re- sistance" either Germany or even
 Mexico. He says quite properly that "the loss of life is irreparable." Ther- fore, it was his solemn duty to pre- vent the loss of life. On February 10th he issued his strict accountabili- ty note. On March 2Sth, the Falaba was torpedoed. If he had then made good his words; if he had immediately held Germany to strict accountability, not one of the subsequent sinkings would have taken place. The Lusita- nia, the Arabic, the Persia, the Sussex, and the other vessels would be afoat, and twenty three hundred men, women and children would be alive They lost their lives because Presi- dent Wilson did not venture to call ''to account by direct challenge and resistance Imperial Germany. He did not dare to make his words good. President Wilson says in his speech of acceptance that he is ''more inter- ested in the fortunes of oppressed men and pitiful women and children than in any property rights what ever" President Wilson sent note after note to England protesting against interference with property rights; and he has just taken action on behalf of property rights, against France and England, which if he had really thought about in advance, and meant what he said, might very we'll lead to the most serious consequences with these powers. If it does not have this effect it will be because MT. Will sons words will again be left un- backed by deeds. This action by MT Wilson would be entirely proper and necessary if he had taken the right position on behalf of Belgium and had exacted prompt atonement for the murder of our men, women and children by German submarines. But it is improper when he has done none of these things. It is sardonic evi dence that, if he thinks political purpose to be served, he will instantly show far more Interest" in proper ty rights" than in "the fortunes of oppressed men and pitiful women and children" whether in Louvain or Lil- le, in the United States or in Mexico. on the high seas or anywhere else. If he had really shown by his deeds during the past two years an effect i've and determined purpose to pro tect our own "pitiful women and children and all other oppressed" people, if he had been their resolute and successful champion, it would now be his clear duty to take straight forward and effective against any im- proper. interference with our mails and merchandise, whether by black list, by the exercise of the right of search or otherwise. If he had thus acted in the past on behalf of human rights, it would be eminently proper to stand up for our property rights now. But the action actually taken i, by the President of the United States | convicts us as nation, in the eyes of other nations, and, above all, in our own eyes, as being guilty of hypo- crytical insincerity in the whole mat ter. If the President had begun, two years ago, effectively and actively to prepare our military and naval | strength, and if he had meant what l he said, and had clearly shown that he meant what he said, we would have rendered real service to mankind, we would have safeguarded all our rights, we would have been a potent force for peace, and we would have pre- served unstained our national honor. 1! As it is, we have earned the derision | of mankind by our policy of mixed | bluster, hypocrisy, and unprepared- ness, and we have come perilously | near to drifting into position where We would have to face the alternative | of humilating backdown or else a | war for which we were unprepared. President Wilson never looks ahead either when he utters threats or when he utters fine phrases about humani- ty. In the present instance we may or may not have trouble. Probably we shall avoid it; because it is prob able that in the end MT. Wilson will follow his usual course of submitting to wrongdoing by every one, instead { of standing up for our rights and the [ rights of humanity against every one.
 Mexico offers the most striking in- stance of contrast between words and deeds on the part of our government. \ MT. Wilson speaks loftily on behalf | of Oppressed men and pitiful women" in the abstract; but when the forces