The Goldfield news and weekly tribune. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1911-1947, 1916-07-01
HENRY WATTERSON ON MEXICO

Journal, reiterates some views he has entertained in re-
gard to Mexico. While, though a democrat and a sup
porter of President Wilson, he has always opposed the
Wilson policy in relatio INTO Mexico, yet he suggests that
Wilson is not responsible for all the evils that have come
to pass, but that some of them he inherited from his pre-
decessor.
But it is true" he contends, that the policy Of
'watchful waiting, whatever may have been said IN its
favor. bred first and last many misadventures. 1t was a
blunder in the first place and it was pursued too long.
The trouble was that the Wilson altruism had bitten off
more than it could chaw.'
The people will agree pretty generally with Col. Wat
.erson except as to the fact of Taft's responsibility. They
will keep in mind this historic record:
First, that Madero was overthrown by Huerta and
deposed as president on February 18th, 1913.
Second, that the Mexican congress elected at the
same time with Madero, in accordance with the Mexican
constitution, Immediately filled the vacancy by electlng
or appointing Huerta.
Third, that five days later, on February 23rd, Madero
was assassinated.
Fourth, that President Taft had eight days of his adj
ministration remaining, and that his first step, preliminary
to the recognition of Huerta, was to ask that American
claims for losses sustained in the l1ucrta revolution be
first recognized.
Fifth that during these eight remaining days Taft
rlo,iiized upon the border all available troops. for such
disposition as his successor might desire to make OF them
Sixth, that the ambassador appointed bV Mr.. latt.
Henry Lane Wilson, later recommended that ltuerta be
recognized as provisional president of the only govern
mcnt then existing in Mexico, which recommendation
President Wilson rejected and the ambassador was re-
called, and as far as possible, Inundated.
These dates and these facts of history are important
III the present S1ludl1On.
But to return to Mr.. Wattersons comment and his
present view of the situation. He says:
It was a very pretty quarrel as it stood when we
sent a fleet to Tampico and an army to Vera Cruz.
AS for provocation, there was even then a plenty.
Had the president been more a warrior and less
an acadedmician he would have gone on to the City
of Mexico. disavowing any sublugat1ng purpose,
but making it clear to all men that we should not
come out again until we had established law and
order in Mexico as we had established them IN
Cuba. We might have done this without firing a
GUN. Instead we tucked tail and came away, leav-
ing first Villa to arm himself and then Carranza,
so that now what was a comparatively easy 1oD IS
beset bv multiplied difficulties and dangers. 1t is
too bad but the best of men will make mistakes.
There is no good crying over spilled milk. Nor
has the Courier ]ournal a disposition to wit the
president with II told YOU so" Its one aim now is to
strengthen his hand and support his better-late-
than-never change of policy from one of indecision
to one of thorough.
There will never be stability of government in
Mexico and good neiehborhood on the border until
the government of the United States takes the bull
by the horns and addresses itself to the work y
setting up one and revising the other. The Rio
Grande has never been a fit line of frontier. We
must go to the mountains. Arizona and New Mex
leo must be extended across Sonora to the sea. We
need Lower California and Magdalena bay IN our
business, and they are of small, if any, value to
the MeXicans. whose territory is far too large tor
them to govern even if they had the capacity for
self-government. In short, not before we take over
the country, as we took over the Philippines, with
a view to its complete recreation and future de
velopment, will Mexico be worth living in. We do
not mean or wish to rob the Mexicans. We are
willing to paw for whatever we acquire. The sum
would put Mexico out of debt. and. if meanwhile
we suppressed brigandage and established order,
the new regime could start on its way rejoicing,
happy at home and trusted abroad, no longer a land
t political volcanoes, stepped in ignorance and deg
radiation.