River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1916-10-12


Government Against the Protests of
the Senior Naval Officer Present
Most PusiIIanimous Episode in the
Naval Annals of Our Country.
Theodore Roosevelt in a letter to
Henry Reuterdahl, the naval critic,
criticiSes President Wilson and Secre-
tary Daniels in connection with the
iTampico affair, when the American
Warships were withdrawn by order of
the Administration. The colonel says: :
"YOu have presented authentic proof
of how the Americans in peril at
Tampico were deserted by their own
government against the protest of the
senior American naval officer present.
You have shown that the government
lat Washington had full knowledge of
the danger of the situation through
kilograms from Admiral Mayo sent
by wireless to the navy department
on April IL, Il and -. You also
give the telegram of Mr.. Daniels Of
April 20 directing the admiral to pro-
reed to Vera Cruz.
Mayo Feared Loss of Life.
You have shown that Admiral
Mayo made an emphatic protest to
the navy department, stating that he
feared the result of the Squadron'S
leaving would be the loss of American
lives and property. You also quote
the kilograms sent by Admiral Mayo
the following day, containing the pro-
test of the American consul, Mr..
Miller. and requesting authority to
remain at Tampico. You have shown
that, nevertheless, the navy depart
ment on the Dist confirmed its previ-
leave at once.
You have shown that the admiral
put out into the ocean eight miles
distant, but received a protest from
Consul Miller reiterating hisademand
for protection. You then Edote the
kilograms and signals of Admiral
Mayo, who, in spite of his orders,
molly refused to run from the post
of duty while the lives of American
men, women and children were in
danger"
Can't Hide Behind Daniels.
OF the President and Secretary
Daniels the colonel writes:
president Wilson cannot shield him.
self behind Mr.. Daniels, for Mr.. DAN
,iels could do nothing that the
president does not order or sanction.
When Mr. Daniels actions have been
brought to the attention of Mr.. Will
son, and are not repudiated by him,
they become Mr.. Wilson'S; and Mr..
Wilson is fully and completely respOn-
sible for Mr.. Daniels, for all that
1! he has done and left undone.
1.-THE proof is absolute that when
Admiral Mayo was at TampicO he had
received full knowledge of the rioting
and of the imminent danger to Am
erican lives; but that, nevertheless,
he steamed away into the ocean, and
that the Americans were rescued by
German and British ships. This ac-
ton constituted so grave an Offense
from the standpoint of national duty
and Self-respect, that any man re-
sponsible for it should be at once
taken out of office.
Facts Made Public in u. s.
shortly thereafter the facts were
made public in the United States. If
Admiral Mayo had been responsible
and had not acted under orders, then
the only proper course for Secretary
Daniels would have been to order his
instant court martial, and in such case
the failure to do so would have shifted
the blame at once from the shoulders
of Admiral Mayo to the shoulders Of
iSuperiOrs, President Wilson and Secre-
tary Daniels.
Therefore, even if these kilograms
did not exist, even if there had been
no such orders, or those actually is
sued by the secretary of the navy
to Admiral Mayo nevertheless. his
SuperiorS, Secretary Daniels and
President Wilson. would both have
become fully responsible for the
guilty transaction by their acquies
cence therein. They cannot, as they
have sought to do, shift the blame
to the shoulders of the admiral"