The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-09-08

! nations
IAN Latin-America looked on M
tently as the United States dealt With
Mexico. Suspicion, which had been
engendered by the long years Of mis-
understanding and mistrust, preced-
ing Mr.. Wilson's administration, made
the Mexican policy in the case of eur
neighbors a real test of the sincerity
of the friendly protestations the Unit
ed States was making to all the gov
ernments of America. The more for
tunate republics of Central and South
America clearly were of the convic-
ton that they could expect no better
treatment for themselves in less fort
innate circumstances than the United
States would mete out to Mexico. Il
1T is impossible to grasp the vital
significance of President Wilson'S
Mexican policy without broad knowl
edge of conditions which had prevail
ed in Mexico before President Wilson
was inaugurated The Mexican prob
lem in its present form had existed for
the American government ever since
our frontier was extended to the Rio
Grande. There had been peaceful pc
RODS, in which for the most part or
der had been maintained and interna-
tional obligations fulfilled, but inter-
mittently there had arisen provocative
circumstances similar in character to
those with which Pesident Wilson has
had to deal. The peace and order
which was thus capable of being inter-
rupted was a superimposed peace and
order, and not the normal expression
of the contentment of a self-regulated
people. When the people maintained
the peace it was because they were
forced to do so, and not because just
ice reigned in the land. Thus It was
that the history of Mexico, like the
history of every aspiring people, pres
sed upon President Wilson's consider
alton the truth that no permanent good
relations could exist between this
great northern republic and the one
Immediately south of us until she had
been left free to put her house in or
der, however painful that process
might be and whatever the demands
it might make upon the forbearance
of the United States.
when Huerta ignored the Ameri-
can ultimatum demanding salute to
the flag, President wilson ordered the
seizure of the Port of Vero Cruz by
the American naval forces then in
Mexican water, The seizure occurred
on April II. It was accomplished af-
ter the death of 10 American sailors
and marines and 100 Mexicans. The
action was directed solely against
Huerta and the forces he controlled.
The president made it clear that the
undertaking to which he applied the
American forces was not war against
Mexico, but a stroke against the indi-
vidual and his followers who had per-
petrated insults against the United
States. Huerta's insolence had be-
come intolerable. The presidents for
bearance and his kindly sympathy fcr
I the Mexican people could not justieSS
him longer in permitting continu-
. ance of Huerta's insolence.
: 1T should be remembered that al.
ways in the presidents mind there
had been reservations as to the extent
of the sacrifices which the United
States government could make in order
, to avoid armed clashes with one of
the offending Mexican factions. The
purpose behind the Vera Cruz expedi-
: ton was much the same as that in
D the presidents mind later when he or
dered General Pershing to lead an ex-
S peditionary force into northern Mex
leo to break up the Villista faction
: which was behind the Columbus raid.
Y In both cases the president felt him
n self eminently justified in using the
: power of the United States in crush
t ing the faction in Mexico who were
r deliberately and with sinister designs
: engaged in the commission of intoler-
e able wrongs against the United States.
"The American forces were not sent
into Vera Cruz to compel salute of
the American flag. When Huerta re-
fused the presidents ultimatum, he
created a need that more complete
reparation be given for his offenses.
/ That was the sort Of repatriation which
/ the president was intent upon procur-
g ing. In other words it was to break
: the warning power of the dictator and
+ to bring his bloody reign to an end
J. since in no other way could normal
n international relations be restored. =
Il The article tells the history of con.
n ditions in Mexico which brought about
the revolution there, and sets forth
: the facts which justified the resolu.
e ton. 1t treats the Columbus outrage
i" as horror which compelled PROMPT
n punitive action by the United States
n but as an offense committed by reck.
l. less and criminal faction which was
h seeking to prevent the success of the
IS fundamental objects of the revolution
d. "Villa, hopeless of making headway
s against Carranza as things stooc
d adopted Huerta's policy of attempting
IS to provoke American intervention. Ht
;: hoped by arousing the national pride
= to rally to his standard many Of Car,
rama soldiers and to present himself
s. to the ignorant Mexican people in til,
guise of their would be savior from !
ID foreign invader The bandit leader
is went about his work with deadly ear,
is nestness. January IL, 1916, he caus.
n ed the murder of seventeen America
nitiznne mar pindrnn Mnr.rnn NJ.