Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1916-03-18
by wise and competent government
How Can ne Defend Ourselves?

OF this day arise. The events of the
last few years have taught us many
lessons. We have learned that civiliZa
ton is but veneer thinly covering the
savage nature Of man. How can this
nation, which loves peace and intends
justice, avoid the curse Of militarism
and Mt the same time preserve its in
dependence, defend its territory. pro-
tect the lives and liberty and proper
ty Of its citizens? How can we pre-
vent the same principles OF action. the
same policies Of conduct the same
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? Will
anybody live for them! Would any
body die for them? Or are we all for
ease and comfort and wealth at any
price? Confronted 10y such questions
as these and the practical situations
which give rise to them. is the coun-
try satisfied to trust itself again III the
hands OF the Democratic party?
!,c ... D.. 80 n N9cxico
The Uni,ru States i,Hd ii.n., ana
duties In Mexico. More than 10000 of
our citizens had sought their fortunes
and made their homes there. \ thou
sand millions of American capital had
been invested in that productive coun-
try. But revolution had come, and
fact1Onal 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 stiDulatiOns Of
treaties should be observed by Mexico
toward the United States and its citi
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 Ell
trely 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 UUCrta
Finally the president sent our arm
and navy to invade Mexico ard CAP
ture its great seaport. Vera Cruz. and
hold it and throttle Mexican commerce
until Huerta fell.
Americans Outraged In Mexico.
The government Of the United state
interviewed in Mexico to control The il
ternal affairs Of that independent cor'
try and to enforce the Will Of tl,
American president in those affairs H.,
threat, by economic pressure and H.
force Of arms. Upon what claim o,
right did this intervention proceed:
Not to secure respect for Americas;
rights, not to protect the lives or prop
erty Of our citizens. not to assert Tao
laws Of nations. not to compel oiJScrr
ance Of the law Of humanity. On tia
contrary, Huerta's was the only poWGi
in Mexico to which appeal cOull bG
made for protection Of life or property.
That was the only power which, in
fact, did protect either American OF
European or Mexican. 1t was only
within the territory where Hucrta
ruled that comparative peace and or
der prevailed. The territory owe,
which the armed power Of CarranZa
and Villa and their associates extended
was the theater Of the most appalling
crimes Bands Of robbers roved tic
country with unbridled license Amer.
leans and MeXiCans alike were at their
mercy, and American men were mur.
dered and American women were ont
ragged with impunity. Thousands were
reduced to poverty by the wanton &c.
struction Of the industries through
which they lived. Yet the government
OF the United States ignored. con.
doned, the murder Of American men
and the rape Of American women ana
destruction Of American property and
insult to American officers and detilc-
ment OF the American flag and joined