The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-09-08
Wilson'S MEXICAN
POLICY outlined
Justice Is The Keynote OF All OF
His Actions

marines, and approximately 100 Mexi- !
cans. The action was directed solely
against Huerta and the forces he con-
trolled. The President made it clear
that the undertaking to which he APP
piled the American forces was not
war against Mexico, but stroke
against the individual and his follow
ers who had perpetrated insults
against the United States. Huerta's
insolence had become intolerable The
Presidents forbearance and his kindly
sympathy for the Mexican people could
not justify him longer in permitting
a continuance of Huerta's insolence.
1T would be remembered that al
ways in the Presidents mind there
had been reservations as to the ex-
tent of the sacrifices which the United
States Government could make in or
der to avoid armed clashes with one
of the offending Mexican Factions. The
purpose behind the Vera Cruz expedi-
tion was much the same as that in the
Presidents mind later when he order
ed General Pershing to lead an expedi-
tionary force into Northern Mexico to
break up the Villista faction which
was behind the Columbus raid. In both
cases; the President felt himself EN-
inently justified in utilizing the power
of ho Init In, h hi7,e ho
faction of Mexicans who were deliber-
ately and with sinister designs engag-
ed in the commission of intolerable
wrongs against the United States.
The American forces were not sent
into Vera Cruz to compel salute to
! the American flag. When Huerta re-
fused the Presidents ultimatum, he
created a need that more complete
reparation be given for his offense.
That was the sort of reparation which
the President was intent upon procur-
ing. In word, it was to break the
waning power of the Dictator and to
bring his bloody reign to an end, since
I
tional relations be restored. :"
| The article tells the history of the
conditions in Mexico which brought
about the revolution there, and sets
| forth the facts which justified the rev.
! olution. 1t treats the Columbus out
rage as a horror which compelled
prompt action by the United States,
hut as an offence committed by reck-
| less and criminal faction which was
| seeking to prevent the success of the
fundamental objects of the revolution.
villa, hopeless of making headway
again Carranza as things stood, adopt
ed Huerta's policy of attempting to
provoke American intervention. He
hoped by arousing their national pride
to rally to his standard many of Car
ranza's soldiers and to present himself
to the ignorant Mexican people in the
guise of their would-be savior from a
foreign invader. The bandit leader
went about his work with deadly earn
estness. January IL, 1916, he caused
the murder of seventeen American citi-
zens near Piedras Negras Mexico
March 8, he personally led raiding
band across the border and attacked
the town of Columbus, New Mexico,
which was guarded by detachment
of American cavalry.
"The conscience of the American
people demanded that the perpetra-
tors of this outrage be given swift
punishment. Villas conspiracy to pro-
woke Intervention had fallen short Of
it's goal, but he had brought about a
situation wherein it was evident that
the United States could not rely up
on Carranza's soldiers, who were few
in number along the international
boundary, to suppress the brigands OF
Northern Mexico. The President dealt
with this situation in the same firm
manner in which he had dealt with
Huerta's offences against American
!, sovereignty. He ordered an adequate
armed force, under General Pershing
J to pursue Villa into Mexico and to
crush or disperse his lawless bands. =
: General Pershing's success in break
ing up Villas band is then described
} and the story is led up to the fight al
; Carrizal. This precipitated crisis
the article states, which nearly led
: to war.
There was powerful pressure foi
5 war-a terrible war-by well-armet
, powerful nation against an unarmed
bankrupt people exhausted by five
a years of civil strife. but who still re
3 tainea enough of patriotic feeling Il
: unfit them against an invader 1t wal
e the old, old question whether thu
/ United States should impose a peace
q N Mexico; whether for the sake o
r the interests of few of it's citizens
| chn1f1d r,el,tta a =, A.. 1Aov;