Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-08-01

then maze an informal acceptance of the
call to patriotic duty, which won the
it his duty to see that neither side to
the struggle in Mexico should receive
any assistance from this side Of the
border. and that the export of all arms
and munitions to Mexico would be for
hidden. But in February. 1914. the en-
barge was lifted. In April. 1914, the
embargo was restored. In May. 1914. it
was explained that the embargo did not
apply to American shipments through
Mexican ports, and ammunition for Car
rama was subsequently landed at Tam
pico. In September. 1914, the embargo
was lifted on exports across the border
thereupon military supplies reached both
Villa and Carranza. In October. 1915,
an embargo was declared on all exports
of arms except to the adherents Of Car
rama. There was an utter absence of
consistent policy.
For time we bestowed friendship on
Villa. Ultimately we recognized Car
rama, not on the ground that he had
constitutional government. but that it
was a de facto government. The COM
plete failure to secure protection to
American citizens is shown conclusively
in the note of the secretary of state of
June 90, 1915, in which he thus described
the conditions that have obtained during
the past three years:
For three years the Mexican repub-
lie has been torn with civil. strife: the
lives Of Americans and other aliens
have been sacrificed vast properties
developed by American capital and en-
terprise have been destroyed or render
ed non productive; bandits have been
permitted to roam at will through the
territory contiguous to the United
States and to seize, without punish
ment or without effective attempt at
punishment, the property Of Americans.
while the lives Of citizens of the United
States who ventured to remain in Mex
lean territory or to return there to pro-
tect their interests have been taken, in
some cases barbarously taken, and the
murderers have neither been appre-
hended nor brought to justice.
It would be tedious to recount instance
after instance, outrage after outrage
atrocity after atrocity, to illustrate the
true nature and extent of the VIDE
spread conditions of lawlessness ana
violence which have prevailed"
The Santa Ysabel massacre, the raid
at Columbus, the bloodshed at Carrlzai,
are fresh in your minds. After the CO.
lumbus raid we started punitive eH-
nedition." We sent thin line of troops
hundreds of miles into Mexico, between
two lines of railway neither or winch
we were allowed to use and which we
did not feel at liberty to seize. We were
refused permission to- enter the towns.
though thus restricted. the enterprise
was still regarded by the hostile FORCES
and If is net remarkable that our men
fell at Carrizal What other result
could he expected? We were virtually
ordered to withdraw, and without ac-
complishing our purpose We nave peeil
withdra wing and we are now endeaVor-
ing to safeguard our own territory. Inc
entire National Guard has been ordered
ont and many thousands Of our citi-
zens have been taken from tnelr peace-
full employment and hurried 10 tne
Mexican border. The administration was
to seize and punish Villa for MS out
rage on our soil. 1t has not punlsneo
INV one. we went in only to retire, and
future movements a erapparently 10
he determined by a joint commission.
The nation has no policy OF aggression
toward Mexico. We have no desire for
anv mart Of her territory. We wish her
to have peace, stability ana prosper
itv. We should be ready to aid ner IN
binding up her wounds. in relieving ner
from starvation and distress, ana IN
giving her in every practicable way the
benefits of our disinterested friendship.
The conduct Of this administration mas
created difficulties which we shall nave
10 surmount. We shall have to over
come the antipathy needlessly created
nv that conduct and to develop genu-
inc respect and confidence. we snail
have to adopt a new policy. policy OF
drmpess and consistency through wnlcn
alone we can promote an enduring
friendship. We demand from Mexico
the protection Of the lives and the
pronertv of our citizens and the Sc
curity of our border from depredations.
Much will be gained If Mexico Is con-
v1nCoQ IndL We COuIOhIPAosS az
some interference with what does not
concern us, but that we propose to IN
sist in a firm and candid manner upon
the performance Of international obi
cations. To a stable government. appro-
priately discharging its international
duties, we should give ungrudging sup
port. A short period Of firm. consistent
and friendly dealing will accomplish
more than many years Of vacillation.
European War-Maintenanee Of Amer.
lean Rights
In this land Of composite population,
drawing it's strength from every race.
the national security demands that there
shall be no paltering with American
rights. The greater the danger Of di-
visive influences. the greater is the ne
cessity for the unifying force Of a Just.