Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1916-11-04

ing their wandering citizens by force
of arms- and has set UP quite a diff
ferent policy of her own
"A baser doctrine was never pro-
muIgated; but at least the absolute
frankness of the statement is COM
mendable in comparison with the
words of President Wilson, who con-
ceals the true meaning of his policy
by honeyed phrases in diplomatic
notes. and by his contradictory
speeches at home
This new Wilson policy is sor-
did and base. He says he wishes
for friendly political and trade re-
lations with the world He would
have our citizens go forth and trade
for their and our benefit. but they
must do so at their own peril. while
we sit snugly at home. reaping the
rewards OF their labor, and send
notes when they are murdered. Such
a policy breeds the worst traits in
men and stamps a nation with cow
ardice.
Heard Their Stories.
Il have just come from the border
where 1 have talked with men and
women who have personally expert
enced the results of this new policy,
The dreadful story of Mexico and
American citizens in Mexico during
this administration proves the folly
of the Wilson policy.
During the past twenty-five years
our government, through its con
sular officials in Mexico. published
information about Mexico. explained
how and where trade could be de-
velOped with profit to the men and
women who might go TO Mexico, as
oil
home. The Mexican people needed
and asked for capital to aid in build
ing their railroads, developing their
industries and opening their country.
Acting under the belief that the
American government would protect
its citizens and their interests,
American citizens invested hundreds
of millions in Mexico, and thousands
of sturdy, law-abiding American
citizens, with their families, went to
Mexico.
without doubt, some bad men
went to Mexico. and some invest
Sments were crooked, just exactly as
other bad men stayed at home and
did badly. But when President Will
son condemns Americans in sweep
ing terms as adventures who are
dishonesty exploiting Mexico. his
charge is not only unsupported by
the facts. but it is a subterfuge to
keep mems minds away from the hor-
rible murders and outrages of Amer
lean men, women and children in
Mexico.
THE bald truth is that the Wilson
policy of refusal to protect American
citizens is itself primarily responsible
for these murders and outrages. 1t
iS tn 70
ton of life and property. Attack
upon and destruction of one inev-
itably endangers the other. Both
must be protected if either is to be
really safeguarded. The Wilson pol
icy is responsible for the murder of
our citizens on the high seas and in
Mexico; for the killing of the women
and children on the Lusitania by a
German submarine; for the killing
of our soldiers at Carrizal.
At War in Mexico.
The claim that the Wilson policy
has kept US out of war is another
high-sounding phrase not supported
by the facts. Mexico is not at war
with France, Germany, or Great Brit
ain-yet the citizens of those nations
are not murdered or outraged as are
our American citizens. Even the
bandits of all factions in Mexico have
a wholesome respect for men and
women whose governments have the
will and the courage to respect them.
"Chinamen alone in Mexico have suf-
fered as have Americans. The Wilson
policy, instead of keeping US out OF
war with Mexico. has kept US in actual
armed conflict with Mexico. war in
actual fact, but a war waged under
conditions of unpreparedness, weak
ness and vacillation that have earned
for US the contempt and hatred of all
Mexican factions
The new Wilson policy of non-pro-
lection led him into other difficulties
in dealing with Mexico. Every course
that has been pursued in that unfor-
tunate country has been abandoned.
There has been neither consistency nor
persistency in his actions The su
preme infamy is to be found not so much
in his intervention to destroy Huerta
but in the fact that after he had de-
stroyed the only government in Mexico
he was too weak to meet the conse-
Quenees of his own act and left the
Mexican people with no government
strong enough to protect life or prop
erty. He speaks of his passion for
the down trodden Mexican, but by his
weakness. his support of first one fac