Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1916-10-09
Two Ex-Secretaries OfStafe on Mr.. Wilson,
Mexican Policy
(From The New York SUM-

In Richard Olneys defence Of the
administration OF our foreign affairs
by Woodrow Wilson the Massachu
sets statesman declared the principles
that. in his judgment. should govern
our attitude toward the domestic poll
tics of Mexico and other nations He
said in his paper
Apart however. from the Difficult
ties and the enormous cost in life and
property of such an undertaking
(pacification Of Mexico by fcrce), such
a policy of war and conquest is at
complete variance with the principles
and ideals Of our constitutional gov
eminent.
They require us to admit that Mex
leo is entitled to govern itself: that
her people, like the other peoples OF
South and Central America are en-
titled to go through all the processes
and experiences necessary for their
education and intelligent participation
in free government; while the proper
role OF the United States is to abstain
from interference itself. to permit no
interference from any other quarter,
and to insure the solidarity Of the two
Americans by securing for our pur-
poses and policies the appreciation
and support Of the Latin American
countries"
The same subject engaged the at
tention OF Elihu Root in his Carnegie
Hall address last evening. Mr.. Root
quoted from Mr. Wilson's Indianap-
oils speech Of 1915, in which the Pres
ident, after saying it was none OF his
business" and none OF his auditors
business" how long the people of Mex
leo took in determining who should be
their governor and what their gov
eminent should be, declared 80 far
as my influence goes while I am Presi-
dent nobody shall interfere with
them" He then exposed the essential
vice of Mr.. Wilson's management OF
public affairs in this fashion:
IF the President had adhered to the
policy which he thus publicly pro-
claimed the contrast might be less
shocking now between the appalling
conditions exposed in the letter OF the
Secretary Of State June 20. 1870
which l have quoted and the untimely
merriment of the Indianapolis speech.
But the Presidents action did not
conform to these declarations.
Ills actions and his words were
startlingly inconsistent
HE proclaimed watchful waiting
and he engaged in active interference. |
And so, proclaiming impartiality
and respect for the right Of Mexico TO |
settle her own affairs, President VIII
son interfered in the civil controversy
in Mexico, and finally interviewed by |
force Of arms and destroyed one party |
and aided the other. and overthrow
Huerta, and set up Carranza and villa
in the control OF government there" |
In short, Mr. Wilson's acts in Mex |
leo. were. in the opinion of his apol- |
ogist. Mr.. Olney, at complete vari-
ance with the principles ana ideals of
our constitutional government" they
violated the policy Mr. Wilson pro- /
claimed with such levity in his In /
dianapolis speech, and in more digni- /
fed fashion on other occasions: they |
bewildered and confused not only |
Americans and Mexicans but the peO- /
pie OF every other country; they de- |
MED his good faith and cast suspicion /
on every announced purpose and plan /
Of American diplomacy under Mr. !