Cut Bank pioneer press. [volume] (Cut Bank, Mont.) 1909-current, 1916-04-28

tiog is so dishonored and no citizenship
so little worth the claiming In Mexico
as ours. And that is why We have
failed In Mexico
Policy of "WatchfuI Waitina!r
Incredible as 1t seems. Huerta had
been turned out by the assistance Of
the American government without any
guarantees from the men who were to
be set up in his place. and so the muir
dering and burning and ravishing have
gone on to this day. After Huerta
had fallen and the Vera Cruz expedi.
ton had been withdrawn President
Wilson announced that no one was
entitled to interfere In the affairs Of
Mexico: that she was entitled to settle
them herself. He disclaims all re-
sponsibiiity for what happens In Mex.
leo and contents himself with a Dol.
icy of watchfuI waiting. And for the
death and outrage. the suffering and
ruin of our own brethren. the hatred
and contempt for country and the
dishonor of our name In that Innd the
administration at Washington shares
responsibility with the inhuman brutes
with whom 1t made common cause.
When we turn to the administra
tons conduct of foreign affairs Incl.
dent to the great war In Europe we
cannot fail to perceive that there IL
much dissatisfaction among Ameri.
cans. Dissatisfaction ia not Ii itself
ground for condemnation. The stu
alton created by the war has been diff
cult and trying. Much of the CORE.
spondence of the state department.
especially since Mr.. Lansing tool
charge. has been characterized by nc.
curate learning and skillful statement
Of specific American rights.
Three Errors In European Policy.
A study of the administrators poi.
icy toward Europe since July. 1914.
reveals three fundamental errors: First.
the lack Of foresight to make timely
provision for backing up American di
plomacy by actual or assured military
and naval force: second. the forfei
ture of the worlds respect for our as
sertion of rights by pursuing the policy
of making threats and failing to make
them good; third. a loss of the moral
forces of the civilized world through
failure to truly interpret to the world
the spirit of the American democracy
In its attitude toward the terrible
events which accompanied the early
stages of the war.
First, as to power:
When the war In Europe began. free.
peaceable little Switzerland instantly
modified upon her frontier a great
army of trained citizen soldiers. Stur.
dy little Holland did tie same. and
both have kept their territory and their
independence inviolate
Great, peaceable America was farther
removed from the conflict. but her
trade and her citizens travelled on ey.
cry sea. Ordinary knowledge Of Eu
ropean affairs made It plain that the
war was begun not by accident, but
with purpose which would moi soon be
relinquished. Ordinary knowledge Of
military events made 1t plain from the
moment when the tide of German inva.
sion turned from the battle OF the
Marine that the conflict was certain to
be long and desperate. Ordinary knowl.
edge of history-of our own history
during the Napoleonic wars-made 1t
plain that in that conflict neutral rights
would be worthless unless powerfully
maintained.
The Democratic government at Wash.
ington did not gee it. Others saw 1t.
and their opinions found voice. Mr.
Gardner urged It. Mr.. Lodge urged It.
Mr.. Stimson urged It. MFR. Roosevelt
urged 1t. but their argument and ur.
gcnct were nscribed to political mo
tives. and the president described them
with a sneer as v and excited
Wilson Has Shifted Ground.
But the warning voices would not be
stilled The opinion that we ought no
longer to remain d~efenseless became
public opinion. Its expression grew
more general and insistent, and finally
the president. not leading. hut follow
ing. has shifted his ground. has revers.
ed his position and asks the country to
prepare against God grant that
be lie not toe late. But the Democrat.
&c pr has not shifted its ground. A
larg TT of Its members In congress
are ~eloeavoring now to sidetrack the
mover"'nt for national preparedness.
to M : II by amendment and turn
1t int. .hannels which will produce the
least possible result In the increase of
national power of defense. What
sense of effectiveness in this effort can
we gather from the presence of Jose
plus Daniels al the most critical post
OF all-the head Of the navy depart.
meilt-wbell we see that where
preparation has been possible 1t has
not been made. when We see that con
strnction Of warships already author
lied has not been pressed and In some
asses after long delay has not even
been begun?
IT an increase of our country's power
q defend itself apatnsf aUoracSio,, L.