The Washington herald., 1916-09-03

1 the right to expect to be dealt with
exactly as the people of big and pow
erful States would be. We have acted
upon that principle in dealing with
the people of Mexico.
Our recent pursuit OF bandits into heu-
can territory was no violation Of that
principle. We ventured to enter MeU-
can territory only because there were
no military forces in Mexico that could
protect our border from hostile attack
and our own people from violence, and
we have committed there no single act of
hostility or interference even with the
sovereign authority OF the Republic Of
Mexico herself It was a plain case Of
the violation OF our own sovereignty
which could not wait to be indicated
by damages and for which there was no
other remedy. The authorities of Mex
leo were powerless to prevent IT.
Mexican Relations.
Many serious wrongs against the prop
erty, many irreparable wrongs against
the persons, OF Americans have been
committed within the territory Of Mex
leo herself during this confused revolu-
ton. wrongs which could not be effect
ually checked so long as there was no
constituted power in Mexico which was
in a position to check them. We could
not act directly in that matter ourselves
without denying MexiCans the right to
any revolution at all which disturbed US
and making the emancipation of her own
people await our own interest and con-
venience.
So long as the power of recognition
rests with me the government of the
United States will refuse TO extend
the hand of welcome to any one who
obtains power in n sister republic by
trenchcry and violence. No pcrma-
nency can be given the affairs OF any
republic by title based upon in
trigue and assassination.
Again Vows Policy.
I declared that 90 be the policy OF
this administration within three
weeks after I assumed the Presi-
dency. I here again vow il. I am
more interested in the fortunes Of
oppressed men and pitiful women and
children than in any property rights
whatever. Mistakes L have no doubt
made In this perpleIinE business, but
not in purpose or object.
More is involved than the immediate
destinies of Mexico and the relations OF
the United States with a distressed and
distracted people. All America looks on.
Test Is now being made of US whether
we are sincere lovers Of popular liberty
or not and are indeed to be trusted to
respect national sovereignty among our
weaker neighbors. We have undertaken
these many years to play big brother TO
the republics OF this hemisphere. This
Is the day of our test whether we mean,
or have ever meant, to play that part for
our own benefit wholly or also for theirs.
Upon the outcome Of that test dts out
come in their minds, not in ours de-
ponds every relationship of the United
States with Latin America, whether in
politics or in commerce and enterprise.
Besides contributing our ungrudging
moral and practical support to the estsb-
lishment of peace throughout the world
we must actively and intelligently pre-
pare ourselves to do our full service in
the trade and industry which are to
sustain and develop the life of the ma
lions in the days to come.
Must Aid Laborer.
We can no longer indulge our tradi-
tional provincialism. We are to play
leading part in the world drama, whether
we wish II or not We shall lend, not
borrow; act for ourselves. not initiate or
follow: organize and initiate, not peep
about merely to see where we may get in.
We must hearten and quicken the
spirit and efficiency of labor through
out our whole industrial system BIZ
everywhere and In all occupations