The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1916-03-17

That was the only power which. IN
fact did protect either American or
European or Mexican. II was Ouly
within the territory where Huerta
ruled that comparative peace and or.
der prevailed The territory over
which the armed power Of Cauapzs
| and villa and their associates extended
was the theater Of the most appalling
crimes Bands of robbers roved the
country with mhridled license. Amer
leans aud Mexicans alike were ut their
mercy, and American men we're muir
dered aud American women were out
ragged with impuniiy. Thousands were
reduced to poverty by the wanton de-
struction Of the industries through
which they lived. Yet the government
Of the United States ignored. con
doned, the murder Of American men
and the rape Of American women and
destruction Of American property aud
insult to American officers and dehlc-
ment Of the American flag aud Joined
itself 10 the men who we're guilty OF
all these things to pull down the pow
err OF Huerta. Why? The president
himself has told us. 1t was because
he adjudged Huerta to be a usurper.
because he deemed that the common
people Of Mexico ought to have great
err participation IN government and
share In the land. and he believed that
Carranza and villa would give them
these things We must all sympathlze
with these sentiments, but there j.
nothing more dangerous than mis-.
placed sentiment.
When our army landed at Vera Cruz
Carranza himself, who was TO be the
chief beneficiary Of the act, publicly
protested against IT, So strong was
the resentment that he could not have
kept his followers otherwise. When
Huerta had fallen the new government
which for the day had succeeded to
his place peremptorily demanded the
withdrawal Of the American troops.
The universal sentiment Of Mexicans
required the peremptory demand. and
the troops were withdrawn. Sun
worse than that the taking Of Vera
Cruz destroyed confidence in the sin
cerity Of the American government IN
Mexico, because every intelligent man
in Mexico believed that the avowed
reason for the act was not the real
reason. The avowed purpose was to
compel salute to the American flag.
Three hundred Mexlcans we're report
ed killed seventeen United States ma
rines we're killed aud many were
| LII ha Hpy
an, with the presidents approval, was
signing treaties with half the world
agreeing that IL any controversy should
arise It should he submitted to joint
commission and no action should he
taken until after full year had elaps
cd. This controversy slight AS it was,
arose on the 9th OF April, and on the
DIST OF the same month Vera Cruz
was taken. With the occupation OF
Vera cruz the moral power of the
United States in Mexico ended We
were then and we are now hated for
what we did To Mexico. and We were
then aud we are now despiSed for our
'eeble and irresolute failure TO protect
the lives and rights of our citizens. No
dag is 50 dlshonored and no citizenship
80 little worth the claiming In Mexico
as ours And that is why we have
failed in Mexico.
Policy Of "Wstehful Waiting"
Incredible as it 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 aud burning aud rnyishlng have
gone on TO this day. After Huerta
had fallen and the Vera Cruz eSpedi-
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-
sponsibility for what happens In Mex
leo and contents himself with q pol
icy Of watchful waiting And for the
death and outrage, the suffering and
ruin of our own brethren, the hatred
aud contempt for our country and the
dishonOr OF our name In that land the
administration at Washington shares
responsibility with the lnhuman brutel
with whom II made common cause.
When We turn to the administra
lions conduct OF foreign affairs Incl
dent 10 the great war I'm Europe we
! cannot fail to perceive that there Is
much dissatisfaction among Ameri
cans. Dissatisfaction is not In itself
ground for condemnation. The stu.
alton created by the war has been din
cult and trying. Much Of the CORE
spOndence Of the state department
especially since Mr.. Lansing took
charge, has been characterized by sc
. curate learning and skillful statement
OF specific American rights.
Three Errors In European Policy.
A study OF the administrations pol
icy toward Europe since July, 1914
reveals three fundamental errors First
the lack OF foresight TO make timely
provision for backing up American dl
plOmacy by actual or assured military
and naval force; second, the forfei
ture Of the worlds respect for our an
sertion OF rights by. pursuing the policy
OF making threats and failing 70 make
them good; third, 4 loss Of the mora
forces OF the civilized world through
failure TO truly interpret 10 the worlC
the spirit OF the American democracy
IN its attitude toward the terrible
events which accompanied the earl,
stages OF the war.
Eirat ~ IN DOwer.