The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1916-03-16

reason The afuNcd purpose was
compel q salute ~ the American flal
Three hundred McAEmIs were report
ed killed; seventeen United States rsa
rines were killed and many wer
wounded. At that yefy time Mr. Bry
an, with the presidents approval, wa
signing treaties with haif the worl
agreeing that " any controversy shoul,
arise II should be submitted TO a join
commission and No action should b.
taken until after a fun year had elaps
ed. This controversy. slight as It was
arose on the OH ~ April, and on th'
1 2lst Of the same month Vera Cru
was taken Nth the occupation o
Vera Cruz the iaural power Of th'
United States IN Mexico ended, W,
were then and We are now hated fo
what We ia "a Mexico and we wer,
then and we are naw despiScd for oul
feeble and irroSautc failure to protec
the lives and rights of our citizens. Nc
flag is so dishcnored and no citizenship
so little worth tie claiming in Mexico
as ours. And that is why we have
failed IN Mexico.
Policy of "Watehful Waiting
Incredible aS 4 seems. liuerta had
been turned ont 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 mur-
dering and burning and ravishing have
gone ON 10 this day After Huerta
had fallen and the Vera Cruz expedi-
tion had been withdrawn President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 a pol
ley of watehful ~aaing And for the
death and outrage, the suffering and
ruin of our own brethren, the hatred
and contempt for our country and the
dishonor Of our name in that land the
administration at Washington shares
responsibility with the inhuman brutes
with whom 1t made common cause
When we turn to the administra-
tion's conduct Of foreign affairs incl
dent to the great war in Europe we
cannot fail to perceive that there IS
much dissatisfaction among Ameri-
cans. Dissatisfaction is not In itself
fypattp1 IN Hon hA off
alton created by the war has been diff
cult and trying. Much Of the CORE
spondence Of the state department.
especially since Mr.. Lansing took
charge, has been characterized by ac-
curate learning and skillful statement
Of specific American rights.
Three Errors In European Policy.
A study of the administration pol
ley toward Europe since July, 1914,
reveals three fundamental errors: First.
the lack of foresight to make timely
provision for backing up American di
pl0macy by actual or assured military
and naval force; second, the forfeit
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, 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
mobilized upon her frontier great |
army of trained citizen soldiers. Stur- |
dy little. Holland did the same, and |
both have kept their territory and their
inviolate.
Great peaceablc 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 1t plain that the
war was begun not by accident, but
with purpose which would not soon be
Ordinary knowledge Of
military events made 1t plain from the
when the tide Of German inva-
sion turned from the battle OF the
Marne that the conflict was certain to
be long and desperate. Ordinary knowl.
edge Of history-of our own history
during the Napoleonic wars made IL
plain that In that conflict neutral rights
would be worthless unless powerfully
The Democratic government at Wash
ngton did not see IL. Others saw It,
md their opinions found voice. Mr..
Gardner urged ii. Mr.. Lodge urged IL,
Mr.. Stimson urged 1t, Mr. Roosevelt
Urged 1t, but their argument and ur-
,ency were ascrIbed to political mo
ives, and the president described them
With snecr rs nervous and excited
Wilson Has Shifted Ground.
But the warning voices would not be
titled The opinion that we ought no
onGer to remain defenseess became
,ublic opinion. Its expression grew
more general and insistent. and finally
he president. not leading. but follow
1g has shifted his ground. has rercrs
j bis position and asks the country to
rcparr against war God grant that
e 1e not too late But the Democrat
, narfy has not shifted its ground q