Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-18
Mexico
Henry cabot Lodge,
'ors Republican Club Of


Address before Republican Club Of Lynn, Mass.
T7HBRE. TO begin with, is Mexico. What a tragic
i spectaeiel And the responsibility for the oondi-
tions in Mexico rests largely on the government
Of the United States The present administration
found Mexico and Mexican relations IN bad eondi-
uon. They have made these bad conditions infinitely
worse. They found de faeto government under Cen
eral Huerta, in control Of the capital and supported
by the great bulk OF the Mexican population although
in control OF OF the republic
The president for reason. took a personal dis.
like TO General Huerta, good grounds possibly but
personal dsIikes have place in diplomacy inter-
national relations There good international
grounds which ne could have withheld recognition
from the Huerta government but there is very great
difference between refusing recogntion and active in
tervention.
Huerta would not depose himself as the president
requested him TO do, and the president determined
to Intervene and him out 1t is wholly proper
refuse to recognize government in another country
but II II direct Intervention TO say that you will
recognize a government because a particular man Is
at the head Of r. The expedition was sent to Vera
Cruz nominally 70 salute TO the flag which
has been given and urged in order TO
prevent the landing OF cargo of from German
vessel for the Huerta government which were in due
time delivered 20 that government Nineteen American
sailors and marines were killed and hundred wounded
In taking Vera Cruz. and several hundred Mexicaiis
were killed wounded. II was war against General
Huerta. n successful war. for at the same time we
raised the embargo and allowed the opponents OF
efol huefta 10 Import arms from the United States
General Huerta driven from power and the pres-
dents war against General Huerta eliminated in com.
pete victory by the imprisonment Of Huerta in
Texas Jail and HIS death in consequence.
The result in Mexico destruction of the only
government that offered any prospect Of order or
peace responsibility. The murderers and bandits
favored by the administration in preference General
Huerta, who was also murderer have been desoat-
ing the country and fighting among themselves ever
since Property has been almost entirely DESTROYED;
industry Is at standSti; the people In many parts
OF Mexico starving and there no end to Il vet
But out OF this miserable tragedy OF Mexico one thing
arises and commands our attention above ali others
Americans have been murdered In Mexico: soldiers
wearing the American uniform have been shot on the
soil or the United States. The administration admits
that there have been 12 such murders since they came
into power There were good many before that time
and thers are good many included in their lists
IL is believe. speaking within bounds to say that
some 400 Americans have been killed in Mexico II
you add those who fell at Vera Cruz you will find
that more American lives have been lost In Mexico
than were lost in tho Spanish war; under the opera.
ons of the president whose great glory proclaimed
We all want peace. all against war II II can
possibly be avoided; but shall insist we republicans
at least that American rights shall protected at
homo and abroad. in Mexico and ON the seas The
citizen owes allegiance every sacrifice even the
sacrifice OF life to his country and the country owes
to him. while he obeys her laws protection in every
right that he possesses.