El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-02-05
COURAGE IN RIGHT CAUSES IS
INDISPENSABLE TO OUR SAFETY
(BY II. D. s.

absolutely tied by Washington and that
he was unable to resist resent OF punish the muTdeTeus
assaults Of the Mcans after emphatic warning pro-
hibiion had been personally given their commanders
To this good day, protest has been made to
Mexico about that episode the state department has refused
prosecute claims Of dependents Of civilians killed and
wounded in FL Paso during battle and congress has
refused compensation. Worse than all, that episode set
precedent IN dealings with Mexico which stood 1or many
years. fact until Col Sage long afterwards the Arizona
border under similar conditions took summary action and
not cashiered for his temerty-
That El PasO tragedy, that black shame the very
name Of our country contained the perm of most Of the
mistakes that have been made IN dealing with Mexico;
damnabe became fully known to all
Europe every nation of which watching to read
the signs of national character Mexico and al the
of the world became convinced that WE DID NOT
MEAN WHAT WE SAID that were FAKIRS FALSE
ALARMS. that were NATIONALLY INSINCERE, that
we BLUFFED UNSKIFULLY, and that were either
cowardly diotic. We constantly making
PEREMPTORY DEMANDS issuing DIRE THREATS, and
as often we BACKED OFF and tried to trump up high
moral excuses for FAILURE OF SELF RESPECT,
and for our SNUG AVOIDANCE OF ELEMENTAL DUTY.
II IS needless TO trace this thought on up through the
long under two presidents TO demonstrate It's
natural consequences both upon OurseveOur national
mind and soul and spirtand all the world besides
Germany, for one, gained, HONESTLY BUT MISTAKENLY
GAINED the idea that Saazar expressed at CaaS Gandes
that Americans HAVE NO HONOR TO UPHOLD, and
disposition protect imitation. We did not
appear the great world go far Hamlet
who told the queen, Assume virtue, If you have It not
1t has always been the conviction of The Herald that
the Iusitania would have been sunk If the United
States had during all these utterly abandoned
great nation.
But have gone little afield-not far perhaps but
what readers will catch thought connection
their useful conclusions
We have severed all diplomats relations with Germany
with Just cause.-The very least could do and the country
would not at be united for Immediately doing
What IS past IS past and have only profit by
mistakes and seek to line with better judgment
IN the future That future IS indeed yelled
The dismissal OF 2 minister ambassador OF
country by country to which accredited has
Dc r7Tr1o-
present instance have gone much further,
positively severed all diplomatic relations with Germany:
IN other words action evidence of dsDeasu1e
with the German ambassador personally. but with his gov
eminent Il IS challenge German NJ Ion the
imperial government IN the definite
implication of punishment only withheld Tor the time
subject 10 good behavior.
There is instance record. IN which diplomatic
relations between two great powers have been wholly
severed without being followed BY This may make
he exception to the rule
But up TO now, there De only voice among the
people OF the United States, approval for the
lct OF president who HAS DONE PRECISELY WHAT
He SAID He WOULD DO, WHEN He SAID He WOULD
DO IT