The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1920-02-18
M'SWAIfN DEFENDS
WILSON'S ACTION

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Local Attorney Charges Former Sec
retary Lansing with Being al I'M
perialfst.
Greenville, Feb. 16.-Agreeing thor
oughly with the views of DR.. o. o.
Fletcher on questions Of constitution
al practice involved in the resignation
of Secretary Of State Robt. Lansing
but going even further by stating that
Lansing is evidently an imperialist, j.
j. McSwain, attorney at the local bar,
in an interview yesterday further de-
Tended President Wilson by asserting
that he has stood squarely in the way
Of the designs Of mlitarists and i'm
perialists.
Capt. McSwain concurred in the
opinion expressed by Dr. Flctchor in
Sundays News to the effect that Presi-
dent Wilson was right in taking the
steps which resulted in Secretary
Lansing's resignation. Like DR..
Fletcher. Capt. McSwain had for many
years been g careful and close student
of the fundamental principles of gov
ernments of the world, having paid
close attention to the trend of events
along this line since studying Presi-
dent Wilson'S textbook in college %
years ago.
Capt. McSwain said that he agreed
with DR.. Fletcher on the important
question of constitutional practice in
volved because can error is often re-
corded for a precedent and many an
other error by the same example will
rush into the state" or, to use Ten
nyson, even in constitutional country
like this Freedom broadens slowly
down from precedent to precedent"
II think, however that there is
something more important than the
matter of usurping presidential pre-
rogative," said Capt McSwain. Ian
sings course at the peace conference
and his diplomatic correspondence
with Mexico during the presidents ILL
ness indicate that he is an imperialist
| being an impcrialist he would natural
ly favor intervention in Mexico.
| Woodrow Wilson has saved the
country from intervention by his firm
stand to allow Mexico the same 0ppor-
tunity to work out internal affairs "a at
was laid down as the basis OF on II
the fourteen points upon which ,..A
armistice and peace are based" Capt.
McSwain continued, II predict that if
there is change from Democratic to
Republican administration ry this year
election that there will be intervention
in Mexico within two years after the
change. ..,,.
The Republican party being gener-
ally dominated by capitaistic interests
will go to the rescue Of these American
capitalists who have invested their
millions in Mexico expecting to make
larger profits there by cheap labor and
cheap mineral rights.
81, for one, am opposed to war With
Mexico to make good such invest
ments," Capt McSwain continued. cx-
planning that American citizens do not
have to travel in Mexico and can stay
out until tho country settles down "Of
course, If the Mexican nation mani
tests a deliberate intention to violate
our rights it would be our duty 70 pro-
tect our rights at any cost. BjIt we
would be slow to destroy the conf
dcncc of the Latin republics cs Cen
trail and South America merely to
guarantee investments made during
the 'Diaz regime.
The fathers and mothers and young
men of America Capt. McSwain said
in conclusion, "can thank Woodrow
Wilson that bones Of American SOL
diors are not now bleaching in the
alkali deserts Of Mexico"