Alma record., 1920-03-18
DIPLOMATIC MANAGEMENT


through its President. Hon. Jonathan
Bourne, Jr., today gave out the fol.
lowing statement from it's Washing
ton Headquarters:
among all the miserable failures
which the Wilson Administration has
suffered, there is none more humili-
ating To the American people than
that experienced in the management
of diplomatic affairs. Beginning
with the appointment of diplomatic
Representatives to foreign countries
down through. the entire record
there is scarcely page that reflects
credit upon American diplomacy.
TO recall to mind facts that are
well known but largely overlooked in
the passing of time, there may be
mentioned the policy adopted by
President Wilson while William J.
Bryan was Secretary Of State
of finding in. the diplomatic
service lucrative positions for "de-
serving Democrats. To a number of
foreign nations Mr.. Wilson, upon the
recommendation of Mr. Bryan, sent
men, who had never had a days ex-
perience in diplomacy, and who were
qualified in no respect for a service
which meant so much to the good
standing of this nation among the
other nations of the earth. To one
South American country, the Presi-
dent sent a rural preacher, who
facetiously remarked as he was about
to depart for his post, that he had
been a minister for thirty years and
this might qualify him as Minister
from the United States to another
nation Numerous appointments of
| Similar fitness were made and all
the facts were disclosed in public
discussion during the first year of
the Wilson Administration. eeEn.e.
But there was one incident which
attracted world wide attention, and
which necessarily destroyed any con-
fidence the diplomats Of any nation
might have in the high purposes of
President Wilson. That was the ap-
pointment of resident Of Illinois.
political friend of James Hamilton
Lewis, to the Amhassadorship at
Petrograd. Almost coincident with
the announcement of the appoint
ment, there was published state
ment of facts which were undenied.
showing that this man had been ap-
pointed to Russia, then one of the
leading nations. with the express
understanding that he would shortly
resign and that some one more fitted
for the position would be appoint
ed IN his place. The appointment
was acknowledged to be entirely in
the nature of political reward, and
not with the idea that the appointee
would be in reality a diplomatic
representative of the United States.
Disclosure Of the facts resulted in
Russia making known that the an
polntment would not be acceptable
and the gentleman never left the
shores of the United States. The
United States had been rebuked by
Russia, and at every important CAPT
tai IN the world American diplomacy
was made a laughing stock.
Almost from the beginning of his
Administration, President Wilson
had the Mexican difficulties on his
hands. Instead Of taking into con-
sultatlon men of experience in diplo
macy and sound of judgement in
craftsmanship, and acting in accord
ance with decisions that might be
arrived at after such conferences.
President Wilson undertook to con-
duct our diplomatic relations with
the Southern Republic by making
speeches announcing the principles
by which America would be guided.
He asserted first that there must be
revision of the land laws of Mexi
co; that the conditions of the Mexi
can people must be ameliorated. but
later he said that Mexico's domestic
troubles were no affair of ours. and
II her problems must be worked out
through bloodshed. it would not be
our part to interfere When Hucrta
came to the Presidency in Mexico.
with apparently as good claim to
the office as others before and after.
President Wilson refused to recog-
nize HIM on the allegation that he
came to the Office with blood on his
hands, thus undertaking To establish
the precedent of having the title to
the Presidency of Mexico settled in
Washington Leading European ma
tions had recognized Huerta.
When there were three claimants
to ascendancy in the Sister Republic.
President Wilson sent message
calling upon the three factions TO get
together in conference and settle
their differences, declaring that
otherwise the United States would
not recognize any one of the three.
Two of the aspirants for power
agreed to the plan for conference
but Carranza defed the President
and suggested that he mind his own
business. Within very short time
President Wilson recognized Carran-
"a. thus not only yielding his demand
for conference, but recognizing
the man from whom he had met de-
nance. In one incident after another.
Carranza won diplomatic successes in
MS controversy with President Will /
son. The President placed an en-
barge upon arms to Mexico. lifted
the embargo, and restored it, he aid
ed villa and opposed him; he sent
troops INTO Mexico to get Villa, and