The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-05-16

me about projectiles, and my aide was
showing him the trophies which adorn
the office of the Secretary of the Navy
and. by the way, that office IS by far
the finest in Washington, and finer
than any government office 1 saw in
Europe Among the trophies displayed
were the beautiful silver gifts which
had been presented Commodore Hull
for his eminent service. My aid point
ed to these with much pride
"HE DID THE ENGLISH"
Hull? Hull?" unused Sir Robert.
Name sounds familiar, but confess 1
cannot recall what he did" and he
turned to the naval officer for en-
llightenment. 1t came promptly
He did the English, Sir Robert"
answered my aide.
The British ordnance expert saw the
point and laughed heartily.
In the days when the President was
trying to straighten out the Mexican
situation. the policy of ''watchful wait
ing" so much misunderstood and SO
frequently misrepresented, provided
the photographers and jokesmiths with
material which they worked and over
worked.
The criticism and ridicule TO which
his programme was subjected by his
political opponents did not disturb
him. He had certain aims upon which
his purpose was definitely set He
was resolved that his policy should be
free from selfish interests, either
national or Individual and that he
would not permit the United States to
aid Huerta in making government by
assassination" a success.
The President was sharply criticised
by the interests behind Huerta be-
cause of their disappointment over his
refusal to recognize the assassin. La
ter he was criticised because he gave
the Mexicans a chance to control their
own government, unhindered and unin-
fluenced by interests, British or Amer.
lean, which were eager to exploit Mex.
lean resources.
II is my own opinion, offered here or
the side, that If Mexico possessed nc
Oil or mineral wealth to excite the Gu
pid1ty of outsiders she would long age
have been able to obtain stable gov
eminent
The President was patient with Mex,
leo. He wrote several notes-state pa
pers they were and will hold their
place among the great documents OF
American diplomacy-in the hope OF
reaching an amicable adjustment OF
differences. But his critics made fun
of the note writing, and one day, after
he had read to use one of these letters
member of the cabinet said to him
Mr.. President, do you think your let.
ters will produce the desired result?'
TELLS A CHICKEN STORY
| Ihe Presidents sense of humor wa.
quite equal to enjoying joke at his owr
expense. He could laugh at himself He
was satisfied he was doing the RICH,
thing, but he was not absolutely certain
1t would bring the results he sought. He
could get the viewpoint of the public ane
OF his critics on the series of notes ht
had addressed to Mexico. So he met the
question of the cabinet member with tn.
following story:
once upon a time gentleman VIII;
had garden was greatly annoyed be
cause his neighbours chickens would fl,
over the fence and eat or scratch up hi:
young vegetables. He told his neighbo
or the bad behavior of his chickens, am
received the promise that it should no
happen again. But it did happen agar
and again. and finally. in a resolve t.
protect his vegetables. he wrote a sharI
note to the neighbor demanding that hi,
garden be protected from maraudiny
chickens. The neighbor was distressed
and wrote in reply promising that tn,
garden would no more be molested By
the chickens
| AAtS fCAy AiCAI udy dllGI I6CHlVinS Lnt
written promise Of protection, the neigh
Dor saw his garden being literally de
voured by the neighbours chickens. Pa
tience had ceased to be a virtue. 1,
righteous wrath he strobe over to hi
neighbours house and demanded to know
why he had not kept his promise
NEIGHBOR is SHOCKED
X GU don't say answered the neigh
Dor, that my chickens are in your gar
den again. do your"
Come and see said the now irat
owner. And there were the chickens bus
destroying the garden.
Well, L never was SO surprised in M
life said the owner Of the chickens. IT
show you my determination to protec
your garden, when / received your lette
called all my chickens together an
read them your letter and solemnl
charged them not to go into your garde
again am aStOniShed and hllrniIia ted +