Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-05-23

"Ah, so the building was burned, was
it? And what caused the fre?" in
quired the British ambassador.
1.-The British" said Captain Harris.
"OhY said Spring Rice.
An incident happened il the Navy De-
partment shortly before the World War
began, of which this story reminds me.
Sir Robert Hadfield, an English expert
in ordnance was waiting 10 see me about
prOjectiles, and my aide was showing
him the trophies which adorn the office
Of the Secretary Of the Maryland, by
the way, that office is by far the finest
in Washington, and finer than any Gov
eminent office 1 saw in Europe Among
the trophies displayed were the beautiful
silver gifts which had been presented to
Commodore Hull for his eminent service.
Ny aloe pointed to these with much
pride
ANOTHER PUN
AT BRITAIN'S EXPENSE.
Hull? Hul?" unused Sir Robert.
Name sounds familiar, but confess l
can not recall what be did" and he
turned to the naval officer for enlighten-
ment. 1t came promptly.
He did the English, Sir Robert" an
swered 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 sit
Nation, the policy of "watchful waiting"
so much misunderstood and so frequent
ly misrepresented, provided the para
graphers and jokesmiths with material
which they worked and Overworked.
The criticism and ridicule to which
his program was subjected by his po-
litical opponents did not disturb him.
He had certain aims upon which his pur
pose was definitely set. He was re-
solved that his policy should be free from
selfish interests, either national or lndI-
vidual, and that he would not permit
the United States to aid Huerta in
making government by assassination" a
success.
WILSON CRITICIZED
BY INTERESTS"
The President was sharply criticized
by the interests" behind Huerta, be-
cause Of their disappointment over his
refusal TO recognize the assassin. Later
he was criticized because he gave the
Mexicans a chance to control their iwn
government, Inhindered and unintluencei
by interests. British oE American, which
were eager to exploit Mexican re-
sources.
1t is my own opinion, offered here on
the side, that II Mexico possessed no oil
or mineral wealth to excite the Gu
pidity of outsiders she would long ago
lave been able to obtain stable gov
eminent.
The President was patient with Mexico.
He wrote several nOtes-State papers
they were and will hold their place
among the great documents of American
e hi n
amicable adjustment of differences. But
his critics made fun of the note writing
and one day, after he had read TO us
one Of these letters, a member OF the
Cabinet said to him:
Mr.. President, do you Shink your
letters will produce the desired result =
HE COULD LAUGH
AT HIMSELF.
The Presidents sense Of humor was
quite equal to enjoying a joke at his own
expense. He could laugh at himself. He
was satisfied he was doing the right
thing. but he was not absolutely certain
it would bring the results he sought. He
could get the viewpoint of the public and
OF his critics on the series Of notes he
had addressed to Mexico. SO he met the
question Of the Cabinet member which
the following story:
"Once upon a time gentleman VINO
had a garden was greatly annoyed be-
cause his neighbours chickens would fly
over the fence and eat or scratch up his
young vegetables. He told his neighbOr
of the bad behavior Of mis- chickens. and
received the promise that it should not
happen again. But it did happen again
and again, and finally, in a resolve to
protect his vegetables, he wrote a sharp
note to the neighbor demanding that his
garden be protected from maraudinG
chickens. The neighbOr was distressed
and wrote in reply promising that the
garden would no more be mOlested by the
chickens
The very next day after receiving the
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. In
righteous wrath he strobe over to his
neighbor's house. and demanded to know
why he had not kept his promise.
WARNED HIS CHICKENS;
THEY DIDN'T HEED.
You don't say, answered the neigh
Dor, that my chickens are in your gar
den again, do your
leone and see said the now irate
owner, and there were chickens busy
destroying the garden.
Well. never was so surprised in my
Hfe,' said the owner of the chickens. 'ro
show you my determination to protect
your garden, when received your letter
I called all my chickens together and