The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1923-09-19
SENSIBLE


The Mexican-American RESUMPTION
Of diplomatic relations terminates a
troublesome chapter which began over
a decade ago with "watchful waiting"
and ended with effective action. The
Wilson legacy of ~ceaseless replication
yields place to the Harding legacy of
sensible recognition.
AS we look back over the period of
turmoil which began with the election
of Madero to the presidency Of Mexico
IN 1911, we are impressed with the
fact that the Wilson policy took little
account of the well-being of Ameri-
a n in Mexico, while the Harding pol
icy was deeply concerned in the safe
guarding of those just rights and in,
terests. Under the Wilson Admins
tration the astonishing statement was
officially voiced that Americans who
engaged in foreign enterprises assum-
ed all the risks and could not prop,
erly expect the protection of their
government. This statement was ap-
ropos of Mexican disorder. The Hard
ng-CoOlidge administration, on the
contrary, has insisted that Americans
in Mexico should be accorded their full
rights under the law of nations. Will
son seemed concerned solely with the
method by which government came
into power in Mexico. The fact that
Americans were plundered and shot
that they were obliged at last to ap-
peal to the protection of British and
German flags, seems to have made
little impression on Mr.. Wilson
What concerned him was, how did
this or that government secure con-
troll?
In February, 1913, General Huerta,
by a coup d'etat, replaced Madero,
and on the 22nd of the month Madero
was shot. During March, April and
May following, the Huerta govern
ment was recognized by a number of
European powers, but, desiring to
give President-elect Wilson free rein.
President Taft refrained from action
Wilson declined to recognize Huerta.
In August he sent a personal repre-
sentative" John Lind, to Mexico with
an offer of good offices conditioned
on an immediate cessation of fighting
security, given for an early and free
election, the consent of Huerta tc
bind himself not to be a candidate
and the agreement Of all parties tx
abide by the results. Huerta refused
these terms and the Lind mission fail
ed. In the same month Wilson tolC
Congress neither side to the struggl,
should receive assistance from tn,
United States, and export of arms I,
Mexico was prohibited. In October
1913 Huerta dissolved the Mexican
congress, ordered a general election
and the results were declared to SHOW
his election November 7th Mr.. vii
son deemed it to be "his immediat.
duty to require Huerta's retiremen
from the Mexican government. an,
that the government of the Unite
States must now proceed to emplor
such means as may be necessary I
secure this result" Meanwhile Can
rama had become a contender for tn
presidency, and, February 8, 1911
Wilson withdrew the arms embargo
whereby Carranza was placed in a Dc
sition to secure an advantage denie
to Huerta. Later the embargo wa
reestablished.
In April 1914 occurred the Tan
pico flag incident when Wilson ser
our navy to demand a salute whiC
ne failed to get, just as two yea
later he sent our army into Mexico
"get Villa, whom he did not get. n
A. B. c. Conference at Niagara Fal
was rendered abortive by Carranza
refusal to participate. In July Hue