Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-04-17
CHAPTER XXI
THE Mexican question was

THE Mexican question was in
cidental to larger phases of
world diplomacy. and circum-
stances beyond the control OF the
Washington government often dlc,
tated a course of action distastetul
to Woodrow Wilson himself.
For instance. when a boatload of
American sailors were arrested on
the streets in Tampico and Rear Adj
miral MAYO demanded a salute as
we'll as an apology, Mr.. Wilson would
have preferred to ignore the affair
and accept the written apology
which was extended by the local
Mexican commander at Tamplco'
When the news became public, how
ever, that a demand for salute had
been made, the president could not
turn back. Much against his Will, he
supported the action of Mayo. | re-
member how irritated he was when
he received the news of the Tamplco
incident. We were at White Sulphur
Springs, w. Va, where President
Wilson had taken Mrs. Wilson IN the
hone that her health would improve.
He returned to Washington at once
and in the next few days a Crisis IN
Mexican relations developed, the ell
max coming in the sudden seizure OF
Vera Cruz as a reprisal for the in
suit to American blueiackets.
BIoodshed Not Expected
Mr.. Wilson did not issue the order
for the seizure of Vera Cruz with
the idea blOOdshed would follow. He
had been given the idea in the re
ports from John Lind, his envoy,
that the customs house at Vera Cruz
could be seized without the loss OF
life. Resistance from the MeXlCanS
was not expected, but the whole
maneuVer with it's consequent loss OF
Mexican and American lives mace
unon Mr.. WILSON'S mind a profound
impression of tragedy. He could not
rid himself of the thought that Mex
leo was a weak country, and that
,he United States might have found
some other way Of satisfying pride.
A Though there were interests deSlr-
Gus Of intervention and MIR. Wilson
was criticised for rot ordering the
Amni lean eXpeditiOnary force to pro
coed to Mexico City, no such plan
ever received his sanction. He be.
lieVed there was such thing as
nation too proud 70 fight neighbor
as weak and helpless as Mexico, how
ever irritating the cause. Woodrow
Wilson's forbeardnCe with respect to
Mexico in latter days was to no small
extent prompted by his regret over
the Ne"a cruz tragedy.
The author attended the confer
ence at Niagara Falls in the early
part of 1914 in which the diplomatic
representatives of Argentine. Brazil
and Chile endeavOred to mediate as
between the EIuerta administration
and the United States government
The elimination of Huerta was fore
gone conclusion. Mr.. Wilson did
contribute toward that end and to
some extent was of assistance to the
Carranza faction in achieving mill
tary supremacy when the Huerta
regime care to an end.
War Upsets Plans
What might have happened If the
European war had not broken out
in July, 1914. can not be conjectured
because the entire policy of the
United States toward Mexico from
that time forward was Influenced
again by the relation of the Mexican
problem to world events. 1t is true
the pressure from the European
powers for a settlement of pending
problems with Mexico eased up con
siderably with their minds Concen
trated on the large developments Of
World war Hardly had CarranZa
with his lieutenant, General Obre-
gon. reached Mexico City and began
to establish a government when the