Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 May 1914 — Real Reason of War Must Rest on Seem-. ingly Hopeless Condition Mexico Is In [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Real Reason of War Must Rest on Seem-. ingly Hopeless Condition Mexico Is In

By Former President WILLIAM H. TAFT

I F the flag incident were tlie only reason for our intervention it miuht, in view of General Huerta’s apology, seem a very insufficient ground Upon which to bring about war —if war i- to follow. Some have hoped I’aat this might end will, the seizure of two ports, Tampico “wild A era Cruz, and that it may not.be necessary for us to proceed further. Those of Us who know the kind of war that is to follow, if there is war. pray that this is true. 1 . v 'V>. . v .. « *• * THE REAL REASON FOR THE WAR. IF IT FOLLOWS, IN HISTORY AND IN JUSTICE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. MUST REST UPON THE SEEMINGLY HOPELESS CONDITION THAT MEXICO IS IN. IN AN INTERNATIONAL WAY AND A HISTORICAL SENSE WE HAVE REACHED THE POINT WHERE OUR POSITION IN RESPECT TO THIS CONTINENT AND ALSO EUROPE IS THAT WE ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PEACE IN MEXICO, FOR MEXICO HAS CERTAINLY BECOME A NUISANCE FROM AN INTERNATIONAL STANDPOINT. IF WE ENGAGE IN WAR OUR ONLY JUSTIFICATION IS OUR NEIGHBORLY OBLIGATION TO GO IN AND TRANQUILIZE THE COUNTRY.