i9i63 Opposition to Intervention 



not, I will see them all in northeast Hades before I will ever 

 give voice or vote for this government to make war on the 

 unfortunate victims of greed in its most shameless form, and of 

 the most arrant tyranny that has disgraced the American 

 continent since the days of Cortez. 



In like vein on August 5 Colonel Daniel M. Burns Cohnei 

 of the San Dimas mines, for thirty years an investor ^"'■"^' 

 in Mexico, said in the San Francisco Bulletin: 



Various groups of foreign interests which have exploited 

 Mexico and have fattened in the process, now desire Interven- 

 tion. But their point of view is not mine. I do not wish to see 

 Mexico blotted out in blood by this nation because it is the 

 stronger, or to have tens of thousands of my fellow-countrymen 

 slaughtered because I chance to have some dollars invested 

 there. 



Burns also made the following statement: 



In Mexico itself it has not been hard to find evidence of a fine 

 foreign hand. One instance will suffice. 



I overheard a braggadocio Mexican exhorting a crowd of his 

 countrymen, in perfervid style. His appeal was to drive the 

 hated Americans from the land by whatever forceful means 

 were necessary. So violent and inflammatory was his language, 

 that I gave the man a sharp rebuke when I met him later alone. 

 He expressed great surprise. "Why, Seiior," he said, "do you 

 not understand? I am working for your countrymen. I am 

 employed to stir up Mexicans so that they may commit out- 

 rages against Americans and their property to such an extent 

 that the government of your country must intervene. Then 

 everything will be lovely for you and me." 



The man showed no embarrassment, still less shame — no 

 more than the well-groomed interests that bought his infamy 

 would have displayed in telling their side of the story. Nor 

 should it be assumed that his treachery was typical of Mexicans. 

 In all lands and at all times there have been men ready to sell 

 their country for a price. 



n 701 3 



