He tried to show them that the United States
was one with them, and had no desire to enlarge her borders at the
expense of another. Whether the means he used were wise or not time
will show.
For the most part the country was with the President in his desire
to keep out of war with Mexico. This was partly because they believed
that America was not prepared for war, partly because they knew
that war must certainly end in the defeat of the Mexicans. Having
defeated them the United States would be forced to annex their
territory, and this no one wanted.
But to keep out of war was no easy matter. The wild disorder
in Mexico increased daily. Besides Huerta other claimants for the
presidency appeared and the country swarmed with bandit forces
under various leaders, all fighting against each other.
At length in April, 1914, some United States sailors who had landed
at the Mexican port of Tampico were taken prisoner by the Huertists.
They were soon set free again, but Huerta refused to apologize
in a satisfactory way, and an American squadron was sent to take
possession of Vera Cruz. War seemed now certain. But it was averted,
and after holding Vera Cruz for more than seven months the American
troops were withdrawn. "We do not want to fight the Mexicans," said
Mr. Wilson, at the funeral of the sailors who lost their lives in
the attack.
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