Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1846-12-16

them the more embarrassing. That such meas
ures of redress render similar provications COM
mitted by any of the powerful nations of Eu-
rope, would have been promptly resorted to the
United States, is not to be doubted. National
honor and the preservation of the national
character the world, as well as our own SET re-
spect, and the protection due to our own citizens
would have rendered such resort indispen-
sable.
The history of no civilized nation of modern
time, has presented in SO brief period so ma
ny wanton attacks upon the honor OF its nag
and the properly and persons of its citizens, as
had at that time been borne by the U States
from the Mexican authorities and people. But
Mexico was sister Republic, on the North
American Continent, occupying territory con-
tiguous to our own and was in feeble, distrac
ted condition; and these considerations, it is
presumed, induced Congress to forebear still
longer, instead of taking redress into our own
hands. A new negotiation was entered upon,
with fair promises on the part or Mexico, but
for the real purpose, as the event has proved, OF
indefinitely postponing the reparation which we
demanded and which was so justly due. This
negotiation on, after more than years delay,
resulted in the convention of the ii tn of April,
1889, for the adjustment of claims of citizens
of the United States of America, upon the gov
eminent of the Mexican Republic. The joint
board of Commissioners, created by this Con-
vention, to examine and decide upon these
claims, was not organized until August, 1910.
Upon the terms of the Convention, they were
to terminate their duties within eighteenmonths
from that time. -Four of the eighteen months
were consumed in the preliminary discussions
on frivilous and diltOry points, caused by the
Mexican Commissioners, and it was not until
the month of December, 1910, that they COM
mcnced the examination of the Claims of our
citizens upon Mexico.
Fourteen months only remained to examine
and decide upon those numerous and complca-
ted cases. In the month of February, 1882 the
term of the commission expired, leaving many
claims undisposed of for want of time. The
claims which were allowed by the Board and by
the umpire authorized by the convention to de-
eide in case of disagreement between the Mex
lean and American commissioners, amounted
to 81, O25,139 6S. There were pending before
the umpire when the commission expired addi-
tionai claims which had been examined and a.
warded by the American Commissioners, and
had not been allowed by the Mexican commits
sioners amounting to $92S,627 SS upon which
he did not decide, alloying that his authority
had chased with the termination of the joint
commission.
Besides these claims there were others of A
merican citizens, amounting, to SO, 336,S37 05
which had been submitted to the Board, and up
on which they had not time to decide before
the final adjournment. The sum af $2026, SO
63 which had been awarded to the climants,
was a liquidated and ascertained bebt due from
Mexico, about which there could be no dispute
and which she was bound to pay by the terms
of the Convention. Soon after the final awards
of this amount had been made, the Mexican gov
eminent asked a postponement Of the time for
making payment alledging that it would be In
convenient to make the payment at the time
stipulated. In the spirit offorebearing kindness
towards sister Republic which Mexico had so
long abused, the United States promptly COM
piled with her request.
A second convention was accordingly con-
cluded between the two governments on the
30th January l643, which upon its face declares
that this new arrangement is entitled into for
the accommodation of Mexico. BY the terms
or this Convention all the interests due on the
awards which had been made in the favor of
the climants under the convention of the 18th
April 1889, was to be paid to them from the30th
of April: lS43, and the principal of the awards,
and tide interest accruing thereon, was stipula-
ted to be paid in five years. in equal instalments
every three months. Notwithstanding this
convention was entered into at the request of
Mexico, and for the purpose of relieving her of
embarrassment, the claimants have only receiv-
ed the interest due from the 30th of April 1916,
and three of the twenty instruments, although
the payment of the sum thus liquidated and
confessed due by Mexico to our citizens, an in
demnity for acknowledged acts of our rage and
wrongs, was secured by treaty, the obligations
of which are held sacred by all just nations.-
Yet Mexico has violated her solemn engage
ment by failing and refusing to make the pay
ments. The two instalments due in April and
July, 1914, under the peculiar circumstances
connected with them have been assumed by
the United States, and discharged to the eli
mants; but they are still due in Mexico.
But this not all of which we have just cause
of complaint. To provide remedy for the eli
mants whose cases were not decided by the
joint commissioners under the Convention of
April l lth, 1889 it was expressly stipulated by
the 9th article of the convention of the 3Oth
January 1913, that a new convention shall be
entered into for the settlement of all claims of
the Government and citizens of the United
States against the Republic of Mexico which
were not finally decided by the late commission
which met in the city of Washington, and of
all chimes of the government and citizens of
Mexico against the u. S.
In conformity with this stipulation third
convention was concluded and signed at the
city of Mexico on the Goth Nov. lS43, by the
of the two governments, by
which provision was made for ascertaning and
paying these claims. In June, 1914 this con-
vention was ratified by the Senate of the United
States with two amendments which were man.
ifestly reasonable in the character. Upon a
reference to the amendments proposed to the
government by Mexico, the same reasons, diff
culties and delays were interposed which have
so long marked the policy of that government
towards the U. S. 1t had not even yet decided
whether it would or would not accede to them
although the subject has been repeatedly press
ed in consideration.
Mexico has thus violated, second time the
faith of treaties, by failing or refusing to carry
into effect the ct article of the Convention of
June, l843.
Suchs the history Of wrongs which we have
sustained and iopt1