Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-09
OUTBREAK IN CANANEA
INTERNATIONAL ENTANGLE-
MENT AVOIDED BY TACT.

THAT recent outbreak in the Mexican
mining town of Cananea In which a num-
Der of American and Mexican miners were
killed and considerable property destroy
ed" prominent diplomat said to Star
reporter, only escaped becoming a serious
international ENHANCEMENT between the
friendly republics Of Mexico and the United
States because of the tact and conserva-
tism of the diplomatic officers of the two
governments. The situation at Cananea as
revealed by the official dispatches and the
press news was one without precedent. and
the officials of both the State and War
departments were very much concerned.
The Mexican government has always been
exceedingly jealous of any invasion of its
territory by United States troops and even
in the troublesome days of Indian warfare
the Mexican consent for our troops to run
down the hostile Indians when they crossed
into Mexico was obtained only with diff
Guilty.
$50, to guard against any infraction OF
international law that might have far
reaching and serious consequences, Secre-
tary Root called Immediately upon the War
Department for an exact definition of the
conditions under which American troops
had been employed in the past I'm this bor-
der warfare. Maj. Porter. assistant judge
advocate general, was soon ready with such
documentary evidence as his Office afforded
upon this point. His researches showed
that at various times there had been con-
ventions or agreements between the United
States and Mexico providing for the recip-
rocal crossing of the frontier by the troops
of the two nations. One Of the latest con-
ventions OF that kind was signed in this
city June A. 1886, and provided that troops
might cross the Mexican frontier when on
a hot trail and in close pursuit of hostile
Indians. The troops were then in pursuit
OF the notorious Apache Kid. The Mexican
government was reluctant to sign that
agreement and took every precautlon TO
limit It's life, and in article TX Ii was pro-
vided that this agreement shall remain in
force until Kids band of hostile Indians
shall be wholly exterminated or rendered
obedient TO one of the two countries
Kids band having disappeared a
hostile force that convention of course is
a dead letter at this time.
Terms of Convention.
"A similar convention was signed here
June 20 $780, and in that case 1t was pro-
vided that the agreement should be ter
minated by either party after four months
notice, and in no case was IT to be in
force for more than one year.
There were no other treaties convey
ing any authority for the international use
of troops across the Mexican frontier and
consequently Secretary Taft took prompt
and effective measures to prevent the cav
airy troops at Fort Huachuca, Arizona,
from crossing into Mexico in response to
the somewhat hystericai appeals Of the
<AtuSIic<tfl tOitiihcit3di dScHl di 1dHdlAca-
The fact is that Secretary Root and Sec
rotary Taft. while disposed to do every
thing proper and possible for the protec-
ton of American lives and property at
Cananea, extremely DESTROYS to
avoid any fnfraction OF international law
any encroachment upon the sovereign
ty OF Mexico 30 the telegram to Ambassa-
dor Thompson was framed with great care,
with purpose Of gently reminding the
Mexican government of its own obliga-
tions to protect the lives and property OF
Americans living In Mexico. and at the
same time to intimate the willingness OF
this government to assist In suppress'ng
the disorder, If such assistance would DO
acceptable