Arizona republican., 1906-10-04
IMPORTATION Or ARMS
 TO SONORA MEXICO
Prohibition 1ade Absolute by Presi-
 dent Diaz.

II 4 great deal has been said of late about the admission of arms into Mexico. It has been set forth in the columns of the press that the Mexican authorities have refused the admission of arms since the late troubles in that country. To further prevent any se- rious outbreaks by the Yaquis, Gov | ernOr Kibbey some time ago, issued a proclamation forbidding the selling of arms to Indians or aiding anybody in sending arms into Mexico. Notwith- standing all these efforts, the opinion l seems to prevail in some quarters, that the favored few, those who might enjoy close relations with Mexican of ficials. might import arms for the protection of their property. Others who reside in Arizona and like to take occasional trips into Mexico to hunt or prospect. have thought that if they could secure a certificate of good character from American officials, they might be permitted to take their arms across the line. These applica- tions have been taken to the court of last resort, the president of Mexico and it has been definitely settled be- yond all peradventure of a doubt that when the Mexican authorities issued those orders they knew exactly what they were doing and meant every word they said.
 Sometime ago the representative of a mining company in Sonora bought a quantity of arms in this country with which to protect his property. Ho got the consignment as far as NogaIes but the customs officials stopped him there He presented himself to the nearest consul and he in turn address, ed himself to the American embassy in Mexico. In due course, the cores pOndence was turned over to the state department together with copies of the Mexican rulings affecting the case, but the sum total of it was that Presi- dent Diaz said no, and that settled it. ]
 In the course of the correspondence the American embassy addressed it. self to the Mexican office for foreign affairs and that office in turn, ad- dressed itself to the Mexican treasury department. In answer tne following letter was transmitted back along the 1 line until it reached the state depart | ment in Washington Acting Secretary of State Adee transmitted a copy of the letter to Governor KiDDey. and it arrived here yesterday. Following is the text of it
 Department of the Treasury to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Very Urgent.
 The president of the republic has seen fit to prohibit by his decision of August 2I, last, the importation of arms and munitions through the GUS toms houses of the state of Sonora. Several efforts have been made to inn | port arms and munitions to said state | under permits obtained prior to the | and even after this. the war department has issued new per- mits for the same purpose; but neith- CT the former nor the latter have been successful by reason that the said chief executive has issued orders mak- ing said prohibition absolute. Which l have the honor to transmit to you in reply to your courteous note No. 472 of this date. I renew to you my dis -inguished consideration.
 Mexico. September II. 1906. On account of the absence of the sec retary, CSignedl
 R. NUNEZ.
 Sub Secretary To the Secretary for Foreign Affairs