New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-13
COMMERCE MAY PROCEED.
Legitimate Traffic Across Border
will Not Be Interrupted.
STATE DEPARTMENT POLICY
Action Has No Bearing on Rec
ognition of Insurgents as
Belligerents.

Washington. May l2.-Legitrat. COM
merce between the United States and the
border towns Of Mexico now In the hands
of insurgents will not be interfered with
nv the American government The intri-
cate problem Of international law arising
from the Mexican border situation was dis
cussed by the Cabinet to-day. and the gen
eral policy was laid down that there would
be no interruption Of trade which did not
violate the neutrality OF the United States
Administration officials decline 10 commit
themselves on hypothetical questions re-
lating 70 the expectation of arms and am
munition 70 insurgent ports in Mexico
While ordinary commerce will be free. II
was made clear that II will he the policy
Of the customs officials along the border 10
examine every shipment 10 see that IL does
not offend the neutral position of this coun-
try. No shipment which seems 70 relate TO
a military expedition or enterprise fos-
tered on American soil will be permitted 70
cross into Mexico.
The State Department late to-day issued
An official statement outlining the general
policy referred 10. but specifcally.declaring
that this governments course had no bear
ing on the question Of the recognition OF
the belligerency Of the insurgents. Stripped
of all technicality. the governments policy
simply means that de facto control OF the
insurgents in the ports OF entry which they
occupy is practically recognized for COM
mercial purposes only.
The question OF preserving the neutrality
of the United States is placed largely in the
hands Of the collectors Of customs along
the border. They must pass on the legality
Of all shipments. Colonel Steever was in
structed by Secretary Dickinson to-day 70
permit shipments OF all kinds which pass
through the custom house AZ FL Psso 10
enter Juarez.
Commercial expectations and intercourse
OF whatever description between Juarez and
FL Paso." says the State Department in its
official statement. are not In legal con
temptation essentially affected by the mere
fact that Juarez is now in the actual pos
session Of the insurgents instead OF the
Mexican federal authorities. The same
principles, of course, apply in all places
where the condition Of insurgency exists.
These facts have nothing whatever TO do
with any question Of the recognition OF
belligerency. the duty OF the government of
the United States remaining in all cases
that OF enforcing its so-caled neutrality
status. which forbid military and naval ex-
petitions and enterprises into or against
friendly countries originating or fostered
on American soil, but which, being merely
local laws, impose upon this government or
in favor OF any foreign government. no in
ternational obligation. the rights of foreign
governments in matters Of neutrality being
derived wholly from the rules and prin-
ciples OF international law"
federal soldiers 10 the American officers at
Douglas Ariz.. after the capture OF Aqua
PrAta by the rebels several weeks ago will
be turned over TO the Mexican Consul at
Douglas. The comma nding officer ar
Douglas was SO directed to-day
The killing and wounding OF Americans
echoed in Congress to-day when resolu-
tons were introduced by Representative
Fowler. Of Illinois. asking the Secretary Of
War for information concerning the deaths
Of American citizens within twenty-five
miles of the Mexican border as result OF
the revolution. and providing for the ap-
pointment OF a special committee ~ seven
members OF the House 70 inquire into the
woundng and killing OF these citizens and
the damage 70 American property on the
border Both resolutions were referred 70
the Rules Committee