The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-13
U. 5. WILL CARRY .ON COMMERCE
 AT REBEL PORT Interpretation of Neutrality Laws Left to Customs
 Officials
SAY BELLEGERENCY
 IS NOT INVOLVED
The Commercial Intercourse Between Juarez and Fl Paso Not Affected By Rebel Occupancy, Rules
 State Department

| Washington, May 12.--Legitimat'
 commerce between the United Statel and the border towns of Mexico nov | fered with by the United States. Int problem of international law arising from the Mexican border situation wa. discussed by the cabinet today and the 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 to discuss hypothetical questions relating to the exportation of arms and am intuition to insurgent ports in Mexico While there will be freedom of or dinary commerce 1t was clear that ii will be the policy of the customs of icials to see that shipments do not offend the neutral position of this coun- try, .r@ 4s The state department issued an of- ficlal statement outlining the policy re- ferred to but saying this governments course had no bearipg upon the ques- ton of the recognition of the bellig- erency of the insprrectos. The question of preserving the neutrality of the United States is placed in the, hands of the United States collectors of GUS toms. They must pass upon the legality of all shipments. Colonel Steever was instructed by Secretary of War Dick inson to permit shipments of all char acter which pass through the customs house in Fl Paso to enter Juarez.
 Commercial exportations and inter- course of whatever description between Juarez and El Paso,' says the state de- partnent,s official statement, "a aresn ot In legal contemplation essentially nf- fected by the mere fact that Juarez Is now in the actual possession of the insurgents instead of the Mexican fed eral authorities. The same principles of course apply in all places where the condition of insurgency exists.
 Belligerency Not Involved
 ''These facts have nothing whatever to do with any question of the recognition of belligerency, the duty of the govern ment of the United States remaining in all cases that of enforcing its so-called neutrality statutes, which forbid military and naval expeditions and enterprises Or, against friendly countries originating or I;ostered on United States soil, but which being merely local laws impose upon this government, or in favor of any foreign government, no international obligation. the rights of foreign governments in mat ters of neutrality being derived wholly from the rules and principles of interna- tional law"
 All the arms surrendered by the Mex ican federal soldiers to the United States officer in Douglas, Ariz, after the cap ture of Agua Prieta by the rebels sev- eral weeks ago will be turned over to the Mexican consul in Douglas. The com manding officer in Douglas was so di- rected.
 Resolutions were introduced in the House by Representative Fowler of Illi- nois, asking the Secretary of War for information concerning the deaths of United States citizens within twenty-five miles of the Mexican border as a result of the revolution, and providing for the election of a special committee of seven members to inquire into the matter. Both resolutions were referred to the rules committee.