Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1911-05-13

BORDER TOWNS
MAY TRADE
WITH j. S.
NO INTERFERENCE WITH
LEGITIMATE COMMERCE
Custom House Collectors Have
Discretion to Prevent Viola
tons of Neutrality Laws By
COntraband Shipments.

lBy Morning Journal Special Leased wlrel
Washington, May 12.-Legitimate
commerce between the United States
and the border towns Of Mexico. now
held by the insurrectos, will not he
linterfered with by the United States
| The problem of international law
arising from the border situation was
discussed by the cabinet today and
the general policy was laid down thai
there would be no interruption OF
trade which did not violate the neu-
trality of the United States. Admin
istration officials decline to discuss
the hypothetical question relating to
the expectation OF arms and ammuni-
tion. While there win be freedom
of ordinary commerce, 1t was clear II
viii be the policy to examine every
shipment to see II does not offend the
neutral position of this country.
The state department issued an Of
ficial statement outlining the policy,
but saying this governments course
had no bearing on the question of the
recognition of the belligerency of the
Iinsurrectos.
The question of preserving the neu-
trality of the United States Is placed
largely in the hands of the United
States collectors of customs along the
border They must pass upon the
legality of all shipments. Colonel
Steever was instructed by Secretary
of War Dickinson to permit all ship
ments which pass through the Gus
toms house at El Paso to enter Juar-
ez.
Commercial expectations and in
tercourse of whatever description be-
tween Juarez and Ell Paso." says the
state departments statement, ARE
not. in legal contemplation, essen
TALLY affected by the mere fact that
Juarez is now in the actual posses
sion of the insurgents instead OF the
Mexican federal authorities, The same
principles of course, apply to all
places where the condition of insurg-
ency exists.
These facts have nothing what
ever to do with any question of the
recognition of beligerency, the duty
of the government of the United
States remaining in all cases that Of
enforcing its socalled neutrality sta
tutes which forbid military and nav
al expeditions and enterprises against
friendly countries originating or fos-
tered 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 gov
ernments in matters of neutrality be-
ing derived wholly from the rules
and principles of International law"
All arms surrendered by the Mexl-
can federal soldiers to the United
States officers in Douglas, Arlz., aft
er the capture of Aqua Prieta by the
rebels. viii be turned over to the
Mexican consul in Douglas. The
commanding officer in Douglas was
so directed.
Resolutions were introduced In the
house by Representative Fowler OF
Illinois, asking the secretary of war
for information concerning the
deaths of United States citizens with
in twenty-five miles Of the Mexican
border as a result of the revolution
and providing for the selection of a
special committee of seven to inquire
into the matter. Both resolutions
were referred to the rules commit
tee.
Piehucalco, in the state of Chiapas,
sixty miles from the capital of Tabas-
co, has been captured by 250 revolu-
tionists, according to a telegram re-
ceived by the state department.
Consul Dye, OF Nogales, telegraphed
that railroad bridges near Magdalena |
were burned yesterday