New-York tribune., 1912-04-18
MEXICO TELLS j. s.
KEEP HANDS OFF,
Continued from first page.

or damage sustained FOR foreigners
legally chargeable 10 the government.
A caution has been issued TO leaders
Of the federal forces to insure proper
treatment Of foreigners who may be
taken as prisoners of war; at the same
time it is asserted that no basis exists
for supposing that any other course
would be pursued.
Orozco is held To- he answerdble for
his offences only to the Mexican courts,
and therefore should not have been
made the recipient Of diplomatic com
munication.
After setting forth at length the
clauses Of the Washington note, the min
lister continued:
In reply and by express instructions
Of the President of the republic, | nave
the honor to say TO your eXCellcnc..
The Mexican government has a full
consciousness Of its duties, and neither
by it's acts nor by the manifestations
of its functionarics has it given a rea-
son to doubt the sincerity of its de-
termination to cause TO be respected the
generally accepted principles Of interna-
tiOnal law and the rules which govern
the conduct Of civilized nations. Your
government has recognized this in the
note which | have the honor to answer,
and by means Of other repeated demon
strations of friendship toward the gov
ernmcnt and the people Of Mexico,
which demonstrations so highly and 80
cordially have been esteemed in this
country.
international Law Respected"
For these reasons the Mexican gov
ernmcnt finds itself IN the painful neceS-
sty of not recognizing the right of your
government 10 make the HdmOnition
which the note contains. for the reason
that it Is not based on any incident that
should be Chargcable to the Mexican
government and which could signify that
ii might have departed from an Obscrv-
ance of the principles and practices Of
international law.
In view Of the fact that part Of the
country is IN a state of rebellion the
Mexican government has as its principal
DUTY the suppression of the rebellOuS
movement. and if I'm the regions removed
from obodi' nee 10 the legitimate authOri-
ties attempts are committed against the
legitimate government Of the republic
will not be obligated I'm this respect eX-
Cept in the same terms as would the
government of the United States or any
other country If a rebellion existed in It's
own territory.
The government Of the United States
may be assured that ii Is the firm de-
termination Of the Mexican government
10 observe and to cause TO be observed
tho principles Of international law and
the laws Of the country. which latter are
IN fun conformity with the former with
respect to American citizens or other
foreigners who may be made prisoners
among the rebel forces and. although
there do not exist sufficient data to
suppose that the chiefs of the govern
ment forces have declared that they
would execute summarily Americans
who may be taken prisoners and who
might be fighting on the side Of the rebel
forces, orders have been sent to the mill
tary chiefs that If It should happen that
foreign subjects should be taken pris-
oncrs, these should be treated i'm con
furmity with the laws Of the republic and
of international practice.
The government and the people Of
Mexico lament that the poac" had been
disturbed I'm any part of the republic.
and ar" making inccssant and siren
nous efforts 30 rc-cstabliSh IL This the
government expects 10 accomplish by
means OF ID concentration Of the ele-
m"utS ~ var, and through this the aid
Of the clearly defined opinion ~ a great
majority Of the Mexican people which.
as Your "Xccllcucy and other foreigners
who reside among us should know. Is
cmrhauoally seconded by the present
government Of the republic
Fur from cyading responsibilities
which may be- contracted by illegal acts
against tho lives and property OF for
cigncrs, the government accepts before
hand such responsibilities. while these
by their nature should be a charge upon
the government; but it refuses and will
always refuse 10 accept responsibilities
of other character which any may at
tempt {" impose upon it outside of these
principles. My government recognizes
with true satisfaction that tho govern
m.ut of the United States would never
attempt 10 impose this last character OF
responsibilities. for that is guaranteed
hy the high culture and the spirit of
justice of tho people and government OF
your cXccllcncy and by the constant
proofs Of great friendship which In the
present circumstances they have given
o. this country.
II Is to be- regretted that some Mex
leans have spread unfoundod rumors or
injury 10 property and interests of for
eiguors. However with respect to this.
the fault is not confined to Mexico. but
IS common To all countries whose press
makes it point 10 publish sensational
ard even false news.
The authorities of the republic have
always cudcavOrcd, within the limits OF
its law. To punish those who cause the
damages TO which Your eXcellency al
mdcS
Nv government has taken notice of the
communication directed TO the rebel.
OroZco. by order Of your eAccllen'y $
government and through the conduct of
Consul LetCher, I'm Chihuahua, not with
out lamcnting the fact that II has been
Obliged by circumstances TO follow this
course rs expressed in the Communlca-
tion. since this person is guilty of fla
grant violation Of the laws Of the COun-
try. having risen I'm arms against the
legitimate government. and Is only re-
sponsible before Mexican courts.
The Mexican government and people
cannot be responsible. therefore. for the
acts of this rebel chief along tho lines
laid down i'm the communication which
was sent to him by order Of your excel
lenCys government.
Ny government also deplores that the
tenor Of the instructions TO Consul
Lctchcr. i'm chihuahua were given to the
public I'm the same official note which
have the honor to answer.
take this opportunity to reIteratc tC
your cXccllcncy the assurances of my
most high consideration.
READY FOR MEXICAN CRISIS