Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-04-15

| issued, today, by the United to the
Mexican government as vel! Us TO
General pascual Orozco, CHIEF of fhe
Revolutionary forces that 1t expects
and must demand that American lie
ana property within tho republic Of
Mexico lie Justly and adequately pro-
tected, and that this government must
hold Mexico and the Mexican people
responsible for all wanton or Illegal
acts sacrificing or endangerng Amer
lean life or damaging American prop
ert2 or interests.
The attitude of the United States as
expressed 10 botfrthe federal and reb-
81 authorities is that any maltreatment
Of American citizens will be deeply
resented by the American government
and people and must be FULLY answered
for by the MeXican people.
Acting secretary Huntington Wilson
OF the state department. who, today
issued special instructions to Ambas-
eat'o Henry Lane Wilson at Mexico
city. and Marion Letcher. American
consul at Chihuahua authorized the
statement that intervention was not
cont anpIatcd by the United States.
Ambassador Wilson WAS authorized
to communicate the views of the Unit
ed states 10 the Mexican minister fer
foreign affairs and 4 copy Of his in
struetiona was likewise sent II Marion
Latchor. American consul nj Chihua-
hua with special representations ad-
dressed 10 Gen. OroZco. OroZce recent
IL refused to recognize Mr.. Letcher as
the American consular representative.
because the United States withheld
= ss.h .s1t1
representa- tons to OroZco accuse hiic
Of practical murder of Thomas
Fol attain. an American gunner enlist
ed with the federals, but summary
executed. last week. when taken pris-
oner by the Insurreetos
Though declining TO Justify partiei-
patton by Americans on either size o.
the revolution. the United States eX-
pressly stipnlates that American com
batants when taken prisoner must De
given humane treatment III accofdahe"
with the international rules OF war
The correspondence made public, to-
night. is admittedly the strongest de.
mand the United States is known tn
have made upon Mexico for respectful
treatment of Americans as well a
other foreigners and declares that q
continuation of Illegal acts is tendink,
to difficulties and obligations, which
ii is 10 the interest of all true Next
can patriots. as it is the desire Of the
United States To avoid.
The. instructions to Ambassador
Wilson. sent by telegraph today. were
as follows:
You will Immediately communicate
the following To the minister for Tor
eign affairs;
The enormous destruction con-
stantly increasing. of valuable Ameri-
can properties i'll the course OF the
present unfortunate disturbances the
taking Of American life contrary TO the
principles governing such matters
among all civilized nations, the in
creasing dangers to which all Amerl-
can citizens in Mexico are subjected.
and the seemingly possible indefinite
continuance of this unfortunate sit
uation compel the government OF the
United States to give notice that X
expects and must demand that Ameri-
can life and property within the Re-
public of Mexico be justly and ade-
ouately protected and that this gov
ernment must hold Mexico and the
Mexican people responsible for all
wanton or illegal acts sacrificing or
endangering American life or damag-
ing American property or interests
there situated.
Meanwhile. II should be apparent to
All sections of the Mexican people that
those who spread baseless rumors or
provoke just resentment by attacks upon
Americans or other foreign persons or
property. are working against the best
interests and the honor of their county.
for which the United States is known
TO hold and in the present grave situa-
ton lis manifesung. the greatest and
most Sincere friendship and ore seeking
for their own selfish ends 10 burden the
future of their countrymen with heavy
obligations of enormous damages for
their wrongful acts.
elbow strongly the government of the
United States depreeates even the very
few eases of participation by its citizens
i'm the present insurrectionary disturb
lnces is well known to the people of
Mexico and was shown by the Presl-
dents proclamation of March and the
various other acts of this government
looking to the same end. The govern
ment of the United States must insist
and demand that American citizens who
may be taken prisoners. whether by one
party or the other as participants in
the present insurfectionary disturbances.
shall be dealt with in accordance, with
the broad principles of equitable justice
and humanity as we'll as i'm accordance
with the principles of international .aw
which may be involved, and TO which the
people of Mexico have given their assent
and adherence in numerous international
engagements. This government must
hold the Mexican people strictly respon-
sible for any departure from such prln-
ciples
Notwithstanding press reports
that certain Mexican officers have
announced a contrary policy, the gov
eminent of the United States has
every confidence in the disposition of
the government of Mexico in the
premises and must request that app
propriate instructions be Immediately
ISSUED to the proper military officers
and officials in the sense Indicated =
FLETCHER reports receiving letter
from OroZco which states that in
view Of non recognition beligerencV on