Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1913-07-30
SMITH OF TEXAS
ON NEUTRALITY
REPEAL OF RESOLU-
TION FORBIDDING SALE OF
ARMS AND CARTRIDGES TO REV
OLUTIONISTS IN MEXICO.
SAYS AS WE HAVE NOT RECOG-
NlIED HUERTA GOVERNMENT
WE SHOULD NOT DISCRIMINATE
AGAINST CONSTITUTIONALISTS.
Especial Stdf Tcicgr0m.) J


. Congressman William r. Smith Of
Texas, who represents the FL Paso dis
. tfict in Congress, today introduced res
oluton to repeal the resolution forbid
ding the sale of arms and cartridges to
the revolutionary army in Mexico. Speak
ing of his resolution Congressman Smith
said to the Herald correspondent:
1T is well recognized principle of in
ternational law that "belligerents may
come into the territory of :; neutral na-
sion and there purchase and remove any
article whatsoever, even instruments of
war, unless the right be denied by express
statute. If, however, the object of such an
act be to impede the operations of either
belll2crent power. and to favor the other,
it is a violation of neutrality.
II think the joint resolution Of March
II. 1872 ought to be repealed because it
authorizes Il violation Of neutrality and
my view Of it is that neutrality under in
ternational law is being violated in our
relations with Mexico l, today introduc-
ed resolution for its repeal.
IF conditions were ever such as to JUS
! tify such course bv our government,
such conditions do not exist now. TO
! favor the administration of recognized
constitutional government as was that
of MadcrO and to discriminate against
those who were in insurrection against
him may have been justifiabIe but upon
what grounds can we Justify ourselves
when we permit the shipment of arms
and ammunition to the forces of an usur-
ipcr who now holds his position as head
of the Mexican government through
treachcry and murder. while at the same
people who are gallantlv fighting to re
store to themselves constitutional govern
ment
Can we do SO uDOn the ground that the
belligcrency of the cOnstitutiOnalists
has not been formally recognized by us
We can answer this question by saying
that neither have we yet recognized the
government Of the usurper Hucrta. |
am clear in my own mind that we ought
to resume poSitiOn of neutrality in this
matter, and that all the rights accorded
by International law to the bclligercnts
including the right to acquire arms and
ammunition in this country should be re
stored to them. The reasons for my posi-
I tiOn are these
1. 1t would relieve our conscience
Y from the rcproach that we ought to
! feel for standing in the way of
struggling people who. being inspir-
| ed by the spirit Of civic liberty. are
fighting for constitutional govern
ment.
>. It would place us back upon
the safe foundations of neutrality,
and greatly lessen the dangers of
conflict with the Mexican people.
3. 1t would give the constitution
alists the means Of success. From
nv knowledge Of the situation I believe
they constitute an overwhelming ma
jOrity of the people of Mexico. and
with all their disadvantages they al
ready have the Hucrta government
whipped. Given sufficient arms they
would. in my opinion. in short order
rescue their government. restore or
der and give protection to persons
and property.
This would solve the Mexican problem
and make Intervention unnecessary. TC
sum up: This is not our fight So lets keeI
hands off Let the belligerents have al
the rights international law accOrds to
them and give them chance to straight
!; en- out their own affairs If we do not dc
this. then / have no doubt that the time
is not far off when the American people
will be compelled to undertake to do fol-
, Mexico what we are now preventing th'
lcOnstitutionalsts from doing, we cannO
escape the consequences of our own at
ltitude and conduct. OF course | would b'
glad to see the Mexican troubles settlet
by mediation and Cancellation, but | an
not hopeful that any effort in that direc
ton would be successful. A people wh'
are making a struggle for civil lbert.
and constitutional government. a ques
ton of life or DEATH will be slow to en-
tertain proposals Of compromise will
usurpers and tyrants.