The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-20
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MEXICO'S SIDE OF TT.
Official Statement Issued by Minister
of Foreign Affairs.
Mexico City, April 20.-Portillo Ro-
Jas, minister OF foreign affairs. in an
nouncing that it would be impossible
to agree to the demand of the United
States that the flag of that country be
Internationally saluted, gave out the
following statement:
ION the 9Th of the present month,
between II and noon, boat without
an American flag and with nine marines
and one officer, landed at point call
ed the Beach of Iturbide, in Tampico.
Col. Raymond Hinojosa, who has
charge of defending that point detain-
ed the marines and officer and con-
Quoted them to the presence OF the
general who had command Of the fort,
Igancio Morelos Zaragcza. 1t should
be remembered that at this time the
port not only was under military con-
troll, but was withstanding an attack
by rebels.
General Zaragoza Immediately and
without even investigating the case put
the marines and the officer at liberty
placed Hinojosa in prison, End sent an
apology to Rear Admiral Mayo, COM
.mander Of the American fleet.
Thought Incident Closed.
I'VE thought the incident was closed.
but unfortunately this was not SO, be-
cause Mayo sent to him some time
afterward, an ultimatum in which
he asked that a second apology be pre-
sented to him by the staff OF tho chief
OF the fort, General Zaragoza, that the
American flag be hoisted at q public
place in Tampico and saluted by q
guns and besides the severe punish
ment Of Hinojosa STIMULATING that all
this be done within "a hours.
The term was later extended when
diplomatic negotiations were begun by
the secretary of foreign affairs in Mex
leo. the minister being absent at that
date.
1.-The president of Mexico when in
formed of the case ordered another in
vestigation Of the facts and punish
ment Of the guilty officer il it were
proved he was blameworthy. He also
authorized the minister of foreign at
fairs to express regret on account of
the incident when he became aware
that the American government sup
ported the request of Rear Admiral
Mayo, relative to a salute of the Amer
lean flag which had not been insulted.
He proposed to show his good will to-
ward the American people though he
did not think that such a request was
just, proposing that the flags of the
two nations be hoisted and saluted
reciprocally and simultaneously.
Tho American government did not
agree with that idea. but insisted upon
Rear Admiral Mayo's request, giving
assurance that according to interna-
tional practice the salute would be re-
turned by American cannon after the
salute to the American flag.
This was not accepted by President
Huerta who insisted upon his PROPOSE
ton.
The Ultimatum.
Then the American government de-
manded that the pour parlers be
brought to an end by the final deci-
which expired at O'Clock tonight, an
nouncing that If by that time he had
not agreed to the salute Of the Amer
lean flag. as requested. the affair
congress for decision. The Mexican
government believing that the salute
in question was of no Importance I'M
less previously and formally agreed
upon by both, parties, proposed the
singning of a protocol and the minister
of foreign affairs presented last night
a draft Of such protocol to the
American charge -daffaires, Nelson
O'Shaughnessy.
"OShaughnessy answered that he
must consult his government, that he
would advise the minister of the ma
ture of this answer and thereafter he
communicated to the minister the fact
that his government did not accept
the idea Of a signature of any protocol
what ever but wanted an uncondition-
al salute Of the American flag.
This the Mexican government re-
fused, feeling 1T had done all possible
in view Of the friendly understanding
lieving the acceptance OF such an i'm
position would ne equivalent to Yield
ing by Mexico to humiliation. The
Mexican government is confident that
the civilized world will find its CON-
duct has been wise and temperate and
that it has observed all the require
ments OF international law and that
the refusal to yield further ID inspired
only by q regard for its honor and
dignity" SH~
The ProtDcoi.
The draft OF the protocol by Mexico
refused by the United Skates follows:
with q view. of putting an end to
the lamentabla incident which oc-
CURED on the eth instant, at Port
nine men and one American officer:
considering that such marines were
Immediately put at liberty by General
Zaragoza, commander Of Port Tam
pico and that said Officers presented
an apology to Rear Admiral Mayo
commander Of the American squadron
in these waters, that afterwards when
the president of the republic Of Mex
leo became advised of the facts, he
relations department for the incident