New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-10
John Bassett Moore Cites
Actions Justifying Cross
ing of Line.
PRESIDENT ASKS
FOR ALL FACTS
State Department Faces Necessity
of Making New Representa-
tons to Huerta.
lrrnm The Tribune Rureau.l

From The Tribune Bureau
WASHINGTON March 9.-If the Texas
rangers crossed the international bound
arv line into Mexico and recovered the
bodv of Clemente Vergara. the American
subject slain by Federals-snd deep mys-
terry still surrounds the recovery OF the
boav-there are precedents by "hich
their action may be justified by the WASH
ington adm lnistration.
When the news reports OF the recovery
of Vergaras body presaged delicate com
plications and "a way out was earnestly
desired by the administration the advice
of John Bassett Moore. until few days
ago counsellor for the Department OF
State. was sought Mr. Moore conferred
with Secretary Bryan this Afternoon ana
pointed cut 10 him precedents bearing on
the Vergara incident. although previously
he had given his advice on reply 10 Cow
ernor Colqutts inquiry about the plan
Of sending Texas rangers in pursuit or
Nergaras II urderers
There a those who believe that the
rangers invaded Mexico. while others be-
liove that friends or perhaps Others
paid or arranged with persons I'm Mexico
to exhume the body and carry 1t into
American territory. At any rate, admin
istration officials were plainly worried to-
day and anifested much anxiety until
Mr.. Moore cited presidents, Leading one
OF which was as follows.
a company of Texas rangers having
pursued into Mexico land of Mexican
Indians who had made an incursion into
Texas, Mr. Marcy said: II Indians whom
the United States are bound 10 restrain
shall. under the same circumstances,
make a hostile incurson into Mexico, this
governn ent will not complain if the MeXi-
can forces who may be sent TO repel them
shall cross to this side of the line for that
purpose. provided that in so doing they
property of citizens of the United
States
Mr.. Marcy was Secretary Of state and
his words We're addressed to Mr. Almonte,
Mexican Minister. February 4. 1856.
In his annual message of December 6.
1875 President Buchanan, referring TO the
lawless conditions existing along the
sMeXican frontier-corditcns which he de-
scrjbed as constituting a state of anarchy
and violence Recommended that the
United States assume temporary pro-
tectorate over the northern portions OF
Chihuahua and Sonora and establish
military posts within the same this pro-
lection TO be withdraw as soon as local
governments shall be established in these
Mexican states capable OF performing
their duties 10 the United States, restrain
ing the lawless and preserving peace
along the border
President Wilson and Secretary Bryan
conferred early to-day on the recovery of
the body OF Nergara, and the Chief Exec
utive gave instructions for a thorough in
vestisstion of the circumstances. Pend
ing the inquiry, Secretary Bryan has re-
fused 10 make any comments.
Reasonably assured that neither United
States nor Texas officials took part in any
action that might be regarded as in vio-
lation OF Mexican sovereignty, the State
Department is now confronted with the
necessity of making fresh representations
to General Huerta in the effort to secure
the punishment Of the persons guilty of
Vergaras killing.
when the case was first brought to his
attention by Charge Shaughnessy. Gen
eral Iluerta promised an investigation
and prompt punishment Of the guilty par
ties If warranted by the facts. Afterward
the Federal general at Nueyo Laredo init
mated that Nergara had joined the Con-
stitutionalsts and mad been killed by
them. The discovery of the body on the
banks of the Rio Grande bearing half a
dozen fatal wounds furnishes tangible evil
dence for the further prosecution Of the
case.
ON the subject Of protection OF foreign
ers in Mexico, the President indicated
clearly that the American government
would continue 10 use its good offices IN
behalf of subjects of those powers which
had recognized the Huerta government
and could not therefore, deal with the
Constitutonalists
incidentally. the President denied that
the American government knew anything
of a published report that Germany had
warned Mexico that any injury to Ger
man subjects would be met with retalia-
ton
The President told callers that Ger
many's attitude toward the position of the
United States i'm the Mexican situation
had been satisfactory and friendly, and
that Germany had occupied most digni-
fed position throughout. lie did not be-
lieve reports. he added, that Germany
was disposed to complicate the situation.