Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-14
Chief of Mexican Rebels Prom
ises Punishment to All Who
MoIest Foreigners.
URGES Representation
TO HIM BY Governments
Ell Frego Baca of New Mexico De-
nounces Villa Before the For.
eign Affairs Committee.

announcing his purpose of infiictine
punishment on all who should ever so
slightly molest foreigners but maintain
ing that there is no reason why foreign
governments should not make unofficial
representations to him regarding their
citizens. Gen. Carranza, first chief" of
the Mexican constitutionalists has re-
piled to Secretary Bryan's latest note to
him. The reply, transmitted by Ameri-
can Consul Simpich at Nogales, was made
public today, and copies were furnished
to the various diplomatic representatives
in Washington.
Gen. Carranza's reply to Secretary
Bryan's representations regarding in
juries to Americans and foreigners I'm
northern Mexico did not completely re-
cede from the constitutionalist leaders
original position that each foreign coun-
try should deal with him concerning its
citizens. but he pointed out ways in which
such rep: esentations may be made.
he consented to allow American con-
suls to look after the interests OF for
eigners where their own governments
have no consular representatives pro-
viding proper authorizations are drawn
up. and suggested his willingness to lis
ten to representatives from friends or
relatives of any person injured.
The text of Carranza's note is as fol-
lows:
Reply of Gen. Carranza.
"As you know. the department at
Washington has communicated with me
through yourself and the American con-
sui at Hermosillo to make two classes OF
representations to me, both unofficial the
one concerning American citizens. the
n har ,nvf,.,
are aware, l have entertained the repre-
sentatiOns Secretary Bryan saw fit to
make when nationals Of his country were
concerned. but have not entertained the
Department of States representations
made through you when some other class
of foreigners was concerned, the said
representations. however, being used by
me as information to redress and avoid
the wrongs to which they relate.
I'm his letter to you about the injuries
suffered at the Desengano mine at
| Guanacevi Secretary Bryan tells you that
/, countries which have recognized the
| Huerta government cannot apply to me.
since every nation can have but one dip
| lomatic corps accredited to one othAr.
| and consequently those countries which
have recognized Huerta cannot make rep
presentations to me.
This is clearly my understanding, and
I have never claimed that those gov
ernments accredit Diplomatic representa-
| tives to me. But these same nations
| may very well, under international law
and diplomatic usage, have unofficial in
| tercourse with me in my capacity OF
commander-in-chief Of the constitutional
| army which dominates large part of
the nation
This unofficial manner may be availed
of by the aforesaid countries through
their representative accredited in WASH
ington, or through their consuls residing
| in the Mexican territory controlled by
the forces under my command. and II
-l@ 1.@ pIu to- h0
territory controlled by the constitution
alist forces, as pointed out by Secretary
Bryan in connection with the Desengano
mine case, then the governments concern
ed may very well authorize other persons.
who may well be the consuls of the
United States. to present their unofficial
representations in the name of these gov
ernments, the power being properly
drawn up.
Would Punish All Offenders.
LAS I truly do not see what objec-
tion foreign nations can have to that
method of communication with me, all
the representations l have received or
may receive hereafter dealing with
non American foreigners do and will
serve the sole purpose of bringing to
my notice, il not already reported by
the Mexican authorities. the fact
that this or that foreigner has
ss9ns suspsd soms iassry and ade of
all individual guarantee be extend
ed to foreigners. punishment. when
occasion arises. being inflicted on the re-
sponsible parties who. in violation OF the
law and in disregard of their duty and
my orders. should ever so slightly md1est
foreigners. nor would there be any need
of waiting for any representation, for IT,
is one of my purposes that justice and
| the law shall be respected to the utmost
in my country.
"Deeming this a suitable opportunity.
! wish further to say TO you that IL the
same foreigners or their relatives will ad-
dress their personal representations to
| me and bespeak my protection of their
lives and interests they will be imncdi-
ately attended to without any need of
their governments officially or unofficiaJiy
intervening.
Bryan Silent on Reply.
Though Secretary Bryan declined to
discuss the construction to he placed
upon Gen. Carranza's reply. the attcn-
ton of the officials was at once ccntered
upon the fact that Carranza proposes to
impose a condition that may make i'm
possible the activities Of the consuls un-
less the European powers are willing to
mako a decided change in their attitude.
IT is considered very doubtful whether
diplomatic representatives of the powers
in Washington are disposed to address
themselves directly to Carranza in any
attempt to redress grievances of their
citizens and there is little likelihood
that they will formally confer powers
upon American consuls to represent
them before the constitu..onalist au-
thorities.
They have adopted the usual course
where countries have no diplomatic or
consular representatives in a war-swept
country in calling upon another govern
ment-in this case the United States-to
look after their interests. and it is not
usual in such cases to transfer power TO
consuls of the third body.
The Desengano mine referred to by
Gen. Carranza in his note is a large Span
ish mining property in the state of Dur
ango owned by a number of Spaniards,
but in which there is also a small Ameri-
can interest. The property was confis-
Gated by the constitutionalists.' No re-
port of any loss of life there was made
to the State Department
Ready to Rescue Foreigners.
Rear Admiral Fletcher reported today
that there were no developments at Tam
pico and that all was quiet at Vera Cruz
the Spanish consul at Tampico, he
.ddad has asked TO have the crutaar