The Washington times., 1914-04-23
TWO INTERPRETATIONS.

| Widely differing interpretations have
been put upon the Carrauza note; on one
= side il is regarded as in effect IN ultima
/ tum. threat that the CarranZa forces
will join with the rest Of Mexico in fight
| ing the United States, unless the Amen-
can forces are withdrawn from Mexico.
On the other hand. 1t is construed as q
| diplomatic and political document, pre-
pared with view to satisfying national
/ sentiment in Mexico with a show of
vigorous resentment against violation OF
| Mexican soil. and at the same time
holding the door wide open for accommo-
| dation between the constitutionalists
| and the Washington government.
1t is to be kept in mind that Carranza
| claims to be the head of the only real
| government in Mexico. AS such, he is
under the necessity of resenting foreign
Invasion He could do nothing else. To
\ extend open arms to the American
forces now in Mexican waters and on
Mexican soil. would cause the infiamma-
/ bic popClace of Mexico to regard him as
| a traitor. Instead of doing that, Car
rama points out that his own govern
ments claims to be the only one which
can make reparation for the indigni:ies
| sumes responsibility for the making OF
that PREPARATION, and promises TO do so
in due tinle-that is, as soon as 1t shall
have completed the preliminary business
OF driving out Huerta and firmly liking
I itself in the saddle as the real govern
ment Of the country.
we consider the acts committed at
Vera Cruz" writes General Carranza,
as highly offensive to the dignity and
independence Of Mexico, and contrary
to your reiterated declarations of not
desiring to sever the state of peace and
frfendliness with the Mexican nation.
considering also that the hostile acts
already committed exceed those exacted
by equity for the desired end-I inter-
pref the sentiment of the great major
| ity of the Mexican people, which is so
Jealous OF its rights and respectful of
foreign rights, and invite you solely
70 suspend the hostile acts already in
itiated. ordering your forces to evacuate
those places which they hold in their
power in the port of Vera Cruz, and to
formulate before the coustitutionalist
government. which 1 represent, the de-
mand for the acts which recently orig
mated at Tampico. in the security that
the demand will be considered in q
spirit of elevated Justice and concilia-
tion-''
Loyalty to Mexico.
Viewed from Carranza's standpoint.
it has been pointed out today. the head
OF the constitutional government,
claiming responsibility for protection
of the national dignity, could hardly
have said less without FORGETTING the
confidence of his people. Thus, Con-
gresham Henry Allen Cooper, Of Wis
consin, the head of the Republican side
Of the House Foreign Affairs Commit
tee, said today after studying the
note:
The note of General Carranza in
dicates clearly to the Mexican people
his loyalty to Mexico. and his deter
mination to keep Mexican soil inviolate.
He notified the United States that the
constitutionalists are endeavoring to re-
establish law and order in Mexico. and
to drive from power a man guilty of
murder and treason. But at the same
time the constitutiOnalists want It un-
derstood that no foreign nation will be
allowed to hold Mexican territory.
The CarranZa document is strongly
reasoned and very skilfully drawn. Its
author knew that it would help him
south of the Rio Grande. and help
his cause: 1t was precisely the kind of
a document which he as a loyal Next
can ought to have drawn. In my judg-
ment II does not necessarily mean war
between the United States and Mexico.
Carranza and Villa will defeat HUI