The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-03-10
OLD TREATY GIVES
U. S. PROTECTION
Document of 1860 Found in Sen
ate Archives Permitted
Special Intervention.
PAPER NEVER WAS RATIFIED
Landing of Troops in Mexico Was Not
to Be Considered an Act of War
Senators to Debate Benton
Execution.

Washington, March 9.-Additional
interest in the. Mexican situation was
aroused by the publication of the
details of proposed treaty negotiated
more than half century ago between
the United States and the republic of
Mexico, which, if ratified, would have
authorized the United States ito inter
vene in support of it's own treaty
rights and the security of it's own citi-
zens whenever Mexico may be unable
to guarantee the same, without in
curing the obligation or necessity
of a general Intervention in the do
mestic affairs of that country"
Rushed to Government Printer.
1t had been lying in the secret
archives of the senate committee on
foreign relations since January, 1860.
The injunction of secrecy was re-
moved yesterday by the senate and
the document was ordered printed for
the use of members of that body. The
government printing Office force
worked on the document all last night
and today senators had before them
fresh copies, which they read with
interest.
The treaty was signed in Vera Cruz
December IA, 1889, by Robert M. Nc
Lane, American minister to Mexico,
and M. Ocampo, secretary of state
and foreign affairs of Mexico, and
soon afterward transmitted to the SEN
ate by President Buchanan, but it
never was ratified by the United
States because Of confusion incident
to the outbreak of the Civil war.
Part of Text of Treaty.
Article of the treaty reads as fol-
lows:
THE republic of Mexico agrees that
should 1t become necessary at any
time to employ military forces for
the security and protection of persons
and property passing over any of the
routes aforesaid 1t will employ the
requisite force for that purpose, but
upon failure, to do this from any cause
whatever the government of the Unit
ed States may, with the consent or
at the request of the government of
Mexico, or Of the minister thereof at
Washington, or of the competent
legally appointed local authorities,
civil or military employ such force for
this and for no other purpose, and
when, in the opinion of the govern
ment of Mexico, the necessity ceased,
such force shall be Immediately with
drawn.
Forced to Withdraw Later.
In the exceptional case, however,
of unforeseen or imminent danger to
the lives or property of citizens of
the United States, the forces of said
erpublic are authorized to act for their
protection without such consent hav-
ing been obtained; and such forces
shall be withdrawn when the neces-
sity for this employment ceases"
Minister McLane in a communica-
tion transmitting the convention to
Lewis Cass, the SECRETARY Of state,
warned that If the senate failed to
ratify the treaty further anarchy
would exist in Mexico, necessitating
Intervention.
Warning by Minister McLane.
II am persuaded" he said, that If
the government OF the United States
refuses the responsibility imposed
upon 1t by adoption and ratification
of this convention further. anarchy
will prevail in Mexico, until 1t will be
terminated by direct Intervention from
some quarter in the federal politics of
Mexico or by an intervention of our
own, caused by some sudden and un-
foresee nprovocation that will expose
US to the responsibilities of a gen.
eral war and a conquest that few
would desire to undertake or con.
summate."
The fact that this convention was
drawn up so long ago and never rati-
fed removes all possibility of its ever
becoming effective, but its publication
will prove interesting in the light OF
the present Mexican situation.
! State department officials have de
cided that there will be no answer
! to the note recently presented by the
| Huerta government suggesting that
because of the Benton incident the
United States should revoke the right
| it had extended to the constitutional
lists to purchase arms in this coun.
| try.
Senate Debate Due.
The United States is biding its time
while the commission appointed by
the constitutionalists to investigate
the execution of Benton and the dis.
appearance Of Gustav Bauch makes a
report. No developments are expect
ed here until then.
Senator Shively, ranking member
of the foreign relations committee
has been in close touch with the sen
ate department gathering data on. the
actual number of foreigners killed OF
injured He will uphold the admins
tration's policy in the senate debate
Robbed and Slain In His Cabin.
Eveleth, Mimi. March 9.-Eric