El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-02-08
For a Neutral Border

EGitor El Paso Herald;
Since the president issued his ultimatm
TO Mexico about border shooting and addi-
tioual troops were assembled on the from
tier. it must have been expected that open
hOstlities might break out between tbs
United States and Mexico To avert this
catastrophe for an time. beg leave to sub
init plan which. il accepted. I firmly be-
Ieve win prevent war between the two
republics. so far as fatalities caused by fir
ing across the border are concerned.
We need a new treaty with Mexico. to
provide for a neutral strip Of land between
the two countries. The width Of this strip
should be equal to, or q little greater in
distance than the range OF the longest range
field guns now in use I'm modern warfare.
This would prevent fatalities occurring In
time OF civil war on either side Of the
border of the neutral strip or belt
A neutral strip extending 30 miles north
into the United States, measured from the
border. and 10 miles south from the same
point into Mexico, making a neutral belt
OF territory 20 miles in width between the
twO republics. would be amply sufficient to
meet the emergency Of the present crisis.
Human lives being at stake, delays may
result in the most serious consequences
therefore, it is necessor--. in theefirst place,
to have this neutral territory embrace such
towns and villages along our southern Dor
der as may be in the most imminent peril
afterwards extending the belt until is
reaches the gulf of Mexico on the cast
and the Pacific ocean on the west.
Let this neutral territory be cOnsecratcd
to peace in time Of civil war in either
n
or soldiery should be allowed thereon, uu-
der penalties sufficiently severe to prevent
its violation 1t is almost superfluous to
add that the penalties should be equally
binding and stringent on both the high
contracting parties.
It must be confessed that there is much
difficulty in determining what measures
would be sufficiently final to eRfOrce the
observance by this neutral territory.
I would respectfully suggest that in time
OF war any armed soldier, or body OF armed
soldiers found on this territory should be
ernments, and liable 90 be treated as such.
And either government, acting in cOniunc-
tiOn with the other or severaliy, with force
and arms. should have power to capture
or otherwise dispose of the common enemy;
even though such action might necessitat0
open hostilipties and the taking Of human
life and such action should not be con-
strued an overt act Of war by the gov
eminent to which such intruders may be-
long
The stipulations on this point should not
be imperative, but open, so that time would
be given for such wise and considerable ac-
tion as the circumstances Of the case might
require.
To this it may be advisable to add as
further restraining force, a sum Of uuui-
dated damages, to be paid by the defaulting
government, for loss Of life or property
Such a treaty il properly enforced would
not interfere with any civil business what
ever but could be carried on with the
same security as in time OF profound peace.
Such a treaty would not infract any con-
stitutonal provision Of the United States
nor any regulation Of international law.
However, should there be some Of a diff
ferent opinion, let them first state their OBJ
jectiOns, then it viii be time to answer
showing their utter futility
Hope. n. NJ