The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-03-11


the first time really has reached Mex,
leo City, but 1T has been aggravated by
the conduct ef the merchants who were
openly defianS and with concert of ae-
tion closed their commercial establish
ments in moments of greatest public
distress as a protest against the hui
manitarian relief tax which General
Obregon imposed.\
No Murder or Pillage
In face of the charges expressed
by the International committee in their
complaint to the State Department, /
point you to the fact that General
obregon has been in tM possession of
the city of Mexico since January 26
until to-day without mobs, assassina.
tions, lootings or any otheS of<the out.
RACES which are apt to occuS and which
frequently do occur in timeA of war.
" During all this time large amounts
of food supplies have been taken into
Mexico City and large quantities of
supplies have been distributed among
the distressed people. Other important
measures also have been taken looking
to the further relief which | will men
ton in detail at the proper time.
Right to Evacuate City
While it is proper TO state to Your
Exeelleney that the right to occupy M
to evacuate Mexico City or any other
place in the republic must at all times
be reserved and is to be exercised when
deemed bv>the responsible military au-
thorities TO be in furtherance of the
cause of the revolution, the obligation
on the constitutionalist army to safe
guard the lives of foreigners is never.
theless fully understood and realized.
You will, therefore, permit me to as
sure you that at the time of the evacu.
alton of Mexico City every facility
within my power will be afforded to all
foreign residents in that city to de-
part the country or to go to other and
safer places in the republic.
~ always have tried to give and
have given the largest protection that
has been possible to the lives and in.
terests of Americans and other foreign.
ers even during the most difficult period
OF our struggle. | have purpose of con-
tlnulng the same line of conduct ano
have decided to take all measures pos.
slole to avoid all damage to foreign
residents. With this purpose solely in
view, l addressed note to the diplo.
matte corps in Mexico City which /
have repeated twice, inviting them in
case of evacuation to come either to
this port or to any of the cities. for in.
stance, Puebla, Jalapa or Orzaba.
which are under the control of the con.
stitutionalist forces, where they can
be assured perfect protection.
Advises Foreigners to Leave
1T was only three days ago that
the State Department at Washington
directed the attention of American res.
idents in Mexico City to your former
advice that they should retire from the
country until conditions should be set.
tied. 1t is my most earnest wish that
the other foreign residents follow line
of conduct similar to the one suggested
by you to the American residents. for
the adoption of such course would be
the wisest measure that can be taken
to avoid consequences so much to be
feared.
81 wish / could adequately convey
to Your Exeellency the political and
economic conditions in the city of Mex.
leo and their causes as thev are under.
stood and known here to be, concern
ing which representations by an inter
committee have been made to
the State Department.
Hopes of the Mexican People
Perhaps last effort is now being
made by reactionaries to bring about
which may cause the fail. |
ure of the Mexican revolution. After |
having encountered and disposed of
other and much more difficult and EN-.
situations in the past, when |
there were large number of foreign
residents scattered all over the terri
tory of Mexico, it will prove to- be most
unfortunate if now, when Mexico CITY |
alone is involved, a situation shall arise
which will destroy the hopes and pur.
poses of the Mexiea1 people.
because of this consideration per-
nit me to repeat the hope elsewhere
expressed that foreign residents may be
induced to save your government and |
the republic of Mexico from embarrass, (
ments, by temporarily leaving the city
Of Mexico. Allow me to avail myself
Of this opportunity to reiterate to you
The assurances of my highest considcra-
ton and personal regards