Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-09-16
SOLE RESPONSIBILITY HIS
General Objects to Foreign In
reference As Matter of Prin-
ciple-D0es Not Deem 1t Wise
to Bring to Naught the Result
of Blood Already Spilled.


Carranza. first chief of the Constitu-
tionalist party. has declined to acduiesce
in the invitation of the diplomatic rep
resentatives of the United States and
the Latin American countries that he
Join the leaders of the various factions
in Mexico in an endeavor to bring about
peace.
The reply of General Carranza, which
was handed to John r. Slliman, Presi-'
dent Wilson's representative in Mexico.
at noon to-day. said that General Car
rama could not consent that the interior
affairs OF the republic be handled by
mediation or by the initiative of any
foreign government.
The text of the reply follows. in part:
''Messrs. Ministers:
Having Informed Gen. Venustiano
Carranza, the first chief of the con-
stitutonallst army. in charge of the eX
ecutive power Of the union. OF your
note. which you signed in your official
| capacities and addressed to him under
| date Of August Is last, inviting him to
q conference with the chiefs of the rebel
| party to consider the Mexican situation
! and re-establish peace I have seen fit
, to address your excellencies as in fact
l have the honor to do, to inform you
| In the name Of the first chief of the
consttutionalist army. in charge Of the
, executive power Of the republic that
! he cannot consent that the interior af
! fairs Of the republic be handled by nledi-
alton or by any initiative Of any for
! eign government. inasmuch as all have
! the right to respect the inalienable right
| of the sovereignty of nations. and since.
upon the acceptance Of the invitation Of
your excellencies. addressed to him, to
attend a conference with the chiefs of
the rebel factions with a view of return
ing peace to Mexico. he would impair
profoundly the independence OF the re-
| public and would establish the precedent
! o foreign Interference in the determin-
alton of its interior affairs, this consid-
Grafton alone sufficng in prohibiting our
government from participating in the
legitimate defence Of the sovereignty of
the Mexican people and of the other
| American nations
Apart from this fundamental reason
there are other reasons which l do not
wish to pass without mention, in order
to produce In your minds the intimate
conviction that the conduct of the frs,
chief Of the constltutionalst army in
charge of the executive power of tho
nation in this attitude Is inspired solely
by the highest duties imposed upon him
by his elevated trust.
II am sure that your excellencies dc
not doubt that Mexico Is at present ii
the throes of a revolution In which it is
proposed to wipe out the last vestige OF
the Colonial epoch as we'll as all tho
errors and abuses of past administra
| lions, and realize the noble aspiration
FOR the welfare and the betterment o.
the Mexican people.
"On the other hand. your excellencie.
will have been able to observe from tn,
answers received to your note from til,
military chiefs and civil suhordnates o.
the first chieftaincy that the first chic
Is the only authority that could dec!d
and who. in fact, does decide matter.
submitted to the consideration Of tn,
former. Who with their replies. hav,
g'vsn an eloquent example of their dis
cirline and solidarity, at the same tim
giving evidence that the first chief ha
: known how to preserve unity within tn,
constitutonalst government. notwith
standing the prolongation Of the strif
and in spite of the ignoble and repeate,
ton Of discipline in the constitutional
army and their attempts to corrupt it
principal chiefs.
THE first CHIEF. In consequence, bear
tho immense responsibility of the real!
cation of the national ambitions, am
he cannot by means of any dealings, en-
danger the fate of the country nor per
: init the enemies Of the cause which h
| n.
government.
Nor does he believe 1t just nor wis
to bring to naught the results Of tn
[ blood spilled on the republics soil b.
I following the course which your excel
lenctes courteously and dsntcrestedl
indicate 20 him, but which lie consider
erroneous In view OF the teachings o
our own experience.