The evening world., 1916-06-20
UNITED STATES ACCUSES MEXICO OF PROTECTING VI
effectively the frontier on Tho Amert-

effectively the frontier on Tho Amer1-
can side.'
obviously. II there is no means of
reaching bands rowing on Mexican
| territory and making sudden dashes
at night into American territory, 1t is
impossible TO prevent such invasions
unless the frontier Is protected by a
Gordon Of troops. No government
could be expected to maintain a force
OF this strength along tho boundary
I OF nation with which II is at peace
for the purpose of resisting the on
siaughts OF a few bands of lawless
men. especially when the neighboring
state makes no effort to prevent these
attacks.
| Tho most effective method Of pre-
venting raids of this nature, rs past
| experience has demonstrated, is to
visit punishment or destruction on
the raiders. 1t Is precisely this plan
which the United States desires TO
follow along the Mexican boundary.
without any intention of infringing
] upon the sovereign rights of her
neighbor. but which, although obvi-
ously advantageous to the Dc Faoto
| Government. 1t refuses to allow or
even countenance. II Is in fact pro-
tection to American lives and prop
erty about which the United States is
solicitous, and not the methods or
ways In which that protection shall
be accomplished.
Nv the Mexican Government 10
unwilling or unable to give this
protsotion by preventing its tor
r'tory from being tho rendezvous
and refuge Of murderers and
! p'underers, that does not reliove
this Government from its duty TO
| take oil the steps necessary to
safeguard American citizens on
| American soil. Tho United States
! Government cannot and will not
| allow bands OF Iawless mon to
| establish themselves upon its bor-
| ders with liberty 10 invade and
| p'under American territory with
| 'mpunity and, when pursued, to
seek safety across tho Rio Grande,
relying upro tho plea Of their
Governmet that tho integrity Of
| the soil Of no Mexican Rep Ibiio
must not be violated"
LANSING DENIES THAT MEXICO
DOES ITS DUTY.
The Mexican Government further
protests that II has made every effort
on Its part to protect the frontier and
that 1t is doing all possible to avoid
| recurrence OF such acts Attention Is
again invited TO the we'll known and
unrestricted activity OF De Ia Rosa,
Ancieto Piscano. Pedro vinos and
others in connection with border raids
and to the fact that, as ! am advised.
UP to June Z. De la Rosa was still
| collecting troops at Monterey for the
| openly avowcd purpose Of making at
tacks on Texan towns and that Pedro
Vino was recruiting at other places
for tho same avowed purpose.
II have already pointed out the un-
interrupted progress of Villa to and
from Columbus and tho fact that the
American forces in pursuit OF the
Glenn Springs arauders penetrated
16S miles into Mexican territory with
out encountertng a single Carranzista
soldier. This does not indicate that
tho Mexican Government Is doing all
possible to avoid furtherraids: and II
1t Is doing all possible this Is not
sufficient to prevent border raids, and
there IL every reason. therefore, why
this Government must take such pre-
vantativo measures as II deems suf
fcient.
1T Is suggested that injuries suf-
fered on account Of the bandits raids
are a matter Of 'pecuniary repara-
tion. but never the cause for Ameri-
can forces to invade Mexican soil
The precedents which have been es-
tablshed and maintained by the Gov
ernment of the Mexican Republic for
the last half century do not bear out
this statement. 1t has grown TO be
almost a custom not to settle deprc-
dations OF bandits by payments of
money alone, but to quell such dis
! orders and TO prevent such Grimes by
swift and sure punishment
The do factor government finally
| argues that:
"If the frontier were duly protected
from incursions from Mexico there
would be no reason for the existing
| difficulty" Thus the de facto gov
| ernment attempts TO absolve itself
from the first duty OF any govern
ment. namely. the protection Of life
| and property.
"This is tho paramount obIlga-
tlon for which governments are
| Instituted, and governments no.
gIecting or failing TO perform Il
are not worthy Of the name. This
10 tho duty for which Gen. Car.
rama, il must be assumed,
initiated his revolution In Mexico
and organized tho present gov
ernrent and for which tho United
States Government reoo.gnl lzed his
government as tho do facto gov.
ernment of Mexico.
Protection OF American lives and
property. then. In the United States
Is first the obligation Of this Govern
ment, and in Mexico Is. first. the
obligation Of Mexico. and second, the
obligation Of the United States.
in securing this protection along
tho common boundary the United
States has right to expect the CO.
operation OF its neighboring republic,
and yet, instead of taking steps TO
check or punish the raiders. tho de
flcto Government demurs and objects