Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-06-01

thus asks in the most urgent manner
that the Washington government consid-
er with care the case and once for all de-
fine with exactitude the policy it intends
to pursue with respect to the Mexican ma
tion. To the end of making clearer the
basis upon which the petition contained In
the present note is founded, it is neces-
sary carefully to state the facts which
have occurred up to this time as result
of the incursion of a band on Columbus
n. NJ, captained by FRANCISCO Villa, at
dawn March 9 last.
THE Mexican government sincerely la
menting the happening, and with the idea
of efficiently protecting the frontier, pro-
posed that the governments of Mexico
and the United States celebrate an agree
ment by which bandits might be punished
Furthermore, the Mexican government
made this proposition guided by prece-
dents prevailing in the years 1880 and 1884,
and concretely asked permission that
Mexican forces might cross the Ameri-
can frontier in pursuit of bandits under
the reciprocal condition that like permits
sion would be granted the forces of the
United States should a case similar to
that of Columbus be repeated at any
American Expedition
"As a consequence of this PROPOSE
ton. made in the Mexican note of
March 10, the United States govern
ment, through error and precipitation,
thought that the good intention of the
Mexican government was sufficient to
authorize it to cross the frontier and
without awaiting a formal agreement
ordered a large party Of Americans to
enter Mexico in pursuit of Villa ana
his party. Because of this act the
American government made most en-
phatic protestations that it was act
inc in good faith and that its only
purpose in crossing the line was to
pursue, capture or destroy the Villa
band and that the act did not signify
an invasion of our territory nor an
attempt to violate the sovereignty OF
Mexico and that as soon as practical
result was shown by the expedition
the American troops would be with
drawn from Mexican territory.
The Protest and Answer
1.-The Mexican government had no
knowledge that American troops had
crossed the border until March II,
and this came from private sources in
Ell Paso. This government then direct
ed a note to the American government
stating that inasmuch as no formal
agreement had been entered into be-
tween the two governments, the Amer
leans could not be considered as au-
thorized to send such an expedition
"The Washington government explained
the sending of such an expedition, saying
that it regretted the attitude of the Mex
lean government regarding the passage of
troops across the frontier in pursuit of
Villa, and that it was done in the under
standing that the former Interchange of
notes plainly implied the consent of the
Mexican government without further for
malities.
The government of the United States
explained also that its attitude was taken
in view of the necessity for rapid action
and explained it's willingness to receive
any suggestions of the Mexican govern
ment relative to formal agreement for
the crossing of the international line by
forces of each country.
fine terms of an agreement, two projects
of the Mexican government and two
counter programs of the American gov
ernment being exchanged. In discussing
the agreement the Mexican government
insisted constantly that the operation of
troops in a foreign country must be limit
ed as to the number Of soldiers, the class
of arms and the territory occupied.
mi
agree on these points but in its last note
presented to this government agreed to
accept in part these limitations, neverthe-
less insisting that they be not applied to
the Columbus expedition.
This attitude of the American gov
! ernment caused the Mexican govern
ment to send a note, under date of
April l., suspendins negotiations over
any agreement in view of the fact that
the american government demanded
that the Columbus case should be ex-
cluded and requested the retirement of
the American troops. as they We're in
Mexico under no agreement and. as a
further reason because the Villa han
dts had been dispersed and reduced TO
impotency.
Meanwhile, the American govern
ment did not answer the note of April
10 nor withdraw the troops and it was
found convenient by both countries that
a convention if military chieftains
meet at some border point in order to
treat on the military aspect of the situ-
alton and ascertain if by this road it
were possible to arrive at a satisfac
tory solution, which on Mexico's part
consisted in the retirement Of the Am
erican troops from its territory. To
this effect there met at Ciudad Juarez
and FL Paso on the part of the Amer
can government Generals Scott and
Funston, and, on the part of the Mexi
can government, the secretary of war
and the navy, Gen. Obregon, who held
a series of conferences in a spirit of
frank cordiality.