South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-06-20
Prnnnsifinn Rciccted.

/ during the continuance OF lflt II
Paso conferences. Gen. Scott, you
assert. did not take into considera-
ton the plan proposed by the Next
/ can government for the protection
OF the frontier by the reciprocal
distribution Of troops along the
| boundary. This proposition was
made by Gen. Obregon number Ct
times. but each time conditioned
upon the immediate withdrawal of
American troops and the Mexican
| conferees were invariably informed
that immediate withdrawal could
not take place and that therefore II
was impossible TO discuss the pro-
/ jet on that basis.
II have noted the fact that your
| communication is not limited TO a
| discussion Of the deplorable condi-
tions existing along the border ard
their important bearing on the
/ peaceful relations of our govern
mems, Tut that an effort is made 70
I connect it with other circumstances
In order 10 support. if possible,
+ mistaken Interpretation Of the atti-
against each other and to force the
/ United States toward Mexico. You
state in effect that the American
| government has placed every OBJ
stacle in the way Of obtaining the
pacihcation of Mexico and that is
shown by the volume OF displomatic
representations i'm behalf of Ameri-
can interests which constantly i'm
pede efforts 10 reOrganize the poll
teal. economical and social condi-
tions of the country; by the decided
aid lent at one time 20 Villa by
| American officers and by The depart
ment Of state; by the aid extended
by the American Catholic clergy to
| that Of Mexico. by the constant ac-
tivity of the American press in favor
Of Intervention and the interests of
American business men; by the
shelter and supply Of rebels ard
conspirators on American territory,
/ By the detection of shipment of arms
and munitions purchased 10y the
| Mexican government. and by the de-
tentioD of machinery intended for
| their manufacture
Was Given support.
I'm reply to this sweeping charge,
I can truthfully affirm that the
| American government has given
! every possible encouragement TO the
de facto government i'm the pacifi-
cation and rehabilitation of Mexico.
! From the moment of it's recognition.
it has had the undivided support of
this government. An embargo was
1 nj
going into Chihuahua, Sonora and
! Lower California, in order to pre-
vent their falling into the hands of
the armed opponents of the de factO
! government. Permission has been
granted from time 10 time, as re-
| quested for Mexican troops and
equipment to traverse American
territory from one point to another
/ in Mexico in order that the opera
| tons of Mexican troops against villa
and his forces might be facilitated.
In view of these friendly acts. 1 am
surprised that the de facto govern
ment has construed diplomatic rep
reservations in regard to the unjust
treatment accorded American inter
ests. private assistance to opponents
TO the de facto government by SYM
pathizers in a foreign country, and
the activity of a foreign press as in
reference by the United States gov
eminent in the domestic politics OF
Mexico.
If a denial is needed that this
government has Interior and i'm
proper motives in its diplomatic rep
RESERVATIONS or has countenanced
the activities of American sympa-
thizers and the American press OPP
posed to the de facto government,
am glad most emphatically TO deny
it. 1t is, however. a matter of COM
mon knowledge that the Mexican
press has been more active than the
press in the United States in en-
deavOring to infiame the two people
against each other and TO force the
two countries into hOstilities. With
the power of censorship of the Mex
lean press, so vigorously exercised
by the de facto government, the re-
| sponsibility for this activity cannot
it would seem, be avoided by that
government and the issue of the APP
peal of Gen. Carranza himself in the
press of March 18th, calling upon
Mexican people to be prepared fol
any emergency which might arise
and intimating that war with the
United States was imminent, evi-
dences that attitude of the de factc
government towards these publica-
lions.
Doubtful of Motives.
1t should not be a matter of sur