Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-04-13


try could reciprocally cross the divid-
ing line in pursuit of bandits If un-
fortunately there should Oe repeated
along the border acts like those COM
mitted in Columbus"
The note adds, however: From the
beginning the Mexican government
judged that by reason OF the time
which had transpired and for the pur-
pose of treating case already pass
ed the said incident could not con-
tinue as a proposal for the reciprocal
passing of troops,
Incorrectly Interpreted
The fact that the United States had
incorrectly interpreted the note of
March 10 was called TO the attention
of the Washington government, the
statement points out, in n note dated
March II. This note likewise en-
phasized that the passage of troops
would he permitted "oniy if un-
fortunately. from this time forward,
there should be repeated eruptions
like the one registered at Columbus
or of any other kind whatever at any
point of the frontier line
On March Is. the statement con-
tinues, Frank Polk, acting Secretary
of state. in an interview with the
Carranza confidential agent deplored
not having received the observations
of the Mexican government before
American troops crossed the border,
declaring that the passage of troops
took place in the best of faith and in
the belief that it would not be neces-
sary to enter into more details of an
agreement which was considered
definite and ended.
These declarations made by Mr..
Polk were later confirmed on March
23 to the Mexican representative by
Secretary Lansing, who stated also
that he was sorry at having inter
preted wrongly the contents of the
said note in respect to the passage OF
troops and that they would not ad-
vance more to the south of the place
where they then were"
Reference is also made in the note
to the declaration made by President
Wilson on March 90, saying the en-
pedition was ordered under an agree
ment with the de facto government
of Mexico for the purpose only of cap
turing the bandit Villa, whose forces
have invaded territory OF the United
States, and on no preteXt whatever
would we order an invasion of that
republic or violation OF 1t:
sovereignty.
Has Fulfilled Object
That idea" continues the note
published by his eXcellency, Presi'
dent Wilson, was rectined on Marcf
81 ny Il uleSSdSe Sent " ouI
tial agent in Washington, IN which hC
was instructed to call your attention
to the idea indicated, since the note
of March 10 referred to the reciprocal
passage of troops only in case tina
incident like those which occurred II
Columbus, should be repeated"
In concluding the note, which i!
signed by Candido Aguilar, secrctar!
for foreign affairs, points out that a!
the American expedition has fulfilled
its object insofar as it will be able tC
do so. as the party headed by Nilli
has already dispersed; and finally, be
cause there are Mexican troops il
sufficient numbers pursuing them, anC
more forces are being sent to eX
terminate the rest of the beaten party
the first chief of the constitutionalis
army, charged with the eXecutiV,
power of the nation, oIsiders that i
is already time to treat with III,
United States Government for tht
withdrawal of their forces from ou
territory