The Washington times., 1916-06-20

Mexican soil. 1t Is charged that those
troops crossed the frontier without first
obtaining the consent or permission OF
the de fecto government.
Obviously as immediate action alone
could avail there was no opportunity
to reach an agreement (other than that
of March 10-13, now repudiated by Cen
eral Carrsnza) prior to the entrance OF
expedition was to he effective.
Subsequent events and correspond
ence have demonstrated TO the satisfac-
ton Of this Government that General
any agreement providing for an effect
I've plan sor the capture and destruc-
ton Of the villa hands. ....' ...-
While the American troops were NOV
Ing rapidly southward In pursuit Of the
raiders. II was the form and nature
OF the agreement that occupied the at
tention OF General Carranxa rather
than the practical object which II was
to attain-the number or limitations
can forces to impede their progress
rather than the obstacles that could be
raised to prevent the escape OF the
1t was General Carranza VINO sus-
pended through your note or April ~
all discussions and negotiations for
an agreement along the lines OF the
protocols between the United states
and Mexico concluded during the period
lss2-lSe6. under which the two countries
had so successfully restored peaceful
conditions on their common boundary.
II may be mentioned here that. not
withstanding the statement in your
note that "the American Government
gave no answer to the note OF the 18th
OF APRIL this note was replied to on
April II. when the department in
deliver this Governments answer to
General Carranza.
Work Of Americans
Not Yet Finished.
Shortly after this reply the con-
ferences between Generals Scott.
Funston and Obregon began at Ell
l'nso. during which they signed on
May I'd a project OF a memorandum ad
referendum regarding the with
drawal OF American troops.
As an indication OF the alleged had
faith OF the American Government,
you state that though General Scott
declared In this memorandum that the
destruction and dispersion of tho
villa band had been accomplished" Z"
yet American forces are not with
drawn from Mexico. II Is only neces-
sary 10 read the memorandum, which
Is In the English language TO ascer-
tain that this IL clearly a misstate-
ment for the memorandum states
that the American punitive expedi-
persed many ~ the lawless elements
| and bandits. or have driven
them fa- into the Interior OF the Re-
| public Of Mexico" and further. that
tho United States forces were then
carrying on a vigorous pursuit Of
4 lawleEs elements as may havs es-
| cnned"
The context OF your note gives the
impression that the object Of the ex.
! the United States had agreed In the
memorandum to begin the withrawal OF
its troops.
Scott Relied on
Obregon's Assurances.
The memoranum shows. however, tina,
It was not alone on account Of partial
dispersion Of the bandits that II was de.
cided to begin the withdrawal Of Ameri-
can forces. but equally on account OF
the assurances of the Mexican govern.
/ ment that their forces were "at the pres
| ent time being augmented and strength
ened to such an extent that they will
be able to prevent any disorders occur
ring In Mexico that would In any way
endanger American territory" and that
they would continue to diligently pursue
of bandits that may still exist or here.
after exist In the northern part OF
Mexico" and that II would make a
proper distribution of such of its forces
as may be necessary to prevent the pos
| tory from Mexico"
1t was because of these assurances
and because of General Scott's conti-
dence that they would be carried out
that he stated In the memorandum that
the american forces would be gradual
ly withdrawn" II is to be noted that
while the American Government was
willing TO ratify this agreement, General
fn do m
Obregon stated, because. among other
things, II imposed improper conditions
upon the Mexican government.
Notwithstanding the assurances in the
memorandum II IL well known that the
forces of the de facto government have
not carried on a vigorous pursuit of the
remaining bandits and that no proper
distribution of forces to prevent the
| invasion OF American territory has beer
made, as Will be shown by the further
facts hereinafter set forth.
Charges Carranza Did
Not Want Villa Taken.
am reluctant TO be forced to the
conclusion which might be drawn from
these circumstances that the de factc
government, in spite OF the crimes com.
mitted and the sinister designs of Villa
and his followers, did not and does moi
now intend or desire that these outlaws
should be captured destroyed, or uls
perscd by American troops or. at tn,
request of this government, by Mexican
troops.
While the conferences at Ell Pas,
were In progress, and after the Amer
lean conferees had been assured oil
May 2 that the Mexican forces in tn
northern part of the republic wer
then being augmented so as to b.
able to prevent any disorders tina
would endanger American territory
band OF Mexicans, on the night OF Ma.
s, made an attack at Glenn Springs
Tex, about twenty miles north of tn
border, killing American soldiers an,
civilians, burning and sacking prop
erty and carrying off two American
as prisoners.
Subsequent to this event. the Mexi
can government, as you state, "gav
: instructions to General Obregon I
notify that of the United States tina
II would not permit the further pas
, sage of American troops into Mexic
, on this account, and that orders ha
, been given to all military command
ers along the frontier not to censen
to same" This Government Is o
: course not In a position to dispute tn
statement that these instructions ha
been given to General Obregon, but
, can decisively assert that General OF
! regon never gave any such notihcatio
n to General Scott or General Funsto
$ or, SO far as known, to any othe
American official.
y Ex nIutna Confaranra ~