The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-06-20
ULTIMATUM TO MEXICO

,Cnutiunpd rom Page Onel
government towards Mexico question:
ed in the last Mexican note are an
nounced in the following language:
IF a denial is needed that this gov
eminent has had Interior improper
motive in its diplomatic representa-
tons or has countenanced the actlv-
ity of American sympathizers and the
American press opposed to the de
facto government, L am glad most
emphatically to deny it. 1t is, how
ever, a matter of common knowledge
that the Mexican press has been more
active than the press in the United
States in endeavoring to inflame the
two peoples against each other and TO
force the two countries into nostili-
ties
The text of the note follows:
The secretary of state to the secre-
tary of foreign relations of the de
facto government of Mexico
Department of State,
Washington, June 20, 1915
Sir: l have read your communica-
ton which was delivered to me on
Nav %, 1916, under Instructions of
the chief executive of the de facto
government of Mexico on the subject
of the presence of American troops IN
Mexican territory, and L would De
wanting in candor if 1 did not, be-
fore making answer to the allegatloIlss
of fact and the conclusions reached
by YOUR government, express the sur
prise and regret which have been
caused this government by the uls
courteous tone and temper OF TINS last
communication of the de facto gov
eminent of Mexico
Continuous BIoodshed and Disorder
The government of the United
States has viewed with deep concern
and increased disappointment the
progress of the revolution in Mexico
Continuous bloodshed and disorders
have marked its progress. For three
wears the Mexican republic has been
torn with civil strife; the lives of
Americans and other aliens have been
sacrificed; vast properties developed
by American capital and enterprise
have been destroyed or rendered nom
productive; bandits have been permit
ted to roam at will through the terri
tory contiguous to the United States
and to seize, without punishment or
without effective attempt at punish
ment, the property of Americans
while the lives of citizens of the Unit
ed States who ventured to remain in
Mexican territory or TO return there
to protect their interests have been
taken. in some cases barbarously TAX
en- and the murderers have neither
been apprehended nor brought to JUS
tice. ut would be difficult to find in
the annals of the history of Mexico
conditions more deplorable than those
which have existed there during these
recent years of civil war.
1t would be tedious to recount in
stance after instance. outrage after
outrage, atrocity after atrocity, to il
the widespread conditions of lawless-
ness and violence which have pre-
vailed.
Conditions Growing Worse.
During the past nine months in par
ticular, the frontier of the United
States along the lower Rio Grande has
been thrown into a state of constant
apprehension and turmoil because of
frequent and sudden incursions into
American territory and depredations
and murders on American soil, by
Mexican bandits. who have taken the
lives and destroyed the property of
American citizens, sometimes carrying
American citizens across the inter
national boundary with the booty
seized American garrisons have been
attacked at night, American soldiers
+ killed, equipment and horses stolen.
American ranches have been raided,
property stolen and destroyed and
American trains wrecked and plum
dered.
House Ferry, ProgreSo Postoffice and
Las Peladas, all occurring during Sep
TENDER last, are typical In these
weeks on American territory, Carran.
zlsta adherents and even CarranziSta
soldiers took part in the looting, burn
ing and killing. Not only were these
murders characterized by ruthless
brutality, but uncivilized acts of mu-
tilation were perpetrated
Representations were made to Gen.
eral Carranza and he was emphatical.
ly requested to stop these reprehensi.
BILE acts in a section which he has
long claimed to be under the complete
domination of his authority Notwith.
standing these representations and the
promise of General Nafarrette to pre.
vent attacks along the internationa
boundary. in the following month OF
october, a passenger train was wreck.
ed by bandits and several persons kill.
ed seven miles north of Brownsville
and an attack was made upon United
States troops at the same place severa
days later.
Government Encourages Outlaws
Since these attacks leaders of the