The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1916-03-26
u. S. INTER VEN77ON IN
MEXICO 'IMPOSSLBLE,"
WILSON DECLARES
President Fights Those Whom
He Declares Seek to
Provoke War.

IECSluCut "hSOl ASSA~H
last night denying any possibility Of in
tervention in Mexico.
The statement says that so long as
sane and honorable men are in control
of this government" it will not occur.
Warning is given against rumors Of
a disturbing sort emanating from sources
along the border, and the press of the
country is called upon to assist the ad-
ministrstion.
Only Purpose TO Take villa.
The Presidents statement follows:
''As has already been announced the
expedition into Mexico was ordered
under an agreement with the de facto
government Of Mexico for the single pur-
pose OF taking the bandit Villa, whose
forces had actually invaded the territory
OF the United States. and Is in no sense
intended as an invasion Of that republic
or as an infringement Of its sovereignty.
II have therefore asked the several news
services to be good enough to assist the
administration in keeping this view Of
the expedition constantly before the
people Of this country and the distressed
and sensitive people Of Mexico. who are
very susceptible indeed to impressions
received from the American press and
also very ready to believe that those
Impressions proceed from the views and
objects of our government itself.
Merely a punitive Measure"
such conclusions, 1t must be said. are
not unnatural, because the main, II not
the only source of fnforma ton for the
people on both sides of the border Is the
pubic press Of the United States. In order
to avoid the creation OF erroneous and
dangerous Impressions in this way, /
have called upon the several news
agencies to use the utmost care not to
give news stories regarding the expedi-
ton the color of war, to withhold stories
OF troop movements and military pre-
parstions which might be given that in
depreciation. and to refrain from publish
ing unverified rumors of unrest in Men
CO.
Il feel that il is most desirable to i'm
press upon both our own people and the
people OF Mexico the fact that the expedi-
ton is simply a necessary punitive
OF the marauders who raided Columbus
and who infest an unprotected district
near the border which they use as a
base in making attacks upon the lives
and property Of our citizens within our
own territory.
1T is the purpose Of our commanders
to cooperate in every possible way with
the forces OF Gen. Csrranza in removing
this cause Of irritation to both govern
msnts and to retire from Mexican terri
tory 50 soon as that object Is accom-
pnshed.
Sees Intervention Plot.
1T is my duty to warn the people OF
the United States that there are persons
all along the border who are actively en-
gagged In originating and giving as wide
currency as they can to rumors Of the
most sensational and disturbing sort,
which are wholly unJustiied by the
facts.
The object OF this traffic in fslsehood
is obvious. It is to create intolerable
friction between the government Of the
United States and the de facto govern
ment Of Mexico, for the purpose Of bring
ing about Intervention in the interest
OF certain American owners OF Mexican
properties This object can not be at
tanned so long as sane and honorable
men are in control OF this government.
but very serious conditions may be Gre
ated, unnecessary bIoodshed may result,
and the relations between the two re-
publics may be very much embarrassed.
The people Of the United States should
know the sinister and INSCRIPTIONS in
Huences that are afoot and should be
on their guard against crediting any
story coming from the border. and those
who disseminate the news should make
il a matter Of patriotism and Of con-
science to test the source and anthem
ITCHY OF every report they receive from
that quarter.
Csigned) WOODROW WILSON"