The Washington herald., 1916-06-21
A d m inis tr alton, in
Strongly Phra a 5 e d
Document, Flatly Re-
fuses to Withdraw
Soldiers First Chief
Is Taken to Task.

Flat refusal either to withdraw troops
from the border or to prevent future
re-entry into Mexico, together with a
thinly veiled threat as to what will hap
pen IL any organized resistance is offered
by Mexican troops, was sent to the de
facto government of that country by
Secretary Of State Lansing yesterday.
The communication, intended re-
ply to the Carranza note Of May %, de-
nAnding the immediate withdrawal Of
all American forces, was declared by
diplomats last night to be a verbal slap
IN the face" Addressed to the Mexican
secretary Of foreign affairs, it all but
disregards the laws Of diplomatic YER
biage, and denounces the conduct and
policy Of the Mexican government in
terms cannot be misunderstood.
The usual roundabout elaborately
phrased and generally intricate style Of
diplomatic communications was totally
abandoned by Secretary Lansing. In
stead he hit straight out from the shoul-
der. The wording is terse and brusque
There is no clubbing. Carranza is hatly
told that he has not only exhausted this
country's patience. but has forfeited its
confidence.
Charged with Bad Faith.
The de facto government is hatly
charged with bad faith. It is accused not
only, Of falling to keep its promise to
capture and punish Villa and the nu-
merous other bandits who have been
sweeping down on unprotected villages
on American soil, but Of also giving those
bandits "encoura cement and aid" in their
campaigns OF loot, arson and rapine."
The United States government is fore
ed to conclude, the note declares. that
CarranZa and his subordinates are either
unable. or unwilling. to cope with the
situation. In either case, II is declared.
action by the United States is neces-
sary. Carranza Is bluntly informed that
the policy Of 'watchful waiting has
been abandoned, and that hereafter the
United States government will not trust
him. but will protect American lives and
property itself. Neither is Carranza to
be trusted longer to punish bandits for
outrages already perpetrated. the note
says. Instead. the United States has
taken the matter Of punishment into
its own hands.
The most effective method Of pre-
venting raids" the note says, rs to
visit punishment or destruction on the
raiders. It is precisely this plan which
the United States desires TO follow"
No aid will be counted on from Car
ranza,s forces in the future in cap
turing the bandits wanted for scores
Of American murders. The note men
tons the fact that two Of the leaders
Of these bandits were frequently seen
in the company Of one Of Carranza's
generals. during the very period that
general was supposed to be hunting
them down.
The note takes UP the threat Of Car
rama to offer armed resistance to any
farther encroachments on Mexican ter
ritory, and politely warns him that he
had better not"
The execution Of this threat" the
note says. would lead to the gravest
consequences" Then" It adds, 1T is
unrea sonoable to expect the United
States to withdraw its forces from Mex
lean territory. or to prevent their en-
try again. and furthe states that in
vieww Of the threatening attitude Of
the de facto government. no more arms
or munitions will be allowed dto pass
into the country.
1T should not be a matter OF surprise"
the note says. that after such mani
festations Of hostile feeling, the United
States was doubtful Of the purpose for
which the large amount OF ammunition
which the de facto government appeared
eager to import from this country was
to be used
AS regards numerous statements and
charges in the note of the First Chief,
Carranza is all but given the lie direct.
Other statements and charges by him
are set down either TO ignorance or will
full misunderstanding.
Charges Are Reruted.
Particular reference is paid to the
charges that the administration Is at
tempting to make political capital out
Of its Mexican course, and that this coun-
try is desirous Of seizing Mexico for ter
ritorial expansion. The Tong suffering
patience" Of the American government Is
cited in refutation of the first charge.
AS to the second charge, Carranza is
pointedly informed that the United States
has had opportunity after opportunity for
Intervention for several years, and that,
had it desired to seize Mexico, there could
have been no better time than when
Carranza's own status was a matter OF
doubt because of the rebellion against
him led BY Villa.
The full text Of the note comprises
about four thousand words, and details
Mexican outrages against American lives
and property for the past three years.
Secretary Lansing's whole view OF the
situation is summed up in the excerpt
"Candor compels me to add that the
unconceaIed hostility Of the subordinate
l.-ilitary commanders Of the de facto gov
eminent toward American troops engaged
in pursuing the Villa bands, and the ef-
forts Of the de fact government to COM
pei their withdrawal from Mexican ter
ritory by threats and show OF military