Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-11-06
ALLIES WARN MEXICO
AGAINST AIDING U-BOATS
Tell Southern Republic That Failure
to Censor Wireless Will Have
Disastrous Results.

By the Associated Press,
MEXICO CITY, November 6.-The
Mexican government has been notified
by the British ambassador at Washing
ton of the presence of German subma-
rines in the Gulf of Mexico and has
been warned that the allies Will take
drastic measures" If the undersea
craft receive aid from Mexican ports or
sources. This information was made
public last night by Foreign Minister
Aguilar, who issued the text Of note
received from the ambassador through
United States Secretary of State Lam
sing and Charge d'Affaires Charles b.
Parker.
The British note demands a strict
censorship of the Mexican wireless and
says that any failure to maintain Mex
lean neutrality will be attended by dis
astrous results. In his reply. addressed
to Mr.. Parker Senior Aguilar says that
1t seems strange to the Mexican gov
eminent that Great Britain should use
the United States State Department as
an intermediary on n point concerning
Mexico alone. especially when Great
Britain has an accredited representa-
tive to Mexico.
Resents Indirect Communication.
The reply says that the Mexican gov
eminent will. for this time only, an
swer the representations of the Brit
ish government through Mr.. Parker.
Foreign Minister Aguilar states that
the Mexican government feels It unjust
for the allies to hold Mexico RESPONSE
BILE for submarine activities in the Gulf
of Mexico when the same submarines
arrived in American ports and sank
hi Jvr toll t.vr
without causing conflict or difficulties
between Germany and the United
States. He adds that Mexico desires to
retain cordial relations with Great
Britain. and to this end suggests that
the English fleet prevent the German
submarines from leaving their base,
thus obviating to the Mexican govern
ment dfsagreeable incidents caused by
the European conflict. If such meas
ures by England are not efIlcacious, the
foreign minister concludes, the Mexican
government will take such measures as
the circumstances direct should Ger
man submarines enter Mexican waters.
Warning in Friendly Spirit.
The United States government has
informed the de facto government of
Mexico that precautions should be
taken to prevent any violation of Mex
erent submarines within its territorial
waters or the establishment of Il sub
marine base on the Mexican coast. The
information was conveyed. Il State De-
partment official said today, i'll a wholly
friendly spirit and not at the sugges
ton of any of the entente powers.
State Department officials realized
that if Germany began d widespread
campaign of commerce rajding as was
believed possible "A the time the sub
marine U-53 attacked allied shipping
off the New England coast. it might be
extended to Mexico.
The great oil fields there, the prin-
cipal source of fuel oil for British war
vessels, 1t was thought might attract
German submarines for the purpose Of
destroying tank steamers carrying to
enemy warships.
Serious Complications Might Ensue.
1t was said today the Mexican gov
eminent is without sufficient means to
insure protection of its neutrality and
that it might be comparatively easy
for a foreign power to establish sub
marine base at some unsuspected point
along that coast. Serious complica-
lions between Mexico. Great Britain or
France might ensue to the embarrass-
ment of the de facto government which
might bring the United States into the
controversy.
that any. protest had been submitted to
Mexico City for Sir Cecil Spring Rice,
the British ambassador here.