South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-06-20

government is 'dOinC all posi- BILE TO
avoid further raids: and IL IL is doing
all possible this is NOT sufficient 20
prevent border raids. and there is
every reason. therefore. WHY this
government must take such pre-
ventive measures. as il deems SUI
fcient.
Mexico Not Worthy
1T is suggested that injuries sur
fered on account of bandit raids are
a matter OF .pecmiary reparation.'
but. never the cause for American
forces TO invade Mexican soil The
precedents which have been estab-
lished and maintained 10y the gov
eminent of the Mexican republic for
the last half century do not bear
out this statement lt has grown
TO be almost "a custom not TO settle
depredaions OF bandits 10y payments
of money alone. hut TO quel suoA
disorders and prevent such crime 10y
swift and sure punishment The de
factor government finally argues
that If the frontier were duly pro-
tected from incursions from Mexico
there would he no reason FOR the eN-
( listing difficulty. Thus the de facto
( government attempts 90 absoNe
itself from the first duty of any gov
eminent. namely the protection of
/ life and property. This is the para
mount obligation for which govern
ments are instituted. and govern
ments neglecting or failing 10 pei
/ form II, are no. worthy OF the name.
This is the duty for which Gen.
/ Carranza. it must be assumed. militia
/ ted his re1 oIutiou i'm Mexico and or
4 gained the present government and
/ for which the United States govern
ments recognized his government as
| the de facto government Of Mexico.
! Protection of American lives and
| property. then in the United States.
/ is first the obligation of this govern
/ ment, and in Mexico is, first. the Oh
\ legation of Mexico. and second. the
! obligation of the United States
Prevent Protection.
I'm securing this protection along
the common boundary, the United
States has a right to expect the CO.
operation Of its neighboring republic
/ and yet, in spite of taking steps to
check or punish the raiders, the de
I facto government demurs and OBJ
Jects TO measures taken by the
| United States. The government OF
the United States does not wish 10
believe that the de facto government
approves these marauding attacks,
vet as they continue to be made,
| they show that the Mexican govern
ment is unable to repress them.
This inability, as this government
has had occasion in the past TO say,
may excuse the failure TO check the
outrages complained of, but it mere
" makes stronger the duty of the
United States to prevent them, for if
! the government OF Mexico cannot
| protect the lives and property OF
| Americans, exposed to attack from
Mexicans. the government Of the
United States is duty bound, so far
as it can. TO do so.
I'm conclusion. the Mexican gov
eminent invites the United States 10
support assurances of friendship
with real and effective acts which
, can be no other than the immediate
| withdrawal of the American troops.
For the reasons L have herein fully
set forth, this request of the de factC
cannot now be entertained. The
United States has not sought
the duty which has been forced upon
it OF pursuing bandits who under
fundamental principles of municipal
and international law, ought 10 be
! pursued and arrested and punished
by Mexican authorities. Whenever
/ Mexico viii assume and effectively
/ exercise the responsibility, the
United states. as il has many times
before publicly declared, viii be glad
TO haze this obligation fulfilled 10y
the d. facto government Of Mexico.
I If on the contrary. the de facto
i government is pleased TO ignore this
. obligation, and 10 believe that in
case Of a refusal 10 retire these
| troops there is no further recourse
than TO defend it's territory by an
appeal to arms the government Of
the United States would surely be
lacking in sincerity and friendship
/ il II flu llOA II dlhAE III ~ F11 upDAi
/ the Ce facto goverHmept that the
execution of this threat will lead TO
the gravest consequences.
While this government would
deeply regret such a result, il can
not recede from its settled determin-
alton TO maintain it's national rights
/ and TO perform its fun duty i'm pre-
/ venting further invasions Of the ter
/ ritory Of the United States and in
removing the perils which Americans
along the international boundary
/ have borne so long with patience and
I forbearance. Accept. etc.
! (Signed) ROBERT LANSING
There is a flashing beacon on
/ Richardson rock. a wave-swept spot