The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-07-01
FIRM NOT DEFIANT
MexicO's Reply, However, by No
Means PacificatOry.
Does Not Threaten Open Brea K
With United States.
BY CARL ID. GROAT.

Washington, July CONTRARY to
messages reported in certain diplomatic
quarters, advices to General Carranza's
American friends here today indicated
the first chief will not adopt a defiant
tone in answering the United States
demands upon him. He will instead,
send firm note" emphasizing that
he considers the presence of American
troops in Mexico an infringement on
Mexican sovereignty.
An informant, whose information
heretofore has been correct indicated
that the Carranza answer will not be
such as to bring on a breach between
the two nations. In some quarters to-
day. too, it is suggested the note may
open the way to a mediation move.
Foreign Minister Aguilar's state
ment, published yesterday in Mexico
City, was interpreted here as being in
tended for home consumption: the
state department has no word that it
was designed as an official answer to
Americas gravest consequences
note.
Nildcr Than First Note.
Despite its language, state depart
ment men said it was manifestly mild
er than Carranza's first note. 1t did
not demand withdrawal of American
expedition. though it suggested these
forces had no right to stay there. The
statement said nothing as to what
course CarranZa intends to pursue to-
ward American forces now below the
border.
This is taken as significant. The
note had not reached the state depart
ment up to noon Secretary Lansing
believed it probably would come to
Mexican Ambassador Arredondo, who
was yesterday asked to hurry it.
Secretary Lansing of other govern
ment officials told the United Press
/ either from
state department or other sources as
to what Carranza's answer would be.
Adjourn Until wednesday.
Unless General Carranza's reply to
the last note demanding an explana-
ton of his intentions arrives today,
| it is considered probable President
Wilson will have to wait at least until
next "Wednesday before placing the
Mexican situation before congress.
The house planned to adjourn today
over the Fourth of July and its first
session will be Wednesday. 1t was
plain that administration officials were
impatient at the failure to receive any
word of when the Mexican note might
| be expected since the demand for a
prompt reply went to Mexico City last
Sunday. How much longer President
Wilson would consent to wait was a
subject of much speculation.
| U. S. Has No Right In Mexico
| Pertaining to troop withdrawal, the
reply states:
The constitutionalist government
has had a perfect right to demand of
the government of the United States,
the immediate retirement of Ameri-
! car troops from the national terri
! tory on the completion of the mission
| which could lie the only reason for
crossing the frontier.
1t is not true that the presence of
american troops in Mexico is the only
check on further attacks of bandits
and is the best means of protecting the
ilves and property of American citi-
zens settled in our country. ON TIC
contrary the continued presence of
these troops has been the .ause o. ~
cent new raids by enemies of the con-
istitutionalist government who wish to
provoke international difficulties.
The constitutionalist government
does not ignore its obligations to give
protection to lives and property within
the Mexican territory but short of a
we'll defined agreement will not per-
nit foreign nation to enter Mexican
territory with it's armed forces.
/ If the government of the United
States has not the right to give pro-
lection to it's own citizens in territory
which does not belong to it. the de-
partment of state should finally OBJ
serve that no right pertains to the
| United States to continue to maintain
1