Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-06-21

tematlcaily raldlng across the lnternatlOn-
al boundary. The marauders engaged in
the attack on Columbus were driven back
across the border by American cavalry
and subsequently as soon as a sufficient
force to cope with the band could be col
lected were pursued into Mexico. With
out cooperation or assistance in the field
on the part of the de facto government,
despite repeated requests by the United
States and without apparent recognition
on its part of the desirability of putting
an end to these systematic raids. because
they menaced the good relations of the
two countries, American forces pursued
the lawless bands as far as Parral, where
the pursuit was halted by the hostility
Of MeXicans. who arrayed themselves on
the side Of outlawry and becaue in effect
the protectors of Villa and his band.
I'm this manner and for these reasons
have the American forces entered Next
can territory. Knowing fully the circum
stances set forth the de facto govern
ment cannot be blind to the necessity
which compelled this government to act,
and yet it has seen fit to recte ground
less sentiments of hostility toward the
expedition and to impute to this govern
ment Interior motives for the continued
presence of American troops on Mexican
soil. 1t is charged that these troops
crossed the frontier without first obtain
ing the consent or permission of the de
facto government. Obviously as immedi
ate action alone could prevail, there was
no opportunity to reach an agreement
other than that of March 10th-l3th. now
repudiated by General Carranza, prior to
the entrance of such an expedition into
Mexico. if the expedition was to be eff
fective. Subsequent events and correspon-
dence have demonstrated to the satsfac-
ton of this government that General Car
rama would not have entered into any
agreement providing for an effective plan
for the capture and destruction of the
Carranza who suspended through your
note of April u all discussions and nego-
tiations for an agreement along the lines
of the protocols between the United States
and Mexico concluded during the period
1SS2-1S96. under which the two countries
had so successfully restored peaceful con
ditons on their common boundary.
The note then takes uD the matter
of diplomatic correspondence and the
conferences between Mexican and
American officers at Ell Paso at which
they signed a memorandum regarding
the withdrawal of American troops 1t
was pointed out that the forces of the
de facto government have not carried
on vigorous pursuit of the remain
ing bandits and that no proper dis
tribution of forces to prevent the in
vasion of American territory has been
made.
Reference was made to the fact that
while the conferences were in progress.
Mexicans raided Glenn Springs. Texas,
killing American civilians and soldiers;
that subsequently the Mexican govern
ment instructed General Obregon to
notify the United States that it would
not permit further passage of Ameri-
can troops into Mexico. This govern
ment asserts that Obregon gave no
such instructions to General Funston
or others.
Moreover" the note adds no
statement was made by the American
generals that no more American
| troops would cross into our territory
On the contrary it was pointed out to
General Obregon and Juan Amador.
with emphasis, that the bandits De
La Rose and Pedro Vino. who had been
instrumental in causing the invasion
of Texas above Brownsville were even
then reported to he arranging in the
neishborhood of Victoria for another
raid across the border. and it was
made clear to Obregon that if the
Mexican government did not take i'm
mediate steps to prevent another in.
vaslon of the United States by these
marauders, Mexico would find in Tam
aulipas another punitive expedition
similar to that then in Chihuahua"
The various points raised by the AZ
facto government are answered in the
note. Regarding the Mexican interpre-
alton OF this country's attitude toward
Mexico. Secretary Lansing said:
In reply to this sweeping charge
can truthfully affirm that the Amerl-
can government has given every pos
sible encouragem to the de facto
government in the pacification and re-
habilitation of Mexico, From the mo-
ment of its recognition it has had tho
undivided support of this govern
ment"
Each specific charge was categori-
cally denied and the efforts of this
government to assist in the work Of
restoring peace, We're recounted The
Mexican press. the rote declared had
been more active than the American
press to inflame the Two peoples
against each other and to force two.
countries into hostiitieS."
The note continues to state that af
ter even Carranza himself had init
mated that war was imminent, because
of the policy of the de facto govern
ment in refusing to cooperate with
the United States or to attempt to
suppress the outlawry that this gov
eminent had grounds. it believed, for
refusing TO allow the shipment of any
war munitions into the bandit infested
country AS long as threats of the de
facto troops continue and there is any
evidence on the part of the de facto
government or its military commanders
to use force against United States
troops. the United States government
will not permit munitions of war nor
machinery for their manufacture to be
exported from this country to Mex
leo.