New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-21
Declined to Withdraw.

Declined to Withdraw.
During the continuance of the FL
Paso conferences General Scott, you
assert, did not take into consideration
the plan proposed by the Mexican gov
eminent for The protection of the
frontier by the reciprocal distribution
Of troops along the boundary. This
proposition was made by General
Obregon number Of times, but each
time conditioned upon the immediate
withdrawal of American troops, and
the Mexican conferrees were invari-
ably informed that immediate with
drawa could not take place, and that
therefore 10 was impossible TO discuss
the project on that basis.
| have noted the fact that your com
munication is not limited 10 discus
sion of the deplorabie conditions exist
ing along the border and their i'm
portant bearing on the peaceful rea-
tions of our governments, but that an
effort is made TO connect II with other
circumstances in order to support, if
possible, a mistaken Interpretation Of
the attitude of the government Of the
state in effect that the American gov
eminent has placed every obstacle in
the way of attaining the pacifcation
Of Mexico, and that this is shown by
the volume Of diplomatic representa-
tons in behalf of American interests
which constantly impede efforts TO re
organize the political, economical and
social conditions Of the country; by
the decided aid lent at one time to
Villa By American officers and by the
Department OF State; by the aid eX-
tended by the American Catholic clergy
TO that of Mexico; by the constant ac-
tivity of the American press in favor
OF Intervention and the interests of
American business men; by the shelter
and supply Of rebels and conspirators
on American territory; by the deten-
ton of shipments Of arms and NUM-
tions purchased by the Mexican gov
eminent, and by the detention of ma
chlnery intended for their manufacture.
in reply TO this sweeping charge
can truthfully affirm that the Ameri-
can government has given every pos
sible encouragement TO the de facto
government in the paclfcation and re-
habilitatlon Of Mexico. From the mo-
ment of its recognition il has had the
undivided support of this government
An embargo was placed upon arms and
ammunition going into Chihuahua
Sonora and Lower California. in order
to prevent their falling into the hands
of the armed opponents of the de facto
government. Permission has been
granted, from time to time. as re
quested, for Mexican troops and equip
ment to traverse American territory
from one point to another in Mexico
in order that the operations of MeXi-
can troops against Villa and his forces
might be facilitated.
In view of these friendly acts,
am surprised that the de facto gov
eminent has construed diplomatic rep
reservations in regard to the unjust
treatment accorded American inter
ests, private assistance to opponents
20 the de facto government by sym
pathizers in a foreign country and the
activity of foreign press as inter
ference by the United States govern
ment in the domestic politics of Mex
leo.
II a denial is needed that this gov
eminent has had Interior and improper
motives in its diplomatic representa-
tons. or has countenanced the activi-
/ ties Of American sympathiZers and the
American press opposed TO the de
facto government, | am glad most en-
phatically TO deny It. IL Is, however,
a matter Of common knowledge that
/ the Mexican press has been more active
than the press in the United States
/ I'm endeavoring TO inhame the two peo-
pies against each other and TO force
| the two countries into hosulities.
With the power of censorship Of the
Mexican press. so vigorously eNer-
/ cised by the de facto government. the
responsibility for this activity cannot,
il would seem. be avoided by that gov
eminent. and the issue OF the appeal
of General Carranza himself IN the
press Of March 10, calling upon the
Mexican people 10 be prepared Tor
any emergency which might arise and
intimating that war with the United
States was imminent, evidences the
attitude Of the de facto government
toward the publications.
Il should not be a matter OF sur
prise that. after such manifestations OF
hostile feeling, the United States was
doubtful Of the purpose for which the
large amount of ammunition was 10
be used which the de facto govern
meut appeared eager 10 import from
this country. Moreover, the policy OF
the de facto government in refusing TO
cooperate and in failing 10 act indie
pendently in destroying the Villa ban
dts and in otherwise suppressing out
lawrv in the vicinity of the border, so
as 10 remove the danger Of war ma,
terials while passing southwark
through this zone. falling into the
hands Of enemies OF law and order IS,
in the opinion of this government
sufficient ground, even II there were
no other. for the refusal 10 allow such
materials IN cross the boundary into
the bandit-infested region. To have
permitted these shipments without
careful scrutiny would, in the circum-
stances. have been TO manifest a sense
Of security which would have been un-
justified.
Mexican Army Hostile.
e. odd that Tho