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

government 10 act and yet 1T has
seen AT 10 recite groundless senti-
ments Of hostility toward the eXpedi-
ton and 20 impute 10 this govern
meDt Interior motives for the con-
tinued presence OF American troops
on Mexican soil II is charged that
these troops crossed the frontier
without first obtaining the consent
or permission OF the de fact0 gov
eminent. obviously as immediate
action alone could avail. there was
no opportunity 10 reach an agree
ment (Other than that of March To-
o. now repudiated by Gen. Car
ranZaj prior 90 the entrance Of such
IN expedition into Mexico If the eX-
petition was 20 be effective. Subse-
ouent events and correspondence
have demons rated 10 the satisfac-
ton of this government that Gen.
Carranza would not have entered
into any agreement providing for
the capture and destruction Of the
villa band While the American
troops were moving rapidly south
ward In pursuit OF the raiders. IL
was the form and nature Of the
agreement that occupied the atten-
ton OF Gen. Carranza rather than
the practical object which II was 10
attain-the number Of limitations
that could be imposed upon the
American forces To impede their
progress rather than the obstacles
that could be raised 20 prevent the
escape Of the outlaws.
Reply II Asserted.
1T was Gen. Carranza who sus-
pended through your note of April
II all discussions and negotiations
for an agreement along the lines OF
the protocols between the United
States ard Mexico concluded during
the period 1SS2-1SS6. under which
the two countries had so successfully
restored peaceful conditions on their
common boundary. II may be men,
toned here that. notwithstanding
the statement in your note that the
American government gave no an
swer to the note OF the 10th of April
this note was replied 10 on April
14th. when the department instruct
ed Mr.. Rodgers by telegraph TO de-
liver this governments answer TO
Gen. Carranza. Shortly after this
reply the conference between Gems.
Scott. Funston and ODreson began
at FL PasO, during which they sign
ed on May md a project of a mem
orandum and referendum regarding
the withdrawal of American troops.
I As an indication of the alleged bad
faith Of the American government,
you state that though Gen. Scott de-
clared in this memorandum that the
destruction and dispersion of the
| Villa band had been accomplished
| yet American forces are not with
drawn from Mexico. It is only nee
/ essary 10 read the memorandum
which is in the English language, TO
ascertain that this Is clearly a mis-
statement, for the memorandum
states that the American punitive
eXpeditionary forces have destroyed
or dispersed many Of the lawiess ell
ements and bandits . or have
driven them far into the interior Of
the Republic of Mexico and fur
Their. that the United States forces
were then carrying on a vigorous
pursuit Of such small numbers Of
bandits or lawless elements as may
have escaped.
Explain Memorandum.
The context of your note gives
the impression that the object Of the
| expedition being admittedly accom-
plished. the United states has agreed
in the memorandum to bring about
the withdrawal OF its troops. The
memorandum shows. however. that
il was not alone on account of par
tial dispersion of the bandits that il
was decided TO begin the withdrawal
| Of American forces, but equally on
account of the assurances of the
/ Mexican government that their forces
were at the present time being aug
mented and strengthened TO such an
extent that they will be able TO pre-
vent any disorders occurring in
/ Mexico that would in any way en-
danger American territory and that
they would continue 10 diligently
pursue. capture or destroy any law
less bands of bandits that may still
exist or hereafter exist in the nor
thern part of Mexico and that il
would make "a proper distribution of
such OF its forces as may be nee
essary to prevent the possibility OF
Invasion of American territory from
7 Mexico. 1t was because of these
assurances and because of Gen
SCOTS confidence that they would be
carried out that he stated in the
memorandum that the American
forces would be gradually with
drawn. IL is TO be noted that while
the American government was Will
J ing TO ratify this agreement, Gen.