Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-26
ltimatllm 10 Cnrrnnyn

r CRT III tone and pcremptory in demand is
- the ultimatum delivered By this govern
ment To Carranza yesterday. Fully justified
by the severe provoCatiou from which IL has
long suffered. and impelied finally by the
sheer necessity OF protecting its boundaries
and its people the government Of the United
States now demands of the Quibbling, Qucru-
lous CarranZa that he declare himself and the
position OF his de faClo government. 1t in
Sists on such immediate rcparation as lies
clearly within his power at this timo--tho re
lease OF the American soldiers held prisoner
and the return OF the property seized with
them.
1t demands early statement" more
over as 40 the course OF action Carranza
wishes this government to understand he has
determine on, and sterny orders that what
ever statement is made shall come through
the channels OF diplomacy, and not through
subordinate military commanders" Ii Car
rama shall yield in ali respects TO the demands
set out in the ultmatum, it is possible war
between the forces OF this united country and
Carranza and his following may yet be
averted, though it is not likely this govern
mcnt Will remain content with such incom-
plete PREPARATION is outlined in tho brief
note. That. we take it. is mere statement
of what must be offered at once. of what is
deemed the first requirement for contin-
nance OF diplomatic relations.
That the country will stand behind the
President TO man in the position he now
assumes is virtually assured by tho arrogance
OF the note delivered To Secretary Lansing by
Mr.. Arredondo on Saturday. AS the note to
Carranza expresses it. il can lend itself to no
interpret alton than that OF "a formal avowal
of deliberately hostile action agains. the
forces OF the United States now in Mexico
and Of the purpose To attack them without
provocation whenever they move from their
present position in pursuance of the objects
for which they were sent there"
notwithstanding the impossibity Of any
otler construction the Mexican note than
this, the President, anxious 10 leave open
every possible method by which Carranza
might preserve peace has given him what in
erect. is another chance. In spite of the
aNuwal contained in the note of SATURDAY.,
Carran1a may ward off immediate hostilitjcs
by releasing tho prisoners and property now
held by him, and may then enter into further
negotiations with this government.
No man, however pacific in spirit and in
aspiration. If no has spark OF national pride
Shmmer Of the impulse to protect tho en-
dangered, could ask. or desire, further for
bcarancc. Our border has been harried, our
people robbed and murdered by senisavages
Under tacit agreement our troops have
gone in pursuit Of tho raiding bandits: as
sistancc was promised them by Carranza him
self instead of aid. they have been ham
rcrcd: instead OF cooperation, trcachery re-
Sul'inE in massacre. has been dealt them
Now the ultimatum-thc last word---has
been spoken Nothing remains to be said
by us. If prudence shall gain tho upper hand
over bravado in CarrauZa's mind, open run
turo may yet be prevented. If he IS bent on
self destruction and further misery for his
wrctched land. he has but 10 refuse the de-
mands OF our ultimatum