The Washington herald., 1916-10-30
Another Mexican Insult.

The action OF Luis Cabrera, chairman OF the
Mexican contingent of the joint international
Commission in session at Atlantic City and min
lister of finance in Carranza's cabinet in issuing
a formal statement attacking the administration
has furnished an almost sensational climax to the
negotiations by which President Wilson has sought
to restore peace along the Mexican border.
Cabrerss statement was labeled official and
was issued through the Mexican News Bureau
which is closely connected with the Mexican En-
bassy in this city. The most remarkable features
in this remarkable statement contained in the
following words:
The importation (into Mexico) of arms
and munitions for the use of Villa, Zapata
and the other bandits and brigands is con-
Quoted under the very eyes of supine officials
whose business it would be to hinder their
transmission across the border.
That the American government is COM
petent to restrict and restrain the expectation
of arms and munitions is proved by the fact
that during the early days of the Carranza
revolt against the usurper Huerta, these laws
were enforced with an almost cruel rigidity
against Carranza.
Cabrera an officially accredited representative
of the Mexican government in the United States
flatly and unequivocably accuses the government
of the United States of giving aid through "supine
officials to Villa the bandit who crossed Dor
der to murder and steal and for whom our army
invaded Mexico. This accusation is insult tc
our government.
1t may be assumed that Cabrera acted with
the full knowledge and consent of Carranza If
delivering the insult. The envoy could have gained
nothing and probably would have lost much il
making his statement on his own initiative and re
sponsbility It even may be considered that Car
81 l., fax e
sued the following statement in Mexico City JUS
few hours before the Cabrera statement was
made public:
The only active movement hostile to me
has been that of the Vilstas in Chihuahua,
which has been able to continue on account of
the facilities the enemies of the government
have acquired in the United States to foment
and aid the movement but it is sure the gov
crnment will eventually suppress the move
ment.
In these words Carranza does not go far a!
Cabrera. Carranzas insult is merely inferential
Thus the way is open for Cabrera to announce
that his statement issued without the knowl
edge or consent OF Carranza If Cabrera should
make such an avowal, resign as chairman Of the
Mexican contingent Of the International Commits
sion and quit our SOIL the incident might be con
sidercd closed But unless Cabrera follows thi:
course, the way to peace on the border through
the International Commission will be seriously i'm
pedcd.
Our government cannot overlook cabrera:
statement. 1t is probable that Secretary of State
Lansing may ask Cabrera for explanation anc
use his reply basis for action By this course
further Developments may be delayed until afte>
November 7.
Another course open to our government is tc
inf tI,,t tLo Of he II
tcrnational Commissio cannot be continued while
Cabrera is a member OF the Mexican contingent
This action in all probability would bring sudder
disruption Of the negotiations.
The fact that Cabrera issued such an attach
upon the administration seems to show that he ha:
faith in the ability of the commission to reach
an agreement satisfactory to both this government
and Carranza But even though Cabrera does moi
believe the negotiations have failed, he has sus
pended the usefulness Of the commission by the
issuance Of his statement