New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-21
Refuses Mexican Requests.

In view of the actual state of affairs
as ! have outlined 1t above, ! am now
ir a position 10 consider the conclu-
sions which you have drawn in your
note under acknowledgment, from the
erroneous statements of fact which
you have set forth.
Your government intimates, if it
does not openly charge, that the atti-
tude of the United States is one of
insincerity, distrust and suspicion tow
ard the dc facto government of Mexico,
and that the intention of the United
States in sending its troops into Mex
leo is 10 extend its sovereignty over
Mexican territory, and not merely for
the purpose of pursuing marauders and
preventing future raids across the bor-
der. The de facto government charges
by implication which admits Of but
one Interpretation that this govern
ment has as its object territorial ag-
grandizement even at the expense of
war of aggression against a neigh
Dor weakened by years of civil strife.
The government of the United States,
if it had had designs upon the terri
tory of Mexico, would have had no
difficulty in finding during this period
OF revolution and disorder many plaus-
ible arguments for Intervention in
/ Mexican affairs. Hoping, however, that
the people Of Mexico would through
their own efforts restore peace and
establish an orderly government, the
/ United States has awaited with pa
thence the consummation of the revolu-
/ ton.
When the superiority OF the revolu-
tionary faction led by General Car
rama became undoubted the United
States, after comforting with six others
of the American republics, recognized
Internationally the present de facto
government. II hoped and expected
that that government would speedily
restore order and provide the Mexican
people and others. who had given their
energy and substance TO the develop
ment OF the great resources of the re-
public, opportunity TO rebuild in peace
and security their shattered fortunes.
This government has waited month
after month for the contamination Of
its hope and expectation. In spite of
increasing discouragements. in spite Of
repeated provocations 10 exercise force
IN the restoration Of order IN the north
ern regions OF Mexico. where American
interests have suffered most seriously
from lawlessness. the government of
the United States has refrained from
aggressive action and sought By APP
peals and moderate though explicit de-
mands to impress on the de facto gov
eminent the seriousness Of the situa-
tion and to arouse Il TO its duty 10 per-
form It's international obligations tow
ard citizens Of the United States who
had entered the territory OF Mexico or
had vested interests within its bound
aries
In the face OF constantly renewed
evidence Of the patience and restraint
of this government In circumstances
which only government imbued with
unselfshness and sincere desire 10
respect to the full the sovereign rights
and national dignity of the Mexican
people would have endured. doubts and
suspicious as to the motives OF the
government OF the United States are
expressed in your communication OF
May %, for which | can imagine no
purpose but 10 impugn the good faith
Of this government, for | find 10 hard
to believe that such imputatlons are
not universally known 10 be without
the least shadow Of justification in