New-York tribune., 1916-02-18

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facto government, with respect to the
nrotection of the lives and property
of foreigners In Mexico, the settlement
OF claims arising from disturbed con
ditions, and other matters appertaining
80 the restoration OF order.
"As 10 the ability Of the do facto
government to fulfil its promises 70
protect lives and properties along the
border, the undersigned has the honor
20 call your attention TO the fact tna'
since assurances in this respect were
given 10 this government by INC de
facto government the dis rbances
along the border have, IN large
measure. ceased. In this connection
copv OF a letter from the Secretary OF
War. dated February 10, 1916, and
comics Of weekly reports for the weeks
c,ding January and January 10, 1916
prepared by the War Department con
ccrning general conditions along the
border. are hereto appended. 1t VIII
he seen from these reports that condi-
tions along the border are practically
normal.
Reasonable Adequate Protection.
AIN respect TO the evidence in the
rosscssion of this government Of the
ability Of the q facto government OF
Mexico TO fulfil its promises and obll-
cations relative TO protecting american
lives and property In Me%ico' the ue
pgrtment's information indicates thal
the de facto government rs now NJ con
troll Of all but a few sections or Mexico
in
tion is lust emerging from years OF 40
mestic strife, il may be said that withln
the territory which II controls u j
affording. in all the circumstances, rea-
scnablv adequate protection 70 the liFes
md propcrty of American citizens, ana
IL is taking steps to extend It's au-
thority over and TO restore order IN
sections now in the hands OF the hostile
factions. q.
should be stated that the lawless con
ditions which have long continue
throughout large part of the terri
torv of Mexico are not easy TO remedy
and that the great number OF bandits
who have infested certain districts ana
devastated property in such territory
cannot be suppressed Immediately, but
that their suppression will require some
time for its accomplishment, pending
which il may be expected that they WEI
commit sporadic outrages upon lives
and property.
Fifth With reference 70 the pro
lection Of the lives and property OF
American citizens on or near the MeKi-
can border. there is inclosed herewith
an extract from a letter on the subject!
from the Secretary OF War, dated jan
uary 20, 1916.
Assurance from Mexico.
"Sixth- With regard TO the settle
ment of American claims against the
Mexican Republic for injuries 10 the
lives or property of American citizens,
tho undersigned has the honor 10 di-
rect your attention TO the copy OF
letter from Mr.. Arredondo, dated Oe-
tober 7, 1915, and its inclosure hereto
fore referred TO and hereto appended.
Seventh h-With reference 10 the as
surances given by the Mexican govern
ment concerning the protection OF ior-
eigners and citizens, particularly re-
suecting the free exercise OF religion,
the undersigned inclosed letter on
the subject from Mr.. Arredondo dated
October s, 1915.
Eighth As heretofore stated. 1t Is
not considered compatible with the
public interest to transmit TO the SEN
ate at the present time the correspon-
dence regarding political conditions IN
Mexico. Much Of this correspondence
ia OF "A highly confidential nature, sub
nitted by the consular officers OF the
United States by diplomatic or consul
lar officers Of other governments. when
have graciOusly consented tha- thelr
ogicers might supply this government
with information during the nece-sai! d!
sbsence Of American representatives
and bv other persons residing ln Mex
ico. To reveal the contents OF the re-
ports submitted by the representatives
OF the United States and by the repre-
scntatives of other governments would
be incompatible with public interest, as
II would tend to impair the usefulness
Of these officials TO their respective
governments; and TO make public the
personal and the frequently confidential
statements submitted from time TO
time by civilians might seriously en-
barrass them.
Thousands of Documents.
at may be added that the papers
requested by the Senate resolution
comprise thousands of documents. the
greater part of which set forth indi-
vidual opinion and suggestions from
different points of view, and therefore
contain a mass Of divergent and contra
dictory matter, incapable Vf reduction
10 a harmonious statement Of fact re-
garding the situation in Mexico or Of
the plans proposed for its improve
mcnt.
Ninth With reference to the re
quest for data, letters and reports re
lating to the closing of the port OF
FL Paso and reopening the same to
importations of meat from Juarez. the
undersigned has the honor 10 state
that the port of FL Paso has not been
closed during this administration 10
the importation of meats from Juarez.
Il meats from Tuarez urore 50 avv i'm a.