New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-21

lurlnE any KIM OF implements 20 tne
belligerents and suspending commercial
relations with the warning nations
until the said coufagration shall have
been smothered.
THE government OF the United
states has given careful and sympa-
thetic consideration TO the proposals OF
the de factO government, not only be-
cause they come from a neighboring
republic in whose welfare and friend
ship the United States has a peculiar
and permanent interest, but because
these proposals have for their end the
object which the President had hoped
70 attain from MS discussion few
months ago of the aims Of the bellig-
erents snd their purposes in the war
or the futile results of the Presidents
efforts az .hat time General Carranza
IS no doubt aware.
Instead OF the conflict being re-
solved into a discussion Of terms of
peace, the struggle. both on land and
on sea, has been renewed with inten-
slhed vigor and bitterness. To such
an extent has one group of bel
ligerents carried warfare on the high
seas, involving the destruction Of
American ships and the lives of Amer
lean citizens, in cOntraventlon Of the
pledges heretofore solemnly given the
government of the United States, that
il was deemed necessary within the
last few weeks 10 sever relations with
one OF the governments of the allied
Central Powers.
Plot to Embroil Mexico
ITO render the situation still more
acute, the government OF the United
States has unearthed a plot laid by
the government dominating the Gem
trail Powers % embroil not only the
government and people of Mexico, but
also the government and people Of
Japan, in war with the United States.
At the time this plot was conceived
the United States was at peace with
the government and people Of the
German Empire, and German officials
and German subjects were not only
enjoying but abusing the liberties
and privileges freely accorded 70 them
on American soil and under American
protection.
I'm these circumstances. all Of
which were existent when the note
under acknowledgment was received.
the government of the United States
finds Itself, greatly 70 its regret and
contrary 20 its desires, in a position
which precludes it from participating
at the present time in the proposal OF
General Carranza that the neutral
governments jointly extend an invita-
ton TO the belligerent countries 20
bring the war 20 an end either By
their own effort or by avalllng them
selves of the good Offices or friendly
mediation of neutral countries.
cat the present stage OF the Euro
pean struggle, the superiority OF the
Entente Powers on the high seas has
prevented supplies from reaching the
Central Powers from the Western Hem
isphere. To such a degree has this
restriction of maritime commerce ex-
tended that all routes Of trade between
the Americas and the Continent OF
Europe are either entirely cut off or
seriously interrupted
Position of United States Sound
"This condition is not new. In 1915
the Central governments complained OF
their inability 10 obtain arms and am
munition from the United States, while
these supplies were being shipped
freely to the ports of their enemies.
The discussion OF the subject culminat-
ed in the American note of August L,
1915. TO the imperial and royal Austro-
Hungarian government, UNFOLDING the
contention Of the United States hat its
inability 10 ship munitions Of war TO
the Central Powers was not OF its own
desire or making, but was duG wholly
TO the naval superiority of the Entente
powers.
believing that this position OF the
United States is based upon sound
principles of international law and is
consonant with the established prac-
ticc of nations, the President directs
me 10 say that he cannot bring him
self 10 consider such a modification of
these principles or Of this practice as
compliance with General Carranzas
proposal 10 suspend commercial rela-
tons with the warning nations would
entail.
"The President regrets, therefore,
that, however DESTROYS he may be of CO.
operating with General Carranza in
finding a solution of the world prob
lem this is intruding itself upon all
countries, he is, for the reasons set
forth. unable at the present time to d.
rect his energies toward the accom-
plshment Of the lofty purposes OF the
sdent-elect in the way suggested
by his proposals. The President would
not be understood. however, as desiring
to impede the progress of movement
leading TO the resumption of peaceful
relations between all of the belliger-
ents. ard would not, therefore, wish the
Mexican government to feel that his
inability to act in the present stage Of
affairs should in any way initiate
against the attainment OF the high
ideals of General Carranza by the CO.
operation Of other neutral governments
in the use of their good Offices and
friendly mediation to bring about the
end of the terrible war which is being
waged between the great powers OF Eu-
rope"