The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-31
MEXICO AGAINST KiIsER.
TIME HAS COME TO TAKE SIDES
DECLARES GEN. PABLO CON.
ZALES.
statement Excitcs Mexican Capital
merely His Personal View, but
Thinks Mexico Should Favor En-.
tcnte Allies.

Mexico City. Oct. 2S.-Great excite.
men' has been created through tn,
publication In Ell Universal of q state.
mei't by Gen. Pablo Gonzales, former
commander of the Carranza forces in
slcx'co City and a well-known Con.
st'tn'ionalist. favoring Mexico follow
ing the example Of other Latin .An,cr-
lean countries and. severing diplomatic
relations. with Germany.
The entire front page Of the news
papers were devoted to the statement
thousands of extra copies of which
were printed in order to supply the
demand. In his statement Gen. Con
zales said:
This is an epoch in which neithar
men nor nations can exist isolated
and there. is no nation in which the
conditions of other nations, do not fin l
reflection in view of the magnitude of
the present world conflict. In consid
Grafton of the fact that Mexico mus,
sympathize toward one or the other
OF the belligerents, I deem it loyal an I
patriotic to voice my opinions AMI
contribute as far as possible to the
guidance Of my fellow citizens.
Men Of prominence and members
OF both chambers have given this
matter their consideration and do not
think 1t indiscreet on my part to ex-
press my opinions. but must empha-
siaa that this is my personal view .nd
that 1t by no means reflects the oiIi.
cial view. / have no authorization to
speak in the name of the government,
whose orders / am always ready to
obey.
'The constitutional revolution would
be worth little ii its flag were not in
scribed with the highest humane
ideals and If you did not also maintain
those ideals practically.
THE invasion OF France might be
considered a consequence of the state
OF war with Germany. although the
barbarous manner In which il has
been carried out has no excuse and
Is gigantic attempt en,bodying incori.
ceiyable violations of international
rights and there was also a violation
OF sovereignty Of a weak nation in the
occupation of Belgium, a neutral pro.
tected by treaties executed with, the
express purpose of preventing attacks
on its neutrality and sovereignty.
'"The destruction of Serbia also was
carried out by the Central Powers
with such absolute lack Of scruples,
with such refined cruelty and barba ri
ty as to produce horror among all
men, and 1t gives a clear idea Of the
tragic slavery to which weak nations
would be subjected II the menacing
Teutonic Imperialism should definitely
triumph.
las man and by natural sponta-
neous impulse against what has been
revealed before my eyes. and a
cause for reason and justice, am
with the Entente Allies AS a Mexi-
can and citizen of country which
necessarily will feel the consequences
of the European conflict, as it is re-
moved geographically. commercially,
and intellectually from Germany and
surrounded by Allied countries, Which
are held by bonds of race. culture and
vast interests that my government can
not afford to put aside. and as q sim
pie citizen of my country. for whose
interests 1t Is my duty to be ever on
the watch. l consider it most essential
that Mexico should direct a frank and
decided course in favor of the Allies" "