Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-02-13
CARRANZA FOR PEACE
Continued from Page One)

ia, minister of finance in Carranza's cab
met and head of the Mexican commits
sioners, suggested to the commission that
he hoped the commission would not only
settle disputes between the United States
and Mexico, but might bring peace to the
world An embargo on exports was his
plan
Mexicos exports to Europe arc consd-
cradle and of vast Importance to the En-
tente Allies Enormous quantities of CT
for the British fleet are drawn from the
Englsh-owncd oil fields on the Mexican
Gulf coast
Text Of Note
The CarraNza note said in part.
"Over two years ago there began on
the old continent the most gigantic arm
ed conflict which history records spread
ing death, desolaton and misery among
the belligerent nations. This tragic strus-
gle has deeply wounded the sentiments of
humanity of all the countries not taking
part in the struggle and it would not be
lust or humane that these nations should
remain Indifferent before such great dis
aster A deep sentiment of human broth
erhood therefore obliges the Mexican gov
eminent to offer its modest cooperation
in order to bring about the cessation OF
the struggle.
The present European war seems to
the whole world as q great conflagr
ton as great plague that ought to
have been isolated and limited long ago
in order to shorten it's duration and
avoid its extension. Far from that, the
commerce OF the nautral countries Of
the whole world, and particularly that
of America has "a great responsibility
before history, because all of the neu-
trial nations. more or less, have lent
their assistance in money. IN provisions
in munitions, or in fuel, and in this
way have fed and prolonged this great
confiaGratiOn.
"By reason of high human morals and
for their own national preservation, the
neutral nations ar obligated to abandon
this procedure and also to refuse to con-
tinue lending this assistance that has
made possible the continuation OF the
war for over two years. To this end
the Mexican government acting within
the most strict respect for the Sover-
eighty for the countries at war, inspir-
ed by the highest humanitarian and
guided at the same timc by the Senti-
ment Of SELF conservation and defense
permits itself to propuS" tn the govern
ment OF Your t:NCclieucy AS il also is
doing TO the other neutral governments
that working i'm mutual accord and pro-
ccrding upon me h.-I- ~ tnc nTt abb
soIute equality ro ,pth groups of com
blatant powers 10 pI,ltc them to put an
end to the present var. either hy them
selves or taking advantag. OF the good
Offices or Of friendly mediation of ali
nations that jointly may accept this in
Vtation.
IF within = reasonable length of
time peace cannot he established by
this means. the neutral countries will
then take the necessary measures in
order TO confine the conhagration t. its
strict limits. refusing to the belliger-
entS all kinds of elements ard stopping
the merchant traffic With the nations
Of the world until the end of the war
is achieved
'"The Me&Ican government recogniZ-
es that in its proposition it steps aside
a little from the principles of interna-
tional law which until now have been
in force in the relations Of the neu-
trails with the belligerents. but we
ought to recognize that the present Eu-
ropean war is a conflict without any
precedent in the history of humanity.
which demands supreme effort and
new remedies that cannot he found
within the narrow and somewhat ego
tistical limits of international law as
known up TO date.
he government Of Mexico under
STANDS that no neutral nation, power
full as it may be. could by itself rake
a step. and as result of this measure
can only be reached with a co-opera-
ton Of the neutral powers possessing
the greatest international influence be
fore the belligerent nations.
1T pertains especially to the United
States. Argentina. Brazil and Chile in
America, and to Spain. Sweden and
Norway. in Europe. which are more
influential and more at liberty to take
definite stand before the belligerents
concerned to foster this initiative,
which, not because it comes from a
nation which is supposed to be weak
ia the present time and therefore in
capable of an effective international
effort is nevertheless worthy of the Sc
riouS study and minute considerations .