Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-08-23
EVENTS OF WEEK
lAxxya lsaAG

III dLu Ill Uotn VI II dAo VI
the event itself, and because of tho possibilities to which
It may lead in view Of the generally unsatisfactory ma
ture of conditions below the Rio Grande. Two Aneri-
can lieutenants in the aviation service, having been en-
gagged in patroIling the border in their airplane. were
forced to descend by engine trouble. They were in un-
familiar territory. but supposed that they were on the
American side Of the line. Abandoning their machine
after putting it out Of commission, they wandered FOR
some time trying to get their bearings. and only discov-
cred that they were in Mexico when they were captured
by a group of Mexican bandits who hurried them into
hiding and sent word to their friends that they would
be killed unless the sum of $4,000 were forthcoming
within a brief designated time. =
This amount was contributed Immediately by cow
boys and other local residents on the American side.
American government and an army officer was In
structed to make the exchange of the money for the
prisoners. This was done in part. Half of the money
was paid on the release of one prisoner, but when 1t came
to making payment for the other the officer took the re-
cent captive on his horse behind him and headed for.
the border. The two we're out of range before the
bandits had recovered from their surprise. The general
in command ordered that the remaining money be paid,
but under the circumstances this is likely to be attended
with some difficulty.
IA S1LoAA AOtSC VI roIAy ~ ak
was at once dispatched to take up the trail left by the
bandits, and to kill or capture the outlaws if possible.
The bandits had scattered and taken to the rough coun-
try, but as this is written the chase is still on, and in
some encounters five or six men who have been identi-
fled as members of marauding gangs have been killed.
The leader of the gang which captured the two Ameri-
cans has not been identified.
Protests against the invasion of Mexican territory
have been forwarded from Mexico to Washington, and,
while the Mexico City press is not unanimous on the sub
jet. its general tone is that Of antasonisna toward the
United States, and appeals have been made to all Mexi-
cans to stand together in defense of their country. This
incident, following a long series of similar outrages, and
the service of what amounted to an ultimatum from
Washington, is generally held to forecast the pursuance
Of a more vigorous American policy toward Mexican at
fairs than had been followed in the past. -~-
The American public is familiar with the bandit raids
which have been made from the Mexican side Of the line
Into American territory, and with the robbery and muir
der of Americans leg1timately resident in Mexico. There
is less familiarity here with the policy Of the carranza
government, which, from its inception, has been a policy
Of hostility. Whatever may be the facts with reference to
the manner in which foreign oil concessions in Mexico
were secured, or the manner in which they were oper-
ated at the beginning, it is an indisputable fact that
practically every dollar that has been spent in the dis
covery and development of Mexican oil fields is foreign
money, and a very large proportion of it from the United
States. The development that has been accomplished
represents the investment of vast sums Of money and
the expenditure Of years of labor by a small army of
Americans who have sought only to be permitted to
conduct their enterprises in a legitimate way upon pay
ment of all taxes and royalties which could justly be
levied against them.
In the face Of all this there have been enacted laws
and promulgated legislation, directly at the instigation
Of Carranza. according to current reports, whose opera
ton will mean neither more nor less than the conf1sca-
ton Of every interest which Americans have in the Mex
lean oil fields. These laws apply equally to all foreign
holdings. but the disposition seems to be to apply them
with special inflexibility against Americans. Naturally
the men whose interests are thus affected have protested.
Representations have been made from Washington. But
the replies which have come from Caxranza have been
eyastve. ambiguous and unsatisfactory. This, with the
apparent indifference Of Carranza to the series Of out
rs9es along the border, and his failures to make any
adequate effort to put an end to them, creates a situa-
ton which demands attention. ana which at last seems
likely to receive It.
5H%&$@g@5~& H ss .
The widely heralded conference between President
elm relations took place according to program last
Tuesday. The conference was public in the sense that
full stenosraphic notes were taken Of everything that
w. said. and q fun transcript was given to the press i'm
Iaediately after the meeting. Fairly full reports have
hesn published, and it appears from these that the pro-
seedlings were Characterized by greater frankness and
- Formally than Was to be expected Of d meeting
q that character held with al the world looking on.
Il has bsan aaad that the conference resulted n the
changing Of opdnions. but that III parties left it con-
rSAalnd ~ hn-t..... =
tsrtaiasd views vers correct. Perhaps this = true, and
yet ~ SEEMS impossible thar such q mseting could have
bsen held vithout something in the naturs Of : better
aAdsre1ndins hsvins bssn reached.
whiIs smpAaaasins ~ e~onvietssn nat X would Is
e. 81 iaesrpsratssan reservations II the rsoluton
6titicatidn ~ the peace treaty. q these would then