The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-21
A BANDIT NATION.

News of the murder of American
citizens in Mexico continues to make
It's way across the border. It is an
nounced that the government is about
to start an investigation of one of these
cases Apparently the only reason for
starting an investigation is to provide
an excuse for further delay in action.
Evidence of atrocities perpetrated
upon Americans by Mexicans already
is piled mountain high: why should
any more be needed? Those in charge
OF the office of the state department
in Washington during the stay of
President Wilson and Mr.. Lansing in
Europe have been guarded in their
statements concerning Mexican affairs.
They have had little to say about the
situation. beyond emphasizing the
determination of the government OF
the United States to uphold all the
rights of its citizens in Mexico, and
adding that. for the present, regular
diplomatic means of seeking redress
would be employed
Something concerning the intentions
of the United States more definite than
has been forthcoming, says the Chris
tian Science Monitor, may. surely, be
looked for now that Mr.. Wilson has
returned from Europe. There is GER
tainly wealth of varying reports with
regard to the general state of affairs
south of the Rio Grande, but it seems
to be clear that the property of citi-
zens of the United States, and of GER
tof ~,
sons identified with those properties
have lacked. and still lack, the pro-
lection due them. Much recent ex-
perience in the reproducing territory
has indicated that the Mexican govern
ment has permitted, IL 1t has not
otherwise encouraged, methods which
have practically deprived outside in
terests of their rights. While, so far
as the public is aware. little If any
thing is heard directly from President
CarranZa, fair-sounding words, quite
at variance with continuing deeds, oc-
casionally reach the United States
government from official or semi-of-
fetal sources
Just at the time when. early in July,
Gen. Candida Aguilar, confidential
agent of President Carranza. stopping
in Washington on his way to Europe,
had assured the state department that
the lives and property of citizens of
the United States would be protected,
that department received word of dis,
turbances in the Tampico district,
which took place on June 16, in which
citizen of the United States lost his
life in defending his family against
so-called rebels. The United States
embassy in Mexico City and the
United States consulate in Tampico at
once made urgent representations to
the Mexican authorities that the per-
petrators should be apprehended and
punished, and that adequate measures
must be taken to safeguard citizens
of the northern Republic. It then
came to the knowledge of the public
that Americans engaged in activities
in the Tampico oil district had not
only suffered at the hands of outlaws
or rebels. but had been prevented from
exploiting their land by soldiers, acting
under orders from the Mexican gov
eminent 1t also became known that as
| ASAAS obO oS <ApAAl ~ the SldIe depart
ment filed a protest against the ac-
ton of Mexican federal troops in stop
ping the drilling of oil wells by Amer
leans. 1t was not until about the first
of July that a reply was received, and
then 1t was to the effect that further
drilling of wells would not be per-
mitted by companies which had not
complied with the laws" which COM
| pliance, 1t was said. would constitute
admission that the Mexican govern
ment owned the lands legally ac-
quired by the companies
Again, on July 3, the state depart
ment made what were termed formal
and strong representations to the Car
| rama government on account of its
Failure to protect the lives and pro-
perty of citizens of the United States
pursuing their lawful and peaceful
business in Mexico. This action also
was caused by an American having
lost his life, on July 1, in the Tam
pico district While It was claimed
that rebels committed the deed. it was
declared there was nothing to show
that the disturbers were rebels. or
that the claim did not represent a con-
fvenient way of disposing of the blame
by officials Of the Mexican govern
ment.