Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-08-15
WARNING TO MEXICO
is MOST FORCEFUL
Note Sent to Carranza Little Less
Than UItimatum--WiIson Believed to
Be Contemplating lntervention-Car-
rama Says He is Doing His Best to
% Protect Americans.

Washington. Aug. l5.--The state de-
partments bolated note to Mexico
warning President Carranza that II
murder and other indignities to Amer
lean citizens continue The United States
may be forced to adopt a radical
change of attitude toward that coun-
try, was the chief topic of discussion
here. The note, made public yesterday
with reply from the Mexican gov
ernment. lacked only official sanction
since notes We're exchanged between
the two countries following the occu-
patton of Vera Cruz by the Americans.
The American note containing the
warning to Carranza's government was
handed to the foreign office in Mexico
City by the American charge d'affaires
and reads as follows:
Mexico City, July %, 1919. Sir:
With reference to the embassy's note.
dated July 16. 1919, relative to the muir
der Of Peter Catron, near Wales, San
Luis Potosi. on or about July last,
l have the honor to inform you that
am now under telegraphic instructions
from my government to urge upon tho
Mexican government the capture and
punishment of those responsible for
this murder, and the adoption OF ade-
quate measurers to prevent a reCur-
renee of the murder of American citi-
Zens.
II am also instructed to state that
should the lives of American citizens
continue to remain unsafe and these
murders continue by reason of the un-
Willingness or inability of the Mexican
government to afford adequate protec-
ton, my government may be forced to
adopt a radical change in its policy
with regard to Mexico.
Accent. sir. the renewed assurances
of my highest consideration.
George r. Summerlin,
Charge d'Affaires."
Says He's Doing His Best.
CarrauZa replied to the American
note with asscverations of his desire to
protect foreigners, assertions that he
is diligently pursuing the murderers of
Americans, and explanations of his in
ability to afford complete protection in
sparscly populated territory.
1t was learned tonight that the pres
ident has prohibited the expectation
Of arms and ammunition to any part
of Mexico. for the time being at least
The arms embargo has been on and oft
during the last eight years. but ever
since the recognition of Carranza in
1915 the export of war munitions to
the Mexican government has been per-
mitted
The clampng down of the arms en-
barge now IS regarded as Indication
that the patience of the administra-
tion with Carranza is about eX
haustA.
u. S. Ammunition Used.
1t has been demonstrated that Car
rama soldiers were using American
arms and ammunition to kill Amer
leans. and that n large proportion of
tho American munitions shipped to
CarranZa was sold to Mexican rebels
and bandits by Carran2a commanders
or exchanged for immunity from at
tack.
The presidents threat Of n change
of Mexican policy aroused much spec
ulation concerning his possible inten-
tions. BY some 1t Is believed that Mr..
Wilson is verginG toward armed inter-
vention the administrator having eX-
hausted every pacific means of induc-
Ing Carranza to protect Americans.
Undersecretary of state Polk re-
Gently stated that intervention Is the
only pxactical alternative to the prcs-
ont policy. BY others 1t is opined that
the president coiteuipi5ttcs Intervention
by the United States as the mandatory
of the league of nations.
While no official statement was
made concerning the announcement at
this time of the change of policy, it
generally was the opinion today that
pressure from foreign governments
and demands in congressional circles
for some protective action FASTENED
tho announcement.
It was pointed out that, should some
drast!c step become necessary. the
United states, from n military point
of view. now ls in a better shape to
act than in any time in it's History Of
long -drawn-out controversy With the
Mexican nation as to Americas rights
n1 ,,riyiJnoea !