Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-04
Asks Wilson to Sever
Relations With Mexico

Relations With Mexico
CONTINUED From Page One.)
squarely before the senate, aroused
to a high pitch by recent murders
of Americans in Mexico and the
treatment of the American consul
lar agent.
Correspondence Copied.
While Senator Fall did not indi-
cate the exact nature of his evidence
it was said that he had obtained
Photographic copies of correspond
ence which would clearly show Sc
cret operations of the Mexican presi-
dent and his representative in this
country. There also was introduced
in the senate a resolution by Sen.
ator Ashurst of Arizona, authoriz-
ing the secretary of war to use the
nations force for protecting its
people on their own side of the
border. For eight years, Senator
Ashurst said he had been waiting
for the army to protect American
rights along the border and he felt
that the time had come for action.
Flareup in House.
In the house there was flareup
of the Mexican situation. Repre-
sentative Caldwell, New York, de-
claring it was so bad that before
many days the country might be at
war. Since the opening of the ses-
sion there had been indications that
congress would take the Mexican
lit by the teeth, demand the re-
lease of jenkins and protection OF
lives of Americans in that country,
but the resolution requesting the
president to break off relations, the
next thing to an actual declaration
of war, showed that action OF some
kind would not be long delayed
Everywhere the impression pre-
vailed that Senator Falls commit
tee and officials of the State depart
ment were in close and thorough ac-
cord. Before the resolution was in
troduced Senator Fall conferred
with Henry p. Fletcher, American
ambassador, who for some months
has been handling Mexican affairs at
the State department. The depart
ment archives have been opened to
the foreign relations committee
without reservation and members of
the committee said there existed
complete understanding with the de-
partment.
Senate's View Unknown.
How the senate might act on the
proposal for an open break with
Mexico was not altogether clear, but
it was believed that republicans
would vote almost solidly for it and
that they would have some demo-
Gratis as supporters.
Senator Shields of Tennessee,
member of the foreign relations
committee, speaking from the floor
when the resolution was offered, de-
clared "the United States had oc-
casibn to declare war against Mex
leo for the last five years"
When word reached the house
that there might soon be an open
rupture with Mexico members said
it had long been expected and there
were reports that republicans in the
house would vote for the resolution
when it goes there for action.
Hitchcock Doesn't Know.
After conference late today with
Secretary Lansing, Senator Hitch
cock. acting democratic leader, said
he did not know what the attitude
'oi the democrats would be, although
he indicated that the resolution in
its present form might be opposed
because there appeared to be no
precedent for withdrawing recogni-
ton under similar circumstances.
About the time dispatches from
the border were received here with
reports that Villa had been captured
the Mexican embassy sent word that
it was giving out statement and
there was a rush to get it. The state
ment contained dispatch from Hi
iatio Medina. subsecretary of for
eign affairs, reiterating that jenkins
was not immune from arrest because
Vi HIS Olllidl SOiIUCStlOli Will lilo
government. The embassy had
nothing to say about the proposal to
ask the president to hand Ambassa-
dor Bonallis his passports.
Reports yesterday from Mexico
City that British subject seized by
bandits had been quickly released
on demand of the British authori-
ties, did not serve to soften the feel
ing i'll official circles, especially as
everybody recalled that Great Brit
ain never had recognized the Car
rama government.
Another Jenkins Note.
The Mexican embassy made pub
lie tonight dispatch from Hilario
Medina, subsecretary of foreign af
fairs, reiterating that American Con-
sular Agent jenkins, under arrest
at Puebla, was not exempt from
jurisdiction of Mexican courts be-
cause of his official position.