Evening star., 1919-08-15

/ The text OF the American note @"u
that of Mexico. dated July 2s' ana
given out by the State Department.
with this governments explanation
of causes for the representations, fol-
low:
I'm view of the long series Of mur-
ders and outrages Of American citl-
zens in Mexico. eliminating IN the
murder of Peter Catron in San Luis
Potosi last month, and the perpetra-
ton Of other acts In disregard OF
American lives and property. the
American embassy at Mexico City, on
July %. by direction Of the Secretary
sentations to the Mexican govern
mexico City. July %. 1919.
"'Sir: with reference to the en-
bassy's note. dated July 16. 1913. rela-
tive to the murder OF Peter Catron:
about July I last, I have the honor to
inform you that am now under teie-
graphic instructions from my gov,
ernment to urge upon the Mexican
government the capture and punish
ment Of those responsible for thia
murder -and the adoption of adequate
measures to. prevent q recurrenee OF
the murder of American Gcittsens.
"T am also instructsd to state that
should tho lives Of Amertcan citizens
continue to remain unsafe and these
murders continue BY reason o. the
Mexican government to afford ade-
quate protection. my government may
be forced to adopt q radical change
in its policy with regard to Mexico.
Accept, sir. the renewed assur-
ances of my highest eonsidsraf.0na' -,
Charge dAKaires.'
Reply From Mexico.
"The Mexican reply. dated July 2s.
signed by Salvador Diego-Fernandez.
in charge Of the department of for
eign relations. and dated July 2s'
follows:
"'Mr. Charge d'Affaires: The note
which your honor was pleased to send
me on the ED instant advised me OF
tho Instructions which you had re-
ceived to notify this department that
If the lives of the citizens OF the
United States In Mexico continued in
q state of insecurity. and II murders
should continue because OF the Nm
willingness or inability Of the Mexi-
can government to give adequate pro
lection, the government Of the Unit
ed states would be compelled to adopt
q radical change in its policy with re-
gard to Mexico.
In reply. I have the honor TO state
that the fact that ofsnses against the
lives Of citisens Of the United States
republic cannot be notortously at
tributed to unwillingness TO give pro-
tection. The willingness to furnish
this protection has been expressed
repeatedly and the material dtmcul-
ties in the way OF fulniiing 2 prom
should not be confused with unwiil-
inEness to do SO, especially as this
willingness had been demonstrated
by acts.
Protection Of Life.
"Mereovsr. II we consider the pro-
lection Of human life In absolute
terms, that is to say. ii in every case
and wherever q citizen Of the United
states may be within Mexican terri
tory he should enjoy special and Of
tsst tssSs his If. msy never b placed IN
danger, 1t Is not possible for the gov
ernment Of Mexico to do this. because
so perfect condition OF security
exists nowhere: with all the more
great territoriai extent OF the rspub-
| lie, its scanty population and the diff
hcult conditions which prevail after
q long civil war.
""rhe government Of Mexico has al
ways endeavored ~ far a. possible to
give full security to the lives Of for
eigners as we'll as of its nationals,
but the fact IL that foreigners,
through ignorance, the lack OF pru-
dence, or rash eagerness for profit,
venture to remain or to travel In
dangerous regions. thereby incurring
| the risk Of becoming the victims OF
oNenses and even trusting to escape
offenses because Of their being for
eigners.