The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-12-13

PRESIDENT WRITES
TO SENATOR FALL
The Constitution Places the
Responsibility Upon the Pres
ident

Washington, Dec S.-The resolu-
ton asking President Wilson TO break
Oft diplomatic relations with the Car
rama government was abandoned to-
day by Republican leaders in the SEN
ate after the president had informed
Senator Fall Of New Mexico. its au
thor. that he would 'be gravely con-
the congress-"
In announcing, after q conference
with Senators Fail and Hr;tndcsce, Of
Connecticut. that the foreign relations
committee would take no action on
the resolution. Senator Lodge said:
We wanted TO help, but now the
entire Mexican situation goes to the
president. The responsibility is on
his shoulders. Let it rest there
Passage Of the resolution the presi-
a.nt wrote Senator Fall, would con
stItute reversal Of Our constitutional
practice which might lead to very
grave confusion in regard tot he guild
ance OF our foreign affairs" declaring
that the initiative in directing rela-
tions with foreign governments We're
assigned by the constitution TO the
executive and 10 :i,c executive only"
Mr.. Wilson said lie was confident that
the only safe course" was Ito ad
here to the prescribed method OF the
constitution.
I'VE might go very far alicld il we
departed from it, he said
I.-oll
night. took issue with the president
that the senate could not advise on
matters affecting relations with foreign
governments until requested to do SO
by the president and said there were
precedents TO support him. He also
said he would again request the COM
nittee TO postpone action on his reso-
luton .or upon. any phase Of the Men
lean matter" until the president had
had time TO give the subject his con-
sideration.
Ec:ore tho president dispatched his
letter the senate foreign relations
committee held IN hour session for
cluding the Carranza oil decrees
which have been the subject of dip
lo!natic correspondence between the
United States and AieX;co. but at the
suggestion Of Senator Fall. action on
the resolution was deferred until the
president had expressed his view.
Senator Fall tonight made public
memoranda which he sent the presi-
Gent dealing with tic results of the in
vestigation by the senate committee of
Which the New Mexico senator is
chairman Part OF ti.is information
was given Nr. Wilson last Friday b.
Senator Fall when he and Senator
Hitchcock, called at the White House
"a discuss the Fall resolution.
Mr.. Wilson's statement in his letter
that What the New Mexico senator
mad told him OF the investigation pre-
pared him to find in the memoran
,lum matter OF the greatest import
;lnce" was interpreted b: some sena-
tors as meaning that the president
had not yet had time to study Mr..
Falls report.
Senator's noted also that the presi
dents letter gave no indication as to
whether a change Of the aGministra-
tion's attitude toward Mexico vas un-
der consideration. During the da;:
the State department was advised by
The American embassy at Mexico City
note renewing the request for the re-
lease Of Consular Agent Jenkins was
to be handed to the American charge
today. The reply had not been re-
cc;ved at the State department tonight.
Meantime the investigation into the
liberation of Jenkins on bail last
week was continuing Officials read
without comment q statement given
out by J. Saltcr Hansen II Mexico
City that he had acted on his own
initiative and responsibility in furnish
il.:, | coo pesos bail for jenkins re-
lease
Senator Fall announced today that
his committee would continue its in
vcStisaton Of the McMican situation
lie expects 20 leave for the border be-
fore the new year to pursue the in
quiry there.
The presidents letter to Senator
Fall follows:
Thank you very much for your
Eind pro mptncs> in complying VIII
n'y request that YOU send ME cop.
nt the memorandum report of ;he
subcommittee on Mexican affairs Of
lie committee OF foreign affairs. !
shall examine it with the greatest in
rerest and care. What YOU told ne oi
l.r investigation on Friday last. pre-
,:arc& me 10 find in il matter Of ;.se