Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-09
UNCLE SAM TO HOLD
MEXICO TOACCOUNT
Violations of American Rights
Listed and Carranza Will
Get Firm Demands.
POLK SEES OIL MEN
BY OLIVER OWEN KUHN.

Uncle Sam is preparing what might
be termed bill of particulars"
against the Carranza government of
Mexico. All the outrages perpetrated
against American civilians and An1eri-
can property. all gross violations of
good will and formal agreements will
be set forth. and then Mr.. Carranza
will be asked what he is going to do
about it.
The American government. weary
unto death of the evasions, equivoca-
tons and downright misrepresenta-
tions of the Carranza regime, will not
trife. Promises are no longer credited.
Speedy and sure action looking toward
settlement of all just claims of Amerf-
cans and adequate protection of Ameri-
can lives and property will be demand
ed with such vigor and firmness that
the President of Mexico cannot dodge
the issue. These are developments to-
day anticipated in well informed quar-
ters as the result of the turn of events
Depredations Recapitulated.
The government. particularly the
State Department.. it is known, has
for some time been making a reca-
pituiation Of depredations against
American life and property in Mexico.
This work has gone on through con-
sular agents and private sources Of
information.
lnasmuch as the majority of the
depredatlons against American life
and property in Mexico have occurred
in the great oil fields. where several
OF the leading powers have tremen-
dous financial investments, and in
view of the fact that oil property in
Mexico today is in peril by virtue Of
conditions. Under Secretary Polk of
the State Department this morning
had a long conference with repre-
sentatives of all American oil COM
panies doing business in the Mexican
fields. The whole situation was can
vaSSed and the American oil interests
which have Investments of more than
$500, 100000 in Mexico stated their
case in full, urging the necessity and
pleading for protection by the Ameri-
can government. The oil men, at
least. want some action tending to
ward REIMBURSEMENT of settled order
within Mexico.
Bitterly Denounce Carranza.
Representatives Of the oil com
panies more largely conferred in Tam
pico field were in unofficial CONVERSE
tions bitter in their denuncfation Of
the CarranZa regime. it's utter inabil-
ity or even desire to protect the
rights OF foreign investors against
Migrant operations of bandit leaders
throughout all northern Mexico which
are taking slow but constantly
growing toll of American lives with
accompanying hazard to property
Though realizing that the world
war prevented the American govern
ment from taking concerted action in
Mexico which might lead to a division
of effort generally speaking, the oil
men insist that the time has come
when this government is compelled
from the standpoint of all of Americas
cherished traditions in the protection
or her citizens and her property. to
act and act firmly and force Carranza
to make immediate amends.
such claims as have been presented
by Americans remain apparently in
the pigeonholes of the Mexican gov
eminent. At least but trifling prog
reSS has been made in making repara-
ton for losses suffered in the past
three to four years.
The commission of Gen. Candida
Agullar. which has opened offices in
New York for the settlement of Mex
lean claims. has advised American
claimants that this commission will
settle such demands directly without
the mediation of the American State
Department.
Furore in Official Circles.
This has aroused 4 furOre among
government officials here. for it is be-
lleVed that should Americans follow
such methods that there is little
chance of getting fair settlement.
Owing to the situation which has
arisen as the result of the Carranza
regime trying to reach over the head
of the American government and take
advantage of the WEAKNESS and even
poverty of some Americans who have
claims against the Mexican govern
ment and who are eager for almost
any kind of settlement, the State
Department or some other govern
ment agency is expected to make some
formal statemen apprising the Amer