The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-11-14
LANSING RESTATTS
 MEXICAN POSITION
Government Can Intervene Through Diplomatic Chan nelS Where Protection is Not Given.

Washington, Nov. 14.-Secretary # State Lansing answered the critt. cism that has been directed against the Government in connection with the case of William O. Jenkins, the American consular agent who waH recently kidnapped at Puebla by Mexican bandits, and former state. ment of the Governments attitude on Mexican responsibility. Secretary Lansing said:
 The newspapers in connection with the Jenkins kidnapping case made it appear that I had said that Americans in Mexico had no greater rights to protection than Mexicans I regret that the contents of my com~ ments were not given in full because it would have shown that I was referring to a, condition in which the Mexican authorities had employed every means which they possessed or should have possessed to protect the lives and property of aliens in any Mexican community. If the auth critics had failed to provide means of protection or to use such means the statement attributed to me would not apply.
 '"To avoid being misunderstood as to this Governments interpretation of the rule of international law on the subject of responsibility on the part of Mexico for the safety of Americans in that country I mako the following statement:
 While in general there is pre- stunned to be no difference between the rights of aliens and the rights of natives to be treated fairly and justly under local laws and by the local authorities, nevertheless should the operation of the local laws or the acts of commission or omission by real authorities result in inustice to Americans or lack of adequate pro- lection of their lives or property. il is their privilege, as well as the right of this Government, under interna- tionaI law, by diplomatic intervention to see to it that justice is accorded to it's citizens and their rights given proper protection.
 '"The reason for this is that. when a condition Of political unrest and lawlessness exists, such as obtains in certain parts of Mexico. aliens being denied proper protection by the au- thorities must rely on their Govern ment, operating through diplomatic channels, to obtain justice and secur- ity. This is a general statement and the basis of the policy followed by this Government, though it is neces- sarily subject to modification in par ticuar cases.
 Tt should be borne in mind how ever, that the accepted law and prac- tice of nations is that, as a rule, it must be shown that a foreign gov ernment is responsible for injustice done to aliens CT that it's constitut- ed authorities are negligent in pro- tecting their lives and property be- fore liability is incurred"
 Testimony on financial aspects ot the Mexican Revolution was placed before the subcommittee of the Se- nate Committee on Foreign Relation! that is investigating the Mexican sit uation today by William B. Mitchell former manager of the Bank of Lon don and Mexico, in Mexico City. MT Mitchell was examined in New York a few days ago, and the testimony was filed with the committee today.
 MT. Mitchell testified that just be- fore the Government of Francesca I. Madero was overthrown Carranza had threatened a revolt against Ma. dero officials that Carranza account for large sums of money which he had received as Governor of Coahuila- The funds had been furnished for the purpose of raising State troops, Ernesto Nadero, uncle of the Presi