Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-08-12
PLANS THOROUGH
MEXICAN INQUIRY
Senate Committee to Garry
Investigation Back to
Overthrow of Diaz.
Intervention NOT AIM
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

tU t6uv In IVU NOt htW
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Mexico is to be Investigated from
the time of the overthrow Of Diaz to
the present date and every phase of
our relations with the southern re-
public in the interim is to be thor
oughly studied by a subcommittee OF
the Senate foreign relations commit
tee. But any preconceived notion
that the committee wishes to see
armed Intervention or that IL enters
upon its task with prejudiced judgment
is erroneous.
This is what Senator Albert B. Fall
of New Mexico, chairman of the in
vestigatfng committee. told me to-
day. Mr.. Fall wants the inquiry to be
OF constructive value and wants to
enlighten the American people on the
real difficulties below the Rio Grande.
When the investigation is finished
recommendations will be made. If
results can be obtained without the
use of force that will be advocated.
But the spirit and temper of the
members OF the committee is such
property of American citizens pro-
tected and secured at any cost.
Cardinal Principle Stated.
This is the cardinal principIe-pro-
lection of Americans abroad. and
the investigation is calculated to have
as much effect in Mexico as in other
Latin American countries. such as Co
lombia, where a tendency to abridge
American oil rights has already caus-
ed the Senate to postpone action on
the pending treaty.
Indeed, the announcement that the
republican party in Congress has de-
ton Of foreign affairs and that spe-
cial stress is being placed upon the
Mexican situation has stirred up much
interest throughout Latin America.
Felix Palavacini. editor of Ell Univer-
sal. the leading newspaper in Mexico
City and OF the republic, and the only
daily that consistently stood by the
United States and the allies during the
war. has telegraphed the subcommit---
tee of the American Senate for infor-
nation about the policy of the inves-
tigators. Mr.. Palavacini was recently
decorated by Great Britain for his
services to the allies.
Text of the Telegram.
His telegram. addressed to Senators
Fall of New Mexico. Mark Smith OF
Arizona and Brandegee OF Connectl-
cut. follows:
"El Universal the newspaper
which defended the allied cause In
the last war. and the one important
Mexican daily which declared openly
it's friendship for the United States.
knowing that you form a part of the
committee for investigating Mexican
affairs, requests that you kindly state
II you believe at the present time that
the best means for protecting foreign
interests in Mexico is that of armed
Intervention which, because OF the
difference in strength between the
two countries. would constitute an
invasion similar to that of Belgium
by the Germans. The known friend
ship of Ell Universal with the people
and with the government or the
United States leads il to believe that
you will grant this request for de-
tailed statement of your views"
Subcommittee Responds.
Immediately after the receipt Of this
message the Senate subcommittee
held a meeting at the Capitol and
sent the following answer:
Your cablegram OF yesterday to
Senators Brandegee. Smith and Fall
received. You ask each individual to
state whether at the present time he
believes the best means for protect
ing foreign interests i'm Mexico is that
of armed Intervention. which you say
would constitute an invasion similar
to that of Belgium by the Germans
because of the difference In strength
between Mexico and the United States.
This committee has been created un-
der a resolution containing explicit
directions charging them with certain
duties. The committee will discharge
those duties to the best of their in
dividual and collective ability, with
out fear, favor or prejudice.
Answering your specific inquiry.
nnne of the committee will eynreSE
any individual views. and i'm perform
ing their duty and making their rec
concentrations. they will be guided by
the facts and circumstances as de-
which will be most thorough and ex-
haustive. Every nation or people
claiming the right to be considered as
q nation whose rights should be re-
spected must. of course, as you know.
be prepared to perform both interna-
dividual member of this committee
has hoped that the people of Mexico
would of themselves be able to create
and maintain government which
would perform such duties without in
reference of this or any other nation.
and this committee yet hopes that the
great Mexican people will be able to
work out their destiny and earn and
retain the respect Of all nations, which
the Mexican republic for SO many
years both deserved and received"
Mr.. Falls Personal View.
Senator Fall feels that his own po-
sftion has often been misstated and
misunderstood. He hasn't the slight
est personal interest in seeing armed
force used in Mexico. His constit-
uents in New Mexico are in large part
Of Mexican blood. In fact, three
quarters of the republican vote of
New Mexico which elected Mr. Fall is
Of Mexican birth or parentage. Far
from being unfriendly to the Mexican
people, Senator Fall believes he un-
derstands the Mexican character and
temperament as well. IL not better
than, most of the men who have been
making speeches on Mexico. From
my talk with the New Mexico senator
I should say that he is sincerely try
ing to do a constructive thing on a
question which is close to his heart.
He knows conditions in Mexico and
believes that much of the laxity and
can citizens is due to the mistakes,
not only Of the Wilson administra-
ton, but the Taft administration as
we'll He has harped upon the question
Of protection Of American lives and
property. and the Investigation will
handled BY the various factions and
governments OF Mexico since Diaz
was overthrow.
Will Have Expert Help.
The subcommittee win employ SEC
retaries ana interpreters and win 20
to the border states Of the United
States to take testimony.
No doubt efforts will be made by