The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-09-02
.CARRANZA SCORES
II. s. IN ADDRESS
BEFORE CONGRESS
Recites Long List of Alleged
Offenses Against Mexi-
cans in u. S. and Defends
Mexico Against Foreign
Representations
By Associated Pres.


a defense of Mexico against
foreign representations, partic-
ularly from the United States,
of the lives of foreigners and
their property was contained in
a message of President Car
rama read at the opening ses-
sion of Congress tonight. Par
ticular reference was made in
the message to alleged Illus
tees practiced against Mexi-
cans in the United States.
A long list of the alleged offenses
was given under the section of the ad-
dress devoted to foreign relations.
The message also defended Mexico's
neutrality during the war and protested
against charges that the Mexican gov
eminent was incapable and unwilling
to protect foreign lives and property.
: In the message President Caranza as
serted that Mexico did not ask admission
to the League of Nations He said, the
League did not establish equality for all
nations and races. He reiterated Mexico
had not and would not, recognize the
Monroe doctrine.
Regarding oil legislation, the message
said the government was willing to con-
ciliate, but would not sacrifice its ma
tional sovereignty.
CAUSES OF FRICTION
Declaring that in international mat
ters, "the honor of Mexico has been
-uarded with energy and prudence,
the President gave four main causes OF
international friction: American from
tier conditions; damages to foreign
property in Mexico, damages resulting
from injury and deaths OF foreigners
and the results of the application or
laws developing from legislation car
rying out revolutionary ideals.
Regarding the first which has been
marked by punitive expeditions, Presi-
slent Carranza asserted the belief that
when an arrangement had been con-
cIuded for the reciprocal patroling OF
the border, that cause of unpleasant
ness would disappear. He stated that
new laws providing for the payment
of damages up to the resent time, in
Guiding not only damages suffered dur
ing the two revolutions but resulting
from isolated cases OF revolt now ex-
isting in various parts OF Mexico, Doth
to the lives and property when inc
damages were not caused by fne Iauls
4 Of Foreigners nor the negligence OF tne
government would remove.
Regarding claims filed because OF
loss of life or property the President
sstated that the efficiency with which
the government has punished offenders
was significant. He declared 1t would
be well if diplomats should cause their
nationals to exercise more care and ex-
pressed his belief that-with an improve
ment of protective measures, causes Tor
complaint would decrease since foreign
. ers would become sure of the sincerity
and ability of the Mexican government
to fulfill guarantees.
Discussing the fourth cause Of fric-
ton, the President said that this was
most serious, since it involved lin
itation Of national sovereignty. He took
up his previous declarations expressing
the refusal Of Mexico to sacrifice her
liberty, to govern according to her own
necessities and not simply to satisfy
the demands Of oil interests"
COUNTRY is PROSPEROUS
Statements from various government
departments which were included in the
message were cited by the President to
show the country was in prosperous
condition. The deficit of g. 100000 pesos
in 1917, he asserted, had been wiped out
until the government is now absolutely
solvent with a prospect Of soon resum-
ing payments OH the foreign, debt. He
said the army had been reorganized UNI
I'll the discrepancy between TIC HuinDcr
Of men and the number of officers had
been removed. He declared that dis
cipline had been improved and that the
few outlaw bands still in existence were
in the process of being dispersed.
Elections held throughout the coun-
try he said,s have noe impaired the
national governments authority. Private
property taken over by the government
during the revolutions has been returned
with the exception of those involved in
the uprising resulting in the assassinA>
ton Of President Madero. Foreign in
vestments, as well as foreign trade, are
increasing, and both Mexican and for
efgn confidence are being restored. Mex
leo is advancing despite the vain at.
tempts of reactionaries and rebels
Optimism was apparent in every decla- A
ration of the message, even when the
document discussed alleged transgres-
sions by foreign powers against Mexico
sovereignty. The list of indgnities and
injustices suffered by Mexicans in the
United States cited by the President in
that section of the message dealing with
States included the crossing of the Dor
sion of Mexico at Ell Mulato village last
year: the shooting of Mexican peasants
by American soldiers in the municipality
OF Villa Acuna, Coahuila, and the "un-
just persecution of Mexicans in Bar
tlesville, Okla, as testified to in a me-
mortal sent to the Mexican ambassador
At Washington.