Evening journal., 1919-08-15
u. S. ULTIMATUM
Sent CARRANzA
Murders Must Cease or
Policy Toward Mexico
Will be Changed
SLAYlNG OF CAlRON
WAS LAST STRAW

uennlte move toward tne long cApeCte
change in policy in dealing with Mexic
was disclosed yesterday.
Carranza has been warned that II IN
murders and outrages Of American
continue the United States "may b
forced 10 adopt a radical change i'm IL
policy with regard 20 Mexico"
With the announcement az The Stat
Department, however, came no aulhori
tatiye indication OF how far The Ameri
can Government is preparing TO so &,
enforce what lacks only the diplomat,
fechnicalities OF an ultimaium
The Government announced its ac.
lion by publishing an exchange OF notes
with Mexico City, and prefaced its OH
cial statement with the explanation thai
the diplomatic representations referred
10 had been taken "in view Of the long
series OF murders and Outrages OF
American citizens in Mexico, culminat-
ing in the murder OF Peter CatrOn in
San Luis Potos last month. and the
Preparation OF other acts In disregard
Of American lives and property"
The following notes, the State Depart
ment announced, was presented 10 the
Mexican Government by Charge sum
merlin, Of the American Embassy:
Mexico City, July %. 1919.
"Sir-With reference TO the embassy's
note, dated July i6, 1919, relative to The
murder Of Peter Cairon, near Wales.
san Luis Polosi on or about July Z
last. 7 have the honor TO inform you
that I am now under telegraphic in
structions from my government to urge
upon the Mexican government the cap
iure and Punishment Of those respon-
sible for this murder and the adoption
OF adequate measures 20 prevent a re-
rurrence OF the murder Of American
citizens.
Il am also insiucted 10 state that
should the lives OF American citizens
continue 10 remain unsafe and these
murders continue by reason Of the un-
Willingness or inability az The Mexican
government 10 afford adequate protec
tion, my government may be forced 10
adopt a radical change i'm its policy with |
regard to Mexico
accept. sir, the renewed assurances |
nf my highest consideration
GEORGE II. SUMMERLlN.
"Charge dAffairs."
To this communication the Mexican /
government returned the following re- |
ply, dated July 2S, signed by Salvador /
Diego-Fernandez, in charge OF the De |
pariment Of Foreign Relations:
Mr. Charge d'Affairs: Tho note |
which your honor was pleased TO send |
me on the Pend instant advised me OIL
the instruction which you had received
10 notify this department that Il the
li|es Of The citizens Of the United states
In Mexico continued In a state OF inse-
rurity, and II murders should continue
because Of the unwillingness of lnabil- !
lty Of the Mexican government TO give
adequate protection. the government OF |
he United States would be compelled TO /
ldopt a radical change in its policy /
With regard 20 Mexico
In reply ] have the honor 10 state
that the fact that offenses against the
lives Of citizens Of the United states
have occurred in the territory Of the re-
public cannot be VIGOROUSLY attributed
70 unwillingness TO give protection. The
Willingness 10 furnish this protection
has been expressed repeatedly and the
material difficulties in the way OF full
Tlling a promise, supposng that II is
not fulfilled. should not he confused
with unwlllingness TO do so, especially ,
rs this willingness had been demon
kirated by acts
Moreover. n we consider The protec- |
lion Of human life in absolute terms. /
that Is 10 say IN every case and wher-
ever citizen Of the United States may r
be- within Mexican territory he should 7
enjoy special and effective protection :
% q degree such that his life may never :
,e placed in danger, it is not possible I
or the government Of Mexico 10 do this e
because so perfect a condition OF secur- g
~ exists nowhere: with an the more 4
eason Is this true. considering the n
reat territorial extent Of the republic. ,
Is scanty population and the difficult r
which prevail after Ions Il
ivil war
"The government OF Mexico has al Z,
Tays endeavored as far as possible. 20 h
i've full security 20 the lives Of for r,
igners as well as OF its nationals. but ~
he fact is that foreigners. through ig- n
orance. lack OF prudence or rash e3ger- "a
ess for profit, venture 10 remain or 10 N
ravel in dangerous regions, thereby in Al
urring the risk Of becoming the vic II,
Inns OF offenses and even trusting to es- re
ape ofeQses because Of their being m
b
II should be remembered. moreover, e,,
nat always fghen the government Of 90
iexico has had knowledge OF an onense 90
has pursued the presumably guilty m
'arties. The pursuit In such a case AZ
urely Is not the same as that ordinar- ~
" made in the cities in the case Of or 10
inary crimes, because the circum- tb
tances are different in a populous COM IN
lunity. In the latter it Is relatively NJ
ssy to Identify the guilty party. while of
J uninhabited places the band which yvi
)mmitted the offense is located and 90
lrsued, is overlaken and as many as
[ssible are killed without generally si,
ing able to identify the really guilty. ~
cause even within the band Of offen- or
rs itself It is impossible to determine, mr.
might be supposed, which prOiectile its
a volley caused a murder. The re- 81,
Mt Correll case proves that the Mexi- 70,
n government, following this proceed m,
E. which is the only possible one. is Or
'playing the greatest activity. because m,
mediately after this murder was re- sh
rted forces left in pursuit OF the band lat
killed four OF the villains. ter
The Mexican government has been in
instantly preoccupied with the pacifl- cul
lion Of the republic and as first step Oft
3 destroyed the principal rebel groups eo-
4 has conquered the most motor. Gus lee
ders, as is demonstrated by the con- 7
lsion Of the recent Villa movement. cor
death OF zapata. Of Banquet and gus
Y Avila. without mentioning the op- me,
rations against groups Of minor inn Yer
rtance. a necessary consequence OF ing