Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-08-13
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Copyright 1918, BY The Argus. J

b1 DAVID LA W ne n Iks
| Copyright 1919, by The Argus.)
| Washington, D. c., Aug IA
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
republic in the interim is to be
! thoroughly studied by a subcom-
| mittee. But any preconceived no
| ton that the committee wishes to
! see armed Intervention or that it
| enters upon its task with prejudic
ed judgment is erroneous.
! That is what Senator Albert B.
/ Fall of New Mexico; chairman of
! the investigating committee, told
me today Mr. Fall wants the in
/ quiry to be of constructive value
and wants to enlighten the Amer
! lean people on the real difficulties
below the Rio Grande When the
/ investigation is finished, recon-
mendationG will be made If re-
suits can be obtained without the
use of force, that will be advocat-
| ed. But the spirit and temper of
the members of the committee is
such that they want to see the
/ lives and property of American
I citizens protected and secured at
any cost This is the cardinal
principle-protectio of Americans
sbroad-and the investigation. is
calculated to have as much effect in
Mexico as in the Latin-American
countries; such as Columbia, where
tendency to abridge American oil
rights has already caused the sens
ate TO postpone action on the pend
ing treaty.
Probe Stirs Latin n-Americans.
Indeed. the announcement that
the Republican party in congress
has determined upon a thorough in
vestigation of foreign affairs and
that special stress is being placed
upon the Mexican situation has
stirred up much interest through
out Latin-America- Felix Palavacini
editor of "El Universal" the
leading newspaper in Mexico City,
and of the republic and the only
daily that consistently stood by the
United States and the allies dur
ing the war, has telegraphed the
subcommittee of the American sen
ate for information about the policy
of the investigators. Mr.. Pala-
vacini was recently decorated by
Great Britain for his services to
the allies. His telegram addressed
to Senators Fall of New Mexico,
Mark Smith of Arizona and Brande-
gee of Connecticut, follows:
Ell Universal" the newspaper
which defended the allied cause N
the last war and the one important |
Mexican daily which declared open
ly it's friendship for the United !
States, knowing that you form a !
part of the committee for investi- /
eating Mexican affairs. requests
that you kindly state if you believe /
at the present time that Ithe best !,
means Of protecting foreign inter
ests in Mexico is that of armed in |
tervention which, because of the |
difference in strength between the |
two countries. would constitute ali /
invasion similar to that of Belgium
by the Germans The known .
friendship of Ell Universal with the |
people and with the government OF /
the United States leads If to be- /
lieve that you will grant this re-
quest for a detailed statement Of
your views.
Reply is Sent.
Immediately after the receipt D. /
this message the senate sub-com-
mittee held a meeting at the capi-
tol and sent the following answer:
Your cablegram OF yesterday to
Senators Brandegee, Smith and
Fall received. You ask each indi-
vidual to state whether at the pres
ent time he believes the best means
for protecting foreign interests IN
Mexico is that of armed interven-
ton, which you say would consti-
tute an invasion similar TO that of |
Belgium by the Germans, because
of the difference in strength be-
tween Mexico and the United /
States. This committee has been
created under a resolution contain
ing explicit directions charging
them with certain duties. The COM
mittee will discharge those duties
to the abest of their individual and
collective ability, without fear, IA
vor or prejudice.
Answering your specific in
quiry, none of the committee will
express any individual views, anG
in performing their duty and max
ing their recommendation they
will be guided by the facts and cir
as developed through
an investigation which Will be most
thorough ard exhaustive. Every
nation of people claiming the right
to be considered as a nation whose
rights should be respected must,
Of course, as you know. be pre-
pared to perform both information
al and national duties. Each indi-
vidual member of this committee
1c,nntinuna 81, p rfttnnr,