The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-08-19
Notice of First Definite Move
Toward Change of Policy
Almost Ultimatum.
SAY MURDERS MUST CEASE
Carranza is Informed BY United
States Government That Out
RACES Against Americans Must
End.

Washington, ID. C., Aug. 1S.-The
first definite move toward the long
expected change in policy in dealing
with Mexico has been disclosed.
Carranza has been warned that If
the murders and outrages of Ameri-
cans continue, the United States may
be forced to adopt radical change
in its policy with regard to Mexico"
While the announcement at the
state department, however, came no
authoritative indication of how far
the American government is prepar-
ing to go to enforce what lacks only
the diplomatic technicalitles of an
ultimatum.
Exchange of Notes.
The government announced it's ac-
tion by publishing an exchange of
notes with Mexico City and prefaced
it's official statement, with the ex-
planation that the diplomatic repre-
sentations referred to had been taken
lin view of the long series Of MUIR
derers and outrages OF American citi-
murder Of Peter Catron in San Luis
Potosi last month and the perpetra-
tion OF other acts in disregard OF
American lives and property.
Note to Mexico.
The following note, the state de-
partment announced, was presented
to the Mexican government by Charge
Summerlin OF the American embassy:
Mexico City, July %, 1919.
Sir: With reference to the en-
bassy's note, dated July 16, 1919, re1e
ative to the murder Of Peter Catron.
near Wales, San Luis Potosi on or
about July last, have the honor 10
inform you that am now under tele-
graphic instruction from my govern
ment to urge upon the Mexican gov
ernment the capture and punish
ment OF those responsible for this
murder and the adoption of adequate
measures to prevent a recurrence of
the murder of American citizens.
I am also instructed to state that
should the lives of American citizens
continue to remain unsafe and these
murderers continue by reason Of the
unwillingness or inability of the
Mexican government to afford ade-
quate protection, my government NAV
be forced to adopt radical change
in its policy with regard to Mexico.
Accept, sir. the renewed assur-
ances of my highest consideration.
"'(Signed)
George T. Summerlin,
Charge d'affaires."
To this communication the Mexican
government returned the following
reply, dated July %, signed by Saliva
dor Diego Fernandez, in charge of the
Department OF Foreign Relations:
"Mr. Charge D'Affaires:
THE note which your honor was
pleased to send me on the twenty
second instant, advised me of the in
structions which you had received to
notify this department that IL the
lives of the citizens OF the United
States in Mexico continued in a state
OF insecurity, and If murders should
continue because of the unwillin gness
OF inability OF the Mexican govern
ment to give adequate protection. the
government of the United States
would be compelled TO adopt a radi-
cal change in its policy with regard
to Mexico.
I'm reply. ] have the honor to state
mat the fact that offenses against
the lives of citizens OF the United
States have occurred in the territory
OF the republic cannot be notoriouslv
attributed to unwillingness to give
protection. The willingness to fur
nish this protection has been ex-
pressed repeatedly and the material
difficulties in the way OF fulfilling a
promise, supposing that 1t is not full
hiled. should not be confused with
unwillingness to do so, especially as
this willingness has been demon
strated by acts.
Difficult Condition.
Moreover. II we consider the pro-