New-York tribune., 1920-01-13
Mexico Masks
Banditry Rule
By Censorship
Decree Of Deportation
Hangs Like Sword of
Damocles Over Core
spondents Telling Truth
''News'' Usually Falsifed
American Writers Forced
TO Report Fake Victories
Against Rebel Leaders
By Wilbur Forrest

Copyright. 1920. New York Tribune Inc)
SAN ANTONIO. Tex, Jan. 12-Tne
Mexican government is to-day main
tanning a telegraphic censorship over
news dispatches emanating from the
southern republic comparable only with
the rigorous censorships maintained
by great European nations during the
World War.
During the last few months. with
the famous kidnapping of Consular
Agent w. o. Jenkins bringing about
an acute stage in the relations of the
United States and Mexico, representa-
tIves OF the American press in Mexico
City--distribution point Of all Mexican
news-have been unable to present
either the Jenkins case or any other
situation involved in the Mexican con-
troversy in doubtful aspect.
Though the Carranza government de-
mes that such a news ban exists. l
have been able to learn from unim-
peachable sources that censors are nm
constant duty within the cable and
telegraph office with orders to Suppress
anything that may appear derogatorv
20 or IN controversy with the situa-
t'on as the Carranza government wish
es to present it for American news
paper consumption.
Thus American CORRESPONDENTS And
especially representatives of the two
great news agencies, The Associated
Press and The United Press, are forced
to dispatch. at the expense Of their or
ganlzations, statements by government
ofhcials, government versions Of bat
ties with rebels, subject matter retut-
ing testimony before the Senate in
vestigating committee and general mat
ter which would tend to show that af-
fairs in Mexico are rapidly approach
ing those Of well-balanced government
and a pacific interior
Face Expulsion Any Moment
Mexico City orrespondents-th those
who are not openly pro- -Carranza-and
there are some who are--are forced to
choose their words carefully, because
closely interlinked with the Carranza
censorship is what is known to every
American in Mexico, Article $50 pro
vision Of the Mexican Constitution ner-
mitting of Immediate expulsion from
the country. without explanation, Of
any foreigner who is persona non grata
IN the eyes of the government.
Article 33 works something like this:
One evening nm American correspond
ent was sitting in cafe on the Calle
Francisco I Madero. He had evidently
said or done something which dis
pleased official Mexico. The fingers Of
u government agent in civilian clothes
tapped him on the shoulder A voice
rdn h To i
He was told that he was going to leave
Mexico Immediately. He protested, and
when he found that protest was useless
he asked to be allc wed to go 70 his
apartment and pack his grip; also to
seek friends and borrow enough money
10 buy food and comforts for the trip.
Everything was denied. The writer
was taken to the railway station, put
on train under guard and escorted to
dirty and hungry and without money,
to continue his journey on to his home
IN the interior of the United States.
Like Sword of Damocles
The "rhrty -thr " has been imnosed
on none OF the journalistic profess ion
that | know Of during the last year,
but hangs like the sword Of Damocles
always over their heads, and they must
write accordingly. One that know of
has been openly threatened more than
OGce.
There is no special Indication that
mail from MeAicc is censored. How
ever. there is plenty that agents Of the
Mexican government scan every line
papers, and il is "Thirty -three'e and
woe to the correspondent who tries to
present true facts about Mexico and
remain in Mexico
Chicago paper maintains & CORE
spondcnt at Tampico who writes pun
gent facts regarding the true situation
in the oil fields. But lie writes and
spirits his copy out Of Mexico some
what after the fashion the "Libre Bel
the cellars Of Brussels during the Ger
man occupation. 1t is probable if
caught he will suffer something worse
than the "rhrty- three"
Facts Difficult to Get
1t is sufficiently clear from this cen
serial state Of affairs in Mexico that
if the American public hears OF out
RACES perpetratcd on American citizens
in Mexico or killings thereof they must
first get the news from the State De-
partment in Washington. whose diplo-
mats and consular agents in Mexico
make written reports and send them
to Washington by telegraphic code or
in the diplomatic mail pouch. And if
the State Department would hand out
for publication everything contained in
these consular and diplomatic reports
American public opinion would doubt
less dictate some sort Of fixed policy
toward our pestiferous Southern neigh
Dor or demand good od-fushionsd
American satisfaction.
While Carranza's government edits
/ the news sent ut American expense
from Mexico 10 the United States, it
also edits the Mexican press. but to
smaller extent. Government reports
almost constantly speak of the pacii-
cation Of new districts in distant
states and tell of the surrender or in
tended surrender OF rebel cheftains
Cuukinunol n1l nnul inur