The Washington times., 1925-05-30

Negotiations Already Started
Looking Toward Cleanup
of smuggIers
By ROBERT S. THORNBURGH.

By ROBERT s. THORNBURGH.
An international drive to clean
up the Mexican border, where crime
and vice have crashed a stencil
that reeks to the high heavens" /"
was announced today by General
L. C. Andrews, generalissimo OF
Government law enforcement.
Just after his arrival from FL
Paso, where q Mexican-American
conference negotiated an anti
smuggling treaty, Andrews pre-
pared for action in the campaign.
VIII Aid Cause of Peace.
.'The treaty, which undoubtedly
viii be ratified by both govern
ments, win not only correct the
hideous conditions along the border,
but viii form lasting bond of
friendship and peace between Mex
leo and United States" Andrews de-
clared
Terms of the treaty will not be
made public until the pact mas
been submitted officially to each
government.
General Andrews painted an ugly
picture Of conditions on the Mexi-
T
ct MexicaIi. Juarez, Calexico, anl
Tia Juana.
U. s. Saloons Blamed.
American operated, saloons and
the American appetite for wild life
are held directly responsible Tor
the border situation.
American saloon influence is
playing big part in the effort to
-
drews asserted
when the American prohibition
law went into effect Mexico was
engaged in q revolution-in the
struggle to overthrow autocracy
and to rescue ninety per cent Of
her people from virtual serfdom.
They overlooked what was hap
pening on their northern border.
Saloons Move Over Line
When the legal saloon was
abolished in United States those in
border towns moved about $50
feet south into Mexico, according
TO Andrews.
AT once there sprang up an.
uncomfortable condition OF vice and
debauchery," he continued.
The dope addicts and peddlers,
the gambling sharks. the rum
hounds, the denfimonde, flocked to
Mexico with the saloons. Every
border village was converted into
@ riot Of crime and corruption.
Every saloon had its gambling
den, its half-world joint. its aar-
cotic dive and smugglers' headquar
ters, developing a condition rivaling
any OF the old time frontier settle
ments.
Americans from every district
visit the border to enjoy the dubi-
Gus sporting life that presents itself
within few steps Of the lfne."
Hundreds of women OF the
night." driven out Of Mexico. are
returning to their former homes I'm
this country. Many Of them are
said to have been lured into the
border lives by American white
slayers.
81 was amazed at border condi-
tions." Andrews said.
Americana are guilty Of SNUG
Cling silks, perfumes. arms and am
munition into Mexico. rlatf, Ap,eri.
cans and Mexieans smuggle rum,
narcotics and aliens into United
States" -
Andrews said that Mexican or
ficials who attended the FL Paso
conference are convinced that the
{ 6uture OF the southern republic lies
shoulder to shoulder with United
States.
u. 8. Should Be Patient.
United States should be patient
and assist in sustaining constitu-
tional government in Mexico" he
added.
The tradition Of all Spanish
Colonies .is armed revolution. It
will take time for Mexico to
acquire the state of mind of men
living under constitutional govern
ment.
Mexico has not obtained a
pretty picture of United States as
the result Of the influx of our
worst element into their northern
states. The government must COR
rect this condition-mutual effort
must be made to wipe out the hell
holes that contaminate the border"