About Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920 | View Entire Issue (April 14, 1916)
®he ctni'Weclda Sonrnal VOLUME xvm FRENCH STATEMENT AND PROOF IN CASE FASTEN BLAME ON GERMANY FOR SUBMARINE ATTACK ON THE SUSSEX 0. S. OFFICIALS FEEL EVIDENCE OF GUILT IS BEYONDALLOIIESTION German Contentions and Ad missions Only Serve to Strengthen Case of State Department, Is Belief WASHINGTON. April 13.—Th® Ger man note on the Sussex and other sub marine cases has been received at the state department any is being decoded. It probably will be laid before Presi dent Wilson and Secretary Lansing be fore tonight. The affidavits from Paris and Lon don, expected today on the liner St. Paul, will be considered with the Ger man note and the “information” regard ing attacks on merchant vessels since the Lusitania Is expected to be com pleted In time to go to Berlin within the next week. It is understood that nothing less than some positive evidence of Ger many's good faith to fulfill her assur ances, «ueh as possibly, substantial punishment of the submarine conn xnander who torpedoed the Sussex, can prevent the situation between the two countries from coming to the pass which diplomats have struggled to avoid. The use of the word ultimatum in connection with the document to be for warded to Berlin is discouraged by of ficials, st in. it was said the effect of the communication would be to call for prompt action. In view of the con clusive nature of the information on the Sussex already beso r e the state de partment. officials cannot see how Ger many can continue to deny responsi bility. ARBITRATION NOT POSSIBLE. The suggestion of arbitration In the German note was met with the state ment that the American government would not arbitrate a question involving American lives. Careful examination of the German note led officials to conclude that the case of the United States had been materially strengthened. The similari ty betweeh the circumstances surround ing the attack on a steamer In the Eng lish channel admitted in the German note and those surrounding the Sus sex case caused officials to feel there no longer is any doubt that the vessel was the Sussex. ' Senators and representatives who call ed at the White House went away w/n the impression that action was im minent but that another communication would be sent to Berlin before more drastic steps were taken. The United States will continue to compile* evidence indicating that German submersibles are operating in violation of the rules of international law. In structions to Ambassador Gerard, de signed as the tinal word of this govern ment on the subject, will soon be sent to Berlin, it is said. • The official text cf the German note and the entire submarine situation will be discussed at tomorrow's cabinet meet ing. White Germany denies the Sussex was gtlacked by one of her submarines and explains that a sketch made by a sob n.arne commander of a ship he torpe doed did no» tally with the description e,” the Sussex, officials say that Ger ma iy*s admission that a submarine was i- the vicinity, coupled with the array of evidence at hand, points to the con that the Sussex was torpedoed. Likewise officials say there is a eon* f t between tiie evidence in the Ger i; an version that the steamers English r. an and Eagle Point were sunk after they attempted to escape and evidence x«-.r'vcd here f rom other sources. Ge many’s contentions in the cases of the steamers Berwindvale and the Man chester Engineer are not considered here ns conclusive. -French Say They Know Who Torpedoed Sussex PARIS. April 13. —Semi-official an nouncement was made here today that the French government has documen tary evidence that the Sussex was at tacked by a submarine. The statement, which was given out after the receipt hire of the German note to the United States, is as follows: . “It suffices. In order to answer the German note, to recall that fragments of a torpedo have been discovered in the hull of the Sussex and that the #*rench government Is in possession of documents which give the name of the commander and the number of the sub marine which sank (damaged) tlje Sus sex." The further is made from the same semi-official source that French and British warships sank a German submarine on April 5 after taking pris oners ths officers and crew of the sub marine. It is stated the prisoners now fully confirm Information tn the possession of the French government concerning the name of the commander and the number of the submarine which Is said to nave torpedoed the Sussex. The French ministry of marine an nounced on April 5 that a German sub marine had been sunk by French and British warships and that the crew had been captured. No indication was given of the place at which the subma rine was destroyed. Russian Sailing Vessel Sunk in Mediterranean BARCELONA. (Via Parts. April 13.) — Th* Russian sailing vessel Imperator Pas been torpedoed by an Austrian sub marine in the Mediterranean. Nine of the crew, some of whom are wounded, have been landed here by a Dutch steamship. The I mpe rat or of 391 gross tons, left » •import. Miss., February 23 for Mar seilles. • British Steamship Robert ’ ' Adamson Reported Sunk LONDON. April 13- —The torpedoing of the British steamship Robert Adamson is reported in a dispatch to Lloyds died on Tuesday at Harwich.’ The twenty nine men of the crew were landed. The steamship Is believed to have gone down. The Robert Adamson, 3.978 tons gross end 325 feet long, was built In 1995 and owned In Sunderland. Four Germans Are Arrested in Fire Bomb Plot Detectives in New York Seek “Man Higher Up,” Who Is Said to Have Financed the Conspiracy (By Associated Tress.) NEW YORK, April 13. —Detectives who yesterday ' arrested four Germans charged with placing bombs on ships carrying war munitions to the entente allies today sought evidence involving a “well known German” who is alleged to have supplied a SIO,OOO fund to finance the fire bomb conspiracy. They sought also tike arrest of the chemist who did the chemical work in the man ufacture of the bombs. The name of neither has been revealed. Four employes of the Hamburg- American line and North German Lloyd steamship companies here are under ar rest charged with attempted arson either in making bombs or taking part in the conspiracy. They are Ernest Becker, an electrician of the steamer Kaiser Friedrich Der Grosse! Captain Charles Von Kleist, superintendent of the New Jersey Agricultural and Chemical company, of Hoboken. N. J. Captain Otto Wolpert, superintendent of the Atlas line piers of the Hamburg- American company and Captain Enno Bode, superintendent of the Hamburg- American lines In Hoboken. Preparations were made to arraign them in a Brooklyn court today to an swer the specific charge of placing bombs in sugar bags on board the steamer Kirk Oswald on May 2, 1915. The steamer caught fire from bomb ex plosions while on her way to Marseilles. France. Unexploded bombs were found in her cargo after her arrival there. Police Captain Thomas Tunney. who has charge of the case, regards the ar rest of the four prisoners as the most Important stride yet made In the detec tion of a great conspiracy to destroy steamships sailing with war munitions. FIRES COST $4,000.00®. The police believe the men involved have been responsible for fires on at least thirty-three steamers that have caused $4,000,003 damage. They assert they have evidence that bombs made tn a Hoboken factory, ostensibly operated for the manufacture of fertilizer, were sent to all parts of the country. Detectives asserted today that one of the prisoners said he had been sent to the factory in Hoboken by Captain Franz Von Papen. The Hoboken fac tory was a small structure In which a few men were employed- One of the prisoners ' told the police It was used at first to make fertilizer for shipment to Germanv through neutral countries and that the Germans extracted lubrl* eating oil from the fertlizer. • Both Becker and Von Kleist are said by the police to have confessed making the bombs. The parts played by Captains Wolpert and Bode have not been told. It is hint ed that the first clue to the conspiracy came to the police as a result of a dis pute between the men higher up In the conspiracy and the chemist. Many of the bombs are said to have failed to ex plode and consequently the chemist had difficulty over his payment. Discovery of the plot was brought about, according to the authorities of Hoboken, through the discontent of a man who had quarreled with the leaders over money nayments. The Hoboken au thorities said this man, whose Identiy is withheld, told them that Captain Boy- Ed and Captain Von Papen. before their departure from the United States had placed a large sum of money at thej disposal of the bomb makers. Triolets Born in Turner ASHBURN, Ga.. April 13.—Mr. and Mrs. Monroe Dukes, living about five miles southeast of Ashburn, announce the birth of triplets, named, respect ively. Frank, 8 pounds; Frances, 7 1-2 pouqds, and Fannie. 6 pounds. They are all bright, healthy youngsters. br. Andrew M. Soule, President of The Agricultural College at Athens, Ca., says; **/ think you are doing the Southern farmers a great favor when you giv e them a chance to try Sudan Grass and Feterita.” Will you try the new Feterita and Sudan Grass at our ex pense, with generous supply of Flower Seed thrown in for good measure? Read our combination offer below: Feterita, the new cereal. This new grain is proving itself to ! be of wonderful value in all parts I of the country. It will grow an.l mature a big crop of grain in from 75 to 90 days time. One single ' seed will make a plant baring from * ' five to ten stalks and each stalk will carry a head of seed,, the larger : ones weighing about a i>ound each. I These beads of grain are easily gathered and stored and have a va- I rtety of valuable uses. Crush the I grains or cook them whole the i same as wheat and you have a most , delightful breakfast cereal. The kind that always makes the chil dren call for more. Take the grain ( to a mill and have it ground into ; flour and it wakes an excellent snb- I stitnte for wheat flour. Probably I of all its uses Feterita has attrnetei as the grains are just the right size and it has the chemical elements to make a perfectly balanced ration. A small patch will grow enough seed for a big fiock of chickens and the stalks will make excellent fodder for the cow or horse. We we:.t to send you r package of seed large enough to plant a S rod square i-atch of ground. This will give you a chance to try it as a breakfast cereal, have some ground for flour and see how your chickens thrive on the balance. You will be sure to want to plant more es it another year. Let us have your order for this i combination today. The papers you get are worth more than SI.OO —and the seed come in addition to this. Address — The Atlanta Semi- Weekly Journal Circulation Dept., Atlanta, Ga. GERMANS - PLAN FOB NEW VERDUN DRIVE SMASHEDjJY FRENCH Teutons Prepare for Attack on Important Strategic Point West of Meuse, but French Prevent Its Execution (By Aaaocieted Frees.) WASHINGTON, April 13.—The attack on Verdun has subsided for t-he moment, after several days of severe fighting. There were no engagements of impor tance in that region last night, the offi cial French statement of this afternoon says. Preparations were made by the Germans for an attack or. Hill No. 304, an important strategic point commanding a large section of the territory west of the Meuse, but the Paris communica tion says the French prevented execu tion. The principal German effort since the general Verdun offensive was begun Sun day has been the attempt to force a passage between Dead Man’s hill and Cpmieres, for the purpose of enveloping the hill. Some French trenches were carried but the main positons were held, and Paris regards the operations of the week as having resulted decidedly to their advantage. Following the evacua tion of the Bethlncourt salient the Ger mans were compelled to make frontal attacks except at Dead Man’s hill where they attempted to advance through the lavines. Elsewhere on the western front and on the Russian and Italian battle lines, no operations of importance are record ed. The Russian attacks have not seri ously shaken the Germans lines and al though spirited fighting is still in prog ress, the offensive piovement apparently is subsidng. The Russian sailng vessel Imperator, on a voyage from Gulport, Miss., for Marseilles, has been torpedoed in the Mediterranean. Nine of the crew, some of the wounded, have been landed at Barcelona. German Attack on Hill 304 Prevented (By Associated Presa.) PARIS, April 13.—Calm prevailed in the whole region of Verdun last night, this morning official communication says. Preparation was made by the Germans for an attack on Hill 304, but ‘the attack Was prevented by the French from being carried into effect. No oth er important developments were re ported at the front. The statement follows: “The night passed quietly in all the Verdun region. A German attack, which was being prepared yesterday evening against our positions at Hill No. 304, did not progress to the point of leaving the trenches. The curtains of fire maintained by our artillery and the bombardment from our batteries in a neighborhood sector directed against the columns of the enemy assembled in the wood of• Malancourt, apparently put -an end to this maneuver. "There has been no other event of importance on the rest of the front.” Warships Collide, No Damage Done WASHINGTON. April 13.—A collison yesterday afternoon between the battle ships Michigan and South Carolina, in which neither ship was seriously dam aged and no one hurt, was reported to day by Admiral Fletcher. While the fleet was steaming north from Guantanamo, Admiral Fletcher said, the two battleships, "came in con tact” during maneuvers. Both are pro ceding under their own steam. 17 (pl We will send you The I (IT I Atlanta V Journal 18 months, Household Journal 12 months, I; I; Farm Life 12 months, and include absolutely free the collection of ;! seed as described in this adver l; tisement. more attention as a chicken food would be burned out. I The Semi-Weekly Journal, Atlanta, Ga. Enclosed find SI.OO. Send me The Semi-Weekly Journal L 18 months; Household Journal 12 months; Farm Life 12 !; months, and the Seed Collection FREE. ;! Name ;• P.O v ;l R. F. I) State ATLANTA, GA., FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1916. Mexican Note Not a Surprise, War Department Is Preparing VILLA IS REPORTED TO BE NEAR RANCH SDUTHDF ROSARIO American Consul Letcher Has News That 'Pershing’s Force Was in Clash With Parral Garrison (By Associated Preaa.) 1 TORREON, Mex„ April 12. — (Via El Faso Junction, April 13.)—Francisco Villa is believed here to be near or at the Urbinas ranch at La-snlevas. south of Rosario in the state of Durango. It Is reported he is heading down the Na zas ’river in the direction of the Con treras and Ceniceros bandits. Not Sure If Civilians Or Soldiers Were Fighting SAN ANTONIO, Tex., April 13.—Ad vices received at department headquar ters, Fort Sam Houston, today state that American forces nave had an en counter with either Mexican military forces or the civilian population of Parral. No details are available. x The report came from American Con sul Letcher. It stated that Major Gu tierrez, commander at Parral, said there was a clash which he termed unimpor tant between American forces and the stroops of the garrison or residents jf t’arral. The Americans entered the town with the intention of marching through en route southward. An ex change of shots followed. Song Wins Liberty for “Baby Gringo” i There are more ways than one of capturing a Villa bandit. Four-year i old Harry Joline tried singing. And it 1 worked. Baby Harry and his parents were held ; prisoners by Villa’s men in Mexico re ; cently. Harry was given the freedom of the prison which happened to be a j bull-pen. He sang baby songs to his guards and sang so sweetly the “bebie J gringo” and his parents were released. Harry showed his real heroism when with his parents he traveled 14,000 , miles in 45 days to his home in Philadel ' phia and kept well every day of the • journey. The climate and altitude i changed so often during the trip Harry’s ' clothes were sometimes changed three • tims a day. RESULTSOF STANDARD OIL PROBE WITHHELD a. (By Associated Press.! WASHINGTON, April 13.—Attorney General Gregory, responding to Senator Kenyon’s resolution calling for the re sults of the department of justice in vestigation into the working of the Stan dard Oil dissolution, told the senate to day it would be imcoinpatible with pub lic interest to disclose the information at this time. We want to send you a package of Sudan Grass seed sufficient to plant a 2 rod square patch of ground. From this trial patch you can raise enough seed to plant a large acreage another year. Our Flower Garden. We always did admire a nice flower garden and i-i this special bed we have over 150 dif ferent varieties of our ciioieost annuals that will commence to bloom early in season and continue until stopped by frosts in fall. This flower bed will be a constant source ’if pleasure and delight to yoj as the different varieties come into bloom. We want to send you a large package of seed, enough to plant a bed a rod long. Sudan Grass. This wonderful new hay crop Is succeed ing in all parts of the country. It grows from seven to nine feet tall and stools out very thickly, a single seed producing a plant that will throw up from thirty to Sixty stems. Sudan Grass does not lodgy and go down after rain anti wind storms as does millet and other grains. Horses, cattle and other stock like it and thrive on it in all stages, green or cured. A small patch will grow- enough extra fine liny to provide for a horse and cow. The plant is an annual and dies root and branch in fall or after maturing a crop of seed. Usually makes from two to three cuttings of hay per season. Succeeds in dry seasons where most of other crops OFFICIAL TEXT OF AAEXICAN REQUEST WASHINGTON. April 13. —General Carranza's note proposing with drawal of American troops from Mexico was delivered to Secretary Lan sing by Eliseo Arredondo, his ambas sador.’this afternoon. The text of the note follows: Your Excellency, Robert Lansing, Secretary of the United States, Washington: The Mexican government, in its desire to conserve cordial and un changeable good relations of friend ship which ought to exist between Mexico and the United States, as much for the sentiment that ani mates this government as well as for a desire of satisfying the spir it of article 23 of the treaty of friendship celebrated between both countries on the 2nd day of Feb ruary, 1848, and in view of the la mentable happenings that took place in Columbus on the 9th of March, last, and remembering the historical 'antecedents in similar cases, did nos hesitate to make to the government of the United States, undei' date of March 10, a proposal by means of which the forces of one and the other coun try could reciprocally cross the di viding line in pursuit of bandits if unfortunately there should be re peated along the border acts like those committed »ln Columbus. From the beginning the Mexican government judged that, by rea son of the time which had trans pired and for the purpose of treat ing a case already passed, the said incident could not continue as a proposal for the reciprocal passing of troops. PROPOSITION CONDITIONAL It is for this reason that the note of our government, sent on the loth of March, Indicates with all clearness that the proposition contained in it was conditional, or, what is the same, that reciprocity could take place only if the inter ruption registered in Columbus should unfortunately be repeated at any other point of the frontier line. The American government rely ing on the text of said note and without having understood all these conditions of its limitations, but rather believing in the existence of a definite agreement, as is indicated in the terms of its note of March 13, gave expression to its views as fol lows: ‘That, in view of the consent to this reciprocal agreement proposed by the de facto government of Mexico, this agreement is now com plete and in vigor, and the recipro cal privilege previously mentioned may be exercised by each govern ment without a future interchange of ideas.” It was considered right to send on Mexican territory an expedition which has been called punitive, with the object of pursuing and chastis ing Villa and his party of outlaws, and the expedition was sent some days after the wrongdoers had re turned to Mexican territory. NOT AUTHORIZED. On the 17th day of March the Mexican government sent a note to the American government through our confidential agent in Washing ton Licenciado Eliseo Arrondo. stating that the Mexican govern ment had reliable information that without the knowledge or the advice of the nearest civil and oplitical authorities. and without sending any communication on the part of the American govern ment. a so-called punitive expedition had passed through Palomas with the Object of pursuing Villa and his party. As a consequence, the said con fidential agent was instructed to call the attention of the United States government to that fact that it was giving an incorrect interpre tation to the text of the note of March 10, and that the government of Mexico was disposed to sustain its proposal regarding the reciprocal passage of troops, but that an ex pedition could not be sent in the meantime, as the terms and condi tions relative to the agreement were not defined. CONDITIONS APPROVED. This government insisted in its note of March 17 that the recipro cal passage of troops would be per mitted only if, unfortunately, from this time forward there should be repeated interruptions like the one registered at Columbus, or of any other kind whatever at any point on the frontier line. In the mean time the Mexican government, faith ful to its proposal and with the in tention of fulfilling strictly its com promise. began drawing up a pro ject for the reciprocal passage of troops, which presented in full form to the United States govern ment under date of March 13, it be ing hoped that the terms and condi tions established in the said agree ment would meet with approval. The American government through the medium of our confidential agent, communicated that in princi ple it accepted the agreement and was only studying the points in de tail in order to finish it. So many things went on until the 19th of March, when the Honorable James Linn Rodgers presented a note to our secretary begging that the corresponding authorities in Chihuahua should give the neces sary instructions to permit that some provisons be transported by the Northwestern railroad for the American troops pursuing Villa and his party. MEXICANS SURPRISED. On the same date the Mexican government answered the note, man ifesting surprise that, without any official advices whatever on the part of the United States government, American troops had crossed into Mexican territory and were already in Casas Grandes or its surround ings. On the 18th of March* our confi dential agent’in Washington had an interview with one Frank Polk, then • secretary to the state department, and he expressed to our confidential agent that he deplored not having received the observations of the Mexican government before the pas sage of American forces over the border, and assured our agent that the passage of these troops took place In the best of faith and in the belief that it would not be neces sary to enter into more particulars and details of an agreement which was considered definite and ended. These declarations, made by the Hon. Mr. Polk, were confirmed In all their parts at a conference on March 23 between our confidential agent and your excellency, who stated also that he was sorry at having interpreted wrongly the contents of the said note in respect to the passage of troops, and that they would not advance more to the south of the place where they then were. POLP SENDS REGRETS. On the 19th of March the Hon. Mr. Polk addressed a letter to our confidential agent In Washington ratifying in writing the conference held on the previous day and ex pressing in a clear and conclusive manner that it was a motive for sincere lamentation that there had been a misinterpretation as to the attitude of the first chief relating to the passage of United States troops over the frontier in the pur suit of Villa, and declaring that the state department of the United States believed that our government had consented plainly to the ar rangement proposed in its commun ication of March 10 from the then secretary of foreign affairs, Li cenciado Jesus Acuna, which ar rangement was accepted by the note of March 13. In its declarations which his ex cellency, the Honorable President Wilson, made public on March 26, he expressed himself in the follow ing manner: “As we have already announced, the expedition was ordered under an agreement with the de facto gov ernment of Mexico for the purpose only of capturing the bandit Villa, whose forces have invaded the ter ritory of the United States, and on no pretext whatever would we order an invasion of that republic or a violation of its sovereignty.” That idea, published by his excel lency, President Wilson, was recti fied on March 31 by a message sent to our confidential agent in Wash ington, in which he was instructed to call your attention to the idea indicated, since the note of March 10 referred to the reciprocal pas sage of troops only in case that incidents like those which occurred at Columbus should be repeated. COUNTER PROPOSAL. Lastly, on the sth of the present month your excellency, in deliver ing to our confidential agent a counter project or agreement on the reciprocal passage of troops to be presented for the consideration of the Mexican government, accom panied it with a note declaring that the American government trusted that the conditions contained in the said agreement should not apply to American forces which actually found themselves within Mexican territory at that time in the pur suit of Villa. lour excellency further assured us that in exercising that privilege of entering our territory those forces would confine their military operations only to the object of the expedition ant) that they would re tire immediately afterward to their x own country. Your excellency also expressed your gratefulness to the Mexican government for having, as you stated, reached a compact by means of which the United States forces had permission to pursue Villa and his party in Mexican territory, and . stated that the American govern ment found itself disposed to re spect the confidence shown it and that it would by no means violate Mexico's sovereignty or abuse the privilege so generously and freely granted it. Furthermore, the honorable secre tary of state department, Mr. Polk, in conference with our confidential agent at Washingtoi., declared that the United States government had acted in all good faith in sending its expedition into Mexico in pur suit of Villa on the supposition that the note of March 10 contained a definite agreement; but that the American government consented to let the expedition remain in Mexican territory only until details of an agreement could be arranged. PLENTY MEXICAN TROOPS. In conseqpence of the facts pre viously expressed, as no final agree ment has been reached as to the terms of a treaty to regulate in gen eral the reciprocal passage of troops over the dividing line for the pur pose of pursuing outlaws who may henceforth commit depredations in one or the other country, the Mexi can government judges it convenient to suspend for the present all dis cussion or negotiations Jn this par ticular, founded on the circumstance that the expedition sent by the • United States government to pursue Villa is without foundation in virtue of the nonexistence of a previous - agreement, formal and definite. And as the expedition has ful filled its object, in so far as it will be able to do so. as the party headed by Villa has already been dispersed; and, finally, because there are Mexi- NUMBER 56. CONGRESS WILLING TO LET PRESIDENT HAVE FULL CONTROL It Is Not Expected That Re quest Will.Be Complied With as Officials Point Out There No Proof Villa Subdued (By Asaooi&ted WASHINGTON, April IS.— Gmmtbl Carranza’s proposal for the withdraw*.! of American troops from Mexico failed tc bring from administration sourooe today any indication that the troops will be immediately withdrawn or that the situation la expected to result In any serious friction wltn the de facto gov ernment in Mexico. The development, not unexpected, was received in congress with divergent views, but a general undertone of cau tion and leaving the situation In its present stage to the administration, pre vailed. Adminstration officials, however, made no effort to conceal their feeling that Carranza’s action might increase the delicacy of the circumstances under which the pursuit of Villa has been conducted. The outstanding features of the sit- • nation gave evidences that the expedi tion has been carried on with a full i-eallzatlon that objections might arise, that possibiltes have been considered and probably a decison has been reach ed as to what steps would be taken. There was apparent agreement among officials that the troops would remain for the present, but that from a diplomatic standpoint, It might seem advisable not to risk local clashes, with Carranza forces during negotiations. Moreover, It was said, unitary prudence, would necessitate holding the advance* columns close to supporting forces un til the attitude of the Mexican troops was definitely known. It was also increasingly evident to- I day that the war department has en deavored to provide against posslbil tles although strictest secrecy has been observed. It is understood that in every movement of troops beyond the border and along the International line, the possibility of an attempt to cut off the expediton has been considered and the war department is prepared to back up the forces should need arise. Although General Carranza raises side issues, administration officials at their first view of the communication regarded the principal contentions as being that the object of the punitive expedition has been accomplished so far as it can be, and that the Villa bands have been dispersed. War department officials take the view that they have - no evidence that Villa bands have been dispersed, be cause they never have had definite in formation of their number and that the very nature of the situation gives no evidence that the raiders have been exterminated. Some state department officials con fessed that General Carranaa'a note was not a surprise. Counsellor Polk confirmed the state ment in the note that when he asked for use of the Mexican railways the reply was "satisfactory,” but was Coupled with an expression of surprise that the United States haxi not awaited final approval of the pending protocol before sending troops across the bor der. It was declared officially, however, that eio formal protest against the en try of General Pershing’s columns had been previously made by General Car ranza. When the advance troops cross ed at Columbus, It was officially stated, a Carranza general met them at the border and made no protest. State department officials took the view that Carranza’s note was not a demand for immediate withdrawal but an Invitation to begin negotiations to limit their stay. The dispatch of the punitive expedi tion before negotiations of the proto col was characterized by state depart ment officials as "perfectly justified by correspondence between Secretary Lansing and the Carranza government. Senator Lodge, ranking Republican of the foreign relations committee, called at the navy department today, but said his visit was not m reference < to the Mexican situation. He declined to comment upon the Carranza note and would not forecast the attitude of the senate Republicans. “The administration, is charged with our foreign affairs,” said he. Secretary Lansing took the view that there was absolutely nothing sot him to discuss. He said he had yet received no note or communication from General Carranza and therefore had nothing to comment upon. What he would do after seeing General Car ranza’s ambassador later today, Mr. Lansing declined to indicate. After a conference with Secretary Lansing, Chairman Flood, of the house | foreign affairs committee, said he saw no necessity for congressional action as the situation now stood. can troops in sufficient numbers pui- » suing them, and more forces are » j. being sent to exterminate the rest M of the beaten party, the first chief of the constitutional army, charged with executive power of the nation, considers that it is already time to treat with the United States govern ment for the withdrawal of their forces from our territory. I take this opportunity to reiter ate to your excellency my distin guished estimation and considera tion. ’,l THE SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, CANDIDO AGUILAR.
