OCR Text |
Show MEXICO 15 GIVEN ONE IRECHAfJCE MU9T RELEASE CAPTURED SOLDIERS SOL-DIERS AND REPUDIATE ATTACK OF TROOPS. Failure to Comply With Demands of Government It Is Understood Will Precipitate War With the United States. Washington. A demand for the Immediate release of the American troopers taken prisoner at Cnrrizul, coupled with a stern notification that the United States expects an early statement of the purposes of the Car-ranza Car-ranza government, was telegraphed to Mexico City Sunday by Secretary Lansing. Failure to comply with the demand undoubtedly would result In the gravest consequences. The note discloses that the state department de-partment bad received u eniiimiinlen- tion from the le fucto government stating that the Carrlzal fight was the direct result of orders to attack American, Amer-ican, soldiers moving otherwise than toward tho border, personally Issued by General Carranza to General Tre vino and by the latter communicated to General Pershing. In reply Secretary Lansing requires that the de facto government transmit a definite statement "as to the course of action It has determined upon" through the usual diplomatic channels, "and not through subordinate military officers." The Mexican communication Is con strued. Secretary Lansing states, "as a formal avowal of deliberately hostile hos-tile action against the forces of the United States now In Mexico, and of the purpose to attack without provo cation whenever they move from their present position." despite the friendly mission on which they are engaged and which is reaffirmed In the American Amer-ican rejoinder. General Carranza is required to place himself on record formally, and the plain intimation lies behind the restrained language of Mr. Lansing's communication that force will be met with force. Apparently, however, the Washington government is determined fhat the do facto government shall not evade responsibility before the world If war is forced upon the UnfteJ States. |