Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 64, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 March 1915 — Democratic Diplomacy in The Mexican Situation. [ARTICLE]

Democratic Diplomacy in The Mexican Situation.

Following the murder by Zapata soldiers of John B. McManus, an American citizen, who had an American flag flying from a pole on the top of his residence in Mexico City, anc whose doors were closed and sealec by the Brazilian minister who was looking after American interests there, there was some real snappy, slap-you-on-the-wrist diplomatis correspondence between Washington and Vera Cruz. It ran something like this: '

Wash., D. C.—To General Carranza, Vera Cruz, Mex.—Our kindliest greetings, dear Mr. Carranza, and again we wish to express our affection for you and your beloved country and' to say that we are very sorry that another American has lost his life there. Doubtless you were in no way responsible and if you were we are very sorry and do hope that you won’t let it occur again, just as we have often told you before. Your love for Mexico and our affection for you and your country are such that we are unwilling to say that we will take any measures to correct this murder but we do want you to know that w s e don’t like to have Americans killed in that way. Please use some other way so as to keep it dark for a few days and then our people don’t raise such a fuss about it. Now some of your numerous generals should be able to find out who did this and have them soundly spanked, for if you don’t dear old Mexico which we love so well might have to answer to some demands of reprisal from some sources that we are unable to understand, they are so harsh and unrelenting. Please look these matters up, but understand that we don’t mean any harm to our beloved neighbor and have in mind only the welfare of yourself and the glorious cause you represent in the land of Mexico which we both love. Signed, W. E. R. EASY, U. S. A. Vera Cruz, Mex.—To U. S. A.— Your very kind note received and we wish to assure you that we still love your country and you, too, and that we are very sorry indeed that Mr. McManus xwas killed, for it would have been easier to have secuerd money from him alive than dead, or rather,

1 mean, secured justice for him. We will make amends if we can find out who was responsible for his death but you must understand that we probably can’t find out, but whether we do or not we truly regret that it happened and hope that this expression of our deep sorrow will prove our love for your people and I could not close this note without saying that if any more Americans are murdered we shall be glad to make ample apologies. Regarding your former t npte which urged the' - necessity of protection to foreigners from other countries I wish to say that we are giving them especial care and if any killing becomes necessary we will try to see that no Europeans are killed, for we do not want to aggravate the troubles of England and France. We shall be only, too glad to settle with the family of McManus and if they will come down we will settle right away. Hoping that nothing happens and feeling that nothing can happen to. shatter the confidence of your country and its leaders in my beloved people, I again assure you of my personal regard and hope for the day when I jshall be supreme in all" Mexico. Yours, etc., Carranza, First Chief of the Constitutionalists and Official Head of all Mexico except a little which Villa, Zapata, Guiterrez and some highly unworthy men of their type claim. Oh, yes, if there is anything left of the personal effects of McManus we will be glad to send it to his family, C. O. D.—V. C.

The official papers of this government and Mexico are almost this mushy. President Wilson should simply address an open letter to Carranza, Zapata, Villa and all other bandit leaders, saying that ten days is given to make amends full and complete for the murder of John B. McManus, and if amends are not made and if any other Americans are killed or their property destroyed and if some substantial measures are not taken to restore peace to Mexico, we’re coming down with a big gad and will take charge and proceed to clean up, it would come nearer straightening out things in Mexico than air the love notes of the past two years.

A. Crisler returned to his home, at Millersburg today after a short Visit with relatives.

The city has begun the work of cleannig up the streets, sweeping the refuse to the curbing and then gathering it up in wagons and hauling it away. The example thus set should be emulated by every citizen, who shduld begin cleaning up, sowing grass seed and getting ready to help make a more beautiful Rensselaer than ever again this year. s