Monday, August 19, 2013

Sharp Warning To Huerta.

New York Times 100 years ago today, August 19, 1913:
Bryan's Demand for Americans' Safety in Hulse's Case Implies Recognition.
Special to The New York Times.
    WASHINGTON, Aug. 18.— President Huerta of Mexico has been warned by the Administration that the killing and threatening of American citizens in Mexico must stop. Nelson O'Shaughnessy, the Charge! at Mexico City, has been instructed by Secretary Bryan to demand of the "Mexican Central Government" that no American shall be threatened with death and "that none be executed until every process of law and diplomatic intercourse shall have been exhausted."
    This declaration, the most emphatic made by the Wilson Administration, came as a result of the reference to the State Department of the plea of Lieut. Gov. Reynolds of Pennsylvania for the protection of his son-in-law, Shirley C. Hulse and the latter's wife and child, who are now at Oquilla, State of Chihuahua.
    William B. Fuller, chief engineer of the construction work on the Conchos River, fled to the American border under the threat of the Federal commander at Chihuahua that he was to be shot. Upon reaching El Paso he communicated with Lieut. Gov. Reynolds and suggested that aid be solicited for Hulse, the chief assistant engineer, who was in danger of coming under the displeasure of Gen. Mercado, the Federal chief.
    At the instance of Senator Penrose, the Secretary of State immediately took action to protect Hulse and his family. He has reported to Mr. Penrose concerning the case in the following communication:
    Referring to your interest in Shirley C. Hulse and family, I have the honor to inform you that, in answer to the department's telegraphic instructions to the Consul at Ciudad Juarez, dated Aug. 14, the following reply has been received:
    "The Consul, in conversation with William B. Fuller at El Paso this morning, learns that the case and condition of Shirley C. Hulse and family at Pearson construction camp, Oquilla, is fully before the Consul at Chihuahua, and everything will be done that is possible by Consul Letcher to relieve the Americans in that camp. This Consul will, however, communicate with the Consul at Chihuahua at the earliest possible moment.
    "It is the opinion of Mr. Fuller that the Hulse family is not in immediate danger, but that the threat of execution should be brought to the attention of the Mexican authorities at Mexico City."
    The Department has also sent telegraphic instructions to the American Embassy at Mexico City to immediately take up the matter with the appropriate authorities and to request, in the most urgent manner possible, that the Federal General in charge at Oquilla make immediate report to the Mexican Central Government covering the situation of American citizens in Oquilla, and to demand that no American in that place be threatened with death, and that none be executed until every process of law and diplomatic intercourse shall have been exhausted. The Embassy is directed to rush its reply to the Department stating specifically the condition of Hulse and family.
    W. J. BRYAN. Secretary of State.
    While the Administration has declined diplomatically to recognize the Huerta government, the instructions sent to the American Embassy constitute such recognition in fact. Huerta is referred to in the dispatch as the "Mexican Central Government," and the fact that a demand is made that no American shall be threatened or executed "without exhausting every legal process and diplomatic intercourse" demonstrates that President Wilson will look to this Huerta government to enforce legal and orderly procedure in dealing with alleged charges against Americans. Just how any such cases can be settled by "diplomatic intercouse" when the United States steadfastly refuses to have any diplomatic relations with the present Mexican administration appears anomalous, but the meaning of it will be impressed upon Huerta.

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