Strange words

Nº 62

AHSRE L-E- 921 F. 011

St. Louis Post Dispatch, St. Louis, Missouri

21 de noviembre de 1906

Strange words

The word secret used in connection with the arrest and imprisonment of Librado Rivera and Aaron Lopez Manzano, two members of the Mexican Revolutionary Junta in this city strange to American ears. Not less strange is the reference to vague charges to cover other charges to be brought subsequently by the Mexican Government, in order to obtain possession of these men.

The Mexican Consul is quoted as saying, In order to accomplish our ends, it is necessary that there be no brass band accompaniment to these arrests.

We can understand why the Mexican Government should want secrecy and cover in dealing with men whom it wants to punish for political offenses, out we cannot understand how officers of the United States can serve ends of that kind or use such methods. There is no authorization anywhere in the United States Constitution or laws for secrecy in serving the political ends of another nation. All men in this country have a right to public, fair hearings on all manner of charges, and persons accused of political crimes against other governments have a sacred refuge in this country. The friendship of no Government on earth is worth the sacrifice of one jot of the principles which protect all persons accused of crime and offer a refuge to political offenders.