In observing neutrality between them. if one of their armies. or a portion of one of their armies. retreats across our frontier. there is only one thing to do. as it seems to me. and that is to disarm and intern them and subsequently to deal with them as the conditions may then seem to require. I think it very important. however. Mr..President. that a distinction should be drawn between refugees and soldiers. The convention speaks only of armed menof armiesand international law deals only with armed men. I do not mean by that to exclude the women and children who accompanied. as I am told. the Mexican army. The armies in Mexico. as we all know. are made up very largely of Indians. because the bulk of the Mexican population is Indian. and it is their habit to carry their women and children with them. and the womenand children pertain to the army. so that they are not refugees in the ordinary sense. but it is the duty of no nation. as a matter of international law. to take charge of refugees generally who happen to come across the frontier. That. as the Senator from California has said. is a matter of humanity. The wording of this provision seems to me to go rather far when it says "and refugees." without confining it to those who accompany the army. if that be necessary. in order to protect these women and children and camp followers. As the bill stands. it seems to me. with those words "and refugees." it covers any Mexican escaping. armed or Unarmed. soldier or not soldier. any Mexican who chooses to come across the border and throw himself on our mercy and protection.
Identified stereotypes
Armies in Mexico are largely made up of Indians who carry their women and children with them.