Speech #630184189

Mr. Speaker. under the agreement and convention agreed to by the United States when it adopted the articles of The Hague conference. the law of nations. and the laws of humanity. it is the duty of the United States to take care of and provide for. to disarm and Intern and sustain the military refuges of a foreign government or people who are at war and come into our borders from Mexico. so long as we remain neutral. The United States. like any other neutral country. could have refused to permit these representatives of the army. the attendants. such as cooks and women who are in the camp for that purpose. and all those who are recognized by the War Department as military refugees to enter the territory and permit them to be arrested or imprisoned by the insurgents. But the United States Government and those representing it did not see proper to do that. The laws of humanity would not have justified the United States Army or the President or the Government of the United States in turning these fleeing soldiers. and the women and children accompanying them. who fled from this battle. on or about January 31. across our borders. pursued by insurgents or constitutionalists or whatever you may call that band of warriors. or whatever they may be.