Washington, May 30—An internal drive to clean up the Mexican border where crime and vice have “raised a stench that weeks to the high heavens,” was announced today by General L.C. Andrews, generalissimo of government law enforcement. Just after his arrival from El Paso where a Mexican-American conference negotiated and anti-smuggling treaty, Andrews prepared for action in the campaign.
“The treaty, which undoubtedly will be ratified by both governments will not only correct the hideous conditions along the border, but will form a lasting bond of friendship and peace between Mexico and United States,” Andrews declared.
Terms of the treaty will not be made public until the pact has been submitted officially to each government.
General Andrews painted an ugly picture of conditions on the Mexican side of the border, especially at Mexicali, Juarez Calexico and Tia Juana. American operated saloons and the American appetite for wild life are held directly responsible for the border situation. “American saloon influence is playing a big part in the effort to prevent the vice clean up,” Andrews asserted.
“When the American prohibition law went into effect, Mexico was engaged in a revolution—in a struggle to over throw autocracy and to rescue 90 per cent of her people from virtual serfdom.
“They over looked what was happening on their northern border.” When the legal saloon was abolished in the United States those in border towns moved about 150 feet south into Mexico, according to Andrews.
“At once there sprang up an unconceivable condition of vice and debauchery,” he concluded.
The dope addicts and peddlers, the gambling sharks, the rum hounds, the demimonde, flocked to Mexico with the saloons. Evry border village was converted into a riot of crime and corruption.
“Every saloon had its gambling den, its half world joint, its narcotic dive and smugglers headquarters, developing a condition rivaling any of the old-time frontier settlements.
“Americans from every district visit the border to enjoy the dubious sporting life that presents itself within a few steps of the line.”
From the front page of The Durham Sun, Sunday morning, May 31, 1925
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn84020732/1925-05-31/ed-1/seq-1/#words=MAY+31%2C+1925
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