In September, 1912, at El Paso, was an investigation under the terms of a
Senate resolution, which sought to find whether the Mexican troubles had
been incited by American citizens or corporations. Senator Smith of
Michigan was chairman of the committee. At the hearings there was
repeated inquiry apparently seeking to demonstrate that the Standard Oil
Company, to a degree, was responsible for the Madera revolution. There
also was considerable inquiry, apparently hostile, seeking to define
ulterior reasons why the Mormons should have chosen Mexico as an abiding
place. The investigation covered all parts of Mexico where American
interests had suffered, and only incidentally touched the Mormon
settlements. There was ample evidence to the effect that the Mormons
retained their American citizenship and American customs, that they had
lived in amity with the former stable Mexican government, that any
troubles they may have had were not due to any actions of their own, but
to the desire for loot on the part of the roaming national and
revolutionary soldiery and that their departure was forced and necessary.
No especial definition seems to have been given to the exact amount of
the loss suffered, but there was agreement that the damage done to these
American citizens was very large. At the outbreak of the revolution,
according to evidence presented, guarantees had been received by the
Mormons from both of the major Mexican factions, but, when these
guarantees were referred to, General Salazar sententiously observed,
"They are but words."