Evening star., 1914-01-28
STEPS TO PREVENT
CONFLICT ABROAD
Administration Resolves Upon
Vigorous Foreign
Policy.
ARBITRATION TREATIES
FASTENED BY SENATORS
Panama Canal Tolls, Japan's Alleged
Activity in Mexico and Other
Issues Considered.

That there is intimate association be
tween the pending British arbitration
treaty the Panama canal tolls issue, the
Mexican situation and the Russian
treaty is the opinion of senators who
are in touch with thu foreign policies of
the administration and the work of the
foreign relations committee.
The action Of that committee this morn
ing iE proceeding at once to consider
the arbitration treaties. il is said, ac-
centuat-s this view In tact. 4 very close
connection between the arbitration treaty
and the handling of the Mexican Situa-
tion is declared 10 exist
To put the case briefly and brusquely,
divested of diplomatic persifiage, 1t is
said that the administration finds it nee
esSary to dispose of some of the
European issues now pending before this
government in order that Europe may
keep hands off Mexico and Great Britain
be not placed in a position where that
government will be forced to lend sup
port TO Japan in the event of Japan tax
ing az. aggressive attitude on the Mex
lean question.
CONTINUED acquiescence of Europe in
President Wilson's Mexican policy is alb
solutely essential, it is said. and that CO.
operation. it is explained by senators.
will be facilitated by the United States
disposing of some of the problems in
which Europe and the United States are
directly concerned.
Hears of Japan's Activity in Mexico
1t was said today that the administra-
tion has learned much more within the
last few days regarding the activity of
Japan in Mexico than had been known
before The fact has been made plain
that japanese merchants have been sup
plying Huerta with arms. and while no
suspicion exists that the japanese govern
ment such has aided Huerta with
arms. 1t is known that these munitions
mad been the property of the govern
ment and became obsolete when the army
was equipped with modern weapons. They
were then sold 10 contractors.
Many occurrences. like the sending of
1he japanese warship to Mexico and
the fete in honor of the Japanese Off
GERS. arranged by order of Huerta, have
accumulated to suggest that while
Europe is backing the United States
In sincere good faith in its Mexican
policy. Japan is openly in sympa thy with
Mexico, and is exercising no restraint
in her efforts 10 win a premier position
IN Mexican estiIna ton
Europe May Intervene
But the danger which Is now said to
confront the administration and which
has been emphasized of late is that Eu-
rope, acting for the protection of her
own subjects and not in a threatening
spirit. IS on the point of suggesting to
the United States that if We do not inter
the most important questions in con-
nection with this possibility is the posi-
ton of England and her ally Japan. 1t
is within the power OF England to check
intervention and 10 restrain Japan, but
II is being pointed out here by rlen of
the ripest experience that she can hardly
be expected to exert herself actively in
this direction unless she may expect
friendly treatment in return.
The ratification of the British treaty,
senators said today, would be a positive
step toward a foreign policy that would
commend itself to the country. 1t is
claimed that it would remove the tolls
question from the field of doubt, step
which, primarily affecting Great Britain.
IS of equal Importance to all other mari
time nations Should the administration
..e able to make and ratify a new com
inercial treaty with Russia. the chain of
friendly understanding among the great
European nations and the United States.
i IS said. would be well-nigh complete.