Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-30
INFLUENCE OF ALLIES
IN MEDIATION OFFER
Reported as Secretly Making Every
Effort to Prevent Punishment
OF Mexico.
WOULD HURT TRADE INTERESTS
Main Consideration Said to BE Sup
ply Of Oil Which Great Britain
Now Obtains From Tampico-TuX
pan District.
ISrecial TO The Times. l

Especial to The Times DiSpatch.l
WASHINGTON. June 29.-State De-
partncnt officials and diplomats said
to-day the efforts TO bring about me-
diation between the United States and
Mexico are traccable to the allies.
Officials stated that the allies arc
secretly making every effort to pro-
vent the punishment of Mexico I'm any
way that would interfere with their
commercial interests in that country.
even application OF drastic measures to
bring an end to the conditions de-
scrbed in Secretary Lansings notes.
administration officials said. would
interfere with both tile shipping and
railway interests OF the allies
The main consideration was said TO
he the supply of oil which Great Bril-
tam now gets from the Tampico-Tux-
pan district. England fears the loss
OF this vital trade II either Of two
things happen. These are:
J. If the United States sought to
punish Mexico for the insult to the
flag and murders on the American
side OF the border. 1t would be neces-
sary to carry on war operations at
Tampico.
2. II the United States were to ,and
n large force at Tampico N1exicans i'm
medtately would supply the torch to
the oil wells and the supply on hand.
tlon has been brought home to the
United States by. perhaps. informal.
but emphatic suggestions from the
allies
Aside from this. it is only necessary
10 recall that when previously IT seem
ed there would be war with Mexico.
England kept a squadron commanded
by Admiral Cradock, cruising between
Vera Cruz and Tampico. The object
was to protect the oil fields
ALI IN AGREEMENT
TO PROTECT OIL WELLS
An oral arrangement was entered
into by which the Mexican generals.
Niliistas and Carranzistas. agreed to
protect the oil fields, and soon after
ward the British warshps in that vi
cinity and Netherlands warship were
withdrawn.
The situation is that. if hostilitics
were begun by the United states at
Tampioo. there would be a united front
against the American expedition, with
the reasonable certainty that the Mex
ican armies. when forced to retreat
would destroy the oil properties lust
as they would destroy railways and
bridges.
IT is manifestly to the interest of
the allies that there be no war or in
tervention in Mexico that will inter
fere either with the oil fields or with
free traffic over the Tehuantepec
Railway from the west coast at Salina
cruz to thu east coast at Puerto Mex
ico.'
y neutral diplomat said:
i know my country is against me-
diat'on. Restoration Of order in Mex
leo does not mean the acquisition OF
territory or the retardation OF the we'll
being OF that country. Nothing better
could happen to Mexico than the tenn
porary military rule OF an American
army. which would embrace not only
the larger cities. but every place whore
II constabulary might be formed as
was done so successfully in the Philip
pines.
i am afraid that the United States
government will subordinate It's duty
IN TINS matter to its European policy.
MI Of us agree TINT it would be n
severe blow to Great Britain TO have
her oil supply from Mexico cut off.
should not be surprised to hear the
state department proclaim It has
achieved victory in the release of
the soldier prisoners by Carranza, and
then open its door to mediation"