Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-17
EUROPE MAY ASK
u. S. TO COLLECT
MEXICAN CLAIMS
Damages of $42O,OOO,OOO for
Property Destroyed to Be
Sought in Washington
WAR POSSIBLE RESULT
Bp a stag Correspondent

WARRINGTON. Nov. t7.--Uncle Sam is
70 be made the collection agent for Europe
az soon as the war ls over, Claims against
Mexico for more than S420.000000 worth
uf property destroyed In Mexico during the
revolutions there are TO be hled with the
United States Government for collection. ac
oording TO reliable information. II has
been reported that several million dollars
Of damage claims were already on file in
the American state Department having
been sent TO Washington by Great Britain.
France and Germany. but Secretary Of State
Lansing said today that 40 far none Of
these claims had been received
Because OF the interference OF the United
States In Mexican affairs and the existence
Of the Monroe Doctrine which prevents the
seizure OF Mexican territory as a lqulda-
lion OF claims. IL is generally believed this
government will be expected 10 take caro-
qf the European losses that have resulted
from the continuation Of outlawry in Mexico
for more than three years. Representative
Simeon ID. Fess, Of Ohio, recognized as one
Of the best authorities on International af-
fairs IN the House Of Representatives. has
made formal declaration that there In
great danger of the United States and
Great Britain becoming involved in war
because of the claims OF the latter nation
on Mexico for millions of property de-
stroyed.
That Great Britain holds us responsible
FOR conditions In Mexico. and looks to us
to care for her interests, was indicated
strongly within the last two weeks when
she made representations to CarranZa, not
direct but through the United States Gov
eTnment, the reported existence of a
German submarine base on the east coast
OF Mexico. We transmitted the representa-
+ tions made by Great Britain to Mexico
without comment, but the action aroused the
hostility OF Mexico. Great Britain feared
the destruction OF her tankers which carry
oil from the Tampco districts TO Europe.
Many close students of International af-
fairs believe Representative Fees does
thas as soon az the European nations get
through with their present bloody conflict
they will make demands on NJ xIco for
settlement for all property destroyed there
which was owned by European citizens.
what will there be for us but war"
aelsed Representative Fess If England
Demands immediate payment for destruction
OF her oil and other valuable properties In
Mcxieo2 Mexico has no money with which
20 pay. Is II not entirely probable that
England may say, Very well then; we will
take naval base or coaling station In
settlement? The Monroe Doctrine would
make II necessary for us to resist any such
territorial acquisition. War would be in
evitable."
PUT RESPONSIBILITY ON u. s.
Many officials In Europe feel that the
losses to their governments would not hnye
resulted had the United States followed
them in recognizing Huerta as the Pres-
dent OF Mexico. The refusal of President
Wilson to do that. and his action in fore
ing Huerta to leave the country by soiz-
ing Vera Cruz. are regarded as placing the
responsibility of Mexico on the shoulders
Of tho United States. Regardless of whether
Huerta was an ASSASSIN. as contended by
President Wilson. the European nations
take the position that he was the legal
President OF Mexico. When he was forced
20 leave and no legal head of the Govern
merit was left, they began looking to the
interests