New Britain herald., 1917-07-11
MEXICO NOT URGED
 INTO WAR BY U. s.
In fact, Washington Prefers to
 Have Her Remain Out

waxhington, July 11.--Reports that Mexico Is about to break with Ger many has led to the authoritative statement that any such move Will not be based on advice by the Amer .ican, government.
 1t was stated that no suggestion of an endorsement of the position or the United States had gone to Mexico City from Washington, except the general note addressed to all neutral governments upon the rupture Of re- lations with Germany in March. It was made clear, furthermore. that while the American government would not welcome a friendlier atti- tude by Mexico, many high officials the nations concerned will he served if the south ern republic maintains neutrality in the world war.
 Ambassador Fletcher. who came here to report in detail to Secretary Lansing on conditions in Mexico. has told the state department that de- spite some improvement in Mexican affairs generally, much remains to ca,isel concern to the American gov ernment. This circumstance is con- sidered important. because a break with Germany would give Mexico an opportunity to get money and place the United States under certain obli-
 Those offi cials who have not been eager to see Mexico join in the war do not object to seeing General Car nanza supplied with money, but they believe that without contributing much real aid to the Allies Mexico would make it; hard for the United $estes, France Great Britain and other nations with grievances against her to assume stern attitude after the war, That Mexico may not have strai khtened out her troubles hy that time Is admitted as a possibility, and 1t might be awkward to take the proper steps regarding a recent ally.
 Mex1co's present position, has been defned by her foreign office as one of "strict neutrality" but it is, in fact, a benevolent neutrality, since she fs permitting American warships to lie in her harbors without pro- test They have been there since the days oI Ffuerta, the patrol being most constant at Tampico, because of the biz oil interests in and near that port, ,..,
 Yesterday was the operative date of General Carranza's new schedule of export taxes on crude oil and it's de- rivatives. on which the British fleet largely depends tor fuel. The United AsaAes conducted a rofurninous corre- spondence with the Mexican govern m sr1t after protests had been made to the state department by oil operators, but Iexico's determination not to re- peal the decree resulted in a sugges tion to the oil men by the department to pay the taxes under protest
 It is not believed by American off cials that any serious crippling of the oil industry or supply will result. Any fear that the Mexican govern ment might physically take posses <top of the wells, is offset by the fact that Manuel Palaez. one of the revo 1utienary leaders. still is in possession of the greater part of the field. Pa taAzi and the oil operators, have worked in harmony.
 Late reports to the state depart ment have served to allay the alarm prevalent at one time that German nachinations in Mexico might prove em harrassing. Although there are IS wireless plants in Mexico. Amer lean officials are convinced that none is being used and that none can be used for transmitting news to Ger many or to her correspondents.