The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1918-05-30
Reasons Thought TO Have Been
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Messenger Intercepted
In City Of Havana.
FEAR REPRlsAL EFFORTS
Any Attempt to Curtail Oil
Shipments Would Result In !.
Prompt Protests By
Allied Powers.
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
Washington. May 25.--Mexico's
sudden and unexpected suspen-
sion ofdiplomatic relations with
Cuba is looked upon here as an In
direct move against the United
States, which possibly may fore
shadow a breaking Of diplomatic
relations with this countrys
The underlying cause for
Mexico's action, it is understood
here, was a recent incident IN
which Senior Fabella, her minister
to Argentina, while on his way to
Buenos Aires, was held up in Ha-
vana while his baggage was
searched by an officer, supposed
" a Cuban customs inspector, who
it is reported, found among the
minister's effects certain papers.
From other sources it is under
stood that at the time Minister
Fabella vas on his way to Buanos
Aires, certain exchanges possibly
Of a preliminary nature we're I'M
der way between Mexico and Ar
sentina and probably involving
mother LatinAlnerican govern
ment.
II anything taken form sanor
Fabela's baggage related to this sftua-
ton it is unlikely that any disclosure
of official secrets would be made ut
this tirne,@but the feeling here is that
Mexico holds the United States really
responsible FOR the incident. Some of
those in close touch with tho situa-
ton and receiving the latest confiden-
tial advfces lean to the opinion that
the break with Cuba possibly fore
shadows an extension OF q policy of
suspended intercourse with the United
States. D
Confidential reports here from Ha-
yana have said that quite outside the
FabelaAinciGeIlt, we'll Informed persons
there expected Mexico might find some
tpretext to actually suspend diplomatic
relations with the United States.
All hos who this view base
ltlleir opinion on the assumption that
German propaganda again is active.
A first reading of the statement is
#sued by Foreign Minister AgutIar in
Mexico City giving the reasons for
Line recali OK lEc Mexican charge to
Cuba conveyed to officials here the
distinct impression that in breaking off
relations the Mexican government
actually is expressing it's dispieasIre8
and resentment al the Withholding of
Cuban sugar and other supple
The fact thai these restrict meas
Eres were adopted by the Cuban gov
criirnent IN conformity with the re-
| quests OF the American food adnliais-4
tration and IN pursuance Of the gen-
eral policy " the entente alliess5and
America OF maintaining absolute con-
troll Of chipping In the Gulf of Mexico
and the Caribbean sea doubtless was
known to tho Mexican authorities.
Retaliation Likely.
As Mexico cannot expect. t. make
any successful protest to the allies or
to the United States against these res
strictions. ofgicials believe She has had
recourse to the plan of bringing pres
sures&to bear directly upon Cuba, and
az was believed this first step involving
the severance sf diplomatic relations
would ba followed by retaiiatory Ileaa-
urcs OF an economic nature.
Among these measures VIII he the
proIlibitionsof the expectation 10 Cuba
l5of food supplies such as pc:ls aud
beams, largely consumed in Cuba. It
was also regarded as posaiblo that an
effort would ioe made TO stop the ex-
I%ortation Of Mexican petroleum. to the
island, thougl, AZ might be- difficult to.
separate such exports from the vast
amount OF oil that is7 shipped from
Talfapico to the United States and
Europe for naval uses.
interference With this oil supply
might easily lead to serious trouble
between Mexico andStlae entente pow
ers and America. III Is naval neces-
sity that this source OF ~fueIssuppIy be
maintained during the continuance OF
the war ut least, n while There IS no
i QiSpoSittOn To- refuse I1avparntS IF all
reasonable taxatIon@onatba exports Of
oil, stoppago Of shipments to tho
naval forces would Bring: Immediate
ind Vigorous protests.