The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1918-05-30
Reasons Thought to Have Been
CamoufIaged-DipIomatic
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.

Washington. May 25.--Mcxico's
sudden and unexpected suspen-
sion of diplomatic 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 country.
The underlying cause for
Mcxico'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
ly 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 was on his way to Buenos
Aires, certain exchanges possibly
of a preliminary nature were IN
der way between Mexico and Ar
;entina and probably involving
another .Latin-Amcrican govern
ment.
If anything taken form sanor
Fabela's baggage related to this sltua-
ton it is unlikely that any disclosure
of official secrets would bc made at
his time, but the feeling here is hat
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 advices lean to the opinion that
he break with Cuba possibly fore
shadows an extension of a-policy of
suspended intercourse with the United
States.
Confidential reports here from Ha-
vana have said that quite outside the
Iabela incident, well~fnformed persons
there expected Mexico might find some
pretext to actually suspend diplomatic
relations with the United States.
All those who. take this view haso
their opinion on the assumption that
German propaganda again is active.
A first reading Of the statement is
sued by Foreign Minister Aguilar in
Mexico City giving the reasons for
the recall Of tho Mexican charge TO
Cuba conveyed to officials here the
distinct impression that in breaking off
relations the Mexican government
actually is expressing it's disptcas,ire
and resentment at the Withholding OF
Cuban sugar and other suppl
The fact that these restrict meas
urcs were adopted by the CLLan gov
crnment in conformity with the re-
quests Of the American food adminis-
tration n in pursuance of the gem
-. ,.lI,n,y. - fhA AYfArta alias nnA
America of maintaining absolute con-
troll III shipping in the Gulf of Mexico
and the Caribbean sea doubtless was
known @ the Mexican authorities.
Retaliation Likely.
AS Mexico cannot expect tc make
any successful protest to the allies or
to the United States against these re-
strictions. officials believe she has had
recourse to tho plan of bringing pres
sure to bear directly upon Cuba, and
II was believed this first step involving
the severance OF diplomatic relations
would be followed by retaliatory meas
ureS OF an economic nature.
Among these measures Will he the
prohibition OF the expectation 10 Cuba
OF food supplies such as peas and
beans, largely consumed in Cuba 1t
was also regarded as possible that an
effort would be made to stop the ex-
portation OF Mexican petroleum to the
island, though II might be difficult to
separate such exports from the vast
amount of oil that is shipped from
-Tampico to tho United States and
Europe for naval uses.
Interference with this oil cupply
might easily lead to serious trouble
between Mexico and the entente pow
ers and America. II is a naval neces-
sity that this source OF fuel supply be-
maintained during the continuance OF
the war at least, and while there is no
disposition 20 refuse payment of all
reasonable taxation or the exports OF
oil, q stoppagc OF shipments to tho
naval forces would bring immediate
L Ind Nf,r.ni,nIic rnfnrtu