The Washington times., 1918-05-31
Of
BOCHES FORCE
ALLIES FRIEND.
OUT OF MEXICO.
Bv DAVID LAWRENCE.
ICopyriEht. gS. BY New York Evening Post
Company.


strong that it has practically sue
ceeded in squelching FL Universal,
the leading proally newspaper IN the
Mexican capital.
Felix r. Palavicini, editor OF that
publication, has Just given me, on
his arrival here, the true story OF
his enforced departure from Mexico.
"The German propaganda in Mex
ico," he says, "has- been going on
for quite a few years. 1t is very
well directed and well paid. Rather
than be assassiuated from behind |
any corner by one of the agents Of
Herr Won EclShardt, the German min !
lister, preferred to leave Mexico"
Mexicans Powerless.
Mr.. Palavicini, who is a Mexican
citizen and entitled OF course to the
protection Of his government, did not
criticise the Mexican government for
its inability to afford him the op-
portunity to conduct his business
without mcIestation by the agents OF
a foreign country, and every reter-
ence that he made was friendly 10 |
President Carranza- but he gave the /
impression that the Mexican authorl- |
ties seemed powerless TO cope with |
the German menace inside its own 1
territory.
The Mexican editor came to the |
United States to establish a Spanish
monthly magazine and says he shalI
not in any way join the groups OF
Mexican politicians who are gathered
in this country and are opposed to the
CarTanza administration. He argued
against any overthrow OF govern !
rnents by revolution and declared that
no matter how INSCRIPTIONS the man
elected to office. the responsibility
for such choice is on the people and
they should sustain him while in
office
''The Mexican people" he said,
SHOULD be instructed in the ways Of
democratic procedure to respect the
rulers during the term for which
they have been elected. In the
United States the same policy should
be hoped for-that OF respecting the
relations with constituted govern
ments-
''Nr Carranza is neither an assassin
nor a thief but II he were he should de-
serve the same respect and support until
the end OF the legal term Of his govern
ment"
Murray and wieEan.
Concerning the difficulties encountered
IN Mexico by two American correspon-
dents. Robert H Murray. OF the New
York World. and also the representative
Of the Creel committee. and Mr.. Wiegan.
of the Associated Press. the former edi-
tor Of f Universal says;
These correspondents were sum
moned by the first judge Of the Fed
eral district in connection with the
investigation Of cable dispatch that
was supposed TO be false. These cor
respondents had cabled that the
forces OF the Government. when en-
ter:nE a certain town. had recovered
supplies and horses belonging to the
inhabitants, and the translator stated
that they had stolen same. That
translator is an employe Of the min
istry Of the interior which is. as is
known. IN charge OF Manuel AEuirre
BeTIanga, a devoted friend Of the
Germans.
"The judge took the depositions ot
the correspondents and did not take
any action against them. This judi
cial funCtiOnary is incidentally one
OF the most upright Judges in Mexico"
SIr Palavacini declared with re
spect 10 conditions in Mexico that
President Carranza completely domi-
mated the country and had the upper
hand against rebels.
CritIcizes Foreign Policies.
There is not a single leader
among the rebels" he added. who
has any prestige nor any with a
definite program President Car
rama is al the present time the only
guarantee for order in the Repub-
lie"
But while being in hearty accord
with Mr.. Carranza's domestic policies.
the Mexican editor takes serious IS
sue on foreign policies. He believes
the Germans are being permitted to
get too firm foothold in Mexico and
that they are trying 70 USE Mexico to
stir up q war against the United
States.
He believes that any conflict be-
tween the two neiEhboTinE countries
would be most unfortunate. and does
not sec how any patriotic Mexican
can be friendly with the. agents or
representatives Of a country such as
Germany, whose avowed object is to
cause the shedding Of Mexican blood.
He tried TO eNpOund that doctrine in
his newspaper, and carried on a most
vigorous anti-German campaign. He
was constantly harassed and threat
ened by German agents, until finally
a syndicate Of private persons ap-
pTOdCneQ MIN with an OAtE 70 puI
chase Fl Universal
This IL seemed advisable under the
circumstances 10 accept. a. the news
paper is hereafter 10 become a GOV
ernment organ and Mr.. Pslavacini
believes that, while il will not be
interested in exposing German plots,
at least il will not be Unfricndly To
the United States
Boche Strength Grows.
Whether the Germans indirectly
prevailed upon the Mexican govern
ment to bring about the purchase
Of I'll Universal is not known. bu;
the fact is that the best defender
the entente had in Mexico has been
compelled TO leave. Had he not done
so, he would have been assassinated
and his property taken over
That Germany is increasing her
Influence in Mexico Is no longer to
be doubted And the departure OF
Mr. Palavacini. who fought the mill
tary party in Mexico. means that the
latter group. upon whose anti-Ameri-
can sentiments the German propaEan-
dists constantly play. will be able
to continue their abuse OF friendly