Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-12-18
us. MAY Be CALLED
UPON TO SETTLE
MEXICAN TROUBLE
Britain May Ask That Stable
Cover1lmeat Be Establish
ed Soon.
WANTS Oil INTERESTS
PROTECTED in MEXICO
Must Be Military Cleanup As
Well As Economical Aid
For Mexico.
By Carl D. Groat

Omitted Press Staff Correspondent
Washington, Dec. l8.-The proposed
league of nations may call upon the
United States to settle unstable eondi.
tions in Mexico.
This development was foresecn here
today by men in touch with Mexicas
and American governmental affairs.
Grcat Britain may even ask that o
stable government be established in
Mexico without waiting creation Of a
league of nations, some officials believe
The recent Tampico clash, though Of
@ minor nature; the raid on the Hiblor
ranch; the outlawry that makes trav-
el in Mexico unsafe, and, above all, the
squalor, poverty and disease long ram
pant in that country, are assigned as
reasons for cleanup.
Keeping Close Tab.
For the most part, military men be.
lieve that assistance could not be grant
ed unless there had been a military
cleanup, for they view Mexico as too
shaky and too upset to gain equilibrium
except through such action.
As for economic aid, it is pointed out
that the United States eonsuls recently
meeting at Mexico City agreed upon
recommendation that 5O,000,000 pounds
of flour and 2o,0oo,oo0 pounds Of sugar
be imported from the United States in
to Mexico. This would be distributed
by districts and safeguards would be
raised against boarding.
Patient with Mexico.
The United States and Great Britain
have looked patiently on Mexico for
long time because the world war oc-
cupied their attention. But they have
literally been paying tribute to get out
their oil from the Tampico fields and
now it is feared Carranza with his
naturalization ideas as to Tampico
will try to sell these properties to 9TH
or interests.
Great Britain has looked askance at
Mexican matters for a long time. But
because of her close alliance with the
United Sites in the war, and because
of her urgent oil needs, she refraincd
from pressing for settlement of the
situation there.
Should BE Stabilized.
"Now, il is said, she is preparing TO
ask in the peace conference that Mexi
co be stabilized, or to make an early
point Of such a request after obtaii
ing membership in the league of ma
tions.
The United States as next door neigh
Dor, would doubtless be the nation look
ed to for action.
A strong American guard has been
kept along the border.
Last summer when General Hobrook
was sent to command the Southern de.
partment it is reported here that the
war department had plans ready for
some decisive border action. This re-
port never was thoroughly confirmed,
though information at the department
indicated that there was more than
passing significance to Holbrook s ap-
pointment.
Troops at Galveston.
Besides the border patrol, a consider
able force of troops was kept at Gal
weston and vicinity, to be ready should
trouble develop in the strategically i'm
portant Tampico oil district.
Evidence Of America 's renewed in
tcrest in Mexican problems was seen to.
day in the readiness with which the
state department made public the full
details of the Hibler raid. In this,
Villistas stripped the ranch of its wheat
supply, took all clothes and drove off
many head Of cattle. Heretoto.S ,se
department has been loath to publish
any Mexican developments. Neither
this nor the fight at Tampico between
Mexicans and the armed guard Of the
steamer Monterey is likely to cause un-
toward developments at the moment.