Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-01-19
Mexican Ambassador
Says His Nation Will
Avoid Entering War

Washington. Jan. 1a,-Any efforts
which Germany or any other nation
may make to involve Mexico in the
world var are doomed 70 failure &C
cordng 10 Senior Ing. Ygnacio Bonllas,
the Mexican ambassador here. Senior
Bonillas. in response TO inquiry, out
lined some OF the important features
Of Mexicos foreign policy. Directness
and frankness characterized the inter-
view:
There is nothing mysterious about
MeXicos foreign policy he said. Re
ports to the contrary are based per-
haps. on failure to understand proper
ly some of the guiding principles OF
our present action.
our chief aim now is to remain
neutral. To us this is not only Just.
but necessary policy. MeXico's posi-
ton is not like that of other countries
which until recently have enjoyed the
benefits Of peace. and have now felt
it necessary TO embark upon a policy
OF war.
Compares U. S. and Mexico.
Compare the position Of the United
States with that of Mexico. for exam
pie. While Mexico was engaged in her
death struggle for liberty, while we
were destroying ourselves in pursu-
ance OF our liberation, man against
man and brother against brother, you
were at peace.
Now you are at war and We are at
peace. Should we develop our re-
sources as a means to remedying the
destruction which war always brings
and reconstruct the country, or should
we interrupt our construction work to
seek out a policy which even your own
leaders agree would be detrimental to
the interests Of the Mexican people?
IF the question of MeXico's national
honor or Mexico's sovereign rights
We're involved, deliberate policy Of
elfsacrihtce might be necessary. But
Germany has not given US cause for
resentment. We have no ships. and
our interests have not been injured.
Can Not Afford to Participate.
We cannot afford to participate in
the war on one side or the other II
we can honorably avoid II. Our policy
struct!on as against war and its ra-
wages.
LAS to what extent Mexicans SYM
pathze with the Germans or entente
and American cause this depends on
the circumstances which govern indi-
v!dual opinions.
There are many in Mexico whose
interests are interviewer with German
interests or have been educated in
Germany or are related TO Germans.
Their sympathies are with Germany.
There are many, on the other hand,
whose interests are linked with those
Of the United States or have been
educated in your country or lived part
of their lives here. They sympathize
with The American point OF view.
There Is particular sympathy for
France among the cultured class. There
| is undoubtedly great love for France
in Mexico due to various reasons.
German Storskeepers in Mexico.
THE German colony In Mexico has
established business connections, and
stores selling drugs. hardware, cutlery
| are In many cases kept by Germans
| II seems to have been a German policy
TO send young men to Mexico who mar
~ there, bring up their families and
become part of the Mexican people.
| This division OF sympathy has
naturally led to sharp differences OF
| opinion on matters pertaining to the
war. Comment in the press reflects it
| | am asked sometimes why such and
such a newspaper prints articles favor
! able to Germany and against the
United States, and suggestion is made
that the government should suppress
this.
But muzZlng the press is precisely
what the government does not want t
do. We have had freedom OF the press
suppressed in Mexico in the past ant
our fight for freedom was aimed a.
just this form Of tyranny. Newspaper.
in Mexico may attack or defend Ger.
many or the United States or entente
countries, or quarrel among themselve!
over war matters without restriction
If they keep within the law.
Cordial Relations With Japan.
Our relations with Japan are yer,
cordial the ambassador continued
when we could not get arms durnt
the revolution anywhere else we bough
them in Japan. We also purchased
from Japan some ammunitiOns and
second hand ammunition factory
Japan has from time to time sent com
missions to Mexico to study the in
! ,st.tutions and resources and now W.
! have sent one to Japan to develop
commercial relations"