The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-18
Washington Believes Mexican
Situation May Be Settled.
League of Nations Expected To
Ask u. s. To Act.
RIGHT UNSTABLE CONDITIONS
Great Britain May Urge 1t Be.
fore League Formed.
Military Men Say Mexico Is
Too Unstable Now.

Washington, Dec. 1s.-The proposed
league OF nations may call upon the
United States to settle unstable con-
ditions in Mexico.
This development was foreseen here
today by men in touch with Mexican
and American governmental affairs.
Great Britain may even ask that
stable government be established in
Mexico. without awaiting creation OF
a league of nations. some Officials
believe.
The recent Tampico clash, tho of a
minor nature; the raid on the Hibler
ranch; the outlawry that makes travel
in Mexico unsafe; and above all, the
squalor, poverty and disease long ram
pant in that country are assigned as
reasons for a cleanup.
The United States is keeping close
tab on the situation. The humanitar-
ian principles laid down by President
Wilson are regarded as likely ulti-
mately to stimulate some action to-
ward Mexico.
For the most part. military men be-
1ieve that assistance could not be
granted unless there had been a mill
tary clean up for they view Mexico as
too shaky and too upset to gain
equilibrium except thru such action.
The United States and Great Bri-
tain have looked patiently on in Mex
leo for long time because the world
war occupied their attention. But
they have literally been paying tribute
to get out their oil from the Tampico
fields and now it is feared that Car
rama with his naturalization" ideas
as to Tampico will try to sell these
properties to other interests.
Great Britain has looked askance at
Mexican matters for long time. But.
because of her close alliance with the
United States in the war, and because
of her urgent oil needs, she refrained
from pressing for a settlement of the
situation there. Now 1t is said she is
preparing to ask in the peace confer
ence that Mexico be stabilized or to
make an early point of such a request
after obtaining membership in the
league of nations.
The United States, as next door
neighbor, would doubtless be the ma
ton looked to for action.
strong American guard has been
kept along the border
Action ON Border.
Last summer when General Hol-
brook was sent to command the south
ern department, it is reported here
that the war department had plans
ready for some decisive border action
This report never was thoroly con-
firmed, tho information at the depart
ment indicated that there was more
than passing significance to Holbrook's
appointment.
Besides the border pftrol, a con-
siderable force of trops was kept al
Galveston and vicinity to be ready
should trouble develop in the strateg-
ically important Tampico oil districts
Evidence of Americas renewed in.
terest in Mexican problems was seer
today in the readiness with which the
state department made public the full
details of the Hibler raid. In this
Viilistas stripped the ranch Of it!
wheat supply, took all clothes ant
drove Off many head of cattle. Here
tofore. the department. has been 1oatf
to publish any Mexican Developments
Neither this nor the fight at TampicC
between Mexicans and the armed
guard of the steamer Monterey Il
likely to cause untoward development
at the moment.