Evening star., 1918-05-25
MEXICO CUTS OFF
CUBAN RELATIONS
AS "FRIENDLY" ACT
Continued from First Page.

(SOntlnueQ from First Page.)
no details.
There was little explanation here
OF the reasons prompting the Mex-
ican move and it was not clear to
of1cials Just what Mexico hoped to
accomplish.
The Mexican ambassador here said
he had heard nothing of the reported
measures Cuba was said to have
taken against the Mexican govern
ment. but recalled that Cuba recently
held up shipments of sugar the Mex
lean government had purchased.
A first reading of the statement is
Mexico City giving the reasons for
the recall of the Mexican charge to
Cuba conveyed to officials here the
distinct impression that in breaking
off relations the Mexican government
actually Is expressing its displeasure
and resentment at the Withholding Of
Cuban sugar and other supplies. The
fact that these restrictive measures
were adopted by the Cuban govern
ment in conformity with the requests
OF the American Food Administration
ana in pursuance Of the general pol
Icy of the entente allies and America
OF maintaining absolute control Of
shipping in the Gulf of Mexico and
the caribbean sea doubtless was
known to the Mexican authorities.
Bringing Pressure to Bear.
AS Mexico cannot expect to make
any successful protest to the allies or
to the United States against these re-
strictions. officials believe she has
had recourse to the plan of bringing
pressure to bear directly upon Cuba,
and 1t was believed this first step, in
volving the severance of diplomatic
relations, would be followed by re-
ture.
Among these measures would be the
prohibition of the expectation to
Cuba of food supplies. such as peas
and beans. largely consumed In Cuba
1t also was regarded as possible that
expectation of Mexican petroleum to
the island, though it might be diff
cult to separate such exports from
the vast amount of oil that is shipped
from Tampico to the United States
and Europe for naval uses. Interfer-
ence with this oil supply might easily
lead to serious trouble between Mex
leo and the entente allies and Ameri-
ca. 1t is a naval necessity that this
source of fuel supply be maintained
su during the continuance Of the war at
least. and while there Is no disposition
to refuse payment Of all reasonable
taxation on the exports of oil, a STOP
page Of shipments to the naval forces
would bring immediate and vigorous
protests.
Officials are unwilling to discuss at
this stage the possible effect upon the
relations between Mexico and the
United States of Mexico's break with
Cuba. AS Cuba is in all but name an
ally of the United States, any action.
even by a neutral government. d.
rected against her must be a matter
OF serious concern to the United
States.
While the almost invariable rule of
international law Is that a breach
Of diplomatic relations is followed
by actual war between the parties.
the present situation is peculiar, and
there is lacking entirely any of the
elements Of personal offense and as
perity that make hostilities inevi-
table in such cases.
One high official, after reading
Minister Aguilar's statement, ex-
pressed the opinion that the present
status was not actually equivalent to
a complete breach Of relations, as
was indicated by the cordial tone of
the statement. and the expressed de-
sire to maintain unbroken the FRA
ternal sentiments of solidarity"
which have bound Cuba and other
Latin American countries.
1t also was considered worthy of
note that Aguilar said 1t was the
purpose Of avoiding the creation. of
tension in our relations" that in
spired his action.