The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-05-26
MEXIC0'S BREAK
WITH CUBA MAY
ENTANGLE US.
German Hand Is Seen in
Sudden Crisis jim South.
ern Republics.
WARFARE TO BE AVOIDED
Cuban Officials Closed Line Of
Communication to Gen.
trail Powers.
WARFARE TO BE AVOIDED
Special DessascA to Tnr sus.

WASHINGTON, May 25.-Mexico's 9
break In relations with Cuba, which ID
confirmed by the state Department here,
has become a matter OF deep concern
to the United States Government 1t
bids fair to bring the United States to
the brink Of an unwelcome situation in
voivins the Mexican. Cuban and Ameri-
can Governments. and possibly inter-
ruptlon Of intercourse between the
United States and Mexico.
Details are so far lacking. but tho
statement issued In Mexico city by Gen.
Candtdo Agu!lar. Mexican Minister for
Foreign Affairs. has been read by dip
lomats with amusement 1t contains an
undoubted note Of comedy. they cay. in
ascrbing overfriendliness between the
two Governments As the cause.
The official Mexican explanation = an
entirely new departure in diplomacy.
1t is the hrst time that "fraternal senti-
n,ents Of solidarity" are given as tho
reason for a diplomatic break. OF course
the statement Of Senor Aguilar 10 not
taken seriously here.
Steamship Travel stopped.
The real reason for the break Is be-
lieved in some diplomatic quarters to be
due to the fact that the Cuban Govern
ment recently cut of steamship travel
from Vera Cruz to CAdiz via the Com.
pania Transatlantica Espanola. Steam.
ships OF this line used to run between
CadiH and Vera Cruz via Havana. II
is we'll known that checks and mail and
gold and correspondence from Mexico
to Germany reached Spain by this route.
Since the route from Vera Cruz to
Havana was cancelled tho steamships
Of the Compania Transa tlantica Espanola
had continued to ply between Havana
and Cadix. and 1t has been necessary in
case Mexicans wanted to send matter
to Spain or Germany for It to be placed
aboard the steamships at Havana.
1t appears that efforts to get mail
sent from Mexico to Europe have caused
some trouble with the Cuban authorities.
Secret service operatives are reported to
have obtained possession Of matter
placed aboard a steamship at Havana
and destined for Germany. This mail
has not been given up. It is said. and
one report Is that 1t Is now in the
United States
II seems also that there has been
some trouble at Havana because OF
baggage belonging to Ysidro Fabela.
Mexican Minister to Argentina. This
baggage was stolen in some mysterious
way on April 20. Fabela was about
to embark on steamship for South
America. Later his baggage was re-
turned. but it is said that certain
papers were retained.
Supplies to Mexico Curtailed.
The cutting OF OF the Vera Cruz
Cadiz route was due to the necessity
of saving fuel The United States
naturally favored the move. The
Cuban Government. in following out
American and Entente wishes has also
Curta!led supplies going to Mexico and
other points. because Of the general
policy Of maintaining absolute control
OF shipping in the Gulf Of Mexico.
Cuban sugar has been withheld from
Mexico as a consequence.
Cuba is virtually an ally Of the United
States and is under the protective wing
OF this Government. Officials here hest.
tate to say what the effect Of action
taken against Cuba by Mexico might
be on the American Government. 1t is
expected that Mexico now will proceed
to make matters uncomfortable for Cuba
by Withholding Mexican petroleum and
by prohibiting the expectation to Cuba
Of food supplies such as peas and beans.
largely consumed In Cuba.
1t is not believed that there is any
immediate danger OF the break in rela-
tions leading to war between Cuba and
Mexico despite the fact that severance
OF diplomatic relations almos, inevitably
leads to war sooner or later In this
case the situation is extraordinary, It is
explained. and 1t Is believed that by
careful handling open warfare between
the two countries can be avoided,