El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-01-15
DO THE MEXICANS WANT PART OF
COUNTRY TO BE BOUGHT BY u. ST.

TITHEN one thinks Of It. that proposal Of senator Ash
" urss to purchase Lower California and part OF So
nora from MEXICO strangely from one who supports
stauuchy president Wilson N all the latters efforts to
make the world safe for democracy
The Arizo5z senator advocates the purchase Of the
Mexican territory because Of the alleged irritation existing
along the border which irritation he somehow to
believe would be aIayed BY moving the border further
south; there N the mind Of M Ashurs
danger that Japan viii get Pacific naval base the
Mexican coast close the United States If do not act
first and because Ashurs believes the United States
needs the territory in question, especially the Lower Cali
foruia ports.
Senator Ashurst is not at ali bad chOOser. The pur
chase suggests would give to the United States least
excellent deep water ports fair agricultural land
and Of the best mining districts the American
continent.
But has Mexico suggested any willingness to sell this
land any other TO the United States? Have the inhab
tsnts voted Il and expressed preference under
United States government opposed to Mexican govern
msut?
How about government without the consent of the gov
rnsd? And how about self determination the night Of
localities 70 choose the kind Of administration under
which they wish to Eve2
Senator Ashursts proposal has been received by the
press and the public in MEXICO City thnly yelled
threat OF extoron They regard the attitude of
Ashurst msnaeng to the sovereignty Of their country
That old b5gey Hhe Colossus Of the North" again
ia head and they think they their country about to
Ae g0bbled up.
while the Mexican government may not say So it might
be wiling to admit that the United States could secure
aate any Willingness on the part Of the Mexican govern
et OF people to negotiate with the United States another
Gzdsdeu Purchase.
True enough the land NJ Ashurst has his eve UPON
would be very desirable acquisition for the United
States As for Lower California that territory has been
worth little 20 Mexico for years. It IS productive in
spot and las been good maker Lut the revenue
las not been going to Mexico City. Lower California
been virtually Independent since the Daz regime was
5FerthroEn-
Senator Ashurst in his address to the senate said
Lover California is the vermorm appendix of Mexico and
the Achilles heel Of the United States In other words If
useless TO Mexico and highly vulnerable point for the
United States jumping off place whence hostile force
might wage against Frankly, It appears that Nj
Asurss proposal is to obtain this territory so as to fore
stan japanese plans The part about removing Dor
Der friction is buncombe Pushing the boundary 50 miles
further south VII leave boundary still
Senator Ashursts plan accoTds i'll with president VII
sons famous u principles notwithstanding that senator
Ahurst IS great adrsT Of the president and his doc
times Mexico were to offer the land to us; if the in
na1nls OF the territory in question to hold refer
endum and petition to be admitted as part of be limited
States the matter would accord with the new American
principles But whs there are some old fashioned people