Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-17
NOMORE 'DR|F TING
IN MEXICAN TANGLE
President Discusses Offend
ing Situation With Acting
Secretary Polk.
CHANGE OF POLICY is SEEN
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

"A
President Wilson had long talk
with Frank Polk. acting Secretary of
State, today. and while the latter is
soon to go abroad to take Mr.. Ian
sings place on the American peace
mission. the acuteness of the Mexican
situation did not escape attention.
Mr.. Polk, together with Ambassador
Fletcher, who is on temporary duty
at the Department of State, have
been following their own judgment
on Mexican affairs in the absence OF
son is back it is natural for them to
seek guidance as to the Immediate
future. The House rules committee.
incidentally. has summoned the
American ambassador to answer ques-
tions about the whole Mexican stu
alton, which may become one of the
most important of the congressional
inquiries.
Change of Policy limitations.
Repeatedly during the last month
have there been intimations OF
change of policy on the part of Pres
ident Wilson toward Mexico. Watch
full waiting was said to have given
assumption grew out of the prompt
steps taken by the War Department
to prevent firing by Villa troops into
American territory at Ell faso Inc
Mexican government. largely LOT 90
nestle reasons, made representations
concerning the passage OF american
troops across the line, but, inasmuch
as there was ample precedent for the
action. the protest vas not followed
up or renewed
Pursuit of Border Violators.
So far as raids on the border are
concerned, it is true that new
policy has already been executed
firing into American territory VIII
mean pursuit of those doing the mr.
ing. But with respect to the pro-
lection of Americans resident in
Mexico, President wilson's position
cannot be said to have changed as
yet, though he is being urged to 90
something more than write protests
to the Mexican government. The MUIR
der of John w. Correll in the Tampico
district has seemed to bring matters
to a head. The Washington govern
ment is insistent that the bandits be
punished. but this is substantially
what has been said in every case.
If the United States government felt
satisfied that the campaign against the
northern bandits had been energetically
pushed. it would be inclined to regard
the Corren case as isolated, but unfor-
tunately4ai it is lone-of. series OF such
is being placed upon the recognized
government OF Mexico.
Another Cause of Ill Feeling.
Besides the protection Of foreigners
in Mexico, another controversy has
caused i'll feeling. 1t is the attempt Of
the Carranza administration to compel
American owners of oil property to yield
ownership of their leases to the Mexican
government. The United States govern
ment fatty declares such a proposal to
be confiscation.
One high official of the American
government said frankly today that II
ments of Mexico and the United
States was again becoming tense the
fault was in Mexico City. He cited
the sending of troops to prevent an
American from boring oil on his prop
erty. 1t was suggested here that
possibly the Mexican government it
bring the oil controversy to a head.
but that some subordinate official
may have exceeded his authority.
In any event, the position adopted
by the Mexican government in refus-
ing to issue provisional permits ena-
bling oil owners to continue business
while the legal questions are threshed
out is one on which it is confidently
expected that some change will be
made by Mexico herself. The State
Department has argued that Mexico's
legal claims will not in the least be
disparaged by the issuance of provi-
sional permits. and, on the other hand,
hi
contention, then it would be to his
advantage to have more wells drilled
and in production.
As ito Armed Interventions.
1t is unlikely that anything amount
ing to armed Intervention will issue
from the oil question alone. The gov
eminent of the United States is in
clined to look upon it as a juridical
question and as such subject to the
usual legal processes ultimately wind
ing up with international arbitration.
Should Mexico refuse to arbitrate.
should she insist on denying provi-
sional permits at the same time that
she is enforcing her own legal con-
tentions, this would be considered a
denial of justice and result in an en-
barrassing situation for Mexico in the
family of nations. For 1t would prob
ably mean basis for continued re-
fusal to admit Mexico to the league
of nations as well as the possible
agreement of all the powers on a
policy of economic aloofness.
Those circumstances, however, are
more or less remote. Immediately in
front of President Wilson today is the
question of insisting that American
oil properties be given legal protec-
ton pending the outcome of the dis
putes, and that the lives of American
citizens resident in Mexico be safe
guarded. 1t is considered very unlike
ly that these problems will be per-
mitted to drift as before.
Copyright, 1897
| AMERICAN WAR MOTHERS
tn MEET HERE cEpT 90