Evening star., 1920-11-22
u. s. Recognition
Of MEXICO WAITS
Ready to Act, However, Pro
viding Pending Legal Ques-
tions Are Adjusted.
aY DAVID LAwnENCE.

standa ready to recognise the gov
ernment in Mexico over which Presi-
dent-eiect Alvaro Oregon will rule
next month, provided the legal Ques-
tions pending between the two gov
{: ernments can be sattsfactorily ad-
! justed.
4 For the first time IN moro than
| decade q government has arisen IN
Mexico which appears to realize tony
! the United Etates. but public opinion
below the Rio Grande Is stilf as :en-
stttve shout any attitude that might
seem crtnging or suppuant. inis
accounts for the omctal statements
insisting that Nexico cannot anoro 70
ditions attached to IL. Naturally. the
American government has no desire
to impose conditions ~ such. More
lover. the Washington administratson
realizes that American public opinion
will not be satisfied with mere prom
ises and that actual performance -
necessary.
! Some start must be made toward
the settlement Of pending dimculties
and when enough action has been
taken by the Mexican government 70
warrant q belief that the points which
1.-The United States wishes cleared up
will be eventually settled, then rec
legation will be gladly extended
Counsel Given Mexico.
There IL some suggestion that tho
inew Mexican government Is trying 70
play as between the Wilson and the
Harding administration. There se
those who are counsenng Me1 1rooo En-. fhs
republicans than the democrats. IN
1919 practically the same situation e1-
listed. Secretary Knox was ready 70
Irecognize the Huerta government. ous
wanted the Chamizal dispute % aDcne The
Mexicans got the idea that they would
| get recognition easier if they cei2yeo
beyond March 4. but they were sadly
mistaken, because Mr. Wilson refused
absolutely to recognize A"ertA on
Il 30 happens that among the
friends Of Senator Harding are many
who believe military Intervention
alone will solve the Mexican question.
that recognition Of the Obregon gov
ernment viii mean new era OF peace
and prosperity with our southern
neighbor. II the question j. left to
be taken up after March 4. It WIN pe
the first step in the assumpsi;on lon en OF
the part Of the new Washington ad-
ministration. Any action, on the other
hand. taken by the Wilson regime
will still be charged up to Wilsonian
policy. Under that line OF reasoning
some of Hardins's friends hope the
problem will not be on the White
House doorstep after March 4.
Internationally there are some In
terestS which arc counseiing the
Mexicans to delay. settlement be-
really believe military Intervention
can best be brought about under
republican administration. The Unit
Cd States State Department Is aware
Of some Of these subtle processes
what 10 believed here to be the real
desire of . man like President-elect
Harding. On the trip to the south
eTn border. the dispatches have con-
yeyed the impree.son that Mr. :. Hard
ment Of disputes with Mexico.
PresaAent WfI0oa,s Ain.
P.ss,asns . - W.,son,s Il s;.,, yiswpe,at vie
been that eventually the Mexicahs
would themselves straighten out their
aAairs, and that the chaos sof revolu-1
tion was not likely to be removed
processes by which Russia is strug-
Cling for se1f-posseseion.
There is no donbt that the present
occupant Of the White House would
like to round out his term with the
Msxican problem on the road TO set
business enterprises and develop
ment are waiting moreover for the
act Of recognition. Nevertheless, tho
Department OF State 10 firm In its de-
termination that something better
than promises must be forthcoming
this time before recognition is ex-
into thinking they can get easier
terms with the next administration
in Washington, especially when It
probably will take . long time be-
fore the Harding administration will.
be ready to tackle Mexican matters
on account OF the press OF other
| q to let the Mexicans who advise
l such q course bear the consequences.
| The whole thing 10 up to the Mex.
| icans. There are mo insuperable OBJ
| - tcpuvr,xbt. 1ezo)