New-York tribune., 1920-08-15
Lack of Action
By i. S. Hurts
Huer'ta Regime
While Americans aud Other
Foreigners Feel Full Rec
ognition Undesirable, De-
lay Thought Poor Policy
Support Tales Of Discord
Failure to Indorse Admins
sration Tends to Create
Idea Confidence lacking
By George E. Hyde

Copyright, 1920 New York Tribune Inc
MEXICO CITY, Aug. 1a-The reac-
tion to press reports that Washington
! is considering the question of recog-
milton OF tre present government is ex-
cellent. Both government officials and
the military civilian element express
the belief that this will have q decisive
effect on the present situation.
Officials pointed out to-day that sew
eral months have passed during which
Mexicans have not trusted the de la
Huerta government because it has not
had the recognition of President Will
son, and enemies have made capital Of
this fact. Propa ganda that the United
States remains unfriendly to the pres
ent regime is regarded as the main
support of the opposition movement.
Mexican diplomatic officials regard
with some apprehension the report that
President Wilson is intending to send
Henry Morgenthau to Mexico, fearing
that this may tend to inject the Mexi-
can situation into the American politi-
cal campaign, especially since Mr.. Nor
genthau's appointment as ambassador
has not been approved by the Repub-
lican Senate. The recess appointment
of a Mexican ambassador is generally
considered undesirable, since it is
likely to precipitate an extended fight
over Mexico and conditions mere, par
ticularly when the present chance of
carryinl, on business is better than it
has been for many years, and on excel
lent terms with the present authori-
ties.
Await Action by Senators
Mexican officials have recognized for
some time that the recognition Of the
United States is necessary to the ex-
is.ence Of any government in Mexico,
and any intimation that this is forth
coming is enthusiastically received.
But higher officials are also fully cog
infant that this will not signify that
they will be able to obtain all the con-
cessions necessary for the reestablish
ment of the prosperity of the country.
The Mexican diplomatists point out
that the time has passed when the
President is able to handle the foreign
affairs Of his country independently, q
matter clearly demonstrated in the
League Of Nations fight. Therefore
they look to the leaders of the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee to ex-
press some opinions before they shall
be fully confident of the real attitude
of the United States.
The fact that Senator Harding is a
member Of the Foreign Relations Com
mittee is constantly remembered here,
and mery circles are inclined 10 attach
more Importance to his attitude than
that of President Wilson
Foreign diplomats in Mexico City are
chuckllEg over the apparent justitica-
ton contained in the recent statement
of a high Mexican official to The Trib-
une correspondent that United Soat IS
action on the Mexican question should
be delayed due to the illness Of Presi-
dent Wilson.
American Business in Danger
While Mexican orficialdom is out
wardly subservient to the lead which
the United States may dictate, it is
generally known that they are con-
Quoting unofficial negotiations favor
able to their nationals. which is CAL
culated to greatly handicap American
commerce and investments in Mexico.
1t is expected here that Mexico S
first test of the reported friendly at
ttude Of the United States will be a
request to pass Mexican troops over
United States territory. into Lower
N"Ai1Oi AiAo <AS CuC IeNdlCllIdul
Governor Cantu, and later the request
for extradition of several members
Of the late Carranza Admins lion,
now in refuge on American soil, pend
ing serious charges against them here.
The final stamp on friendly relations
between the two countries will be the
removal of the ammunition purchase
restrictions under the Presidents s
proclamation which, together with the
diplomatic effort to establish similar
embargo in Europe, mostly hinders the
Mexican governments efforts to re-
organize the army on an efficient basis
to deal with uprisings which are gen
orally forthcoming in the near future
Clash With Spain
Friendly relations toward the United
States on behalf of Mexico are believed
to be greatly assisted with the an
nouncement that the petroleum pro-
ducing companies are taxable at the
rate of one peso q ton on export petro-
leum, which represents a so per cent
cut from the rate established by Pres
. idential decree in the latter days of
the Carranza regime. While the United
States has not officially taken any
part in these negotiations, it has grad
ually.become known that the Ameri can
Embassy has been closely watching
developments which might De taken as
an indication of the attitude the Mex
lean government may take regarding