Arizona republican., 1920-11-17
HARDING FORMS MEXICAN POLICY
 ON BORDER TRIP
By HARRY B. HUNT, W. E. d. Staff nda,,{

POINT ISABEL Texas, Nov. 16,- Despite all insistence to the contrary, the visit of President Eelect Harding to the Mexican border region is to prove factor of the greatest impor- tance in determining the early Mex ican policy of his administration
 Two members of the Harding fish ing party are accepted by him as thor oughly acquainted with past and pres ent conditions on the border and in Mexico. At least one of these, there is reason to believe, has placed in MT. Harding's hand the gist of a report made to President Wilson by a former special agent in Mexico, which never was made public
 Before Harding leaves Texas he Is due to receive call from Senator Fall of New Mexico, who will present his views on the De la Huerta govern ment and on the incoming Obregon government in Mexico. Falls proposed visit so far has been kept secret, as it was desired as little emphasis as pos- sible be put on the Mexican situation during Harding's stay on the border.
 All the influences being brought to bear on Harding are against any rec ognition by him of the Obregon gov ernment.
 A great deal of Information hostile
 
 pected to compose his cabinet has been lmparted to the president-elect-
 The presence in the Harding party here of Will S. West is especially sig nificant West. it should be under stood. Is brother of Federal Judge West of San Antonio, who was a spe- cial agent for Wilson in Mexico during the Huerta administration. West was praised on his findings there. B IL sea. they never were made public" Will West. Harding explained. used to De a Democrat. but has come over to the Republicans. The inference was carried that the Mexican issue was largely responsible for Vests change in political faith and that his knowledge of Mexican affairs was what qualified him for membership fin the Point Isabel fishing partv. Also, 1t is interesting that big Bill Hausen, Senior Ranger Captain of Texas, dropped into Brownsville on the heels of Harding. Big Bill was special agent for the Fall committee which investigated Mexico last year. He will remain here. 1t is understood until after Falls visit.
 incidentally it was Senator Harding himself who promptly squelched the proposal that a meeting between him. self and Obregon be arranged at some point along the border during his stay here. Harding did not hesitate over that question second, all published facts notwithstanding.
 Briefly, the case against Obregon. as is understood to have been placed be- fore Harding, is that the presidents elect of Mexico is far too liberal. that he verges on Bolshevism in his political beliefs and that to recognize a Bol- shevistic neighbor government would be to invite the spread in the United States of radical agitators, I. w. w. 1 ism and similar un-American creeds
 Indeed, it is suggested that a full soviet system has already been mapped out by Obregon, to be placed in force 1 immediately following his inauguration.
 Hardings problem with respect to 1 Mexico will be greatly complicated should President Wilson, as Republi- cans fear he may, grant recognition to Obregon, following his inauguration | Dec. 10.
 Recognition by other nations would | quickly follow such action by the Unit ed States, and Harding then would have to deal with a government generally recognized as effective in Mexico. Should President Wilson withhold recognition out of courtesy to the new president -elect, leaving that prob lem open for him to handle in his own way, other countries would refrain | from extending recognition. That would give Harding a free hand | in the situation.
 1 That is now being stored in Hard | ing's mental warehouse and 1t is am- intuition that would tend to prevent recognition of the new Mexican gov ernment, to withhold a friendly hand and nelghborly assistance, on estab- l fishing itself in power.