Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-05-13
MEXICAN CLOUD
IS SILVER-LINED,
SAYS LAWRENCE
BY DAVID LAWRENCE

WASHINGTON, May 11.-Mexico
may seem >overhung with clouds of
trouble, but there's silver lining
beneath. Before many days the sit
uation will have clarified. There will
be an ad interim president named by
agreement between Generals Pablo
Gonzales and Alvaro Obregon, the
two chiefs of the new revolution,
and the program of the United States
government upon which recognition
will be conditioned will be revealed.
Two factors are necessary to solve
MeXico's problems-aljustme Of
external relations, particularly with
the United States, and satisfaction
of internal demands for a demo-
cratic government, free from the
tyrannical and dictatorlal abuses OF
The ,Carranza regime.
Agreement with the United States
will not be difficult. Nor will the
request OF the United States govern.
ment be severe. Pacification OF
Mexico's various factions depends
upon the patriotism OF General Con
zales and General Obregon. Both
have arrived in Mexico City. Don
Pablo, as the former is affect1onately
called, is a good business man. He
has shown once before. how to estap-
lish order in the Mexican capital. He
won the COlllluS1tCC anu etNAi1AA
of foreigners generally when he en-
tered Mexico City after Huerta ned.
Both Pro-Ally
He deliberately went counter 10
Carran2a' spurious neutrality pro-
gram during the war with Germany
and came out fatty against the cen
trail powers. This happened, too, JUST
after the United States entered the
war. He was the only pro-ally Mex
lean of prominence in government
circles. .,,,o
some respect for the United States.
He has travelled extensively and was
Impressed with our war operations
and nreparations as the war depart
1nent exhibited them to him, lie is
a business man. He has made a Dig
fortune MOO selling in the g sxport trade
therefore Mexico is ruled today
nv two men of business minds, Ihey
Understand the language or com
merce and should make it posslple
to do what Carranza has SO stupo
bornly refused to do, namely make
business agreement Win me tbe COM
ed States looking toward the Coil-
mercial advantage of both countries
and the economic regeneration OIL
Mexico particularly. -.,.a.
Ever since Carranza came INTO
Generals Obregon and Gonzales. SO
long as they were loyal. the Car,
ranza regime lasted. Both were iona
If Carranza. Both expected his sup
mort in the race for the presidency.
But CarranZa went back on DOM ms
friends. His attitude In tne preiinii -
mary elections was SO raw mat II
completely aliehated both ODregon
and Gonzales. They saw that Car,
rama was using the governmentaiI
machinery for his own purposes anu
would not permit ta1f ah4 r. A Get
rid Of him.
And the bloodless revolution is the
result of a working agreement be-
tween Obregon and Gonzales. Inc en-
tire Mexican army was devoted elther
to Gonzales or Obregon under Whom
they fought so many battles. 1t was
EASY for the two generals to take
nosSession of Mexico by military
force and with a minimum OF nght-
ing Carranza, civilian, never was
held in much esteem by the military.
Both Obregon and Gonzales met IN
Mexico City before the revolt OF iast
week. dined together at the Chapulte-
nee Inn and came to an agreement,
the details of which are expected
to be made known at any time now.
Presumably they have agreed upon
an ad interim president who Will cal
a CONSTITUTIONAL 0lSCIIOIl III "AANOAA
Obregon and Gonzales Will nave Oil
equal opportunity.
Program of United States
Meanwhile. the Washington gov
eminent, which has had such a per-
n1eXing experience with Carranza, is
rather relieved at his enforced aDdl-
cation and is getting ready TO pre-
sent to the new central authority IN
Mexico program upon Wnlcn ue
facto recognition would De eXtenoeu.
Here it is:
First-The appointment of mixed
claims commission to settle all
claims pending against the Unlteo
States and against Mexico on the
part of nationals of both countries;
CarranZa appointed commission OF
Mexicans and the department OF
state advised Americans not to sub
nit their claims to such a tribunal.
Second-A pledge guaranteeing
protection to the lives and properties
of American citizens, and particularly
removing all doubt about vested
rights prior to the adoption OF the
Mexican constitution of 1915.
Optimistic View
Third, an understanding concern
ing the distribution of the waters OF
the Colorado river, which AFFECTS
$4,000 Americans in the Imperial
valley.
/ Fourth, an adjustment OF the SIT
uation created by the exproprla ton
of the Carranza regime of water
ways, irrigation projects and other
improvements made by the Amerl-
can citizens on Mexican territory.
Fifth, remova of the decree for
bidding Americans to own real estate
in the so-called frontier zone both on
the border and along the sea coasts.
There are other matters which will
have to be cleared UP before recogi-
ton will be extended. But both
Obregon and Gonzales are men who
realize the Importance of the mora
and even material support Of the
United States and they. may be ex.
pected to remove the obstacles that
have blocked a good understanding
and friendship between the United
States and Mexico. The future may
appear uncertain but it gives ground
for optimism.