Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1921-03-11
European
Relations
Main Topic
Foreign Policy and Diplomatic
A Appointments Leading
Question Before New
administration.
Mexican Stand Unsettled


Harding and his Chief advisers are
giving increasing attention to the
country's foreign relations. For the
moment, selection OF diplomatic rep
resentatives abroad relations with
Mexico. the Philippine situation, the
league OF nations and the Panama
Costa Rlca controversy are subjects
in the forefront. although there are
70 indications that any has reached
Il stage iorccasting immediate action.
So far as diplomatic appointments
are concerned It was said authorita-
t,rely :hat no final selections \had
hecn made. but that i'll several eases
the iicld OF ayailables was narrow
ing down. The nearest approach to
4 choice is understood to be Myron
- Herrick Of Ohio for ambassa-
dor TO France. post from which
he resigned early in the first Wilson
administration. Another who is lc-
g7rdcd as virtually certain to return
to the service is Henry Lane Wilson
Of Indiana former ambassador to
Mexico, who is mentioned most often
Tor the amhasSadorShip to Italy.
Mexican Question Unsettled.
The question ct Mexican relations
hinges on the ability OF the new adj
lninistration oi President Obregon to
establish a regime thaN will win
american recognition.
Just what ,equi emeuts for such
recognition should be is occupying
the study OF officials and it is pos
sible pointed intmatiors may go soon
to Mexico CITY. Much as the White |
House and State department hope /
ior a full restoration OF diplomatic |
relations. there is little evidence OF |
confidence that formal recognition |
NAY be possible in the near future.
President Harding discussed the !
Mexican problem today with K. b. |
Creager of Texas, who has been
suggested for ambassador to Mexico.
and later Mr.. Creager talked with |
Under Secretary o; State Fletcher,
former ambassador TO Mexico. 4
Definite Policy Soon.
The situation OF the American
troops on the Rhine is one which has
been brought forcibly to the atten-
ton OF the new president by the al
lied advance into Germany. The only
announcement has been that the
- tate and War departments were iii
accord with the policy OF the prcvi-
Gus administration. insofar as it pro
vided lior participation Iii the
allied advance. and that on the other .
hand. that withdrawal OF Americas :
Il s1tn al RI ln,-
consideration.
Officials are III close touch with F.
Developments, however, and a more |
deliritc policy probably will be .
predicated upon them in the neNt .
Jew weeks.
Related somewhat to the Rhine sit
uation is the question OF American
participation in modified league OF
nations Today's dispatches from
Paris saying that the French enl-
bassy here was reported to have ap-
preached the State department on
the subject were the first public IN
tirnations that negotiations regarding
the league had been received, and the
general attitude OF officials indicated
conversations had not yet passed the
preliminary stage.
Hopes for Frank Expression.
There was every evidence, how
ever. that such a move by the PARIS
government would fit i'll with Presi-
dent Harding's notions OF how the
subject should he approached. 1t
has been the understanding among
those close to the president that he :
not only has hoped for a frank eN-
preston from the other govern
r.cnts. but has Planned to feel them
out informally. Ii the expectations
OF some administration officials arc
filled considerable period OF intor-
s~ssl conversations will ensuc before
actual diplomatic interchanges are
Reached.
Whether the president intends to
send representatives to Europe, &C
credited officially or unofticially to
make inquiries, has never been re-
vealed. Speculation has turned to-
ward the presumption that he will
do SO. In this gossip the name OF
Elihu Root frequently has been
mentioned. but il mission actually
has been entrusted to Mr.. Root or
anyone else. soQle Of the presidents
closest official aides do not know OF
il.
One plan said to have been urged
CT Mr.. Harding would provide for
the dispatch of an enissary to estab-
lisi, listening post at the meet
ing OF the league OF nations at Gen
eva this summer, and later to make
q canvass Of sentiment i'll Euro
pean capitals. II that is done. it is
expected the embassies and legations
here will be afked to lay on the
table whatever Information they have
as TO the attitude of their govern
1ucnts, and that out OF the inquiry,
formal negotiations may eventually