Norwich bulletin., 1921-03-11

Washington, March 10 CBy the A. P). AS the new administration settles down 10 a working basis, both President Hard ing and his chief advisers are giving in- creasing attention to the country's for eign relations. For the moment. selection of new set of diplomatic representative abroad, re- latlons with Mexico. the Rhine situation, the league of nations and the Panama Costa Rica controversy are subjects ip tho forefront of consideration, although there are no indications that any of them have reached stage forecasting imrne- diate action.
 So far as diplomatic appointments are concerned. it was said authoritatively today that no final selections had been made but that in several cases the field of availables was narrowing toward decision. The nearest approach to an actual choice IS understood to be Myron T. Herrick -t Ohio fer ambassador to France. a post from which he resigned early in the tirst Wilson administration Another who is regarded as very certain 10 return to the service Is Henry Lane Wilson of Indiana, formerly ambassador 10 Mexico, Tho is mentioned most often in connection with the ambassadorship to Italy.
 The question of Mexican relations hinges upon the ability of the new ad- mininstration of President Obregon to es- ,ablish a regime that will win American recognition. Just what the requirements for such recognition should be is occupy ing the study of officials here and it is possible that some pointed intimations on the subject may go forward soon to Mex ico City. Much as the White House and the state department home for a full res toration of diplomatic relations with the Eouthern republic. there is little evidence of confidence that formal recognition may be possible in the near future.
 President Harding discussed the Mex ican problem today with R: B. Creager of Texas. who has been suggested for ambassador to Mexico in case of ultimate recognition. Later MT. Creager had a talk with nder-Secretary Fletcher of the state department, himself a former ambassador at Mexico City. No an nouncernent followed the conferences, but the impression was given that conditions To be required for recognition were un- fer earnest discussion.
 The situation of the American troops on the Rhine is one which has been brought forcibly to the attention of the new president by the recent advance o1 the allied forces into Germany to enforce provisions of the Versailles treaty. Th' only aonnuncement made here has beer that the state and war departments wer in accord with the policy of the previ ous administration insofar as it provide, for participation In the allied ad vance and that on the other hand. with drawa lOf the American army was no immediately under consideration
 Officials are in close touch with devel opments. however. and more definit policy probably will be predicated upo them during the next few weeks.
 Related in some degree to the Rhin situation is the question of America participation in modified league of na tions. Today's despatches from Paris saying that the French embassy here wa reported to have approached the stat department on the subject. were the frs public intimation that negotiations re Earling the league had been received an that the general attitude of officials indi cated that conversations had not ye passed beyond a preliminary stage.
 There was every evidence. however that such move on the part of the Pari government would fit in with. Preside1 Hardings own notions of how the sut ject should be approached. It has, bee the understanding among those close t Mir. Harding that he not only hoped fo
 
 ernments concerned but had planned t feel them out informally early in his ad ulinistration. If the expectations of som administration officials are fulfilled, considerable period of informal converss lions will ensue before the stage of actu; diplomatic interchanges is reached
 Whether the president intends to sen representatives to Europe. accredited of .ially or unofIicially, to make inquirit For him has never been revealed. Specl lation about the capitol has turned tov ard 'r~ presumption that he will do S and {; en has busted itself with guess, about the men most likely to be selecte Tor such a mission. In this gossip u aame of Elihu Root frequently has bee mentioned. but if any sort of missiC ictually has been entrusted to MT Roc Sr anyone else, some of the president closest official aides do not know of it.
 One plan which is said to have be- irEed upon MT. Harding would provit or the despatch of an emissary to esta .sh a listening post at the next meeti1 I the league of nations at Geneva duriI he coming supper, and later to make .anvass Of sentiment in all the Europe: capitals. If that is done it is expect .hat at the same time the embassies al eEations here will be asked to lay on t able whatever information they have
 Q the attitude of their government. al hat out of the whole inquiry a series 'ormal negotiations may eventually
 svolved.
 Some of the highest officials of the a ninistration believe 1t still is too eal o forecast toward what objective the regulations might point-whether tn Fould contemplate modification of t present. league to make 1t acceptable
 he establishment of an entirely rew
 ernational structure for peace.
 In his consideration of diplomatic 2 Iointments. particularly to the great I opean capitals. President Harding ieeking men who would be alive to
 he considerations involved in the leag regulations. Mir. Herrick, for one, nly Is familiar with French aspiratic through his experiences as ambassaC lt Paris during the trying early mont f the world war. but he made a i'd tbrosd last summer and talked over eaEue with some of the leading Europe hatesmen- Similarly, Mir. Wilson l tad a wide acquaintance with diplom sts through a period of diplomatic 8 - dce which took him into many parts he world and which extended over a
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