The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-03
WEST HEMISPHERE
 AND NOT EUROPE
 OCCUPIES HARDING
Mexico, the Philippines and Cuba, Their Status and Probable Conduct, Right Now Bothers the
 White House
By HUGH w. ROBERTS Washington Bureau The Age Herald
 ROO DaVidsOn HuildinR

Washington April 2.-t Especially )- Despite the visit of Rene Viviani. en- voy extraordinary from France which has revived discussion of the treaty of Versailles, the administration of Presi- dent Harding is more deeply concerned at the present moment in the picker ings of the comparatively small coun- tries of Mexico and Cuba and the Philippine Islands.
 Each of these "governments9 has contesting spokesmen in Washington, and these representatives of rival fac tions tell on succeeding days vastly different stories accompanied by conflicting advice They are as quar- relny children In Kindergarten, and President Harding in the capacity of wet nurse Is worn to a frazgle in at tempts to keep them pacified And in addition there are Panama and Colom- bia.
 The problem confronting Mir. Hard ing involves the establishing of real governments in these nations without the armed supervision of the United States. It is safe to say that in moments of desperation. he would like either to force them to be good at the point of the bayonet or retire into sweet isolation" and let them Kill each other to their hearts content.
 APPEARANCE OF GOMEZ
 The Philippine Islands, through delegation which is apparently proper ly financed. insists daily that the United States give them what was promised, that is. an independent govS ernment. They declare themselves abls to govern themselves.
 And just as the United States con- cludes that there might be something in their claim, Cuba sets up a howl, and indicates very strongly that under its own direction, 1t is drifting on the rocks of despair. General Gomez, who despite a silk beaver, vividly recalls n his picturesque personality a bandit of the good old days" is presently in Washington asking that the govern ment of the United States assume charge of Cuba's destiny until such time as the people, without the prod ding of the @bayonet, can vote their real convictions. General Gomez in the recent Cuban election, was leader of the defeated party.
 The election of which he complains was held under the supervision of Gen eral Crowder. General Gomez declares that General Crowder is a most excel lent man, but even he could not guar antee free election and free count. 1 There Is no question, but that the practical admission of failurue in an | independent Cuban government has | jeopardized the opportunity that the 1 Philippines had of securing indepen- dence at the hands of the existing ] Congress.
 AN OPEN SORE
 The Mexican ''scandal' still exists, 1 The trouble with the Mexican situation Is that no one can ascertain the real facts. American capitalists have their fingers In the natural resources of Mexico. and they naturally desire in- 1 teryention on the part of the United States to the end that they might work their claims under stable govern ment.
 There Is propaganda working in two directions. It is charged that Amer jeans are spending real money in an effort to, disparage and break down