Evening star., 1921-03-29
INFLUENCES DELAY
j. S.-MEX|CO AM|TY
At Work to Prevent Harding
Administration From Rec
ognizing 0bregon.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

All the various influences which
managed to keep the relations be-
tween the Wilson administration and
Mexico in an atmosphere of contro-
versy, mutual suspicion, propaganda
and selfishness. interfering with the
efforts Of the two governments to get
together. are at work again trying
this time to prevent the Harding ad-
from reaching an UNDER
standing with the Obregon govern
ment.
It is true that the conditions laid
down by Secretary Colby as a step
toward. recognition are in the main
what the ned administration here
wants to see accepted. II the two
governments, however, were the only
factor in the situation the solution
might be worked out amicably.
But certain American interests, i'm
patient to force the hand of both
Washington and Mexico City, are de-
termined to show Gen. Obregon that
unless he comes into line the same
process of disintegration will set in
as managed to weaken the CarranZa
government. Notwithstanding the
fact that conditions in Mexico are
during the Carranza regime and are
closer to the status of things in 1910
than they have been since Diaz held
power, the impression sought to be
created is that Mexico is back in the
same stages of anarchy as she was
four or five years ago.
Seek to Help Mexico.
Such discussions as the Harding
cabinet has had on matters of foreign
policy have been characterized by a
desire to help Mexico by evolution
rather than revolution.
There is not the slightest ground
for believing that the Harding ad-
would countenance coun-
ter revolutionary propaganda If it
were in a position to control it, and
the danger to the relations of the
two countries today is that impress
sions sent out broadcast concerning
State Department policy are apt to be
accepted as authoritative when such
is not the case.
The trouble seems to be. of course,
that President Obregon is sparring.
He believes possibly that recognition
will come in the natural course with
put accepting the conditions laid down
by the United States. He is willing
to assent to the desires of the United
States unofficially, but unwilling to
those pledges on paper in the
form of a treaty. He contends that
the anti-American feeling in Mexico
is still strong enough to unseat him
if he appears to be yield
ing to the United States.
However that may be, the Obregon
is suffering now from the
fact that the oral pledges of the Car
rama government, indeed their paper
promises, proved valueless, and the
great body Of Americans who have in
terests in Mexico insist that this time
something substantial shall be given
as guarantee that the lives as well
as property Of Americans will be safe
guarded.
The United States government prob
ably will not alter it's determination
to insist on that guarantee, and the
Obregon government may indeed be
weakened il it fails to get the moral
and economic backing which comes
but. on the other hand, such a result
might come naturally The Washing
ton government will never be in the
position of having encouraged Obre-
gon's overthrow even indirectly.
Europe Waits ON United States.
Practically all the European govern
ments have indicated to Mexico that
until the United States extends rec
ognition it would be impolitic for
them TO act. his nd0 Deen tradi-
tional policy.
Washington is indeed the key to the
Mexican situation. and American
bankers stand ready to assist Mexico
in refunding her debts the moment q
favorable understanding is reached
as between the Harding and Obregon
If these two gov
ernments were left alone to work out
the problem, all would be we'll. The
difficulty is that emissaries, lobbyists,
lawyers who must Justify large fees
and a lot of mischief-makers are here
again trying to influence State De-
partment policy.
There are plenty Of lobbyists at the
legislative end Of Pennsylvania ave-
nue., but the growth OF the same class
Of trouble makers at the executive
end of Pennsylvania avenue is COM
paratively recent.
Secretary Hughes is not easily in
huenced and the lobbyists will not
get very far. but they have a tremen-
dous capacity for misrepresenting
conditions in Mexico and they have
already begun the campaign against
Obregon, with armed Intervention
back in their minds as the single So
luton satisfactory to them.
Copyright. 1921