The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-24
OBSTACLES
To PEACE
H. phcc|ml'
Thinks Only Pressure of Vast
Affairs Is Deferring Perma-
nent Friendship.

Sus 't0''NoIUPs
BY OTHEMAN STEVENS.
eoepyrl.ht. 1891: BY Sta. Company. New
MEXICO CITY. Dec. 2S.-That
rich little poor girl. Senorita Mex
leo. stands knocking at the door
OF the family of nations and the
only reply she hears is gruff
voice inside saying:
~"You just wait there till I'm
ready"
A Deaf Ear to Mexico.
Meanwhile, our country is sending
help, developing credits. stimulating
business, giving encouragement to
the war-wrecked countries of Europe
doing this very justly and gener-
ously, but ignoring a neighbor re-
public which has been devastated by
civil war for ten years, a nation
that now is on it's feet. headed by a
strong, wise, patient man. whose
genius ended civil strife, whose polit-
1cal program has been sufficiently
proved by the time he has been Pres
ident to show that sanely -he pro-
poses to remedy those evils that
eighteenth century methods had i'm
posed on his people.
Remnants of a malignant opposi-
ton, ignorance of facts among our
own people have combined to cause
a certain amount of distrust of
Mexico.
A charge of bolshevism fingers in
the minds of some Mexicans about
this American Government, but when
isolated incidents are considered with
the whole policy of the Administra-
ton, there is no more reason for dis
trusting the government of Mexico
than there is for comparing the
United States with Russia because
one of our States attempted to go
into the newspaper, banking and
grain elevator business.
Mexico has great problems to solve,
has many portentious difficulties to
overcome, but it is quite within
reason to say that generally speaking
the way she proposes to solve those
problems, to meet those difficulties,
would likely enough receive the
hearty Endorsement of a sanely pro-
gressive American. Aside from all
these matters, it is a fact that de-
ferring the recognition of Mexico is
cruel injustice to a sister republic,
is palpably depriving our country OF
at a time when it needs such bust
ness vitality, and might imperil the
stability of the present hopefulness
that exists all over this country.
Americans have contended with and
suffered from ten years of appalling
strife in this country. We have sew
eral times been nearly involved in
that strife. A remote possibility OF
war in any country is now a uni
10
Mexico is stable. Mexico is hard at
work. Recognition now would in
sure those conditions for an indef-
mite future, Notwithstanding La
mont's visit here.
Policy Uninfluenced.
No one / have found in Mexico be-
lieves that President Harding's Ad-
ministration nor Secretary Hughes is
unduly solicitous of the interests of
speculators in Mexican bonds or Is
influenced in any way by Americans
who have millions of barrels in the
Tampico oil fields. l have not founu
sny Mexican who believes that the
big American oil man, who. when he
arrives here to negotiate with TINS
Government, is said TO nave an
nounced:
1--WE have the American navy back
of us, and we will make these people
do as we say" Maybe there are no
Americans who believe anything like
that, 1t is to be hoped there are none
who have su.s. little faith in our ma
tional rectitude.
President Obregon said this morn
ing that he thought the reason for
the delay was that Secretary Hughes
had been so busy with the big affairs
that have lately been under considera-
-, hot hn
had time to think about Mexico, but
that now favorable action might be
soon expected.
There can be no better way to be-
gin these reports on Mexico than by
the utterance of the man whose gal
Iantry in the field and whose con-
scientious statecraft have placed him
an executive here. President Obre-
gon today gave this correspondent
an hours private audience, and placed
himself on record as to his attitude
in reports to follow this correspond
ence. There will be given facts and
figures, incidents and traits to
tllumine the Mexican situation. As
preliminary, 1t is well to read just
how President Obregon views the
recognition situation and the kindly
understanding which he has of the
American people.
The Scene Changes.
The last time had been in the
executive office of the President of
Mexico was twelve years ago. There
were then ceremonies and an atmos-
phere all of which today it was found
had vanished. The effect was that
of an office of a business man, the
head Of a great concern. There was
no shadow of "cacique" to chill
present-day sunshine. At my former
visit I had walked back into the