The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-03-30

ganda and selfshness, interfering with
the efforts Of the two governments to get
together. are at work again, trying this
time to prevent the Harding administra-
ton from reaching an understanding
with the Obregon government
1t is true that the conditions laid
down by Secretary Colby as a step to-
ward recognition are in the main what
the new administration here wants to see
accepted. If the two governments, how
ever, were the only factor IN the sltua-
ton. the solution might be worked out
amicably. But certain American inter
CstS, impatient to force the hand of both
Washington and Mexico City, are de
tcrmined to show General Obregon that,
unless he comes into line, the same pro-
cess of diSintegration will set in as man.
aged to weaken the Carranza govern
mcnt. Notwithstanding the fact that
conditions III Mexico are greatly im-
proved over what they were during the
Carranza regime and are closer to the
status of things in 1910 than they have
been since Diaz held power, the impress
sion sought to be created is that Mexico
is back in the same stages Of anarchy as
she was four or five years ago. Such dis
cussions as the Harding cabinet has had
on matters of foreign policy have been
characterized by desire to help Mexico
by evolution rather than revolution
There is not the slightest ground for be-
lieving that the Harding administration
would countenance counter-revolutlonarY
propaganda. If it were in Il position to
control it. and the danger to the rela-
tons of the two countries today Is that
| impressions sent broadcast concerning
the state department policy are apt to be
accepted as authoritative, when such Is
not the case.
Must Give Pledges.
| The trouble seems to be. of course, that
| President Obrcgon is sparring. He be-
| Iieves possibly that recognition will come
| in the natural course without accepting
| the conditions laid down by the United
| States He is willing to assent to the de-
| SireS of the United States unofiicially,
/ but unwilling to record those pledges on
paper in the form of treaty. He con-
tends that the anti-American feeling in
! Mexico is still strong enough to unseat
him politically, if he appears to be yield
| ing to the United States.
! However that may be, the Obrcgon gov
eminent is suffering now from the fact
THAT the oral pledges of the CarranZa gov
| eminent. indeed their paper promises,
proved valueless and the great body OF
American citizens who have interests in
/ Mexico insist this time that something
substantial shall be given as guarantee
! that the lives. as well a. property. OF
| United States government viii probably
not alter its determination to insist col
| that guarantee and the Obreg0n govern
meut may indeed be weakened. if it fail,
| to get the moral and economic backing
! which comes from recognition by the
/ United States: but on the other hand
| such a result might come naturally. Tho
| Washington government will never be in
/ the position Of having encouraged Obre
| CONS overthrow. even indirectly.
Foreign Powers Hold AIoof
i Practically all the European govern
mcntS have indicated To Mexico that un
II I'll the United States extends recognition
it would be inpolite for them to act Thi,
had been traditional policy. Washington
is. indeed, the key to the Mexican situa
ton. and American bankers stand ready
to assist Mexico in refundiug her debt,
the moment a favorable understanding i,
reached between the Harding and Ohrp
gon administrations. If these two gov
crnmcntS We're left alone to work out the
problem, all would be well. The diff
ficulty il that cmisSarics. lobbyists, law
yers who must Justify large fees and ;
II lot of mischicf-makcrs arc here again
trying to influence the state depart
ment's policy. There are plenty of lob
byists at the legislative end of PeunSyl
vania avenue. but the growth of tn,
same class of trouble makers at the cx
II ecutive end of the avenue is compare
lively recent. Secretary Hughes is no
| easily influenced and the LOBBYISTS vii
not get very far. but they have n tremen
douS capacity for misreprcscnting condi
tions in Mexico and they have alread,
begun the campaign against Obregon
with armed intervention back in thei
minds as the single solution satisfactor,
to them.