New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-07
Not Another Vera Cruz

In view of the role ascribed to oil
interests in the ratification of the
strange Colombian treaty those who
are waiting for chance to criticize
the Harding Administrative will
doubtless hasten to charge that it IS
intervening in private war between
American oil interests and Mexico.
A report, it is to be noted, comes
from Washington that Mr.. Creel has
been engaged by President Oregon
as his propaganda agent in the
United States, as evidence the dis
patch of American warships to
Tampico, with the rather broad au-
thority, according to statement at
tributed to Secretary DENLY, to act
as the situation may demand. This
conceivably includes a landing of
marines, and this would carry the
possibility of another Vera Cruz cpl
sode. But, unless a definite crisis
arises, speculation along this line
seems unnecessary.
Whatever may be true Of Mr..
DENLY, there is nothing in the rec
ords or the temperaments Of either
President Harding or Secretary
Hughes to suggest that they have a
desire to repeat the Wilson Vera
Cruz fiasco. They are plcinly most
DESTROYS of settling the Mexican
problem and have been friendly to
the Oregon government. They are
also alive to the impolicy of recre-
ating bad impression throughout
Latin America or Of irritating Mex
leo by an unwise rocking of the dip
lomatic boat while negotiations are
in forward state. Moreover, if cir
cumstances should unhappily de-
mand intervention, Mexican condi-
tions, it may be assumed, will be
judged as a whole and the business
then seen through to a definite set
Element. The Wilson policy of pin
pricking did not arrive at a good re-
suit.
AS to one thing the American pub
lie; however, must obviously make up
its mind. This is as to whether or
not investments in oil properties are
entitled to protection the same as
other investments. If they are, then
such a decree as President Oregon
is reported to have issued, recurring
Oil companies to continue to pay
wages to their employees when there
is shutdown for reason that Mr..
Obregon is not pleased to regard as
valid, is obviously confiscatory. Much
has been written about Article
XVII Of the Mexican constitution
AS to whether it's confiscatory
powers would be exercised. The de-
cree may not be based on Article
XVII, but it certainly destroys
right Of property as understood by
all civilized nations. The decree, in
deed, seems an importation from
Bolshevik Russia.
The oil companies in Mexico have
doubtless done many technically ir-
regular things and have gained
bad name. But they are able to
plead the excuse that they have been
even more irregularly beset. First
one set of marauders and then an
other have preyed on them, each
claiming to be the government. For
a long period in Tampico, which
Carranza controlled, tribute was
paid to him, while in the hinterland.
where Pelaez roamed, he was the
collecting agent. Under the Oregon
regime there has been more regular
taxation, but reports come that an
other revolution is threatened, and it
may be that President Oregon feels
compelled, according to the practice
of Mexican politicians, to attack the
gringos.
During his incumbency Mr.. Obre-
gon, on the whole, has done we'll, and
American opinion has inclined IA
vorably toward his government; but
lie must choose as to whether there
IS to be amity or a return to old con-
ditions. He can hardly expect this
country to withhold legal protection
to American property in Mexico,
whether invested in oil wells or in
something else.
Longevity and Husbands