Arizona republican., 1922-05-09
CLQin1S.

CITY OF MEXICO, May S.-Roc-
ognition is the one thing that Mexico
talks about. Yet Mexico is not yet
ready to be recognized.
Nine out Of ten Americans here
talk recognition to the stranger. The
tenth man hints at it. When visi-
tor meets a Mexican the chances are
that the Mexican brings up the topic.
The editorial pages are full of it. Not
long ago there was tremendous
furry in the papers. 1t was sug-
gested that recognition was only a
few DAYS away. Events later proved
there was no foundation for the re-
port. 1t had been made on the prem
ises for political reasons.
There are two major reasons Why
recognition by the United States oc-
cupies so large a place in the Mex
lean public mind.
The first is that it has been made
a plaything OF Mexican politicians.
The Mexican politician Is about the
same sort that politicians everywhere
else are. He makes capital out OF
whatever comes his way To say
that another politician is pro- Gringo
is in Mexico about what il was a
little while ago in the United States
to say that another politician was
pro- German. The facts in the case
are not examined. The man stands
condemned.
Prosperity Awaits Recognition
The second reason is that Mexico
has been taught by her politicians
and newspapers to believe that
flood of prosperity will follow recog-
milton. It is perfectly understood
that Great Britain and France will
recognize Mexico as soon as the
United States does. Then it is as
sumed that enormous sums of money
can be borrowed to set Mexico's more
or less moribund industries on their
feet. Her railroads need rails and
rolling stock. The foreign bankers
are believed to be anxious to supply
the money with which to meet these
needs.
"Then why not accept the terms
upon which Washington has lndi-
Gated that recognition viii be
granted?" one asks.
They are insulting" your Mexican
friends say. These terms are a slap
in the face of a sovereign nation"
AS a matter of fact, Washington
has merely demanded that Mexico
pledge herself to the same observa-
ton of the rights Of property and
the protection Of life that civilized
nations grant everywhere. This fact
has been misrepresented by many OF
the Mexican politicians, precisely as
Senator Whoosis may misrepresent
the action of the opposite political
party in our own United States. But
the underlying reason for this ms
representation--in the opinion OF
many of the Americans here-ls the
Mexican conviction that under Car
frlr +
ter of the United States.
Mexico had the best Of every ex-
change of notes under the Wilson
administration" your Mexican friends
will tell you.
1t is not important whether or not
this belief is well based. 1t is impor-
tant that all Mexico believes 1t. Luis
Cabrera, who wrote CarranZa's notes.
was a skilled controyersialist. His
replies to Mr.. Wilson's notes were
adroit twangings of Mexican sus-
capabilities Not one American in a.
thousand remembers anything about
these notes. Almost every well
educated and intelligent Mexican re-
members the exchanges well enough
to talk upon them well.
Mexicans Assume Victories
To the Mexican mind this assumed
average man and editor believes that
the case of the Gringo was not only
weak but poorly set forth. Add to
this the conviction Of the average
Mexican that the American military
efforts during the Wilson admins
tration resulted in Mexican victories
and you have the reason for the cocki-
ness with which he regards the
United States today. He believes,
for he has been told, that the reason
why General Pershings expeditions
dried up after advancing a few miles
across the Mexican border was that
the American military chiefs dared
not go farther He firmly believes
that the unfortunate Vera Cruz al
fair resulted in the same sort OF
Mexican victory.
Obregon knows better. of course.
So do the chiefs of his adminlstra-
ton. But the man in the street does
not, and some cabinet members do
not hesitate to play anti-Gringo poll
tics. The average Mexican believes
that as his country's chiefs out
generated the United States both in
diplomacy and in the field the per-
formance can be repeated. He sees
no reason why any concession should
he m dc m q country like the United