Evening star., 1922-03-30
Mexican Recognition.

The only hitch anywhere in the
resumption of diplomatic relations
with Mexico lis one of the proceed
ings." This statement is contained
in a letter from President Harding
eral of the Pan-American Union. The
point at issue is whether the negotia-
tion of a treaty guaranteeing foreign
rights in Mexico shall precede or fol-
low formal recognition. Mexico
wants recognition first. the United
States wants the guarantee first. But
In the opinion of virtually every
ments editorially on the situation, 1t
is an Alphonse and Castor pose
which Uncle Sam safely can break
without any sacrifice Of dignity or
prestige. And the press Is pretty
well agreed that the deadlock must
be broken in the interest of both
countries. :
This difference of opinion "as to
formula" ;" which the Richmond Times
Dispatch (democratic) thinks, rs
about all there is to it," the Dallas
Times-Herald Independent demo-
cratic) is sure will not sttiks ssor1s rhe
make little difference. the New Or
leans Item independently contends,
whether Obregon is recognized first,
and q treaty with the United states
is signed afterward, or the facts are
reversed in their order; certatnIy
.'the United States is great enough
and Obregon has done enough to
warrant a measure of helpfulness on
the part of the former to the latter,
and sit would seem a not unduiy
generous thing, polite and frien9iy,
to waive questions of procedure. The
Rocky Mountain News (Denver, in,
dependent) agrees that "the United
states government can afford to be
generous" for after all the question
ais something not to bubble over,
and tends, in the opinion Of border
state paper, the Galveston (Texas)
News independent democratlc). 70
friyolity," This paper. however, sees
encouragement Gin the exchange OF
many letters between President Hard
inr and President Oregon, for 1t
;niicates that President Harding has
found "a way out OF the oliemna =.
created for him by professional d.
Friendly relations between the two
countries are undoubtedly desirable.
hut "not of such supreme Importance,
the Memphis Commercial Appeal
ldemocratic) holds, as to JUSTIFY us
In changing our policy except upon
n basis whose permanence is guar
srteed beyond the life of the present
ana succeeding regimes in the land
hevond the Rio Grande," for even so
Sar ss the present administration Is
Concerned, president Obregon has
Exhibited a very meticulous regard
for Mexican honor considering the
tHor,ties have paid this virtue during
thS nast decade or more" But that
position amounts to penaiizing the
Mexican government "for the sins
AID shortcomings of its transitory
rulers and governmental pollcies OF
the past" the atlanta SohstNusa1n 1l
(democvatic) replies. and 1t feels.
with the Christian Science Monitor
iBoston, independently, that 1T is not
st All dificult to understand Mr..
Obregon's position. He has, no doubt,
felt that ne should not be neld ac.
countable for the defaults OF any OF
his predecessors in ONCE" and that
their promises to the United States
is no reason why Mexico should be
called upon to depart from diplomatic
customs and precedents by fncorpora-
ton in a treaty of amity ana com.
merce a promise that the estapllSned
Amerfcans are inclined to view the
recognition issue ''as somewhat
academic,T but the Buffalo Times
(democratic) assures us that IRON
any large civic angle of vision It Is
anyt Rms hut that, and to the Mexican
It Is CRUCIAL while "anti-Amerfcan
feeling Is still strong In Mexico" the
New York tribune {republican) finds
the attitude undergoing such a
change that s'ail influential section
Of the Mexican people" mas recently
declared thar ''recosnition by the
Upited states 10 essential and has