Evening star., 1923-08-31

In Line with Policy.
Recognition of the government OF
President Obregon Is regarded here as IN
line with the American policy, stated
through successive administrators, OF
giving diSintereSted help to frlenoly
country so long as the rights OF Ameri-
cans are properly safeguarded. The an
nounced aim of the Washington govern
ment has been directed consistently TO
such a course, although often with diff
Guilty, because of outrages upon the per-
sons and properties Of American ma
tionals in Mexico, and Of discouraging
international complications incident to
condition of revolution and civil war
running over more than a decade.
The questions arising under this policy
have been among the most delicate with
which the United States has had to deai,
and have involved military patrols along
the border, naval and military eXpedt-
tions in Mexico. embargoes upon the ex-
portation of munitions, and succession
of international conferences touching In
directly on the broad question of rela-
tions with Latin America in general.
Recently the principal question at is
sue has had to do with the interpreta-
ton of article q in the Mexican consti-
tuoion of 1917, now satisfactorily ADJUST
ed through definite understanding of
its retroactive features reached in the
recent Mexico City conversations.
Treaty Plan Rejected.
This question was regarded as of
primary importance by the administra-
tion of President Wilson, and later the
Harding administration suggested to
Mexico City a treaty of amity and COM
merce as a means to a definite under
standing. The treaty plan, however,
proved unsatisfactory to President Obre'
gon, and in time the adjustment was
reached through conversations, the
American government making clear that
it was interested in the substance rathef
than the form of accommodation.
The story of the present cycle i OF
beginning in the outbreak, in 1910. OF
the military revolution led by Francisco
]. Madero against the long-established
regime Of President Porflrio DiaZ.
policy of non-interference was adopted
by President Taft, who soon mobiliZed
units of the Regular Army on the border
to guarantee neutrality and protect
American interests Thereafter, extra
troops were stationed there in greater
or less force until 1919. by which time
the general situation had eased con
siderably.
Huertn Takes Power.
Because of sporadic revolutionar
movements which arose almost immedi-
ately upon Madero's entrance into Mex.
leo City and election to the presidency.
definition of American policy in the
matter of recognition did not develop
until the early part of President Will
sons first term. BY this time Madero
had resigned, been imprisoned and
assassinated. and his chief military
officer, Gen. Huerta, who had gone over
to the revolutionists, had assumed the
presidency.
President Wilson demanded as a
condition of recognition a real cleo
tion under due constitutional au-
thority, with the elimination of
Huerta as a candidate. This was re-
fused, and President Wilson announc-
ed his historic policy of 'watchful
waiting" Disagreement with this
policy resulted in the recall of Henry
Lane Wilson, who had been appoint
ed ambassador to Mexico by Presi-..
dent Taft, and President Wilson re-
sorted to the use of personal agents
in seeking a solution of the diff
culties, but these missions resulted
in few tangible developments.
1t was during the Huerta regime
that American marines in 1914 were
seized at Tampica by a Mexican Army
officer, and although released with an
apology, a salute to the flag was de-
manded by Rear Admiral Mayo. 1t
was refused, and President Wilson
ordered the American naval forces to
seize Vera Cruz in order to prevent
the landing of a cargo OF arms by
the German steamer Ypiranga. The
order had been carried out and war
seemed imminent when the services
of Argentina, Brill and Chile were
accepted as mediators. A conference
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