Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-04
One Asks Full Information as
to Negotiations - 9th er
Would Prohibit Sale of Arms
to Any Foreign Government
Offered by Rep. Fairchild
Following Conference with
Sec. Hughes

Washington, Jan. 3-Congressional
opposition to the sale of American
surplus army equipment to the Mex
lean government crystallized today in
the introduction in the house Of two
resolutions by Representative Fair
child, Republican, New York, intend
ed to block completion of the pro-
ject If possible. The first resolution
called upon the state department for
full information as to negotiations
for the sale to Mexico: the second
would prohibit government sales Of
arms to any foreign government.
Representative Fairchild acted af-
ter a conference with Secretary
Hughes earlier in the day. Neither
the secretary nor Mr.. Fairchild had
anything to say for publicatio IS to
their talk, but 1t is understood they
exchanged views as to the advisable
ity of the arms sales to Mexico as a
matter Of policy and expediency
without influencing their respective
positions.
During the day both Secretary
Hughes and Secretary Weeks confer
red with President Coolidge at diff
ferent time and later Ramon Ross,
who was one of the Mexican commits
sioners in the recent Mexico City
conversations which led to diplomatic
recognition of the Obregon govern
ment by the United States, called at
the White House accompanied by
Manuel Teller, Mexican charge. 1t
was learned authoritatively that the
visit of the two Mexican officials had
been arranged by Secretary Hughes
in order to permit Mr.. Ross to carry
out instructions from President OBJ
RECON andO pay respects to President
Coolidge in the name of the Mexican
chief executive. So fas az could be
learned the visit of the Mexican Off
Gals had no connection of any di-
rect nature with the arms sale.
In Authoritative quarters it was
asserted that so far as the policy
! making agencies OF the government
We're concerned nothing had arisen 90
hinder completion of the plan to sell
arms. rifles and other equipment to
the Obregon government. 1t was
said at the state department that the
details of the tranaction had been
turned over entirely to Secretary
Weeks.
Aside from. the question OF policy.
It is now known that certain ele-
ments of the arrangements with the
Mexican government are giving some
officials here cause for serious
, thought. This is true particularly in
regard to the arrangement of method
OF payment by the Mexican govern
ment for teh arms to be sold. In
that connection some questions seem
to have arisen as to whether a credit
transaction might not be construed
legally as loan to Mexico which the
President has no authority to make
lacking congressional authorization.
Frank expression was given mt the
state department to another disap-
prevail Of the sale from any American
source to the Mexican revolutionists.
While no embargo existed to prevent
expectation of arms from this coun-
try to Mexico, 1t was said that the
Washington government strongly dis
approved sales to the revolutionists
| and that such sales would be made
by Americans "at their own risk. :"
So far the state department has not
| been advised officially that arms have
been shipped from the United States
to the ports controlled by the Mexi-
| can reyolutiOniSts