Evening star., 1924-06-26
British-Mexican Friction
Arouses Widespread Interest

Mexicos treatment of Herbert c.
Cummins. British agent, because of
| his activities in behalf of British
| woman subject, and Premier Mac
Donald's vigorous action in ending
the limited relations existing between
the two governments, have aroused
| widespread interest in the United
States and have evoked a mixture
of editorial comment.
Mexico may be thoroughly within
its rights in its unusual treatment
Of Cummins," in the opinion of the
Grand Rapids Herald, but the affair
| is not making friends for Mexico,
| and. above all else. our southern
neighbor now needs full re-estab-
| lishment in international councils"
The present position is unpleasant
| enough" continues the Baltimore
| Sun: however should anything hap
| pen to Mrs. Evans by reason of her
! fight to defend her property. it will
be more So" The unfortunate fea-
| ture, the Scranton Republican finds.
''is that it will interrupt the resump-
| tion of diplomatic relations between
| the two governments, full arrange
ments for which had been made"
x X X x
The Ell Paso Herald regards it as
| "ill-eonsidered action" on the part of
Mexico. which lis the loser thereby"
| The important point, the Cleveland
Plain Dealer claims. lis whether or
not Cummins acted toward Mexico
with sufficient discourtesy to warrant
the vigorous and unusual action
| which is being taken by the Mexi-
| cans" If the Obregon governments
| charge is true, the Detroit Free Press
! asserts, "Cummins was tactless, but
his conduct is no excuse for the in
| sulting conduct of the Mexican
| toward the British government"
! Considering the complication un-
| pleasant for the United States. the
Brooklyn Eagle says: Interests of
our nationals in Mexico often, even
commonly. conflict with those of
| British nationals, where both are af-
| fected by Mexican government action.
Now. our ambassador represents both.
And the possibility of further and
more acute friction, with coercion by
force as an element in IT. cannot be
regarded as a fantasy" The St Louis
| Post-DiSpatch suggests further that
the incident has shaken the nigh
prestige of British diplomacy in Mex
leo, which throughout the revolu-
tionary period since the overthrow
of the Diax regime was the envy OF
Anne ricans residing there
AS the Indianapolis News sees 1t,
| "if Judgment were to be passed on
the basis of what has been revealed
| It would have to be that much was
being made of a relatively unimpor-
tant affair" However, the News adds
l"that has at no time been the view
Of either of the two powers concern
ed, leaving neutral observers under
an impression that there may be
something Of deeper significance at
| stake" and. whether or not the
American government will regard II
as wise to use its influence with both
| parties to bridge the chasm is
| question that naturally arises"
| 1.-The United States would certainly
| regret to see any breach or amlty
between Great Britain and Mexico,
according to the Boston Transcript
which argues that from the Ameri-
can point of view there seems to be
no adequate cause for anv breach. or
indeed, for so much controversy as
i has already taken place" and while
lit ID distinctly unpleasant, lit should
not be serious or in any sense men
| acinE" The Newark News feels thai
too little Is known OF the dispute tc
form any definite opinion about It
hut Premier NaaDonAld's reputation
j for reaSonableneoO and cancellation
Il y Uuch - 70 stavo Oh premature con.
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