Evening star., 1924-01-11
Press Divides ON Selling
OF Munitions to Mexicans

A nationwide controversy has fol-
tions to the Obregon government in
Mexico, while the State Department
has assumed an attitude of opposi-
tion TO allowing private interests to
dispose OF war material to represen-
tatives of the de la Huerta rebels
Distinct schools OF thought concern
ing the ethics of the govern
ment's position have been developed.
Whether the precedent will return to
trouble the country disturbs some
editors. Others sharply condemn the
entire transaction, while still others
insist the President has taken the
! only possible course, inasmuch as
Obregon really represents constitu-
tional government south of the Rio
Grande.
There is need to exercise discre-
ton in such matters" the Boston
Transcript holds, -and that discretion
must be exercised by ourselves and
not at the dictation OF any one else
Too often there have been suspicious
and indeed charges, founded or un-
founded. that insurrections in Mexico
were fomented on this side of the
| border. 1t will be a wholesome con-
trast to have our government extend
vital aid to the best government
Mexico has had for many years
against an insurrection that seems to
be about the most causeless one that
has ever vexed that much suffering
country"
There is also, the Chicago Daily
News points out, nothing unusual in
the decision of the United States
government to grant the application
Of the Obregon government. Impair
tia1 observers are of the opinion that
the Mexican president and his asso-
resent the sentiments of the great
majority of the people. The sooner
the insurrection is ended and all
groups acquiesce in the rational and
legal method of settling Legislative
ard administrative issues the better
for Mexico and Latin America gen
orally"
To, all of which the Newark News
replies that "camoufiage 1t as Secre-
tary Hughes may, it is Intervention
for one government to sell arms TO
another when engaged in hostilities.
Not only does this constitute a moral
If not actual alliance between the
United States and Mexico against de
la Huerta, but It gives every Latin
American government, when confront
cd with an internal aggression, the
right to expect that the United States.
I IL called upon, will come to It's rescue.
The administration has cut loose from
our traditions and practices 1t has
extended the Monroe. doctrine and
article x to cover internal as well as
external aggressiops. Does 1t know
where all this is going to lead?'
Likewise the Brooklyn Eagle feels
1T is in itself q dangerous thing to
do and the precedent thus established
is bound to have far-reaching conse-
quences," because. as the Buffalo
News sees 1t, there is no telling what
we are letting ourselves in for
gon; it Is a commitment that has
high potential for trouble" The WIN
nipeg Tribune suggests 'it would be
pity for the United States to depart
now from the policy laid down by
President Harding" as 1T may mean
lumbus Dispatch, however claims the.
very end at which Harding was aim
ing will, in this case, be promoted by
granting the request of the Mexican
government, not by refusing..t.
What is more, the Birmin CHAM News
believes, Americans, who love fair
play and who realize that constant
turmoil in Mexico is bad for pusfn ess,
will be glad to hear.that the War. De-
partment has arranged 20 sell arms 70
the government Of Mexico, anyway
to hold aloof now, when, an apparent
maintain stability. the Cincinnati.
Times-Star insists. would be to In
yite anarchy in Mexico" After all,
!, the generaT opinion rs somewhat like
that of the Houston Chronicle, when
1t says "if we are going to make our