Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1924-01-10
NEWS review OF
CURRENT EVENTS
Sale of U. S. War Material
to Government of Mexico
Loudly Protested.
By EDWARD w. PICARD

BY EDWARD w. PICkARD
G URPLUS war material is being sold
~ to the Mexican government, the
first shipments of arms and ammuni-
ton having already been received at
Mexico City. President Obregon sent
a special emissary to Washington to
ask this favor, and the granting of
it was approved by President Cool
idge on the recommendation of Sec
rotary of State Hughes, though the
amounts to- be sold will be far less
than Obregon requested.
Opposition to the transaction has
promptly appeared in both house and
the senate and is not confined to the
Democrats, though the opponents of
the administration perhaps are loudest
in their denuneiation. Representa-
tive Fairchild of New York, Republi-
can, jumpeA~to the front with a joint
resolution to write into the permanent
law of the country the prohibition OF
the sale of arms or ammunition to any
foreign government, which was the
policy of the late President Harding.
''The sale to the Obregon govern
ment is astounding" said Mr.. Fair
child. II am surprised it should ever
be thought of. There is no essential
difference between furnishing firearms
and furnishing men to fire the arms.
This act constitutes just as much
interference and amounts to just as
much slaughter
Senators Norris, King and others
were only a little less outspoken in
their opposition to the sale, and Sena-
tor Hiram johnson in his Cleveland
speech Thursday, opening his Ohio
campaign, did not neglect to include
the episode in his Indictment of the
administration. The Democrats have
evolved the theory it is a political
move, pointing out that the diplomatic
peace with Mexico is to be used in the
coming election as one Of the great
Coolidge accomplishments If a revolu-
ton upsets the government that has
just been recognized, that recognition
could hardly be counted as an admin
istration asset.
1t is understood Secretary Hughes
takes the stand that political difficult
ties in Mexico, Central America and
South America should be settled by
the ballot rather than by the bullet;
that this government should at no time
encourage revolutionary movements
that seek the overthrow of regularly
constituted governments, and should
not reject appeals for aid similar to
the one made by the Obregon govern
ment.
There has not yet been anything like
a decisive battle between the federal
and revolutionary forces in Mexico,
but both sides are exceedingly active.
The former, according to dispatches
from Mexico City. are now advancing
on Vera Cruz from the south, west
and north The rebels have defeated
the army of General Cardenas in Jalis-
co, that commander being wounded
and captured and General Navarro
being killed Cardenas was lured into
bloody and desperate. This was the
most serious reverse the Obregon
forces have sustained and opened for
the insurgents communication between
Guadalajara and the Pacific ports. The
rebels announced Thursday that they
were beginning an advance on Puebla
and Mexico City from Vera Cruz.
IT'S a poor week for news when there
L is not some trouble in the Balkans.
Last week came up to the mark with
the prospect of warfare between Jugo-
Slavia and Bulgaria. OF course they
are always at swords points, but now