Evening star., 1925-06-15
KELLOGG TO AVOID
DEBATE ON INSULT
SEEN BY GALES
Formal Note Expected to
Cover Points in U. S.
Statement.
OFFICIALS SURPRISED
AT TERMS OF ANSWER
Mexican President Saw Threat"
in Announcement After
Sheffield Report.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press
Washington officials gave no indica.
ton today that a public reply would
be made to President Gales objection
TO the administration Mexican policy,
but it was indicated that specific ques-
tions underlying Secretary Kellogg's
position would be made the subject
of formal communication TO the
Mexican government
A series of communications and rep
reservations have been sent to Mexico
City from time to time recently on
various cases in which this Govern
ment is interested, none Of watch
has been made public, and it was -adi.
Gated that other matters cited hy ar
Kellogg in his statement FriiSSs on
the Mexican situation would 6A the
subject of a formal note.
After the return of Secretary kel-
logS to his desk today, it was apparent
that for the present at least he saw
no object in engaging in a long-range
DEBATE with the Mexican President
over situation about which officials
here are not in any doubt
Gales View Surprise.
high officials learned that President
Gales had chosen TO view as an in
suit Secretary kellogS's statement
OF last week, warning against fur
ther invasion of the rights of Amer
leans in Mexico, but as the Gales
statement was not a diplomatic paper
II is not in the class of pronounce
ments OF which the Government is
forced TO take official cogniza nee.
Of
Mexican president, if embodied In a
formal note. would, of course, consti-
tute q cause for prompt and decisive
reply.
Since the statement was addressed
only TO the public through the news
papers, however, the American Gov
ernment, under the practices of
diplomacy, can ignore it if it so de-
sires.
Mr.. Kellogg spent yesterday and
last night aboard the presidential
yacht Mayfiower with Mr. and Mrs.
Coolidge, and did not return to Wash
lngton until this morning The text
of President Gales sharp reply did
not reach him until he came TO his
desk at the State Department.
Administration officials take the po-
sition that in view of the visit to
Washington of Ambassador Sheffield
with the President and Mr.. kellogg,
the American public was entitled TO
knowledge of the true situation in
Mexico with which those conferences
had to do. This feeling is said TO
have prompted the issuance of Mr.
kellogg's statement OF last Friday
warning the Mexican government and
advising the American people that
Washington support of the present
MaYiHan < he
tinued only if that government lives
up to its obligations so far as Ameri-
cans in Mexico and their property is
concerned.
Situation Unchanged
The fact that President Gales ex-
pressed resentment in his answering
statement has not changed the situa-
ton, and the Washington Government
is concerned more with what Mexican
authorities do in the way of protect
ing Americans and indemnifying them
for property appropriated than it is
with what they have to say for publi-
cation.
President Gales answer. issued
through the Mexican embassy here
Yesterday, declared Mr.. Kellogg's pro-
nouncement embodied a threat"
against the sovereignty of Mexico. and
ment to rectify said statements as re-
quired by truth and justice"
Secretary Kellogg had declared the
administration would support the
Mexican regime only so long as II
protects American lives and American
rights and complies with its interna-
tional Engagements and obligations"
1t is believed here that the discus
sion, which has been conducted
through the press, will rest for a time,
at least, unless President Gales de-
sires to continue ii through diplomatic
channels. Secretary Kellogg is not
expected to add to his own statement
and it is believed he will not take of
fetal cognizance of the reply.
Statement Cautious.
Officials here who knew of the re-
ports which formed the basis of Mr..
KelloggIs statement were surprised at
President Gales Interpretation of 1t as
a threat and an insult The wording
of the Secretary's pronouncement, in
their opinion, was both cautious and
moderate.
Mexico, President Gales said in his
reply, does not accord to any foreign
country the right to intervene in her
domestic affairs, nor is she disposed TO
subordinate her internal relations TO
| the eXigenCieS of another country.
The President expressed regret that
Mr.. kellogg made mention of reports
of impending revolution in Mexico be-
cause it tends to cast some alarm in
| the world" regarding conditions there.
Mr.. kellogg'S statement was based
on much information placed before
him by his aides, some of it alleging
that property owned by Americans in
Mexico had been seized by so-calle6
agrarians without legal proceedings.
The labor situation in Mexico and that
government s suspension of service OK
her debt contracted with bankers OF
this and other countries also have
caused Washington officials some
lanxiety.
Application of the agrarian laws,
President Gales said, cannot be a,
subject of complaint because Mexico
has issued them in the exercise of her
sovereignty"
President Gales Reply.
President Gales reply to Secretary
Kellogg's statement follows:
Declarations of the State Depart
ment have been published by which
Mr.. Kellogg, answering some ques-
tions relating TO the visit of Ambas-
sador Sheffield to said department.
affirms that some properties of Amer
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