Evening star., 1925-06-13
MEXICAN WARNING
HAS TWO OBJECTS
Government Must Realize
Obligations and Rebels
Know U. S. Attitude.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

After nearly two years of relatively
satisfactory relations between the gov
ernments of the United States and
Mexico, friction has developed over
the fulfllment of the treaties with re-
spect to claims due American citizens.
The warning issued by Secretary Of
State Kellogg has a two-fold object:
First. to notify the administration of
President Gales tbSt the American
Government expect sNMexico to fulfill
her obligations If she wishes to re-
tain the moral support of the United
States, and, second, to advise revolu-
tionary elements that they need not
derive any encouragement from the
American Government difficulties
with the existing administration in
Mexico City.
Warns After Long Study.
1t was only after long deliberation
that the Department of State, with
the approval of President Coolidge,
went so far as to issue a public warn
ing to Mexico. This step was taken
only because the efforts of Ambas-
sador Sheffield in personal conferences
with the Mexican authorities had fail
ed to arouse the Gales administra-
ton to the seriousness of the stu
alton as viewed by the United States.
Recognition of the Obregon govern
ment was extended originally with the
expectation on the part of the United
States that claims would be adjusted
and full protection given to the lives
and property of American citizens. 1t
was insisted at the time that an ex-
change of notes and the receipt Of
pledges from the Obregon administra-
ton would not necessarily bind a sue
ceeding administration, especially as
1t was apparent that Obregon's term
OF office was soon to expire. So trea-
ties were ratified which were deemed
TO be binding upon the Mexican people
irrespective of the personnel of her
changing administrations.
Finds Task Difficult.
Now, however, the Gales administra.
ton, while anxious to carry out the
treaties, finds internal obstacles which
make the task difficult
1t is not infrequently the case with
an administration brought into power
by radical groups, which, in this
instance, has become divided, and are
thus embarrassing President Gales,
who Is seeking to pursue a policy
that will not turn the country over
TO the communists on the one hand
or ALLEVIATE on the other hand some
of the various groups which are so
essential to his continuance In power.
Not long ago, the Soviet authorities
boasted that they had in Mexico a
base of operations on the North Amer.
lean continent. The Gales admins
tration has since stated publicly that
II would not permit Mexico to be used
for the distribution of communistic
propaganda aimed at the United
States or other countries with which
Mexico is at peace. Nevertheless
though this statement satisfied for
eign governments to some extent it
Is realized that with a confused in
ternal situation the Mexican admins
tration is not as capable of enforcing
its desires as would be the case in a
country whose administrative ma
Chinery was functioning smoothly.
Result i'm Doubt
The public statement issued by Sec.
retary Kellogg after conferences with
the American Ambassador. Mr.. Shef.
field, may or may not help the situa-
tion inside Mexico. for it is realized
here that even a declaration couched
in friendly language is susceptible of
being construed in Mexico as more or
less hostile. This is a risk which the
Department of State, however, felt
compelled to take in view of the re.
ports of Mr.. Sheffield that his private
communications, both written and
oral, were not making the Mexican
authorities sufficiently sensitive to
their international obligations.
Copyright, 1929