Evening star., 1926-11-24
J.. s. TO MAINTAIN
STAND ON MEXICO
Recession Now impossible
Because of Publication
of Strong Notes.
By DAVID LAWRENCE.

Again the diplomacy Of the United
States has reached the critical point
OF threatening Mexico with a sever
ance Of diplomatic relations. 1t IL all
the more critical because the threat
has been made public, for usually
words of such strong tenor as Secre-
tary Kellogg used in his latest note
are first employed in the converse
ton between diplomatic representa-
tives. The fact that the United States
let's 1t be known exactly what course
she intends to pursue means that
there Ia no recession possible now
from that position.
The Department of State has had
the same vexing experience with Mex
leo that preceding administrations
have had 1t Ia due partly to the in
ability of the Latin mind. to under
stand Anglo-Saxon logic. circum-
stance that has to no small extent
kept the political pot in Europe boil
ing necessarily. The present crisis.
however, Is largely due to the growing
belief in Mexico that the United
States since the European war has
grown pacifstic and that the use OF
force to protect American rights
abroad is highly unlikely.
Mexico has. in a sense, sized up cor
rectly the American psychology he-
cause no military or naval demon
strations have been employed to
parallel American diplomacy sou>> of
the Rio Grande. There remains an
other powerful factor-the employ
ment of moral and economic force.
This. the Mexican administration does
not fully comprehend.
May Lead to Action by Others.
For severance Of diplomatic re-
lations between the United States and
Mexico would probably he accom-
panied by distinct effort on tho part
of America to persuade all other ma
tions, particularly European. to with
draw recogu uitiOn.
The rights for which the United
States is fighting are equally impor-
tant to the other nations.
President Gales has the hacking of
his own congress and probably will
derive equal popularity from de-
fiance of the United States. but ex-
perience has proved that a withdrawal
of recognition or rather failure 10
clothe recognition with moral sup
port merely encourages seditious
elements to undertake revolution.
There are a dozen different ways In
which the United States can employ
its power and influence without mill
tary or naval force. These steps
naturally follow in sequence and the
only important phase Of the situation
which the Mexicans may not appre-
ciate is that the United States. II
forced to do 40, will go ahead with
each one of the steps.
Promise Is at Stake.
Something broader and more sig
nif1cant than a mere defense Of prop
erty rights is involved in the dispute.
1t is whether a plighted word given
as a promise to American commits
sioners prior to the extension of
recognition is to be kept. The sacred
ness of international obligations Is
greater than the property involved.
Thus the United States after trying
for two years by persuasive notes and
dozens Of conversations between the
American Ambassador. James r. Shef-
field. and the Mexican government.
now finds that patience has reached
the breaking point and some other
language-the phrases OF fun mean
ing threats the alternative.
In the past such a climax has either
meant recession by Mexico In sub
stance if not in form or else II mas
meant another revolutionary dis
turbance, in which the United states
has withdrawn its moral support from
the constituted government. Mexico's
administration can chose either
course, but the definite end OF the
coaxing and cajoling has arrived ana
the old time bluntness and threat,
regrettable as it may he to many
neonle who have Mexico's interest at
heart, has had to be substituted.
Copyright. 1a26.)