The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-30
MEXICO


downright reticence the part of our State De-
partment and Secretary Kellogg, nevertheless
serious crisis in the relationship of this country
with Mexico is due to come to head on New Years
day or Immediately after.
1t is a crisis that if Kellogg could be taken Sc
riously, might mean war along our Southern border
before the end of January
On New Years day Mexican land laws re-
voking fee simple titles of American oil companies
the Mexican seaboard will go into effect THESE
laws were provided for in the 1917 Mexican consti
tuition.
In place Of fee simple titles, Mexico offers fifty
year leases to the oil companies The exchange has
been accepted by foreign companies, and some
American
Nevertheless the last heard from Kellogg was
that still considered the Mexican proceedings con-
fscatory. The note in the form of an ultima
tum, and was followed up by charges by State De-
partment official that the whole Mexican government
was Bolshevk anyway.
And there the matter rests-at least until Satur-
day. Mexico has kept mum, and presumably will
put her land laws into effect schedule. When
that happens, what does Kellogg intend to do?
Washington opinion is that it is not war, but
what is called severance of diplomatic relations"
and lifting the present embargo on shipment OF
arms across the border, that is threatened.
Washington officials talking about severance Of
diplomatic relations" with Mexico are discussing
futile, silly and even dangerous program
In the first place, the political balance in Mex
leo is such, and the itch among certain special in
this side of the border for interference
and intrigue is SUCH that that kind of action might
easily a Mexican revolution,
other ten-year reign of terror like that which fol-
lowed the downfall Of Diaz.
The present Gales Oregon regime in Mexico
American
individuals are sometimes censored or intmidated
The ballot is not the purest thing in the world and
there to be some corruption of officials How
ever. taxes are collected the budget is balanced
highways and telegraph lines are being built and
schools established. Over an dabove ALL there is
peace. These are admittedly the great needs Of
Mexico if she is ever to become an economically and
socially successful country and they are being met
now better than ever before.
This is the Mexican apple cart of progress
which may be kicked over by hasty United States
action This because simply of the hypothetical
difference in value to a few American oil com
panies between fee simple titles and 5O-year leases
No operated oil field last fifty years. All oil men
know that lease holders who operate their leases
are as well protected far oil is concerned,
under the ffty-year lease under ownership in fee
simple. 1t may be different with spectators who
get leases to hold and sell. Incidentally it would be
we'll to remember that nobody is going to produce
much oil in Mexico during the next ten years If
breaks out there
Mexico cannot go forever today, pauper
nation at our back door, squatting on large por-
ton of the best land and richest mineral and power
resources of this continent. The Mexican people
themselves cannot afford to sit still and starve on
the edge Of that gold mine. From hod carriers to
corporation presidents, Americans have legitimate
right to insist that within a reasonable length of
time Mexico shall become country where trade
expand and natural resources be developed
There just two possible ways to achieve
this result.
One would be for the United States to step
into Mexico right away with big enough army
and take over the government and police the coun-
try for the next twenty years-long enough to see
to it ourselves that the taught to read and
write and vote intellgently, railroads and high
ways built and industries actually established on
the American plan.
The other way Is for us to consistently sit
tight and give the Mexicans fair chance to do
this big job for themselves and In their own way
This course dictates that we be firm in our resou-
ton to keep hands off all Mexican affairs not Of
absolutely vital Importance to our national life
There can be no half way policy of meddlng snoop-
Ing after alleged boshevik plots outside our uris-
d1ction, or manufacturing of "crises" out of far
those of the present complaining oil companies
American officials who talk today about severing
relations with Mexico the oil business are not
talking about going to war, and they certainly are
not embracing any hands off policy They do not
propose to take the Job of running Mexico
out the1 do propose to make 1t hard as possible
for the Mexican government to attend to its own
business.
This Is ridiculous.
What sane American Mexican policy requires
IL someone In authority to make definite decision
about that which Government can stick to
What chiefly embarrasses our relationship with
Mexico today is State Department that teeters first
on one foot and then on the other like young girl
picking daisy, "He loves me; he loves me MT"
AMERICAN NEWS CENSORSHTP9
From several directions at once the charge is
being made that the United States has put the lid