Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-07
j. S. TO MAINTAIN
STAND ON MEXICO
Presidents Spokesman Says
Efforts to Force Intervention
Will Only Be Futile.
BY j. RUSSELL YOUNG,
staff Correspondent OF The Star.

PLYMOUTH NOTCH, VT, August
There is not the slightest possi-
bility of the administration swerving
Ifrom it's policy of non.interference in
the present contest between the Mexi.
can government and the Catholic
Church,
Although the President is being
kept advised of the developments in
this troublAd situation in Mexico, and
is otherwise keeping a watchful eye,
he has made it very plain that organ.
lied efforts on the part of Americans
or others to change his course will be
futile.
In order that there might be no oc-
casion for misunderstanding the
Presidents position in this grave
matter. the official spokesman stated
yesterday afternoon that President
Coolidge considers this affair a do
mestic question that involves only
Mexico and her citizens. What action
that government may take in refer
ence to it's own citizens is purely it's
own business and not the business of
the United States.
Citizens to Be Protected.
If, in the course of the present dis.
turbances below the Rio Grande
American nationals, lay or clerical,
and irrespective of religious affillation,
do not receive the protection accorded
Mexicans within the United States,
that Is a matter for the usual diplo-
matte action through the State De-
partment.
The Washington Government in
such cases will be no less vigorous
than it has been in the past in pre-
senting TO the Mexico City foreign Of
fee details of such incidents for what
ever action is deemed proper OF
course, if these incidents multiply, or
any single group seems to be selected
as objects for manifestations of dis
approval, it may become necessary
for the State Department to make
stronger representations than ordi-
narily would be done.
In word, the President and State
Department, which acts for him in
foreign affairs, only are interested in
protecting the lives and property of
Americans in Mexico and want to see
treaties existing between the two
countries carried out in good faith.
Interference Rights Restricted.
Irrespective of the sympathy, which
Americans may feel for Mexicans on
account of the struggle between
church and state, that is not a field
in which the United States can mani.
fest any views so long as the other
obligations outlined are adhered to.
The President himself has no direct
reports from the State Department.
relative to offenses alleged to have
been committed against Americans as
a result of the religious troubles, but
his spokesman is not undertaking to
say what the State Department may
or may not have received and his in.
formation from there is to the effect
that every proper action is being tax.
en- in every case that is brought to
the Secretary's attention.
: In making known the Presidents
views, his spokesman at the regular
Friday conference with correspond.
ents on the front porch of Mr.. Cool
idge's Plymouth home made no ref
erence whatever to the Philadelphia
reports that the knights of Columbus
had adopted resolutions, putting the
blame for this system in Mexico"
upon the American Government be-
cause Gales and ObreSon declared to
be supporters of the bolshevist con.
kNptioiI VI were SuS.
tained by executive authority.
Refers to Arms Embargo.
This executive authority, is taken
to refer chiefly to the embargo upon
the export of arms and munitions to
Mexico as a result of which the gov.
ernment in power is enabled to sun.
press tendencies toward revolutions.
Shortly before coming to Plymouth.
the spokesman for Mr.. Coolidge at
White. Pine Camp announced that
while the President and Secretary of
State had considered lifting the en-
barge, 1t would not be done for some
time to come. Munitions and allied in.
terests for sometime have been urg.
ing that the restrictions imposed upon
export of implements of war by proc
lamation of the President be lifted.
That American sympathizers with
Mexican Catholics. according to the
terms of the Knights of Columbus
resolutions now are making similar
demands upon the administration is
F@t-@@ i, indicate that there is con.
,.-,erabie element in this country
which believes the United States
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