Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-17
ATTACKS AGAINST
SHEFFIELD DECR|ED
Mexican Statements Make
Question of Enjoys Return
to Post Complicated.
by DAVID LAWRENCE.

The attacks in the Mexican press
on James r. Sheffield. American Am
bassador who IL accused of having
started northward in an attempt to
persuade President Coolidge to modify
his policy toward Mexico. are expect
ed further to complicate the question
of Mr.. Sheffield's return.
Inspired statements, Indicating that
If Mr.. Sheffield does bring about a
change in policy. he will be persona
non grata to Mexico are not relished
here. for American amba ssadOrs
+, are charged with the duty of guiding
the Department of State in shaping
policy. II government were to
punish an ambassador for making
recommendations to his own govern
ment there would be little value in
avinS diplomatic representatives in
foreign countries.
The trouble in this case, however,
is that Mr.. Sheffield has taken an
aggressive position and ha > made him
self more or less personally response
Bile for the kind Of policy that is
being pursued and thus far he has sue
ceeded in having the Washington
Government follow his views.
Mobilization Was Not Resented.
When Henry Lane Wilson was the
American Ambassador to Mexico he
came north to visit President Taft
and as a consequence 25 900 troops
were modified by the United States
Government close to the border. This
was not regarded as An unfriendly act
by the Diaz government. as it was
described as a preventive measure 40
that smuggling and revolutionary
movements from American territory
might be vigorously dealt with.
The incident illustrated. however.
how dependent are the officials in
Washington on thasrecommendattons
Of the American Ambassador in
Mexico City. He Is almost as power
full in the shaping of foreign policy
as II he were Secretary of State.
Mr.. Sheffield has been struggling to
get the Mexican government to live
up to its promise with respect to
claims andtthe operation Of its Con
stitution in the matter ofsoil leases
and agricultural lands held by
foreigners. He has not succeeded.
His departure from Mexico City
brought forth an outburst of crti.
cism in virtually all the newspapers
because Mr.. Sheffield is reported to
have threatened to urge a serious
change in policy toward Mexico.
Just what steps could be taken that
would be effective in view of the non
intervention policy of the administra-
ton is something which the Coolidge
administration. like it's predecessors,
will find it difficult to solve
Must Suppress Rebel Activities.
The breaking off Of diplomatic re-
lations usually is followed by a lifting
of the embargo on arms. This in turn
Is an invitation to revolutionary
forces to go ahead against the consti-
tuted government
A few days ago the American Gov
eminent squelched a rebel movement
which was headed toward Mexico
from American territory. SO long as
the American Government extends
recognition. 1t is the duty Of the
Washington authorities to suppress
any activities on this side Of the line.
Once recognition is withdrawn. it is
a free-for all And there are plenty of
rebel leaders who are ready to start
into Mexica on the slightest hint that
they can get the arms and ammuni-
ton they want by purchase on this
side of the border.
There are no indications that the
Mexican question has reached the
breaking point. though the whole
thing Is at the moment aggravated by
pressure from Catholic laymen to ex.
press a protest against mistrea tment
of Catholic priests
Reports to the effect that Mr.. Cool
idge will not intervene are taken here
to mean that actual interference in
the religious controversy is not con-
templated. but that way will be
found to bring the matter to the
attention of the Mexican authorities
as something that is profoundly
affecting American public opinion.