Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-01
FOREIGN OUTLOOK
CL0UDED FOR u. S.
All Problems Believed Likely
to Yield to Solution by
Diplomacy.
By Consolidated Press.

BY Consolidated Press.
Although domestic tranquility is in
sured, the external relations of the
United States open the new year
under a cloud of doubt and uncer-
tainty.
France is irritated over war debts.
Russia is impatient and critical be-
cause the United States has withheld
recognition of the Soviet regime.
Mexico continues to defy the Depart
ment of States warning about confis-
cation of American oil properties and
Latin America looks askance at the
policy of the United States in Mica
ragua.
Above these specific troubles the
voice of President Coolidge is raised
to Europe and the Far East in plea
for the use of moral force to prevent
another era of armament competition
and revival of militarism.
A troublous situation, on the whole,
but in not one instance is there like
lihood of war. Tangles like these
give a Secretary of State sleepless
nights, but they usually are straight
ened out.
L. s. Terms to Russia.
AS for Russia, while the cables
from Moscow today state that tan
gible" advances were made last Sum.
mer by America with respect to a
discussion of terms of recognition,
there Is no doubt that the United
States would be- glad at any time to
renew the parleys of the Harding.
Hughes administration If there were
the slightest indication that the
Sovists intend to modify their ex.
ternal policy.
A definite and specific undertaking
to refrain from Soviet propaganda in
the United States is a prerequisite
of all negotiations as well as a recog
milton of the sanctity of old contracts
as we'll as new. Nothing has come
from Moscow to inspire the hope that
Russia will change her theories to fit
the United States, and there still is
not the slightest objections from a
legal standpoint to the practice of
new theories within the borders of
Russia SO long as they do not consti-
ner in which nations elsewhere con.
duct their political and economic
affairs.
Relations with France will show an
early improvement. While ratifica.
ton of the pending debt agreement
has in it elements of political danger
inside France, time is a great healer
of wounds. The gradual sterilization
of the franc is regarded on this side
of the Atlantic as a hopeful sign.
Some time during 1927 France may of
her own volition increase her annu'
tiles on the commercial debt from
%rx,n 10 IT'D 4
have a healthy effect on the situation
even If action on the debt agreement
is postponed, as it surely will be in
the American Congress until the
French Parliament has acted.
Mexico Still Problem.
Mexico continues a thorn in the
side of American diplomacy. and
while there are only vague rumors
and no tangible proof that Mexican
intrigue had something to do with
the stirring up of trouble in Nicara-
qua as means of diverting the at
tention of the United States from the
oil problem, the effect has been to
arouse anew in Latin America sus.
picion of the motives of the United
States south of the Rio Grande.
There is a continuous discussion in
alleged aspirations of the United
States to dominate by physical force
If necessary everything between here
and the Panama Canal.
This makes the handling of both
the Nicaraguan and Mexican prob
lens very difficult. The landing of
marines In Nicaragua was a last
resort In the hope not only of pro-
tecting American lives and property
but of shortening the revolution by
the exercise of good offices and
friendly advice. What the Coolidge
administration has done in this in
stance is in line with precedents in
Central America and the Caribbean
under the Wilson administration.
Liberal sentiment objected then as
1t does now to the use of marines,
but just as Senator Borah, chairman
Of the foreign relations committee,
was satisfied of the intentions Of the
State and Navy Departments after
examining the confidential messages
from Admiral Latimer in Nicaraguan
matters, SO is 1t suggested that Amer
lean public opinion will be satisfied
when all the facts are ultimately made
public.
The Oil problem with Mexico is in.
tricate and legalistic. There are still
withdrawal Of recognition, with its
consequent disturbance Of internal af.
fairs in Mexico, will not be necessary,
and that a compromise will vet be
reached, but a severance Of diplomatic
relations rather than any use Of force
Is in prospect-and the Mexican sit
uation has a habit of curing itself,
too, il given time. d. L.
Copyright. 1920