Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-25
CONTINUED from First Page)


ing stronger that breach with Mex
| leo was imminent. The resolution,
Senator Robinson pointed out. recOg-
niZeS the obligation to protect the
| lives and property of Americans in
Mexico.
Senator Norris, Republican. of Ne
hraska, as Senator Robinson began
his address. offered an amendment pro-
viding that such protection should
| not go to the extent of using the
armed forces without the consent of
Congress.
Senator Robinson said, with refer
ence to the threatened break with
Mexico:
1.-THE subject matters of the contro-
verSieS were of long standing and
apparently diplomatic efforts were
about exhausted. Recent speeches in
| the Mexican Congress and in both
houses of the Congress of the United
States disclosed intense interest and
anxiety Statements by the Secretary
of State were resented by the Presi-
dent of Mexico as implied threats OF
war. From every part of the United
States Senators and members of the
House of Representatives received APP
pealS for the exercise of patience and
for reference of the disputes to arbi-
tratiOn.
sees Diplomats discouraged.
among the purposes which prompt
ed the Introduction of this resolution
may be embraced an expression OF
opinion ny the Senate OF the United
States that Intervention of war should
not he resorted to, but that question
involving property or property rights
should be determined in accordance
with many precedents by some arbl-
trail tribunal.
THE diplomatic agencies of the
Government appeared discouraged ana
confronted with failure. The resoiu-
ton was intended to revive and Stlmu-
late these agencies to earnest enoftS
to effect adjustments in accordance
with the well.nigh universal sentiment
of the American people and of the
Senate of the United States. The pend
ing disagreement with Mexico affords
an impressive opportunity Tor the
United States to demonstrate its good
faith in the declaration, frequently
repeated during the last 20 years, that
our Government accepts and regards
arbitration as an appropriate means
for settling disputes between nations.
1t is in just such cases as have arisen
between this Government and Mex
ico-cases which involve property
rights-that the principle of arbitra-
ton may be invoked without sacrifice
or injustice to our nationals.
1.-THE policy implied in the resolution.
if acted upon by the President and
accepted by the Mexican government,
will relax the tension between the two
countries, which has become so great ,
as TO threaten the continuance of
peaceful relations. There seems to be
IA long-esta blished custom of shroud-
ing diplomatic negotiations in secrecy
and mystery. This i'm itself is calcu
lated to arouse suspicious and to forti-
fy anding.
Would Welcome Arbitration.
Nothing could be more helpful than
the frank and emphatic proposal from
our President that the two govern
ments arrange. or attempt to do SO, for
the arbitration of the disputes which,
if left unsettled. by peaceful means,
win lead to the quickening attitude of
hostility on the part of Mexico and
the United States toward each other,
from which the gravest consequences
to both nations may result.
THE resolution recognizes the obi
cation to protect the lives and prop
erty of our nationals in Mexico, de-
clares arbitration of property disputes
consistent with that duty, advises sub
mission of the controversies to an ar
All Will lIIC
principles of international law and |
suggests arrangements for the protec-
ton of American property rights pend
ing decisions. 1t is also suggested in
the resolution that special considera-
ton be given to provision for the pay
ment or execution of the awards when
made.
THE language is not intended to
suggest a restriction of the processes
, - fs1l cafflnFaanf which no
found acceptable. The fundamental
purpose is to indicate that force should
not be resorted to, at least until every
practicable, reasonable effort to ar
bitrate has failed.
ArbitraI Body Ready.
There exists already an arbitral
tribunal, the Mixed or General Claims
Commission, created by the conven.
ton between the United States and
Mexico September %, 1928, which the
two governments may resort to, If
they agree upon such course. The
Mixed Claims Commission Is COM
posed of three ecinent persons, one
representing the United States, the
second representing Mexico and the
third of neutral nationality. This
commission applies the principles of
international law. justice and equity.
Its present jurisdiction is to adj
Just claims for losses or damages to
person or property, including claims
originating from acts by the respec-
tive governments or by their officials.
If this General Claims Commission,
which is clearly an arbltral body,
should be employed. 1t would only be
necessary to effect certain additional
arrangements, as, for instance, the
extension of the life Of the commits.
sion. the clear definition Of the terms
under which the issues are to be pre-
scented and the method by which the
status quo shall be maintained and
the awards performed.
ct is not here asserted that sDe.
cial arbitral tribunal, To be created,
may not be regarded more appropri-
ate than this Claims Commission
already in existence. The commission
already has the power as 10 claims
within it's Jurisdiction to require the
payment of damages or the reStora-
ton of property and it's members are
familiar with the background Of the
questions to be arbitrated.
Two Alternatives Seen.
only two alternatives to arbitra-
ton seem probable: % Diplomatic
| breach and removal Of the embargo
on arms, and 90 armed Intervention to
| police areas in Mexico, which means
war
"Unquestionably the withdrawal of
recognition from the Mexican govern
ment by the United States and re-
moval of the embargo on munitions
If REAL-RADICAl
at