Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-15
Morrow Winning Mexico

amount of the bonds was TO be the tax
value of the land taken. plus 10 per
cent. This was an absurdly low figure,
even II the bonds had had correspond
ing value. AS the bonds were worthless,
the issue of confiscation was again
raised in those cases where the lands
were taken from American proprietors.
1t Is typical of Morrow that he has
not looked upon this question merely
as a legal issue between the United
States and Mexico He has seen 1t in
the larger aspect of Mexico's own well
fare Mexico can never Mechanically
sound until she changes the method OF
handling land appropriations. At pres
ent the whole procedure is in the hands
of the national agrarian commission,
body quite independent OF the treasury
department. To date approximate!
5000 900. 900 Of Indebtedness has beer
incurred for lands appropriated. No
body knows how much more is to come
Whether the job is 20 per cent Finished
or 90 per cent finished, neither the com
mission or the treasury department
seems to have the slightest idea.
Morrow's financial instinct rebels a
unbalanced budgets. What has beer
done has been done and must be taSer
care of in the future as best 1T may.
be brought under the general financial
control of the treasury department and
all future appropriations paid for In
cash, a new day would dawn in Mexi-
can economy. Not only would the I'M
determining Of the budget cease, but
the landowners, now unwilling to do
any development work or even to plant
a crop because of the probability Of their
lands being taken from them before
they can reap any benefit, could go
ahead with their agricultural operations.
Mexico would proceed once more to
produce its own food supply instead OF
draining her depleted Golfers to pay Tor
imported foodstuffs.
First Milestone Passed.
II such a reform can be brought
about 1t will mean not only that the
ground will be cleared for the settle
ment of the land appropriation issue
with the United States, but the estab-
lishment of a budget under which Mex
leo can pay her current obligations. AS
long as the country is falling behind
financially and mourning new debts. 1t
Is worse than useless TO press for the
payment Of her old ones. Except for
the matter OF agricultural bonds, this
first milestone on the road to financial
rehabilitation has now been passed.
Mexico Is now paying her current ex-
penses and has an estimated surplus
of $50. 600. 900 to divide between pro-
ductive development and payments or
account of her Indebtedness.
Thus the tasks which faced Nor
row on his arrival in Mexico seem
to be In q way of solution. There Is
long and arduous work ahead. and there
may be many setbacks particularly II
there Is any political upheaval. There
remained the great task-the reconcilia-
ton of church and state.
How far Ambassador Morrow will
be instrumental in bringing about
such a reconciliation few men beside
himself could say. As ambassador
ne would take no oficial action on
what Is purely domestic matter.
As his interest in the issue was well
known, however. it is hardly probable
that President Gales and his support
ers have failed to avail themselves of
his counsel He could talk to them
without prejudice. for, while he Is not
a religious devotee himself, he numbers
many prominent churchmen among his
intimatss. It may be years before the
whole story of the part he has played
in the matter is known. When 1t Is. 1t
Is highly probable that we shall learn
Of a most remarkable piece Of con-
structive craftsmanship.