The Washington times., 1938-08-22

Speaking at Kingston, On
Extension OF the taro, the President said that
nx DI: in case any foreign power
"A"'" "0 should try any funny business
with Canada the United States would not stand idly
by The plain import of that language is that the
United States potentially the greatest military and
naval power in the world, would fight to keep Canada
safe for the Canadians.
That is only sensible because if Canada should be
taken over by some foreign power the United States
would be less safe than is for the people of the
United States. This Good Neghbor policy with teeth
in it, toward Canada is good business for u.s. quite aside
from the fact that the Canadians for generations have
been good neghbors good customers and good friends
of ours.
It is too bad that things are not serene on our
southern exposure as on our northern When we turn
to have look at
OUR NEIGHBOR TO THE SOUTH
the view is anything but pleasant.
President Lazaro Cardenas of Mexico, tutored' we
suspect by Leon (Stormy PetreD Trotsky goes on
being the problem child statesmen of the West
ern Hemisphere.
LnrCenOUS When Cardenas last March
grabbed off all the American, Brit
O"TUet"" ish and Dutch oil properties in Mex
ico he LIGHTED fuse which is still sputterlng toward
some kind of powder magazine. What kind, events
show unless our State Department is able to plnch
out the fuse by timely and decisive action.
Aswe get it. the situation in Mexico at present shapes
UP about as follows:
Mexican oil production normally about 10000 barrels
day, has been cut to about $4,000, or
Mexico HItS so per cent Mexican oil is being abori-
w ously exported to Germany, Italy and
me OKIUo Japan. There never any United
States market to speak of for Mexican OIL little Texas
outfit has contracted to buy oil from Cardenas-
about 100000 barrels $25OOOO worth, according to
rumor Some Mexican oil is being transshipped through
Louisiana to foreign countries
Otherwise no Mexican oil is coming into this country
Communstic Cardenas is doing his oil business thus Tar
with Fascist Germany and Italy and imperiaist Japan
while United States radicals cheer
AS for the people Of Mexico, they are tWlrlng down
the vicious spiral of depression which came to know
so much about in 1898. Liquid capital fled Mexico in
huge amounts when Cardenas grabbed the oil properties
Consequently the peso went down. meaning real costs
Of living went up Mexicos entire industrial setup,
weak at best, has been badly jolted.
The worst of is that State Departments recent
note protesting seizures of Amercanowned farms IN
Mexico has been represented by the Cardenas govern
ment to mean that Gov
Strong, FrLenOLy ernment is really in sympathy
ACLLOH 10 NeeUeU So the stable elements in
Mexico-the people who want keep Mexico in world
trade and gradually raise Mexican standards OF
lving-are afraid to put the on Cardenas. If
the screws aren't put Cardenas, he bids fair to rum
the country he thinks he is helping.
The history of similar Mexican crises has been that
strong unmistakabe though friendly word from WASH
ington has stopped many a Mexican presidents we'll
meant but misguided attempts to hurry up the evolution
of his country We hope such word will be uttered in
Secretary of State Hulls next note to Cardenas