Evening star., 1943-05-30
Joined Hands Across
the Border
BIZ Frederic J. Hdskt1.

II
lation between the United States and
Mexico, has ceased to be an academic
expression. Starting as sort Of mean
ingless term, 1t is now regarded as q
true symbol of mutual friendship and CO.
operation. 1t is no longer mere phrase.
The changed attitude of the United
States and Mexico toward each other Is
well shown in the situation that existed
during the First World War and in that
of today. During those years border
trouble made it necessary for the United
States to have thousands of troops sta
toned along its southern boundary for
protection. Now the two countries are
standing shoulder to shoulder and no
one doubts Mexico's unstinted effort to
help save the democracies Of the world.
Mexico's close and skillful cooperation
with the United States in the present
emergency Is one for which she should
be highly praised. 1t is commendable
story in itself.
further illustration of how the two
countries have changed in their rela-
tionship toward each other is that as re-
Gently as 20 years ago those who crossed
the Mexican border not only had to have
specific approval from Mexico's capital
upon arrival at the border but, in many
instances, especially in the case Of dele
cations it was not uncommon to be ac-
companied by a detachment of Mexican
soldiers to a safe distance from the
United States.
Such acts of mistrust no longer exist,
nv,|
travellers from this country may enter
Mexico by the usual formal require
ments and go without guide or guard,
day or night, into any part of the coun-
try. Occasionally some motorcycle po-
liceman may accost an outsider, but for
the sole purpose of being friendly escort
in the event assistance is needed to reach
some point. One visitor from the United
States, in relating his experiences on a
trip into Mexico shortly after Pearl Har-
Dor, said he happened to drive by the
naval base at Acapulco on the Pacific and
the sentry on duty and a messenger from
headquarters insisted that he come in
and look around. This was a warm well
come by Mexico which many others have
experienced.
Naturally it Is interesting to know what
has brought about this change. There
are numerous things which explain it,
but much credit goes to three able Am
bassadors who in comparatively recent
times have represented the United
States at Mexico City. They are Dwight
Morrow, now deceased; Reuben Clark
and Josephus Daniels. These men car
rled to Mexico no neWfangled ideas, no.
demands, no holier- -than-thou attitude,
but went there to work side by side with
their southern neighbors. Each left
lasting impression and the work of each
was toward common purpose. One
carried on where the other left off, and
the policy so well established by these
diplomats is being continued by another
able man. George S. Messersmith, who
spent many years in Germany as dip
lomat before accepting the Mexican post.
However, good diplomacy has done little
more than underline fundamental
change in the relationship between the
two countries. The change lies deeper
and Is rooted largely in economics,
which constitute an important factor be-
tween countries AS a specific example,
formerly many people from the United
States went into Mexico as exploiters,
Over period of some so years outside
interests invested less than $1,000 900
in oilf1elds, but shipped from the coun-
try more than $4,000, 100000 worth of oil,
Similar investments and profits were
made In other mineral resources. But
Mexcos share was the small wage paid
the laborers who did the physical work
of getting these treasures out of the
ground and loading them onto waiting
ships.
Looking at the scene now in a more
dehberatlve hour, it cannot be denied
that the American Government was lend
ing aid to these investors Meantime, the
OIL companies and other mining interests
did not have the necessary foresight to
cooperate in the development of the re-
gions in which they operated. When oil.
gold or silver could no longer be found in
a community, the exploiters moved on.
leaving no traces of culture, such as
schools hospitals roads and institutions
Tor social health and hygiene.
Then the day arrived when Mexico de-
cided to stop this exploitation of her re-.
sources, and did. Mexico's step created
some delicate problems between the two
countries, but all matters have been set
tied or are in an accepted process of set
tlement, and the United States Govern
ment has ceased to protect the profits Of
those who sought to get rich in Mexico.
Americans no longer figure as landowners
or as operators of mines there The power
OF the outside exploiter has been broken,
the so-called American colonies have all
but vanished and those Americans who
remain are largely there to sell Mexi-.
cans commodities which they want, and
IN like manner sell the people of the
United States what they want. Thus,
trade has been placed on two-way basis.
and the Mexicans have been left to de-
velop their own natural resources, therebv
removing serious friction that long
stood In the way of the good neiehbor
policy.
But in order to be effective goodwill
must be more than the mere absence Of
illWill. So primary fundamental in the
present relationship between the United
States and Mexico is that thousands of
private citizens from this country have
gone to Mexico in recent years as good
will ambassadors They have journeyed
south of the Rio Grande not to get ric},