Evening star., 1947-04-20

The chief purpose of the exchange
Of presidential visits Is to solidify
friendly relations between the
United States and Mexico. The ef-
feet would be spoiled II the Mexican
people should have any reason to
feel that Washington did not give
their chief executive as friendly a
reception as they gave ours.
Elaborate Program Planned.
An elaborate official program has
been worked out to honor President
Aleman, who is due to arrive by
plane at National Airport at ( pm.
on April 29. To keep the formalities
from falling fiat, officials hope that
large crowds will be on hand at the
airport and along the route Mr..
Truman will drive with his guest to
the District Building for municipal
reception, and then to the White
House.
Results OF this visit, the first ever
made. to Washington by a Mexican
President in Office, can have wide
effects on United States relations
with Latin America generally. Re-
lations with Mexico, our next-door
neighbor, usually are a barometer
in negative way, at least-of se-
lations with other countries in South
and Central America. Good rela-
tions with Mexico may not always
mean good relations with all Latin
American countries, but any tension
with Mexico generally is reflected
in a worsening Of relations with
other neighbors to the South.
Relations Better Since 1910.
Increasing friendliness has marked
United. States-Mexico relations
since 1910 when President Aleman's
predecessor, Manuel Avila Camacho,
came into power. Things had not
been SO good under the previous
administration Of President. Lazaro
Cardenas, under whom American
oil properties were appropriated in
1888. With President Aleman fol-
lowing the friendly policies of Avila
Camacho. United States officials are
eager to encourage him to even
greater cooperation in the good
neighbor spirit.
Amid all the frills of the formal
program that will keep President
Aleman busy for much of his three
day visit here. officials expect him
and President Truman to find time
for some practical business discus
sions.
For one thing, the Mexican gov
ernment is known to be interested in
credits from the United States to
help finance its road-building, irri-
cation. electrificafion and industrial
lzation program. A loan of from
sloo,o00,ooo to $150,00o, 900 may be
asked. 1t is doubtful If this much
will be granted, but Mexico's needs
will be considered sympathetically.
Oil Subject Delicate.
There also Is the possibility that
American assistance may be asked to
get Mexico's oil industry back on to
a profitable basis. This Is a delicate
subject. If it is raised at all dur
ing President Aleman's visit, it will
be on his initiative.
The foreign-owned oil properties
In Mexico that were appropriated by
the Cardenas regime have become
a headache for the government.
Diplomatic aspects of the problem
were settled officially several years
ago under an agreement by which
Mexico Is paying the oil companies
for their properties. Taxes and roy
alties from the oil fields under the
operation Of the private companies
used to produce a substantial part
OF the governments income. Now,
under government operation, they
are a big drain on the treasury.
Informed sources believe President