UNPRECEDENTED ACT

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 113, 16 May 1938, Page 9

UNPRECEDENTED ACT

CONCERN IN U.S.A. MONROE DOCTRINE UNPLEASANT SITUATION NEW YORK, May 14. The Mexico City cdrrespindent of the "New York Times" says. Mexico's unprecedented act, carrying with it serious international, complications, is , the direct outcome of the three British Notes to Mexico between April 8 and May 11. Mexico is counting upon the Monroe Doctrine to protect her from Britain's wrath, and an unpleasant situation is laid at the doorstep of Washington. It was strongly rumoured tonight that , Britain had been leading'up to break off relations by means of Notes. Mr. O'Malley, h6wever, denied this "emphatically." The correspondent adds that widespread opinion in Mexico, City attributes the diplomatic breach with Britain to a daring move by the President, General Cardenas, to strengthen public support 1 at a time of economic strain due to the boycott of Mexican oil. There has been a collapse of business and labour leaders threaten widespread strikes because of the conliequent reduction in wages. The newspaper "Novedades" says the leaders of the Confederation of Mexican Workers charged many industrial firms with attempting to take adVantage of labour's restraint-to impose wage reductions and readjust their personnel. The confederation warns them that it will resort to the strike weapon if necessary. Washington. is gravely concerned over the breach, says the "New York Times." Apprehension is felt lest coolness might develop between Britain and the United States, because the breach may increase the difficulties of their different policies in the adjustment of the' expropriation dispute. Great reserve is manifested, however, in studying this possibility, for there had been some indication recently that if Mexico failed soon to submit an adequate proposal 'for compensating the British and American oil companies the United States might seriously consider abandoning its softer policy and moving over to the British position with a demand for the return of the prop.erties ( There have even been tentative conjectures whether there was a tacit understanding between Washington and London in this regard. In the 1 background stand ihe questions whether the Monroe Doctrine might become directly involved, and whether the good neighbour policy yrill be subjected to a severe strain. The Mexico City correspondent of (he United Press says the Suspension

of British and Mexican diplomatic relations was completed when Mr. O'Malley and the personnel of the Legation were instructed to leave Mexico. Mr. O'Malley will leave for London from the United States in a few days. The Monroe Doctrine, stated by President Monroe in 1823, following the revolt of the Spanish colonies in South America, provides that "the American Continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonisation by any European Powers. . . . With the Governments who have declared their' independence and maintained it, we could not view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing them, or controlling in any other manner tlfeir by any-European Power in any other light than as the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition towards the United States."