GREAT BRITAIN AND MEXICO

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24103, 23 October 1941, Page 8

GREAT BRITAIN AND MEXICO

The resumption of diplomatic relations between Great Britain and Mexico indicates that at long last some progress has been made in settling the unfortunate quarrel over the expropriation in 1938 of the Mexican Eagle Oil Company. The company, which produced 65 per cent of Mexico's oil output, was the victim of the Leftist policy of President Cardenas. The President refused to restore the expropriated properties, and the result was the withdrawal of the Mexican Minister from London. However high-handed the act of the Mexican Government, unfriendliness between Great Britain and an important central American republic was unfortunate, particularly when Hitler was honeycombing Latin America with Nazi intrigue. The Fuehrer confided to Herman llauschning that "Mexico is a country that cries for a capable master. With the treasure of Mexican soil, Germany could be rich and great." Last, year President Cardenas was succeeded by President C'amacho, who is much more moderate than his predecessor and whose policy has encouraged the

Right to lift up its head. General Franco's Falangist Party has extended its activities to Mexico, often as the tool of the Gestapo. Indeed the Times has reported that a director of the Falange recently arrived from Spain to work under the orders of the Gestapo and the German Legation. Great Britain is interested in stopping these activities and welcomed President Camacho's friendly approach in September of last year. Mexico will probably follow the lead of Washington should the United States enter the war. Under such circumstances the British Government is concerned to reopen its Legation in Mexico City, with a view to watching the activities of the Nazis and Falangists, who would all find sanctuary in the Spanish Embassy even if the German and Italian Ministers left the country.