ARMS FOR MEXICO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17913, 19 April 1920, Page 6

ARMS FOR MEXICO

♦> BIG ORDERS IN SPAIN. SOME CURIOUS DEALINGS. Larg* orders for arms and ammunition, placed by Mexico in Belgium and' Spain, la pireparation for the possibility of American intervention, came to light some timo ago when the Stato Department inadt known that the United States Government had taken steps to prevent their shipment. The Charge d'Affaires of the Umttc States Embassy In Brussels has protested, under instructions, that {Shipment of the munitions would be in violation of the International Arms Convention. As Spain is not a party to the agreement, which was designed to aid in koeping tho peace ol the world during the post-war transition periodj. no such direct action is probable at Madrid. The order in Belgium was placed with the National Arms Factory at Liege, probably under the direction of Candido Aguilar, • Mexican Mirister oi Foreign Affairs and President OarrauTa's son-in-law, who went to Europe recently after stopping in Washington and placing a wreath on George Washington's tonib at Mount Vernon. Tho orders in Spain, whicJi included rifles, millions of rounde of ammunition, and a largo number of machine guns, were negotiated through the Mexican Minister there, Eleseo Arwdondo, former Ambas--sador to'the United States and President Carranza's nephew. The Spanish munitions, according to information in the hands of the Government, began passing into Mexico moro than a year *go, while the European war still was going on, and in violation of the interAllied embargo. Rifles and arnmnnition and soma sample machine guns are reported to have passed through Havana on their way to Mexico as late as June, 1919. For later shipments, cargo space had been reKjrved in various steamers. The 'United States has been denying shipments of arms and ammunition into Mexico for many months for the reason that they generally fell into the hands of bandits and wore often used against Americans. After tho end of tho war tho Mexican 'Government asked for the release of 1 munitions bovtgirt >n America in 19H, but it was refused. Such information as has come into the hands of tho Government shows that Mexico was already turning to European manufacturere for her supply, and has since placed enormous orders. The information in the Government's hands also discloses that the Mexican officials in Paris during tho Peace Conference were attempting • to estimate the attitude of Peru, Chile, Argentina, and other South American countries if the United States should decide on intervention. That phase of the incident, however, is not regarded by officials as threatening, Smch information as tho Government has shows that Candido Agiular discussed the South American attitude towardj intervention during his conferences in Europe. Officials realise that the subject has always been discussed among Mexican statesmen. Recent Mexican activities* in Spain are receiving attention, and considerable matter characterised as Mexican propaganda is being observed in tho Spanish press. The important part toben 'Mexicans in tho Spanish celebration of the discovery ot America hag also been, reported. Meanwhile, the activities of a German n.ission in Mexico are being , closely observed. Attempts by the Mexican Government at confiscation of mines and oil wells with a view to feeir nationalisation, aro being examined in comparison with Germany's need for thoso products.