ROW WITH MEXICO

Southland Times, Issue 19276, 21 June 1924, Page 5

ROW WITH MEXICO

CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE. ATTEMPT TO TAKE BRITISH WOMAN’S LAND. (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Reuter’s Telegrams.) LONDON, June 19. (Received June 21, 1.50 a.m.) That a woman is at the bottom of the Anglo-Mexican trouble appeared from Mr Ramsay MacDonald's statement in the House of Commons. He said that Mexico accused Mr Cummins of writing insulting letters and demanded his immediate withdrawal. The letters which Mr MacDonald read related to an attempt by the Mexican Government to dispossess a British subject, Mrs Evans, of her farm. Mr MacDonald said that there was nothing objectionable in the letters. If the Foreign Office objected to such communications there would soon be no diplomatic relations at all. The Mexican Government’s behaviour was inexcusable. It threatened to break into the Legation by June 16, if Mr Cummins did not surrender. Mr MacDonald warned the Mexican Consul-General of the gravity of such a step and requested their action be suspended until the Hohler mission arrived. The Mexican Government refused, but the United States, at Mr MacDonald’s request, had arranged for the safe withdrawal of Mr Cummins and to take charge of the Legation. Mr MacDonald emphasised the necessity for protecting British subjects and safeguarding the British Government’s dignity. He concluded: “I am net quite sure what happened to Mrs Evans, but it is believed that she had not met with harm.” The whole story is a most romantic one. Mr Cummins’s letters said she was leftdefenceless and alone, except for the assistance of a brave young American. MR CUMMINS WITHDRAWN FROM MEXICO. MEXICO cm; June 19. (Received June 20, 7.35 pun.) Proceedings by the Mexican Government to expel Mr Herbert Cummins, the British agent, were stopped by President’s O’Bregon’s order upon his arrival in Mexico City. This action was taken after the President had conferred with the Foreign Minister, Signor Saenz, and had learned that Great Britain had ordered Mr Cummins’s withdrawal on Friday.