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Show t THE RICH COUNTY NEWS. RANDOLPH. UTAH 2Xico ? Philippines Must Wait a While for Independence Republican leaders in congress have reached a decision to the question of granting independence to the Philippines. The decision of the Republican leaders against consideration ofi the Filipinos plea for independent followed the recent hearing accorded the Philippine commission at a joint session of the house and senate committees on insular affairs. It transpired that few, if any, of the Republican or Democratic members of those committees had been sufficiently impressed by the representations of the delegates to take a stand in favor of freeing the islands at this time. The general conclusion was that no step in this direction should be taken until more convincing proof has been offered of the ability of the Filipinos to stand alone and to continue to maintain the institutions of gov eminent and education established by the United States which have wrought such beneficent changes in the islands in 20 years. Moreover, it was deemed inadvisable to take a step of such great moment to these w'ards of the American republic until the equilibrium of world conditions is restored. It is now taken for granted that the question of liberating the Philippines will not be considered seriously until the congressional committees shall have visited the islands and made an exhaustive investigation and repot t to congress. The Filipino delegation was advised of this status of the matter before leaving Washington, and made no protest. In fact, it transpires that the delegation did not expect to obtain favorable action at this time. The dispatch of the commission by the Philippine legislature was forced by the minority party in the island, which accused the majority party of lack of aggressiveness in seeking independence. WASHINGTON. CwlfiMi MtIMtf 'TAircao " HAT shall be done with Mexico? Nobody seems to be ready with a complete program, but everybody seems of the opinion that something must be done and done soon. In this age of the world civilization cannot afford to let a country like Mexico one of the garden spots and natural storehouses of earth continue out of the line of march. It must join the procession and must keep up with the procession. So it is evideht, aside from the question of the killing of American and British citizens and other nationals human life appears to be cheap these days that financial matters and economic questions will force action by the United States and the allies against Mexico, the outlaw nation, i It is no exaggeration to say that for months no other international problem, not connected with the proceedings at Paris, has been so fully dis- cussed as the Mexican question, and apparently, sentiment in this country and abroad is rapidly crystallizing. The exclusion of Mexico from the League of Nations was based on the ground that Mexico had been unable to give proof of intention to observe international obligations. Mexico has failed to observe these obligations in these ways: - Mexico's Neutrality was more than tinged with German bias. i Mexico has made no attempt to meet her foreign debt obligations. Mexico shows increasing inability to afford protection to the lives and property of foreigners and nationals also. Mexico has given evidence of a studied and systematic attempt to put through schemes which would result in the confiscation of foreign property, the most glaring example of which is the case of the oil companies, although the express and railway companies intersts are in almost a ' great danger. It is no secret in Washington that renewed representations on the Mexican situation are being made to the American government by Great Britain and France. For several months these countries have been urging upon the United States the desirability of putting Mexico on its feet so. that it might resume the payment on national and other debts and afford adequate protection to foreign lives and property. British citizens are holders of a considerable amount of Mexican bonds, both national and railway, while the French have extensive investments in the banks, which it has been charged were looted by the government under the guise of obtaining Nationals of both countries hold extenloans. sive interests in oil properties. Many French citizens of moderate means invested their savings in Mexican bonds. n which they have received no Interest for sis years. In short, the Mexican situation has apparently resolved itself into this: The United States will soon be compelled to take Mexico in hand unless European nations are to be suffered to intervene there in spito of the Monroe doctrine. In official Washington the prediction is hazarded that the United States will intervene, acting as the mandatory for the League of Nations. In congress the, Mexican situation has ceased to be a partisan question. Senator King of Utah, a Democrat and one of the administrations strongest supporters, introduced the other day a very stiff resolution directing the secretary of state to report in full on Mexican conditions and what the department of state was planning to do In the matter. The resolution was immediately considered apd agreed to. In the house Representative Gould of New York, providing for Republican, introduced a resolution rea sweeping investigation of AmCrican-Mexica- n lations and all phases of the Mexican problem since 1910. The Investigation would be made by a committee of three senators and three representatives, to be selected by the foreign affairs committees of the two houses. It was stated leaders of both the houses were consulted before the resolution was introduced, and that they are . favorable to the inquiry, r Gould Mr. gave figures showing that 300 Americans ,had been murdered between 1910 and 1916; figures for the three yenrs following being unobtainable. " ' All of which seems to indicate that President Venustiano Carranza of Mexico is In bad wi tit's.. Uncle Sam and the allies. It seems reasonably certain that he cannot much longer stave off a 'settlement of the grievances which have been piling various European up In the United States and d treatment ac- nations because of the corded to foreign interests in the Mexican repub Fifty-Fift- y Fleet Is New Naval Policy i departure of the Pacific fleet marks an epoch in American naval history. the first time the naval force has been divided with exactly half of its power assigned to guard the western seaboard. For the first time also the strategic value of the canal is to be fully tested when Admiral Hugh Rod-ma- n moves his armada through to Pacific waters. And for the first time Americans of the far West are to see with their own eyes the full pomp and power of the navy that has been their pride for years. The main base of the Pacific fleet will be in Puget sound, Washington. The composition of the Pacific fleet tells its own story. The three most modern ships of the line in the navy, the New Mexico, Idaho and Mississippi, are headed west. Not since President Roosevelt sent the Atlantic fleet to girdle the globe have the people of California, Oregon and Washington seen in their harbors a more powerful and modern fighting craft than the old hero ship Oregon, long out of date and holding her place on the navy list only because of her valiant record. Beside the 30,000 ton flagship of the Pacific fleet the Oregon will be almost a pigmy, and against even the speed of more than 17 knots, which made the old ship queen of the navy for years, Rodmans main fleet, his eight big ships, can maintain about 21 knots for hours at a time, while his destroyers can turn up 35 knots. The sailing of the great fleet marks a complete change in naval policy. Not while the German fleet existed or while German eyes were leveled covetously at the rich and undeveloped resources of South and Central America could American naval strength have been divided. THE TZZ&SWZVr CATQRAlYZJr- her obligations to these countries, or the revolutionists will shake him from power. In addition to the Villa rising there are not less than ten revolutionary movements in Mexico. There are those who say he would not last two weeks should he be thrown over by the United States. There is no gainsaying that Carranza is in a tight place, with the League of Nations planning economic pressure from without and a growing pressure from revolutionists from within. What are the Investments of foreign nations in Mexico? No official figures are to be had, with the exception of the estimate prepared in 1910 by Marion Letcher, an American consul in Chihuahua, which is this: American $1,057,770,000 British 321,302,800 French 143 446,000 Various 118,535,380 $1,641,054,180 Another estimate, prepared by an American corporation enjoying special facilities, totals nearly the same, but differs widely in the distribution of Investments. It is regarded as the best'obtalnable. It follows: American $G55,000,000 670 000,000 , British . French 285,000,000 German 75,000,000 190,000,000 Spanish, Dutch, etc Total $1,875,000,000 These figures are said to include the foreign investment in the national debt of Mexico and the distribution, as far ns can be worked out, of the holdings of thq, securities of all companies operating in Mexico. The British government is demanding adequate protection for British subjects and property in Mexico, including specifically the oil welis the British government recently has purchased from British corporations, and also is demanding reparation for the destruction of British lives and property. The French government Is making similar demands and in addition insists that Carranza pay the interest on the $30,000,000 Huerta loan, which was floated in France but which has been repudiated by the present Mexican government The $30,000,000 loan constitutes the difference between the amount of the Mexican external debt, as estimated by T. W. Osterheld at $173,469,067 and the figures given today by the Mexican which are $143,472,125. Regarding the internal loan debt of Mexico, the Mexican treasury department says it totals with interest to June 30 next amounting to . $17,914,672.62. The official Mexican fail to take into account the entire railroad Indebtedness, guaranteed specifically by the Carranza government when the lines were taken over, and which is given as $290,564,532, United States currency. Nor do the Mexican figures include obligations other than railroads which the Mexican government has guaranteed and which, therefore, constitute a valid claim against Mexico as a direct external loan. Chief of these is the Caja de Prestnmos farm loan banks obligations which, with interest to June 30. equal $31,506,742.75. Nor does the official Mexican report take Into account the infalciflcnble, issue of paper money, of which $80,000,000 at 10 cents United States (currency, remains outstanding, making another $8,000,000, which the Mexlcau government upon issuing solemnly pledged itself to redeem, hut which it later repudiated and whlchvit will some day be compelled to pay., Nor does the official Mexican report take into account the $20,000,000 which the Carranza government tobk a& a loan frotn banks of issue in Mexico City and which is now the subject of Inlic. r junction proceedings by the Bank of London to Also it appears that either Carranza must come enjoin the financial agent of Carranza in New York M terras with the United States and the allies, Mexico will meet that city from reaching credits in United States banks. with acceptable guarantees ' 6 , Also Mexico has been using the total Income of the railroads and express companies as well as other phiiic utility establishments and has steadfastly refused to make admission of responsibility. Most of the American money went into Mexico during the 34 years of the Diaz rule, ending in 1911. The following figures as to investments and damages are regarded as the most reliable. Cash Physical Invested. Damage. Railroads $150,000,000 $40,000,000 Oil 200,000,000 200,000,000 50,000,000 Mines Total 4 high-hande- Pacific figures Lands and cattle. Industrials and public service 50,000,000 5,000,000 15.000.-000 10.000.- 000 Envoys and Rich Gifts, But 10.000.000 A NOVELTY, other day No Queen of Sheba even in cosmopolitan Washington, was the presentation the to President Wilson ot the special envoys of Abyssinia, conTotal $650,000,000 $80,000,000 gratulating him on the successful termination of the war and bearing gifts from their empress, Waizeru Zauditu. This investment of $650,000,000 had grown in The Dedjazmateh Nado was the oravalue until in 1910 it was said to be worth tor. His fellow envoys were the Kan-tibGabrou and the Ato Herouy. The Damage claims aggregating $500,000,000 are said Ato Sinkae was secretary and interto be filed with the American state department. In preter. The envoys wore red velvet this are included legitimate claims for additional robes, heavy with gold and silver losses due to the follow ing causes : trimmings, and large silk turbpns, emDestruction of new values created by the Amerbroidered with pearls. The address ican energy which has now been driven out. was in part: Destruction of business through confiscatory More than 5,000 years have taxes and uncurbed banditry, making operations elapsed since the establishment of the impossible. Ethiopian government. In the time of Destruction of original allies through unstable David and Solomon this government was well known. The queen of Ethiopia. government. Macada, ruled over all Sheba at that time. She heard of King Solomon and Destruction of entire financial and credit system came to listen to his wisdom and see the country, and as she returned to her --of the country through government decrees. own dominion she proclaimed the religion of the living God. From that time Losses in profits which would have been made until Constantine the Great Ethiopia has believed in God according to the during present era of high prices. laws of the Old Testament. In the time of Constantine Ethiopia became Potential damage which would wipe out virtually Christian according to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and since that time has all values will become actual if President Carranza for her Christianity and independence against the surrounding Mohamfought carries out his confiscatory Constitution of 1917, medans and heathens. and his subsequent decrees, including the followAll the people of Ethiopia, knowing that the United States of America, ing: after securely establishing her own independence, has taken upon herself the inMaking foreign corporations or individuals wonderful duty of assisting the allies in gaining equal liberty and independcompetent to own, property in Mexico unless for- ence, rejoiced and praised the American people. eign citizenship is renounced. The gifts included elephant tusks mounted in solid gold, native garments land, giving Appropriating all corporation-owne- d embroidered in jewels, and a gold box containing letters from the empress and in return unguaranteed state bonds of virtually her son, the heir apparent. $2,000,-000,00- no value. a t Nationalization of oil, making oil subject to sysdenouncement, when the entire tem is now founded on the principle of its belonging to the land itself. Prohibiting any foreign corporation or individual from owning anything within 60 miles of the frontier or 30 miles of the seacoast. There are dozens of other interesting things in the Mexican situation which cannot be considered here. For example, a study of Carranzas sayings and doings shows him to be a human curiosity. Is Villa alive or dead? Of course his name is very much in evidence. Nevertheless, who has seen him in the flesh for n year or more? He isnt being interviewed and photographed thats sure. The personality of Angeles, who has cast his lot with the Villistas, is interesting. He is educated and personally attractive. Then there is the national election coming on with Carranza saying he is out of it and Obregon and Gonzales, rival candidates, talking new revolutions. Logically, it would seem to be sufficient to make Carranza adopt a satisfactory policy and give guaranty of good behavior. But can he give guaranty? Can anybody in Mexico guaranty anything? It looks as if it would be necessary for some power to intervene. And if the United States delegates the job of establishing pence and order in Mexico good-bMonroe doctrine! y National Guard Must Be Reorganized With Care the plans of the war department for reorganization of the DETAILS ofGuard as approved by Secretary Baker disclose that the states may organize up to their full limit if they desire, but in so far as federal aid is concerned they may only recruit at present up to 200 men for each sena- tor and representative. In emergency the maximum organization could be increased to 800 men for each senator and representative. In a circular let. ter Secretary Baker says : It is the desire .of the war dethe National partment to Guard on a firm and efficient basis and to obtain in the commissioned and enlisted grades a maximum of men with service in the United States army during the great war. To achieve that end it will be necessary that the regulations be fully complied with, and the requirements for admission in the National Guard both for officers and enlisted men fully observed. "The appointment of officers and enlistment of men who are not suitable for active field service, either for professional or personal reasons, or who would not be able to participate completely and fully in a federal call, will serve only to lower the military efficiency of the National Guard as a whole. The war department requests the earnest of the several states and territories in making the National Guard an effective force during the uerlod ? its reorganization. |
