Nevertheless, the United States has serious grievances against Mexico, and
she wants to bring matters to a head without exposing herself to the charge of being merely militaristic or aggressive. She would like more excuses than are provided by either the treatment of religious bodies in Mexico, or the rapacious new law which is being applied to the land and oil concessionaires. There is thus, to say the least of it, much plausibility in the argument that the United States is inclined to use the Nicaraguan imbroglio for dealing a backhander at Mexico. It is true that Admiral Latimer has declared that he will allow no armed men to enter his neutral zones whether they are fighting for Dr. Sacasa, the Mexican nominee, or for Senor Diaz. But he may not be able to maintain that delicate position very long, and it is not -certain that in changed circumstances the Washington State Depart- ment will wish him to do so. Nicaragua, it must be remembered, has leased to Washington naval bases on both oceans. The United States Government could hardly look on passively if the Mexican nominee in Nicaragua interfered with these bases.
• * *
Previous page
