MEXICO: Troubles

Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay proposed last week to patrol the shores of the east coast of South America lest they be used as bases for warring European sea rovers. It was a big order.

A bigger order faced another Latin American nation, Mexico, for War II had probably brought her about as much trouble as any country south of the Rio Grande. With a presidential election coming up next year that is almost sure to cause trouble, Mexico was faced with another period of money shortage. Germany had lately been buying some $2,000,000 worth of expropriated oil a month up to September 1. The Mexican Government missed the cash. The manufactured goods Mexico had been getting from the Reich she stopped getting, leaving the market to the U. S., with which Mexico is reluctant to trade. Then there was trouble about the nine refugee ships in her harbors. Their radio rooms had to be sealed, their crews watched. Up to its ears, the Mexican Foreign Office, which usually gives a diplomatic reception on Independence Day, called the whole thing off this week.