Page:Margaret Shipman - Mexico's Struggle Towards Democracy (1927).pdf/66

 would carry the issue, if permitted, to the point of war rather than yield." Matters reached a crisis with refusal of certain of the oil corporations to comply with the registration requirements of the petroleum law. A careful analysis of the claims that failed to register shows that a very large proportion of them are those acquired by E. H. Doheny, of questionable legality, the transfer of which to Standard Oil seems to have been delayed. Publication of these facts early in 1927 strengthened public protest against the belligerent Mexican policy of the Coolidge administration. Open hostilities were averted but the issue remains unsettled. In April the United States Government refused to renew the smuggling treaty with Mexico, under which each government agreed to notify the other of all shipment of liquor, arms and certain other forbidden articles. Abrogation of this treaty makes it easy to supply arms to Mexican rebels. Revolts against the Mexican Government are encouraged, business and constructive work hampered and suffering of the people increased.