Bisbee daily review., 1908-08-15
NEW MINING
LAW OPPOSED
AS INJURIOUS
Mining Journal of Mexico Says
the Proposed Measure viii
Retard the Industry in the
Southern Republic.

The Mining Journal says editorially
of the proposed new mining law in
the southern republic;
by virtue of an act of congress of
Mexico. passed February, 1905, the
president was authorized to reform
the present legislation relating to
mining and was given the ahterna-
tive prerogative of deereeing the re-
vised code law, or submitting it 70
congress Tor action. An able commits
sion, thereupon. was appointed by the
secretary of Fomento, acting under
the executive direction. and this CON-
mission and an advisory body. later
appointed, went extensively into the
waole subject of the mining laws and
prepared new code which. with some
important notifications, notably the
so-called "anti-foreign" clauses, was
recently made public upon the occa-
sion of the meeting of the Mexican
Chamber of Mines.
THE new code, besides being a
much needed and apparently careful
" compiled simplification and harmon.
ization OF the various mining statutes
and DEGREES, includes a number of
progressive and advantageous pro
visions. All of this has, however. for
the time being been lost sight of in
the wave OF opposition TO the anti
foreign clauses.
These clauses are as follows:
"Art. 141.--No title deed for mining
property can be issued 10 foreigners
denOuncIng properties within the
bounds of border states, II they do not
previously obtain special permis-
sion from the executive of the Union.
This requirement win. also. be ex-
acted when the announcement is made
conformity by foreigners and Mexicans.
If the permission is refused, the
ground shall be declared free and
the same effects as those consequent
On voluntary abandonment of de-
nouncement, as set forth in article 36,
will follow:
art 142.-The permission men
toned in the foregoing article will
also be necessary in order that for
eigners may, through any process,
come into possession of mining prop
critics or liens thereon in any of the
border states or territories.
art. 143.-The rules of practice
will determine the periods of time
within which the permissions men
toned in the two foregoing articles
must be solicited. and the conditions
subject to which they may be granted.
Art. 144-Foreign corporate bodies
are incapable of denouncing and ac-
quiring henceforth, by any process,
either mining properties or liens
thereon, within the territory of tae
Mexican Republic.
1.-THE public discussion of the radi-
SsSs i change of policy towards alien in
terests expressed in these sections
. has been exhaustive, and, generally
judicial Mexicans and aliens alike,
VINO are directly interested in mining,
declare very strongly against the ex-
pediency, the adyisability, and the
present necessity of any such action,
and men who are specially competent
to speak on the subject, like Lie. Re
qilena and Lie. Robes, of the Mexican
Mining Chamber, assert positively
that such a step would cripple the
mining industry of the republic and
be a serious blow to the business in
terests of Mexico. The secretary Of
Fomento, Lie Olegario Molina, IN
whose department the law as promul
gated was drawn, defends the pro
posed change of policy embodied in
the clauses at issue, urging in an in
EtTN4tA TIC pEtICuEnA VI CAAACl 49,
tries, the chances of internationa
complications under fle present stat
us, and the danger of trusts" in th'
mining industry, unless it is brough
entirely within the jurisdiction 0
Mexican authorities. Generally it i
admitted that the proposed enactmen
is in no manner beyond the strict le
gal rights Of the government in il
relation to foreigners and foreign IN
terests.
There are those who sincerely cor
tend that the enactment of the la
as proposed would not, after the az
iustment was made. work harm to th
country or its industries, aad Their
are some who in the zeal Of thei
mistaken patriotism, expect an
wish that tae law may be enacted 5
as to curtail the influence Of the 70
eigners in Mexico and advance tn
cause of Mexico para los Mexc'
nos
1--WE are not alarmists in this ma
ter but We are very sure that Il
proposed law. as relating to rights
foreignens. would be very unforb
nate for the Mexican mining industr
now and for long time to come II