Bisbee daily review. [volume] (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 1908-06-21
Minister Molina of Mexico Says
1t Would Guard Frontier
Against Adventures
Who Go There.
1T IS ALSO DRAWN
TO KEEP TRUSTS AWAY
Alleged to be Necessary to Pro-
tect Republic From Unde-
Sirable Corporations.

CITY OF MEXICO, June 2e.--In ex
planning the purpose of a number of
features of the proposed new mining
law Minister of Fomento Molina
makes some interesting observations.
especially respecting those clauses
which refer to foreigners end foreign
ro-nran'~s With re-pect to articles
141 to 149 he admits that they treat
of delicate and grave subjects.
t-ua I 1856. waich
is now in force" he says, requires
certain requisites In order that the
citizens or subjects of foreign coun-
tries may acquire realty in zone
within twenty leagues of the frontier
of cur republic. Article 141 of the
new measure reproduces this disposi-
ton, extending II with respect to
mining property TO the entire area of
the frontier states and territories. The
foreigner who does not obtain special
permission of the executive OF the
union cannot acquire mineral lands
nor sovereign rights over the same
within the indicated states and terri
tories.
"ThIs is only a measure for good
order, whose justification is scarcely
necessary. 1t is well known that on
the frontiers of two countries there
flock dangerous adventurers, men Of
doubtful reputation, genuine criminals
in many cases. who choose for their
residences those places IN which 1t
/ . eznane the action Of
the authorities of one country by
crossing the frontier iut3 another.
This class of men. VIGOROUSLY dan
gerous, frequently enter the mining
business owing to the facility 1t offers
to acquire great riches without great
labor or the probability of enticing
the incredulous investor into cd
yancing funds. Adventures of this
class abound in the rich mining
CAMPS along the frontier.
! THE legislator, then, complies
with his duties in establishing espec-
iaI requisites in order that foreigners
may acquire mining properties In the
frontier regions of the republic which
must remove the possib Titles OF in
ternational conflicts or claims. II our
legislation appears TO be exacting in
this respect. the laws of other coun-
tries go much further, in some abso,
Iutely denying to foreigners the right
TO acquire mining properties.
"Artiele 144 establishes the princi'
pc of the Inability IF foreign m
panies to acquire mines and mining
rights throughout the national terri
tory. This is a novelty in our legisla-
ton, although similar prohibitions
have existed in the laws of other
countries. Until now our laws have
been nv liberal. permitting to for
eign companies, with slight hmita
lions derived from the law of Febru'
airy 1, 1856. the exercise of the same
rights which are conceded to Mexican
companies. It must be admitted that
to this Iiberality in. a large measure, is
due the great progress which has been
attained by our national industries.
But circumstances have changed
and legislation should be modified &C.
cording to circumstances. Until re
pIe spoke of our riches, but these for
the most part, remained unknown ow
ing to the lack of spirit of enter
prise among the Mexican people and
the small degree of confidence felt by
foreigners respecting the stability Of
the institutions of our country. Our
chronic state of internal trouble placed
in danger any enterprise launched In
Mexican territory, and this sad state
made us unknown before the world.
Fortunately the last thirty-twC
years of interrupted peace has per
uitted the development of powerful
elements in our welfare aAd labor
foreign capital IS becoming more and
more interested in our enterprises and
L. WI oh W.
formerly held has developed i3to
feeling of confidence, each time more
solid.
an time past, when all enterprise
in this country was ohstructei, and II
was believed to be 80. Il behooved u;
to avoid legislative restrictions Snicf
Y on d naturally furnish new OBJ tacle:
in the way of investn ear o. foreign
'capital: but at pre- cent L NAV be ex
pected that the cu .rcLL nj these ~
yestments will not be interrupted no
the interest of foreign enterprises II
Mexico diminished because We incor
, porate in our laws certain principles
of international law which formerly
we abstained from applying to tn
detriment Of advantages which We con
sidered of decisive Importance.
"a company, a persona mora, Il
the exclusive creation Of the law
! r.Vs-rs iairv hess tf scyere+sn righ
to give life TO this class Of entities ant
corner on them the rights which ar
, deemed commensurate with certain
|, economic and political needs. Whel
country treats Of giving small o
, large fractions of territory, OF confer
ing dominion over that land, It is nat
ural that the country In question dc
; mands certain conditions of the phys
2 cal or moral persons on whom the Law
confers the privilege of ownin
LANDS. II this privilege Is conceded Z