Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-02-25
Results in Mexico Will Be
Watched Closely by
Other Nations.
FOLLOWS ALONG LINES
SUGGESTED BY CARRANZA
Two Articles Deal Largely With
the Rights of Foreign
ers in Country.
PROVIDES CHURCH REGULATION
Labor Laws Are Among the Most
Advanced Measures Contained
in nUcumcnt.

NENi'o CITY. February o4.-Mexi-
COS new Constitution will give oppor-
tuni;y for tl," Demonstration Of the ac-
'nal working results Of many legisla-
tiv" IDEAS witch have not progressed
beyond the theoretical stage in many
other countries.
TIL" CONSTITUTION. in general. follows
along broad lines outlined by the First
'h'"l. General NEWSSTAND Carranza,
and submitted by him for consideration
at tho opening "f tho constitutional
congress at Qucrctaro. General Car
raizaS project. in turn. followed the
broad lines Of tn" Juarcz Constitution.
"i 1897. changing il with the object
or making ii thoroughly applicable to
modern conditions. Tho makers OF the
now constitution in some cases. how
ever. went somewhat beyond the chiefs
project in dealing with phases OF leg
isihtton. In his speech to the chief
when tn" latter appeared in the as
scmhly I" ratify tho Constitution. Luis
Manuel RojaS. president of the assem-
bly,. said. in part. that. i'm general, the
assembly had followed the Fundamental
ideas SGT forth by C%arranza as a re-
suit OF his mature experiences. and that
- 49,. ''' S'''t I'Ep1 IN some mat
tcr:' tn" point he had Indicated nc De-
l'"v"d wise. it was due to the same
youthful ardur with which the dele
gates had followed the flag borne by
'arrnnza nj Gundalupr. Natural en-
'hhSi;tSln after the recent struggle and
desire To destroy old abuses Of the mast.
he said. offered sufficient motive ia.
"cViatinE from the path marked cut
10y tn" First chief. although they al
ttH., 60 I.u.l -.
nus sentiments for aiding tho ideas and
aspirations Of tho McMican people. 1t
was clear. he. said. that the legisl.
ton adopted must be characterized by
it's tendency Ia better tho popular
classes. which always had been op-
pressed. aud that if the assembly had
committed errors or il defects lnNer
wcrc found for which il was rcspoHS
Sihic. history would abS"lvc tho dele
gates because Of tho sincerity OF their
convictions rs iheir sole idea had been
l" make great and happy the Mexican
republic.
Two articles Of tho now Constitution
d"al largely with tho rights of for
"iSncrs in Mexico. Article 80, as final
~ passed. remains the same as il wa.
IN the JuarcZ Constitution of 1857.
This article declares that all foreign
"rs possess the rights to the individual.
guarantees granted Ia all within the
republic bu: I'll" executive of the
union shall hay" ;hc exclusive right to
compel to leave the national territory
immediately and without prior judr-
m"nt any foreigner whose presence
shall be adjudged troublesome. For
eicncrs may not be permitted to mix
IN amy manner in the political affairs
Of the country.
LAW As TO ACQUIRING
~SSEsSION OF LANDS
Tho other articles dealing with tho
rights Of foreigners provide thai onI.
McAicans by birth or naturalization and
Mexican companies have the right tn
acquire possession OF lands or water,
or 10 obtain concessions to eSnloit
mines, water rights or combustihIes,
nut INC state may concedc the same
''Sh' I" foreigners who oppear before
The Secretary Of Foreign Relations and
agree To he considered as MeSican. In
respect To the titles involved. and agree
not 10 invoke in regard to the same
The protection Of their E~oyernmepts
undcr penalty. ii they violate Hi,
promise. OF losing The titles which they
nave Acquired. which pass to the ma
, t!on.
FOREIGNERS may not acuuire direct
possession of lands or waters within
~" ki!onlrt,rs from tho land borders
OF Mexico nor within fifty k%ilometers
Of the Scacoast.
Under the new CONSTITUTIONS. educa-
non Is Tree. but instruction will be
iaical. In Tho Official schools primary
education viii L." without cost. Ctr
%enS are obligated to have their sons
or children under their control under
hitech attend school FOR primary ele-
mental and military instruction. All
MeNicans must attend Instruction, both
"iNil and military. which will fit them
Tor the exercise OF the rights of citizen
snip. ana must be trained to the use
at arms and IN military discipline.
th"y must enlist ana serve in the ma
ii"nal guard (Which elects it's own OF.
nccrs', in conformity with the organic
law 10 defend the independence, terri
tory. sovereignty. rights and interests
OF Mexico and the tranquility of the
interior order,
strict government rcSulation Of the
chur'h is provided for in The new Con-
siitHii"m. MI ministers. of whatever
cult. must hc McNicans by birth. This
rc:ulation VIII caus removal from
their paStpratcs Of about $500 Spanish
priests. There are few American min.
istrrs IN Mexico, at the present time
probably less than ten. English and
German cicrGymcn are equally few, but
there are quito u number Of French
men among the Catholic Clergy OF
McNico.
No minister OF any cul, Will he per.
miticd To teach in tho public schools,
ana only may give instruction In the
higher grades OF the private schools.
nor may any religious sect be per-
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