Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-11-12

.. .. NAA' BlOuuCllOn OF OIL.
Tampico would be a most inviting
place for residence with the country
in the hands OF American citizens. or
at least made safe fo- Americans. II
/ is the big problem ot the reconstruc-
ton period as to what must be done
with our young men, and hence the
! following is OF especial interest,
! coming as IL does from one OF our
own people. T., +. Rlaize who ia
, back from MeXicd is OF the opinion
! that soon there will he an account
/ ing and a general strengthening out
! of the affairs pertaining to oil in
/ Mexico.
The oil business In Mexico has
! almost come to a stAndstill so far as
new development work is concerned
| owing 20 the issuance OF various de-
| crees by the president OF the repub-
! Ire Of Mexico By which the Mexican
| government attempts to take away
| from the owners Of the soil which
/ includes Mexican citizens as well as
foreigners, the rights TO all pc
I.troleum products which may be sit
uated under the surface OF said
land, which attempt by the Mexican
government to obtain title to the pc
troleum amounts to virtual con-
| fiscation Of property rights OF the
| land owners and lease holders in
Mexico unless they should subscribe
to various oncrous regulations and
prescriptions made hy the Mexican
government which prescriptions fix
title fee to he paid by the land
owners and lesSres, the amount OF
royalty to bc paid to the government
and requires well to be drilled up
on each lease and also makes other
provisions in regard to the opera
tions Of said oil land
The title to the various lands in
the oil district in Mexico has been
held by various Mexican and foreign
owners for generations, and at no
tims- until the Mexican government
during CarranZa's administration OK
ecutcd new constitution in the
year 1917, has an attempt been
made to divcst the owners of their
property rights. During the days OF
Porfirio Diaz while president Of the
republic Of Mexico, mining Slaws
were passed during the wears of
1885,. 1908 and 1910 bv which the
republic Of Mexico asserted its
rights 10 gold, silver and other prec-
ious metals designating each and
every metal claimed by the govern
mcnt specifically, and also in each
instance specifically and definitely
stating that all petroleum products.
coal and salt is and shall remain the
property Of owners Of the surface
land. and these laws have never
been changed nor has the peaceful
possession of the owners Of such
rights been even controverted until
the present laws have been enacted
in Mexico.
MIR Carranza, the present presi-
dent of the republic or Mexico. in
furtherancc Of certain extraordinary
faculties conferred upon him by the
Mexican congress in the matters OF
finance only on February 10 OF the
present year, issued a decree at
tempting TO place TAX upon oil and
gas leases and also the owners OF oil
lands providing for the payment OF a
tax equal to certain percentages Of
the rental also providing for one half
of the existing royalty to be turned
over to the government of Mexico
and providing for the payment OF a
title for and making various regula-
tions as to the drilling of wells. etc. |
Also providing in said decree that IL
various lease holders who have held
leases from citizens OF the republic
of Mexico who i'm turn have been in
peaceful possession Of their lands for |
generations, did not manifest their
leases and lands within n certain
period specified. that said oil leases
and lands would be declared vacant
and free: that Is to say, that II theI
various oil-lessees did not within the
time specified subscribe 20 the terms
of the government, paying them the
fee requested for a necessary title, |
etc, the Mexican government would |
confiscate their land. On July 81. |
of the present year, August 12 and |
at other dates. (the president OF the |
republic OF Mexico has issued various |
other DEGREES affecting the oil bus
mess, all Of which carry out the same |
general idea OF competing either the |
land owner or lessee complying with |
the prescriptions and regulations OF |
the government, or losing their |
rights.
"The various oil companies oper-
ating in Mexico have Instituted am
paro (appeaD proceedings in the
Mexican courts, asking for relief in
the PREMISES and that the various de-
c-ees of Mr.. CarranZa and also article
27 NJ the constitution of Mexico OF