Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-11-04
MEXICAN INVESTMENTS
SOURCE OF CONCERN
Future Commercial Relations May
Be Affected by Outcome
of Dispute.
MANY SUITS ARE INSTITUTED
Their Decision Is Expected to Have
Bearing on All Business Dealings
with the Latih-American Govern
mentS.
IBy Associated pres.l

WASHINGTON. November 3.-The
s ica Is OF American Investment in Mex
i In, S S en- oD1eGt or concern to the
iationS. not only with Mexico, but with
me whole OF Latin America, may be
aHectcd by the outcome OF the dispute
over the possession OF land and mineral
rights in the Tampico oil district says
a review OF the oil situation just is
suGa by the Department Of Commerce.
Inc government. as we'll as oil in
terests, is watching carefully the prog
ress OF suits instituted in The Mexican
courts by the American. British. French
and Dutch oil companies, for relief
from the program of the Carranza gov
eettnment: arising from provision OF
attempts 10 vest in the nation only the
right TO minerals and oils under the
SOIL OF the republic.
In It's bearing on our future COM
declares the review by the Depart
Inent OF Commerce, 1.-The status OF our
ras ,saa In Mexico involves far
eisn Investments were to be transferred
from the state OF property, duly ac-
CURED with guarantees of permanence
laws OF 1854. 1892 and 1909, to the
state OF temporary concessions reuuir-
ing renewal from time to time by con-
tracts. in the wording OF which we
nave no share. we should face an UNI
preccdented situation. Our commercial
r i,e; not only with Mexico, but
mutual confidence. The liberal sun
plies which the United States has
granted to Mexico. together with Am
stltute our side OF the present case.
signal factor, however, will be the
decision Zee sion, OF the Mexican courts upon
me note OF April referred TO was
handed 10 the Mexican government af-
Tampico fields had been ordered to iiie
inanitestS or property under penalty
Of confiscation. and il had been decreed
royalties" should be Imposed. 1t de-
clared that the United States cannot
acqolesce IN any procedure ostensibly
or the exercise OF eminent domain, but
really resulting in confscation and ar
bitrary deprivation OF vested rights
AT the same time the British, French
and Dutch governments notified the
Carranza government that in the event
coniiscatory measures were put into
tect their own interests" This resulted
IN modification of the decree or con-
flScntion.
Article % OF the new Mexican con-
stitution is the center OF the dispute
Three DEGREES have been issued under
rs provisions. imposing conditions on
confiscation. The constitutional article
provides that ownership C all petro-
leum is vested in the nation: that only
Mexicons by right Of birth or natural
!zation have the right to acquire owner
ship in lands. waters or mineral fuels
in the republic. but that the govern
ment may grant the same right to for
eigners. II they agre5 to be considered
and treated as Mexicans, and waive all
right OF protection from their home
governments. forfeiture of their prop-
erty being the penalty for such an APP
peal.
CLAIM MENICo LISTENED
TO THE GERMAN AGENTS
1t has openly been charged that the
Mexican government was unduly in
nuenced by German agents who hoped
through the decree TO cut off the sup
plies OF fuel oil needed to keep the
allied navies and merchant fleets at
sea as the vestins of sole rights to this
fuel In neutral government would
make the Tampico production national
contra band, and prevent it's sale bv
Mexico or producers operating under
contracts with Mexico. to the allied
governments.
lnasmuch as Mexico ranks third
among the oil-producinS nations OF the
world. and Russia, which stood second
no longer is furnishing any apDrecIable
quantity. the Tampico production was
Vitally necessary TO the nations at war.
and the American. British. French and
Dutch companies. acting under advice
OF tneir governments, refused TO file
the demanded manifL.sts. and applied
10 the Mexican courts for relief.
mol one OF the American compa MES
operating In Mexico, says the Depart
ment OF Commerce report. ever has OBJ
famed concession OF land from the
Mexican government. their contracts of