New-York tribune., 1919-04-11
Paid Tribute to Revolution.
aries, They Admit, but
Not to Men Mentioned in
Article in ''1he Nation'
Give History of Trouble
Mexican Government IRVING
to Trap Them in Way to
Confiscate Their Property

American oil companies and leaders
of the Diaz Banquet revolution denied
strongly yesterday that they seek or
favor armed intervention in Mexico.
These denials were issued in connec-
ton with the publication IN THE Ma
ton of an editorial asserting an ef-
fort was being made to provoke hos
tllltles between Mexico and the United
States.
Each statement declared intervention
was the last thing sought or desired.
Pedro del Vi!lar, head Of the Daz-
Banquet faction here, characterized as
'perhdious" the Interpretation placed
on the recent statement of three Mexi
can archbshops, on which THE Ma
tion's" editorial was based
The position of the oil interests was
outlined in q statement issued by the
Association of Oil Producers, which
says:
its members has any connection with
or is in any way contributing toward
the Banquet or Diaz revolution, or has
voluntarily given any financial assist
ance to any movement against the Mex
lean government recognized by the
American government.
Made Forced Payments
Payments companies have been
forced to make for protection have
been made after recommendation to do
so by the Mexican Ambassador desig-
nate at Washington. The revolutionist
to whom these payments have been
made is hostile to Felix Diaz."
Foreign companies built up the in
dustry of petroleum production in
Mexico Their lands were acquired by
purchase and lease under Mexican laws.
In 1916, after fifteen years, the indus
try was finally receiving a return.
"The constituent assembly in Mexico
in 1917 adopted constitution purport
ing to repeal the laws of Mexico retro
actively and to take over to the MeXi-
can government for redistribution
among individuals and Mexican cor
poratlons exclusively. the lands hon
estly acquired by American companies
and developed at great expense by
them. Against this constitutional pre-
cept and confiscatory DEGREES based
upon it. the Americana French, British
and Dutch governments lodged protests
clearly ehafacterzing the Mexican pro
gramtne rs cohfscatotv. II was there
after that the oil companies united to
protect themselves against stoliation,
On the Side Of Cafranza
ing 'rha Nation, have aligned than
selves OH The side Of the tarrshza gov
eminent, and therefore IN opposition to
their own The taffanzh government
VIII not insist uD0n its plan of eonhs-
cation II II Is convinced that foreign
nations VIII insist upan the observance
by Mexico of the preeedents Of nterna-
tlonal laws The only certain way to
bring about Intervention is to create
in this country divided opinion as to
the propriety of the Mexican programme
of confscation, which will encourage
the Mexicans to try and put it into
effect"
Mr.. del Vilar, in his statement, said
his party was not the Catholic party,
but that they sought and desired free
dom for the church. THE words Of
the archbishops were not directed
against u.s." he said. "They were sim
ply a warning that all Catholics should
seek to preserve amity between the two
countries. That is what we wish ac-
cOmDlished"