The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-04
THERE is CHANGE
Mexico Turns To Favor the
Foreign Investor Now.
Attitude of the Government Is
Switched Last Few Months.

Washington, April 4.-Private and
official advices from Mexico City with
in the last few days were interpreted
as clearly indicating a sudden change
in sentiment in the republic toward
foreign Investments in Mexico and
that the coming session of congress
will clear the atmosphere of much of
the hostility shown since the adoption
of the 1917 constitution.
Diplomatic circles and officials of
the state department are much inter
ested in this apparent change of front,
as manifested in newspaper editorials
and in statements by members of the
Mexican congress which have been
telegraphed here. The American oil
interests in Mexico, it was learned,
have not receded from the stand orig
Mexico must be recognized, and that
the anti-foreign and confiscatory fea-
lures of the new constitution must
not operate eX-post facto against them.
Nor have they shown any inclination
to waive the rights in property which
were purchased under the existing
laws of Mexico. but which were
jeopardized by the new constitution.
There Have Been Protests.
The American, British and French
governments have protested to the
Mexican government against the OPP
Grafton of certain parts of the consti-
tuition which were termed "Confis-
catory."
From recent advices it appears the
new attitude of the Mexican people. at
least, and it is believed in official cir
cles that this attitude is inspired by
the government, is to recognize the
rights Of all people including foreign
erS to their vested rights under inter-
national law. The recent visit of RAJ
70 oaffr inc fr1ic .F
in the Mexican government to New
York where he consulted with inter-
national bankers regarding the pros
poets of a loan to Mexico and the cor
respondence which has taken place
between former Minister of Finance
Limantour and President Carranza,
which resulted in the latter extending
an invitation to President Diaz's ex-
perienced financial aide are believed
to have been two influences that have
changed the stand of the Mexican
government Nieto is known to have
met with no success and little encour-
agement in New York beyond a prom
Use of consideration of the request
when Mexico showed she would ac-
cord proper trea tment and protection
to foreign investors. Limantour must
have advised Carranza, officials be-
lieve that it would be impossible to
secure financial aid for Mexico so
long as the government maintained
its hostile attitude toward foreign in
vestors.
Book on the Subject.
One influence, which is frankly
stated as having caused a change in
public sentiment, is a book recently
published by Mexico entitled Foreign
Investments in Mexico" and written
by Carlos Diaz Dufoo. editor of "El
Impartial" which has had an unprec-
denied popularity among the reading
population of the republic. According
to an extensive quotation from this
book, which has been received here
thru diplomatic channels, the author
says:
Mexico needs capital, in a degree
perhaps not experienced by any other
young nation. Every industry de-
mands it, agriculture no less than cat
tie raising, mining and the oil industry
alike"
The book then adds that foreigners
are the only people who have the nee
essary capital or who are willing to
risk it in hazardous investments.
Practically all the newspapers of
Mexico City and many of the provin-
cial papers are reported to be printing
interviews with members of congress
and editorially commenting on the
problem of foreign investments, espec-
tally the oil industry.