Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-10-05
'lECLARE MEX|CO's ACTS
. OF C0NF|SCAT0RY nature
vented From Drilling Wells by
Government.
RIGHTS GIVEN THIRD PARTIES
Conduct Is Open Violation Of Laws OF
Country Under Which Capital De-.
velopcd Property-Sturdy Protest
Filed by Wrongcd Interests.
Inv Associated prcs,,

WASHINGTON. Oct. 4.--In formal rep
'escntations filed with the state De-
hartment, the Association of PRODUCE
FRS OF Petroleum takes Issue with re-
cent declarations made in Mcxica City
ny Leon Salinas. acting head of the
ieXican Department of Industry and
commerce and Chief Of the OIL Bureau
'f that department, justifying the Car
ANA governments attitude on the
;onfiscation question.
Beside refuting statements by Sa-
mas the petroleum producers again
'hargc that the acts of the CarranZa
government. against which they com
plain. are in violation OF the laws of
Mexico itself and in cont: vention OF
ne accepted laws OF nations.
~ Is admitted, - says the statement.
mat the question OF proprie torshlp
u coal lands In Mexico and the Span
ah colonies was subject OF contention.
iut nowhere in the Spanish grants or
'unseduent ordinances OF tho Spanish
ing patrimony or the property OF
he nation. IL amy contention did exist
mining law of 1854.
Inv OF 1884 CI~nred up Point.
Before this date neither coal nor
petroleum had been developed in Mex
GO at all: the law OF 1854 simply
'icared up a matter In question. From
hat time, therefore. rights TO coal and
'ii were acquired by Americans under
ms law and the laws TO the same ef-
,itnre Of vast amounts OF money.
american individuals and companies
rave given value to these lands re-
yins upon the laws Of Mexico. Their
enure was never questioned; in fact
was repeatedly ratified by acts or
Mexican courts and the Mexican gov
.ecognizcd rights so acquired under
Mexican law by collecting taxes upon
ne lands and upon the product.
The Mexican governments conten-
ION that mere change in constitu-
ionai precept tappear!ng in consti-
ut!on which itself prohibits any re
against retroactive effect was called
% the attention OF the ambassador of
ne United States. with an assurance
nat no Law or constitutional provision
would take effect retroactively in adj
vance OF the presentation of his Gre
1entiais In February. 1910 may opcr-
Ally acquired has been we'll answered
oy protests of your department. In
harmony With such protests. tho mem
oers OF this association have taken ::
united stand and refused TO be trapped
by any OF the cS!gcncics of Mexican
sorernmcnt DEGREES demanding the
oGrformance OF acts, ,hs effect OF
which would be to acquiese in the
coniiEciiion and render the American
protests nugatory.
Ownership In NuliIned.
Because We have refused to admit
the loss Of our properties, the Mexican
government has seen fit - refuse us
permission TO drill OH our lands until
we perform such acts OF acQuiesence.
The government has gone to the ex-
tent OF sending armed forces 10 stop
The drilling of well on property
Of member OF this association which
member had. in harmony with your
protests. refused to acquiesce in con-
hscation OF his property. In other
cases. the Mexican government has
granted rights 10 third parties under
mining claims provided for in DEGREES
against which the American govern
mcpt has protested. and wells have
lands by such third parties.
In reply to Secretary Salinas state
men: We beg leave to call your atten-
tion TO the fact that these acts. as is
we'll known to you. arc I'm open viola
ton OF the laws OF Mexico under which
our investment of time, money and
energy was made. and violate the ac-
cepted law of nations"