Evening star., 1919-03-20
AWAIT MEX|CANS'
VIEW. OF COVENANT
Vital Question of Oil Proper.
ties Is Pending Now With
United States. -.
CARRANzA's WAR VIEW
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.


BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Copyright. 1919. by N Y. Evening Post, Inc
Invitation by the Paris peace con-
ference to neutral countries to express
their views on the league Of nations
has brought out much interest here in
what may be the probable attitude of
the nearest neighbor of the United
States-Mexico-- the possible eff
feet Of the plan on the settlement of
disputes that have arisen or may arise
between the two countries.
So far as has been developed thus
far, Mexico is in favor of the prin-
ciple of league of nations, but. like
other small nations. is eager to know
Just what her representation or voice
will be in the international concert.
Carranza's View in 1917.
President Carranza expressed him.
self in favor of an association of
powers when he proposed. in Febru-
ary, 1917, that all neutrals combine to
bring the European war to an end,
and he even went so far as to suggest
that if mediation failed, the neutral
countries should then take the neces-
sary measures to reduce the Gonna
grafton to it's narrowest limit, by re-
fusing any kind of implements to the
belligerents and suspending CONNER
cial relations with the warning ma
tions until the said conflagration shall
have been smothered."
Boycott Similar to Leagues.
This mode of commercial blockade
or non-intercourse or economic boy
bott is one Of the fundamental
weapons by which the league of ma
tions as at present proposed, would
an early date suggested the use OF
economic force as well as mediation
by international concert, and from
such opinions as her representatives
have already expressed there ts no
doubt that in principle Mexico will
nations of Central and South America.
The problem of representation for
small nations will continue to be one
of the most difficult to solve until the
smaller countries can agree upon
plan whereby they will be repre-
to year, on the executive council.
. Vital Questions Rsnding v
Just now there Is pending between
the United States and Mexico q w
tai qAextions the tieme9t ct KhSSh
SifsUosftfoi1 of the Mexican g6y6rne
merit. It sis the oil preblefn.i Ainsri ;,
cans az well as other sforeignefs have:
invested their money in Mexico ana
conformed to Mexican law SO far as
possible. but the attempt practically
to conflscate the. American oil prop,
critics has led to a legal controversy
Of prime importance to the relations
OF the two countries.
Principle at Stake.
It isn't the matter Of money gained
or lost but the fundamental principles
Of whether Mexico Will treat for
eien investments on basis of JUS:
tice and. equity or, to suit the whimsi
Of individuals who would like to gain
possession of these properties with
out due process. The United States
has consistently protested against.
the various DEGREES issued and Presf-
dent Carranza has just given evidence
session of the Mexican congress-,
which will frame . law designed to
reconcile the conflicting interests Of
the dfsputants and at the same time
recognize the rights OF the American
owners.
Thus diplomacy will have brought
to friendly settlement a question OBJ
viously judicial, and even IL 1t had to
be carried to higher court for arbi-
tration. the citizens of the. United
States would feel that their claims
were SO just that they could not fail
fk,A ont0 in a hi f0tpA tafI
Intervention Talk on Wane..
Indeed, lately talk of Intervention
producers and they are disposed to put
a quietus on ideas that. they peren-
nially seek armed Intervention. So
convinced are they Of the merit Of
their claims and the disposition Of the
Mexican government to exercise JUS
tice in settling them that they believe
talk OF Intervention only serves to
make difficult the task Of the dipio-
mats who are at work endeavorinT to
compose the trouble.
Mexico has taken a lively interest
in the league Of nations discussion
and has sent Alberto PAM, one Of Car
ranza's trusted advisers, to France.
not as commissioner to the peace
conference. but as the accredited min !.
lister to France, SO that he would be
at the scene of the conference and
available in case any invitation was
issued to the neutral countries to make
suggestions.
Has Mr.. Lansing's Confidence.
Mr.. PAM was a member Of the
Mexican-American commission which
met at New London and Atlantic City.
and has the confidence Of Secretary
Lansing and the members Of the
American mission.
From such information as is avail
able here Mexico will join with the
kindred states of Latin America in
announcing her adherence to the
league. If she does SO Mexico will. of
course. be bound to fulfill interna-
tional obligations, as will all other
signatories. and the machinery of the
league will be open for the resolution
not merely of tangled diplomatic dis
putes, but financial questions which
have arisen since Mexico became dis
turbed by revolution.
Mexico has always insisted, through
President Carranza, that it was in
tended to settle all these claims, and
the courts set up by the league of
nations would. Of course. be a check