Bisbee daily review. [volume] (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 1919-10-05
OIL PRODUCERS
DENY MEXICAN
DECLARATIONS

WASHINGTON, Oct. Am formal
representations filed with the State
department, the Association of Pro
ducers of Petroleum takes issue with
recent declarations made in Mexico
City by Leon Salinas, acting head of
the Mexican Department of Industry
and Commerce and Chief of the Oil
Bureau of that department, justifying
the Carranza governments attitude
ON the confiscation question. beside,
refuting statements by Salinas, the
petroleum producers again charge
that the act of the Carranza govern
ment against, which they complain,
are in violation of the laws of Mex
leo itself and in contravention of the
accepted laws of nations;
1T is admitted,p says the state
ment, that the question of proprietor
ship of coal lands in Mexico and the
Spanish colonies was subject of con-
tention; but nowhere in the Spanish
grants or subsequent ordinances of
the Spanish Grown was petroleum
treated as the Kings patrimony or
the property of the nation. If any
contention did exist it was set at rest
in Mexico by the Mining law of 1884.
Before this date neither coal nor
petroleum had been developed in Mex
leo at all; the law of 1884 simply
cleared up a matter in question. From
that time therefore, rights to coal and
oil were acquired by Americans un-
der this law and the laws to the same
effect of 1892 and 1910 BY the ex-
penditure of vast amounts of money,
American individuals and companies
have given in value to these lands re-
lying upon the laws of Mexico. Theil
tenure was never questioned; in fact
it wasN repeatedly ratified by acts of
Mexican courts and the Mexican gov
eminent has since 1912 continuously
recognized rights so acquired under
Mexican law by collecting taxes upon
the lands and upon the product
The Mexican governments conten
ton that a mere change in contitu-
tional precept, (appearing in a con-
stitution which itself prohibits any
retroactive legislation, which precep,
against retroactive effect was called
to the attention of the Ambassador of
the United States, with an assurance
that no law or constitutional provi-
sion would take effect retroactively
in advance of the presentation of his
credentials in February, 1910 may
operate to divest foreigners of rights
legally acquired, has been well ans
wered by protests of your department.
In harmony with such protests the
members of this Association have
taken united stand and refused 10
be trapped by any of the exigencies
of Mexican government DEGREES de-
manding the performance of acts, the
effects of which would be to acquiesce
in the confiscation and render the
American protests nugatory.
Because we have refused to ad-
nit the loss Of our properties, the
Mexican government has seen fit to
refuse us permission to drill on our
lands until we perform such acts of
acQuiesence. The government has
gone to the extent of sending armed
forces to stop the drilling of a wei,
on a property of a member of this
association which member had, in
harmony with your protests, refused
to acquiesce in confiscation of his
property. In other cases, the Mex
lean government has granted rights
to third parties under mining claims
provided for in DEGREES against which
the American government has pro,
tested, and wells have been and are
being drilled on such lands by such
third parties.
"In reply to Secretary Salinas
statement we beg leave to call your
attention to the fact that these acts,
as is well known to you, are in open
violation of the laws of Mexico un-
der which our investment of time.
money and energy was made, and
violate the accepted laws of nations.