The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-08-01
NO BARRIER ON
IMMIGRATION
Mexico to Hold Open Door to
Nationals of Small "a.
Countries. y
COL L0NIZATI0N PROBLEMS
President Carranza Explains
Petroleum Situation Is
Badlv Misinternreted
COLONIZATION PROBLEMS

Mexico City, Aug. 1.-Mexico will
hold open door to nationals Of al
countries who can show that they
possess wholesome ideas of citizen
ship and will not prove disturbing
element in the nation, President
Venustiano Carranza told the cor
respondent OF the Associated Press
today in an Interview during which
the chief executive commented al
length on various phases OF Mexi-
cos problems
The presidents statement Of the
governments attitude toward immi-
grafton was in response to an in
quiry concerning the declaration OF
the press of Mexico City that large
numbers OF coionists were leaving
their European or Asiatic homes be-
cause OF disrupted conditions due TO
the world war.
President CarranZa gave assur-
ances that Mexico would place no
barriers against proper immigration,
and in fact, would extend all possible
aid to such prospective oolonlsts.
That such material aid is in con-
temptation Is evidenced by the fact
that the president recently appointed
a commission to investigate all
phases of the colonization problem.
Senor Luis Ludert Rul, president
of the commission, has announced
that communications have been re-
ceived from England, France, Can
ada, Germany and Russia in regard
to the feasibility of colonies in the
republic and in each instance the
answer has been that Mexico well
comes all dependable colonists.
Senor Carranza was asked whether
the Mexican government had any
policy concerning Latin America
which might be construed as indicat-
ing that the solidarity Of such
countries was more to be desired by
Mexico than alliances with any for
eign nation. He replied that to date
the Mexican government was con-
sidering no such project of union and
until such proposition presents
itself he refused to define a possible
governmental policy.
Touching Petroleum, Question.
Touching on the petroleum ques-
tion President CarranZa asserted that
the initiative he presented to con-
gress last November which was in
effect an amendment to Article XVII
Of the constitution, probably will be
considered by that body soon. He was
emphatic in the declaration that the
public press of the United States
is being grossly misinformed by the
petroleum interests, who, he said, are
distorting the fact. The president
continued: eThe petroleum COM
panies have ~ out TO engender ILL
feeling between Mexico and the
United States. They are doing this
through the medium of some sections
Of the American press which are dis
torting facts to suit their own ends.
Mexico is not opposed to the pc
troleum companies or TO any other
foreign investors. We merely re-
quire that If such companies are to
operate in the republic, they abide by
our laws. What the new oil law will
be cannot say for I have expressed
my beliefs and ideas in my initiative
of last November. The passing OF a
Refused to Predict
President Carranza refused to ven-
gress, The attitude of the petroleum
commission which will be a deter
factor in the settlement Of
the preesnt difficulties, he also de-
clared probiematical The special
commission appointed by the Mexi-
can senate to investigate conditions
in the rampico region has completed |
its work he said, and will give its in
formation to congress. This report |
IS private and is for informative pur-
poses only.
In conclusion President Carranza
gave renewed assurances Of his per-
Jonal wishes and those OF the gov |
that cordial relations be- /
.ween Mexico and the United States
)e maintained.