The Washington times., 1919-12-11
MEXICO MAKES j. s.
OIL MEN QUIT WORK
Armed Troops Seize Tools.
Firms Petition Congress
to Act.
CONTINUED from First Page }

4 (Continue0 from FlrSt PaRe.D
their tools under government seal.
The companies are thus deprived of
| the use and enjoyment of their own
properties And there exists no justi.
| fcation OF these high-handed acts.
| "All of the facts have been COM
\ municated to the State Department AT
Washington. The statements of the
companies show in detail the physical
acts of confscation that have oc-
/ Cured. The companies being in no
position to meet force with force, are
at the end of their row.
THE avowed purpose of the Mexi-
can government 10 to nationalize pe-
! troleum. and this is its latest move to
/ that end. Naturalization seems con-
! hscation in this instance. There Is no
| pretense of compensation, just or
| otherwise, and there Is also lacking
the element of national necessity.
United States Gave Warming.
When Carranza undertook to Garry
out his program of naturalization in
1918 the State Department in Wash
ington took cognixance and said in
effect that such conhscation of vested
| rights would not be permitted as
| against citizens of the United States"
The state Department last night is
sued q statement in which 1t called at
tsntion to three notes sent to the
Mexican government on the question
OF confscation of American land in
Mexico. The department reported
| that no replies had been received.
The communication explains that
under the Mexican constitution the
oil belongs to the government. Under
this condition. when the constitution
| is operated only temporary licenses
| could be issued, the signers contend.
| They tell Of the loss Of life by pioneers
In the oil industry in Mexico. They
tell of the money invested by Ameri.
'an citizens. The export Of petroleum
% the United States is placed at
| GO,Oo0.OoO barrels per annum. This
supplies the fuel needs Of the Ship
ping board, navy. Railroad Admins
tration, as well as the private needs
| to great extent, the letter saws II
predicts disaster here IL the rulings
ana the actions of the Mexican gov
eminent are continued.
In conclusion, the letter says:
| Therefore, If it should fail to pro.
tect its citizens abroad our Govern.
ment by the same failure would bring
ABOUT unwarranted injury to itself
and citizens at home"
Walt jenkins Note Reply.
The State Department today still
was waiting for a reply from Mexico
10 the last American note calling for
me release OF American Consular
Agent William o. Jenkins from the
penitentiary at Puebla.
President Wilson today is study.
ing a new angle of the Mexican stu.
alton.
Representations that the Mexican
government has taken steps to re-
strict the output of oil to the United
states have been made. to John Bar.
ton Payne. chairman of the Shippins
Board, and forwarded to the sPresI.
dent, according to a statement made
oy Representative Gould of New York
1 IL Is declared that the alleged inter.
terence of the Mexican government,
with American-owned oil propertie.
IN Mexico may hamper the operation.
OF large number Of oil-burning yes.
sells owned by the Government.
The state Department has been IN
negotiation with the Mexican govern
ment in regard to the oil situation
for some months. but thus far there
| mas been no agreement
"Drive Out Americana
| Charges, that the Mexican govern.
ment Is attempting to drive the Amer
ican from Mexico were made public
today. The testimony of W. +. Buck.
ley. an American lawyer, who lived
near Tampico. before the Senate sub.
committee declared that Luis Cabrera
minister OF finance for Mexico. said
| that the menace of the American
In Mexico must be removed, and tina,
| the only way to do this was to driy,
MIN out of the country and take his
property"
Cabrera Is quoted as saying tha,
President Wilson is IAN advance
liberal and that the efforts 10 drive
| the American from Mexico would
nave the support OF the Government
| D0Y C1I1SVITVv InlnnrnAr,