The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-07-12
URGES SLOWNESS
 IN RECOGNITION
 OF THE MEX|CANS
Ex-Ambassador Fletcher Writes Secretary of State Advising Limitations
 Regarding Regime
Rx Assocjatad Prsss

|
 Green Castle, Pa.1 July Il Warning against premature recognition of the new Mexican government was given the administration today by Henry F. Fletcher. former ambassador to Mexico. In letter to Bainbrdge Colby, Secre- tary of State, he urged that in no case should the recognition of the De Ia Huerta regime be other than that of a de facto character with the understand ing that even this would be withdrawn should subsequent events prove that II was prematurely extended
 Mir F'letchers letter resulted from ne- gctiations now in progress between the state department and pr. lglesias Cal deron Mexican high commissioner to the United States, regarding recognition of the new goverriment at Mexico City.
 Dr. Iglesias Calderon has assured the American government of the desire of the new regime to live up to the obliga- tions of government, but MT. Fletcher in his letter suggested that before any recognition was extended an informal agreement be made with the Mexican authorities that American citizens would not be deprived of their property rights without compensation and that such property as they were deprived of during the Carranza regime without compensa- tion would be returned to them.
 MT. Fletcher was the Americsn n ambas- sador to Mexico during the Carranza ad- mnistration, but resigned several months ago because of disagreement with the American governments policy toward Mexico. His letter to Secretary Colby follows:
 THE LETTER
 "In may capacity as private citizens interested in good relations between the Tinted States and Mexico. may l sug- eest for such consideration as they may deserve the following regarding the rec ognition of the new government of Mexico.
 "Without animadverting to past diff entities and with view to avoiding repetition of them. I would respectfully suggest:
 ognize the new government of Mexico until it is reasonably clear that said gov ernment is not only willing. but able to regard the fundamental duties of gov ernment to maintain law and order and |to afford adequate protection to the lives and interests of foreigners in Mexico
 That the new regime should be rec ognized. if at all. merely as the de facto government and it should be informed that such recognition was provisional ana would be withdrawn if it should subsequently prove 70 nave been pre- maturely extended.
 ..rha. before extending such de facto recognition we should take steps to se- 'oure an informal agreement. to later ne made formal n desired. covering the fol- lowing pending matters:
 That the constitution of 1917 and the
 ~ s.k,o not he given retroactive effect as to prop ertv lawfully acquired previous to it's nro,nuleation and that American citizens sbau not be denrived of their lawfully acnuired rights without compensation.
 ..Pet1lrn tn American citizens and cor. poratious of such prorerfv. excluding taxes as they were serrived sof during the Carranza reeine without compensa- ton bv either rational or state govern rents of Mexico.
 Immediate constitution of mixed N,exican-American claims commission to adiust all clairns of American citizeis aea irst the eoverpment of Mexico and of |Nexicar. e'.i~er.- -oainst fl,e government of the Tinted states.
 s.Appeirtrnerf}o commissioners to ser tle definitely the Cnaizai and all other boundary questions. including the deflec- ton. irrigation of the imperial valley in Mexico ard in the United States make u. mention of financial or economic mat ters. believing they form the subject mat ter of negotiations subsequent to recog- ritions.
 I've should make it clear that these conditions are attached to our recog- ,.:lion merely because orr unfortunate exr reriences with the Carranza govern ment make them appear necessary. To avoid future trouble. and above all that we are not aski F for our nationals priyiIese1 position. but simply justice