New-York tribune., 1920-10-31
Mexican Policy
Said to Hinge
On Article II
Washington Expected to Re
fuse Recognition Until
Law Confiscating the Oil
Property Is Kescinded
Other Nations Consulted
Colby Statement Regarded
as Hint to Europe of
Intentions of the Z. S.

From The 7ribunc's Washington Bureow
WASHINGTON, Oct 30.-Complet
and absolute abrogation Of Article
XVII of the Mexican constitution,
which has been protested against re-
peatedly by the American government
when under it property rights of ma
tionals Of the United States were jeop-
ardized, may be required of the new
Mexican government before formal rec
ognition is extended by President Will
son.
1t was said at the State Department
to-day that law officers Of the govern
mcnt were making special study of
TINS section of the Mexican constitu-
ton, and that \ complete understand
ing OF the provisions Of this Mexican
law and its application to American
property holders would be utilized in
drafting any protocol that might be
agreed upon coincident with resump-
tlon Of diplomatic relations.
The State departments admission thai
Article XVII was being studied was
interpreted as indicating that the
American government will insist upon
more than the Interpretation placed en-
this law by Roberto Pesquiera, the
Mexican conlidentia! agent, IN his let
ter urging recognition. The public
and Presldent-elect Obregon to the eff
feet that this measure "must not be
interpreted as retroactive or violatve
OF valid property rights" referred to in
Mr.. esGulera's letter, can be best sub
stantiated by Mexican legislation res
clrdlng the obnoxious measure, accord
ing to the official view here.
Banditry Believed Curbcd
Statn =,
add anything to Secretary Colbv's state
ment promising early recognition of
Mexico. The Secretary's statement was
held 10 describe completely the Wilson
administration belief that the pres
ent Mexican government already has
succeeded IN stamping out banditry, de-
spite the official admission that three
Americans during the last week were
murdered there and no satisfactory ex-
planation Of the crimes has yet been
communicated to this government.
1t was officially denied that George T.
Summerlin, the American Charge d At
faires to Mexico. who recently was
called to Washington to give the State
Department his views on the new gov
ernment, was to resign. The sugges-
tion was made that Summerlin's views
conceded with those Of Secretary
been in progress with Mr.. PesQuiera
give promise of a speedy and happy
outcome" 1t was held that no chagrin
was entertained by Mr.. Summcrlin over
the fact that George Creel, upon his re-
cent visit in the Mexican capital, did
not visit the American Embassy and
that upon his return to Washington ne
conferred with Secretary Colby on the
Mexican subject.
Pesqueira to Take Initiative
Confidential Agent PesQuolra is ex-
pected to take the initiative in further
negotiations with the State Department
.oking oward recognition. He al
ready has held four conferences with
Under Secretary Of State Norman
Davis, and an early resumption of these
meetings may be expected, it was said.
The policy outlined by Secretary
Colbys statement in response to Mr..
Pesqueira's letter is expected to he
officially transmitted to all foreign gov
ernments by the State Department a.
once. Already informal communica-
tions have passed between the State
Department and foreign governments
on the subject of Mexican recognition,
it was officially admitted. This admis-
sion was interpreted as substantiating
the reports of some months ago that
the action of the United States was to
guide the diplomatic course of Euro
pean countries toward Mexico. Be
cause Of the failure of the Carranza
government and those which preceded
i to keep up interest payments on
obligations to Great Britain and
france and because of British and
French oil interests there, the Mexi-
can problem has been constantly up
permost in the minds Of these Euro
mean nOWnrS