New-York tribune., 1920-12-01
Mexico Asked
ToPut Pledge
La Treaty Form
Colby Seeks Guarantees
American Claims Will Be
Paid and That Article q
Will Not Be Retroactive
Recognition VIII Follow
Formal Note Suggests the
Appointment of Commits
sioners by Two Nations

From, The 1ri5une's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Nov 3O.-Recognition
Of Mexico by the American eovernmcnt
VIII not be authorized until treaty
guaranteeing security to American in
terests in Mexico has been formulate
Secretary Of State Colby disclosed to-
day, n making public his reply to the
communication urging recognition sent
to the State Department October 26 by
Roberto v Pcsqueira, confidential
agent Of the Mexican government
Mr.. Colby'5 formal reply to Mr..
Pesqueira was handed to him before
his departure for Mexico City last
week to attend the Inauguration of
+ President-e Alvaro Obreson.
The reply reviews the original COM
lnunication from Mr.. Pesqueira, in
which he suggested the appointment Of
\ joint commission to arbitrate Ameri-
can claims against the Mexican gov
ernment and specifically announced
that Article 27 Of the Mexican constitu-
ton, which has been emphatically pro-
tested against repeatedly by the State
Department and by private individuals
holding oil leases in that republic, was
not to be interpreted as retroact ctive.
Mr. Colby sums up the American atti-
tude by insisting that a treaty be
formulated to make binding these as
surances offered by Mr.. Pesqueira.
Text of American Reply
The text Of the answer to Mr.. Pes
queira follows:
"The conversations which we have
had since the receipt Of your notable
letter of October 26, am very pleased
TO say, have been entirely in keeping
with the spirit and tenor of the ex-
pressions it contained and have quite
confirmed the agreeable anticpations
it aroused.
Il think may say. as one OF. the
results of these discussions, that no
doubt can reasonably be entertained
of the high and enlightened purpose 5
that actuate the present government
OF Mexico, and | am fully persuaded
tnat you realize the friendship and
dlslnterestedness toward your country
which animate this government.
We have not required the assur-
ances, so unqualihedly given in your
letter, OF Mexico's regard for the dis
charge OF her obligations, and OF her
respect Tor the principles of interna-
tlonal law. Your suggestion Of q
JOINT arbitration commission, to ad-
judicate the claims presented by citi
zens Of other countries for damares
sustained as result of disorders in
your country and the further proposal
TO enlarge and strengthen existing
treaty provisions for the arbitration
OF an CONTROVERSIES, now pending or
when may arise between our respec-
tive nationals, bring convincing sup
port TO your declarations, if that were
needed.
"You refer at length to the mjgun.
derstandlng that has arisen. and which
mas widely prevailed, as to the true
scope and effect Of Article XVII OF
the Mexican federal constitution. That
such mlsunders tanding has existed and
mas exercised an unfortunate restraint
upon the impulses Of friendly govrrn,
ments IN their desire to co0perafe with
the Mexican people in the recovery Of
the full measure of their material
strength and prosperity cannot be de.
MED. w
But can conceive of nothing better
calculated to correct this misunder.
standing and to allay the fears of those
VINO nave acquired valid titles. or who
nave made substantial investments IN
conformity with Mexlcan law. and in
reilance upon Us protection, than the
Sta'eHeuts OF your letter referring to
tae declarations of President de IA
Huerta and President elect Obreron r.
'he effect that Article 27 is not and