The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-12
CAUTION IS URGED
Former Ambassador to Mexico
Warns q. S. Against Haste.
Careful Study Before RecOgni-
ton of Mexico Needed,

Green Castle, Pa. July 12.-Warn-
ing against premature recognition of
the new Mexican government was CIV
en- the administration today by Henry
P. Fletcher, former ambassador to
Mexico. In a letter to cambridge
Colby, secretary of state, he urged
that in no case should the recognition
of the de la Huerta regime be other
than that of a de facto character with
the understanding that even this would
be withdrawn should subsequent
events prove that it was prematurely
extended.
Protection for Americans.
Mr.. Fletcher was the American am
bassador to Mexico during the Car
rama administration, but resigned
several months go because of a dis
agreement with the American govern
ment's policy toward Mexico. His let
ter to Secretary Colby follows:
I'm my capacity as a private citizen
interested in good relations between
| the United States and Mexico may 1
suggest for such consideration as they
may deserve. the following regarding
the recognition of the new government
| of Mexico:
without animadverting to past diff
| ficulties and with view to avoiding
a repetition of them, 1 would respect
| fully suggest:
First, that the United States should
not recognize the new government of
| Mexico until it is reasonably clear
that said government is not only will
| ing but able to regard the fundamental
| duties of a government, /. E., to main
| tain law and order and to afford ade-
| auate protection to the lives and in
terests of foreigners in Mexico.S
Secure Informal Agreement.
Second, that the new regime should
| be recognized. If at all, merely as the
| de facto government and it should be
| informed that such recognition was
provisional and would be Withdrawn if
it should subsequently prove to have
been prematurely extended:
/. That, before extending such de
facto recognition we should take steps
to secure an informal agreement etc
/ later be made formal if desired) cover
ing the following pending matters:
"(A) That the constitution of 1917
and the law passed in pursuance there
of shall not be given retroactive effect
as to property lawfully acquired pre-
vious to its PRONUNCIATION, and thai
| American citizens shall not be de-
priced of their lawfully acquired rights
without compensation
/ 'TB) Return to American citizen:
and corporations of such property Eek.
Guiding taxes) as they were deprived
of during the Carranza regime without
compensation by either national oil
state governments of Mexico.
Urges Claim Commission.
"(C) Immediate constitution of {
mixed Mexican-American claims com
mission to adjust all claims of Ameri
can citizens against the government o
Mexico and of Mexican citizens agains
the government of the United States.
''(D) Appointment of commission
ers to settle definitely the Cmaizal and
all other boundary questions, inc1ud
ing the DETECTION, canalization anC
protection of the waters of the Colo
RADIO river for the irrigation of the I'm
periaI valley in Mexico and in thu
United States.
'T make no mention of financial OF
economic matters. believing the!
should form the subject matter of ne
gotiations subsequent to recognition.
would make it clear that these condi
tions are attached to our recognition
merely because our unfortunate ex
periences with the CarranZa govern
ment make their appear necessary II
! order to avoid future trouble and tina
we are not asking for our nationals {
privileged position but simple justice