Evening star., 1920-11-21

the fundamental law of Mexico contained In
the statutes of 1884. 1892 and 1sos upon which
American investors in Mexico relied. At
special session of the Mexican Academy OF
Jurisprudence, corresponding to our American
Bar Association. held in 1905. 1t was held that
under the laws of 1884 and 1892 petroleum
did not belong to the Mexican government.
but to the owners of the surface lands under
which 1t was found, and could not be taken
by the nation without full compensation.
The American oil men. 1t is held. do not own
their properties by concession from, the gov
ernment. but by title under original Spanish
crown grants, some of them three hundred
years old. They are. therefore, not to be
classed as adventurers and spectators. but
purchasers relying upon the basic law of the
land
The Japanese situation may again be acute
by the time President Harding enters office.
The alien land law adopted by a referendum
vote in California November 2. applicable of
course. only to that state. becomes effective
in ninety days. and as the hour approaches 1t is
expected that public sentiment in Japan will
be Mashed by the "jngoes" of that nation to
resentment against the United States as
nation.
1t is predicted by those familiar with the
state of affairs on the Pacific coast and with
the provisions Of California's new statute that
public sentiment, when 1t Is fully acquainted
with details, will sustain the Californians in
their enactment of a protective law and will
back up the administration at Washington in
maintaining friendly but firm course IN all
diplomatic negotiations growing out of the
action OF the voters at the polls in California.
certain element in the east is expected to
ANYTHING a m In
regard, fearful OF bringing trouble with
Japan, but President Harding will find strong
pressure brought to bear upon his administra-
tion to deal with the problem firmly and on the
basis of his oft-repeated declaration of Amer
icanism paramount"
When the people at large come to realize
what is known to officials and congressman,
that. thanks to the naval building program
adopted by the United States in 1915, this
country possesses a navy which Is not
excelled In capital battle ships by even Great
Britain, the boasted ruler of the waves, ap-
prehension of the likelihood Of serious trouble
with Japan Will be lessened No thought of
aggression will accompany this reflection. but
it will be inducive, it is held, to firm insstence
upon national rights and resistance to buster.
Haitian affairs will invite the attention of
the new administration Immediately upon its
entering Office. Indeed. the subject is ex-
pected to come up for attention before then.
If remedial action must be delayed for
the incoming officials. AS as Congress
assemblies IN December food of resolutions
of inquiry is expected in both houses. result
ing possibly in prompt appointment of con-
gressional committee to visit the island and
inquire at first hand into the alleged abuses
under American administration Of the affairs
of that country. The revelations of the re-
ported brutalities of American marines aroused
widespread comment, even at the time when
the country was obsessed with the approach
ing election.