Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-12-01
|PACT WITH MEXICO
PROPOSED BY COLBY
Suggests Appointment Of
Joint Commission to
Draw Up Treaty.

Early compliance with the suS-
gestion made to Mexico that commits
sioners be appointed from that coun-
try and the United States to draw up
treaty which can be made the basis
for resumption of full diplomatic re-
lations was looked for today by Off
Gals of the State Department.
The proposal of the United states
from Secretary of State Colby TO Rob-
erto V. Pesquiera, the Mexican con-
fidentiaI agent in Washington, made
public last night. The letter was
written several days ago, and was
taken to Mexico City when Mr.. Pes
quiera returned there for the lnaugu.
ration of Gen. Obregon as PRESIDENT
of Mexico, which takes place today.
Secretary Colby'S letter was in re-
ply to one received more tnan
month ago from the Mexican repre-
sentative, asking that steps be taken
toward a resumption of diplomatic re-
lations between the two repupilcs.
Letter Of Secretary.
The Secretary's letter follows:
The conversations which we nave
| had since the receipt of your notaole
letter of October 26, L am very
! pleased to say, have been entirely in
keeping with the spirit and tenor OF
tthe expressions it contained, and nave
iquite confirmed the agreeable antlcl-
ipations it aroused.
| II think | may say. as one OF the
results of these discussions, that no
doubt can reasonably be entertained OF
| the high and enlightened purposes that
iactuate the present government Oh
Mexico. and l am, fully persuaded that
you realize the friendship and disln-
terestedneSs toward your country WHICH
| animate this government.
I'VE have not required the assur-
ances, 80 unqua lifiedly given in your
letter of MeXico's regard for the dlS-
charge of her obligations and OF her
respect for the principles OF lnterna-
i tional law. Your suggestion of joint
arbitration commission to ad1ud1cate
| the claims presented by citizens OF
jother countries for damages sustained
as a result of disorders in your coun-
try, and the further proposal to en-
large and strengthen existing treaty
provisions for the arbitration OF all
| controversies now pending or winch
! may arise between our respective ma
tons, bring convincing support to your
declarations. if that were needed.
Misunderstanding Admitted.
you refer at length to the misun-
Outstanding that has arisen, and
| which has widely prevailed. as to the
true scope and effect of article ~ OF
the Mexican federal constitution
That such misunderstanding has
|
nate restraint upon the impulses OF
friendly governments IN their desire
to cooperate with the Mexican people
in the recovery of the full measure
of their material strength and pros
perity. cannot be denied. But I can
conceive Of nothing better calculated
to correct this misunderstanding and
to allay the fears of those who have
acquired valid titles, or who have
made substantial investments in con-
formity with Mexican law. and in re-
lance upon it's protection, than the
statements of your letter referring to
the declarations of President de Ia
Huerta and President-elect Obregon
to the effect that article q is not
and must not be Interpreted as retro
active or violative Of valid property
rights.
No Desire to Interfere.
1.-THE interest of other nations in
| this subject should not, and ! am con-
WINGED 1T is not, attributed to any de-
sire to influence or interfere with
Mexico in the adoption and pursuit OF
any policy with regard to its lands
and resources which expresses its
| aspirations and satisfies its people,
Indeed. 1 may remark that there ia
! wide sympathy for the apparent de-
| policy which shall protect its great
resources against waste, dispersal or
other improvident treatment. The
! freedom to do this, which no one can
! dispute or even criticise, is in no sense
compromised by the due respect for
legally vested interests which you sc
fully avow with a convincing sincerity
which is beyond question.
! 1T only remains to give these I'M
derstandings a form which is usual
| in dealings between friendly states
| and I have the honor to suggest, as
our fruitful discussions draw to a
| close. that commissioners be promptly
designated by both Mexico and the
United States to formulate a treaty
| embodying the agreements which
| have been reached as the result OF
| your successful mission"