Great Falls daily tribune., 1920-06-21
MEXICAN LAWS
ON OIL NOT To
Be RETROACTIVE
Clause Matchmaking Pc
troleum Deposits Is to
Be Literally Interpret
ed Says Huerta.
Receives American Cor
respondents and De-
clares Friendship for
Neighbor Republic.

Mexico City, June 2O.-Mexi-
can petroleum laws based on ar
ticle 27 of the constitution, ma
tionalizing deposits of oil, which
article will be interpreted lib
orally, will not be retroactive,
declared Adolfo de la Huerta
provisional president of foreign
correspondents Sunday.
Senor de la Huerta spoke freely in
discussing problems before the country.
being host at luncheon given to the news
paper correspondents.
The policy Of friendship toward for
eign nations. especially the United States.
together with the assumption of I'll
legally contracted debts of the Mexican
republic is part of the provisional
presidents program.
Answers With Frankness.
The president answered a rapid fire
of questions with amazing frankness.
Once he had a sudden attack of illness
and was forced to cease speaking for
several moments. This attack, which
alarmed the guests. came when the provi-
sional president was talking of the up
rising against President Carranza and
had said orders had been given Juan s.
Stores, at Hermosillo. to arrest de la
Huerta. but that when the general ar
rived in Sonora he refused to obey
orders.
The provisional president refused to
leave the table because of his illness, and
in a few minutes resumed his narration
of events. He did not throw any new
light upon events attending the Sonora
revolt. which spread to all parts Of the
republic and finally resulted in the flight
and death of Carranza.
Evades Loan Issue.
Asked specifically what he meant by
debts legally. contracted, the president
replied laughingly, "please do not con-
fuse me with the former president Vic
toriane Huerta), although our names
are almost alike"
With regard to a Mexican foreign
loan. he evaded the issue by declaring:
These conversations with foreign
journalists are the first steps which have
been taken in this direction
Mexico faces two problems at pres
ent." he continued. These are the
economic and military problems. Mexico
is more completely 'pacified now than
during the time of Porfirio Diaz. Villa,
whose status is that of a mere bandit,
is not a military problem. Airplanes
are being sent to Villa, who, pursued
relentlessly, soon will be eliminated.
Forming New Army.
THE organization of the army, while
difficult, will be accomplished without
delay under the leadership of Plutarco
Elias Gales, the war minister"
Asked regarding censorship of news
dispatches the president declared he had
not been aware a censorship existed.
Turning to his chief of staff. Colonel
Ramirez. he ordered that the censorship
be abolished i'm mediately. He explained
the censorships probably were left-overs
from the former administration.
With regard to the administrations
policy toward the banks. de la Huerta
said every assistance and guarantee
woEld be given private banking enter
prises but that the government would
establish a national bank with the sole
privilege of issuing secured paper cur
rency.
Meet Bankers Half Way.
The same enlightened attitude toward
banking would be assumed as had been
assumed toward the petroleum inter-
ests, he added. The government is max
ing an effort to meet them half way in
order to gain the friendship and respect
of the nations and take its rightful place
with the civilized governments.
President de la HI Ireta described Car
ranza's death as the "only blot upon the
revolution"
Continuing he said:
Death Not intended
"An investigation of this tragedy is
now in the hands of the judicial author
tiles into whose plans 7 cannot legally
interfere. Personally and rnofficially, L
think Adolph Herrero should be arrest
ed, but as ! have explained, said moth
ing. "Carranzas death was never intend
ed by the leaders of the revolution, who
did all in their power to prevent harm
ing him.
The president was questioned regard
ing the reported treaty negotiated be-
tween Japan and the Carranza govern
ment.
he said in reply. II have not encounter
ed such a document"
Five CxAy;%chn,anL Hall