Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-12-01
SOON TO RECOGNIZE
! MEXICAN REGIME
Secretary Colby Proposes Com.
missioners to Draw Up
i Basic Treaty .a"s. i.
oBREeoN INAUGURAL TODAY
By the Associated Press

Washington. Dec. THE way to
,ssumpticn Of full diplomatic relations
between the United States and Mexico
.nrsrently was cleared today with a
nronossl from Secretary Colby for the
.,nointnent Of commissioners by the
two governments to draw up treaty
basis. =,
rmbodied in q letter to Robert ".
pesouiera. Mexican confidential agent
I, washington, Secretary Colby pro-
nossl, declaring the complete under :
standing reached between himself and
soror Pesouiera in their recent confer
srces now remained only to be given
treaty form, was takn to Mexico City
hv Senior Pesquiera when he left here
,ast week to attend the Inauguration
90 President Obregon. This was dis
c,osed when the secretary's letter was
made public here last night. .,
Declaring his conferences with Senor
pesouiera chad left no reasonable doubt
of the high and enlightened purposes
that actuate the present government
of MEXICO" Secretary Colby also as.
serted that the expressions contained
in Senior Pesquiera's recent letter urg-
ing recognition by the United states
should allay the fears OF those VINO
have acquired land titles in Mexico:
Annointment of commissioners by the
1,nited states and bv Mexico for nego-
t;st;on of the proposed treaty. writing
into a legal agreement the pronounce.
ments by Mr.. dc la Huerta and General
Obreeop to the effect that Article XVII
~ the Mexican constitution ''is not and
must not be interpreted as retroactive
or. yiolatiye of valid property rights,
was suggested by Mr.. Colby. -
Mr.. Colby does not contend that Ar
ticle XXyII in itself is confiscatory,
although some American interests in
Mexico cling to that view. The secre-
tary of state said It could not be denied
that such misunderstanding of Article
XVII had existed. He agreed that
the misunderstanding could be cor
rected and the fears Of foreign invest
ors alayed IL the Mexican Government
would cmbody in q treaty the declara-
tions Of De La Huerta and Obregon to
the effect that interpretations. laws or
decrees giving effect to Article XVII
would not be confscatory or retroactive.
The Supreme Court of Mexico is ex-
pected to pass upon the Carranza de-
crees under Article XVII within a
short time.
1t is thought by competent Mexican
legal authorities the DEGREES would be
held invalid and unconstitutional.
leaving the new Obregon government
free to act in harmony with the highest
Mexican court In giving such assurances
as are urged by Mr.. Colby.
The question was raised here last
night as to when formal recognition Of
the Obregon government might be ex-
pected.
Some doubt was expressed as to the
ability Of the State Department to con-
clude the treaty negotiations with the
Oregon government prior to March 4,
so as TO dispose Of the Mexican question.
There was some speculation as to the
likelihood of recognition the moment
General Obregon agreed to appointment
Of his commissioners and notification
to that effect to the State Depart
ment.
General Obregon took the oath of Of
fee as president at midnight last night.
He will be inaugurated today.