The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-03-01

about bandits and robberies are eyag
gerated and if traced to their source
would undoubtedly be found to have
emanated from propagandists interested
in forcing American Intervention in Mex
leo; the chief offenders in this respect
are so-called associations for the protec-
ton of American rights in Mexico"
This is an oft-repeated charge on the
part of persons not interested in oil wells
but is something new from an oil operator
and doubtless the National Association
for the Protection of American Rights
will have some comment on Mr.. Guffev's
observations in due time.
Mr.. Guffey goes on to saw that the
AIexicans ARE not attempting to confis-
cate all properties developed and oper-
ated by American companies. for if such
were its purpose, it could easily double
or treble the export tax of II cents a
| barrel, which was collected on all oil ex-
ported from Mexico in 1919 The Next
can government received a revenue from
such taxes last year of about 10000 900
| pesos-less than~5 per cent of the total
government taxes from all sources"
| Mr. Guffey claims that recognition of
/ the Mexican constitution would have
meant the payment of only S88O,O00 last
year "A small sum when the enormous
annual Mexican oil production is consid-
cred" He says that all any companies
| have to do ito conform to the Mexican
requirements is to recognize the constitu-
ton, denounce all concessions and leases
obtained prior to its adoption and take
out new permits" He adds that his own
company and subsidiaries are practically
the only American concerns which have
accepted the Mexican constitution and
because of this no interference has been
Experienced in carrying out development
work
president CarranZa," declares VI. Guf-
tfey, Il regard as an intelligent, high
type, constructive and honest statesman
"a man who has a definite objective and
is making rapid and systematic progress
toward its attainment. He has done
more for Mexico and the Mexican people
than any other president in its history
Mr.. Guffey says Mexico is prosperous
travel is safe and that order is being
restored "as rapidly and effectively as
one could reasonably expect"
But that isn't all Mr. Guffev, who j,
a Democratic leader in Pennsylvania
doesn't stop at description of Mexican
conditions and a tribute to the Mexican
president He takes issue with recent
speech by Governor Lowden, who. Ii,
says. is quoted in press dispatches as re
; ferring to conditions in Mexico as de
plorabe"
, probably an investigation woul,
show says Mr.. Guifey. that there hav,
been more holdups. robberies and muir
ders in Illinois during Governor Lowden'
Z term as governor than in the whole o
Mexico during a like period"
il All this j. q new point Of view from
, an oil operator and incidentally radi
cally different view from that espresso,
in notes sent by our department Of stat
/ to Mexico in recent months. where it i
claimed that conditions are dpplorable
| that Mexico was trying TO "confiscate
) properties of American oil companies AM
that protection wasn't being furnshe,
, Americans operating in Mexico.
1t is time, concludes Mr. GufTey
that the people and business interest
of the United States began cultivatin
an appreciation of these 100000 PEG
5 pie living south OF the Rio Grande"
There may or may not be signiicanc
: in Mr.. Guifey's statement issued on hi
return to Washington. With Mr.. Ian
sings departure and Ambassador Fletci
cr's resignation President Wilson may b
lgfttipg tready.ta reppdiate. much Of wha
has been SAID on the Mexican question b
state department officials Or it ma
mean As some oil men say. that Nj
Guiiey'S statement is his come bac
against other oil operators who have Bit
terly denounced him for accepting pei
mits from the AIeXicans to drill well
when others couldn't get them. The mex
few days ought to tell what back OF
all