Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-06-15
A "CINCH INSTEAD OF A BET.


ment on a recent Journal editorial:
referring to your editorial Of June 18th,
inst entitled is America Unselfsh?' / wish
to enter a quiet protest to that part in which
you say certain interests obtained so-called
titles from fly-by-night governments in Mex
leo.
1.-THE beginning and requirement of oil titles
was during the rule of Porferio Daz and
while his government upheld by bay
onets in the hands of ruralles. yet 1t was con-
sidered stable, at least for Mexico.
1.-THE article 81 of the Mexican constitution,
is I believe retroactive, which is confiscation,
regardless of extent to whom applied, and
to that extent is the American government
justified in the stand taken"
1t would be interesting to know what proper
ton of the titles in question were obtained dur
ing the reign" of Diaz and what were acquired
since that time.
It would also be fascinating to know to what
extent the present owners held title prior to the
constitution of 1917. We opine that investigation
will show that many bona fide owners became
alarmed over their titles and sold whatever they
had for a song to the International gamblers who
believed they could force this government into
perfecting their titles for them. Information on
this score is invited.
However our correspondent evidently holds to
a view with regard to property rights in which
we do not concur. He seems to feel that prop
erty right of American citizen in foreign
country, which would have become vested I'M
der American law should be considered as vested
regardless of the law Of the country in which the
property is located and that this government owes
the duty to that citizen Of sealing that title with
American blood If necessary.
All this pre-supposes that property rights are
inherent as human rights and not based merely
upon a public policy which society has deemed
1t wise to inaugurate and has therefore established
by law-usually by constitutional provision But
sucb will bear
analysis
We ordinarily regard the right to life an
inalienabe human right. But we have said
before 1t is not. When society found 1t necessary
they took boys without their consent and put
them into the front line trenches to die
When Uncle Sam wants our property he tells
us by law whether he wants six per cent Of 1t
or sixty per cent and proceeds to take it. If he
take part of it he take all Of 1t If the needs
of society require It, By society" applied to
the United States, mean the American people
operating through their government,
When this government decided that the liquor
business was contrary to public policy 1t abolished
1t although it worked practical confiscation of
the vested interests Of the dstiler and the brewer
Property rights exist because the public
siders it wise that they shall exist. Most of be-
lieve them essential to human happiness and
human we-being. Any time a sufficient majority
might decide that it would be best for society
to abolish private property rights they will be
abolished without regard OF the opinion of those
OF who think 1t terrible mistake and WIDELY
unjust to do
Such matters purely internal questions for
society" within each nation to decide upon.
America would tolerate telling what to
do about it. We without the right to attempt
to tell them. unless their conduct menaces our
national safety or Is discrimination against our
citizens.
What Mexico Is doing under her 1917 consti-
tuition neither menaces national safety
discriminates against nationals There Is no
such grounds for interferences. We are asked to
help the big spectators make their titles good
to the national resources Of Mexico. A course is
being pursued which probably will lead to blood
shed and chaos.
Whatever titles these men took, they took under
Mexican law. They accepted the hazard Of the
stability of the Mexican government. They also
accepted the hazard OF the stability of the Mexican
Jurisdiction of the American flag. They accepted
the public opinion of ssciety In Mexico as to the
future safety of their investments They put them
Ielves into the hands Of the Mexican people as to
what law and protection to titles they were to
have. AS Americans they could rghtfully ask for
nothing from our government except to see to 1t
that they were treated we'll every one else.
The present American program Is brazen
strong-arm effort to Mexico as to her in
ternal policy. The Journal believes that policy to
be mistake But 1t is none of our business as
long as they treat everybody alike.
These gamblers took gamblers chance If
they could "get away with it" they could make
hundreds of millions of dollars.
We object to American boys giving their
lives to make "cinch" out Of bet l..,s.l. :.