Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1921-09-02
j. s. OIL MEN WIN
IN MEXICO COURT
Decision Restores Forfeited Land
to American Company.
PRECEDENT FOR OTHERS SET
Vote Of the Judges Unanimous il
Holding That Article 81 of the
Republics Constitution
Not Retroactive.

Mexico City. Sept. 1.-OfiicIals OF
te Mexican department OF commerce
and industry have been enjoined by
the Supreme court from denouncing
rights to oil lands held by the Texas
Company prior to May 1, 1917. This
decision, handed down by unanimous
vote of the court, probably sets pre-
cecent for the courts action In dealing
with nearly $50 cases calling into ques-
ton the effect of article 81 of the
Mexican constitution.
The Texas Company appealed TO the
court for an amparo, or preliminary
certificate issued to the holder of
land claim, the issuance of pre-emp-
ton papers. This action was taken
to prevent the government from de-
nouncing claims held by the company.
If the other oil companies which have
brought similar actions are victorious,
II Is generally believed that the deci-
SONS Will constitute the courts defini-
ton OF article %, and its interpreta-
ton of that article as being non-etro-
active in its effects, and that claims
oil lands held before May 1, 1917, can
not be questioned.
Decision by Justice Arlas.
Justice Adolfo Arias prepared the
decision, in which his colleagues con-
CURED. When court opened and dis
cussions were begun Justice Arias was
the first to speak, and he emphatically
championed the Texas Company's con-
tentions, asserting that the denouce-
nlent in question was in direct viola
ton of article Ii of the Mexican con-
stitution. This article states that mo
law shall be given retroactive effect
to the prejudice Of any person what
soever." He also was emphatic In
stating that the naturalization Ut pc
trcleum deposits under article q of
the constitution must not be made re-
troactive so that II would apply TO
lands legally acquired under the min
ing law as it stood previous to May /,
1917. That law declared that oil was
part Of the soil wherever found
Arguments by the justices during the
day were mainly in support of this po-
siuon.
Americans Make No Comment.
Heads of American oil companies
who are comforting with government
officials here declined to comment on
the decision. and they were silent as
to their conference on Tuesday with
President 0bregon and Adolfo de La
Huerta, secretary of the treasury.
President 0bregOn stated that his
conversation with the oil men was
brief and extremely cordial. He added
that the decision of the Supreme court
was merely coincidental with the visit
OF the Americans and was not infIn-
enced by their arrival in this city
These conferences between the petro-
leum executives and Secretary de La
Huerta continue.
The suit decided was brought by the
Texas Company In 1919 following the
announcement of rights held by that
company on q parcel of land at Zaca-
mlxtla. south of Tampico. Orders for
such announcement had been issued
uIder tie provisions of a decree is
sued By President Carranza on August
! s, 1913, which called upon oil compa-
MES TO manifest their holdings. The
Texas Company failed to make such
a manifest, and the land was declared
forfeited. The company sought TO es-
| tablish its legal right against such ac-
| ton by the government.