The Washington herald., 1921-04-18
Secretary Says England
Double Crosses US.
In Mexico.
GAINS UPPER HAND
IN WORLD SUPPLY
Cabinet Member for Co.
lombian Pact to Aid
Americans There.

ment over Mexican Oil holdings is
the charge made by Secretary Of
the Interior Fall in a letter to Sem
ator Lodge, under date of March
a? last.
The Secretary asserts that there
is a crisis in oil development. af-
fecting not only national prosperity
but national safety. which Great
Britain Is meeting by getting into
the oil business. and which it be-
hooves the United States to meet
to the extent at least OF promoting
and protecting American oil devel-
opment abroad.
In Mexico the British government.
says Fall, is protesting against the
Carranza confscatory DEGREES. while
the Aguila Company, controlled by
the British government, is yielding
to the DEGREES. to the disadvantage
Of the American companies.
Britain and France PROTESTED.
The British government and the
French government have each re-
peatedly protested to the Mexican
government. from time to time.
along exactly similar lines to the
protests made by this government,
concerning the conhscatory DEGREES
Of the Mexican government under
the constitution Of 1917. proclaimed
by Carranza. and being followed by
obregon." says the Fall letter.
These protests yet stand as the
Official last word of Great Britain
and France. and exactly similar
protests yet stand as our last word
to that country.
The Mexican Eagle Company
c'Aguila") has been a member OF
the American association Of oil
companies, and has for years CO.
-operated with this association in
making protests against confsca-
tory decrees in Mexico, both from
the British government and the
American government.
AEsiIa Company submits.
Recently within the last three
months the Aguila company finally
notified the American associatiop
that II proposed to pursue its own
lines and make its own terms with
the Mexican government. accep:inG
the Mexican governments demands
with reference to oil drilling per-
mfs. etc.
clear sky. and I am informed that
after certain protests, made by the
associa ton and by the American
companies. the Mexican Eagle
Aguils) Company has not. in fact
obtained titles under this confs-
catory decree. upon properties be-
longing to others. but yet has moi
countermanded instructions to 1t:
agents in Mexico to obtain such
titles from time to time.
Nevertheless. the British protest
still stands, and Great Britain /.
ostensibly acting with the Uni'e ed
States officially. in identical official
protests against the constitution oi
1907. and DEGREES under II.
British Concern Yields.
The British 'Aguila' Oil Company
owned as a matter OF fact by Great
Britain herself. is. however. yielding
to such DEGREES and obtaining ad-
vantage Of American compa nies who
are faithfully abiding by the advice
Vi lIc
government in the matter.
British oil interests are giving
every assurance to Obregon and
Mexican officials of their support
and friendly cooperation. seeking
advantage against or over American
companies. while the British gov.
ernme9t. owning this oil company
Is ostensibly standing by the United
States government in its action.
IT bring these matters to your at
tention. and am furnishing YOU
with the diagram referred to for THE
reason that it is high time that
Americans should understand the
situation and as patriotic Americans
deal with it"
Britain's Great Holdings.
The British government, says the
secretary. has acquired control of
not only British but the Royal
Dutch, Shell and other foreign oil
companies, the total value of the
British national oil investment
being. double the capitalization OF
all American oil companies oper-
ating at home and abroad. He cites
the extensive British national hold
ings in Oklahoma and California.
The American oil developer and
producer in the United States. in
Mexico, in Mesopotamia, in Africa,
in South America and elsewhere,
working by himself, with practically
no protection from his government
and abused and vilified by American n
authorities in high places, must
come in competition with the great
British nation. realizing its duty to
itself and encouraging and support
ing its citizens with national funds
wherever they may be able to OBJ
tain a footing through private
manipulation or national influence in
every country of the world" con-
tinued Mr.. Fall.
America Has Ne Protector.
Great Britain, as usual. has a
policy of upbuilding and assisting
its citizens in upbuilding the nation,
while the American has no protec-
tion. and many of Its prominent men
are engaged, as usual, in retarding
every effort OF the individual citizen
of this country in his individual de-
velopment and objecting to any pro-
lection as an American citizen"
In all this, Secretary Fan finds a
reason for ratification of the s2s,-
100000 Colombian treaty, for the
British government-owned Royar
CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE.