The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-06-08
TREATY OF AM|TY AND COMMERCE IS
 PROPOSED BY ]. s.
Signing Would Automatically Accomplish American Rec ognition of the Govern
 ment of Mexico
Rr A.nnrintnsl rresn


 Washington, June 7.-Tbe Ameri- can government has proposed a treaty of amity and commerce with Mexico, 1t was announced today at the state department, in which Mexi- co will agree to safeguard the rights of property in that country held by American citizens which attached be- fore the constitution of 1917 was promulgated. The signing of the treaty automatically would ascom- plish American recognition of the Mexican government.
 Formal announcement of. the sd- nintstrstien's policy toward the southern repahle was made after the subject had been discussed at the regular cabinet meeting. President Harding and his advisers had before them communicztion from Presi- dent Ohregon relating to the pro- posed treaty, which was presented to the Mexican Prcsident by George T. Summeriin. the American charge at Mexico City, on May 2z.
 .
 Text Is Wfthhela
 The text of Obregon's reply has been withheld and administration of ficers decline to discuss 1t or to make any com ment as to the relation to it of the announcement of policy made phblic by Secretary Hughes. It is understood, however, that Obregon re- fcrred to the Negotiations which are proceeding with MT. Summerlin and indicated a vrill forward. It is known that he has summoned to the capital Ministers Gales and De La Huerta. who are re- ported to have counselied against the signing of such a treaty at Mexi- can cabinet conference held after |, had become known in Mexico City that a treaty of this character would be proposed by the United States.
 Secretary Hughes announcement contained no reference to the atti- tude assumed by President Obrc gon but it did say that if Mexico did not contemplate a confscatory policy with regard to property, the Amer- can government could "conceive or no possible objection to the treaty.
 Provisions Proposed
 It WAS stated that the proposed treaty contained "the conventional sdpulations as to commerce and re- ciprocal rights in both countries that 1t provided for the conclusion oi convention for the settlement ot claims for, losses of life and proper,y and also provision for just set clement of boundary matters.
 The departments statement satd that the fundamental question which confronted the American governmcnt in considering it's relations with Mexico was the feGuardine ot property rights against coniiscation. It was emphasized that this question should not be confused with any matter of personalities or of the rec ognition of any particular admins tration and the declaration WAS made that whenever Mexico was ready to give assurances that she would per form her fundamental obli2atio in the protection both of her sons ano of rights of property validity ac- quired. there would be mo obstacle to the most advantageous relations between the two peoples"
 Tert of StAt~ment
 The following statement on the subject was issued:
 The fundamental question when confronts the government of the United States in considering it's re- lations with Mexico Is the safegusrd- ing of property rights against con fiscation. Mexico is free to adopt any policy which she pleases with respect to her public lands, but she is me9 free to destroy without compensAea4A valid titles which have been osss tained by American citizens under Mexican laws. A confiscatory policy strikes not only at the interests ot particular individuals, but at the fou n dation of International inter- course, for it is only on the basis
 tContinued on Paxe rwo)