The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-06-11
by DAVID LAWRENCE.

Especial Despatch to The Reformer.)
Copyright 1921.
WASHINGTON. June 1.-THE Mex
lean situation has simply resolved itself
INTO a question of time. The United
States government confidently expects
the Mexican authorities to come round
posal for a new treaty of amity and COM
merce. The Mexicans have begun argu-
ing but eventually they must accept the
proposal made or remain outside the
family of nations
The Mexican officials whose statements
have been published do not yet know how
firm is the attitude of Secretary Hughes.
They imagine it is a subject in which
there can be endless pickering. But Mr..
Hughes insists on one fundamental. Fail
ing to grasp that fundamental may cost
General Obregon a good deal. The funda-
mental is simply that the Mexican con-.
stltutiOn is or is not c0niiscatOry. If it
is not, then a treaty should be negotiated
to prove the point. If the MeXicanS per
sist in refusing to interpret or change
their constitution so as to remove all
doubt about coniiscation of foreign prop
erty lawfully acquired, then recognition
will not be extended until a government
arises which does feet capable of making
the desired treaty.
What Mexico has just done in refus-
ing to negotiate a treaty on the ground
that no pact or international convention
can conflict with the Mexican constitu-
ton is regarded here as absolutely prov
ing the American contention. The mere
fact that Mexico says a treaty would be
in contradiction of certain articles in the
constitution iS~an admission that the
Mexicans cOnstrue the famous article -
complained of by the United States as
contiscatOry. Hitherto, the MexicanS
have declined to admit that the Mexican
constitution was as drastic as that in ac-
tuat operation. but Secretary Hughes has
manocuvcred the MexicanS i'll the posi-
ton of proving his point. In nutshell.
the situation has progressed n point.
The MeXicans now admit that their con-
stitutiOn confscates foreign property.
They have way out, however. They
need not change their constitution. They
can have their supreme court interpret
the article in dispute as not retroactive.
Even then, the United States would in
SiSt on a treaty 30 as to prevent any re-
turn to earlier interpretations.
Officials here are not disturbed over
the situation. They believe the AleXi-
cans Will eventually see the point and
give the requisite assurances. Talk OF
intervention proceeds as usual from those
Win NiOlh int WISH IL IHJlitE To lht
thought. But it can be stated positive
y that cuercivc measures of n military
character are not even considered. There
is an alternative to Mexican refusal. The
real alternative il refusal to deal with
the Obrcgon regime and patient wait
ing for a new administration. President
Wilson waited till HueTta got out. The
Mexicans did not believe it would be pos
sible for America to withhold recogni-
ton. Now it appears inevitable that
unless the Obrcgon administration makes
a treat there will be another period of
watchful waiting.
OF course the danger of dissolution in
side Mexico is always present when an
uurecogniZed regime tries to finance it.
self or consolidate its domestic elements.
And in such n period of tension unto
ward acts are likely to occur. which may
force the American governments hand.
In that sense the interventionists may
he pleased over the turn which things
have taken for it looks as if the negotia-
ton will be prolonged. The uncertain
factor is General Oregon. If he proves
as stubborn as Carranza the situation
may be regarded as one that will lead
to eventual friction and grave trouble.
If he proves as flexible as his friends
claims ne is. there will be solution pro-
posed from the Mexican end which will
lnakc article IT forever imperative so
far as lands held prior to 1917 are con-
ccrned When once that obstacle is
overcome. the making of the treaty would
become a routine affair. and recognition
would be automatic.