New-York tribune., 1921-06-09
Obregor, Must
Answer Y es or
No on Treaty
Definite Acceptance or Re
jection of Hughes's Pro-
posal Only Reply This
Government Will Receive
No Discussion Possible
Other Nations Expected to
Use Harding Policy as
a Basis of Negotiations

From The Tribuncs Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, June S,--Acceptance
orrejection of the conditions laid down
in Secretary Hughes's statement of
Yesterday, outlining the Harding Ad-
ministration's attitude toward future
relations with Mexico, is the only an
swer this government will recognize
from President Alvaro Obregon, it was
indicated to-day in authoritative quar-
ters.
This government will not enter into
any long drawn-out discussions over
the question of the treaty of amity and
commerce proposed in the American
statement of policy, but looks to the
Mexican authorities to decide without
unnecessary delay whether they desire
complete resumption of diplomatic re-
lations or elect to remain outside the
pale of American political recognition.
The statements of policy authorized
yesterday by Secretary Hughes is un-
derstood to have been laid before Pres
ident Obregon by George T. Summerlin,
American Charge d'Affaires at Mexico
City, as the only basis on which the
American government will treat with
ident is understood to have been in
formed that Secretary Hughes expects
definite eyes" or "no" answer.
No Opening for Evasion
The American statement leaves no
alternative for the Mexican govern
ment except fatty to reject it, thus
recognition, or to agree to the negotia-
ton of q treaty in which Mexico will
definitely set forth that legitinately
acquired rights by American nationals
will be respected.
Negotiation of the suggested treaty
by Mexico, it was pointed out to-day,
provides Mexico with the opportunity
Of removing all doubt now entertained
by the American people Of future Sc
curity of rights in the southern re-
public. The treaty proposed will
definitely place Mexico on record as
declaring that Article XXVI1 Of the
constitution is not to be interpreted
as retroactive and that it will not be
fully acquired rights of American ma
tionals within the Mexican republic.
Officials here do not anticipate any
embarrassment to the Mexican Execu-
tive in entering into treaty which
might on its face have the effect of
multiplying a portion of the Mexican
constitution. 1t is contended that the
Mexican constitution primarily is con-
cerned with domestic issues, whereas
the American point Of view on the
question of the legitimacy of acquired
rights by foreigners is wholly an inter
national one.
Rights Sought Are Fundamental
If the Mexican constitution contains
provisions that are confiscatory in
character the nation subscribing to
these provisions is directly committed
to a.xpolicy of taking away the right
fully acquired rights of others and a
fundamental of international comfy
is security Of rights of all citizens
whether nationals of the nation con-
cerned or otherwise, it is argued
1t is conterded here that responsible
Mexican officials repeatedly have as
serted that the constitutional provi-
sions of the Mexican laws are not to be
| considered conhscatory. The Ameri-
can statement of policy, therefore, sug-
gests only that these assertions be in
corporated in duly negotiated treaty
behind which no step can be taken that
might be construed as discriminatory
to the nationals of other nations.
| The Mexican policy Of the Harding
Administration, it is believed, has been
communicated TO all other governments
and may very we'll be accepted py
them as a basis of negotiation looking
! to the resumption of diplomatic rela-