Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-03-07
OBRECONLAUDS
HARDINCSPEECH
Says Address IS Highly In
s~tructive For the Whole
World.

Mexico Is &pncerned President Hard
ing's Inaugural address contained
nothing for, criticism, declared fPresi-
dent Obrsgon to the foreign newspa-
per correspondent this afternoon. He
declared the speech Conceived in a
splendid spirit Tor the people of the
world. highly instructive and highly
moral.
The subject Of a treaty between
Mexico and the United States, the
president said, had eve been dis
cussed by the present government of
Mexico, explaining that recognition
would not be urged by Mexico, but
must follow as the inclinations of
the several countries dictate"
President Obregon had received no
oflcial word on the American position
with regard to recognition of
Mexican government as outlined by
former Senator Albert B.. HALL of New
Mexico, the new secretary OF interior,
in a letter recently made public by the
National Association for the Projection
Of American Rights in Mexico.
Mr.. Fall" he said iii tbs connec-
ton. can exert W@Dattvc.' influence
he possesses with equal power either
as senator or as a member OF the cab
met"
RumOrs Denied.
Rumors that a British mission was
on its way to Mexico were denied but
he declared a special claim commits
sion which would look after the adj
justment of claims from all countries
would probably begin operation some
time during the present month.
President Obregon spoke to the cor
respondent for almost w hours at
Chapultepec castle. He appeared in
good health and took occasion to con-
ff.o dirt roNont r,vnDnrc tho he re CO.
verely i'll by asserting: 1T sometimes
is necessary to become ill in order to
obtain a rest" 5gE f.
Tpurning to Mexico's domestic
problems. the executive stated they
were rapidly being. reduced to a min
imum. and that although the world,
perhaps, doesn't realize it, Mexico is
at peace with herself for the first time
since 1910" II
Pleading for patience by the outside
world before judgment is passed up
on his administration, he declared:
Three months Is an extremely short
time to normalize a nation which has
been at war for more than ten years.
He pointed to a stabilization'o of the
national budget. esta blishment Of the
gold standard as a monetary basis,
the invitation to the nations creditors
to get together with the government
for final adjustment and the rehab-
il1tation of the railroads.. which pnob-
ably would be completed within six
months as evidence that the present
regime was injecting business methods
into its administration n was hon
estly attempting to solve the problems
which have been The basis for pre-
vious revolutions.
The agrarian problem was slowly
being solved, said the president, by
the return of land to it's original own
ers, with provision being made for es-
small farmers. Special commissions
had been appointed t study all classes
OF Mexfco's population, particular at
tention being paid to the Indians
Not Serious.
Asked concerning reported revolu-
tions especially one in the north head
ed by. Francisco .Murguh, President
Obregon admitted that promiscuous
/ uprisings had been noted but none OF
them were of. a serious character
Mexico is not fond Of war;" he de.
clared. Mexico has become warike
because Of necessity. The latest rev.
and revolution can come only when
the government is wrong.
II am certain that If the present
government continues within the Law
Mexico has seen its last revolution
Now h a Mexico is at peace means
must be found to obtain the co-opera.
tive help of intelligence, capital and
personal initiative to find a solution
lof h present economic problem
which is basically agrarian. Modern
methods Of agriculture must be in.
stalled and coupled with this hugo
haciendas which are not producing ir
proportion to their ability must be
divided among small farmers
The present railway strike was de.
scribed as purely a labor trouble IL
| which the government would not take
part unless life and property were i'm
perilled when the necessary military
steps will be taken.
Radicals Active.
Radicals. the executive admitted
were active in strike affairs, but Sc
long as they acted within the law thu
government could do nothing to kee1
them under surveillance Declaration
of martial law along the railroad line
affected was lot being considered b,
the government as had been reported
President Obregon made a point de
NAL that there was serious friction
within his cabinet. AS for the ma
tional debt, he declared Mexico coult
not pay at present. He did not favo
a foreign loan if some arrangement
could be made with the country,
creditors.
Nothing definite has been done will
regard to the petroleum question bu
the president expected to see some &C
ton begun. in congress this month.
WAlRAN EATAYIv