Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-06-18
AMERICANS FORCED
INTO CREEK ARMY;
CONSUL PROTESTS
By DAVID LAWRENCE
neased Wire Service to The Journal.)
Copyright, 1917


LeaSed Wire Service to The Journal)
Copyright, 1917
WASHINGTON, June II. - The
Mexican situation has taken on a new
angle.
Thus far the differences between the
Obregon and Harding administrations
have been conferred on article twenty
seven of the Mexican constitution,
the United States claiming that
Mexicos assurances that the article
would not be retroactive in effect
should be specifically covered by
treaty and the Mexicans insisting
that they cannot interpret their con-
stitution in a treaty.
But it develops that the United
States government indulgently omit
| ted mention in it's negotiations of
one very important point covered in
Ianother article of the same Mexican
constitution which might have been
made the basis for refusing recogni-
ton to Oregon if the Harding adj
ministration had been disposed to
| follow in the footsteps Of President
Wilson.
That article-it is No. S2-says
| that the president of the Mexican
republic shall have certain qualifica-
tions. among them certain qualifica-
not have taken part, directly or indi-
rtcetly, in any uprising, riot or mill
tary COUP"
Blamed for Carranza's Death
The department of state has on
| file statement made by relatives of
former President Carranza. The evil
| dence is much more tangible than
| that which President Wilson pos
sessed concerning the part played by
Huerta in ordering the death of Ma
dero and it was because Huerto was
believed to have gotten into office as
a result of violence to his predeces-
sor that Mr.. Wilson absolutely re-
fused to recognize him.
The department of state now has
been urged to act. because it, has a
stronger case against ODregon than
President Wilson had against Huerta-
Mr.. Wilson based his objections on
the broad principle that peace would
come to Latin-America only by re-
tus1ng to recognize governments
that obtained power by force and by
assisting only those governments
which were legally elected as a re-
suit Of orderly processes.
| The MexicanS themselves inserted
a clause in the new constitution to
prevent ambitious citizens from eject
| ing those who had been legally elect
ed and it. therefore, is argued that
| the Harding administration would be
| justified in refusing Oregon recog-
milton because of the provisions of
constitution. For one of the first
tenets of a recognition policy is that
| the executive of a country shall have
| been legally elected.
| Disappointing Viewpoint
| The United States government
thus far. however, has declined to
use article eighty-two as basis for
| action and simply mas preferred to
await Mexico's attitude toward an
other article in the same constitu-
| ton, which, in actual practice, has
violated verbal assurances given the
United States by the Carranza regime
when the latter was extended de jure
recognition. The American govern
ment does not ask that the consti-
| tuition be changed, but that the vary
ing Interpretations be cleared up by
| a definite statement in q treaty which
shall protect Americans against
| retroactive action.
1t was learned by the writer to-
| day, for instance. that the Wilson
| administration was given assurances
at Mexico City. through Ambassador
| Fletcher. to the effect that the Next
| can constitution would not be retro
active. Mr.. Fletcher now is under
| secretary Of state and is guiding
| influence in the Mexican policy of
| the Harding administration. He has
given the Harding administration
| the benefit of his recollection on the
| subject and the American case Is
| based not so much upon the language
of article twenty-sevcn of the Mex
| lean constitution as the way the
article actually has worked out in
practice.
The American government still is
waiting for the Mexicans to take the
next step. but it is evident that the
Washington authorities are not as
much impressed with the inviolate
character of article twenty-seven
when they have reason to suspect
that article eighty-two, governing
the qualifications of a president. are
subject to dispute and could, if de-
sired. be made the basis for refusal
of recognition. That's the viewpoint
here, disappointing as it may be, to
those who had hoped for the early
nf nj in lot