The Washington times., 1921-01-01
M|EX|C0SILENT
.0NCOLBY NOTE
Failure of 0bregon to Hasten
Treaty KeenIy Disappoints
American Officials.
By HARRY L. ROGERS,
international News Service.


President Alvaro Obregon's delay
in appointing a commission to nego-
tiate treaty, preparatory to recog-
milton of Mexico by the United
States, is causing keen disappoint-
ment among officials here, who con-
fidently expected the Mexican tangle
to be Strengthened out before Presi-
dent Wilson gives up his office.
INVITED WEEKS AGO.
Though several weeks have passed
since Secretary of State Colby in
sited Oregon to- name a conruission
to draw up treaty setting forth tho
rights Of American citizens in Mexico.
II was said today, at the State De-
partment that so far there has been
no official indication that tho invi-
alton will be accepted.
Belief is growing that the new
Mexican president, whose prediction
utterances were SO satisfactory TO Of
fetal Washington, has fallen under
the influence of the Cientifc group
in Mexico City, regarded as the ire
concilable enemy Of the United States.
Officials stated there would be no
change in the attitude OF this gov
ernment that absolute guarantees
must be given American property
holders against the conflscatory pro-
visions of Article 81 OF the Mexican
constitution. American holdings to
the estimated value of 10000, 900. it
is said. have already been seized and
some considerations have been reported
from isolated districts since the in
Ruguration of Obregon.
FRIENDS EXPLAIN LAPSE.
Those who are still optimistic ar
que that Obregon naturally wishes
to famliarizc himself with the entire
situation before appointing plenipo-
tentiaries with full powers to neEo-
date q treaty. and point out that con-
siderable time would be required to
go through correspondence which has
accumulated through the Carrsnza
and De La Hucrta regimes. These
friends OF General Obregon explain
reported lapscs by Mexican provin-
2ial officials on tho ground that OBJ
regon has not yet extended the sphere
VI his influence TO the outlying dis
tricts.
Another explanation offered is that
Obregoon wishes time to prepare Mex
lean popular opinion to receive the
shock OF any concessions he may make
to the demands of the United states.
AMERICAN PROPERTY SEIZED.
Meanwhile reports from the north
ern states OF Mexico, particularly
chihuahua, indicate that Mexicans
are "squatting" on land held by
Americans and. supported by the
"jefes de politico." or local mag
istrates, are refusing to move.
Complaints of abuses OF the Car
rama federal zoning system also
continue. The Federal Zone DEGREES
provided that beds OF navigable
streams and lakes, and a strip OF land
ten metras wide on each side, should
be reserved to the government sub
I jcct to concession to outside individ-
uals. This law Is said to have been
made to apply even to arroyos and
| gullies that are dry the greater part
| Of the year, so that in many instances
rich American holdings have been
| 'nterlaccd with the so-called federal
| zones.
Mineral rights in Federal zones
have been granted. IT is charged, to
| Mexicans who have little or no com
mercial standing and no capital ia
| operate the leases. and there has been
some suspicion that these McNican'
we're merely dummy" holders acting
! for foreign capitalists.
AWAIT HARDING REGIME.
| Representatives of American oil in
| tcrests here predict that matters VIII
| be allowed to continue in tho status
! quo until tho new Administration
! comes in, when they believe some pos
tive step will be taken to induce
| Mexico to give the desired guarantee
Among the steps suggested are
an embargo on private AMI govern
mental loans, an embargo Dn cxporti
| and imports and closure Of all chan
uels Of communication, both bv lant
! and sea.