Evening star., 1921-06-27
0BREGON CAN SHOW
SINCERITY BY PACT
U. S. Studying Pronounce.
ment of Policy in State
ment to Newspaper.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Mexicos pronouncement of policy,
just made by President Obregon
through the medium OF signed
statement in the New York World.
has been carefully studied by the
there has not been and will not be
any official comment. nevertheless the
viewpoint of the Department of state
turns entirely on one paragraph, in
which Obregon says:
Not only have we made repeated
would not be given retroactive effect,
but We have forbidden any action
whatsoever that might give any such
appearance"
II President Obregon is sincere in
making that statement. what objec-
stance in treaty with the United
States? Upon the answer to that
question rests the entire American
contention. and officials of the De-
partment of State insist that there is
no other obstacle in the way of rec
with Mexico than cieG Under
standing on that one point:
Gratined by Assnrances.
The Washington government ex-
pressed itself informally today as
highly gratified with the assurances
given by President Obreson in the
paragraph quoted above as indicating
Mexican policy. but until such a dec
laration is made in substantial form
to the United States government it
can have no validity. 1t was not de-
MED at the Department of State that
Mexico had once before given assur-
constitution governing oil leases
would not be retroactive. but 1t was
also pointed out that since that as
surance was given the Carranza re-
gime issued DEGREES which were plain
ly retroactive. While those DEGREES
were never enforced. it is also a fact
that they never were withdrawn and
that they stand on the records as a
club that can be used by any Mexican
president at any time he desires 1t
is precisely because one Mexican ex-
ecutive would interpret the constitu-
tion in one way and another would
feel free to interpret 1t in another way
that Secretary Hughes has asked for
a treaty between the two countries so
that a violation of 1t could not be
regarded as the mere reputation Of
a previous administration. but as the
breaking of solemn pact between
the two countries.
Puxxled BY Actions.
The Department Of State is curious
~ hHO" why IL 10 kHsaI the mexican
government is so ready to give as
surances to American newspapers
that article % is not. and will not be
construed as retroactive; but is un-
willing to- make such a declaration
to the United States government in
form that. will be permanently bind
ing on Mexico. The inference which
officials are inclined to convey is that
Mexico wishes to have American pub
lie opinion believe the hard-hearted
American government Is depressing
her. while at the same time the Obre-
gon regime processes to be willing to
meet every demand made by the Unit
ed States government. The Depart-
ment Of State here is not interested in
the form of any declaration that may
be made, but in the substance. There
may be a way out when Mexico en-
acts a law actually giving the mean
ing of the famous article "a. In Presi-
dent Obregon's statement he promises,
in effect. to have law passed which
will Include no constructive nor con-
flscatory feature" in interpreting the
constitution. The government here IL
pleased to note that promise. but pre-
fers to await the actual fulfillment of
the promise before playing the one
card at its disposal at present, name-
ly. formal recognition of the Obregon
regime as a de facto or de jure Eot.
ernment. The Obregon statement in.
dicates that there may be more delay
in passing the law. That means also
delay at'this end in extending recog-
milton.
(Copyright. 1871