The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-07-10
TENSION RELAXES AS U. s. WARSH|PS
 SAIL FROM MEXICO
Mexican Officials Bitter In Charges Against Oil Men Who Are Accused of
 War Ambitions
By Associated Pr.se

Mexico City, July s.--The With drawai of the United States cruisers Sacramento and Cleveland from Tam pico has relieved a situation which officials hero declare might have proved embarrassing any moment. The presence of the American war. ships with their quotas of marines, to be friendly, was fraught with real elements of danger which were quickly perceived by the Mexican government officials who took all pos sible precautions to prevent trouble
 There was always the danger, they pointed out. that someone, either un- wisely conseied or Ncting with misguided patriotism, might commit an overt act. which would cause a landing of the marines with subae- quent unpleasantness It is generally believed here that fear of this dan ger prompted the United States authorities to order withdraw of the vessels.
 The rumor factories of Mexico have 'boen working overtime during the last week. Reports from the Tampico region have been start'ins and the fact that the press bulie- tins from the various government departments were somewhat contra dictory. gave substance to false re- ports that under ordinary circum- stances could have been branded as such. #
 TeAseness Greatly bessened
 The tenseness has been greatly Iessened and the editorial sighs ot relief today were many, but there Is no apparent intimAtion that the Mexican government intends, to re- csde from the position it has taken on the recent increase on the export tax on oil which prompted the oil properties to shut down. The tax became effective July l, and the government expects to bs paid when 1t becomes due, which will be August 36. Such imposts are to be paid on the 18th of the month following the month they become due. F',e government declares the tar Is just and protective economies demanc its retention notwithstanding the de . cision of the oil men itsis confiscta- tor.
 There is also the question of in demnfties the government wishes to secure for discharged employees of the oil properties. Mexican law makes provisions for the payment or three months salary for peremptorH discharges, but thus far nothing on this phase of the sifuation has been faken up through diplomatic chan nels.
 Various government officials are vehement and bitter in their charges against tho oil men, who are openiy aecused of bringing against MeSi- co and attempting to embroil it in war with the United States. General caliss chief of the cabinet, who . ls. cently returned from an extsnsiVe tour of the oil regions. has becn particularly outspoken and in state- ment issued last night said
 Right to Dictate Laws
 Mexico is an absolutely free @rd sovereign country and is therefore n position to, dictate laws favorapie to it's interests. Our constituuon pro vidss ample protection to all TOT Referring to the labor situation General Gales said
 "The infamous machirationsso tns oil men have failed In their purpose to ialienats the workmen from the government"
 Meanwhile the oil men also have had their innings in tho nswspaper' and have published exhaustive iists of. figures showing how It is impos' sible to operate at a profit under the 1 recent tax decree. The department of industry ant commerce issued q statement tocas | by its chief petroleum inepector ir Tampico to tho effect that 2ee,Vo' tons Of oil were exported during tns
 first ssven days of July, represent linK no material decrease in sueh ex portations. The statemsnt added tnh, many requests were being received for permits to drill new wells an' Tho, more than z.eoe mon now wer' out of work as a result of the shut down in the Tampico region. Othc' sources of information have est' Imated the unemployed to number from 10000 to S0,oo0 men.
 I nEHAnT, gEHOWS DKCR EASE