The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-06-08
TREATY OF AMlTY
 AND COMMERCE IS
 PROPOSED BY u. s,
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(COntinued From Page one.)
 of the security of property possessed under the laws existing at the time of it's acquisition, that commercial transactions between the peoples Of two countries and the conduct Of ac- tivities in helpful cooperation are possible"
 "This question should not be con- fused with any matter of personality or of the recognition of the particu- lar administration. Whenever Mex ico is ready to give assurances that she will perform her fundamental oblgat ation in the protection of per sons and the rights of property val idly acquired there will be no obsta- cles to the most advantageous rela- tions between the two peoples.
 Will Mean Confiscation
 "This question is vital, because of the provisions inserted In the Mexi- can constitution promulgated in 1917. If these provisions are to be put into effect retroactively, the properties of American citizens will be confiscated on a great scale This would con- stitute an international wrong of the gravest character and this govern ment could not submit to it's accom- plishment If it be said that this wrong is not intended, and that the constitution of Mexico of 1917 will not be construed to permit or en- force so as to affect confiscation, then 1t Is important that this should be made clear by guarantees in prop CT form. The provisions of the con stitution and the executive decrees which have been formulated with confiscatory purposes, make it obvi- ously necessary that the purpose of forth,
 Accordingly this government has proposed a treaty of amity and com 'merce with Mexico in which Mexico will agree to safeguard the rights of property which attached before the constitution of 1917 was promul- gated. The question, it will be ob- served. is not one of particular ad- ministration. but the agreement of nation in proper form which has become necessary as an nternation- al matter because of the provisions of its domestic legislation. If Mex ico does not contemplate a confisca- tory policy, the government of the United States can conceive of no pos sible objection to the treaty
 Means Clain, Commission
 "The proposed treaty also contains the conventional stipulation as to commerce and reciprocal rights in both countries. It also provides fol the conclusion of convention for the settlement of claims for losses of life and property which, of course means the prompt establishment of a suitable claims commission in which both countries would be represented in order to effect just settlement There is also a provision for just of boundary matters.
 The question of recognition is one. but there will be no as to this for if General Obregon is ready to nesogtiate q proper treaty. it is drawn so as to be negotiated with him and the making of the treaty in proper form will accomplish the recognition of the government that makes it. In short when it appears that there is a gov ernment in Mexico willing to bind itself to the discharge of primary obligations concurrently with that act it's recognition will take place This government desires immediate and cordial relations with mutual helpfulness and simply wishes that the basis of international intercourse should be properly maintained.
 Accordingly, on May 27 last. MT Summerlin, American charge a'affairs at Mexico City. presented to General. Obregon proposed treaty covering the matters to whicn has been made. The mat ter is now in the course of negoti- ations, and 1t is to be hoped that when the nature of the precise ques- tion is fully appreciated the obsta- cles which have stood in the way of settlement will disap- pear"