The daily times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1902-1936, 1921-06-28
STATEMENT BY OBREGON
STATEMENT BY OBREGON
Officials of the State Depart
ment Insist That There is No
Other Obstacle in the Way
of Recognition of Obregon
Than a Clear Understanding
on That Article.
(By David Lawrence).

Washington, June 27.-Mexico's
pronouncement of policy just made
by President Obregon through the
medium of a signed statement in the
New York World has been carefully
studied by the United States govern
ment and while there has not been
and will not be any official comment
partment of State turns entirely ON
one paragraph in which Obregon
says:
mot only have we made repeated
and official declaration that article
twenty seven would not be given re-
troactive effect but we have forbid
den any action whatsoever that
might give any such appearance"
If President Obregon is sincere in
making that statement, what object
ion has he to incorporating it's sub
stance in a 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
recognition of Obregon and the
establishment of friendly relations
with Mexico than a clear understand
ing on that one point.
The Washington government ex-
pressed itself Informally today as
given by President Obregon in the
paragraph quoted above as indicating
Mexican policy but until such a de-
claration 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-
ance that article twenty seven of the
Mexican constitution governing oil
leases would not be retroactive but it
was also pointed out that since that
assurance was given the Carranza re-
gime issued DEGREES which were plain
1y 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that they never were withdrawn and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
club that can be used by any Mexi-
can president at any time he desires.
1t is precisely because one Mexican
executive would interpret the consti-
tuition in one way and another would
feel free to interpret in another way
that Secretary Hughes has asked for
treaty between the two countries so
that a violation of it could not be
regarded as the mere reputation Of
a previous administration but as the
breaking of a solemn pact between
the two countries.
The department of State is curious
to know why it is that the Mexican
government is so ready to give as
surances to American newspapers
that article twenty seven is not and
will not be construed as retroactive
but is unwilling to make such a de-
claration to the United States gov
ernment in form that will be per-
manently binding on Mexico. The
inference which officials are inclined
to convey is that Mexico wishes to
have American public opinion believe
the hard hearted American govern
ment is expressing her while at the
same time the Obregon regime pro-
fesses to be willing to meet every de-
mand made by the nited States gov
ernment. The State Department 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 enacts law actu-
lily giving the meaning of the famous
article twenty seven. In President OBJ
regon's statement he promises in ef-
feet to have law passed which will
include no constructive nor confis-
catory feature in interpreting the
constitution. The government here is