Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-04-16

France, as exactly similar protests yet
stand as our last word to that country.
THE Mexican Eagle Go. tAguila
has been n member of the American
association of oil companies and has
for years co operated with this associa :
ton in making protests against confs-
catory DEGREES in Mexico. both from the
British Government and the American
Government.
Recently, within the last three
months, the 'Aguila company finally no.
tilted the American association that II
proposed to pursue its own lines and
make its own terms with the Mexican
Government accepting the Mexican
Government demands with reference
to oil drilling permits, etc.
This came as a shock out of clear
sky, and am informed that after GER
tain protests made by the association
and by the American companies. the
Mexican Eagle ('AguilaD company. has
not in fact obtained titles under this
confscatory decree, upon properties be-
longing to others. but yet has not coun-
termanded instructions to its agents in
Mexico to obtain such titles from time
to time.
Nevertheless, the British protest
still stands and Great Britain Is osten E
sibly acting with the United States off
cially, in identical official protests
aaginst the constitution of 1917 and de-
crecs under it.
"The British 'Aguila Oil Co.,
owned, as n matter of fact, By Great
Britain herself. is. however, yielding
to such decrees and obtaining advan-
tuRc of American companies, who are
faithfully abiding by the advice and in
Structons Of the American Government
in the matter.
British oil interests are giving every
assurance to Obregon and Mexican Off =
cinls Of their support and friendly co.
operation. seeking advantage against or
over American companies, while the
British Government. owning this oil
company, is ostensibly standing by the
United States Government in its action.
II bring these matters to your at
ton, and am furnishing you with the
diagram referred to. for the reason that
it is high time that Americans should
understand the situation and as patri-
otic Americans deal with 1t.
1t will be observed that Secretary
Fall makes charge Of bad faith
against the British Government, namely
Of joining US in our protest against the
Carranza DEGREES, while privately.
through the companies which It owns,
bowling to those decrecs and supporting
Obregon. Inferentally, Mr.. Fall sug-
gests that Obregon's resistance to this
government is due to the support which
the British Government. through it's
government owned oil companies, is
giving to Obregon.
1t is a most unusual thing for mem.
Der Of the cabinet to make nm open
charge of bad faith against n friendly
foreign government. And this charge
Of Mr.. Falls is not against the Brit =
ish oil interests. it is against the Brit =
ish Government
In calling attention sensationally to
the oil crisis and in making charges Of
bad faith against Great Britain in Mex =
leo. Mr.. Fall was undoubtedly pressing
to prompt action on Mexico and indi =
eating his impatience with the failure
Of Mr.. Hughes to act hitherto.
II would be interesting to know
whether Mr.. Hughes. who was in charge
of foreign relations. was consulted about
the Fall letter to Senator Lodge in ad :
vance of its publication.