The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-06-04

0bregon Regime-Court May Act.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Especial Despatch to The Rcformer.)
Copyright 1921.
WASHINGTON. June 4.-AIexico's
chances of recognition by the United
States government are not tied up on any
adherence to a specific formula of words
but upon written assurances that will
cover the whole question of protection
for the lives and property of Americans.
Whether there shall be a treaty or a
protocol as had been insisted in sOmeI
quarters here. or whether the American
government shall accept simply an ex
change of diplomatic notes as a basis for
recognition is something that is being
worked out in conversations between the
two governments, and the interesting fact
is that no hard and fast conditions have
been imposed. The American government
has indicated its willingness to adopt any
reasonable method which will not adj
versely affect President Obregon's posi-
tion inside of Mexico but which will at
the same time afford sufficient basis for
the extension of recognition by other gov
ernments.
President Harding and Secretary
| Hughes want to do business with Pres
| ident Oregon and his foreign Secretary
| Alberto PAM. Both Mexican officials
| have shown an understanding of the sit
uation in the United States and what
public opinion north of the Rio Grande
wants. General Obregon has travelled
Extensively in the United States, and on
enc visit was given special military es-
FLaN h. oil hn mill ny
preparations being made by the American
army for service overseas. The trip inn
! pressed General Oregon a great deal.
Senior PAM, the foreign minister was a
member of Carranza'S special commits
i sion. which sought to adjust relations
with the United States first at New Lon
/ don. and later at Atlantic City. 1t is
i known that the late Secretary Franklin
/ X. Lane held PAM in high estimation,
land often said that if matters had been
Eleft to Pants discretion and that if Car
rama had not been 50 indifferent to
/ Pants advice. INSTRUMENTATION rela-
tons would have been long ago smothered
! out PAM is descended from a diStin-
II guished family of diplomats. Washing
4 ton is eager TO get on a working basis
! with the Obregon government but Is not
inclined to allow its Impotence to destroy
it's program of what should be- adopted by
the Mexican authorities before recog-
milton can be extended. The MeXicanS
do not like the idea of being required tn
accept conditions. They have the I'M
preston that recognition is something
Spontaneous judgment by foreign
lpowcr on the facts. The Mexican theory
seems to be that if law and order have
been established and foreign governments
think the Mexican executive and congress
have been legally elected. that II sufh
cient basis for recognition,
In some cases. the United States has
indeed recognized governments on less
ievidence than that. But the case ol
Mexico today stands on its own bottom
1t is the intention of the Harding admin
istration to get indisputable evidence o.
the capacity of the Mexican government
to live up to international obligations
and the only way TO get such evidence Il
to ask the Mexican government itself Il
furnish it in black and white. 4 treaty
Il or protocol max be found unnecessary bu
an exchange of letters or notes between
4 the two governments would probably
4 serve the purpose of the Washington gov
y tcrnment Just as well. Those. assurance
4 must. however be all-cOmprehensive. On
/ big outstanding cause of the estrangemen
4 of the two governments is the question
\ of oil rights. The Mexican authOritic
have indicated privately their willingness
Ito ignore that portion of the Mexican con
4 stitution which would contiscate Aneri
lean property but that is not enough 10
4 our government 4 practical program
\ which will carry confidence with tn
Y American government must be worke
out. The exact formula is somethin
kIthat is puzzling most everybody here
Nj Published reports had il that the Alexica
A executive would be asked to abrogat
the famous article twenty seven of tn
L Mexican constitution but it is not pOliti
A from n Mexican viewpoint, for the chic
kIexecutive to be amending the cOnstitr
I ton at the behest of a foreign power
4 The Mexican executive. too, must &,
81 congress to cooperate with him in amend
ing the constitution so while Presider
tlObregOn might be disposed to agree ther
is not so much certainty of favorable al
/ ton by the Mexican congress. Frs.
There still remains a way, however.
get around the difficulty. 1t is matte
n of doubt whether article twenty-seyeu
| itself valid with respect to rights hel
I prior to the adoption of the constitution
4 The supreme court of Mexico has nj
/ passed on that point yet. 1t could hal
~ pen that a supreme court decision woul
- clear up the whole matter and thus rel
der imperative the troublesome claus
" The broad theory on which the America
government is proceeding is this Me-
leo has indeed a legally elected govern
\ ment and from that view point is el
/ titled to favorable consideration. but
u the government capable of fulflin@ il
4 tcrnational obligations capable of adius
/ ing equitably the many internation'
I points in dispute between the two coul
A tries? That Is something for the outsiC
Empower to decide. and before such judi
Y ment is made. assurances can be askC
4 for and given which will clear up an
4 doubts and which. also can be used as
4 basis for discussion in the event that
some future time another Mexican a
I ADMINISTRATION not 50 friendly to the Anne
\ lean points of contention comes into o
/ fee. The prospect for favorable on
I cople of the negotiations going on
n Mexican City Is bright. but nothing tan
1 ible can be announced vet by eth
government as it is the method and nj
\ the substance which is causing the dels
in agreement.
People who have Islands in the midd
ny of lakes i'm New Hampshire must be car