The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-06-18
EClSI TURE FACES SPECIAL SESSION


C0nStttut10n 10 Bad
for Oregon.
BI DAVID LAWRENCE.
Copyright. 1921.
Especial TO The Argus.)
Washington, June 1.-THE Mex
lean situation has taken on . new
lngia. Thus Tar the differences be-
tween the Obregon' and Harding
administrations have been centered
On article ~ of the Mexican con-
Btitution, the United States claim
Ing that Mexico's assurances that
the article would not be retroactive
In effect should be specifically COW
cred by treaty and the Mexicans in
sisting that they cannot interpret
their constitution in treaty.
q. s. Overleeks.
But 1t develops that the United
States government indulgently
omitted mention in its negotiations
Of one very important point covered
in another article Of the same Mex
lean constitution which might
have been made the basis for re-
fusing recognition to Obregon II the
Harding administration had been
disposed to follow In the footsteps
of President Wilson.
That article-it Is number 81
says that the president of the Mex
ican republic shall have certain
qualifications, among them this:
"He shall not have taken part, di-
rectly or indirectly in any uprising.
riot or military COUP"
The department of state has ON
file a statement made by relatives
of former President Carranza al
leging that the Obregon regime was
responsible for the death of Car
rama. The evidence is much more
tangible than that which President
Wilson possessed concerning the
part played by Huerta in ordering
the death of Madero, and it was be-
cause Huerta was believed to have
gotten into ONCE as a result of vio-
lence to his predecessor that Mr..
Wilson absolutely refused to rec
ognize him.
Recall Wilson. .Huefta Case.
The department Of state now has
been urged to act because It has a
stronger case against Obregon than
| President IN Wissona lhad aAGainSt In,
erta. Mr.. Wilson based his, objec-
|tions on the broad principle thai
peace would come to Latin-Amefica
only by refusing to recognise gov
ernments that obtained power BY
force and by assisting only those
governments which were legally
elected as result of orderly pro
cesses.
The Mexicans themselves insert
ed a clause in the new constitution
to prevent ambitious citizens from
ejecting those who had been legal!
elected and it is therefore argued
that the Harding administration
would be justified in refusing Obre
gon recognition because OF the pro
visions of article 81 Of the Mexican
constitution. For one Of the frs
tenets Of recognition policy is tina
the executive of q country shal
have been legally elected.
The United States government
has thus far, however, declined II
use article 50 as basis for acton
and has simply preferred to avail
Mexico's attitude toward anothe
article in the same constitution
which in actual practice has violat
ed verbal assurances given the Unit
ed States by the Carranza reg1m
when the latter was extended d
jure recognition. The American
government does not ask that tn
constitution be changed but tina
the varying interpretations b
cleared up by a definite statement Il
a treaty which shall protect Ameri
cans against retroactive action.
| Fletcher Gul0eS FOucys
It was learned by the writer to
day, for instance. that the Wilsol
administration was given assur
|ances at Mexico City through Am
bassador Fletcher to the effect tina
the Mexican constitution would no
be retroactive. MIR. Fletcher II un
der-secretary Of state and is . guid
ling influence in the Mexican polio
of the Harding administration. H
has given the Harding ADMINISTERS
ton the benefit Of his recollectio
on the subject and the. America
case 10 based not 90 much upon th
language of article ~ Of the Aex
can constitution % the way th
article actually has worked out !
lpractice.
The American government is I'll
waiting for the Mexicans TO tai
the next step but It Il evident thu
1.-The Warrington authorities are n
so much impressed with the invit
late character Of article - whe
they have reason to suspect tn
Iarticle 50 governing the Qualtiict
tions Of . pr ~sident are subject
dispute and could u desired !
made the basis for . refusal Of ~
ognition. That's the viewpoil
, |hore. disappointing % Il may -