Norwich bulletin., 1921-06-08
Treaty of COmity
 Trade With Mexico
When American Property Rights Are Safeguarded Against Confiscation.


 Washington, June 7.-The American government has proposed a treaty Of amIty and commerce with Mexico, il was announced today at the state depart ment.
 The fundamental question confront ing this government" the departments announcement said, "is the safeguarding of American property rights against con fiscation" It was added that the posi- ton taken by the United States should not be confused with any personality or administration, but that an agreement containing definite assurances in writing 1 by Mexico as a whole was sought. | When such assurances against confis- cation are received, it was said, there would no longer be any question of rec ogntion. This statement of the admin l istration's policy toward Mexico was agreed upon by President Harding and his cabinet today. The position taken was that the question of recognition was subordinate one for the negotiation of "a proper treaty would accomplish the recognition of the government that makes it.
 The following statement on the sub ject was issued:
 ; The fundamental question which con fronts the government of the United States in considering it's relations with Mexico is the safeguarding of property irights against conhscation. Mexico is free to adopt any policy which she pIeases with respect to her public lands. but sine is not free to destroy without compensation valid titles which have been obtained by American citizens un- der Mexican laws. A confiscatory pol icy strikes not only at the interests of particular individuals but at the founda- tion of international intercourse, for it is only on the basis of the security of property validly possessed under the laws existing at the time of its acquisi- tion that commercial transactions be- tween the peoples of two countries and the conduct of activities in helpful coop eration are possible.
 This question should not be confused with any matter of personality or ot the recognition of any particular administra- tion. Whenever Mexico is ready to give assurances that she will perform her fundamental obligation i'll the protection both of persons and of rights of property vaIidly acquired, there will be no ob- . Istacles to the most advantageous rela- tions between the two peoples.
 This question is vital because of the provisions inserted in the Mexican con stitution promulgated in 1917. If thesC . prov lSlOIS dIG u Dt puL 44lNO G4LINN lN troactively, the properties of American , citizens will be confscated on a grea
 scae This would constitute an interna tionaI wrong of the gravest character , and this government could not submi , ito it's accomplishment. If it be sai' - that this wrong is not intended, and tha
 the constitution of Mexico of 1917 wil
 not be construed to permit, or enforce
 so as to effect, condscation, then it important that this should be mad - clear by guarantees in proper form. Tn l provisions of the constitution and tn
 executive decrees which have been for
 mulated with confiscatory purposes, mak = it obviously necessary that tCh purpose of Mexico should be definitely set forth
 Accordingly this government has pro
 posed a treaty of amity and commerc
 with Mexico, in which Mexico will agre
 to safeguard the rights of property whic
 attached before the constitution of 191 T Twas promulgated. The question, it wi - be observed, is not one of particula :. administration but of the agreement c the nation in proper form which has be
 come necessary as an international mat
 ter because of the provisions of it's dc { mestic legislation. If Mexico does nc u contemplate d confiscatory policy, tn ! government of the United States can con ceive of no possible objection to th
 treaty.
 '.Tne proposed treaty also contains tn . conventional stipulation as to commerc ', " and reciprocal rights in both countries Il It also provides for the conclusion of
 lconyention for the settlement of claim
 for losses of life and property, whic ., of course means the prompt establlsf U ment of a suitable claims commission II (which both countries would be represen
 ed, in order to effect a just settlemen " There is also provision for just SC
 tle1nent of boundary matters.
 The question of recognition is sl i' bordinate one but there will be no diff = culty as to this, for if General Obregon II ready to negotiate proper treaty it ie drawn so as to be negotiated with hi
 and the making of the treaty in prop' form will accomplish the recognition T. the government that makes it. In shor S when it appears that there is a goverl 1s ment in Mexico willing to bind itself o- the discharge of primary information u obligations, concurrently with that a
 it's recognition will take place. Tn
 government desires immediate and co m dial relations of mutual helpfulness ar l. simply wishes that the basis of intern; .s tionaI intercourse should be proper io maintained
 le Accordingly on the 27th of May las
 MT. Summerlin, American charge da
 faires at Mexico City, presented to Gel y eral Obregon a proposed treaty cove T. ing the matters to which reference h; al been made. The matter is now in u IS course of negotiations and it is to IS hoped that when the nature of the pr
 else question is fully appreciated u
 obstacles which have stood in the wi Tinl of a satisfactory settlement will disa IL near"