New-York tribune., 1921-08-21

the difficulties between Mexico and the
United States relative to Article 81 of
the Constitution, which has to do with
petroleum deposits in Mexico, is seen
by representatives OF oil companies
here in the announcement that the Su-
preme Court intends to hold public
hearings beginning Tuesday on tenn
porary injunction suits brought
against the government by foreign oil
companies, some of which have been
pending since 1918.
Various oil men said to-day that If
the courts decision is far-reaching
enough it doubtless would be accepted
as law Of the land and as indicating
Mexico's judicial Interpretation of
controversial clauses Of the famous
article.
1t is understood that approximately
100 of the SUITS. most of them dating
back 70 the Carranza regime, will be
called up for hearing. The majority
of them we're brought after Carranza's S
decree was issued ordering all COM
panies to manifest their holdings or
make them subject to announcement.
The Supreme Court has been consld-
ering the suits for several weeks and
recently held several conferences with
President Obregon. There is no init
nation Of the courts intention
whether it will pass strictly upon the
Immediate questions involved in the
suits or take advantage Of the oppor-
tunity to lay down once for all, as the
nations supreme legal body. the gov
ernment's attitude toward the alleged
coniscatory and retroactive aspects
of Article 27. Some of the oil men
here frankly are doubtful whether the
court will render decision Of such a
nature as to settle the questions now
in dispute.
The Chamber of Deputies. which re-
Gently announced it was about to take
definite action regarding the regulation
of Article 27, is now nearing the end of
its extraordinary session and there is
no indication that such q measure will
be taken up. The petroleum commits
sion Of the Chamber is said to have
completed the draft of bill dealing
with oil which it intends to present to
the Deputies next week for considera-
tion. But in we'll informed sources
here it is considered extremely unlike
ly that the lower house will sake any
action for the present.
immediate and complete reports show
ing the amount of petroleum in storage
upon which taxes may be levied will be
required of all oil companies IN Mexico
by the Department Of Commerce and
Industry next week, it is learned in
semi official quarters.
Newspapers declare that oil taxes
received by the government during
July amounted to only 36 per cent oi
the normal revenues from petroleum.
Mexican Envoy Reaches Spain
MADRID, Aug. 2o.-Miguel Alessic
Robles, recently appointed Mexican
Minister to Spain, has arrived to con.
fer with the Foreign Minister relative
to the presentation of his credentials
to King Alfonso.
In conversation with The Associated
Press Senor Robles said the Mexicaa
government had charged him to effec'
rapprochement with Spain, mainly
procuring the interchange of learned
men between the two countries.
He added that Mexico earnestly de
sired an amicable solution of all diff
ferences with the United States, Sc
that friendly and favorable relations
might be established between the two
countries. He declared the Obregor
government wished to recognize al
rights and principles of morality with
in the country, as we'll as with foreign
countries.