Evening star., 1921-06-08
TREATY OF AM|TY
OFFERED MEXICO
Secretary Hughes Issues
Statement of Proposal for
Establishing Relations. =
NOT QUESTION OF REGIME
Any Government Willing to Pro-
tect Persons and Rights to Be
Recognized.

The United States government has
proposed a treaty of commerce and
amity with Mexico, the conclusion of
which automatically would re-estab;
lish complete diplomatic and CONNER
cial relations between the two coun-
tries.
Details of the proposition are con-
tanned in statement issued by Secre-
tary Hughes as follows:
Statement as Issued.
THE fundamental question which
confrontS the government of the
United tates in considering its rela-
tions with Mexico is the safeguarding
of property rights against confisca-
ton. Mexico is free to adopt any
policy which she pleases with respect
to her public lands. but she is not
free to destroy without compensation
valid titles which have bee nobtained
by American citizens under Mexican
laws y confiscatory policy strikes
mot only at the interests of particular
individuals. but at the foundation of
international Intercourse, for it is
only on the basis of the security of
property validity possessed under the
laws existing at the time of its acqui-
between the peoples of two countries
and the conduct of activities in help
full cooperation are possible.
This question should not be con-
fused with any matter of personality
or of the recognition of any particu-
lar administration. Whenever Mexi
10 is ready to give assurances that
ehe will perform her fundamental
obligation in the protection both of
persons and of rights of property
.Aalidly acquired there will be no
obstacles to the most advantageous
felations between the two peoples.
1917 Constitution Must Go.
This question is vital because of
the provisions inserted in the Mexi-
can constitution promulgated in 1917.
If these provisions are to be put into
effect retroactively. the properties of
American citizens will be confScated
on a great scale. This would consti--
tute an international wrong of the
graveSt character and this govern
ment could not submit to its ac-
complishment If it be said that this
wrong is not intended. and that the
constitution of Mexico of 1917 will
not be construed to permit. or en-
forced SO as to affect. confiscation.
then it is important that this should
be made clear by guarantees in proper
form. The provisions of the consti-
tuition and the executive DEGREES
which have been formulated with con-
fiscatory purposes make it obviously
necessary that the purposes of Mexi-
CO should be definitely set forth.
No Other Objection.
According. this government has
proposed a treaty Of amity and COM
merce with Mexico. in which Mexico
will agree to safeguard the rights of
property which attached before the
constitution of 1917 was promulgated.
The question. it will be observed. is
not one of particular administration
hut of the agreement of the nation in
proper form which has become nee
essary as an international matter be-
cause of the provisions of it's domes-.
tic legislation. If Mexico does not
contemplate conf1scatory policy the
government of the United States can
conceive of no possible objection to
the treaty.
"The proposed treaty also contains
the conventional stipulation as to COM
merce and reciprocal rights in both
countries. 1t also provides for the con-
clusion of convention for the settle
ment of claims for losses Of life and
property, which. of course. means the
prompt establishment of a suitable
claims commission in which both coun-
tries would be represented. in order to