Evening star., 1921-06-09
q. S. STILL has HOPES.

By the Associated Press
Hone of finding a course that VIII
lead to some agreement Tor resump-
ton of diplomatic relations oetween
the United States and Mexico rs sun
entertained by administration off1cers
here. il was indicated in Washington
today. The State Department has NOT
been advised officially OF the latest
statement of President obreGon mat
the signing of a treaty as a conoitioh
to recognition OF ms aominis.1a t,on ;',
by the American government was I'M
possible, but this attitude OF the Mex
lean president has been known here
for some time
Meantime a new element has been
injected into the Mexican situation oy
the decree issued since the present
negotiations began imposing an IN
crease of 25 per cent in the taxes on
petroleum. Formal protest against
this decree was lodged with the state
Department today by representative
of the oil companies. and ii was indi-
Gated at the department that the new
development in the oil controversy
would be called to the attention OF
the Mexican authorities without de-
lay.
Approaches Martial Law.
The representative of the oil com
panies pointed out that the recent in
creaSes in taxes had been imposed
by decree. which, it was claimed, was
unconstitutional, since the conStitu-
tion provided for such action by de-
cree only in cases of the suspension
of guarantees" a provision in Mexi-
can law corresponding closely to the
declaration of martial law 1t also
was insisted that the present decree
was unfair and tantamount to conhs-
cation.
Administration spokesmen continued
today to maintain silence with regard
to the negotiations with Mexico look
ing to the drafting of treaty OF
commerce and amity as proposed by
the American government May 81. The
text of President Obregon's reply TO
this proposal also still was withheld.
The statement issued at ObreGon's
Office last night. however. was con-
strued here as clear indication OF
the nature of his reply. and ii was
suggested in some quarters that this
probably was a factor in the decision
of President Harding and his cabinet
to make a public statement of the
American policy and to set forth the
character of the proposals made to
Mexico.
Doubt SOundness Of Excuse.
The soundness of the contention Of
the Mexican foreign office that the
president could not sign the treaty
because of the restrictions contained
IN aft1cle 10 OF tne mexican consul
tuition was questioned by administra-
tion officials. The text Of the article
follows:
mo treaty shall be authorized for
the extradition of political offenders.
or of offenders of the common class.
who have been slaves in the country
where the offense was committed. Nor
shall any agreement or treaty be en-
tered into which abridges or modifies
the guarantees and rights which this
constitution grants to the individual
and to the citizen"
The State Department has author
lied George B. Summerlin. American
charge d'affaires. at Mexico City. to
make public the text of the statement
issued by the State Department Tues
day in which was enunciated the
American policy toward Mexico.
Negotiations looking to the draft
ing Of a treaty Of commerce and amity
between Mexico and the United States
have been restricted to conversations
between Mr. Summerlin and Alberto
PAM. the Mexican minister Reports
OF Mr.. Summerlin to the State Depart
ment, it was learned today. have in
dicated that with the exception OF
one conference soon after the pres
--..x;., - tho American Dron0SAlS he