The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1921-06-10
j. 5. RIGHTS MUST
Be RESPECTED
Washington Government Offers
New Treaty to Mexico.
RECOGNITION ON CONDITIONS
Secretary Hughes Announces Proposed
Pact of Amity-Obregon Must
Recognize and Respect Titles
of American Citizens.

Washington, June 8.-The United
States government proposes as a
solution Of the Mexican problem
treaty of commerce and amity with
Mexico. This announcement was
made officially by Secretary of State
Hughes. If Mexico agrees to the
treaty, recognition will follow.
The text of the State departments
announcement follows:
The fundamental question which
cOnfrOnts the government of the
United States in considering it's rela-
tons with Mexico is the safeguard
ing Of property rights against cOnfis-
cation. Mexico is free to adopt any
policy which she pIeases with respect
to her public lands, but she is not
free to destroy without compensation
valid titles which have been obtained
by American citizens under Mexican
laws.
Blow to Trade.
"A cOnfiScatOry policy strikes not
only at the interests of particular in
dividuals. but at the foundations Of
international intercourse, for 1t Is only
on the basis of the security of prop
erty validity possessed under the laws
existing at the time of It's acquisition
that commercial transactions between
the peoples of two countries and the
conduct of activities in helpful Co
operation are possible.
L
fused with any matter of personalities
or of the recognition of any particu-
lar administration Whenever Mexico
is ready to give assurances that she
will perform her fundamental Obliga-
lions in the protection both of per-
sons and of rights of property validity
acquired there will be no obstacles to
the most advantageous relations be-
tween the two peoples.
"This question is vital because OF
the provisions inserted in the Mexi-i
can constitution promulgated in 1917.
If these. provisions are to be put into
effect retrOactively, the properties of
American citizens will be cOnfscated
on great scale.
u. S. Could Not Submit
"This would constitute an interna-
tional wrong of the gravest character
and this government could not submit
to It's accomplishment 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 enforced so as to effect, confisca-
ton, then it is important that this
should be made clear by guarantees
in proper form. The provisions of
the constitution and the executive de-
crees which have been formulated
with cOnfiscatory purposes make it
obviously necessary that the purposes
of Mexico should be definitely set
forth.
Accordingly, 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 a particular administration,
but of the agreement of the nation on
the proper form which has become
necessary as an international matter
because of the provisions of it's do
nestle legislation. If Mexico does
not contemplate a cOnfiscatory policy,
the government of the United States
can conceive of no possible objection
to the treaty.
''The proposed treaty also contains
the conventional stipulatiOns as to
commerce and reciprocal rights in
both Countries