Paragould soliphone. (Paragould, Ark.) 1918-1950, 1921-06-13
GOOD FELLOWSHIP
RENDERED MEXICO

States government proposes as So
linton of the Mexican problem a
reaty of commerce and amity with
Mexico. This announcement was
made officially by Secretary Hughes
of the State Department late yes
terday afternoon This will ne
test of the sincerity OF the Obregon
government, because if Mexico agrees
to the treaty, recognition Will fol-
low.
The text of the State Depart
ment's announcement follows:
"statement made by Department
of state OH June 7, 1921. in cot
nection with the relations OF TIE
governments of the United starFs
and Mexico:
"The fundamental question which
confronts the government of the
United States in considering its REX
lations with Mexico, is the safe<.
guarding of property rights against
cOnfiscatiOn. Mexico is free to adopt
! any policy she pleases with respect
to her public lands, but she is not
| free to destroy, without compensa-
| ton valid titles which have been
obtained by American citizens under
| Mexican laws A confiscatory policy
strikes not only at the interests or
particular individuals, but at the
! foundations of international inter
course. for it is only on the basis
of security of property yalldly pos
sessed under the laws existing at
| the time if its acquisition, that
| commercial transactions between the
peoples of two countries and the
conduct of activities in helpful CO.
toperation are possible.
This question should not be con-
fused with any matter of PERSONAL
lies or of the recognition of any par
ltieular administration Whenever
Il Mexico is ready to give assurance
i that she will perform her fundamen-
tai obligations in the protection
both OF persons and of rights : OF
property validity acquired, there will
be no obstacles to the most advan-
tageous relations between the two
: peoples.
This question is vital because OF
the provisions inserted in the Mexi-
can constitution promulgated in
Il 1917. If these provisions are to be
put into effect retroactiyely, the
properties of American citizens will
be cOnfiscated on a great scale. This
would constitute an international
3 wrong of the gravest character and
this government could not submit
to it's accomplishment. If it be said
that the constitution of Mexico of
1917 will not be construed to per-
nit or enforced so as to effect, con
fiscation. then it is important that
this should be made clear by guar
antees in proper form. The provi-
sions of the constitution and the
executive DEGREES, which have been
: formulated with confiscatory pur-
poses of Mexico should be definitely
, set forth.
ACCOTulHSjy, llllS SDNcIHHitiil iliS
, 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 promul-
gated. The question, it will be OBJ
p served, is not one of particular
administration, but OF the agreement
of the nation on the proper form
I which has become necessary as an
international matter because of the
provisions OF its domestic legisla-
ton.
IF Mexico does not contemplate
i, a confisaatOry policy, the govern
ment of the United States can con-
ceive of no possible objection to thf
treaty.
THE proposed treaty also contains
the conventional stipulatiOns as to
commerce and reciprocal rights in
both countries.