Evening star., 1922-11-19
q. S. DENIES MEDDLING.
Views Given Only With Belief
They Were Welcome.

Charges that the United States has
interfered unduly in the drafting of
internal legislation in Mexico, which
have eliminated in an outburst Of
anti-American sentiment in the
Mexican chamber of deputies. were
declared by the State Department last
night to be wholly unsubstanuated
by the facts.
In a formal statement given by
the department to the Associated
Press 1t was said that the views on
proposed oil legisla cion oommuni-
to Mexico City officials had been ex-
pressed only after the Washington
government had been given to under
stand that such comment would be
welcomed.
we had not the slightest intention
Of interfering in Mexican affairs"
the statement continued. land have
not done So" We desired to maintain
friendly relations with the Mexican
people and it Is In the interest Of
protection against confscation.
Upon the fundamental question
the position OF this government re-
mains precisely what 1t has BEEN"
Statement Authorised.
The statement. authorized by Secre-
tary Hughes after his attention had
been called to dispatches of the As
sociated Press on the subject from
Mexico City, follows in full:
The officers of the Department of
State were much surprised to learn Of
the expressions in Mexico that the
United States government was seek
ing to interfere in Mexico's internal
affairs. This government has not the
H. 90 RNy
Hughes said in his recent speech at
Boston. it is not for US to suggest
what laws Mexico shall have relating
to the future, for. Of course. Mexico
must be the Judge of her own
domestic policy. What we have said
as to the proposed legislation was
with the understanding that the
Mexican authorities would welcome
an expression of our views.
The Mexican regime desires
recognition by the United States. The
confiscatory policy of Mexico has
stood in the way. We have said that
when a. nation has invited intercourse
laws under which investments have
been lawfully made. contracts en-
tered into and property rights ac-
quired by citizens Of other jurisdtc-
tions, 1t IS an essential condition Of
international intercourse that inter-
that there shall be no resort to con-
fiscation and reputation.
Against Connscation.
1--WE have repeatedly said that we
are not particular as to the form of
the assurance against confiscation.
We desire the fact.
THE Mexican authorities have said
that they could not make a treaty to
give this assurance against confisca-
hot hn
course was for the Mexican congress
to regulate the application of the
constitution Of 1917 so as to preclude
coniscation. We have said that we
have not stood in the way of such
legislation and should be glad to see
1t.
Recently We were informed that a
bill for this purpose had been draft
ed. But the provisions Of this bill,
according to our advices were utterly
inadequate to protect against confis-
cation of valid titles acquired under
Mexican laws prior to the constitu-
tion of 1917.
"Of course. we did not desire to
rest apparently satisfied with such
procedure and permit the Mexican
authorities to assume that recognj-
tion by this government would fol-
low the passage OF such an made
Quate measure.
I'VE were given to understand that
the departments comment on the
proposed measure would not be nm
welcome.
I'VE had not the slightest inten-
ton OF interfering in Mexican az
fairs and have not done SO. The
Mexican congress. Of course, is en-
titled to pass its laws. But If they
resort to legislation to interpret the
constitution of 1917 with the idea Of
precluding confiscation and obtaining
recognition by this government, It
is only fair that they should know
the views OF this government as to
the efficacy Of the legislation for
that purpose.
"Had this government in no way
intimated it's view before the legis-
lation had been passed there doubt
less would have been complaint.
I'VE desired to maintain friendly
relations with the Mexican people
and 1t is In the interest Of that
friendship that we have hoped they
would fnd a way Of giving protsc-
ton. against confiscation.
Upon that fundamental question
the position of this government re-