The Washington herald., 1922-03-20
President Harding Paves
Way for Recognition
Of Mexico.
TWO EXECUTIVES
EXCHANGE LETTERS
Restoration of Property
Seized Is Essential
To Agreement. 81.

Through a series Of direct COM
munications between the Presiden:
Of the United States and the Presi-
dent Of Mexico. recognition of the
latter by the American government
has been brought near to reaaz =
tioH.
Official government records prob
ably would fail to disclose a parallel
to the unique letter-writing episode
in the history OF the United States
such as that furnished by President
Harding and President Obregon. II
began before Harding had taken Of
fee and Is continuing in a friendly
effort to bring the two governments
to a basis of understanding upon
which they may resume full official
relations.
Precedent EstabIished
European potentates in years gone
by have written letters to each other
that made history. Foremost among
these were the famous willy
"Nicky" letters exchanged between
the former German Kaiser and the
late Russian Czar. Numerous others.
never disclosed, also may appear
some day to add interest to this form
Of diplomacy.
The reason for the direct corre-
spondence between Harding and
Obregon. OF course, grows out Of the
fact that the American government
does not now have an ambassador at
Mexico City. never having recognized
the obreson regime. The gist of the
correspondence. It would appear. has
been to set forth the position Of each
nation to the other.
Officials here believe recognition
will follow Immediately after Obre-
gon feels he aas acquired a sufficient
ly strong support in his Congress and
among the paople to drive through
the proposal of the United States
and this support. they add, appears
imminent.
Would Denaad Gsarantee.
The American .proposal would re-
qufre = signed covenant or protocol
by Obregon positively insuring the
rights of Americans in Mexico, speci-
fically sta0pg that the Mexican con-
stitution does not give Mexico the
right to confscate retroactiueIy min
eral deposits on lands owned by for
eigners. Following issuance of such
a protocol or signing Of such a COW
enant. the United States would i'm
mediately recognize the Obregon
government.
The American government does not
question the right Of Mexico to con-
hscate the minerals in question on
lands acquired by foreigners since
the present constitution went into ef
feet. 1t does object to the retroac-
tive feature OF the law, affecting
property acquired before the new
law was enacted in 1918.
Obregon, on his part, has ex-
pressed full willingness to issue such
a protocol or sign such a covenant as
Is demanded by the United States.
He would stipulate. however, that
the recognition be accorded him
first. the protocol to follow.
Demand Protocol First.
tularly efforts of the two Presidents
has brought a satisfactory solution
much nearer. The President is ad-
amant on his contention that the pro-
tocol shall come first, 1t is under
stood. because the late President
Carranza is said to have written
Former President Wilson a letter
promising such a protocol. a reply to
which came IN the form Of Amerl-
can recognition OF the Carfanza
regime. Then Carranza failed to
keep his word.
This time the United States gov
ernment is going to be sure of its
ground.
As authorities here look at it, the
only thing that might possibly re-
strain Obreson from finally accent
Ing the procedure Mr.. Harding de-
mands is doubt as to his strength
with his. Congress and the people.
This doubt. they believe, will soon
be eliminated and It is upon
basis that there comes the confident
hope that recognition Of Mexico is
imminent.