The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-03-29
Nearing Mexican Recognition.

I II
sense of relief and with great salts
faction that after many years the out
standing differences between the
| United States and Mexico are in a
fair way Of settlement. The recog-
milton Of the present Government Of
Mexico is near, according to informa.
tion from Washington. principally as
result of the personal efforts in
that direction by President HARDING
and President OREGON. There re-
mains. In fact, but one obstacle, the
guarantees concerning American
property rights, or perhaps rather
the construction to be put upon the
troublesome Article 81 Of the Next
can Constitution, the obstacle that
has appeared in every other attempt
at adjustment which has been made
since the diplomatic relations be-
tween the two countries became
strained
The question of the recognition Of
OBKEGoN and his Government came
up in the latter part of 1920, soon
after OBREGoN's selection as Presi-
dent in the September elections of
that year. The ceremony of his in
auguration was attended by the Gov
errors of several American States
and by many representative Ameri-
cans living in Mexico. The comment
at that time in this country was not
unfavorable to him and the prevail
ing opinion among those familiar
with the situation was that his even
tual recognition by this country was
not unlikely.
The first step toward this recogni
tion was taken in November, 1920,
when Article q came up for discus
sion through an announcement made
by the State Department that II this
article and the laws which were en-
acted under 1t were made retroactive
this Government would not recog-
nize the then existing Mexican Gov
eminent. The situation was such at
that time as to make this action i'm
perative; there was much Industrial
unrest in Mexico, especially in the
neighborhood of Vera Cruz, and the
State Department felt that it was
incumbent upon America to protect
all the legitimate interests of its citi-
zens in Mexico. The Secretary Of
State, however, made 1t clear that he
believed in the high purpose of the
new Government and favored joint
commission for the arbitration Of
claims. AS both parties agreed that
in principle the troublesome article
should not be interpreted as retroac-
tive, one phase Of 1t at least was dis
posed OF.
The difference that remained after
subsequent meetings of representa-
tives of the two countries may be
briefly stated to be that the Amer
lean Government seeks to accord rec
ognition and conclude agreements
about American rights In Mexico in
the same document. while the Next
can Government wants recognition
first and formal agreement after
ward. The Washington Bureau Of
THE New YORK HERALD says that In
reconciling these two ideas
"It is proposed that each Govern
mcnt shall sacrifice Its insistence and
that recognition by this Government
and the guarantees OF the Mexican
Government shall be included in a
simultaneous exchange of notes. BY
this method the aims of the Ameri-
can Government will be accomplished
and the pride of the Mexican Govern
ment will not have been sacrificed"
Our relations with Mexico have al
ways been a matter of deep concern
to this Government. It was two or
three years after the recognition Of
General PoRFIRIo DIAz In 1878 before
States and Mexico was really upon a
friendly basis, but an amicable un.
Outstanding once arrived at IL con-
tinued during DrAz's administration,
eliminating in general treaty OF
arbitration and the meeting of Pres
ident TAFT and General DrAz in 1910
on the Mexican border.
The collapse Of the Diaz Govern
ment and the condition OF unrest
and disorder accompanying the Ma
derista revolution again brought
on a crisis. Although the United
States Government recognized the
new Government of MADEBo IL de-
1 clined In any way TO intervene. The
Madero Government was overthrow
by FELIX DIAz and General HuERrA
in 1913, hut the American Govern.
ment refused to recognize HuERTA
as President. II did, however, In
October, 1916, recognize the Carranza
Government as the de facto Gov
eminent OF Mexico. CAnRAYzA re.
manned the head OF the Govern.
ment until his death In a revolu.
tionary uprising against him on May
81, 1920.
That General ALvARo 0BNEeoN