The Washington times., 1922-11-20
CONGRESS MAY
. FIGHT OVER
! MEXICO
obregon's Charges OF Inter-
ference in Legislation
Stirs Comment.


ernment OF Mexico that the Ameri-
can State Department has at
tempted to dictate Mexican legis-
lation is expected TO provoke an
outburst among members OF Con-
sress who favor recognition.
Persons familiar with ipter-
changes between the two govern
ments declare the principle in
volved has been forgotten In the
determination of both sides to win
a diplomatic victory. The State
Department last Saturday night re-
tterated Secretary Hughes declara'
tion that he is not concerned with
the form of Mexico's guarantees OF
American property rights, President
Obregon states that guarantees have
been given.
Senator Borah and other Progress
sives demand diplomatic recognition
OF Mexico. They believe only tech
nicalities block recognition.
The American Governments state
ment denying it has attempted TO
censor the Mexican petroleum bill
followed upon the heels OF the mani
festation in the chamber Of deputies
that all the factions in Mexico were
behind President Obregon. Obregon
feels his administration has made
every possible concession consistent
with national dignity.
Formal assurances that Article ~
Of the Mexican constitution was not
retroactive. and that under II Amer
lean property could not be confis.
Gated, have been made by President
Obregon and by the Mexican su.
preme court. However, Secretary
Hughes has taken the position that
interpretive legislation must be
passed.
A member OF the administration
close to President Harding, has
pointed out that both the German
and the Rumanian constitutions con-
tain provisions paraIleling Article q
and these provisions did not prevent
recognition Of these countries by the
United States. The principle in ef.
feet Is that the state Is the original
owner of subsoil wealth, such as oil
and minerals. and tnat these can be
administered by the state for the
common benefit Of its citizens.
Those sympathetic TO the Mexican
position declare the basic laws of the
various States comprising the United
States assert the same principle.
The Mexican Embassy, in charge
OF Senor Manuel e. Tellez. charge
d'affaires, declined to comment on
the Hughes statement, explaining
that the matter would be handled by
the Mexican foreign minister. Al.
berto PAM, and the foreign office.
Latin.Americans next pointed out
that one postulate in Article p has
not received enough consideration.
AS translated by the American
Academy OF Political and Social
Science it reads: 1.-THE exercise of the
rights pertaining to the nation by
virtue of this article shall follow
judicial process. 49,"
This, it is contended, rates the
Mexican supreme court above the
chamber Of deputies as an inter.
prefer OF Article 81, and should
satisfy America that the decisions
purporting to safeguard American
rights should be accepted at face
value.
The present situation is not re.
garded by advocates Of recognition
is another deadlock but as aflording
an opportunity to bring the posi-.
tions of both governments into the
open.
President Obregon has demon
orderly state. lie has received eco
nomic recognition from the interna'
tional bankers, led by the American
group headed by Thomas w. La
mont, and diplomatic recognition
from nearly every nation.
1t has been long time since the
United States protested TO Mexico
with respect to the safety of Amer
lean lives, but in recent months 1t
has been necessary for Mexico 10
present protests requiring protection
for Mexicans in the United States.
Upon these protests, mainly effect
ing Texan communities on the
border. Secretary Hughes acted
promptly. His attitude toward Oh.
RECON has relaxed appreciably, and
II is expected in well.informed quar-.
ters that working out Of the pres.
eut difficulty will result In "A new
spproachment leading to recognition.