The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-11-19
washington Denies Charges.

VASE fNGToN Nov. Is ASSOCIATED
Press) Charges that the United States
has interfered unduly in the drafting OF
internal legislation In Mexico, which
have illuminated in an outburst of anti
American sentiment in the Mexican
Chamber OF Deputies, were declared by
the State Department tonight to be
wholly unsubstantiated by the facts.
In a formal statement given by the
Department to the Associated Press, it
was said that the views on proposed oil
legislation communicated by American
Charge Summerlin to Mexico city Off
Gals had been expressed only after the
Washington Government had been given
to understand that such comment would
BE welo coined.
1--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 1t is in the interest of that
friendship that we have hoped they
would find a way of giving protection
against confiscation Upon that funda-
mental question the position of this
Government remains precisely what t
has BEEN
The statement. authorized by Secre-
tary Hughes after his attention had
ciated Press on the subject from
Mexico city. follows in full:
1.-THE officers of the Department of
State were much surprised to learn of
the expressions in Mexico that the
United States Government was seeking
to interfere in Mexico's internal affairs.
This Government has not the slightest
desire to do so. AS Secretary Hughes
said in his recent speech at Boston. 1t
is not for us to suggest what laws
Mexico shall have relating 10 the future
for. of course. Mexico must be the judge
" 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 recogni-
ton by the United States. The confis-
catory policy of Mexico has stood In the
way. We have said that when a nation
has invited intercourse with other ma
tons. has established laws under which
investments have been lawfully made.
contracts entered into and property
rights acquired by citizens of other juris-
dictons it is an essential condition OF
international intercourse that interna-
tional obligations shall be met and that
there shall be no resort to confiscation
and Reputation.
Found Bill Inadequate.
Recently we were informed that a
bill for this purpose had been drafted.
but the provisionFof this bill, according
10 our advices. were utterly inadequate
to protect against confiscation of valid
titles acquired under Mexican laws
prior to the constitution of 1917.
"Of course we did not desire to rest,
apparently satisfied, with such pro-
cedure and permit the Mexican authori-
ties TO assume that recognition by this
Government would follow the passage
Of such an inadequate measure.
1--WE were given to understand that
the Departments comment on the pro-
posed measure would not be unwel-
come.
1--WE desired to maintain friendly re-
lations with the Mexican people and II
Is in the interest of that friendship that
we have hoped they would find a way
Of giving protection against confisca-
ton.
Upon that fundamental question the
position of this Government remains
precisely what II has been"