The New York herald., 1922-07-21

quested by the American Government
nothing has been done. The situation.
1t wes said. is now just what It was
when the American attitude was clearly
set forth year ago.
This country, 1t was noted. Is looking
for concrete results along simple and
definite lines: President Obregon has de-
clared he is in accord with the require
ments set forth by this Government, but
has stated repeatedly that he has not
the powers to fulfll them without the
sanction of the Mexican Congress. This
1t was asserted, Is a matter which Pres
ident Obregon must take care of as
well as he can. and In which this Gov
ernment cannot help him. At the same
time the prerequisites for recognition
remain to-day what they were a year
ago. The responsibility was fatty laid
at the door of Mexico herself
1t was pointed out that at the same
time that protestations of good intent
and good faith are being made by
Mexico and attempts to stampede this
Government are being made by vari-
Gus interests American valid property
rights are being confiscated by Mexico.
Instances OF such confiscation have re-
peatedy occurred in recent months. II
was stated. For example, it was noted.
under the new Mexican agrarian laws
land validly acquired by Americans is
being taken over under the legal
formula of appropriation" but in
many instances without the payment
that goes with appropriation.
Amounts to Seizure.
: Not only is that the case, but where
payment is proposed the basis is merely
nominal and bears no relation to the
value OF the property. This is a mat
ter In which. 1t was said, mo sinister
oil interests" are concerned. but which
affects American land owners doing
business in Mexico and whose land is
being given to poems under the expro-
priation formula AS "expropriation'
is being carried out in Mexico, the State
Department says 1t cannot see the diff
ference between it and "confiscation. "
Here is the position of the State De-
partment as set forth to Gen. de la
Huerta on his recent visit to Washing
ton:
Over a year ago the United States
proposed a treaty of amity and com
merce with President Obregon. the aim
and intent of 1t being to clarity the
ambiguous clauses of the Mexican Con-
stitution Of 1917. President Obregon de-
clared he would need ''confirmatory''
legislation to enable him to ratify such
treaty. Nothing has been done to
secure such legislation to confirm valid
rights.
At no time has this Government. Il
was said, intimated what the Mexican
law should be. All it wanted was that
whatever rights were acquired under
that law. past or future. should be pro-
tected. President. Obregon has said he
would protect them. but the State De-
partment is not dealing with an indi-
vidual. but with Government and a
nation, and the nation and the Gov
ernment must give the guaranty. The
reason this Government said so little
about the inaction on the part of the
Mexican Government was in order to
give 1t the best chance to set its house
in order without any outside attempt
to affect public opinion.
Land Titles Hazy.
Turning to the specific developments of
recent months the following were in
stanced:
First. An agreement was reached with
the holders OF Mexico's outside debt. but
this agreement was merely negotiated
and not completed 1t has been stated
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