New-York tribune., 1922-11-20
Mexican Attack
.Oll II. :. Seen as
Political Move
Charge of Interference Used
so WIN Unified Support
for Obregon Oil Policy,
Americans Now Believe
Surnnerlin Is Vindicated
Envoy Made His Suggestions
Informally at Invitation
of Pani, Letters Show

MEXICO CITY. Nov. fs CDy The AS
sociated Press) The statement au-
thorized by Secretary Of State Hughes,
given out by the State Department in
Washington Saturday, to the effect
that the Secretary had been given to
understand that the State Depart
ment's comments on the proposed
Mexican petroleum legislation would
rot be unwelcome, substansiates re-
ports here that high Mexican officials
several times have intimated TO Mr..
Summerlin, the American Charge
d'Afaires, that suggestions by the
United States government relative TO
the regulation Of Article 27 Of the Con-
stitution would aid in the framing Of
measure acceptable to ali concerned.
The text OF the first note sent to
Alberto ]. Panis the Foreign Secretary,
by Mr.. SunmerIin, Indicated that It
was personal communication. In IL
Mr.. SUNNI erlin said:
Confirming our conversation of last
night | have pleasure Iii sending you
q copy OF the draft of the. organic law,
drawn up"
1t has been learned that the convcrsa-
tion referred to took place at reception
attended by Signor PAM and Mr.. Sum
merlin, during which casual reference
was made to the proposed legislation.
Mr.. Summerlin Is said to have told
Signor Pani that he had a copy of the
latest draft which he would gladly
furnish the Mexican Forsign Office.
which had not yet received H..
Informal notes Of 0ctohefS39 led to
further unofficial exchanges between
the Secretary and the Charge which
Mexican government as "meddlesome,"
although there Is reason to believe
that the interchanges were due to
an understanding that such sugges-
tions would be appreciated. The in
formal nature of the communication is
indicated by the fact that one of
mr.. Summerlin's memoranda WAS de-
livered to Signor Pani by l.. Lanier
Winslow, first secretary OF the Amer
lean Embassy at reception held at
the Brazilian Embassy.
In official circles it is believed the
Mexican government has materially
strengthened it's hold on Congress bv
the publication of the communications
FACTIONS which have held varying views
on oil legislation for the regulation
of Article 27 apparently have aban-
doned their antagonism in an effort to
present united front against what is
described as undue and unwarranted in
terference by the United States in the
internal affairs of Mexico. The belief
was expressed to-day that the admin
istration will be able ,toszsecure. the
adoption of whatevers4iegislsgi on q it
deems necessary and that it's bflf akegu-
lating Article 27 will besapproved with
out difficulty. -
Several days ago President obregon
called certain leaders IN the Chamber
of Deputies to his office and reqdested
them to discard oil measures they had
drawn UP and instead take up the regu-
laSsn of Article 27 as whole. Later
events indicated that the Presidents
views were not shared by ali the Dep
uties and the government might ex-
perience some difficulty in passing its
measures.
The. disclosures in the Chamber of
Deputies Friday night that communi-
cations had passed recently between
the Foreign Secretary and Mr.. Sum
merlin have brought a vote of conf
dence TO President Obregon and his
policies.