The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-11-19
OFFERED SUGGESTIONS
But State Department Did SO
in Belief That Comment"
Wouldn't Be Unwelcome
U. s. SOUGHT PROTECTION
Bill Involved Inadequate to
Protect Citizens of u. S.
From Confiscations

BY the Associated Press.
WASHINGTON Nov discharges
that the United States has interfered
unduly In the drafting OF internal
legislation In Mexico, which have
eliminated 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 formal statement given by the
depar .ment to the Associated Press,
it was said that the views on pro-
posed oil legislation communicated
by American Charge Summerlin to
Mexico City officials, had been ex-
pressed only after the Washington
government had been given to un-
derstand that such comment would
be welcomed.
Meant No Interference.
I'VE had not the slightest inten-
trbn OF interfering in Mexican Af-
fairs" the statement continued
"and 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 way
OF giving protection against confis-
cation. Upon that fundamental
question tho position OF this govern
ment remains precisely what 1T has
been"
The statement. authorized by Sec
retary Hughes after his attention
had been called to dispatches Of the
Associated Press on the subject from
Mexico City, follows in full:
THE officers of the department OF
state were much surprised to learn
of the expression In Mexico that the
United States government was seek
ing to interfere in MeXicos internal
affairs. This government has not
the slightest desire TO do so. As
Secretary Hughes said in his recent
speech at Boston, it Is not for us 10
suggest what laws Mexico shall have
relating TO the feature for, OF course,
Mexico must be the judge of her own
domestic policy What we have said
as to the proposed legislation was
with the und erstanding that the
Mexican authorize would welcome
an expression g. our views.
Feared Ccnfiscatjon.
The Mexican regime desires rec
ognitlon by the United States. The
N''iAiHNaNpA1 bpAANs vi AltkANO Ilhr
stood in the way. We have said that
when a nation has invited inter-
course with other nations. has estab-
lished laws under which investments
have been lawfully made, contracts
entered into and property rights ac-
quired by citizens OF our jurisdic-
tiOne, 1t is an essential condition OF
international Intercourse that inter
national obligations shall be met.
and that there shall be no resort 10
confisCation and repudiation.
I'VE have repeatedly said that we
are not particular as to the form OF
the assurance against conflscation,
We desire the fact.
The Mexican authorities have
said that they could not make a
treaty to give this assurance against
confiscation. They have said that
the proper course was for the Mex
team congress 20 regulate the appli-
cation OF the constitution OF 1917 SO
as to preclude confiscation, We have
said that we have not stood IN the
way of such legislation, and should
be glad TO see II.
Recently we were Informed that
a bill for this purpose had been
drafted. But the provisions Of this
J bill, according 10 our advccs 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 20
/ res. apparently satisfied with such
/ procedure and permit the Mexican
authorities to assume that rCcOgni-
tion by this government would fol-
| low the passage of such an made
| quate measure.
I'VE were given 70 understand that
/ the departments comment on the
proposed measure would not bt
unwelcome,
/ we had not the slightest inten-
( tion Of interfering IN Mexican ar
/ fairs. and have not done so. The
| Mexican congress. of course. Is en-
! titled 10 pass It's laws. But II they
resort 10 legislation TO interpreet the
! constitution Of. 1917 with the idea
OF precluding eonfiscation and OBJ
| tanning recognition by this govern
ment. Il is only fair that they should
/ know the views OF this government
as 10 the efficacy OF the legislation
1 for that purpose.
HAD this government In 40 way
/ intlmated It's view before the !cgisld-
| tion had been passed, there doubt
/ less would have been complaint.
I'VE desired TO maintain friendly
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