Evening star., 1922-05-08
U. S. Government Ready to
Agree to Move Is Asked
by 0bregon.
BOTH SIDES DISSATISFIED
WITH CONTINUED DELAY
Matter Taken Before President
Today-Property Guarantees
Insisted Upon.

SoihiuloSlOu u CoHSiOeT oil tHo iSSocS
involved in American recognition of
the Obregon government in Mexico
has been suggested in some official
quarters as a solution of the contin-
ued failure Of the United States gov
ernment and Mexico City authorities
Although tho United States still in
sists that a positive guarantee against
conf1scatory provisions Of the Mexi-
can constitution Of 1917 must pre-
cede recognition, It was intimated
today that q commission to continue
tho negotiations would be agreed to
hero IL 1t were suggested formally by
Gen. Obregon. No such request has
yet been received.
Both Sides Dissatisfied.
There have been Indications that
both sides were dissatisfied with the
trend OF the present negotiations.
which have been in progress through
tho ordinary diplomatic channels for
nearly a year without concrete re-
suits. A commission of limited scope
was suggested several months ago by
Gen. Obregon. but at that time 1t ap-
peared that adoption Of that method
might not be necessary. Since then,
however, repeated exchanges of
views were said at the State Depart
out materially altering the principal
points of difference.
American officials have not aban-
doned hope that the present method
Of negotiation may yet be fruitful.
but there are indications that they
would welcome any development
which might lead to better progress.
The suggested commission, IL created,
would be expected to take as q basis
of negotiation the proposed treaty OF
commerce and amity suggested by the
State Department on May II, 1921,
and the many notes which have been
exchanged since regarding 1t.
It il not the understanding Of those
who have suggested appointment OF
4 commission that the body would
take up in detail American claims In
Mexico, It.Would be expected to con-
line it's work to settlement OF the
principles involved and probably to
commissions. which would take up
specific cases. such as American
claims for loss Of life and property
and the question Of boundaries.
Taken Up With President.
Tho whole situation was discussed
with President Harding today by
Senator Bursum, republican. of New
Mexico. Although no official would
comment, it was indicated in admin
istration circles generally that some
step to hasten the course Of the ne
sotiations might be expected in the
near future.
Tho American government Is stand
ing unalterably for the guarantees re-
Mexico nearly year ago, and so
far Gen. Obregon and his advisers
have given no definite assurances that
these guarantees will be given in or
der to make formal recognition OF
their government possible.
Many intimations that the Mexican
authorities. might be favorably dis
posed toward the American request
have reached the State Department.
but officials here will not be satisfied
with anything less than a formal
pledge by the Obregon government it
self.
today that consequently the situation
remained Just where 1t was when the
terms of recognition were submitted
to Mexico City in June, 1921.
Must Give Protection.
AS on that date. tho Departments
attitude still is that the Mexican au-
horities must give absolute protection
against conf1scatory action in regard
to foreign property. Beyond this, Of
flcials say, this government has not
gone. It is declared there has been
no attempt by the departments rep
resentatives to add any demands
which would interfere with Mexican
internal Affairs, or would require spe-
cial concessions to the United States
in the future.
Such Information as the department
has encourages officials to believe
that the formal pledges they require
NAV eventually be given. 1t is pointed
out. however, that although personal
letters and some press dispatcnes
from Mexico have quoted the obregon
anthorities as willing to accede, the
state Department has mo official in
Formation whatever to that effect.
formal government pledge
arafnst confiscation. such as this
government will require before 1t ex-
tends recognition. might be given It
ways. Emphasizing that none of
these methods has been adopted. Of
fciais stated today that Gen. Obregon
Shi,nself had given no assurance to the
dana artment, that the Mexican con-
eress had passed no law to meet the
nrsmeg court had delivered only one
decision on the subject.
Present status Ambiguous.
=
This court decision Is regarded by
.onne American officials as ambiguous
n itself. and it IS further pointed out
that under Mexican legal practices
eva op,nions by the supreme tribunal
- tbe land are necessary before a
nr.cedent 10 considered established.
In explaining their position. State
nenartn1ent officials also emphasized
that the United States government
had not and would not az. Tor any
~ IN mexico. The American request,
- WAS said, was simply that rights
ard titles acquired under Mexico's
oun laws should be respected.
~ that guarantees Is granted the
a.nartnnert was said to take the posi-
tioh that American n. capitalists Ras;i then a
= thew desired, under an open-door
nlrrangement and without asking
special favors.
The feeling Of the administration
here is that 1T has taken every pos
sible means to malse it easy. for Gem
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