The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-14
CONF |SCAT|ON Of
PROPERTY WILL Be
PRINCIPAL |SS U,E
Restrictions Of Americans
And Damage Claims Also
To Be Dealt With

WASHINGTON. May I3.-Several
problems will face American and
down at the conference table at
Mexico City Monday to seek an
agreement that will again cement
relations between the two republics.
While these problems are difficult
and delicate, officials here feel hope
full of adjustment. despite the ten
years of disturbed international re
lations. because of two factors-de-
Velopment recently of a friendly at
titude toward the United States by
the Mexican government and its peo-
pie, and Mexico's need of financial
aid.
The main question facing the ne
eotiators if, of course, the one OF
confiscation. both of oil rights of
Americans under the disputed Article
% of the Mexican constitution, and
Of agricultural concessions. In addi-
ton, these must be dealt with:
Restriction of Americans from &C
curing property within certain
zone along the Mexican coast and
the international boundary.
Restrictions on rights of religious
bodies.
Claims for damages to Americans
and their property during the dec
ade of internal chaos in Mexico.
Formulation of a treaty for COM
mercial relations
Adjudication of rights OF American
citizens as regards expulsion from
Mexico.
Oil Big Consideration.
Oil will be the big consideration of
the negotiators. Article 81 of the
Mexican constitution provides broad
Is that all sub-oil rights, including
petroleum, belong to the government,
which may transfer them for fee
to the owners of property. However,
a section of this article has been in
terpreted as being retroactive, which
would mean that the Mexican gov
eminent could dispossess oil land
holders of rights obtained before the
present constitution was adopted
This would affect many American
companies.
Carranza. and later Obregon have
stated that this section does not ap-
ply retroactively. Several decisions
of the Mexican supreme court nave
ruled similarly. However. Secretary
of State Hughes has insisted that
the government either rescind this
clause or pass clarifying legislation
At present, Secretary Hughes ls
studying a bill passed by the Next
can Chamber of Deputies. and pend
ing before the Mexican Senate, which
is aimed at clearing up this point.
When he completes his study,
Hughes will instruct Charles B. War
rem and Judge John Barton Payne,
American representatives. whether to
accept the measure as sufficient or
to ask for further guarantees.
Another difficulty Americans have
experienced is the loss OF agricul-
tural lands by seizure. While the
Mexican government has the right
under the constitution to take over
Agricultural lands. it is required to
make due compensation" In some
cases this compensation has been so
small that it amounted almost 70
confiscation, Americans in Mexico
say.
While there is hope for adjusting
this and the other differences, Off
Gals here emphasize that final sue
cess of the negotiations Will depend
mainly on Mexico's answer TO one
question:
Can the Mexican government
guarantee that its decisions Will be
upheld by the various state govern
ments?"
Internal disturbance has been the
main difficulty in Mexico. The CEN
trail government in the last ten years
has adopted constructive measures,
only to see them annulled by some
recalcitrant state authority. Oregon
-Hpparently has the reins well IN
wand However he must prove IN
ssfact that he is the strong man IN
s.this situation. This guarantee the
s-IInited States will demand without
ualification.