The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-26
PRESS ON RECOGNITION

U chair and has appeared a more benev- olent ruler than any Mexico has had for many a day, and yet official and formal recognition of his regime by our government has until now been withheld. The reason, of course, a that old familiar snag in the current of our relations, Article 27 of the most recent Mexican constitution. The American people have felt very kindly towards Obregon, but they want him to lay down that club which he has been using as walking-st so to speak. He has said he would not use the club on us, but until recently he has clung to it. That club is the constitutional provision in effect con fiscating foreign property holdings, developments and grants, regardless of the fact that many of them were made before the constitution was en- acted. Now it seems that Mexico has definitely abrogated the application of the provision to rights acquire prior to it's ratification. All signs nov point to early recognition.
 The principle on which our govern ment has insisted is regarded by the Springfield Republican as basic, and 'it is fully as important that Mexican public opinion shall approve fair deal ing with foreign owners as that the Mexican government shall give assur- ances of such policy in however for nal and definite manner. The pos sibility of revolution is still a fact to reckon with. If the conferees have successfully met this problem they have helped not little to make his. tory" This is sound reasoning, for If sentiment in Mexico is unfavorable to the agreement, then that sentiment may prevail under a later regime to the discomfiture of our future rela- tions.
 The general attitude towards Mex ico is we'll summed up by the New Orleans Times-Picayune "This coun- try wants peace and order in Mexico, has no desire to interfere with it's in- ternal affairs, or to trespass upon it's independence. Mexico concerns us, as it buys from us, sells to us, is host to our investors and visitors invite under her laws. If Americans can go about their honest errands there in safety for themselves and their dollars, our neighbors may be sure they are safe from our overwhelming power and possessed of our friendship which will be helpful if they will have it so." There may be those who sheer at the founding of relations on prop erty considerations, but surely there can be no fundamental ideals where there is violation of honestly acquired material rights. Honesty as an ideal is nothing, if honesty in practical ap- plication is denied.
 Recognition merely paves the way for mutual understanding, in the opin- ion of the New York Herald, which does not regard the formality as the end of all friction, but says: "Ever if these conventions are ratified promptly by both governments it must not be assumed that all will be serene between Mexico and the United States henceforth. The two nations arc bound to disagree more or less fol many years to come on the terms un. der which foreigners shall cooperate with Mexicans to develop Mexico's natural resources. The terms on whict this is done constitute an economic and political bargain each generation must make for itself. But the re. newal of friendly relations would pro. vide the time-honored and extremely serviceable machinery of diplomacy for the settlement of disputes as they arise"
 An optimistic view Is taken by the Cleveland Plain Dealer; After the repeated assurances of Mexican good will it would appear that this forma' establishing of safeguards should be sufficient to obviate all objections anc render the full resumption of diplo- matlc relations between the two re publics a consummation of the i'm, mediate future. It is to be hoped that President Coolidge and Secretary Hughes will see their way clear tc give formal approval to the agreement and declare Mexico restored to com. plete responsibility" And similarly the Nashville Banner: "Under Obre gon, Mexico has been coming to he; senses. He is evidently a good maz who has his country's welfare at heart He wants this country's official recog. nition and it's cooperation. Mexico. course during the past few year; shows a marked change from the dayi when Huerta was in control. w. should not only give Mexico the recog nition that she wants and so mucf needs, but should take her by tht hand and steady her until she car tread firmly the path to achievement Il 1 Il