New Britain herald., 1926-01-06
objection TO FOUR
MEX|CANLANDLAWS
Coolidge Does Not Expect In
frinsement on 1923 Pact

Washington. Jan. 6 up - Official
silence in Washington as to details
OF negotiations with the Mexican for
cign office over retroactive features
OF New Mexican petroleum and land
law legislation has failed to conceal
the grave anxiety with which events
IN Mexico City are being observed.
Despite reiterated diplomatic rep.
reservations, 1t Is now known that
the alien land law awaiting promul-
CATION contains at leafs four clauses
OF retroactive application which
would adversely affect the interests
of American investors in the proper
ties involved. There can be no
question but that these are regarded
as not only in contravention of the
rules ana principles OF international
law and equity, but also are in d.
rect violation of the UNDERSTANDINGS
between the two governments which
grew out of the conference in 1928
and led 70 the diplomatic recognition
by the United States of the present
Mexican government.
What course the Washington ad-
may have in mind has
not been disclosed. That some hope
Is stiil entertained of an adjustment
before the new laws are put into
operation appears to be the oXplana-
ton OF the statement authorized
yesterday at the White House that
President Coolidge assured" that
there would be no violation by Mex
leo of the 1923 agreements or of in
ternational law.
The Objectionable features of the
land law from the American point
Of view lie in articles ., .. 4 and 7.
In its final form and as il nov
awaits official publication. the ac:
provides:
1-Irrespective OF the time when
interests were acquired by a for
nigner in a Mexican corporation
owning lands or other concessions
Tor mining or other mineral ey-
he would be required TO
'enounce his national rights with
aspect TO such holdings in order TO
ownership.
2-~ArtiCle denies recognition 10
more than fifty per cent foreign in
erestS in a Mexican company en-.
gagged in agricultural work and arti-
lie 4 supplements this with a pro.
'ision that foreign holdings in ex-
,css Of the 80 per cent must be dis
posed of in ten years if held by cor
and could be retained only
Until death in the case of individual
ownership.
3-Articlo Z requires aliens with
egally acquired interests in such
to declare their owner.
ship within year after promulsa.
ion of the act under penalty of tho
assumption for legal purposes that
such interests we're acquired subse-
lucnt to that promuIgation.
In connection with the first provi-
SION the Washington government has
lenied the right of an American citi-
zen to waive his nationality in the
manner described and has also de-
lied that such remuneration would
operate TO eXtinguish the obligation
Ipon the government to give an
full protection in the event /
# Il denial Of justice.
AS to the second and third pro-
isos, taken together, it is held that
hey constitute an adverse condition
0 be attached to the foreign inter
SITS involved regardless of the time /
When such interests We're acquired !.
IF of the complete legality of that !
cquirenent prior to the enactment |
f the new law.
The fourth point is construed as
threat Of loss Of property by an .
rbitrary legal assumption under the +
aw Of those who do not comply
Nth its requirements for declaration /
f ownership within a year. even |
hough such failure might be due 10
he fact that the holder of stock or .
ther interest had not been inform .
d Of the law.
The LONGEST mansion ria lrOad rim ,