The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-24
A DANGEROUS IMPASSE

Relations between the United States and Mexico
have now reached dangerous deadlock
Absolutely unable to agree as to the scope and
application of Mexicos new land laws, the two gov
ernments today stand glazing menacingly, each ap-
parently waiting for the other to make move
Article e27 of the Constitution of May l, 1917,
seems to be at the bottom Of the trouble This afI
firms that title to mineral and other subso Deposits
in Mexico is vested in the people and that only
Mexicans had the right to acquire and develop con
cessions there.
Foreigners contend that this article, or laws
based upon it. tends to be retroactive and confsca
tory And the United States backs up this conten-
ton
Thick and fast notes on the subject have been
passing back and forth between Washington and
Mexico City for more than year. And today, the
United Press tells u.s. the last four of the lot were
made public at Washington two being from Secretary
Of State Kellogg to Foreign Minister Saenz OF Mexico,
and two from Foreign Minister Saenz to Secretary
Kellogg.
Written as though with pointed icices and sharp
as the crack of whip the notes get absolutely
where at all beyond putting the views of the two
governments on record.
Secretary Kellogg tells Foreign Minister Saenz
bluutly that the United States had recognized the
government of Mexico only after the Mexican-Amer-
lean commission of 1923 had reached agreement
on the land laws, and ntmates he will not tolerate
for minute any going back that understanding as,
it might appear, Mexico showing signs of doing.
Foreign Minister SaenZ refuses to consider the
1923 negotiations binding as Secretary Kellogg
sets 1t up as being but repeats and again
that foreign rights In Mexico secure. And, he
adds "as long as there is concrete case of viola
ton OF a lawfully acquired right in existence there is
In truth no cloud on the horizon of the friendship
Of the two countries"
There you have the whole story in nutshell.
Secretary Kellogg insists that Mexico's land laws
should be changed so as to menace to
American interests while Mexico just insistently
replies don't boiler until you hit.
The last two notes are short and snappy and OBJ
yiously written in the spirit of ooh, what's the
usel" Secretary Kellogg tells Mexico he just want
ed to let her know what to expect and that Eek
tremey critical situation would be created if any
American suffered as result of the laws under dis
cussion
Foreign Minister Saenz concludes by saying, in
effect Let us know when there have been viola
tons and we will be disposed to repair them"
Breezy notes all the way round and entirely too
lacking in that tone of courtesy which should char
acterize discussions between neighbors.
No doubt Secretary Kellogg was perfectly right
in informing Mexico of his fears the security of
American rights in that country And he did well to
express formal reservations and give warning that
we would protect our legitimate interests when and
J if molested
On the other hand We would be Just as we'll off
today and probably better, had we accepted Mexicos
official assurance that our rights would remain safe
and waited until there had been an infringement be-
fore resorting to testy speech.
AS it stands the two countries are now on the
verge of diplomatic rupture with all the dangers
such an event implies.