The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-27
INTANGIBLE POINN
INTENSITY ROW OF
i. S. AND MEXICO
Factors Beneath Surface
More Powerful Than
Patent Ones.
BY William Philip Simms,
Vfugo GYUff NorrpQDoudout

WASHINGTON Nov. 27.-The
quarrel between the United States
and Mexico over American oil and
other interests south of the Rio
Grande is far more serious than APP
pears on the surface.
Powerful forces, more intangible
than tangible, are at work, both in
Mexico and on this side of the bor-
der, initiating against a peaceful So
luton.
This Is the opinion OF one OF the
most prominent international oil men
in the country, one whose name is
known the world over wherever
there are petroleum deposits, as
given TO the writer.
The MeXicans, he says, have 10
intention of confscating oil la
or any other property belongings
Americans. But there is state of
mind" both in Mexico and in this
country greatly hampering to
calm, dispassionate adjustment of
tangible differences.
The tangible difficulty-the Next
can land laws, which Americans
charge are confiscatory-are largely
the result of ambigulties-laws not
clearly drawn or we'll expressed, the
speaker said. They could be given
an Interpretation by succeeding Next
can administrations or courts, which
would amount TO conflscation.
Arrogant Americans
The intangible difficulties are by
far the more sinister. Many Ameri-
cans in Mexico are arrogant, and
Mexicans are proud and super-sensi.
tive. Thus should President Gales
and the other Mexicans allow It to
appear that they are accepting any
dictation from the American Gov
eminent they would not only lose all
popularity, but would risk their polit-
ical lives.
Furthermore, the Mexican govern
ment is in hot water over religious
issues. 1t is regarded as quite pos
sible that a quarrel with the much
hated United States might cause the
many divergent factions to rally TO
the side Of President Gales.
Washington Is accustomed to deal.
ing firmly, to put II mildly, with
Latin-American republics. The State
Department holds that the Mexican
land laws are inadequate and want
them changed. And powerful Ameri-
can interests, used to having every
thing their own way in the oil fields
Of the United StatesLthe Fall-Do.
heny oil episode is cited by Mexl0rm
as an example-are pressing D
claims in every way they know how.
Sheffield Dislilxed
Further complicating the situation
for the American Government is the
presence in Mexico City of Ambas-
sador James Rockwell Sheffield, I'M
doubtedly a high-class man, but I'M
able, apparently, to get along with
the MeXicans. Rightly or wrongly,
Mexican officials feel he has carried
on campaign Of nagging ever since
he landed in Mexico City, in Septem.
Der two years ago. They believe he
Is keeping Washington stirred up.
Under the new Mexican laws those
claiming title to oil lands must ap-
ply before Jan. 1 for a concession
over a period of years, in lieu of the
title they now claim. The State De-
| partment here insists that even IL
new concessions are granted, such
limited concessions are tantamount
at least to partial confscation.
1t is regarded as significant, how
ever, both here and in Mexico, that
number of foreign concerns, inolud-
ing the powerful British Aguila Com
pay and the subsidiaries of the Royal
Dutch Oil, as well as a number OF
American companies, have already
compiled with the law.
Admittedly, the situation Is fun OF
dangerous complexities, calling for
the utmost diplomatic skill and mu-
tual good viii on both sides II II is
to be set right short OF an eventual
smash-up.