The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-04-26

dent Obregon and we expected it
not to take any action that would
deprive American citizens of their
property or their property rights.
Agricultural lands have apparent
ly been seized from time to time for
which no compensation has yet been
made. While there have been threats
to seize oil property. no such seiz-
ures have lately been made, and
suits are now pending in Mexican
courts to restrain such seizures. For
mer decisions of their courts are re-
lied on to support these suits.
Ask Fair Compensation
Stripped of all technicalities and
involved legal discussions, this Is
the main difference which our Gov
eminent has with the Mexican gov
eminent. We do not question their
right to take any property. provided
they pay fair compensation. With
their efforts to secure division of
great estates, so that more OF their
people may be land owners, we have
every sympathy. We have even
agreed that our Government would
accept the bonds of the Mexican
government in payment for damages
awarded by the commission for land
taken for this purpose. OF course,
we do not want any controversy
with Mexico. We feel every SYM
pathy with her people in their dis
tress and have every desire to assist
them. That they welcome conditions
under which life and property are
secure Is shown by the hundreds of
thousands of them who are coming
to the United States, where, through
their industry. they thrive and pros
per. Under these conditions small
land holdings would develop in MeH-
leo as they have developed here.
Those of her citizens who preferred
to seek employment in industry, like
many OF our own people, would have
an abundant opportunity in their
own country. Instead Of desiring to
pursue any aggression or to take
part in any oppression, we are en-
deavoring through the most friendly
Offices to demonstrate to their gov
eminent that their attitude in rela-
ton to property will not only result
in the economic disadvantage of
their own people, by preventing the
investment of outside capital so ne
.cessary for their development, but
will greatly impair their friendly re-
lations with other interested nations.
Fears RetroactiCn
1t is a cardinal principal Of law
that private property should not be
taken without fair compensation.
This principle is declared in our ma
tional Constitution and in those of
all our States. l know OF no writ
ten constitution that does not con-
tain a similar provision. Under the
constitution of 1917, and bylaws and
regulations for carrying it into
effect, we feel that Mexico is threat
ening to disregard this great ele-
mentary principle by undertaking a
retroactive application Of their con-
stitution to property of our citizens
acquired long before their constitu-
ton was adopted.
The Senate recently passed a reso-
luton supporting the protection of
American life and property and sug-
costing resort to arbitration. We
have at present two commissions of
arbitration with Mexico, and the
principle of arbitration has always
been strongly advocated by our Gov
eminent. Everybodysfavors arbitra-
tan when the question at issue is
arbitrable. Under the present cir
cumstances I can see grave difficult
ties in formulating question which
the two Governments would agree
to submit to such Il tribunal. The
principle that property is not to be
confiscated and the duty of our Gov
ernment to protect IL are so we'll es-
tablished that it is doubtful il they
should be permitted to be questioned.
Very likely Mexico would feel that
the right to make constitution and
pass laws is a privilege of her SOW
ereignity which she could not per-
NIT to be brought into question. 1t
has therefore seemed that we are
more likely to secure an adjustment
through negotiation. l am glad to
report that the Mexican ambassa-
dor has recently declared TO me that
she does not intend to confscate our
property. that she has shown dill
gence In capturing and Furnishing
those who have murdered our citi.
zens, and expressed the wish. which
we so thoroughly entertain, of keep
Ing cordial and friendly relations.
With a strong sentiment of this ma
ture. which. I am convinced. ami
mates the people Of both countries,
it will surely be possible to reach an
amicable adjustment. Our two peo.
pies ought so to condhct themselves
that there will never be any inter
ference with our ancient ties OF
friendship.
Situation in Nicaragua
Our relationship to Nicaragua !
have set out in detail in a message
to the Congress. For a dozen years
we kept a force of Marin9s in that
country at the earnest solicitation oil
it's government. During this time
the people were peaceful, orderly
and prosperous and their national
debt was greatly reduced. Almost al
once after ! withdrew the Marine:
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