The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-05-17

The present wave of enthusias not go so far as to exclude foreign trade or try to develop self-suffi- cient economy, Cardenas said. He gave assurance that Mexico hopes for a more extensive Commerce, realizing that many products can be manufactured to better advan- tage elsewhere and are needed in exchange for Mexico's abundant raw materials.
 These and other vital clarifica- tions of Mexican policy were made by President Cardenas in answering specific questions bearing on future Mexican-American relations.
 Has Far-Sighted Program His vision of better and more mutu- ally satisfactory relations with the United States was revealed in the carefully y-considered answers fram- ed by the leader of the political forces which are trying to drag Mex ico out of the Middle Ages by its bootstraps and push it into day af- ter tomorrow.
 oCCduOC GIColdCllu SdldCAAdo Ao not fluent in English, personal in- terviews present difficulties and chance of misunderstanding. Hence written questions were submitted and he answered in Spanish, over his own signature. The questions and the English translation of the pres f ident's answers, follow:
 Appropriation
 Question: What may Americans properly read in the oil expropria- tions as to the future of other American business interests in Mexico, present and future?
 Answer: The appropriation of the petroleum industry was due to the necessity of preventing the paralyz- ation of that industry and the con- sequences which such action would have brought about. That situation arose with the termination of the labor contracts, which was a last resort decided upon by the workers as the only solution to the unjusti- fable refusal of the Companies to comply with a decision of the Su- preme Court of Justice of Mexico whose decision, by the very nature of the court, was final.
 , AS has been said repeatedly, Mex ico's doors are not closed to foreign capital coming for productive pur- poses, and not with the aim of un- duly exploiting the Mexican work CTS. Capital has guaranties in Mex ico, providing it respects the coun- try's laws.
 Self-Sufficiency
 Q. Is the oil case the forerunner of conscious effort to begin a self sufficient economy?
 A: Mexico does not believe an economy of national self-sufficiency is possible, in the sense that the country does not need international trade. On the contrary, Mexico hopes for more extensive com- merce which will permit the coun- try to exchange its raw materials for manufactured products since its own industries cannot as yet fully satisfy the demands of its consum- | Clo, llol WOulo lO bC dQNloublC 1Ol Mexico to attempt to produce as yet those goods which, because of spe- cial conditions, it is unable to manu- facture economically.
 o: If the Supreme Courts deci- sion as to col:stitutiOnality of the appropriation of the oil properties should be adverse, would the gov ernment be prepared to return the properties?
 A: Tn Executive Power respects the decisions of the Supreme Court. Within the division of powers es- tablished in the Mexican Constitu- tion, each branch of government is independent of the other and all are mutually respectful of each others autonomy.
 Q: Does your administration plan to readjust tariff schedules to per- init American trade with Mexico to return to normal?
 A: The need for revising our tariffs on foreign imports is to be discussed by the Mexican Con- gress now in session. AS was stated from the moment when the tariffs were raised, the measure was of transitory nature in order to meet an emergency situation. U. s. Relations
 Q: How may better understand ing between the United States and Mexico and Latin American coun- tries in general best be encouraged?
 A: All methods which help to develop understanding between peoples are useful for the purpose of bringing about a closer rela- tionship in their dealings with one another.
 Mexico gives every facility to tourists, not only for the commer- cial advantages which the tourist business has for a certain section of our people, but principally be- cause Mexico believes that those who visit and travel freely about the country are naturally the best ambassadors of understanding and goodwill when they return home.
 Notwithstanding the official for malism which at times makes con- tacts between peoples difficult, diplomatic relations, nonetheless, are indispensable between nations. Mexico maintains friendly rela- tions with many peoples of the earth regardless of the ideologies of their governments, for Mexico believes that the policies of each