Milford chronicle., 1939-02-17
LET'S LOOK AT THE RECORD

news from day to day might be war
ranted in feeling there was som
misunderstanding" between tn
governments of the United State
and Mexico. A closer study Of tn,
case, however, reveals that there 4
no Misunderstanding. Secretary o
State Hull has clearly indicated tina
he considers Mexico's appropriation
Of American-owned properties al
bald confiscation.
In an effort to make a case fol
herself, Mexico has advanced many
reasons, arguments and excuses but
in no single instance has she beer
able to find justification under heI
own laws and through her OWL
courts for her illegal acts of expro-
priation.
The courts in Mexico in interpret
ing that country's laws under the
present constitution have rendered
many important decisions in recent
years which bear directly on the oil
cases. Since foreign-owned oil prop
critics were confiscated last March,
the Supreme Court of that country
has rendered three additional decis-
ions which directly bear upon the
principle.
In substance these decisions show
that appropriation acts by the Mexi-
can Government should be preceded
by judicial procedure;" that the
government could not legally expro-
pirate property without having made
a prior declaration of public utility;
and that properties appropriated
must be paid for in cash when taken
over; that payment in government
bonds did not meet the situation
since bonds represented only a
promise to pay.
1t is a matter of record that Pres
ident Cardenas issued the expropri-
alton decree without legal proceed
ingS or with out a prior declaration
of public utility. 1t is a matter of
record that no payment to date eth
er has been rendered or devised by
which Mexico is to pay for these
seized properties. 1t also is a mat
ter of record that the United States
Government within ten days after
the appropriation decree last March
sent note protesting the Mexican
Governments action. This latter was
recently brought out by H. L. Knick-
erbocker in a signed story sent from
Mexico City. Mr.. Knickerbocker' re-
ported that the undelivered note,
which was read by the Mexican Gov
ernment's foreign secretary, and
who knows it's contents all too well.
is filled with dynamite. 1t still re-
mains ''unofficially" delivered.
1t thus seems clear, according to
Interpretation of the Mexican law
and the Mexican constitution by the
Supreme Court of that country, that
the appropriation of foreign-owned
oil properties in March, 1888, was il
legal. When it is understood that
Mexican courts have so ruled de-
spite the fact that they are easily
influenced by the administration in
power. these decisions have partic-
ular significance.
In the face of present conditions !
it seems to many persons in Wash
ington that most of the anxiety |
about foreign relations is being !
stressed in wrong spots of geogra-
Germany, Italy, Spain and
Japan aren't nearly as dangerous to
the peace of the new World as our
own hot-headed Mexicans whose
leaders act good deal like mata-
doris at bull fight.
Mexico to date has hamstrung
Secretary Hull's splendid conception
since there can be no good neighbor
policy unless there are two good
neighbors. In the meantime, our
governments 'undelivered" protest
ncte on the Mexican expropriatory
lecree is resting quietly in the Am
erican embassy files in Mexico City;
With the Mexican Governments bar
er deals with Germany and Italy,
md with the continued appropriation
program. of the Cardenas admins
ration, the situation to the south of 4;
Is becomes worse and worse. Sec {
etary Hull's Job-like patience alone {
las prevented a complete breakdown
# international law. Only realis-
ic understanding by our people of
he menace of MexicO's program to
american institutions will enable
i'm to clear up our most troubled 1
iplomatic situation.