MEXICO DECISION BY THE MEXICAN SUPREME COURT ON THE "AMPARO" CASE OF THE TEXAS COMPANY OF MEXICO Date and number 1921 Subject Page Aug. 6 (4165) From the Chargé in Mexico 461 Press report that Supreme Court will soon render decisions in amparo cases instituted by American oil companies to determine constitutionality of Executive decrees and retroactivity of article 27 of Constitution. From the Chargé in Mexico From the Chargé in Mexico Sept. 14 (4317) Sept. 27 (4352) case. Decision of Supreme Court in Texas Co. case (text printed) confirming validity of Executive decrees and stating that article 27 of Constitution is not retroactive as regards rights legitimately acquired prior to May 1, 1917. 462 Status of decision in amparo case of Texas Co.; facts in the 463 PROTEST BY THE UNITED STATES AGAINST AGRARIAN LEGISLATION IN MEXICO 1920 Nov. 26 (3496) From the Chargé in Mexico 473 Draft of agrarian law to be submitted to Congress providing for expropriation of land for redistribution. 1921 Jan. 15 (1501) Jan. 19 (3601) To the Chargé in Mexico 474 Instructions to apprise authorities of injustice to American citizens of indemnification provisions of proposed agrarian law. From the Chargé in Mexico 474 Law of December 28, 1920 (excerpt printed) prescribing procedure in making land grants pending enactment of general law; provisions regarding indemnification. Feb. 21 (1524) To the Chargé in Mexico 476 Instructions to make informal representations regarding indemnification provisions of law of December 28. Mar. 2 Mar. 21 (3753) Report of the Consul in Charge at Mexico, D. F. 477 477 Bill proposed in State of San Luis Potosi for expropriation of large land-holdings, with statistics disclosing high percentage of land now held by few. Instructions to informally advise authorities of apparent inadequacy of compensation provisions of law of December 28. 479 MEXICO PROTEST BY THE UNITED STATES AGAINST AGRARIAN LEGISLATION IN MEXICO Date and Continued Subject number Page 1921 Apr. 20 (54) To the Chargé in Mexico (tel.) 479 Instructions to make informal protest regarding bill proposed in San Luis Potosi as being confiscatory of rights of American citizens and contrary to Mexican Constitution. May 14 (3878) From the Chargé in Mexico 480 Draft of agrarian bill as submitted to Congress (text printed); opposition of certain factions and possibility of restricted application, if enacted. May 14 (65) To the Chargé in Mexico (tel.) 490 Report that bill has been enacted in San Luis Potosi. Instructions to renew informal protests. May 28 (73) To the Chargé in Mexico (tel.) 491 Objections to proposed national bill. Instructions to make strong informal protests against passage in present form. Aug. 6 (1708) To the Chargé in Mexico 491 Instructions to make informal representations concerning agrarian law as passed by State of Durango, stressing illegality of confiscatory provisions. Sept. 12 (179) From the Chargé in Mexico (tel.) 492 Failure of Foreign Office to acknowledge receipt of representations concerning Durango and other laws. Foreign Office reply in regard to Durango law, declaring inability of Executive to intervene in internal affairs of States. INEFFECTUAL DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE OBREGON GOVERNMENT AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF BANKERS ON MEXICO 1921 Mar. 28 June 27 June 29 From the Acting Chairman of the International Committee of 493 Admission of Belgian representative to International Com- From_the_Alternate Chairman of the International Committee of Draft of letter to Mexican Government (text printed) accept- To the Alternate Chairman of the International Committee of Approval of proposed reply to Mexican Government. 494 496 Possible subjects of conversation with Mexican officials, covering questions of external obligations and prospects for new Draft of letter to oil producers (text printed) explaining im- practicability of Mexican proposition for purchase of Mexican Failure of negotiations, due to Mexican Government's insist- ence on carrying out bond-purchase clause of agreement; pos- Inability of oil companies to carry out bond-purchase clause of agreement and request for extension of agreement. MEXICO PROPOSALS LOOKING TOWARD THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MIXED CLAIMS Date and number 1921 Oct. 8 (190) From the Chargé in Mexico (tel.) 505 Foreign Minister's inquiry concerning U. S. intention to reply to invitation to enter into an agreement relative to a mixed claims commission. 505 Oct. 11 (132) Nov. 21 (4592) To the Chargé in Mexico (tel.) Information that Department is studying decision of Mexican Supreme Court in the amparo case of the Texas Co. and will forward instructions shortly regarding Mexican invitation. From the Chargé in Mexico Memorandum from Foreign Minister (text printed) transmitting drafts of a special and a general convention providing for mixed claims commissions (texts printed). Proposals for REGULATING THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE WATERS OF THE COLORADO RIVER 1921 Aug. 2 To the Secretary of the Interior Oct. 15 Oct. 24 No objections, from standpoint of international relations, to Comments on meeting held at Los Angeles, March 17 by From the Mexican Embassy Reported conference to be held at Washington or in the West October 27; request that Mexico be allowed to participate. 506 515 516 518 Oct. 24 Memorandum by the Acting Chief of the Division of Mexican 519 Assurances conveyed to the Mexican Embassy that more particulars will be furnished regarding contemplated conference. Oct. 31 Nov. 9 From the First Secretary of the Mexican Embassy 519 520 Information concerning the unofficial character of the meeting at Los Angeles, March 17; probability that reported meeting of October 27 was the hearings to be held in California to consider the report prepared under the act of May 18; constitution of a commission under the act of August 19. From the Chargé in Mexico Appointment of Mexican representatives to attend conferences in California. 115367-36-vol. II-IV Dec. 5 (4648) 521 MEXICO RELAXATION OF REGULATIONS GOVERNING TRAVEL BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO FOR RESIDENTS IN A FORTY-MILE ZONE ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FRONTIER 1921 May 19 (67) To the Chargé in Mexico (tel.) May 26 (107) May 28 (74) Instructions to take up matter of abolishing passport requirements for residents in 40-mile zone on either side of border, so that persons may enter American border zone without passports or border cards, provided they are otherwise admissible. From the Chargé in Mexico (tel.) Foreign Office agreement to plan; however, instructions intended to put plan into operation contain provision that documentary evidence as to residence must be produced. To the Chargé in Mexico (tel.) June 11 (137) Page 522 523 523 Instructions to request consent to plan as originally presented, eliminating all documentation. From the Chargé in Mexico (tel.) 524 Mexican proposal that plan be modified so that persons unknown to immigration officers will be required to produce proof of residence. To the Chargé in Mexico (tel.) 524 June 28 (95) July 28 (4129) Executive order (excerpt printed) providing for the relaxation of regulations governing travel between the United States and Mexico for residents in the 40-mile border zone. From the Chargé in Mexico Note of Mexican Foreign Office, July 27 (text printed), transmitting Executive decree of July 4 (text printed) providing for the relaxation of regulations governing travel between the United States and Mexico for residents in the 40-mile border zone. NETHERLANDS 525 CONTINUED NEGOTIATIONS FOR AMERICAN PARTICIPATION IN EXPLOITING THE OIL FIELDS OF THE DUTCH EAST INDIES 1921 Jan. 31 (440) Feb. 2 (193) Mar. 8 (20) Mar. 9 (13) From the Minister in the Netherlands Favorable attitude of Netherland Government toward U. S. participation in Djambi oil concessions in Netherland Indies; failure of Sinclair Corp. to reach agreement with Bataafsche Co. From the Netherland Chargé 528 530 Information, in view of U. S. reciprocity policy, that seven mining concessions were granted to Standard Oil Co. in 1920. From the Minister in the Netherlands (tel.) 531 From Johnston. Opportunity for American capital to share 531 Information that Sinclair has formulated terms of offer relative to Djambi concessions; instructions to keep Department informed. |