HANDS OFF!

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18892, 6 January 1927, Page 7

HANDS OFF!

AMERICAN PROPERTY IN MEXICO

(bp cable—r«Esa association—copibioht.) (AUSTRALIAN AND K.Z CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

WASHINGTON, January 4. It is officially stated that any attempt by the Calles Government to seize American property in Mexico, under confiscatory oil laws, will be mot by retaliation by tho American Government.

[An interesting contest has been developing in Central America between tho United States and Mexican interests, and may be expected to come to a head tliis month When the United States recognised the now Mexican Government in 1917 it was stipulated that certain oil and land law's giving the Mexican Government confiscatory rights over United States property in Mexico should not be made effective.

The Calles Government disputes'this, and some time ago brought down legislation to make theso laws effective. Very strained diplomatic relations resulted, and the dispute was put off till January. Mexico may also come into conflict with the United States in Guatemala and Nicaragua. In the latter republic the Mexicans have been accused of gun-running and assisting the Liberal revolutionaries. The United States, which holds important concessions in the country, has been asked to assist the Diaz Conservative regime, but so far, has hesitated to do so owing to political complications at home. Attacks on American residents by Liberals, reputedly assisted by Mexicans, have further intensified the situation.]