Mexico

Recognition of Mexico by the United States, long despaired of, became a live possibility when Mr. Secretary Hughes announced that a joint Mexican-American commission would soon meet in Mexico City to reach " a mutual understanding."

Each nation will have two commissioners. The Americans have been chosen: Charles D. Warren, recent Ambassador to Japan, and John Barton Payne, head of the American Red Cross.

The trouble between the two countries centers in the Mexican Constitution of 1917, which asserts that the subsoil wealth of Mexico belongs to the state. This invalidates American property rights already existing in Mexico.

The Big Three of Mexico--Obregon, de la Huerta, Calles--are now said to be convinced that American capital must be placated.

During the last six months Senor Obregon's time has been chiefly occupied by restraining the extreme Agrarians, Socialists and Reds. He has learned that American capital will not come without guarantees of security and property-rights.