He immediately set to work to reorganize and rebuild his country and to bring it out of that dilapidated condition into which Its Institutions had fallen. and to elevate his .people above that level to which years of misgovernment. misguidance. and exploitation had carried them. One of his chief problems was to wrest Mexico from the ruthless hands of foreign exploitation. The first step in that direction was taken by adopting the constitution of 1917. containing the following provision: Only lexicans by birth or naturalization and Mexican companies have the right to acquire ownership in lands. waters. and their appurtenances. or to obtain concessions to develop mines. waters. or mineral fuels in the Republic of Mexico. The nation may grant the same right to foreigners. provided they agree before the department of foreign affairs to be considered Mexicans in respect to such property. and accordingly not to invoke the protection of their governments in respect to the same. under penalty. in case of breach. of forfeiture to the nation of property so acquired. Within a zone of 100 kilometers from the frontiers and of 50 kilometers from the seacoast no foreigner shall under any conditions acquire direct ownership of lands and waters.
Keywords matched
naturalization