To this protest no answer was sent. On May 18, however, it was announced that the decree of February 19 would not take effect until July 31, 1918. On July 8 another decree postponed action until August 15. The United States again protested, and on August 14 Carranza issued another decree eliminating the necessity of title regulation. The "rentals and royalties" provision, however, was not recalled in principle, and right to possession was conditional on recognition of government ownership.
What the position of the property owners was still remained uncertain when the attack was renewed from another direction. A drilling license for working oil properties has frequently been required as a police measure. This requirement was now combined with other Mexican legislation for use for a broader purpose. The Constitution declared that concessions for oil development could be made "only on condition that said resources be regularly developed, and on the further condition that the legal provisions be observed." The situation threatened was: Develop your lands or forfeit them. You cannot develop your lands without a drilling license. The license will be granted you only on condition that you recognize the standard the government imposes as a condition for holding and operating your
