The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1883-02-22
Something About Mexico.


and we are about to have liberal CONNER
cial treaty between tine two countrie
everything concerning the ancient home OF
the Montezumas must be interesting to the
general public. Mexico has so long been
an almost terra incognito, save along
the immediate borders, that very
few people have an adequate
idea OF the wealth, resources
and capabilities of that country. These re-
sources and capabilities however, ere IN
great measure inchoate yet and need the
developing influences Of energy and enter
prise.
A HERALD reporter yesterday met Mr..
an American naturalized citizen and resi-
dent OF San Francisco. Mr.. Roma is q
member of the large commission firms Of
Cabrera, Roma 81 Co., of San Francisco
and II. f. Schmilinsky & Son
of New York. Mr.. Roma is en- route for
Mexico, and was yesterday guest at the
Grand Windsor. With him are Senior Chris
tobal Bros, a custom house officer OF the
Mexican government, and Senior Rafael
Humane, a second lieutenant in the Mexi
can army, who is going to Chihuahua to
ioin force of the Mexican army about to
make campaign against indians.
Our reporter found Mr.. Roma to be an ex.
ceedingly int lligent. p easant and cultivated
gentleman who speaks English quite flu
entity, and in a long conversation with him,
cleaned some interesting information con-
corning Mexico and the present outlook for
the country and hopes OF the people. MIR.
Roma, although now a citizen OF California,
still has fondness for his native land and
feels deep interest in its welfare and pros
perity. He says that the wealth
of the country is principally
in the hands OF lew
people, those OF pure Castilian blood, who
make the City bf Mexico the central point
fer their pastime and habitation. They,
unlike the Americans, are not given TO in.
vesiing their means in speculauons, but
having uniailing incomes, and, as rule,
princely in amount; they are devoted to
pleasure, patronizing the opera, support
ing bullfghts, and taking much pleasure
in balls, routs and high living gen.
orally: The ereat, mass OF the people
are of mixed blood Spanish and Indian,
with many pure blood Indians. They are
ignorant, as rule, very greatly under the
influence OF their priests, and being an i'm
pulsiye, easily influenced people, have in
The past been easily led into revolutions,
which revolutions have retarded the growth
and development OF the country. Now,
however, the country has grown
tired of these revolutions and
dominant for long time.
President Gonzales, he says, being from
the army, a military president, is not as
progressive or as liberal and comprehensive
Ia his views as he should be, or as the re-
quirements of the country demand at this
iuncturc. lie expresses himself as glad 10
see the national improvements that are
going on in Mexico, bat thinks too maay
railroads are being built, and that The
American enterprise and energy that are
building these roads are OVERRIDING the
thing, He argues from the premise thai
railroads, TO be successful and prosperous,
must depend upon the agricultural prod
ucts and resources of the country through
which they pass, and Mexico, agIicul-
are millions OF broad, fat acres there, but
they are yet virgin to the pillow,
and must be, TO great extent,
for a number OF years yet, for the
native population must be educated up to
the proper energy and enterprise 10 reclaim
the weste places and to make two blades OF
grass grow where only one grew before.
Without large agricultural products are ez.
tended, commerce cannot be expected, and
in the absence OF both, save TO q limited
degree, what can these numer ~ miles OF
railroads hope TO depend upon FOR
expenses and dividends 10 stock.
hOlders2 II is true that MEXICO has
rich mines, be says, and has numerous arti-
cles for export, in the shape OF timber, dye
sluffs, coffee, tropical fruits, etc, but these
articles are not numerous enough for the
support Of the many railroads built and be-
ing built in the country. The consequence
IL that these roads will rose money TO their
owners, they viii begin 10 get cut OF repair
after q while and run down generally, and
they will be more hurtful than beneficial.
He says all classes Of people are swsitiDg
anxiOusly the contamination OF the CON-
mercial treaty between their country and
the United States, the terms beingprepared,
and while they all expect the United States
TO have the better Of the terms still they are
DESTROYS Of the treaty being made, as they
feel Il must nevertheless be advantageous
% Mexico.
He expresses the opinion that il will not
be many years before the northern tier Of
Mexicsn states will be annexed 10 the
L nited States, and he didn't seem TO feel
any regret at the prospect.
Mr.. Roma has been on . visit 70 the City
OF Mexico, and IL now returning 20 his
HON. In San Francisco. He and his friends
came By steamer from Vera Cruz 10 Gal
weston, Senior Bros- being en-
route n Guaymas, and a.
Galveston they purchases tickets
via san Antonio and the Southern Pacific
railroad 70 II Paso, 81 they thought, but
were imposed upon By the ticket agent, be
says, and were forced 10 come this way.