The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-11-21
A Letter From M-xtco.

~ ZACATECAS, MEXICO, NOV. Id, 1oSf.-
Mr.. EDITOR: Ishas been some time since
the writer penned his last letter to your
paper, and as he has few leisure mo-
5ments this afternoon, he has concluded to
write again. Il would be very difficult to
convince the friends at home that 1t ever
gets cold in Mexico, and that, too, within
;he limits Of the rorrid zone. But such is
{ he case. For the last twelve days it has
been exceedingly cold, especially during
|, the nights in the mornings until the sun
rises. Frost has fallen in many places,
and the vegetation that was still surviving
4 the drought has been killed. Near the
City of Mexico on those high volcanoes,
Popocatpsl and Ixtaccinetl. snow storms
have been plainly visible. But the reader
will naturally ask, are these common oc
currences in Mexico? Well, no, not exact
ly. It is thought that the present cold snap
is result OF the violent earthquake, which
occurred in the City Of Mexico the % inst.
Thirteen persons were killed, and much
damage was done to property. There has
oeen much speculation as to the probable
Cause of this earthquake, but as there are
quite number Of extinct volcanoes near
.he city, it was not long before the conclus
ION was reached that 1t was probsbly
caused by an outbreak in one OF the latter
This conclusion has since been confirmed.
for since that time the volcano in the State
III Colima, near the Pacific coast, has been
very active, and the people are fleeing for
their lives.
The sll absorbing topic for the Mexican
government now is the prospects OF war
between Mexico and Guatemala The
troubl is in regard to fixing the boundary
line between the two natione. It seems
that along the border Of these two lations
the forests abound in valuable woods, and
that Mexico has conceded to companies the
right to cut and export lumber from ter
ritory heretofore claimed by the Republ
Of Guatemala Hence the dispute. 1t is
exceedingly doubtful whether the two
countries will 60 to war. Mexico has no
surplus of resources for carrying on such
a war, and Guatemala, not being very
extensive in her territory, is not likely to
necome aggressive. However, President
Diaz has sent number Of troops near the
border, and is holding them there ready
for action, and besides, war ship has
recently been purchased by the Mexican
government, and Is now being fitted out,
40 that is Guatemala should become bell
gerent, Mexico would be ready to attack
her both by land and by sea.
It is quite refreshing TO an American to
observe what lively interest the Mexican
papers are now taking In the affairs OF
the U nited States. Of course, they have
a,wnys taken sn interest of some sort in
the affairs at Washington, but evidently
this interest is now greatly on the increase.
Mexico would like to have stable gov.
ernment like that of the United States, and
she would probably obtain it II circum.
stances were not 30 greatly against her. A
government can never be better than the
citizens who support it.
The corn crop in Mexico has been cut
short this year from two causes First,
because It was late in the season before the
rains came. The farmers could not plant
until the middle of July, and in thesecond
place, the rains did not continue long
enough for the corn to mature. Many q
field Of promising corn parched up before
the ears matured. But, of course, in the
low lands and valleys the crops are as fine
as can be seen anywhere The staff of
life in Mexico is corn and beans (frijolee)
As result of good crops the mines are
becoming very active again. But it will
be a long time before Zscatecas will gain
back what che has lost during The last five
years of drought. There are hundreds of
honses here now vacant as result of the
exodus.
The market here furnishes an abundant
supply of fruit and vegetables. Straw
berries may be had here the year round,
though they are not grown near here.
With kindest regards for the readers OF
YOUR paLer, remain very sincerely.
NJ. GAssAWAY.