Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-24
N 0DERN N EXIC0
A Talk With the Most Progressive
Citizen Of the Republic.
GREAT ADVANCEMENT AND PROGRESS
Mr.. Enrique C. CreeI Presents
Many Interesting Facts.
GOV. SHEPHERDS SUCCESS

Mr. Enrique C. Creel. the director of the
Banco Minero of Chihuahua. and one Of
the most progressive citizens Of the republic
of Mexico conversed with a Star reporter
this morning over the conditions Of his
country. Mr.. Creel, in company with Gen.
Luis Terrazas, ex-governor Of the state of
Chihuahua; Don Juan Terrazas. the lat
ter's son; Dr. Miguel Marquee of Chihua-
hua. Mr.. l.. Fl. Stevens of New York and
Mr.. c. P. Vaughan, president of the
Chrome Steel Works of New York, To-
gether with an interesting party of ladies
and children, arrived in Washington Mon
day night, and has since been enjoying the
interesting sights Of the national capital
In his talk this morning MIR. Creel was
most entertaining and instructive. He
speaks English with fluent ease, and is a
pleasant and ready talker.
Mexico" said MIR. Creel. lis more pros
porous than she has ever been in her his
tory. and believe her condition in this re-
gard is due to the fact that the low price
of silver in the rest Of the world has given
impetus 20 the development of her
sources and the energy of her people.
Mexico has produced s3,cO. O0O.U)9 of ST.
yer, or IS per cent OF the worlds total sup
ply. Thirty years ago a Mexican dollar
was worth S1.1n in gold in the United
States. A Mexican dollar in this country
today Is worth ~ cents. or 90 per cent less
than II was then. but if its purchasing
value has decreased outside of Mexico, it
las not done within the republic
Lands and property are worth a great deal
more. wages have not been reduced, and
as said before, Mexico is more prosperous
IMAM ever. can very easily illustrate this
when the Mexican dollar was at a pre-
miEm of 10 cents over gold the government
receipts were s20HO.OoO. Today they are
%l,Ep.OO per annum. Thirty years ago
Mexican bonds were sold at 16 cents on the
aoi!ar In London: at present they sell there
az 40 cents on the dollar, which shows that
european capitalists have faith in the
credit OF the republic and confidence in II
iIirty years ago Our mines produced S2J-
$1,000 $1,000 year in silver; they now produce
$40. 100000"
state and Municipal Progress.
10 give you another instance of the
progress continued Mr.. Creel, IT may
quote the conditions Of the state and mu-
inequality of Chihuahua. Fifteen years
ago the income of the state was s125,Ov
and of the municipality $3ONO. The in
comes, respectively, now are 5000. 600 and
S2p,'So per annum, and the same laws are
In force and there has been no change in
the rate of taxation. Agricultural land
IN Mexico that sold for 80 cents an acre
nIleen years ago now commands 50. and
grazing lard that sold at 10 cents now
brings % cents an acre. The price of real
estate has gone up 400 per cent"
M Creel proceeded TO give a most re-
haarkable insight into the conditions in
Mexico, ard. coming from such a man. the
statement will doubtless attract wide ana
close attention -'-
Mining in Mexico" said Mr.. CreeI. ",s
Inuepenoent or the price of silver so far
as regards Mexican enterprises where div.
loends have to be paid In silver. so that II
silver Is worth 81 an ounce or 80 cents an
ounce the profits of such enterprises are
1 Ts tne same. will explain this to you
L II &c hot all
pehses are paid in silver and the miner
always receives the same returns from the
Hllhts, because we have free and unlimited
~ In;rty years ago a troy ounce
vi -nexlcan silver was sold to the Mexican
m'nts for $40 Mexican money. A troy
ounce of silver at present is sold to the
MEXICAN :, minis for exactly the same price
- -, Mexlcan money-so that the min
er return from his bullion is lust the
same now as then, and consequently II
.he expense Of producing the silver is inst
mesa, same the profit has not changed. al
though H. foreign countries silver has 10
declined over 80 per cent in value.
Industrial Enterpriscs.
The low price of silver increases tho
cost OF foreign manufactures in Mexico
sood DEAL he continued. and on this ac-
count Industrial establishments of every
description have been and are being erect
ed in the country. One of the largest cot
ton mills In America with 81 600 600 can
ltai. has recently been established at the
city OF Orfzava, in the state of Vera Cruz.
ana about twenty-five other cotton mills of
smaller capacity are now being Operate5 in
the surroundings of the City OF Mexico
All OF THESE enterprises are clearing a prof
IL or 70 per cent on the investment This
SHOWS how profitable manufa curing is in
Mexico on account Of the low price of sill
Yer. Besides the cotton mills wcsolen mills
with all modern Improvements, have been
established as We'll as rolling mills, found
res. machine shops, nail factories shoe
factories. tanneries breweriess and other
smaller industries, and in every instance
they are profitable.
The low price Of silver has not affected
the poorer classes although they receive
the same wages now that they did when
silver was at A premium. Why? Because
the Mexican dollar has preserved its pur-
CHASING power in Mexico, and, indeed by
reason OF our newly developed manufac-
turing enterprises and the introduction of
aSriculturaI equipments, the poor are real
ly better off.
Compulsory Education.
THE future of Mexico is very promising.
not only on account of the material pro-
gress of the country. but also because the
CT ildren are being educated in a great num-
Der of public schools which have been es-
tablished, not only in the large cities, but
IN the towns, and even on the farms Pub
lie instruction in Mexico is compulsory and
eNciy congregation OF OOD lnna DltdntS must
have school. English is taught In many
of these public schools. The new genera
tion will be brought up with the IDEAS of
all modern improvements with the ASSIST
ance OF scientific education and will be bet
ter trained
Mexico he went on" has great natural
resources which have not been developed
because OF the lack of population and of
capital On this account the Mexican gov
eminent and the Mexican people are very
anxious to secure foreign immigration, and
Ia TINS regard life and property of foreign
ers are not only well protected, but the
authorities and the people of Mexico lake
All pains to make life agreeable and as
secure as possible for them, and II is
known fact that foreigners receive more
ate ntion In Mexico than the Mexican peo-
pie themselves.
Causcs of the Prosperity.
The actual prosperous conditions OF things
In Mexico are due, In my opinion" said Mr.