The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-01
-S-an-e-
GLIMPSES OF MEXICO.
Observations of n Florida Lady in
the Land of Romance.

City of Mexico, Feb. IS, No. 2O7 Paseo
de la Referma, Correspondence of the
Morning News.-Mexico City is a patch
work of nationalities, each one distinct
in its social life, but all amicably agreed
on sharing the delights of the climate
and the commercial advantages of the
rising republic. The arrogance of Spain S
former dominion has dwindled into 1.-THE
Spanish Colony" with only its silent city
of the dead to tell of centuries of oc-
cupation. The French colony has a short
err genealogy, dating from the Inflated
MaXimillian.
1t is the American colony that is ubiq-
uitous in Mexico. In the true American
spirit of expansion it has spread itself out
all over the city.
During a months stay here we have
never been out of the sound of our mother
tongue nor the sight of the wide-awake,
inquisitiVe physiognomies of our brothers
and sisters of the states. That Mexico is
rapidly filling up with Americans is due
first to the better railroad facilities that
now make not only the capital but al
most the entire republic easy of access.
The second and greater impetus that is
causing so many of our countrymen to
eXpatriate themselves is the long-con-
Aiuutu DuSlueSS Impression III the states.
We note here cheerful activity in all
lines of business that is very agreeable.
and the absence of that sharp COMPETE
ton that accompanies hard times and
scarce money.
II would not be quite correctly express
ing it 10 say that Mexico is on a boom"
Her present prosperity is the result of
internal development begun when the
embargo put upon her silver money by
gold standard countries compelled her to
cease buying and begin to produce
Inc native Mexican is an indolent, pro-
crastinating individual, and notes with a
jealous eye the advent of such numbers
of Americans, realizing, perhaps, that a
nation may he possessed by other means
than force of arms in this age of brain
power, but the government is very friend
~ to foreign capital and exceedingly Uh-
eral In concessions for the building of
railway or steamship lines, manufacture
ing or any undertaking in the way of in
ternal improvements.
Mexico is decidedly an interesting study
from any point of view. Her mountain
climate gives the strange but charming
combination of bracing at
mosphere' with the balminess
of the tropics. Her mineral re-
sources will continue while her mountains
endure. Agriculture is favored by good
soil and genial sun. / can think OF no
INDUSTRY thaI would not prosper here
Even the beggars thrive and are content
with their squalor, nakedness and Nth
The low poor of Mexico are not, like
our American tramps, the result of hard
tunes, they are born TO their condition
and are no menace to society or govern
ment. II was the yoke of their Spanish
conquerers pressing the manhood out of
them for generations that made them but
little higher than the donkeys they drive
aud sleep with. 1t is the native, unpol-
luted Indian stock. from which her war
riors and statesmen have sprung, that has
preserved through years of oppression her
nationality and has secured her freedom
The City Of Mexico should not be tho
Mecca OF visitors In search of health The
high altitude gives, of course, a certain
tonic to the atmosphere, and the rari.v
of the air eventually develops heart ana
lung power, IL the first strain on these
organs does not result i'm "A fatal attacI.
Of pneumonia or heart disease Tho sani-
tary conditions of drainage and sewerage
would destroy its population by pesfi-
lence at lower altitude.
The mortality Is said to be exceeded
only by that OF Calcutta. The city Is very
nearly the lowest spot In the valley. and
the nth OF centuries is under her faa-
stones. All the surface drains leading out
Of the city are covered with a green
slime that tells OF insufficient grading.
The early efforts and failures Of the