The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-28
A NEW ERA IN MEXICO.
Security and Stability Now Charac-
terize the Country.

Paul S. Reinsch, in Forum.
Until quite recently Mexico was not re-
garded as safe place for commercial and
industrial investments. It's potential wealth
was recognized and the possibility of I'M
usually large returns from Mexican invest
ments was well known; but the political
cOpditions were too unsettled. 1t was diff
ficult to find men of character and standing
who had long experience in Mexican af-
fairs; and the methods of the ordinary
Mexican promoters were so untrustworthy
that Mexico became in the minds of most
people the home of wildcat schemes and
South sea bubbles-a view which there was
much to justify The promoters-whom the
Mexicans significantly call filibusteros de
Danco-Were doubly INSCRIPTIONS, as they
knew the general unfamiliarity of the pub
lie with things Mexican, and therefore en-
gagged readily in unsound enterprises with
out fear of speedy discovery. Harold Fred
eric, in his story, THE Market Place" re-
counts the history of an undertaking of this
kind-an actual venture which came to it's
ignominious end only a short time ago.
But things have changed and a new era
has begun. In political affairs a regime Of
security and stability has been gradually
established by the group of able men who
are controlling the government. Under the
leadership of the veteran President they
form powerful, well-Organized party with
in which personal ambitions are Loyalty
ual successor to President Diaz is already
practically determined upon, so that the
fear sometimes expressed lest upon the
death of that great ruler the country should
be in danger of a revolution has no rea-
sonable foundation in fact. With respect
TO the security of titles and the protection
of life and property, Mexico at present
leaves little to be desired. Moreover con-
sentative business methods are being
adopted, and men of the soundest financial
standing are beginning to interest them
selves extensively in Mexican industry
Enough experience has been gathered so
that the investor may avoid costly mis-
takes, while the avenues to great success
in the exploitation of the natural wealth of
Mexico have not yet been closed. and the
most tempting opportunities remain.
1t Is, therefore, reasonable TO expect that
the next decade will witness unusual
progress in Mexican industrial life. In min
ing, systematic methods or prospecting and
surveying are being employed: water power
is being investigated and developed: and
the railway system of the country is re-
ceiving important additions, opening up
promising regions that We're hitherto AL
most inaccessible, and thus giving an i'm
petus TO the development Of the rich agri-
cultural lands of southern Mexico. Indica-
tions Of progress along these lines are af-
forded b. the formation of large prospect
ing companies backed by the most conser-
yative American and European capital; By
the establishment OF the great water-pOwer
plants OF Mexico City and OriZaba; by
opening OF scores of tropical plantations;
and by the movement of railway consoli-
datiOn and construction now in progress
Thus the National and International Rail-
ways are to be united far as TO form a
single brOad-gauge line between the north
ern boundary and the City Of Mexico: while
the railway known as the Mason line
will connect the Mexican systems with the
Isthmus of Tehuantepec and open up the
way TO the Central American republics