The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-24
Conditions in Mexico at This Time
Discussed by Gen. Powell Clayton
Americans in the Southern Republic and What
They Are Doing. Great Production of Mines
..Diaz Not to Retire. .Roosevelt and Panama
Canal. Satisfactory Labor Conditions from the
Standpoint of the Employer. Coffee and Rub
Der Plantations.

from sunrise to sunset. with siesta at
noon"
Il see by a recent dispatch that the Chi
nese are coming into Mexico by the thou
sands.'
such statements are probably exagger-
ated," the reply. There are not many
chinese in Mexico and they are admitted
at only one or two ports in order that the
character of those coming in may be care
fully investigated.
What are the Mormons doing in Mex
ico?''
They have three colonies" replied the
ambassador, two in the Braves district
of the State of chihuahua. and one in the
district of Arispe. in Sonora. There is also
an American colony, not Mormon, in the
State OF Tamaulipas, which has been eS-
taoiiSned within the past six months All
OF these colonies in a fiourishing con-
dition, and the Mormons, especially, are in
dustrious ard thrifty
About how many foreigners are there
in Mexico?"
Comparatively few. Less than 10000.
L should say"
AMERICANS IN MEXICO.
Are there many Americans?'
Eyes, more tina those of any foreign
nationality, excepting the Spanish. There
are fifteen or sixteen thousand of our peo-
pie there. All, so far as | know, retain
their American citizenships and most come
intending to stay only long enough to make
their fortunes and then return to the United
States"
What the Americans dong?"
Ihey are interested in all sorts of enter
prlSeS Some are opening up gold, silver
ana copper mines. Others have franchises
Tor street railroads and water works in
the cities. Some are engaged in farming
and many are employed in connection with
United States"
Have many made fortunes?"
some have done we'll but none have
made the enormous sums which are now
IN fhn TTv,ff toto
| is one man. Mr.. Braniff, who is said to be
| worth about fifteen or sixteen millions in
| Mexican money. He built the Mexican Ma
lonal Railroad which runs from Vera Cruz
! to Mexico City. and has been interested in
! other enterprises of large size. General
| Frisbee Is said to be worth one or two mil
| lions in Mexican money, but we have
| other multi-millionaires that l know Of
rs capital invested in Mexico safer
said General Clayton IF danger from revo-
| luton or from confiscation by the govern
ment is concerned, it is perfectly safe. 1t
! One must investigate his titles before pur-
| chasing, and the man who intends TO invest
| should go TO Mexico and examine things
| for himself"
How about the coffee and rubber planta-
| tions?'
Such things should be carefully inquired
| into Everything depends upon the locality.
| Mexico has a variety of soils. some very
rich and some not worth a cent an acre."
How about the mines?"
/
| has been mined for centuries. 1t is esti-
| mated that more than four billion dollars
| worth of gold and silver have been taken
| out of the earth there. The mining has
| gone on steadily since the days of Cortez.
| Alexander Humboldt, who, among his other
| scientific attachments, had those of min
| ing engineer, said there were 1900 mines
! in operation in Mexico when he went
| through that country about 100 years ago.
| The Mexicans are good miners. They know
| the value of their own product. and they
| are shrewd dealers. Americans going there
! should investigate carefully If they do
| so, they may make their fortunes, for the
| country is undoubtedly rich.
rs much American money going into
| Mexican mineS?"
| quite a good deal, / should say" re-
| piled General Clayton.
| Into what kinds?" l asked.
| Gold, silver and copper"
| Can you tell something as to the
| extent of the mines?"
Yes. l have a list of the principal ones
which was made last year. The country
has altogether more than 1900 mines
| which produce gold. silver and copper.
| There are 145 copper mines and some very
large ones There are other mines which
| produce copper and lead, and copper and
| iron. There are more than 600 gold mines,
| and almost 1900 which produce both gold
| and silver. Altogether there are $500 mines
| which turn out more less gold either
pure or in connection with other metals.
| There are more than 5000 silver mines
| which are producing, and the mines of
various kinds all told yield an output OF
about 100000 gold dollars per year"
FARMS FIFTY MILES LONG.
How about farming, general? 1 under
! stand it pays well in Mexico?"
1.-The most profitable farming there is
| stock raising" replied the ambassador.
| There are enormous ranches in Mexico.
Some are so large that you have to ride
more than fifty miles to them. A
few years ago l went down to the Isthmus
| of Tehuantepec and took a trip through
| the cattle country there. 1 rode through
one farm which had $4,000 head upon it
and through another which had over 1900
| This was in February in the midst of our
| winter. The prairies were then covered
| with grass which reached TO my knees The
| cattle industry is one of the great ones of
| Mexico. The total value of the ranches is
| more than half billion gold dollars and
the cattle are numbered by Millions
Where are the chief markets for the
| stock?" | asked.
| The United States takes most of the sur
plus from northern Mexico, said Ambas-
| sador Clayton. 1.-THE cattle are taken across
| the border and fattened in Texas or the
| Territories, and thence shipped TO the great