The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-10-28
MEXICO AS IT IS.
NOT THE KIND OF COUNTRY
 MANY THINK IT IS.

Its Size Not Generally ApPreclated-A
 Remarkably Cool Country as a Whole
 Rest Time to Visit it is the Glad
 Summertime-Other Facts.
 The average American does not know much about Mexico Our next-door neighbor at the south is almost a terra incognita to the majority of our people. Mistaken views of the country and it's inhabitants crop out continually in any extended conversation on the subject.
 First of all. the size of the Republic is not appreciated. It is composed of thirty great states, which extend 1000 miles in length and 800 miles in width, embracing 772,OOO square miles of terri tOry-an area in comparison with which France or Germany or Austria or Italy appear diminutive provinces. It has a population of 1S,OOOOOO which is stead fly increasing.
 ] There is much misunderstanding con- corning the climate of this land. Sit uated principally below the Tropic of Cancer, it is regarded by many as nec- essarily a hot country. The truth is, i that while it has some warm sections, the vast body of the territory is re- markedly cool. The average tempera- ture in the City of Mexico in the sum mer season is 63 degrees Fahrenheit, in the shade, The writer is spending the month of August here, and finds use for an overcoat nearly every day and sleeps under heavy blankets every night. | Very many Americans think that the winter is the only proper time to visit Mexico. As matter of fact, the most enjoyable season for a trip through the land is the summer. During July, Aug ust and September there is a daily shower. Often this comes in the night The atmosphere is deliciously fresh and delightfully."- invigorating. There is no dust, and rarely do the clouds finger beyond the rainfall. In the dry season of December, January and February, there is much discomfort from annoy ing sand, and the freshness of vegita- tion is wanting. If one is planning a trip to this country, he should by all means arrange to 80 when Nature is at her best-and that is in the summer He will find the temperature cool, the air bracing, and the foliage wearing its fairest green.
 Mistakes about climate spring out of ignorance of topography The largest part of Mexico is a vast table-land, from 5000 to 1000 feet above sea level. The Valley of Mexico, in which the cap ital is located, is 7,SO0 feet above tide water. About this valley, from fifteen to thirty miles distant from the city, is 8 lofty range of mountains rising to 16,O00 and 17,0OO feet and covered with eternal snow. The scenery is magnif1- cent. From the ice-covered summits of POpocatapetl and Ixtaccihuatl cooling breezes perpetually descend. Summer here is a ceaseless joy.
 A very common mistake about Mexi- co is to consider. travelling risky, and life and property in great danger. Nothing could be further from the fact In no part of the United States is there such wholesome respect for law and au- thority as here. There is far less crime actually and relatively than in our own land. The Mexican is a law-abiding citizen. Police protection is remark ably complete. The statutes are rigidly enforced under federal control. Off, lenders are quickly caught and sum marily punished. Sentiment and poli- tics have nothing to do with justice. A visitor from another country can go anywhere in Mexico with perfect safe ty; he will meet with nothing but cour. tesy and good will
 | The character of the government has much to do with this. Nominally Mex ico is republic, with a constitution modelled after our own. General Dia2 is president Actually and practically the elected ruler is a dictator, who reigns with more absolute power than any European monarch. He is in con- plete control of the entire machinery o1 government. His representatives are everywhere, and immediate informa ton is brought to him of any restless ness or inefficiency. With niron hand he represses disorder. The whole po- lice of the country are under his con- mand; they have learned to do his bid. ding quickly and effectively. He is lib- eral and progressive, and fully awake to modern movements; but he is mast CT in his realm. Under his direction Mexico has been hammered into quiet. ness and order.
 Mistakes about the material condi. tions of the people are very common Many look upon all Mexicans as alike "greasers. It is true that there is much poverty and wretchedness; but ii is also a fact that there is large wealth The poor are very poor, and the ricf are very rich. Ut is a land of contrasts In the capital one can see as beautiful. ly gowned women and as finely dressed men as on Fifth avenue in New York Just behind them, however, will be seen the poor peon bearing a baby or her back and a heavy load on her heat ! as she trudges with bare feet over tho slippery pavement.-Rev. Dr. Willis P OdelI in Zion's Herald
 PREHISTORIC GIANTS.
 A 1oo51 L.,