Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-10-23

CEdItofiai Correspondenoe1

WnJects that may be expected to Interest
people who know Mexico only through
he sensational magazines
Mexico strikes the American visitor iume-
iiatey by its contrasts: BY its contrasts
landscape from barren desert to dense
TOpical vegetation, from sea-washed shores
% ice-capped mountain peaks BY its con-
Tasts In architecture from the thatched-rOof'
Damboo to the plaster covered adobe, from
he sun-reflecting cathedral dome to the
hie-covered box-Iike dwelling or business /
house. BY contrasts in color through the
varied shades OF gray and green with the |
faded tints OF once bright hues decorating
the exteriors OF their buildings from the /
somber darkness Of the black costumes |
worn by high caste descendants OF the |
Spaniards to the striking gaUdlness OF the /
Joseph's coat rainent preferred by the !
lower class Mexican natives. BY contrasts 1
pf riches and poverty, Of bejeweled people |
Of wealth and barefoot beggars I'm rags. |
BY contrasts OF all the ages from the Az !
tee pyramids to the modern electric power |
plant: from OK team hand-hewn carts to |
the upholstered automobiles: from bent |
stick plows TO twentieth century sewing
machines; from burden bearing carga- |
dOres, who are nothing but human ex-
press drays, to great loading cranes. Mex
leo at one and the same time runs the
OIL effete civilization. II retains traditions
and customs Of the abougines with addi-
tons brought by Cortez and his Spaniards,
by Macmillan and his French courders
and still later by the bustling, business
getting Americans This admixture OF the
ola and the new and this great diversity
OF population types, from highest 20 low
est, doubtless accounts for many Of the
most serious problems confronting the
Mexican people and their government, and
makes It difficult to test Mexico by our
standards.
What I have seen on this trip all goes
to confirm what l wrote more than a year
before, when the assaults on "Barbarous
Mexico first began to appear-that all
criticism of Mexico depends upon the
spirit emanating It; that mere fault
finder can easily string out horrifying
revelations OF isolated cruelties and objec-
tionabie practices to make a strong indict-
ment, although probably no stronger an
indictment than could be brought In the
same way against some parts of our own
country. And yet by comparison with
what had gone before, everyone would
have 20 concede that Mexico has made
marvellous advances in all directions since
Diaz brought peace and order under his
strong hand and established enlightened
and progressive policies OF government
Mexico is apparently backward. in its
newspapers although the newspapers II
has very likely are quite sufficient to sup
ply the present demand because of the
limited circle OF possible readers. The
strongest newspapers in point OF circula-
ton are those which are read by the
native inhabitants; they are printed in
Spanish and one who does not read
Spanish can hardly Judge Of their quality
alrr-, md
form. They get out extras and frequent
editions and they keep abreast of local
affairs, illustrating their reports with re-
produced photographs. Several of them
quite outdid themselves in connection with
centennial celebrations Mexico City has
also two daily papers printed in English,
one morning and afternoon, which
seek especially to serve the American
colony. The Mexican Herald, which is the
morning paper. is real newsy, with tele-
graph service covering events in the United
States and detailed accounts of the doings
of American Inhabitants In Mexico. II Is
installed in a beautiful building facing
the main plaza. The building was form
erly a legation headquarters and affords
comfortable and almost luxurious accom-
modations. The Eel impartial is just erect
ing a beautiful new building OF its own
nearby, into which IL will soon be re-
moved. There are also newspapers printed
in English in some of the provincial cities,
a few dailes and more weekies.
Apparently the newspapers are enjoying
a reasonable degree OF individual freedom,
but surface indications are not to be re-
lied on entirely. Each Of our party was
the recipient OF a native newspaper
printed no one knows where, with mourn
ing bands decrying the death of liberty
list of newspapers said to have been sup
pressed, with the editors imprisoned on
trumped-up charges, because not SUI
ficiently subservient to the government OF
too outspoken in criticism. How much
OF this Is true / have no means OF ascer-
tanning. The newspaper editor In Mexico
doubtless has TO be more circumspect II
his discussion OF public men and measures
than he would in the United States. Ye
the unobstructed sale on Mexican news
stands of the very magazines that arr
assailing the Diaz government proves TIN
existence OF a wide liberation.
The hopeful thing for the newspapers
and more yet for the future OF Mexico, 81
the development OF the public school sys
tenn and the gradual spread of lteracl
and education Our first greeting on tn
Mexican side. ss have already described
came from an official delegation OF IN,
town Of G. p. Diaz. whose public SCHOOL,
had been closed In honor OF our advent
and all the school children marshaled II
gala array at the station waving flag
and singing songs. All through Mckee
the school buildings are easily recog
nizable and school children largely In evi
dence. In many smaller places the chic
event OF the centennial was the opening
OF newly erected school house
And this very fact Is the most cOmplet
refutauOn Of the charge that Mexico
rulers are deliberately keeping the native
in Ignorance and ilhteraey for fear the
may acquire an ambition for greater par
ucipation In their government They hav
compulsory attendance laws which ar
Apparently poorly enforced or. rather, 1
they we're enforced would Oyercrowd a.
available school facilities. But the mer
enactment OF such laws, 70 be enforced a
circumstances permit. is certainly a goo
sign.
/ think that we have underestimate
The influence Of our own institutions 10
nauttfav education abrond Oalr Amer