Arizona republican., 1910-11-11
PHOENIX, ARIZONA, NOV. II, 1910
Mexico, Today and Tomorrow.


The anti-American riots in Mexico
are not likely to lead to anything at
present beyond a vigorous correspon-
dence between the state departments
of the two republics. Later, on, how
ever, the feeling of hostility for
Americans which is so prevalent in
Mexico may have serious conse-
quences.
The existing difficulty is one in
which each government can assert a
grievance of moment, and for this
reason an amicable settlement is not
altogether easy When a grievance
is wholly one sided there is no
trouble in reaching an adjustment
between friendly nations.
During the last fortnight there has
been an unfortunate sequence OF
events, tending to inflame the people
in each country against the other.
A refined American girl, visiting
in Mexico with her father, citizen of
Nebraska, was abducted by villainOus
Mexicans and carried into the noun
tains; and according to Mexican cit
liens who had opportunity to see the
party in their flight, the young lady
has been subjected to treatment that
cannot be described adequately in
print. An the efforts of the Mexican
government TO rescue the girl and
capture her assailants had been I'M
availing at last accounts.
The news of this outrage, tele-
graphed to all parts of the United
States, has had an inflamatory effect
on the minds of some Americans. es-
pecially in the border states, where
there is always more or less racial
prejudice. In Texas. last week, a
Mexican murdered an American wo-
man. The murder itself was most
atrocious, and this fact, combined with
the outrage upon the American girl
in Mexico, led a Texas mob to burn
the murderer at the stake.
AS soon as the news was tele
graphed to Mexico that Mexican had
been burned alive by an American
mob, the mob spirit in Mexico be-
came rampant, as a matter of course
Not only have American citizens been
insulted and injured and American
property destroyed, but most import
ant of all, the American flag has
been insulted by Mexican mobs.
1t can be readily seen that this mess
offers abundant opportunities for Of
fetal recriminatiOn, charges and
counter charges, demands for apology
and compensation, and denial of re-
sponsibility If there were the slight
est inclination on the part of either
government to view its neighbor in
hostile spirit, the outcome might well
be awaited with apprehension. For
tunately. however, the two govern
ments are sincerely friendly and each
of them will go to extreme lengths
to preserve the precious friendship
which has long endured. The exist
ing trouble will soon be settled.
The question of relations between
the United States and Mexico in flu
ture years, is, however, of concern,
even now In the nature of things
the great Diaz. now 81 years old, can
not retain his control of Mexican af-
fairs many years longer. The presi-
dency of Mexico is a despotism, and
must remain so practically until the
people of Mexico reach a plane of
education and poise which will enable
them to govern themselves after the
American fashion. When the scepter
of power passes from the hands of
Diaz, there will be many eager hands
reaching for it. Vice President Cor
raj, Foreign Minister Creel, General
Benrado Reyes, former governor of
Nuevo Leon, and possibly others will
for supreme power Each of
these men is an enlightened states
man, and if they could have their way
the question Of supremacy would be
settled in an orderly manner. But
they will be unable to control their
followers. The most optimistic friends
of Mexico expect that civil war will
break out soon after Diaz passes from
the scene, and when matters reach
that stage each faction will try to gain
for itself by arousing the
rabble against Americans-for the
cry: Down with the Americans!" is
the most popular of all issues in
Mexico.
The shrewdest observers of Mexi-
can affairs freely predict that ulti-
mately American intervention will be
necessary to rehabilitate the country,