The National tribune., 1910-12-01

! has rapidly increased, tho it is difficult
{ to give the exact figures, since great
numbers of the Indians avoid enumer-
alton, fearing that they Will be taxed.
Ten years ago the population was re-
ported at 13.545,462, with slight ex-
/ cess of females. This would indicate
that the population has more than
doubled within the past century. As
! far as can be ascertained, 10 per cent
| of the population is pure white, 43 per
/ cent mixed bloods, and SO per cent In
, dians. The Indians have a high birth
| rate, but are subject to many diseases
and epidemics which give them a very
| high death rate.
Under Diaz's administration MeXico's
credit has risen to first class, which is
| high achievement for Diaz, since he
found the country bankrupt and with
out credit The most recent statistics
give the revenues at 63.284,1s6 silver
dollars, to 59,423,006 silver dollars ex-
penditures.
Government.
The Government is theoretically that
of Federal Republic, composed of 27
States, two Territories and a Federal
District. Representation is theoretically
copied from the United States system,
as is also the division, of powers be-
tween the legislative, executive and ju-
dicial branches, but these, like religions
and republicanism, is theoretic only.
The President OF the Republic does just
what he thinks best for the country
The President is elected for four years,
and must not be an ecclesiastic of any
kind.
The States have very much the rights
prescribed in our Constitution for
States. but they are really managed
by their Governors, who are in turn ap-
pointees controlled by the National
President.
Finances.
Mexico is on a bi-metallic basis,
which means that silver is the STAN
dard. It being a cheaper money, has
driven out gold. The unit is the sill
yer peso, or dollar, which now has a
gold value Of about 4s cents The Ma
tiona1 debt is not large. 1t is divided
into foreign debt of s112,398, 800,
which is on the gold basis. and interest
payable in gold, and an internal debt
of s135,509,271. reckoned in silver. The
trade Of the country is rapidly increas-
ing both at home and abroad, owing
to the facilities given by the railr
In addition to gold and silver, Mex
leo sends abroad great deal of coffee.
rubber, hemp, cocoa, logwood, vanilla
and other tropical products. great
deal of cotton is raised, but the pro-
duction is not as cheap as that I'm the
United States, and the fiber is wholly
the same with sugar and rice. The
business of the country is largely in
the hands of Americans, English,
French and German. but the great
Spanish houses do an immense business
in banking and trade. About one
half of the imports are brought from
the United States, with the remainder
coming from France and Germany.
The Army and Navy.
The Regular Army of Mexico con-
sists of about Is, 900 infantry 1000 cav
airy. 1000 artillery and other services
raising the total to 2S.100. There is
system of reserves by which the
fighting force can be raised to 10000
infantry. 10000 cavalry and 5000 ar
tillery. Every Mexican capable of car
rying arms is liable for military serv-
ice from his 2urh - his 50th year.
President Diaz wisely commissioned
most of his political opponents and the
leaders of the guerrilla bands which
had infested the country into the Reg
ular Army, and gave them the job Of
the peace, which they did
with great honor and effectiveness.
Now the officers are supplied from u
very excellent military school at Cha
pultepec. The Navy has two dispatch
boats, two gunboats and some other
vessels, but the naval personnel con-
sists of 1913 officers and about 1000
men.
The land laws of Mexico are very
favorable to immigration. The public
lands are surveyed and demarcated by
private companies which receive one
third for their work, and the remainder
is offered to immigrants and coloniz-
ing companies on very favorable terms.
Colonists are encouraged to locate and
are offered to anyone who
will cultivate the land and increase
the wealth of the country. This poll
icy has had the result of greatly in
creasing the population and bringing in
new blood and advanced methods to
ieaven the whole country. If peace
and a stable Government can be matn-
tanned, there is no doubt that the popu-
lation of the country will speedily
double, for in many ways it offers the
best openings of any new country south
Of the United States.