The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-05-12
BUSINESS IN MEXICO.


Business conditions in Mexico are at
a very low cbb The sudden darken-
ing of peace prospects must be very
damaging TO all business prospects in
that republic Americans have large
interests in Mexico, not only in the
north, but in the south and in fact
alP through the different provinces Of
that country. Many residents of this
region are thus Interested In the north
il is mines, stock raising. and agri
culture; i'll the south il is railway and
rubber and coffee, and it is general
speculation and activity everywhere
American money is invested in Mexico
by the tens of millions of dollars, aud
for the most part is invested proiitably
But there has always been feeling of
hostility ON the part of the lower
orders in Mexico against the (Amcri-
CAM "Gringo,' - The educated people
in Mexico claim to be free from this
anti American prejudice, But they are
u
latent hostility generally prevalent
throughout Mexico against Americans.
This feeling has rot been shared at all
by President Diaz. He has given
Americans large opportunities in Mex
leo, has invited the investment of
capital, has assured its safety, and has
protected the Americans, both in their
persons and property, often when the
MeXicans were dissatisfied and would
gladly have opposed him if they could.
causes of hostility against Diaz is his
friendship for Americans; and on his
retirement Americans would not find
Mexico so inviting as heretofore. Diaz
came in upon war. and he says he will
go out fighting, if he goes at all He
obtained his refuge in the United
States when his enemies were after him,
and while III our jurisdiction he gath
cred the strength which enabled him to
win the Presidency of Mexico.
1t will need strong hand to control
the affairs Of Mexico after Diaz goes
out. But at present he is, to a large
degree, helpless in the enforcement of
peace, order, and law. He made the
mistake that so many others have
made, and that we ourselves are making
on 4 larger scale, of being unprepared
for warlikc demonstrations. He took
in the turbulent elements, including
robbers and outlaws, and made them
part of his police and semi military
force On paper. Mexico has an army
sufficient to have COPIED with such an
insurrection as this begun by Madero,
and made short shrift for it. But the
Mexican army appears to have been a
force chiefly on paper, and for the pur
pose of drawing pay. It is demon
strated that it is not a fighting force,
that it is not a force of any material
value from the military standpoint.
Since President Diaz could not count
upon his military forces, and since the |
insurgents are we'll armed and en-
thusiastic, he finds himself helpless in
his old age, after a reign extending
over full generation, He
is not able to protect investments, he |
is not able to assure safety to business.
The shipment of million dollars in |
gold out of Mexico is significant of the
insecurity of conditions in that Repub
lie, 1t also speaks loudly of the
Encouragement of business. When
murder and rapine are familiar
throughout the country, it is useless to
Try to do business; and business men
in Mexico are anxiously awaiting the
let go without ruin, or proceed regular
Iy and peacefully with their bust
pess. under the due protection of the
law They are helpless under present
neither the government nor
the insurrectionary forces seems able
TO control the situation and prevent
murder. robbery, and attacks on peace.
full folks. Those who can get away
from Mexico without material loss are
loing so, while those who have to stay
are practically compelled to join one
side or the other in contest which
they would gladly avoid.
it is hard lines in Mexico for all
disposed persons, and il is
destructive to business rela-
lions. Changes are sudden and radi-
,al, however, in Mexico, and it is pos.
sible that another turn of the kaleido.
scope will throw brighter rays upon
The screen.