Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1911-04-07

Mexican business man. Both are striv-
ing for a modern Mexico The print
tive and provincial conditions of the
Mexico of twenty-five years ago have
changed entirely through the develop
ment of Mexican industries both by
home and foreign capital, and natural
ly the political and administrative poll
ley of the government must undergo
certain changes to meet the new con-
ditions. This change ia desirable, and
it is inevitable, and in my opinion
it will be brought about without any
further disturbance of the business
interests. The large foreign interests
in Mexico, represented most largely
in mine and railroad holdings in the
hands of American, English, German
and French capitalists. make IL nee
essary that business be conducted in a
thoroughly modern and uptodate fash
ion.'
There are at present three political
parties operating in Mexico, says Mr..
Smith: one being the party which sup
ports the present form of government;
another the party which advocates
certain changes calculated to place
more power in the hands of the peo-
pie. the freedom of the polls being
the most important aim of this sec
ond party; and a third which il re-
pudiated by both the other parties,
party supposed to be acting under the
anarchistic Jmta in Los Angeles, re-
presenting nobody but themselves.
This third party is expected to have
small influence in instituting the VAL
liable reforms advocated by the repre-
sentatives OF the people. In Next
co they are known as 'bushwhackers,"
and their chances OF preservation
would be exceedingly slim, said Mr..
Smith, II by the fortune OF war they
should be thrown into the hands of
either the insyrrectos or Of the fed
erals. both OF which factions are fight
ing for principle.
Referring TO the state OF affairs
prevailing in the capital Of Sonora
on the date of his departure for the
United States. which was a little over
two weeks ago, Mr.. Smith gave out
the following:
%To my personal knowledge good or
der has been preserved in the city OF
Hcrnosillo during months in which 1t
was supposed to be convulsed in fear
OF being taken by the insurrectionists.
At the time | left there were in the
neighborhood OF two hundred soldiers
in the city, a number which consti-
tutes the regular garrison, and there
was very little excitement among the
people, who appeared TO be taking
things more calmly than l have since
learned the people across the border
on this side are regarding the trouble.
The people of this country have
good reason, or presumably good rea-
son, for the ideas entertained here re-
garding the state of affairs prevailing
in Mexico. in the war reports which
have been circulated by the newspa-
pers These reports are unreliable.
The day of the reported battle at La
Colorado near Aqua Prietes. large
mining camp OF the state of Sonora,
an associate OF mine sold several
thousand acres of land to some Cali
fornia investors, and none of the
party were aware OF any battle going
on I'm the vicinity. Shortly thereaf-
ter there was a demonstration made
at Ures, a town up the river about
forty miles from Hermosillo, and a
desperate battle was reported to have
taken place between the federals and
the insurrectionists. The reports of
that battle are conflicting. each party
seeming satisfied with the result. A
number OF unimportant skirmishes
may have taken place, but with the
exception OF the battle OF Casas
Grandes there has been no serious
engagement, and my knowledge Of this
battle is based on reports which may
be more or less inaccurate. The revol
utionists have not yet taken single
city OF Importance which would en-
title them to consideration as beliger-
ants, and to my personal knowledge
many engagements reported to have
taken place in the vicinity OF Hermo-
sillo transpired only in the minds of
imaginative war correspondents.
Il regard the entire trouble as a
family quarrel which the Mexicans
will settle among themselves, and in
any event American interests will not
only be protected but encouraged as both
parties respect the property OF foreign
interests and foreign residents. The
greatest trouble in this country is
created by the erroneous reports of
the war which prevent many people
from coming into Mexico to see for
themselves that there is no reason
why Americans should keep out. Our
company expects to proceed with its
colonization scheme without hinder
ance, and / am going down to Mexico
in a few days right into the heart
of the district which is supposed to 'e
torn by internecine wranglinss to re-
sumo my business"
Mr.. Smith will leave in three or
four days for the Altar district. To-
Gated near Hermosillo. where he has
been negotiating for the purchase of
large tract of land. and it is his inten-
ton to write up from time to time de-
failing the actual state Of affairs ex-
listing in the state of Sonora
FXEClJTING a TRAITOR.