The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-18
DOWN IN MEXICO.

"A returned traveller from Mexico not
onlv brings. confirmatory reports of the
news dispatches concerning the chaotic
conditions that prevail in that unfoE-
tunate country. He also expresses the
belief that the better and more intel
ligent classes of Mexicans would well
come Intervention on the part of the
United States with open arms. This
will certainly be news to most Ameri-
cans, who may be pardoned for form
ing the opinion that the cry Down
with the Gringos" is intensely popular
with Mexicans of all degree.
In fact this is more than an opinion
with this traveller. Prominent Mexica1s
have made statements to him to that
end. They see no termination to the
troubles in the revamped republic. They
look for the overthrow of Madero. Al
ter that they are certain another revo-
luton will be begun Immediately for
the overthrow of his successor. 1t is
their idea that one revolution will fol-
low another until Mexico is parceled ur
among the various military leaders
whom they look upon as little better
than bandits or brigands. They do not
believe that it is possible for another
a man who will be strong enough t
bring about peace and order among
the cut-throats, the pilferers and the
looters who are rebels merely be-
cause they have found it the easiest
way in which they can pick up livell-
hood. These better classes of Mexi-
cans are firmly convinced that no pro-
perty rights, no matter how small and
Insignificant they may be, will ever be
secure in Mexico again until the Uni
ted States sends down there an army
of pacif1cation.
And there is some more interesting
news that this traveller brings home.
1t is to the effect that while the Mexi-
cans of the rebel type are strong in
hollering Down with the Gringos'' when
they get together in a crowd, they are
particularly careful not to put any of
their threats into deeds. Furthermore
although they strut around with mucr
braggadocio as to what they would do
to Uncle Sans soldiers If the latter
were sent into the country, they have,
as a matter of fact, a respect for the
United States soldiers that borders on
abject fear. This is especially true
cans and they make up the bulk OF
the population. And in the minds of
some the credit for putting this fear
of United States soldiers into the hearts
of the Mexicans belongs to nothing so
much as to the moving picture shows,
that have been established here and
there in Mexico and particularly in the
American towns along the border. The
Mexicans are enthusiastic admirers of
the photo-plays, particularly those of
the blood and thunder variety. They
simply flock to the moving picture
houses. Most of the pictures shown
are of the American make. And many
of them are those pictures of fights be-
tween cowboys and Indians and soldiers
with which the patrons of moving
picture houses are so familiar. In most
of these pictures it is always the case
that handful of soldiers will annihilate
or disperse a hundred or more Indians.
The simple-minded Mexicans have an
idea that these pictures are represen-
tations of realities They marvel at
the courage and prowess of the Ameri-
can soldiery. After seeing a picture
of this sort they will congregate ir
little crowds and discuss it by the hour.
and especially the wonderful fighting
proclivities of Uncle Sans soldier boys.
They may shout Down with the
Gringos'' and show their teeth but it !
is the opinion of many people in Mexico
and along the border that if an armed
force of these same Gringos descended
on Mexico they would have to do some
tall running to get within shooting
range of the Mexicans who are shin
ing so conspicuously these days as
rebels