New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-08
AMERICANS IN MEXICO
What They Have Accomplished and
Why They Are Hated by Few.

IANJ AhAN AA1NNN ~ ~ -
To tho Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: In allowing your contributing edi-
tors 20 express their views In the COL
umns Of your paper one finds mass oil
energy expended IN denouncing one side
or the other Of the contending factions
AZ present occupied In fratricldal
war 20 obtain control over the destinies
Of our neighbor 10 the south Of US. one
reads varied views and announcements
more or less based on emotions or lgno-
rance OF facts. but I'm spite or the de-
struction that has been caused 10 our
own people in life or property little
svupathy or appreciation OF the place
that Americans have taken in the devel-
opment OF Mexico. materially and ethical
Is. is noticed Moreover. II seems some
iudednable hostility continues TO be
shown toward those Americans who have
carried this countrys trade and inhu-
ence there. and It seems as II large
class Of people imagine this nations as a
whole need pay little attention TO the
appeal OF those Americans with interests
there.
Possibly this may be charged to the
present administration supposed policy
toward this country's financial expansion
outside Of our own land. furthermore, the
influence OF wall Street: hence tho
public mind is somewhat distorted.
without apologizing at all for any ir-
respon sble adventures who would bring
credit TO no community wherever they
may land. nevertheless the American In
fluence In Mexico has been or ire
mendous value TO that country.
We must bear In mind that while the
aim Of this nation Is TO ass,milate and
give equal opportunities politically and
otherwise TO any foreigners entering
these shores. and while also appreciatnS
that Americans as q rule find II more
difficult TO adjust themselves TO the
Latin influence. II must be understood
that Mexicans show strong prejudice.
politically speaking. at least against ciu-
Zens OF foreign descent. In spite OF this
fact, and although as a class the Ameri-
cans have taken little interest. past or
present. in their political affairs, their
influence has been OF magnitude that
could never be possible had they not
become financially interested there.
While the underlying cause OF the Ma
dero revolution was based on the agra
rian" question. and Americans have no
great interest in land ownership. It Is.
however, through the American engi-
neers that | believe the material advance
and the standing OF the Mexican people
for Industry has been mostly felt.
lanpttig n N ~
industry and after Mexicos own engi-
neers and those OF other countries had
failed showed TO Mexico that In her
mines lay dormant many of her greatest
possibilities. When American engineers
began TO develop Mexicos mines. every
one but they thought that her mines
were relics OF the past; every one looked
upon them as exhausted and valueless;
and Mexicos mines We're OF little value
until Americans showed what could be
done with them. We furnished the need
ed capital; we made the pumps that
solved the water problems; we worked
out the metallurgy Of her refractory
ores; we built the smelters and mills for
treating the product OF her mines; we
equipped the mines and brought her
metals TO the surface. AS Americans
had made the advances In mining and
metallurgy that made operation OF Mex
lean mines at a profit possible. We. of
course. were the first TO recognize the
reward awaiting investment In Mexican
mines.
The real cause OF the deep antipathy
felt for things American now preva-
Lent In Mexico comes from the egregious
sin that. In the eyes OF the Mexican
land clique. American engineers COM
mitted when they awakened an industry
and gave remunerative employment to
the Mexican peon. thus providing him
his one chance to become independent
enough to make a Mexican people pos
sible
The most independent, self-reliant and