Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-18
Banker on Visit Here Believes
That Is Solution of Prob
lem There.
ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
BASIS OF ALL UNREST
Oscar ]. Braniff, in an Interview,
Gives Reasons Why Huerta
Should Be Recognized.

THE man with the strong arm to COM
pei order and institute economic reforms
will be the biggest man in Mexico
Oscar J. Braniff of Mexico City be-
lieves his distracted country's ills are
durable and that he knows the remedy.
He is the son of an h-American, edu-
Gated in American schools and George
town University, is now a director of a
large bank in Mexico. was one of the
ENJOYS who arranged peace two years
ago with Madero, and. with his brothers.
is in politics as a patriotic Mexican. anx-
ious for national well being and as stu
dent of economics.
Senior Braniff is in Washington in the
course of a business trip to the United
States. He has seized the opportunity to
size up conditions in the United States
as affecting Mexico, and has sounded
government and public opinion.
''Tranquilhzation of Mexico, so that gen.
eral content and prosperity may be es-
tabliShed, and that opportunity, unmen-
aced by lawlessness, may be insured for
the development of our inestimable re-
sources, that Is the problem in Mexico.
The solution of the problem is definitely
reduced to a formula, to be worked out,
conditions permitting.
Grievous Economic Condition.
"a grievous economic condition is the
basis of all the unrest in troubled Mex
ico," declared Senior Braniff. "Correc-
ton of this condition must be the key
stone of any movement that will bring to
pass a stable reform for permanent prog
ress
The land must be rapidly subdividad
and distributed. and large farming
class created and assisted to become
self-suppOrting and something more.
With accumulation of property, and the
more general distribution of national
wealth, the peace-loving attribute of in
dustry will be developed and brigandage
will no longer be an attractive Occupa-
ton because of the easy living it af-
fords.
ITO enable the program for general
distribution of land to be put into effect
suppress disorders until the readjust-
ment shall have been accomplished
This epitomiZes the views Of Senior
Braniff as to the byways Mexico must
thread to allow her to resume her place
in the procession of civilization and prog
ress on the thoroughfare of all nations.
He supports the political aspirations Of
no man or faction in Mexico.
From 5000 to 10000 regular troops
can control any revolutionary movement
"
three years of practical military field
work." is a conclusion deduced by Senior
Braniff. 1.-The actual Mexican army to-
day consists of about $4,000 men, of
which 5000 are regulars and the rest
irregular or rurales. increased recently
with the Orozco and other contingents.
The regulars are efficient and trust
worthy. The rurales need thorough
wedding out
Huerta May Be Man of Hour.
In the hope that Provisional President
Huerta may prove himself the man of
the hour. as obviously the man to at
tempt it with the machinery of the de
facto government in his control. and as a
man of military training. experience, ac-
complishment and prestige. Senior Braniff
is of the opinion that the pacification OF
Mexico should be intrusted to him, and
his hands supported by all who have
that purpose at heart. If recognition
could be given b. the United States. Sen
or Braniff would welcome it as tending
to strengthen the arm Of Huerta for this
purpose.
The best formula" he says. "for the
renaissance of Mexico contemplates pro-
cedure through constituted government
President Huerta now is the constitu-
tional head of Mexico. and it is to him
that we would naturally look to bring
about desired conditions. But no gov
eminent can obtain a practical pacifica-
ton of Mexico withoul the necessary
funds to raise and support an army"
The disqualification of Mexico appears
nowhere more difficult in the opinion of
Senior Braniff than along the United
States border. Here rebellious forces OBJ
sources in the United States, which else
where would be impossible to them. The
activities of an army of pacifcation
would be almost exclusively directed to
suppression of disorders along this from
tier. With adequate forces of armed
men, properly equipped. and with the
necessary funds to put and maintain
them in the field. the border country
could be thoroughly pacifed, Senior
Braniff believes.
Mutual Misunderstanding.
Senior Braniff says there is wide misun-
derstanding In the United States of con-
ditions in Mexico, and in Mexico of con-
ditions in the United States.
"Pacifcation of Mexico will give the
government a chance to put in practice
the actual and cherished and ma
tured plan of the minister of finance.
Senior Esquival Oregon, for the prompt
subdivision of the large estates,'' con-
tinued Senior Braniff. Ito be made pos
sible by means of vast agricultural credit
to be based on the unlimited issuance of
per cent bonds bearing the government
guarantee and the land mortgage guar
antee in the proportion of one and half
to one.
1T is considered by those of us who
have given close attention to this ques-
ton. that the actual plan will solve the
problem readily Such bonds represent
ideal securities and should be readily
taken up. without, or with very little
discount, by the most conservative bank
ers and by the Mexican investing pub
lice. The large land owners, too, will
find it to their great advantage to SELL
and thus obtain much larger and safer
incomes that they are actually getting
from their land. The lower classes WILL
for the first time, have land and working