The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-11-27
Since 1910 Southern Repub-
lie Torn By Anarchy
and War.
LOSES PROUD ESTATE
Barefaced Grafters and Dis
gruntled Office Seekers
Sap Nations Wealth.
WRITTEN FOR PALLADIUM.

From affluence to poverty, from
peace and order to anarchy and mas
sacre. From one of the great nations
of the world to one of the semi bar
barous countries-that has been the
history of Mexico for the last three
years.
Mexico stood at the apex of her
glory on September 16, 1910, the cen
tenary of her independence from
Spain. Porfrio Diaz's government
was the only Latin Americn power
save Brazil to maintain an embassy as
distinguished from a legation, at
Washington. With population of
thirteen million and an area equal
to the United States east of
the Mississippi 0eaving out the
New England States and New York;
she stood fifth among the gold and
first among the silver producing ma
tions of the world; and her immensely
rich agricultural resources were be-
ing scientifically developed.
But MeXicO's peace and prosperity
had fundamental weaknesses. 1t was
dependent upon the hand Of mon
arch, and it's funds for development
had come from other nations. The
United States had invested nearly
$1,000 100000 in Mexico; England
nearly $320,000.000; France $143,000,-
900; and other foreign countries $11S,-
600 900. Her own citizens had in
vested only $500, 100000.
"Cientificos" as Grafters.
Furthermore, a group of colossal,
barefaced grafters had gathered
about Porfrio Diaz, the Iron Man, in
his old age They belonged to the
"cientificos." and scientifically they
extracted their percentages from ev-
cry project set on foot. The foreign
capitalists, naturally, had to transfer
this burden of graft to the returns
they extracted from their businesses
in Mexico and the money finally came
out of the pockets of the common
people.
Then there was the land situation.
a. few hundred proprietors owned prac-
tically every acre in the country.
While the cost of living increased, as
in every counry of the civilized
world, the great land barons evaded
their share Of the taxes altogether.
This last oppression was especially
felt in the northern tier of states,
where Americans and other foreigners
We're particularly numerous, and
where the Mexicans could look across
happier land. There developed a
yeaming for democratic government
in the far north Of Mexico. which re-
suited in the candidacy OF Francisco
]. Madero, son of an immensely
wealthy and influential family, for the
presidency, in 1910. He drew up
scheme of reform, known as the plan
of San Luis POtOsi." He was beaten
in the election--a farce, of course
was thrown in Jail and probably would
have been shot escaping" according
to the pleasant little Mexican custom,
had not his family been so influential.
AS it was he was allowed to go to
the United States, and there straight
away organized revolution. His
father and his many brothers support
ed him. The Waters-Pierce Oil Com
pany, shut off from anticipating in
the development of Mexico's oil fields
by the favors shown in Lord COWdray
(Sir Weetman Pearson) by Diaz, sup
piled the sineWs Of war
Washington Wakes Up.
Washington finally woke up to the
fact that American residents in Mex
leo might be murdered and Americn
Investments destroyed in the conflict
With much announcement, President
Continued on Page Fourl