The Goldfield news and weekly tribune. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1911-1947, 1914-06-13
mining ENGINEER GIVES inside
FACTS ON SITUATION IN mexico

In view of the fact tho. the agrar-
ian problem is one of the most per-
picking points of issue which the
South American mediators, in confer
ence at Niagara Falls, Canada, are
striving to work out In their efforts
to restore peace in Mexico, an inter-
view with Henry H. Armstead, head
of he Armstead United Companies,
Inc, operating mining properties in
the state of Guanajuato and territory
of Topic, which appeared in the New
York Times following his return to
that city from an eight months stay
at his holdings, is of unusual inter-
est.
Mr.. Armstead, who is known to
numerous Goldfield mining men. has
beer identified with the mining in
dustry of Mexico for more than ten
years, and has spent a great deal of
time in the neighboring republic.
He has made a thorough study of the
revolution and it's c%ontributory caus-
es. and declares that the mere elimi-
nation of HIerta or Carranza, or Viii
la or any one individual, will not
bring peace to Mexico. Only through
the adoption of the agrarian policy
promised by the late President Fran
cisco Madero, according to Mr.. Arm
stead, will Mexicans be pacified,
and he outlines a plan by which he
is confident that such a system could
be successfully placed in effect. In
the interview Mr.. Armstead, in part,
says:
Il can say positively that there
will be no pacification of Mexico I'M
til Mexico has come out strongly for
an agrarian policy which will satisfy
the majority of the people in the
country. 1t makes no difference
whether Huerta takes Torreon today,
and Carranza captures it tomorrow,
and Huerta re%captures it the next
day. That has nothing to do with
the solution of the problem.
The unrest and the fighting in
Mexico are due to the fact that of the
10000 600 persons who live in the
country, 90 per cen not only own
no land, but there is absolutely no
way for them to acquire it. That is
the great issue at stake.
Solution of Problem
There is a solution of the prob
lem. 1t can be worked out fairly by
a commission appointed from among
the best persons in Mexico, who
should cut down the size of some Of
the vast tracts now owned by some
of the rich ~hacienderos. Mind you,
would not advocate the seizure Of
such property. The government
should take possession of some Of
this property, but in such a way as
to work no hardship to the owner.
He should be paid in government
bonds yielding a certain rate of in
terest.
Il have gone owe the situation
with Mexicans of all classes, and l
know what the feeling is. This new
government land should be thrown
open to homesteading, but in such a
way that the Mexican who acquires
such land today could not sell it or
borrow against it; otherwise he
would not own it mex week. In TAX
ing the ground away from the rich,
only such should be condemned as
is not in use by the owners, and
repeat, it should not be confiscated,
but purchased with bonds.
LAS for the possibility of giving
---on e.41 rOta - sn@
such a thing is no more practicable
than in our own state of Mississippi.
It is a fact that were a free vote al
lowed in Mississippi, every office in
the state would be held by a negro.
If free voting obtained in Mexico to-
president, for the reason hat bull
fighters are the most popular men in
the country.
This feature of President Will
sons policy of giving the people OF
Mexico q free vote is beautiful, but
impracticable. The laws and Gus
toms Of Mexico are utterly different
from ours. Ninety per cent of her
people are uneducated. For the
good of the country and of the PEG.
pie the government must be the bus
mess of the educated minority until
such time as the people have reached
an educational plane. and then they
can receive the free vote. This edu-
Gated minority must not only tell the
masses what to do and how, but the
masses must be made to comply with
the laWe.
81 see no solution for the future
of Mexico until our own country
stands for 4 definite policy in regard
to that country. 1t should not give
It's support 10 individuals. Huerta is
here today and might be gone tomor-
r5w. The same might be said of
CarranZa. In my opinion, and
-n@o l,D1v or mn -, s.>-