The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1914-06-18

eNce at Niagara rams, Aildutt are
striving to work out in their efforts
to restore peace in Mexico, an inter-
view with Henry H. Armstead, head
of the Armstead United Companies
Inc, operating mining properties in
the state of Guanajua % and territory
of Tepic, which appeared in the New
York Times following his return to
that city from an eight months stay
at his holdings, is of unusual interest.
Mr. Armstead has been identified
with the mining industry of Mexico
for more than 10 years and has scent
great deal of time in the neghb ~
ing republic. He has made a thor.
Sueli study of the revolution and 1t,
CLntributory causes, and declares that
the mere elimination of Huerta or
Carranza or Villa or any me midi
vidual, will not bring peace to Mex
leo. Only through the adoption of
the agrarian policy promised by the
late President Francisco Madero, ac-
cording to Mr.. Armstead, will Mexi-
cans be pactied, and he outlines a
plan by which he is confident that
such system could be successfully
placed in effect In the interview Mr..
Armstead, in part, says
Il can positively say that there will
be no paciiication of Mexico until
Mexico has come out strongly for an
agraran policy which viii satisfy the
majority Of the people in the country
1t makes no difference whether Huerta
takes Torreon day, 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 or the
100000 persons who live in the
country, 80 per cent 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 problem
1t can be worked out fairly by
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 hacenderos Mind you, I would
not advocate the seizure of such pro-
perty. The government should take
possession of some Of this property,
but in such way as to work no hard
ship to the owner He should be paid
in government bonds yielding GER
tain rate of interest.
Il have gone over the situation with
Mexicans of all classes, and | know
what the feeling is. This new gov
eminent land should be thrown open
to demonstrating, 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 next week. In taking the
ground away from the rich, only such
should be condemned as it not in use
by the owners, and l repeat, it should
not be confiscated but purchased with
bonds.
"As for the possibility Of giving the
natives a free vote in Mexico. such
thing is no more practicable than in
our own state of Mississippi. 1t is a
fact that were a free vote allowed in
Mississippi every office in the state
would be held by a negro If free
voting obtained in Mexico today a
bullfighter would be elected president,
for the reason that bulfighters are
the most popular men in the country.
"This feature Of President Wilson's
policy of giving the people of Mexico
free vote is beautiful, but impractic-
able The laws and customs of Mex
leo are utterly different from ours.
Ninety per cent Of her people are I'M
educated. For the good Of the country
and of the people the government must
be the business of the educated min
GRITTY until such time as the people
have reached an educational plane,
and then they can receive the free
vote This educated minority must
not only tell the masses what to do
and how, but the masses must be
made to comply with the laws.
II see no solution for the future Of
Mexico until our own country stands
for a definite policy in regard to that
country. It should not give its sup
port to individuals. Huerta is here
today and might be gone tomorrow.
The same might be said Of Carranza.
In my opinion, and | speak purely as
an American citizen who lives in
Mexico, our country should stand for
a policy, and not either for or against
any particular individual in Mexico.
feel that the elimination Of Huerta
would not be a solution Of the stua-
ton, and feel that so unimportant Is
the fight for or against any particular
individual that if Huerta stood behind
an agraran policy he might be the
best man for the situation.
Withhold Facts.
mo newspaper in Mexico or else
whore has ever featured what Mexico
really needs. Many persons do not
seem to have given the matter deep
thought. Even among Americans
down there, a man Is either for or
inc Coy