The Catholic bulletin., 1914-05-02
THE TRUTH ABOUT MEXICO

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
HAVE INCREASED TN LATE
YEARS. ....
Writing in the Catholic Columbian,
r. C.. Cleaner (Father Mulhane) pre-
sents some facts about Mexico that
are of interest at the present time,
when SO much derogatory to the Mex
lean people is being presented.
We are hearing much these days of
Mexico, writes Father MuIhane, and
while no one will deny the sad state
of that country, the attempt to place
all her misfortunes at the door of the
Church to which most of her people
cling is to be deprecated. The popu-
lar notion is that all Mexicans are
ignorant and blood-thirsty. Much of
the wrong opinion about this land
south of us comes from a widely-read
book by VIM. E. Curtis, entitled "The
Capitals of South America" Curtis
received his journalistic education
under the famous Cowles of the Cleve-
land Leader in days of yore. Older
readers will recall with what venom
that paper fought everything Catholic,
and of course Curtis imbibed much
venom against the Church. He was
sent by President Arthur to South
America to prepare the way for the
Pan-American Congress. Blaine was
then Secretary of State and he placed
Curtis in charge of the tour through
this country, and Curtis made himself
quite obnoxious to many of the party,
who, being Catholics, were naturally
desirous of hearing Mass on Sundays
and visiting the Catholic institutions
of the land. Curtis, however, did all
he could to frustrate their wishes,
Blaine.
A Reliable Work.
AS a good foil to the book of Curtis,
one can heartily recommend book
of some 130 pages, entitled "The Re-
public of Mexico in 1876, the Charac-
ter, Habits, Costumes and Vacations
OL 4IO W1ALICA OpdA1OA
by Antonio Garcia Cubas, translated
into English by George E. Henderson,
and published in the City of Mexico,
at the LA Ensenanza" Office. The
author says in the introduction:
"This book has been written with
the view of removing the wrong inn
pressions that may have been left on
the minds of the readers of those
works which, with evil intent or with
the desire of acquiring notoriety as
novelists, have been composed and
composed by different foreigners in
regard to the Mexican nation. The
impressions received during rapid
excursion of pure amusement, without
making any longer stay in the various
towns than the time required to re-
pack their valise and continue on a
journey of useless results, the iso-
lated facts that are obtained in every
society in contradiction to general
rules, and a disposition to judge
events without a proper examination
and careful study are not sufficient to
obtain complete knowledge of any
class of people, and much less to au-
thorize such impressions through the
medium of the press"
Mexican Schools.
On page 80, under the head of Pub
lie Instruction, the author says:
Primary instruction in the schools
Of the Republic consists of the fol-
lowing branches: Reading, writing,
Spanish grammar, morality and good
manners, and moreover, in the girls
schools, needlework and other useful
labors. In some of the states the
study Of geography, national history
and drawing are also obligatory,
whilst in the schools that are not
supported by the government notions
of algebra and geometery, elements of
general history, ornamental and lineal
drawing and the French language are
taught"
The number of primary schools in
the whole of the Republic reaches
8,S03 instead of 5000 that existed in
1870. OF the number referred to, ac-
cording to the work of Senor Diaz
Covarrubias, 603 are supported by the
state government, 5,240 by the munich
pal authorities, 378 by private cor
porations or individuals, lit by the
Catholic clergy, besides 1851 private
establishments that are not gratui-
tous and 184 not classified.
Educational Statistics.
These schools are attended by $780,
900 scholars of both sexes. Second
airy instruction, as well as professional
education, are under the charge Of the
state, subject to the programs estab-
lished by law, which prescribes the
liberty OF education and profession.
In the Republic Of Mexico there are
los establishments Of secondary and