The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-28
Says Huerta Has Scorned Opportunities to Attain
Wealth and He Will Never Resign-Villas
Chances of Capturing Mexico City

suits that may accrue for the country
In the full development OF all its wealth.
The land question might be crystal
lized In few words; all difficulties
arise from the individual ownership of
enormous tracts of land. In some cases
embracing nearly an entire State. with
the result that the soil remains uncul-
tivated except in a very small way. and
this under the peonage system, which
means slavery without redemption or
escape. Give the Indians tho opportu-
nifty to live as becomes human beings.
let them earn pay commensurate with
their work so that they can satisfy all
their wants and we are sure that they
will be just as good AZ anybody else.
Let me say once more that the struggle
In not between leader and leader. but by
one downtrodden class against another
class. Therefore the pacification Of
Mexico can only be accomplished
through a regeneration Of the principles
OF Justice equally allotted to all classes.
The revolution going on in my coun-
try to-day may be properly likened TO
the French Revolution. History records
that before the break OF the French up
heaval $50, 900 families were the exclu-
sive owners OF all the lands In France.
Five years after that bloody revolution
SOC, 900 families became landlords
through a fair distribution OF the soil,
and there are 100000 small proprietors
in France to-day. The same thing In
proportion will happen in Mexico.
Were Carranza to secure the office OF
President OF our republic II would not
work to our advantage or that OF the
United States. as his elevation would be
surely followed by three or more revolu-
lions. 1t could not be otherwise. as
revenge and death are the only princi-
pies which accelerate his movements.
Carranza is not strong enough and has
not sufficient power to conquer or rule
Mexico. He cannot rule his own men.
Villa will be fighting him before long,
and there are six more Generals who
will In turn fight Villa.
True that the agrarian problem will be
more difficult Of solution in Mexico than
in any other country. Do you believe
for a moment that those men who are
now leading the irresponsible lives of
soldiers. drinking and looting at will,
will easily return to n bare existence
under the peonage system, working at
80 cents a day? II can thus be seen
plainly that victory or defeat for Huerta
or Carranza, for villa or Orozco, can
not restore peace in Mexico.
Bent on helping to solve the agrarian
question In Mexico I have studied with
close application the laws and methods
successfully followed in Ireland, Japan.
Russia and New Zealand, and there Is
no doubt in my mind that were they to
be ada pied to the local conditions in our
country they would bring about a sim
liar favorable outcome. as 80 per cent.
OF ou~ population Is composed of agra
rlan Indians.
The reform will have to be effected
upon the basis OF the homestead; that
Is, by forbidding the Indian TO sell the
land, and by binding him. in exchange
for its free allotment, to keep II for
himself and family. through successive
generations, protecting 1t further from
attachment through failure Of settle
ment OF mortgage, lien, debt or any
other obligation.
The Government Of Mexico will be in
position to get billion dollars through
an issue of bonds. The Mexican pro-
prietors will then have the choice Of
purchasing those bonds from their Gov
eminent or seeing them sold in foreign
markets. The Indian will then pay In
the shape Of rent percentage upon the
annual production Of his land. which
will be enough to pay the interest of
the bonds, and to also establish sink
ing fund. The problem will he easily
solved II it is placed in the hands of
honest Intelligent persons-of those who
have the welfare and happiness Of the
whole community at heart, and not the
selfish interest OF a faction or group
For what 1t Is worth let It be known
chat Huerta's delegates to the media