Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1914-11-20
Fighting Will Never Cease While
Workers Are in Present Dis
possessed Condition.
WHOLE NATION IS HOMELESS
Revolution Economic and Socia!
Rather Than Political.
PEoNs PRACTICALLY SLAVES
Minnesotan, Before Chicago indus
trial Club, Sketches FOrcible
Transfer of Soil from Old
Holders to DOns.

CHICAGO. Nov. 19.-John Lind, personal
representative Of President Wilson in
Mexico during the Huerta administration,
declared tonight in an address here to
the Industrial club that the land ques-
ton was the cause of the revolution in
Mexico and that fighting there would
never cease until the workers were able
to own their own farms.
Mr.. Lind pleaded for kindly feelings
toward Mexico, asserting that Mexican
distrust of the United States was vanish
ing and that thereafter the Mexicans
would be our steadfast friends forever.
IT felt while in Mexico and feel now
that permanent peace in Mexico on the
basis of the social and economic condi-
tions which has existed in the past is an
inpoesibility."
Nation Is Homeless.
Mr.. Lind sketched the taking OF the
land from its original possessors by the
Spanish conquerors. "As a whole the
nation was made homeless" he said, land
mas so continued to this day. This is and
will be the cause Of revolution In Mexico
until the question is settled. The staoe of
Morelos, for example, 10 owned by twen-
ty-seven men,"
Early in his address Mr.. Lind declared
that while in Mexico he became convinced
that the so-called revolution in which vir-
tually all of northern Mexico was aligned
against Huerta was only in a slight de-
gree POLITICAL" that the compelling force
ac4uating the majority of the people was
economic and social, rather than polit-
ical in any partisan sense"
ForcibIe Transfer OF Land.
Touching the agrarian condition, Mr..
Lind sketched the forcible transfer OF the
land from the original possessors to the
Spanish conquerors. "As whole ma
ton was made homeless" he said. and
has so continued to thEs day. This is and
will be the cause Of revolutions in Mexico
until the question is settled"
Nominal freedom. he declared, was ac-
corded the poems. but they were and are
poorly paid and practically compelled to
remain in the service of the great land
owners. Laws forbidding an employe to
leave his service while in debt have aided
in keeping the workers in subsection
In the fact that the Mexican railroads.
formerly operated by Americans. are now
in the hands OF native Mexicans, from
division superintendents to section men.
MIR. Lind saw hope for the advancement
of the country.
Lind Is Hopeful.
In view of that situation he said:
IT asked myself and l asked some OF
the critics of President Wilson'S policy
whether it was not within the range OF
probability that a people, who, within a
brief generation had responded with such
facility to the new social and economic
environment, might make equivalent prog
ress in the field of politics and govern
ment If. afforded a fair chance. l am
hopeful. aye, confident, that they will"
Careful study OF Mexicans. Mr.. Lind
said, has convinced him that the differ
ences between Mexicans and citizens OF
the United States are not racial nor
psychological. The ingratitude and tur-
bulence attributed to the Mexicans, other
than the aristocracy, Mr.. Lind attributed
TO the years OF oppression which they
have suffered He held that the word
OF q Mexican could be taken with as
much reliance as the word of men OF