Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-06-12
ADMIRAL CHADWICK ON THE
REAL MEXICAN SITUATION

commerce. of the industries and PROBES
sfons, was the prosperity limited.
It is this ruling class alone whlcn
controls the political and economic
conditions of the country.
But the great mass of humanity con-
tinued to live in the same abject mis-
erv as II did a century ago under the
aristocratic government Of the Vice
roys.
This existing condition may be
summed up as follows:
The lowest order of the social and
political organization, the great mass
of the population, composed OF In
dams and mestizos, absolutely indlf-
ferent to all parties or administrations.
is completely alienated from the politi-
cal affairs of the country.
1t is an Indifferent and inert mass.
which is animated only through econ
omic pressure, which moves only
through force of necessity.
And above, in the, highest station.
is the privileged class of wealth, the
class which makes and controls the
political conditions Of the country.
What is desired by this ruling class,
this 'selite" formed by wealth and edu-
cation, is strong government, which
can maintain order or reestablish
it If disturbed, and which will main
tain the condition of affairs existing
at present, the status quo. This class
supported Don Porfrio Dfaz during
his 80 years dictatorship. This power
of this class is passed along, and any
move toward its modification or extinc-
ton is resisted.
To the great social mass, poor and
ignorant, to whom have been denied
land or schools, peace" and the re
public" are nothing. But what this
mass does desire is to show its discon-
tent, its hatred of a regime or con-
dition of affairs under which it is diff |
cult to exist.
With Diaz against him, with or
against Madero. Huerta, Zapata. Car
rama, Orozco, Villa, with whoever !
or with every revolutionist will join |
thousands of Indians. They care |
nothing for parties or politics; nothing |
for the aims or ideals of their leaders.
All those are a matter of Indifference
to the mass from which come the rank
and file of the combatants. War or
peace, ii is all the same to them. In !
fact it is easier to live by war than
by peace, for war is pillage and sack
N community of wealth.
The saddest feature of the situation
IN Mexico is that there does not appear
o be any comprehension or realization
If the true state of affairs or the rem
sdy, if through it's own efforts the
country is to work out its salvation
t is this which concerns us most,
since for the country we have a sin
,ere and long standing sympathy.
However, let us not despair Per-
laps what we see is not the dissolu-
ion of Mexico, but its regeneration, its
transformation. Mexico appears to be
n its death throes, but it must be
remembered that ia morte es la fer
nentation de la vida
Viewing things thus, and I think it
S the just view, an administration in
with such view is a neces-
ity to Mexico.
l know nothing of the secrets of cur
wn administration, nor would it be |
roper for me to attempt to prophesy
ihat may come of the pending media
ion, but whatever the result 1 venture I
say that there will be no war. &
There Is no gainsaying that such
ew Mexican administration will have /
D meet great difficulties. There will {
e the financing of the breaking up of