Arizona republican., 1915-06-14

| OllllS IHcli, cOuEiI lnlS NOulilal+ DOtS anyone imagine that the great mass 1 of the population secretly coveted the l Serbian lands? We know that such l was not the case, and that if it had been left to a vote of the whole peo- pie of the dual monarchy this war would have never begun.
 Let us compare the situation between
 the United States and Mexico and that between Austria and Serbia. As Ser
 bia lies to the south.of Austria so Mex ico adjoins the United States in the
 same direction. The Mexicans, like the Serbians, are a turbulent race that have
 not as yet demonstrated their capacity
 for self government. The Mexicans
 have committed acts of violence against American citizens and their property
 just as eXasperating as any act of the
 Serbians against Austria, not even eX-
 cepting the assassination of the crown
 prince. If the American government like that of Austria had been seeking an excuse for conquest, a score of op-
 portunities have presented themselves.
 But in America the people rule: the war making power is not in the hands of one man as it is in Austria, and the congress of the United States, reflect ing the will of the people, will never declare war on any country unless the vast majority of our citizens demand it.
 And how do the American people think about Mexico? Along the border where we are familiar with the wrongs that have been committed, where we realize the value of the undeveloped resources of the republic, there is talk Of armed intervention. but ask the far mers of the middle west, ask the man ufacturers of New England, ask the laboring men everywhere and the an swer from all classes will be the same We seek no war with the Mexican people" The United States is large enough, we need no more territory" Mexico belongs to the Mexicans. let them keep their own country" 'If the
 a.exicans fight among themselves. ii is their affair and not ours" There is ample opportunity for investment in the United States. so that any Ameri- can who took his money into Mexico should not now cry out to his home government for assistance" This re- view Of American opinion may not be pleasant to some Of you, but am con fident that I have not overStated the actual conditions as they have exist ed since the beginning of our present Mexican difficulties. I am no prophet and I cannot foretell the changes that may take place in the public mind. hut do know that up to this good hour a majority of the American people would not have voted for a war with Mexico.
 Now let us inquire into the basic reasons for the present deplorable con. oitions in our neighboring republic After the conquest by Cortez, Mexico remained a Spanish colony for three hundred years. and during all these three centuries was exploited for the benefit of the kingdom Of Spain Noth- ing was done to improve the condition of the Mexican people. The Spaniards thought only of gold; the value of pub- lie schools and an enlightened citizen ship never entered their minds Win anyone deny that if Spain had made one tenth the effort during her long dominion in Mexico that the American government has made in the way of education ring our occupation of the Philippines that the Mexican people would not today be a nation of Hitter ates?
 When Mexico attained her indepen- dence in 1921. there followed fifty years of revolution. If my memory serves me well, forty-six different govern ments were established in the city of Mexico during that time. Of course. nothing was done to educate the mass of the Mexican people while all this turmoil was taking place. This period of revolution Is easily accounted for. because 1t is certain that no attempt to establish a democracy can succeed un- less the great body of the voters arc well educated.
 Abaut 1871 Porfirio Diaz, after par ticfpating in several unsuccessful rev olutions. finally became firmly estab- lished as president of Mexico He gave that war wcrn country peace. It was not the peace, however, that comes from mutual trust and understanding; 1t was a peace enforced by the iron hand of military authority.
 once travelled on the train from Fl Paso to the City of Mexico with Ra- man Corral, late governor of the state of Sonora who was then en route to accept the vice presidency of the re- public. On the governors staff was colonel of the Mexican army who spoke excellent English. I talked with him in regard to the nature of the Mexican government He said that Mexico was not a republic but military oligarchy. We won it by the sword and we hold it hv the sword"
 The secret of the power of Porfirio Diaz lay in his intimate knowledge as to who was the strong man in each part of Mexico. For instance. 1 was told in Mazatlan that a general named Martinez, who was popular with a strong body of fighting men, practically controlled the state of Sinaloa, and during the frequent revolutions his in fluence was decisive in determining the attitude of the people of that state. When President Diaz came into power he sent for Martinez and said, 'I want you to be with me; I will make you a senator of the republic at s5,000 a year, and you shall have fine residence in the city of Mexico; you can select such lands as you desire for an estate in