New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-05


appointed as Judge" "But, doctor" said an
engineer, "if the lawyers are not TO be
judges, whom will you appoint ANY intel
iigent, honest man." was the reply. 1T does
not take a lawyer to mete out justice. There
is not an honest lawyer in Mexico. Lleeh-
ciado -," addressing prominent lawyer
in Carranzas Cabnet) "what percentage OF
our lawyers are honest? Fifty" mo- was
the answer, after a short pause.
Military Looting.
In pamphlet written by man prominent
in the revolution In Lower California anu
man utterly lacking In civic morals hnd
the following: at Is we'll known by the
world at large that in the Mexican military
career from official Ileutenant?l up, al and
each one rob the soldier rob the govern
ment and mutually rob each other" A cap
tain in the regular army, graduate OF Cha-
nuI-epec honestly acknowledged 10 me thar
he had refused promotion to a mstorship
because a major had no show for ''pickings.
The average Mexican, whatever his station,
having no real patriotism, is untitled for SELF
government and cannot play fair with the
other fellow; and for this cause II makes
little difference which side wins in the pres
ent revolution or any other, the result VIII
be the same, due 10 the lack OF general civlc
morals and common honesty. The Mexican
appreciates justice, but his general makeup
incapaeitates him from giving II TO the other
fellow If it in any way interiors; with ms
own interests. Perhaps this is a general hui
man condition. But in civilized communities
the people are educated up TO a high standard
Of civic and social morals, which means
high sense Of responsibility Your average
Ill IL has of re-
snonsibility and but little regard for public
opinion. Their vanity, their self-esteem, is
very great; but they are almost lacking, as
nation, In self-respect.
The Dias Regime.
Dias had the country under control and
could have been a great force for good; but
he was no better than his surroundings, and
his rule gradually became for the benefit Of
the 7 per cent, and not for the 80 per cent.
Something was done in the line OF education,
but il was only a beginning. Mexico must
learn that literary education amounts to
little II the social and civic moral education
IL neglected These last from the home
environments that are almost entirely lack
ing in Mexico. For the "book-earning' part
Mexico has many admirably prepared men,
hut for the most vital she Is entirely lacking.
Can she, then, teach herself? Knowing this,
as her more intelligent men fully know, will
she admit OF or seek outside aid? In her
ignorance and vanity, under sense of false
patriotism she will not admit Of or seek aid
from the outside, deeming II beneath her
national dignity.
A Governor of state, one OF Diaz's last
appointments" we'll educated man, rich
travelled, and the best the country produces
started TO found university, when 80 per
cent Of the inhabitants of his state were
illiterates. This same Governor, when told
that a certain act might be considered not
lawful by friend, replied: 81 am the Law.
This gives the idea of the best elements in
regard to a government for the people Under
these conditions, what hopes can be enter
tanned for a liberal, just government for
Mexico by the Mexican people?
The natural resources of the country are
practically unlimited, and it can be made
the best and richest country Of its size IN
the world. For the regeneration Of the coun-
try at the present time common honesty is the
main factor, and this 90 per cent plus Of the
inhabitants cannot appreciate; not IN public
trusts, at least Justice, for the other fellow,
is also hard for the average Mexican to APP
rreciate, hence the people at large are in
capable of administering it. Too many gen
crations Of the policy of, "the chief COM
mands, cartridges into the gun whether they
fit or not" has blunted all national sense OF
responsibility.