Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-02-25

Mexico City, Feb. 22.-E'our years of
revolutionary turmoil nave wrought
dlsastrously upon Mexico's economic ia
brio and reduced her financial affairs
to such a low ebb that unless immedi-
ate remedial measures are adopted the
republix cannot be saved from bank
ruptcy. Her national debt today stands
at ST, 060, $3.50, 900.
The commencement of 1916 sees
Mexico's finances in a state which
c~onservatively may be described as
deplorable. Nevertheless, competent
Judges hold to the opinion that it is
not too late to avert bankruptcy.
This opinion hinges largely upon the
prompt creation of conditions which
do not now exist in Mexico. Her fl
nancial salvation is predicated upon the
combining and harmonious working
of elements calculated to make for
radical Improvement in the Internal af-
fairs of the republic-political, COM
mercial and financial.
Causes of Nations War.
Continuance Of revolution. with the
inevitable paralysis of all productive
faculties which revolution brings. per-
sistence in expenditures upon a lavish
scale for the pay and maintenance Of
men In the field; ll-considered and adj
Ventitious financering. lax a~Gininistra-
ion VI ltT dSdlidDle revenue, and l1OT-
dinate increase of expenditures consOn-
ant with the dfscouraging shrinkage
in national income, must spell ruin for
the country.
There is nc alternative. save that of
fered by the speedy Inauguration in
the ministry of finance of sound. con-
Servation, financial measures, coupled
with the establishment and continu-
NICE Of a stable central government;
restoration Of law and order; expert
administration in the collection and
disbursement of revenues; scientific
and equitable levying of taxes; a re-
sumption Of profitable activity in min
ing, agriculture, railway traffic, for
eign commerce and general trade; and
the return to their Wonted avocations
of at least three quarters Of the 100000
soldiers that are now warning and
wasting in various parts Of the re-
public.
should provide Mexico with a fair
chance of once more getting her finan-
ciaI feet under. her.
Besides her comparatively insignif-
ant national deb in 1911, Mexico had
in her treasury, in cash, as a reserve,
65, 000, 900 pesos. Of which 3 5000. 600
! were in gold.
Today her treasury is empty. She is
living from hand to mouth and is not
paying her debts. Every peso that can
be raked and scraped is being thrown
into the Unsuitable nav of the revo-
luton.
Mexico's armies constitute the great
est milestone Of the many with which
the new year finds the national neck
burdened. Conservative estimates place
the umb of men now under arms in
the repubIic-counting all factions, big
and little-at $50. 900.
Directly, or indirectly, in cash or
kind, these men are drawing in pay
from the country an average Of at
least 2 pesos a day each, officers and
privates. This represents their pay
alone, with no allowance for the cost
of the fooa they eat, the clothes they
wear, the arms they bear, the am
mutton they expend or what is
wasted or spoiled.
Today the pay of her armies
! amounts to nearly az much again as
her total expenses came to three
years ago. Meanwhile her revenues
have dwindled by two-thirds at least
| What is the answer?