The Washington herald., 1916-08-26
Seen and Heard by George Miner.

IS one OF tHe greatest men that ever HVeQ
So spoke Gen. Salvador Alvarado, governor Of
Yucatan and comnander-in- chief OF all the Car
rama troops in the southeast of Mexico. 1t was
remarkable tribute coming as it did, from a
man who is the governor of the most important
state in Mexico, an ardent supporter of the de
facto government and one of the most dis
tnguished generals in the Mexican army.
1t was not SO remarkable tribute to Mr..
Wilson personally as it was tribute to the
highest official of nation that had just been on
the verge of war with Gen. Alvarado's country.
Any one, be he Democrat or Republican, must
admit that
With practically all the American troops avail
able massed along the Mexican frontier, and with
only few weeks having elapsed sihce Gen.
Alvarado himself raising troops here to
resist an American invasion, this leader OF MexI
can affairs and Mexican thought and Mexican
soldiers voluntarily paid the highest kind of CONF
pliment to the President of the nation toward
which he had good to feel antagonstlc.
1t was not grandstand play either. 1t was
an honest expression of opinion for the COVER
nor was not addressing delegation Of Americans
and soothing them with soft words. Not a
bit OF it. He was addressing the officers OF his
army, and | was the only American present Or
the three or four hundred officers there nearly
all Of them were veterans who have been fight
ing since the revolution started, FIVE years ago,
and every one of them would take the field
gladly if should come between the two coun-
tries. So there no need for Gen. Alvarado
to say complimentary things about any official
of the United States to these men. Prasing Mr..
Wilson makes hit with them. They don't
care whether he is big not. All they
know is that he is the head OF a country they
came pretty having to fight
These remarks by Gov. Alvarado were made
in the course of address he delivered at a
banquet he gave his officers last night. 1t is his
custom to give these dinners every and then
for the express purpose OF having unofficial
and heart-to-hcart talk with "his boys" as he
calls them. He tells them exactly what is going
on in Mexico and in the world at large far
it relates to Mexico and also outlines the aims
the Mexican government is striving to accom-
pSh. Likewise he points out to them their duties
as officers good citizens and honorable men He
does not believe in keeping his army in the dark
and hiding things from them, for he abhors ignor-
ance Of any kind
ut is Of a school than a dinner" he
explained to me when he kind TO ask
my attendance. Il do not make speech |
preach a sermon"
Last night the governors Sermon" was largely
devoted to sketchng the history Of the United
States and explaining how it had expanded and
achieved the great power and prosperity and
wealth that He then pointed out
how the opportunity is now at hand for Mexico
to be assured OF similar happy future by adopt
ing American methods OF enterprise and en-
deavor. Peace and prosperity is his slogan. He
wants to see the country interested in business
rather than in battles, for, be it known, Gov.
Alvarado is quite as energetic a business man as
he is valiant soldier.
His statement concerning President Wilson,
which | have quoted, occurred in his assertion
that great deal OF praise due Mr.. Wilson
for keeping the United States out Of the Euro
pean and also for his GOODNESS and delibera-
tion in preventing between the United States
and Mexico, which would surely have conc about
had he yielded to the excitement OF the moment
and the clamor OF an interested money clique At
the same time, he maintained President Wilson
had upheld the dignity and sovereignty of his
country.
Those serious, brown-faccd officers in white
uniforms listened with rapt attention to every
word he said. At the finish, they applauded
vigorously
Note that. Those 800 Mexican officers ap-
plauded words of praise OF the United States and
Of the President of the United States. If that
does not prove that the Mexicans have nothing
but friendly feelings for us l don't know what
uOcS II also proves Wnat | have maintained IN
everything | have written about Mexico since
visited the country last winter. That the people
OF our sister republic not antagonstic to us
as nation that the only Americans they dislike
are those who have come here and done them
| wrong And believe me- they are pretty
long suffering race
Do we recprocate3 Are we as generous and
kindly and forgiving in our sentiments as are the
MeXicans? | am afraid not
If the governor OF an American State ad-
dressed roomfu OF our army officers and
praised Mexico and Senior Carranza would he
arouse tumultuous applause7
know he would not. So who is the dog in
the manager Who is showing the antagonism? m?
, Hadn't we better stop throwing stones and take
leaf from the Mcxcans' book OF broadmndcd-
ness and humanity if VIC expect to develop those
big commercial relations with and interests in
Mexico about which so many American business
men are now talking?
Ra h.