New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-02
To III. Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Who and what are these Mexicans
that have the Americans blufed, and why
would IL take 100000 trained soldiers 20 whip
this mob - bandits? In the war Of lSi1
will ADM, there were some able men among
Tho Meyicars. but at the present time there
is not trained military leader IN Mexico.
doubt II there is one graduate o. the mill
tary school OF Queretaro, the Mexican Vest
Point, left alive to-day.
Orozco was mule driver and teamster;
villa. mlkman, butcher. outlaw and bandit;
Ortega, the man who defeated 1000 OF Car
ranza's mob and chased them across the Rio
Grande ~ Preside del Norte into Texas,
where they were held prisoners at Fl Paso.
was a cowpuncher who had worked on cattle
ranches in Texas at SIS month most OF his
life; Carranza is lawyer and ranchman.
friend Of Madero and rico" (rich mani.
He has never led any troops; he has always
kept out Of range OF bullets; he has had no
military training whatever Not ono Of the
above generals" has ever had the slightest
military training.
What was the Mexican army at the time
Daz left Mexico? There was ore regiment
OF cavalry and one Of infantry. that were
supposed TO be volunteers. They composed
the Presidents guard, at Mexico City. The
balance Of the army" were convicts. Any
man convicted Of crime in Mexico was SEN
terced 70 serve in the army These were
kept in the forts like prisoners. They were
never allowed out, and had little or no drill
work Such thing target practice was
never heard OF in Mexico
The most of these soldiers have been killed
or The present Mexican soldier is a lad Of
III rteen or fifteen, or vagabond seeking
loot and ideness. He owes no duty to any
officer and gives none. None is expected. II
he is anything of orator he becomes a
general" before he is in camp a week His
Office lasts just as long as he can provide
becf and beans for his mob.
His followers have never been drilled;
they know nothing OF military tactics and
arc not good shots with the rife. When on
the march they are scattered for miles over
the country looting as they go. Some are a
day or two behind the others; women and
children trail along at the rear enjoying
whatever spoils their relatives can bring to
them. For the most part they live on stolen
beef. corn and beans This is more than they
ever had at home so army life is popular.
Now as 20 arms and ammunition, all are OF
foreign make, mostly American. Mexico can
not make any kind Of gun, nor cartridge,
nor a pound of powder. There is not a pow
der factory in the whole republic No one
has ever yet seen gun or g cartridge made
in Mexico; in fact, they manufacture sbso-
utely nothing except under foreign super
vision. They have never yet manufactured
wagon, a plough or any other farm imple
ment. The only plough a Mexican can manu-
facture is a crooked stick. Every manufact-
uring plant IN Mexico is run by foreigner.
Take, for instance. the largest city IN
Northern Mexico, chihuahua. The foundry.
or the ndustriale. as they call 1t, is owned
and operated by foreigners; all the machin-
lists. all the mechanics and moulders arc for
eigners, the La Paz, where they make cotton
clothing, is owned and operated by Germans;
the brewery is likewise German: the big
stores, department stores. groceries, hard
ware and others. are ali run by foreigners,
French, German English and American.
Mexico City is beautiful clean city. but
all it, Improvements and beauty they owe 70
foreigners. The trolley system, the electric
lights. the stores and warehouse. all works
Of improvements are those Of foreigners. The
upper class Mexican is = lawyer. doctor.
banker or ranchman. There never was a rich
Mexican to my knowledge who belonged to
the military. Many are miners, but the
shelters and reducers. the engineer. and ex-
ports are all FROM other land. Even The