The Washington herald., 1916-08-22
SEEN AND HEARD
BY GEORGE MINER

OH Alacran Reef, Gulf of Mexico, Aug. 7I.-
we have twenty returning Americans on this
ship. They are going back to their work and
interests in Mexico in a really jubilant spirit.
Are they afraid? They are not On the
contrary, the only feeling they express is one OF
indignation that the State Department pulled
them away from their operations and gave them
an enforced vacation. They are mostly from
Campeehe and Tabasco, as comparatively few
Americans have invested interests in Yucatan.
Mr.. Fred c. Riggs, of Galveston, has larg,
hacienda in Tabasco which he is simply itching
to get back to after two months in the States
They simply dragged us out of Mexico
said he, and forced US to get aboard the refugee
boat Summer. Believe me, we had to rough II
aboard OF her We had to sleep on the deck
and get along as best we could, and all for moth
ing. There is no danger down in this part OF
Mexico and hasn't been"
Mr.. Charles F. Lane OF Philadelphia, is an
other passenger. He is the manager of the great
Laguna corporation, which operates a vast estate
in Campeche covering an area big as the
State of Delaware. With him are number of
men who are heads of departments and superin-
tendents in his business
The State Department has cried wolf so
many times" said he, that we have begun to
have been ordered out of Mexico so many times
in the last few years that it is getting to be a
joke. This playing the role of human shuttle
cock pals after a while
Il suppose, he continued, that when | get
back to Laguna the first thing will have to do
will be to clear away the jungle from the right
of way to our railroad. We have been away
two months now and vegetation grows rapidly
down there that the tracks are probably all over
grown by now, unless the natives had the good
sense to keep them clear, which is more than
hope for. You know they say down there that
whenever you start railroad train you must
send gang OF laborers ahead OF the engine to
cut away the jungle. He's not so far wrong
either"
Accompanying Mr.. Lane is Mr. C. c. Syn
man, the son of Gen. w. D. Synman, the famous
Boer general and friend of Col. Roosevelt. Mr.
Synman is the manager OF a large cattle-raisng
company which has just been organized with
Canadian capital The fact that Mr. Synman Is
about to buy 5000 head of cattle to stock the
ranch with is proof positive Of his confidence
in the future OF the country and the stability
OF the present government For several years
he has been interested in mines in the northern
part of the republic, but the depredations OF
Villas bandits became so great that he had to
abandon them.
But" said he, please take notice that even
that experience did not drive me away from
Mexico. l right down here to the Yucatan
peninsula, where l sure investments are safe
| and property will be protected, and will 60 into
business again large scale"
Among the other returning refugees are Mr.
c. P. Rundell, manager OF the Frontera Trans
portation Company of Frontera, Tabasco Mr.
Rundel comes from Buffalo, n. Y. but he has
lived in Mexico for a number of years Also
there is Mr.. Michele d Benedetto who is associ-
ated with c. c. Mcngcl & Brother of Louis
vile, KY, and who is returning to look after
some mahogany interests he has near the Isthmus
OF Tehuantepec.
None OF these men, all of whom have lived
in Mexico for years and are thoroughly familiar
with the country and its people, is bowling for
war. They are all opposed to it and arc perfectly
satisfied with the present government All they
ask is that the financial situation be Strengthened
and the money pst staple basis l have not
heard them say anything but kind words of the
Mexican officials.
One refugee told me that conditions on the
relief ships were very trying. As for instance
they were hustled aboard a boat at Vera Cruz
and kept there for eleven days without change
OF linen and then allowed to go ashore Refugees
never are grateful, especially if they have been
saved from what turns out not to have been
danger.