El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-03-02

II leader Of more than 100000 a month
IN return for this Pelaez and his
forces keep out other factions that are
anxious to prey upon and force tribute
from the oil men. Further more. II
the Pelaez forces were not paid. the
oil men know that they might sud-
denly be changed into a destructive
rather than protective element. The
oil men in Mexico are making money
There is an immense demand for their
product that is limited only by trans
portation facilities. They figure that
If It were not for Pelaez they might
not be getting off as easily as they are
at present. and when they look at
It from the side Of the bandit the
amount isn't much The leader. out
Of what he receives. has to feed and
| supply an army of 5000 to 1900 per-
sons. including soldiers, their wives
and their children.
No here have the oil interests dis
] puteWd with the government. or re-
fused their due taxes or coopera ton
with the local and national authori-
ties The only complaint against them
/ was that they raised wages from less
/ than rs cents day to a minimum of
/ 81 day and made native Mexicans
| into black smiths, carpenters, ship
I builders, and engineers at $3.50 a day,
! gold It has been a new economic
area It has been a development II has
not been conquest or exploitation
I
The fighting in Mexico has not been
with or concerning American or for
eign interests. The fighting had been
between local factions, leading fam
lies, political parties, the ms and
the outs There has been no danger
to American interests only by reason
OF their locations at times between the
conflicting forces
PeIaez Defines Attitude.
Pelaez insists that CarranZa Is IN
der the influence OF a power that is
not friendly to the allies. In a procla-
nation issued not so long ago, Pelaez,
after denouncing the Carranza con-
stitution as insane foolishness." goes
"As to. our attitude with reference
to the European war in which our
Eeighbor Of the north has inst en-
tered, We will sustain and defend the
most complete neutrality; but we
must make II clear that by declaring
ourselves neutral we do not abandon
the interest which the belligerents
nave IN the region which we dom
mate, and that these interests will be
defended by US. whoever may be their
owners, and that we will permit no
one TO attack them. not only because
II is our duty as Mexicans to grant
protection and give hospitality to all
foreigners who. attracted by the lib
crafty Of our institutions and the
richness Of our lands. have come with
their wealth. labor. capital. and civili-
cation to take part in our life. but
also because, OF the riches which we
defend should be destroyed. the coun-
Try viii lose one OF its principal ele-
ments of reconstruction upon which
It Is entitled to rely on the day peace
shall again be established"
This indicates rather well the de-
give protection to the oil fields.
Therefore, the oil companies are not
worrying a great deal regarding the
acts Of vandalism either on the part
Of Germans or Mexicans. Pelaez and
his followers realize that the destruc-
ton of the oil wells means the de-
struction OF their source Of income.
They help guard the wells, notify the
producer, self directed, in a great
complex plant. But after old sys-
dermined and overthrown. this chance
can only come by building anew IN
der protected conditions. 500 how
English courts are bringing India
closer and closer to self government.
India is taxing herself and fighting
for European justice, because this
alone has given her security where
before in a hundred years a hundred
different dynasties rose up and at
tempted rule by might. That country
was redeemed only when government
by justice came in
Economic development necessarily
rests on courts that enforce contracts
and an order that makes savings safe J
and provides a better currency than
cartridges, Mexico's popular legal ten
der today. If there are no courts that
men can trust, then there can be no |
credits or contracts Economic PROS
perity, railroads that pay dividends |
factories whose products meet cOmpe- |
tition, and a growing population can /
only come where courts are justly /
fra- ~ c va
public health and a low death rate /
maintain the vigor of the laborer. and /
his life, his property, and the school |
ing Of his children are protected by /
a sound and efficient administration. |
The United States brought these |
things to Cuba and see the result. /
peace and prosperity without annex
alton and with complete autonomous /
independence for the Cuban people. /
Give the Mexican people the same /
chance, the same opportunity. a like /
period in which new Institutions. new
courts, new security, new sanitation 4
come into being, ana Mexico viii show 1
the same marvel of Astounding prog /
ress. The splendid qualities Of the /
Mexican people would do the rest. !
Where would Cuba be today but for /
our aid?
TampieO's Importance.
Tampico has a broader meaning in 4
the American investment field today /
than is generally realized. The devel-
opment of the gold fields Of South /
Africa has been important. not be-
cause the South African war cost
S1.2O0,000 600. but because the 4
output Of South African gold affected /
civilization. the economic and social
order of the world. Veracruz. Mexico
City and the west coast Of Mexico are !
today as Mexican as ever-both in or I