El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-09-05
MEXICO IS HOME
of MANY RACES
Southern Republic Is the
Melting Pot Of Western
Hemisphere.

Washington, D. c.. Sept 5--N nat
manner Of folks are the Mexicans2
Whatever ones views on the wisest
political course toward Mexico, it VIII
help in a thorough understanding OF
that country TO examine the rich his
tory, the ancient civilization. the pre-
historic remains, TO be found among
our southern neighbors. according to
a bulletin from the Washington head
quarters Of the National Geographic
society.
This bulletin. based on a communi-
cation 10 the society from John Birk-
inbiue. follows:
-Of the 16.000.000 Inhabitants, two
fifths claim direct descent from an
Gent tribes OF families which are ac-
cepted as the basis Of Mexican history,
two fifths are OF mixed native and
foreign blood. the remainder being
classed under the common appelia-
ton OF foreign
Remnants Of Ancient Tribes
Throughout much Of the country,
and often within short distance OF
railroads, are remnants OF some OF
the ancient native tribes or races, al
herring TO customs, methods ana
/ aUEhgm
Thus in OaXaca are the Lapolecaa
and MeXtecas, the estimate for the
two races being 100000. and govern
ment publication mentions q dozen
other families in the same state
IN Hidalgo and adjacent states. the
Otomis; in Puebia and OaNacas the
Aexicauos. the predominatine Aayas
Z in TuCatau; In Michoacon and Jaiisco,
the Tarascans and the TIaIacalans in
their native state, and other groups
elsewhere still maintain the tribal IN
dividualities.
Natives Use VernneuIar.
although Spanish is the language
OF the country, and much English Is
suoken in the regions most visited. a
large number OF the natives use only
prescott refers TO the Aztecs. Tax
calans and others as producers OF del
fcate fabrics, colored by vegetable
dyes Intricate designs in the precious
metals and beautiful decorations made
OF feathers. numerous ruins also indi-
cate marvellous skill Of ancient peo-
pies IN stoneworlz. especially as the
tools used were obsidian or copper
Evidences that this deftness in
handiwork has been retained appears
in the feather work, wood carving,
stone cutting. etc. OF the present day.
The beautiful pottery and unique
weaves OF serapes. made with the
crudest appliances. and excellent TAB
relations in cast OF wrought IRON,
filsgree silver. etc. also bear testi-
mony to the skill OF the Mexican IN
dian
Mexico may be described as land
OF surprises. a country Of extremes a
nation Of contrast a domain Of an
=. parent contradictions; where the Old
and the new. the poor and the rich.
the crude and the refined, are near
ueiEhbors; where the sleep OF cenru-
ries often continues adiareur TO pres
ent activities. and where ultra conser-
vatism is elbowed by pronounced evil
I dences ~ modern uroeress-
Mexico has a wealth OF archeoloEl-
/ cal relics. remnants Of an ancient civil
Z Ifzation OF which no weli-defined
! trace exists Volumes have been writ
{ ten 20 demonstrate that the builders
/ OF what are now ruins we're o1 SION
Eoiian. Semitic or Phoenician origin
[ hut the riddle cannot be admitted rs
solved All authorities. however
rnite IN praise Of the MAGNITUDE and
| the perfection Of workmanship SHOW
at various ruins found throughout the
Mexican territory The region ada
cent 70 some Of these raises the cues
/ ton as to the source OF sustenance for
nulfitudes which must have then eN-
listed and causes ejaculation uoon
chances which may have occurred IN
the interval
prominent among these ruins are
T-v-,al and Chfrhen-Itza. in the state
~ Tucatsn- Pafen0ue. in the state OF
Chfnas: Rftla- in the state Of OeZa ca,
and Nochicalco. IN the state OF no
reios
'aThe pyramid o. Cholnla. IN Puehla.
and those OF the sun and mon. in TIE
state ~ Mexico. have alsn been lher-
altr described. but distributed over
wide areas ere many other ruins
which have had but little or nc in
/ vestiEa zion. and rock SCULPTURES I'm
I . ges. idols and ancient potter. found
/ in numerous localities. are the only
! records Of neonfes whose history Is
lost