The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-16

portNof the so-called leaders In Mexico
city and other central points had any
notion OF the amount OF graft, robbery
and blackmail that they have winked
at, IL not actually partaken OF. they
would probably change their opinions
of these saviors of the Submerged" So
per cent. very quickly.
Generalities probably will serve no
very valuable purpose. but consider the
net results OF the two policies. FL
Fantasma and watchful waiting.
During the fifty-seven years i'm
mediately preceding Diaz's entry into
Mexico city the country had been
rocked by fifty-one revolutions. There
had been virtually no development
The country was a wilderness. There
had been virtually no railroad con-
struction. The twenty-seven different
tribes scattered throughout a potential
empire lived in a virtually uncivilized
state. The country had no credit The
adventures who gained and held con-
troll for short periods got what graft
they could and made away with II. In
the north families like the Terrazas
and the Maderos were virtually barons
like those OF the feudal system.
Progress Under Dias.
During the thirty-one years that
Diaz. supported by FL Fantasma, was
in control Mexico made a very con-
siderable stride toward civilization. The
inherent weaknesses OF country
dominated by a few intelligent people
! were not totally eradicated. There
was graft. There was brutality. There
was much that cannot be excused ac-
cording to our standards. but that
can be condoned when we consider
what Mexico had to build on in the
way OF humanity. But during the Diaz
regime these weaknesses were being
gradually eradicated. Security was es-
tablished 20 a relative degree during
the last twenty years of his regime
Development followed security. For
eign investors came. built railroads
established factories and developed
mines.
Transmission and transportation IA
JilitieS mensS that tie 'ioundatiops OF
modern civilization would be carried
through the country. Diaz found credit
In every money market in the world
and he saw to It that IT was main
tained. Then "watchful waiting"
and after six years let US see what It
has accomplished.
The Peen Turn. Bandit.
Immediately the Mexican halfbreed
discovered that ho could murder
Americans with IMMUNITY he raised
the racial question and the lovable
peon turned bandit. Encouraged by
the easy and slothful life OF the army
to give up his somewhat more strenu-
GUS pursuits he gradually developed
into a professional soldier and then a
marauder.
The entire northern section is filled
to-day with patriots" who have
turned professional thieves. Villa Is
merely a type--a bit more successful
than the thousands OF others who
would ape him on a large scale IL
they but had the ability. These men
were promised a millennium and when
It did not appear they decided TO manu-
facture one after their own notion.
villa Free to Loot.
In my opinion Villa will never be
| taken by any of the Carranza troops.
Unless all signs fan he will roam the
hills at will. robbing and looting when
hazardous pursuits when his purse
and larder are well filled with other
peoples goods.
have been all through the country
where he Is now operating. 1 have