Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-11-30
Bishop Thirkield
Says Mexico Must
Be Made a Brother

Chicago, Nov. 29.-Bishop Wilbur
p. Thirkield, first resident Bishop of
the Methodist Episcopal Church in
Mexico, who recently returned from
that country, declares that Mexico,
: first in neighborhood, must be made
first in brotherhood" to the people of
the United States. The Bishop trav-
eled extensively throughout Mexico
during the Fast few months.
Never at any time during the past
10 years." he said, "have conditions
been as stable. or the outlook for
peace and progress been SO hopeful.
The country is whole-heartedly be-
hind the new President. General
Obregon, to be inauglTated in De-
cember. and the Provisional President
de la Huerta has a strong hold on all
classes.
THE aspect of peace in Mexico to-
day is in striking contrast to the
| bristling guns and disturbances
eyinced in my visit of two years ago.
Then, every train was guarded by
soldiers. During the last two months
II have travelled extensively through
six states of Mexico and did not find
a soldier on guard on any train.
There is no organized opposition
to the present government and no
man is in sight. around whom any
opposition can center. Just as notice
able and gratifying is the friendly
feeling toward the United States.
This feeling prevails on both sides
of the border, and was manifested in
fri i,cr mo IN hn nj -iS.if
of President-Elect Obregon at Ell
/ Paso.
THE border states have changed
entirely their attitude toward inter-
vention. The governors and the
press are solid for peaceful cooper
. alton with Mexico. For the first time
, in 10 years train has crossed the In
, ternational Bridge. Also, for the first
time in 10 years, officers of the MeXi
can and United States Army are. ex-
changing courtesies across the border.
The election held during the sum-
mer at which General Oregon was
elected president was extremely quiet.
could not help noticing it's contrast
TO the primary election held in
Chicago at about the same time, at
| which one man was killed and many
were severely injured and attacked.
Had such violence taken place in
Mexico there is little question but
that it would have been widely
heralded as All evidence of anarchy.
much was made of the bolshevist
| manifesto which was read from the
| front porch of the Palace by revolu-
tionists, who got into the building
through ruse and waved the red
flag and made incendiary speeches,
particularly attacking the news
papers. The whole manifesto failed
to make any impression. Yet had
such an outrage as the recent bomb
explosion in Wall. Street occurred in
Mexico, there is no doubt but that it
would have been followed by an out
! cry against the weakness and -ineffi-
I cheney Of the government.
! II had an interview for an hour
with President-Elect Oregon he
said, land found him in most cordial
sympathy with the program for
Methodist work which ] discussed
with him. General Obregon is
modest, mild hammered and entirely
frank. He wears no uniform, as if
to emphasize the civil character of
the government for which he stands
"Under the present government the
pulpits and platforms are now open
to all Protestant ministers and many
of the priests, exiled under Carranza,
are returning. Education is the great
! need of Mexico today, and it is very
encouraging that the government
realizes it,"