Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-11-30
A GOAL OR A MIRAGE?

But for the "cientifco," or reactonary tradi-
tons of some of its promoters, the program
for the solution of Mexico's problems, published in
Mondays Journal, would justify considerable OPP
timism
With Toribio Esquibel Obregon, a member of
Victoriano Huertas cabinet; Miguel Bueas a form
er federal general, and Jorge Vera Estanol, men,
Der of the cabinets of Porfirio Daz and Huerta
of its sponsors, it is difficult to hope that
the plan will accomplish much good.
These men are political refugees in the United
States. They are addressing their appeal to the
Mexican people while they themselves, for
best known to themselves, are staying away from
their native land.
The centifico party of Mexico, of which Por-
fro Diaz the archetype, is chiefly responsible
for Mexico's present troubles A people cannot be
kept in subsection for third of century by
single coterie of men-not to mention the decades
of Spanish oppresson-without undergoing a re-
action when freedom is finally given them.
The newly -freed people do not understand lib
erty and it is easy for them to believe that it
means license. But the for this reaction as
Macaulay points out in his Essay Milton, is
not to remand the prisoner to his cell, but to let
his eyes become Injured to the light of day.
The same is true with Mexico 1t is superficial
to long for the good old days of President Diaz"
A government built injustice, however rigid its
administration cannot survive long in this age es-
pecally in Mexico. with liberty-loving nation
it's longest border. And the government of Diaz
was so built. He ruled not for the benefit of the
people who elected him, but curred the favor of
foreigners.
No. the solution of Mexicos problems lies not
in the return OF oppression, but in educating the
people to the real meaning of liberty and self
respect, This the newly-proposed program pur-
ports to advocate.
of @
us glance at this program bit, forgetting for
moment the personnel of it's orginators.
First, it proposes literacy as test for exercise
of the suffrage This requirement needs no argu-
ment to support it,
Second it provides that voter must have "the
means of livelihood" Although this language is
somewhat ambiguous we that the person
who would cast his or her ballot-no sex distinc-
ton is made-must either be employed at the time
of election be able to prove that his non-em
ployment is only temporary
Third, and most important of all, "a frank and
open international policy, particularly toward the
United States" is urged. Enlightened Mexicans are
beginning to realize that their country cannot pros
per unless it has the good will of its big neghbor.
The program particularly condemns the Carranza
policy toward foreigners and foreign capital as
inspired in hostility to everything foreign" This
hostility the greatest weakness of the Car
rama administration. BY playing on the anti
American sentiment of his people, he hoped to
his own position. AS result the help
he received from this country 1ukewarm,
though even then, greater than he deserved. He
believed that he following Garibaldis prin-
ciple-though he probably never had heard of it
specifically of italia fara da Sc" ("Ialy will do
for herself,D But Garibadi stretched this to
mean hostility toward foreign nations.
The program, as we have said is good per Sc
rI,a ie IUh tba Of
some of its trainers will prejudice the minds of
the Mexican people, who may believe that reforms
should come from Within and not from exiles.
The mere fact that the plan advocates sweep
ing changes of itself is objection. Perhaps some
of its objects cannot be attained for years to
come. Nor is that argument against it,
"a mans reach should be higher than his grasp,
or what's q heaven for?"