The Alaska daily empire., 1921-09-27
MEXICO'S CENTENNIAL.

hundred years today Augustin de Iturbide,
 brilliant and vaorous young soldier of Mexico en- tered Mexico City at the head the "Liberator Army" which actually terminated Spanish lule in the country south of the Rio Grande though Spain refraned from recognizing Mexican ndepend- until some years later The event has been gen. orally regarded as marking the birth of the Republic Mexico and today that country is celebrating her centennary of existence. If Mexico had followed the example the United States which adopted the date of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence as her birthday the celebration of the Mexican cen- tennial would have been earlier date, for it in 1910 that Iidalgo. Catholic Priest started the revolt that never stopped until Mexico was a Republic. While he the Father of the Re- public he lived to it, he might be called the Jefferson of Mexico for he gave voice to the democratic principles for which the common people of that country have struggled through the century against reactionares and control by caste With him his work another great mind and soul, Morelos, another Catholic priest, and Nincente Guerrero, who at times the only man in the field fighting to overthrow monarchy and absoluism. In honor of these great states in Mexico until this day bear the names Hdalgo, Mprelos and Guerrero
 In the days of saidalgoY and Morelos, until near the end of the War of Emancipation in fact, Iturbde was, very successful commander royalis troops. However, when there was . change in the Spanish Govtrnment sandTFernando MI was repudated in that country Iturbide changed his position, declared for Mexico gfree from Span and was quickly victorious. turbide gf course became the idol of his countrynan. While he a very able soldier. of attractive and masterfu personality. he naturally reactionary in his beles He had himsel proclaimed as Emperor in 1922, and he corwhed. Gen An ionic Lopez de Ana, destined a spec tacular and varied career Immediately led attack against the newly crowned Emperor, and. though de- feated the movement for Republic continued and Gen. Guerrero, the old Revolutionary chieftan be- came President of the Republic. lturbde ban ished, but returned to Mexico and captured and executed. From the day the valiant Guerrero inaugurated President the Mexican people have never recognized King Emperor. I-starred Maximan preended to be Emperor for few years, santa Ana made himself dictator for brief spell and Diaz longer period dictator in fact. though in but the seeds of democracy, equality before the Jaw, had been well planted by the Fathers of e Republic, and the faces Of the people have been frmy set against tyranny in all its forms
 What a wonderful contest has waged in Mexico between the and the reactionaries, It is at times the issues have been clouded by person Il ambitions and mercenary motives, and always by ignorance and the lack of general education, bu;, generally speaking it has been the old fight political. economic and religious freedom that Il: $ heen the bottom of the armed conflict that hss kept that country in turmoil most of, the time fir eleven decades.
 While there is doubt as to whom should b9 called the Washington of the Mexican Republic there is no question to who the Lincoln tn. { country Some may dispute Iurhide's right to the title of Father of his Country but will that Benito Juarez it's savior. A brilliant lawye". specially capable State Governor a learned Chi f Justice of the Supreme Court of Mexico, he became a very competent soldier. displayed a nerve iron. patriotic feryor and ndomnitable will and perser, q ance in the against the French and Spanish ana Maxmillan, that finally crowned with sue It is significant of the capabilities the abo. ieinal race whose blood the of the Mex people freely that Juarez. probably the great est of all the heroes of Mexico, had a drop of white blood He was Mexican Indian, a pure der cendent of the people who had developed the ciyli zaticn that was crushed by Cortez.
 While Mexico's history independent nation has not been long ours. that country really is D hundred years older than the United States as a nome of the white race. It almost exactly cen tury before the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock that fernando Cortez began his conquest from Vera Cruz And Cortez found a civilization that had its law making bodies it's courts it's well equipped and well trained armies, it's system of education i,s agriculture its architecture and its buildings of stone l. had been centuries in the making
 When considers the wonderful resources O. colonial period, and the sou-stirrng fight for nbert, there it is difficult predict that destiny has large place and mission the future Mexican Republic. Give that country education, scientific d rection and inducement for industry and thrift and wonders will result. Close observers believe that President Obregon has the vision the purpose the