Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-09-02

element in Mexico is the unknown
factor in the situation, according to
our informant. He says that the
strength of this element has never been
realized in this country. He points
out that when a Red demonstration
can get 5000 men in line, and when
the demonstration is carried out, red
flags and all, without molestation, the
Reds are a political force to be reck-
oned with. On the other hand, the
great estates are rapidly being broken
up, and the land distributed in small
tracts among the poems. No doubt
each peon who gets good farm ceases
to be a Bolshevist forthwith and be-
comes a Constitutionalist. When all
who want land have been given land,
the extreme radicalism will be confined
to the industrial workers in the large
cities, and in Mexico they are a smafl
fraction Of the population.
The trouble is, according to our in
formant, that the breaking up Of the
big estates is being carried out clumsi-
ly and in a way that disrupts the
economic life of the country. The
great land owners are being dispos-
sessed of their lands without any COM
pensation. They move away, taking
their livestock and tools. The poems
who are given the land have neither
animals nor machinery with which to
work it. The result is confusion and
idle land.
An instance is related of man who
owned $4,000 acres Of land. He en-
ployed all Of the several hundred in
habitants of village, mostly Indians.
His land was taken away from him
and given to the Indians. He gathered
DIP his possessions, including his horses
and cattle, and prepared to move. A
delegation from the Indians waited
upon him, hat in hand. They begged
him not go away, pointing out that
they had no means of cultivating the
land. An agreement was finally reach
ed by which he furnishes seed, tools
and livestock while the Indians furnish
the land. 1t is farmed on shares.
Everything goes on much as before.
The former landlord is now the renter,
and the former renters are now the
landlords. But the difference is nolnf-
nal. Everyone had plenty to eat before
and everyone still has plenty to eat.
In other instances the adjustment
has not been made so easily. Lands
have been left idle. Dispossessed land
lords have sold out and have left the
country.
1t would seem to be this readjust-
ment Of the land tenure which threat
ems the stability Of the country. Once
it is over, the country will probably
settle down to an era Of production
and prosperity, If it is not disturbed
from without. For it will be land of
contented agriculturists owning their
own lands. Such men furnish no stuff
for revolution. Mexico's ten years OF
revolution have been caused by politi-
cal opportunists leading bands Of land
hungry poems. With the land hunger
appeased, the force which the profes-
sional revolutionists manipulated will
be gone. And the average Of intelli-
gence and of education in the Mexican
electorate will be raised by infusions OF
high-class European immigration. For
good land draws good men. The Unit
ed States drew high-cl of immi-
grants just as long as it had a good
grade of land to offer them. And when
it had nothing but a shovel in a ditch
or a needle in sweat shop to offer
them, it began to draw poor class OF
immigrants. Mexico is a land Of un-
used natural wealth which will draw g
wealth of human brain and Drawn to it