Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-04-04

Mexico. First, we hear that Obregon
is very i'll, and then that Esteban
Cantu is planning an uprising. Re
Gently in New Orleans Roger w.
Babson has talked with men who
had seen Obregor within a few
days. Mr.. Babson outlines the sit
uatior as follows:
cit is true that Obregon still has
trouble with the stump Of his arm,
which he lost during the revolution.
He has even considered going to the
Mayo Brothers hospital, at Roches-
ter, Mimi, where some Of his assO-
GATES have been, to see what can
be done for it. Otherwise ObregOn IS
in fair physical condition. and as [
am preparing this statement he is on
trip of inspection at Vera Cruz.
"Esteban Cantu is trying to con-
soHdate the different factions oppos-
ing Obregon; including certain old
Carranzistas. 1t is believed in New
Orleans, San Antonio and Ell Paso
that Cantu is. the only leader, with
the exception Of Villareal, who can
cause Obregon any serious trouble.
Cantu was the governor of Lower
California under the Carranza ad-
ADMINISTRATION. He carried on very
independent government, and his
main objection to. Oregon is that
the latter insisted that he, Cantu,
obey the laws of Mexico. Of course,
the oil situation is great factor
in Mexican politics. Obregon is be-
tween the devil and the deep blue
sea. If he conforms with the wishes
of the United States, he gets into
trouble with his own people. He
certainly cannot satisfy his own peo-
pie without getting into trouble with
the United States.
''The situation is still further COM
plicated by the British interests AMI
desires. There have been times
when Obregon and our state depart
nent have almost come to terms, but
something has happened to upset the
apple cart. In New Orleans they
tell me that this something" is
British interests, who are operating
in competition with the American
oil companies. At any rate at best
it is a three-cornered fight, and even
il his intentions were the best Obre.
gon would have a hard time to paci'
fly all three interests. One thing,
however, is evident, namely that
=. re:;tn is doing weE as any one
could do. Certainly today he de-
serves the support Of peace-loving
people. 1t is surprising the great
Improvement that has taken place
in Mexico during the past two years.
Transportation is rapidly being re-
stored. one can travel now in com
narrative safety, and last month even
the passport restrictions were re-
moved.
"Of course their is no gainsayinS
the fact that Mexico's wealth of Oil
is largely responsible for her un'
happiness. Certainly it was Oil that
started the conflagration. On the
other hand we cannot travel in Mex
leo without being impressed by the
wretched. social conditions there ex'
listing. With a population of 10000
| 600 there are a few rich people,
while the remaining go per cent OIL
| the population are handicapped bv
ignorance, filth and superstition. 1t
| is truly pitiful to see these poor
poems .enslaved first tor labor anu
then for war, aimlessly working o.
| fighting for purposes they Know
nothing about and being led by
promises appealing only to their low
est instincts. Truly the Creator mas
given Mexico q great wealth OF mar
ural resources; but the great mass
of her people are at present IN n
very hopeless condition, inferior from
every point of view.
| "a study of Mexico is additional
| evidence that a nation to be pros
| porous must be founded on religion
| and education and that one is use
less without the other. There may
| be honest doubts in the minds OF
| many as to whether the people OF
| Mexico have either fundamentals.
| Granting, however, that her people
have a primitive form OF rehglon
| given them by the priests who are
so numerous in Mexico; the~fact
| nevertheless remains that the peo-
pie themselves are living in ignor-
| ance. Cathedrals, churches and the
ringing bells can not help having
some good influence; but religious
teaching soon results only in de-
veIoping of superstition unless this
religious teaching is combined
bined with worthwhile education
An unlearned man may with re
ligion become great power Tor
good, but he does so not by remain
ing in ignorance and filth. Religion
that is worth while shows itself in
developing industry, cleanliness and
a desire for knowledge.
"Yet, knowledge itself without re-
ligion is a dangerous thing. This
was forcibly illustrated in the case
of Germany; and is evident today
when one studies some of the young
err Mexican leaders. Disappointed
with the attitude of the established
church in Mexico, they have thrown
aside allegiance to an interest in all
churches. Many of these young
MeXicans are professed atheists
They are keen on PHILOSOPHERS, eco
Monies, sociology and the like, but
have no regard for religion of any
form. They reject all kinds, true
and false. Education supplies the
tools with which people may work
but religion determines the purposes
for which these tools shall be used
Natural resources or political pow
er in the hands of men not actu
a:ed by sane religious principles
makes a very dangerous situation
Lack of real religion in Germany
was the causv of the great World
war, and lack of real religion on the
|; part of some of her neighbors is now
the cause of E. 'ope's chaotic con
dition. There will be no permanent
peace in Europe, Mexico or any
! other part of the world until the
leaders and a sufficient portion Of
the people have both real religion
and education.
"In view of these conditions lei
! me say a word for many small col
leges and schools scattered through