New-York tribune., 1922-01-22
Mime. Diaz Talks About Mexico

have some Spanish blood in their veins.
lhcse Indians are very intelligent and
they absorbed knowledge rapidly in the
schools established by the government.
Many OF them went back to their
homes as lawyers. While at school and
atterward their interest seemed drawn
by the prosaic cloquence Of the leading
French revolutionary writer's, such as
Montesquieu, Diderot Voltairc, Jean
jacques Rousseau and others.
"A little knowledge is a great evil"
sighed the exiled mistress of Mexico.
THE half-educated students Of the old
Mexico, inf1amed by the French
writer's, allowed the slow fire of q
mlsdirccted patriotism to burn until it
fiared out in impassioned speeches to
the masses-masses that follow. These
French writings were not especially
bad, except in their influence on
Mexico. Neither were the poems who
followed their inspiration. Our poems
arc gentle, kind-hcarted people; they
would harm no one But thew we're
stirred by these half educated LAWYERS
'and here 1t was clear that she spoke
OF Francisco l. Madero) into believing q
that everything was wrong, and that
1t was their duty to save their country.
Poor, misguided poems, they have
suffered for it! But it was not the
peon who killed and burned and
plundered 1t was the people Of the
northern border"
Sonora Diaz does not know Alvaro
Obregon 1t is clear that she does not
trust Mexico in his hands. He is Of
the northern border and it is this
branch of Mexico's population that she
holds responsible for the bad name
which has attached itself to the once
fiourishing Mexico under Porfrio Diaz.
Border People Renegades
Capable of Any Crime
All along the border bad lot of
people are always living" she cor
tlnued. They are mostly renegades
capable of any crime. You may find
them on both sides of the Rio Grande
criminals, fugitives from justice in
both countries. They are the ones that
take advantage of any disturbance to
advance their own personal ends. 1t
is they, and not the gentle-eyed poems,
who have plundered- the stores and
ranches, numbering innocent people.
"My country is beautiful" went on the
exiled first woman of Mexico in a voice
that betrayed an emotion and phrase
doubtless breathed million times dur
ing the past decade. 1t did more: it
entranced her into sort of oblivious-
ness of those near her in the Paris
apartment--her son and her interview
er. 1T is beautiful and you'd love it,"
she repeated in her musical French.
1T is to be regretted that travel is not
so safe there so all might 70 to see It.
1t rivals every country in it's scenic
beauty. Mexico City is delightful.
Over 5000 feet above the sea, it has
a temperate climate the year round.
you see here in Paris.
when we have fireplaces," she added,
lapsing back into the present, doubtless
in the Palace Of Tehuantcpec, "they are
almost purely decorative. In the eve
ming, when it is a trifle chill, we light
tiny electric stoves to warm US a little
before retiring.
'In the summer it is rarely hot in
the daytime, because the summer is the
season Of rains They arc only delight
full little showers every afternoon that
settle the dust and freshen the air.
"The charm of Mexico should draw
people from many lands and its re-
sources should make 1t great. It IL un-