The daily Alaskan., 1922-12-21

Trains are running everywhere and new highways are being opened, These facts are pointed to by friends Of President Obregon as substantial proof of the assertion that the era of nationwide peace is near at hand. Economically, Mexico, is not in as good condition as 1t was year ago. The absence of United States recog- milton has withheld the anticipated influx of foreign capital, and busI- ness is at @ virtual staRdstill. Money
 Is tight and banks are loaning only on gilt-edged security. The general economic condition in Mexico has
 shown no improvement during the month of October, and conditions | are somewhat wOrse,' says a report
 to the United States department of commerce by John P. Bushnell, act ing trade commissioner in Mexico,
 covering the current month. This
 situation is due to the gradual de- crease in the purchasing power of
 the population and the low state of general production. Up to the end
 of October the national congress had
 failed to pass any legislation which
 would have had a remedial effect on
 existing economic conditions. This, with the enactment of certain labor
 .aws by some of the states, is caus-
 mg some apprehension. The agra
 rian policy of the administration con inues to be enforced. Summed up,
 there is a general lack of confidence l in commerce circles that is reflected l n decreased sales and production.
 The most optimistic note in the economic situation arises from the agreement reached last June in New 1 York between Secretary de la Huer- 10 and representatives of MeMco's
 foreign creditors. The treasury de- partment says that the I2OOO,OOO
 pesos necessary for the initial in- terest payment due next January 8, i IS now on deposit and that the re- ! maiuder of the 3S,OOO.OOO pesos to
 be paid next year will be available
 on the prescribed dates. If Mexico
 meets these payments promptly, fi-
 uancial circles admit that business
 stability will be greatly increased.
 The past year has seen no forward
 step taken toward recognition of 1 Mexico by the United States, Great | Britain or France. In fact, the dead
 lock which has existed ever since 1 Secretary Hughes made his demand
 that American rights in Mexico be 1 secured by treaty, has merely been
 emphasized President Obregon and
 the foreign office have reiterated that to sign such g treaty would Isulufy national honor. Secretary 1 Hughes is insistent that proper guar lautees for life and property be ] given, and there are no indications
 that either side will recede.
 | Twenty-six nations have now rec ! ognized the Oregon regime, in- ! cIuding Germany, China, Japan, It. ] ally, Holland, Sweden, and virtually 1 all of the South and Central Ameri-
 cau countries.
 l President Obregon has a congress l elected last September, that is dis I tinctly favorable to him in the lower
 ouse and not openly antagOnistic ! in the senate. The chamber of depu- ! ties ratified without dissenting vote | the de la Hucrta agreement and has
 signifed a willingness to give full | consideration to the various projects iof law which the chief executive leither has submitted or plans to sub 1 init. Among these are a regulation
 of Article 27, which Is the thorn of | disagreement in international affairs Ian amendment to Article l23 deal 1 ing with labor, and numerous other measures concerned with domestic reconstruction.
 Big Three All Powerful.
 1 Despite rUmors Of disagreement
 and personal jealousies, the Big
 Three" still continues to direct in
 the main the destinios of the repub- lie. President Obregon, Secretary
 of Interior Gales and Secretary of
 the Treasury de la Huerta have main
 tained throughout the past two years
 the same cooperation and cohesion that swept Carranza from power. named de la Huerta provisional pres ideut, and eventually seated Obregon 1 at the head of government. The of l ticial family, however, has not re- mained intact. General Antonio Will lareal resigned from the agriculture portfolio and that department is now administered by Ramon de Negri,