Evening star., 1923-09-08
BY ROGER w. BABsON,
Special Dispatch to The Star

Special Dispatch tn The Star.
WELLESLEY HILLS, Mass, Sep
tember S.-The most interesting event
of last week to business men and in
vestors was the announced attitude
OF the administration relative to
Mexico. For some time. it has been
known by those in intimate touch
with the State Department that rela-
tions were becoming more friendly
day by day between the United
States and our neighbor to the south.
Secretary Hughes. who went into the
cabinet very much prejudiced against
Mexico. has been gradually becoming
more friendly.
In justice to Mr.. Hughes. however,
it should be said that conditions have
entirely changed and that he has been
a large factor in the improvement OF
relations. Fear was expressed in
some quarters for Mexico with the
announcement of President Hardtngs 8
death; but President Coolidge has
quieted these apprehensionS with the
assurance that he will carry out Mr..
Harding's Mexican policy. This ac-
counts for the recent recognition
action of the administration and the
hopefulness of all concerned.
/
About a year ago the Mexican gov
ernment. through the efforts of New
York bankers, agreed to a readjust-
ment of its Indebtedness. Contin-
ually during the past year various
corporate readjustments have been
going on which show the good faith
of the ObreEon government The ac-
/ tion of the Mexican congress regard
ing confiscation has been very salts
factory to American investors. The
fact that all usurpers have been put
down and that Villa himself has been
finally eliminated has strengthened
the situation. There are still many
wild-eyed radicals in the Mexican
government. but these are gradually
being tanned.
Like Russia. Mexico is steadily be-
coming more conservative. having
learned the lesson that natural re-
sources are of no avail unless de-
velnped by men Of integrity. industry
and intelligence. The Mexicarf revo-
lutions of the. past ten years nave
been costly; but through them the
neople have learned that il is men
theories--make men.
Border Cities TO PROFIT.
Mexico is wonderful country. 1t
is large country. about a quarter
the size of the United States. and is
very rich in natural resources. You
hear mostly about the oil OF Mexico.
but oil is only a small fraction OF
her wealth. The timber, mineral and
agricultural resources far exceed
anything that can ever be developed
in oil We talk about conditions in
Europe, but forget these tremendous
opportunities at our very door. How
ever, this is only human nature. Most
people OF Boston have never been to
Bunker Hill Monument, and very few
New Workers have climbed the Statue
of Libery.
In the same way. investors in Eng
land and France are today enthusi
astic over the improved conditions in
Mexico. while we. her next door
neiehbors, scarcely give them a
thought. The new attitude of our
government toward Mexico should
help business in this country. es-
pecially in the border states. Cities
like New Orleans. San Antonio, FL
Paso, St. Louis and Kansas City
should especially profit. The Pacific
coast will always be benefited by a
stable Mexico.
Many investors in the United States
and Canada are interested in Mexican