Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-01-16
Growth of Facisti
Movement in Mexico


Movement in Mexico
Mexico City, Jan. 2-(By A. PD-
Conceived in jest and at FIRST ac-
copied by the nation in the same
spirit. tho Fascist movement in Mex
leo has made such rapid strides dur
ing tho past few weeks that ii is now
reckoned as an important political
factor which doubtless will figure
largely i'm the presidential elections
two years hence.
Starting in the small CITY Of JaIapa.
capital of the state Of Ncracruz, it
was declared even by its founders to
he mere local society without dc-
finite aim and certainly not nation
wide in its scope. The name Fascist
was adopted more because of its
present popularity than because of
the ideals sponsored by the Italian
organization.
But certain persons who have suf
fered at the hands of government
which has pressed down rather
harshly on property owners during
the past ten years. grasped at the
movement as safe and effective
means to protect against alleged :n-
justice. 1t offered an opportunity
for the landed classes to tight GER
tain radical reform laws that have
been imposed on them during tie
past few years. Without becoming
actual revolutionists against central
authority, they were able through the
new society to organize .heir inter
ests with view to gaining sufficient
strength ultimately to make demands
on the Mexico City government.
The Jalapa society was Immediate
~ copied in Tampico, and Monterey,
Mexico City. Puebla, Guadalajara
Merida. OaXaca and Mazatlan fol-
lowed suit. Within a few weeks a
temporary national Fascist organ
ization was perfected with Gustavo
Sainz de Stella. a. young engineer as
provisional chairman. Offices were
established here and within few
days % travelling representatives
were sent to scattered parts of the
republic to spread the propaganda of
protest against bolshevism and Iali-
cal law making. The second week in
January was fixed as the time cor
national convention at which time
the Jalapa and TampicO societies,
which have been operating inderrn-
IDENTIFY. will join the larger organ.za-
bers already enrolled it is stated that
by June next there will be at least
100000 Fascist in MeXico2
Meanwhile officials at the national
palace here were undergoing
change of attitude toward the move
ment. President Obregon at first
scOffed at the idea and dismissed it
as local society of no Importance.
He declined to consider it as mOve-
ment similar in any respect to the
Italian Fascist. Indicative. however.
of the fact that high officials HOW
see threat in the impetus gained by
the society. is recent declaration
by Adolfo de la Huerta. secretary of
the treasury. who described the
Mexican Fascist as an exotic plant
that cannot flourish in this rephb-
lie" He ridiculed it's importance
and expressed the hope that the
Mexican proletariat would not "c5m-
nit suicide" by adopting, it. And
in deprccating the movement he did
what its supporters dcsired-le-
cognized it as factor TO he cen
sidered in the political future.
With the growth of the Fascist
there is general understanding cur
rent in the republic that the Catholic
church in Mexico. although not ac-
lively sponsoring it, is not at all
averse to its spread. Official denial
has been made by the Archbishop
of Mexico that he CIR the church is
IN any way interested. Senior Sainz
also says the church has nothing to
DO with the movement. But there
is nothing to prevent the individual
Catholic from joining the society.
According the Senior Sainz the
Mexican Fascist is not q military
organization. I'VE do not intend to
copy the complete program of the
Italian Fascist" said Senior Sainz
to The Associated Press, "althuugh
their fundamental ideals arc also
ours In that We are both organized
to fight for n now order Of things
and to combat bolshevism. We do
not want to shed blood. but If we
are attacked we shalt he prepared TO
defend ourselves. We intend to fight
our battles through eXcrting eccno-
mic pressure. There will be no
street demonstrations. no parades.
We shall go about our work quietly,
organizing our forces. and weeks.
perhaps months, may pass with but
slight indications OF our activity.
But at the proper moment we intend
to strike. Backed by our hundreds of
thousands of adherents we shall
make certain demands on our gov
eminent. If it fails to meet them
then it must deal with us directly.
we are in no sense anti-govcrnment
and we have every desire to con-
struct. not destroy. We are recruit
ing our forces from all classes OF
society and we make no distinction
in creed of political faith. We have
declared war on radicalism and we
are prepared to carry on"
Mexico City newspapers have
adopted varying attitudes toward the
movement. Excelsior has openly es-
poused the cause and Ell Universal
vigorously opposed it. FL Democ1 alta
and Ell Heraldo are not enthusiastic
in its praise. FL Mundo sees in it an
attempt by the Catholic church to
gain ascendancy in the republic.
The January convention is awaited
Inv all with koar iptArA.k