Evening star., 1923-12-11
MEXICAN REVOLT
BUSINESS BLOW
Americans See Big Setback
to Returning Stability.
Exports Face Cut.
BY j. G. ,ROYLE.

Special Dispatch to The Star. ... ~ ~
NEW YORK, December 1.-THE
Immediate effect on business In the
United States of the revolt raised In
Mexico by Adolfo de la Huerta
against the 0bregon government Will
be measured in psychological effect
rather than in dollars and cents. but
it Will be none the less real. Whether
the movement is long continued or
not, American business men have re-
ceived a severe blow to their hopes
that stability and tranquility had
been permanently returned to the
southern republic.
Men closely associated with busi-
ness affairs with Mexico pointed out
today that they could scarcely be ex
pected to place reliance on conditions
and guarantees in which MeXiuans
themselves had such little faith. For
back of the present revolutionary
movement is q deep distrust of the
fairness and efficacy of the Mexican
elections. ..,.
Voting Is Unnecessary.
The situation from the Mexican
viewpoint was strikingly outlined to
the writer by man who has spent
fifty of his seventy years in active
participation in Mexican politics ana
public life. He was asked how he
would vote in my entire lifetime"
he answered, IL have never cast
ballot. If my party was in control
1t was not necessary and Ii the other
party was in control 1t was useless"
Since the new constitution was
promulgated prohibiting the presi-
dent of Mexico from succeeding him
self in office there has been con~
stant fear that the incumbent would
succeed himself in effect if not In
name, by dictating through force or
influence or other means who his sue
cessor should be. CarranZasN advo-
cacy Of the candidacy of lgnac1o
Bonillas was followed Immediately
by the revolt which placed Obregon
at the head Of affairs. Obregon, in
his turn, has espoused the candidacy
OF P. Elias Gales as against that OF
De la Huerta in the elections which
are scheduled for next June. the
latter claims that the cards were be-
ing stacked against him.
Many Business Laws
When Mexico turned from the Diaz
regime many leaders went almost as
far toward radicalism in the oppo-
site direction. Laws were promul-
gated regulating employment and the
conduct of business which many en-
ployers and outside investors de-
clared prohibited business operations
ated and divided among the common
people. Gales is known to have ex-
tremely radical tendencies while De
la Huerta claims that property rights,
individual rights and state rights
have been violated in carrying out
some of the radical programs. =,
The Obregon administration. In
which de La Huerta had been minis
ter of finance countered these charges
by giving out after his resignation
%n hnn ND a fnr q N r
documents tending to show that he
had not properly administered his
office
Those are the issues which form the
background of the dispute, but loom
ing large behind all is the old Mex
lean tale of personal ambition. In
sofar as business is concerned, Mex
leo will be the chief sufferer. I'M
ports from Mexico to this country for
the first ten months totaled S114,-
255,0oe.s as com pared with exports
from the United States to Mexico of
sS9,3O7 900. So the balance of trade
IS in Mexico's favor.
Long Trade Halt Unlikely.
1t is unlikely that trade will be cut
off entirely or for any extended
period. Obregon is in control of most
of the ports of entry outside of
Vera Cruz. Even in the most critical
period of revolution from 1914 on
shipments of goods and commodities
did not. entirely cease.
Even II they should be cut on en-
tirely, the products drawn from
Mexico are not acutely needed here.
The flow Of the Tampico oil fields has
been materially cut down in the last
year and there are tremendous stocks
of oil now in storage in this country.
The Mexican silver production is fac
ing dull world market. Most of her
lead goes to Europe. Her cattle herds
are still too depleted to be q factor for
export, and the chicle, -sisal and hard
woods come from sections with which
communication is unlikely to be inter-
rupted.
American exports of shoes, cotton
goods. hats and clothing may suffer
10 some extent, but what will suffer
most are the confidence and under
standing of business men and the op-
portunity for the United States to
dominate markets formerly. held by
British, French and Spanish interests.
Bankers connected with the nego-
tiatiOns for payment of back interest
on Mexican government bonds ex-
press little anxiety over the situation.