The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-01-10
NOW
Mrs. Daniels Is
Writing Book
ON MALINCHE
BY HELEN EssfRY


Rotary, companion and mistress
Of Cortez, the Spanish conqueror
Of Mexico.
Mrs. Daniels and her husband,
the American ambassador to
Mexico, are in washington on a
visit which was intended to last
for three days and has continued
much longer. Mrs. Daniels, If
you can catch her at one of the
many parties given in her honor,
will tell you about the extraordi-
nary Dona Marina and about the
respect Mexico pays her.
Marina, or Mallinche, as the
Aztecs called this devoted and
intelligent creature, was lin the
morning o. life" when Cortez and
his Castilians landed in Mexico
In 1919. !
She possessed an uncommon
personal attraction. She had a
lively genius. She had been sold
into slavery by her mother, who
wished the inheritance of Malinche
for q son by a second marriage.
Malinche knew the language and
customs of the MexicanS, and she
soon learned Castilian. She bore
Cortez son.
Her advice extricated the Span
lardS from the most embarrassing
situations. Her wit discovered
conspiracies against Cortez and
bargained successfully with the
Aztec chief. Montezuma.
A cortege Of 800 damsels, daugh-
tiers of chieftains, was sent to wait
upon Malinche. Everywhere she
was treated as a queen.
When a-hoped to be forgotten
wife of the Spanish Conqueror ap-
peared on the Mexican scene, Ma
linche permitted herself to be mar
ried to a CaStilian knight and &C.
cepted large estates in her native
province. There she lived and died
in honor.
One of the houses Cortez built
for Malinche is still standing.
Mexico regards it with pride. The
name Of Malinche always has
been held in grateful remem-
brance for the aid she gave them
In the conquest of Mexico. Native
Indians adore her for the
sympathy she showed them in
their misfortune.
Quite q person was Marina, or
Malinche, whichever you may
call her. A little diScouraging,
too, to worthy wives is this record
of the other woman who managed
conquerorS and conquered and
emerged a noble tradition.
The American Ambassador and
Mrs. Daniels are very happy in
Mexico. Their embassy in Mexico
city is handsome and convenient.
It is of American Colonial archi-
lecture, rather like a small White
House.
The climate of Mexico City is
superbly invigorating (the Daniels
family is pink-cheeked and bright
eyed). The temperature keeps at
about So degrees all the year
round. The country and the
people are fascinating.
Many amusing and agreeable
incidents enliven the diplomatic
routine. Not long ago Ambassa.
dor and Mrs. Daniels were asked
by the President Of Mexico to be
his guests on a tour of the Re-
public. All the members Of the
American Embassy staff and
their wives were likewise invited.
The President of Mexico, when
he goes abroad by rail, travels
not on one stray coach hitched
onto somebody elSe's train, as
does the President OF the U. S.,
but in a royal train Of IL gor-
Ueous coaches. In these the Amer
ican staff complete went sight
seeing.
At one place, Chapingo, where
the party stopped for luncheon,
A certain earnest Mexican told
Ambassador Daniels that Cha
pingo produced the finest oranges
in the world. In no other part
of the hemispheres could any
body grow such perfect fruit.
Mr.. Daniels, with a twinkle in
his eye, said he believed that
Chapingo oranges were good. He
only doubted that they were the
best on both hemispheres.
Before the palatial train left
Chapingo an enormous crate OF
oranges was hurried in. The Label
said, For the American Ambas
sador."
At Uranpan the happy travellers
paused for another celebration. A
local dignitary told the American
Ambassador of the superb coffee
grown in his province. No country
under the sun could produce such
MAGNIFICENT coffee, he said. II
was the prince of coffees. Mr.
Daniels said calmly:
"Uranpan undoubtedly has ex-
ceIIent cOffeeS. But as for it
being the fines. under the sun
Well, I'm not yet convinced on
that score"