Evening star., 1940-10-28
By JOHN GUNTHER.

of his journalistic life in earnest
talk with one of the most fasci-
mating political leaders of our time,
Gen. Lazaro Cardenas, President of
Mexico.
The main points that Gen. Car
denas made were that the threat of
fifth columnism in Mexico was
largely imaginary, but that it would
be dealt with by the Mexican gov
ernment with all appropriate steps
If necessary, that relations between
Mexico and the United States are
now excellent and that Mexico will
cooperate with the United States
in hemisphere defense.
He also pointed to the growth OF
education and the land reform as
the chief achievements OF his SIX
years in office, indicated his belief
that his successor in the presidency
would follow his general program,
and said he would retire from par
ticipation in public life after De-
cember /.
Interviews His interviewer.
1t was an unusual experience to
interview the elusive and enigmatic
Cardenas, who receives newspaper
men only very rarely; it also was
an unusual experience to be inter-
viewed by him. When I rose to go
after half an hour. the general in
sisted politely that remain; and he
than proceeded to ask me a series
of searching questions about Europe
and the Far East At one point he
carefully took out paper and pencil
and scribbled notes as talked.
The interview was conducted with
pleasant informality, after I had
been introduced through the cour-
tesv of the MeTican Ambassador
to the United States, DR.. Fran
cisco Castillo Naiera I noticed that
both the Presidents telephones were
off their hooks. so no interruption
was possible. At one point I asked
President Cardenas whether | could
quote him verbatim. He replied,
Certainly" but then courtesy asked
whether l would not prefer writ
ten statement.
Later he decided a formal writ
ten statement was unnecessary, and
would make the report Of our con-
versation seem too stiff, but at his
suggestion I gladly talked over the
interview with Ramon Beteta, the
Presidents undersecretary for for
eign affairs, as a check on &C
curacy.
Called Greatest Since Juarez.
The President received me in his
Office in the historic National Palace.
The visitor is whisked upward in
circular private elevator. No officer
stands outside. No soldier asks to
see your papers. No questions are
asked, no formalities observed. From
the elevator you pass directly into
the large cabinet room, where an
aide is in attendance. Here massive
green chairs surround a massive
long table, below an immense map
of Mexico against the wall. Beyond
this is the entrance to the PreSl-
dents simply-furnished study. The
parouet floor is as smooth as glass,
About President Cardenas one
could write volumes. In the words
of a distinguished American here,
he is certainly the greatest Mexican
since Juarez. His six years in office,
now nearing their end, constitute
q highly controversial epoch in
Mexican history. Cardenas expro-
priated foreign oil, he gave land
back to the people, he ameliorated
the church dispute, he built thou
sands of new schools, he began work
on a tremendous program Of eco
nomic reform, social rehabilitation
and uplift for the Indians. Through
1t all, he retained implacable belief
In the worth and goodness of his
own people.
The President IS a complex
character. He talks little. He is
hard to know. He works IA hours
a day. He lieves close to the land.
He dislikes Mexico City and the
politicians. His travels have been
unending. bringing him almost to
every village in Mexico He is
hated by most of the foreign colony,
respected by the vast majority of
Mexicans and worshipped by the
poems and villagers almost as
Ghandi is worshipped in India.
Revolutionist With Poise.
President Cardenas is of medium
height, with enormous gray-green
ewes. He sits on the edge OF his
chair, patient, steady, tenacious and
infinitely courteous. Even in brief
conversation he gives an impression
of restrained and discerning power.
He is a revolutionist, but a revo-
lutionist with poise. One feels that
this man has profound human
svmpathies and also sense OF his
torical fundamentals and per-
spective.
AS to fifth columnism the Presi-
dent said:
Fifth columnism in Mexico has
30 far been largely an imaginary
question. 1t does not enter into
actual politics. Mexico has always
prided itself on the freedom OF
thought, freedom of speech AND
freedom of political organization
that it permits. If at any time
these rights are abused the Mexican
government is prepared to take the
necessary steps. The Mexican gov
eminent will not tolerate treason
by its citizens. In regard tc
foreigners in Mexico, there exists q
limitation to their activity other
than treason. Foreigners should not
abuse Mexican hospitality by inter-
ferring in domestic political affairs
Good Relations With U. S.
The President proceeded to the
question of Mexican relations with
the United States, which he sao
were as good as they have ever
been.
Conditions in Europe and tn,
Orient make all the countries o
America feel their mutual depend
ence more keenly than ever before
Mexico will always be prepared ant