24 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE [1914

is asked alone for establishing a suitable plant for the opening

of work in a crowded quarter of El Paso where twenty thou
sand Mexicans, existing in deplorable conditions and without
human help, make mute appeal. But this sum — the cost of a
—
well equipped school building has been too great for the Board
to meet. And the need is unmet. And other appeals also have
been unheeded.
The Synod of Texas last fall took earnest action looking to
ward a definite advance by our Church "to take part in the
evangelization of the large Mexican population of Texas" ; and
their synodical committee has been in frequent and sympa
thetic touch with both the Board's officers and the field super
intendent.
By the request of the presbyteries themselves, the Mexican
work in Los Angeles and Riverside Presbyteries is carried on
under the supervision of Dr. McLean.

THE DISTRICT OF THE SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST

For this section, — comprising the Synods of Alabama (in
cluding Florida), Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri,
Oklahoma, Tennessee, (including our work in Georgia and
North Carolina), and Texas (including our work in Louisi
ana) — the field secretary, the Rev. B. P. Fullerton, D.D., LL.D.,
presents the following statement :

Conditions are more or less settled in this district. There

are no marked changes in the population, so that the constit
uency remains practically the same from year to year. How
ever, it seems to be the consensus of opinion that we are at
the beginning of a new day in this entire district in the open
ing of the Panama Canal. Already plans are being laid in sec
tions of this territory not only to invite but to encourage the
services of those who would naturally come through that Canal
to the United States. This being true, it appears that it would
be the part of statesmanship to strengthen our forces in this
territory, not only with equipment but also with men.
The continuance of the Mexican struggle has thrown on to
Texas a new burden which is both physical and moral. While
the national Government is doing something to care for the
physical needs of these Mexicans, still the national Govern
ment cannot in any adequate degree, even if it were disposed,
care for the moral destitution. There is no means of telling
the number of Mexicans now across the border in Texas, and
of course no one can forecast whether these refugees will leave
behind them a large or a small remnant who will become resi
dents in the country. But whatever may be the issue of the
war and whatever may be the movement of these refugees at