F

OCT 5 1917
1201
UNIV . OF MICH ,
M62 LIE..ARY

Mexican Review

A • JOURNAL DEVOTED TO
THE ENLIGHTENMENT • OF THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE IN RESPECT
TO THE HOPES AMBITIONS
BENEFICENT • INTENTIONS AND
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF . THE
CONSTITUTIONALIST GOVERNMENT
• OF THE

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REPUBLIC OF MEXICO

VOL. I WASHINGTON, D. C., JUNE, 1917 NO. 9

125

PRESIDENT CARRANZA AND HIS OFFICIAL FAMILY

TEN CENTS THE COPY

2 THE MEXICAN REVIEW
Inauguration Festivities
President Carranza Installed in Office With
UESDAY, May 1 , 1917, was one of the
T most notable days in the entire history
of the Republic of Mexico . It was the day
set for the inauguration of Venustiano Car
ranza as President of the nation, but it was
of far greater significance and importance than
the mere installation of a Chief Magistrate.
It was the day that marked the restoration
of Constitutional Government that had been
suspended for more than four years through
the ruthless treason and assassinations per
petrated by Huerta and his associates. Not
only that, but it was the day when a consti
tution more advanced than that of any other
WOME 318
CV108
Portion of Gathering to Welcome President Carranza
country in the world became the organic law
of the land, thus marking not only a great
forward step for Mexico, but also for the
entire human race.
It is the earnest belief of President Car
ranza and his associates, as well as of those
foreigners who have watched the progress of
events, beginning so feebly in Coahuila in
February, 1913, and growing stronger and
stronger every day, until the culmination was
reached on May 1, 1917, that a new era has
dawned for Mexico ; that permanent peace and
its accompanying prosperity are assured, and
that under the leadership of the President the
country will march steadily forward under the
banner of peace just as it has marched steadily
forward under the same leadership beneath
the banner of war, for four troublous years.
The program of the festivities and cere
monies was as follows :
At six on the morning of May 1st the na
tional colors were raised over all the public
Appropriate Ceremony and Rejoicing
buildings and were saluted by the discharge
of twenty-one salvos of cannon. All church
bells were also rung and the military bands
of the city marched through the streets play
ing national airs.
At ten o'clock a great civic and military
parade took place, composed of large bodies
of troops- cavalry, artillery and infantry
together with thousands of school children,
representatives of athletic and other organi
zations, first-aid societies, military , schools,
civic associations, etc. The procession marched
through the principal streets, which were
crowded with spectators, and then passed in
20
review at the National Palace before Presi
dent Carranza, who was accompanied by his
staff, Cabinet members and the diplomatic
representatives .
Following this, President Carranza was es
corted to the Chamber of Deputies, where
both houses met in joint session, and the offi
cial notification of his election was read to
him by Governor de la Mata . After this
the President took the solemn oath of office,
and simultaneously thousands of doves were
loosed and flew in every direction, as a symbol
that the dove of peace had at last descended
upon the land.
After taking the oath, the President and
his suite returned to the National Palace,
where all the accredited representatives of the
different foreign powers were presented to
him. The dean of the diplomatic corps, the
minister from Norway, addressed congratula
tions in the name of his associates, after
which Secretary of War Obregon felicitated
Friendly Relations Assured
American Ambassador Fletcher recently
issued a statement to the press of Mexico
City in which he declared that the relations
between Mexico and the United States were
increasingly cordial, and that any misunder
standing would be due to the activities of
enemies of both countries. The text of the
statement follows :
"I do not expect any difficulties to arise
between the Governments of the United
States and Mexico as a result of the entry
of the United States into the great war.
"My Government is perfectly satisfied with
the declaration of neutrality made by the
President-elect before Congress on April 15,
and is confident that the Mexican Government,
representing a sovereign and self-respecting
people, will take the proper and necessary
means to enforce it.
"No pressure from the Government of the
United States has been or will be brought to
bear upon the Mexican or any other neutral
government to enter the war on the side of
the United States. The relations between
Mexico and the United States are becoming
more cordial and sympathetic every day and
I sincerely hope that nothing may occur to
interfere with the good and close understand
ing between these two great American democ
racies.
"Geography makes us neighbors ; common
aims and aspirations and common sense should
make us friends. Should anything happen in
Mexico to compromise its neutrality and in
volve the Governments of the two countries
in difficulties, it will be the result of under
hand work of some enemies of one or the
other or of both countries.
"The Government and people of the United
States have none but the best wishes for the
welfare of this country and will do nothing
which would interfere with the establishment
of a free, constitutional and orderly Govern
ment, the pacification of the country and the
development of national prosperity.
"The United States, in spite of its strong
desires and most sincere efforts to hold itself
aloof from this great international conflict,
has been forced to take up arms and I sin
cerely hope that Mexico may be more fortu
nate. Americans in official and private life,
appreciating the hospitality of a friendly
country, will scrupulously refrain from doing
anything which might compromise the neu
trality of Mexico or embarrass this Govern
ment."
their chosen leader in the name of the entire
army. The members of Congress then paid
their respects, after which the doors were
thrown open and the general public were ad
mitted. Thousands passed in front of the
President, grasped his hand and gave him
their congratulations .
The inaugural celebration continued for five
days, ending on May 5th, one of the national
holidays, which is second only to the national
independence day, September 16th, in the
hearts of the people. There were all sorts
of athletic sports, festivities, receptions, balls,
etc., culminating on the 5th of May.
 THE MEXICAN REVIEW

New Governmental Departments

Presidential Election
EREWITH are given the complete re
H turns of the Presidential election held
on March 11th, canvassed by Congress and
announced as the official figures.
In every instance the ballots were blank, a
space being left for the voter to inscribe the
name of his favorite candidate. As will be
seen, several thousand votes were cast for
others than President Carranza, Generals
Gonzales and Obregon leading in this respect.
Many others received smaller numbers of
votes, including General Alvarado and other
prominent revolutionary leaders.
The figures follow :
States Carranza Gonzales Obregon
Aguascalientes 7394 28
Colima ... 4874 27
1262378
The Result as Declared by Congress-Many Names
Written by Voters on the Blank Ballots
"Chamber of Deputies, Mexico , April 26,
1916.
"EDUARDO HAY, President.
"JESUS LOPEZ LIRA, Secretary.
"FILOMENO MATA, Second Secretary."
No Official Candidates
President Carranza has issued the following
positive declaration, negativing the report set
afloat regarding certain candidates for Gov
ernorship of various States, that they were
the chosen representatives of the Administra
tion. The statement follows :
"The Citizen Venustiano Carranza, Presi
JUSE MAHIA
MORELOS
17
19 MARIANO
By a recent decree the Department of Fo
mento, Colonization and Industry has been
separated into two divisions, owing to the vast
amount of labor entailed by the various
branches dealt with, and which under the new
Government has become overwhelming. The
Department of Fomento is one division and
the Department of Commerce and Industry is
the other.
To the Secretary of Fomento will belong
the following branches of the public service :
Colonization, immigration, agricultural coloni
zation, founding of towns with communal
lands, agrarian problems, lands, repartition of
lands, conservation and exploration of forests,
waters, irrigation of lands, draining of lakes
and swamps, fisheries, hunting, the study of
the improvement of live-stock, silk culture,
ITURBIUL
VICENTE COMEZ
CUERRERO FARIAS

MATANDROS
Coahuila 26841 52 219 LEONANDO IGNACIO IGNACIO
Campeche 2061 6 3 LOPEZ RAYON
Chihuahua *** 5883 2 57 BRAVO CUADALUPE DELA
Chiapas 14277 3 MIGUEL VICTORIA LLAVE
Durango 6816 17 202 BRAYD MICUEL
Guanajuato HORNETSON 00
91226 3328 708 CALLAS BARRAGAN
Guerrero **** 9825
Jalisco 34135 28 52
Mexico 52513 1676 520
Michoacan 33627 1515 120
Nuevo Leon *** 33166 8 10
Oaxaca 60964 138 73
Puebla 57519 1215 193 57
Queretaro 14754 491 111
S. L. Potosi *** 22638 71 51
Sinaloa 12710 24 169
Tabasco 6163 2 5
Hidalgo 19949 70 32
Tlaxcala 21724 176 53
Yucatan 25717 12 14
Zacatecas ** 20732 67 66
Veracruz 39455 276 172
Sonora 20667 6 367
Tepic *** 8856 2 9
Baja California 3056 25
Quintana Roo 345 12 2
Distrito Federal 70003 1773 553
Totals ..... 797305 11615 4008
The total number of votes cast was 812,928.

Carranza Officially Declared President

After canvassing the returns of the election
from the various States, the Chamber of Dep
uties adopted a resolution in the following
words, announcing officially that in the elec
tion held on March 11th the Citizen Venus
tiano Carranza received 797,305 votes, against
various other candidates with a much inferior
number of ballots . The resolution was unani
mously approved. It reads as follows :
"The Chamber of Deputies of the Twenty
Seventh Congress of the Republic of Mexico ,
constituted in an Electoral College and in use
of the rights and faculties conferred upon
them by Section I of Article 74 of the Po
litical Constitution of the Republic, have de
creed, after a careful examination of the
electoral computations verified on the second
Sunday of March of this year:
"Article I- The Citizen Venustiano Car
ranza is declared President for the term of
four years beginning from December of 1916
until November of 1920, in virtue of having
obtained an absolute majority of votes in the
election.
"Article II-In virtue of this, the Citizen
Venustiano Carranza is cited to appear on
May the first before the Chamber of Depu
ties, and with all the formalities of the law
take the oath of office as President of the
Republic.
President Carranza Taking Oath of Office
dent-elect of the Republic, makes known the
following : It has reached my knowledge that
in some States of the Republic some of the
candidates who are nominated for the Gov
ernorship of said States have been reported
to be official candidates -that is, that they are
supposed to have the support and protection
of the First Chief. To make clear the erro
neous misunderstanding in this matter, I
hereby declare that the Constitutional Gov
ernment which I have the honor to represent
will not sustain or protect any popular candi
date whatsoever. On the contrary, the Con
stitutional Government will do all in its
power to see that free and legal elections are
held, and that the choice of the people be
respected. All political parties will have equal
rights and protection. In virtue of this, in
some of the States where the provisional
Governors have placed their influence in favor
of certain candidates, they have been removed,
so that the will of the people shall not be
trampled upon.
"National Palace, Mexico, April 7, 1917.
"V. GARRANZA ,
"The First Chief in Charge of the
Executive Power."
bird and bee culture, the establishment of agri
cultural schools, encouraging the cultivation of
vegetables , industrial and medicinal, fruits,
trees, experimental stations, chambers of com
merce and agricultural associations, veterinary
schools, geographical studies, astronomy, prop
aganda and expositions of agriculture, flowers
and live-stock, astronomical observatories,
scientific explorations, census statistics in gen
eral, and registration of property.
Under the Department of Commerce and
Industry, the Secretary will have charge of
the following : Commerce, industry in general,
commercial and business organizations , teach
ing national propaganda, studies, geological
explorations , mining and mining concessions,
exploitations of oil , mineral combustibles, mer
cantile and industrial property, exclusive priv
ileges, the direction general of labor, and all
matters relating to laborers, immigration, in
surance companies, national and international
expositions, commercial, mining and merchant
marine, statistics , etc.
Exports from the United States to
Mexico for April, 1917, amounted to
$ 1,930,458, against $815,152 for the same
month in 1916.

The State of Tabasco
A Little Known, But Very Interesting Portion
HE resources and problems of the State
THof Tabasco are important and typical of
a rich section of Mexico, little known in the
United States.
Tabasco is situated on the southern shore
of the Gulf of Mexico, between Guatemala
and the State of Campeche, which form its
eastern boundary, and the States of Chiapas,
Vera Cruz and Oaxaca. It comprises 27,000
square kilometers-or 10,072 square miles .
The location and physical aspects of the
State give it a climate ranging in temperature
between the extremes of 60 and 96 degrees
Fahrenheit. Its numerous rivers and rich soil
are the basis of its great agricultural resources.
Nearly all the State is low and level and
formed largely of alluvial deposits brought
down from the slopes of the Sierra Madre,
which forms part of the boundary with Guate
mala. So numerous are the rivers that they
still furnish the principal means of communi
REVE
Municipal Government Palace, Villa Hermosa, Tabasco
cation. A dozen could be named which are
navigable for the ordinary river craft, and
some which could accommodate fairly large
steamers. Numerous lagoons and estuaries
add still further to the possibilities of water
communication .
The population of the State is approximately
135,000. Only 59,000 live in towns and vil
lages, the remainder dwelling in the open
country.
Agriculture is the greatest source of wealth.
Periodically many of the rivers overflow, and
after the consequent inundation leave a rich
alluvial deposit, as does the Nile each year ;
furthermore, rains are frequent and the at
mosphere is rarely lacking in sufficient mois
ture to maintain the freshness of the vege
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
of the Republic of Mexico
tation, which attains a remarkable degree of
luxuriousness. Cedar and mahogany are
found in the extensive forests and, because
of the numerous natural waterways, are easily
floated to tide water. For more than fifty
years the forests of Tabasco have been ex
ploited almost incessantly by different com
panies, yet enormous wealth in forest products
remains-fibrous and medicinal plants, gums
and resinous saps, including chicle and the
so-called castilloa , which yields a good quality
of oil.
The principal agricultural products are
cacao, of which three crops a year are gath
ered ; maize, which is also harvested three
times annually ; rice, beans, tobacco, and oil.
Stock-raising is carried on to some extent.
Considerable sugar cane is grown and some
"aguardiente," a brandy from cane syrup, dis
tilled.
The business of the State is quite largely
VART
A velopment also, and to the general welfare
in the hands of the Spanish colony, which
may be said to be its only foreign element,
and which occupies itself principally with buy
ing and selling products of the country that
are exported to other States of Mexico, prin
cipally Yucatan, Campeche and Vera Cruz,
and to foreign markets. Coffee, chicle, oil,
valuable woods and hides are the principal
articles of export to foreign countries. The
importations are made up mostly of flour,
peas, potatoes, onions, garlic, textiles, medi
cines and wines.
Both a Chamber of Commerce and a Farm
ers' Union are found in the capital, Villa
Hermosa (Beautiful Town) .
Evidences of the existence of petroleum
have been repeatedly noted and explorers and
Governor Luis F. Dominguez of Tabasco
prospectors have made attempts to locate
mineral oil in commercial quantity, but thus
far without success.
The first railroad in the State is now under
construction and, though short, is counted
upon to make immediate contribution to agri
cultural development. Contributing to this de
of the population, is the restitution of the
"ejidos," or community lands, which has been
proceeding satisfactorily and means much to
the independence and well-being of the na
tives, since agriculture is practically the only
source of wealth, as well as of the necessaries
of life.
The industries carried on to any important
degree are the producing of sugar, tanning
and the making of pottery and tobacco
products.
The political and administrative organiza
tion of the State is in its general lines similar
to that of a State of the United States, the
public functions being divided into executive,
judicial and legislative. The State is divided
into seventeen municipalities and eight judicial
districts.
The need of the country is for development,
both of material and human resources. Al
most without railroads and with very few
.M well-made roads, encouragement of agricul
ture awaits to a large degree upon improve
ment of communication.
Earnest and persistent efforts have been
made to bring public instruction to the de
sired standard ; and while this has not yet
been attained, much has been accomplished
when due allowance is made for the adverse
conditions encountered . An insufficient num
ber of teachers and disinterestedness upon the
part of the natives are two of the great diffi
culties met. Teachers have been drawn as
was found possible from other States, prin
cipally from Vera Cruz. This source of supply
has been inadequate, so attention has been
given especially to the establishment and

Lic. Joaquin Ruiz,
Secretary General of Tabasco State Government
maintenance of a normal school, which is
overcoming the problem of scarcity of teach
ers. Institutes bearing the names of "Juarez"
and "America," known as normal academies,
teach pedagogy and the applied methodology
of instructions . In the former the course is
five years, which, in addition to its preparation
of students to be teachers, constitutes one of
the schools for general higher education. The
normal school for teachers established in 1906
is the normal school proper and also has a
five-year term, graduating students qualified
to teach elemental and higher education.
Meeting the indifference of the people to
ward the school has been exceedingly difficult,
with frequent shortage of labor and the ever
present tasks which agriculture furnishes
abundantly. Steps have been taken to reduce
truancy and to impress upon parents the in
advisability of withdrawing children of school
age from school to work on the farm or in
shops. The difficulties in providing a sufficient
number of buildings, furniture and equipment
through sparsely settled sections have made
impossible the enforcement of compulsory
education .
The organization of the primary schools is
now complete, each teacher instructing a group
of usually from thirty to forty in number.
Physical education is obligatory in all the
schools and is mostly in the form of military
exercises and outings of the pupils, gymna
siums not being generally available. The rapid
increase in the number of primary schools has
resulted in a marked decrease in illiteracy and
it is hoped with good reason that the people
of the open country will come to feel the
necessity of instruction and that colonization
will soon have brought the population up to
numbers sufficient to support schools in sec
tions now too sparsely populated. The Gov
ernment of the State backs with generous
expenditures for public instruction its faith
that it is through education that this rich
State will achieve worthy prosperity.
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
Other branches of education than the pri
mary schools have received attention . Night
schools have been brought within the reach
of all children to whom work denies attend
ance at the day school . There are also eve
ning schools for adults and for women, and
for sons of laborers the Society of Artisans
has a special institution to which the Govern
ment lends support. Evening schools have
also been established by the present State
Government of Tabasco in all the municipal
halls and benefits are already apparent.
The State has no industrial school, but
workmen's children who have satisfactorily
met the requirements of the four years' obliga
tory instruction in the primary schools become
apprenticed in whichever free trade they
choose.
Rural education, in its strict meaning, has
not been established, although many teachers
have given special attention to it. The indif
ference and opposition of the natives as to
the necessity of instruction has been the great
obstacle. Under Governor Dr. Simón Sarlat,
rural schools were established whose results,
while not striking, yet made a beginning in
teaching reading, writing and arithmetic to
the natives of the outlying country. Among
State Government Palace, Villa Hermosa, Tabasco
these schools there were many like that of
El Rosario, of the municipality of Comalcalco ,
which was founded by the inhabitants of the
place, each contributing materials and giving
the land necessary for practical agriculture.
The statistics of illiteracy taken from the
published data by Professor Tores Quintero
in his pamphlet on rudimentary instruction in
the Republic , placed the population of Tabasco
at 187,574 and the illiterates at 155,359, leav
ing 32,215 as the number who are able to
read and write. Illiteracy is greater among
children over twelve years than under, show
ing that efforts recently made to spread public
instruction have accomplished results.
The present Governor, in the interests of
5
the people, ordered a general reform of the
educational laws and the programs pertaining
to public instruction, and it is expected that
with the minute study which is being made
a new code will soon be worked out covering
the importance of education, obligatory in
struction, selection of personnel, medical in
spection, school inspection and policy, etc.
There is also a law at present in preparation
dealing with rural schools. This was pro
posed by Professor Arnulfo Giorgana, and it
was expected that within two months from the
time this was written the State would be pro
vided with a sufficient number of these schools.
There were at that time 91 elementary primary
schools and three higher primary schools, in
addition to 25 schools which have been or
dered but not yet established.
Agricultural education is given in the ele
mentary schools and study is being given to
the problem of its extension . An agricultural
experiment station exists near the capital,
which does not, however, perform the com
plete and efficient services desired of it, be
cause the building for it is not yet finished,
and because of lack of sufficient staff. All
of these difficulties are expected to be over
come soon.
1771
During the hardest days of the Revolution
many of the plantations were abandoned and
the production of most others greatly reduced,
owing in both cases as much to the usual con
servatism of capital in the face of uncertain
political conditions as to the scarcity of labor.
Restoration is rapidly being brought about, the
extreme fertility of the soil making the re
newing of agricultural productiveness rapid.
Financial difficulties were encountered in
Tabasco as elsewhere following the Revolu
tion. There were times when, after the resto
ration of metallic currency, the Government
lacked money with which to pay even the
troops. The public and the business interests,
(Concluded on page 11 )
6 THE MEXICAN REVIEW
Foreigners in Mexico
The Basis Upon Which They May Acquire Mineral, Oil
ECRETARY PASTOR ROUAIX , of the
S Department of Fomento, has signed and
promulgated the following regulations relative
to the basis upon which foreigners may ac
quire property, lands, mines, forest privileges,
etc., in Mexico, in accordance with the consti
tutional principles of the Government :
"On the 15th of August of last year, in
virtue of high consideration for our funda
mental laws, which concede to foreigners the
same rights as our own citizens, and in order
that the first named shall not receive more
benefits and considerations than they, it was
decreed that the following dispositions must
be observed :
ES
CU NO
EL RM
A AL PARA
7033
7 the concessionaire the right to exploit the
Normal School for Professors , Villa Hermosa, Tabasco
"First- Regarding foreigners who applied
for or wished to acquire property in Mexico,.
such as forest products, mines, lands, etc., or
concessions for the exploitation of the prod
ucts of the country, such as petroleum, fish
eries, etc.: Before endeavoring to acquire such
property, all foreigners must previously send
an application to the Secretary of Foreign
Relations, in which they shall declare that
they forfeit their right as foreign citizens and
the right to appeal to their embassy in the
special case as proprietors or concession hold
ers, and that in the case of becoming property
holders in Mexico, they renounce all rights as
foreigners and consider themselves Mexican
citizens, renouncing the right of foreigners to
demand protection from their respective gov
ernments. Foreign companies will be incapa
ble of acquiring rights or properties mentioned
if they do not nationalize themselves and act
in accordance with the Mexican laws.
"Second- In all applications which are not
accompanied by a certificate from the Secre
and Other Lands in the Republic
tary of Foreign Relations , in which the appli
cant declares that he has conformed with the
requirements cited in the first clause, and
which are not accompanied by said certificate,
declaring that the applicant is willing to for
feit his citizenship, the certificate or applica
tion will be without any legal value. All titles
to property or permissions for exploitation
of national products already mentioned, also
the contracts, must have a literal copy of the
certificate mentioned in the first clause. If
this certificate does not appear in the contract
or permission, it will be the cause of declaring
said permission or contract null and void.
"Third- In all applications or solicitations
PRO
FES PRAC
ORA
SY TICA ANCY
already presented to the Secretary of Fomento,
or the administrative agencies of the Ministry
of Fomento, all judgment or decision of said
applications will be suspended and four
months will be given to present the certificates
referred to in the first clause, the date to be
counted from the date of these announce
ments. If this is not complied with, all appli
cations and solicitations will be declared null
and void. These dispositions will be published
officially all over the Republic, to be obeyed
to the letter.
"In accordance with an anterior decree,
which has in consideration that many foreign
ers were unable to present in time the certifi
cates referred to in Clauses 2 and 3, it has
been conceded that the four months which
were given in Clause 3 as the time in which
to file said certificates, would be extended for
four months longer, which means that they
will have until the 15th of August of this year
to comply therewith, and that when this date
shall be near and finding no other reason for
which the time should again be extended, it
has been directed :
"First- The 15th of August of this year is
the end of the limit for the extension that
was granted. (2 ) All applications that are
suspended on account of the certificates re
ferred to in Clause 3 will continue suspended
until the organic laws and regulations of
Article 27 of the Constitution are put into
effect. (3) If anterior to the present decree
the organic or regulatory laws of Article 27
are put into effect, the parties in interest shall
present the certificate referred to in Clause 3,
and if the First Chief of the Constitutional
Army or the Federal Executive shall declare
that said certificate should not be admitted,
the application will be filed and declared null ."
April 24, 1917. To all whomthis may
concern.
THE SECRETARY-PASTOR ROUAIX .
Colonizing Socorro Island
The Secretary of Fomento has entered into
a contract with General Fortunato Maycotte
for the colonization of the island of Socorro ,
which belongs to the group called Revillagi
gedo, in the Pacific Ocean. The contract gives
fisheries, forest products, waters, minerals, as
also the deposits of lime and kelp that are
found on this island.
The concessionaire is obliged to establish, in
those portions of the island that are suscepti
ble to cultivation, families of Mexicans who
will be given from 25 to 65 acres of land for
each person in the family. He must also give
to each of the colonists the implements and
other elements necessary for proper cultiva
tion of the soil, and also construct houses for
their comfortable occupation . At the end of
three years the concessionaire must file a plot
of the island, while at the completion of each
fiscal year he must render a detailed account
of the work done and the progress made in
that period. He must found and maintain
schools at his own cost, and must also provide
a doctor, who will attend the colonists and
furnish the necessary medicines free of cost..
He is to pay the laborers with whatever money
is then in use, and he is not to pay them
with " orders," or to establish a company store.
He is also required to observe Article 123 of
the Constitution, referring to the legislation
of labor and laborers. He must maintain in
the most conspicuous spot the national flag as
a sign of the sovereignty of the Republic. The
concessionaire will also be obliged not to de
stroy the live-stock existing on said island,
and to procure others for the betterment of
conditions thereon. He will also observe the
same conduct regarding the breeding places
of fish, as well as attending to the replenishing
of the forest growths. He will pay the Sec
retary of Fomento the sum of $1,200 for the
inspection and protection of the island by the
Government, which sum is to be paid annu
ally. He must also pay the usual taxes
assessed upon the exploitation of the different
products of the island.
 THE MEXICAN REVIEW 7

By acting firmly against enemies of Carranza

Will End International Plots within the jurisdiction of the United States,
the Washington Government will indeed be
The United States Will in Future Prosecute Conspirators able rightly to ask that enemies of the United
States or their agents who are now or may
Against Mexico and Other Countries
be active in Mexico shall be similarly prose
HE United States Government, after act in the United States as an agent of a cuted. The new sections of the Espionage bill
TH suffering its hospitality to be seriously foreign government without prior notification . will go a long way toward establishing a
abused for many years by foreign agents, ac to the Secretary of State, shall be fined not reciprocity on this most important phase of
credited and unaccredited, juntas, conspira more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more than revolutionary troubles in all Latin-America.
tors and filibusterers, is at last to deal sternly five years or both. N. Y. Evening Post.
with those who would plan on American terri "The words ' foreign government' as used in
tory military expeditions against governments the above section shall be deemed to include A New Railroad Line
or factions of nations with which this country any government, faction, or body of insurgents A Mexican company has asked the Secre
is at peace. within a country with whom the United States tary of Communications and Public Works
Both the Senate and House Judiciary Com is at peace, which government, faction, or for a concession for the construction of a
mittees have approved several paragraphs to body of insurgents may or may not have been railroad which will start from the city of
be included in the Espionage bill, now pend recognized by the United States as a gov San Luis Potosi, pass through the State and
ing, which will have a far-reaching effect on the city of Durango, and have its terminal at
the stability of constituted governments in "If two or more persons within the juris the port of Mazatlan, in the State of Sinaloa ,
Central and South America. By its provisions
will counter-revolution, for example, against
the Carranza Government in Mexico be pre
ELEA
vented, so far as activity on United States
territory is concerned . No longer will the
Carranza Administration need to fear the se M
cret maneuvers of cientificos and other exiles
who adroitly plot in New York City, San SURTSA
Antonio, El Paso, and other towns the over
throw of the Government which the United
States has recognized and is now morally sup
porting.
It is a well-known fact, for instance, that
although the United States Government pos
sessed proof that Victoriano Huerta was
brought back to this country by German
money, that he planned to participate in a
military movement against Carranza, and was
en route to the border for that purpose, he
could not be convicted under any Federal
statute. His trial was postponed until death
solved the problem. Supreme Court decisions
had made it clear that under existing laws it
was criminal actually to participate in an
armed expedition, but that the mere planning
of a revolt in a neighboring country was not a
punishable offence. Conspirators have long
taken advantage of this well-known immunity.
But when the espionage measure passes, the
new provisions applicable in time of war as Small Portion of Gathering to Welcome President Carranza
well as in time of peace will rid the United diction of the United States conspire to injure which is known as the most important seaport
States of these offenders and do much toward or destroy property situated within a foreign on the west coast. The construction of this
making the neighboring governments feel that country with which the United States is at railroad will be of great benefit to the entire
the protestations of disinterestedness in revo peace when the offence designed to be com Republic, as it will connect all the principal
lutionary movements made by the Washington mitted in such foreign countries constitutes a cities of the country with the Pacific Ocean.
Government are at last to be effectively rein crime punishable by imprisonment under the Another feature of importance is that the city
forced by action . laws thereof and when one or more of such where the line begins is a great railway center
TEXT OF NEW PROPOSALS persons commits an act within the jurisdiction and one of the most important places in the
The language of the new proposals which of the United States to effect the object of country.
are sure of adoption reads as follows : the conspiracy, each of the parties to such If the Technical Commission of Railroads
"Whoever within the territory or jurisdic conspiracy shall be fined not more than $5,000 and Navigation renders a favorable report on
tion of the United States begins or sets on or imprisoned not more than three years or the project, the Secretary will sign a contract
foot, or provides, or prepares a means for, both." with the concessionaires and work on the line
or furnishes the money for, or who takes part ENFORCEMENT PLANNED will be commenced immediately.
in, any military or naval expedition or enter Strict enforcement of these laws is planned A railroad to Mazatlan was one of the
prise to be carried on from thence against the by the Department of Justice. It goes without projects of the late C. P. Huntington, who
territory or dominion of any foreign prince saying that their passage will be greatly wel built the International Mexican road from
or state, or of any colony, district, or people comed in Mexico, where, indeed, in the last Piedras Negras, on the Rio Grande, to the city
with whom the United States is at peace, shall two years the feeling has prevailed that prose of Durango, proposing to extend it to Mazat
be fined not more than $3,000 and imprisoned cution by the United States of Villa agents lan. This plan was never carried out, though
not more than three years. or sympathizers with the Villa cause, or con several surveys were made. The region be
"Whoever being an alien, other than a spirators against Carranza, resident in our tween Durango and Mazatlan is very rich in
diplomatic or consular officer, or attaché, shall own country, has at best been only lukewarm. timber, mineral and agricultural resources.

8 THE MEXICAN REVIEW
.The .
Mexican Review
A· JOURNAL · DEVOTED
ENLIGHTENMENT- - TO
THE OF -THE
AMERICAN-PEOPLE
TO THE HOPES -• INAMBITIONS,
RESPECT
|BENEFICENT - INTENTIONS - AND
ACCOMPLISHMENTSGOVERNMENT
· OF THE
CONSTITUTIONALIST-
-OF - THE
REPUBLIC OF " MEXICO
Published Monthly at
Washington, D. C., U. S. A.
George F. Weeks Editor and Publisher
613 Riggs Building
Yearly Subscription $1.00 in the United States and
Possessions, Mexico and Canada.
Elsewhere $1.50
Eastern Representative, 3014 Equitable Bldg., New
York; Mexican Representative, Avenida Juarez 12,
Mexico City, D. F.
NOTE AND COMMENT
The resumption of active operations by such
extensive concerns as the American Smelting
and Refining Company at its various plants in
different portions of the Republic is proof
positive that foreign investors are accommo
dating themselves to the new order of things,
that they believe permanent tranquility has
returned, and that they have confidence in the
Government's willingness and ability to main
tain order and protect citizens and foreigners
alike in the peaceful conduct of their chosen
pursuits and enterprises.
It has been found advisable by the United
States Government to issue an express disTh
claimer of the report that foreigners not citi
zens were liable to conscription under the law
recently adopted. The immediate reason for
this action was the widespread fear among the
numerous Mexican citizens temporarily resi
dent in the United States, especially in the
border States, that they might be called upon
to join the army against their desire. There
is no occasion for such apprehension and the
usual influx of laborers from Mexico into
Texas and elsewhere during the cotton and
cane harvest can be continued without fear of
molestation.
The indisposition of a large portion of the
press to publish matters that are creditable to
the Mexican Government, while apparently
too willing to give space to things that are
discreditable, even when they are absurd , can
be seen from the manner in which the re
markable resumption of specie payments was
brought about, has been treated. In truth it
has been almost completely ignored. A1
though it has been an accomplished fact for
over six months, and although it is one of
the most remarkable events of the kind in
history, yet few readers of the daily or maga
zine press have seen any account of the oc
currence. It is true it reads like a fairy tale,
but nevertheless it is true. The facts set down
in the last issue of THE REVIEW can be proven
readily by any one caring to do so. The
press correspondents in Mexico will corrobo
rate the account, yet because it is contrary
to the accepted rules of finance supposed to
govern such matters, it is calmly set down as
impossible and the story denounced as false.
There have been a number of so-called finan
cial and economic laws disproved during the
Revolution in Mexico, and not the least was
the automatic resumption of specie payments.
THE REVIEW gives elsewhere the total num
ber of votes cast for the President by States
at the election in March. An interesting fea wholesalers were required to present docu
ture is the considerable number of ballots for ments showing cost of their various com
Generals Gonzales and Obregon, though both
had issued statements early in the campaign
that they were not and would not be candi } to realize a profit of twenty-five per cent.
dates, and urging all voters to support the
logical and only real candidate, President Car rates chargeable for all commodities, and those
ranza. As heretofore stated, all the ballots
used were blank, no name being printed
thereon, and the voters were able to exercise
their own will in naming their favorites . The
election was by direct vote, instead of the
former cumbersome electoral system.
A notable feature for several months past
has been the holding of congresses of the em
ployes of various industries in different por
tions of the Republic, where measures were
discussed for the betterment of the condition
of the workingmen . In every case these gath
erings have resulted in material increases in
wages, as well as in improvements in other
the hours
directions, such as the shortening of
of labor, etc. That such conventions can be
held is one of the most striking and con
vincing proofs of the changes that have been
wrought by the Revolution . Not so many
years ago meetings of workingmen with these good wages in steady employments. * It would
objects in view were dispersed by rifle and
Now the Government encourages
cannon .
and participates in them.
The recently published statements of Secre
tary of State Lansing to the press regarding
the improvement of conditions in Mexico, and
the better understanding that is being created
between the two countries, have produced a
very favorable effect in the Republic. There
has coincidently been a notable cessation in
the publication by the American press of
unfounded reports calculated to engender
trouble and misunderstanding, while a better
knowledge of actual conditions in Mexico is
becoming more general. The inauguration of
President Carranza and the work of the Na
tional Congress have done much to encourage
the belief among those hitherto skeptical that
it will only be a question of a comparatively
brief period before tranquility will be general
throughout the country. All true friends of
both nations rejoice at the improved aspect.
The United States is confronted by much
the same sort of food problem that was the
case in Mexico City and other centers of
population during the Revolution. Steps are
being taken in the former country to regulate
the handling and the prices of food com
modities , but so far as observation goes the
plan so successfully followed in the sister
Republic does not appear as yet to have been
advanced. It is that of the establishment of
stores under Government control, where food
is sold at an advance over actual cost of just
sufficient to pay the cost of distribution and
handling . The Mexican officials purchased
directly from the farmers, wherever possible,
and then sold to all applicants at rates far
below those demanded by the average dealer.
Stocks of grain, beans and other articles that
were being hoarded contrary to law were
1
taken over by the Government at cost as
shown by invoices and put on sale. All
modities, and were allowed to sell at a profit
of twenty per cent. Retailers were permitted
Price lists were posted, giving the maximum
demanding more than this were punished .
A Not Well-Posted Writer
Collier's Weekly of May 19th devotes sev
eral pages to an argument by a well-known
ex- Senator, the object of which is to demon
strate that the United States ought to intervene
in Mexico, under the pretext of a "benevo
lent protectorate." No one who has followed
the intervention movement during the past
five years will for one moment be deceived
by this designation . It is interesting to note
what the writer declares a "constructive
American policy" would do in Mexico . He
says :
"It would mean the distribution of land
among the people, freedom for the peon to
till his acres in peace, with access to markets
for his produce, or to labor undisturbed for
mean the education of children and the forma
tion of habits of order and system among all
people. It would mean all those things which
in sum we describe by the word civilization ."
If the author of the article in question were
as well posted regarding his subject as a man
is bound to be who assumes to speak with
authority, he would have known before he'
penned the words quoted , as well as many
others of like purport, that what he declares
the United States would do is already being
done, and done quietly and without ostenta
tion- so quietly that the foreign press has
scarcely deigned to notice it even when re
quested so to do . He would have known that
land is being distributed among the people,
the commencement in that direction having
been made as far back as the first half- dozen
months of the Revolution in 1913. He would
have known that the peons are "tilling their
acres and working undisturbed for good
wages." Note the condition in Yucatan as
well as elsewhere, where for the first time
in his life the peon enjoys a decent wage and
abundant leisure for attendance at school or
for otherwise improving himself. He would
have known that even while the Revolution
was at its height and the outcome apparently
doubtful, the Revolutionists found time and
money to send hundreds of school teachers
to the United States to learn the best methods
of education . He would have known that in
that same period of unrest and uncertainty
new schools were opened as fast as new terri
tory was conquered, and that today the num
ber of educational institutions of all kinds is
at least fifty per cent greater than ever before
in the history of Mexico. He would have known
many other interesting facts regarding the
progress that Mexico has made and is making,
and he would have found the very foundation
stones taken from beneath the "argument"
that he has advanced on behalf of would-be
exploiters of a neighboring country.

Interesting Historical Fact
In a very readable article by Consul J. R.
Silliman, entitled "Old Mexico and New in
Querétaro," which appeared in the Century
Magazine for April, was the following, which
is very pertinent at this juncture :
"This is far from being a complete statement
of the change which has come in Mexico . It
is really only one feature of the change. The
world is full of the story. Looking upon it
all, even in the midst of it all, the calm , un
prejudiced observer with open and receptive
spirit can only endeavor to be sure that he
sees the entire situation from all its different
viewpoints and listen patiently to all the radi
cally different presentations of it.
"He must ever remember that the present
movement in Mexico is essentially a revolu
tion ; that it is the Mexicans themselves who
have brought about the great changes ; that
it is the Mexicans themselves who are respon
sible for them, and that it is the Mexicans
themselves who must, at last, give to the
world a sufficient or an insufficient reason for
them. He must also bear in mind that only
impartial history, which always overlooks ex
cesses and abuses which are temporary and
searches ever for the fundamentals which are
eternal, can finally determine any great politi
cal issue. It is time alone that is the real
revelation of destiny. It is time alone that
can, and does finally and faithfully, place the
correct estimate upon men, their policies, and
their work. It is time alone that, sooner or
later, demonstrates clearly what has been de
structive, what has been merely obstructive,
and what has been truly constructive.
Every one knows the close connection be
tween the clerical party and the second empire
in Mexico . It was an absolute surprise to me,
therefore, to find in my recent reading in
Querétaro the following from the Catholic
Emperor Maximilian to the Catholic bishops
of Mexico, in replying to a communication
from them dated December 29 , 1866 :
" You say that the Mexican Church has
never taken part in political affairs. Would
God this were true, but unfortunately ( des
graciadamente) we have irrefutable evidences,
and indeed in great numbers, which are a sad
but evident truth that even the dignitaries of
the Church and a considerable number of the
clergy have manifested an obstinate and active
resistance to the legitimate authorities of the
State. It is clear, my esteemed bishops, that
the Mexican Church, by a lamentable fatality,
has concerned itself overmuch in temporal
matters, forgetting in this, and losing sight of
completely, the true teachings of the gospel.
"These words were soon followed by the
disastrous storm which fell upon the Church
with the overthrow of the empire, and by the
stern, relentless fate which led Maximilian to
his death upon the Hill of the Bells."
Smile awhile, and while you smile
Another smiles.
And soon there's miles and miles
Of smiles,
And life's worth while, because
You smile!
-ANON.
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
Endorsement of "The Review"
The following from a New York business
man who takes a deep interest in Mexico is
well worth consideration :
"In my opinion, the thoughts of the reading
public of the United States have been so
abused by continued reports condemning all
Mexicans, that a false impression has been
deeply imbedded in their minds.
"General Carranza is working on a plan that
he had in mind over two years ago, when in
the midst of all his troubles he saw but one
goal , and that plan was fully defined in his
speech at Queretaro .
"I have read carefully the three issues of
THE REVIEW - October, November and De
cember. One thing is clear throughout your
publications, that you are certainly operating
along the proper lines, as is manifest by the
truths in your statements.
"I could write indefinitely in this strain,
having had opportunity to see both sides of
the question, and found the situation through-
out Mexico, having traveled from Vera Cruz,
northward and eastward to Larado, is that it
will be but a matter of a few months , under
the able guidance of General Carranza to
clear the situation to such an extent that Mex
ico will come back to its own, and start on
new lines of prosperity, unknown heretofore.
"It is needless for me to tell you, who no
doubt are experiencing the same annoyances,
that many people absolutely know nothing or
do not want to know anything about true con
ditions in Mexico, and the good work of GenGRA
eral Carranza, and it oftentimes surprises me
how a discussion will arise with the most inC
telligent of Americans, who cannot see any
thing in Mexico but banditism, so called graft,
the ignorance of the people, disease , and in
fact everything but the true conditions."
"It is a pleasure to know that a journal,
printed in English dealing exclusively with
the Mexican situation, can be obtained
by American people who are desirous of
reading the Truth About the Consti
tutionalist Form of Government.' The
American press, in its eagerness to ob
tain news to place before the public, will
accept and print statements received from
unreliable sources at the border, without
investigating as to the correctness of these
statements , and it is a very noticeable
fact, that if one reads and compares the state
ments of three or four newspapers of the
same date, that he will observe contradictory
reports.
National Agrarian Commission
The auxiliary director of the National
Agrarian Commission has rendered a detailed
account to the members of that body of the
work that has so far been accomplished. In
the period from March, 1916 , to March, 1917,
different groups have been made of the vari
ous matters that have been treated and accom
plished, making a total of 4,200 different pro
ceedings. In the month of March of the
current year 75 proceedings were taken up
and concluded, while a considerable number
of consultations, petitions, etc. , received atten
tion. During the same period 76 others were
submitted and considered by the commission .
Six of these have been approved by President
Carranza .
Approximately over . 870 applications have
been submitted to the commission, of which
470 were for the restitution of lands , while
the others, on account of their indefinable
character, have not yet been classified .
9
Profitable Oil Business
The annual report of the Mexican Petro
leum Company for 1916 shows that in that
year it made a net recovery of $7,153,059, of
which, after deducting the $950,000 applied to
the preferred stock, a balance of nearly $16
a share remained for the common. This is
more than three times the amount earned for
this issue in 1915 and more than five times
that earned in 1914.
Although this was a remarkable showing,
the recovery for the current year should more
than double this amount. Nine new tank
steamers with an aggregate tonnage of more
than 100,000, and four new barges , each with
a cargo capacity of 16,000 barrels, are now
under construction. Of these nine steamers,
six will be completed by the end of July and
the remaining boats will be ready for service
by the end of 1917. At the end of the current
year the company will have a total of 250,000
tons of shipping service, as compared with the
present 46,000 tons ; it will own and control
28 vessels, with a total carrying capacity of
1,000,000 barrels.
Production is a secondary problem as com
pared with transportation facilities and it is
on these carriers that the increased produc
tion will depend. As a matter of fact, Mexi
can Petroleum already has a production greatly
in excess of its shipping facilities. By the
end of July it should be an easy matter, with
these new boats, to more than double the
present production . The demand for oil from
Great Britain is great and will continue, with
prices high, and there is every indication that
the company will earn between $30 and $35
a share on the common in 1917, probably
nearer $35.
It is interesting to note that this concern,
a purely American one, has pursued the even
course of its way throughout all the revolu
tionary years now ended. It has extended its
operations, sunk many wells, built extensive
tanks and pipe lines, and in every way been
active. It has never found it necessary to ask
for diplomatic interference because of any
real or fancied grievance. Its Mexican em
ployes have remained faithful and steadfast,
and have stood to their posts during the en
forced absence of the foreign ones. It is also
a fact that the new labor laws as embodied
in the Constitution are largely based upon the
methods followed voluntarily by this company
since its inception. In a word, the Mexican
Petroleum Company has set an example in
this and other ways that might well be imi
tated by other concerns, and with profit. It
is a pleasure to chronicle the satisfactory
financial results that have attended the oper
ations of such an organization .
The agricultural experimental stations in
the States of Vera Cruz, Puebla, San Luís
Potosí, Oaxaca, Tabasco and elsewhere, have
been provided with modern machinery and ap
pliances , the best varieties of seeds of many
products have been procured , and the agricul
turalists in those sections will be instructed in
the best methods for the highest development
of their holdings , being aided in every manner
toward this important end.
10
Seen in a Mexican Plaza
BY GEORGE F. WEEKS
II
WHY THEY THOUGHT I WAS RUDE
AME to my reserved seat in the plaza
CAM one day Don Martin, a typical Mexican
gentleman, who had done much to smooth my
path and assist me in the prosecution of my
enterprise.
And just a word by way of preface : I
arrived in Cuatro Cienegas an absolute stran
ger. Had never been there, did not know a
soul, and was far more lost than the historical
cat in a strange garret- supposed to represent
the very acme of loneliness . At that time I
did not possess enough of the language of the
country to swear by, even to swear with, and
scarcely enough by which to eat.
Securing a couple of rooms, I was busy,
with the help of a peon, setting them to rights
and arranging the few necessary bits of furni
ture, when a fine-looking, portly gentleman of
fifty or thereabouts knocked at the open door.
"Pardon me," he said. "My name is Martin
Arredondo. Some of my people told me that
a strange American had arrived in town with
the evident intention of remaining. Knowing
that there were no other foreigners here, and
as I am the only native who speaks English,
I thought I would call upon you without delay
and place my services at your disposal . If
there is anything in which I can assist you,
I hope you will not be backward in calling
upon me."
And this was no perfunctory offer, either,
made out of mere courtesy and with no expec
tation that any use would be made of it. In
all my stay in this town Don Martin more
than fulfilled his promise, many times doing
me favors, as I learned subsequently, without
solicitation upon my own part. I was in
debted to him over and over again for courte
sies and services of the most valuable kind.
Beyond giving me his name and pointing
out the location of his residence, my visitor
did not inform me as to his standing in the
place, but merely contented himself by offering
his assistance and inviting me to call. Very
soon, however, I learned that he was one of
the leading citizens, an extensive property
owner, manager of a branch bank, and in
every respect easily the foremost and most
influential resident.
And many a time I thought, and still think :
How long would a strange Mexican in an
American town, knowing little of the language
or customs, wait before the leading banker
and property owner would call upon him and
tender his services ? How long, indeed ? This
question need not be answered. There isn't
any answer !
But to resume.
Don Martin sat down by my side and, after
a few moments of conversation, said :
"Señor Semanas , pardon me, but will you
permit me to tell you something that I am
sure will be of benefit to you?"
I assured him that there was no necessity
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
A Summer's Idyll of an Idle Summer
for his asking my pardon-that I was only too
glad to have him give me any information or
make any suggestions that lay within his
power.
"Very well, then. Some ladies were calling
upon my family the other day, and I over
heard their conversation . After speaking of
various matters, they finally began to talk
about you, and after wondering as to your
business here, how long you expected to re
main, etc. , they remarked that they thought
you had acted very rudely indeed during your
stay."
I was thunderstruck. For a moment I could
not find words. Then I said : "Why, Don
Martin, what could they have meant? I have
treated no one rudely since coming here. In
fact, I have hardly spoken to any one, and
do not know any of the ladies even by sight.
How can they accuse me of having been
rude?"
"I will explain it to you," said Don Martin.
"The ladies went on to say, in explanation
of what they thought was your rude conduct,
that you had been here several weeks , that
they had seen you on the plaza on the eve
nings when there was music (Wednesdays and
Sundays) , that you had passed them again and
again (the custom being that the women all
walk by themselves in one direction and the
men by themselves in the opposite direction ) ,
and in all that time you had never once spoken
to one of them! They were not accustomed
to such rudeness of conduct, and wondered
where you could have come from, that you
were so guilty."
As soon as I could catch my breath I said :
"Why, Don Martin, in California, where I
lived many years, and in all other portions of
the United States, if a man dare speak to a
lady to whom he has not been introduced, or
unless she speaks to him first, he is apt to
find himself in very serious trouble-even in
jail. And, naturally, I supposed the same rule
prevailed here."
"We have different customs here, especially
in small towns like this . If a stranger con
siders himself to be a gentleman and the equal
of the people whom he meets on the plaza
during the music, it is his duty to speak to
every lady whom he passes. If he does not
do this, he is regarded as a boor and very
ill bred."
I thanked Don Martin for his kindness, and
gave the very pleasant ladies of Cuatro
Cienegas no further occasion for criticism on
this account. Incidentally, I made some very
interesting and enjoyable acquaintances .
The National Agrarian Commission and the
various State branches continue to receive
numerous applications for the restoration of
community lands and the work is going on
rapidly in all portions of the Republic.
Falsehoods About Mexico
(From the "German Herold," New York. )
For months the American newspapers have
been filled with reports of the German danger
in Mexico. Whole regiments of German re
servists are said to have left the United States
and gone into Mexico to await a favorable
time to surprise Uncle Sam. The Mexican
army, it is asserted, has a large number of
German officers. German banks in Mexico ,
it is further said, have managed to continue
doing business, while British and French
banks have been prohibited from doing so.
Lies are not always small. Those mentioned
herein have been published over the whole
United States and have found many believers .
Presently, a respectable Mexican journal
comes forward, that is being published by the
Mexican Government for the enlightenment of
this country, and gives the true facts in the
case. In the MEXICAN REVIEW all these stories
are designated as absurd. During the last
three or four months, at the most only 170
Germans have crossed the border into Mexico .
Juarez Institute, Villa Hermosa, Tabasco.
In Tampico, the Mexico harbor city, there are
only 30 Germans that can be designated as
newcomers. On the whole, the Mexican con
suls in the United States have only issued
500 passports for Germans going into Mexico.
General Obregon has announced that there is
not one German officer or subordinate in the
Mexican army. In general , all foreigners
have been debarred from the service . What
the banks have suffered, so all other institu
tions have previously suffered that did not
obey the law with regard to the redemption
of their paper currency. All Mexican banks.
must comply with this law. No one can say
that German banks have received any privi
leges over others. Lastly, the journal takes
the firm stand that Germans living in Mexico
have no sympathy for any movement between
the United States and Mexico.
The American press can only win the re
spect of foreign countries when such false
reports as have been uncovered by the Mexi
can journal cease to be believed .
 11
THE MEXICAN REVIEW

STATE OF TABASCO
(Concluded from page 5)
Railroad Employes
however, volunteered loans, as did the leading
Formulate the Basis for an Agreement With the
bank of the State, and conditions soon im
Managers of the National Lines
proved.
"Ninth-All the rules and laws which have In spite of financial embarrassment all of
HE recent Congress of Railroad Em the governmental functions have proceeded ,
been agreed upon with the actual administra
TH ployes in Mexico City, after several some with notable vigor. The department of
tion of the railroads will be in force indefi
weeks of discussion , adopted the following health has been particularly active, and
nitely, unless at the end of one year two - thirds
as the basis of a mutual understanding with through its co-operation with the local au
of the personnel of the system should desire
the officials : the removing or modification of the existing thorities , a large lagoon near the capital was
"First-The Constitutionalist Railroads of drained. Results have shown in the decrease,
laws, or if the railroads should pass into new
Mexico will recognize the juridical person hands . These would be asked to recognize the practically to the disappearing point, of sev
ality of the corporations or unions formed or eral contagious diseases, which previously
existing laws."
that may be formed in the future, and legally
constituted , by the employes of the railways
and who belong to the different trades repre
sented in the present convention . As
"Second- The functionaries and in general RELOXE
the officers of the railroad shall, in matters
that are related to the service and that in any
way affect the employes , deal with the com
mittees appointed for that purpose by the
Unions or groups recognized by the employes
not grouped.
"Third-Whenever in any portion of the
railway system men are needed for the carry
ing out of some service, the management re
serves to itself the right of sending such em
ployes as they may deem convenient, they
having the power to request the local com
mittees of the groups to which they belong
to make such selection .
"Fourth- When any temporary or perma
nent vacancy of officials shall occur in the
shops, the management shall take into con
sideration, in filling said vacancies, the per
sonal aptitude and capacity of the most
advanced employes . The respective commit
tees shall have the right to pass upon such
appointments when they consider themselves
injured in their scale or grade of standing by
others who may aspire to the same grade.
"Fifth- The granting of free passes and
other privileges to the unions or groups re
ferred to, shall be subjected expressly to the Scenes at Inauguration Festivities
customs already established under the admin
istration of the ex-National Railways of
General J. M. Rodriguez, President of the were of frequent occurrence in the vicinity.
Mexico .
Health Board, is devising a plan in accordance Repairs and construction to the hospital have
"Sixth- Whenever the management shall with the provisions of the new Constitution,
determine upon certain economies with regard for the establishment of a national Depart been made and a new ward has just been
to the personnel, the most adequate form shall ment of Public Health for the entire Republic, begun.
be studied for carrying them out, strictly sub and from which much good is expected to Another important public work is the open
jecting themselves to the general regulations result. ing of a 40-kilometer road, establishing com
The Union of Stevedores and Laborers of
of the shops, in such a manner that the inter munication between the capital of Chiapas and
Vera Cruz has demanded a regular wage of
ests of both sides may receive the least pos $6 daily, while the employers wish only to pay the Department of Pichucalco in Chiapas, and
sible impairment. them by the hour of actual employment. The a telephone line 25 kilometers long between
"Seventh- It is solemnly stipulated that the Governmental Labor Commission will be called
upon unless the question is settled between the capital and the village of San Francisco,
committees will treat only with master me
the parties interested. with a branch of 20 kilometers to extend the
chanics or other immediate chiefs on all
General Jose I. Lugo has been appointed line to the frontier of Chiapas.
matters relative to the service . The privilege Director of the Department of Labor, which
will be allowed to the committees of investi is under the newly created Department of A study of the question of the boundary
gating during working hours, if they have had Commerce and Industry, and will at once com between Chiapas and Tabasco has been com
mence a careful examination of the conditions
previous permission from the chiefs or opera pleted with the greatest care as to the docu
of labor throughout the entire Republic, with
tors, any charges made by employer or em the view of establishing better conditions.
mentary proof, surveys, etc. , and it is believed
ploye. Their rights will of course be merely The authorities of Vera Cruz have directed that an end has been made of a subject long
those of representatives . that all saloons and places where alcoholic in doubt.
"Eighth-Whenever any employe of the beverages are sold shall be closed at six in
railroad is arrested by the authorities, if the the evening. The proprietors of such estab
lishments have entered a protest, but the au General Jesus J. Ferreira has been appointed
motive be in any way connected with the thorities have positively refused to recede,
service, the railroad will help him in all pos claiming it is for the benefit of the public to Governor of the new State of Nayarit, for
enforce the order. merly the Territory of Tepic.
sible ways.
12 THE MEXICAN REVIEW

Three Years' Trade Record

Mexico's Foreign Trade The National City Bank of New York
has compiled the following interesting sta
Enormous and Increasing Demand for Her tistics showing the commerce between Mexico
Products in the United States and the United States during the past three
years, each year given being for the twelve
N order to give an exact idea of the im With such a population, what will bethe
consumption of tropical products ? It will months ending with December :
IN portance to Mexico of the commerce
done by the United States in products amount to billions of dollars. What a great PRINCIPAL IMPORTS FROM MEXICO
grown on our soil, beneath the ardent rays prospect for the neighbor on the South, 1914 1915 1916
of the tropical sun, we quote below figures Mexico ! What a future for our tropical agri Coffee,
» lbs. 43,551,343 52,205,373 51,779,324
$6,755,955 $6,625,840 $ 6,686,181
taken from official statistics showing the culture ! What a field for the investment of Copper Ore, gross
weight, tons 80,518 71,067 163,163
importations during three different epochs, capital ! The Mexican mines are acknowl Copper Ore, copper
from which will be seen the enormous con edged to be the richest in the world, and the cont., lbs 15,495,694 14,707,724 33,525,559
Copper Ore $ 1,882,728 $ 1,906,324 $7,394,396
sumption in the United States of the petroleum deposits discovered on the Gulf Copper manufac
tures, lbs. ..... 43,193,868 15,973,838 62,391,123
articles referred to . And in order to better coast promise to inundate both hemispheres Copper manufac
appreciate the undeniable interest which with that fluid ; but neither the mines nor the tures ► $6,009,328 $ 2,726,367 $ 14,197,120
>> Grass,
Sisal "" tons .. 197,340 176,055 211,321
Mexico takes in the development of this petroleum compare to the wealth Mexico will • $22,283,373 $ 19,133,777 $25,479,127
obtain from the traffic in the products grown Straw Hats, etc .. $239,313 $397,127 $207,152
traffic, neighbors as we are, and producing Hides,
JJ Cattle,
"2 lbs . 37,750,732 50,808,523 32,374,236
on our soil, as we do, practically all the in the tropics, having, as she does, at her $6,367,722 $8,357,078 $ 5,876,718
articles given below, we mention also the doorway a market which she could not totally }} skins,• lbs... - $4,008,
Goat 561 3,304,193 4,345,916
1,165,461 $901,095 $ 1,218,422
Lead and Lead
population of the United States on the supply if every inch of her fertile soil were manufactures,
three dates referred to . to be cultivated. lbs. • ·· · 46,267,361 93,558,927 37,678,597
Lead and Lead
manufactures · .. $ 1,498,510 $ 3,152,196 $ 1,828,445
Product 1875 1900 1914 Mahogany, 1,000 ft. 7,617 7,446 7,069
Mahogany $512,785 $471,445 $535,389
Quinine
Fine woods 896,962 2,430,702 7,124,688
Cocoa and chocolate • 595,128 6,210,035 21,503,983
Coffee 50,591,488 52,467,943 111,456,524 PRINCIPAL EXPORTS TO MEXICO
Cork 108,047 1,909,483 6,499,632 1914 1915 1916
Cotton • 408,808 7,969,945 20,803,635 Agricultural Imple
ments $127,609 $96,810 $196,699
Dyes and colors S 973,519 1,083,664 3,337,228 Corn, bu. · • 782,005 2,883,700 3,498,948
Plumes 10 9,204 1,736,458 4,871,663 Wheat, bu. 260,364 132,471 42,319
Fibers - 2,147,811 24,277,272 51,539,636 Automobiles $ 111,334 $160,467 $603,776
13,086,459 19,263,092 61,595,395 Coal , bituminous,
Fruits • tons 359,802 279,013 196,547
Gums 2,807,164 6,884,704 12,741,609 Coal, bituminous .. $ 1,450,402 $ 1,237,153 $736,171
Rubber and Guttapercha • 4,675,490 31,792,607 72,156,437 Cotton, unmanufac
• 649,724 1,446,490 1,093,226 tured, bales ... • 29,655 33,133 4,520
Indigo Cotton, unmanufac
Licorice root • 953,928 1,657,256 2,047,192 tured, lbs. ··· • 15,872,670 17,660,560 2,367,750
Raw and prepared opium . · 2,037,793 2,189,721 1,810,429 Cotton, unmanufac
7,652,017 tured ... $1,455,366 $ 1,858,186 $307,198
Rice ·· 1,547,697 2,279,036 Cotton Cloths, yds. 8,231,870 11,761,191 61,088,413
Tapioca Cotton Cloths $690,771 $863,207 $4,781,596
Olive Oil • 230,890 411,029 8,394,190 Locomotives, steam 2 17 54
Locomotives, steam $15,510 $168,300 $384,805
Raw silk 2 4,918,350 45,329,760 100,930,025 Pipes and Fittings
Spices ♥ 2,285,525 3,401,029 5,595,509 cast, lbs. ·· 1,981,079 10,224,797
Sponges 118,129 536,303 481,973 Wrought Pipes, lbs. ·· · 11,286,231 23,494,808
Rails for Railways,
Sugar and Molasses • 85,014,578 85,949,891 156,534,946 tons 960 2,653 3,959
Tea •R 22,673,303 10,558,110 16,735,302 Iron, Steel Sheets
Tobacco * 6,861,384 15,661,360 35,608,109 and Plates, lbs .. 5,536,578 4,284,430 6,983,790
348,120 2,277,675 Structural Iron and
Vanilla 1,209,334 …………
Steel, tons .... 1,616 1,272 3,597
Vegetable Oils 1,806,613 6,320,711 23,130,549 Tinplate, etc., lbs. 3,488,252 7,710,940 3,828,929
Wire, barbed, etc.,
lbs. .... • 5,692,724 3,585,393 3,609,808
Totals 205,746,114 332,975,955 735,921,572 Wire, barbed, etc.. $ 137,620 $ 105,262 $155,038
Bacon, lbs. 225,342 136,391 313,248
As may be seen from the above figures, dur If Mexico aspires to be a great, strong and Lard, lbs. 2,988,262 6,465,558 10,363,916
Oils : Crude, gals.. 9,207,354 10,132,665 7,972,448
ing the period from 1875 to 1914 there was an rich Nation, she must not lose sight of this Lubricating, gals. 694,436 745 739 619,608
Cottonseed, lbs... 6,347,683 3,198,312 999,712
increase in the consumption of tropical prod market ; nor fail to improve the opportunity Paper, News Print,
ucts in the United States amounting to $530, which nature has given her of cultivating lbs. 1,342,640 4,525,022 5,537,920
Paraffine Wax, lbs. 9,216,906 5,088,646 3,581,732
175,458. products which her neighbor on the north, Boards, Planks, etc.
M ft. ... 46,878 31,054 44,085
The population on the three different dates who cannot grow them in her frigid climate, Wool wearing ap
mentioned was as follows : 1875, 43,951,000 ; must import from other lands to feed her parel $236,921 $276,630
enormous population , and provide material for
1900, 75,994,575 ; 1914, 98,646,491 .
her numerous factories.
In forty years the population has more than From various portions of the Republic
This stream of gold which flows year after
doubled. If it continues increasing at this is received information of the establishment
year from the United States to distant coun
rate, by the end of the present century the tries that grow the same products that are of periodicals , both daily and weekly. Pub
United States will have more than four hun lishers are greatly hampered by the scar
produced on Mexican soil, should be diverted
dred million inhabitants , and the consumption to us, and it is to accomplish this that the city and high price of white paper.
of tropical products in the same ratio will News is making these studies for the benefit
amount to three billions of dollars. And in The authorities of the city of Campeche
of the country, whose geographical situation have refused the application of a prominent
another century or two the population of that places it in such an admirable position to con
country will no doubt exceed that of western citizen for permission to open a saloon on
trol the neighboring markets in competition .
Europe, which is calculated at four hundred the principal thoroughfare of the place,
with the other tropical countries.- Mexican
and fifty millions, and is scattered over a News.
on the ground that the building selected
territory but little greater than that of the is needed for the establishment of a new
United States, the area of western Europe Two new nautical schools are to be es school, which they declare in their refusal
being about ten million square kilometers, and tablished by the Department of War and to grant the permission is of such para
that of the United States nine and a half Navy-one in Campeche and the other at mount importance to the public welfare
millions. Mazatlan, Sinaloa. as not to admit of discussion .

70
Thousands of Doves Freed at Inauguration
Festivities
Comment on the Constitution
WASHINGTON, D. C., June 1, 1917.
To the Editor of the MEXICAN REVIEW.
SIR: Some time since the New York Inde
pendent commented upon certain phases of
the New Mexican Constitution in a manner
that I and others believed warranted a pro
test. In accordance with this belief I sent
that paper the accompanying letter, which has
not, however, so far, made its appearance in
its columns. In the interest of fair play, truth
and common justice, I ask that THE REVIEW
give it space in its pages.
Yours truly,
S. J. MACFARREN.
To the Editor of the Independent :
Allow a surprised reader, representing
others who have had confidence in your
leadership in public matters, to apply its own
language to your editorial of March 26th, en
titled "The Elimination of Religion and Edu
cation from Mexico." It is truly a "most
amazing" paper, in tone, in statement, in infer
ence and in spirit, to say nothing of taste.
Does your controlling interest deem this a
good time to insult and anger every loyal
citizen of our good neighbor Mexico, with
whom we are at peace despite some delicacy
in present relations ? Do you consider it good
morals or patriotic citizenship ?
Your article is of the war-producing type
which promises so much trouble for our coun
try, and its hostile animus is about as safe
in the present crisis as a match in a powder
THE MEXICAN REVIEW 13
of a sainted father, who preached in the same
pulpit for forty-two years, without meddling
育 with public affairs. And it can be conclu
sively denied in the name of the Savior of
men, who commanded his followers to "ren
4
der unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's."
Your article is quite unsparing in condem
nation of Mexican political corruption . Are
you acquainted with the real conditions in
your own city and State ?
Your editorial carries on further about the
provision that "ministers must be natives of
Mexico" ; which, from years of residence in
Mexico, with some knowledge of the Spanish
language, I consider, as do practically all
Mexican statesmen, a necessary provision for
their present safety ; nor do I think it aimed
at Americans or at Protestants, but at the
Jesuit political hierarchy. You further laugh
house. As if the title was not at the idea of legislative control of the num
ber of churches . One would think you be
enough, your first paragraph is
lieve there cannot be too much of a good
monstrously absurd, in which you
thing. What authority do you think ought
say that it "appears the re
to regulate the number of churches in a
actionaries are in control and de
country like Mexico ? Coming nearer home,
termined to prevent light pene
do you approve of the continuing divisions in
trating Mexican darkness," and
the Presbyterian and Methodist bodies, for
more of the same sort. This is
instance, which are designated geographically,
diametrically opposite to the and which make a mock of the Gospel they
truth, as all disinterested people preach by perpetuating the distrust of the
acquainted with real Mexican
Civil War in the pulpit, long after even politi
conditions can testify. cians are ashamed of it?
Your second statement is news As to muzzling the press, which we are now
indeed concerning the burning doing for the same reasons as Mexico- self
anxiety of "Americans of all protection-various interests with offices
classes" to aid Mexico by estab within a mile of yours, and at least one other
lishing free schools (which Diaz interest which is never rated commercially,
did a generation gone), "free press" (do have long muzzled our metropolitan press,
you think theirs is not as free as your own including your valued journal. To make a
organ?), "free churches" (which they have long story short, you have not made a point
had since 1857) . Mexico, religion perhaps from beginning to end of the editorial in
excepted, neither wants nor needs foreign question, for want of the Mexican atmosphere
teachers any more than we do. How many and angle of vision.
patriotic Americans want German teachers Your concluding paragraph is saturated with
for their sons? the same un-American confusion of thought
Governor Alvarado's (Yucatan ) school sys already noted. After acknowledging Rome's
tem, which is at least as progressive as any responsibility for Mexican conditions in that
thing in America, gets along very well with they are bred by centuries of Romish mis
out foreign teachers, thank you . rule, you say that "tolerance, not intolerance,
Then you soar in excitement about the " dia is the proper remedy for them." Perhaps so,
bolical cunning with which the Mexican Con if the sentiment is confined to religion, but
stitution is drawn up" and you quote from absolutely false if politics be included. You
the new one : "Every religious act of public seem to want to hark back to the exploded
worship shall be performed strictly within the theory of religious persecution in Mexico ,
places of public worship, which shall at all which convulsed our office-ridden editorial
times be under governmental supervision." If rooms last year, but it won't do, dear Inde
that seems extreme to you, it is because you pendent; it may be all right, but it won't do.
know nothing of the clerical tyranny against Mexico is not only tolerant of the Romish
which it is directed and under which Mexico religion, but devoted to it in preference to all
suffered for centuries, and you further support others. Most Mexicans love it, and all of
your case by quoting the provision of the new them respect it. What Mexican patriots nat
Constitution that all places of public worship urally despise and detest is Romish politics,
are the property of the nation ; but you en which have wrought them so much damage.
tirely omit, with intention unexplained, to state And they show here in practice a correct dis
that this provision is in the old Constitution crimination which is quite absent from your
since '57; and I have yet to hear any com editorial, and indeed from our timid metro
plaint of it from disinterested sources ; and politan press generally. They have learned,
then you make the monstrous statement, for in common with most other countries domi
a society like ours, in which church and state nated by Rome, what Protestant countries
are strictly separate, as is the church and edu like our own seem very slow to realize, as
cation, "that the ministers are prohibited from our own hard-working and continually slan
the exercise of their highest function- that of dered patriotic Jesuits can testify.
influence on public affairs," meaning, of course, S. J. MACFARREN.
politics. The writer denies this in the name Washington, April 15, 1917.

14
New Oil Taxation Decree
Following is the Text of the New Oil Tax Decree, Brief Synopses
of which were Telegraphed at the Time of its Issue
HE Citizen in charge of the Executive
TH Power issued recently the following
Decree :
Venustiano Carranza, First Chief of the
Constitutionalist Army, in charge of the
Executive Power of the Nation, by virtue
of the powers with which I am invested ;
Whereas, The production of petroleum
in the country , due to the great develop
ment which it has acquired in recent years,
must become a fount of income for the
Federal Treasury, proportionate with the
great profits derived therefrom by the
Companies and concerns dedicated to the
oil industry ; that it is expedient to exempt
from the special Stamp Tax such petroleum
as is consumed within the country, for the
purpose of encouraging industry by sup
plying abundant and cheap fuel ; that in
view of the varied quality of the petroleum
produced in the Republic , and the conse
quent variation of commercial value, there
fore the tax must take into consideration
the value of each product in order to be
reasonable and equitable ; that a consider
able quantity of the liquid is not utilized
owing to lack of the necessary requirements
in the exploration work and daily handling,
causing frequent losses, not only to the
Companies interested, but also to Govern
ment due to the income that it fails to re
ceive;
Therefore , I have deemed proper to issue
the following Decree :
Article 1. All petroleum in a crude state
of national production , its derivates, and
well gas, from the moment it leaves the
fields or reservoirs, shall be subjected to a
special stamp tax, as follows :
A. All crude petroleum of national pro
duction, as well as fuel petroleum which is
not destined to be used within the country,
shall pay the tax in accordance with the
following tariff :
Fuel petroleum shall pay 10 per centum
per net ton ad valorem; this value shall be
considered for fuel oil , of 0.91 density at
$9.50 . The value of the ton of fuel oil shall
diminish twenty cents for each increase of
one hundredth of density, including in this
variation the petroleum whose density may
be 0.97 .
The value of fuel oil, whose density may
be less than 0.91 , shall increase for each
hundredth which it may diminish in density,
the sum of forty cents.
The price of $7.50 per ton is assigned
per ton to all petroleum whose density
may be greater than 0.97.
Crude petroleum shall pay 10 per centum
per net ton ad valorem ; said value shall be
considered as $14.00 for oils of 0.91 density,
diminishing in the same manner that fuel
oil, up to a density of 0.97.
Fuel oil for the use of tug -boats and tank
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
steamers employed in exportation shall be
subject to preceding tariff.
The products derived from refining crude
petroleum and the utilization of gas from
the wells not to be consumed in the
country, shall pay as follows :
Refined gasoline, half of one cent per
litre .
Crude gasoline , one cent per litre.
Crude kerosene, half of one cent per litre.
Refined kerosene, one quarter of one
cent per litre.
Lubricant, one quarter of one cent per
litre.
Asphalt, $ 1.50 per ton .
Gas, 5 per centum ad valorem .
B. Crude petroleum and its derivates ,
when wasted in any quantity, either through
carelessness or lack of compliance with
legal provisions, shall pay a double tax
from that corresponding to similar prod
ucts . Products derived from the natural
gas from the wells whenever wasted owing
to the same reasons, shall pay IO per
centum of their commercial value .
Art. 2. The following shall be exempted
from the special stamp tax, save such as
may correspond to them on sales as per
Law of June 1 , 1906 :
A. All crude petroleum which may be
consumed in the country, either due to
sales , use in exploration work, or exploita
tion in the fields and terminals of the Com
panies ; such as may be delivered to the re
fineries of the country to be refined or
used as fuel ; such as may be used by the
steamers or tug-boats destined to coast
service or in general, all the crude petro
leum of national production which may be
used in any form within the country.
B. All by-products of crude petroleum
of national production, whatever may be
its class or physical state, which may be
sold or utilized in any form whatever, with
in the country, always provided they may
have been elaborated at the national re
fineries, in the fields or terminals of the
companies, whatever may have been the
process employed,
Art. 3. For the purpose of the present
Decree, there shall be understood as crude
petroleum , the natural product, such as it
issues from the sources or wells, always
provided that they do not contain more
than one per centum of water or sediment,
for should it contain a greater proportion ,
then from the total weight there shall be
deducted the equivalent to the proportion
per centum that it may exceed the afore
said one per cent, upon making the liqui
dation of the respective tax.
Under the denomination of refined pe
troleum shall be understood all the prod
ucts, solid or liquid proceeding from crude
petroleum , whatever may be the process
}
employed, whether mechanical, physical or
chemical, which may give as a result the
separation of one or more of the substances
which compose the original product. From
this excepted the operation of water elim
ination, always provided it be performed
without the intervention of heat, and that
it result in the separation of the compo- .
nents of the crude petroleum .
Crude gasoline is the distillate corre
sponding to this product which has not
received treatment of redistillation and
purifying with acid and alkali ; crude kero
sene is the distillate corresponding to this
product which has not received any treat
ment of redistillation and purifying with
acid and alkali . Refined gasoline and kero
sene are such as have received treatment of
redistillation and purifying by means of
acid and alkali .
As petroleum fuel are considered the
liquid products proceeding from crude
petroleum or the mixtures of petroleums
from which have been eliminated certain
oils to lower their point of inflaming. Fuel
oils are included among the refined oils ,
there being effected , however, a special
classification for the purposes of the tax .
Art . 4. In order to be able to establish
the tax which according to paragraph A of
Article I corresponds to each one of the
products derived from petroleum , the De
partment of the Treasury shall stipulate
twice a month the prices of said articles
at the ports of shipment, taking the average
of the values of the preceding month . The
manifests or invoices submitted by the
Companies covering sales of the same
articles throughout the Republic, shall
serve as basis to make the aforesaid com
putation . In case that there be not ef
fected sales in the country, the average
price of said product at New York shall
be taken for the preceding month or at
some other ports of the United States, de
ducting the value of transportation of the
said products from the Mexican ports to
the foreign ports. In the absence of proven
data to make the previous calculation , there
shall be assigned a price equal to that ob
taining in United States for the same
articles, as regards their physical proper
ties , affixing upon this price the corre
sponding tax.
}
Art . 5 . All sums to be paid into the
Treasury , in accordance with the present
Decree , shall be made up of national gold .
Transitory
Art. I. All laws, regulations , and pro
visions which may be opposed to the ful
fillment of the present Decree are hereby
rescinded .
Art . 2. This Decree shall go into effect
from May 1 , 1917. Therefore I order that
it be printed , published , circulated and com
plied with .
Constitution and Reforms. Given at the
National Palace of Mexico , on the thir
teenth day of April of the year nineteen
hundred and seventeen ,
(Signed) V. CARRANZA.

NOTES OF PROGRESS
Active operations have been commenced on
the construction of the port works at Pro
greso, Yucatan, the principal seaport in that
State.
The Society of Train Dispatchers and Rail
way Telegraphers has been reorganized in
Mexico City with a large and enthusiastic
membership.
A suitable site in the city of Saltillo has
been given by Governor Espinosa Mireles to
the workingmen for the erection of a building
for their use as a clubhouse.
William A. Hay has been granted a con
cession by the Department of Fomento to
exploit the cocoanut, coquito and similar re
sources of the Territory of Quintana Roo .
The Bureau of Agriculture has opened an
office for the testing of various classes of
seeds, and all farmers and others interested
are invited to make use of the same.
Plans are on foot among the various labor
unions of the Federal District, which includes
the city of Mexico, for the organization of
a federation of the unions of all trades .
Preparations have been completed for the
establishment in Monterrey of a plant for the
inanufacture of films of scenes illustrating
progress and present conditions in Mexico .
The Mexican consul at Kobe, Japan, is ar
ranging to secure shipments of white paper by
manufacturers in that country to supply the
demand in Mexico , where news print is very
scarce and high-priced.
Owing to the suspension of the tax on im
ported automobiles and other machines, there
has been a great impetus in the importation
of such articles at Tampico , and the customs
employes have been overworked in conse
quence.
The Department of Aviation is extending
its operations and three new groups of
hangars have recently been constructed in the
suburbs of the city of Mexico, while the
capacity of the shops for the construction of
aeroplanes has also been increased .
Latest available statistics show that the
State of Vera Cruz produced in a single year
a grand total of $63,600,000, coffee leading
with $13,162,000 . Sugar yielded $9,989,000, corn
$7,775,000, alcohol $7,441,000, timber $5,718,000 ,
tobacco $4,790,000 , vanilla $3,630,000, beans
$1,798,000, etc.
A concession has been granted to J. H.
Mendoza for the exploitation of the guano
deposits on the islands of María Cleofas,
Marietas, Punta Mita and Piedra Blanca, in
the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Colima.
The terms of the grant are the receipt by the
Government of twenty per cent of the total
amount extracted .
The Mexican consul at Copenhagen has
recommended the establishment of a perma
nent exhibition in that city of the products
of the Republic, in order to encourage trade
between the two countries . There is an ex
tensive demand in Denmark for many articles
produced in Mexico .
B. F. Inman
APARTADO 26B MEXICO, D. F.
Securities, Confidential Information, Freight
Forwarding and Tariffs, and Trans
lations. Prompt attention to all
inquiries. Cable " INMAN"
CODES
Western Union A. B. C. , 5th Edition
Bedford McNeill "Pantelegraphy TYBO"
}
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
OIL AND MINING
Fifty additional mines in the State of San
Luís Potosí have announced the resumption
of operations , giving employment to thousands
of workingmen .
Reports from Chihuahua are that industrial
and mining operations have been resumed in
the Parral district and in all portions of the
southern section of that State.
Permission has been granted by the Depart
ment of Communications for the construction
of two wharves on the shores of the Panuco
River by concerns engaged in the production
and exportation of petroleum .
During the last month for which statistics
are available there were exported from the
port of Tampico a total of 245,371 tons of
petroleum in various forms. The Huasteca
Company (an American concern ) led all
others with 95,300 tons.
The Company for the Development of the
Southeast has been granted ample accommo
dations for the construction of all the works
at Progreso necessary for handling petroleum
for use in the State of Yucatán. The plant
will be an extensive one.
The wells that are being sunk in the Tam
pico district by the National Government under
the direction of Alberto Langarica, C.E. , are
approaching completion and it is expected a
large supply of oil will be secured. They are
equipped with the most modern machinery.
Some of the largest mines in the Republic
are sending their entire output of bullion to
the National Mint for coinage and it has been
found necessary to augment the employes of
that institution in order to handle the matter
satisfactorily and promptly.
Consular reports from points in the United
States declare that there is a constantly in
creasing demand for coal in that country that
is produced in Mexico , and a great stimulus
is expected in the coal fields of Coahuila in
consequence.
The total production of petroleum in the
Republic in 1916 was 40,550,469 barrels . In
1900 the production was 18,000 barrels ; in
1905, 650,000 barrels ; in 1910 , 3,500,000 bar
rels ; in 1911 , 14,500,000 barrels ; in 1913,
15,575,000 barrels ; in 1914, 26,325,000 barrels,
and in 1915 , 38,655,000 barrels .
Secretary Pani, of the Department of Com
merce and Industry, announces positively that
the Government has no intention whatever of
"intervening" ( confiscating ) regarding the
property of any foreign petroleum company,
and he declares that all reports in the press
to the contrary are absolutely false.
The Department of Fomento has granted
to Frank L. Semple a concession to construct
a public pipe line for handling petroleum and
for the construction of wharves and other
shipping facilities at the port of Tuxpam and
at three points on Lake Tamiahua. In return
for the concession the recipient agrees to con
struct a building for public use at whatever
point the Government may select, such to cost
not less than $20,000.
THE MEXICAN NEWS
Only Newspaper in Mexico Publishing News
in the English Language
Subscription rate $10 per year U. S. Currency
H. C. Walker, Manager, Postoffice Box 1956,
or la Nuevo Mexico 24, Mexico City, D. F.
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THE MEXICAN REVIEW
613 Riggs Bldg. , Washington, D. C.
Will be promptly Forwarded.
15
EDUCATIONAL
Night schools have been established in Jutla ,
Oaxaca, for the convenience of adults and
others who are unable to attend the day
schools .
Lic. Luís Manuel Rojas, who was President
of the Constituent Congress which adopted
the new Constitution, has been installed as
Director-General of Fine Arts.
Four new schools for working people have
recently been established in the city of
Toluca, capital of the State of Mexico . They
are for children and adults of both sexes and
are well attended .
A model agricultural school has been estab
lished at Irapuato , in the State of Guana
juato , a locality famous for the production
of choice strawberries, which are harvested
daily throughout the year.
A rural normal school has been established
in Yucatán, "in imitation of the example set
by Booker T. Washington." It is to be called
the "Student City of the Mayas," and an
admirable location has been chosen in the
pueblo of Itzimna.
The State authorities of Sinaloa have
served notice upon all parents and those hav
ing children in their charge that they must
send them regularly to school, or otherwise
they will be dealt with in a salutary manner.
It is proposed that every child of suitable age
shall be obliged to receive an education.
The school teachers of Yucatán (who are
greater in number than the entire military
force in that State ) have organized a CO
operative society for supplying members with
all kinds of food articles and general mer
chandise at wholesale rates . They will also
establish dairies, poultry farms, gardens,
bakeries, etc.
The National Library is receiving many im
provements, among others the addition of an
Infantile Department for literature adapted to
the very young. The work of classifying and
cataloguing the large number of books in the
institution is well under way, over sixty thou
sand volumes having already been arranged
during the present year.
The police authorities of the city of Mérida,
capital of Yucatán, have taken strict measures
against the adulteration of milk and punish
severely any violating the law in this direction.
General Ignacio Pesquiera has been ap
pointed Governor of the State of Sinaloa ,
pending the election that has been called to
fill that position. There are six candidates
now in the field.
The Department of Fomento has nullified
the concession granted in 1912 to J. N. Ron
dero to exploit seaweed on the coast between
Mazatlán and Topolobampo. Failure to com
ply with the terms of the concession was the
cause.
Natives of Mexico going from that country
to the United States are required to pay $8
each for the privilege of entry, and must also
be able to read and write idiomatic English,
or, in default, to do the same in their own
language.
GEORGE WILSON
Mines, Oil Lands
Correspondence Solicited
P. O. Box 1677 Mexico, D. F.
..
 675APR 30
16 THE MEXICAN REVIEW

A
FIELD OF LABOR FINANCIAL RAIL AND WIRE

The salaries of all public employes in the
State of San Luis Potosi have been increased
twenty-five per cent, in order to keep pace
with the high cost of living.
A corps of 600 cavalrymen, after the fash
ion of the former rurales, has been equipped
in Sonora to act as mounted police in the
outlying regions.
The work of dredging and otherwise im
proving the harbor of Tampico and the
Panuco River is progressing rapidly and ship
ping accommodations for deep-water vessels
are being rapidly augmented.
The wages of all employes in the textile
factories of the State of Mexico have been
increased at the ratio of thirty per cent for
those working by the day and forty per cent
for piece workers.
A Congress of Workingmen in all the tex
tile establishments of the State of Puebla has
been called by the Governor under authoriza
tion of President Carranza for the purpose of
discussing various measures for the betterment
of the condition of the workers in every di
rection . This State is one of the leading
manufacturing centers of the Republic.
Following the recent convention of railway
shop employes in Mexico City, which dealt
satisfactorily with various questions affecting
the welfare of that class of workmen, another
Congress was held in May of the trainmen,
conductors, engineers, firemen, etc., which
took up problems affecting their branch of the
service, with good results . All labor matters
are being handled in this manner throughout
the Republic .
The rates of import duty on packages sent
by parcel post from other countries have been
directed to be increased one hundred per cent.
The export duty on garbanzos ( a species of
field pea in great demand abroad and pur
chased extensively on the Mexican west coast)
has been decreased from six cents to three
cents per kilo-corresponding to 1.38 and .69
cents per pound respectively.
All tax collectors in every portion of the
Republic have been instructed to make prompt
and frequent remittances of moneys collected
by them to the National Treasury, in order
that there may be as large an accumulation
of coin therein as possible.
For a portion of the month of April the
Treasury Department established the rate of
exchange at which American money would be
received for import duties at $1.70 Mexican
coin for $1 in American paper, silver, nickel
or copper, and at $1.95 for each gold dollar.
The outstanding paper currency, or "infalsi
ficable" bills, is to be returned to the National
Treasury by the imposition of a surtax in that
money equal to the amount imposed in coin
on all imports, exports and mineral products.
As a result, the paper referred to is increasing
rapidly in value, although not in circulation.
Recent quotations of paper money in Mexico
City show that the notes for one dollar of
the National Bank are valued at 33 to 34
cents , while those of the Bank of London and
Mexico are valued at 19 to 20 cents. "Infalsi
ficable" bills, the last Government issue, which
are no longer in circulation, are quoted at
$40 to $42 for $1 in coin .
A telephone system is to be established in
the city of Merida, with branch lines to all
important points in the State of Yucatan.
Beginning with the early part of April, rail
way communication was re-established directly
between the Capital City and Juarez, via
Torreon and Chihuahua.
During the year 1916, the National railway
lines consumed 364,798 cubic meters of petro
leum as fuel. Not half of the locomotives of
the lines are oil burners.
An employe of the railway shops in Mexico
City has perfected a device for the automatic
stoppage of trains, by which accidents can be
prevented when an engineer overruns or pays
no attention to the adverse signals .
Under date of April 19th it was announced
that the repairs to the railway between Ori
zaba and Vera Cruz had been completed and
the regular operation of trains had been com
menced.
Receipts for passenger and freight traffic
have increased notably on the Mexican Rail
way since it was taken over by the Govern
ment, while trains are operated with much
greater regularity. The shops at Orizaba and
Apizaco are busily repairing the rolling stock
and putting it again in commission.
CONTRIBUTIONS REQUESTED
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communications from whatever source dealing with
matters of interest to both Mexicans and Americans,
and from those who desire to have the truth known
about Mexico . It is hoped that all who wish to aid
in the removal of the widespread false impressions
concerning that country, and in placing it in its
proper light before the world, will assist THE REVIEW
in this important but difficult task.

To Country Editors and Farmers :

If you want to learn all about the biggest and most successful farmer's coöperative
system in the world , you should study the organization of the Comision Reguladora
del Mercado de Henequen of Yucatan.

If you want to know the truth about binder twine, the reasons for the advance in
prices and what interests are back of the very costly campaign that is being waged
against the Yucatan coöperative marketing system, you should read the SISAL
BULLETIN, published every two weeks .

Millions of dollars are being spent by certain wealthy individuals and powerful
corporations to regain control over the world's supply of the fibre that is used
exclusively, almost, in the manufacture of binder twine for the American farmers.
The Sisal Bulletin will keep you posted on this gigantic fight. A postcard or letter
will get your name on the permanent mailing list and you will be glad that you
found it. It is free.

THE SISAL BULLETIN

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CCT27 1917

President Carranza's Address to Congress UNIV. OF MICH

LIBRARY

Mexican Review
454

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A JOURNAL • DEVOTED . TO
THE O ENLIGHTENMENT OF THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE IN RESPECT
TO THE OPES AMBITIONS
BENEFICENT INTENTIONS AND
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE
CONSTITUTIONALIST GOVERNMENT
• OF THE

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REPUBLIC OF MEXICO

VOL. II WASHINGTON, D. C., OCTOBER, 1917 NO. 1

NATURAL OIL SPRINGS AND WELL

TAMPICO REGION

TEN CENTS THE COPY

Mexico's Oil Industry
 2 THE MEXICAN REVIEW
President Carranza's Address
Delivered at the Reopening of the Congressional Session
N THE first day of September the Na
ON tional Chamber of Deputies reconvened
after a recess of several days, and President
Carranza addressed that body personally , re
viewing the progress made by the Government
under his direction since his opening address
to Congress on May 1st last.
He said :
"Gentlemen of the Congress : It is a source
of deep gratification , in obedience to the con
stitutional mandate, to inform you on this
solemn occasion as to the march of public
affairs during the brief period elapsed since
May 1st last. At that time, when the great
charter went into force with the opening of
the Congress , it was my privilege to fulfil the
same duty for the preconstitutional period.
"The reconstruction of the nation began at
the same time as the struggle on the fields
of battle, and the Executive has been zealously
continuing this reorganization , harmonizing
one epoch with the other by means of decrees
and adequate measures. and directing his
efforts in strict compliance with the law.
There have not lacked obstacles to thwart the
aims of the Revolution ; but it has been my
happy fortune to overcome them, to the deep
regret of those interested in creating difficul
ties for the Government.
The Latin-American Peace Congress
"The diplomatic relations of the Government
of Mexico with foreign nations have suffered
no alteration , and are more cordial than
ever.
"This honorable body is already advised that
on February 11th last the Government of
Mexico addressed a note to the neutral gov
ernments, expressing its keen desire to lend
its aid in an effort to bring about a cessation
of the bloody strife which is annihilating Eu
rope and is convulsing and threatening the
rest of the world. As a result of this step,
the Argentine Government , through our diplo
matic representative in Buenos Aires, com
municated to the Government of Mexico its
decision to invite all the Latin-American re
publics to a Congress- which might be held
in Buenos Aires-with a view to co- ordinate
the several efforts of the Hispano-American
republics in favor of peace, without infringing
the dignity and rights of the belligerent na
tions. The Mexican Government gladly ac
cepted this invitation, which was addressed
by the Argentine Government to all the other
Latin-American republics. Accordingly, on
May 1st last, H. E. Sr. Manuel E. Malbrán,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipo
tentiary of Argentina, notified this Govern
ment that the invitation had been accepted by
the following countries : Brazil, Chile, Uru
guay, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala,
Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica,
and Haiti, and that replies were awaited from
the other republics . The Argentine Minister
further advised that his Government would
await the acceptance by the remaining coun
#
I
1
September 1st-Condition of the Country
tries before proposing the date for the open
ing of the Congress ; that the Argentine
Foreign Office had addressed the Chanceries
of those countries which had not replied,
requesting that they communicate the impres
sions of their governments on the suggested
step ; and, finally, that the proposed meeting
was not designed to deal with permanent
questions of an international order, but to dis
cuss incidents growing out of the conflict,
treating the situation which the war had pre
sented to the neutrals, endeavoring to bring
about uniformity of views in the matter, and
co-ordinating as far as possible the viewpoint
of the several nations. The Government of
Mexico replied to the Argentine Minister, re
questing that he suggest to his Government
the advisability of expediting the date of the
Congress, adding that the republics which had
not yet accepted the invitation might subse
quently formulate their answers and attend
the conference. But on July 22d last, our
representative in Buenos Aires advised that
the President of Argentina deemed it expe
dient to postpone indefinitely the call for the
Congress of Neutrals, in virtue of the lack of
uniformity of opinion among the Latin
American countries, and in order to avoid a
misinterpretation as to the purposes of the
conference.
"The Mexican Government has seen with
regret that its efforts toward peace did not
have the desired success and that the world
conflagration has spread until it has reached
nations wholly foreign to the issues involved
in this gigantic struggle, which has no prece
dent in the annals of history. Inspired, how
ever, by the same lofty and sincere sentiments
of humanity which animated her note to the
neutral countries in February last, Mexico will
not falter an instant in her purpose to con
tribute in one way or another toward hasten
ing the day of a lasting and stable peace.
"Mexico would be happy to lend her dis
interested co-operation toward the restoration
of world harmony ; and desirous as she is of
contributing toward this humanitarian work,
she will not let the first opportunity pass which
future events may offer to carry out these
magnanimous aims.
"Mexico, in order better to fulfil this mis
sion which destiny offers her, wholly removed
as she is from the issues being fought out
by the European peoples and respectful of all
nations and respected by them, will continue
maintaining the strictest neutrality, as has been
and will be her unalterable policy."
The various changes in the diplomatic
service were recited , while the fact was noted
that the business transacted by the consuls in
foreign countries had materially increased , as
shown by the fact that during the months of
June and July the receipts of those officials
had been $1,241,567 , an increase of $841,567
over the preceding two months.
The convention held in April of members
of the medical professions was referred to, as
also the aid given to Salvador as a result of
the earthquake of June 7th.
The release of a large number of rifle car
tridges belonging to the Government, which
had been detained at the border for a lengthy
period, was ascribed to the good offices of
Ambassador Fletcher.
Treatment of Rebels and Bandits
1
The restoration of the tribunals and pro
cesses of civil law received attention, and in
this connection the President said ;
"The Constitution promulgated at Querétaro
having modified the framework of the execu
tive power, it became necessary to draft a bill
on executive departments and bureaus ; 4 this
measure is now under consideration by the
Congress.
"The final victory of the cause of the people
has been followed by two significant events in
keeping with our historical traditions : the ap
pearance of banditry, and the desire on the
part of those who are convinced of the fruit
lessness of their task to , surrender. In the
problems arising out of these two conditions,
the Executive has submitted to your distin
guished consideration a bill to punish high
waymen, incendiaries, and kidnappers, and
another bill granting it the right to accept
the surrender of such rebels as may request
it. The passage of these measures will allow,
on the one hand, of the incorporation into the
social fabric of those who patriotically lay
down their arms, and, on the other hand, will
permit of the extermination of those bandits.
who, with no other watchword than that of
crime, are engaged in blowing up trains, in
pillaging, and in murdering helpless human
beings. In fulfilment, too, of the imperative
duty of preventing the public order from be
ing disturbed, I decreed, by a circular order,
the expulsion of those authors, accomplices
or abettors of the military coup of 1913 or of
offenses against the Constitutionalist • Govern
ment who had returned to the country, except
ing those who had come back by decision of
the First Chief or of the President of the
Republic. This decree will remain in force
until the amnesty law relating to these
offenders and that of civil responsibility pre
scribed in Transitory Article No. 15 of the
Constitution shall have been enacted."
The granting of pensions to the widows of
President Madero , Vice-President Suarez and
other revolutionary martyrs was noted . The
President stated that he had studied carefully
various measures necessary for enactment into
law for carrying out the provisions of the new
Constitution . The relations of the National
Government and the various State govern
ments were declared to be perfectly harmo
nious and actuated by the same spirit.
Labor Troubles
"In order not to pay the mining tax, the
Cananea Consolidated Copper Company
stopped operations in July last, thus throwing
over six thousand persons out of work. After
it was found impossible to obtain a resumption
of work, trains were placed at the disposal
of the workmen to take them to different parts
of the State ( Sonora ) and of the adjoining
State of Sinaloa. Steps were also taken to
*

colonize with families of these workmen sev
eral rural properties which had been inter
dicted. 'La Demócrata de Cananea' Company
likewise ceased operating. In Tampico the
dockhands of the I. W. W. went on a strike
in the same month of July, demanding in
creased wages and shorter hours ; this action
finally brought on a general strike of all port
employees. The Board of Conciliation and
Arbitration, aided by the good offices of the
local government, settled the conflict, and
normal conditions were restored. Similar
problems have arisen in Agujita and Rosita ,
in the State of Coahuila. The authorities have
intervened in all these disputes, acting always
in strict obedience to the constitutional pre
cepts and in the interest of society.
Community Lands
"The measures relating to the reconstruc
tion of community lands, in conformity with
the Law of January 6, 1915, have entered a
period of full development. The duties of
the National Agrarian Commission are of a
twofold nature : those of a general advisory
council, to mold the new jurisprudence which
should determine the interpretation of the
Act, and those of a board to study and review
the records sent by the States , leaving to the
Executive the final disposition to be made of
each case .
"The Law of January 6, 1915, contains pro
visions wholly revolutionary in character, and
is a complete departure from normal juris
prudence. It would accordingly have required
to be regulated in its application. But by rea
son of the radicalism of its purposes and
provisions and of the novelty of its enforce
ment, it was thought more expedient and
practical to take up and decide each specific
case as it arose, fixing in circulars the general
regulations by which the several communities
and authorities charged with the application
of the law should be governed.
Subdivision of Lands
"Among other regulations decreed, a circu
lar has been issued designed to forestall a
certain tendency on the part of the landowning
class to evade the law. This circular provides
for the immediate subdivision of lands that
are near towns, so that, whenever petitions are
presented for such lands, a small landowning
class may already have taken possession of
them, even though this possession be only
apparent.
"According to information in the hands of
the National Agrarian Commission, 1393 peti
tions for community lands have been filed
with the State governments. The majority of
these petitions are still under consideration by
the Local Boards, and only 48 complete records
have been received by the National Agrarian
Commission since March of this year, of
which 21 cases have been finally passed upon
by the Executive. The communities benefited
thereby have had allotted to them 19,128 hec
tares by way of grant, and only 76 by way of
restoration.
"The lands of the town of Santa Fé in the
Federal District had formerly been declared
to be national property, in spite of the ancient
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
deeds under which the inhabitants held. As
a measure of strict justice, the restoration of
these lands was decreed, the Federal Govern
ment retaining only such portions as had not
been owned individually.
Diffusion of Agricultural Facts
"The situation of the country has prevented
the needed full impetus being given to the
development of agriculture. Agricultural edu
cation and propaganda have, however, been
started on eminently practical lines . Thus,
the agricultural industries are being taught in
the practical courses which have continued to
be given in the Bureau of Agriculture ; in
struction is likewise being given in new
methods of cultivation by means of lectures
or by the exhibition of modern agricultural
machinery. The Government has devoted
special attention to gasoline tractors, some of
which are being exhibited in the Republic, so
that the farmers may become familiar with
them and thus supply the lack of draft ani
mals which is being experienced everywhere.
Railroads
"The several railroad lines, formerly admin
istered by the National Lines of Mexico , and
now a dependency of the Government under
the name of the Constitutionalist Railways,
have shown an improvement both in their
equipment and in their operation . Represent
ing, as they do, one of the most important
factors in the economic growth of the Re
public, they have received the preferential
attention they deserve, and the figures which
I shall briefly set before you for the period
of May 1st to August 31st last are a testimony
to the zeal with which this important public
service is being performed by the Executive
and by the corresponding Bureau .
Situation of the Mining Industry
"Of the one hundred and forty- four Mining
Agencies in operation throughout the Republic
in normal times, one hundred and twenty-three
have been re-opened to the public ; in these
agencies four hundred and forty-five applica
tions for concessions have been filed, and one
hundred and ninety-five titles issued, covering
an area of 1234 hectares, 73 ares and 232
centiares. There are at present in force thirty
two thousand seven hundred and one ( 32,701 )
mining concessions, of which two thousand
nine hundred and seventeen ( 2917 ) are being
worked ; one thousand nine hundred and fifty
eight ( 1958 ) have requested an extension of
time in which to resume operations, while the
remainder have confined themselves to safe
guarding legally their titles .
Growth of the Petroleum Industry
"The petroleum industry will steadily in
crease, owing to the growing demand for
mineral oil and its by-products, and to the
supply of this fuel to be found in various
regions of the Republic. Sufficient discoveries
of petroleum have been made to place this
industry in the top rank among the sources
of wealth of the nation. Article 27 of the
New Constitution radically modified the status
3
of proprietors and lessees of oil lands, and of
persons engaged in developing the oil industry.
Accordingly, the Executive, desirous of pro
ceeding in strict justice, initiated the labors
of the Department with Circular No. 1 of
April 26th of the present year, inviting the
oil companies, and all private persons whose
interests were bound up in this industry, to
make whatever suggestions they thought fit,
so that these might be taken into account in
drafting the regulations of this law. Not only
was close attention given to these observations,
but a technical commission, under the chair
manship of the Chief of the Petroleum Bu
reau , was sent to Tampico to complete this
study on the ground itself and by means of
personal contact with the interested parties.
Sixteen permits to perforate oil wells have
been granted, the majority of them being,
located in the zone adjoining the port of
Tampico . Care has been taken in each case.
to state that, in accordance with the corre
sponding constitutional provision, the party
receiving the permit is granted the usufruct
of a national property. The establishment of
seven pipe lines has also been allowed ; five
new companies have been recorded , thus bring
ing the number of those with a duly accredited
juridical personality up to one hundred and
thirty-four ( 134) .
Financial
"The movement in revenue stamps has been
as follows : 48,189,300 ' ordinary' revenue
stamps amounting to $ 141,698,812.50 ; 30,365,040
revenue stamps for the Federal Contribution
Tax,' amounting to $20,630,960.00 ; 27,269,139
revenue stamps in ' special taxes,' amounting
to $40,766,044.00 ; 87,184,717 ' Tobacco' stamps ,
amounting to $2,810,046.17 ; making a total of
193,008,197 revenue stamps , amounting to
$205.905,862.87.
"Disbursements from May 1st to August
10th last amount to $22,500,000.00 . Daily aver
age expenditure, 317,000.00 pesos silver (peso
silver 0.50 U. S. cy.) .
“According to information on record in the
Treasury offices throughout the Republic, the
stock of specie is as follows :
On May 1st last . • $5,583,722.55
On June 1st last . 5,817.000.65
On July 1st last . · • 6,985,922.21
On August 1st last.. 8.321,028.51
Taxation
"The subject of public taxation has received
special consideration . By the law of April
15th last, a tax of 40 per cent has been
assessed on the selling price of alcohols and
other spirituous liquors and of 16 per cent on
home-made beer ; a tax of 40 per cent on
import dues, excepting surtaxes, has also been
levied on similar foreign products.
"Under the same date, May 1st, the law
of April 13th went into force, fixing the tax
on crude oil and its by-products. This tax
produced in the first bi-monthly period- May
and June- an income of 1,374,541.47 pesos
silver ( 1 pesos silver = 0.50 U. S. Cy. )
which, compared with that of the preceding
period of May and April when the Law of
(Concluded on page 15)

4 TH
Mexico's Petroleum
Interesting Facts Regarding Its Genesis and Development-Comparative
VERY interesting series of articles has
A recently appeared in El Economista, a
newspaper published in Mexico City, regard
ing the petroleum measures of the Republic
and their development. The facts regarding
the history of that industry are not well known
in the United States, and THE REVIEW gives
a summary of the salient points as translated
from the paper named.
Although there are no definite records as
to when this industry was first started in our
country, we have, however, found among some
pamphlets belonging to the year 1857 , some
data which show that a group of individuals ,
mostly merchants , in the village of Macuspana ,
Tabasco, entered into an agreement that each
Igurron Tree, Tampico Oil Fields.
should furnish "a hundred loads of cacao"
with which to procure "sheets of forged iron"
to be used in the making of receptacles for
the storage of "illuminating oil" that flowed
with the water from a spring near the village
and which the natives used for illuminating
purposes.
In another part of the pamphlet referred
to, it is related that said merchants obtained.
within a short time great profits from the
enterprise, and as they could not dispose of
all the oil at the locality of its source, they
visited for this purpose the neighboring cities,
arriving at one time very near the capital of
the State.
Thus it can be seen that, even if only as a
beginning on a very small scale, oil was al
ready being exploited in Mexico as far back
as 1857, and although we have no proofs in
confirmation, that primitive industry must in
due time have improved and progressed.
AN W
E X IC V IE
ME RE
Industry
Production-Rapidly Increasing Exports
After a lapse of eight years, the data show
that in 1865 a permit was granted by the
Federal Spanish Government to a Spaniard,
Ildefonso Lopez, to exploit the deposits of
bituminous and oleous substances at San Jose
de las Rusias, State of Tamaulipas , a place
not far from Soto de la Marina, in the eastern
portion of the State named.
The Spaniard, Lopez, dedicated himself al
most wholly to the exploitation of the "pitch"
or asphaltum which abounds in those regions ,
and also, like his predecessors , the mineral oil
that flowed spontaneously.
In view of the good results obtained by
him, and upon the publication of a book in
1868 which dealt, even if only in a vague
manner, with the exploitation of petroleum in
U
Russia, a group of Mexican planters organized
a company which bore the name of "The
Development Company of the Gulf of Mex
ico." Even if the constitution of this company
indicated that the ostensible object of its activ
ities was, among others, the extraction of
coral from the shoals near the coast of
Sotavento, it really dedicated itself exclusively
to the exploitation of the petroleum fields lo
cated near Furbero, Papantla, State of Vera
Cruz. However, the financial object of this
enterprise was never attained, in spite of the
most rational and scientific methods employed
in the operations, because once the capital
invested had been exhausted, no new oil indi
cations appeared, and the organizers abandoned
the project notwithstanding the fact that in
the localities concerned there were places
where oil covered the surface of streams.
As a result of this, in 1878, after several
years of neglect, Dr. Autrey, who was explor
ing those regions, came upon the abandoned
works and staked his claim upon the springs.
Immediately after he had secured the respect
ive permit, he endeavored to organize a com
pany for the purpose of exploiting them.
Notwithstanding his great efforts, he failed in
his object, and thereupon made a special trip
to the United States in order to offer for sale,
to one of the petroleum companies that were
then operating in California, what he pomp
ously called his "mines of liquid gold in
Mexico ." Nevertheless , he did not succeed in
attaining his object.
From this time down to 1883, we have noth
ing sure that could serve to indicate the prog
ress of the activities undertaken towards the
exploitation of petroleum. In that year there
was organized at San Juan Bautista (now
Villahermosa ) , capital of the State of
Tabasco, a company with a capital of one
million pesos, of which Señor Simeon Sarlat,
Governor of Tabasco, was president. This
company had for its object the exploration of
the petroleum springs near Macuspana, the
existence of which was presumed on account
of the exterior indications to which we have
already referred . The location for the wells
was chosen in an ill-advised manner, and by
preference near the pitch or asphaltum mines,
which abounded in this region, and the drilling
operations were begun at the place supposed
to be best suited for it, located at a small
farm which was then the property of Señor
Sarlat, and very near the place where Pearson
now has established the most important camp
in the State. However, all was in vain ; and
the funds of the company were exhausted
without obtaining positive results . This dis
couraged and misled the operators to such an
extent that they completely stopped all activi
ties in their exploitation, and even that which
was necessary for the removal and collection
of the machinery, which, exposed to the rigors
of that climate, was soon converted into
heaps of rusty and useless iron.
Almost simultaneous with this undertaking,
the subsequently famous English subject,
Cecil Rhodes, was asking for the correspond
ing permit for the exploitation of the carbides
of hydrogen in the subsoil of a great exten
sion of land located in the district of Papantla,
State of Vera Cruz, for which purpose he had
previously actively worked, and gathered to
gether in New York a numerous group of
foreign capitalists, who, in view of the fabu
lous accounts that were circulated regarding
the importance of the oil indications in Mex
ico, undertook an enterprise that was to be
dedicated to the exploration and exploitation
of Mexican oil, conferring the local manage
ment upon Rhodes. This organization was
called "The Mexican Petroleum and Liquid.
Fuel Company," and like its predecessors in
the same line, it failed after using up a con
siderable capital ; and like the one organized
at Tabasco, it abandoned its machinery.
After this succession of failures there came
naturally a period of pessimism regarding the
oil industry in Mexico. This was without real
grounds, but lasted until 1900, when Ameri
can capitalists led by E. L. Doheny and C. A.
Canfield began work in the State of San Luis
Potosi near the Vera Cruz boundary at a
 5
THE MEXICAN REVIEW

place since well known as Ebano. They pur tation of the petroleum springs, we believe it defined, such as those of Tabasco-Chiapas,
chased a large tract of land in the latter part pertinent to point out as a whole the region which extends from parallel 17, passing to the
of 1900 and in the spring of 1901 built the that, according to many practical and pro north of Chiapas to parallel 18, crossing from
first modern oil-well drilling plant in Mexico. fessional men, is best suited for the exploita east to west the middle of the State of
Drilling operations commenced May 1 , 1901 , tion which we are studying. Tabasco, with a perpendicular dimension, in
and on the 14th was completed the first suc The eastern slope of the Gulf, beginning relation to it, of two and half degrees ; those
cessful oil well in the Republic. Other wells from the branches of the eastern Mexican of Lower California, which are as yet alto
were drilled in rapid succession, a contract
to sell oil to the Mexican Central Railway was
arranged and in 1905 deliveries were being
made to that concern at the rate of 6000
barrels daily. The same people followed the
development at Ebano with the important one
known as the Casiano district, on which prop a P
erty they drilled the world's greatest producer, Af
known as Casiano No. 7, the total production
of which to September 11th this year, its
seventh anniversary, was the stupendous
amount of 61,568,000 barrels, to which the well
is adding at the rate of 600,000 barrels monthly.

Production

As we have already pointed out, the first

attention paid to petroleum was in the
year 1857, but the meager details that exist
concerning it do not really begin till the year
1900, and these, as well as those of 1913, do
not coincide with those furnished by the com Train of Tank Cars.
panies and those issued by the Government
to several publications. Of these details we Sierra Madre, as far as very near the littoral, gether undefined, and those of the States in
will have to consolidate those that are in ac the northern part of the Republic, preferably
excepting a few small zones therein, is con
cord with each other and then compare them sidered by many natives and foreigners as a those of Nuevo Leon.
with the totals of other countries that produce deposit of enormous quantities of hydrocar
this mineral oil, for the corresponding periods. Specific Character of Petroleum Regions
bides of hydrogen. This zone extends for
of time, so that we may know the rank that The same publication from which the fore
seven degrees North longitude, from parallel
Mexico then occupied, and then define that going has been condensed (El Economista)
17 to parallel 24.
which she now occupies. Once we have deter This great extension of land, which covers gives the following summary of the various
mined as to where there has been an increase petroleum belts of the Republic, the data, how
the southern half of the State of Tamaulipas,
of production, we can then predict logically almost all of Vera Cruz, and parts of the ever, not being so complete as could have
the place which Mexico can and should occupy States of San Luis Potosi, Puebla and Hidalgo, been wished.
among the nations of the world in the pro
duction of this precious liquid.
Production of Petroleum in Mexico in 1916
No. of
Months
Companies Pro Barrels Cubic Meters
duc
lion
2222296EN BILD 2262

El Aguila... 12 16,376,293.40 2,603,830.65

Brooks. 12 1,728,079.43 274,764.63
La Corona... 12 557,792.33 88,688.98
East Coast . 12 1,110,062.14 176,499.88
Freeport & Mex.. 12 1,640,201.64 260,792.06
El Golfo... 27,643.40 4,395.30
Hispano Mex . 5,877.23 934.48.
Huasteca Petroleum 12 11,923,411.45 1,895,822.42
International .... 12 644,203.77 102,428.40
Mexicana de Com
bustible . 3 19,759.06 3,141.69
Mexico Fuel Oil . 1 4,564.03 725.68
Mexican Gulf.... 11 886,179.69 140,902.57
Mexican Oil..**** 9 83,231.51 13,233.81
*Mexicana de
Petroleo...... 12 1,008,702.70 160,383.73
Monterrey. 12 25,147.42 3,998.44
National Oil. 8 193,262.64 30,728.76
Oil Fields of Mexico 12 112,846.79 17,942.64
Panuco Boston... 6 246,285.91 39,159.46
Panuco Excelsior ... 3 2,014.97 320.38
Panuco Balley.. 4 104,066.54 16,546.58
Penn Mex, Fuel ... 11 3,444,490.30 547,673.96
Tal Vez.... 1 76,048.43 12,091.70
30 21

Tampico Oil... 1,013.84 161.20

Transcontinental.. 10
Vera Cruz & Mexico
Oil Syndicate....
La Victoria......
40,550 , 468.86 6,447,524.55
*Same Ownership as the Huasteca Co.
Location and Extension of the Oil Fields
Though the Government has by decree
clearly defined the zones for which corre
Sponding license will be issued for the exploi
171,888.30 27,330.24
157,149.18 24,986.72
252.76 40.19
Refining Plant, Tampico.
is calculated to have a superficial area of a Those portions of the country that have been
little more than 60,000 square kilometers, ex exploited can be reduced into four distinct
cluding some small portions that are not regions. First, that called Panuco, to the east
suited for this exploitation. and southeast of Tampico, and which is given
Besides this region, there are other zones first place, not on account of its present or
of sufficient importance but which are badly future importance , but by being the most ex
6 THE MEXICAN REVIEW

tensively explored ; second, that of Tuxpam
(south of Tampico ) , which in the judgment
of the publication quoted is undoubtedly of
greatest importance, especially in the future ;
third, that of Tabasco-Chiapas ; and fourth,
that of the Isthmus, located on the continental
"narrowness" of Tehuantepec. This last one
has very little importance, notwithstanding the
fact that it was here where the first oil enter
prise was undertaken.
The foregoing classification is made by re
ferring only to the general location and with
out taking into consideration the specific
character of the products obtained, nor the
geological conditions of the soil, in each
region, which could indicate whether or not
the oil all comes from the same vein. It
L
WAT
Panuco River and City of Tampico.
might be thought that the petroleum zones of
Lower California and those in the north of
the Republic have been forgotten ; but it must
be taken into consideration that those fields
still remain unexplored, and for this reason,
and on account also of the fact that there are
no details concerning them, they should not,
therefore, have now the importance of the
others above mentioned..
That of the Panuco is characterized espe
cially by three essential points : The minor
depth at which the oil deposits are reached
(600 to 800 metres, the exceptions that have
been observed only tending to affirm the
rule) ; the relatively few failures in the drill
ing of wells in the region, and the short dura
tion of the production of its wells.
That of Tuxpam, unlike the foregoing and
others, has shown signs that the deposit from
which the oil is extracted, which is of dolo
mitic lime, seems more extensive, as shown by
the long periods of productivity of its wells.
That of Tabasco-Chiapas, though it has not
produced considerable quantities down to date,
has a bright future on account of the mag In Mexico , without being considered as a
nificent quality of its products, which have notable case, the well Juan Casiano, on the
bases of paraffin, very light, and containing 16th of September, 1910, flowed with an initial
enormous proportions of illuminating oils. pressure of 40 kilograms per cubic centimeter
On the contrary, that of Tuxpam and the and which after six years and ten months has
oil region of the Isthmus is characterized by only gone down to 38.4 kilograms per cubic
the very short period of production of its oil centimeter. Moreover, well No. 4, of Potrero
wells. Like those of the Panuco, the veins del Llano, flowed at the outset with a pressure
that have been discovered at the Isthmus down of sixty-five kilograms per cubic centimeter
to date have been reached at comparatively and has remained the same down to date.
minor depths. Among these facts, what is notable is not
From the foregoing considerations it is precisely the great yield of the Mexican wells
gathered that the regions that have the -because in other countries there have been
brightest future for the industry are that of wells of greater efficiency than that attained .
Tuxpam, by reason of the amount and dura by those of the Republic, excepting that of
tion of its productions, and that of Tabasco Dos Bocas, which undoubtedly was the greatest
Chiapas in respect to quality. oil geyser that ever flowed in the world.
(200,000 barrels per day during all its life )
but the long term that is observed in their
unitary production which is evidenced from
the beginning.
When the region of Tabasco- Chiapas is re
ferred to, all the scientific reports submitted
in the geological institutes of the United
States, Germany, France and Mexico have
clearly shown, through respective analysis , that
the samples of oil sent from Macuspana,
Tabasco, were of the finest oil known .
On the other hand, it should not be strange
that the Mexican production, notwithstanding
the advantages that have already been pointed
out, is inferior to that of North America and
almost equal to that of Russia (during the
last year past it was superior) , for the reason
that, while there are more than 200,000 wells
in the United States, there are less than 1100
wells in Mexico . ( Less than 300 are pro
ducing.)
If each one of these regions in the country Dividing the quantity of petroleum pro
which are considered as having the brightest duced in 1916 in the United States among the
future are successively compared with their number of wells that are under exploitation.
like in other countries ,
it will be seen that
those of Mexico have
the advantage over
those of foreign lands.
The comparison will be
commenced with that
of Tuxpam .
It has recently been
stated in an American
newspaper, as a curious
piece of news, that a
well in Texas flowed
with a pressure of 180
pounds per cubic inch ;
that is, approximately
27½ kilos per cubic
centimeters, having kept
up this pressure for
three years and five
months. Oil Pumping Plant.

Production of Petroleum in the Principal Countries from 1910 to 1915 inclusive

1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915
Countries Barrels Metric tons Barrels Metric tons Metric tons
Barrels Metric tons Barrels Metric tons Barrels Barrels Metric tons
United States.. 209,556,048 27,940,806 220,449,391 29,393,252 222,113,218 29,615,098 248 , 446,230 33 , 126, 164 265,762,535 35,435,005 281 , 104 , 104 37 , 480,547
Russia.. 70,336,574 9,378,210 66,183,691 9,066,259 68,019 , 208 9,317,700 60,935,482 8,124,731 67,020,522 8,936,070 68,548,062 9,353,077
MEXICO. **** 3,332,807 444,374 14,051,643 1,873,552 16,558,215 2,207,762 25,696,291 3,426,172 26,235,403 3,489,309 32,910,508 4,388,068
Dutch Indies.. 11,030,620 1,495,715 12,172,949 1,670,668 10,845,624 1,478,132 11,966,857 1,534,223 12,705,208 1,634,403 12,386,808 1,710,445
Roumania . .. 28-1 9,722,958 1,352,289 11,101,878 1,544,072 12,991,913 1,806,942 13,554,768 1,885,225 12,826,579 1,783,947 12,029,913 1,673,145
India.... ** 6,137,990 818,400 6,451,203 897,184 7,116,672 989,801 7,500,000 1,000,000 8,000,000 1,066,667 7,400,000 986,667
Galicia. 9 12,673,688 1,762,560 10,485,726 1,458,275 8,535,174 1,187,007 7,818 , 130 1,087,286 5,033,350 700,000 4,158,899 578,388
Japan. 3. 1,930,661 257,421 1,658,903 221,187 1,671,405 222,854 1,942,009 258,934 2,738,378 365,117 3,118,464 415,785
Germany. 1,032,522 145,168 1,017,045 142,966 1,031,050 144,934 995,764 140,000 995,764 140,000 995,764 140,000

there, each well produced, approximately, only
five barrels daily. If we follow the identical
process with respect to Mexico- that is, if we
divide the 40,000,000 barrels that were ex
tracted in 1916, among the 1100 wells under
exploitation- we find that the daily production
per well was approximately one hundred bar
rels, which means a unitary production of
Mexico twenty times greater than that of the
United States. And it cannot be alleged that
this is so because in the neighboring country
the wells are not allowed to flow at full pres
Street Scene in Tampico.
sure, as there they have all appliances with
which to make them yield as much as possible
in the shortest time ; and if another way is
pursued in Mexico , it would show an absolute
lack of knowledge of the matter, a thing that
is not characteristic of the American people,
who have distinguished themselves by their
economic proclivities. On the other hand, in
Mexico, it has been evident that the wells,
in many instances, are allowed to flow only
at half pressure, and not voluntarily, but on
account of the lack of means of transporta
tion, as pipe lines, tank steamers, railroads,
etc.
Moreover, if it is accepted, without acknowl
edging it, that by not extracting all that a
well can produce in the United States is what
determines that lowest unitary production in
that country, we could do no more than put
one advantage against another, because then
our superiority would not depend upon the
potentiality (or power) but upon the durability
of the wells, which, if allowed to flow at
half pressure in the United States, would
continue rendering their commercial yield of
to-day, while, if allowed to flow at full pres
sure, they would not last as long.
Further Interesting Details
THE REVIEW has learned some further facts
regarding the development of the petroleum
measures of the Republic which may be of
interest to its readers .
The first American to engage in exploitation
was a sea captain who invested every cent he
could raise in sinking a well 500 feet in depth
at the asphaltum deposits near Llano Grande,
in the Tampico district. He was confident of
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
success, but was unable to convince others of
it, and in despair committed suicide . Subse
quent events have demonstrated how well
founded was his belief.
In 1900 E. L. Doheny, who had taken a
prominent part in the development of oil in
California, made a contract with the Mexican
Central Railroad to furnish it all the fuel oil
it could use at the rate of $1.20 Mexican gold
per barrel, and at once began pushing the
development of the Tampico region, of which
they were the pioneers, and not the Pearsons,
RB
as has been stated . The Mexican Petroleum
Company, the concern organized by Mr.
Doheny and his associates, brought in their
first well in 1901 , and it was not until 1904
that the first Pearson well was completed.
Oil Pumping Plant, Tampico District.
At the present time there are 320 registered
petroleum companies in operation, though the
actual production is confined to a few only.
The table given in the foregoing shows the
relative standing of the various companies as
producers, though their
their potentiality is not
given, that being more or less a problematical
matter.
That there is a widespread misunderstand
ing regarding thethe production and use of
7
Mexican petroleum is evidenced by many
publications upon the subject. Some very in
teresting light is thrown upon the matter, by
the published hearings before the Senate Com
mittee on Public Lands which were recently
held and during which the oil and coal ques
tions were discussed at length. From state
ments made before the committee it appears
that it is a surprising fact that in both the
English and the American navies the fuel
specifications now in force forbid the use of
Mexican oil! They distinctly provide that
"Mexican oil will not be accepted." This pro
hibition was first made by the English navy,
and was followed by that of the United States.
The manner in which Mexican petroleum goes
into use in the British navy is by having it
shipped to the United States, where it goes
into a common pool, after which it is shipped
abroad and supplied to the navy as the
"purely American product."
The fact was brought out that the potential
production of the Mexican oil fields was in
round numbers a million barrels daily, but that
because of lack of transportation facilities the
actual production was much less- less than a
million barrels per week. Thus, the Huasteca
Petroleum Company, with a potential capacity
of 300,000 barrels daily (that is, with wells
already driven and able to produce that
amount, but shut down) , is only producing
50,000 barrels, that being the amount that can
be exported. "We are producing all we can
move," said the manager of the company.
This applies to other companies as well. There
is no difficulty in getting the oil to the coast,
as the wells are located at no great distance.
from shipping points, and all are provided
with pipe lines, there being something like five
hundred miles of such lines in the compara
Am
tively limited area in which are included the
greater number of the producing wells of
the Republic. Ocean transportation is the
difficulty, and this is being met by the con
struction of oil-carrying steamers as rapidly
as possible.
The extent of the misunderstanding regard
ing the oil question is well illustrated in a
recent article in World's Work entitled "The
(Continued on page 10)

8 .
The .
Mexican Review
· DEVOTED TO
A · JOURNAL
THE ENLIGHTENMENT• OF •THE
AMERICAN-PEOPLE - IN -RESPECT
TO THE HOPES - AMBITIONS
BENEFICENT ~INTENTIONS - AND
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
CONSTITUTIONALIST- - OF THE
GOVERNMENT
-OF -THE•
REPUBLIC OF MEXICO
Published Monthly at
Washington, D. C. , U. S. A.
George F. Wecks Editor and Publisher
613 Riggs Building
Yearly Subscription $ 1.00 in the United States and
Possessions , Mexico and Canada.
Elsewhere $ 1.50
Eastern Representative, 3014 Equitable Bldg., New
York ; Mexican Representative , Avenida Juarez 12,
Mexico City, D. F.
INTERNATIONAL LABOR
CONFERENCE
"Fourteen thousand Mexican miners work
in the copper, silver and gold mines of Ari
zona. Over half of the membership of the
Arizona State Federation of Labor- an inte
gral and representative part of the American
Federation of Labor- is either of Mexican
blood or birth. In this State the wage
workers of the two sister Republics have come
to a fraternal understanding which marks the
beginning of the end of all future border
wars. With the inevitable spread of this
understanding throughout the labor move
ments of the United States of North America
and the United States of Mexico , military
aggression, interventions and conquests will
become impossible, and to this end the con
vention at Clifton of the Arizona State Fed
eration of Labor, during its second day's
session, August 6, 1917, elected a committee
of five to hold an international conference
with representatives of the Sonora Working
men's Congress of Mexico for the purpose of
devising practical plans for mutual aid in
industrial actions."
This statement was made by the secretary
of the Pan-American Federation of Labor
Conference Committee, John Murray, at a
meeting of this international body held in the
A. F. of L. Building, August 20th, presided
over by Samuel Gompers. In the course of
his report Secretary Murray explained how
the last great strike in the Clifton-Morenci
district, Arizona, had been won by the solidar
ity of the Mexican miners. He asserted that
the I. W. W. movement had no hold on either
the Mexican or American miner in Arizona
or Mexico . It was due to the mine owners
and their managers falsely proclaiming every
labor organizer to be an "I. W. W. agitator"
that caused the lawless bands of vigilantes,
under the direct control of these same copper
barons , to terrorize and deport every wage
worker not to their liking. Proof was given
to the committee that the copper mine owners
financed these vigilance committees, the same
copper interests that operate in Cananea and
New Mexico, as well as throughout Arizona.
The proposed international conference will
probably be held in October, on alternate days,
in the two towns touching each other on the
border line, Douglas and Agua Prieta. Invi
tations are to be given to the Governors of
Chihuahua, Sonora, Arizona and Texas to be
t
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
present, as well as the members of the Pan
American Federation of Labor Conference
Committee, with its representatives from
Porto Rico, Santiago Iglesias ; Cuba, Antonio
Correa Gonzalez ; Yucatan, Carlos Loveira ;
Federated Syndicates of Mexico, Edmundo
Martinez ; and Cardenio Gonzalez, represent
ing the Chilian labor movement.
As Mexico has to-day in her various labor
organizations over half a million men and
women, this international conference means
not only the binding of labor ties across the
border, but the beginning of an understanding
between peoples of the Western Hemisphere
guaranteeing a lasting peace.
ENROLMENT OF MEXICAN
CITIZENS
An unfortunate condition of affairs, and
one which promises serious embarrassment to
industries requiring large supplies of labor,
has been created by the enforced enrolment
of Mexican citizens resident in the United
States under the conscription law. Notwith
standing repeated assurances that it is not in
tended to draft them, so much apprehension
has been caused that thousands have gone back
into their own country and others are prepar
ing to go. The American officials intrusted
with the preparation of the lists have refused
to accept the certificates of Mexican Consuls
at various points in the United States that the
bearers thereof are Mexican citizens, though
it is difficult to understand what better proof
can be given, and they have also refused to
recognize the provisions of the Mexican Con
stitution that children born in a foreign coun
try of Mexican parentage are themselves
Mexican citizens and cannot lose their rights
and responsibilities as such, as is the case with
American children born in foreign countries
of American parentage. As a result of this
unfortunate condition, the Embassy in this city
is overwhelmed with protests from Mexican
citizens resident in the United States who are
demanding the protection of their govern
ment. Their apprehension is increased by the
reports of discussions in Congress regarding
the advisability of including aliens in the con
scription and sending them into active service.
The miners of the Southwest, the farmers
of Texas and other States, employers of un
skilled as well as skilled labor in that portion
of the country west of the Mississippi, where
the bulk of Mexican workers are to be found,
as well as on the Pacific coast, numbering
hundreds of thousands, find themselves threat
ened with a shortage of help for crop gather
ing and other purposes, owing to the con
stantly increasing exodus of Mexicans who are
returning home in order to escape the opera
tion of the laws now in operation or that
may be passed governing conscription, and a
very serious condition has already arisen ,
which promises to become still worse. The
Mexican laborers are not so much the sufferers
as their former employers, as the Government
furnishes them transportation to any portion
of Mexico where they may wish to go, and
there is an urgent demand for labor in many
sections, notably Yucatan, where the highest
wages and shortest hours prevail of any por
tion of the Republic.
It has been hoped that some solution of this
difficulty might be found which would be just
to all concerned, but at present the condition
is as noted.
MI MADRE MEXICO
By GERTRUDE M. MORAN
There is a star shines o'er thee, Mexico ;
'Tis not of War, but bodes ill for thy foe ;
The Star of Justice and of Courtesy will save
From all barbarians and from progress' grave :
For in thy heart , as in thy land, there live,
The golden flowers only love can give.
Tho' drawn aside for just a little while
From your fine selves by enemies- you smile
Serenely. From Great God your blessings come,
Those who can appreciate, who envy none,
With minds so keen and clear, with souls of fire,
Welcome this course, and spurn the dire
Commercial heights, on lives of labor raised ;
Pursue the former ideals of thy earlier days.
Raised to such eminence, thy southern friends and thee
Shall rule in kindness all the western sea.
Deign to accept from hands of former foe
This tribute to thyself, O Mother, Mexico!
None of all other lands may dare aspire
To greater progress ; in the mire
Of greed and gold thy feet but once were caught.
Now, thou wilt conquer, doing what thou ought ;
All men within thy land at liberty ;
All fed with justice, kindness, love and courtesy.
COLTON, CAL., July, 1917.
The Chamber of Deputies has under dis
cussion a measure which declares that the
present Government has no responsibility for
any losses caused by the treason of Huerta
or of Villa, but that the real property of the
persons responsible for those acts shall be
forfeited to the Government and the major
portion of the proceeds therefrom shall be
devoted to the compensation of those who
suffered actual loss from the causes noted.
Pursuant to the plan of the Department of
Fine Arts for the establishment of regional
museums for the better preservation of the
many archaeological and other objects of edu
cational interest and value, such institutions
have been opened in Guadalajara, Merida and
Zacatecas, while preparations are being made
for many others. Efforts will be made to pre
vent the exportation of such objects from the
Republic, which is already contrary to law.
A special commission has been appointed by
the Treasury Department for the purpose of
investigating the various concessions granted
by former regimes to the Pearson (Lord
Cowdray) interests, including those for the
Tehuantepec Railway, the ports of Salina Cruz
and Coatzacoalcos , as well as for others in
the States of Vera Cruz and Tamaulipas , in 1
order to determine their legality and exact
nature, concerning which there have been
many conflicting reports .
Illustrated Talks on Mexico
Clubs, societies or organizations of any kind wish
ing to learn something of the truth about Mexico,
through the medium of illustrated talks, can be ac
commodated by communicating with THE MEXICAN
REVIEW, or with Mr. S. J. MacFarren, 711 Thirteenth
street, N. W., this city. Mr. MacFarren has resided
many years in Mexico and is familiar with the various
features and peculiarities of that country. He is
donating his services for the purpose of affording ac
curate information regarding a matter upon which the
general public is woefully ignorant.

MARCH OF IMPROVEMENT
The Governor of the State of Aguascal
ientes is establishing schools in all the
haciendas and most remote villages, in order
to give the common people everywhere the
means of education.
The aeroplane mail service from Mexico to
Vera Cruz is expected to cover the distance
in four hours ; from Mexico to Queretaro in
two hours and from Mexico to Pachuca in
forty-five minutes.
A company has been organized which will
commence the construction of automobiles.
Monterrey, capital of Nuevo Leon, will be the
location of the factory and it is believed it
will prove successful.
Construction work has been commenced on
the railway line connecting the ports of Tam
pico and Tuxpam, which will greatly assist in
the development of the oil region of Vera
Cruz and Tamaulipas.
A commission has arrived in Mexico City
from Japan for the purpose of securing an
adequate exhibit of the various products of
the Republic for display in Tokio, where it is
expected to greatly stimulate commerce be
tween the two countries.
Official notice has been issued that after the
fiscal year as observed in Government accounts
and reports shall coincide with the calendar
year, beginning January 1st and ending De
cember 31st, instead of commencing July 1st
and ending June 30th.
Commencing with September 15th the ser
vice of the Pullman cars was re-established
on all lines throughout the Republic. Sleepers
will be run directly from Mexico City to San
Antonio, Texas, where they will be connected
with the rapid train service from that point to
St. Louis, Mo.
A careful investigation of the natural re
sources of the islands of Tres Marias, on the
west coast of Mexico, develops that they are
rich in hardwoods , lime, guano, pearl oysters
and other resources of wealth awaiting ex
ploitation. These islands are utilized as a
penal settlement for incorrigibles .
A project has been submitted to the
Chamber of Deputies by the Secretary of
Communications and Public Works for the
improvement of the port of San Blas, in the
State of Nayarit, on the west coast. The
project includes the construction of a com
modious wharf and the dredging of the bar
in order to permit deepwater vessels to land.
A film entitled "Patria Nueva" has been
prepared and is now on exhibition in Mexico
City showing the present condition of matters
in the Republic. There are about two thou
sand meters (over six thousand feet) of the
scenes and it is expected that they will be
shown in foreign countries for the enlighten
ment of the public.
A special commission has been appointed by
Secretary Pastor Rouaix of the Department
of Fomento for the purpose of exploring the
flora and fauna of the Territory of Lower
California, and also of the States of Chiapas,
Michoacan and Colima. A special investiga
tion will be made of the submarine growths
of the Pacific coast.
Under instruction of the Department of
Communications two new wireless telegraph
stations have been established in the oil dis
trict of the State of Vera Cruz, one at Tux
pam and the other at Puerto Lobos. These
stations are for the purpose of supplementing
the land wire system what time it is disturbed
by natural or other conditions.
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
The repair and construction of highways
between Mexico City and Tampico has
reached such a stage that it is announced that
regular automobile lines will soon be operated
between those two important centers of popu
lation and commerce. At the present time
communication is possible only by sea from
Vera Cruz and by a very circuitous railway
route via San Luis Potosi or Monterrey, re
quiring several days for the trip.
SMALL LAND HOLDINGS
SPECIAL attention is being paid by the
E Department of Fomento to the enforce
ment of Article 27 of the new constitution ,
relating to the agrarian question which went
into effect on May 1st. The Secretary of
that department has given instructions that the
preparation of the necessary laws to put this
portion of the constitution into effect be com
pleted as quickly as possible, in order to pre
sent the plan to Congress for approval and
enactment.
The following instructions regarding small
Taken at Midnight by Light of Burning Tank.
land holders have been issued by the depart
ment named : Those who desire lands are to
be allowed to rent property belonging to the
Government in order to cultivate and exploit
the same. Those who are already in posses
sion of lands of this character shall be
allowed to continue holding them. Plots
allotted to applicants shall not exceed 25
hectares (622 acres) in size to each indiv
idual, in order to avoid land monopoly. No
title to any of this property will be given to
any applicant. This method of handling pub
lic lands will remain in effect until Congress
adopts some definite plan in connection
therewith.
Regarding the temporary prohibition of the
exportation of certain food articles of prime
necessity until such time as the growing crops
are harvested, Sub- Secretary Nieto calls atten
tion to the fact that this prohibition does not
include coffee, garbanzos (a variety of field
pea largely used in the United States and
elsewhere ) , fresh or dried chile, fresh fruits,
or, when previous permission is asked, cattle.
9
FOOL'S PARADISE
We all are gathered here, who else no refuge had ;
We all are here, we Fools-the sad, the glad, the mad,
So counted by a world that missed us nevermore,
That fed us grudgingly-or starved us on its store.
They all are here those darling truants from the rod
Who learned no lesson save the boundless love of
God.
And they are here the laughers whom their world
frowned down,
Who danced to all the pipes that stray from town
to town!
And moody ones are with us- souls of smoldering fire
That blew alive and caught at wrong in sudden ire ;
And prophet-spirits mild who none would ever heed ;
And childlike men of might that any child could lead.
And those that loved, unloved-who nothing else
could do
But spend their all-O truest lovers of untrue!
And those that have gone mad for deathless beauty's
sake,
Who winged her songful praise none later could
awake!
We all are gathered here the sad, the glad, the
mad ...
God made a Paradise for Fools and straight forbade
Its seraph-guarded gates to all His thriftier wise,
But He himself oft walks with us this Paradise.
L'ENVOI
Princes, or Peasants, this to you I send from far;
Whoe'er ye be, if so some little ancient scar
Ye bear in either palm, ye cannot be denied
For you, with golden sound, the garden gates swing
wide. EDITH THOMAS.
Two army officers have invented a machine
gun with double barrels , one for seven milli
meter Mauser cartridges and the other for
the ordinary 30-30 Winchester ammunition , but
which is so light that it can be transported on
the back of a single soldier. The capacity of
each barrel is twenty shots per minute. The
Government has ordered the construction of
a number of the new weapons, the trials hav
ing proved successful.
A project is under discussion in the Cham
ber of Deputies for the imposition of an
annual tax of one peso per hectare (twenty
cents American gold per acre) upon all cul
tivable lands that are not utilized by the pro
prietors thereof. This will either necessitate
largely increased cultivation and production of
food crops, on the part of the owners, or the
selling of the land to pay the taxes and its
subsequent sale or allotment to those willing
to cultivate it.
Owing to the increased value of silver
bullion making the subsidiary coinage worth
much more than its face, many efforts are
being made to smuggle it across the border
contrary to the law forbidding such practices.
Some large seizures have been made- $30,000
in one case and $50,000 in another-all of
which has been turned into the national
treasury in accordance with the law.
General Alvaro Obregon is making a tour
of the United States and is receiving a warm
welcome in every city that he visits. Starting
at Los Angeles, he will go to San Francisco,
Ogden, Salt Lake, Omaha, St. Louis, Chicago,
and other western points, subsequently coming
to Washington, which he will reach during the
latter part of October. From there he will go
to New York and other Atlantic coast cities.
CONTRIBUTIONS REQUESTED
THE MEXICAN REVIEW will be pleased to receive
communications from whatever source dealing with
matters of interest to both Mexicans and Americans,
and from those who desire to have the truth known
about Mexico. It is hoped that all who wish to aid
the widespread false impressions
in
concerning that of
the removal country, and in placing it in its
proper light before the world, will assist THE REVIEW
in this important but difficult task.
10
MEXICO'S PETROLEUM INDUS-
TRY
(Continued from page 7)
Jeopardy of Tampico." Two of the principal
mistakes made therein are worthy of notice.
It is declared : "In June the companies were
paying a net tax on fuel oil of seventeen cents
American currency a barrel."
The decree which was in force during May
and June distinctly provided that the tax
should be at the rate of ten per cent ad
valorem on all oil, which was graded in three
classes, according to density, and ranged from
$5 to $11 per ton-the values stipulated being
$5, $8.50 and $11 . The tax thus varied from
50 cents to $1.10 per ton Mexican money, or
practically half that in American currency.
Taking the proportions of the various grades
Vessels Loading Oil at Tampico.
of oil shipped, it is found that the tax is
practically 8 cents per barrel instead of 17
cents as alleged.
Much is also made of the so-called "nation
alization" of oil under the new constitution,
and it is declared that this means confiscation
of the property of those owning land in the
oil region.
The Constitution of Mexico very plainly
and explicitly says, both in the old and the
new documents :
"Art. 14.- No law shall be given retroactive
effect to the prejudice of any person whatso
ever."
The Constitution further provides :
"Art. 126.-This constitution and the laws
of the United States of Mexico which shall
be made in pursuance thereof ... shall
be the supreme law of the land."
Leading owners of oil lands have no fear
whatever regarding the "nationalization" of
petroleum. Furthermore, the Government is
now making a careful survey of all public
lands in the petroleum district with the view
of drawing up a plan for the exploitation of
the measures thereon under "nationalization ."
But the constitutional inhibition as to retro
active laws fully protects all land owners in
whatever locality and under whatever con
dition.
Petroleum Discovery and Development
The Department of Fomento some time.
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
since dispatched Engineer Manuel Pasalagua
to make a careful study of the State of Colima,
with especial attention to its topography, un
developed resources, etc. He recently reported
to the Department that he had discovered
petroleum deposits of great richness in the
vicinity of the Hacienda de Santa Rosalia, the
surface indications of seepages, etc. , covering
many square miles of territory, while the geo
logical formations were similar to those of
the developed petroleum regions elsewhere.
It is announced that the Government will
probably at once nationalize the lands con
taining this new oil deposit.
The total amount of oil exported from
Tampico and Tuxpam in the first six months
of 1917 was 22,140,876 barrels, or nearly nine
million barrels more than for the same period
in 1915. More than 75 per cent of the petro
leum went to the United States, while South
America took two million barrels and the same
amount was consumed at home. During the
same six months forty-two new wells were
brought in. During the first four months of
the present year the exportations amounted to
1,226,799 metric tons (2200 pounds ) of crude
oil, and 421,780 of refined. It is expected that
the total production for the year will reach at
least eight million metric tons, or approxi
mately 56,000,000 barrels.
For several months, as previously an
nounced, a careful study has been in progress
of the entire petroleum industry in all its
bearings, for the purpose of drafting a law
that should govern the development of the
nation's oil measures and that should be fair
and equitable to all concerned . The repre
sentatives of the leading oil companies have
been consulted in order that the matter might
be fully understood. The law not yet being
ready for submission to Congress, and as there
have been notable discoveries of new fields,
including those in Lower California and in
the State of Colima, noted above, notice has
been given that no concessions will be granted
.
except where they relate to lands already
recognized as actually petroleum bearing. The
requests that have been made for permission.
to exploit the recently discovered but not ac
curately delineated oil lands in Lower Cali
fornia have therefore been refused until the
proper investigations shall have been made.
Federal Zone in the Petroleum Region
Instructions have been issued for the imme
diate survey of all lands coming under the
designation of "the Federal zone" in the petro
leum regions of the Republic. Their bound
aries are to be accurately delineated and
marked with permanent monuments of ma
sonry. This zone consists of a belt of land
along all navigable streams ten meters ( 32 4/5
feet) in width and on tidewater frontage of
20 meters ( 65 feet) from high-water mark.
Coming down from the time of the con
quest, under the old Spanish law these zones
were set apart as the exclusive property of
the Government and absolutely inalienable in
any manner or for any consideration. Permis
sion could be granted for the use of these
lands for long terms upon application and
the payment of proper license fees therefor,
and this was frequently done. In the oil
region, wharves, pipe lines and other necessary
appliances for the proper conduct of the
petroleum industry have of necessity been
frequently located upon the Federal zone, and
in most cases this has been done after appli
cation has been made and permission granted,
with the accompanying payment of adequate
license fees for the privilege. But because of
the lack of definitely surveyed and marked
boundaries, people have entered upon the zone
and made use thereof without such permis
sion and without making any return to the
Government for the privilege.
The purpose of the order for delineating
and marking the boundaries in permanent and
correct form is that those who are thus mak
ing use of the public lands shall be required.
to make compensation for the privilege, in the
same manner as those who have been legally
granted permission, and in order that there
shall be no further grounds for question as
to the exact limits of the national property.
In some cases oil wells have been sunk upon
the zone without permission having first been
secured, but this will all now be regulated.
Oil Taxes and Shipments
Under an official circular issued by Sub
Secretary Rafael Nieto, of the Treasury De
partment, dated August 14, 1914, the oil tax
for the months of July and August was con
tinued at the same rate as for the months of
May and June, namely :
The valuation of petroleum of a density of
0.97 , $5 per ton.
The valuation of combustible petroleum of
a density of 0.91 , $8.50 per ton.
The valuation of crude petroleum of a
density of 0.91 , $11 per ton.
Gas oil, $8.50 per ton.
The rate of taxation on gasoline is 6 per
cent ad valorem on the crude and 3 per cent
ad valorem on refined.
The Secretary of the Treasury also fur
nishes some interesting information regarding
the exportation of oil and its products from
the Tampico district and of the revenue de
rived therefrom by the Government.
There were exported during the months of
March and April from the port of Tampico

946,000 metric tons of petroleum and its de
rivates, the duties on the exportations amount
ing to 557,000 pesos , or in the neighborhood
of $280,000 American gold. From Tuxpam
in the same period there were sent 446,000 tons
of petroleum products which paid a duty of
257,000 pesos, or about $138,000 American gold,
and from the port of Mexico, on the Isthmus
of Tehuantepec, there was shipped 556 tons,
which paid 334 pesos duty, or about $ 165
American gold.
During the months of May and June, Tam
pico exported 809,000 tons , and under the new
tariff the Government collected 994,000 pesos,
or approximately half that amount in Amer
ican gold. From Tuxpam there went in the
two months mentioned 295,000 tons, on which
318,000 pesos, or $159,000 gold, duty was col
lected. The port of Mexico exported 20,000
tons, collecting 51,000 pesos duty. The re
ceipts of the Government have been increased
more than 600,000 pesos, or $300,000, by the
application of the new tariff since May 1st.
Rich Oil Zone on the Island of Angel de la
Guarda
Recently General Jesus M. Garza informed
Engineer Alberto J. Pani, who is in charge of
the Department of Industry and Commerce,
that lately there was discovered on the Island
of "Angel de la Guarda," in the Gulf of Cali
fornia, a very rich petroleum zone, which, as
soon as it is exploited , would produce greater
quantities of oil than in any other part of the
country.
The Commission of Engineers sent by the
State of Sonora in order to explore the Island
Angel de la Guarda and the coasts of Lower
with a view to determine
California, with
whether there really were indications of oil,
has just submitted a report to the effect that
they do exist, and that they are very rich,
and they urge that exploitation be undertaken.
While making their explorations, the said
Commission of Engineers at once found
"chapopote" at some places, by which they
determined the existence of petroleum meas
ures on said island.
Studies that were made afterwards of these
oil indications showed that, once they are ex
ploited, they would render a very considerable
yield, which at once gave birth to the thought
of their exploitation.
The aforementioned General Jesus M.
Garza, with Messrs . Francisco Martinez ,
Manuel Otalora and Gustavo Muñoz , are the
ones who have obtained the permit to exploit
the very rich indications of oil which are re
ferred to, and already they have proceeded to
organize an important company in order to
obtain the necessary funds with which to begin
the preliminary works of exploration .
Also, on the coast, near the aforementioned
Island of Angel de la Guarda, have been
found other oil indications, of which the De
partment of Industry and Commerce has been
informed .
The oil region located between the Island of
Angel de la Guarda and the nearby coasts is
considered much richer than those of Tuxpam
and Tampico , and it is believed that its pro
duction would be far greater than that of the
other two put together .
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
Petroleum Companies Resume Dividends
The feeling of security and confidence in
the present Government of Mexico by prom
inent American concerns engaged in business
there is demonstrated by the resumption on
the part of the Mexican Petroleum Company,
Ltd., of Delaware, of dividends on its com
mon stock at the rate of 6 per cent per annum,
which dividend was suspended in August,
1913, on account of the conditions then pre
vailing in the Republic.
The Pan-American Petroleum and Trans
port Company, another extensive American
concern also operating in Mexico, and a large
part of whose revenues is obtained from its
holdings of stock in the Mexican Petroleum
Company, Ltd., as well as from its earnings
from its tank steamers trans
porting oil to American ports,
has likewise demonstrated its
confidence in the Carranza
government in a similar
manner. The Pan-American.
Company has declared a
quarterly dividend at the rate
of 7 per cent per annum.
Boat Building by Mexican Mechanics.
No action on the part of American organi
zations doing business in Mexico speaks more
positively of the growing feeling of security
which foreign capitalists have in the stability
and fairness of the Mexican Government than
this renewal of dividends on the part of the
companies mentioned, leading as they do in
the petroleum industry.
This resumption of dividends by two of the
most prominent companies engaged in this
important enterprise is sufficient and convinc
ing answer to the allegations which have been
given wide circulation and credence that the
petroleum industry was being hampered or
that foreign capital was being deterred from
engaging in this or other lines of business .
During all the disorders in Mexico the
Mexican Petroleum Company and the Huas
teca Petroleum Company have continued at
work uninterruptedly. During trying and
critical times they have given continuous em
ployment to a minimum of 3000 Mexican
employes and laborers . These companies have
experienced no strikes. On the contrary, all
strikes in the Tampico district have been set
tled by the companies subjected to them,
finally paying their help the same rates as
voluntarily established by the two concerns
that have just declared the dividends noted.
During the month of August the custom
house at Vera Cruz collected nearly two mil
lion dollars national gold in duties and turned
it in to the National Treasury.
11
Discovery of Paraffine
Announcement is made that the first dis
covery of a deposit of paraffine on this conti
nent has been made in the State of Chihuahua ,
not far from the American boundary line.
The bed has been traced for ten kilometers in
extent and analyses of samples show 93 per
cent of the pure mineral. Petroleum with a
paraffine base has also been discovered in the
same region. The greater portion of the oil
produced in California, the Southwestern por
tion of the United States, and also in Mexico ,
has an asphalt base. It is that with a paraffine
base that produces the best illuminating fluid.
The oil found in Tabasco, which is not being
exploited to any extent, also has a paraffine
base and is said by experts to be the best
found in the world. It is
expected that these new dis
coveries in Chihuahua will be
exploited immediately upon
an extensive scale, thereby
adding largely to the re
sources of the Republic.
Increased Exportation of Oil
The Secretary of the Treasury announces
that the exportations of petroleum for the
months of August and September, the com
plete returns of which have not yet been
secured, will exceed those for June and July,
which amounted to upward of two million
tons. Notwithstanding the increase in the ex
port tax on oil, the foreign demand is con
stantly increasing and the receipts therefrom
by the Government correspondingly augmented.
It is believed that the complete returns of the
exportations for August and September will
approximate three million tons, the duties
upon which will augment the metallic reserves
in the National Treasury by a large amount.
Privileges Forfeited
All oil companies are obliged to pay a
monthly tax of $150 Mexican coin, or $75
American-an insignificant amount when the
importance of the business is taken into con
sideration. However, some of the companies
that were organized in order to sell shares
rather than to engage in legitimate exploita
tion of the oil measures, have refused or
neglected to pay this tax, and for that reason
the Minister of Industry and Commerce has
applied to them the penalty prescribed by law,
and has directed their withdrawal from the
Registry of Oil Companies, which leaves them
without legal standing, and without the power
(Concluded on page 13)
 12
Seen in a Mexican Plaza
BY GEORGE F. WEEKS
IV
THE CRIMEAN WAR AND THE MEXICAN PLAZA
"Half a league, half a league, half a league onward,
Into the jaws of death, into the mouth of hell,
Rode the Six Hundred!"
Who among us who was a schoolboy fifty
years and more ago is there who did not on
a Friday afternoon, when the hated and much
dreaded hour for "speaking pieces" came
around, recite "The Charge of the Light
Brigade"? How we rolled it out ! What a
pleasure it was to be able to utter in public
and under the cold official eye a word which,
when used privately and in strictly personal
matters and discussions , brought condign pun
ishment if overheard by our elders or those
in authority. How we did love to be able to
talk from the platform about people going to
hell, while if we did the same kind of talking,
only not in poetical fashion, on the playground,
we were so sure to catch something of the
same kind. Why, it was almost as good as
being a minister and being able to talk about
hell-fire and damnation right out in public !
We began our youthful "piece speaking"
with :
"Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are."
Or:
"You'd scarce expect one of my age
To speak in public on the stage,"
Or with :
"How big was Alexander, pa,
That people called him great?"
From that we progressed to :
"The breaking waves dashed high
On a stern and rock-bound coast."
Then came :
"The boy stood on the burning deck
Whence all but he had fled."
And lost his life because he had not good,
plain common sense enough to know that his
father must surely have perished and would
have wished him to leave the burning vessel
with the others . In duty bound, of course,
we had to publicly admire the devotion of the
lad in waiting for orders from his dead parent,
and incidentally waiting to be blown to
smithereens when all had sought safety else
where. Away down in our own hearts we
thought he was a bit of a prig, and we could
not see anything very noble in throwing one's
life away in that manner. Far better to have
gone with the others and lived to fight another
day. It seemed to us that that would have
been the better way to have rendered service
to one's country. Anyhow, we did not believe
the story. There never was such a boy !
There couldn't be, except in Sunday School
books !
A great favorite, too, was "Excelsior"!
How the teacher did struggle with us while
we sing-songed our way through :
"The shades of night were falling fast
As through an Alpine village passed," etc.
And tried to make us give the proper em
phasis to each "Excelsior" at the end of a
stanza.
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
A Summer's Idyll of an Idle Summer
Then, too, there was the famous "Marco
Bozzaris," of the Greek revolution, and its
ringing :
"Strike till the last armed foe expires!
Strike for your altars and your fires!
Strike for the green graves of your sires,
God and your native land!"
My, how we did love to bring out those last
four lines ! How we did shout them and
thrash the air with our arms and our imaginary
swords, and waste no pity on the Turk who
at midnight slept in his guarded tent and
never dreamed what we were doing to him!
Then came the Civil War and its accom
panying flood of martial "poetry" and other
wise. We told on the school platform all
Clearing the Jungle in Oil Fields
about the fight between the Monitor and the
Merrimac. We told how :
"At anchor in Hampton Roads we lay
On board of the Cumberland sloop of war."
And how :
"Then like a kraken, huge and black,
She crushed our ribs in her iron grasp."
We hadn't the faintest idea what a "kraken"
was, but it was a fine-sounding word and we
could make the little ones fairly goggle-eyed
with our fierceness.
And then came dear old Barbara Frietchie!
We had it early and we had it bad in our
little old New Jersey school ! And to this day,
considerably more than fifty years later, I can
recite every word of it, from
"Up from the meadows rich with corn,
Clear in the cool September morn,"
Clear down to :
"And ever the stars above look down
On thy stars below at Frederick Town."
But what has all this to do with the shady
reserved seat of " El Gringo" under the china
berry tree in a far-off and lonely Mexican
village?
It is a far cry from the bloody battlefields
of Sebastopol and Inkermann and Balaklava
and Alma to quiet, peaceful little Cuatro
Cienegas. It is a long distance chronologically
from the stirring events of the Crimean war
in the early fifties down to the tenth year of
the twentieth century ! Over three score years
have passed and what possible connection can
there be?
We shall see !
I am sitting in my favorite shaded nook, my
friend and instructor in things Mexican ( Don
Martin ) by my side. We are idly watching
the people passing in and out of the hotel
on the corner, half a block away. A stranger
(to me) emerges and comes toward us. He
is a spare, upstanding man, with snow-white.
hair and mustache, face finely wrinkled and
tanned by the desert sun till it is a deep
umber, but withal he strikes out briskly despite
the heat, and carries himself like a soldier
which, indeed, he is, or rather was.
As he approaches, Don Martin says : "Here
comes a man whom you have often told me
you would like to meet. He lives in Ocampo,
away out on the desert, and he is the owner
of those decorations which are in my safe
and which I showed you when you first came
here. I will introduce you. "
We arise as he comes nearer, and the intro
duction is given. I shake hands with the
stranger.
He is Alphonse Martellet, sergeant of the
fifth battalion of the Forty-third Regiment of
the line, veteran of the Crimean war, veteran
under Marshal Bazaine during the French
invasion of Mexico , proud owner of the Vic
toria Cross and the decoration of the Legion
of Honor. And withal as quiet and unas
suming a man as one could ever meet. Born
in San Lorenzo, on the Gran Riviere, in the
province of Jura, he entered the army early
in life and did not leave it until the end of
the French occupation of this country.
Greetings having been exchanged, we sit
down and Sergeant Martellet tells us about
the Crimean war. He was in all the bloody
engagements of the campaign. He saw the
charge of the Light Brigade. He was with
a battery on one of the hills commanding the
valley down which the gallant Six Hundred
rode to their death, and he shakes his head
as he tells of the rashness, the needlessness,
the folly of it all-all the result of a mis

understanding between two officers who were
too proud to waste time in explanation. It
is ancient history, but how interesting and
thrilling from an eye-witness !
Finally I turn the conversation to the two
notable decorations .
"Sergeant," I say, with more or less diffi
dence, "Don Martin has shown me the deco
rations belonging to you which he has in safe
keeping. Will you pardon me if I ask you
to tell us why they were given you ? It surely
must have been for some act of bravery much
out of the ordinary. Will you not tell us the
story ?"
The Sergeant gave me a lightning glance.
He drew himself up, clicked his heels together,
saluted, and said :
"They were given me for doing my duty,
sir !"
And no amount of persuasion could prevail
upon him to give the slightest hint whatever
of what must have been some extraordinarily
gallant act.
As has been said, Sergeant Martellet was
in Bazaine's army and his term of service ex
pired before Napoleon III withdrew his
troops , after having received a gentle hint
from the Washington Government that their
continued presence on American soil was not
regarded with favor by the United States.
Martellet had seen so much of the country
that he had become enamored of it—or rather
of one of its fair daughters, for his wife,
a Mexican, must have been a very handsome
woman in her younger days, as one can see
readily enough . So he remained, and settled
down in the little village of Ocampo, away out
in the desert, and lived there many, many
years. When I met him he was 93 years of
age, but was as active as many a man 30 or 40
years his junior. I begged him for a photo
graph, but he had never had one taken, and
as there was no photographer in town and my
own camera, was out of commission, I was
obliged to be disappointed.
But we drank a copita together of the best
French brandy to be obtained, I told him it
was one of the greatest honors I had ever
enjoyed, and with a warm grasp of the hand,
another military salute and a few words of
compliment, he went off down the street en
route to his desert home.
But think of it ! From Balaklava to Cuatro
Cienegas ! From 1854 in the Crimea to 1910
on the Coahuila desert !
A project has been inaugurated in the State
of Hidalgo for the establishment of schools
wherein soldiers now kept in garrison may be
given the rudiments of an education .
The permanent commission appointed by the
Commercial Congress recently held in Mexico
City has under consideration the establishment
of commercial schools in all portions of the
Republic.
The new labor law which has been drawn
up in accordance with Article 123 of the new
Constitution consists of 150 separate pro
visions and will be submitted to Congress in
a short time.
A commission has been dispatched to the
southern limits of the Republic for the pur
pose of surveying and marking in permanent
manner the boundaries between Mexico and
the English possession of Belice.
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
MEXICO'S PETROLEUM INDUS-
TRY
(Concluded from page 11 )
to undertake any transactions, either financial
or questions arising before the Government.
Oil Exportation
It is again appropriate to point out that
there is no limitation whatever to the export
of oil from Mexico, nor can there be, con
trary to reports of an opposite character. The
only limit is the availability of vessels for
transportation . There are now in storage
many millions of barrels awaiting shipment.
There is no German influence in the oil fields.
Ninety-nine per cent of the production and
shipment are under American and English
control solely, and these are shipping all that
they can handle, having in reserve immense
stocks, while their potential and immediately
available production is incalculable.
They have some enormous wells , for ex
ample the Cerro Azul, with a potential capacity
of over 260,000 barrels daily, being the largest
in the world and the property of the Mexican
Petroleum Company. Only about ten per cent
of this immense flow is now utilized . The
Aguila Company ( Lord Cowdray's ) has sev
eral wells in the same condition . That the
full potential production of wells already in
existence is not utilized is not the fault of the
Mexican Government, which has the greatest
interest in developing the exportation, as
shown by its acts in improving the port of
Tampico in order to enable vessels of the
largest size to take on cargoes of oil , which
they are doing to-day. The lack of facilities
for the exportation of the potential production
constitutes a serious loss for the Government
in the great value of the imposts which would
be collected otherwise.
Frontispiece and Other Illustrations
The frontispiece, showing views of natural
oil springs in the Tampico region , is of pecu
liar interest and is unique. These are natural
exudations of liquid oil and the bubbles are
constantly forming and collapsing as shown.
The small black spots shown on the bubbles
in the lower left-hand corner are reflections
of the photographer and his camera, as may
be seen with a powerful magnifying glass.
THE REVIEW is indebted to the courtesy of
the Huasteca Petroleum Company for these
photographs , the most interesting of which
appear for the first time.
Denial of German Propaganda
One of the leading newspapers of Mexico
City, El Excelsior, denies emphatically recent
reports telegraphed from that city regarding
German propaganda . It does this under the
caption , "False Report of an American News
paper Correspondent. His Communication to
His Paper That Four German Officials Had
Arrived in Mexico City is Not True. Nor
is it true that these would dedicate themselves
to pro-German propaganda, which they would
not be allowed to do ."
The article is as follows :
"A correspondent of a New York daily, who
resides in this capital, sent a message to the
t
13
publication that he represents, saying that a
certain number of German officials had arp
rived here for the purpose of engaging in
pro- German propaganda and to work in behalf
of the government of the Teutonic empire.
"For this reason we interviewed yesterday
a high official of the Government, who told
us that the news was absolutely false, for
such officials had not arrived in Mexico City,
and that still less they would not be allowed
to engage in any propaganda of the kind
alleged by the correspondent.
"The police of the metropolis is well in
formed as to all persons who enter the coun
try, as the greatest vigilance is being exercised
at all the ports and frontier cities, and when
a suspicious individual enters the country the
fact is immediately communicated to this
capital.
"As great importance has been attached to
this news (which was sent by an American
correspondent ) in the United States , the
necessary steps have already been taken for
categorically denying it..
"The official whom we interviewed stated
that the rumor was only a 'yellow canard,'
worthy of the repudiation of sensible people.
From the moment when the Government of
the Republic ordered on various occasions
that the most strict neutrality must be ob
served in the world war, it is absurd to think
that Teutonic agents in Mexico would be
allowed to engage in propaganda on behalf
of Germany."
LATEST NEWS ITEMS
The School of Aviation in Mexico City,
under the direction of Colonel Alberto Salinas ,
•
has recently completed the construction of
fifty aeroplanes, and work has now been com
menced on a second series of machines of
different type from the first ones.
The railroad between Torreon and Saltillo ,
in the State of Coahuila, has been placed in
first-class condition, bridges rebuilt, and other
repairs made, and is now in regular operation.
This road suffered severely during the Revo
lution, as it was the center of military opera
tions for an extended period.
A commission of engineers has been ap
pointed to undertake the rehabilitation of the
extensive paper factory at San Rafael, near
Mexico City, in order to supply the numerous
periodicals in the Republic with paper at mod
erate prices. At present the cost is much
higher than in the United States .
A project is under way for the acquisition
by the Department of Fine Arts of the notable
palace of Cortez , situated at Coyoacan, one
of the suburbs of Mexico City, and which for
years has been used as the offices of the town
authorities . It is proposed to devote it to
archaeological purposes .
Official reports from the State of Durango
are to the effect that a large portion of the
mines have been reopened, that agricultural and
industrial conditions generally have greatly
improved, the railroads are being operated
regularly, and in general normal status pre
vails.
Some time since, under instructions of the
President, requests were sent to the officials
throughout the Republic that they report the
condition of the corn crop. These reports are
now coming in and the Director-General of
Agriculture announces that the production of
that grain will be greater than for several
years.

14
Popular Loan Subscription
Movement Spreading to All Portions of the Republic for
Extending Financial Aid to the Government
HE movement recently inaugurated in
ΤΗthe State of Michoacan for a popular
subscription to the loans authorized by
Congress has gathered great momentum
and is rapidly spreading to all portions of
the Republic . It seems to have struck the
vein of patriotic enthusiasm that domi
nates the people of the country, and the
plan having once been announced and pre
sented to the public, it is spreading like
wild fire. President Carranza is in daily
receipt of messages from individuals and
organizations of all classes pledging their
support. Military and civil employes of
the national government have promised to
contribute, while railroad, mining, agricul
tural and other workers have joined in the
popular movement. Officials and employes
of State Governments have also notified the
national authorities of their desire to take
part in the patriotic subscription .
On September 12th a convention was
held in Mexico City, called by Governor
Caesar Lopez de Lara of the Federal Dis
trict, which was largely attended and at
which a committee was appointed to take
charge of the matter and push it vigorously.
番 Representatives of the various labor, com
mercial and civil organizations. were
present and all testified to the desire of
those for whom they were the spokesmen
to aid in the rehabilitation of their
country's finances.
The initial subscription is specifically for
the purpose of covering the loan loan of
$ 100,000,000 national gold ($50,000,000
American money) authorized for the pur
pose of establishing a bank which shall
have sole power to issue paper currency
and which shall at all times be redeemable
in coin upon demand .
The Governors of several of the States
have already signified their intention to as
sist in the movement, and it is believed that
all will join therein. The national conven
tion of railway employes, in session in
Mexico City, has unanimously notified
President Carranza that it will at once
commence a canvass of all railway
workers throughout the Republic for the
purpose of enlisting their services in the
cause.
As heretofore stated , the plan is for
every person who is willing to pledge a
contribution of one day's pay for each
month having thirty days and two days'
pay for those having thirty-one days until
the required amount shall have been
reached . It is an outright gift, and no sug
gestion has yet been made of the issuance
to the contributors of bonds covering the
amounts so given.
President Carranza and his cabinet have
set the example of donating the same pro
portion of their salaries toward the de
sired object, and the members of Congress
have also joined in the movement and
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
pledged contributions of one and two days'
salary monthly .
The newspaper reports that have been
widely published regarding the loans all
betray the same misconception regarding
the difference between Mexican and Amer
ican money. Without exception these re
ports state that the Mexican government is
seeking to float a loan of $250,000,000 , the
inference of course being that this means.
American gold.
The fact is that Congress at first author
ized two loans, one for 150,000,000 pesos
and one for 100,000,000-250,000,000 pesos in
all , which at the usual rate of exchange
means $ 125,000,000 American gold , or ex
actly half the amount as given in the pub
lished statements . Subsequently Congress
authorized another loan of $ 50,000,000 , thus
adding $25,000,000 American gold to the
former, making a total of $ 150,000,000
American gold . When it is considered that
this means a per capita of less than $ 10
American gold to the population of Mexico
(variously estimated at from 15,000,000 to
17,000,000 ) , while the first Liberty Loan
floated in this country recently was sub
scribed to the extent of $30 per capita and
additional loans now asked will bring it to
over $ 100, it can readily be seen that there
is nothing very excessive about the modest
loan authorized . And none of these loans
is to meet current expenses , which by the
way are rapidly nearing the income and
reducing the deficit from month to month .
The one for 150,000,000 pesos is for the
purpose of meeting outstanding obligations ,
such as overdue interest on the public
debt ; the one for 100,000,000 pesos is for
the establishment of a bank of issue with
sole power to circulate notes redeemable
on demand in coin, while the one for 50,
000,000 pesos is for the rehabilitation of
the railroads and placing them in the same
condition as before the revolution .
When one considers the hundreds of milP
lions, the billions, which the world is now
dealing in, and which are being raised by
taxation and by bonds, it may well be
claimed that the amount asked by Mexico
for her rehabilitation is but a trifle by com
parison.
The experience of the Government in
the retirement of the paper currency is a
demonstration of the willingness and ability
of the people to assist in this direction .
Many millions of dollars were freely
donated outright by all classes to be
burned, while gifts of jewelry and other
valuables were also made for the same pur
pose, thus materially aiding in settling the
national currency problem. There was no
question of reimbursing these donations.
They were downright gifts to the nation .
It is believed that if the bonds were
offered to the common people as were the
liberty bonds in the United States, in
1
small denominations, many millions would
be subscribed by those who have hoards of
money, just as was the case in France
when the German indemnity of 1870 was
met by the people. That there is far more
coin in the country than is generally sup
posed was demonstrated at the beginning
of the present year, when specie payments
were resumed without an effort. The
amount needed is so comparatively small
and the resources of the country so great,
that there is warrant for believing that the
people themselves will shoulder the burden
of the needed loan for rehabilitating the
country's finances .
Regarding the income of the Govern
ment, it is pointed out officially that it is
constantly increasing and the deficit de
creasing in proportion . The income from !
stamp taxes , which in 1912-13 was $38,Vand
000,000 annually, or about one-third the
total income of the government , will this
year be approximately $68,000,000. The
new taxes on mines, petroleum , alcoholic
liquors, cigars, etc., add largely to the in-
come of the national treasury, and it is de
clared with assurance based on present
facts that the deficiency will be entirely
canceled within a brief period by the
receipts from taxation .
NOTE-It should always be borne in mind in dealing
with Mexican financial matters in news and especially
in official dispatches that unless expressly stipulated
to the contrary all sums of money mean Mexican
coin, which at par is practically half the same
amount as expressed in American money.
NOTES OF INTEREST
A popular subscription is to be opened in
all portions of the Republic for the construc
tion of a modern building for the use of the
Mexican Red Cross Society, an independent
organization which did a vast amount of ex-
cellent service during the Revolution and is
continuing its task permanently. +
A special military corps for the protection
of railway traffic is being organized under the
management of Colonel Paulino Fontes, the
General Manager of the Constitutionalist lines.
This corps will be distinct from the regular
army and will perform the duties in the direc
tion noted that have heretofore fallen to the
troops.
Because of the damage done to the fishing
interests of the municipality of Tuxpam, Vera
Cruz, a tax of three and one-half cents per
ton Mexican gold has been levied upon each
ton of petroleum exported from the port
named. This equals one and three-quarter
cents American currency. The tax is to con
tinue for one year.
With the approach of the winter season the
National Health Board is prosecuting with
vigor the measures necessary to prevent a
recurrence of typhus and other diseases.
Public baths and wash-houses have been
established and cleanliness is being enforced
in every manner possible. Sanitary stations
are to be established at the frontier ports
where passenger traffic is the largest.
The East Coast Oil Company has received
permission to continue the sinking of a well
at Potrero del Zacate, State of Vera Cruz ;
the "Pen-Mex. Fuel Company" has been
granted permission to sink a well at Panuco ,
Vera Cruz ; the Corona Petroleum Company
has given notice that it has brought in a well
at Tamboyoche, Vera Cruz, with a flow of
1000 cubic meters daily.

PRESIDENT CARRANZA'S
ADDRESS
(Concluded from page 3)
June 20th, 1914 was in force, shows an
increase in favor of the Treasury of
538,838.07 pesos for a single bi-monthly
period .
"The law of May 19th last doubled the
tax on tobacco .
"By the law of June 5th a special tax was
levied on telephones ; on the same day a
special tax was also levied, payable in
revenue stamps , on sealed bottles and on
posters and advertising matter.
"On June 9th last, Articles 249, 250 and
251 of the law of June 1 , 1906, were modi
fied, and insofar as relates to Art. 251 the
Federal Contribution tax was set at 60 per
cent beginning with July 1st, last, the inname
crease being made to include the Federal
District and Territories.
"Sections 30 and 44 of the Stamp Tax
Law of June 1st, 1906, as well as Arț. 122
of the same act levying taxes of 2 per cent
and 5 per cent, respectively, on bills of
lading and on transporation by railroad ,
street-car, stage-coach or other convey
ances, were amended under date of June
20th last. In the same month of June
changes were introduced into the tariff
rates on goods imported through the parcel
post. A consumption tax of 10 per cent on
electric light was levied , and a similar tax
of 3 per cent on electric motor-power ; the
decree of June 5th of the present year was
annulled . Beverages prepared from the
juice of the agave plant known as
'pulque' were assessed 25 per cent on the
wholesale price by law of June 27th last.
The corresponding regulations have already
been issued .
"The law of November 17th , 1893 , was
restored to full force and effect, and in ac
cordance with Art . 22 of the regulations of
this law, issued November 28th , 1893 , the
tax of 5 per cent on the total amount of the
transaction is chargeable to the purchaser .
"Rates on gasoline and kerosene were
modified as follows : refined gasoline and
kerosene 3 per cent valorem ; in a crude
condition 6 per cent.
"On July 19th there was assessed a
special stamp tax of 5 per thousand on
capitals administered by such private
charitable institutions as are authorized by
the Law of August 23, 1904.
"The following matters have also been
under consideration : Advisability of bet
tering the condition of customs agents ; tax
collection by the District authorities ; the
incorporation of the Internal Revenue
Bureau into the Government of the Federal
District ; the advisability of levying taxes
similar to those in force in the United
States. In addition , a study is being made
of income and profits legislation . Cir
cular No. 213 was issued instructing Mexi
can Consuls to charge a fee for certificates
issued to Mexican citizens ."
5
Other Matters of Interest
The assistance given to those citizens de
siring to repatriate themselves was re
1
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
ferred to , as also the measures taken to
relieve the scarcity of grain in some por
tions of the Republic .
The operations of the Treasury Depart
ment were given, with the various steps
that have been taken for the rehabilitation
of the nation's finances, as well as the work
performed by the public mint. From May
Ist to August 15th there were coined
$ 14,035,000 in gold pieces and $7,600,000 in
silver. In June and July there were coined
$7,700,000 in gold and $7,600,000 in silver.
The coinage noted is the largest in the his
tory of the Republic.
The deposits with the Monetary Commis
sion on account of former paper emissions
amounted to $ 53,846,495.65 , of which sum
there has been disbursed in gold certificates
$40,253,491.76, leaving a balance in favor of
the depositors of $ 13,593,003.89.
Of paper currency issued $547,471,000 has
been burned.
The Commission charged with the regu
lation of institutions of credit and the
liquidation of the banks of issue reports
that there were 22 such banks and that their
condition was as follows :
Metallic reserve ❤ • ·
$ 41,628,121.70
Bills in circulation . 2 • > 183,201,463.25
Sight deposits • 18.315,412.78
Other deposits · • 32,698,686.14
On June 14th these banks had in their
possession :
Dollars (at 2 to 1 ) . $3,619,534.32
National gold • 2,297,840.00
Pesos coins IN • • 13,102,869.00
National coin •• 721,023-57
Gold and silver bars . • 4,818,459.76
TOTAL $24.559,726.65
Among other acts of the Government
noted by the President was the appoint
ment of a commission to investigate the
various contracts made with the Pearsons
and the Tehuantepec Railway .
The progress made in the reorganization
of the army was described , together with
the establishment of a Legion of Honor, of
the academy of the general staff, the
manufacture of arms , ammunition and
equipment, etc.
The progress made by the School of
Aviation was noted, as well as that of the
Sanitary Service and the military tribunals .
The operations of the forces against
various bands of rebels are referred to , with
the necessary objects achieved, especially
in Chihuahua , where General Murguia is
credited with the restoration of complete
order.
The work of the Department of Fomento
is described at length , including the return
to the public domain of extensive areas in
Lower California and elsewhere which had
been illegally * granted to various persons
who had not complied with the terms of
their concessions. A total of 13,280,000
hectares (nearly 36,000,000 acres ) has thus
been added to the public domain. Many
other cases are under consideration where
concessionaires have failed to comply with
their agreements .
The establishment of colonies on various
of the Pacific Coast islands is referred to ,
as well as in other portions of the Republic.
Various projects of irrigation are being
15
studied by the Department of Fomento for
the utilization of the waters that belong to
the people.
The establishment of meteorological
stations , the surveys of various boundaries
and other works of similar character are
referred to , together with the work under
taken by the Bureau of Archaeology .
The work of the Department of Industry
and Commerce is described, including the
establishment of an electro-chemical labora
tory, projects for the inauguration of ex
positions of the products of the country at
the various consulates in foreign lands, etc.
The efforts of the National University
and of the Department of Fine Arts are
recited, with the general impulse that has
been given to all branches of education and
culture.
The Department of Communications ,
among other important projects has under
taken the construction and repair of high-
ways throughout the Republic, the build
ing of various railways needed for the bet
ter development of the resources of the
country, the construction of port works at
various points, the inauguration of wireless
telegraphic stations , the increase in the
service of the land wire system , and many
other improvements of great value to the
country.
Public health has received adequate at
tention and laws are being prepared for
the better conservation of health and
morals as well, the question of the regu
lation of the production and sale of alco
holic beverages receiving especial atten
tion .
The address was a complete summary of
the present condition of the Republic, which
lack of space prevents publishing in full .
JOTTINGS
The National Treasury has received one
million dollars in American gold coin col
lected as duties in the city of Monterrey, which
was sent to the mint and recoined in Mexican
five, ten and twenty peso pieces.
Because of the large amounts of gold ' that
are being sent to the national mint for coin
age, it has been found necessary to limit the
coinage of silver until the surplus shall have
been treated .
The Workingmen's Congress recently held
in Vera Cruz petitioned the Government for
the immediate establishment of arbitration
boards for the settlement of labor disputes
and for other measures designed to carry out
the provisions of the new Constitution.
Agricultural colonies have been established
at Santa Ana, 1 Santa Maria, El Coyotillo , La
Arituaba and other points in the State of
Sonora, and hundreds of former miners and
their families are now busy establishing homes
and cultivating the soil.
Operations in paper currency except the
"infalsificable" have been forbidden under
penalty, those holding such currency being
required to turn it in for redemption under
the regulations issued by the Government
therefor in 1916.
Every newspaper received from Mexico
City carries accounts of the restoration of
community lands or of the allotment of tracts
of varying size for the establishment of new
pueblos where the lands are to be held in
common.
 2 34

16 THE MEXICAN REVIEW

LATE NEWS NOTES
The Light and Power Company of the State.
of Puebla has been authorized to construct an
electric railway line connecting the cities of
Puebla and Tlaxcala.
The Department of Fomento is considering
a petition for the establishment of a refinery
at Tampico which will be of great benefit to
the many oil companies operating there.
While cleaning out a well at the port of
Progreso, Yucatan, recently petroleum was
found seeping into it and it is believed that
valuable deposits will be found by proper ex
ploitation.
The collections of customs for the first two
weeks in September at the port of Vera Cruz
were so heavy as to warrant the belief that
the total for the month would be over two
million dollars.
In the month of August thirty-five new
mining titles were granted by the Department
of Industry and Commerce, while forty-three
concessions were forfeited for failure to com
ply with the mining laws.
Labor congresses have been held recently
in several of the States of the Republic and
measures discussed for the amelioration of the
condition of working men in accordance with
the provisions of the new constitution.
Reports have been received in Mexico City
from the State of Sonora that large numbers
of Americans are arriving in that section who
are apparently seeking to avoid service in the
army. They are said to be well provided with
money as a rule.
Announcement is made in the press of the
capital city of the advent of many representa
tives of American business houses who are
seeking opportunities for investment and for
the development of various natural resources
which promise to be of a profitable nature.
Two mechanics in the employ of the electric
railway system of the national capital have
recently received rewards of $4000 and $ 1000
each for having invented a novel and very
useful device for the preparation of wiring
for the magnets used in the operation of cars.
A tax of 40 per cent upon pulque has been
approved by the Chamber of Deputies for the
purpose of discouraging traffic in that injuri
ous beverage, and inducing the producers to
make other uses of the plant from which it is
produced, such as the extraction of fiber, the
manufacture of sugar, etc.
The commission appointed to survey the
route for a railway connecting the cities of
Guadalajara and San Luis Potosi reports that
it has completed its labors and that the ` line
will involve an expenditure of $19,000,000 . It
will open up a region very rich in mining,
agriculture and natural resources of various
kinds.
The Department of the Exterior is in con
stant receipt of renunciations filed by Ameri
cans and other foreigners, in accordance with
the new Constitution, that for the purposes of
the immediate business specified they will not
undertake to appeal to their home govern
ments against the operation of the laws of
Mexico in connection therewith.
Improvements projected at the port of
Mazatlan, the most important on the Pacific
coast, under direction of the Department of
Communications and Public Works, include a
series of parallel wharves, of breakwaters, and
the dredging of a channel for deep-water
vessels, thus providing a thoroughly protected
location for vessels against severe storms .
The Treasury Department has requested
that the necessary steps be taken to expel
from the country or prevent the entry of all
foreigners who are found smuggling or at
tempting to smuggle articles of any kind
whatsoever. There has been much} trouble
along the border recently on this account and
drastic measures are necessary to stop it.
It is proposed to organize a company upon
the same lines as the one that so successfully
handles the fiber product of the State of
Yucatan, for the purpose of developing the
banana business in Tabasco . The growers
realize the need of co-operation in handling
and marketing the product and steps are being
taken in that direction .
The Director General of Railways has
turned into the National Treasury the sum 4 of
$250,000 national gold as the surplus of re
ceipts over operating expenses of the Isthmus
Railway during the month of August ;
$150,000 excess on behalf of the Mexican
Railway (from Mexico City to Vera Cruz) ,
and $200,000 excess on behalf of the National
lines for the same period.
Careful attention is being given to the
monetary problem of the Republic, caused by
the recent rise in the value of silver, and the
consequent changed relation of the silver
coinage of the country as compared with the
value of foreign coin. With silver worth over
$1 gold per ounce in the markets of the world,
the silver peso approaches very nearly the
same value as the American silver dollar, yet
the exchange rate is about half that. The
suggestion has been made that a solution
could be found by decreeing that the peso
should be accepted and circulated on a par
with the dollar.
The export duty on henequen fiber has been
established at 5 per cent ad valorem.

‫ܐܝܕ‬
The Truth About Sisal

Send a letter or postcard with a request that your name and address
be entered on the permanent mailing list of the Comision Reguladora
del Mercado de Henequen , the largest and most successful co-operative
association of farmers in the world .

If you want to know the truth about binder twine, the reasons for
recent advances in price and the identity of the powerful interests that are
back of the campaign that has been waged against the Yucatan co 2
operative marketing association of sisal producers, the Comision Regu
ladora will take pleasure in mailing you literature from time to time.

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HENEQUEN ," a semi-monthly magazine issued by the growers ' as
sociation at its home office in Merida, Yucatan .

COMISION REGULADORA DEL MERCADO DE HENEQUEN,

120 Broadway, New York City.

1
 1201

.M62 DEC11 1917

General Alvaro Obregon LIB

UNIV.OFRAR Y
MICH .

Mexican Review
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A. JOURNAL • DEVOTED . TO
THE . ENLIGHTENMENT OF . THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE IN RESPECT
TO THE HOPES AMBITIONS
BENEFICENT INTENTIONS AND
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE
CONSTITUTIONALIST GOVERNMENT

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OF THE

REPUBLIC OF MEXICO

VOL. II WASHINGTON, D. C., NOVEMBER, 1917 NO. 2

Pyramid of the Sun, San Juan Teotihuacan (Work of Restoration Under Way)
TEN CENTS THE COPY

Condition of the Railroads

2 THE MEXICAN REVIEW
General Obregon's Tour
Visiting the United States for Health and Pleasure-He Denounces
the False Rumors of Pro-German Propaganda
ENERAL ALVARO OBREGON, one
G of the heroes of the Mexican revolu
tion, who won the first great fight (that at
Santa Rosa, Sonora, in April, 1913 ) , the
"man who never lost a battle," and who
did more than any other one person to bring
the revolution to a successful conclusion, is
now in the United States on a visit com
bining pleasure and health seeking. He
has received hearty and enthusiastic wel
comes at every place visited and has talked
in a very straightforward and satisfactory
manner about his country.
In an interview at Los Angeles he said :
"If necessary, Mexico will solve its own
financial difficulties by appealing to its own
resources, without the help of a single
foreign dollar ; but if help should come from
the United States in this direction, it
would be well received."
He called attention to the enormous
natural resources which Mexico possesses,
and declared that, if judiciously exploited,
the country would be enabled to meet its
own needs without having to continually
apply for foreign help.
When asked whether it was true that
there was being carried on in Mexico an
active propaganda in favor of the Germans,
General Obregon answered as follows :
"There is no more German propaganda in
Mexico than there is in any other nation.
We will not allow Germany to use us for
its particular purposes ; however there ex
ists in some circles, sympathy for the Ger
mans, but this sympathy is eclipsed by our
good desires to keep cordial relations of
friendship with the American nation.
Mexico will remain neutral, if this task is
humanly possible. I cannot see any pos
sibility of Mexico allying itself with the
Germans, and my particular wish is that
Mexico should keep itself isolated from the
contest, as an absolutely neutral nation ."
At a dinner given to General Obregon by
the leading citizens of Springfield, Ill.,
which the Mexican leader visited by reason
of its having been the home of President
Lincoln, who is held in such high esteem
in Mexico, he said :
"When I return to my country I will be
asked concerning the United States and I
will say that I have been received with the
greatest consideration and have been the
subject of loving attention .
"The dinner given here by the residents
of Springfield is one of the most delightful
incidents of my trip through the United
States, all of which has been of great in
terest and satisfaction to me. It was a mat
ter of great interest to me to have been
given an opportunity to visit the tomb of
Abraham Lincoln , that great American, this
afternoon.
"Lincoln knew no distinctions of boun
daries. He illuminated the whole world.
"It gives me pride to stand here in the
presence of the ladies, who add honor to the
occasion. I will preserve the memories of
this evening which will give me opportunity
in the future to recall the people of Spring
field. It will instill into Mexican hearts a
feeling of gratitude. It will do much good
too in binding closely the two nations in
bonds of kindness and love forever."
General Alvaro Obregon
THE UNITED STATES AND
MEXICO
HE travels of General Obregon in this
TH country, if one may judge of the effect
of his visit to this city, are likely to be of that they can be exploited in the same
great value both to his own country and to
ours. The more Mexicans of his type who
visit and enlighten us the better for us all.
The American people have the most friendly
feeling toward Mexico . We desire none of
their territory and do desire that the Mexican , from the island of Marta down to the
people shall be increasingly prosperous. But
the masses of the American people do not
visit Mexico, and some Americans who have
visited that country and invested there have
apparently not so conducted themselves as to
make Americans popular.
And we have suffered greatly by an un
ceasing propaganda carried on against us in the great and increasing necessity for
that country by European competitors for
Mexican trade. And we need not lay it all to
"Germans," for British traders have been as the development of the sub-sea deposits
desirous as others to create hostility to this
country, not because they were Germans or
British or French, but because they desired to
make it more difficult for us to compete.
However strenuously they might compete with
each other, they united like brothers to create of any nation, but to the high seas ."
enmity against us, because, by geographical
situation, our competition is most dangerous.
It is also doubtless true, as General Obregon
said, and as has been said many times before,
that American salesmen have usually failed to
adapt themselves to Mexican habits, desires
or prejudices, but have strenuously urged that
they take what we have to offer, and take it
quick, so that the salesmen could make the
next town.
The distinguishing traits of the Spanish
speaking people are courtesy and deliberation.
It is useless to deny that the distinguishing
trait of American business is lack of both.
This country is prosperous and rich, doubtless
as the result of American energy. Mexico is
disturbed and unprosperous, doubtless, in part,
owing to Spanish deliberation and content
with whatever is. Unquestionably, American
business, which produces, sells, lends and in
vests, has too often expressed itself in a cer
tain arrogance, well calculated to check trade
and promote positive dislike. It appears to
be true that until recently it was unusual for
salesmen visiting Mexico to show to their
proposed customers even the courtesy of
learning their language. That is being reme
died. It was never true of Germans, and
rarely true of British or French.
Economic changes have made it highly im
portant for the Mexican people to be friendly
with us. Here, if anywhere, they must get the
financial help which they need. All that is
required on our part to make great progress
with that people is really a reform in our
manners-which will be good for us, anyhow.
-San Francisco Chronicle.
OIL DEPOSITS UNDERNEATH THE
WATER
A well known geologist, Fernando
Urbina, states that oil seepages are found
not only on the land but in the sea as well.
He claims to have discovered , through re
searches made by himself, that the oil dis
tricts of Tampico, Tuxpam, Tehuantepec,
etc., are continued in the Gulf of Mexico
and that great deposits exist there ; also
manner as on land, by drilling. The limits.
of the sub-sea oil area can be determined .
down to a depth of twenty meters (65 feet) ,
and the deposits are declared to cover a
strip of the western littoral of the Atlantic
Orinoco, a distance of more than 33 degrees.
of latitude. In his judgment the ex
ploitation of the under-sea deposits can be
profitably undertaken in those portions of
the gulf that abut on the shores of the
United States as well as of Mexico . In
conclusion Mr. Urbina says : "Because of
obtaining petroleum, lubricating oil, gaso
line, etc., from wherever they can be had.
would open a new horizon for the Mexican
oil industry, and at the same time would
bring up interesting questions as to the
ownership of oil found in those localities
that do not belong to the territorial waters
 J 3
Facts About Mexican Railways
Rolling Stock of All Kinds Now Equal to Pre-Revolution
N interesting light is thrown upon state
A ments recently made in the Saturday
Evening Post and also in the Mining and
Scientific Press of San Francisco concerning
the condition of the railways in Mexico, which
are far from the truth, as will be shown. Great
stress is laid upon the alleged wholesale
destruction of engines and cars during the
Revolution and what is claimed to be a present
shortage of rolling stock.
The last annual report of the National
Railways of Mexico, made in 1916, shows
the following facts :
In 1913, before there had been any de
struction of consequence, there were 435
passenger coaches of broad gauge and 118
of narrow gauge . In 1916 there were 414
broad gauge and 101 narrow gauge- or a
net loss of but 21 and 17 respectively.
In 1913 there were 16,661 freight cars of
broad gauge and 1831 of narrow gauge.
In 1916 there were 13,222 of broad gauge
and 1396 of narrow gauge-a loss of 3439
of the one and 434 of the other.
In 1913 there were 635 broad gauge
locomotives and 94 narrow gauge. In 1916
there were 596 of the broad gauge and 83 of
the narrow- a loss of 83 and 11 respectively.
Since the date of this report large addi
tions have been made to the rolling stock
of all kinds , by repair, construction and
purchase. Further additions are constantly
being made.
General Agent De Hoyos, who repre
sents the Constitutionalist railways in New
York, is responsible for the statement that
within the last six months there have been
purchased 600 freight cars, 80 passenger
cars and sixty locomotives . Three thou
sand cars are now under repair in the com
pany's own shops, which when completed
will bring the equipment practically to the
same point as in 1913- in fact, it is already
larger so far as regards locomotives and
passenger coaches, but a trifle less in re
gard to freight cars.
BASIS OF PETROLEUM TAXATION
Under date of October 16th, Sub- Secre
tary of the Treasury Nieto gave notice that
for the months of September and October
the special stamp tax of ten per cent on
exports of petroleum would be levied upon
the following basis of values :
Combustible petroleum of a density of
6.91 , $ 10 per ton.
Crude petroleum of a density of 0.91 , $ 13
per ton.
Petroleum of a density greater than 0.97,
t $5.50 per ton.
Gas oil, $ 10 per ton.
Refined gasoline in bulk or barrels, 12
cents per liter.
Crude gasoline in bulk or barrels, 11
cents per liter.
Kerosene crude or refined, in bulk or
barrels, 3 cents per liter.
1
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
Days Official Statements on the Subject
The valuations of crude and combustible
petroleum will be increased or diminished
in accordance with its density as stated in
the decree of April 13 , 1917 .
These valuations are in Mexican gold , the
equivalent in American gold being one-half.
The total amount of the tax on the
various grades of petroleum is therefore 55
cents, $I1 and $ 1.30 per ton for the re
spective grades, in Mexican gold, or 27½
cents , 50 cents and 65 cents American gold .
The oil varies from 6 to 7 barrels to the
ton, according to density, and the tax is
therefore from about four cents to 93-10
cents to the barrel.
The tax on gasoline and kerosene on the
basis of four liters to the gallon is : Refined
gasoline, 48-10 cents Mexican gold, or
24-10 American ; crude gasoline , 4½ cents,
or 24 cents American, and on kerosene
I 2-10 cents or 6-10 of a cent American gold
per gallon.
PROTECTING THE NATIONAL
REFINING INDUSTRY
Under date of October 16th , President
Carranza issued the following decree :
" WHEREAS , for the purpose of pro
tecting the National industry of refining of
petroleum , it is necessary to establish dif
ferent quotas for the products in their
native state from those fixed on refined
products , calculating them in proportion to
the total of the tax on their components ;
as well as to fix a smaller value on crude
gasoline leaving kerosenes in the same cir
cumstances .
"I have seen fit to decree the following :
"Article First- For the fixing of the
special stamp tax on crude petroleum pro
duced in the country, the Department of
Finance will fix at the end of each period
of two months the value of crude petroleum
so that the tax of ten ( 10% ) per cent which
it must pay shall be equal to the total of
taxes paid by its components, fuel oil, crude
kerosene and crude gasoline.
"In the same way, to determine the pro
portion of component parts referred to in
this article the average which crude
petroleum refined in the country contains of
them, shall be taken as basis.
"Article Second-The Department of
Finance will fix at the end of each two
months period, prices of refined gasoline
and kerosene taking the average values in
the City of New York during the foregoing
month ; on the understanding that these
same prices shall be applied to crude gaso
line and kerosene, discounting three-fourths
of a centavo from the price of each unit in
fixing the price of crude gasoline .
“Transitory- Article fourth of the De
cree of April 13th of this year and sole
article of Decree of 30th of last June are
hereby rescinded insofar as they are incon
sistent with this decree."
¿
LATEST NEWS NOTES
Railroad employes in the State of Jalisco
will organize a cooperative association for
the purpose of securing food and other
necessaries at lower rates than are de
manded by dealers .
With the approval of President Carranza ,
the State Government of Michoacan has re
turned to their rightful Indian owners sev
eral large tracts of agricultural land of
which they had been deprived illegally.
A school of art and industry is to be
established in the State of Sonora for the
benefit of orphans , there being upward of a
thousand of such children who are without
homes and are in need of educational train
ing.
The Governor of the State of Puebla, one
of the centers of the textile industry, has
organized a Commission of Conciliation and
Arbitration for the settlement of disputes.
that arise between the working people and
the employers .
On the tenth of this month through rail
way traffic between Mexico City and Juarez
was resumed, the line having been put in
good condition, bridges rebuilt or repaired ,
and all preparations for regular through
service completed.
Chambers of Commerce of the border
States of both countries are engaging in a
movement to secure modifications of the
new regulations in the United States re
garding the exportation of various articles
from that country .
A National Industrial Congress is to be
held in Mexico City commencing On
November 5th , at which will be present
representatives of the various industries of
the country who will discuss matters of
great interest to all.
In addition to the extension of educa
tional facilities in other directions, the
Government of the State of Colima pro
poses to establish a farm and agricultural
school for instruction in the latest methods
of soil cultivation , etc.
Official reports from the State of Gue
rrero state that the crops are better than
for the previous year and have been very
abundant. The State is entirely at peace,
new schools are being established in all
sections and normal conditions are prac
tically resumed.
Notice has been given that the capital
of the Territory of Lower California has
been transferred from Ensenada, on the
Pacific coast, to the town of Mexicali, on
the line between the United States and
Mexico. This place has rail communication
and is more accessible than the former
capital .
The authorities report the recent settle
ment of a large number of foreigners of
various nationalities at Bamori, a remote
point in the northern portion of the State of
Sonora, who have gone there without
authorization or notification . They are
said to be men who are seeking to escape
the military service in the United States.
The Agrarian Commission of the State of
Vera Cruz is prosecuting its labors with
vigor and it is announced that within a brief
period all the former community lands in
that commonwealth will be restored to the
original and rightful owners , thereby
ameliorating conditions to a great extent,
as thousands will thus be provided with
small farms .
}

San Juan Teotihuacan Ruins
The Wonderful Pyramids Whose Origin was not Known to the
HE work of exploring the famous ruins
TH of San Juan Teotihuacan, which had been
suspended throughout the revolutionary period,
has been resumed under the direction of the
Secretary of Fomento, and it is believed that
some very important and interesting discov
eries will be made. Recently an excursion
was organized to these prehistoric ruins, com
posed of the diplomatic corps and high public
functionaries, to most of the former it being
an entirely new and novel experience. In
this connection, the account of these remains
of a forgotten race as given in Prescott's
"Conquest of Mexico" is of interest. It should
be said, however, that since this account was
written, the Pyramid of the Sun has been
restored in greater part to its ancient condi
tion, and much progress has been made in
excavating other ruins in the same locality.
THE REVIEW gives herewith illustrations of
the ruins as they were when Prescott wrote,
and also as they are at present.
The great author wrote :
"The monuments of San Juan Teotihuacan
are, with the exception of the temple of
Cholula, the most ancient remains, probably,
on the Mexican soil. They were found by
the Aztecs, according to their traditions, on
their entrance into the country, when Teoti
huacan, the habitation of the gods, now a
paltry village, was a flourishing city, the rival
of Tula, the great Toltec capital. The two
principal pyramids were dedicated to Tonatiuh,
the Sun, and Meztli, the Moon. The former,
which is considerably the larger, is found by
recent measurements to be six hundred and
eighty-two feet long at the base, and one hun
dred and eighty feet high, dimensions not in
ferior to those of some of the kindred monu
ments of Egypt. They were divided into four
stories, of which three are now discernible,
while the vestiges of the intermediate grada
tions are nearly effaced. In fact, so much
displaced by the treacherous vegetation of the
tropics, muffling up with its flowery mantle.
the ruin which it causes, that it is not easy to
discern, at once, the pyramidal form of the
structures. The huge masses bear such re
semblance to the North American mounds,
that some have fancied them to be only nat
ural eminences shaped by the hand of man
into a regular form, and ornamented with the
temples and terraces, the wreck of which still
covers their slopes. But others, seeing no
example of a similar elevation in the wide
plain in which they stand, infer, with more
probability, that they are wholly of an artifi
cial construction.
"The interior is composed of clay mixed
with pebbles, incrusted on the surface with
the light porous stone tetzontile, so abun
dant in the neighbouring quarries. Over
this was a thick coating of stucco, re
sembling, in its reddish colour, that found
in the ruins of Palenque. According to
tradition, the pyramids are hollow, but
hitherto the attempt to discover the cavity
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
Natives Even in the Time of Cortez
in that dedicated to the Sun has been un
successful. In the smaller mound, an
aperture has been found on the southern
side, at two-thirds of the elevation. It is
formed by a narrow gallery, which, after
penetrating to the distance of several
yards, terminates in two pits or wells. The
largest of these is about fifteen feet deep ;
and the sides are faced with unbaked
bricks ; but to what purpose it was devoted,
nothing is left to show. It may have been
to hold the ashes of some powerful chief,
like the solitary apartment discovered in
the great Egyptian pyramid. That these
monuments were dedicated to religious
uses there is no doubt; and it would be
only conformable to the practice of an
tiquity in the eastern continent, that they
Pyramid of the Sun, San Juan Teotihuacan, as Restored
should have served for tombs as well as
temples .
"Distinct traces of the latter destination
are said to be visible on the summit of the
smaller pyramid, consisting of the remains
of stone walls, showing a building of con
siderable size and strength . There are no
remains on the top of the pyramid of the
Sun. But the traveler who will take the
trouble to ascend its bald summit will be
amply compensated by the glorious view it
will open to him; towards the south- east
the hills of Tlascala, surrounded by their
green plantations and cultivated cornfields,
in the midst of which stands the little vil
lage, once the proud capital of the republic.
Somewhat further to the south, the eye
passes across the beautiful plains lying
around the city of Puebla de los Angeles,
founded by the old Spaniards, and still
rivaling, in the splendor of its churches ,
the most brilliant capitals of Europe ; and
far in the west he may behold the Valley
of Mexico, spread out like a map, with its
diminished lakes, its princely capital rising
in still greater glory from its ruins, and its
rugged hills gathering darkly around it, as
in the days of Montezuma .
"The summit of this larger mound is said
to have been crowned by a temple, in which
was a colossal statue of its presiding deity,
the Sun, made of one entire block of stone.
and facing the east. Its breast was pro
tected by a plate of burnished gold and
silver, on which the first rays of the rising
luminary rested . An antiquary, in the early
part of the last century, speaks of having
seen some fragments of the statue . It was
still standing, according to report, on the
invasion of the Spaniards, and was de
molished by the indefatigable Bishop
Zumarraga, whose hand fell more heavily
than that of Time itself on the Aztec monu
ments .
"Around the principal pyramids are
great number of smaller ones, rarely ex
ceeding thirty feet in height, which, ac
cording to tradition, were dedicated to the
stars, and served as sepulchres for the
great men of the nation . They are ar
ranged symmetrically in avenues termina
ting at the sides of the great pyramids,
which face the cardinal points . The plain
on which they stand was called Micoatl, or
" Path of the Dead." The laborer, as he
turns up the ground, still finds there num
erous arrow-heads and blades of obsidian,
attesting the warlike character of its
primitive population .
"What thoughts must crowd on the mind .
of the traveler as he wanders amidst these
memorials of the past ; as he treads over
the ashes of the generations who reared
these colossal fabrics, which take us from
the present into the very depths of time!
But who were their builders ? Was it the
shadowy Olmecs, whose history, like that
of the ancient Titans, is lost in the mists
of fable? or as commonly reported, the
peaceful and industrious Toltecs , of whom
all that we can glean rests on traditions
hardly more secure? What has become of
 THE MEXICAN REVIEW 5

"The agricultural employment of the two

hundred soldiers would be for one week, at
Military Agricultural Colonies
the end of which they shall return to their
Project by Which a Large Self-Supporting Army Shall Be at military service, being substituted by two hun
dred of their comrades.
All Times Ready for National Defense
"In this way, and while they are defenders
R. ZEFERINO DOMINGUEZ, well of the distribution of lands be solved, and of the country, they would at the same time
MR .
known as the "corn expert" of Mexico,
Mexico, thus develop the national resources, once that also be elements of progress, because by im
has outlined in a Mexico City newspaper his peace had been assured by the Government. proving agriculture, which is our main source
plan for the establishment of military agri "It could be alleged that the actual economic of riches, Mexico could be placed at the height
cultural colonies, as follows : situation of the Nation might be an obstacle to which she belongs beyond doubt, more so
"In each State of the Republic there could to the realization of this project ; but if we when she has been so prodigiously provided
be established military farms, which could analyze the question down to its bottom, we for by nature.
contribute in a really practical manner to the shall find that whatever amount is invested, "This agrarian-military service would be for
progress of agriculture in our country. even though in so doing would require great three years and obligatory. At the end of
"I have submitted my project to the study sacrifices, it would be greatly compensated and this term, the soldier who has observed good
of divers corporations, and in all the confer would result in great benefits for all social conduct, has faithfully served the Govern
ences that I have held in Mexico and in the classes. ment and done his duties as citizen, shall re
exterior, in which I have dealt upon the "The Nation owns, in all the States, lands ceive, as compensation, a lot of ground of five
matter of creating a National Agrarian that could be used for the purpose indicated hectares ( 12½ acres) , with his house upon it,
Military Army, I have received the approba above ; but even if the lands had to be bought, a team of horses or mules, the necessary im
tion of statisticians and sociologists of world the benefits that would result afterwards plements, and two hundred pesos, which is
wide reputation, of practical agriculturists , would clearly show that those efforts would the amount that is needed for the operation
and of competent soldiers or military men, by be duly repaid. of his property and for putting it in a condi
tion to produce.
"The home and the land that each soldier
shall have won by reason of his courage, his
loyalty and his labor will have the protection
of the State, and will have the guardianship
of a law called 'Free Homestead .'
"In this way the soldier would not only
work out his own future, but would really
be useful to his country. On the other hand,
he will love the land which is so prodigious
and generous, and will be an important factor
in the progress of agriculture in a country
that is eminently agricultural .
"With the system of agrarian-military colo
nies there would be an army of 270,000 faith
ful men, who will fight for one ideal : The
Home. This army would not require great
expense for its maintenance, and besides being
a really respectable and respected institution,
it would be a powerful help towards the de
velopment of the natural resources of the
country.
"Thus, within a short time, there would be
Pyramid of the Sun, San Juan Teotihuacan , Before Restoration formidable army, capable of affording
power, guaranties, order, prestige and great
which I trust that flattering results may be "In each of the Federal entities or States ness to the Mexican Nation.
obtained. there could be established at least ten military "Within three years, once this system has
"It is for this reason that I propose that this agricultural colonies, conveniently distributed been adopted, there would be an immense
idea may be studied by the Government of in the agricultural districts, or wherever they increase to the number of land proprietors
the Republic, which is the only entity that are deemed necessary by military strategy. By with the duty of rendering their services in
could put it in practice, and I have the firm preference they should be located near the case of war or foreign invasion.
conviction that in that way could the problem railways, not only for the protection of the "On the other hand, these proprietors would
latter, but in order to have facilities for the increase the numbers of the ranks of the
the races who built them? Did they re exportation of the agricultural products. middle class, which is really progressive, and
main on the soil, and mingle and become "Each colony would be composed of one with whom are the hopes for the progress of
incorporated with the fierce Aztecs who thousand men, distributed as follows : Two Mexico."
succeeded them? Or did they pass on to hundred soldiers shall do the agricultural
A special commissioner has been sent to
the south, and find a wider field for the work over an extension of land equal to two the various South American countries with
expansion of their civilization, as shown by thousand hectares or more ( 5000 acres ) if films illustrative of present conditions in
the higher character of the architectural possible. The eight hundred remaining sol
Mexico, which will be widely displayed for
remains in the distant regions of Central diers shall be occupied in the military service,
the purpose of removing erroneous impres
America and Yucatan ? It is all a mystery, in the care of the roads and in the protection
sions regarding the country.
over which Time has thrown an impene of the settlements and towns of the zone.
trable veil that no mortal hand may raise. Said soldiers, at the same time that they are The authorities of the city of Juarez have
A nation has passed away, powerful, occupied in the protection of life, shall also begun negotiations with the El Paso
populous, and well advanced in refinement, repair the roads and build new ones, accord officials looking toward the construction of
as attested by their monuments, but it has ing to the needs of each region . Likewise a new bridge across the Rio Grande, the
perished without a name. It has died and they shall be occupied with the works of irri present one being insufficient to accommo
made no sign." gation, building of canals, digging wells, etc. date the constantly growing traffic..
6 THE MEXICAN REVIEW
Inexcusable Misstatements
Widely Published Allegations Regarding Railroad Repairs, Also
Recognition of the Constitutionalist Government
HOSE who are acquainted with the con
T ditions in Mexico and who have followed
the steady march of events in that coun
try during the past six or seven years have
been surprised at some recent statements ap
pearing in the Saturday Evening Post of Oc
tober 6th, by Carl W. Ackerman, regarding
that country. One is to the effect that : "For
seven years practically no repairs have been
made on any of the railway lines-either those
owned by the Government or those owned
abroad and operated by the authorities."
As a matter of fact, nothing could be fur
ther from the truth than this assertion. Re
pairs to all the lines in the Republic have been
prosecuted diligently and zealously even dur
ing the worst periods of the revolution, and
it has been unanimously conceded by foreign
ers who have traveled over the various lines ,
Government as well as private ones, that their
condition compares most favorably with those
in the United States- is, indeed, well up to
the standard in such matters. Bridges have
been rebuilt, tracks relaid and reballasted, and
except for the presence of an occasional pile
of bent and twisted rails or of iron work from
burned cars by the side of the track, one
might well believe he were traveling over one
of the best roads in the United States. It is
true, many stations were burned during the
troubles, but as a rule these were of the poorer
class. The fine edifices at Ciudad Juarez,
Chihuahua, Hermosillo, Saltillo, San Luis
Potosi, Queretaro, Guadalajara, Colima, Vera
Cruz, Orizaba, Cordoba, Puebla, one (a stone
structure) at Monterrey, those in Mexico City,
as well as many others-in fact, all the best
ones in the Republic-were not injured in the
least. Most of those that were damaged have
been repaired and constant work in this direc
tion is being prosecuted. All these facts are
well known to travelers in the Republic and
should have been known to the Post's corre
spondent, as they are apparent to all.
So, too, with the rolling stock. The various
railroad repair shops in all portions of the
Republic have been busy for over two years
in repairing engines, freight and passenger
cars, and the amount of work thus accom
plished has been remarkable considering the
conditions. The iron work of hundreds if not
thousands of cars has been utilized in the
construction of new ones and the process is
going steadily forward. Locomotives that had
been wrecked or temporarily disabled have
been put in commission by the score, and the
repair shops at all the railway centers are kept
fully occupied with the work, as they have
been continuously since the restoration of
peace and as rapidly as the lines were again
controlled by the Government.
The foregoing are well-known facts easily
susceptible of demonstration by personal ob
servation, yet the Post correspondent has ap
parently preferred to repeat the allegations
of antagonists of the Government rather than
seek proof himself at first hand.
As to Recognition
Fully as surprising is the statement that the
United States and the Allies have not recog
nized the present government of Mexico as a
de jure one, and " that their ambassadors and
ministers are not at this writing (some time
in September, from all appearances ) accredited
to the de jure government. "
The Government of Mexico was recognized
by the United States Government as a de jure
government in March last and has since that
date been so regarded. It has been recog
nized by various other powers of both conti
nents as a de jure government (namely, Spain,
France, Italy, Norway, Austria and Germany)
for a much longer period. The dates of recog
Pyramid of the Sun Partially Restored
nition as a de jure government are as follows :
Spain, July 4, 1916 ; France, August 17, 1916 ;
Italy, December 29, 1913 ; England, August
24, 1914 ; Belgium, November 1, 1914 ; Sweden,
February 14, 1917 ; Japan, April 12, 1916 ;
China, April 14, 1914 ; Argentina, October 4,
1916 ; Salvador, January 10, 1917 ; Chile, Jan
uary 10, 1917 ; Guatemala, November 6, 1916 ;
Cuba, March 28, 1913 ; Germany, August 11 ,
1914 ; Austria, February 1 , 1914..
The governments that recognized the de
facto Government before May 1st last have
ratified their recognition to the Constitution
alist de jure government and their ministers
are in Mexico now. Colombia, Paraguay,
Peru and Bolivia have also recognized the
de jure government, but the dates are not at
hand.
In the face of the foregoing facts, it is diffi
cult to understand the reason for the mis
takes noted.
The "Gresham Law" Canard
The same correspondent in a former issue
of the Post told a silly story about some
delegate to the Constitutional Convention in
Queretaro last spring moving that the "Gresh
am law" be repealed, when that law was
quoted in opposition to certain financial propo
sitions. This canard had its origin in a
Mexico City club frequented by antagonists
of the country at the time the Zapatista
"Chamber of Deputies" was in session. A
member was said to have moved that the "law
of supply and demand" be repealed or sus
pended, when that law was advanced in oppo
sition to a price-fixing measure. This incident
never occurred, though it has often been told
regarding other legislative bodies in other
countries by opponents who sought to cast
ridicule upon them. The membership of the
Mexican Constitutional Convention was quite
as intelligent, quite as able, and quite as well
informed upon economic questions as their
critics, and compared very favorably with
other similar bodies in other countries.
It is a pity that such foolish canards should
be repeated for no other apparent purpose
than to cast ridicule upon a country that is
struggling for freedom against a handicap and
is striving to maintain friendly relations with
its next-door and more powerful neighbor
under conditions that through no fault of
theirs frequently do not make for friendliness .
TAXES PAYABLE ONLY IN GOLD
The Treasury Department, by order of the
President of the Republic, in view of the fact
that, due to the embargo decreed by the
American Government forbidding the expor
tation of gold, American currency notes circu
lating in Mexico become practically incontro
vertible, has provided that from October 1st
inclusive, custom houses, stamp offices, and
other Federal offices collecting taxes and other
receipts, shall not receive in payment thereof
such American bills or notes, American silver
dollars, nor any drafts payable in foreign
parts. From the same date and until further
notice, the same offices shall be empowered to
accept in payment of taxes, unlimitedly, Amer
ican gold coins at the rate of one for two.

Regulating Labor Disputes
Measure Now Before the Chamber of Deputies Providing
Article 1. Pending the issuance of the
Organic Law of Article 123 of the Federal
Constitution, which relates to the settlement
of the differences, controversies, or conflicts
that may arise between workers, laborers,
domestic employees, artisans and whatever
other workers and their employers in the
Federal District, the following rules and regu
lations will be observed :
Art. 2. For the settlement of the indicated
differences or conflicts, every time that such a
case may occur, the Chief of the section of
the Interior Department of the Government
of the District shall urge the complainants to
appoint a representative, asking the other
party to do likewise, both of whom and a
Pyramid of the Moon, San Juan Teotihuacan
third person, designated by the Government,
should be incorporated into the Conciliatory
Jury, charged with the settlement of the point
in controversy.
Art. 3. In order that the personality of
each of the representatives appointed may be
legally established, the corresponding proceed
ings therefor will be opened before the chief
of the aforesaid section of the Government, a
record of which should be made, the same to
be approved and authorized by all the parties
interested, and three copies made thereof, one
for each of the contending parties, and the
third for the archives of the Conciliatory Jury.
In said minutes also will be inserted the Con
stitutional declaration that should be made by
the representatives named.
Art. 4. As soon as the Conciliatory Jury
has been incorporated, it shall call to hearing
the representatives appointed by the opposing
parties, who should name and summon to the
hearing the workers and the employers inter
ested in the case, in which hearing each party
shall state his side of the case ; he shall cite
the proofs that he may deem necessary, all
of which should be entered into the minutes.
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
for the Settlement of All Controversies
that will be drawn for the purpose. If one
hearing will not suffice, there should be held
any number that may be deemed necessary,
each of which proceedings will have its corre
sponding minutes.
Art. 5. Once the hearings have been ended,
and if in the judgment of the Conciliatory
Jury it is necessary to bring up for revision
any document, record, or the issuance of any
writ, it shall so direct, and it shall so advise
the representatives of each party.
Art. 6. The Conciliatory Jury shall study
the matter and render its decision at the
earliest possible moment, which should not be
later than eight days, counting from the day
when the parties had last been summoned for
said decision or from the day of the last
hearing.
Art. 7. The Conciliatory Jury shall base its
decision on the facts just as they appear in
the résumé which it should draw up out of the
minutes of the proceedings, and it shall take
into consideration the bases contained in Arti
cle 123 of the Federal Constitution, in order
to conscientiously decide on whatever is just.
Art. 8. In all the decisions of the Jury
which may be financially against the employers
there should be stated the time limit within
which said decisions should be complied with.
Art. 9. If that time limit has expired and
the party against whom the decision had been
rendered had not given its compliance to the
decision, the other (the winning party) shall
be entitled to the decision, with the right to
apply to the competent judge with request for
the execution of the corresponding decision ;
the judicial authority then should adjust its
proceedings to the laws relating to the execu
tion of the arbitral decision.
Art. 10. The decision that will be pro
nounced by the Conciliatory Jury, besides
making it known to the interested parties by
7
formal notice, which will be entered in the
respective minutes, will be published in the
"Diaro Oficial" (Official Daily or Official
Bulletin ) , and in another paper that may be
deemed necessary in the Federal District.
Art. 11. Such decisions can be caused to
be executed and should be duly compiled with,
at the instance of any of the interested parties,
according to Article 9 of this Regulation.
Art. 12. In order that the proceedings of
the Conciliatory Jury may be duly effected,
there should be chosen by secret vote, during
its first meeting and immediately after the
depositions have been made by all members
thereof, a chairman out of the two repre
sentatives in the Jury, and the other shall act
as Secretary thereof.
Art. 13. The representative of the Govern
ment shall take part in the proceedings of the
Jury as an intermediary, his vote being neces
sary in all cases when his intervention is medi
atory and necessary to bring harmony among
the representatives of the interested parties.
Art. 14. When any of the contending par
ties refuse to name a representative to be
incorporated in the Conciliatory Jury so that
the relative question may be solved in accord
ance with this Regulation, the dispositions of
this Regulation should (or shall ) not be ob
served ; but in that case the Government of
the District shall apply Clause XXI of Article
123 of the Constitution.
Art. 15. The fees that shall be due to the
members of the Conciliatory Jury shall be
respectively paid by the parties that appointed
them, and the common expenses shall be
charged to the Government of the District.
Ar Appeal for Fairplay
Apropos to certain malicious and un
called for attacks upon Mexico that have
appeared in the public press, Rev. J. W.
Butler, who has resided in that country
many years, says in part :
"Now let us suppose a case. Suppose
that some Mexican with a facile pen and
a well-developed imagination should visit
the United States with his kodak to in
vestigate and write up such things as our
Mormon blot, our sweat- shops , the low
dives of some of our Northern cities, the
lynching scenes, not only in the South but
sometimes in the North, and such riots as
recently occurred in East St. Louis. What
dark and disgraceful pictures he could paint
on returning home ! In addition to all this
suppose he should so present the case as
to make the impression that his pictures
were the rule rather than the exception in
our country. What kind of indignation
would roll all the way from the Atlantic
to the Pacific?
"What we are asking for is a fair show
or a square deal for Mexico . In other
words, let our public writers and speakers
cultivate the same honest consideration for
this country that we should ask of those
who visit our country for the purpose of
studying its conditions . A little more fair
ness would help bring about better inter
national relations."
8 THE MEXICAN REVIEW
The .
Mexican Review
THEJOURNAL
A· - DEVOTED
ENLIGHTENMENT TO
· OF THE
AMERICAN-PEOPLE-IN -RESPECT
TO THE HOPES - AMBITIONS:
BENEFICENT » INTENTIONS · AND
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• OF .THE
CONSTITUTIONALIST- COVERYMENT
-OF -THE
REPUBLIC • OF · MEXICO
Published Monthly at
Washington, D. C. , U. S. A.
George F. Weeks Editor and Publisher
613 Riggs Building
Yearly Subscription $ 1.00 in the United States and
Possessions, Mexico and Canada.
Elsewhere $1.50
Eastern Representative, 3014 Equitable Bldg., New
York ; Mexican Representative. Avenida Juarez 12 ,
Mexico City . D. F.
PRO -GERMAN RUMORS FROM OIL
REGION DECLARED ABSURD
Excelsior, one of the leading
leading news
papers of Mexico City, decries the reports
circulated in that country as well as this
regarding alleged pro - German activities and
intrigues in the oil region , and the likeli
hood of the wells beng fired or otherwise
damaged in order to cause serious inter
national difficulties. These reports , says
Excelsior, are absurd.
A representative of one of the leading
foreign oil companies is quoted as saying :
"It would require a great deal of stupidity
and deceitfulness to give even a semblance
of veracity to the ill-founded rumors that
the oil enterprises intend to set their wells
on fire to bring about serious difficulties for
Mexico and Germany. Everybody is busy
working honestly without worrying about
getting Mexico into difficulties, much less
with Germany. The big oil companies are
busy producing and shipping all the oil pos
sible and are receiving good prices . To cut
off production would mean serious and
irreparable loss . The majority of the oil
companies are of American origin . There
is only one with English capital and one
with Dutch. Of the Mexican companies ,
their activities are very limited. Do you
think it possible for the Americans to be
such fools as to set fire to their wells that
are yielding them enormous quantities of
oil, just for the mere pleasure of making
it appear that the hands of Germans are
mixed in it ? When hostilities began be
tween Germany and the United States the
managers of the oil companies in the
Panuco, Topila and Tuxpam districts dis
missed the Germans who were employed by
them, in order to keep them from doing any
harm to the machinery or the wells. It is
impossible to suppose that after having
taken so many precautions , the same pro
prietors or employes of the companies
would now set fire to the wells ."
These rumors, he said, were undoubtedly
circulated by certain German agents who
never lose an opportunity to spread them
abroad in order to cause injury to Mexico .
The foregoing is of added interest be
cause of recent publications in this country
of the same character as those criticised by
the Mexican press , and which are entirely
without foundation and for the manifest
purpose of creating international difficulties.
ESTABLISHING THE SOLE BANK OF
ISSUE
So prompt and general has been the re
sponse to the movement inaugurated in the
State of Michoacan for a popular subscription
to the loan authorized for the establishment
of the sole bank of emission in the Republic,
that President Carranza has issued instruc
tions , in accordance with the law of May 8th,
regarding the matter. Persons wishing to
contribute will deposit such funds with agen
cies designated by the Treasury Department
in all the capital cities and commercial centers.
A banking institution in Mexico City will be
designated, which shall issue temporary cer
tificates for the same, which shall afterwards
be exchanged for permanent ones with values
of $20, $100 , $500 and $ 1000 each. No certifi
cates for less than $20 will be issued. Per
sons making contributions of less than that
amount will be given fractional certificates
which will be exchanged when they reach the
minimum amount, but not otherwise.
These certificates will bear interest at the
rate of 5 per cent per annum, beginning two
years after April 1 , 1918, and shall continue
to do so in case preferred shares are not
issued equal to their amount. The govern
ment of the Federation is in all cases respon
sible for all amounts contributed for the
formation of the bank.
The bank will commence operations with a
minimum of five millions capital, and the
National Government will make up the amount
needed, while it will also add to the capital
of the bank from time to time as such re-
sources as may become available .
The organization of the institution has been
placed in the hands of a commission com
posed as follows : President, Professor Andres
Osuna ; Secretary, Professor Alfonso Herrera ;
Messrs . Amador Lozano, Jose Morante, Dr.
Lorenzo Sepulveda, Serapio Aguirre and
Lic. Jose Diego Fernandez.
From the manner in which contributions are
coming in, it is expected that the necessary
capital will have been raised by April 1st of
the coming year. At the outset, it was pro
posed that the contributions should be re
garded as donations without expectation of
return, but the decree authorizing the issue
of interest-bearing certificates changes this
and places the matter on the same basis prac
tically as the Liberty Loan subscriptions in
the United States.
The first contribution to the loan came from
the State of Chihuahua and was made by
military officials and men. It amounted to
nearly twenty-two thousand pesos national
gold, and it is calculated that by the end of
eight months the entire hundred-million loan
authorized will have been taken up.
Preparations are being made for the
establishment of a smelter at the important
mining town of Concepcion del Oro , in the
State of Zacatecas . This is one of the
largest producers in the Republic and
hitherto the ores have been shipped to
Monterrey for treatment at great expense,
which it is proposed to obviate.
!
AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY
EXEMPTED FROM TAXATION
Under a recent decree of the President the
following are hereby exempted from the pay
ment of import duties : All kinds of plows,
and with whatever number of shares ; wheat
threshing machines ; winnowers (grain fans ) ;
harrows ; centrifugal pumps for sprinkling ,
and any other pump for the extraction of
water ; scythes ; scrapers for the laying of
ditches, leveling of grounds and other similar
processes ; cultivators ; shellers ( of corn and
other grains ) ; cotton gins ; ground pulver
izers ; coffee-shelling machines ; silos ; hay
pickers ; hay presses ; fiber-stripping machines
for henequen, etc.; rakes ; reapers ; sowers ;
automobile tractors for the clearing of lands ;
threshers ; electric shearing machines, and in
general all kinds of machinery, apparatus and
their parts and pieces that are to be employed
in the processes of agriculture.
Likewise, there shall be exempted from the
payment of duties all iron piping intended for
purposes of irrigation , provided that every
time that an importation of said tubing is de
sired a permit is previously obtained through
the Ministry of Finance from the Ministry of
Public Improvements and Industry.
The duty on" the importation of barbed wire
for fencing, as indicated by clause 218 of the
Tariff of Import Duties, "is hereby reduced to
the rate of $ 1.00 per 100 kilos , gross . This
franchise does not include knit wire or wire
netting, nor any other kind of wires, as re
ferred to in the explanatory note No. 101
that accompanies the said clause 218.
The tariff clauses that are affected ( or re
vised) by the compliance of the exemption
and reduction of duties to which this decree
refers, and which will serve as bases for their
execution, are as follows :
Clause 218. Wiring for fencing.
Clause 227. Iron piping up to 15 centime
ters diameter.
Clause 228. Iron piping of more than 15
centimeters diameter.
Clause 613. Machinery and all kinds of ap
paratus, their separate parts and pieces, to be
employed in agriculture.
Local capitalists in the State of Guana
juato have petitioned the Secretary of
Communications for permission to con
struct a railroad beginning at Queretaro .
where connection is made with the National
lines , and passing through Bajio, Joffre,
San Jose Iturbide , San Miguel Allende and
other important agricultural and mining
regions that have been hampered by lack of
transportation facilities .
The Postoffice Department of Mexico
has recently received $94,000 from the
government of the United States in settle
ment of outstanding money order dues
accruing in 1914.
The corn crops of the State of Oaxaca
have been so abundant that large ship
ments are being made to Vera Cruz,
Yucatan and other points where grain is
needed .

GERMAN PROPAGANDA FAKE
EXPLODED
Ample corroboration of the position taken
by THE REVIEW regarding the false reports of
German propaganda in Mexico is afforded by
a lengthy article in the New York World of
recent date from its special correspondent in
Mexico City, Mr. R. H. Murray. In his intro
duction he says :
"So near as one can judge on the facts
and evidence thus far before the court, nine
tenths of all that has been written, printed,
rumored, reported, alleged or averred within
recent months concerning German intrigues
and activities in Mexico is hot air- and, for
the most part, American hot air. This state
ment goes absolutely, up to date. What may
develop in the future is another matter. And
what the Germans may have done, may be
doing, or trying to do, is also another matter.
"This is the point : Until the present no one
has been able-unless our State Department
has something up its sleeve which it is not
talking about-to produce proof that the Ger
mans in Mexico have actually done anything
to the disadvantage of the United States at
war, excepting to carry on propaganda. They
are doing that on third speed.
"One may argue from this three things
either that there is nothing to unearth here in
the line of effective and actual German in
trigue ; that there is a very real and actual
bug under the chip of rumor which diligent
endeavor on the part of persons whose con
cern it is to find out about, not guess at, such
conditions has failed to reveal, or that the
same persons haven't dug into the subject as
deeply as they should. Take you choice.
"But the fact remains-always remembering
that this is written with a time limit which
expires with the date upon which it is set
down that thus far not a single statement
of any importance relating to the anti-Ameri
can cachinnations of any representative of the
German Government, or of any German or
group of Germans in Mexico, has upon in
vestigation stood the acid test. No one has
been able to get the goods on them unless,
as said before, our State Department is hold
ing out something about which it has up to
the present considered it policy to hold its
peace."
Mr. Murray's conclusions are borne out by
every one who has real knowledge of condi
tions in Mexico or has investigated the many
canards that have been circulated in this con
nection, and which unfortunately have found
many believers.
For the purpose of protecting the manu
facturers of cotton clothing in Mexico , the
duties on imports of that class have been
materially increased .
There has been a general resumption of
the guayule industry in Northern Mexico
and the product of crude rubber will be
largely augmented in consequence.
General Luis M. Hernandez has been
appointed provisional Governor of the
State of Tlaxcala, pending the holding of
an election. He will pay especial attention
to economic conditions .
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION IN THE
FEDERAL DISTRICT
Statistics of educational matters in the Fed
eral District (which corresponds to the Dis
trict of Columbia in including the National
Capital, Mexico City) have just been issued
and afford much matter of interest.
During the scholastic year of 1916 there
were open in the district 473 schools, with 5448
professors and attendants and an enrolment
of 94,234 pupils during the year. Of these
schools, there were dependent upon the Fed
eral Government 16 kindergartens, 285 ele
mentary schools, 51 higher schools, and 39
night schools, which makes a total of 391
primary schools. There were also 62 elemen
tary and higher private schools supported by
divers associations and independent of the
Government. There were also eleven indus
trial and five commercial schools .
In the official primary schools there were
enrolled 75,196 pupils, who were attended by
2028 professors and administrative employes .
Professor Andres Osuna
In the two normal schools there were enrolled
1509 pupils, who were attended by 342 pro
fessors and administrative employes. In the
industrial and commercial schools there were
enrolled 7744 pupils, who were attended by
606 professors and administrative employes.
The 62 private schools were attended by 342
professors and they had an enrolment of 6661
pupils.
Mexico City had a total population at the
last census of less than 500,000, but at present
it is considerably more. The average school
enrolment in the United States is about twenty
per cent of the total population, from which it
will be noted that an enrolment of over 94,000
pupils in the capital city of the Republic is
well up to the standard of this country. Ex
tensive additions are being provided as rapidly
as possible to the school facilities of the
city, in order to accommodate the con
9
stantly increasing number of applicants who
are desirous of securing an aducation .
The schools of the Federal District are
under charge of Professor Andres Osuna,
formerly an instructor in Vanderbilt Univer
sity, Nashville, Tenn., and an educator of high
standing and advanced training.
CONDITIONS IMPROVING IN
MEXICO
That conditions in Mexico are again be
coming normal and that the probability of
another interruption of the prosperity of the
country is unlikely, is the belief expressed by
J. H. Goodyear, transportation agent for the
Southern Pacific Railway Company of Mexico
at Empalme, Sonora, at the Gunter Hotel . Mr.
and Mrs. Goodyear are spending a few days
in San Antonio, Mr. Goodyear having come
directly from the Southern Pacific offices at
Empalme.
"Railroads, especially those on the west
coast, are becoming profitable to their own
ers," said Mr. Goodyear. "At present, Mexi
can railways are doing much business in
taking the 1917 crop of the garbanzo bean or
pea to market. The beans are bringing $12
gold for a 200-pound sack. Most of the
supply since the war embargo was established
is shipped to Cuba."
Most people in Mexico are of the opinion
that Villa is a "dead issue," according to Mr.
Goodyear. Railroads are no longer being
worried by bandit attacks on the trains and
by the destruction of their property, he said,
and after heavy losses, which will in time be
paid for by the Government, are again run
ning regularly and profitably.-San Antonio
Light.
Concessions Forfeited for Non- Compliance
Inquiry into the concession granted to
Flores Haley & Co., in Lower California,
and which was recently declared forfeited ,
discloses the following facts :
About the year 1833 when General Carlos
Pacheco was at the head of the Ministry
of Fomento, the above mentioned enter
prise obtained a concession from the said
Ministry, by means of which it secured
grants of considerable tracts of land,
located near parallel 23, and which covered
an extension of twelve square leagues from
the coast eastward to the corresponding
District of Lower California.
The concessionaires, in exchange for the
exploitation of the lands and their products ,
engaged themselves to colonize, within two
years, the said lands, by establishing
therein at least a minimum of fifteen
foreign families and ten Mexican families .
In July of the present year, the present
government having been legally consti
tuted, the Ministry of Fomento examined
the mentioned concession, and when it
found that the company had not fulfilled
the requirements nor complied with the
obligations under agreement in the con
tract, decreed the expiration of the same.
10
Irrigation Projects Under Way
Important Improvements Being Undertaken in Various Portions
NE of the most important phases of the
O work that is being undertaken by the
Ministry of Public Improvements is that which
relates to the revision of all the concessions
granted for the exploitation of water and
water power that exist in various parts of the
country, and which comprise either the tor
rential waters, or waters in the rivers and
creeks, or the waters that are available for
irrigation purposes from the several lakes that
exist in the Republic.
The importance that should be attributed
to the various water concessions is very great,
because it is upon them that depends the im
provement of agriculture in the country, in as
much as, except in certain determined regions,
it is necessary to have a good system of canals
and irrigation, and the building of numerous
dams, as the majority of the rivers do not
have permanent beds (or do not have same
beds throughout the year).
It is known that large extensions of lands
that lie idle in the States bordering the United
States, notwithstanding the fact that they are
on the southern bank of the Rio Bravo, are
completely deserted for lack of cultivation ;
but they really offer a bright prospect to agri
culture, with only one requirement, and that is,
a good system of canals, of which they are
now lacking.
Among the great works that could be cited
in this region is the great dam for the storage
of the waters of the Rio Bravo, called "Ele
phant Butte." It has been some time since
our country entered into an agreement with
the United States in regard to the exploita
tion of the waters of the Rio Bravo, by virtue
of which there belongs to Mexico the use of
seventy-six million cubic meters of water.
When a new impulse was given to the
policy of irrigation in the Republic, the field
works for the exploitation of said waters were
continued and are now ended, and a special
commission was appointed, called the Irriga
tion Commission of Juarez Valley, at whose
head was Engineer Manuel Bancalari.
This Commission, after different activities.
in the North, has returned to this Capital,
and has been occupied with the organization
of an extensive project which contemplates
the construction of a canal from a place called
"Azequia Madre de Ciudad Juarez" to San
Ignacio and Guadalupe. The project asks that
negotiations be undertaken with the United
States, through the Ministry of Foreign Rela
tions, with a view to obtain an increase in the
volume of water that we could dispose of, as
the extent of the works that are being contem
plated would require more water than is now
available.
These studies for immediate irrigation have
been made, not only in the bordering States,
but all over the Republic, where works of
this character have been inaugurated, some
times with the help of the authorities.
It has been some time since when Mr.
Perusquia, Governor of the State of Quere
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
of the Republic for the Benefit of Agriculture
taro, requested the Ministry of Public Im
provements to send a technical commission to
that State for the purpose of studying that
region ; he also submitted a project for the
irrigation of the same.
The river of San Juan Del Rio, which
traverses one of the most fertile regions of
the State of Queretaro and of the Republic in
general, on account of the high quality of the
lands, should be completely used in the con
struction of a good system of irrigation which,
at the same time that it would provide water
during all the seasons of the year, it would
also prevent the frequent floods that are so
injurious in those regions regarding the good
outcome of the crops.
Dam and Reservoir at San Luis Potosi
After conscientious studies the Commission
that went to Queretaro has submitted its re
port, in which it states that the only way by
which this project could be effected would be
by building a storage dam of sufficient capac
ity. The plans for the same are now being
studied.
The northern part of the Territory of Lower
California consists of lands of marvelous fer
tility, improved by the circumstance of being
near the banks of the Colorado River, which
is the boundary between that Territory and
the State of Sonora, and receives at its mouth
the waters of the tributary called Rio Nuevo
(New River) , both of which enclose a zone
that could very well be employed for purposes
of building canals.
The Section of Water Powers has already
sent a commission , presided over by Engineer
Carlos Gutierrez, which commission is now
engaged in the preparation of an extensive.
report and drafting the respective project,
which will be forwarded to the Ministry of
Public Improvements .
On its part, the Ministry of War, having in
consideration the importance of that region ,
has commissioned General Fermin Carpio to
undertake the establishment of military agri
cultural colonies in the neighborhood , which
colonies would contribute towards the im
provement of the works of irrigation and
canalization ; and it is not idle to state that
within a short time time that region would
be one of the most favored in the northern
part of the country.
Much has been said recently about the ex
tensive projects that are contemplated towards
the utilization of the magnificent irrigating
system that is presented by the Lake of Cha
pala, as well as by the waters of the Rio de
Santiago or Tololotlan, which has its source
in that lake.
Besides the works that have been begun with
earnestness towards the destruction of the
water lilies of that region, it should be stated
here that there is at present under consider
ation by the Ministry of Public Improvements
a great project, proposed by Engineer Manuel
Cuesta Gallardo, contractor of the works that
have been suspended, by means of which
project, if approved, the Government will
undertake to continue the carrying on of said
works until they are finished.
Also, the decisions on the petitions that have
been submitted by the inhabitants of the banks.
of the lake, to whom belong the rights of
ownership of the lands that result fromthe
drying up of the nearby marshes, are now
almost complete, and a vigorous impulse will
very soon be given to the work of irrigation
in those parts.
The Government has decided to purchase
large amounts of corn in the United States
and in the Argentine, which will be sold
to consumers at cost.
 THE MEXICAN REVIEW 11

UNLAWFUL EXPORTATION OF
SILVER
Peones Getting Land
The Fundamental Question at the Basis of the Revolution Sub-Secretary Nieto, of the Treasury De
Leaders Are Keeping Their Promises partment, has issued the following notice :
"On account of the rise in the price of silver
EXICO is returning the land to the "During the latter part of 1916 and the first there have been effected lately contraband ex
months of 1917 Carranza paper went entirely portations of coin, several of which have been
M peones as fast as she can parcel it
out, and the process of regeneration is pro out of circulation and its place was taken by confiscated.
gressing so rapidly that Villa and other gold and silver," he said. "Of national paper "For the information of the public, and in
former chieftains have sunk almost over there is none to-day. The country is on a order to avoid useless requests to the Min
' hard money' basis." istry of Finance, it is hereby announced that
night from the position of great factional
He referred to the export tax on oil made invariably, and without exception, there shall
leaders to an insignificance that brings them
effective by decree of May 1 , 1917, as grossly be applied to those cases the provisions con
not even a single newspaper paragraph
misrepresented outside of Mexico . The tax , tained in the following circular, which is in
tucked away on an inside page.
This was the declaration made to the New he said, was not fixed until after consultation force :
with the great oil operators. It amounts to 40 "In order that the prohibition to export
York Globe by Dr. Alfredo Caturegli, personal
cents (American ) a ton or 5.7 cents (Amer national coins of gold or silver, decreed on
representative of President Carranza, who has
ican) a barrel. the 27th of October, 1914, under the penalty
offices at 120 Broadway. His mission is to
negotiate a loan from American bankers for of confiscation, may not be violated, this Min
Not Confiscatory, He Says istry, by order of the Citizen First Chief of
the Mexican Government.
"No fair-minded man can say that is confis the Constitutionalist Army, encharged with
Land, land, land ! It was the magical pass
word of Mexico. For centuries since the catory," he said. the Executive Power of the Nation, has seen
Spanish conquistadores wrested the country
from the Aztec, the dominant minority held
all the rich acres, and the huge but enslaved
majority was forced to work them for others.
The Church held vast tracts away from the
people. And the land-holding aristocracy's
estates were of such vast proportions that a
round dozen of landlords owned the entire
State of Morelos.
Basis of All Trouble
"The agrarian question was at the bottom
of all Mexican trouble," said Dr. Caturegli.
"The peones wanted the land. That was
there was to it. And they followed whoever
promised it to them. Madero promised, and
they rose at his back in a revolt that overthrew
the long-entrenched regime of Diaz and put
Madero in the President's chair. But Madero
could not keep his promises, and so was lost.
The peones were aroused and bound now T
to have what they sought.
"The sole reason why Zapata rebelled
against Madero," added Dr. Caturegli, "was Excavations Near Pyramid of the Sun, San Juan Teotihuacan
because the poor Morelos Indians whom he
All in all, Dr. Caturegli concluded, Mexico fit to direct that the most strict vigilance be
controlled had believed that the triumph of
is showing to-day that she is on the right road exercised at the frontier custom houses and
the Madero revolution meant the restoration
to regeneration, and that, left to herself, she ports of the Republic, making the expressed
of their lands inside of a dozen days. Finding
that this was not done- could not be done can work out her own salvation. He declared, penalty administratively effective in all cases,
however, that there are interests in this coun and to the extent of the full amount involved ;
they took the lands, dispossessed the dozen
try still actively engaged in an endeavor to that for every violation that may be detected,
or so, mostly non-residents, who had monopo
embroil Mexico and the United States, in the application of the penalty will be entered
lized the entire State, and have cultivated
order to profit by American intervention. in writing, and notice must be sent at once
those lands since and kept out all interlopers.
"These trouble-makers insist America is to this Ministry of the distribution of the
Land Restoration Is Constant morally responsible for Mexico," he said, "and amounts that have been confiscated, which
do not concede that we are getting ahead. distribution is to be made as follows : twenty
"Since the final occupation of Mexico City
in the summer of 1915 by Carranza and the And the Mexican nation regards all this solici per cent to the informer or denouncer, twenty
tude for its civilization, its order, and its per cent to the captors or apprehensors, ten
establishment of a permanent government
morality with a suspicious eye. It believes the per cent to the employees of the custom house
there, the Mexico City newspapers have pub
interventionalist advocates in reality want to or garrison, and fifty per cent to the reve
lished volumes of official reports regarding
the restoration and allotment of lands to the seize the wealth of Mexico, and that if Mex nues. If there be no informer or denouncer,
peons . It is going on all the time. The land ico did not offer such a tempting field for the portion allotted to him will be added to
exploitation there would be no talk of con that which belongs to the captors or appre
is going back to the people, and with the main
cause of dissension thus out of the way, pros sideration for the improvement of its people. " hensors."
perity and peace are developing with remark
able rapidity." Official notice has been received from The Congress of the State of Mexico has
Dr. Caturegli stamped as a lie the wide the Governor of the State of San Luis adopted a provision of the Constitution
spread report that Mexico's main legal tender Potosi that the crops in that portion of the that is under discussion providing that a
is cartridges. Also, he declared that there is country are exceptionally good, not only of Governor shall under no circumstances be
no Carranza paper currency in circulation. grain but of fruit. be eligible for re-election.
 12 THE MEXICAN REVIEW
Seen in a Mexican Plaza
The National Trait of Generosity as Illustrated by
Little Children Toward Their Companions
BY GEORGE F. WEEKS
V establishes himself and his cart-supported
UT in the open it is hot-burning, siz knows who are his best customers, and he
Ο
O zling, scorching hot! There is no freezer of delicious coolness in the dense
equivocation about it. It is hot as- well, shade of a cluster of great trees at a point
as a furnace ! The thermometer is well above of juncture where troops of children from
the hundred mark and the rays of the sun three different thoroughfares converge. Well
scorch and burn as only they can and do he knows how tempting are his evanescent
in a region for the most part desert in char and, to tell the truth, somewhat doubtful
acter. But while the heat is intense-you can wares ( as regards cleanliness and component
cook eggs in the sand if you will-and it is parts ) in the tropical, torrid heat of a trop
positive cruelty to animals to force your sad ical and torrid mid-afternoon. And well he
knows how to charm the ultimate centavo
dle horse to wade through it at midday— its
effects upon the human sensibilities do not from the ultimate pocket of the ultimate
compare in any manner as to bodily discom kidlet, be it male or female.
fort, mental distress or even danger, with It is interesting to watch the affair. Here
comes a little ten-year-old girl-pretty as a
what is too often the case in supposedly more
favored regions. The atmosphere is so devoid picture, a great deal prettier than some pic
of humidity, so nearly without appreciable tures-with a bevy of dear friends-pretty
moisture, that the deleterious effects of ex ones - very dear ones, as it proves- dear in
treme heat are far less than are experienced deed ! They have learned in some manner,
in a temperature of twenty degrees less but more or less occult with the occultism of
in a location nearer large bodies of water or childhood, that their fortunate companion has
with more vegetation. become possessed (how they care not ) in
Away from the direct rays of the sun- as, some way of the large sum of five or ten
for example, in the grateful shade of the centavos . The little capitalist-just like a
chinaberry tree which was "El Gringo's" fa grown-up one has in consequence a super
vorite point of observation-it is by compari abundance of friends, though in this case it
son cool and comfortable. Not a single ardent is not fair to fancy that it is only the pos
ray from the super-ardent sun penetrates the session of comparative wealth that causes the
+ less fortunate ones to group themselves
dense shadows. A gentle breeze stirs the
vegetation of tree, shrub and plant, and brings around her and accompany her schoolward
the grateful odor of the plaza flowers to the also ice-cream-ward !
nostrils. It serves also to keep cool the body, Straight to the ice-cream peddler marches
clad in as few and as flimsy garments as is the little squad of feminine humanity. The
consistent with the ordinary observances of youthful leader makes known her desires,
tropical society-no , not society that is tropi which, strangely enough, appear to be in exact
cal , but a society of the tropics ! The streets accord with the desires of her companions—
are deserted by man and beast- or, at least, if eyes can express desire. The dealer ladles
all those to the manner born. Perchance some out a generous portion- a heaping saucerful
stranger- some "tonto" ( fool ) -may be seen of frosty, tempting, appetizing sweetness. The
venturing into the blaze of the mid-afternoon little ones form a circle about the capitalist,
sun ; but those who are wise remain under the light of expectancy in their eyes, and look
shelter, either of house, tree or vine. ing for all the world like a nest full of bird
It is almost mid-afternoon. The sun is well lings waiting with open mouths the food that
below the meridian. School "takes in" at they know will be supplied by their parents .
three o'clock, and from various directions The capitalistic investor in frozen delightful
come the little ones thither bound. It is near ness proceeds straightway to apportion the
the close of the siesta hour, and the children. delicious morsels-a spoonful at a time. The
have the streets practically to themselves . first spoonfuls are generous and heaping.
From every point come the boys and the girls Then by reason of the rapid diminution of
-there is but one educational institution in the parent supply they become smaller and
the town, though a spacious one, surrounded smaller. The generous-minded little distribu
tor glances at the remaining open-mouthed
by experimental gardens where the young
ones, gauges the amount of ice cream that is
ideas are taught how to dig as well as to
shoot. They keep closely in the shade of left, and manages to make it go around, just
house and tree, and take advantage of every go around, leaving no one unsupplied except
shred of protection from the sun's still op her own dear little generous self ! Alas and
alack, when her own turn comes the plate is
pressive rays . They are in no hurry. Noth
empty-as empty as that of the fabled Jack
ing short of a wild animal could persuade
them to move faster than at the proverbial Spratt and his wife. The last melted drop
snail's pace-as will be shown in another has disappeared into the mouths of her asso
pleasing little experience that once befell the ciates, and she has had never a taste ! Just
the proverbial smell is all that falls to her lot!
gatherers in the plaza .
Here, too, wise in the devices of his occu Her smile is brave, though perhaps a bit
pation, comes the ice-cream peddler. Well he rueful! There is really nothing to be said.
The rest of the party, like herself, are "stone
broke." So the little bankrupt capitalist re
turns the saucer and spoon to the peddler and
trudges sturdily off toward the school, not
indicating in any visible act that she felt dis
appointment or regret at having been so ultra
generous. Her own enjoyment at witnessing
the enjoyment of her little playmates was
apparently as great as it would have been had ´
she devoured the entire dish of ice cream
herself without outside assistance.
So, too, with the boys as well as the girls.
Many a time, sitting at one side and out of
observation, I have seen the little kiddies
gather about one of their number who was
the possessor of some candy, cake, fruit, or
other delectable morsel. Many a time have I
seen the possessor break off pieces and pass
them around until the whole had been given
away and he or she had not a morsel left for
their own delectation .
It is in truth a pretty sight- a testimonial
of the most convincing character as to the
innate unselfishness of the people. And
many a time I have said to myself : “I
wonder how long I would have to wait be
fore I saw children of any other nationality
give such spontaneous exhibitions of gen
erosity and unselfishness." I wonder ! Or
rather, I do not !
And this beautiful trait is not confined to
the children by any means. Grown-ups are
just as generous, not only with luxuries but
with necessaries as well.
They will divide their last morsel of food
with some one who is hungry. While food
was scarce in Mexico City I saw a small roll
handed to a peon who was eyeing a basketful
of bread with the expression of a starving
animal. He took it hastily, started to put it
to his mouth, then turned to another peon
equally hungry-looking and said, "Here you
are hungrier than I," at the same time giving
him three- fourths of the morsel, and retaining
only a mouthful for himself. A family may
be seated at a meal which is scanty enough
for them, but if a hungry person chances by,
even though he be a total stranger, he will be
invited in the heartiest manner to share in the
food .
If there is any one thing that Mexicans are
not, it is being greedy where food or delica
cies are concerned.
1
Recent quotations of food articles as
published in the local press of Mexico City
are as follows : Meat, per pound, 18½ cents
gold ; beans, 6½ cents ; coffee, 16 cents ;
rice, 4½ cents ; lard, 36 cents ; garbanzas,
84 cents.
A number of owners of large haciendas
in the State of Mexico have offered to turn
over their property to the Government for
allotment to those desiring to cultivate it
free of charge, the only condition being that
no buildings or other improvements shall
be injured and the machinery used shall be
maintained in good condition.
The railroad employes centering in San
Luis Potosi, one of the leading railway
centers, have under way a proposition for
the establishment of a system for supply
ing them with the necessaries of life at
moderate cost. It is proposed to have
branches in each town where employes of
the railways reside, and thus to materially
reduce the expense of living.
 gl
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
Specious Plea for Intervention
"The Mexican Problem, " a Book abounding in Misrepresentation
and Misstatement Concerning Mexico
HE most recent contribution on Mexico lopers. When they shall be assured in the
THto the book world is entitled "The possession of their lands there will be no
Mexican Problem," written by C. W. Barron, more trouble in that region .
"Manager of the Wall Street Journal, Boston Whether the land question lies at the foun
News Bureau and Philadelphia News Bureau." dation of the troubles in other portion of
It is of interest, since it is plainly the work of Mexico or not, it certainly does in Morelos.
a special pleader advancing under thethin When the Constitutionalists began their op
guise of benevolence and humanity, what argu position to the usurper, Huerta, recognizing
ments can be mustered on behalf of interven the fact that land hunger lay at the basis of
tion by the United States in Mexico's social, the nation-wide dissatisfaction and unrest and
industrial and political affairs, although this is that Madero had been unable to fulfill his
explicitly disclaimed, but is plainly evident promises in this respect, they pledged them
when read between the lines. selves to return the community lands which
The author declares that he went to Mexico had been stolen from the peones, and at the
to study the problems of that country. From first opportunity began to carry out this
a perusal of 6 the book it is evident that he work. The Revolution was not six months
must have devoted several weeks, perhaps a old before community lands in Durango ,
month or two at the outside, to the task ; that Tamaulipas, Sinaloa and Sonora had been re
he visited but a limited portion of the coun turned to their grateful owners at their urgent
try-the Tampico region-and returned with request, or without waiting for it, while other
a store of misinformation to be expected lands had been expropriated and allotted to
from so casual an "investigation." the poor in Tamaulipas and elsewhere.
# The first point worthy of attention is the If the author of "The Mexican Problem"
land question, 雞 since the author declares that could have been with the writer when he
as the result of his investigation he discovered interviewed the poor peones to whom com
that the popular idea, held by himself as well munity lands were allotted in Durango in
as by most Americans, was erroneous , and that 1913 ; could have seen the joy in their faces,
"the land question is not at the bottom of the the pride with which they pointed to their
Mexican trouble." He also says : "The Mexi pitiful huts built of stone, old brick, scraps
can peon is not thirsty for land." "All at of sheet iron, bits of second hand lumber and
tempts to give land on shares or in fee simple what not ; the crops of corn, beans, chile and
to natives who could cultivate it have been other vegetables growing in their gardens, he
failures." "Land is cheap in Mexico and to be would have realized something of the land
had almost for the asking." hunger at the hearts of the Mexican peones,
It would be difficult to compress in a few the happiness with which +1 they regarded the
sentences a greater amount of misinformation bit of land which had been allotted to them
than those quoted. That the agrarian ques by the revolutionists, and the freedom which
tion is at the bottom of the Mexican trouble had thus been accorded them from life long
has been demonstrated so often by capable slavery.
investigators who have devoted years to the From that first commencement the work
study of the situation , it is so plain to those went steadily forward. Even while the out
who have followed the Revolution , that it is come of the Revolution was in serious doubt
difficult to understand how any intelligent and while the seat of government was at
man can at this late date combat the un Vera Cruz, a comprehensive agrarian plan
doubted fact. was promulgated and put into operation for
The prime reason for Madero's phenomenal the purpose of carrying out the prime cause
success, amazing even to his own friends, was of the revolutionary movement started by
that he promised the peones land reform. Madero- restoration of land to the peon own
The prime reason for his sudden loss of popu ers. From that moment the work went stead
larity was because he found himself unable ily and energetically forward. At the outset
to fulfill his promises- not because of any a National Agrarian Commission was ap
lack of intention or desire on his part, but pointed to handle the land question, but it
because he was hampered by those who were found itself so overwhelmed with applications.
determined that the pledge should not be that it was necessary to appoint local commis
kept. sions in each State. These commissions have
The sole and only reason why Zapata re worked and are working persistently and ener
belled against Madero was because the poor getically in this direction , and the mere offiCh
Morelos Indians whom he controlled had be cial records of what has been done in the way
lieved that the triumph of the Madero revolu of the restoration of former community lands ;
tion meant the restoration of their lands in petitions for the setting apart of others , with
side of a dozen days, or a month's time at the the orders regarding this work, would fill a
outside, after his success. Finding that this volume many times larger than that dealt
was not done- could not be done-they sim with here. If the peones are not land hungry
ply took the lands, dispossessed a dozen or so, and will not take lands when offered them,
mostly non-residents, who had monopolized then why this volume of petitions, this insist
the entire State of Morelos, and have since. ent demand from all parts of the Republic
cultivated those lands and kept out all inter for land ? Why this demonstration of land
{
13
hunger, and why the eagerness with which
the land is accepted ?
The writer is in regular receipt of daily
newspapers from Mexico City, and since the
final occupation of that place in the summer
of 1915 and the permanent establishment of
the government there, those papers have pub
lished volumes of official reports regarding
the restoration and allotment of lands to the
peones that, as stated, would fill quadruple the
entire printed space of "The Mexican Prob
lem."
A further example of the misleading char
acter of many of the assertions in this vol
ume is the one advanced twice in the preface
by Prof. Talcott Williams , and given in the
body of the work by the author. This is that
"Mexico to-day has cartridges for currency."
"Cartridges are Mexico's popular legal tender
to-day." "When the Mexican soldier finds
Carranza money will not buy food he buys
provisions with government cartridges ."
"Cartridges are currency in Mexico."
It would have been interesting if the one
responsible for these absurd statements had
given specific instances in support of them.
The writer during his experience of over three
years with the various Constitutionalist
armies as a newspaper correspondent in all
portions of the country, heard rumors on
occasion that cartridges were being exchanged
for supplies- usually liquor-but careful ob
servation of the market places and other
points of barter never in all that time dis
closed a single such instance. It may have
been and doubtless was occasionally true dur
ing the stress of the campaign. Many things
occur under such conditions which are not true
as a rule and which no candid writer will
hold up as indicative of general conditions.
But any one who has been in Mexico during
the year 1917 or who has knowledge of the
march of events in that period must know
full well that there has been no " Carranza
paper" in circulation within that year. Dur-
ing the latter part of 1916 and the first months
of 1917 the Carranza paper went entirely out
of circulation and its place was taken by solid
gold and silver. Around Tampico and in
Mexico City it is true there is some Ameri
can paper in circulation , and occasionally one
may see a bank note, but of national paper
there has been and is none in circulation
among the people. Soldiers are paid in coin
and they are the best paid soldiers in the
world to- day. Yet the author of "The Mexi
can Problem" and his misled sponsor, Prof.
Talcott Williams, would give people to under
stand that the popular and generally used cur
rency in Mexico City to - day- July, 1917, is the
date of the book- is rifle cartridges. That is
the plain and only inference to be drawn by
the average reader from their assertions in
this respect , and which are unqualified in any
manner.
Really this sample misstatement is almost
too absurd to merit notice , but attention is
paid to it- if for no other purpose than to
emphasize the fact that neither the author nor
his sponsor was apparently willing to tell the
public the truth about the actual currency in
universal use in Mexico to-day-gold and
silver !
!

14
Possibly they were not aware of this not
altogether unimportant fact ! If they were
aware of it, their neglect to refer to it in any
manner may reasonably be regarded as proof
of the character of other statements that are
wide of the truth or ignore it altogether, and
it is assuredly not a flattering testimonial to
their candidness.
Still another striking example of the er
roneous character of many of the statements
in the volume is that with regard to the oil
tax . It is declared that a decree was issued
from Mexico City "more than doubling taxes
on oil." " By a national decree, from May 1 ,
1917, all companies must pay about 11 cents
per barrel export taxes, or nearly 20 per cent.
of the gross value of the crude oil as ex
ported."
Before the issuance of the decree referred
to, export oil paid a straight tax of practically
6 cents per barrel. It was suggested that a
fairer method would be to assess the tax upon
the valuation rather than the quantity, and
for this purpose, after consultation with the
great oil operators, the decree referred to,
which went into effect May 1 , 1917, assessed
the tax at 10 per cent. ad valorem, according
to the density of the oil. The valuation was
taken by an average of sales for a term of
months and placed at $5, $8.50 and $ 11 per
ton respectively, as to density and quality.
The tax thus varied from 50 cents to $ 1.10
per ton Mexican money, or practically half
that in American currency. Only a small por
tion of the oil is of the higher value, so while
the average valuation would be $8.16 per ton
and the tax 81.6 cents, in reality it is much
less on the bulk of the exportations . But
taking the average of 81.6 cents Mexican
money on a ton, this would equal a little over
40 cents American currency. Official statis
tics of exportations give an average of seven
barrels to the metric ton of 2,200 pounds, so
that the actual tax per barrel is 5.7 cents
American currency instead of the 11 cents al
leged in this volume. Therefore, instead of
"doubling the tax on oil," as stated, it was
placed at practically the same rate as before,
and instead of a tax of 11 cents per barrel,
it is really only a trifle over half of that ; and
instead of the tax being 20 per cent. on the
value of the oil, it is really only 72 , as can
be demonstrated from the author's own fig
ures. He states that the value of the oil
varies from 60 to 90 cents per barrel in
Tampico and that the leading concern in oil
exportation sold its entire production in 1916
at "a little over 83 cents per barrel." It is
thus seen that instead of 20 per cent. (which
would be 16.6 cents per barrel ) , being collected
on the value of the oil, a little over one-third
is the actual collection. A tax of 5.7 per bar
rel is not 20 per cent. of the valuation of the
oil, neither is it confiscatory nor a grievous
burden, as any fair minded man must concede.
Space forbids further attention in detail to
the errors of statement in the volume, some
of the most glaring having been pointed out
and refuted. To consider them all as they
deserve and present accurate pictures of con
ditions in Mexico would require a volume far
greater than that of Mr. Barron. Just in
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
passing, however, it might be remarked that
the author's charges regarding the alleged
suppression of news of affairs in Mexico
sounds very strange indeed to those who for
four years and more have perused the reports
from El Paso and other border points, recit
ing all sorts of sensational occurrences, the
greater portion of which had no existence ex
cept in the fertile imagination of the space
writing correspondents who passed them off
upon a credulous press, apparently all too
eager to publish anything discreditable to
Mexico and decidedly loath to publish the
truth even when offered to it. Mr. Barron
recites an example of what he calls suppres
sion of news in the case of a train that was
attacked by bandits a few months ago be
tween Laredo and Mexico City. Yet if he
had been well posted, as he should have been
before making the charge, he would have
known that this very story was sent out broad
cast from the border and published all over
the United States.
The author's plea all through the work is
for intervention- "benevolent intervention," if
you please, but intervention all the same!
"The Mexican is simply in need of a strong
helping hand !" he declares. Too well the
Mexican knows what that "strong helping
hand" would mean ! His recollection of that
"helping hand" in 1847-that hand that helped
itself to such a large share of the territory
of his country- is too vivid to allow him to
place much dependence upon the disinterested
character of the help that he would receive.
In the preface we read : "The United States
just a half century ago saved Mexico from
the foreign invader. To-day Mexico must be
saved from the internal destroyer. One task
was accomplished without invasion , the other
may be. Accomplished it must be. Moral
responsibilities know no boundary lines."
Just so ! But both Mr. Barron and Mr.
Williams show little enough comprehension of
the Mexican character, their pride of country
and of nationality, their sensitiveness to for
eign interference in any direction, to believe
that any kind of intervention, whether in the
guise of benevolence or on the score of moral
responsibility (the old "New England con
science" again, that persuades a man to be
lieve that he has a right to regulate his neigh
bor's affairs according to his own peculiar
ideas and without regard to that neighbor's
rights ) , would not be met with a unanimous,
a determined, a bloody, perhaps indeed a use
less resistance, or that any 40,000 men would
suffice to restore order in Mexico, as Mr.
Barron so fatuously declares.
Was there ever a nation that set deliberately
about despoiling a neighbor, or even one on
the opposite side of the world, that did not
find an excuse in "moral responsibility ?" And
that responsibility, while some of it advocates
might be in fact sincere enough, was merely
made to cloak for despoliation and profit.
"No man is good enough to govern another
man," said the immortal Lincoln, and equally
no nation is good enough to govern another
nation. That is the opinion held in Mexico ,
at all events .
Mr. Barron says : "The Mexican problem is
}
1
the problem of one civilization and one order,
one rule and procedure, in contact with an
other civilization, another order, procedure
and morality."
Very well ! By what right does one nation
seek to impose its ideas of civilization , of
order, of rule, of procedure upon another
nation, which regards its own civilization, its
own order, its own procedure, its own moral
ity as quite equal in many respects, perhaps
indeed superior in some, to those of the an
tagonistic nation, and which are at all events
satisfactory to itself ?
Just the right of might-that is all !'
That is the way Mexico regards it, and will
always regard it, and will resist the proposed
imposition of another's ideas to the bitter end.
And the Mexican nation , whether justly or
not, regards all this solicitude for its civiliza
tion, its order, its procedure, its morality, with
a suspicious eye. It regards the incomparable
and but partially developed wealth of its coun
try as the real consideration, and is firmly
persuaded that if its country were not so
wealthy, did not offer such a tempting field
for exploitation, so rich a reward , were not so
accessible, there would be scant talk of con
sideration for the improvement of its people !
With good reason Mexicans are suspicious of
the much vaunted altruistic motives of would
be interventionists under whatever guise they
appear-whether they are based upon "moral -
responsibility" or plain greed for gain!
RAILWAY EARNINGS INCREASING
Improvement in railroad conditions in MexB
ico is reflected in a statement of earnings
of the Constitutionalist Railways of Mexico
for the first three weeks of August. These
earnings show traffic, both freight and
passenger, increased substantially over the
July business .
Total earnings in the first three weeks of
August amounted to about $ 1,587,821 , Ameri
can money, or $3,195,643 in Mexican gold.
This compares with July earnings of approxi
mately $ 1,528,756 American money, or $3,059,
512 Mexican gold.
The statement, as supplied by the Constitu
tionalist Railways , follows :
1917. 1917
Approximate Approximate
Aug. 1 to 21., July. Increase
Freight .$1,482,680 $1,383,761 $98,919
Passenger ► · 954,724 929,725 24,999
Express .. • 709,972 699,563 10,409
Miscellaneous * 48,267 46,463 1,804
Total · · . $3,195,643 $3,059,512 $136,131
Figures shown are in Mexican gold, which is
worth about 50 cents, United States currency, on the
dollar.
The Trainmen's, Conductors ,' Engineers'
and Firemen's unions of the city of Puebla
have established a library and reading
room in that place.
The National Board of Health has inM
augurated measures for preventing typhus
and other ailments that have prevailed from
time immemorial in the capital city during
the winter months .
After much study and careful prepara
tion the agrarian law in conformity with
the new constitution has been drawn up and
will be submitted to Congress within a
short time.

A Land of Buried Treasure
Where One Can Surfeit Himself With Tales of Untold
Hidden Wealth, Many Being Well Founded
HEREVER one goes in Mexico - city ,
W hamlet, country, mining camp, wilder
ness, desert or mountain-there is one subject
of universal interest which the traveler can
bring up with the certainty that he will at
once let loose a flood of reminiscence, tradi
tion , rumor and fact that is as intensely inter
esting as a large portion of it is ill founded.
Beginning with the famous and by some re
garded more or less problematical lost treas
ure of the Montezumas (though Prescott
accepts the story as true ) , and coming down
to the present day, the whole unwritten history
of the country is replete with stories of hidden
treasure. That this should be so and in such
marked degree, that these multifarious stories
should , in not a few cases , be well founded,
is easily understood . It is only during the
last few years , comparatively speaking, that
the possessors of portable property in the way
of jewels, coin, gems and what not, had any
secure place for its bestowal when necessary
for protection. There were no banks , the
making of strong boxes or safes was in its
infancy, and the only place for safekeeping
was the ground , the thick adobe or stone wall ,
underneath the tile floor, or some recess or
cave in the rocks. That large amounts of
valuables were so hidden in the past is indis
putable. It has been so in all countries , and
especially in Mexico. That many hoards have
been discovered at one time and another is
also a fact. That many remain yet to be
unearthed is a third fact. And that there are
few foreigners who have visited the byways
of Mexico who have been able to resist the
glamorous lure of the buried treasure story
is still another fact-the writer being among
the majority.
The buried treasure of the Montezumas
dates back to the time of Cortez, when that
not at all gentle or Christian-like Christian
gentleman, soldier of the Cross and conqueror
permitted the deliberate roasting of Cuauh
temoc and one of his companions because
they courageously and persistently refused
to disclose the hiding place of the royal
treasure, variously estimated at many mil
lions of dollars in value . That they should
have withstood such suffering in this cause
seems ample proof of the actuality of the
treasure itself.
Various and sundry persons have appeared
from time to time and have claimed knowl
edge of the whereabouts of the hoard, and
large sums have been expended in excavation
and research , but so far without success .
At various times and in various localities
there have been discoveries of hidden treasure
which were well authenticated, although, since
the Government is entitled under the law to
one-half of all treasure trove that may be
recovered, it is believed that there has been
more than one discovery of the kind which
was kept zealously from public knowledge.
Indeed, searchers for treasure are as a rule
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
very secretive as to their operations and the
results achieved, whether successful or not.
Such, for example, was the treasure sup
posed and believed to have been found at a
mining camp in the State of Durango only a
few years ago . That region , having once been
the favored haunt of bandits , as a result is
permeated with rumors of treasure , usually tent of time to permit the story to die
ascribed to freebooters. In the case under the supposed treasure discoverer found
discussion , grading was in progress for the
erection of a building, a sandy hill being re
moved to make way for the foundations .
Suddenly the peones employed all abandoned
their task and hastened to another portion of little regard for expense, what time he
the grounds . Their native foreman reported 1 ceeded to drink himself to death, which
to the chief, a foreigner, that they had unK
earthed a coffin, or a portion of one, during
their excavation, and were afraid to pursue the way, in Mexico . Especially for a
their task further, all natives being very super
stitious in this connection. The manager re
plied that he would investigate the matter,
which he did later. Sure enough , projecting
from the face of the excavation for a portion
of its length was a box resembling in shape
those designed for sepulture. With a pick
this was further uncovered ; then the lid was
pried up, and what was disclosed led the
manager to replace the boards in a hurry.
Glancing around, he discovered the native
foreman watching him , and felt assured from
the expression on his countenance that he too
had seen the contents of the box, which, so
far from being human remains, were sacks
containing coin and other valuables, as demon
strated by some of them having become
broken open through decay. Quick decision
was necessary on the part of the manager,
and he decided to make the best of it, since
there was no method for preserving secrecy.
He told the native foreman to warn the labor
ers against approaching the spot or interfering
with the "coffin" ; that it was indeed what they
supposed, and that in accordance with law
they were forbidden to touch it until the au
thorities in the nearest town could be notified,
which would not be until the following day.
To the native foreman he said : "Keep your
own counsel. Come with me to -night and I
will pay you liberally. I will give you more
money than you ever had in your life ."
That night the two men went with a mule
cart, emptied the contents of the box into
sacks and carried them to the manager's resi
dence. The latter kept his promise to the
native, gave him several hundred dollars in
coin- more than he had ever dreamed of
having at one time in his entire life-and
enjoined secrecy if he would keep out of the
law's hands . This was pledged, but straight
way the suddenly enriched peon proceeded to
expend his mysteriously acquired wealth in
riotous living, entertaining his friends with
liquor and scattering the coin broadcast.
When questioned as to the source of his
prosperity he at first demurred, but later ,
when far gone under the influence of tequila,
mescal, sotol, and such like delectable liquors
of native manufacture, he divulged ma
less of the tale that has been told .
But when the manager was approache
denied the whole account as a fabrication
tried to laugh it off. Who would for a
ment believe the story of a drunken na
What nonsense ! There was no word of t
in it. His position prevented the autho
from taking any action , or if any was
jected he was able to head it off, since a
local officials were subject to his de
control.
After a while and the lapse of a certai
self able from the supposed savings of
frugal earnings to purchase a fine ranch
the country, as also a town house, which
furnished most elegantly and maintained
managed to do with great success and
siderable speed- not at all a difficult feat
eigner.
(Concluded next month)
AMERICAN SMELTING PROFI
GROW
The American Smelting and Refining
pany announced in its report for the half
ended June 30th that for the first time in th
years profits were coming in from its prope
ties in Mexico . Partly due to income from
Mexican sources, the net earnings from oper
ations, amounting to $ 16,931,116, were $5,163 ,
731 greater than in the same period of 1916 .
Revenue from interest, dividends, rents, etc.,
brought the aggregate income up to $18,757,899,
from which a deduction of $8,555,779 was
made by tax reservations, fixed charges, and
depreciation.
The final net income amounted to $ 10,202 ,
119, a decrease of $943,573 . The recession was
brought about chiefly by extraordinary reser
vations for excess profits taxes, and depletion
of ore reserves . The management set aside
$3,889,561 to meet all taxes, an increase of
$3,778,537 , while the depreciation and ore de
pletion account of $2,396,173 was $1,376,684
larger than in the first half of the preceding
year. After meeting dividends a balance of
$5,165,070 remained, which was $1,477,888 less
than a year before.
In respect to the Mexican situation, Presi
dent Daniel Guggenheim said :
"All the mines and smelters in Mexico
owned by the company are now operating,
except those at or adjacent to Chihuahua, and
those at Velardeña . Work is carried on un
der many difficulties and to a limited extent
as yet. The Government of Mexico is most
anxious to have the company succeed, and
laborers are more than willing to work. They
are suffering, however, to even a greater ex
tent, comparatively, than in the United States
on account of the high cost of living . It is
estimated that the cost of necessities in Mex
ico is at the present time six times greater
than during the period preceding the revolu
tion. This however is being alleviated .
 :

THE MEXICAN REVIEW

Numerous projects for the construction. Interesting Trade Statistics

LATE NEWS NOTES
e first Labor Congress ever held in the
of Guanajuato met in the city of Leon
htly. There were represented unions
e various branches of industry and
important measures for the ameliora
of conditions were discussed and de
upon .
ructions have been issued that estab
ents employing large numbers of
ing people will not be allowed to close
doors peremptorily, but must give
y days' notice of such intention, or
rwise must pay each employe one
th's wages in lieu of notice .
he Government of the State of Oaxaca
established schools in all sections
rever needed, and has also opened
t schools in the capital city, which are
ended by large numbers of adults of both
Es who are occupied during the day with
ing a livelihood,
fficial reports from the State of Nayarit
herly Tepic Territory ) are to the effect
the crops have been abundant and there
be a surplus for shipment to other sec
}, as in the past . That portion of
co has uniformly good crops of all
6.
e Agricultural Congress of the State of
to has taken steps to encourage the
rs to increase the acreage of corn for
coming season , in order to meet the
tage caused by the unseasonable frosts.
1 will be furnished and instructions
ven for the best methods of cultivation .
of wagon roads in various portions of the
Republic are under consideration and will
be carried out . Among others, is a high
way connecting the City of Mexico with
El Paso, via Torreon , Chihuahua and many
of the leading cities in the central portion
of the country .
Large quantities of the old banknotes
issued by institutions that are in process of
liquidation have been burned by the
Monetary Commission intrusted with such
matters . The same disposition has also
been made of many millions of the "infal
sificable" issue , which are received by the
national treasury as a sur-tax on certain
exports and imports.
A party of seventy gypsies who recently
arrived in Mexico from the United States
have been apprehended and will be de
ported . They claim to belong to Austria
Hungary, and the Minister from that gov
ernment has undertaken to see that they are
embarked at Tampico for their former
homes , not being regarded as desirable
acquisitions in Mexico because of the man
ner in which they gain their livelihood , their
practices being contrary to law in many
respects.
In order to facilitate the production of
largely increased crops of cotton the gov
ernment has recently acquired one hundred
tractors which will be utilized for the culti
vation of large areas of lands in the Laguna
region of the States of Coahuila and
Durango, that being the center of pro
duction . Much land hitherto uncultivated
will be brought into use. In many portions
of the Republic tractors are being intro
duced at the instance of the Department of
Agriculture for the encouragement of
farmers to imitate the examples thus set .
The imports at New York from Mexico
for the month of August, 1917, were $2,
830,730, as compared to $ 1,616,464 for the
same month in 1916.
The estimated production of copper in
Mexico for the past four years is as fol
lows : 1913 , 58,000 metric tons ; 1914 , 36,
000 tons ; 1915 , 31,000 tons ; 1916 , 55,000
tons . In 1914 there were imported into
the United States from Mexico 19,135,072
pounds of copper ore, valued at $2,312,002 ;
1915 , 12,189,464 pounds, valued at $ 1,482,
998 ; in 1916, 24,181,113 pounds , valued at
$4,166,603 , and in 1917 , 37,440,255 pounds ,
valued at $9,341,830.
Of copper pigs and ingots there were
imported from Mexico in 1914 , 86,143,237
pounds , valued at $12,145,484 ; in 1915.
6,488,108 pounds , valued at $836,429 ; in
1916, 48,007,170 pounds, valued at $9,970,
998 ; in 1917, 58,079,235 pounds , valued at
$ 15,084,086.
The government of the State of Tamauli
pas has notified all proprietors of haciendas ,
etc., in all portions of the State that they
must comply with the provisions of the law
and establish schools for the education of
all children within their vicinage.
A special commission has been appointed
to allot to those desiring it lands in the
State of Sonora of which use is not made
by the owners . Each applicant will be
allowed twenty-four acres and will be en
titled to the entire product of the tract.

The Truth About Sisal

Send a letter or postcard with a request that your name and address
be entered on the permanent mailing list of the Comision Reguladora
del Mercado de Henequen , the largest and most successful co - operative
association of farmers in the world .

If you want to know the truth about binder twine , the reasons for
recent advances in price and the identity of the powerful interests that are
back of the campaign that has been waged against the Yucatan co
operative marketing association of sisal producers, the Comision Regu
ladora will take pleasure in mailing you literature from time to time .

If you read Spanish , send $ 2.50 for a year's subscription to " EL

HENEQUEN , " a semi-monthly magazine issued by the growers ' as
sociation at its home office in Merida , Yucatan .

COMISION REGULADORA DEL MERCADO DE HENEQUEN,

120 Broadway, New York City.

•
 R
1201
VOL . II. No. 6 , M62
MARCH, 1918

MEXICAN

REVIEW.

WASHINGTON, D. C.

MIL

PRICE 10 CENTS
Scenes at the Inauguration of Governor Carlos Castro

Morales of the State of Yucatan

SUPT

[Governor Morales

IP

THE STATE OF NAYARIT

 Contin
Kalin
2-10-41
The Mexican
Vol. II
PUBLISHED MONTHLY AT
WASHINGTON , D. C.
GEORGE F. WEEKS ❤ Editor and Publisher
613 RIGGS BUILDING
Yearly Subscription in United States , Mexico and Canada
$1.00, Elsewhere $ 1.50
The Mexican News Bureau
Accurate News Service by Wire or Mail
Pacifying the Petroleum
Region
FFICIAL reports have been received from
OF General Manuel M. Dieguez, commanding
the forces that are operating against the bandit
Palaez in the petroleum regions of Vera Cruz,
Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosi, to the effect
that the troops under General Herminio Al
varez have routed the Palaez forces and have
their headquarters at Saladero. By
this capture the major portion of the oil region
is now under the domination of the Govern
ment and ample guarantees have been given
to all the inhabitants against further aggres
sions by Palaez, sufficient garrisons and guards
being maintained for that purpose. The sec
tion under General Caballero has also obtained
control of the greater part of the Huasteca
petroleum fields and established order. The
important centers of Juan Casiano, Tepetate,
Platon Sanchez, Gutierrez Zamora and Papan
tla, as well as many other places, are now in
possession of the Government forces. Large
numbers of Palaez's followers surrendered un
conditionally, and the remainder fled to the
ditionally, and the remainder fled to the
Sierra, where they are being energetically
pursued. In the advance and operations of
the Government troops especial attention was
paid to the prevention of damage of any kind
to the wells or works of the various extensive
petroleum companies operating in that section ,
and as a result no injury of any consequence
has been reported. It is declared that within
a few weeks the entire region will be pacified
and the last vestiges of banditry eliminated .
The Director of Public Education of the
City of Mexico has undertaken to secure a
suitable tract of good agricultural land in
close proximity, which will be divided into
small garden plots and cultivated by the
school pupils. Two ends will thus be served
a considerable addition will be made to the
available food supply, and at the same time
the youth will be instructed in the most advis
able agricultural methods and stimulated to
habits of industry.
WASHINGTON, D. C. , MARCH, 1918
President Carranza Refuses
Increased Salary
HE nominal salary of the President of
THthe Republic is $50,000 Mexican gold per
annum, or the equivalent of $25,000 American
gold. Ever since the installation of President
Carranza this has been subjected to a discount
of 25 per cent, and he has been receiving his
salary at the ratio of $18,751 per annum
American money .
At the recent session of Congress the Presi
dential salary was increased to $54,750 Mexi
can gold , or $27,375 American money.
When this increase was tendered him on the
first of January, the date when it was ordered
by Congress to take effect, he positively de
clined to accept the extra compensation, upon
the ground that it was unconstitutional to
increase the salary during an incumbency.
Assistance Given to Farmers
HE of Agriculture and Fo
THE o,, in order to cooperate in the solu
mentto
tion of the food problems of the Republic, has
recently sent instructions to the Governors of
all the States and Territories , under authority
of the Chief Executive of the Republic, that
they shall proceed at once to provide lands and
tools for planting crops. They are instructed
to have the municipal authorities in all locali
ties take cognizance of the arable lands that
are permitted to remain unutilized by their
owners and these are to be allotted for tem
porary cultivation to those desiring to make
use thereof . Seed and other assistance will
be provided by the Government, and it is ex
pected in this manner the coming crop will be
abundant for all possible demand and that
possibly there may be a surplus for exporta
tion.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Editorial ..
State of Nayarit . 蠟
Tepic City ...
Governor Ferreira's Report . I
Mexico's Monetary System . •
Sonora Coal Deposits ....
Mexican Music Entrancing . • ►•• & • · • • 10
Seen in a Mexican Plaza . •
Food Situation in Hand . • +
For the Public Benefit . • • 酆
Agricultural Progress ..
Labor Conditions Improving . E
Mining and Petroleum .
Financial Conditions . + 4 · · • 16
Misunderstood Mexico ..
Mexican-Japanese Bugaboo . •
Mexico Wants Highways . • • · • • * • 18
Evaporating Bananas . aa
Along the Sea of Cortez .
Facts About Mexico. • •
Proposed Petroleum Law. •
Review
No. 6
Education in the
Federal District
HE Statistical Section of the Department
Tof Public Education of the Federal Dis
trict has made a preliminary report of the
educational work for the year 1917, from
which the following facts are taken :
During the year 1917 there was a total of
435 schools in operation, divided into 285
elemental or primary schools, 62 high schools,
52 night schools, 16 kindergartens, 11 indus
trial schools, 5 commercial schools , 2 normal
schools and 2 preparatory schools. These
are all public institutions, but there are also
a large number of private institutions of
learning.
The total attendance at all the public schools
during the year was 114,609, divided as fol
lows : Primary, night and kindergarten schools ,
104,038 ; commercial and industrial schools,
8659 ; normal schools, 784 ; preparatory schools,
1128.
The number of pupils promoted during the
year was 56,702, against 46,414 in 1916, an in
crease of 10,288. The educational system still
feels to some extent the disordered conditions
incidental to the revolutionary disturbances,
but there is a constant amelioration and im
provement in all portions of the department .
The amount expended upon the schools for
1917 has not been announced , but some idea of
its extent can be gathered from the fact that
during 1916 there was expended a total of
$6,216,889 for salaries and incidental expenses,
while the inventoried value of the utensils,
etc., was over two million dollars. This does
not take into account the value of the build
ings.
A great deal of attention was paid to the
hygiene of the pupils, and the reports show
that assistance was given in many thousands
of cases, with gratifying results. The eyes ,
ears and teeth were especial subjects, while
the services of the educational sanitary corps
Page
I were in many cases extended to the habitations
of the pupils to a beneficial extent.
• • 3-4-5
6-7
8-9
9 The Governors of the border States an
nounce that they have found employment for
་ II-12
13 many thousands of Mexicans who have re
14 patriated themselves during the past few
IS months. Governor Cantu, of Lower Cali
15 fornia, states that there is employment under
16
his jurisdiction for over eight thousand men,
17 and Governor Gonzales, of Chihuahua, says
• 17 that thousands have been employed in the
mines in that State and Durango, while large
19 numbers have been assisted to go to Yucatan,
# • 19
20-21-24 where the highest wages are paid that are
.22-23 known in the Republic.
ร
 2 THE
The State of Nayarit
Formerly the Territory of Tepic-One of the Most Attractive
NE of the least known portions of tant river empties into the Pacific Ocean just number to the productions of the famous agri
the entire Republic of Mexico is the to the north of the port of San Blas. Many cultural States of Vera Cruz, Puebla and
O present State of Nayarit, formerly the
Territory of Tepic. With the adoption of the
new constitution in 1917, the
ancient name of this section
was revived, and instead of a
territorial form of govern
ment, that of a full-fledged
State was conferred upon
the commonwealth.
Nayarit is bounded upon
the north by the States of
Durango and Sinaloa, on the
east and south by the State
of Jalisco, and on the west
by the Pacific Ocean. Its
area is 28,371 square kilo
meters (10,951 square miles ) .
Its population according to
the census of 1910 is 171,837,
of whom 88,812 are males and
93,025 are females.
The Sierra Madre range
traverses the State from
southeast to northwest. The
eastern portion is exceed
ingly mountainous. Precipi
tous cliffs and deep barrancas
occur with great frequency.
At the bottom of some of
these are rapid mountain
streams, many of which
empty into the Santiago
River. The western part of
the State is level and is
crossed by numerous small
rivers and creeks . These
streams overflow during the
rainy season and flood the
plains through which they
pass, enriching the soil and
rendering it wonderfully
fertile and productive . In
the southern part of the
State, in the district of
Ahuacatlán, the country is
almost entirely of volcanic
origin. In this part of Naya
rit is found the celebrated
volcano Ceboruc. In 1870
this volcano was in a state of
great activity and threw out
immense quantities of lava
and ashes. Not far from
Ceboruc is the celebrated Provisional Governor J. M. Ferreira, of the State of Nayarit
Sanganguey Peak, which
rises to a height of 2000 meters (6561 feet )
above the level of the sea.
The climate of the lowlands is hot, while
that of the higher regions is temperate and
agreeable, some of the high mountain table
lands and slopes being comparatively cold.
The principal river that runs through the
State is the Lerma, or Santiago, which origi rection and empties into the lagoon of Mexcal with modern machinery and appliances.
nates in the tributaries that flow into Lake
Chapala, in the State of Jalisco . This impor
MEXICAN REVIEW
But Least Known Portions of the Republic
smaller streams are found in the State, a
number of which could easily be used for irri great productiveness, the fertility of the soil
gating the fertile valleys through which they Ahuacatlán, very near Ixtlan, there is gold.
pass. The Acaponeta, rising in the mountains
in the north, empties, after a course of about
130 kilometers ( 81 miles ) , into the Pacific
Ocean at the Boca de Teacapan. The San
Pedro, rising not far from the same place as ried on, especially in the city of Tepic, where
the Acaponeta, flows in a more southerly di
titlan, an inlet of the Pacific north of the
mouth of the Santiago. There are a few small chief seaport. It has a good-sized trade, both
lakes in the interior, and the shore is indented
with lagoons connected with the Pacific Ocean.
The coast line of the State measures 500 kilo
meters (311 miles ) .
The agricultural productions are numerous
and abundant. They are similar in variety and
Oaxaca. The valley of Jala is famous for its
of one bushel of corn is said
to yield six hundredfold. Be
sides cereals, cotton, tobacco,
sugar cane, coffee, beans, and
rice grow luxuriantly. Agri
culture is the chief industry
of Nayarit, and corn and
beans are raised in consider
able quantities all over the
State. Wheat and other
cereals grow in the districts.
of Ahuacatlán and Tepic ; rice
in Compostela, Tepic, Ahua
catlán, and San Blas ; cotton
is Acaponeta and Santiago
Ixcuintla ; and coffee, to
bacco, and sugar cane in all
the districts of the State.
The best coffee lands are
in the district of Compostela,
in the southern portion of the
State, and this finds its way
to the markets of Europe
and the United States . Rub
ber trees are found in their
wild state, and are being
tapped with profit. The soil
is adapted for henequen, and
is very suitable for the culti
vation of the olive . Stock
raising is carried on ex
tensively, and there are some
really large herds of cattle,
sheep and goats.
The State has mineral re
sources of considerable ex
tent, with several well-known
mining camps. The principal
of these are Santa Maria del
Oro, with rich gold- silver
veins. In the Acaponeta dis
trict, about 160 kilometers
( 112 miles) north of Tepic,
copper, silver and lead are
found, with some low-grade
gold-silver ores. At Santiago
Ixcuintla, about 60 kilo
meters (38 miles) northwest
of Tepic and at Ixtlan, the
same distance to the south
east, are old mines worked
with modern methods. At
About 65 kilometers north of the city of Tepic.
is the Yaqui copper prospect, with copper,
zinc, gold and silver.
Manufacturing to a noticeable degree is car
there are cotton mills, soap and other factories,
San Blas, just west of the capital, is the

local and foreign, but the harbor facilities are
not satisfactory, so that further great develop
ment can be expected only when these are
improved, and when the railways are extended
into closer touch with the interior.
The Southern Pacific Railroad Company of
Mexico enters the State by its main line from
Mazatlan and has been in operation as far as
Tepic. Its plans are to continue through
Ixtlan to reach Guadalajara. A line between
San Blas and Tepic is proposed.
Cora, Huichol, Otomi and Pepehua are the
native languages recognized.
The State is divided politically into 7 par
tidos, with 16 municipalities, containing 2 cities,
6 towns, 45 villages, 47 organized estates, and
1091 hamlets. The partidos are : Tepic, Aca
poneta, Ahuacatlán, Compostela, Ixtlan, San
Blas, Santiago Ixcuintla.
Tepic is the capital and principal city, and
was founded in 1531 by Nuno de Guzman. It
is beautifully situated on a broad plain at the
foot of the volcano of Sanganguey and on the
margin of the Tepic River, which empties into
the Santiago. It has fine buildings, both public
and private ; a handsome theater, a cathedral ,
banks, and a number of very attractive plazas.
It is about 800 kilometers (500 miles ) from
Mexico City, and has a population upward of
20,000.
Tepic and Its Wonderful Climate
The journey by diligencia from Santiago
Ixcuintla to the city of Tepic is from ten to
twelve hours' duration, a halt being made at
early morning at the little hamlet of Navarette
for a cup of coffee and a bite of food, though
sometimes this is difficult of attainment, de
pending upon the mood of the woman who
maintains a wayside posada at that place.
But though the road be long and rough and
dusty, though one be hungry and weary and
every bone ache with the jolting and jarring
of the diligencia, it does not take long to
remove all sense of discomfort and to become
thoroughly rejuvenated in the cool, invigor
ating atmosphere and the delightful tempera
ture of Tepic. A plunge into one of the
incomparable baths fed with clear, sparkling
water from numerous "ojos de agua," a satis
fying meal at either of the two hotels which
cater to foreigners especially, and then one is
ready for a stroll about the streets of beau
tiful Tepic.
Lying in a hill-encompassed valley at an
elevation of some 3000 feet, the waters of the
Pacific Ocean only thirty miles or so distant,
Tepic, with a population of some 20,000, has
a climate that is unsurpassable. The period
before the rainy season is declared by old
residents to be the most disagreeable of all the
year, yet the stranger who knows something
of climatic conditions elsewhere will readily,
without making any invidious comparisons,
concede that while it may seem in some re
spects disagreeable to the residents, it assuredly
is not so to the visitor who for the first time
enjoys the pleasure of experiencing the invig
orating climate of this city.
To begin with, it is never hot, as heat is
known in the lowlands and in the dry, arid
regions of the interior. Seldom does the tem
perature reach or exceed 80 degrees Fahren
heit, and the writer was much surprised to
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
hear a citizen of this place remarkone day
upon what he called the excessive heat, when
a glance at a thermometer showed that it was
exactly 75 degrees Fahrenheit ! There is
scarcely a moment throughout the day when
the sea breeze is not felt, while the evenings
are charming to a degree and the nights so
cool that one sleeps comfortably under one and
sometimes two blankets the year round.
The morning hours are likewise delightful,
and the early riser can enjoy to the fullest
strolling about the city or going to some of the
many points of vantage from which a view of
the town and its surrounding valley may be
had.
The people of Tepic do not know the mean
ing of the word frost, so far as any practical
experience is concerned, but throughout the
entire year there is the same evenness of tem
perature and lack of even an approach to an
auto
WITH
BAMA
2010
Memorial Monument, Tepic
extreme of either cold or heat. The rainy
season begins in the latter part of June and is
over by the last of September, and old-timers
declare that it is the pleasantest time of the
year. But it would assuredly be difficult to
find pleasanter climatic conditions than prevail
during the month of May and the early part
of June. And it would be well-nigh impossible
to suggest any change that would make for
the better.
Place of Charming Scenery
Scenically, Tepic has a situation that is re
plete with interest. On three sides it is
bounded by hills and mountains, while to the
west a wide valley extends toward the Pacific
Ocean. On the southwest is a lofty mountain
spur called San Juan, while far to the east,
across a great valley comprising thousands of
acres of magnificent agricultural land, towers
the old extinct volcano of Sanganguey. A
notable feature of this dead volcano is a single
shaft or peak with bell-shaped point towering
3
above the broken walls of the crater and re
sembling almost exactly the peak that was
thrust up in the center of Mount Pelee at the
time of the disastrous eruption, in Martinique,
which destroyed St. Pierre a dozen years ago.
To the northeast, one can trace the rugged
lines of the Sierra Madre until lost in the dis
tance, and so too in the south. Nearer the
city in the north are low hills, at the foot of
which flows the Tepic River, fed by numerous
springs that are encountered everywhere in
this favored region. Although it is at the
close of the dry season and there has been no
rain for months, there is a good head of water
in the river, some of which is used for the
irrigation of sugar cane and other crops on
the hills and valleys to the north and north
west, but much of which goes to waste.
On the south side of the city is a low hill
or mesa that is reserved for public use and
which will doubtless some day be converted
into a public park. From this slight elevation
a fine view of the city and surrounding valley
can be had, and it is a favorite resort for this
purpose. The city is so situated that there is
scarcely a street which does not present a
beautiful vista in the distance, either of culti
vated field, tree-embowered garden, rounding
hill or rugged mountain. An artist could find
subjects for his brush here for a life-time,
without exhausting the field.
Cathedral Noteworthy Structure
The cathedral is the most noteworthy struc
ture in the city, its tall, graceful towers reach
ing far above all other buildings and furnish
ing a landmark for miles in every direction .
There are several plazas, which are embowered
in flowers- indeed, flowers of all kinds are one
of the strong points of the attractiveness of
Tepic-while on the western side of the city
is an Alameda of goodly proportions, filled
with shade trees, shrubbery and blossoms of
all kinds.
The great agricultural valley lying between
the city and mountains to the east is the
source of the Miravalles River at its southern
end, while at its northern the Tepic River finds
its head. The wagon road from Tepic to
Compostela and other points along the coast
to the south follows for many miles the
canyon of this river, which at all times carries
a large amount of water that might be, but
is not, used for the cultivation of the thou
sands of acres of fine agricultural land that
are subject to it.
The hills are low and rounding and the con
struction of irrigation canals does not present
many obstacles, while the lands that could be
irrigated could be made fourfold more fruit
ful than at present if they were supplied with
a moderate amount of water during the dry
season.
Some four or five hours' ride from Tepic
down the valley of the Miravalles River is an
interesting old hacienda from which the river
takes its name. In turn, the hacienda was
named from the Condesa de Miravalles, who
came to this country from Spain over 300
years ago, was taken with its beauty and rich
ness, and built the castle of Miravalles, which,
partially ruined but now being restored, still
stands as one of the most picturesque struc
tures imaginable. Over the doorway is the
4 THE MEXICAN REVIEW

coat-of-arms of the Miravalles family, still in
almost perfect preservation, and at one end of
the building is a chapel, which needs but slight
repair to retain its state for years. There are
few more interesting spots in the country than
this.
Tepic's Fame Not Widespread
Because of its difficulty of access, there are
few places of the importance and wealth of
manifold attractions of soil , climate and scen
ery that are possessed by this locality, and
whenever some one with sufficient enterprise
shall undertake the subdivision and coloniza
tion of some of these large tracts, a great
stimulus will be given to growth, foreigners
will flock in, and incidentally the subdivider
will make a fortune from his enterprise and
foresight.
declare with the greatest positiveness that the
Golden State has nothing which can equal, let
alone suprass, the climate of Nayarit. Neither
California nor any other portion of the United
States has soil that can equal that of this
section, and for that matter of the greater
share of the West Coast. And if the reader
does not credit such a sweeping statement, let
him come and see for himself.

09
28

REA

MOON ! 19EORI
DRAL ENTRAN PENITE
CATHE FRONT SCENE ON THE ALAMEDA CE TO NTIARY
IN U

‫מן‬

LAUNDRY WOMEN AT WORK STATE PENITENTIARY

TEPIC

Tepic which are so little known outside of its
immediate vicinity as this. Foreign pleasure
seekers have not yet sought it out to any
extent, nor have foreign investors yet seemed
to awaken to the golden opportunities that are
here presented in many ways. Lands every
where in this section are held in large tracts,
and it is impossible to buy small farms.
But people are gradually awakening to the
Land values are not high, as they are re Moderate Prices of Land
garded in California and other sections which
Lands can be bought in this territory for
make a boast of their climate-a boast, by the
way, which can be discounted in this State. from $5 to $10 an acre, sometimes for even
When an old Californian will concede that less than $5, which are at least the equal of
any climate can surpass that of his favorite any that are considered cheap at $100 to $300
it known that
State, it is pretty good proof of the excel an acre in California . And be
lence in that respect of the locality which he on these lands a crop failure is unknown ; that
is praising. Yet I have heard old Californians there is in most cases an abundance of water
 THE
Government.
available for irrigation at moderate cost, if
dor Bonillas
desired ; that any crop of the tropics or sub
condition of
tropics and most of those of the temperate
said that the
zone can be successfully grown and profitably
marketed ; that one can harvest a crop every
month in the year if so disposed, and that the
conditions of a comfortable existence (with
the single exception of a not numerous foreign
population ) are of the best.
The destiny of this city is to be an all-the
year health and pleasure resort, and for this
purpose it is claimed by many that it surpasses
far-famed Guadalajara. There is no necessity,
however, for any rivalry, as there is abun
dance of room in this country for half a dozen
Guadalajaras, where the weary and disease
stricken of all nations may find rest and
seclusion from the cares and worries of life
amid surroundings which cannot be surpassed
from whatever standpoint they be considered.
Fine Field for Sportsmen
The sportsman as well as the health-seeker
can find here that for which he is in search.
In the mountains are deer, bear, turkey, quail,
rabbits and other game. In the forests of the
coast and foothill regions are tigers, pumas,
and many other animals and birds peculiar to
the tropics. On the rivers and estuaries are
alligators , turtles, ducks, geese, and other
feathered game in countless swarms . In the
streams are fish of a dozen varieties , while
along the coast are oysters in abundance and
of a quality calculated to make one a coast
dweller for at least six months of every year.
The oysters, by the way, have been shipped to
various portions of the United States and
enjoy the highest reputation for size and
quality.
The fact is, from whatever standpoint this
portion of Mexico be considered- that of the
investor, the farmer, the fruit grower, the
stock raiser, the miner, the lumber man, the
health and pleasure seeker, or what not- it
will be found, on examination, to possess qual
ities of the most superlative degree and oppor
tunities of all kinds of the utmost attractive
ness and promise. The only wonder is that
such opportunities should, as yet, have been
taken advantage of to so small an extent.
In whatever direction one turns, one is con
fronted by the most promising channels for
enterprise and investment, with an absolute.
certainty of an adequate and in most cases
abundant reward. However, this will soon be
a thing of the past, in large degree. With the
advent of the railroad will come a great
change, and, when it is too late, a lot of peo
ple will rub their eyes and wonder why they
did not take advantage of some of the numer
ous openings that have been flaunting them
selves in their faces for years.
The entire West Coast of Mexico is a veri
table land of opportunities, such as the world
has seldom presented-opportunities, too, which
may be seized without the hardship of pioneer
life incidental to the opening up of most " new"
countries.
Provisional Governor Ferreira Outlines His
Plans
Provisional Governor Ferreira, of the State
of Nayarit, a short time since made a report
of his work in that region to the National
MEXICAN REVIEW 5
ernor during the time necessary to call and
In a letter written to Ambassa
hold a regular constitutional election, he was
of Washington, outlining the
only able to carry out the preliminary studies
affairs in the State named, he
of the various projects of reform and those
chief object during his term of
which in his opinion urgently demanded the
attention of the Government and which prom
ised to be of inexhaustible benefit to the peo
ple. In his work he was greatly aided by
several equally enthusiastic and patriotic as
sistants.
The financial feature of the government was
the first naturally to receive attention . Its
reorganization was difficult, since at the time
when this State, then known as the Territory
of Tepic, was a part of the Federation, the
Federal Government was called upon to con
tribute $500,000 annually to meet the expenses .
In 1912 the annual expenditure reached
$790,000, but under Provisional Governor
Ferreira's efficient management the expense
was reduced to $409,184.50, or almost 50 per
cent.
The next subject to receive attention was
that of public instruction. A very adequate
educational law was adopted and put into
force and a normal school was inaugurated,
thus providing for competent professors , who
will conduct the educational system under the
auspices of modern pedagogy.
One of the greatest wants of the State is
adequate railroad facilities, and the Governor's
report upon this subject is given herewith in
full. The betterment of the Port of San Blas ,
the principal seaport of the State, also received
Chapel in Tepic Cemetery
attention and a report upon this subject was
office had been the general improvement of made. In concluding the letter referred to,
this fabulously rich portion of the national the Governor stated :
territory, which had been more or less neg "These two latter subjects-railways and
lected, owing in part to the negligence of its port works- are those which it is most essen
tial to have known outside of the Republic,
where there are numerous and powerful enter
prises which are always seeking for investment
for their surplus, although it is to be regretted
that we are obliged to look for foreign capital
with which to promote new enterprise. Ι
think that under the principles of the new
Constitution, there does not exist the danger
which was manifested during the administra
tion of General Diaz, that foreigners will in
jure national interests by interfering in them."
Report to the National Secretary of State
"Profoundly touched by the urgent necessi
ties of this State which require the attention
of the National Government, I am convinced
that one of the most important is without
doubt that of the improvement of the Port of
MORVOMETON BE MILICA OF San Blas and its economic regulation. San
Blas is one of the oldest ports in the Republic
and the Spaniards of Nueva Galicia made it
the base of their route which they established
for trade with Asiatic countries. At present it
does not meet the requirements of local com
merce, owing to the neglected state in which
it has been for many decades. Since the time
of Santa Anna, in the year 1854, no other
government has taken any interest in its de
velopment.
"NATURAL DEVELOPMENT .- It is well known
Monument of Hidalgo
beyond a doubt that one of the causes which
inhabitants, but chiefly to the unfavorable prevent merchant vessels of great tonnage
financial policy of past dictatorial governments. coming into ports of this character is the great
Owing to the short time which he held office, difficulty met by such craft in loading and
as he was merely appointed Provisional Gov unloading merchandise. The depth of water
 6 THE MEXICAN REVIEW

is not great and therefore the commerce is equipped ports, but in the high duties they are regarding the construction of railroads, which
reduced to a feeble coastwise trade, and these, obliged to pay for imports or exports, after
obliged he considered urgently needed :
ports are kept in a stationary position. The paying the very high prices of freighting, as "The construction of three main lines of
former National Government which had en all freight is carried on mule back in this railway is urgently needed in the State. These
gaged in the betterment of some of the ports State. In addition to this , it very often occurs may be divided into two different classes, those
did this with a view to the assistance of pri that foreign vessels of importance refuse to of urgent necessity and those of secondary
vate enterprise, and never with the general take on board passengers or freight bound to importance. First, it is of urgent necessity
purpose of benefiting the country at large. San Blas, basing their negative upon the heavy that branches starting from the cities of Tepic
The Port of San Blas was regarded with dis duties of the customs authorities at this port. and Santiago should reach the Port of San
dain by the directors of the national policy, As a consequence, besides the hindrances met Blas, connecting with each other at a point
and there is documentary evidence that the by the local authorities for the development near the Hacienda of Navarrete. The railroad
Diaz régime viewed with suspicion any proj of their business in such obstacles, they are which will connect the capital city with San
ects initiated here for the introduction of required to become tributary to the market of
railroads, and for this reason this port was Blas would only require the construction of
Mazatlan, which has a fine port and splendid 83 kilometers, while the branch connecting the
entirely abandoned so far as improvement was facilities.. The merchants of Nayarit,
railroad facilities point called La Presa, adjoining Santiago
concerned, and slowly deteriorated until it therefore, will never overcome these obstacles Ixcuintla , with the main line, would only re
reached the lamentable state in which it is at unless this abnormal situation is corrected . quire 16 kilometers of construction . The cost
present, with the result that various foreign These inconveniences could be eliminated if of this work would be insignificant, because
vessels which used to pay monthly visits have the Executive of the Union by the legal means the roadbed built in 1884 by the Central Rail
suspended their calls. Now that in all the at his disposal would grant, as a special favor way could be utilized . This company con
branches of the Government a general and
satisfactory advance is noted ; now that the
country needs to secure great resources in or
der to meet the enormous economic problems
which have sprung up after the sorrowful but
necessary period of civil war, the betterment
of the port in question would enable the pro
motion of commercial movements in this
region and would redound to the benefit of the
National Treasury, while at the same time
involving a comparatively insignificant outlay
by comparison with the important works un
dertaken at other ports of the Republic. In
consequence of this, and in accordance with
the opinions of authorities on the subject, the
necessary work to be done would, in my opin
ion, comprehend the following :
"In the passage of years the currents and
floods from the drainage of adjacent shores
have formed a bar whose removal is neces
sary. The use of a dredging machine for this
purpose is the only feasible solution. The ob
stacles on the bar, as well as in the bay of
San Blas, are formed by sand and alluvial
mud, which makes the work of dredging easy. Plaza in City of Tepic, State of Nayarit
In order to prevent damage to the adjacent
shores it will be necessary to protect them with to San Blas, a reduction of the duties charged structed in good shape 57 kilometers of road
loose stone work. A breakwater of stone at a for customs inspection of ships, as well as the bed, including in the work matters of such
fairly good depth is also necessary, beginning duties upon all kinds of merchandise in their vital importance as filling embankments , cul
from a point at the north of the shore, curving importation and exportation. In this way they verts, cuts, bridges, etc. These works are still
around toward the bar until the depth of five would compensate the excess in the freight. in good condition and with slight repair could
fathoms is reached. The total length would expenses that those engaged in commerce have be put into a state to have the rails laid imme
be some three hundred meters, with a front to pay on account of railroad transportation." diately. The 26 kilometers which must still
of about one hundred and thirty-five cubic Governor Ferreira in concluding his state be built in order to connect with the city of
meters, besides the work necessary to protect ments asked the Secretary of State to give Tepic are in the foothills and would not offer
the shore. The cost of this work, including consideration to these reasons, and as a proof great difficulties for construction . The branch
the tools, portable railways, etc. , three kilo of his judicious sentiments towards the com to Santiago would be a very short one and it
meters in length, would amount to about mon welfare of the State to lend his valuable would not present physical obstacles of any
$350,000. It is calculated that some three hun influence to this proposition, in order that the importance.
dred thousand cubic meters must be removed President of the Republic might consider it "ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE.-The economic im
to a depth of 10 meters, and that the powerful and provide the legal requisites for the per portance of this railroad is evident because
dredge Mexico, now the property of the nation, formance of the above-mentioned improve the zone that it would cross would be that of
could do this in a period of no more than ments, both in the outlay demanded for the Santiago, which is extremely fertile. In this
one hundred days. This would permit the work of improving the port, as well as in the region all the inter-tropical products are raised
access of vessels up to ten thousand tons fiscal regulations of the customs rules, which , and there will be without doubt a large surplus
capacity. At a total expense of one million although they may appear objectionable be for exportation. The principal wealth of this
cause they affect laws which may be of a region is found in the cultivation of corn,
pesos in round numbers this port could be
placed among those of the first class. general order, in the opinion of the Governor which has made a large development. Next in
"ECONOMIC BETTERMENT.-All persons en are indispensable in this case. importance comes tobacco, which is produced
gaged in trading and carrying on business on an extensive scale, the climate being most
transactions in this State have found one of The Railroad Situation
appropriate for it, while the soil is of a sandy
the principal difficulties in the exportation and Governor Ferreira at the same time sub character, very rich in potassium. Cotton is
importation of merchandise. Not only is it mitted to the Department of Communications largely grown and is now one of the raw
met in the unloading and loading in badly and Public Works the following statement materials in greatest demand on the market,

and is extensively produced on this coast.
Beans, rice, garbanzas and other cereals are
largely produced. The coquito nut is raised
with very good results and gives wonderful
harvests on account of the saline atmosphere
and the character of the soil upon which it is
raised. Salt works, shrimp fisheries, etc. , are
also a source of great wealth, as well as fine
cabinet woods which are found in abundance
throughout the forests.
"POLITICAL IMPORTANCE .-The isolation in
which the people of the principal towns of this
State have always lived has resulted in the
political education of the people being of a
heterogeneous character. The binding of these
cities with the capital would co -ordinate the
political tendencies of each region until their
unification is reached. Furthermore, the inde
pendence given to the municipalities by the
Constitutional Government would isolate them
HI
Street Scene in Tepic City
from the capital in such a way that the bonds
of solidarity and harmony established by the
public law would not remain, because there are
very important municipalities which, owing to
the distance from the capital and for lack of
good roads uniting them therewith, remained
a long time without any communication and
their political relations with the Government
therefore offered serious disturbances. The
mail service is either irregular or does not
exist, and in many cases which demand im
mediate solution and for which there is not
any legal proof, they must decide without con
sulting beforehand with the Executive of the
State and must afterwards give an account of
such happenings, which, in many cases, are
entirely in opposition to the very tendencies of
the administration . The construction of this
branch would eliminate all these inconveniences
for reasons which I consider too obvious to
explain.
" STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE.-As the railroad of
whose construction I am now speaking would
put the capital in contact with a productive
region par excellence, thus facilitating natu
rally the securing of food in rapid form in
pressing cases, it would assure the dominance
of the Government over all those regions that,
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
owing to the denseness of their forests and
to their mountainous character, offer shelter
and hiding places to bands of systematic
robbers.
"SECONDARY ROADS.-Of this character in
cluding among roads of the secondary class,
I place a branch from Santiago Ixcuintla to
Tuxpam on the coast, and another one which,
starting from San Blas, would run across the
Valle Banderas and would terminate at the
port of Las Peñas, in the State of Jalisco.
"CONSTRUCTION.-The construction of these
branches, as well as those referred to in pre
vious paragraphs, could be carried out with
great economy, since the roads would run
through a region very appropriate to the lay
ing of the tracks, and also with very few
rivers or broken country to traverse. The
rich forests existing in this section would fur
nish the very best of wood necessary for the
PREDS
ties at the very lowest prices, as well as all
other material to be used in construction of
stations, bridges, etc.
"ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE.- From an economic
point of view both branches would in a very
short time give satisfactory results . First,
from the fact that in uniting Tuxpam and
Santiago Ixcuintla they would cross a region
well noted because of the abundance of shell
fish, for the good quality of the cattle which
are raised upon a large scale on these rich
grazing lands, and for the inexhaustible
amount of cabinet and construction timber
found in the forests. The second branch- that
is to say, the one extending from San Blas
and running along the coast until the port of
Las Peñas is reached-would be another line
of great economic importance, because in pass
ing the foot of the western slopes of San
Juan Mountain it offers great advantage to
agriculture and mining and would render pos
sible the exploitation of large areas of land
now unimproved, and which would assure an
enormous production from their fertile soil.
The slopes of this mountain are well calculated
for the cultivation of corn, while the heights
afford excellent cabinet and construction
woods. In this region many mining camps
7
of importance are already found, counting
among them those of Huicicila and Compos
tela. The roads now connecting these centers
are very devious, and owing to this fact agri
culture and mining have not properly devel
oped. The same fact is true with regard to
the excellent coffee raised on the haciendas of
Malinal, Ixtapa de la Concepcion and La
Palma, whose products cannot find their way
out by reason of lack of means of transpor
tation.
"POLITICAL IMPORTANCE. -The same reasons
may be cited in support for the construction
of this branch as for the building of the line
from Tepic to San Blas, with the advantage
that the latter makes communication possible
with the other ports of the Republic.
"STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE.-The strategic im
portance of the branch to Tuxpam is very
considerable, but this line, which would unite
two important ports of the Pacific, will con
nect the respective authorities with an exten
sive mountainous region, very large and pro
ductive valleys, and with a large number of
towns and villages which up to the present time
have been isolated from the Government, and
therefore have not yet started in the pathway
of administrative order..
"From what I have already mentioned it is
demonstrated that the lines above described are
of vital importance from any point of view.
Their construction does not demand large ex
penditures of money, while the great benefits
derived from them would more than compen
sate for the energies and efforts expended in
their building."
State Finances-An Economical Showing
The total expenses of the State for the year
are given by Governor Ferreira as follows :
Congress... $27,375.00
Secretary to Congress . 4,854.50
Government...... 10,329.50
Secretarial Department 26,542.50
Director of Taxes . 24,665.00
Expenses of tax collection .. 10,000.00
Expenses of Foreign Office.. 4,836.25
8,895.00
State Treasury ....
Public Minister 9,380.50
Defense of the Poor.... 1,460.75
Local Agrarian Commission . *** . 6,551.75
Penitentiary..... 10,122.50
State Telephone 3,130.00
Public Printing 4,315.00
Civil Hospital 26,365.75
Asylum for the Poor.. 11,275.00
General exp. of the Administration . 57,650.00
School Inspection ... 7,665.00
Primary Instruction 82,453.50
Expenses of Instruction.... 22,600.00
Supreme Court ..... 7,665.00
Lower Courts .. 32,412.00
Medical Service 5,840.00
Expenses of Justice.. 2,800.00
Total ...... $400,184.50
It will be observed that a total of $ 112,718.50
was devoted to educational matters, or con
siderably over one-fourth of the entire amount
expended in public purposes.
The Electric Railway Company, a foreign
institution, which controls the entire street
car system of Mexico City and its suburbs, has
filed a petition with the authorities for permis
sion to reduce the rates of passage hitherto in
effect. This is believed to be the first time in
the history of such concerns that an applica
tion of this kind has ever been presented.
8 THE
Mexico's Monetary System
Larger Specie Reserve Needed-Also Adequate Provision for the
Redemption of Subsidiary Silver Coinage
ADICAL and far-reaching changes in
Mexico's monetary system are pro
posed in a report made by E. W.
Kemmerer, professor of economics in Prince
ton University, who has completed an ex
haustive study of the financial situation in
that country at the request of that Govern
ment.
Among other reforms, Professor
Kemmerer advocates raising the gold unit
value in Mexico so that it will be substantially
above the bullion value of the silver peso . It
is pointed out that as soon as these silver
coins are worth more as money or circulating
media than as bullion their melting or expor
ITI
Private Residence in Tepic City
tation will cease and one of Mexico's greatest
problems will be solved.
Professor Kemmerer makes the point that
the most important single problem in the re
organization of Mexico's currency system is
that relating to the method which should be
adopted for the maintenance of the parity of
the various kinds of coins with the unit of
75 centigrams of pure gold established by the
currency law of March, 1905. The present
necessity, growing out of the high price of
silver, of recoining silver coins with a sub
stantially lower pure silver content involves
the whole subject of the proper machinery for
maintaining the parity of silver coins with
gold. The proposed new lighter coins, accord
ing to Professor Kemmerer, should not be
introduced into circulation until an adequate
gold reserve for their redemption is estab
lished. The continuance of the gold standard
and the maintenance of the parity with the
gold peso of all the different kinds of coins
require, first, the free coinage of gold ; second,
the restricted coinage of fiduciary coins ; third,
the proper regulations to adjust the supply of
fiduciary coins to trade needs, and, fourth, an
adequate gold reserve.
MEXICA REVIEW
N
Gold Standard Principle
"The principle of the gold standard," says
Professor Kemmerer in his report, "is that the
value of gold coins as bullion and their value
as money should be the same. Under a strict
gold standard gold coins should never be ap
preciably more valuable than the gold bullion
they contain, plus a charge merely sufficient to
cover the actual expenses of coinage ; and they
should never be appreciably less valuable than
the gold bullion they contain, less the expenses
of melting and converting into bars. These
conditions can only be realized ( 1) when the
XXXXXXX
mints are open to the public for free coinage
of gold, so that any holder of gold bullion.
can have it converted into coin within a rea
sonable time, on demand, and (2) when the
exportation of . gold from the country is per
mitted. If coinage is not free, the value of
gold coins, under pressure of increasing cur
rency demands, tends to become greater than
the value of the bullion which they contain,
and thus the unit of value is raised, and the
gold standard is, to that extent, departed from .
If, on the other hand, the exportation of gold
coin is not permitted, the amount of gold in
circulation tends to become relatively redun
dant under the influence of declining currency
demands, exchange rates become strongly un
favorable to the country and the coins depre
ciate in terms of foreign gold (namely, as
measured by the foreign exchange rates ) ,
which means a depreciation in the unit of
value. It will probably be wise as soon as
monetary conditions in Mexico and abroad
become normal, to remove the existing prohi- , best market. But fiduciary silver money can
bition against the exportation of Mexican gold not be exported, for under normal conditions.
coin.
"A second postulate of the gold standard is
the limited coinage of fiduciary coins, namely, for exportation involves loss . Accordingly,
in Mexico, of the peso fuerte, fractional silver
coins, and minor coins of nickel and copper.
Unless the supplies of these coins are strictly
limited and kept within the bounds of trade
needs, they will deplete the country's gold re
serve, and denude its circulation of gold coin.
Great care must be taken that fiduciary coins.
are not issued in excess. This caution gives
rise to the third requirement of the gold
standard, namely, proper regulations to adjust
the supply of fiduciary coins to trade needs."
Reserve Must Be Adequate
The fourth requirement for the maintenance
of the parity of Mexican silver coins with gold,
according to Professor Kemmerer, is the
establishment of an adequate gold reserve,
which may be called "the gold standard re
serve."
"A gold standard reserve in a country like
Mexico," he says, "which has a large circula
tion of fiduciary money, performs two impor
tant functions, the second of which is essen
tially the corollary of the first. They are ( 1 )
the automatic adjustment of the currency
supply to the demands of trade and (2 ) the
creation and maintenance of public confidence
in the fiduciary currency.
"Currency performs its chief function in
serving as the medium for the exchange of
goods and services ; directly, in passing from
hand to hand, and indirectly, in constituting
bank reserves which support bank deposits, the
titles of which pass from hand to hand in the
form of bank checks. In a given state of
banking and credit development, and with a
given amount of business, a country needs a
certain quantity of money for the effecting of
its exchanges at a price level which is in equi
librium with the price levels of competing
countries.
"If a country, say Mexico, has less money
than is needed, the law of supply and demand
will operate to depress prices below the price
levels of nearby countries, and, temporarily, to
raise short-time interest rates, with the result
that, since money is more valuable in Mexico
than, say, in the United States, exchange rates
in Mexico on New York will rise, and gold
will flow toward Mexico (as it is tending to
do at the present time ) until an equilibrium
in the price levels of the two countries is again.
reached.
"If, on the other hand, there is too much
money in circulation relative to trade needs
a condition which may result from an exces
sive issue of money or from a decline or
depression in business-the law of supply and
demand again operates and makes the money
which has become relatively redundant (i. e.,
redundant as compared with trade needs )
cheap. In other words, the law of supply and
demand operates to force up prices of sensi
tive commodities and, temporarily, to depress
short-time interest rates, with the result that
exchange rates turn against the country and
the excess money seeks an outlet in exporta
tion. Money, like everything else, seeks the
it has a much higher value at home as money
than it has abroad as silver. To melt it down
 THE
therefore, it is only gold coin or its equivalent,
gold bars-the money of international trade
that flows out of the country at times when
the currency in circulation becomes redundant.
If there is not such an outflow of money in
times of currency redundancy, the increasing
excess of the currency supply over trade needs
depresses the value of the monetary unit and
ultimately results in the breakdown of the
gold standard. It is only through the auto
matic adjustment of the currency supply to the
demands of trade that the gold parity can be
maintained ; for relative excess means depre
ciation and relative scarcity means apprecia
tion."
Advocates 35 Per Cent Reserve
Mexico's gold reserve, in Professor Kem
merer's opinion, should be sufficient to provide
for the absorption through redemption of any
silver coin in circulation which may be ren
dered excessive by the usual seasonal fluctua
tions in business . It should be large enough
to do this, and, in addition , to afford a rea
sonable margin of safety for extraordinary
emergencies . In a country like Mexico, with
its great variety of natural resources , with its
varied climatic conditions and with a climate
which nearly everywhere makes possible the
raising of crops throughout the year, the sea
sonal fluctuations in business activity are not
so great as in countries less favorably situated .
Therefore , other things being equal, a smaller
gold reserve would be needed in a country like
Mexico than in one like Canada to absorb this
excess circulation. On the other hand, the
fluctuations in trade demands for currency in
Mexico are apparently irregular and less easily
anticipated and measured than are the peri
odical seasonal movements in countries like the
United States and Canada.
"In the light of the experience of other
countries," Professor Kemmerer continues,
"the experience of Mexico prior to the revo
lution, and in the light of the present lack of
confidence in fiduciary money in Mexico aris
ing out of the paper money experience of the
last three years, it would seem to be unsafe
to inaugurate the new coinage system with a
smaller reserve than 35 per cent, while 40 per
cent would be a safer figure.
"It is probable, however, that within a few
years after confidence has been restored and
business and banking have resumed their
normal proportions, a reserve of 30 per cent
will be adequate for Mexico ."
Professor Kemmerer believes that the
largest part of the proposed Mexican reserve
should be in the form of gold, and only a
small part in silver. He proposes that a por
tion of this reserve be kept in New York or
London, to be drawn against or increased by
additional deposits in the settlement of the
international trade balance. If the balance of
trade were running against Mexico, this could
be settled by drawing on the Mexican gold
reserve in New York, thus eliminating the
actual shipment of the gold. In the same way,
should the balance of trade be running in
favor of Mexico, the account could be settled
without the need of gold shipments to
Mexico .
MEXICAN REVIEW
Sonora Coal Deposits
Leased by an American Company and Development to
Be Undertaken on a Large Scale at Once
RECENT dispatch from Tucson says
that the Carlos F. Johnson semi
A anthracite coal land, three miles north
east of Ortiz, Sonora, has been leased for 99
years with an option to purchase for cash at
the end of five years for $3,000,000, by E. P.
Spalding, of New York, and associates.
Arrangements will be made for a 30-mile
extension of the Southern Pacific of Mexico
to tap the field, with the result that tonnage
can be sent to the United States through the
CALLEDEJUAREZ-TEPIDNEX-39-@ LepF
One of the Principal Streets in Tepic City
Nogales gateway as well as through Guaymas
up to the Pacific Coast and down to the
Panama Canal zone.
The Carlos F. Johnson coal land is well
known among coal operators of the United
States, but for several reasons it was thought
impossible to open it.
What Workings Show
The veins cover an area of 32 square miles.
There are a number of prospect holes on the
property which show coal, but only three dis
tinct shafts to depth. The most important of
these is the shaft at El Salto, which is down
400 feet. There is also included in the records
secured from Hermosillo officials, the log of a
bored hole sent down 460 feet at El Salto .
At 80 feet this bore cut a vein six feet thick,
at 271 feet it cut a second vein seven feet
thick, and at 393 feet it cut a vein 22 feet
wide, giving a total indication of 35 feet of
coal . How wide the veins are remains to be
proved.
The test of the coal shows 81.56 free carbon,
85 fixed carbons, 10 volatile matter in some
places and from 5 to 7 per cent elsewhere.
Owner Receives Royalty
The whole field will be subjected to explora
tion with diamond drills for at least one year
9
before shipping is started. During this time
preparations for the railway will be made.
The semi-anthracite at El Salto is in a dis
trict where there is a folding of the dyke and
it is hoped that the drills will show up deposits
of bituminous and coking coal, which will add
considerably to the assets of the property.
The contract calls for payments from time
to time to the owner. He does not lose title
to his property unless the operators decide to
4F
EMILYEN30 2011
LEPITIMA
4000X
W
AYENC
KRING OSurax
SOREL LAZO MERCANTILE
GABRIEL CORTES
purchase outright. Under the contract he re
ceives 15 cents per mined ton.
Johnson Owned Forty Years
The land has been in the possession of
Carlos Johnson for nearly 40 years . For po
litical reasons the Johnsons finally left Sonora
for good and settled in Tucson. Thereafter
companies were formed to operate the land,
but met with poor success. The last company
was the Carlos F. Johnson Coal Mining and
Development Company, composed of George
Atkinson and others, who planned to sell 40
per cent of the stock locally, but failed.
At this point Mr. Spalding entered the bid
ding and after three months of investigation
and conferences, closed the contract.
Geographically, the land is located three
miles northeast of Ortiz and 60 miles from
Guaymas.
Reports from Guanajuato state that under
the administration of Governor Alcocer, the
mines of that section have resumed operations,
thousands of men have found profitable em
ployment and conditions generally have been
greatly ameliorated. Many new schools have
been established, notably several which are
opened at night for the workingmen. A
school of agriculture has also been established
and many other public improvements made.
 10
Mexican Music Entrancing
One of the Leading Factors in Both Ancient and Modern Life
MISS LOUISE RONSTADT, IN "MEFISTOFELES"
USIC has always been an important
factor in Mexico. In fact the ancient
M Aztecs made music a part of their
religious services. At an annual festival a
youth was sacrificed to the Goddess of Music.
It is related that their music was full of bar
baric pomp, and possessed a strange, rhythmic
style. Instruments of percussion like bells and
rattles were used, accompanied by singing and
dancing .
Later on the tribes began to use the
"marimba," flageolets, wood flutes and pottery
whistles of grotesque shapes, with reed instru
ments of unique form. Some claim that the
ancient Mexicans had a scale which can be
reproduced on an organ with fixed pipes, but
this is not authentic.
Their vocal music was
sung in unison , and
though somewhat
monotonous, was
melancholy in style.
Information regarding
the ancient music is
meager, as nearly all
their historical records
were destroyed by the
neighboring tribes who
conquered them, and
later by the Spaniards .
Mexico has not much
of what we call folk
music. The ancient
native music was
chanted or hummed,
and was somewhat
monotonous.
After the entrance
of the Spaniards, the
music of the natives
began to develop and
acquire more scope ;
native composers were soon in evidence, who
wrote the most charming little waltzes, danzas,
and romanzas, light music abounding in
melody and rhythm, with not much depth,
but through it all ran the sad, sweet strain
of the music of their forefathers . The
Mexicans are so musical that it is hard to
explain it to those who have not lived there.
There is hardly a family, no matter how poor,
which does not possess a mandolin or a guitar.
In the evening, after the peon's work is done,
he will sit in his little " patio" (yard) and play
and sing. The better families all possess a piano
and one or more string instruments. Every
town, large or small, has its plaza with a pa
vilion in the center, and an orchestra plays
there every evening. In some of the larger
towns this custom is followed during the
afternoons also.
In this respect, Mexico is far more advanced
than our country. For here, it is only since
the recent propaganda of community music.
that we have tried to support bands and
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
A Nation of Music Lovers and Composers
orchestras in every town. In Mexico this has
always existed.
Comparisons are sometimes odious, but I
cannot refrain from comparing some of Mex
ico's cultured acquirements and talents with
our own. Here the average person does not
know anything about classical music, and really
does not seem to want to know it, strongly
preferring "ragtime." In Mexico City one
hears the humblest newsboy whistling arias
from " La Bohème," "Traviata," "Rigoletto,"
and "Carmen," and likewise the vegetable man
and the pastry seller.
Our popular music bears no resemblance
whatsoever to our classical compositions. In
Mexico the style of the popular music is based
Plaza in City of Jalisco, State of Nayarit
on the classical and abounds in beautiful mel
ody. However, this is perhaps characteristic
of all Latin races. They love to sing, and into
their music, whether it be gay or tragic, they
pour all the intensity of their southern tem
perament. To the Anglo- Saxon (accustomed
by inheritance to moderation in all things, this
emotional expression sometimes seems over
done ; but in tropical surroundings, with vivid
skies, florid architecture, brilliant flowers and
gay-colored clothes, it appears spontaneous
and appropriate.
To sit in the plaza of some quaint Mexican
town, on a starry, flower-perfumed evening,
is to realize the significance of impassioned
utterances. One's blood is fired by the en
trancing melodies which float from the orches
tra in the central pavilion, and the groups
of gaily dressed people are a delight to the
eye. The "serenade" is one of the most
romantic customs in Mexico, and was intro
duced by the early Spaniards. It is indescrib
able, the feeling one experiences to be awak
ened from a deep slumber by the sweet strains
of a guitar and more often by an orchestra.
This custom still prevails.
It is conceded by the great teachers of the
world that the Mexicans are the best inter
preters of music, and while Mexico has not
yet given to the world a great artist on string.
instrument, she has given a singer who was
the greatest in all the world, Angela Peralta.
Some time ago, at a singing contest, where
all the great vocalists were gathered, when
Patti finished her song (so the story goes)
she turned to Peralta and said, "That is the
way they sing in Milan." But when Peralta
had finished her song, Patti remarked, "That
is the way they sing in heaven."
Mexico has given to the world composers
who have created great sensations not only in
their country, but also in Europe- Jose Ca
rrillo, Manuel Ponce (known as the Mexican
Chopin ) , Ricardo Castro, Fraga, and others
too numerous to mention here. Jose Carillo,
who has been recently leading an orchestra
of note in New York, has revolutionized the
old system of writing
in Theory and Compo
sition . He has proven
his solutions are cor
rect and they have been
accepted by the great
writers of today. In
Mexico City is a won
derful temple built to
the Muse of Music,
"The Conservatory of
Music." This institu
tion is supported by the
Government, and
within these sacred
walls is the one place
in the Republic where
all meet on an equal
footing. Caste is not
recognized there-only
Genius. When students
indicate unusual talent,
they are sent to Europe
to finish their studies
at the expense of the
Government. Mexico
supports an opera company all the year around.
The Grand Opera Company, which has just
closed a remarkable season in Mexico, had
to be changed from the Opera House to the
"Plaza de Toros ," the crowds were so great.
What do you think of a cast of 600 members
accompanied nightly by an orchestra of 150
pieces and singing to an audience nightly of
18,000 and over ? The Mexicans are en
thusiastic in their appreciation of good music.
They reward artists by throwing flowers ,
jewels and money at their feet, but woe to
the one who does not rise to their high con
ception of what constitutes a good singer or
instrumentalist. Mexico possesses the next to
the greatestOpera House in the world, the
other being in Paris .
Mexico has no particular school of music,
but is fast developing one. Democracy is the
mother of free and beautiful expression, and
by establishing ideals of democracy, Mexico is
bound to develop all the characteristics neces
sary to establish an individual type of her own.
J
THE
Seen in a Mexican Plaza
BY GEORGE F. WEEKS
IX
The Interesting Process of Manufacturing
Candles ▼
ETWEEN the house of "El Gringo"
-that ancient structure in which he
B never went to sleep without picturing
in his mind the heroic fight put up in the
very room in which he slept, between four
brave patriots intrenched therein and upward
of 200 enemies, howling on the outside for
their blood and his private settee in the shade
of the chinaberry tree, were several places of
business of one kind and another. Among
these was one where the stranger often halted
to watch the industry therein carried on and
to exchange a few words of greeting with the
genial, gray-haired man who constituted in
his own person the proprietor, manager, fore
man and entire working force of a candle
manufactory. In his younger days in a pio
neer community it had been one of “El
Gringo's" "chores" to assist in the preparation
of the battery of tin' molds, the tying of the
wicks to the wooden cross pieces, and the
pouring of the melted tallow, by which slow
and laborious process candles were evolved—
the only means of illumination known at that
time, which was before the "invention" of
petroleum as an illuminant.
But this Cuatro Cienegas candle manufac
tory was of a different type. A great empty
room , perhaps 20 or 24 feet square, opened
off the street with a wide double door. With
the exceptions to be described, it was entirely
without furniture or appliances of any kind.
Into a massive beam overhead at a spot in
the exact center of the high ceiling, was fas
tened an iron swivel hook which turned freely
in any direction. From this hook several
heavy cords made of ixtli fiber spread in cone
shaped fashion and were attached to a great
wooden hoop that completely filled the room,
with the exception , of course, of the corners.
This hoop was suspended in an exactly hori
zontal position at a height of about four feet
above the floor, and a single motion of the
hand could send it spinning around and around
until one became dizzy watching it, if he so
wished.
At intervals of about six inches apart,
coarsely and loosely spun bits of cotton cord
age were tied to the hoop, which was of very
light material, and hung down some 10 inches
or thereabouts . On a box in one corner of
the room where the curve of the hoop left
considerable space, the proprietor-manager
foreman-working force sat. Just in front of
him was a brasero with a small charcoal fire
supporting an earthen vessel filled with melted
tallow. Any kind of animal fat answered the
purpose. With a ladle in one hand, the candle
maker turned the hoop a trifle with the other
until one of the dependent wicks was exactly
over the tallow-filled vessel. Then he filled
the ladle and poured it on the upper end of
the wick, allowing the liquid to run down into
the vessel, during which process a small quan
MEXICAN REVIEW
A Summer's Idyll of an Idle Summer
tity congealed and remained adhering to the
wick. After many operations of this kind the
tallow began to assume something of the pro
portions of a candle, but it required hours
of patient toil, and continuous turning and
ladling and pouring, before a candle of proper
size was at last produced. These were not
symmetrical in shape, as when cast in a mold,
but when completed were about the diameter
of an ordinary lead pencil at the top, gradually
increasing in size until at the lower end they
were an inch or so in thickness. The melted
tallow being hot when applied at the upper
extremity of the candle, ran rapidly down
ward, but cooled quickly in the process, thus
causing the candle to become much thicker at
the base than at the top. After the candles
had attained a sufficient size they were de
tached from the hoop, the base was cut off
squarely with a sharp knife, and then they
were ready for sale in the market. As these
brought a very low price by comparison with
the imported articles made of paraffin or other
substances, it was very plain to me that the
pathway to wealth followed so earnestly by
this gray-haired manager-proprietor - foreman
working force would be a very long one. It
is possible that he may have realized a profit
of as much as a dollar daily, but of this I
have serious doubts, as the entire output of
the factory for a day could have been easily
carried away in a man's arms. Many weary
hours were required in order to produce a
single batch of candles, but the jolly manu
facturer never seemed to tire of his task, while
his friends happened along with regularity and
halted for a bit of gossip or to smoke a ciga
rette with him, thus helping the time to pass .
Something About Matches
Of cognate character was a match manu
factory. Mexican-made matches, as most peo
ple are perhaps not aware, are an entirely
different thing from the ordinary match of the
rest of the world. The average Mexican
match is an inch to an inch and a quarter
in length . It is made with a cotton cord
coated with melted wax and is about one
sixteenth of an inch in diameter. It is doubled
headed, that is, has phosphorus at each end,
and every match may be used twice. One can
light a cigarette or a cigar, or start a fire,
then extinguish the flame, return the match
to the box and preserve it for the next time.
Being constituted as they are, these matches.
can be used in the open air with much more
assurance than the ordinary imported wooden
match. They can be lighted and will remain
burning in the face of a very strong wind,
which with the other variety of match would
be impossible. In the majority of factories
these matches are made by machines, but in
small towns everything is done by hand. The
raw cotton is spun into threads and dozens
of girls and boys are employed in the slow and
laborious work of molding and tipping the
matches.
11
Speaking of matches, by the way, it is within
the memory of people still living that such
things were not known, and the old-fashioned
flint and steel were the sole dependence for
starting a fire . The story is told that when
matches were first imported an enterprising
storekeeper laid in a supply and endeavored
to introduce them to his customers . One
day an old chap from a ranch some 20 or
25 miles distant dropped in and the dealer
produced some of the wonderful novelties.
He emphasized the ease with which a light
could be obtained in comparison with the slow
process of flint and steel, and as an illustra
tion casually scratched a match on the leg of
his trousers, saying : "See how easily you can
get a light with one of these matches !" But
the ranchero demurred and could not be per
suaded. "You say it will save time ? Not so !
How could I come to town and have you make
a light on your trousers leg every time I
wanted a fire ? No, no ; I will use my flint
and steel !"
A Novel but Enjoyable Bath in a Bottom
less Pit
"Let us go for a bath !"
To "El Gringo," sitting in the shade of the
chinaberry tree in the plaza at Cuatro Ciene
gas, came two friends with this proposal.
Now, an invitation of that kind may seem
a trifle odd and mystifying to the stranger.
Asking an acquaintance to "take a drink" or
"have a smoke" is common enough in any
portion of the world, but to invite one to take
a bath might seem to open the way to some
invidious comment, or possibly it might even
be resented ! Especially if a bath really were
needed !
Not so in Cuatro Cienegas, as will be seen !
It is getting late in the fall. The torrid
heat of the summer sun is tempered by the
delightful breezes that blow up and down the
valley-in one uniform direction by day and
in the opposite course after nightfall. The
delicious grapes and other fruits produced
here in abundance are at their best and we
revel in them day after day. Such juicy fruit
of the vine, such luscious figs, such pears and
plums and peaches, and what not ! A few
leaves are falling-but only a few. In a land
where comes not either frost or hail or snow,
and only on rare occasions any rain- or if it
does it is so gentle as not to be unwelcome
there are no sharp changes of the seasons.
They melt into one another so gradually that
the summer is past and gone, the harvest is
over and done, autumn is in full tide, the
"winter" even comes, and we only know it by
the calendar and by the advent of All Souls'
Day-Mexico's national Decoration Day-and
by the coming of Noche Buena, or Christmas,
later on.
It is a lovely, genial mid-October forenoon,
and the invitation to a bath comes to willing
ears.
But the reader must not be mistaken about
it ! A bath here in the United States and one
in Cuatro Cienegas are vastly different things
from what one might suppose. About the only
similarity is that both are wet ! In other
respects it would be difficult to imagine any
thing at greater variance from the rule in
such matters.
12
First, we hustle about for towels, then start
on a little journey of a dozen or so miles out
into the barren valley, hiring a "coach" and
a couple of tough little mules for the occa
sion. "Machines" are an unknown quantity
at this time and in this region .
First we drive through the vineyard-covered
outskirts of the town, raising several coveys
of fat quail as we pass ; but we do not stop
for the tempting shot, as we are intent on
bathing and not on hunting. Then rapidly
through a belt of fertile farming land, and
then finally out into the unsettled valley prai
ries, where thousands of acres are covered
with a snow-white efflorescence interspersed
with "sinks" heavily encrusted with vari
colored crystallizations. We cross the "Salon
de las Brujas" -which, being interpreted, re
solves itself into "The Dancing Place of the
Witches"-an appropriate designation, as will
be explained. It being broad daylight, none of
the "witches" are in evidence ! It is only after
nightfall that they disport themselves ! Then,
across the solidly encrusted ice-like surface of
the salon, the brisk wind brings little twisting
columns of the loose white salts, which flit
hither and yon over the rolling valley surface
and require little enough imagination on the
part of the superstitious natives to become
endowed with supernatural and malicious life.
Especially if the native be returning home
after a day spent among the wine cellars or
cantinas of Cuatro Cienegas and many "copi
tas" have been absorbed of the heady but, it
must be confessed, in many cases appetizingly
seductive products of the vineyards.
Beyond the resort of the putative witches
the road winds endlessly on and on toward the
distant purple hills, which do not seem to be
come one whit nearer even after an hour
or two of steady jogging travel. Mesquite
thickets line the road and give shelter to a
frequent rabbit or a bunch of quail or some
doves, while from some overflowed land in
the distance rise swarms of ducks and geese,
which promise "good hunting" when the occa
sion offers. Then out from the thickets we
pass onto a level plain covered with coarse
clumps of sedge grass, through which we
wind our way until the bathing place is
reached. If it be the first visit of a stranger,
it is an odd enough experience. If, however,
he be familiar with the wonderful natural
phenomenon that greets the eye, it still is of
interest. One never tires of it.
Suddenly and without any sort of warning
the coach halts on the brink of as strange and
wonderful a pool as can be imagined. All
around is dry and barren, yet here is a circu
lar basin, some 150 feet in diameter, rounded
as if laid out by an engineer. The brown.
sedge grass hangs heavy over the brim, and
there is a straight drop of three or four feet
to the surface of the water. And that water !
Blue it is as the sky! Blue as indigo ! And
as the wind ruffles across its surface, if it be
a cool day, light clouds of vapor arise and are
borne hither and thither, for the water is hot
-hot as blazes ! At the edges the pool is two
or three feet in depth, but the bottom slopes
with the most perfect regularity at an angle
of about forty-five degrees to the center, and
it is snow white ! A pure dazzling white,
which, with the deep blue of the water, pre
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
sents a most entrancing picture. Away down AMBROSE BIERCE
deep in the center, many, many feet below the The friends of Ambrose Bierce, the well
surface, is a ragged crater-like opening through known American author and correspondent,
which pours à constant supply of water from are very desirous of securing some definite
the depths below, whose extent can be gauged information regarding his present wherea
by the fact that through an open cut at one bouts, or his fate. Mr. Bierce had lived in
side a ditch passes which is some six feet in California many years. He was an ardent
width and carries a flow two feet deep. sympathizer with the Madero revolution, and
The bottom and sides of the pool are, as afterwards with the movement under President
stated, snow white in color. The substance Carranza against the traitor Huerta. He went
of which they are composed is smooth and to El Paso in the latter part of 1913, with the
greasy to the touch, and upon examination is intention of joining the Constitutionalist forces.
found to consist largely of minute spiral shells , The last that was heard from him was in a
many of microscopic dimensions . In some letter mailed at Chihuahua in October of that
places the deposit has a beautiful light salmon
color of the most delicate hue. There is not
a particle of grit and the material may be
used instead of soap, possessing remarkable
detergent qualities. One plasters it liberally
upon his entire body, and then plunges into
the hot water of the pool, the result being a
most satisfactory and beneficial bath. There
is only one drawback : one never knows when
to quit! The whole sensation is so agreeable
and so different from anything of the sort
ever before encountered, that it is with reluc
tance you finally, after playing about in the
water for an hour or more, emerge, don your
clothes and regretfully turn Cuatro Cienegas
ward.
While no analysis of this water has ever
been made, so far at least as the writer knows ,
it has been demonstrated to possess curative
properties of value. The famous General
Escobedo, one of Benito Juarez's most valiant
and valuable aids in his revolutionary war,
sought refuge at one time in this valley and
remained there for a considerable period . Be
ing afflicted with a severe attack of inflam
matory rheumatism, and hearing the fame
possessed among the natives by the pool, he
established a camp on the bank of the basin.
A rude stone hut (still standing, by the way, year, in which he stated that he was then
in a ruinous condition ) was thrown up, and sojourning at a point some eight or ten miles
a channel was excavated from the pool to the from the City of Chihuahua . He did not
building, in order to conduct the water thither. specify the locality, however. Since that time
In the floor of the hut a deep basin was hol nothing has been heard from him, although
lowed out in the solid rock, and into this a many efforts have been made to secure some
constant stream of the hot water passed. The definite information. The accompanying pho
sufferer was accustomed to recline in this basin tograph was taken not long before he went to
for hours at a time, in fact the entire day Mexico and it is published in the hope that
being passed in this manner, thus soaking his some one may recognize it and send the infor
pain-wracked body until it must have been mation which is so much desired by his multi
completely saturated. The result was that in tude of friends. If any one recognizing the
a few weeks the military leader was entirely portrait, or knowing anything of Mr. Bierce
restored to health and was again able to take will communicate with the Mexican News
the field. Since that time the pool has been Bureau, 613 Riggs Bldg., Washington, D. C.,
generally known as the "Baths of Escobedo," it will be a very great favor.
and the natives come from far and wide to
lave in its waters, as well as to thoroughly President Carranza has directed that cotton
cleanse anything of a textile nature that needs seed imported from the United States for
renovation, with the least possibly outlay of planting in Mexico shall be admitted free of
time and labor. duty.
And of such is the bath that "El Gringo"
was invited to enjoy by his friends in Cuatro Fernando Gonzalez Roa Cable Address
Cienegas ! And did enjoy it many times ! B. Carbajal y Rosas "Golecar"
Adam Leckie
It is well worth traveling hundreds of miles !
Gonzalez Roa
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communications from whatever source dealing with Carbajal & Leckie
ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW
matters of interest to both Mexicans and Americans,
and from those who desire to have the truth known
about Mexico. It is hoped that all who wish to aid Mexico, D. F.
in the removal of the widespread false impressions
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in this important but difficult task.
 THE
Food Situation in Hand
Abundant Supplies of Corn and Other Products Being Received
Organization of the Department of Subsistence
T is officially announced in the press of
Mexico City that abundant supplies of
corn have been arranged for in the United
I
States and are now being received . Thirty
six carloads crossed the border in one day
recently, while 140 carloads in addition were
en route. The grain is sent to various locali
ties where it is most needed and is sold at as
near cost as possible. Additional funds have
been placed at the disposition of the Committee
on Subsistence by the Government in order to
maintain the supply so long as it shall be
needed.
The Secretary of Industry and Commerce
has organized a new bureau to be called the
Department of Subsistence, which shall in fu
ture take charge of all matters pertaining to
the food supply. It will have the aid of the
Chambers of Commerce throughout the Re
public and hopes to be able to equalize sup
plies in the future, and to cope with the
problem of there being abundant crops and a
surplus in some portions of the Republic, while
there are short crops and corresponding lack
of grain in others, due to faulty methods of
distribution. The cultivation of a greater
acreage in grain in those States which are best
adapted thereto is also to be stimulated.
The Governments of Chile, Colombia and
Venezuela are taking steps for a freer inter
change of food supplies between those coun
tries and Mexico , each producing many articles
that are required in the other.
REBATE OF DUTIES ON AGRI
CULTURAL MACHINERY
Ta recent session of the Council of Min
A isters in the City of Mexico, Secretary
Alberto J. Pani, of the Department of Industry
and Commerce, presented an important project,
with which the President has expressed him
self in accord, for the remission of the import
duties upon all classes of machinery for agri
cultural purposes, with the object of stimu
lating such enterprises in all portions of the
Republic, to the end that sufficient grain and
other food products may always be raised to
meet the needs of the population. In pre
Revolutionary days, as well as at present, it
was necessary nearly every year to import
grain, beans , etc. , from abroad to supply the
demand. By allotting lands for cultivation to
those applying therefor, by stimulating the
utilization of idle lands, and by the free im
portation of machinery it is expected to elimi
nate any future necessity for importation of
the prime food necessaries of subsistence.
Seven hundred and fifty thousand acres of
agricultural land in the municipality of Casas
Grandes, State of Chihuahua, have been re
turned to the National Government through
failure of the concessionaires to comply with
the terms of their contract through which they
had obtained control of the land at a ridicu
lously inadequate price. It will probably be
subdivided and allotted to people who wish to
cultivate small tracts thereof.
MEXICAN REVIEW
The Chamber of Agriculture of the Laguna
region is securing large supplies of bisulphate
of carbon for use in combatting the ravages of
the "gusano rosado," or pink caterpillar, that is
attacking the cotton plantations. The chemical
will be disposed of at cost to all planters .
Under instructions from the Director Gen
eral of Agriculture many thousands of vine
cuttings have been sent to the Laguna region
of Coahuila and Durango , and will there be
propagated, as that section is peculiarly
adapted to the cultivation of grapes.
The lands reclaimed from Lake Texcoco, in
the vicinity of Mexico City, are being planted
with fruit trees where the soil is available, and
with other varieties of growth where the pres
ence of superabundant salt makes the former
impossible of growth.
Many applications have been received by the
Secretary of Fomento for the allotment of
free lands in the State of Sonora to persons
desiring to cultivate them, and a large addi
tion to crops is expected in consequence.
The Government of Cuba is taking steps to
experiment with the cultivation of the guayule
plant in that country, in order that it may
be added to the industries thereof.
A shipment of one thousand tons of sugar
was recently received at Salina Cruz from
Peru by a foreign company, and has been
shipped to Mexico City, where there is a
scarcity of the article.
Commencing with February 1st, the expor
tation of various articles of food is prohibited,
such as lard, sugar, flour, pickles, canned
meats, preserves , etc.
Notice has been sent to the Governors of
all the States of the Republic directing the
free transportation of food articles of prime
necessity to whatever section they may be
needed.
Four carloads of tractors for agricultural
purposes recently passed the border at Laredo ,
Texas, and were dispatched to Torreon , the
center of the Laguna cotton-growing district.
Fifty-seven carloads of corn were recently
shipped from the port of Manzanillo , on the
west coast, into the interior of the country
where needed.
The Municipal Presidents in conjunction
with the Governor of the State of Puebla have
organized clubs for the provision of cereals ,
and have taken the necessary steps to remedy
any scarcity of food and also to encourage the
planting of sufficient acreage to supply the
local demand, at the least. An appropriation
has been made of funds for the assistance of
agriculturists who may need aid in order to
proceed with their farm operations.
The Government of Lower California pro
poses to expend $50,000 in the acquisition of
wheat and flour, which will be sold to the
needy at cost.
The officials of Yucatan have obtained large
quantities of sugar which is sold to the public
at prices much lower than those demanded by
the dealers and which are exorbitant.
The fresh-fish dealers of the city of Mexico
13
have petitioned the authorities for the estab
lishment of a market devoted solely to the
handling of sea products, in place of as at
present being distributed among the various
public markets . Such an establishment would
be more sanitary than at present and it is also
expected that prices will be more uniform and
also lower.
Large quantities of sugar are being for
warded from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec to
all portions of the Republic where that neces
sary is not produced , with the result that there
has been a material lessening of the price. As
with many other food articles, the difficulty is
not so much any shortage of production as of
restriction of transportation.
Active measures have been taken by the
authorities of the State of Michoacan to pre
serve the supplies of corn now existing, both
for food and for planting the new crop. All
lands that are susceptible of cultivation and
which are allowed to remain idle will be util
ized under governmental auspices.
One hundred thousand sacks of coffee have
arrived at Puerto Mexico from the plantations
of Chiapas and Oaxaca, and will be shipped
to the United States for transmission to Eu
rope for the use of the Allies as soon as the
necessary vessels can be secured.
A cargo of flour from California has ar
rived at Manzanillo and will be trans-shipped
to points in the Territory of Lower California .
where it is most needed. It was purchased
by Governor Esteban Cantu of that Territory.
Large quantities of sugar are being shipped
from Cuba to Vera Cruz at an average cost
of six cents per pound in Cuban gold . Cen
tral American countries are also looking to
Cuba for supplies .
AMERICAN SMELTING IN
MEXICO
HE American Smelting and Refining
TH Company has completed plans for the re
opening of its smelters at Chihuahua and Velar
deña, Mexico. Passports have been secured
and employes of the smelting concern are now
understood to be close to the Mexican border.
The Chihuahua smelter is the largest owned
by the company. It has been closed down en
tirely for some time, although three of the
company's smelters have been in active opera
tion .
Officials of the smelting concern made their
arrangements with the State Department for
resumption of Mexican activities some time
ago .
The American Smelting and Refining Com
pany has declared the regular quarterly divi
dends of 1 % per cent on the common and
134 per cent on the preferred stocks. Pre
ferred dividend is payable March 1st to stock
of record February 13th. Common dividend
is payable March 15th to stock of record
February 26th.
A special commission of engineers has been
appointed to make a careful and thorough ex
amination of the railway lines in order to
determine the damage caused by the revolution
as well as that due to the lapse of time. The
system of valuation employed in this country
will be followed in determining the value of
the various lines.
14 THE
For the Public Benefit
Many Steps Taken for the Advancement of the
HE Secretary of Industry and Com
merce announces that permanent ex
T hibits of Mexican natural and manu
factured products are to be established by
his department in the following cities under
supervision of the consulates in those places :
Bordeaux, Barcelona, Tokio, Copenhagen,
Gothenburg, Havana, San Salvador, San
Marcos, Santander, Marseilles, Stockholm,
Hamburg, Santiago de Chile, Cienfuegos,
Paris, New York, New Orleans, St. Louis,
San Francisco .
The preliminary work has been accomplished
for securing an elaborate statistical report
upon the national wealth. All of the indus
tries of the country will be represented, and
every class of data will be secured and pub
lished that deals with any feature of the
question. This is the first determined effort
for a comprehensive collation of data that has
ever been made.
Employes of the National Artillery shops
have devised and are now constructing cannon
new in design and claimed to be superior in
many respects to those now in use abroad .
They are said to be lighter in weight, but
to possess superior range and other essential
qualities. The details of the invention are of
course kept secret, but a public trial and
demonstration will be made as soon as pos
sible.
The sum of one hundred thousand pesos
gold has been appropriated for the reconstruc
tion of the port works at Manzanillo which
were wantonly damaged by the Huertista
forces when they were driven from that place
by the Constitutionalists in 1914. Work will
be commenced at once, as the commerce of
the port has been greatly injured by the ab
sence of such facilities.
A new regulation has been adopted in
Mexico City by which vehicles are permitted
on certain of the principal streets moving in
one direction only, that being the same one
in which the street cars move. In the center
of the city only one track is allowed on each
street and the cars move in but one direction,
going to the central point by one thoroughfare
and returning by another.
It is announced that the Department of In
dustry and Commerce is proceeding actively
with the work of compiling an industrial
census of the Republic, and that a large
amount of data has already been received in
connection with the work. It will be the most
complete report of the kind ever published .
A Mexican mariner has invented a new type
of submarine for use in warfare which is said
to possess many novel features. A special
commission has been appointed to examine it ,
and if found feasible the Government will
undertake their construction at the arsenal in
Vera Cruz, where there are all the • facilities
needed for such purposes.
The health regulation of the entire Republic
has been placed under the control of the
National Health Department, and the heads of
MEXICAN REVIEW
Interests of the People and the Country
municipalities have been instructed to install
local boards which shall be instructed by the
National Board as to the measures to be
followed by them.
The National Biological Bureau has under
taken the establishment of laboratories for the
production of yeast in order to supply bakers
with this essential made under proper scientific
and sanitary regulations.
The project for the construction of a wagon
and automobile road from Mexico City to
Juarez is being enthusiastically promoted by
every locality affected throughout the entire
distance.
Owing to the efforts of the National Health
Department the customary prevalence of
typhus fever in the winter months has been
reduced to a minimum and but few cases have
been reported .
A contract has been let for the cutting of a
canal connecting the Panuco and Tuxpam
rivers, in the State of Vera Cruz, for the
better accommodation of the oil traffic in that
region.
The Governor of the State of Jalisco has
issued instructions for the rigid enforcement
of the laws governing the sale of alcoholic
beverages and the collection of the new taxes
imposed.
It is officially announced that work will be
commenced within a short time upon the ex
tension of the railway from Cuatro Cienegas
to Sierra Mojada, in the State of Coahuila. A
very rich mineral territory will thus be opened
for profitable development, and in which there
is a great variety of valuable deposits.
A petition signed by many prominent citizens
has been presented to the City Council of
Mexico, asking that the exhibition of moving
picture films representing robberies, assaults
and other crimes be forbidden, on account of
their deleterious influence upon public morals.
It is announced in the Mexico City press
that Roberto V. Pesqueira, the financial agent
of the Mexican Government at El Paso, has
recently secured the suppression of a moving
picture film that was libelous of Mexico and
was calculated to provoke discord and ill feel
ing between the two countries . The suppres
sion was ordered through the State Depart
ment of the United States.
The Department of Agriculture has been
asked to appoint delegates to the agricultural
congress to be held at Kansas City, Mo., in
October next, and has given its consent
thereto .
The representatives of one hundred colored
families in Texas has petitioned the Depart
ment of Fomento for assistance in establishing
a colony in some portion of the country where
they can engage in the production of cotton,
corn and other familiar crops . A careful
study is being made of the proposition.
A museum of natural history was recently
opened in the city of Aguascalientes with ap
propriate ceremonies and festivities . It is
under the management of a special represen
tative of the Department of Fine Arts and
it is believed will become a notable feature in
this direction .
At a recent session of the State Congress
of Michoacan provision was made for the
establishment and maintenance of a total of
500 schools, as follows : High schools, 11 ;
mixed high schools, 4 ; elementary schools,
482 ; night schools, 6 ; kindergarten, 1 ; re
gional schools, 6.
Petitions have been presented to the Na
tional Agrarian Commission for an allotment
of lands upon which to establish military col
onies in the State of Chihuahua. One locality
has been chosen a short distance north of the
city of Chihuahua, and another at Temosachic,
in the District of Guerrero. The project has
been received favorably.
The Chamber of Commerce of the city of
Puebla has established a commercial academy,
in which instruction will be given in accounts,
shorthand and typewriting, as well as in social
and political economy, history, geography and
other branches of importance in the commerKO
cial world. Both day and night classes will
be conducted .
There are nearly one hundred and seventy
"jitneys" in service in Mexico City and con
necting with various suburban points. Many
are of large size and carry from twelve to
twenty passengers each. A tax of 5 per cent
of the total receipts is collected by the Federal
Government from the proprietors of these
vehicles.
A large amount of valuable church property
belonging to the National Government has
been discovered hidden in two railway cars.
which were about to cross the border into the
United States. The property will be deposited
in the National Museum and the parties vio
lating the law will be prosecuted .
A society for the study of biology has been
established in the city of Mexico with a num
ber of prominent students, much interest being
taken in the matter. It is proposed to inaugu
rate a zoological park and acclimatization
garden in the suburbs of the city for the
purpose of carrying on experiments.
Although the Constitutionalist Railways are
transporting from 250 to 300 carloads daily of
coal and coke from the coal region of the
State of Coahuila, two to three times as many
can be supplied. The mines are all in full
operation and are working day and night. The
zinc, silver and other mines of that region are
also producing largely and require the fullest
services of the railways.
The exports of petroleum from Tampico
and Tuxpam for two months prior to Novem
ber 1st, amounted to six millions of barrels,
upon which the duties were in round figures
half a million dollars in the equivalent of
American gold.
The Department of Agriculture has shipped
quantities of seeds of the guayule plant (the
rubber yielding desert growth) to Lower
California, with the object of making that
region a center of production, the soil and
climate being adapted to the plant.
!
 THE
Agricultural Progress
Wholesale Planting of Corn and Other Crops Being Encouraged
HE special agent in charge of the
agencies of agricultural information in
TSonora reports that a careful study is
being made by him of the best methods for
the cultivation of the garbanza or chick pea,
also combatting the insect enemies of the
cotton plant. Under this agent's care, Arbor
Day was celebrated on February 5th and many
trees were planted. Assistance is also being
rendered to the farmers in the Mayo region
to bring their lands again into a productive
condition after the ravages of the Revolution.
A large amount of cotton seed has been sup
plied by the Government to farmers in the
State of Nuevo Leon in order to encourage
them in the cultivation of the staple at a dis
tance from those localities, where insect ene
mies of the cotton plant have been committing
ravages. The Nuevo Leon farmers will also
be supplied with other seeds and with tractors
for cultivating their farms.
A company has been formed in the State of
Jalisco which will plant seven hundred and
fifty thousand acres in wheat and corn. The
Chamber of Commerce and the State Govern
ment are rendering all aid in their power, and
enough grain will be produced to not only
supply the population of the State, but to as
sure a large surplus for other less favored
regions.
An expert in the Department of Biological
Survey announces the discovery of a plant
called “Cebadilla," the seeds of which produce
asphyxiating gases such as are being used in
the present European war. Analysis shows
they contain an alkaloid named "veratrina,'19
which has the capacity of crystallization .
There are five varieties of the plant in the
country.
A systematic effort has been commenced for
the introduction of the silk industry into the
Republic. A shipment of silkworm eggs has
been received from France and they will be
carefully tended until they mature. In this
connection it is reported that an entirely new
source of silk has recently been discovered in
the State of Puebla.
Under the direction of the Director General
of Agriculture machinery will be acquired by
the Department for the purpose of sinking
artesian wells in various portions of the Re
public where necessary. This work will be
done by Government employes, but where it
is desired private parties will be permitted to
rent the apparatus at a moderate outlay.
The Infantile League of Agriculture is the
name bestowed upon an extensive organization
of school pupils who propose to devote their
spare hours and vacation periods to the culti
vation of the soil under competent instructors.
The parent organization has its headquarters
in Mexico City.
The Director General of Agriculture has
issued a call to all persons interested in the
adoption of sericulture on an extended scale to
join the classes that are to be established for
the purpose of giving expert instruction in this
MEXICAN REVIEW 15
LABOR CONDITIONS IMPROVING
Many Union Representatives Declare Against
Participation in Politics- Arbitration
and Conciliation
by the Government-Sinking Artesian Wells
Ta recent meeting of the Boards of
profitable industry, for which Mexico is well A Directors of the Syndicates, Unions
adapted in every respect. and labor organizations representing over
The arrival and immediate use of a number 35,000 workingmen,
it was decided to retire
of tractors and other modern agricultural ma entirely from political effort and to confine
chinery is noted in the news reports from their attention exclusively to the reorgan
Torreon, the metropolis of the Laguna district. ization of the unions and other bodies . It is
The sugar growers of Sinaloa have har stated that while paying attention to political
vested abundant crops this season and are now matters without result, the real interests of
seeking to exchange their surplus for other the laboring classes have suffered, and that in
articles not produced so abundantly in that future these will have the first claim upon
region. their efforts .
The National Agrarian Commission has
The School of Engineers , Mechanics and
recommended the return of various commu Electricians in Mexico City is to be reor
nity lands in the States of Campeche, Guana
ganized upon a practical basis. Heretofore
juato, Hidalgo, and Michoacan. graduates have been provided with theoretical
A special commission has been appointed knowledge, but none of a practical character ,
under direction of Secretary Rouaix of the
and this is to be remedied. Both night and
Department of Fomento for the purpose of day sessions will be held and graduates will
investigating various concessions granted
not be sent out until they have demonstrated
under the Diaz régime, for the purpose of
their mastery of the especial branch which
ascertaining if their terms have been fulfilled . they have studied.
If not, the lands will revert to the Govern
A large number of laborers have been em
ment. An especial instance is that of a grant
ployed by the Department of Agriculture in
of five thousand hectares (one and a quarter
the exploitation of the resources of the State
million acres ) in the State of Chihuahua for
alleged colonization purposes . of Quintana Roo , more especially the rubber,
chicle and other gums and resins. Their com
No less than ten different petitions have been
pensation has been established at the equiva
presented to the Agrarian Commission of the
State of Puebla for the setting apart of lands lent of $1.50 daily in gold.
for the establishment of pueblos, or communi The Mutual Association of Mercantile Em
ties. A large number of similar petitions have ployes of the city of Chihuahua has established
already been granted in that State, as well as an academy where shorthand, typewriting,
the restoration of former community lands to music and other branches will be taught for
their rightful owners . the benefit of those desiring to perfect them
A project is under consideration by the selves in their vocations.
Department of Fomento for the appointment A plan for the establishment of Municipal
of competent experts who shall undertake the Arbitration Commissions has been prepared in
instruction of those to whom are allotted un the State of Aguascalientes and presented to
used lands for cultivation , and who shall the State Congress for discussion and adop
supply them with the needed facilities for that tion. The mining industry will be the principal
purpose. one affected .
Experiments made in the Bajio and in other The Workingmen's Congress of the State of
wheat-growing sections of the north with a Yucatan, which has already held several inter
new variety of grain, known as "mountain esting sessions in the city of Merida, was
wheat," and having its origin in Spain, have opened on January 6th and will continue in
shown that no less than three crops thereof session for an extended period .
can be harvested in a single year. The first
The Congress of the State of Mexico has
crop is harvested in March, the second in
August, and the third at the close of the year. approved the law of conciliation and arbitra
tion for the settlement of all labor disputes
While the quality may not be so high as that
which was offered by Governor Agustin
of some of the better classes of grain, the
superabundant yield more than compensates Millan some time ago.
therefor. The employes of the street-car system of
Viticulture upon an extensive scale is to be Mexico City, numbering several thousands,
established in the State of Hidalgo, in certain have organized a co-operative society for the
localities where the soil and climate are purpose of obtaining regular supplies of the
adapted thereto . Quantities of cuttings are necessaries of life at lower rates than are
being brought from other sections and the demanded by dealers. They have taken up
work will be prosecuted under governmental the matter with enthusiasm and it is believed
auspices. that success will attend the effort.
The Botanical Section of the Department of The Governor of the Federal District has
Agriculture is experimenting with a variety of nominated members of the Commission of
new plants from various portions of the world Conciliation and Arbitration from the various
which it is believed will prove of value in commercial and manufacturing houses to act
Mexico by adding to the available food supply in conjunction with representatives of the
and which are adaptable to the peculiar cli workingmen and the Government in settling
matic conditions. I labor disputes .
16
Mining and Petroleum
Facts Showing Prosperity of Many of the Leading
NDER the direction of the Secretary
of Commerce and Industry a compila
Ution has been made of the data regardC
ing the production of gold, silver and lead
throughout the Republic for the thirty- six
years from 1877 to 1913 , and will be brought
down to date as soon as is possible by the
bureau entrusted with the gathering of statis
tics concerning all the industries of the nation .
During the thirty- six years under consideration
there has been a grand total production of the
four classes of metals named of $3,000,000,000.
Of gold there has been produced 424,861
kilograms ( 934,694 pounds ) , of the value of
$556,480,093.42.
Of silver there has been produced 51,713,424
kilograms ( 113,769,533 pounds ) , with a value
of $2,059,161,134.72 .
Of copper there has been produced 700,000,-
000 kilograms ( 1,540,000,000 pounds ) , with a
value of $284,445,821.54 .
Of lead there has been produced 1,574,549,204
kilograms ( 3,464,008,249 pounds ) , with a value
of $84,382,704.98.
The lowest production of gold was in 1885 ,
the total being only 974 kilograms (2143
pounds ) , with a value of $1,298,988.75 . The
gold production was the largest in 1911-12,
when it reached 36,415 kilograms ( 80,113
pounds ) , with a value of some $50,000,000 .
In 1877 silver production only reached
607,036 kilograms ( 1,335,279 pounds ) , with a
value of about $25,000,000 . In 1911-12 the
production reached 2,500,000 kilograms ( 5,500,
000 pounds ) .
In 1911-12 copper reached the total of nearly
60,000,000 kilograms ( 132,000,000 pounds ) ,
while in 1897-98 the production was only
11,298,907 kilograms (24,857,795 pounds ) .
In 1896-97 the production of lead reached
55,000,000 kilograms ( 121,000,000 pounds ) .
while in 1909-10 it reached 125,299,318 kilo
grams ( 275,658,499 pounds ) .
Taking the average of the thirty-six years.
for which statistics are given, and there should
be added for the four years 1914-15-16-17, at
least $333,333,333, although the total will prob
ably bring the production from 1877 to and
including 1917 up to at least $3,500,000,000 .
( NOTE. The values as given are in Mexican
gold, the equivalent in American gold being
one-half, or a grand total for the forty years
of at least $ 1,750,000,000. )
During the month of January seventy new
mining denunciations were received and titles
issued by the Department of Industry and
Commerce. Of these, 38 were for gold and
silver deposits, eight of silver and lead, eight
of silver and copper, four of lead and zinc,
one each of bismuth and antimony, and the
others of various minerals. Half of these lo
cations were in the State of Sonora, the others
being in Chihuahua, Zacatecas, Nuevo Leon,
Durango , Nayarit, Sinaloa , Guanajuato, Coa
huila and Michoacan.
Under permission of the State Government,
one of the largest mining companies in
Pachuca (the leading silver camp of the
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
Concerns Engaged in Business in Mexico
Republic and in which operations were con
ducted with slight interruption throughout the
entire Revolution and are still so conducted ) ,
has opened an establishment for the sale of
food and clothing at prices far less than those
that obtain in the markets. It is stated that
they are able to cover the cost of purchase
and distribution and maintain rates 50 per cent
lower than those demanded by dealers . The
general public as well as the mine employes
are allowed to take advantage of this enter
prise.
A special commission of engineers has been
appointed in the Tampico oil region for the
purpose of devising some plan for the sys
tematic development of the extensive Federal
zones in that section that are known to possess
valuable deposits of petroleum. It is expected
that a large addition will be made to the reve
nue of the National Government through the
leasing of these lands.
That Mexico is entering upon a long period
of prosperity is announced by the press, based
upon the enormous demand for copper, silver,
and other metals produced in that country .
Mining is undergoing a revival in every direc
tion and properties that had been idle because
of the small percentage of metal in the ores
are now being worked at a profit, owing to
the increased prices.
Preparations are being made for the estab
lishment of a permanent Agricultural and
Mining Congress in the city of Monterrey,
capital of the State of Nuevo Leon , for the
purpose of handling the many important ques
tions affecting those engaged in these indus
tries in Northern Mexico .
Under the direction of Secretary Pani, of
the Department of Industry and Commerce,
it is proposed to develop certain extensive de
posits of coal on the Rio Grande in the State
of Nuevo Leon , the town of Columbia being
the center thereof. A branch railway will be
constructed from the main line of the Na
tional system, and as the quality of the coal
is high, it is expected there will be an active
demand therefor and an important industry
be thus created.
Official reports state that the production of
copper in Lower California has in the last
years reached an average of eleven thousand
tons annually. A large share of it is produced
at Santa Rosalia, a port on the eastern shore
of the peninsula, where there is a population
of between ten and eleven thousand, all en
gaged in copper mining for a single concern.
The settlement is provided with all modern
improvements, including electric lights, schools,
hospital, etc.
The demand for sulphur owing to the war
has been so greatly stimulated that the Gov
ernment is investigating the various sources of
supply with a view to their development. The
States of San Luis Potosi, Coahuila, Durango ,
Chiapas and Guerrero , as well as the southern
district of Lower California, possess deposits
of this material which it is believed will repay
development.
FINANCIAL CONDITIONS
Treasury Receipts and Disbursements— Con
stant Improvement Noted in Many
Directions
N January 12th the Treasury Depart
O'N ment issued a statement showing the
receipts and disbursements of the National
Treasury during the months of July and
August last year. On July 1st there was a
cash balance in the Treasury of $3,896,644.24.
The receipts from various sources brought the
total up to $51,026,882.22 . During the two
months named the disbursements were $46,
929,099.01 , while on the 31st of August there
was a balance of $4,097,783.21 on hand.
A great scarcity is noted in financial circles
of the three per cent consolidated national
bonds. These bonds are required as deposits
in many transactions to which the Government
is a part, such as granting concessions of vari
ous characters, and applicants find it increas
ingly difficult to secure the amounts needed
by them, holders not caring to part with these
evidences of the nation's debt.
The work of retiring and incinerating the
paper issues of the various banks is progress
ing rapidly and many millions have been dis
posed of in this manner. Very little is now
left of the different national paper issues, all
but a limited amount having been called in
and destroyed.
The transactions recorded in the office of
Public Registration of Property and Com
merce in the city of Mexico for the year just
closed amounted to a grand total of $ 114,091 ,P
603. The collections by the Government upon
these transactions were $ 127,661 for taxes ,
searching of titles, certificates , etc.
The estimates of the Postoffice Department
for the year 1918 amount to $6,539,667.20, 7
which is $700,000 more than for the year 1912
1913. The increase will be devoted to addi
tional compensation for the minor employes
of the department, such as messengers, car
riers, laborers, etc.
For the month of January the Constitution
alist Railways paid into the National Treasury
the sum of $750,000 , the balance after all oper
ating expenses, salaries, etc., were paid.
Senator Francisco M. Gonzales , who has
been occupying the post of National Treas
urer, has recently been appointed to the new f
position of Controller, a special bureau having
been created for that purpose.
Under the authorization of the Secretary of
the Treasury and the control of the Monetary
Commission, $6,000,000 in silver coins has been
sent to New York for exchange in gold bullion ,
which will be coined into Mexican denomina
tions.
Notwithstanding the decrease in oceanic
traffic at Vera Cruz, owing to the reduction
in the number of steamers calling there
monthly, the average amount turned into the
National Treasury for each of the past three
months has been $1,200,000 .
The exportation of petroleum from the
Tampico district for the month of January was
much greater than for the previous months.
The only limit is the amount of tonnage avail
able, which is not sufficient to meet the de
mands of purchasers.

Misunderstood Mexico
A Missionary Society Makes a Plea on Behalf of
the Next-Door Neighbor of the United States
EAUTIFUL, wonderful old Mexico ,
our nearest foreign mission field, which
B is separated from the United States by
nothing but an imaginary line 2000 miles long,
the Rio Grande, and prejudice. A fascinating
country and people under our very noses, but
as little known and understood by the average
American as is the country of the Grand Lama
( Tibet) . Do you realize that Mexicans are
Americans like ourselves, and North Amer
icans at that?
In order properly to understand Mexico one
must more than cross the imaginary line or
the river. Your prejudice will take to its legs
when you get into the heart of Mexico and
the soul of the Mexican people. But you must
go farther than Tia Juana or New Laredo ,
Nogales or Ciudad Juarez, to see the real
Mexico or the real Mexican. There are too
many long American race courses, too much
bad United States whiskey, too numerous ter
rible gambling holes and other dens of iniquity,
too many vices and too few virtues in the
border towns to see Mexico or Mexicans at
their best.
Mexico is a huge everything in physical and
general characteristics. All kinds of climate,
all kinds of products, all kinds of scenery, and
all kinds of people. These varieties depend
upon latitude, longitude and altitude. Chilpan
cingo and Chihuahua are as different as El
Paso and New York. A Guerrero Indian and
a Mexican City gentleman are as much alike
as a Bostonian and a Texan cowboy. The
Yucatecos and Tabasqueñians are a species by
themselves, just as native Californians and
Yankees are different. We must not general
ize in regard to Mexico from too few par
ticulars.
Any one who understands the land and the
people at all must confess that Mexico has
been crushed,, oppressed and miserably treated
since the days of Cortez. Spain, France and
the United States of America have each given
her a whack in his own brutal way and for his
own ungodly gains. Soldiers of fortune of
many nations have gone to Mexico to exploit
her for their own selfish ends, taking all they
could get, and giving, or leaving, little in re
turn. They have not even left an impress of
good manners or good morals or pleasant
memories .
Not long ago, Mexico was nearly as large
as the United States. Little by little (the
Mexicans say poco a poco ) slices have been
carved off. California and Texas, Colorado
and Utah, Nevada and Oklahoma, New Mex
ico and Arizona, and once upon a time, quite
a chunk of Wyoming and Kansas belonged to
Mexico. How very strange that Mexico should
be at all suspicious when the United States
troops crossed the border, though Washington
tried to make it very clear that the expedition
was merely to run down a bandit who had
invaded United States territory. Dollars and
soldiers by the thousand per day were spent to
hunt for a little needle in a great big Mexican
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
hay stack. "Villa dead or alive" was the
slogan ! Our small missionary army, feeble as
we are in Mexico , could eliminate every bandit
in a decade on half the expenditure of money
and men, and we could take all the bandits
alive too.- Bulletin of Board of Foreign Mis
sions.
MEXICAN-JAPANESE BUGABOO
A Former Officer in the Revolutionary Forces
Punctures Some Popular Myths Inculcated
by the Interventionist Press
BY CAPTAIN JACK T. NEVILLE
HAT about the Mexican -Japanese
Wbugaboo, always hanging about in the
offing as menacing as a ghostly submarine
and just now out in front, with the wind
in its teeth and going strong, as the result
of the report by the American interventionist
press of a Japanese deal for Clipperton Island,
off Panama, as a naval base threatening the
canal?
Are Japan and Mexico negotiating secret
treaties ? Is Japan to supply Mexico with
munitions ? Is Japan to acquire through
Mexico a foothold on our side of the Pacific ?
In a word- are Mexico and Japan plotting
to sandbag Uncle Sam from the rear while he
has his fists turned toward Germany?
If they are, Americans ought to know about
it. And if they are not, then these rumors
ought to be chloroformed, because they dis
tract our attention from the main job in hand
-whipping the Kaiser.
In probing this condition I investigated for
the Daily International :
General Obregon's recent stay in San Fran
cisco and rumors of frequent conferences
with Mexican and Japanese officials.
Reports of a coming Cantu republic in
Lower California, which might embroil the
United States and Mexico .
And- most thrilling of all-the so-called
Burns secret mission to swap Clipperton Island
to Japan for war munitions and money.
And I found- lots of smoke and no fire.
During the recent turbulent years in Mexico
Japan has been the club held over Uncle Sam's
head by Mexican factions and American inter
ventionists alike.
When a Mexican sails for Japan he is, in
the interventionist press, a secret emissary to
negotiate secret treaties .
Mexico is always just about to sell or lease
Magdalena Bay to Japan in return for a treaty
of offense and defense against the United
States .
January 12 Juan Burns, former Mexican
consul general to New York, sailed for Japan
aboard the Japanese liner Anyo Maru. Burns
was arrested some months ago in New York
for blocking the draft act. When he went
back to Mexico he jumped $ 10,000 bonds.
17
The interventionists flashed over America
a tale that he was going to Japan to buy arms
and ammunition for Mexico , to sell Clipperton
Island, Mexican land, to Japan for a naval
base, and to negotiate offensive and defensive
treaties.
I boarded the Anyo Maru and talked with
Burns. I have known him for years and am
confident I got the real story.
Juan Burns is going to Japan to act as
consul general to Kobe or Nagasaki . He is
on no diplomatic mission. He seeks no mu
nitions and he will not talk of trading Mex
ican land to Japan.
Later I verified the story by talking with
Consul General Ramon de Negri at San Fran
cisco. There had been no time for Burns and
de Negri to exchange tips. The consul's story
tallied in every way with that of Burns.
And- anybody who knows Mexico knows
few Mexicans would consent to any nation
When resident
getting a foothold there .
Japanese sought to enter the Mexican army,
their offer was refused by President Carranza.
Clipperton Island, according to the interven
tionists' scare, bears the same strategic relation
to the Panama Canal as Heligoland bears to
Keil. Well, as a matter of fact, Clipperton
Island is 2400 miles from the canal. On an
air line Boston , Mass. , is 75 miles closer. A
U. S. fleet could start from Hampton Roads
at the same time a Japanese fleet started from
Clipperton , and the Americans could sail
through the canal and meet the Japanese al
most 500 miles from its western mouth.
Literally, Japan has long been a sort of St.
Helena for Mexico . Huerta ordered Felix
Diaz there when he became too powerful in
Mexico . There is little for a Mexican official
to do in Japan, but it keeps him out of mis
chief at home. In the entire history of Mexico ,
Japan has been useful to the Mexicans only
in that way.
My conclusions are :
Perhaps Japan would like a foothold in
Mexico some day, but she knows better than
to try for it now.
Uncle Sam would tolerate no Japanese base
on this side of the Pacific, but Clipperton
would make a poor one.
Japan is satisfied for the present with the
Lansing-Ishii pact, which means that we stay
away from China and the Japs stay away from
the western hemisphere .
England would not permit Japanese expan
sion in American waters.
We've got just one job now-to beat the
Kaiser. If we do that we will not have to
fight anybody else. So let's not permit Mexi
can-Japanese bugaboo to divide our attention
or energies.-Douglas (Ariz. ) International.
4
Preparations are being made to take a cen
sus of the population of Mexico during the
coming year . The last one was in the cen
tennial year of 1910, and showed a total popu
lation of over fifteen millions. The City of
Mexico then had a total of 450,000 people,
but it is believed that the coming census will
show upward of a million or more, and that
the entire Federal District will have about
1,200,000 population against 520,000 in 1910.

18 THE
Mexico Wants Highways
The Good Roads Association of Texas Invited to Join the
Mexicans in the Construction of Connecting Routes
} of a creditable highway across Mexico, to
BY G. A. MAC NAUGHTON, EDITOR "TEXAS GOOD ROADS MAGAZINE"
S far back as the twelfth century, when
the Toltecs came to the country from
A the north, or as they said, Tullan, we
know that Mexico witnessed the materializa
tion of the boosters' dream ; and roads were
being constructed , so that is no new condition
in Mexico ; so the road booster comes , not fo
"start something," but to rejuvenate the boost
ers of old, and re-create sentiment that never
should have been permitted to wane and almost
disappear. Mexico , land of dreams and teem
ing with a superabundance of all that the
tourist holds dear, is better entitled to all the
privileges of highway conveniences than any ;
and why not join hands in the most worthy
enterprise ? And is there a better or more
pleasing way to inaugurate the new and forget
the old than via the modern highway ? Not
forget it, but remember it as part of the making
of Modern Mexico . Put it all in history- the
Toltecs, the Aztecs , the Spaniards, the French,
Montezuma, ་ Cortes, Quetzalcoatl, Grijalva,
Hidalgo , Calleja, Guerrero, Iturbide, Santa
Ana, Herrera, Cevallos , Alvarez, Comonfort,
Zulvago, Robles, Juarez, Miramon , Almonte,
Maximilian, Tejeda, Porfirio Diaz-all people
and men, who made up the great and glorious
and oft-time bloody story of Mexico .
Would that we could have room to tell it
in detail- rebellion and counter rebellion and
revolution. Fain would we pluck a page of
that history and retell the story of Juarez and
Maximilian and the beautiful Carlota, whom
the poet has so fittingly framed in song. We
would even go back later and scan Cortes, and
then even further back would we peer into the
past and see how the so-called primitive Tol
tecs plied their different trades and professions
yonder in the seventh and twelfth centuries,
just as we do now in this day of 1918. Surely
it may be said of them, they builded wiser
than they planned, for the great structures of
stone are there today, to remind us of the
brain and brawn of this Toltec age. There
has always and ever been a religious people
that lived south of the Rio Grande, and there
fore a matter of no little national pride, as
well as cause for quest, are the numberless
cathedrals to the humble country church
houses that dot the face of the country so
thickly as to ever invite undivided interest.
Every city in Mexico , just like the country in
its different localities, is different ; + and so,
though the same come in long stretches, and
much thereof the table land, the prairie, and
so on, there is a world of itself to be seen
in Mexico as nowhere else, and the man who
says otherwise is simply not a true witness.
"We want you to come over into Mexico
and lay off a direct highway from Laredo
to the City of Mexico , and if necessary we
will give you a convoy of Carranza soldiers
to aid you in developing and promoting this
very necessary road." Thus read the invita
tion to D. E. Colp and G. A. MacNaughton ,
MEXICAN REVIEW
to log a route for a highway through Mexico,
connecting as it thus would the City of Mexico
and the country further south with Canada,
for the great international highways, the
Meridian Road and the King of Trails, now
reach from Winnipeg, Canada, to Laredo ,
Texas, a distance of some 2000 miles ; and it
has often been the proud boast of our own
good-roads boosters that one-third of this dis
tance is within the Texas limits- 628 miles !
Away back in boyhood days, when looking
across the vast valley of the Rio Grande and
gazing on the turbid waters thereof, we must
freely confess the mind would dwell long and
ardently on the myriad mysteries and the ad
vantages and the adventures of the country
over there, at that time known as the refuge
and haven of the ever-present bad man. For
it was there the bad man who went unhung
hastened. But, ah, how times have changed
and are changing ! With the return of peace
-sweet peace-Modern Mexico is a new
thought and a realization vastly different from
the old. The electric light, the telephone,
modern hotels, etc., are all there ; and the key
is a high-class highway. Will we go over
into Macedonia ? Surely we will, for the
Apostle of the Bible is not now a greater
necessity than the Evangel of Good Roads.
For now the smile of peace is cast athwart
the land across the Rio Grande, and who is
there that would not enlist in such a righteous
cause and undertake such a goodly enterprise ?
Eureka ! Eureka ! We will build a highway
so that the tourists of the North may have
the advantage of the Playground of the
World, for that's Mexico . And ever and anon
a pessimist whispers in our ear, "There's
nothing to it." But we strive with ways and
means to get there and do our level best ;
but again there comes that pessimistic flare
back, "There's nothing to it."
The stories of the past, of the great projects
evolved and successfully consummated, ring
in our ears. So what is there in the pessi
mistic prattle anyway? We will do the big
job ! What is there to a bonehead pessimist,
anyway? Did the great Luther harken to the
voice of the Pest? Did Columbus stop long
enough to listen to the Pest ? Did George
Washington permit the Pest to delay the great
game of Freedom for the United States ?
Pessimist, thou art well named Pest ? Surely,
surely, the Pest is a bonehead, and his knock
is ascribed to ignorance and maybe prejudice.
For is not much of the material advancement
even along the line of industrial enterprise
due to "local talent” ?
Was not this local talent ? It was just the
other day that an official of the Carranza
Government asked that the Road Loggers of
Texas come to Mexico, and it was a sincere
and cordial invitation for road blazers to come
over. This same gentleman from Mexico said
he recognized the fact that fine highways apS
>
pealed to finer natures, and that to bring his
beloved country up to the high notch to which
he aspired, the international highways must be
continued into and through Mexico. His chief
ambition, he said, was to expedite the building
make easy and pleasant the travel of the
tourist and commercial transportation ; a sys
tem of highways and laterals to connect the
City of Mexico and all of Mexico with the
far-away North .
It is a project that has been discussed in the
highway conventions on this side of the " Big
River," but who ever thought that there was
a head with right thought on the other side ;
who took time to think that there was a heart
beating in unison with ours ? In the language
of our kid brother, "What do you think about
that ?" We are going down into Mexico to
organize a series of Mexican Good Roads
Associations , and shortly we will be singing a
new song, "When Colp Pulls Mexico Out of
the Mud." For what Colp, the Apostle of
Good Roads, has done for Texas, he can do
for Mexico ; and who would not be a pioneer,
especially in the Good Roads game ? It's the
sign of a "better man." For if the ambition
is there to have good roads, a way will be
found ; and our motto has ever been, "Good
Roads Make Better Men ." And the Good
Roads pioneer is already better.
The outcome is that if Mexico stays "good,"
and all indications point that way, the men
who logged the Meridian Road in Texas and
other roads of note, will start at an early day
to log a direct highway from the City of
Mexico to Laredo, where they ceased their
labors some time ago. We are going to put
the Meridian Road sign and the King of Trails
sign all along the road, so that the denizens
of the North can with the more rapidity rush
South to bask in a sunshine that nowhere is
so blissful and fascinating as away down in
Mexico . And there is more than sunshine
and history in Mexico . There are all kinds of
game, big and little ; and the rivers are full
of fish ; and there's the scenic grandeur that
is in a class by itself ; and then to the fellow
who mixes business with pleasure, there are
unlimited chances- not bubbles and dreams of
curbstone real estate vendors, but opportuni
ties that are wealth-producing, the description.
of which would sound as a trifler's dream.
It is all there, and there is enough for you
and for me and the other fellow. That's
Mexico ; and we have not told a little of it,
for it would take volumes to describe it.
The Department of Agriculture has secured
large supplies of a new species of hard wheat
known as "chiauixtle," which it will distribute
for cultivation. This wheat possesses very
large grains and matures in a brief period,
making it especially adapted to the semi-arid
regions where the rainfall is frequently
scanty.
Señor Zeferino Dominguez, the well known
expert in the cultivation of corn, is making a
tour of the various States with a series of
films illustrating the various processes that
should be followed in order to secure the best
results. Great interest is taken by the farm
ers in this direction, and the methods
described by Señor Dominguez will be ex
tensively adopted.
 I
i

: 19
THE MEXICAN REVIEW

hoped will be the development of the extensive

resources that exist in this portion of the
Evaporating Bananas for Export Territory. It is therefore of great national
import ance that traffic be initiated and im
How Much of the Crop That Now Goes to Waste Could Be
proved between San Felipe and the west coast
Utilized for the Production of a Valuable Food
of the Mexican Republic . This port ( San
Felipe) offers an acceptable shelter for ship
HE growers of the Tabasco banana sell so difficult and costly to transport. In big ping, and with inexpensive improvements can
the greater part of their crop in bunches business, reduction of the cost of production be made most advantageous. The riches of
is of vital importance, and all circumstances this section could thereby find an easy outlet
Tof the fresh fruit picked from the tree
at a certain period in their ripeness . At this which favor the thing under consideration toward the other portions of the Republic , thus
stage the article is difficult to handle, for it should be taken advantage of. The banana establishing more intimate relations both as
will keep only a short time. Consequently its so prepared will be a hygienic, nutritious and regards material matters , and morally and
commerce is limited to markets a short dis palatable food. By its cheapness it will be socially as well.
within the reach of the humblest classes in "Along the coast of the Gulf of California
tance from its production or where transpor
tation is easy . the world. Tabasco has unlimited potential fish of fine quality abound, which would have
an assured market both in Mexico and in the
The bunches that are not accepted by the production of this precious article.
exporters, because of small size or some de At the end of the day's work the apparatus United States. Near San Felipe there exists
evaporated for steaming might be used for boiling and a salt deposit that is practically inexhaustible,
fect in quality, are prepared in
form . The water which they contain is evap cooking the waste materials. These, so pre while toward the south not far from San
orated by exposing them to the sun. They are pared, make a first-class food for chickens, Felipe is a zone of agricultural land that in
peeled or opened in a certain way and then turkeys, ducks and other domestic fowl, but vites capital and will become one of the fac
left to dry. As one may understand, the especially for fattening swine. The breeding tors of important production in the district.
process of evaporation of the banana by the of pigs might become a source of wealth for "About 35 or 40 kilometers to the northwest
sun has become a considerable home industry, Tabasco, along with the cultivation and prepa of San Felipe is the beautiful valley of the
yielding, however, very small profits. ration of the banana by the proper methods. Providence, with some 55 square kilometers of
The trade, which gathers together the evap Certainly the peel of the ripe fruit may be arable lands , irrigable to a greater part. Be
orated bananas with difficulty, sells at exag counted on cheaply enough for fattening valu tween Mexicali and San Felipe a mine of lead
gerated prices . These could be greatly reduced able animals, the products of which supply and silver is now being worked in the Sierra
if a capitalized company were to take charge a universal demand. of Las Pintas, where the formation shows
of the industry. Few planters have the ovens Thus an established or moving factory, be encouraging signs of extensive mineralization ,
necessary to prepare the evaporated banana . sides producing the exquisite food of the and it is believed other mines of greater im
In most cases the banana is peeled and then evaporated banana, will provide, at scarcely portanc e can be developed .
cut lengthwise several times. In exposing the any cost, materials for the fattening and "It is my belief that it is of great importance
fruit much precaution is necessary for pro breeding of all kinds of animals just as of to construct a railroad between Mexicali and
tecting it in the afternoon from the birds and domestic poultry. San Felipe. Governmental engineers have
insects. Otherwise these will devour the fruit. Tabasco, exploited in its natural productions , nearly completed the reconnoissance for this
A more lamentable condition for this indus will astonish the whole world by its richness railway, which should require some 200 kilo
try is hardly possible. Yet with its quantities and will bring precious prestige to the welfare meters of construction. When the surveys are
of bananas it should be strong, and should of all nations .—“El Universal.” completed I shall have the honor to submit
{
enrich beyond comprehension the vast regions them to your examination in order to secure
of Tabasco. Exceptionally favorable condi your approval and learn whether the general
tions exist in that State for indeterminate ALONG THE "SEA OF CORTEZ" Government is disposed to lend its valuable aid
production of bananas. Although fresh fruit , to this district by granting a concession that
would be favorable both to the National Gov
difficult to handle, can be transported in good Governor Cantu Reports Regarding a Journey
condition only short distances, the evaporated Down the Gulf of California to a ernment and to that of the Territory."
banana is easy to handle and, like evaporated Remote Section
dates and figs that make one of the great "OVERNOR ESTEBAN CANTU, of MEXICAN PETROLEUM
businesses of the world, last a long time. The COMPANY
GiLower California, recently made a trip
same thing can be accomplished with the evap
down the Colorado River and to a point on HE properties are valued on the general
orated banana.
the eastern shore of the peninsula of the T balance sheet at around $65,000,000—
Up to this time commerce has concerned
Territory several hundred miles from the which unquestionably is a conservative figure
itself with the entire fruit or with the fruit
mouth of the river. In his report to Pres in view of their character and extent. On the
merely halved. Undoubtedly it would be
ident Carranza regarding the journey, the basis of the last published annual report—that
wiser to reduce the fruit when ripe to pulp
Governor said : for the year 1916-the net assets applicable to
by adequate machinery capable of large pro
"I wish to inform you of an important in- the common stock amounted to $56,540,868, or
duction, and after rolling and cutting this
vestigating trip to the port of San Felipe, on $144 per share. The equities have been augk
dough or pulp in rectangles of the desired
the coast of the Sea of Cortez, recently organ mented since that time. The balance sheet
size and thickness again by machinery, which
ized and carried out with success. The expe showed total current assets of $8,496,000, in
already exists for rolling and dividing minutely
dition comprised a number of Federal func cluding $3,758,800 of oil stocks on hand,
a multitude of things in this manner, the evap tionaries, Territorial
employes, and business $600,000 in materials and supplies, $2,874,000
oration might be completed in special ovens. men from the Imperial Valley. Among the in accounts receivable, and $1,195,000 in cash
Thus might be obtained many tons of evapo number were Engineer Manuel Balarezo , chief in bank and on hand. The current liabilities
rated banana, perfectly prepared in tin cans , of the Agrarian Delegation of the Department amounted to only $2,482,000, so that net work
both light and impermeable for transportation of Fomento ; Engineer Heron Cabrera, com ing capital, based upon the difference between
to any part of the world. missioned by the Department of Industry and current assets and current liabilities, amounted
The cleaning and cutting of the banana , Commerce to make an investigation of the to above $6,000,000 .— Industrial and
Mining
reducing it to pulp and then cutting, evapo Federal concessions relative to the natural Age.
rating and packing it, might be done in products of this district ; also Colonel B. F.
lighters of various draughts which would navi Fly, editor of the Arizona Sentinel, of Yuma, The Mexico City press of November 3d,
gate the extensive rivers of Tabasco and con Arizona, a sincere sympathizer with Mexico published a lengthy list of places where the
nect with the planters at the moment when community lands had been restored to their
and who has always carried on in his paper
rightful owners, as also where new ones had
the fruit becomes ripe. By such methods an active campaign in favor of our country. been established for the benefit of the poor
might be avoided a waste of the ripe fruit "One of the results of this expedition it is people who had petitioned for such allotment.
 20
Facts About Mexico
Refutation of Some of the More Notable Misstatements
N a recent issue the New York Sun
published a lengthy article purport
I ' ing to have been written by a "corres
pondent on the spot," but which con
tained SO many misstatements that THE
REVIEW has deemed it proper to refute some
of the more notable of the many.
The article commences by deploring the
financial condition of the country, and
speaks of "the empty treasury."
The deficit at the present time is less
than one-half million monthly. It has been
steadily decreasing ever since the control of
the Government was secured by the Con
stitutionalists and the authorities give as
surance that there will soon be a balance on
the right side. The Treasury statement
published in November showed this. In the
first two months of the present fiscal year
the total treasury movements reached
$55,564,746.94, while the budget for the enC
tire year now opening amounts to $187,
000,000 national gold, or but $93,500,000
American gold.
"General Pablo Gonzales, newly
appointed secretary of Government
(Gobernacion.)"
General Gonzales is not and never was a
member of the cabinet. Señor M. A. Ber
langa, who has been occupying the post of
sub-secretary of the Department of Gober
nacion (or Government) , for two years past ,
was sworn in as Secretary on January 19th ,
ten days before the Sun article appeared.
The newspapers of the following day con
tained full accounts thereof.
"The rank and file of the army
looting, etc."
So far from this being the case, there
have been various executions for breaking
the law in this and other respects. One
well-known general and his son, a major in
the Constitutionalist army, were executed
for counterfeiting , and many more instances
could be cited of severe punishment for in
fraction of the law in this and other direc
Itions by members of the forces . The
writer saw a soldier executed for breaking
into a foreigner's residence and stealing
some clothing. For a number of paymasters
who have defaulted and fled to the United
States extradition proceedings are now
pending.
"Nothing but gold and silver in cir
culation. All paper was retired by the
simple process of gathering it and
burning it."
Was it not something of a feat for a
Government that began without a cent and
fought the Revolution to success with irre
deemable paper only, to resume specie pay
ments with scarcely an effort ? The paper
was taken in for debts due to the Govern
ment, such as taxes, railroad, telegraph,
Post Office , express dues, etc. This was
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
Recently Published by the New York Sun
burned and when the Government had to
pay out money it paid out gold and silver.
"Seized the bullion in the banks and
burned such bills as were found on
hand."
The banks of issue, having refused to obey
the laws under which they were organized ,
although repeatedly urged to do so, were
finally placed in liquidation , according to
those laws. A portion of their specie was
taken over by the Government as a loan ,
due acknowledgment made, and it will in
due time be paid back. Loans of this sort
are not unknown in time of war, and are not
unknown in other countries at this time!
The bills of these banks were retired , as the
law provided , and were destroyed , since the
law no longer permits the emission of paper
money by any private organizations . No
one profited and no one lost by this. The
banks themselves refused to redeem their
own paper and persisted in refusing to ac
cept it except at a discount of 25 to 50 per
cent upon the face value which they them
selves had received when it was , issued.
"The silver dollars went into the
melting pot . . . Government decrees
to the contrary notwithstanding."
The Government took the lead in dis
posing of the silver. dollars at their bullion
value in gold when the price of silver be
came almost double the usual rate . Mil
lions were thus exchanged, to the very
great profit of the nation .
"Inspired meetings of Government
employes, etc."
Meetings of Government employes were
held several months ago at which they
pledged themselves to contribute one or
two days' salary a month each for the purA
pose of establishing a bank of emission .
No such meetings have been held for
months. These contributions were volun
tary and at first were intended as outright
gifts . However, instructions were after
wards issued that in return for these sub
scriptions, stock certificates bearing interest
at 5 per cent from the first of April of this
year should be issued . These meetings
bore a very striking resemblance to those
now being held in the United States for the
purpose of persuading people to invest in
Liberty Bonds, War Stamps, War Certifi
cates, etc. The assertion that employes
were contributing 50 per cent of their pay
is absolutely false . As stated, one to two
days' salary each month is the amount
loaned the Government. Many Govern
ment employes receive three-fourths of
their pay in gold or silver, the balance in
Treasury notes redeemable in gold or silver.
"Most of the mills have been
destroyed or shut down ."
Whether cotton, flour or mining "mills"
are meant, is not stated. The leading tex
tile mills have not been injured in the *
slightest during the Revolution . All of
them are intact and most are running to
their full capacity. The States of Vera
Cruz, Puebla, Tlaxcala and the Federal
District are the centers of manufacturing of
this kind, as will be shown by films to be
taken under the direction of the Bureau of
Public Information of the United States .
These mills are all in their normal condi
tion. The same holds true throughout the
Republic, not only of cotton mills, but of
flour mills, mining mills (if they can be
called that ) and so on. A few minor flour
mills may have been destroyed , but they
are so few as to be negligible.
The statement that the taxes for • the
Federal District which went into effect on
the first of January increased the rate one
thousand per cent is not worthy of atten
tion . It is simply false.
"Private owned trains bring supplies
over roads which the National Gov
ernment could not operate."
The National Government is operating
trains on every line, with a few minor ex
ceptions. The introduction of these pri
vately owned trains was due to the de
struction of rolling stock during the Revo
lution and to the heavy demand by reviving
business. Private parties and mining men
desiring to ! do so were permitted to bring
in their own rolling stock and it is operated
in conjunction with the Government owned
trains by Government employes. If com
plete business stagnation existed, as stated
by the Sun, why should private trains be
operated for freight transmission ?
The terrible picture drawn of climatic
conditions and of suffering from severe
cold in Mexico City, can be better under
stood when it is said (and this will be borne
out by Californians ) that the climate of
Mexico City more nearly resembles that of
San Francisco than any other place on the
continent. The writer spent one winter in
Mexico City, during which time he had no
heat whatever in his room and did not suf
fer. Another winter followed a long sum
mer spent in the enervating and extra
tropical climate of Vera Cruz. Fearing
that the sudden change in temperature due
to elevation might be detrimental, an elec
tric stove was procured at considerable
price. Two large rooms were occupied as
a sitting room and bed room , and but twice
during the entire winter was it found neces
sary to use this stove. Otherwise the tem
perature was never disagreeable.
As to the presence of beggars at the rail
way stations throughout the Republic, this
is nothing new or novel. Those who visited
the country in what are claimed to have
been its palmy days had their attention
drawn to the same matter. It was in those
same days that Mexico City earned the un
fortunate fame of being the most beggar
ridden city in the world . Much has been
done to alleviate this, as those know who
 THE
were familiar with conditions prior to the
Revolution, as well as now, but much re
mains to be done.
"President Carranza occupies a
magnificent residence, etc."
It is true that President Carranza occu
pies a house of the better class on the Paseo
de la Reforma. It is one commensurate
with the dignity of the President of a great
Republic, but it would scarcely be called
magnificent in this city, or in any other
modern American town . The owner re
ceives rent for it and there is no reason
why it should be criticised.
"Obscene Orgies" held by Carranza
Generals is a gross libel and really does
not merit attention . These men are quite
the equal of other men of their class any
where in the world.
"Carranza and his generals are
dominated by German propaganda.”
This is another statement which no one
acquainted with President Carranza and his
Generals would utter. It is absolutely
It is
without foundation . They are not domi
nated by any foreign nation, but are simply
endeavoring to maintain strict neutrality,
since their country, as is shown in this
article, is only recovering from years of
revolutionary troubles and turmoil and is
in no position to take sides in any contest.
Any one in search of the truth regarding
alleged German propaganda in Mexico could
have learned very readily from a perusal
of the daily press, if from no other source,
that while active efforts are being made by
the Germans through certain newspapers,
there is just as strong an opposition thereto .
Mr. Felix Palavicini, formerly a member of
the cabinet and one of President Car
ranza's closest advisors since early in the
Revolution, resigned from the cabinet in
order to establish the daily newspaper El
Universal, which soon became the leading
paper in the Republic. Ever since the ques
tion of participation by nations on this con
tinent in the European war became a live
one, Mr. Palavicini has earnestly advocated
a declaration in favor of the Allies . On
the 9th of January he published a broadside
demanding the recall . of Minister Von
Eckardt, which has been republished in
the American press. This matter has been
discussed pro and con in the papers and no
one of intelligence who has ever paid a
casual visit to the country could have
escaped noticing it . The fact that Mr.
Palavicini is a very warm and influential
friend of President Carranza has caused his
newspaper to be regarded as reflecting the
sentiments of the Executive. Certainly Mr.
Palavicini would not have entered upon
such a campaign unless he were assured in
his own mind that he was in harmony with
the President's ideas and was seeking to
guide public sentiment. Following the pub
lication in El Universal, the Special Com
mission of the Chamber of Deputies, which
acts in an authoritative capacity during the
recess of Congress, took this matter up ,
following the demands of El Universal, and
it is now under consideration . All these
MEXICAN REVIEW
facts are readily accessible to any corre
spondent who is really in search of the
truth, yet the Sun writer did not utter a
syllable about this feature of the matter.
The Sun persists in publishing the utter
ances of the pro- German press and wishes to
convince its readers that such utterances re
flect the opinion of the majority, while at
the same time not saying one syllable about
the attitude of the leading papers, headed by
El Universal.
It also ignores two very potent facts : The
supplying of arms and ammunition to the
traitor Huerta to be used against the Consti
tutionalists when they were fighting against
apparently overwhelming odds, was certainly
not calculated to endear them to the hearts of
the followers of President Carranza. And
when the latter finally triumphed and was in
a position to capture the arch-traitor and
assassin, he was taken out of the country on
a German man-of-war-thus cheating Justice
of the vengeance that was her due. This , too ,
was not calculated to add to any friendly feel
ing. Indeed, the writer many times heard
the strongest possible execration of the un
friendly action of Germany in both these
cases, expressed by leading Constitutionalists .
"The Carranza Government is en
tering upon an era of confiscation of
foreign -owned Mexican corporations.”
Tổ
This is not true. Whatever the Govern
ment takes it pays for. The question is too
long to go into here, but a study of the
decrees and notifications regarding this mat
ter will show that there has been and will be
no "confiscation." The statement that the
taking over of the Tehuantepec railroad and
ports from the Lord Cowdray interests by
the Government is an act of confiscation is in
direct opposition to the truth. The terms by
which this transfer was made have been pub
lished in full in the Mexico City papers dur-
ing the past two months. The formal decree
was issued on the 18th of December, and it
recites that by virtue of the contracts made
by the Mexican Government with S. Pierson
& Sons of England, in 1902, 1904 and 1906,
these properties were taken over by the Gov
ernment after due compensation had been
made to the holders as then agreed upon.
There is nothing whatever that savors of con
fiscation about this transaction, as can be
readily seen by any one who will take the
trouble to read the terms of the contract and
the decree of the date mentioned, which has
been published in this country.
"Sugar retails for 55 cents a pound
and flour for 30 cents."
Here are the figures of retail prices in
Mexico City, taken from newspapers of even
date with the article in the Sun. ( The figures
are in American gold at the regular rate of
exchange. )
Rice ..• .92 cents to 12 cents per pound
White sugar . 1 " • • 14.95 to 22½ cents per pound
Native brown sugar... 13 1/5 to 144 cents per pound
Dried meat . • • .20 cents to 23 cents per pound
Barley . · ► ..37% cents per pound
Beans . * • 9 to 11 cents per pound
Garbanzos (chick peas ) .. 6.9 to 84 cents per pound
American flour. .6 1/3 cents per pound
Native flour, • A trifle less than this
Corn .... • 4.9 cents per pound
Potatoes . .44 to 54 cents per pound
Lard .. 48 cents per pound
Coffee (Green) 4 • ...84 to 91/5 cents per pound
21
These prices will surely bear comparison
with those prevailing in Washington or any
other city in the United States.
"Railroads in ruinous condition."
All the railroads in the Republic are in
operation except the one running through the
State of Morelos, the smallest State in the
Republic, a portion of which is still in a dis
turbed condition, owing to the operations of
the Zapatistas . On some of the subsidiary
lines travel is irregular, but on the main lines
connecting all important cities and the
American border the trains are running
regularly. The beds of all these roads are in
splendid condition , bridges have been rebuilt,
and it is the surprise of foreigners visiting
the country to find such conditions.
"From Mexico City to Queretaro
the Mexican Central as it parallels the
Mexican National Railways has ceased
to exist, nothing remaining but culverts
and the right of way. Ties and rails
have entirely disappeared."
When the railroads in Mexico were in pri
vate ownership two competing lines traversed
the narrow cañon for several miles in both
directions from the City of Queretaro. These
roads ran side by side , and not more than a
stone's throw from each other. When the
roads were consolidated under Government
control, it was not necessary to use these
parallel ones. One line was entirely sufficient
for all travel, even in normal times. When
there was destruction of tracks through the
Revolution, and material was needed for re
pair, one of the superfluous lines was utilized
in this way. But at both ends of the cañon
to the south and to the north, where the lines
separate and pass through different regions
the roads are still in good condition and trains
are running regularly. A useless piece of a
few miles of track has been dispensed with,
that is all. Trains over the Tampico and San
Luis Potosi division are confined almost alto
gether to those carrying oil. The bulk of
passenger travel from Tampico to Mexico in
normal times went by way of Monterrey and
still continues to do so . Over that line trains
are running regularly without interruption.
I
"At Queretaro , where Generals Coss
and Gutierrez recently set up their
own revolutionary standard.”
Nothing of the kind took place at
Queretaro, or within 500 miles thereof ! And
long before the Sun article was written, the
last vestige of the Coss-Gutierrez "revolt"
of a couple of hundred men had been dis
sipated.
"Oil pays 11 cents tax a barrel.”
The oil tax varies from 4 to 10 cents, the
average being about 7. Statements of the oil
tax are issued monthly, published in all the
newspapers and readily accessible to news
paper correspondents at any time.
"Carranza left the capital after
Christmas day for Queretaro , and it
is freely predicted that he does not
intend to return."
President Carranza made a trip to some of
the not distant cities of the Republic at
(Continued on Page 26)

22 THE
Proposed Petroleum Law
Projected Legislation to Be Submitted to the Industrial Congress
(Continued)
CHAPTER III
Rights of Way and Expropriation
Article 71.-The rights of way authorized
by this law shall be regulated by the pro
ceedings of the civil code of the Federal
District in regard to the rights and obliga
tions of the dominating and serving
properties, without • prejudice to the dis
positions of the following article.
Article 72.-The right of way shall con
sist not only in the right of transit through
the adjoining properties, but also in that of
installing in a permanent way, and through
those same properties, lines of power
transmission , telegraphic and telephonic
lines , oleoducts, railroads, or any other
means of transportation authorized by the
regulations , destined exclusively to the
necessities of exploitation of the petroleum
claims. The width of the zone through
which this right shall be exercised cannot
be greater than ten meters , unless a con
tract be made otherwise.
Article 73.-The rights shall be con
stituted as follows :
I. By the consent of the owner of the
serving lands, recorded in a public in
strument.
II . By resolution of the Department of
Industry and Commerce.
III. By judicial determination .
Article 74 - In lack of consent of the
owner of the serving claim, the superior
one shall apply to the Department of In
dustry and Commerce, which in the pres
ence of the other, will decide if the servi
tude is to be constituted . In the affirma
tive, he will fix the use and the extension ,
the material conditions of its constitution
and the indemnization which must be paid
to the owner of the serving claim, in the
terms fixed by the regulations.
Article 75.- The decision of the Depart
ment of Industry and Commerce author
izing the constitution of servitude shall be
considered definite if no objections be made
within the term of thirty days .
Article 76.-If in this term the owner of
the serving claim may manifest his non
conformity, the Department shall authorize
the execution of the necessary works for
the exercise of the servitude, guaranteeing
previously that the damages and prejudice.
that he may receive shall be agreed to by the
owner of the other claim.
Article 77.-In cases of great urgency, as
those mentioned in Articles 9 and 10, the
Department of Industry and Commerce shall
authorize the execution of the indispensable
works without previous knowledge of the
owner of the serving claim, and without the
making of a deposit or guaranty referred
to in the previous article ; but with the express
condition that the interested party shall be
·
MEXICAN REVIEW
and to the National Chamber of Deputies
immediately informed, and that the deposit of
guaranty be constituted within the ten fol
lowing days of the authorization.
Article 78.- The resolution to which the
Articles 76 and 77 refer will be made known
to the owner of the serving claims, who
will settle his action in a judicial manner in
the term of thirty days ; but if he does not
take such action the servitude will be consti
tuted definitely and the cancellation of the
guaranty shall be ordered .
Article 79.- In case that the Department of
Industry and Commerce may resolve that it
is not proper to constitute the servitude or
that it must be constituted in different terms
to those asked for, the party asking its estab
lishment may demand it in court within the
term of thirty days, at the end of which he
will lose his right.
Article 80.- In authorizing or denying
the constitution of servitudes, the Depart
ment of Industry and Commerce shall be
subject to the proceedings of the civil code
of the Federal District, if not definitely
expressed in this law or its regulations .
Article 81.- The amplification of servi
tudes already constituted shall be adjusted
by the rules already prescribed for its
establishment.
Article 82.- When in accordance with the
determinations of this law it is necessary
to proceed to the expropriation in the lack
of an agreement with the owner of the
superficial land, the owner of the petroleum
claim shall apply to the Department of Indet
dustry and Commerce, asking said expro
priation . The Department, with the pres
ence of the former, will decide if the re
quest can be granted or not, fixing, in the
affirmative case, the extension which must
be expropriated and the indemnization that
must be paid by the owner of the petro
leum claim, which will be arranged in the
terms which the regulations may determine.
Article 83.-If the owner of the land shall
resist the occupation, the owner of the
petroleum claim may apply to the com
petent judge in order that an immediate
concession of the land may be accorded in
the decision of the same department, and
full possession of the same be given him.
Article 84.- The administrative decision re
ferring to the expropriation can be opposed
in court by the owner of the superficial lands
in case that he may declare his non-conformity
to the Department of Industry and Commerce,
and he may plead within a term of thirty
days, after which, without fulfilling said re
quirements, the decision of the Department
shall be taken as definitely consented to .
Article 85.-If the owner of the superficial
lands has manifested his conformity with the
administrative decision, or had not opposed it
in the terms mentioned in the above article,
or if the said resolution was confirmed in
court, the owner of the petroleum claim shall
apply to a competent judge, asking that the
་
respective deed of adjudication be given him.
This deed shall be signed by the Judge, in
default of the expropriated party, if the latter
does not appear to sign it within the term
judiciously fixed by the Judge.
Article 86.- If the judicial sentence shall
modify the terms in which the expropriation
had been authorized by the Department of
Industry and Commerce, the owner of the
petroleum claim shall have the right given him
by the previous article, as soon as said sen
tence shall take effect.
Article 87.-The resolution of the Depart
ment of Industry and Commerce which may
declare there is no cause for the expropria
tion may be opposed in court within the term
of thirty days.
Article 88.-The regulations shall determine
the manner of procedure when the owner of
the superficial land was not known or was
doubtful and the cases in which the expropri
ated property owner may regain possession of
the land expropriated from him.
CHAPTER FOURTH
Judgments, Penalties and Other Disposi
tions Related Therein
Article 89.-The courts of the Union are
authorized to take cognizance of the judg
ments relating to the following matters :
I. Opposition or denouncement, or issu
ance or rectification of titles upon petroleum
claims.
II. Nullity of titles on petroleum claims.
III. Expropriation caused by petroleum ex
ploitations.
IV. Rights of way or servitude.
V. Transgressions committed against this
law.
VI. Transgressions which may endanger
the lives of workmen or of the inhabitants
of the surroundings.
Article 90.- In the cases to which the frac
tions I, II and IV of the previous article
referred, the contents of the case shall be
determined in view of the location of the
petroleum claim in dispute. In the cases men
tioned in fraction II, if the nullity may be
opposed as a demurrer before a judge, the
latter is authorized to decide it.
Article 91.- In the judgments regarding ex
propriation the contest shall be determined in
regard to the location of the claim which is
desired to expropriate .
Article 92. In the cases of the two previous
articles, if the claim is subject, for its location,
to more than one , jurisdiction, the cognizant
judge shall be chosen at the election of the
plaintiff.
Article 93. In the judgments of opposition
referred to in fraction I of Article 89, the
plaintiff shall always be the claimant, or the
person who asked for the rectification. The
term to present the request shall be that of
thirty days.
Article 94.- If the term given in the pre
vious article elapses without presenting the
claim, the judge shall declare the opposition
justified, and shall return the administrative
proceedings to whom it may concern .
Article 95.-The opponent shall found his
exceptions only upon the causes which he may
 *
have expressly adduced in due time in the
administrative proceedings .
Article 96.-In the cases of opposition re
ferred to in Article 36, the presumption shall
always be in favor of the claimant making
the opposition .
Article 97.- There shall be tried in the
courts, subject to the dispositions of the Fed
eral Code of Civil Procedure, all cases referred
to in fractions I, II, and IV of Article 89 ;
but the ordinary term for evidence may be
extended up to 40 days.
Article 98.- In cases of expropriation , the
judges shall make use of the power of judi
cial compulsion already established in the
Federal Code of Civil Procedure, in order to
make effective the rights which in accord
ance with this law pertain to the concession-J
aries of petroleum claims and to petroleum
refineries.
1
Article 99.- For the punishment of the
transgressions referred to in fractions V and
VI of Article 89, there shall be observed the
laws of procedure in force in Federal ques
tions.
Article 100.-The questions which the pro
prietor of the land that is to be expropriated
may advance in opposition to the decisions of
the Department of Industry and Commerce
霉 and to those already mentioned in Article 87,
shall be heard with prompt justice, observing
in regard to the time for presenting the evi
dence the provisions of Article 97.
Article 101.—In all judgments referred to in
all the articles preceding this chapter, the pub
lic attorney shall be heard, and this official
shall take care that the procedures may not
suffer unjustifiable delays, for which purpose
he shall accuse as in default the parties and
move in accordance with the law. In these
cases the public attorney will follow the in
structions that the Department of Industry
and Commerce may give him .
Article 102.- The term pointed out in this
law and its regulations , in default of anything
to the contrary, shall begin to count from the
day following the day in which the notification
has been made of the respective judicial pro
ceeding, including therein the day of maturity.
Article 103.- There shall not be included in
the computation of the terms Sundays, holi
days or days of national mourning.
Article 104.-The dispositions of the civic
code of the Federal District in regard to
common property are also applicable to the
property of the petroleum claim in everything
which is not included in this law.
Article 105.- There shall be considered as
commercial acts, subject to the dispositions of
the commercial code, in all cases not expressly
provided in this law, the following :
I. Petroleum enterprises.
II. Contracts which may have as an object
the delineation, mortgage or exploitation of
petroleum deposits .
III. Contracts which may be celebrated in
relation to the products of the petroleum de
posits.
Article 106.- The value which shall be at
tributed to a petroleum deposit at the time of
the constitution of a petroleum partnership
shall be justified through an expert appraise
ment under the responsibility of an expert
appraiser.
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
Article 107.-The cases that may arise due
to the contracts referred to in Article 105 shall
be summarized before the competent judges of
the regular order in accordance with the dis
positions of the commercial code.
Article 108.- The offices of the Commercial
Registry in the States, Federal District and
Territories shall keep an especial book in
which there shall be recorded :
I. The titles of petroleum concessions .
II. The deeds in which a promise of alien
ation of petroleum deposits is expressed .
III . The deeds and the judicial or admin
istrative decisions which may transfer or affect
the rights of the concessionary in regard to
petroleum concessions, or by which the actual
rights of others are affected upon the same.
IV. The deeds or judicial or administrative
decisions affecting the exploitation of petro
leum deposits .
Article 109.- The registration referred to in
the previous article shall be made in the cor
responding office in regard to the question of
petroleum deposits . If it is located in several
jurisdictions, it shall be recorded in all of
them .
Article 110.- The titles constituting the serv
itude of the petroleum deposits shall be regis
tered in the recording offices to which in
accordance with the law correspond the serving
property.
Article 111.- The inscription referred to in
the second section of Article 108 , in regard to
a third party, shall be in effect for the term
fixed by the contract, but not exceeding that
of six months, counting from the date of
recording, even when the term fixed for the
contract is longer.
Article 112.-When the document which is
to be registered is presented in the office
within thirty days from the date in which the
date was given or the decision was pro
nounced, the registration shall take effect from
the date of the document. If the same is
presented at the thirty days previously stated ,
the registration shall only take effect from the
date of the presentation of the document. The
recording of deeds coming from outside the
Republic shall take effect from the date of
the testimony of its registration in the corre
sponding office.
Article 113.- The Department of Industry
and Commerce shall impose, as a means for
correction, the penalties allowed in Article 21
of the Federal Constitution for violations of
the regulations of this law, and shall intrust
to the competent judge those who may have
to be punished with heavier penalties.
Article 114.- The agent of the Petroleum
Division who may commit any falsification
during the discharge of his duties shall be
suspended and will be disqualified in accord
ance with the Penal Code, and shall be pun
ished with the penalty of six months to one
year imprisonment.
Article 115.-If in a case of falsification
referred to in the previous article there was
an agreement with the denouncer or with the
opponents, the agent shall be punished with
the penalty established in the same article, and
the denouncer or opponent shall suffer a fine
or imprisonment of minor extent. In the
cases of bribery, the accumulation precept shall
be applied.
D
23
Article 116. The party who without any
right may exploit any of the substances men
tioned in Article I of this law, if he does not
prove to have proceeded through a well
founded mistake, shall suffer the following
punishments :
I. If the exploitation was made in free
land, the punishment shall be from one to two
years of imprisonment and a fine of from two
to five thousand pesos.
II. If the exploitation is made on deposits
already denounced or titled, the penalty men
tioned in the previous fraction shall be applied.
without the detriment of the indemnization
corresponding to the denouncer or conces
sionary of the deposit.
III. If the denouncer exploits a deposit
before obtaining the respective title, he shall
suffer the punishment of imprisonment to the
greatest extent and a fine of from five hundred
to one thousand pesos, and disqualification to
acquire the title on the same deposit.
Article 117.- The penalties established in
Article 497 of the Penal Code shall be applied
to those destroying or changing the place of
land marks, marking the limits of the surface
of the petroleum deposit.
Article 118.—In all transgressions committed
against this law and the civil responsibility to
which they may give cause not provided in this
law, they shall be subject to the Penal Code
of the Federal District.
Article 119.- When by reason of inheritance
or by judicial adjudication in payment of a
debt, any foreigner may acquire property or
real rights upon a concession of a petroleum
deposit, he shall present within the term of
six months, before the Department of Industry
and Commerce, a certificate showing that he
has fulfilled the requirements established in
Article 27 of the Federal Constitution.
Article 120.-When by reason of inheritance
or judicial adjudication the property of a con
cession of a petroleum deposit may come into
the hands of a foreign corporation, the latter
shall organize itself into a Mexican corpora
tion within the term of six months and shall
present within the same term the certificate
referred to in the previous article.
Article 121.- The judicial authorities in
charge of the inheritance or adjudicative pro
ceedings referred to in the two previous Arti
cles shall give timely information to the
Department of Industry and Commerce of the
existence of such cases.
Article 122.-The Executive of the nation
shall promote through the public attorney the
securing of the properties and rights possessed
or acquired in violation of the rules established
in Articles 119 and 120. The property seized
shall become the property of the nation .
Article 123.- Within the term of three years
counted from the issuance of the title the
Department of Industry and Commerce shall
order the nullity of the same if the title was
acquired through fraud or trickery. The pre
cepts established in this Article shall not injure
the right of a third party to declare the nullity
of the title.
(To Be Concluded)
On February 24th arbor day was celebrated
in the State of Tamaulipas. The school pupils
and others took part in the planting displays .
combats of flowers , etc.
 1
"
24 THE MEXICAN REVIEW

FACTS ABOUT MEXICO "General Gonzales has an American

(Concluded from page 22)
Christmas and arrived in Mexico City on the
17th of January, thirteen days before this
article appeared in the Sun, his arrival being
heavily displayed in the daily papers. This is
only a type of the various misstatements made
in this connection.
"The pernicious I. W. W."
This is a bugaboo, pure and simple.
"In Yucatan Salvador Alvarado was
elected by the vote of the I. W. W."
General Salvador Alvarado was appointed
Governor of Yucatan by President Carranza.
A new Governor ( Carlos Castro Morales ) has
been elected, and General Alvarado has en
gaged in other important governmental work.
"The failure of the corn crop."
The corn crop, it is true, was a failure in
the elevated plateau regions of the central por
tion of the Republic, but in all the subtropical
and the coast regions the crop was as it is
always , abundant. Difficulty of transportation
over the mountain ranges which separate the
plateau region from the coast on both sides
is one of the reasons why this article of food
is scarce in the interior. This, however, is
being remedied rapidly by the purchase and
shipment of corn from the United States. The
Governor of Texas recently offered to supply
all the corn needed to Mexico and the matter
of food is well in hand.
wife."
General Gonzales ' wife is a Mexican. This
concluding misstatement is a type of the
entire article, and shows how much depend
ence can be placed upon other statements
made by this correspondent. If he really
visited Mexico he could have ascertained the
truth regarding General Gonzales, regarding
President Carranza's presence in the city, or
regarding the members of the cabinet, in five
minutes' time. The truth regarding the
greater portion of his misstatement could also
have been ascertained quite as readily.
The Sun correspondent deprecates the atti
tude of a portion of the Mexican press in dis
seminating pro-German propaganda, but
ignores the fact that this very article will be
seized upon by that press and spread broad
cast as a specimen of the malicious falsifica
tion regarding Mexico which the people of
that country are asked to believe is evidence
of the antagonistic attitude of the entire
United States.
As a typical specimen of pro- German pro
paganda the Sun article has seldom, if ever,
been equalled .
Governor Espinosa Mireles of the State of
Coahuila, proposes to establish a school for
the instruction of newsboys in the city of
Staltillo . Baths and amusements will be pro
vided, as well as classes in various educational
branches.
To Manufacturers , Exporters and
Importers in the United States
Americans living abroad introduce
American goods, create a demand and
make a market. They develop the
native products and ship to their
country. They build railroads, open
mines, utilize water powers, develop
oil fields , make plantations , establish
factories and construct public works .
They are advance agents for foreign
business and they get it. They are trade
missionaries , always at work. They
have the spirit of the pioneers who
made the great West. They should have
the heartiest support and co- operation
of their government and people at home.
The American residents of Mexico
City on November 8, 1917, incorporated
the American Chamber of Commerce of
Mexico to promote international trade ,
and furnish a reliable channel of com
munication. They are trying to meet
German activities here. They are pre
paring for future expansion . Every
manufacturer, exporter and importer in
the United States should become a
member of this Chamber, in self interest
and common interest. It makes for
restoration of peace and development of
trade in this naturally rich country.
Write for information.
American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico, S.C.L.
Apartado 82 Bis, Mexico City, Mexico
January 1 , 1918.

The American & Cuban S. S. Line

WARD LINE
Direct FAST FREIGHT Service from NEW YORK to
PASSENGER AND FREIGHT STEAMSHIP SERVICE
Weekly Freight Service from New York direct to
CUBA to Havana. Regular Freight Service only from New York
Matanzas, Cardenas, Sagua, Caibatien, Cienfuegos,
REGULAR SAILINGS BETWEEN Santiago, Manzanillo , Guantanamo, and other Cuban Ports

NEW YORK Regular Freight Service from NewYork to Tampico ,

Vera Cruz and Progreso. Through Bills of Lad
MEXICO ing
AND Issued to all Points in the Interior of Mexico
2
HAVANA,* SANTIAGO, CIENFUEGOS ,
GUANTANAMO and MANZANILLO , CUBA Shipments consigned to our care will receive
VERA CRUZ , ** TAMPICO , PUERTO MEX prompt and careful attention
ICO and PROGRESO , MEXICO

NASSAU, N. P. , BAHAMAS S. S. Santa Clara S. S. Santa Theresa

*Cargo for interior points and for Isle of Pines handled on S. S. Santa Isabel S. S. Pinar del Rio
through Bills of Lading via Havana .
***Cargo for Campeche, Laguna , Frontera , Tuxpam and San S. S. Times S. S. Trafalgar
Juan Bautista handled on through Bills of Lading via Vera Cruz,
S. S. Peter H. Crowell

For rates, bookings , etc.

Apply to
Loading Berth, Pier No. 63, North River, N. Y.
NEW YORK AND CUBA MAIL STEAMSHIP COMPANY
General Offices : General Office : 27 WILLIAM ST., NEW YORK
Foot of Wall St. , New York City
HAVANA, CUBA
Office in Banco Nacional de Cuba
A Monthly Magazine, AGWI STEAMSHIP NEWS, de
scriptive of these Lines and Territory reached, upon application.
 SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD OF MEXICO

TRAIN SERVICE FROM THE UNITED STATES TO THE

INTERIOR OF MEXICO

Regular trips from Nogales, on the border of the
United States , as far as Nayarit (formerly Tepic)
touching the important towns of Magadalena, Her
mosillo, Guaymas, San Blas, Culiacan, Mazatlan,
Rosario, Acaponeta, etc.
This road, in its progress southward, crosses the
wealthy regions of the Mayo and Yaqui rivers, which
produce the best garbanza in the world. It passes Nava
joa, the center for this product, and then touches San
Blas, in the State of Sinaloa, where it connects with the
Kansas City and Orient Railroad, connecting with the
city of Fuerte to the east and with the important sugar
plantation of Los Mochis in the other, as also the mag
nificent port of Topolobampo .
There is a continual panorama of the most delightful
landscapes , while the fact that the region traversed is a
heavy exporter of mid-winter tomatoes, oranges, and
Address
other semi-tropical products is of great interest to all
seeking opportunities for profitable investment .
Passing southward many living streams are crossed,
having their source in the snow-capped Sierra Madre in
the dim distance, and then the historical city of Culiacan,
capital of Sinaloa, is reached. A few hours ' ride brings
the traveler to the picturesque and historical port of
Mazatlan, where connection can be made with steamers
from various California ports down the Pacific coast to
Panama and South America.
At Manzanillo, the seaport of Colima, connection is
made with the National Railways of Mexico, affording
communication with all portions of the interior- Guadagl
lajara, Mexico City, etc.
Those desiring to send consignments of any variety to
points in Mexico can do so through the Customs Agency
of the Southern Pacific Railway of Mexico , maintained
in both cities of Nogales-the American and the Mexican .
All matters of this kind will receive prompt attention .

CUSTOMS AGENCY OF THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD OF MEXICO

Nogales , Sonora , Mexico

11

MEXICAN RAILWAY CONSTITUTIONALIST RAILWAYS OF MEXICO

National Railway of Tehuantepec 35 Hours Between Mexico City and Nuevo Laredo,

Isthmus Railway Tamaulipas

Vera Cruz and
(Opposite Laredo, Texas)
Vera Cruz and Alvarado Railway
Connecting with the ports of Tampico , Vera Cruz and
Pan-American Railway Manzanillo

Passenger and freight service from Mexico City to the Also with the border ports of Nuevo Laredo , Matamoros ,
Guatemala frontier. Connection at Vera Cruz and Puerto Piedras Negras and Juarez (opposite El Paso )
Mexico with the steamers of the Ward Line and the
Mexican Navigation Company, and at Salina Cruz with DIRECT JOURNEYS IN FAST TRAINS AND WITH
steamers for South America and Japan. Passengers by SLEEPING-CAR SERVICE
the Mexican Railway can secure sleeping- car accommoda
tions by applying on the day before the departure of their
train . The trip is made in fourteen hours from Mexico Daily TIME TABLE Daily
! City to Vera Cruz, and the buffet service of the Pullman 6.30 a.m. (leave ) Mexico City (arrive ) 8.30 a.m.
cars is of the best. The passage is made in absolute 1.30 p.m. Queretaro 1.30 p.m.
security and is the same as in normal times. 2.55 p.m. Gonzalez Junction 12.25 p.m.
The Vera Cruz and Isthmus, the Tehuantepec National 8.35 p.m. San Luis Potosi 6.40 a.m.
and the Pan-American railways transport in both directions 7.40 a.m. Saltillo 7.50 p.m.
without delay or accident fruits of all classes, valuable 11.20 a.m. Monterrey 4.00 p.m.
timber, cereals , sugar, cattle , etc. The extensive zones 1.50 p.m. Villaldama 1.35 p.m.
crossed by these lines as well as by the Vera Cruz and 6.00 p.m. ( arrive ) Nuevo Laredo (leave ) 10.00 a.m.
Alvarado road are the richest in the Republic and the lines
mentioned have sufficient cars and other facilities to satisfy
all requirements that may be asked. The meal service on the sleeping cars is conducted with
strict vigilance
USE THESE LINES IN YOUR JOURNEYS AND YOU
WILL BE ENCHANTED WITH THE SCENERY The custom-house inspection of baggage and its fumiga
tion, without change of cars , and compliance with the
USE THEM IN YOUR BUSINESS , AND YOU WILL BE sanitary requisites of the Immigration Service, is expedited
SATISFIED on the international train from New Laredo , Mexico , to
With the exception of the Vera Cruz and Alvarado line, Laredo, Texas, at less cost and with immeasurably less
the other four are of broad-gauge and are in magnificent delay than by crossing the frontier in any other manner .
condition.
V. M. GUTIERREZ , J. M. CARDENAS ,
F. PENA, R. ZERECERO, General Passenger Agent. Assistant General Passenger
General Freight and Assistant General Agent.
Passenger Agent . Agent. Bolivar Street and Cinco de Mayo Avenue
P. FONTES, General Agent. Mexico City, D. F.
THE TRUTH ABOUT SISAL

Send a letter or postcard with a request that your name and ad

dress be entered on the permanent mailing list of Comision Regula

dora del Mercado de Henequen , the largest and most successful co

operative association of farmers in the world.

Gathering the Leaves Containing Henequen Fibre

If you want to know the truth about binder twine , the reasons for

recent advances in price and the identity of the powerful interests.

that are back of the campaign that has been waged against the Yuca

tan co-operative marketing association of sisal producers, the Comis

ion Reguladora will take pleasure in mailing you literature from time
to time.

If you read Spanish , send $ 2.50 for a year's subscription to "EL

HENEQUEN ," a semi-monthly magazine issued by the growers' as

sociation at its home office in Merida , Yucatan .

Comision Reguladora del Mercado de Henequen

120 Broadway, New York City

PRESS OF CAPITAL PUBLISHERS, INC., WASHINGTON , D. c.

 1201
AUG 1 1918
M62

MEXICA
N

REVIEW

VOL. II. No. 8 WASHINGTON, D. C. MAY, 1918

Mimm

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PUBLISHED MONTHLY AT
WASHINGTON, D. C.
GEORGE F. WEEKS • Editor and Publisher
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The Mexican News Bureau
Accurate News Service by Wire or Mall
Educational Progress
in Sonora
ROM the reports filed by Provisional
FR Governor de la Huerta, of the State of
Sonora, when he turned over his office to
Governor Calles, it is learned that educational
affairs received much attention during his ad
ministration. Some comparative figures are
of interest. Thus, in 1907 there were 178
schools in the State, while now there are 341 .
In 1907 there were 10,804 pupils in attendance
at the public schools, while now there are
24,187. From 342 teachers in 1907, the num
ber has increased to 875. In 1907 the total
amount expended upon schools for the year
was $247,954. In 1912 , $593,785 was expended
upon educational matters, while in 1917 the
total was $1,483,336.40 . There has been a
large addition to the number of schoolhouses,
while industrial and technical night and day
schools have also been established and a com
pulsory educational decree is also in force.
Under the auspices of General Calles ,
Governor of the State of Sonora, a school for
the orphans of those who lost their lives in
the Revolution has been opened at Hermosillo ,
the State capital . A large number of applica
tions for admission were presented in advance
of the opening of the institution.
Concessions Forfeited
for Failure to Comply
SPECIAL commission was some time ago
Aappoint
ap ed to examine into concessions
that have been held by the Bank of London
and Mexico for several years, covering an
area of 1,487,200 acres in the Territory of
Quintana Roo and 154,000 acres in the State
of Yucatan. These lands were granted on the
condition that they should be colonized . In
vestigation has shown that this was never
complied with, but that the exploitation of the Tomatoes on the West Coast . •
chicle and other products was the only use D Railroad Development ....
made. Because of such failure, the lands have
been forfeited to the National Government,
and will now be allotted wherever possible to
those who are desirous to cultivate them.
WASHINGTON, D. C. , MAY, 1918
Large Increase in
Customs Collections
HE Director General of the Department
THE of Customs reports that for the eight
months commencing May 1st and ending De
cember 31 , 1917, the total customs collections ,
both import and export dues, were $31,958,
585.64. The total expense of collection was
$1,403,834.
At the same average ratio for the remaining
four months of the year, the total collections
would amount to $46,937,876.96 . The collec
tions show a large increase over those of
previous years . For example, the total col
lected for import and export duties in the year
1911-12 was $42,686,356, or considerably less
than the total for the year just ended. These
figures are justly regarded as an encouraging
indication of the rapidly improving financial
condition of the country.
Invitations for an
Anti- Alcoholic Congress
HE Legislature of the State of Yucatan
THE has sent invitations to. all the States in
the Republic to attend a congress for the pur
pose of discussing and adopting laws looking
toward the total prohibition of the sale of
alcoholic and intoxicating beverages through
out the entire country. A special commission
appointed by the Yucatan Legislature to pro
mote the movement reports that since the
adoption of prohibition in that State the con
dition of the people has been immeasurably
improved and it is strenuously recommended
that the movement be made general. The pro
hibition does not apply to light wines and
beer of low alcoholic strength .
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Editorial . 靡
Direct Domain Defined . 斷 + ··•
Mexican Women...
Latest Petroleum News . T A
Payment of Petroleum Taxes · ▼ + • •·■
Recent Tariff Changes .••
Land, Crops and Food . ► =
Moral Support for Mexico . • ▼ • remarks about the governments and diplomatie
Canadian and Mexican Trade .
The Truth About Mexico . ·
Regarding Foreign Trade . • • • • ► I • • · +
Mexican Byways and Highways . * 14-16-24
The United States' Southern Neighbor. · ท
Justice for Mexico . ► ·
Federal Water Regulation . 6 • 1 • " + 1 • 21-23
Law of Land Endowment . D • D
22-23
News Brevities .•+ ••
Review
No. 8
Strict Neutrality
Should Be Maintained
INISTER CANDIDO AGUILAR, of
M the Department of Foreign Relations,
recently accorded the representatives of the
press an interview, in which he denied with
emphasis certain disquieting rumors that had
been circulated regarding the diplomatic rela
tions of Mexico with the other countries, both
belligerents and neutrals. The Minister ex
pressed himself as follows :
"Diplomatic relations with the United
States continue friendly, as well as with all
the other countries with which Mexico has
maintained them for a long time. It is true
that in certain locations , and as a natural
consequence of the world war, there have
occurred incidents not only between Mexico
and the United States, but also with others
of the belligerent countries . But these cases
are similar to those registered between the
same countries and the neutral countries , and
on our part we are doing everything feasible
to solve them in the best manner possible .
"The Mexican Government on its part con
tinues firm in its desire to preserve its neu
trality until the termination of the present
conflict, because it is firmly believed that this
international policy is the best for the interest :
of the country.
"It is absolutely anti- patriotic to engage in
any demonstration of an international char
acter which it may be proposed to carry out
at this present time, not for the significance
of the persons against whom they may be
inaugurated, but because they do not have any
practical purpose whatever, and on the other
hand may give cause for disagreeable inci
dents which no doubt would hamper the activi
ties of this Government. On the other hand,
the newspapers, decidedly pro -Ally or pro
German, which lately have distinguished them
selves for their intemperance of language in
treating international questions, would greatly
and patriotically help the Government and at
I the same time would facilitate the solution of
2-3
the great problems which the administration
4-5
6 is now facing, if they would only modify their
7 insulting attacks, and above all abstain them
8 selves from mutually making discourteous
9
IO
II representatives accredited before our Govern
12 ment from the belligerent countries ."
13
17
18 The Mexican Red Cross Society has secured
19
contributions of large quantities of tobacco
20
and cigarettes, which are being shipped to
Europe for distribution among the Allied
34 troops.
2 THE
"Direct Domain" Defined
Interesting Letter From Hon. Pastor Rouaix, Secretary
CITY OF MEXICO, March 13, 1918.
MESSRS . JOSE VASQUEZ SCHIAFFINO, JOAQUIN
SANTAELLA and A. LANGARICA, Engineers,
City of Mexico:
Very Esteemed Gentlemen and Friends:
I have had the pleasure of receiving your
letter of the 4th inst., regarding the correct
and legal definition that should be given to the
term "direct domain" used by the framers of
the Constitution in Article 27 of our present
Fundamental Charter. I now have the pleas
ure of answering, one by one, the questions
that you ask me in your letter.
At the outset I ought to state that I believe
myself sufficiently qualified to reply to the
inquiries in your above-mentioned letter, be
cause, as must be known to you, I had the
satisfaction in the Constitutional Convention
to be the initiator of the proposed Article 27,
having made the preliminary study of it in
company with Messrs . José I. Lugo , José N.
Macias and Andrés Molina Enriquez, all law
yers, the draft of which was presented for the
consideration of a group of delegates especially
interested in the study of the so-called Agra
rian question. We, the authors of the project,
took notes during the discussions that were
held in my lodgings, and in this manner
modifications as proposed and approved in the
meetings of that group were made, until the
plan was completed in the form of a draft to
which those who had attended the meetings
subscribed .
Subsequently , when referred to the commit
tee charged with the decision of the matter,
I also had the satisfaction of discussing with
General Francisco J. Múgica, Attorney Enrique
Colunga, Dr. Alberto Roman, Luis G. Monzón
and Attorney Enrique Recio , members of the
committee , the amendments suggested by that
body.
Therefore I believe that the opinion which
I now give can be taken as the reflection of
the judgment and spirit that animated the
group of delegates who drafted the proposal ,
and I believe that I interpret the idea that
guided the committees in writing the final
draft which was approved by the Convention
with slight changes .
I will now answer the questions that you
ask:
"First.-Did the Committee over which you
presided, which submitted the proposal for
Article 27 of the Constitution to the Conven
tion at Querétaro , understand that the term
'direct domain' was equivalent to 'proprietor
ship,' or did it make any distinction between
them ?
"Second. - In case the terms ' direct domain '
and 'proprietorship ' do not possess the same
ideological significance, will you please tell us
the difference."
The fundamental idea of Article 27 was to
establish the principle that the lands, waters
and their natural products belonged to the
nation, which has had the right to grant the
MEXICAN REVIEW
of Agriculture and Promotion
ownership of them to individuals in order to
constitute private property. From this are
derived two fundamental principles : The na
tion possesses original, absolute and complete
proprietorship over all its territory and the
products thereof. Private property is the grant
which the nation makes only of its right of
domain over lands and waters in favor of
some person, but without thereby losing the
prerogatives due it as proprietor. This prin
ciple is established in the first part of Article
27, which says :
"The proprietorship of the lands and waters
embraced within the limits of the national ter
ritory belongs originally to the nation , which
Secretary Pastor Rouaix
has had and has the right to transfer the own
ership in them to individuals, constituting
private property."
And this is made complete by specifications
of the rights that continue to belong to the
proprietary nation, in providing " that the na
tion shall at all times have the right to impose
upon private property the restrictions that may
be dictated by the public interest, such as that
of regulating the utilization of natural elements
susceptible of appropriation in order to make
an equitable distribution of the public wealth
and to care for its conservation. "
The foregoing furnishes the answers to the
first and second questions in your letter and
clearly defines what the Constitutional Conven
tion understood by proprietorship , and which
it denominated domain, whether direct, as a
use, or in any other form.
"Third. In declaring that the nation pos
sesses ' direct domain' over solid mineral
combustibles , petroleum and all solid, liquid
or gaseous carbides of hydrogen , was it or
not the intention of the framers of the Con
stitution to reassert in favor of the nation the
May, 1918
proprietorship which the latter always had over
those substances ?"
In treating of the products of the subsoil ,
the Constitutional Convention desired that the
rights of the nation should be still more clearly
fixed, and therefore it used the words "direct
domain," thus clearly stating that the nation.
not only possessed original proprietorship in
this class of wealth absolutely, but also that it
possesses the private property therein. This
is clearly expressed in the paragraphs which
I transcribe below and in which it is seen that
the dominion of the nation- that is to say,
the full proprietorship which it possesses over
those products-is inalienable and imprescrip
tible, and only by means of concessions and
under certain conditions can it grant the use
of those resources to individuals. The Con
stitution says :
"The nation possesses direct domain over all
minerals or substances found in veins, layers,
masses, or ledges, constituting deposits whose
nature is distinct from the components of the
soil, such as minerals from which are extracted
metals and metaloids used in the industries,
deposits of precious stones, etc.; solid mineral
combustibles, petroleum and all solid, liquid or
gaseous carbides of hydrogen."
"The waters of the territorial seas are also
the property of the nation."
"In the cases to which the two foregoing
paragraphs refer the proprietorship of the
nation is inalienable and imprescriptible , and
concessions can only be made by the Federal
Government to individuals, civil or commercial
societies constituted in accordance with Mexi
can laws, with the condition that regular work.
be established for the development of the ele
ments treated of, and the requirements com
plied with as provided by law."
"Fourth.- Was it or not the intention of the
framers of the Constitution to compare the
'direct domain' over mineral combustibles,
petroleum and solid, liquid or gaseous car
bides of hydrogen, to the ' direct domain'
which the nation has always had over the rest
of the minerals enunciated in Article 1 , of the
mining law now in force ?"
Yes, that was the intention of the members.
of the Convention . In including petroleum
among minerals, without making any distinc
tion between them, it is clear that it is placed
in the same class and under the same condi
tions, in respect to ownership by the nation, as
other minerals.
"Fifth.-Was it the understanding of the
Committee that formulated the draft of Article
27 of the Constitution that, in declaring that
to the nation belongs the ' direct domain' over
all solid mineral combustibles, petroleum and
the other carbides of hydrogen, in whatsoever
physical state, Article 2 of the present mining
law was repealed ?"
Undoubtedly. The Constitution being the
supreme and fundamental law, its simple pub
lication repealed the laws inconsistent there
with, even when its effects upon the thing.
affected can be retarded until laws regulating
the matter can be passed ; but the principle
opposed thereto is at once destroyed.
"Sixth .-Was the motive of the Committee,
so worthily presided over by you, in presenting
the draft of Article 27 of the Constitution to
 May, 1918
THE
the Convention at Querétaro, to continue, or
not, conserving the possible rights that indi
viduals may believe they have in the petroleum
and other hydro -carbides that might exist in
the subsoil of their lands ?"
As I said before, the effects that may result
from the repeal of the law may be retarded
until the law regulating the same is passed ;
and hence, in the case of petroleum, the former
owners of the surface right, at the date of the
proclamation of the Constitution, can retain
possession until the passage of laws defining
the form in which it shall be enforced, and
that has occurred up to the present time, as the
Federal Government has not attempted to alter
the use of those products in the manner form
erly employed ; but from the moment in which
the Constitution was promulgated, the legal
ownership of petroleum and other hydro- car
bides was reassumed by the nation .
"Seventh.- Did the reassertion by the Con
stitution of the rights of the nation over solid
mineral combustibles, over petroleum and over
the other solid, liquid or gaseous carbides of
hydrogen have a retroactive effect ?"
This question-that is, the argument over
the retroactivity of the Constitution- has been
made a subject of fencing by all the enemies
of the Revolution, who have displayed more
or less talent, but always through sophistries.
As is known, the sovereign rights, from a
judicial point of view, possessed by the nation
over the territory and its products, are based
upon the rights of the Spanish Crown over
the territory of New Spain, that have been
abrogated. The Spanish monarch was invested
with proprietary rights in the lands, waters,
minerals and substances of the earth, and
therefore was the sole person who was author
ized to grant the usufruct of the wealth and
property in the lands to his vassals . This is
the fundamental principle of national propri
etorship . Upon the successful consummation
of our Independence, the rights of the Spanish
Crown over the territory of the country, as
well as the charge of the same, passed into the
possession of the nation, as the successor of
the Royal Spanish Crown , and consequently the
nation is the entity which has continued own
ing the lands that have not been granted and
giving mineral concessions in the absence of de
nouncements . Thus, the principle of proprie
torship is rooted , originally and primarily, in
the kings of Spain, and afterward , in the nation.
Now, referring exclusively to the question
of petroleum , it is sufficient to cite the para
graphs that I reproduce below to justify the
rights of the nation over those combustibles .
The Royal Mining Ordinances of 1783 , in
Article 1 of Title V, say :
"The mines belong to my Royal Crown, as
much on account of their nature and origin,
as well as being attached thereto by the pro
$
visions of Law IV, Title 13, Vol. VI of the
new Recopilation."
And Art. 2 of the same Title says :
"Without separating them from my royal
patrimony, I concede them to my vassals in
property and possession , in such manner that
they sell, permute, rent, donate, dispose of them
in testament by heirship or will or in any
other manner alienate the right therein that
may belong to them, in the same terms on
MEXICAN REVIEW
which they possess them, and in persons quali-
fied to acquire them .”
This principle leaves no room for doubt as
to the intention of the King of Spain to con
cede only the ownership in use of mines, and
it is clearly expressed in the words at the be
ginning of that Article, and that say : "Without
separating them from my royal patrimony."
Among the substances included in the gen
eral term mines and that may be denounced,
are the carbides of hydrogen, called in that
epoch bitumens, as may be seen in the follow
ing paragraph of the same Ordinances, taken
from Art. 22 of Title VI :
"I also concede that mines may be dis
covered, applied for, registered and denounced,
not only of gold and silver, but also of precious
stones, copper, lead, tin, quicksilver, antimony,
zinc, bismuth, rock salt and any other fossils ,
whether perfect or part metallic, bitumens or
the products of the earth, under such provi
sions for their possession, development and
labor as may be necessary."
This was what afterward formed the un
assailable right of the nation over those re
sources, which cannot be legally destroyed by
a simple law, because in this case, as well as
in that of lands and waters, it treats of rights
that are fundamental in the constitution of na
tionality, and that form the basis upon which
were established the succeeding rights of the
Mexican governments. Therefore, there is no
retroactivity found in Article 27, as the only
thing it fixes is to recover and reconstitute the
fundamental properties of the nation, which ,
without any right whatsoever, one of its Gov
ernors attempted to cede to individuals .
There would exist retroactivity in case that
those who improperly were exploiting the na
tural products of the subsoil had been re
quired to make indemnity for all the usufruct
they had enjoyed previous to the promulgation
of our Magna Charta, a thing that was not
done, only that its provisions tend to reassert
for the nation that which belonged to it.
With the hope that your questions have been
answered, I am very truly yours,
PASTOR ROUAIX.
Exports from New Orleans
to Mexican Ports
Numerous and Varied Items
Shipped to Southern Republic
URING the month of March the exports
D from New Orleans to various ports in
Mexico were as follows :
Lbs. Value
Vera Cruz * " 1.363.390 $180,330.94
Tampico • L • • 3,088,096 213,018.96
Progreso • • •• 9,189,264 440,206.82
Frontera • •• 299,552 31.515.00
Cotzacoalcos • * • 4 1,355.529 24,681.81
Manzanillo 1,089 935-84
Total • 15,296,920 $890,689.96
The list included groceries, electrical appa
ratus and accessories, automobiles and acces
sories, shoes , coal, cereals, rice, cement, drugs
and medicines, fruits and vegetables, hard
ware, forage, thread and manufactures of
cotton, agricultural implements , soap, milk and
its products, cheese, manufactures of wood,
machinery, paper, envelopes, etc., alimentary
pastes, manufactured clothing, glassware of
various kinds , etc.
3
Hydrologic and Mineral
Survey of the Republic
An Important Work Promising Valu
able Results in Development
HE Secretary of Industry, Commerce
T and Labor, through the National Geo
logic Institute, is proceeding with the accurate
hydrologic and mineral mapping of the Mexi
can Republic. For the National Hydrographic
Survey there has been commenced a study of
the Mexican lakes and lagoons , for which
geological commissions have gone out to vari
ous parts of the Republic . Likewise another
commission subsidiary to the said Geological
Institute has commenced to make a detailed
economical-geological digest of the Valley of
Mexico . During this study there have been
found quarries and beds of rotten stone and
some construction material such as afford in
dications of underground water circulation .
Upon the study of hydrology in the Republic
there will follow great advances in agriculture,
since it includes the distribution of national
benefits, the location of springs for irrigation
in whatsoever form and choice of places , ac
cording to the special configuration of the
territory. Likewise arrangements are made
for similar surveys in the petroleum districts
which will be of great interest.
There have been received , to increase the
extensive collections already existing in the
Geological Institute, countless samples of ores
representing every State in the Federation ,
except Tabasco and Yucatan, from which no
sample has yet been received . Within a few
months. these important statistical works will
be completed, so as to contribute greatly to
the agricultural and mineral betterment of the
Mexican Republic .
Export Taxes on Metals
and Minerals
Secretary of the Treasury
Issues Rates of Taxation
N April 1st , the Secretary of the Treas
ONF ury issued the following rates of taxa
tion upon exportations of metals and minerals
(the figures here given being in American gold
per pound weight of material ) :
Gold- $21.47 ½% per pound.
Silver in bars or ingots- 6334 cents.
Silver in mineral or concentrates -891
cents.
Copper in bars or ingots- 1.19 cents .'
Copper in minerals or concentrates- 1.42
cents.
Lead in bars or ingots- .00155 of a cent.
Lead in minerals or concentrates- .002139
of one cent.
Zinc in bars or ingots-.005589 of one cent.
Zinc in minerals or concentrates-.007454 of
one cent.
Tin in bars or ingots- 2.585 cents .
Tin in minerals or concentrates --2.703 cents.
Antimony, in bars or ingots - 001343 of one
cent.
Tungsten, in minerals or concentrates- 4.33
cents.
Manganese ( metallic ) -.001863 of one cent .
Mercury-4.784 cents.
 THE
Mexican Women as They Are
Some Popular Misconceptions Regarding Them-What They
Really Are in Home and in Relation to Education
BY IRENE KRANZTHOR SCHUTZ
AOR a long time there has existed a
traditional conception of the Mexican
F woman as a figure that lent itself ad
mirably for thrilling romance, whether the
romance occurred in a novel, on the stage, or
in moving pictures. The public has been fairly
well acquainted with the señorita of the novel,
especially the novel of the older type. She is
a bewitching, exotic beauty, usually the daugh
ter of a hacendado ; she speaks little English,
but manages to introduce a few words of it
into the Spanish conversation she carries on
with her American adorer, or adorer of some
other nationality, who, for his part, often suc
ceeds in making him
self well understood in
spite of his broken
Spanish. Many parts
in a tale of this kind
are doubtless true to
life, but not always
can as much be said
of the plot, which al
most invariably seethes
more than necessary
with native and foreign
rivals for the señorita's
favor, and with love,
hate, intrigue, defeat
and triumph- usually
triumph for the for
eign lover. Another
favored plot contains a
señorita possessing a
sinister kind of beauty
and an intriguing char
acter, who has fallen in
love with the foreign
hero of the novel ; but
the hero loves a girl of
his own nationality-in
spite of some attentions he might have paid
the señorita just after he arrived in Mexico .
The result is that the disappointed señorita
or señora, as the case might be-tries to take
dire revenge on her victorious rival, but of
course fails in the attempt. Similar plots are
utilized on the stage and in moving pictures,
though it must be admitted that many repre
sentatives of Mexican women there as well as
in literature are gradually becoming more true
to the reality.
The Mexican woman of the lower classes
often forms one of the central figures around
which the plot moves. This figure is fre
quently natural in several respects, but people
who know the peon women through actual
experience know also that while she stands.
in need of general improvement, she is not
inclined to take cruel revenge on a sister
woman even for a good reason. Neither does
she sneak around with fierce stealthiness, in
citing her masculine friends to commit mis
deeds . On the contrary, Mexican women of
MEXICAN REVIEW
the people are of a gentle and affectionate
disposition and a courteous behavior ; while it
is true that some of them have joined the
fighting ranks in the wars of their country,
proportionately they form the exceptions and
not the rule, and when their fighting is done,
many of these amazons are probably almost
as gentle as their sisters who stayed at home.
For these women fought in battle as soldiers,
and not as sneaks bent on private revenge.
Hate and treachery will often appear in Mexi
can fighting- or any other fighting, for that
matter-but not all Mexicans are always fight
ing or wrangling, especially not the women,
Group of Mexican Young Ladies.
and even hate, treachery and revenge will
sometimes yield to softer emotions, unless the
individuals in question are criminals.
But if Mexicans of either sex are depicted
as criminals so often as to make the repre
sentations of Mexican criminals beyond all
true proportion to representations of good
Mexicans, then these evil doers might just as
well be depicted as criminals pure and simple,
and not as characters supposed to typify the
majority of Mexicans. For crime, as we
know, exists in all nationalities, and there are
many countries considering themselves far
above Mexico in civilization, but which never
theless harbor an amount of crime more out
of proportion to the good they contain than
the Mexico which is maligned so frequently.
In connection with this subject, we cannot help
but remark on the fantastic representations of
the personal appearance of the supposedly
typical Mexican girl, according to which she
dresses very much like a cross between a
May, 1918
Spanish gypsy and a Spanish peasant in stage
costume.
In reality, Mexican women of the lower
middle and the poor classes, even in the far
interior of Mexico, wear a plain waist and
skirt or a whole dress fairly well cut and that
is of conventional design even if not copied
from late models . True, their holiday gar
ments are often gaudily colored, profusely
flounced, and adorned with cheap lace and
ribbon. Although these gowns do not always
conform to the most cultivated taste, as a
rule they continue to follow the usual lines
more or less, and are not unattractive, and
the well-known, gracefully draped shawl adds
to the picturesqueness of the toilette. We are
not at present referring to the Mexican Indian
woman, whose dress resembles somewhat that
of the American Indian. But the variations
of Indian dress are very noticeable, almost
each different portion of Mexico having its
own national style. People who live on the
Mexican border, or
not very far from it,
are not misled by
imaginary representa
tions of Mexican
scenes and Mexican
women. Unless one
has traveled exten
sively through all of
Mexico, it is difficult to
get a good idea of the
various types in their
original state, for, due
to the foreign influ
ences near them on the
border, these national
types undergo a per
ceptible modification as
far as their individual
originality is concerned .
Unfaithful represen
tations of Mexican
cenes - including Mex
ican women - should be
done away with both
in literature and on the
stage; they should be
done away with in spite of the popular
Northern taste for unnaturally picturesque
and malevolently romantic Mexican scenes .
Surely there is still sufficient romance left
in Mexico and in the regions not far from
it to satisfy even a public brought up to
believe in the traditional stage pictures of
Mexico .
In order to understand better Mexican
womanhood, its former and present education
and attainments, and its further needs, as they
actually exist, it is necessary to give a few
more illustrative examples in various phases
of incorrect representations of Mexican
women, and compare them with the reality.
To continue, in respect to stage and moving
picture representations, one of the most inter
esting, and, in many respects, life-like pictures ,
is that of the great hacendado, his family and
surroundings . The señora, his wife, ap
his surroundings.
pears as a comely woman of proud bearing,
but she is not very much in evidence as one
of the central figures in the actions taking
 May, 1918 THE
place around her ; she is on the scene only to
welcome some special visitors, and prefers to
hover over her daughter rather than join in
the general conversation, especially if several
men are in the company. The señora lingers
a little longer while refreshments are being
served, then retires to her own favorite patio
hidden somewhere in her beautiful hacienda
home, where attendants and vassals galore
await her commands. If the daughter is al
lowed to be present during the visit of men,
she does not fail to follow her mother duti
fully into her private apartments .
So far so good, for such is really the ap
pearance of a wealthy hacendado's family, and
such is their manner of life, especially in the
Mexico of former days ; today the real, living
picture has been noticeably modernized. But
the plot in the above agreeable representation
leaves much to be desired as far as truth to
reality is concerned- that is, if the picture is
presented as being instructive as well as enter
taining. There are too many native and for
eign rivals on the scene, and the villainy of
some among the former is made much more
obvious and exaggerated than is actually the
case even among the most jealous rivals be
longing to the polite society which surrounds
the señorita of high social standing. In fact,
the plot remains the usual thing, overflowing
once more with a superabundance of love,
hate, defeat and triumph. Some realism is
often introduced by fighting scenes taking
place during the Mexican revolutions.
The picture of the too secluded and retiring
señora and señorita is not entirely true to life
in these days of a modernized Mexico, for
during late years women there have been
gradually emerging from the seclusion to
which they formerly confined themselves .
There is still a good number of women who
continue to adhere to a certain extent to the
habits which were thought most suitable for
women of the Mexico of past days, but a great
number of progressing women are waking to
the fact that along with the reorganization of
Mexico, they must also endeavor to change
the rather too severe Mexican point of view
in regard to women in general. Be it said to
the credit of Mexican men, that while some
among them are still adverse to greater liberty
for women than is compatible with the ideas
to which they had been accustomed through
historical tradition, many Mexicans are proud
of the new stand women are taking and are
extending them effectual aid in their en
deavors. Not that the Mexican woman of old
lacked charm, intelligence and accomplish
ments, of which she always possessed good
measure ; besides, the woman of high social
standing was formerly more aristocratic
perhaps too aristocratic- in her attitude than
the Mexican society woman of today. But all
kinds of Mexican women lacked the "snap"
which most women of the new Mexico have
acquired, and with the impetus which their
advancement is receiving, the question has
arisen of a higher and at the same time more
practical education for them. Their former
education gave them little more than the frills in the great movement for the advancement
and furbelows of knowledge ; a smattering of of their sex.
literature and French, and a set of ornate
manners well suited to a society which required education, have always been excellent musi
MEXICAN REVIEW
nothing more of them. Not that the women
thus educated lacked the essentials of life, or
that they were poor housekeepers , for Mexi
Wife of General Obregon
can women have always devoted themselves to
their homes, and will always remain good
wives and mothers along with their progress
A Sonora Senorita
But Mexican women, under any form of
cians and very often singers possessing voices
of extraordinary sweetness . Nevertheless,
with all these good qualities and attainments,
they lacked the solid foundation for a sys
tematic and more useful education, and fortu
nately they are beginning to get it right in
their own country, where even admission to
the National University in the City of Mexico
has been accorded them.
One of the strongest forces underlying the
forward movement of Mexican womanhood is
the "Gran Confederacion Feminil Mexicana"
(Great Mexican Feminine Confederation) ,
established June 20, 1916, after a reunion in
the City of Mexico of more than a thousand
women representing Mexican intellectuality
and spirit of progressiveness, the majority of
whom consisted of school directors, teachers
and the alumnae of the best schools. At the
head of this association, assisted by her able
staff, is Miss Maria Arias Bernal, director of
the normal school for teachers. One of the
first acts of this society was to direct a me
morial to President Carranza, in which were
explained the aims and the work of this femi
nine confederation, which consists of a higher,
more practical education for the women of
Mexico, including hygiene, first aid to the
wounded in war, and the preparation and con
servation of food, as well as the making of
clothing. The members of this confederation
evinced their patriotism by asking permission
of their Government to visit munition factories
with the object of familiarizing themselves
with the implements of war, in order to sub
stitute the operators in case of necessity. They
also requested the work of sewing the National
army uniforms in order to save the Govern
ment expense. The confederation has ap
pealed to all feminine associations, irrespective
of their aims and tendencies , political or re
ligious beliefs, to work together without losing
their feminine character, for the common good
of women and men-and their respective
countries. Many eminent men, newspapers and
reviews assisted heartily in the propaganda of
the Great Mexican Feminine Confederation.
As early as 1883 a good number of promi
nent and progressive Mexicans and Mexican
newspapers and reviews had initiated a cam
paign against many of the antiquated educa
tional methods in use among instructors of
the old class, who asserted that the classic
system copied by them from the great foreign
institutions of learning was also fitted in every
respect to the needs of the Mexican people ;
but the learned professors probably forgot
that a part of the people had been buried in
poverty and ignorance so long that other
methods than classic were needed to raise the
masses from their ignorance. Or perhaps
those pedantic educators did not give a thought
to educate any classes excepting the better
classes of their people. As an education
Caesarism prevailed everywhere in Mexico at
the time ; nobody dared oppose the above
theory of education . Since the population of
Mexico consists not only of Mexicans , but
also of Indians, Indo- Latins and Creoles, it is
necessary to use the methods especially adapted
to them in order to bring out their latent am
bition, character and intelligence .
(Concluded next month)
6 THE
Latest Petroleum News
Total Production of the Republic for 1917- Rates of Taxation
on Exports
HE Technical Commission of the De
partment of Petroleum under the Sec
Tretary of Industry and Commerce has
collected the most recent statistics regarding
the production of petroleum in the Republic,
and which are of great interest. 2 contracted for, and who do not present their
During the year 1917 a total of 79 wells
were bored in the oil regions of Tamaulipas,
San Luis Potosi, Panuco, Topila, Ozualama,
Tuxpam and Ichuatlan , of which forty- three
are producing. The potential production of
these wells is 235,250 barrels daily.
With the opening of these new wells , the
total in the entire Republic reached 919 , of
which 329 are productive, 362 unproductive ,
141 are in process of sinking and 77 have been
localized.
The potential production of these wells is
1,337,012 barrels daily. In 1901 Mexico pro
duced 10,345 barrels of crude oil annually. In
1910 the production had arisen to 3,634,080
barrels, while in 1917 the total production was
the enormous quantity of 55,292,770 barrels .
The Tuxpam region leads in the amount
produced, the total for the year having been
34,500,000 barrels . Tampico produced 20 ,
500,000 barrels and Minititlan yielded 23,500 ,
000 barrels.
The companies established in Mexico and
which produced the largest amount of
petroleum during the past year were, first, the
Huasteca 1 Petroleum Company, which ex
tracted from its wells more 1 than 16,000,000
of barrels ; the Aguila Company, which pro
duced nearly a like amount.
:S During the year 1917 the exportations of
oil reached 6,500,000 metric tons of petroleum ,
while the value of the crude and refined
products amounted to over $53,000,000 Mexi
can gold, a notable increase over the figures
for 1916.
Prompt Reports Required From All
Petroleum Companies
In order to carry out the provisions of the
decree relative to the collection of taxes on
petroleum lands and leases , which went into
effect on the 19th of February, notice has been
given by the Secretary of Commerce and
Industry that all companies and persons in
terested in such matters must present in trip
licate at once complete reports covering the
following data : Name of the company or per
son ; residence- city, street, and number ;
Board of Directors in existence ; representa
tive or person holding power of attorney be
fore the Department of Industry and Com
merce ; locality designated by name, number of
lot, hacienda , municipality, canton , district
and State ; date of the acquisition ; its area,
name of the seller ; price of purchase ; map or
description of the boundaries, giving the
names of the adjacent lands and their pro
prietors ; location, name, number of lot, etc. ,
with the name of the owner of the land and
the date when the contractor lease was exmj
MEXICAN REVIEW
Companies Must Make Prompt Reports
.ecuted ; duration of the contract ; rent, royalty
and other terms of the contract.
All companies or persons who are the actual
explorers or the ultimate concessionaires of
the right to exploit the subsoil of the lands
statements as above and according to the law
noted, will not be permitted to engage in any
class of work and will be obliged to suspend
any operations in progress on the lands in
question, without prejudice to the penalties
authorized by the law in such cases.
Petroleum Taxation For March and April
Announcement was recently made of the
rate of taxation upon petroleum that would be
enforced during the months of March and
April, the custom being to fix the rate for
periods of two months at a time . The valua
tions and rates are as follows :
Combustible petroleum of a density of 0.91 ,
valuation $10.50 per ton.
Crude petroleum of a density of 0.91 , valua
tion $ 13.50 per ton.
Petroleum of a density greater than 0.97,
valuation $5.50 per ton.
Gas oil, valuation $ 10.50 per ton.
Gasoline ( refined ) , in bulk or packed, 12½
centavos per liter.
Gasoline ( crude ) , in bulk or packed , 1134
centavos per liter.
Kerosene, crude or refined , in bulk or
packed, 3 centavos per liter.
The valuations of crude and combustible
petroleum will be increased or diminished in
accordance with the degree of density.
The foregoing figures are in Mexican gold ,
and the rate of taxation is ten per cent upon
the valuations given . Reduced to American
gold and the tax on combustible petroleum is
' found to be 52 cents per ton , or in the
neighborhood of 72 cents per barrel.
On crude petroleum the tax is 67½ cents
per ton, or about 9½ cents per barrel .
On petroleum of the greatest density the
tax is 27½ cents per ton, or a trifle less than
four cents per barrel.
Gas oil pays the same tax as combustible
petroleum, or about 7½ cents per barrel.
Petroleum in Lower California
A petition has been presented to the Secre
tary of Industry and Commerce for permis
sion to exploit the deposits of petroleum said
to exist around the Bay of Ensenada, in the
Territory of Lower California. It is re
ported that a considerable quantity of oil is
now being taken therefrom. The petitioners
announce their intention to instal adequate
machinery and appliances for development
upon a large scale. Their request is now
under consideration . On the opposite side of
the isthmus from Ensenada, oil has been dis
covered upon the island of Angel de la
Guardia and elsewhere along the gulf shore,
thus indicating the presence of petroleum in
an extensive area.
May, 1918
Oil Wells Now Being Drilled
The confidence of foreign petroleum
operators in the stability of conditions in
the Tampico oil fields is evidenced by the fact
that the sinking of new wells continues with
regularity. The Transcontinental Company is
sinking four, one of them now being down
1450 feet. The Mexican Gulf Company has
one well down 960 feet and another 1000 feet.
The East Coast Company has a well down 1500
feet, while the Huasteca Company has one
down 1700 feet, in addition to the many that
have been completed . The Aguila Company
has also begun drilling a new well. The Inter
national Company has a new well that makes
a promising showing, while the East Coast
Company has one that is down 1688 feet and
is now filled with oil, presaging a good flow
within a short distance.
The English Oil Company has just brought
in a petroleum well at a depth of 636 meters
( 2067 feet ) which has a potential yield of
nearly four thousand five hundred barrels
daily.
The Island Oil Company of Tuxpam now
has two sea pipe lines for loading petroleum
on vessels lying outside the bar. They extend
for over one mile under water.
Mexico's Vast Petroleum Possibilities
A prominent official of the Department
of Industry and Commerce in a recent
interview declared that at present not one
tenth of the petroleum produced in Mexico
was utilized- or, rather, that could be pro
duced by already existing wells. There are
many wells that have a capacity of ten, twenty
and thirty thousand barrels daily, yet which
are only utilized to about ten per cent thereof.
This is due to lack of means for conveying
the oil by pipe line, etc., to points of embarka
tion, as well as to lack of shipping for carrying
it to points of consumption in various portions
of the world . Many of the smaller companies
have as a result been obliged to offer their
product for as little as ten, twelve or fifteen
cents per barrel, when at the same time it
was worth in the American market from a
dollar per barrel upward. Various companies
with producing wells have preferred to store
their oil or to shut off production in the hope
of better prices which will follow better facili
ties for shipment.
However, this has not deterred the sinking
of new wells , as shown by the reports con
stantly received of the bringing in of new
ones with heavy production. As an example,
the International Petroleum Company recently
brought in a new well under extraordinary
conditions the yield of which was variously
estimated at 30,000 to 50,000 barrels daily.
Many other wells in the Tampico region are
being pushed to completion with every promise
of giving heavy flows.
Application has been made to the Depart
ment of Fomento by the Indian Oaxaca
Mining Company for the allotment of 12,500
acres of public lands upon which to establish
an agricultural colony for the benefit of the
employes of the company named. The com
pany promises to construct the necessary
residences for the colonists .
May, 1918 THE
Payment of Petroleum
Settlement of Those Due on Contracts Made Prior
NDER date of April 10, 1918, Presi
dent Carranza issued a decree in ac
Ucordance with the authority conferred
upon him by the Constitution concerning the
payment of petroleum taxes upon contracts
entered into prior to May 1 , 1917 , the date of
the operation of the new Constitution. It is
as follows :
ART. 1. There is hereby suspended the
moratorium affecting petroleum contracts con
cluded prior to May 1 , 1917, which may have
as an object the renting of lands for the
exploitation of carbures of hydrogen or the
permits to carry out such exploitation through
onerous titles.
ART. 2. For the enforcement of this law,
three different periods are hereby established :
I. The period ending on April 15, 1913 .
II. The period included between April 16,
1913, and November 30, 1916.
III. The period included between December
1, 1916, and April 30 , 1917.
ART. 3. All contracts concluded prior to
April 16, 1913, shall be considered as having
been made in silver, without regard to the
terms used in the wording of the documents
relating thereto, and the rents derived from
said contracts shall be paid according to the
following terms :
I. Rents rendered and due up to July 31 ,
1913, shall be paid in silver at par without any
reductions whatever.
II. Rents rendered and due during the
period included between August 1 , 1913, and
November 30, 1916, shall be paid in metal in
the amount equivalent to its nominal value,
in accordance to the official table appearing in
Article 10, Section I, of the law of December
24th, with the understanding that the equiva
lent type shall be the one of the month of
each maturity.
III. Rents rendered and due in the period
included between December 1 , 1916, and April
30, 1917, as well as those caused prior to that
date, shall be paid in silver par without reduc
tion whatever .
ART. 4. In the contracts concluded during
the second period without the express agree
ment of paying in special kind of money, the
rents due as well as the future rents shall be
paid in metallic coin equivalent to the value
that the paper money had in relation to silver
at the date on which said contracts were con
cluded, in accordance with the official table
appearing in Article 10, Section I , of the law
of December 24, 1917.
ART. 5. In the contracts concluded during
the second period, in which an express agree
ment for paying in a special kind of money
with the exclusion of any other money was
made, the rents shall be paid, if they were
made in silver, in accordance to the agree
ment ; and if the agreement was to pay in
bank notes of a certain bank or in foreign
money, the payment shall be obligatory to be
made in metallic national money, in accord
ance to the rates of exchange approved by the
A
MEXICAN REVIEW 7
Companies Producing and
Taxes Exporting Petroleum
Authoritative Information Regarding
Companies in the Republic
to May 1 , 1917
ECAUSE of many inquiries regarding oil
Department of Finance, taking as a type the BEcompanies operating in Mexico, THE RE
one current during the date in which the con VIEW has secured from authoritative sources
tracts were concluded.
the following list of companies at present
ART. 6. There shall not be considered for
actually producing as well as those exporting
the effect of the previous article as an express
petroleum from the Republic. This list may
agreement to pay in metallic money the printed
blanks used in contracts . be depended upon for accuracy and complete
ness. None others than these are producing
ART. 7. In regard to the contracts con
cluded during the third period, the rents due or exporting.
as well as future rents shall be paid in metallic From Tuxpam :
money, in accordance with the terms therein Mexican Petroleum Co. , "El Aguila."
mentioned. Penn-Mex . Fuel Co.
ART. 8. The stipulation mentioned in Art.
From Tampico :
5, with regard to foreign money, is also appli
cable to all cases of obligations contracted in Huasteca Petroleum Co.
said kind of money without regard to the Mexican Petroleum Co., "El Aguila.”
period in which they were contracted . East Coast Oil Co.
Freeport and Mexican Fuel Oil Corporation .
ART. 9. In all cases in which it may not
The Tampico Company.
appear sufficiently clear for the enforcement
Mexican Gulf Company.
of this law, the authority acquainted with the
case shall form a file of the proceedings with The Texas Company.
all the details relating thereto, in copy, and it Interocean Oil Co. (non-producing ; export
shall be sent with a report to the Department only) .
of Finance, in order that the latter may dic Standard Oil Co. ( non-producing ; export
tate the respective elucidating resolution. only) .
ART. 10. Any person who may be interested Pierce Oil Corporation (non -producing ; ex
in the enforcement of this law can consult the port only) .
Department of Finance, submitting the point Union Oil Co. (non -producing ; export only) .
which might have appeared doubtful in regard The following companies are producing, but
to the dispositions of the same.
not exporting :
ART. 11. In the conflicts arisen among pri
La Petrolera Poblana , S. A.
vate parties caused by the enforcement of this
Veracruz-Mex. Oil Syndicate, Ltd.
law, the interested parties may apply to the
Topila Petroleum Co.
administrative branch ' by sending a memo
Tampacas Petroleum Co.
randum to the Department of Finance, in
"Tal Vez" Oil Co.
which they must state all the necessary data,
Transcontinental Petroleum Co.
and the latter shall decide the question if they
Panuco-Boston Oil Co.
have manifested their intention of submitting
National Oil Co.
themselves to its decision , with the under
Mexican Petroleum Co.
standing that if they choose for the adminis
Mexican Oil Co.
trative way to decide the question they cannot
Cia. Pet. "Monterrey," S. A.
apply to the judiciary.
Mexican Fuel Co.
Transitory Articles :
"La Corona" Co.
I. The laws and regulations opposing to
this law are hereby derogated. The Mexican Petroleum Company and the
II. This law shall begin to take effect from Transcontinental have contracts for oil deliv
the date of its publication in the Diario Oficial eries in Mexico, which they are filling.
of the Federation .
Retail Prices in Mexico City
Emigration Discouraged From the latest newspapers received from
The Department of State has notified the Mexico City are taken the following retail
Governors of the States of Chihuahua, Coa prices of various necessaries of life :
huila, Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon and others on Starch-17½ cents American gold per lb.
Rice-9.66 cents.
or near the border to discourage the organi
zation of parties of workingmen by foreigners Sugar-814 to 12½ cents.
for the purpose of seeking employment in Coffee (green ) -834 cents .
other countries. It declares that the promises Dried Meat-20 cents .
made by the employment agents have not been Beans- 10 cents.
kept and that numbers of Mexicans have Garbanzas (chick peas ) -94 cents.
found themselves penniless and under distress Flour-6 cents.
ing conditions at border points owing to such Corn-4½ cents . "
failure. For this reason the authorities are Lard- 36 cents.
requested to oppose this kind of operation in . Potatoes- 4.6 cents.
the future. Other food articles at proportionate prices .
8 THE
Recent Tariff Changes
Presidential Authority to Modify Export and Import Duties
Without First Submitting the Changes to Congress
ANY changes have recently been
made in the Mexican import and ex-
port tariffs and customs regulations.
Frequent recourse has been made to the law
authorizing the President to modify import and
export duties without first submitting the pro
posed changes to Congress . Of some assist
ance in the construction of the many laws and
orders covering export and import duties and
internal taxes, however, is the budget law for
1918, which specifies the laws which shall be
regarded as still in force, without itself intro
ducing any changes of importance. The paper
surtax of 100 per cent of the duty, which is
negligible in amount, as also the port surtaxes
of 12 to 2 per cent of the duty, depending on
the port of importation, and certain unim
portant special surtaxes, are continued, as are
the various internal stamp and other taxes and
charges.
Power to adopt discriminating tariffs was
conferred upon the President by a law of
December 25, 1917. Under this law "the
Executive is authorized, while the abnormal
conditions arising from the present world war
continue, to adopt differential rules and tariff
schedules for the various nations with which
Mexico has commercial relations, in order to
favor commerce with such countries as place
no restrictions of any kind on their commerce
with the Mexican Republic." So far no action
has been taken under this authorization, but it
is understood that a differential tariff schedule
is in the course of preparation .
Import Duties
The exemption from import duties for au
tomobiles and other vehicles specified in tariff
items 624, 625, and 627-629 of the Mexican
import tariff has been extended to June 30,
1918, as has also that for lard, rice, potatoes,
grains, sugar, and flour. The exemption for
automobiles applies also to attachments for
converting Ford automobiles into motor
trucks.
Articles on which the duties have recently
been modified include corsets, cotton and cot
ton fabrics , and malt. In the case of corsets ,
the new rates, which went into effect on Feb
ruary 1 , 1918, represent an increase of 50 per
cent over the former rates, the object of the
increase being to encourage the domestic in
dustry. The same reason was assigned for
the imposition of duty on certain cotton
fabrics, which had been free of duty since
August 1 , 1917. The new duties began to be
applied December 20, 1917, and are 25 per cent
of the regular duties specified in the import
tariff under items 313 and 315, for plain cot
ton fabrics not over 130 centimeters ( 51.18
inches ) in width and containing up to 60
threads in the warp and weft in 1 square cen
timeter ( 152.4 threads per square inch ) .
Dyed, printed or colored cotton fabrics speci
fied in items 319 and 320 receive a reduction
MEXICAN REVIEW
of 50 per cent of the duties if containing not
more than 40 threads in the warp and weft in
1 square centimeter ( 101.6 threads per square
inch ) , and of 25 per cent of the duty if the
number of threads is from 40 to 60. Ginned
cotton and cotton thread on spools pay only
25 per cent of the corresponding duties, and
cotton and wool blankets are admitted free.
No time limit is fixed for the application of
these reductions and exemptions.
The duty on malt has been increased to 0.08
peso per kilo, and unconfirmed reports have
been received that the duties on American ma
chinery and implements of iron are to be fixed
at 0.05 peso to 2 pesos per 100 kilos, in place
of 0.02 peso per kilo, or remitted altogether.
The exemption granted to agricultural ma
chinery since October 1 , 1917, has already been
noted in Commerce Reports of October 2,
1917.
Export Duties
The changes in the Mexican export duties
and regulations have been especially numerous .
Official values have been fixed for determin
ing the export duties on hides and skins and
henequen, which were placed on an ad valorem
basis by a decree of September 22, 1917, while
the duties on green guayule and on rubber and
guayule gum specified in the same decree have
been reduced to 3 per cent and 2 per cent,
respectively.
The schedule of valuation for assessing the
export duties on petroleum products during
January and February shows an increase of
100 per cent in the valuation of refined gaso
line and of about 33 1-3 per cent for unre
fined gasoline . It is reported that the taxes on
petroleum properties and petroleum products
are to be further increased.
Duties on Ores and Metals
Of special interest are the recent changes
in the export duties on ores and metals. On
December 13, 1917, it was decided to double
the export duties on gold and silver, thereby
making the rates 10 per cent ad valorem on
bullion , and 14 per cent ad valorem on ores
and concentrates, but these increases were ap
parently never put in force as the monthly
schedule of taxes for February, 1918, shows
about the same level as heretofore. On Jan
uary 22, 1918, however, a decree was issued re
ducing to 1 per cent ad valorem the export
duty on zinc in the form of ore, concentrates,
or bars, the duty on other ores remaining 3
per cent ad valorem . More recently the duty
on graphite has been reduced to 1.3 per cent
ad valorem. The reduction in the duty on
zinc was found necessary by reason of the
decrease in the price in the United States. An
order had previously been issued to facilitate
the exportation of zinc before the assay had
been completed .
By a decree of December 14, 1917, export
May, 1918
duties were placed on iron and steel bars, wire,
ingots, structural shapes, railway material,
beams, and other forms, which were previ
ously free of duty. At the same time the ex
portation of iron and steel manufactures,
cables, pipe, and machinery was prohibited, ex
cept with the permission of the Treasury De
partment.
Export Embargoes
In modification of the export tariff, abso
lute or conditional embargoes have been placed
on the exportation of meats, fresh eggs, and
milk, hog lard , potatoes, and imported goods ,
the exportation of which is regarded by the
Secretary of the Treasury as prejudicial to the
national interests . Aniline and coal-tar dyes
and natural and synthetic alizarine have also
been placed under embargo.
Consular and Customs Regulations
A circular issued on January 4, 1918, con
tains important regulations regarding declara
tions of value. In accordance with the terms
of this circular, which is a restatement of
previous regulations, the commercial invoices
covering shipments to Mexico must bear at
the foot a sworn declaration signed by the
manufacturer or vendor to the effect that the
values stated therein are correct and be pre
sented to the consul, together with the con
sular invoice. The invoice bearing the declara
tion is to be retained by the consul, a note to
that effect being made on all the copies of the
consular invoice. Fraudulent declarations are
punishable by a fine of from 10 to 100 pesos,
in addition to the amount of the consular fees
avoided. The declaration on the commercial
invoice is not required of commission agents.
and similar representatives, who must, how
ever, sign the declaration in the consular in
voice.
Extensive Use of Autos
Statistics regarding the use of auto
mobiles in the city of Mexico show that
in 1910 there were 600 machines in private
ownership for personal use, while in 1918 the
number had increased to 1283. In 1910 there
were but 15 machines for hire to the public,
while in 1918 the number is 780. Besides
these, there are 44 taximeters, 92 motorcycles
and 1469 bicycles in use, with 195 motor trucks.
There are also 822 horse-drawn carriages for
public rental. During the past year upward of
twelve million liters of gasoline were used in
the city, equal to about three million gallons,
the average price paid by consumers being the
equivalent of ten cents American gold per liter
or forty cents per gallon. The manufacture
of automobiles, tires and other essentials is
now being carried on in the Republic and will
be extensively increased owing to the embargo
established by the United States upon the ex
portation of such articles.
Extensive discoveries of guano are reported
from Sonora as having been made by miners
prospecting in the Sierra Madre. Large caves
have been found in which this valuable sub
stance has been accumulating for centuries,
and many thousands of tons are available for
shipment.
May, 1918 THE
Land , Crops and Food
Increased Area Cultivated, Crops Promise Abundant
EPORTS have been received by the
Department of Agriculture from the
R chief grain-producing sections of the
Republic that the prospects for the coming
crop are excellent for an unusually large yield.
Weather conditions have been very favorable
and the acreage planted is larger than ever
before. Material reductions in the price of
wheat and flower are therefore predicted.
A special agency has been established at
Laredo under the direction of the Department
of Agriculture for expediting the importation
of agricultural machinery, seeds, plants, etc.,
to be used in the Republic. Various State
governments as well as the National Adminis
tration are purchasing tractors and other
modern machinery and instructing farmers in
their use .
At the colony of Nacimiento, in the State of
Coahuila, lands are being allotted to cultiva
tors in small tracts, according to instructions
from the Secretary of Fomento. These lands
are very fertile and well watered and are
largely held by Indians of the old Seminole
and Kickapoo tribes, who emigrated to that
region from the United States many years ago.
The municipal officials of all towns in the
Federal District have taken steps to put into
cultivation all vacant lands that are not utilized
by their owners for productive purposes. Sev
eral thousands of acres will thus be added to
the crop-producing capacity of that region ,
which will materially benefit the markets of
the capital city.
A meeting of farmers was held in the Fed
eral District on the fifteenth of the present
month for the purpose of arranging for the
cultivation of all the lands belonging to the
municipality which were not in use. Lands
belonging to private parties but not cultivated
are also included, use to be made for a single
year only.
The importation of agricultural machinery
of modern type upon a large scale has been
decided upon by Secretary Rouaix, of the De
partment of Agriculture and Development,
and the necessary steps are being taken to
introduce such articles free of all duty in
accordance with the recent declaration of
President Carranza .
Some ten thousand tons of sugar are being
shipped from various Central American coun
tries to west coast ports. Four thousand tons
have already arrived at Manzanillo , and the
remainder is en route. As rapidly as received
it is shipped by rail to other portions of the
Republic where the crop was short.
It is announced on authority that the sugar
crop of the State of Sinaloa for the season
reached the total of 22,000 tons, while the
crop of corn has been so large that several
States have been supplied with all that was
needed because of the temporary and limited
shortage in the grain crop.
By the reclamation of large areas of land
that have been subject to inundation on the
MEXICAN REVIEW 9
The Government now has six extensive
gardens for the propagation of trees of vari
ous kinds, including many varities of fruit,
and a grand total of over a million and a half
are produced each year for general distribu
Yield, and Food Shortage Remedied
tion . Attention is being paid to the reforesta
borders of Lake Chapala, in the State of tion of extensive areas of land that have been
Jalisco, much fertile and productive soil has denuded of their former growth and are not
been brought under cultivation, while at the adapted to agricultural purposes .
same time the sanitary conditions of that The municipal authorities of Torreon report
region have been greatly improved. that a large portion of the hitherto unutilized
Reports from Chihuahua and from the La lands in that section have been put under culti
guna region of Coahuila and Durango state vation under its regulation and that as a result,
that after two years of short crops, owing to climatic exigencies excepted, the coming crop
unfavorable weather conditions, the prospects will be sufficient to remove all danger of
now are for the best output ever known. The shortage or consequent suffering among the
poor.
area under cultivation has been largely in
creased, and the crops have been diversified . Secretary Pastor Rouaix , of the Department
of Fomento and Agriculture , has been visiting
Two new factories have been established in
the Laguna region of Coahuila and Durango,
Villahermosa, capital of the State of Tabasco ,
and after inspection says that he is satisfied
for the manufacture of flour from bananas,
the wheat crop alone of that locality will
and the extraction and utilization of the rubber
aggregate twenty thousand tons- sufficient to
contained in the skins of the fruit. Several
plants are already operating sucessfully. supply all the needs of the adjacent States and
Official reports from the State of Jalisco leave a large surplus for exportation to other
declare that conditions of all kinds in that portions of the Republic.
In response to the request of the Governor
section have resumed a normal state. Indus
of the State of Nuevo Leon, the Department
tries of every variety are in full operation,
agricultural pursuits especially being prosper of Agriculture has sent to that section sup
plies of seeds and also a number of tractors
ous, while the coming crops of all kinds will
for the use of the poorer farmers. The seed
be larger than ever before.
will be distributed free of charge and the
A plant of the agave family has been dis
tractors will be ultimately sold on time to
covered in the State of Oaxaca that produces
those making use thereof.
a fiber in every respect equal to that of the
henequen of Yucatan. The Department of Official reports from the State of Durango
Agriculture will undertake its exploitation are of the most encouraging character, both
upon an extensive scale. as regards social conditions and also as to the
The Department of Agriculture proposes to prospects for the coming grain crop . With a
slight exception the entire State is free from
establish a plant with the most modern ma
banditry and the outlaws remaining in the
chinery for the purpose of extracting oil from
mountain fastnesses are being pursued with
the large variety of seeds and fruits produced
vigor.
in the Republic and which possess valuable
The Government of the United States has
oleaginous properties.
opened an agricultural experimental station at
Reports from Chiapas are that the crop of
corn and other cereals for the present season. Torreon, the principal object of which is to
study the cultivation of cotton and to take
has been larger than for years and that much
measures to combat the various insect enemies
has been shipped to other sections, while prices
of the plant which abound in the Laguna
have been materially decreased as a result.
region.
Six steamers recently discharged at the port
of Manzanillo large shipments of corn , beans , A large amount of flour recently received in
the capital city is to be made into bread and
sugar, "sesame," and other food products,
sold at cost to the poor under Governmental
which are being shipped into the interior of
the Republic where crops have been tempo auspices.
rarily short.
Reports are received from the State of
Nuevo Leon that crops in all sections promise Powerful Wireless Station
to be most abundant. The rainfall has been
A new wireless station has been estab
better than usual, while the area under culti
lished on the island of Lobos, off the
vation has been largely increased.
It is estimated that the crop of potatoes that coast of Tampico , largely for the purpose of
will be harvested in the State of Guanajuato affording the various petroleum companies fa
in May and June will reach eleven million ilities for communicating with their vessels
pounds, which will permit of large shipments while great distances at sea. This station is
to other portions of the Republic. provided with some of the most powerful ap
A decree has been prepared permitting the paratus and will be able to communicate with
free importation of the machinery needed in the wireless stations at Mexico City, Tuxpam ,
agricultural and mining development in all Tampico , Vera Cruz, Progreso , Frontera ,
portions of the Republic and will shortly be Mazatlan, Santa Rosalia, La Paz, Queretaro ,
issued and put into effect. Monterrey, Saltillo , Torreon, and by way of
The National Agrarian Commission is con Havana with various stations in the United
sidering the proper means for indemnifying States. It is expected to prove of great value
land owners whose property is necessary for in advancing the commercial interests of the
carrying out the work of that body. Republic.
10 THE
Moral Support for Mexico
A Long Oppressed People Worthy of the Same Consideration
the United States Accords to Other Liberty Lovers
Mrs. George D. Shadburne, Jr. , in San Francisco "Chronicle"
HEN one hears on all sides expres
sions of sympathy for those who are
Wat present involved in the greatest
struggle of all history, battling to preserve all
of those ideals that embody the great principles
of democracy ; when one hears and reads the
opinions that express a common understand
ing, a generous fellow feeling for the Russian
heroes and martyrs who are spattering the
pages of Russian history with their noble
blood in order to deliver their people from
an excruciating thralldom, and to afford them
the privilege of inhaling the breath of liberty
and all that goes with this precious gift—one
wonders why this common understanding, this
sympathy, this fellow- feeling is never extended
one foot over the border south of us. One
wonders why we, the people of this great
American nation, admitted to be the most
generous in the whole world, have withheld
from our sister Republic what we have ac
corded to the other struggling nations.
Story Written in Blood
Mexico's bitter and tragical story is written
in the blood of thousands of martyrs- mar
tyrs and heroes who died so that they might
bequeath to their children and their children's
children that for which we are all fighting
today- Freedom ! Freedom of body, freedom
of thought, freedom to develop their country,
freedom to educate their people, freedom to
break the mental bondage of the poor, who
have been saturated with the lesson of sub
mission, humility and obedience for over 400
years ! Freedom to let in the blessed light to
these dumb-driven masses, who have been so
cowed that they were willing to remain cowed !
Freedom for their laboring classes, from the
stifling peonage under which they have tottered
for ages ! Freedom to operate their govern
mental affairs according to their own interpre
tation of the principles of democracy ! Free
dom to develop and manage the great indusA
tries of their country, for the advantage of the
Mexican people ! Freedom to enforce the
laws which are incorporated in their great
Constitution ! Freedom to own their country
and manage their own affairs , for the Mexi
cans and by the Mexicans !
Deny Mexico Justice
And yet, there are those, and plenty of
them, who deny to Mexico what they proclaim
in clarion tones is the just right of other
nations. They have even attempted to try to
make the Mexicans believe they must change
themselves into something else. They must
not think with a Mexican mind-they must not
feel with a Mexican soul. The Mexicans are
proud of their ancestry, proud of their intelli
gence, proud of their talents, proud of their
inherent sentiments, and wish to remain Mexi
cans. The opposition which has been hurled
against the loyal heroes , defenders of " The
MEXICAN REVIEW
Reformation," has been appalling and incom
prehensible. We are condemning on one side
what we defend on another.
Confusion and Discontent
Mexico finds herself in the same condition
that the South was after the Civil War. Nat
urally, confusion and discontent followed
confusion, owing to the various political
groups fighting for supremacy, and discontent
from among the groups of the defeated . Only,
in Mexico's case the conditions have been
worse. Outside greedy interests have labored
to keep those groups apart, have labored to
keep the spark of hatred burning ; they don't
want the people united ; they know that the
complete union of the Mexican people means
the death knell of the exploiter, of the inter
ferer. But, in spite of all this , Mexico is
succeeding ; the people are uniting, and it will
not be long before they are all bound by the
ties of a common suffering, and by the ties
of brotherly love. There are those among the
defeated who have nobly admitted the terrible.
wrong which has existed in that country for
so many years.
So- Called Prosperity Under Diaz
Many say that never was the country so
prosperous as during the administration of
Don Porfirio Diaz, but they forget to add
that never were so many foreigners prosper
ous in a foreign country, and never in the
history of any nation were a native people
more neglected and oppressed .
How long would our laboring classes stand
for a wage of one-half of a bit a day (64
cents) ? Can the American mind grasp or
would it countenance such a condition as this ?
How long would our laboring classes stand
being refused the privilege of the ballot? And
how long would a decent American public
endure such treatment of their people ? And
I have heard an ex-General of the Porfirio
Diaz army say that these unfortunates did not
need the vote, that they would not vote if
they could, and, furthermore, that they did
not understand it. He also made the state
ment that all the women of this class needed
was one dress , one pair of shoes, a little patch
around a house (he did not describe that ) ,
with a few little trees and a few little vege
tables , and no theaters and no movies - that
they did not care for anything more, even if
offered to them. How long would the daugh
ter of one of our laborers stand for that sort
of a life ? One dress ! One pair of shoes !
And no movies ! And, furthermore, they were
willing to remain in that state of bondage.
Will the American mind read between the
lines and grasp the spirit of this statement ?
This General, this man presumably well edu
cated, really is sincere in his belief ; he thinks
that this is the proper way to take care of the
masses. He is simply another version of the
May, 1918
system which has controlled that misunder
stood country for all these ages !
Branded as Bandits
And yet, when a group of noble, high
minded, educated men demanded a change in
their economic life, a change that would bring
about a more equitable system of caring for
their fellow beings, they were branded as
bandits, as thieves, as murderers. Of course,
those who were fattening their pocketbooks
at the expense of this downtrodden race
joined the Mexicans who formed the ring that
suffocated the populace and caused them to
rise in their might, burst asunder the chains
which were strangling the very vitals of
their nation and fight to the death for the
emancipation of their people .
And now that Victory has crowned their
efforts, and they are bending every energy to
firmly establish the great principles for which
they fought, let us extend to them that same
fellow feeling, that same understanding, that
same moral support which we are giving to
the other nations who are struggling for what
Mexico has yearned for and been deprived of
all these long, weary years.
Mormons Returning to
Chihuahua State
Facilities for Bringing Their Families
to Their Old Homes
HE Secretary of 1 State transmitted under
TH a recent date to the Inspectors of the
Immigration Service in the Republic the fol
lowing circular :
"This Bureau is informed that certain Mor
mons who have returned to the State of
Chihuahua, when they became aware of the
situation maintained in the region where they
lived, returned to the United States for the
purpose of bringing their families to the place
where they had invested in lands, but were
unable to use, for a second time, the pass
ports issued them for coming to our country.
"For the purpose of saving trouble for the
Mormons referred to, the Secretary of For
eign Affairs has already instructed Mexican
Consuls in North America to the effect that
they affix a special note to every passport they
may issue to persons found in the condition
mentioned, exempting the Inspector from
making cancellations required by Circular No.
1965 of this Bureau, dated the fourteenth of
last September. At the same time permit me
to note that every passport issued by foreign
authorities for their respective citizens should
be vised by the Mexican Consul nearest the
point of departure, without which requisite
the document must not be accepted by our
immigration officers, since there is danger that
some foreigners recognized as enemies of our
Government may enter the country to exploit
seditious work.
"Communicated to you for your information
and in order that you regulate your conduct
in conformity with the aforesaid,-I repeat to
you my attentive consideration .
"Constitution and Reforms .
"Mexico, February 22, 1918.
"Office of the Chief Secretary, P. Machorro
and Narvez ."

May, 1918 THE
Canadian and Mexican Trade
Each Country Has Many Products That the Other Needs
Water Transportation Facilities the Only Obstacle
AM glad to see Canadians commencing
to display an interest in Mexican com
Imercial possibilities," remarked Edward
J. Leveson to a representative of The Sun.
"There are in that country vast possibilities
for the development of a large and lucrative
trade. Mexico has many things that we want,
and we have many things that she needs. All
that now is required to commence to bring
some of these commercial benefits to Vancou
ver is a coastal connection by ships, preferably
1 ships fitted with refrigerator apparatus, so that
the splendid tropical fruits of that country
can be brought in safely. Of course, the other
products of the country, the main articles of
commerce, would not require refrigerator pro
tection."
Though reluctant to be interviewed, Mr.
Leveson was well informed on economic, com
mercial and political conditions in Mexico and
willing to explain Mexican conditions. He
spent many years there before he came to
this city, and he is still actively interested in
Mexican properties, being in addition to other
associations in Mexico a director in the British
Columbia-Mexico Co. , Ltd., a large develop
ment company on the west coast.
Stable Foundation
"The Mexican Government," he continued,
"is on a far more stable foundation now than
many people realize. President Carranza is
fast getting matters into shape . The Consti
tution of the new Mexican Government is one
of the most progressive, and in many respects
radical, codes that the world has ever seen.
The notable features of it are the new agra
rian and labor laws. It contains the best
points of the constitutions of the United States
and the French republics .
"We on the west coast of the Dominion
should extend a warm welcome to Señor
Eduardo Soriano Bravo, the newly appointed
consul-general of Mexico to Canada," he said.
"Señor Bravo has for some years repre
sented his country as consul at New Orleans,
and now he is here in Canada to investigate
and encourage the many possibilities of trade
between Mexico and ourselves.
"Through some years of internal trouble and
dissension, disturbing the economic condition
of her territories, Mexico is emerging into a
period of reconstruction of her social, financial
and commercial conditions ; and we feel sure
that you will be glad to hear first hand some
of the interesting facts in relation thereto
which her official representative has to tell us.
Friend of President
"It has been a great pleasure to me person
ally to meet Señor Bravo, not only in his
official capacity, but as a personal friend of the
President of Mexico , Señor Carranza, who
honored me, through his finance minister, Sr.
Lic. Luis Cabrera, with a message to the Pre
mier of Canada last year, assuring Canada of
MEXICAN REVIEW
Mexico's adherence to strict neutrality in this
period of war-when the press of the United
States was hinting at the reverse.
"The British Columbia-Mexico Company, in
which I am interested, is developing proper
ties, productive of foodstuffs, on the west
coast of Mexico , and we hope in the near
future to become pioneers in the resuscitation
of trade between the two countries, each of
which is capable of supplying the other's
wants. We also look forward to the possi
bility of direct water transportation between
Mexico's west coast and our own here of
Victoria and Vancouver.
Canada-Mexico Service
Mr. Leveson stated that in his opinion the
future trade of Canada with Mexico was made
possible by the water route of the Pacific. It
should be undertaken with regular scheduled
sailings, proper supervision , and thorough or
ganization , through which means only a satis
factory service be established. Every possible
credit should be given to the Mexican Gov
ernment and to Señor Bravo for their efforts
now being put forth to develop a Canadian
trade. The Mexican Government sincerely
desired the development of trade with this
country, and in such development lay a prom
ising future for those who went into it. But
business negotiations should be carefully con
sidered before definite action is taken.
The company which Mr. Leveson represents
is developing agricultural properties on the
Southern Pacific Railway on the western sea
board of Mexico near the towns of Mazatlan
and Acaponeta. The company has full powers
for trade, shipping, manufacture and develop
ment, and has spent a large amount of money
in development. To show the fertility of the
soil there, Mr. Leveson gave an estimate of
the 1918 crop production on properties on the
west coast. Tomatoes would produce 320
boxes per acre , beans 1600 pounds to the acre,
corn 4800 pounds to the acre. Other agri
cultural products grew in proportion . The ex
ports include silver, gold , copper, rubber, hides ,
coffee, hardwood, lumber and dye-woods ,
vanilla, beans, tobacco, cotton-seed meal and
cakes, and tropical fruits.
Plenty of Fruit
"There is no reason why Mexico should not
supply the whole Pacific coast with tropical
fruits," said Mr. Leveson. "In my opinion
that is one of the greatest commercial open
ings to be found in a country which offers
more inducement to capital at the present time
than any part of the Americas. The fruit
could be shipped up the coast from the west
of Mexico and landed right here in Vancouver
in much less time and at much less cost than
tropical fruit is bought to -day.
"With the quieting down of the rebellion
there will be the greatest boom in land on this
continent. The country will, I believe, settle
11
up rapidly, trade and commerce will flourish,
the wonderful crop-growing propensities of
the land will be exploited to the full, and the
ground will be mined more assiduously than
ever. I anticipate a very great future for
Mexico ."
Mr. Leveson called special attention to the
improved credit and promised banking facili
ties under the present Mexican Government.
Vancouver (B. C. ) Daily Sun.
OIL
I am older than thou !
Before you were, I was.
Through countless ages have I been conserved
by Mother Nature.
I lay inert and unchanging,
Yet power within me lay !
Yes, power to dispel darkness alone at first !
Then great and mobile heat was developed
from me!
I served the housewife midst her labors in the
kitchen !
Then I leapt to the side of the master I had
made !
I drove him first from penury to plutocracy !
Then I drove him winging along his chariots
of speed ,
And I too am that who has conquered the air !
And likewise have I conquered the deeps !
Man loves me like a lavish mistress !
I need but hint my presence ,
And , lo ! leagues and hemispheres does he
travel in search of me !
For he knows that always am I alluring and
enchanting !
Even though betimes deceiving and hope
deferring ,
Mistress am I of thousands of masters !
My first smile is as the rainbow !
And how eagerly grasp they that faintest rain
bow hue !
For its deepening smile lures them down to
me!
Down to the depths of earth ,
To encourage its alluring charm,
I touch them and soon Midas, Croesus and
Monte Cristo of fabled fame are fleshed
alive!
My vanguard are braver than the crusaders of
old !
My troopers more valiant than Cæsar's
legions !
And, perhaps, of greater multitude !
Master have I none ; yet mistress am I of
armies !
To -day, cupped in my palm, hold I the destiny
of dictators !
I add to science's learning !
Distances I destroy !
Heights I scale !
Seas I ride, their depths I defy!
Industry I encourage !
Adventure I reward!
Patience I immortalize !
Fickle though am I !
Sinews and brawn I command!
Brain and energy watch my beck!
Before you were, I was!
Yet ever at your side find you me!
I am oil! -Unknown.
12
THE
The Truth About
A Californian Opinion That What That Country Need's
FTER great tribulation, it has become
apparent that the Carranza Govern
A ment is an enlightened Government,
in possession of ade
quate power fully to
restore and maintain
order in the country,
and all that is neces
sary to enable it to
accomplish those pur
poses is for the gov-1
ernments and people of
other countries to let
Mexico alone.
There is still some
banditry in Mexico ,
which is none of our
business, except in so
far as it may be our
duty to ascertain to
what extent it is in
spired and supported
by the money of
Americans, to locate
any of our citizens who
are or have been guilty
of such practices and
inflict suitable punish
ment upon them.
The fundamental
cause of the troubles
which have existed in
Mexico is the attempt
to perpetuate in that
country the ancient
Spanish system , under
which the lords were
the owners of all the
lands and the people
who tilled them de
pendents. This feeling
was accentuated by a
system of taxation
which derived public
revenues mainly from
taxation of personal
effort, while the great
land holdings were left
untaxed .
That system ought
to be changed, and will
be. To the extent that
the national faith is
involved in respect to
grants and concessions ,
it ought to be and pre
sumably will be kept.
If land once granted is
expropriated, the owner
should have compensa
tion based on present
income - producing
value, which in most
cases would be trifling.
One great exception is in respect to land deposits, who most strenuously object to any
found to contain petroleum. In those cases
the Government intends rightly to protest impair their power to exploit the Mexican
May, 1918
MEXICAN REVIEW
people forever. It is believed in Mexico that
Mexico it is from these foreigners, and especially from
Americans, that the greater part of the money
has come to maintain banditry. Names are
Is to Be Let Entirely Alone freely mentioned, and if our own Government
has any desire to ascertain whether reports of
the public interest by appropriate taxation. American contributions to Mexican banditry
But there are American landowners in are true it can get " clews" from almost any
Mexico, and foreign exploiters of petroleum one on the street.
There are obvious ef
forts to create hostility
to Mexico by reports
that the Government in
tends to prohibit the ex
port of Mexican oil. The
Mexican Government de
nies such intention , and
is plainly as willing to
profit by selling to any
belligerent as we were
before we entered the
war. And nobody could
be more willing than that.
But if Mexico should
prohibit exports it would
be as much within its
rights as we are in pro
hibiting the export of
hundreds of things,
among them gold which
is the property of the
Mexican Government or
people incautiously en
trusted to our keeping.
If any American does
201 not like Mexican insti
tutions, or Mexican cus
toms or people, he should.
stay out of Mexico . No
body asks him to go
there. If he goes there,
he should be prepared to
treat the Mexican people
and institutions with the
same respect which we
expect from Mexicans
visiting us. And if he
adopts Mexico as
permanent residence he
should assimilate himself
into the Mexican life
just as we expect immi
grants to be assimilated
into American life.
An American who goes
into Mexico and puts on
airs, pretending superi
ority and exhibiting con
tempt of those about him
will deserve, and proba
bly get, about the same
treatment which a Mexi
can would get by ex
pressing contempt for
America on the streets
of San Franciso . - San
Main Entrance to the Church of Tepozatlan, State of Mexico Francisco Chronicle.
The collections of duties on postal packages
change of Mexican institutions which will
entering Mexico from the United States
reaches a total of $60,000 annually.
May, 1918 THE MEXICAN REVIEW 13

agement here is in the hands of American

Regarding Foreign Trade business men like yourselves . It is strictly
non-political . It is the practical channel for
Mexican Chamber of Commerce Talks to American the work that is to be done here.
Manufacturers, Exporters and Importers Through this membership you will at trifling
expense be brought and kept in close touch
YOU are keeping more foreign trade. The Americans living and doing business in with this field, which is of far greater impor
Mexico is your nearest neighbor. When Mexico are aroused to this crisis . We are tance to your interest than you have realized.
Y the revival comes here it will bring cultivating friendly trade relations in Mexico Yours truly,
great trade activity, and AMERICAN CHAMBER
it is up to Americans to OF COMMERCE OF
to hold their present MEXICO, S. C. L.
lead. Mr. John Barrett S. W. RIDER, President.
estimates that after
C. B. PARKER,
Mexico's troubles are
Acting Secretary.
settled her foreign busi
ness will increase near
Reason vs.
fourfold in ten years.
Her oil production has Fanaticism
increased fiftyfold If you were to dis
since 1907. The vast cuss Mexico with many
resources of the country Americans you would
are scarcely touched. find no difficulty in ob

K1222E0
If you are already en taining the prompt ver

434674
gaged in this field the dict that "Mexico is no
American Chamber of good" and that "Mex
Commerce can help ico ought to be abol
you. If you are not, ished." If you were to
you should thus get in discuss it further you
touch with the field would find from these
and so prepare for the persons that "Mexico
future. has been the scourge
Mexico is seventeen of humanity in the
and a half times the Western Hemisphere,"
size of Cuba and infi and that "it never will
nitely greater in re be worth a continental
TREME

sources. Cuba's prod until the United States

ucts are limited to shall have seized it and
163

tropical, chiefly sugar made it a place mod

and tobacco . Mexico eled after the plan of
has all these and also the United States, in
--

metals, oil , timber, type and kind of gov

corn, wheat, live stock ernment."
-everything-as possi Should you seek fur
ble products. It is ther information from
three times as large as persons rendering these
all of Central America off-hand remedies for
and the West Indies the Mexican Nation
combined. you would find that
The European na they never had seen
tions must get from Mexico ; that they had
abroad raw materials never lived in the coun
for manufacturing af try for which they had
ter the war, and must a remedy, and you fur
seek foreign trade. G ther would learn that
Mexico, with its bound they had never even so
less resources and fa much as read the his
vorable position as to tory of the Mexican
transportation, is espe Nation . In fact, your
cially important. Ger SHE informants would be
man capital even now M persons who could in
is being invested here. form you nothing
The United States has about the industrial,
deep interest in the in military or political
crease of the important history of the country
volume of trade that that has had so much
already exists between trouble within the past
the two countries. This Church Front in City of Puebla ten years. Yet they
will help to solve other would tell Mexico how
problems and will add to the prosperity and with the Mexicans. This is for your good as to manage itself and what is the matter with it.
good relations of both countries, as is shown well as ours. We ask you to support us by If you should read Professor Frederic
so strikingly in the case of Cuba and the becoming members of this Chamber of Com Starr's book telling of his recent 26 years of
United States, under much less favorable nat merce. Its usefulness will depend on the life and study of Mexico, where he spent most
ural conditions and importance. breadth of its support and influence. Its man (Concluded on page 24)
14 THE
Mexican Byways and Highways
Scenes and Experiences Away From the Usual
BY GEORGE F. WEEKS
11
On the Desert
HE "lure of the desert" has already
been referred to more or less casually
T and merely as an interlude while dis
cussing another subject. This chapter will be
given up entirely to it, and deservedly so , since
so far as Northern Mexico is concerned, nine
tenths of its area comes properly enough under
this designation as popularly conceived-with
reservations that will be noted. Yet the reader
must ever bear in mind one thing : while his
geographical studies in his youth (if he be
past the fifty mark or thereabouts ) included
of course a variety of information about des
erts, alleged and otherwise, they also included
a most amazing amount of misinformation ,
insomuch that few who have had no personal
experience actually know what a desert is in
reality. In the writer's boyhood, and even
later, for example, the "Great American
Desert" of the geographies , covering a large
portion of what is now Western Kansas,
Oklahoma, Northern Texas , Southern Colo
rado and contiguous territory, was a reality to
the school pupil and to the adult as well. Yet
now it is one of the most fertile and produc
tive portions of the country, in great part. It
was to us, however, as the dictionary and the
geography alike declared, "a sandy, verdure
less, waterless waste." And in our childish
eyes we could see those sandy wastes-resem
bling to our imagination nothing so much as
the sandy dunes of Coney Island and Rocka
way Beach of the sixties and seventies.
It is true, there are portions of all deserts
that are of this character, but they are limited
by comparison with the extensive areas that
are not sandy and without vegetation. This is
true of the so-called deserts of Mexico , just
as it is true of the deserts of the Southwest
-the Colorado and the Mojave deserts of
California, those of Utah and Nevada, of New
Mexico and Arizona. The deserts of Cali
fornia especially, regarded once, and not so
long since either, as of a hopelessly irredeem
able character, have become one of the most
fruitful and productive portions of that won
derfully fruitful and productive common
wealth. One who has never visited the
Imperial Valley of California can realize that
not so many years ago a man who ventured
into it without adequate provision of water,
took his life in his hand, and scores upon
scores have lost their lives because of their
temerity and their ignorance. Any man who
was so visionary, so reckless , so regardless of
what was thought to be the truth as to sug
gest that it held almost unlimited possibilities,
or any possibilities at all, in the way of agri
cultural development, was regarded as little
short of insane. As indeed was actually re
garded the man who devoted the best years of
his life to the effort to convince Congress that
the Colorado "desert" was so only in name
MEXICAN REVIEW
Paths of Travelers and Writers
and that untold wealth lay dormant and await
ing development in its dry, dreary wastes .
Unfortunately he died just as his dreams were
on the point of realization and did not live
to see the desert literally washed off the map
in the only manner that washing can be done
-with water.
So, too, with the deserts of Mexico . The
traveler by rail through the northern tier of
States and some of those immediately adjoin
ing on the south can scarcely be blamed for
fancying that by far the greater portion of
that section is of a hopelessly desert character.
The vast stretches of uninhabited , uncultivated
territory, with the scattering settlements and
small areas under cultivation, are to him proof
positive of the desert character of this region .
The presence of isolated fruitful areas of
limited extent ought, it is true, to show him
his error, but it has the contrary effect. They
ought to show him, as his eyes ought to con
vince him by observing the character of the
soil and the natural vegetation thereon, with
enough of the soil clinging to his person to
permit of a thorough analysis of its character,
that the only thing lacking in order to change
the desert into something more useful is the
same thing that he lacks for personal comfort
and cleanliness while traveling through this
same desert- water.
Wherever a spring is found and tapped ,
wherever a mountain stream is led into the
valley, wherever an embankment is thrown up
and a "tanque" or reservoir formed for the
conservation of the torrential rainfall ( for
though rain falls but seldom on the desert,
when it does fall it comes in volume) , there
the refreshing contrast of growing crops-of
wheat and corn and alfalfa, of fruit tree and
vineyard, of melon and the entire wide range
of food plants-affords a convincing demon
stration that absence of readily obtainable
water is not to be taken as proof positive that
a given region is of the same character as
the fancied "desert" of schoolboy days of the
middle of the last century, and even later.
Come with me on a trip a hundred miles
and more into the desert region to the west
and northwest of Cuatro Cienegas, and see
what it is really like.
Camp outfit, food, blankets in abundance
(for it is cold on the desert at night, no matter
what the month) , and, of more importance
than all else water bags, are fastened securely
on a light vehicle drawn by a couple of little
but wiry mules-the only animals fit for desert
travel, except of course their progenitor, the
burro. Either of the long-eared tribe will
travel day after day and keep in good condi
tion on a minimum of food and water, when
a horse would die under like conditions before
the distance was half covered.
We leave Cuatro Cienegas as soon after
sunrise as possible and strike directly west
May, 1918
toward the precipitous defile that traverses
the mountain range which separates the desert
from the fertile, well-watered valley below.
Past gardens, vineyards, orchards, alfalfa and
grain fields we drive, all sustained by the
water of a brawling torrent which has its
source full -fledged in a spring at the head of
the defile. The road is steep and for three
hours we crawl up the cañon with its per
pendicular walls of limestone, cave-filled cliffs ,
suggestive of wild animals that we know are
hiding therein, its road deep with the dust of
countless ore and guayule teams-for this is
the only outlet for a vast region rich in min
eral wealth, as are most deserts, all of the
products of which must perforce be handled
over this highway. Some one has said that
Nature secreted her greatest wealth on the
desert, in order to discourage men from this
search. It is true as to the marvelous mineral
wealth of all deserts, almost without excep
tion, but its location " there seems to serve
rather as a stimulus than a deterrent for
human endeavor, and not a few of the most.
productive mines in the world are located in
remote desert regions.
Finally the last steep grade is climbed and
we come out into a great open valley, perhaps
fifteen or twenty miles in width, walled by
lofty mountain ranges on either side, whose
topmost summits are covered with pine and
cedar, making a most picturesque effect
against the deep blue of the sky, though at this .
distance they look like stunted shrubs instead
of the lofty trees t that they are in actuality.
These soon disappear, however, and the
mountains to the west are gaunt and almost
verdureless.
Our objective point is Ocampo, over forty
miles away- a long day's journey for any one,
no matter how well equipped in the way of
horse or mule flesh, saddle or vehicle. In all
this long stretch there is water at only one
place "El Oso" (the bear) -a little green
spot in the dry, dusty valley marking its loca
tion. It seems to be but a short distance, but
that is one of the peculiarities of the desert
one who is not well acquainted is sure to
underestimate at least half. The road is fully
a quarter of a mile in width. At all events an
area of that extent has been cut into ruts and
beds of dust and gullies by the constant
traffic, and there is small choice. The dust is
impalpable, flour like, is from six inches to a
foot in depth, and the least impact of foot or
wheel brings it in clouds into the traveler's
face. In the morning the breeze comes up the
cañon from the warmer valleys of the lower
level and just serves to keep the clouds of
choking pulverization with us as we move
slowly along. It is useless to seek to escape.
One wagon track may seem less dusty than
another, but when we try it we wish we had
not. For awhile we are more or less disposed
to make ourselves uncomfortable by carping
at a condition that is unavoidable, but finally
when we see that nothing can prevail against
it, we settle down to profound apathy, keep
our mouths shut for two reasons, and travel
in silent misery. The sun soon becomes hot,
hotter, hottest ; the perspiration trickles down
our faces, making furrows in the heavy coat
ing of earth. Our lips become parched and
May, 1918 THE
cracked, we make frequent requisition on the
water bags-though when we become more
thoroughly "desert wise" we refrain from the
use of water except in sparing quantities. We
look ahead, as well as the cloud of dust will
permit, with longing eyes toward the little
cluster of trees at El Oso, the only really
green thing in sight. The desert vegetation is
all gray and earth colored, though it may have
been green once upon a time.
The long hours drag wearily, as do the
mules, while it seems. as though instead of
decreasing the distance and coming nearer,
the oasis keeps getting farther and farther
away.
But at last the weary, thirsty animals catch
a whiff of the water-they can be depended
upon to do this . On the desert give a mule
his head and he will find water if any there be.
Cattle too will do this, and so will horses after
a fashion, but first of all in the possession of
what may be called "water sense"-the ability
to sense water at an
unbelievable distance
and when there is no
outward indication of
it to the human eye
or nostril- is the much
despised long - eared
tribe. A mule or a
burro will detect it
miles away.
At El Oso is a "tan
que" (pronounced with
two syllables if you
please) , supplied from
a spring in the moun
tains many miles away,
and brought down in
a rock-lined rushing
stream in an artificial
water course. Here
we halt, let the mules
drink and rest, the
while we alight, stretch.
our cramped limbs, eat
a lunch liberally sea
soned with dust, wash
the earth from our
throats, and then resume our journey. The
afternoon is a repetition of the morning, only
more so if possible, and it is dusk as we pull
into the quaint little village of Ocampo, the
last settlement of size for two hundred miles
north, west or south, and seek food, shelter
and rest in the house of a friend.
There still remain sixty miles of desert
travel before our objective point is reached,
with water at but two points in the interven
ing space. Travel on the desert is always
regulated by the water. No other considera
tion enters into the calculation of each day's
journey. Life depends upon it, and those who
affect to despise this consideration, as many
have, seldom survive to tell their folly.
So we decide to devote two days to the
remainder of the journey, as one watering
place is about thirty miles out. In the morn
ing we take time to walk about the town, note
the gigantic hedges of naturally spineless
cactus that encircle garden and vineyard,
obtain some of the choice fruit that is grown
here, drink of the cold, clear water from the
MEXICAN REVIEW
mountain spring that has been led down in a
rivulet, fill our water bags therefrom, and are
ready for another day's discomfort.
We make a leisurely start, after we have
halted in the midst of breakfast, stepped away
from the table, chairs in hand, in order to per
mit our mules to be led through the dining
room from the back door and out into the
street through the front one-just a common,
every day occurrence, owing to the peculiar
architecture of many houses, especially in the
country. All day we move slowly, again in a
blinding, stifling, suffocating cloud of dust,
this time impregnated with alkali of a sort
that makes the head ache, the eyes smart and
burn, and the lips cake and crack. In the
afternoon there is a little relief, as the desert
breeze strikes in our faces and drives the dust
away momentarily, but as a rule we have it
with us at all times in quantity. The mules
can seldom move more rapidly than a walk,
Among the Pine Forests of Mexico
and occasionally we alight and walk a mile or
two to relieve their burden.
Late in the afternoon the wind increases in
velocity and strength, and blows harsh and
cold in our faces, as it sweeps on its way to
the warmer valleys at a lower level, for all this
time we are climbing, climbing, imperceptibly
it is true, but nevertheless it is a constant uphill
pull . Just before sunset we come to a "tanque"
of the usual character, where is a cluster of
little adobe buildings belonging to a goat and
cattle herder . On the hillside above stands the
almost invariable little chapel found at nine
tenths of the haciendas in the country- for the
women refuse resolutely to live in these out
of-the-way places unless provision be made
for their religious faith. The single building
used as a residence is crowded with the family
and their friends who are traveling and seek
shelter from the blast, and we essay to make
camp under a gaunt palma . We gather a little
brush and try to build a fire, in order to make
coffee and cook some bacon, as well as to
warm our benumbed fingers and shivering
15
bodies, but the gale is so strong that it is well
nigh impossible to strike so much as a match,
and we crouch shivering and hoping the fuel
will blaze. Finally comes the mayordomo of
the little ranch (they have evidently been
watching our efforts from a window) , and
tells us that the women, whose especial care
and pride is the chapel, have noted our un
comfortable plight, and have sent him to say
that if we will not molest the altar or any of
the religious objects in the sacred edifice, we
are welcome to take shelter there for the
night. They must have had some unpleasant
experiences with foreigners or others in the
past, or they would not have placed this in
junction upon us as a preliminary, but we
gladly assure them that we have nothing but
sentiments of the utmost respect for their
holy of holies, and that we would greatly
appreciate the privilege of taking shelter
therein. Our manner seemingly pleases the
women, for after awhile the mayordomo comes
again to the chapel
bringing an earthen
dish filled with a most
delectable concoction , a
combination of fresh
eggs, cheese and green
peppers cooked to
gether. It was hot, but
the weather was cold
and we were too, and
the food went to the
right spot and warmed
us thoroughly. If there
was a morsel left it was
surely not my fault.
Then we wrapped our
selves in our blankets,
laid down on our fold
ing cots and slept
warmly and comfort
ably until morning.
Nor would these poor
people accept a single
cent in way of com
pensation for our en
tertainment.
Next day was a repetition of the previous
one. There was the same ever-present blind
ing cloud of alkali-impregnated dust, the same
slow progress, the same unavoidable discom
fort. Again it was near sundown when we at
last drove up to the hacienda of La Fortuna,
our objective point, the center of operations
of the guayule gatherers. It was a forlorn
group of dilapidated adobe huts and a great
"tanque" of water. We had long since ex
hausted our water bags and hastened to the
pond, though with more or less misgiving
when we noted the dozens of mules, horses
and cattle that were standing knee deep in the
water and mud. We dipped some of the
fluid up. It was tan colored and odoriferous
to a degree ! It was far from inviting, even
to a thirsty man. But it was wet and we were
dry, oh so dry !-also dirty, oh so dirty! So
we gave our scruples a place in the back
ground, dismissed our prejudices and ideas
regarding germs and such like, and drank the
water, washed in it, and made the best of it.
We then concluded that if it were boiled and
 }

16 THE MEXICAN REVIEW May, 1918

coffee made of it, it might not be necessary
to hold our nostrils while imbibing. But we
soon found that boiling only made it worse.
and more so ! The steam carried all the un
pleasant odors directly into our nostrils and
we found it more difficult to drink the coffee
than the straight water.
However, the desert is the desert, water is
water, and a really thirsty (and dirty ) man
knows no scruples .
Next morning we drive out to the guayule
camps- that being the real objective of our
journey, in order to disburse several thou
sand dollars among the shrub gatherers. We
reached the main camp about ten o'clock, paid
the men for their work, then after lunch
started for another some twenty miles away
across country with no road , only a mountain
peak to guide us. I suggested that some food
be taken from the headquarters camp, but my
companion, who was the " boss," overruled me,
said there was certain to be an abundance of
food at the stopping place, and so we very un
wisely pulled out . It was dark, cold and
dreary, the perpetual desert night wind blow
ing a gale, and glad we were when we saw the
glowing camp fires in the distance, after hav
ing lost our way repeatedly during the after
noon. But when we had alighted and brought
up the subject of supper, we found there was
just one article that might be called food in thesweet and invigorating as it has been from
camp- some bran, as also some tallow ren
dered from goat's flesh. Not a mouthful of
anything else ! They had been waiting for the
paymaster in order to send to Ocampo for a
supply of food. But we were hungry. So a
lot of bran was stirred in water to the con
sistency of dough, put into a frying pan with
some decidedly odoriferous goat tallow, and
cooked on the camp fire. "Coffee" made from
roasted bran was also brewed and consumed ,
and then we went to "rest.'""
Two more days were spent in different
camps , paying off, but at the others there was
food of a kind-mostly tortillas and frijoles.
An Indian chanced by from the mountains
with the carcass of a fat freshly killed buck
on his burro, and was glad to accept a dollar
and a half for it. Then we feasted !
It was twelve days from the time we had
left Cuatro Ciénegas before we again came in
sight of the valley. We struck the stream at
the head of the canyon near the town about
noon and halted . It may be possible for
travelers to get dustier and dirtier than we
were. But I doubt it. We quickly stripped ,
laid down in the shallow water and literally
wallowed in it, thus ridding ourselves of most
of the grime of the long desert journey. But
one who has never indulged in such a holiday
cannot have any idea of what it really was.
The reader may perhaps fancy that after
such an experience one would say "Never
again." Not so. As soon as the weariness
had worn itself off, the desire for another
trip desert-ward came back fresh and strong ,
and inside of another six weeks , I took just
another such trip, and am ready to take one
now ! (At 65 ! )
Not much so far about the "lure of the
desert !"
On the contrary, the personal experiences
related might well be supposed to have been
intended as a deterrent. But if that were
the object they would, as they easily could,
have been made far worse. Purposely the dis
comforts and dangers of travel in desert
regions have not been accentuated, not ex
aggerated. For much more of the minutiae of
discomfort might have been cited. Enough
has been given however to demonstrate that
desert travel at its best has very little of the
"picnic" connected therewith. Just enough has
been given to demonstrate that there is a vast
difference between desert travel in a Pullman
and the same kind of travel behind a mule
team . A decided difference !
Perhaps one of the principal lures of the
desert is the absolute purity and " cleanness"
of the atmosphere. It differs too from the
purity and greater or less "cleanness" of rural
atmosphere anywhere within the range of
human habitation . By comparison with the
atmosphere of the city or town, that of the
country, it is true , is pure and clean. But by
comparison with the air of the desert-well,
there is no comparison. To one who has
passed his life amid the smoke and dust and
countless odors and scenes of life in populous
centers , there is something inexpressibly
charming in a region where the air has never
been contaminated through human agency or
by human contact. Where it is fresh, pure,
the foundation of the world. One inhales
deep draughts of it- life giving drafts-for
there is no other such healer of infected
lungs, no such curer of wounds, as well as
ailments of many kinds , as the pure, dry, hot,
desiccated and desiccating air of the desert !
The worst flesh wound heals by "first inten
tion" without trouble. If there were anything
prior to "first intention" it would be found on
the desert. Carcasses of animals exposed to .
it dry and do not decay. One can hang a
quarter of fresh beef and it will remain sweet
and appetizing for a week or ten days-until
it is consumed. One afflicted with tuber
culosis can absolutely and actually sense the
healing process, if he be so minded, as he
opens his mouth and throat and draws into
his enfeebled lungs to their utmost capacity
the health of the desert. Literally the desert
winds carry healing on their wings. Many
and many a consumptive who would long
since have "gone over the range" had he not
sought the desert, has it to thank for a long
and useful life.
And then in the mornings when the dew is
on the vegetation , or after a rainfall when
every growing thing is saturated with mois
ture, who can describe the exquisite aromatic
odors that laden the breeze ? For some reason
many if not most of the desert plants are
intensely charged with such potentialities ,
which are liberated and demonstrated most
freely when saturated with moisture. The
resinous, balsamic odors of the guayule and
a dozen other growths are so penetrating, so
satisfying, so alluring, that one who has once
sensed them longs to return to the spot where
they can be enjoyed to their fullest. Inhaling
this delicious combination of odors is as inS
vigorating as a draught of champagne- far
more so, since there are no unpleasant after
effects .
Then there is a host of bright-hued bloom—
cactus , mariola, and what not-all contribut
ing to the perfume of the atmosphere, to the
charm of the experience, to the lure of the
desert.
The vast vacant spaces, untouched and un
spoiled by human kind, are another and not
the least potent feature of the lure of the
desert. There is a charm about being in a
spot where no man has trod, no man has
defiled the air, that is clean and sweet just as
it left Nature's hand . Places that gave home
to prehistoric races, that have been the centers
of habitation for centuries, that are filled with
evidences and remains of human handiwork—
all have their interest, even their charm for
some. But what so charming, so overwhelm
ingly attractive as the great sweeping unin
habited plains and valleys, the hills and moun
tains , that are uncontaminated, that have no
tradition, no history, no trace of human occu
pation ? We are treading the soil for the first
time. The animals, perhaps even the most
timid birds, are looking for the first time on
human beings—or if not the first time, at all
events the sight is so rare that they have no
fear. They stand and look at you with
curiosity but without fear . They are living
the lives Nature intended them to live ; they
have little or no conception of the existence
of other animals that kill for the very lust of
killing-only the human animal does that—or
if they have that conception from some expe
rience, the appearance of a human being
arouses no such sentiment.
And this is another of the lures of the
desert !
And then there is the silence, the unchange
ableness, over it all ! A silence unbroken save
by the voice of Nature since the very founda
tion of the world itself. While the rest of
the world has rocked and reeked with the
handiwork of man, has been changed beyond
recognition , while nations have risen and
fallen, while cities have been builded and have
gone to ruin, while countless changes have
taken place, here in the wide desert there has
been no change. Nature has gone about her
work serene, dignified, undisturbed . Silent,
noiseless, changeless- the desert has sat here
and seen the world shift and change and
turned upside down . Here all is quiet, calm,
changeless and unchanging. Here all is just
as it was when it left the hand of the
Creator-aeons in the past.
And night on the desert ! Who can
describe it ? You make your camp fire, cook
and eat your supper, then wrap yourself in
your blankets and lie down on the warm
ground, watching the heavens . Sleep will not
come, no matter how weary you are. Never
did the azure dome above present so attrac
tive an appearance. Surely the stars are
brighter and more numerous, surely the moon .
never shone with such serene splendor or
sailed so majestically through the sky as out
here away from man and his works and in the
clean air of the desert. Moon and stars some
how or other seem nearer-they are nearer.
They must be in these wild places of the world .
And while one lies there he becomes con
scious of a singular feeling. Away a couple
of miles to the east is a lofty range of mounP
tains-gaunt, bare, their flanks exposed for
(Concluded on page 24)

1

May, 1918 THE
Tomatoes on the West
American Consul Chapman Gives Some Interesting Facts
HE present is the fourth year devoted
to the production of tomatoes in the
TMazatlan consular district for the ex
port trade. Four years ago an enterprising
Mexican woman who has agricultural lands
whose soil is suitable for the growth of toma
toes conceived the idea of exporting tomatoes
to the United States, and planted a trial crop,
which proved to be a success and caused a
large number of others to take advantage the
following year of the ready market in the
United States for all they could produce.
During the third year, 1917, there were 300
cars of tomatoes exported , and this year will
afford about an equal quantity.
Losses Due to Inferior Seed
It was hoped by the former producers and
the several new ones who engaged in this
enterprise last autumn to have a much larger
crop this year, but unfortunately much of the
seed, all of which was purchased of firms in
the United States, was inferior or ill adapted
to local soil and climatic conditions, resulting
in an appreciable loss not only to the growers
here, but to the consumers in the United
States.
To overcome this loss in the future, the
producers contemplate making more careful
selection of seed, if possible, in the future,
and it is desirable from obvious viewpoints
that American seedsmen supplying Mexican
producers should employ every reasonable
means to furnish suitable seed .
Some attempt was made last autumn by an
American distributing house to introduce good
seed in order to increase the yield and quality
of the tomato in this section, which they real
ized would accrue to their advantage owing
to the large demand due to early harvest ;
but it appears that most growers had already
purchased their stock of seed ,
Soil Suitable for Tomato Production
Only the river valleys and lowlands, where
the soil is the most fertile and natural moisture
is present or irrigation is possible, are now
employed in the production of tomatoes.
There remain, however, large areas of land
of this character not yet in cultivation , but
which will no doubt now be taken advantage
of gradually by the Mexican owners who are
aware of the satisfactory results which others
have obtained. Some irrigation is necessary in
almost all cases, because the seed is not planted
until after the rainy season ends, about No
vember 1st, and the last of the crop is har
vested about the 1st of May- long before the
rainy season begins, toward the last of June.
A Winter Crop Advantageous to United
States
The tomato crop in this consular district is
really a winter crop, the harvest of which
begins early in the month of January, quite
some weeks before the early and larger spring
MEXICAN REVIEW
Coast
Regarding a Profitable Winter Crop
crops from Southern regions of the United
States are ready for the market.
The crop is moved to the United States over
the Southern Pacific Railroad of Mexico , which
skirts the west coast of Mexico for a distance
of 828 miles south from Nogales , Ariz ., where
it connects at the international boundary line
with the Southern Pacific Railway of the United
States and where custom entries are made
allowing the cars to proceed freely to various
destinations in the United States.
Yield, Size and Quality- Methods of
Shipping
The percentage of yield and the size and
quality of the tomato produced here compares
favorably with those grown in the United
States, and growers and commission men are
now perfecting the packing and handling, so
that these goods reach the consumer in a good
state. During the past three years injudicious
selections and less careful handling caused
some losses which experience now enables the
interested parties to overcome.
There is a local loss of about 30 per cent
of the entire crop, leaving only about 70 per
cent available for shipment when selections.
are complete. The yield averages about 12,000
pounds per acre.
The tomatoes are packed in wooden crates.
or boxes imported from the United States for
the purpose . Each crate holds about 25 to
30 pounds, buyers insisting upon the latter
weight. These are shipped in refrigerator
cars holding 800 to 1000 crates, but it is not
necessary to ice the cars until about the first
of March, the weather being sufficiently cool
in January and February to keep the tomatoes
from the beginning to the end of the route.
without ice.
American Tomato Planter Being Introduced
A local firm handling a general line of
American-made farming implements and ma
chinery has on exhibition an American-made
machine for planting tomato seed , just recently
received, which it believes will command a sale
among several of the larger producers on ac
count of the economy and efficiency which it
appears will be effected by the use of this
machine.
Yaquis Are Being Quelled
Gen. Plutarco Elias Calles , Governor of
the State of Sonora, and who is at the head
of the forces operating against the "Bronco"
Yaquis, reports that the principal portion
of the rebellious faction of the tribe has
been broken up, and that only a few small
bands now remain under arms. These
are in the depths of the mountains, but
are being pursued with energy, and it will
be a matter of but a brief period before the
last vestiges of trouble will have disappeared .
Except for the remote region referred to , the
entire State is in a normal condition and min
17
ing, agriculture and other industries are being
pursued in peace and with success. Crops
of all kinds promise to be large, the climatic
conditions having been most favorable.
GRIN!
If you're up against a bruiser and you're getting
knocked about
Grin !
If you're feeling pretty groggy and you're licked be
yond a doubt
Grin !
Don't let him see you're funking, let him know with
every clout,
Though your face is battered to a pulp, your bloom
ing heart is stout ;
Just stand upon your pins until the beggar knocks
you out
And Grin !
This life's a bally battle, and the same advice holds
true
Of Grin !
If you're up against it badly, then it's only one on
you ,
So Grin!
If the future's black as thunder, don't let people see
you're blue
Just cultivate a cast-iron smile of joy the whole day
through :
If they call you " Little Sunshine," wish that they'd
no troubles, too
You may Grin !
Rise up in the morning with the will that, smooth
or rough,
You'll Grin .
Sink to sleep at midnight, and although you're feel
ing tough,
Yet Grin !
There's nothing gained by whining, and you're not
that kind of stuff ;
You're a fighter from away back, and you won't
take a rebuff ;
Your trouble is that you don't know when you've
had enough—
Don't give in !
If Fate should down you, just get up and take
another cuff ;
You may bank on it that there's no philosophy like
bluff,
And Grin !
-From "The Spell of the Yukon," by Robert W.
Service.
EDUCATIONAL NOTES
The new Normal School for the training of
teachers has been opened in a suitable edifice
in the City of Mexico, with a large attendance
of those seeking to engage in educational
work.
An industrial school for young ladies has
been established in the city of Vera Cruz, in
addition to the large number of educational
institutions already in existence in that place.
The Governor of the State of Queretaro re
ports extensive additions to the educational
system and a general condition of prosperity.
The coming crops of grain promise to be the
largest ever harvested . The entire State is in
order except for a few bands of marauders ,
in whose pursuit and extermination aeroplanes
are being used with good results .
Instructions have been issued for the open
ing of the agricultural experimental school
which has been established at the Rancho San
Jacinto, in the valley of Mexico . Alumni
from that school will be sent to various por
tions of the Republic for the purpose of giving
instruction in the most modern methods.
The Board of Directors of the Chamber of
Commerce of the city of San Luis Potosi has
established a library for the use of its mem
bers and for the dissemination of the latest
scientific and commercial information that is
available.
18 THE
Railroad Development
Revival of the Durango to Mazatlan Enterprise-Other Plans in
IRECTOR GENERAL PESCADOR
of the Constitutionalist Railway lines
D has under consideration the construc
tion of a railway connecting the city of
Durango with the port of Mazatlan , on the
west coast, on the lines of survey made many
years ago under Collis P. Huntington . Eighty
miles of this line have already been built west
from Durango , but the remainder is in a
mountainous region, where some twenty tun
nels of various lengths and thirty large bridges
will be required. It is estimated that the cost
of the line will be some $ 15,000,000 , but that
the expenditure would be warranted by the
opening of a rich agricultural, mining and
timber region .
Official announcement is made that with the
restoration of order on the west coast and
the continued operation of trains upon the lines
of the Southern Pacific Railway from Nogales
to the State of Nayarit, it is proposed to re
sume work on the extension of the line in
question in order that connection may be
made with Guadalajara and thence with Mex
ico City and other points in the Republic .
There is a gap between the city of Tepic and
the town of San Marcos, in Jalisco , that is
the only missing link, involving a section of
mountain construction of difficult character,
though of comparatively few miles in extent.
Work on the new railway line from Canitas
to the city of Durango was completed on the
last day of March, exactly in accordance with
the plans of the engineers in charge of con
struction. The new line will be opened with
appropriate ceremonies under the auspices of
President Carranza . A very wealthy agricul
tural and mineral section is thus opened to
development which had been retarded from
lack of transportation facilities.
The Development Company of the South
east, a Yucatan organization which is engaged
in various important public works, has asked
permission to construct a line of railway di
rectly connecting Mexico City with Merida
and other points in that State, as well as vari
ous important places in Campeche, Tabasco
and Vera Cruz. Such a line is greatly needed
and would command an extensive business.
The Vera Cruz and Isthmus and the Pan
American railways continue to transport large
quantities of corn, beans , sugar and other food
articles from Pacific Coast ports into the in
terior of the Republic, where they are needed
to relieve the temporary food shortage. All
the railroads in that portion of the country
are being operated regularly and satisfactorily.
The Constitutionalist Railways have recently
paid the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Rail
way the sum of $ 170,000 American gold for
rolling stock belonging to that company, but
now in Mexico, and which was needed for
continual use in that country. Much of this
was destroyed during the Revolution .
It is proposed to establish a colony for rail
MEXICAN REVIEW
Various Portions of the Republic
(
way employes at Orizaba, in the State of Vera
Τ periodical whose publication has re
Cruz, that point being the location of a di
vision headquarters, shops , etc. Lands for
cultivation are to be allotted and houses
erected for the men and their families .
The Constitutionalist Railways have received
a number of sleeping cars from the United
States, which will be put on the through
trains, thus remedying the scarcity of such
vehicles that has been the rule for some time,
owing to the unsettled conditions.
The railway line from Guadalajara to Man
zanillo is reported to be in perfect condition
and traffic is uninterrupted and regular. In
one week 120 carloads of foodstuffs were dis
patched by this route to various portions of
the Republic.
Orders have been issued for holding strin
gent examinations of all classes of railway
employes , especially those intrusted with the,
running of trains , in order to reduce the
danger of injury to passengers from ignorance
or incompetency.
A company with Mexican capital solely has
been organized for the purpose of construct
ing a comprehensive system of electric rail
ways in Villahermosa, the capital city of the
State of Tabasco.
It has been found necessary to suspend con
struction work upon the line of railway
traversing the center of the petroleum region
of Tamaulipas and Vera Cruz and connecting
with Tampico, owing to the embargo which
prevents the shipment of the necessary ma
terial from the United States, and which is
now held at Laredo, Texas .
Application has been made to the Depart
ment of Communications for permission to
establish a new line of steamers connecting
the ports of La Paz, in Lower California, and
Topolobampo, in the State of Sinaloa . Com
munication between those places has hitherto
been difficult and development has in conse
quence been retarded .
Permission has been given to the company
owning the electric railway system in Mexico
City and suburbs to reduce the passenger rates
outside of the city limits fifty per cent, a
petition having been presented for this pur
pose. This is believed to be the first case of
the kind that has ever occurred anywhere in
the world.
An application is pending before the De
partment of Communications and Public
Works for the construction of an electric
railway connecting Tampico with Mexico City.
passing through the capitals of the States of
Vera Cruz, Tlaxcala and Puebla, as well as
many other important towns .
It has been decided to construct branches
from Mascota and Autlan, to connect with the
new line of railway now being built between
Guadalajara and Chamela, a port on the Pa
cific Ocean. These branches will open up rich
mineral and agricultural regions.
May, 1918
A New Periodical With
a Laudable Purpose
To Instruct the Immigrant and Promote
Amicable Relations
A DEFENSA" . is the name of a new
cently been undertaken in San Antonio , Texas.
In its announcement this laudable purpose is
given as the mainspring of its existence :
"La Defensa, a weekly which we now launch
in the arena of journalism in this section , has
for its object to foment a better understanding
and a still better feeling among the large and
constantly increasing Mexican population for
their new country .
"Our immigrants, in the great majority, be
long to the laboring classes ; and coming from
a land of special privileges, to a land where
equal rights to all and special privileges to
none prevail, they do not understand their new
condition and are slow to adapt themselves to
their new situation ; consequently, they are
misunderstood by the enlightened American
ship.
"It is the purpose of La Defensa to show
to the Mexican immigrant the wonderful op
portunities existing for them, and to show
how they can enjoy all the liberties and free
dom and become useful citizens. And the
hope is that we will soon remove all the false
ideas given them by the German propaganda
and the former autocratic rulers of the
Republic.
"Provided the proper support is given us by
the American authorities and the Mexican
population, it should be an easy task for us
to show that the United States and the Re
public of Mexico should work hand in hand
and become good neighbors and friends in this
Universal Fight for Democracy.
"To the Americans : We are now in the
field and our watchword is : ' Rally to the
Allies.'"
It is proposed to divide the Republic into
five military zones with commanders as fol
lows : The North, General Francisco Mur
guia ; Eastern and Central, General Manuel
Dieguez ; West, General Plutarco Elias Cal
les ; the South, General Pablo Gonzales ; the
States of Puebla, Vera Cruz and Tlaxcala,
General Cesario Castro.
A project has been advanced for the con
struction of business edifices adjacent to the
Cathedral in the City of Mexico, and refused
after much discussion. Many protests were
filed against the enterprise, and the special
commission appointed to consider it refused
its approval on various grounds .
Experts employed in the Department of
Biological Studies have reported that after
careful investigation of the lands reclaimed
by the drainage of Lake Texcoco, in the
vicinity of Mexico City, there have been ren
dered available some thirty millions of tons of
mineral salts, including common salt, caustic
soda, bicarbonate of soda, etc., for all of which
there is a large demand in the Republic in
various industries. Under instructions from
Secretary Pastor Rouaix of the Department
of Fomento, works are to be established for
the purpose of utilizing the deposit.
:

May, 1918 THE
The United States '
Interesting Statement Recently Issued by the American
NCLE SAM has become a world mer
chant. In 1850 the foreign trade of
U the United States was $218,000,000 ; in
1900 it was $2,244,000,000 and in the fiscal year
ending last June it reached $8,953,000,000 .
American manufacturers and merchants must
prepare, however, for strenuous competition
when the world war closes. Foreign trade is
no longer a luxury with Americans, but a
necessity. Two great factors are abundant raw
materials for manufacture, and the market
abroad for goods.
Will Mexico's Resources Be Utilized ?
In this connection Mexico should play a very
important part. Humboldt, the noted scientist
and explorer, a century ago, said : "Mexico is
the great treasure house of the world. It is a
beggar sitting on a bag of gold." Mexico , a
few years ago , stood first among all countries
in silver production , second in copper, third in
lead and fourth in gold. It has great iron de
posits . Mexico has produced two -thirds of the
world's stock of silver. The world to -day is
in dire need of the vast stores of mineral that
Mexico could furnish.
During 1907 the petroleum production of
Mexico was only 1,000,000 barrels. In 1910 it
was 3,000,000 . Last year the exports were
36,000,000 barrels and will be this year about
50,000,000, in spite of present difficulties, in
cluding lack of tank steamers and pipe lines.
The Oil City ( Pennsylvania ) Derrick's Tam
pico correspondent has estimated that 65 wells
already drilled in Mexico would, if allowed to
flow freely, produce 250,000,000 barrels an
nually, or nearly the entire output of the
United States.
The American farmer depends chiefly on
Mexican henequen ( sisal ) fiber for binding
twine. For rubber, coffee and other tropical
products Mexico is a very important source of
supply to the United States, but that business is
only a fraction of what it might be. This
country has vast ranges suitable for cattle and
sheep. Mexico ought to export wheat and
corn instead of importing them. It has more
land suitable for sugar cane than Cuba, but its
production of sugar has fallen below 100,000
tons yearly while Cuba's production has risen
to 3,000,000 tons a year. These are examples.
What Mexico Could Do
Professor J. L. Lowe, of the United States
Department of Agriculture, who visited Mexico
in 1909 , said : "There is no other country of
the unlimited and diversified resources of
Mexico, and none that promises a greater
future."
Edwin Chamberlain, a leading banker of
San Antonio, Texas , said in 1912 before the
American Bankers Association at New
Orleans : "Mexico has come to be one of the
definite assets , one of the practical factors in
the development of the world's resources . Few
persons know the importance of our trade in
Mexico . The United States sells to Mexico
MEXICAN REVIEW
Southern Neighbor
Chamber of Commerce of Mexico City
almost twice as much merchandise as England,
France and Germany together. The United
States buys almost four times as much of
Mexico's products as the other three com
bined. "
Mexico's commerce with the United States
increased from $2,588,000 ( U. S. ) in 1850 to
$169,000,000 in 1913. It doubled between 1903
and 1913. Until a few years ago Mexico led
all Latin American countries in volume and
percentage of trade with the United States,
and it still is exceeded only by Cuba, Argen
tina and, perhaps, Brazil. This showing is due
largely to the work of Americans living in
Mexico .
The railroads of Mexico have generally been
built and the mines developed by American
capital and energy. With some exceptions the
same is true of the oil wells. All of this
makes for American trade.
Correcting a Wrong Impression
Business relations between Americans and
Mexicans in Mexico are generally friendly.
The American residents do business freely
with Mexicans and have no difficulty in get
ting on with their neighbors as a rule. It is a
great error and injustice to think that Ameri
cans and other foreigners as a whole have
preyed upon Mexico . They have added large
ly to the general prosperity and comfort, and
they should continue to do so in future.
Mexico's trade with all the other Latin
American countries in a whole year is less than
with the United States for two weeks. The
Latin American countries have no invest
ments in Mexico . Such development as
Mexico has made has nearly all been done with
foreign capital, American, European and Ca
nadian. It is estimated that two fifths of the
entire American capital invested abroad is in
Mexico. Intelligent Mexicans realize the im
portance of all this for the country. It has
developed latent wealth, made their property
more valuable, given extensive employment
and raised the standard of living, and is to
day the hope for the future. Beginnings for
better things have been made.
The border line of 1830 miles should be a
vast exchange counter for the respective prod
ucts of the two countries, raw materials on
one side and manufactures on the other. No
other foreign field is potentially more im
portant to business men of the United States.
T open mines, utilize water powers, develop oil
Mexican Trade Prospects
Chicago Commerce, the periodical of the
Chicago Association of Commerce, for No
vember 15th, 1917 , says :
"When Mexico again becomes quieted and
her financial condition improves, there will be
an urgent demand for nearly every line of
manufacture entering into the life of people of
a modern nation. The magnitude of the trade
in Mexico that awaits American enterprise is
great.
"Even now large importations are entering
19
Mexico and of every character of goods .
Mexico is most in need of mining machinery.
Before Mexico's revolution much of her
heavy industrial machinery came from Ger
many, and this was true as to agricultural
machinery and implements. Mexico must now
turn to the United States .
"The masses of the people of Mexico are
greatly in need of the cheaper grade of cotton
goods and food products . The middle and
upper classes are liberal buyers, when able,
of various kinds of better grades of goods of
foreign manufacture . One of Mexico's in
dustrial needs is an adequate supply of coke."
The Value of Nationality
The following is from an address by G. A.
O'Reilly, foreign trade representative of the
Irving National Bank, New York, delivered
before the National Petroleum Association at
Atlantic City, N. J. , in September, 1917.
"After the war American trade, foreign and
domestic, must be prepared to defend itself
against . aggression and competition not less
strenuously than before. * * In the mat
ter of business co-operation for foreign trade
Europe has learned the lesson much better
than we. * ** We make a serious mistake
when we fail to capitalize our own national
tone for commercial purposes . The American
temperament and characteristics are peculiarly
calculated to inspire at least a healthy respect
in the people of other lands .
The American Way and the German
Mr. Carl W. Ackerman, in an article on
Mexico just published in the Saturday Even
ing Post, says that there is a great difference
between American and German activities in
Mexico . He describes the plotting, intrigue
and propaganda carried on by the Germans,
then quotes from the statement of this Cham
ber of Commerce as to its plans and purpose.
Concluding, he says :
"Instead of being a secret report, as in the
case of the German Bericht to Berlin, the
American report was published and widely
circulated . No mention is made of military
operations , intervention and so on, and the
object of the Chamber will be as beneficial to
Mexico as to the United States. That is the
Great Divide between American enterprise in
Mexico and German intrigue. The object of
the one is to develop honest business ; the Teu
tonic object is to spread propaganda and con
vince the Mexicans that the German methods
of conducting the war are right."
Americans living abroad introduce Ameri- `
can goods, create a demand and make a mar
ket. They develop the native products and
ship to their country. They build railroads ,
fields , make plantations, establish factories and
construct public works. They are advance
agents for foreign business and they get it.
They are trade missionaries, always at work.
They are not adventurers or failures . They
have not left home under compulsion, but be
cause they have the spirit of the pioneers who
made the Great West. They should have the
heartiest support and co-operation of their
government and people at home, as the Brit
ish , French and Germans have. All ground
gained should be held .
1
20 THE
Justice Asked for Mexico
(Written by Julius G. Arce, Editor of "Mefistofelcs,”
and Translated by Mrs. G. D. Shadburne , Jr.)
AS it one of the pranks of fate or
was it premeditated calculation which
W brought to the gates of one of the
most imposing institutions of this country (the
University of California ) an exhibition of one
of the numerous calumniating films whose
principal object seems to be to instill prejudice
in the minds of the Americans and to pro
foundly insult and humiliate the Mexican
people ? Just at the moment when the mag
nificent celebration of the " Golden Jubilee" of
the founding of this institution was being held,
this film was released for the benefit ( appar
ently) of the students and their guests .
It has been proven that this picture was not
even taken in Mexico- that it is not Mexicans
who have posed as the various characters, nor
is it Mexican soil, nor Mexican scenes, nor
Mexican customs , manners or characteristics .
The plot was evidently conceived by some
brain unevenly balanced. Each exotic scene is
only a production of mendacity, falsity and
deceit.
What a vivid contrast ! Within your halls
of Truth- imposing, severe, magnificent-the
eloquent discourses of the founders and the
brilliant conferences of the professors pro
claim love of humanity, reverence for all
democratic ideals, the veneration of Justice,
glorified and illuminated consciences, surely
inspired by the Divine spirit. And outside,
close to these sacred walls, in an insignificant
theater, devoted to the portrayal of cheap art ,
is shown a picture, awkwardly garbed in cheap,
glittering tinsel, the dominating tone of which
is passion, inconsistency and hatred-and thus
the seeds of discard are scattered to the four
winds by the apostles of inequality and by the
aggressors of the weak.
Within the august realm of your scientific
assemblies is being carried on the labor of a
closer affiliation, of a mutual understanding,
of nobility of soul, of love for fellow crea
tures. In the daubed hut is carried on the
work of illicit ambition, of separation and the
engendering of hatred .
But no matter ! Young students of this
great university, in you we place our confi
dence ! In you, who cherish only lofty ideals
and whose ears are closed to maliciousness
and intrigue ! We know well that the infamy
and falsehood displayed to you in that somber
hut are contradicted by the convincing words
that flow from the lips of your professors and
by the light of truth which radiates from your
volumes of history !
From them you have learned that our prim
itive race, who also inhabited this territory,
possessed large knowledge of the sciences and
of art. They had poets, sublime and uncon
querable warriors, and they left a luminous
ray of light and an eternal impression of cul
ture across the three centuries of Iberian . I appeal to you to establish a more fraternal
domination . From them you have also learned
MEXICAN REVIEW
An Appeal to the Students of the University
of California for Fair Play
that the sages and Spanish priests expressed
unlimited admiration for the race that had
carved in monuments of marble and stone the
code of their admirable progress and advance
ment which enlightened the most advanced
populace of the free and unexplored part of
this continent. You know, too , that we sev
ered the bonds that bound us to the mother
country. We entered our new life of inde
pendence with the accompanying confusion and
internal convulsions which have always conAda
frontea newly formed nations . You also know
of our leaders , our liberators, of our heroes,
of our martyrs, whose memories are revered
throughout the whole boundaries of freed
America, and you also possess the informa
tion that scientific and research associations,
academies of art and literary centers have
consecrated to the study of our country, and
who convey to you the fruits of their labor.
And now, my young friends, tell us in all
truth and honor if Mexico is a nation of
savages, a territory fit to be classed with equa
torial Africa, a nation without culture, without
ideals , without standards of greatness and
without glory ? Is our native land, which we
love so dearly, what our enemies represent
it to be, or is it a nation where the inspiring
breath of democracy reigns supreme and
where progress and advancement are its chief
aim ?
We are tranquil ! To you, future leaders ,
will fall the mission of Justice which Time
will place in your hands. And we are sure
that you will never forget that we are a
friendly nation and your neighbor ; that we
are not strangers to this region, with its beau
tiful mountains, valleys and singing waters ;
its enchanted dells and forests, where Nature
in all her exuberance has lavished her gifts
unbounded . All this was ours before your
"Old Glory" crowned our marvelous edifices.
and our imposing fortresses. Here the colors
of our Mexican flag were gently tossed and
softly kissed by the perfumed zephyrs of the
majestic Pacific . We have something in
common in our past, young friends-a band
of sympathy that touches the cords of our
heart-strings, welding unto eternity souls pos
sessed of the same ideals and principles. It
will not be intrigue that will blot out the truth
that illuminates history, nor will it silence for
ever the pure sentiments of justice, innate in
those who begin to live.
Nor does it matter- no - that wicked ambi
tion and falsehood rage rampant outside your
walls. Supported by your knowledge, by your
sense of reason , your souls are intrenched
against the onslaught of malice and error,
You are young, you are noble-you are the
champions of justice-and you will accord each
and every one his just dues !
Through the columns of this paper, written
in a foreign language, speaks a teacher of the
youth of Mexico . In the name of that youth,
comradeship, thus paving the way for a closer
May, 1918
and more friendly understanding of each other,
and I assure you, young students of the Uni
versity of California, that your companions in
Mexico will feel satisfied that you do not
harbor selfish sentiments ; your spirits calmly
reject all attempts to instill ungovernable pas
sion and aversion. Justice-only justice- is
what we crave. This alone will suffice to de
stroy all prejudice !
NOTE.-The film referred to is the dramati
zation of Herman Whitaker's book "The
Planter," written before the Revolution .
A "Debt of Hospitality"
After the monotony of our day's work
in combating the current flood of lies
about Mexico , dissecting and disproving each
and every of them, from the merely silly or
stupid ones arising in ignorance to those
highly wrought and paid for by organized in
terests, after such a day it is a relief to meet
such a Pan-American as S. J. Macfarren, who,
after years of business life and travel in Mex
ico , speaks out of a full heart and from inti
mate and practical knowledge of that country
and people- speaks with broad outlook and
disinterested sympathy, to pay, as he says, in
part, "a debt of hospitality."
His illustrated extemporaneous "Mexican
Talks " are a revelation to well-meaning people
who know, as Josh Billings said, "too many
things that ain't so" about Mexico, having
over-trusted the printed page in their approved
daily. They constitute real preparedness for
peace, by means of better mutual under
standing.
They have been freely given in behalf of
various good causes, and interested associa
tions should see or write to Mr. Macfarren
at the Builders' Exchange, 711 Thirteenth
Street, Northwest, Washington , D. C.
The residence formerly belonging to Jorge
Huerta, son of the usurper, in one of the
suburbs of Mexico City, has been converted
into a foundling asylum and the extensive
surroundings have been laid out as a park and
gardens for the little unfortunates.
The arrival of a steamer from China at
Acapulco is reported, with two thousand Chi
nese and their families. They are under con
tract to colonize certain lands in the State of
Guerrero , which they will place under cultiva
tion at once.
Reports from the State of Sinaloa are
to the effect that conditions are normal in
every respect. Abundant crops are being
harvested, the area under cultivation having
been greatly increased, while the introduc
tion of modern agricultural machinery has
largely augmented the yield of various farm
crops.
The Department of Fomento has been asked
to grant to Benjamin C. Davis, a foreigner,
permission to dredge a canal from Pueblo
Viejo to the Panuco River, in the Tampico
oil district. The canal would cut through
some large deposits of oyster shells and the
sole consideration asked is the privilege of
using the shells for the manufacture of con
crete blocks. !
May, 1918
THE
Federal Water Regulation
Law Controlling the Utilization of Water for Purposes
OLLOWING is the law relating to
water supply that was promulgated in
F July, 1917, and is now in operation :
VENUSTIANO CARRANZA, Constitutional
President of the United States of Mexico,
to its inhabitants, be it known :
That, making use of the extraordinary
power vested upon me by the Honorable Con
gress of the Union, and
WHEREAS :
First. Because of the devotion of the public
waters of the domain of the Federation to the
private use of those employing them in the
improvement of their lands, or in the produc
tion of motive power applied to diverse ser
vices, the employment of this national resource
results solely in an increase of the value of
the properties so improved by the use of the
waters, or by the establishing of enterprises
of industrial exploitation with very large
profits, and without the participation therein
of the Governinent, whose property is thus
given away for the benefit of private interests .
Second. That the proper operation of the
Administrative system in regard to waters re
quires from the Government the formation and
maintenance of special bodies destined to exer
cise vigilance and protection upon the use of
said waters in order to assure the concession
aires the full enjoyment of their rights and
those which might be created, or for the solu
tion in an expeditious and rapid manner of
the vexatious controversies frequently arising
from said uses ;
Third. That, owing to the torrential nature
of the hydrographic system of the country,
there is required for its effective employment
the construction of storing and regularization
works, that for their great extent, as well as
for their minor attractiveness as an invest
ment, are out of the reach of private activities,
it is the duty of the State to help in the
establishment of those works for the sake of
the collective interests committed to the said
Government ;
Fourth. That as the program of hydraulic
policy requires for its full development large
disbursements of money on the part of the
Government, and that said Government could
not meet this expense from its ordinary reve
nue budget without reducing certain items of
its expenses which are worthy of equal atten
tion, it is considered of a high national interest
to increase the Revenue Budget, by means of
a new tax, which shall be devoted to the estab
lishment of a special service for the oversight
of the federal waters, as well as to the com
pletion of irrigation works and the establish
ing of hydraulic water supplies of general
interest, which, owing to their character, are
destined to transform in a short time the pro
ducing conditions of the country ; and, lastly,
Fifth. That in the strict application of
Fractions III and IV of Article 44 of the Law
now in force, in regard to waters, as well as
for the reasons already set forth, all the con
MEXICAN REVIEW
of Irrigation- Method of Taxation
cessionaires of waters which are Federal
property must be obliged to contribute , in
accordance with their allotments, to the ex
pense that the Federal Government may incur
in order to obtain the better distribution and
use of the public waters.
Now, therefore, I do hereby proclaim the
following Decree :
ARTICLE 1. From the date of this Decree,
and in accordance with the provisions therein
contained, a Federal tax is hereby established
upon the use and employment of the waters
subject to the domain of the State ;
ARTICLE 2. The revenue thus defined shall
be formed by the amount of the tax that all
concessionaires of Federal waters shall pay
from the time in which the contract of con
cession is signed, in the terms and in accord
ance with the following dispositions :
1. The concessionaires of water for irriga
tion of owned lands shall pay annually, with
out regard to the volume of which they may
dispose, the sum of $0.05 (five centavos ) for
each thousand annual cubic metres covered by
their concession.
II. Persons having the sole use of water
for irrigation purposes, diverted to non-owned
lands by means of companies or irrigation
societies of any kind, shall pay annually the
sum of $0.10 ( ten centavos ) for each annual
thousand cubic metres.
III. The concessionaires of dams or reser
voirs of water, established at the expense of
streams of Federal jurisdiction, shall pay the
annual fee given in the previous paragraph in
regard to owned lands, applied to the entire
storing capacity.
IV. Persons having the use of waters for
the production of motive power, for sale by
means of companies or societies organized with
this object, shall pay annually :
A. From the time in which the concession
is granted until the works are received in con
formity by the corresponding authority, they
shall pay the sum of $0.50 (fifty centavos ) by
theoretical horse power of production at the
plant, estimated at the rate of 75 kilogrametres.
B. From the time at which the works are
received by the corresponding authority, the
annual fee shall be $1.00 (one peso ) for each
effective horse power, measured at the gen
erating plant.
V. Persons using waters for the produc
tion of motive power, destined to the industrial
service of the concessionaires, shall pay for
100 theoretical horse power and upward, 50
per cent of the fees already mentioned.
VI. Persons using the waters for industrial
purposes shall pay the same fees already stated
for the water used in irrigation purposes on
lands owned by the concessionaires.
VII . Persons using the waters for fertiliz
ing lands shall pay annually 50 per cent of the
amount fixed for the irrigation of lands which
are the property of the concessionaires.
VIII. Drainage contracts and all other
21
special works which may be authorized for
the improvement, regularization and employ
ment of the Federal waters in other uses dif
ferent from those already set forth, shall pay
special fees , defined in each case by the Fed
eral Executive through the Department of
Promotion (Fomento ) .
There shall be exempted from all tax Fed
eral waters destined to the following uses :
1. Domestic use of the same waters .
2. Public and private use in the service of
the inhabitants of towns or for municipal
public works .
3. Federal waters destined to the irrigation
of towns and agricultural colonies, either
established by the Federal Government, local
governments, or by private individuals or
companies fulfilling this object.
4. Federal waters destined to the irrigation
of forestal nurseries or for the irrigation of
plantations of trees leading to the reforesta
tion of our forests ; and , lastly,
5. Federal waters destined to the produc
tion of motive power for industrial use of the
same concessionaires , and for a theoretic
productive capacity up to 100 horse power of
75 kilogrametres .
ARTICLE 3. The fees assessed to the conces
sionaires in the application of the aforesaid
disposition shall be fixed by the Department
of Promotion in accordance with the pro
visions of transitory Article 2 of this law, and
shall be paid by the persons responsible for
these fees , in advance, each six months , at the
offices of the Treasury of the Federation , dur
ing the months of January and July of each
year, receiving from the same office a receipt
which states that the payment has been re
ceived . This receipt shall protect the conces
sionary for the use of the waters mentioned
in his contract during the period for which
it has been granted. Default in meeting of
one of these payments, except in the case of
superior force duly proved and accepted by
the corresponding authority, will be a reason
for declaring extinct the right and all assets
therein contained, without the prejudice to
demanding from the causer the financial re
sponsibilities which he may have incurred, in
accordance with the laws in force.
Transitories
ARTICLE 1. This Decree shall begin its effect
from the date of its publication , and only for
this occasion, the tax due in the second
semestre of this year shall be paid within the
15 days following that in which the corre
sponding modification be made. Future pay
ments shall be afterwards made beginning
from the first day of January, 1918, in the
terms pointed out in Article 3 of this law.
ARTICLE 2. The Department of Promotion
shall receive from this date, up to the 30th of
September, the declarations that the persons
using the waters may present, specifying the
volume of water used, or the amount of power
which may be derived from their concessions.
or actually produced. Said declarations shall
be verified by the same department and the
decisions shall be notified to the concession
aires and to the Department of Finance for
their exact application .
(Concluded on page 23 )
22 THE
Law of Land Endowment
Regulations for the Allotment of Community Lands to
RTICLE 12. The land given to the
towns is called Commons and will have
A sufficient area to correspond with the
needs of the population, the agricultural
quality of the soil, the topography of the
place , etc. The minimum extent of a gift will
be seven hectares of land for each head of a
family.
ARTICLE 13. The Commons will be marked
out in the lands immediately bounding the in
terested towns, keeping in account the follow
ing provisions :
I. If the Commons surround the village the
point of departure will be the center of the
principal square, or lacking that, the town
house ; and the Commons will take the form
of a square of area equal to the sum of hec
tares of land which corresponds to the popu
lation at the rate of seven hectares ( 17½
acres ) for each head of a family,
II. If impossible on account of topography
or of great inconvenience for the objects of
the present law, to give the Commons the
standard form of a square or to define it sur
rounding the town, according to the respec
tive technical report, at the discretion of the
local land commission in each case, the Com
mons will be laid out in the fittest place in the
form which the topography of the land im
poses ; but in every case bounding by some
way with the village.
III. The gift of land to a town will not in
clude the construction of ranches, factories ,
acqueducts, or other artificial works of the
holder of the land affected by the gift, but
such property will be set off with the necessary
space for the use of the constructions in the
usual way and for their communication with
the near-by roads ; and the area of such a
zone will be made up to the town which has
the gift, whether by taking it from the same
tract or from other lands .
ARTICLE 14. The determination and acknowl
edgement of the protective zone mentioned in
the former Article will be considered as a
part of the transfer of the gift lands, it will
be verified by the local land commission on
request of the holder affected and will be
definitely established by the executive of the
union upon decree of the gift in question.
ARTICLE 15. When the holder of the farm
buildings or constructions mentioned in the
former article does not appear to claim them
after previous notice before the authority, dur
ing the time of the survey of the corresponding
gift and before the final judgment, the respec
tive civil action will be held as abandoned and
the amount of the indemnification which the
respective authority fixes as accepted . In this
case also the buildings or constructions will
remain for the account of the town to which
the lands are given and they will be in the
care of the political authority of the place and
will serve for the common benefit of the town .
ARTICLE 16. The streams, the forests, the
pastures, comprehended in the Commons will
be for common use while there is no law re
MEXICAN REVIEW
Heads of Families - Details of the Plan
garding the partition of the land reclaimed or
obtained . This use will be guarded by the
Commission of Utilization of the Common
Lands in accordance with existing laws upon
forests and waters and according to the pro
visions of this law.
ARTICLE 17. In case of restitution of lands
to the towns when these shall have fully
proved their right in accordance with the pro
visions of the law, of other towns, farms, con
gregations or communities of origin more
recent than that of the population which ob
tained the restitution, and which are situated
within the boundary of the reclaimed lands ,
these will be protected in the possession which
they maintain, if in fact they hold the lands in
Common, until the corresponding authority
defines the situation by legalizing it.
ARTICLE 18. All the towns, ranches, congre
gations , or communities included in lands re
stored to other towns, upon obtaining the gift
of land will be exempt from the payment of
any indemnity.
Survey of Farm Lands
Title 3-Land Authorities
In order to transact all matters relative to
gifts and restorations of land and other mat
ters immediately and naturally following
these, the following Agrarian authorities will
operate :
I. A National Agrarian Commission .
II. A Local Agrarian Commission in each
capital of a state or federal territory and one
in the federal district.
III. A Special Executive Committee in each
municipal center and in each settlement where
the National Agrarian Commission so decides.
ARTICLE 20. The National Agrarian Commis
sion will have for its special function to de
cide ; the Local Commissions to collect the ele
ments of proof, to report and certify ; and the
Private Executive Committees to execute the
provisional or definite judgments in each case .
ARTICLE 21. The National Agrarian Commis
sion will consist of nine members, nominated
by the Executive of the Union, and the Secre
tary of Fomento will be President of it ex
officio. The National Agrarian Commission
will have the following powers and duties :
I. To decide in accordance with the parwit
ticular rule which fixes the distribution of
work, upon all the cases which the Local Com
missions transmit and upon the points which
follow :
(a) Whether a town has fully proved its
right to a restitution of lands.
(b) Whether such restoration affects any
other group of people.
(c) Whether the lands reclaimed are in
sufficient or excessive for the necessities of
the town which has fully proved its right to
them .
(d ) Whether a town which has not proven
sufficiently its right to reclaim lands shall have
by gift a sufficient quantity for its just neces
sities.
May, 1918
(e) To decide upon the necessity or fitness
of any town, ranch, congregation or com
munity obtaining by gift lands for its economic
subsistence.
(f) To decide upon the quantity of lands
which should be given in each case, in accord
ance with the minimum per head of family
fixed by this law and upon the location and
form of the commons which should be given.
(g ) To decide upon the incidents which are
presented by reclamations of previous owners ,
who are judged to be affected by the petitions
for gifts or by provisional resolutions of the
governors of the states or the decisions of the
federal executive.
II. To watch by means of a body of in
spectors of the National Agrarian Commission
that the Local Agrarian Commissions and
Committees proceed with diligence, rectitude
and patriotism in each matter which is sub
mitted for their study, according to the powers
which this law gives them and in agreement
with the provision which the National Agra
rian Commission makes for the better decision
of Agrarian affairs .
III . To obtain the most correct platting, by
means of technical agents, of the lands re
claimed by the town and of land obtained by
the same for correct fixing of the boundaries
and easy subsequent sub-division of the lands.
IV . To define the working of the Local
Land Commission , of the Private Executive
Committees and of the Commissions for the
utilization of Commons in accordance with the
general provisions of this law.
V. To decide the amounts of the indemni
ties which are claimed in consequence of a
gift or land, having in view the census value
of the lot, the portion of the same affected,
the material improvements, and the other cir
cumstances justly influencing the value of the
farm occupied .
VI. To keep a careful registry of all Agra
rian movement in the country, in which is
shown the effect of the sub-division of hold
ings, the new form of improvement of the
land and the consequences of sub -division in
the natural production of the Republic .
VII . To decide all questions of legal, tech
nical or administrative order which the towns
or local commissions offer, in accordance with
the general constitution, with this law and
with those which may be enacted later.
Incompatible Offices
.
ARTICLE 22. Except in regard to the Presi
dent, the duty of a member of the National
Agrarian Commission is incompatible with any
other official duty and no owner of more than
fifty hectares of land can be a member of it,
neither the master nor the servant of the tract.
All the members of the National Agrarian
Commission, of the Local Agrarian Commis
sions and of the Private Executive Committees
in each case will be Mexicans by birth. They
shall not have served the Government of the
Dictators and they will enjoy proper remunera
tion.
ARTICLE 23. In each capital of a State or
Territory, and in the Federal District there
will be a Local Agrarian Commission , com
posed of five individuals, nominated by the
respective Governors.
May, 1918 THE
ARTICLE 24. The Commission will consist
of a President, a Secretary, and three voters
chosen by election within the Commission
itself.
ARTICLE 25. No member of the Commission
shall serve in other public employment, nor
can he be owner of more than fifty hectares
of land nor an employee or master of such.
The members of the National Agrarian Com
mission, of the Local Agrarian Commission
and of the Private Executive Committees in
each case will be Méxican by birth. They shall
‫ܕ‬
not have served the Government of the Dic
tators.
ARTICLE 26. The Local Agrarian Commis
sions, except in regard * .to
** their nomination or
organization, are subordinate in all their work
to the National Agrarian Commission. Their
decisions upon provisional holdings to the town
are of exclusive competence and they will only
be submitted for revision of the Federal
Executive through the National Agrarian
Commission after the delivery of the pro
visional possession.
ARTICLE 27. The Local Agrarian Commis
sion will have for its object :
I. To collect and classify all the necessary
elements of proof in the suits for gift or resti
tution of lands, set up by the towns, ranches ,
congregations and communities in accordance
with this law.
II. To make and receive all the reports
which may be useful for obtaining full knowl
edge concerning the necessity or convenience
of the gift of lands, and concerning the rights
to the restitution solicited, as well as the na
ture, conditions, description , production , etc. ,
of the lands in question and the history of the
title of each region and each place.
III. To decree the gift or restitution pro
visionally of the lands solicited, when suffi
cient elements exist for granting the petition
of the interested town.
IV. To formulate before the Government
of the respective States and before the Na
tional Agrarian Commission , an opinion com
plete and precise in detail, upon the necessity
and convenience of the gift sought, or upon
the right of restitution solicited, as well as
over the extension of the lands which should
be given or restored .
V. To be the only channel for the transac
tion of Agrarian affairs of which this law
treats, before the higher Agrarian authority
and the officials of the states, territories , and
federal districts, as well as between them and
private individuals .
VI. To watch the work of the respective
committees .
Private Executive Committees
ARTICLE 28. In all the heads of municipali
ties of the country and in all of the towns in
which it may be convenient in the judgment
of the respective government, there will be
nominated by it a private executive committee
composed of three citizens, a President , a
Secretary and a voter.
ARTICLE 29. No official, employee or owner
of more than fifty hectares, or his servant,
can be a member of the private executive
committees. All the members of the National
Agrarian Commission, of the Local Agrarian
MEXICAN REVIEW
Commission and of the Private Executive
Committees in each case will be Mexican by
birth, they shall not have served the Govern
ments of the Dictators, and will enjoy a fitting
remuneration.
ARTICLE 30. The Government of the States,
Territories, or of the Federal District will
make a note to the Local Agrarian Commission
of the private committees nominated , and of
any changes made in them ; that they may com
municate to the National Agrarian Commis
sion.
ARTICLE 31. The Private Executive Commit
tees will be subordinate to the Local Agrarian
Commissions and the local Governments will
arrange for their payment for work which they
execute in view of the quantity or quality of
the same .
ARTICLE 32. The functions of the Private
Executive Committees will be the following :
I. To execute the definite judgments de
creed by the Federal Executive and trans
mitted by the National Agrarian Commission ,
in their proper terms and in regard to gifts or
restitutions.
II. To execute the provisional resolutions
in regard to gifts and restitutions dictated by
the Government of the State, and the Federal
District, or of the respective local commis
sions. To instruct interested persons regard
ing the conduct of the Agrarian suits .
III. To make a detailed record of the pro
ceedings in every action in which it intervenes
and to remit it with a report to the respective
local commissions.
IV. To furnish to the corresponding Local
Agrarian Commission all the data which it re
quires, solely upon the facts relative to the
lands solicited in gifts or restitutions .
The regulating commission which handles
the output of henequen fiber in Yucatan, and
which includes practically all the growers,
announces that for the year 1917 it has the
sum of $24,000,000 Mexican gold ( 12,000,000
American ) ready for distribution among the
stockholders, and payment of the dividends has
already commenced. This amount is in addi
tion to the advances made during the year to
each producer upon his output.
A projected law of "the patrimony of the
family" has been submitted to the State Con
gress of Durango by instructions from Gov
ernor Arrieta, which, as its title indicates ,
deals with the redemption of the promises of
the Revolution in regard to lands and the
protection of families in their rights thereto.
It was in this State that the first steps were
taken early in the Revolution to restore the
community lands to their rightful owners,
In August, 1916, permission to exploit the
national lands for possible sources of petro
leum supply outside of the defined districts
where such deposits were demonstrated to
exist, was suspended. This inhibition has
now been removed and those so desiring may
extend their prospecting wherever they wish,
after compliance with the laws governing such
matters .
The necessary material has been received for
the construction of the local railway which is
to connect Lake Chapala, in the State of
Jalisco, with the main line for Guadalajara
and other cities. It is proposed to construct
hotels , bath houses and other appliances for
the establishment of a pleasure resort on the
shores of this picturesque lake. A Norwegian
company is carrying out the project.
23
FEDERAL WATER REGULATION
(Concluded from page 21 )
Default in the presentation of the necessary
declaration in the above given time shall be
punished in the terms fixed in transitory
Article 5.
ARTICLE 3. In all those contracts which may
include different uses of the waters granted ,
the fees shall be calculated applying the one
corresponding to each method of water usage
in accordance with the volume of water to
which it is devoted.
ARTICLE 4. In all regulated streams the fee
shall be paid in advance for the minimum
provided for in the regulation, and at the end
of each six months a settlement shall be made
for each canal upon the basis of the total
volume received during that time. The amount
shown by this settlement shall be paid within
the term of 15 days, counting from its date.
Unless this requisite shall be fulfilled , there
shall be applied a coercive penalty for the
liquidation of the debt.
ARTICLE 5. Persons having the use of waters
without submitting themselves to the princi
ples of this decree, and who may continue
using waters of Federal jurisdiction, shall be
subjected to the civil responsibility that they
may incur, in accordance with the provisions
of the Penal Code of the Federal District,
and to the administrative penalties established
by the laws in regard to waters .
Now, therefore, I order that this decree be
printed, published , circulated, and given due
observance .
Done at the City of Mexico , in the National
Palace of the Executive Power, this sixth day
of July, in the year one thousand nine hundred
and seventeen .
( Signed ) The Constitutional President of the
United States of Mexico :
V. CARRANZA.
The inspector-general of police of the capi
tal city proposes to instal a corps of police
with motorcycles, the better to combat the
violators of the law who use automobiles and
who do not comply with the regulations con
cerning their use .
Arrangements are being made to utilize the
waste lands that were reclaimed at Vera Cruz
by the construction of the port works and the
filling in of extensive areas heretofore covered
with water. It is proposed to establish a
modern colony and to dispose of the lands for
settlement. Some six millions of dollars will
be realized from this sale, it is expected , while
the city itself will be correspondingly benefited
and beautified.
BOUND VOLUMES OF THE MEXICAN REVIEW
A limited number of bound copies of
the first volume of THE MEXICAN
REVIEW are ready for distribution .
The price is $2 , postpaid. If accom
panied by a subscription for the second
volume, the price for both is $2.50 .
Address, The Mexican Review, 613 Riggs Bldg. , Wash. , D.C.
LIC . RAMON OBREGON
CIVIL , CRIMINAL AND FEDERAL LAW
10 A. M. AND 4 P. M.
Mexico , D. F. Monte De Piedad
P. O. B. No. 598 No. 13
24 THE
NEWS BREVITIES
The customs collections at the port of
Tampico for the month of March reached a
total of $602,247.21 .
The Governor of the State of Guerrero an
nounces that that section is tranquil, thus con
tradicting statements recently published in the
foreign press in regard thereto .
It has been learned that there are ten thou
sand traveling street peddlers in the city of
Mexico and it is proposed to restrict them to
certain streets .
A project is under way at Nuevo Laredo ,
Tamaulipas, for the construction of a race
track and park similar to the one at Juarez
for the amusement of the public.
Exports of domestic merchandise from New
York City to Mexican ports during the month
of February, 1918, were $2,055,382 , against
$1,317,224 for the same month in 1917.
The Inspector- General of Police of Mexico
City has issued instructions for the exercise
of especial vigilance in order to prevent all
games of chance in the casinos , etc. , they
having been prohibited .
The first wireless telephone plant in the
Republic is now being established in the
Tampico petroleum region , the necessary
apparatus having been manufactured at home.
Good results are expected therefrom .
The construction of artificial dunes for the
reclamation of some of the coast lands is
under way in the vicinity of Vera Cruz . One
that will be five hundred meters in length
(over 1600 feet ) is now in process of ex
tension .
The Congress of the State of Mexico has
imposed a heavy tax upon plantations of
maguey, the plant from which pulque is made,
in the hope that lands devoted to that growth
may be utilized for purposes more adapted to
the best needs of the people.
The National Mint coined during the months
of January and February $ 10,000,000 in gold
of various denominations and $240,000 in
silver. The establishment is operated at its
full capacity, the volume of circulating medium
thus receiving constant additions of large
amounts.
The City Council of Mexico has under con
sideration a proposal for the establishment of
a Board of Censorship for moving pictures
in order to prevent the exhibition of those
that are deemed contrary to public morals.
A tax upon each film exhibited is also pro
posed in order to still further stimulate the
use of films of the highest class .
An ingenious invention has been perfected
by an employe of the government arsenal by
which the cartridges ejected from rifles dur
ing use are thrown into a small pocket
attached to the weapon and are thus preserved
and made available for subsequent use. The
loss of empty cartridges is a serious problem
in warfare.
A company headed by capitalists from St.
Louis, Mo., has been organized in Monterrey
for the purpose of engaging in the manufac
ture of various lines of hardware upon an
extensive scale. In the past much of the supAR
ply has been obtained from European coun
tries , but it is proposed to supply the market
with home products so far as possible.
Work has been renewed upon the improve
ments of the port of Guaymas, in Sonora, in
order to accommodate the increasing com-
merce of that port. It is intended to have
vessels that now load and discharge at MazatSt
lan, to the great inconvenience of shippers in
the northern portion of the State, make Guay
mas a port of call as soon as the necessary
improvements shall have been completed .
MEXICAN REVIEW
MEXICAN BYWAYS AND HIGHWAYS
(Concluded from page 16)
centuries to the torrid afternoon sun and
storing up in their sides, burned black from
their normal gray, its intense heat. To the
west it is desert, always desert, nothing but
desert. And as the night grows cool, as it
always does even in midsummer, one becomes
distinctly and physically aware of the stored
heat in the crags on the one side, and as the
breeze from the other direction grows cooler
and cooler as the hours pass, this heat be
comes grateful . And during the night one
turns to the mountain for warmth just as he
does to his campfire at other times.
This is another of the lures of the desert
the desert nights.
Then of course there is the golden lure, the
lure of mineral wealth, which has made a few
wealthy beyond their dreams, but has cost a
hundred, a thousand times as many their hap
piness and their lives. Nature has hidden her
choicest treasures of material wealth in the
desert, as though to discourage mankind from
searching for them, or else in contempt at
their intrinsic worthlessness . Incidentally, as
already described, she has hidden some of her
choicest other treasures there as well. But
those who feel the lure of desert gold have
little time or inclination for the intangible and
priceless lure . Once felt , the lure of the
material fastens its hold upon its victim , and
never can he be anything except what is so
aptly described by the habitues of the
region "a desert rat."
And now in closing this chapter an apology
is due an apology to the desert. No mere
man can adequately describe its charm , set
forth its lure , picture it as it is . No one has
done it at all events, though many have
attempted . And when one tries to perform
this impossible task he owes an apology, not
to his readers, but to the ineffable, the inde
scribable, the majestic, the immutable Spirit
of the Desert !
CONTRIBUTIONS REQUESTED
THE MEXICAN REVIEW will be pleased to receive
communications from whatever source dealing with
matters of interest to both Mexicans and Americans,
and from those who desire to have the truth known
about Mexico. It is hoped that all who wish to aid
in the removal of the widespread false impressions
concerning that country, and in placing it in its
proper light before the world, will assist THE REVIEW
in this important but difficult task.
SPANISH TRANSLATION BY
TECHNICAL EXPERT
Competent American (Engineer) with foreign
business experience offers limited servicz in
translation. Among his authorized referenc s
is the editor of this journal , in care of which
he may be addressed as "Don Jaime."
Edward M. Wilson , M.E.
Technical Petroleum Expert
Geological Reports , Plans & Estimates
of Mexican Oil Regions
P. O. Box 274 Mexico City
May, 1918
REASON VS. FANATICISM
(Concluded from page 13 )
of the time and where he met all of the public.
men and knew all of their history, you would
find that his idea of Mexico and its necessities.
were quite different from those glibly ex-
pressed by your earlier informants. You also
would find that Mexico has a history that
antedates that of the United States and that
many of its historical traditions and accom
plishments are wonderful. You even will find
a clear explanation of Mexico's present chaotic
condition and its solution and you will con
clude that to take a sane, normal view of
Mexico is better than to take the extravagant
and radical view that your casual informant
will quickly give you.-Elmira ( N.V. ) Herald.
Fernando Gonzalez Roa Cable Address
B. Carbajal y Rosas "Golecar"
Adam Leckie
Gonzalez Roa
Carbajal & Leckie
ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW
Mexico , D. F.
Washington Offices :
Southern Building, Suite No. 822-830
GEORGE WILSON
Mines, Oil Lands
Correspondence Solicited
P. O. Box 1677
Mexico , D. F.
THE SPANISH-AMERICAN DIRECTORY
AND BUYERS' GUIDE
IN THE UNITED STATES
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 MEXICAN RAILWAY CONSTITUTIONALIST RAILWAYS OF MEXICO

National Railway of Tehuantepec 35 Hours Between Mexico City and Nuevo Laredo,

Vera Cruz and Isthmus Railway Tamaulipas

(Opposite Laredo, Texas)
Vera Cruz and Alvarado Railway
Connecting with the ports of Tampico, Vera Cruz and
Pan-American Railway Manzanillo
Also with the border ports of Nuevo Laredo , Matamoros ,
Passenger and freight service from Mexico City to the Piedras Negras and Juarez ( opposite El Paso )
Guatemala frontier. Connection at Vera Cruz and Puerto
Mexico with the steamers of the Ward Line and the DIRECT JOURNEYS IN FAST TRAINS AND WITH
Mexican Navigation Company, and at Salina Cruz with SLEEPING - CAR SERVICE
steamers for South America and Japan. Passengers by
the Mexican Railway can secure sleeping- car accommoda
tions by applying on the day before the departure of their Daily TIME TABLE Daily
train. The trip is made in fourteen hours from Mexico 6.30 a.m. (leave) Mexico City (arrive) 8.30 a.m.
City to Vera Cruz, and the buffet service of the Pullman 1.30 p.m. Queretaro 1.30 p.m.
cars is of the best. The passage is made in absolute 2.55 p.m. Gonzalez Junction 12.25 p.m.
security and is the same as in normal times. 8.35 p.m. San Luis Potosi 6.40 a.m.
The Vera Cruz and Isthmus, the Tehuantepec National 7.40 a.m. Saltillo 7.50 p.m.
and the Pan-American railways transport in both directions 11.20 a.m. Monterrey 4.00 p.m.
without delay or accident fruits of all classes, valuable 1.50 p.m. Villaldama 1.35 p.m.
timber, cereals , sugar, cattle , etc. The extensive zones 6.00 p.m. (arrive ) Nuevo Laredo (leave) 10.00 a.m.
crossed by these lines as well as by the Vera Cruz and
Alvarado road are the richest in the Republic and the lines
mentioned have sufficient cars and other facilities to satisfy The meal service on the sleeping cars is conducted with
all requirements that may be asked . strict vigilance
USE THESE LINES IN YOUR JOURNEYS AND YOU The custom-house inspection of baggage and its fumiga
WILL BE ENCHANTED WITH THE SCENERY
tion, without change of cars, and compliance with the
USE THEM IN YOUR BUSINESS , AND YOU WILL BE sanitary requisites of the Immigration Service , is expedited
SATISFIED on the international train from New Laredo , Mexico, to
Laredo, Texas, at less cost and with immeasurably less
With the exception of the Vera Cruz and Alvarado line , delay than by crossing the frontier in any other manner.
the other four are of broad-gauge and are in magnificent
condition . V. M. GUTIERREZ , J. M. CARDENAS ,
F. PENA, R. ZERECERO, General Passenger Agent. Assistant General Passenger
General Freight and Assistant General Agent.
Passenger Agent. Agent.
Bolivar Street and Cinco de Mayo Avenue
P. FONTES, General Agent. Mexico City, D. F.

WARD LINE Where Co - operation Succeeds

PASSENGER AND FREIGHT STEAMSHIP SERVICE The Llano del Rio Co- operative Colony

REGULAR SAILINGS BETWEEN

NEW YORK
AND
HAVANA , * SANTIAGO , CIENFUEGOS ,
GUANTANAMO and MANZANILLO , CUBA
VERA CRUZ , ** TAMPICO , PUERTO MEXGo
ICO and PROGRESO , MEXICO
NASSAU, N. P. , BAHAMAS
*Cargo for interior points and for Isle of Pines handled on
through Bills of Lading via Havana .
**Cargo for Campeche, Laguna , Frontera, Tuxpam and San
Juan Bautista handled on Bills of Lading to Vera Cruz.
For rates, bookings, etc.
Apply to
N the healthful highlands of Louisiana is
the largest and most successful co -opera
Itive colony in the world. It was founded
by 1,000 serious, thoughtful men and women
who believed co-operative ownership and co
operative working more desirable than the cutS
throat competition of ordinary life . On a
splendid tract of 20,000 acres of fertile land ,
they have proved their theory. Land, indus
tries, machinery, etc. , are owned in common .
Meals are served at the community hotel for
1212 cents each . A room in the hotel or rental
of a cottage , as is preferred , is furnished each
member free. The fascinating story of this
successful experiment in co- operation is told
each month in
THE INTERNATIONALIST

NEW YORK AND CUBA MAIL STEAMSHIP COMPANY " The Most Constructive Radical Magazine in America ''
General Offices:
Published by the Llano Colonists
Foot of Wall St., New York City 20e a Copy No Free Samples $2 a Year

Address: THE LLANO PUBLICATIONS

A Monthly Magazine, AGWI STEAMSHIP NEWS, de Leesville , La.
scriptive of these Lines and Territory reached, upon application.
K
 THE TRUTH ABOUT SISAL

Send a letter or postcard with a request that your name and ad

dress be entered on the permanent mailing list of Comision Regula

dora del Mercado de Henequen , the largest and most successful co

operative association of farmers in the world .

If you want to know the truth about binder twine , the reasons for

recent advances in price and the identity of the powerful interests

that are back of the campaign that has been waged against the Yuca

tan co -operative marketing association of sisal producers, the Comis

ion Reguladora will take pleasure in mailing you literature from time
to time .

If you read Spanish , send $2.50 for a year's subscription to "EL

HENEQUEN , " a semi-monthly magazine issued by the growers ' as

sociation at its home office in Merida , Yucatan .

Comision Reguladora del Mercado de Henequen

120 Broadway, New York City

SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD OF MEXICO

TRAIN SERVICE FROM THE UNITED STATES TO THE

INTERIOR OF MEXICO

Regular trips from Nogales , on the border of the
United States , as far as Nayarit (formerly Tepic )
touching the important towns of Magadalena, Her
mosillo, Guaymas, San Blas, Culiacan, Mazatlan,
Rosario, Acaponeta , etc.
This road, in its progress southward, crosses the
wealthy regions of the Mayo and Yaqui rivers , which
produce the best garbanza in the world . It passes Nava
joa, the center for this product , and then touches San
Blas, in the State of Sinaloa , where it connects with the
Kansas City and Orient Railroad , connecting with the
city of Fuerte to the east and with the important sugar
plantation of Los Mochis in the other, as also the mag-
nificent port of Topolobampo .
There is a continual panorama of the most delightful
landscapes , while the fact that the region traversed is a
heavy exporter of mid-winter tomatoes , oranges , and
other semi-tropical products is of great interest to all
seeking opportunities for profitable investment .
Passing southward many living streams are crossed ,
having their source in the snow-capped Sierra Madre in
the dim distance , and then the historical city of Culiacan,
capital of Sinaloa , is reached . A few hours' ride brings
the traveler to the picturesque and historical port of
Mazatlan, where connection can be made with steamers.
from various California ports down the Pacific coast to
Panama and South America .
At Manzanillo, the seaport of Colima , connection is 1
made with the National Railways of Mexico , affording
communication with all portions of the interior— Guada
lajara, Mexico City, etc.
Those desiring to send consignments of any variety to
points in Mexico can do so through the Customs Agency
of the Southern Pacific Railway of Mexico , maintained
in both cities of Nogales-the American and the Mexican.
All matters of this kind will receive prompt attention.

Address
CUSTOMS AGENCY OF THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD OF MEXICO
Nogales , Sonora , Mexico

PRESS OF CAPITAL PUBLISHERS INC. WASHINGTON . D.;

 F
1201
M62 JAN 16 1919

MEXICAN

REVIEW

VOL. II . Nos . 12-13 WASHINGTON, D. C. SEPT. - OCT. , 1918

Com

PRICE 15 CENTS
 9

CHARLSE FAX

by Miss Fairchild.
Miss Frances Fairchild as the Statue of Liberty
The Mexican
Vol. II
PUBLISHED MONTHLY AT
613 RIGGS BUILDING
WASHINGTON, D. C.
Yearly Subscription in United States, Mexico and Canada
$1.00, Elsewhere $1.50
The Mexican News Bureau
Accurate News Service by Wire or Mall
The Damage
Claims Commission
NNOUNCEMENT is made in the press
ANNthatOUthe preliminary work of organizing
the National Damage Claims Commission will
be completed shortly and that body will then
be prepared to consider the great volume of
claims that have already been presented . In
the neighborhood of forty thousand claims
have already been presented, covering the dif
ferent periods of the Revolution. Between
eight and nine thousand of these are for dam
ages claimed to have been suffered in the
period of the Madero régime and which were
submitted to a commission at that time. Many
claims covering the last years of the Revolu
tion are daily filed. It is understood that a
decree will shortly be issued making certain
changes and modifications in the manner of
procedure in presenting and handling these
claims.
Number of Newspapers and
Magazines in the Republic
HE Postoffice Department has issued a
THstatement showing that there is a total
of 439 newspapers, magazines and periodicals
issued in the entire Republic, and divided
among the various States as follows : Aguas
calientes 9, Campeche 2, Coahuila 15, Colima 9,
Chihuahua 11 , Chiapas 5, Mexico City 137,
Durango 6, Guanajuato 28, Guerrero 2, Hi
dalgo 4, Jalisco 26, Mexico ( State ) 7, Michoa
can 12, Nayarit 5, Nuevo Leon 16, Oaxaca 5,
Puebla 18, Queretaro 3, San Luis Potosi 9,
Sinaloa 10 , Sonora 10, Tabasco 5, Tamaulipas
13, Vera Cruz 27, Yucatan 34, Zacatecas 9,
Baja California 2.
Of the foregoing, 81 are daily papers, 51
are semi-weekly or tri-weekly, 180 are week
lies and tri-monthlies, 33 are bi-monthlies , 85
are monthlies, and 9 are of various terms of
publication.
WASHINGTON, D. C. , SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 1918
Popular Representation
In Congress
HE membership of the present Congress,
the twenty-eighth of the Republic, is di
vided as follows : Ten lawyers, twelve doctors
of medicine, ten engineers ( civil) , eighteen
professors of public instruction, ten newspaper
writers, two historians, seven railroad men,
fifteen expert office men, fourteen members of
the army, three industrialists, sixteen mer
chants, fourteen working men, nine agricul
turists. The remainder are men who are not
specialists in any of the branches mentioned ,
but are engaged in various activities in bank
ing, commerce and industry, as also members
of university faculties throughout the Republic.
Commerce with
British Columbia
T IS announced that the Mexican Consul
ITin Vancouver, B. C., has arranged with
the Gulf Mail Steamship Company for an in
terchange of products between the west coast
ports of Mexico and British Columbia via San
Francisco. From British Columbia will be
brought canned salmon, lumber, coal, paper
and other products that are scarce in Mexico ,
while from this country will be taken coffee,
tobacco, rubbber, henequen and ixtli fiber, rice,
hard woods, bananas ( fresh and dried ) , cocoa
nuts and other tropical products.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Editorial A
Mexico's Independence Day . • + •
In Petroleum Field .…….
Under Water Oil Deposits .
Law Regarding Petroleum Lands . •
The World's Petroleum Productions . •
Solidifying Oil For Export...
Lord Cowdray Discusses Oil. •
Mexico Viewed With Friendly Eyes.
Mexico City's Jitney Service . ··
Ford to Establish a Tractor Factory in Mexico 19
The Mexicans' Forefathers . ་
With the Mexican Poets . • •
The Gold Situation . • • *•
Mexico and the United States as Friends . •
America's Banking Strength ..
Coffee Growing in Mexico .
Great Demand for Cocoanuts . C
Cultivation of Guayule . • •
The Shrimp Industry .
Importance of Peanut Industry . •
Cultivation of Corn ..• . • * • 35
How Mexico is Progressing • C 2
From a Pullman Window...
Wilson Through Mexican Eyes . • · ·
Some Mexican Reminiscences .
General Resumption of Mining. · •
Mining in Mexico ....
Law of Mining Taxation ..
Review
No. 12-13
Crops Promise
To Be Abundant
HE Chief Officer of the Department of
TH Agriculture and Development announces
that for some time the Secretary of that De
partment, Pastor Rouaix, has been devoting a
great deal of personal attention to the stimu
lation of agricultural development in all por
tions of the Republic. The Government has
done all in its power for this end and through
the medium of conferences and assistance has
done much to aid the small farmers in planting
and cultivating their crops. The tractors pro
cured by the Government for the use of farm
ers desiring them have also aided greatly in
stimulating increased production . Reports
received at Department headquarters are to
the effect that all the crops are in a promising
condition and it is believed sufficient will be
raised to meet all the needs of the country.
In the States of Vera Cruz, Jalisco, Zacatecas ,
Guanajuato, Colima and Oaxaca, and in the
Territories of Quintana Roo and Lower Cali
fornia the prospects are excellent for a crop
of corn, wheat, beans and other products much
greater than has been obtained in former
years.
To Encourage
Small Manufactories
HE Department of Industry and Com
THE merce proposes to supply the necessary
data for the establishment of small manufac
tories of metallic and glass receptacles for
Page articles of food, toilet, etc., in order that the
I
2 monopoly that has hitherto existed in the pro
6 duction of such articles may be broken up for
7 the corresponding benefit of the public as well
8 as of those who wish to engage in such indus
∞~3
IO
12 tries.
13
14
18 Campaign Against
Tuberculosis
20
22 HE National Department of Health has
THE
46
24 been conducting experiments in combat
26
ing tuberculosis by the use of injections of
27
28 saccharine and with admirable results. Up
30 ward of 1500 separate cases have been treated
31 with uniformly good results in the majority of
33 instances. The President of the Republic has
34
now directed that a campaign be inaugurated
• 36 in all portions of the Republic as rapidly as
37 possible for combating the disease. The treat
4I
+ 42 ments are to be entirely free of cost to the
44 patient. The material used for the injections
46 is manufactured entirely at the expense of a
47 wealthy man whose name is kept a secret.
2 THE MEXICAN REVIEW

given up to a series of festivities commemo

rative of the centennial anniversary of the
Mexico's Independence Day
uprising under the leadership of the "patriot
Popular Demonstrations Which Have Marked Three Separate priest" Hidalgo, in the little town of Dolores
Hidalgo, in the State of Guanajuato, which
Epochs in the History of the City and of the Republic culminated eleven years later in the expulsion
of the hated Spaniard from the soil which
he had dominated for three hundred long
years. A tablet in the city of Chihuahua
marks the spot where the brave priest faced
a firing squad after having been betrayed by
some of his associates, but his memory, like
that of all martyrs to liberty, proved a rallying
cry and to-day he is the most honored of all
the long roll of Mexicans who have given
D their lives for their beloved country.
The festivities of that memorable September
month of 1910 were undoubtedly the most
splendid and impressive of their kind ever wit
nessed on the Western Hemisphere. And this
is said advisedly. Nothing apparently that
‫الا‬ artistic taste could suggest or that money could
secure was left undone which would contribute
in any manner towards impressing not only
the natives of the country, but the thousands
of foreigners who had flocked here to witness
the great event, or rather series of events, with
an understanding of the marvelous develop
ment achieved under the hand-the iron hand
it is true-of Porfirio Diaz, as well as with
a firm belief in the permanence of the system
which he had built up. The pageantry of the
reception of Cortez by Montezuma, repro
President Carranza, His Cabinet and Officials on the Special Tribune at Base of Independence Monument duced with historic fidelity in all its barbaric.
splendor ; the magnificent exhibition of floats
turbed by such internecine disturbances as had depicting the varied industries of the Repub
MEXICO CITY, September 16, 1918.
lic ; the dedication of numerous public build
BO-DAY- Mexico's Independence Anni been the rule almost from the time Hidalgo
raised his banner of revolt in 1810 down to ings, monuments and other works of art ; the
versary, the Mexican Fourth of July,
it was cele the period in which Diaz had gained and main opening of the great water system, whose
T as many foreigners call
superiority for abundance and purity the world
brated with a popular demonstration and tained his supremacy. It may as well be con
fessed that the writer was included in the scarcely presents ; the thousand and one events
festivities, including a great military parade,
number of those who held to this belief- and that crowded that wonderful month, left last
which was the third event of its kind marking
with apparently good reason. ing impressions upon all so fortunate as to
historical epochs in the history of the capital
The entire month of September, 1910, was witness them. Then too the unbounded en
as well as of the country that it has been the
writer's good fortune to witness.
Just eight years ago to-day President Diaz
was at the (apparent) height of his power.
For upward of thirty-five years he had been
the ruler of the Republic and had worked his
will with little opposition . He and his ad
herents "pointed with pride" to a country res
cued from anarchy, internecine strife and
banditry ; to a network of railways and other
improvements ; to the development of prosper
ous industries of all kinds ; to the opening of
mines that were producing fabulous wealth ;
to the investment of hundreds of millions of
foreign capital ; to a surface prosperity that
was as deceptive as it was apparent and at
tractive . True, there were some things to
which they did not point with pride, but these
were sedulously kept in the background or
minimized, and the superficial observer saw
none of them. There were some Mexicans as
well as foreigners - who claimed to be able to
see the handwriting on the wall, but they were
laughed to scorn or pooh-poohed to silence by
many who were honest enough in their belief
that the years of tranquillity and prosperity
under the rule of President Diaz had taught
the people the benefits of prolonged peace and
that never again would the country be dis The Allied Ministers-Ambassador Fletcher and the Belgian Minister in the Foreground
 THE
thusiasm which greeted every public appear
ance of President Diaz, which hung upon his
every word and motion, which in fact almost
deified him as did some poets and writers
(not always natives ones, either) -made it
impossible for the most far- sighted to credit
for a moment the occasionally whispered sug
gestion that perhaps things might possibly be
not exactly what they seemed, and that
perhaps ! Agua Prieta and other points, down the West
And in a scant hundred days from the
culmination of that centennial celebration on
September 16, 1910, Diaz's power was practi
cally shattered, his bubble of empire was
pricked, the star of Madero was in the as
cendant, and it was a matter of but a brief
period before he was to be a fugitive from
the country that had done him such honor as
seldom falls to the lot of a ruler- leastwise
in a presumably republican country.
All these events the writer saw, and they are
clear in his memory to-day in every detail
and stand out among the most interesting ex
periences enjoyed during his almost three
score and ten years of life.
Four years passed, and then came the second
historical demonstration marking an epoch in
the history not only of the capital city but of
the Republic .
Just a month preceding Independence Day
in the year 1914-on August 16th, to be exact
-the victorious General Obregon and his cam
paign-worn Yaqui Indian army entered this
MEXICAN REVIEW
Part of Independence Day Parade, Mexico City
city and marched over much the same route
as that taken by the magnificent processions
of the Centennial . But what a difference !
For a year and a half this leader-the General
who had won the proud title of one who had
never lost a battle from the beginning to the
end of the Revolution-with his nondescript
army had been fighting their way from the
American border at Nogales, Naco, Cananea,
Coast through the States of Sonora, Sinaloa
and Jalisco, as well as the Territory of Tepic,
capturing Guadalajara and every other point
as it was reached, winning many a battle that
never found its way into print at that time,
and driving the Huertistas before him without
cessation or check.
When General Obregon bade President Car
ranza farewell at Nogales in February, 1914,
prior to commencing the brilliant campaign
that ended in the triumph of the Revolution,
it was the design of the latter to join the army
of the center and move southward on the east
erly side of the Sierra Madre, while Obregon
kept to the west. On parting they shook hands
and Obregon said : "My Chief, I will wager
that I reach Mexico City before you do."
And so he did- two days ahead-though they
had joined forces at Teoloyucan, twenty or
thirty miles out, and the victorious General
entered the city first.
It was a strange-looking army that entered
the capital city that wonderful day in August,
1914, which marked the culmination of a
3
revolution commenced by Carranza eighteen
months previously with less than a hundred
men, with no money, no arms, no apparent
support but the consciousness of a just cause.
The soldiers were ragged, dirty and more or
less hungry. Some were in rags and some
in jags, but assuredly not one was clad in a
velvet gown. Their horses and mules were
gaunt and half starved. Their uniforms could
only be called such by courtesy, being the ordi
nary khaki, denim or cotton usually worn by
the working people. They came up the Paseo
de la Reforma, along the Avenida Juarez and
down Avenida San Francisco, the fashionable
promenade of the city, as motley a throng as
was ever seen or imagined in the guise of an
army. Many had their wives and babies with
them, and when the head of the procession
reached the National Palace the army halted
and remained all day bivouacked on the pave
ment of the entire length of the street last
named. It had seen many a curious sight in
its day, but assuredly nothing that could com
pare with this victorious revolutionary army.
Women there were by the hundred, carrying
babies and all the impedimenta of housekeep
ing on the march. Old tin cans, jars and
gourds of water, hunks of raw beef, mutton
or other meat, poultry, dogs, pieces of fire
wood- any and every thing that they were
wont to burden themselves with on the march
through a region where they were obliged to
live off the country and where nothing was
wasted that might possibly be of use.
4 THE MEXICAN REVIEW

the second historical epoch that the writer had

the good fortune to witness.

To-day marked the third. Like that of

four years ago, the event of to-day was purely
military, with but negligible exceptions . But
instead of the motley, ragged army of Obre
gon marched regiment after regiment, mile
after mile, of well-uniformed, well -drilled
men, equipped in modern fashion, officered
by men in flashing gold-braided uniforms,
mounted on gaily caparisoned horses, with
bands playing, flags flying, and with flowers
showered upon them from the balconies all
along the line-a contrast marked enough to
the sullen looks that met many of the self
same men four years ago, only under dif
ferent guise. To-day marked the completion
of the evolution of a modern army in every
detail from what was only the army by cour
tesy of hard knocks and victorious fighting of
four years ago.
Gazing at these endless columns of men
marching as well and holding their formation
as regularly as any troops the writer has ever
seen-there came to his mind the recollection
of a conversation that took place during the
Mexican Marines Marching in Parade first months of the Revolution, back in 1913,
when any man (or woman either, for that
They were indeed a strange enough looking wondered and waited in vain ! All their ap matter) was welcomed to the ranks who had
lot of men. Few of them had less than two prehensions came to naught. There was noth a weapon, regardless of its character and re
well-filled cartridge belts, many had four or ing of what they had so needlessly feared, gardless of uniform or other equipment. Said
five or even six. For if there is anything that and of what has become so familiar to the a foreigner to one of the staff of General
the genuine Yaqui is greedy for, it is for world since the savage Huns set out to outdo Carranza with whom we were dining : "But
cartridges. Their rifles all gave evidence of you do not seem to pay much attention to
the savages of all the rest of the world since
usage and of good care-indeed they did ! A organization and drill. I never see any of
history began, and set themselves upon a pin
Yaqui will take almost as good care of his your men being drilled." The officer looked
nacle of devilish pre-eminence from which at the questioner for a moment. "We are
rifle as he does of his baby-perhaps more.
they will never be permitted to descend so doing our fighting first. After that is done,
When not in readiness for immediate use he
long as books are read or memory lasts. it will be time enough to organize and drill
keeps the lock wrapped in an old cloth, and
in his leisure moments may be seen carefully The entry of the conquering forces of Gen our men." And this has proved true enough.
cleaning the weapon inside and out. eral Obregon and their triumphal parade along After the fighting was completed and the
The weapons showed usage, as well they the principal thoroughfares of the city marked Revolutionists had won the control of the
might. They had been in many a battle and
were destined to be used in many more.
The savage faces of the men and of the
women as well were something new in Mexico
City. They were the faces of conquerors, im
pressed with the knowledge of victory. These
Indians had never seen such a city as this,
but while they glanced curiously about they
showed no sign of wonder and but few words
were heard. The onlookers who packed the
sidewalks and whose faces showed plainly
enough their apprehension, had only been ac
customed in the past to the Indians from the
neighboring hills, whom centuries of practical
slavery have endowed with a humility of
manner and a shrinking from contact with
those whom they regard as their rulers which
was in marked contrast with the independent
and unafraid air of the Sonora Indians . These
were as unlike the local Indians as can be
imagined. They were the conquerors, the
rulers, and the people who thronged the side
walks and gazed with very evident fear upon
the fierce Indian faces, found their own timor
ous glances returned with anything but fear,
and wondered how long it might be before
these northern savages would be turned loose
to rape and pillage and destroy. But they Aviation Corps Passing the Alameda on Independence Day
 THE MEXICAN REVIEW 5
front of the National Palace. The famous
Liberty Bell of Hidalgo, the counterpart of
our own sacred Independence Bell, was rung
by the President, who then in a loud voice
repeated the words :
"Mexicanos :
"Viva la Independencia !
"Viva la Libertad !
"Viva Mexico !"

Prehistoric Human Remains

In the vicinity of Mexico City, at a locality
locally known as the "Pedregal," or lava fields,
some remarkable discoveries of prehistoric
human remains were recently made. Some of
these were found in a cavern which had in
the remote past been almost completely filled
with a flow of lava. Upon removing portions
of this superincumbent deposit, human re
mains were found imbedded in the floor of
the cavern, where they had been preserved for
countless ages. Professor Ramon Mena, a
geologist and student of note, has made a care
ful study of the discoveries and declares his
belief that the remains are the most ancient
of any in America, if not in the entire world.
Crowd at Independence Monument Watching Aeroplane Flights Similar remains discovered in Peru are be
lieved from scientific study to be at least ten
country, then attention was paid to organiza esting features. First the diplomatic repre thousand years old, while these are even older.
tion and drill, and the result was seen to-day sentatives of the Allied Powers were received, The skeletons unearthed are essentially differ
in the thousands of men merching in perfect and American Ambassador Fletcher, as the ent from any of American origin, the skulls in
order, hour after hour, through the streets. Dean of the Corps, made an address of con particular presenting many novel features.
Even the mules and horses have been trained, gratulation, which was responded to by Presi Much interest has been aroused among archae
and the animals of the machine-gun batteries dent Carranza. After they had retired , the ologists and ethnologists by these discoveries
kept in perfect line and walked sedately along ministers of the Central Powers were received and a society of students and professional men
in just as good formation as the men. has been organized for their study.
and congratulations exchanged. This was
The old khaki has disappeared entirely. In
followed by the reception of the representa
stead there are uniforms of dark blue with
tives of the neutral powers, with similar cere During the season at least one train load of
bright red stripes and facings, and with the monies. garbanzos entered the United States from
military cap familiar to all who have studied Sonora, Mexico, at Nogales, Arizona, and on
pictures of the French troops in the present At midnight of Sunday the usual custom of some days several train loads crossed the line.
giving the "Grito" or national salute was ob Wherever it is introduced this article of food
war. Canvas leggings and black shoes, the meets with favor and its consumption is be
knapsack, blanket roll and canteen strapped served with all due form on the balcony in
coming general in many localities.
fast to the back, and cartridges in clips or
boxes attached to the belt, complete the equip
ment, not forgetting of course the all-necessary
rifles, of which there are still three distinct
models in use the Mauser, the Winchester
and the old-time Remington.
There was one exception to the regulation
blue-and-red uniform, and this was a regiment
of reserves which was clad in the old-time
once familiar Confederate gray of the civil
war period, and presented a sharp contrast in
style as well as in color to the rest of the
troops.
The procession was headed by the President
and his Cabinet, with a personal escort of
troopers, followed by the diplomatic corps ,
members of the Chamber of Deputies and
other notables. There was no music at the
head of the parade, and this portion of it
moved so rapidly that it had come and gone
before most of the spectators realized its ad
vent and its character.
During the parade a corps of aviators flew
about the city, looping the loop and perform
ing all sorts of feats high in the thin air of
this elevation.
The celebration extended over two days. On
Sunday the President held a reception at the
National Palace which presented certain inter Cadets from National Military School in the Parade
6 THE
n the Petroleum Field
Latest News From the Mexican Wells- Law Regarding
Claims-Export Taxes-Development Notes
Export Taxes on Petroleum
NDER date of September 13th , the
Secretary of the Treasury has issued a
U circular establishing the valuations of
petroleum for the purposes of taxation for
the months of July-August and September
October. The circular recites that : Taking
into consideration the new questions that some
of the companies exporting crude petroleum
and its products have brought before the Sec
retary of the Treasury, to reduce the valua
tions in conformity with Article 4 of the Law
of April 13 , 1917, and by the decrees of June
30 and October 16 of the same year, for crude
and combustible petroleum, it has been thought
best to order that, leaving without effect the
aforementioned Circular No. 30, the following
prices shall be established for the collection
of imposts upon petroleum for exportation for
the bimestral periods of July-August and
September-October :
For combustible petroleum of a density
of 0.91 per ton ... $13.00
For crude petroleum of a density of 0.91 15.50
For petroleum of a density greater than
0.97 6.00
Gas oil • 13.00
Refined gasoline in bulk or packages ,
per liter * 122c
Crude gasoline in bulk or packages,
per liter 1134c
Kerosene, crude or refined, in bulk or
packages , per liter.... . 4c
The rate of taxation is 10 per cent of the
values given for petroleum and gas oil. The
amount of the impost would therefore be $1 :30
per ton on combustible petroleum , $1.55 per
ton on crude petroleum of 0.91 density, and
60 cents per ton on that of a density of 0.97
or more. On gas oil the rate would be $1.30
per ton. These figures are in terms of Mexi
can gold . American gold is worth two to one
in the former, while American paper currency
is exchanged on a basis of $ 1.79 Mexican to
$1 of the former. There being an average of
seven barrels to the ton, it is easy to calculate
the exact amount of the tax per barrel in
American money. The tax rate on refined
gasoline is three per cent and on crude gaso
line and petroleum it is six per cent.
Regulating Petroleum Values for Taxation
A supplementary decree has been issued
( September 17th) regarding the payment of
taxes upon petroleum rights and contracts,
with especial reference to cases in which these
are payable "in kind." The decree specifies
that petroleum with a density of 0.91 and
which is valued at $ 15 per ton , shall be dimin
ished in value 20 cents for each centesimo of
density greater than the rate specified, and
shall be increased forty cents per each cen
tesimo of diminution , including in this rate
petroleum of a density of 0.97. Petroleum
MEXICAN REVIEW
whose density is more than 0.97 is to be valued
at $6 per ton . The deduction for the cost
of transportation through pipe lines is estab
lished at two cents per ton per kilometer.
Forty-eight Petroleum Companies Now in
Production
The Department of Petroleum, under the
Secretaryship of Industry, Commerce and
Labor, has issued a report showing that there
are now forty-eight petroleum companies in
the productive stage. These companies are
located in the Tampico , Tuxpam and Mina
titlan districts, and their average monthly
production is 214,832,971 ( sic ) tons . The
order of importance of the various companies
is said to be : The Corona Company, Chijoles
Oil, Ltd., East Coast Oil Company, Freeport
and Mexican Corporation , Mexican Oil Com
pany, Monterrey Company, Mexico and Spain
Company, Mexican Gulf Oil Company.
Information has been received by the De
partment that the Mexican Combustibles Com
pany has brought in a well at Tamboyoche,
State of Vera Cruz, which produces 5000 cubic
meters , or more than 30,000 barrels, daily.
This well is 705 meters, or about 2285 feet,
in depth.
Oil Exports Constantly Increasing
The total amount of petroleum exported
from the Tampico district for the month of
August was 5,036,140.08 barrels, against 4,770,
361 barrels in July. The shipments were di
vided as follows among the various companies :
Huasteca, 1,563,759.22 barrels ; Aguila, 709,
772.27 ; Penn-Mex, 448,724.22 ; Freeport, 448,
769.65 ; Island, 246,300.00 ; National Petroleum,
56,014.17 ; Mexican Gulf, 258,099.25 ; Texas
Company, 177,866.76 ; East Coast, 331,750.84 ;
Cortez, 309,500.00 ; Standard, 485,583.70 .
2 crude oil and 2,124,292 tons of refined oil, of
The exports for July showed an increase
of 1,038,109 barrels over the preceding month.
The total shipments for the first six months
of the present year were 24,885,993 barrels , or
an increase of 2,745,117 barrels over the same
period of the previous year. The greater por
tion of these shipments was to the United
States .
Two Big Wells Brought In
On September 10th the Texas Company re
ported a new well known as Tepetate No. 2,
flowing at the rate of 25,000 barrels daily.
The Transcontinental Company's well known
as Barberena No. 2, which was brought in
some time ago , has been tested by the Govern
ment technical experts and is reported to have
a production of 75,000 barrels daily. This
well is the largest producer in that district.
Both the above-mentioned wells are south of
Tampico.
The Tampico Tribune of recent date gave
reports of operations upon twenty-five differ
ent wells, of varying depths, such as 1607 feet,
1893 feet, 1507 feet, 2300 feet, 750 feet, 1760
feet, 2400 feet, 1070 feet, etc., as well as of
preparations to begin several new wells.
PETROLEUM TAXES PAID BY EXPORTERS
The taxes paid by the heaviest exporters of
petroleum from Mexico are indicated by the
following returns for the months of March
and April of this year :
Interocean Oil Company, $9,914.75 ; the Texas
Company of Mexico , $9,432.30 ; New England
Fuel Oil Company, $5,025.55 ; Mexican Gulf Oil
Company, $17,841.65 ; Pierce Oil Company,
$23,980.55 ; Freeport and Mexico , $51,297.65 ;
Penn-Mex Fuel Oil, $231,772.95 ; East Coast
Oil Company, $48,737.95 ; Huasteca Petroleum
Company, $295,816.85 ; Standard Oil Company
of New York, $254,197.75 ; Union Oil Com
pany, $60,371.65 ; National Petroleum Com
pany, $2,605.45 ; Standard Oil Company of
New Jersey, $ 119,625.75 ; "El Aguila," S. A.,
$406,081.55 . Total, $ 1,536,702.25.
Vast Extent of Mexico's Petroleum
Measures
The Secretary of Industry, Commerce and
Labor has compiled statistics regarding the
extent of the petroleum measures of Mexico
from which it appears that there are more
than six hundred thousand kilometers of oil
lands in the Republic, divided as follows : In
the region of the Gulf of Mexico and the
Peninsula of Yucatan , 341,500 kilometers ; in
the region of the Pacific Ocean, 191,000 kilo
meters ; in the region of Lower California,
75,000 kilometers ; total, 607,500 kilometers .
Of this immense area, the portion now under
exploration amounts to but 14,373 kilometers,
while that wherein exploration has been just
commenced amounts to 8507 kilometers . Less
than four per cent of the area possessing oil
has therefore as yet been explored .
Increased Exportation of Petroleum
The most recently published statistics of oil
shipments show that during 1917 there was
exported a total of 4,301,743 cubic tons of
a total value of $56,676,126.91 . Of this the
United States took 5,358,566 tons ; England,
196,118 tons ; Canada, 92,116 tons ; Cuba, 14,593
tons ; Santo Domingo, 2940 tons ; Guatemala,
27,380 tons ; Salvador, 1441 tons ; Honduras,
21,766 tons ; Nicaragua, 86,772 tons ; Costa
Rica, 29,959 tons ; Ecuador, 791 tons ; Peru,
1146 tons ; Chile, 483,105 tons ; Brazil, 33,824
tons ; Uruguay, 46,085 tons ; Argentina, 103,932
tons ; France, 5000 tons ; other points, 7480
tons.
In addition , the railroads of Mexico used
445,690 tons for fuel, of a total value of
$2,538,649.69.
Notes of Petroleum Development
Permission has been granted by the Secre
tary of Industry and Commerce to the Texas
Oil Company of Mexico to construct a pipe
line from the Tepetate district to the Gulf of
Mexico .
Permission has been granted to the Tepetate
Petroleum Company to drill a well in the
 THE MEXICAN REVIEW
municipality of Amatlan, canton of Tuxpam, immediate action and a very large outlay here
State of Vera Cruz. to carry out a program of big production and
A number of foreign companies organized plants for the treatment at this point of petro
for the purpose of engaging in the petroleum leum.
business in Mexico have asked for registra Just how far the Union Oil Company in
tion without first having complied with the tends to go is not very clear, but it is under
stood that the officials have decided that this
laws of the country requisite for such pur
poses , especially in regard to the necessity of field will provide for their future expansion ,
at least having a subsidiary organization in and besides the securing of production , it is
the Republic. Without such organization per also likely that the corporation will acquire
mission to register is uniformly refused . terminals and petroleum treating plants in
Notice has been issued by the Secretary of which to handle the production at the source
Industry and Commerce that companies or and ship to a great extent the refined products .
persons who are given permission to exploit The Union has been in need of production
petroleum deposits must commence operations for some time and has sent ships around from
within six months from the date of such per San Francisco to take cargoes of crude from
mission and must complete the preliminary this port. The company is awaiting the re
exploration within one year thereafter. A sumption of normal conditions before proceed
period of ninety days is given thereafter ing with its plans .
within which to file an application for renewal The first steps are being taken by Atlantic
of the original concession. Refinery Company interests and the incorpora
Work on the Port Lobos terminal, the new tion of a company to handle their business is
shipping point for the Tampico region , is pro said to have practically completed at Mexico
gressing rapidly and satisfactorily. When City already. In the meantime some prelimi
completed it will be the largest petroleum nary work is being done in the lower country,
transferring station in the world. There will where production is to be secured, a railway
be six sea loading lines, in berths of two lines laid out and sites acquired for terminals and
each, made of ten-inch pipe . refinery. The outlay will run to the millions.
The Corona Oil Company has received per of dollars it is said.
mission to construct a pipe line from its wells Plans for the doubling of the capacity of
in the Panuco district to its shipping point in the Aguila refinery have been practically com
Tampico. The line will be 58 kilometers in pleted for some time now, but the material
length and of ten-inch pipe. Its capacity will market has been such that it is unlikely that
be 25,000 barrels daily. The company has 27 additions will be made for many months . Just
steel storage tanks of a capacity of 55,000 bar as soon, however, as the movement of mate
rels each, with three pumping stations. The rials is free, this work will go forward.
cost of the pipe line alone will be $3,000,000 Tampico Tribune.
Mexican gold . This company has eight pro
ducing wells , one with a capacity of 35,000 Under-Water Oil Deposits
barrels daily, another of 10,000 and the others The oil industry, which now constitutes a
of less yield. powerful factor in the nation's wealth , has
The first wireless telephone plant in Mexico created a source of incalculable riches that
is being installed at Port Lobos by the Cortez with proper development will far surpass what
Oil Company for communication with its plant all other resources have reached by years of
at Saladero, 25 miles inland . The most ap wise political finance. This development can
proved system is used and satisfactory results be attained by exploiting the great deposits
are confidently predicted. of oil which exist not only beneath the earth,
but also under the bed of the sea.
Extensive Development Being Arranged It is only about a year ago that the Excel
Three big developments by very important sior, the only paper to publish an account of
interests are now planned, as a result of in it, called attention to the discovery that Sr.
vestigations made here in the past year, and Urbino after much study had made of the
the increase of the importance of this field existence of oil under the sea. Great impor
will be tremendous when all is completed. tance was attached to this discovery in foreign
The interests which have determined to countries and many European and American
enter the Tampico district with developments papers gave it much prominence. At the same
on a large scale, and which already have pre time experts in this particular field applied to
liminary plans being worked out, are : our government for more detailed information
The John Hays Hammond interests, known on this interesting subject.
locally through the corporation International Sr. Urbino, to whom falls the honor of
Petroleum Company. 1 giving to his country the prestige of so sensa
The Atlantic Refinery Company, now being tional a discovery, said in his report that some
incorporated to take over the Producers' years ago while engaged in the study of Mexi
Terminal and Panuco -Boston properties. can geology he learned by investigations the
The Union . Oil Company of California, the conditions of some portions of the strata of
largest independent on the Pacific Coast. the tertiary terrain that borders the Gulf of
The investigation for the Hammond inter Mexico, and that, together with the knowledge
ests was made by Patrick Congdon, who made of the formation that constitutes it, was suffi
a report strongly recommending the entrance cient to make clear that its inclination toward
of the company in this field. His report will the sea preserved the same character. Asso
doubtless be acted upon as a final determining ciating these observations with others made
factor, and it is known that the report favors previously on the manner in which the oil
7
fields in that same district are exploited and
the location of these great accumulations of
oil, he believed, and later was able to confirm
his belief, that these accumulations would be
found in like manner under the sea, suscepti
ble of a similar development and of equal
commercial value as those below the surface
of the earth .
Sr. Urbino had the opportunity later to make
observations on the coast of Sotaventa, in the
State of Vera Cruz, where the work of loca
ting new fields was in progress , and there he
found the proof of his convictions and real
ized the great importance that would be de
rived from the oil industry in general and in
particular for our country.
The result of the practical ends that may be
obtained by the exploitation of mineral oil
beneath the sea has been demonstrated to the
Mexican geologist by the actual developments
that have been carried to success on the coast
of California in the Summerland field, where
the southeastern extremity of an anticlinal is
covered by the water of the sea, while its
other extremity is out of the water, and not
withstanding that there the production is one
or two barrels a day per well, the economic
problem is proven and consequently with more
certainty in our country, where the daily pro
duction is thousands of barrels in many of
the wells.
Sr. Urbano called the attention of oil men
and those charged with the duty of looking
after the interests of the industry to the great
importance of these new fields because of their
vast extensions and of the equality of these
deposits in quantity and quality of the oil,
as also for the advantages they offer compared
with the continental oil fields. The probability
of finding the same extraordinary oil condi
tions in that part of the coast plains that are
submerged beneath the sea as are found in
the oil fields of Northeastern Mexico with
its giant gushers is sufficient to awaken an
interest that merits the examination of any
data for or against this theory.
From the long and instructive treatise pre
sented to the Department of Industry and
Commerce by Sr. Urbino we select the fol
lowing :
"The existence of submarine deposits of oil
is based on the location in general ; in the
extension under the sea of the coast-oil regions
that maintain the same geographical and geo
logical conditions ; in the presence of abundant
evidences of oil on the surface of the water,
as on the coast, and in the eruptions of oil
from the bottom of the sea, which has been
known for some time.
"The possible exploration and development
of these deposits is based on the extensive
area lying at little depth under the water,
which is a continuation of the coast regions ;
in the equality of the conditions of these sub
marine deposits, in the abundance and quality
of the product and the submarine accumula
tions that by the process of boring may be
sunk to a depth of twenty meters below the
water. Last, the oil region on the coast of
the Gulf of Mexico is approximately 184,500
square kilometers. Of this 55,000 belong to
Mexico and the rest to the United States."
8
THE
Law Regarding Petroleum Lands
Decrees Regarding Denunciation of Petroleum
N August 8, 1918, the following decree
was issued making certain changes in
O the application of Article 14 of the
decree of February 19, 1918, regarding the
denunciation of petroleum lands :
VENUSTIANO CARRANZA, Constitutional President of
the United States of Mexico, to its inhabitants- be
it known :
That I have seen fit to reform the prescriptions
covering the method of application of Art. 14 of the
Decree of the 19th of February, 1918, reformed on
the 31st of July, in the following terms :
ARTICLE 1. Beginning with the 16th of August of
the present year, petroleum deposits on vacant lands
can be denounced.
ART. 2. By petroleum deposits is understood a
volume of indefinite depth, laterally bounded by the
vertical lines which pass through the boundaries of a
solid piece of land not less than four hectars in
extent, intended for the exploitation of petroleum.
ART. 3. By petroleum exploitation is understood
the extraction, the winning or the utilization of the
following substances :
I. The petroleum which is found in natural beds,
wells or pools.
II. The gaseous carburets of hydrogen in the sub
soil, or that which escapes to the surface of the
ground.
III. The natural deposits of ozokerite or of
asphalt.
IV. Every mixture of carburets of hydrogen of
the different groups, the origin of which is brought
about by nature.
ART . 4. Land which has been given title for the
exploitation of petroleum , or that on which a de
nouncement is pending, shall not be considered
vacant,
ART. 5. Land the declaratio on which might have
n Lack of these explanations shall not be reason for
been made by its proprietor to the Department of In
dustry, Commerce and Labor , in accordance with
Arts. 14, 16 and I Transitory , of the Decree of the
31st of July of the present year, shall not be con
sidered vacant ; but the land which , having been
declared , is not denounced by the party making the
declaration , or by the party to whom the former
grants his right of preference , within the three
months following the 15th of the present month ,
decree , shall be vacant land .
ART. 6. Land which might have been contracted
for petroleum development and declared before the
Department of Industry, Commerce and Labor in
accordance with Arts. 14, 17 and I Transitory of the
31st of July of the present year, shall not be con
sidered as vacant ; but land which having been
declared is not denounced by the party making declar
ation, or by the party to whom the former grants his
right of preference, within three months following the
15th of the present month, shall be vacant,
ART. 7. Land which might have been contracte
d parties .
for petroleum exploitation and declared before the
Department of Industry , Commerce and Labor, in
accordance with Arts . 15 and 17 of the decree of the
31st of July of the present year , shall not be con
sidered as vacant ; but land which having been de
clared is not denounced by the party making the
declaration who obtains the preference referred to in
Art. 15 of the decree mentioned, or by the party to
whom the former grants his right of preference ,
within the two months following the declaration of
preference mentioned in the same Article of said
decree , shall be vacant land .
ART. 8. Lands of common use, waste and national
lands, town-sites (fundos legales ) and commons
(ejidos) not subdivided shall not be subject to claims.
ART . 9. Each claim shall refer to a single petro
leum property.
ART. 10. Each applicant for a petroleum property
shall submit his claims, in duplicate, to the proper
Agent of the Department of Industry, Commerce and
Labor; such claim shall contain the name, age, pro
fession, domicile and nationality of the applicant, as
well as the location, area, boundaries and other perti
MEXICAN REVIEW
Lands Issued by President Carranza
nent data necessary to identify the property in ques
tion.
ART. II . If the applicant be an alien , he shall
attach to his application a certificate of the Depart
ment for Foreign Affairs , establishing that he has
complied with the requisites prescribed by Art. 27 of
the Federal Constitution .
ART . 12 . The applicant shall file with his claim
a certificate from the Stamp Office, setting forth that
he has deposited the value of the stamps to be
affixed to his patent (titulo ) , according to the area of
the property "denounced . ”
ART. 13 . If the denouncer is a foreign company
which might have previously made declaration on the
lands they own or on the rights of exploitation of
which they are the concessionaries , the denounce
ment shall be admitted and handling of the same con
tinued ; but the title shall be issued only to a private
individual or to a Mexican company organized in
conformity with the laws of the country , to whom
the denouncing company may cede their rights.
ART. 14. The petitioner shall present, together
with his denouncement , a certificate from the Stamp
Department ( Administracion del Timbre ) , in which
is set forth that he has deposited the value of the
stamps which should be placed on his title, accord
ing to the area of the deposit which he solicits .
ART. 15. The Agent of the Petroleu Sectio
m n
shall receive the denouncement and enter the same in
his registry , noting thereon and on the original of
the denouncement and on the copies, the date and
hour of the presentation . The party making the
denouncement can demand that these notes be made
in his presence. If in the opinion of the Agent the
denouncement be not sufficiently clear, he shall ask
the party presenting the same for the necessary ex
planations , and shall set the same forth in the
original , in the copies and in the book of registry.
omitting to enter the denouncement , The duplicate
shall be returned with the respective notation by
the person who presented it.
ART. 16. Within three days following the presen
tation of a claim, the Agent shall decide whether it
is or is not to be admitted . In the former event ,
he shall dispatch it in accordance with the regular
procedure ; in the latter event, he shall set down in
writing the grounds of his ruling, which shall be
subject to review by the Department of Industry,
Commerce and Labor, on request submitted by the
applicant to the same agent, so soon as the latter
shall notify him of his ruling not to admit the claim
or within the ensuing three days.
ART. 17. Whenever two or more claims presente
d be permitted to resort to judicial proceedings ; but if
simultaneously and referring to the same tract of
land shall be declared to be admitted , the choice be
tween the two claims shall be determined by lot, un
less the preference as to the particular claim to be
admitted shall be agreed upon between the interested
ART. 18. When there are presented simultaneously
several denouncements on different oil deposits, but
which all contain a part in common, a raffle shall be
affected of all the denouncements presented. If the
denouncement favored by luck includes the others
presented, for the fact alone shall the remaining
denouncements affected by the raffle be definitely re
jected ; but if the denouncement so favored does not
comprise but a part of the land denounced, the re
maining part shall be submitted to new raffle
among all the denouncers, with the exception of the
one favored in the first raffle. And if after the
second raffle any part of the land should remain in
question, in accordance with the same procedure until
one or more raffles shall be effected should it be
necessary . The raffles shall be held with intervals
of three lawful days in order that the petitioners may
pcsent themselves on each one of them, with their
denouncements duly drawn up. Those who do not
attend the raffle to which they are invited shall lose
for this reason their rights of primacy acquired on
taking part in the first raffle.
ART . 19. So soon as an Agent shall admit a
claim , he shall publish it on his Bulletin Board
(Tabla de Avisos ) for a month , and shall further
more cause it to be published three times within this
period in the Official Gazette (Diario Oficial ) and in
two other journals chosen from among those having
the greatest circulation in the particular locality .
The interested party shall take steps on his own
account to see that the insertions are made .
ART. 20. The following shall constitute for
counter claims (Oposicion which shall suspend action
upon the claim :)
1. The total or partial invasion of a petroleum
\
property on which patent has been granted, and
which has not been declared forfeited.
2. The claim of the whole or a part of a prop
erty already denounced, submitted legally and prior
to the attempted denouncement.
3. The non-completion of the term within which,
under these regulations, preference is granted to any
individual or corporation with regard to the whole or
a property or a part thereof.
ART. 21. A counter claim based on any of the
grounds set forth in the preceding article shall be
submitted to the Agent of the Petroleum Bureau
within 60 days reckoned from the date on which the
claim shall have been published on the Bulletin Board
of the Agency.
ART. 22. The counter claimant shall submit with
his counter claim a certificate of the Chief Stamp
Office setting forth that he has deposited the amount
of the annual rental corresponding to the property in
question, in accordance with Article 47 and 48 of
this decree ; no counter claim shall be admitted with
out the presentation of such certificate.
ART. 23. On the submission of the counter claim,
the interested parties shall be summoned to a meet
ing at which every effort shall be made to reach an
agreement; in this action the procedure set forth in
the regulations of the mining law at present in force
shall be observed. If it be impossible to reach an
agreement, the interested parties shall forthwith be
notified that the question of the counter claim may
be settled either by administrative or judicial pro
cedure.
A89 . 24. If the interested parties fail to choose
immediately the administrative procedure, action shall
be suspended and the records transmitted within 48
hours to the judicial authorities for the institution of
judicial proceedings. The counter claimant may only
allege the grounds on which he based his original
counter claim and which expressly appear in the rec
ord transmitted by the administrative authorities to
the judicial authorities.
ART. 25. If the interested parties choose the ad
ministrative procedure for the settlement of their
differences, the record of the case shall continue its
usual course, in order that the Department of In
dustry, Commerce and Labor, after hearing both
parties, may render its decision in the case.
ART. 26. When once the interested parties have
chosen the administrative procedure, they shall not
they have chosen the latter, they may, pending the
rendition of the final judicial decree, submit the case
to the ruling of the Department of Industry, Com
merce and Labor.
ART. 27. Any ground for counter claim different
from those laid down in Art. 20 hereof, shall be
submitted to the Agent, who shall not, however, sus
pend the regular procedure of the record, The De
partment of Industry, Commerce and Labor, so soon
as it receive the case for review, shall decide whether
the ground alleged shall or shall not be taken into
account. In the former event, the case shall be
heard and a ruling handed down, in accordance with
the provisions of Arts, 23 to 26 hereof. Should the
Department refuse to admit the counter claim, it shall
act as if no counter claim had been submitted, but
the rights of the counter claimant shall subsist.
ART. 28. The Department of Industry, Commerce
and Labor may take into account during the review
of the case any counter claim submitted, provided
the counter claimant shall prove that he failed to
submit his counter claim to the Petroleum Bureau
Agent through no negligence of his own.
ART. 29. The denouncer of a petroleum deposit
shall be declared as having abandoned his rights
when he does not make the insertions established by
Art. 19, within the terms fixed in said Article, or
does not make the explanations which are asked from
 THE
him in order to dispatch his denouncement within
the term fixed for same, or does not attend the meet
ings of agreement when the opposition . to the same
denouncement is presented. Any such failure shall
cause the denouncer to lose the deposit to which Art.
14 refers .
ART. 30. The counter claimant who shall fail to
attend any of the meetings for the purpose of effecting
an agreement shall be deemed to have desisted from his
counter claim, except in the case of "Force Majeure."
ART. 31. Every counter claimant who shall desist
from his counter claim, or whose counter claim shall
prove to be not well grounded shall forfeit the deposit
prescribed by Art. 22 hereof, which deposit shall be
applied to the payment of the rental for one year
on the property, reckoned from the date of the claim,
ART. 32. Should no final ruling on the claim be
handed down within a year, the applicant and the
counter claimant shall each deposit the amount of
rental for one year in the Chief Stamp Office ; the
same procedure shall be observed each year until a
final ruling is given.
The deposit or deposits of the party in whose
favor the final ruling is rendered shall be applied to
the payment of the rental on the property, and the
deposit or deposits of the party against whom the
decision is rendered shall be applied to the Federal
budget in the form of diverse profits (Aprovech
amientos) ; not being subject to the rights of the
former to make claim against the latter for the corres
ponding indemnization in the cases in question.
ART. 33. The Secretary of Industry, Commerce and
Labor may excuse the failure to attend a meeting
of conciliation in case of opposition when the de
nouncer proves, within the term of the procedure or
during the revision of the papers, that it was caused
by events which he could not control.
ART. 34. If no counter claim which shall cause
the suspension of the regular administrative pro
cedure of the case shall be presented within the period
of 60 days allowed, the Petroleum Bureau Agent shall
transmit to the Department of Industry, Commerce
and Labor a record of the case as of that date.
ART. 35. Patents (Titulos) covering petroleum pro
perties shall be issued through the Department of
Industry, Commerce and Labor, after the Petroleum
Bureau shall have received the records submitted by
the Agent. These patents grant legal possession of
the respective properties, without the necessity of any
other formality.
ART. 36. Outside of the cases set forth in Art.
13, the titles shall be granted without detriment to a
third party in favor of the denouncer. In order that
they may be granted in favor of another party, it
will be necessary to prove the transfer of the right
of the denouncer in favor of this party through the
proper instrument. The interested party shall prove
having paid the corresponding rental on his deposit
before receiving the title.
ART. 37. In community lands which have not been
legally contracted for the exploitation of petroleum ,
the co-owners alone can denounce petroleum deposits,
and the procedure in connection with the denounce
ment shall be suspended until all the co-owners or
their representatives meet before the Department of
Industry, Commerce and Labor, called together by
name, with sufficient previous notice, in order to make
a clear and proven declaration of their individual
rights ; and upon agréement, they shall receive a
title in common to the petroleum deposit, which shall
cover the subsoil of the land "pro indiviso." In this
title the representation of each co-owner shall be set
forth . The notice of meeting to the co-owners shall
be posted on the board of notices of the Petroleum
Agency during a term of sixty days ; it shall be pub
lished three times during the same period in the
Official Gazette (Diario Oficial) , and in two papers
of the largest circulation in the locality. The De
partment of Industry, Commerce and Labor shall have
the power of appointing a commission charged to
take up with whom it may concern the granting of
the property titles to the co-owners.
ART. 38. After the lapse of a period of ninety days,
counting from the date of the notice of meeting
referred to in the foregoing Article, in which some
of the co-owners of the community in question failed
to present themselves, the co-owners who do not
present themselves shall be considered as having
desisted, and the title to the corresponding deposit
shall be granted, after the provisions of this law are
complied with, to the co-owners who present them
MEXICAN REVIEW
selves. When those present do not claim the title
to the petroleum deposits on all the community land ,
it will be granted + to them for the part which they
desire and the rest shall be declared vacant land.
ART. 39. At any time may the concessionary of
a petroleum deposit petition its reduction. The peti
tion shall be presented to the Petroleum Agency with
a map of the reduced petroleum deposit and the
original title. The new title shall cancel the former
and shall not be subject to the stamp tax for the
granting of the title ; but the concessionry shall be
obliged to place the monuments of the reduced de
posit within the term fixed by the Department of In
dustry, Commerce and Labor. Once the reduction
is agreed to , the remaining land shall be declared
vacant.
ART. 40. The grantee of a property may extract
therefrom all substances mentioned in Art. 3 hereof,
without any other limitation than that of not tres
passing by means of his extraction work on adjoin
ing properties and that of complying with the pro
visions of these regulations and of such other regu
lations as may later be enacted on petroleum devel
opment.
ART. 41. Operators of a petroleum property may
occupy within the boundaries of a property, subject
to authorization of the Department of Industry, Com
merce and Labor, the surface area necessary for the
work of extraction and for the immediate storage
of the oil extracted, paying in such event to the in
terested party corresponding indemnification , any ju
dicial action instituted thereunder shall not retard
the carrying out of the work.
ART. 42. Operators of a petroleum property shall
acquire easements of passage and of pipe lines, on
obtaining permission from the Department of In
dustry, Commerce and Labor ; they may likewise build
such pipe lines and pumping stations as the develop
ment of the property requires on payment to the
interested parties of proper compensation.
ART. 43. Operators of a petroleum property shall
have the right to establish storage tanks and refin
eries, subject to the approval of the Department of
Industry, Commerce and Labor, and to the assent of
the owners of lands it is sought to occupy. In event
of failure to obtain such assent, condemnation pro
ceedings of the area necessary for such work shall
be instituted.
ART. 44. Operators of petroleum properties shall
have the right to build wharves, loading stations and
submarine lines, subject to the approval of the
Department of Industry, Commerce and Labor, and
in conformity with the provisions enacted on the sub
ject by the Departments of Finance and Public Credit
and of Communications and Public Works.
ART. 45. Only the respective grantees shall have
the right to build storage tanks or refineries on
petroleum properties.
ART. 46. The grantee of a petroleum property may
enjoy the surface waters for the needs of his opera
tions, in pursuance of the common law on the sub
ject. He may use the sub-soil waters, for the same
purpose, subject to the approval of the Department
of Industry, Commerce and Labor, and by means of
the corresponding compensation to whomsoever may
be thereto entitled.
ART. 47. The concessionary of a petroleum de
posit on land contracted shall pay the tax established
in Arts. 2, 3 and 5 of the decree of the 31st of July
of the present year, making in the cases in which he
may proceed, the payment which is established by
Art. 12 of this same law .
ART. 48. The concessionary of a petroleum deposit
on land which has not contracted, shall pay an annual
rental of five pesos per hectare and a royalty of five
per cent of the production .
ART. 49. The rental shall be due and payable from
the date of the claim and shall be paid in periods of
two months each in advance ; payment shall be made
during the first fortnight of each period of two
months.
ART. 50. Within the period of one year from the
date of the issue of a patent covering a petroleum
property, the interested party shall build boundary
manks at the vertices and other clearly defined points
and such other intermediary boundary marks as are
necessary to make each boundary mark readily visible
from the one next before ; he shall be bound also to
present in duplicate to the Petroleum Bureau the plat
of the land thus marked out. This plat shall fulfill
the requirements of the Department of Industry, Com
9
merce and Labor, and the ratification or rectification
of the patent shall be in conformity with such plat.
If the concessionary does not comply with this ob
ligation, the Department of Industry, Commerce and
Labor shall impose upon him a fine varying from 50
to 1000 pesos, according to the importance of the
deposit and the frequency of the cases of default ,
and he may order this work done for account of the
interested party .
ART. 51. The interested party shall, within two
years reckoned from the issue of the patent, submit
in duplicate to the Petroleum Department the plans
and descriptive data relating to the proposed work
for the development of the petroleum property.
These plans and data shall follow the requirements
fixed by the Department of Industry, Commerce and
Labor.
If the concessionary does not present the docu
ments prescribed in this Article, the Department of
Industry, Commerce and Labor shall impose upon
him a fine varying between 50 and 1,000 pesos, ac
cording to the importance of the deposit, and shall
indicate to him a new period of time in which to
present them, he being unable to begin the work of
exploitation without having complied with this Te
quirement.
ART. 53. The ratification or rectification mentioned
in Article 50 hereof, may be made at the request of
the owner of the property, of interested adjoining
owners, or as a matter of course by a ruling of the
Department of Industry, Commerce and Labor. In
this last event, the final ruling of the Department of
Industry, Commerce and Labor shall not effect the
rights of the owners of the petroleum property nor
of those of the adjoining owners who believe their
interests prejudiced .
ART . 54. Grantees of petroleum properties shall
be bound to furnish the Department of Industry,
Commerce and Labor such technical and economic
data as it may demand throu the Petroleum
through
gh the
Bureau ; they shall likewise be bound to admit on
their properties pupils from public schools who may
be sent for a practical study of petroleum industry,
and to afford them every facility in their task. The
obligations shall likewise be imposed upon the grantees
of pipe lines, refineries, storage tanks, and loading
stations .
ART. 55. Patents to petroleum properties shall be
forfeited for the following reasons: Through failure
to pay the tax referred to in Articles 47 and 48
hereof; through failure to comply with the condi
tions laid down in Articles 52 and 54 ; through sus
pending work for a period of six consecutive months
without cause, after the work of development shall
have begun ; or through any grave infraction of
the "Regulations of Development." ( Reglamento de
Explotacion.)
ART. 56. Forfeiture shall be declared by the ad
ministrative authorities through the Department of
Industry, Commerce and Labor, after opportunity
shall have been given to the interested party to be
heard in his own defense.
ART. 57. In the event of forfeiture through fail
ure to pay the rental prescribed the corresponding
declaration shall be made within four months fol
lowing the period of two months within which the
failure to make such payment occurred .
In the case of forfeiture through failure to pay
the royalty prescribed, the declaration shall be made
within the period of two months following that in
which the ground for forfeiture occurred.
ART. 58. In the case of the declaration of for
feiture of any petroleums property, patent to which
shall have been issued to any assignees, such prop
erty shall only be subject to claim during the three
months following the declaration of forfeiture, by
the preceding assignees and by the owner of the sur
face of the property, who, to this end, shall make a
declaration in the form prescribed in Article 4 of
the decree of May 18, 18, 1918 , in order that the
Petroleum Agent of the Department of Industry,
Commerce and Labor may admit the claim of the
last assignee of the right of development.
If the property whose patent shall have been de
clared forfeited be operated by a third party through
a contract still in force such contract shall subsist,
the new assignee taking the place of the former
assignee for the purposes of said contract .
ART. 59. The direct operator of a property, off
cially recognized as such, whose patent shall have
(Concluded on page 11 )
 IO
THE
The World's Petroleum Production
Underwood & Underwood
TURNING OUT OIL TO HELP WIN THE WAR
Loading big tank ships with oil for export. The man in the lower left hand corner of this photo is
operating the loading apparatus. Scene at Port Arthur, Texas, where much Mexican oil is handled
HE increasing demand for petroleum
and its products, both in the United
T States and the world at large, lends in
terest to a compilation by the National City
Bank of New York showing world production
of petroleum and the share thereof by the
United States from the earliest date of that
industry down to 1917. This compilation
shows that the United States in 1917 produced
342,000,000 barrels of crude oil, against 300,
000,000 in 1916, 210,000,000 in 1910, and 64,
000,000 in 1900, and that this country now
produces two-thirds of the oil of the world.
Of the world's output of crude petroleum, the
United States supplied 66 per cent in 1916
against 64 per cent in 1910 ; 43 per cent in
1900 ; 60 per cent in 1890, and 88 per cent in
1880. The world production of petroleum in
1916 is stated at 461,000,000 barrels of 42 gal
MEXICAN REVIEW
Yield of the United States as Compared With
That of Other Oil Yielding Countries
1824M
H product of 1901 was 69,000,000 barrels, having
NO SMOKING
lons each, against 427,000,000 barrels in 1915 ;
328,000,000 in 1910 ; 149,000,000 in 1900 ; 77,
000,000 in 1890 ; 30,000,000 in 1880, 6,000,
000 in 1870, and about a half million barrels
in 1860. The world production of 1917 is
estimated at about 500,000,000 barrels.
Our total production of petroleum in 1917
was larger than in any earlier year, exceeding
that of 1916 by 42,000,000 barrels. The world
production in 1916 was larger than in any
earlier year, exceeding that of 1915 by 34,
000,000 barrels. For 1917 there are no com
plete figures of world production owing to
the absence of data on production in Russia
and Roumania in that year. While presumably
there was a large fall-off in production in
Russia in 1917, the fact that the United States'
output increased about 40,000,000 barrels and
that of Mexico increased 16,000,000 may make
the total world production of 1917 about 500,
000,000 barrels.
The United States has been the world's
largest producer of petroleum continuously
since the development of petroleum produc
tion, except in the period 1898-1901 , in which
period Russian production slightly exceeded
that of the United States, the product of the
United States in 1898 being 55,000,000 barrels,
Russia 62,000,000 ; in 1899, United States
57,000,000, Russia 66,000,000 ; in 1900, United
States 64,000,000, Russia 76,000,000 ; and in
1901 , United States 69,000,000, Russia 85,000,
000. Beginning with 1902, however, the prod
uct of the United States exceeded that of
Russia by 8,000,000 barrels, and the excess of
our production over that of Russia, our chief
competitor in the world's oil field, has rapidly
increased, so that in 1914 our own output was
nearly four times as much as that of Russia,
the 1914 figures of production being for the
United States 266,000,000 barrels against 67,
000,000 barrels produced by Russia . Russia's
largest production in any year was in 1901,
85,000,000 barrels, falling to 67,000,000 in 1914,
while in the case of the United States the
advanced meantime to 266,000,000 in 1914,
292,000,000 in 1915, and to 300,000,000 barrels
in 1916, and 342,000,000 in 1917, the United
States figures for recent years being those of
"marketed product."
The world's principal mineral oil producers
and their output in 1916 were : United States,
with a product of 300,000,000 barrels ; Russia,
75,000,000 ; Mexico , 40,000,000 ; Roumania 10,
000,000 ; Dutch East Indies , 13,000,000, and
India, 8,000,000 barrels .
The principal production of the United
States by States was, in 1916 : California,
91,000,000 barrels ; Oklahoma, 107,000,000 ; Illi
nois, 18,000,000 ; Texas , 28,000,000 ; Louisiana,
15,000,000 ; West Virginia, 9,000,000 ; Ohio,
8,000,000, and Pennsylvania , 8,000,000 barrels ,
the figures being in very round terms . The
chief increase in 1917 occurred in the "Okla
homa- Kansas " district, which showed a gain
of 32,000,000 barrels out of the total gain of
42,000,000 barrels in the United States in 1917.
The United States, despite the fact that she
is by far the world's largest produced of petro
leum, is becoming of late a considerable im
porter, the quantity of crude petroleum im
ported in the fiscal year 1915 being 652,000,000
gallons ; in 1916, 871,000,000, and in 1917,
1,079,000,000, a very large proportion of this
coming from Mexico and seeking a market in
the United States because of her superior fa
cilities for refining the crude product.
SUMMARY BY DISTRICTS
BBLS.
Appalachian.... 23,009,000 $ 56,689,000
Lima, Indiana 3,905,000 6,117,000
Illinois ..... ** 17,714,000
Mid- Continent. 29,237,000
136,934,000 162,817,000
Gulf..... 21,768,000 16,417,000
California.. 90,952,000 53,703,000
Rocky Mountain 6,476,000 5,905,000
Other Districts ..... 8,000 14,000
TOTAL ........ 300,767,000 330,900,000
 MEXICAN REVIEW II
THE
TH

312-05
Underwood & Underwood
MEXICAN OIL UNLOADING AT PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS
A big oil dock at Port Arthur, Texas. In the foreground are two tank barges used in shipping oil from
Mexican ports to American ports, and the ships are tankers in the import and export trade
IMPORTS OF CRUDE MINERAL OIL SINCE 1900 United States LAW REGARDING PETROLEUM
Fiscal Gallons Value States Per Cent of LANDS
1900 2,374,000 $ 220,000 Year World Bbls. Bbls. Total (Continued from page 9)
1902 12,148,000 172,000 1860 509,000 500,000 98
1902 been declared forfeited, and not being the grantee
3,235,000 193,000 1865 2,716,000 2,498,000 92 of the property shall enjoy a preferential right of de
1903 3,708,000 227,000 1870 5,799,000 5,261,000 91
1904 nouncement, valid within 30 days following the term
4,654,000 281,000 1875 9,977,000 8,788,000 88 granted in the foregoing Article to the several
1905 10,001,000 494,000 1880 30,018,000 26,286,000 88 assignees of the right of development and to the
1906 15,453,000 779,000 1885 36,765,000 21,859,000 59
1907 45,824,000 60 owner of the surface of the property, provided none
26,136,000 1,306,000 1890 76,633,000 of them shall have made use of these rights.
1908 9,331,000 447,000 1895 103,663.000 52,892,000 51
1909 7,206.000 1900 63,621,000 43 He shall likewise enjoy this preference in the cases
330,000 149,132,000 of forfeiture not included in the foregoing Article,
1910 13,695,000 610,000 1905 215,361,000 134,718,000 63
within the 30 days following the date on which the
1911 38,776,000 2,144,000 1910 327,616,000 209,557,000 64 declaration of forfeiture shall have been affixed on
1912 160,502,000 3,654,000 1911 345,685,000 220,449,000 64 the Bulletin Board of the respective agency.
1913 510,661,000 7,437,000 1912 352,485,000 222,935,000 63
1914 773,052,000 248,446,000 65 ART. 60. Every property comprising leased lands,
11,777,000 1913 384,668,000
1915 653,708,000 1914 265,763,000 66 patent to which shall have been declared forfeited,
8,819,000 400,483,000 shall be deemed to be "free land," onthe expira
1916 869,369,000 12,206,000 1915 426,893,000 281,100,000 66
1917 1,034,591,000 1916 460,639,000 300,767,000 65 tion of the terms fixed in the two foregoing Articles
14,109,000 and of the 30-day period from the date on which the
MARKETED PRODUCTION OF PETROLEUM 1917 *503,708,000 342,000,000 68
declaration that the land is subject to claim shall have
BY STATES IN 1916 *Estimated. been affixed on the Bulletin Board of the respective
STATES BBLS VALUE **Marketed Production. agency.
California..... 90,952,000 $ 53,703,000 ART. 61. Every property comprising lands not
197,000 WORLD PRODUCTION OF PETROLEUM leased, title to which shall have been declared for
Colorado.... 217,000
Illinois ..... 17,714,000 29,237,000 Countries 1916 Barrels 1917 Barrels feited, shall be deemed to be "free lands," 30 days
Indiana... 769,000 1,208,000 United States ...... * 300,767,000 *342,000,000 after the declaration of forfeiture shall have been
Kansas.... 8,738,000 10,340,000 Russia.... 72,801,000 65,000,000 affixed to the Bulletin Board of the respective agency.
Kentucky and Tennessee 1,203,000 2,190,000 Mexico.. 39,817,000 55,293,000 Transitory Articles
Louisiana..... 15,248,000 14,670,000 Dutch E. Indies....*** 13,174,000 14 000,000 I. It shall only be permitted to denounce deposits
Montana... 45,000 44,000 Roumania... 10,298.000 6,000,000 in lands, the area of which is less than four hectares,
New York.... 874,000 2,190,000 India ..... 8,229,000 8,500,000 when they exist in the same at the present time wells
Ohio..... 7,745,000 16,155,000 Galicia.... 6,462,000 5,500,000 producing or wells being drilled, the latter covered
Oklahoma... 107,072,000 128,464,000 Japan & Formosa... 2,997,000 2,800,000 by permits previously granted and providing that said
Pennsylvania .... 7,592,000 19,150,000 Peru...... 2,551,000 2,500,000 lands have been declared in accordance with the
Texas- Northern ... 9,303,000 11,835,000 Trinidad . 1,000,000 1,685,000 decree of the 31st of July of the present year.
Texas- Coastal ...... 18,342,000 13,952,000 Germany.. 996,000 900,000 II. The decree of the 8th of July of the present
West Virginia ... 8,731,000 21,914,000 Argentina. 870,000 800,000 year, and all the laws and dispositions wherein they
Wyoming .... 6,234,000 5,644,000 Egypt..... 411,000 500,000 conflict with the present law, are cancelled.
Other States... 8,000 14,000 Given in the Palace of the Executive Power of
Estimated Total ..... 460,639,000 503,708,000 the Union, on the 8th of August, 1918.
TOTAL......... 300,767,000 330,900,000 * Marketed Production . V. CARRANZA.
12 THE
Solidifying Oil for Export
A Novel Idea Adapted to Mexico Advanced by an English
HERE is one development of the petro
leum industry which is feasible in Latin
T America and (so far as the present
writer can judge ) is feasible nowhere else. It
depends for success on two conditions : ( 1 )
abundance and cheapness of crude oil ; ( 2 )
difficulty of transport. It might be thought
that the second condition would neutralize
the first, as has been the case, for example,
in the Mexican oil industry, where an abun
dant and cheap supply has been handicapped
by a shortage of transport to the coast, and a
shortage of vessels to convey the oil thence
to the consuming countries. In fact, the pros
pects of any oil field, however good they may
be, can be wrecked by lack of transport, except
in one particular case. This exception is when
the oil can be transported in a solid form.
Oil can be made permanently solid with
comparative ease. There are numerous pro
cesses-some patented, others supposed to be
secret- for accomplishing this result ; and the
reason they are not employed is that as a rule
it is more convenient to have oil in its liquid
state. Especially is this so to-day, when oil
is many times more valuable than it was seven
or eight years ago, when most of these pro
cesses were talked of.
By the heating of the oil, and the admixture
of a substance well known and very common,
as well as cheap, the oil was quickly converted
into a substance which, when cold, took on
a solid form. In order that this form should
be permanent, it was necessary to add, during
the latter part of the mixing, a small quantity
of another well known and cheap article,
known as the "binder." If this was properly
done, the oil, on cooling, assumed the form
of a permanent solid ; it could be cut into
bricks, blocks, or slices, and when burned in
a furnace did not melt, but retained its solid
form until consumed.
All varieties of crude oil, and most prod
ucts, could be so treated . Lamp oil that had
undergone this process, and had been solidi
fied, could be cut up afterwards into small
slices that were exceedingly handy for lighting
fires, boiling a kettle, and other operations
for which only a limited amount of flame and
heat was required . The large blocks of solid
crude oil could be used with advantage as
locomotive or other furnace fuel ; and a test
made on a British express train was entirely
satisfactory, the journey being accomplished
on this fuel to schedule time with the greatest
ease.
It will be seen that, while pipe lines and
tank steamships, so useful for transporting
liquid oil, are out of place with the solid fuel,
the latter can be carried by ordinary cargo
vessels, railway trucks, road vehicles, and even
by mules or camels or human porters. In
Latin America there are many industries re
quiring fuel. Liquid fuel would in most cases
be preferred if it could be delivered cheaply
and transported easily ; but solid oil fuel can
MEXICAN REVIEW
Trade Journal- Easily Adopted
become a keen competitor of liquid fuel if the
ordinary means of road or rail transport are
available. It would require too much space
to discuss all the industries of Latin America
to which solid oil fuel would come as a boon ;
but reference may be made to the mining
industry. You cannot choose the site of a
mine as you would choose the site of, say, a
steel plant. The site is fixed by nature, and
you have to work where nature permits. The
consequence is that many mines are situated
where transport is difficult, and where the de
livered cost of liquid fuel would be prohibitive.
These mines must, of course, have solid fuel ;
but it would be found, if a supply of solid
oil were available, that the latter would prob
ably be cheaper than coal on account of its
greater efficiency, and also on account of its
greater economy in space, the rectangular
blocks leaving no vacant places. Moreover,
the solid oil gives practically no ash, so that in
transporting this fuel one is not carrying a
large percentage of useless matter. For minSich
ing conditions the solid oil would seem to be
the most suitable fuel available.
• It may be asked, Why has not some process
for the solidification of oil been adopted on
a large scale, if the advantages claimed for
it are real? In brief, the answer is as follows :
At the time when the solidifying processes
were worked out, crude oil, in most oil fields,
was abundant and cheap, and would have re
paid the cost of a plant to solidify it. Con
sequently, large interests such as the Burmah
Oil Company and some of the Mexican com
panies negotiated with the view of adopting
one or other of these processes. But, to
obtain the best results the plants erected would
have to be on a large scale, and the plans for
these plants, which would have been a great
novelty, required some time to work out. In
the meantime, the market value of crude oil,
in almost all parts of the world, began to rise,
and has continued to advance practically with
out a break to the present day. This increase
in price meant that it was better business to
retain the oil in its liquid form, and refine it
to obtain the various products (petrol, lamp
oil, lubricating oils, and so on ) than it was
to solidify the crude and sell it as fuel. So
the projects for creating large solidifying
plants came to a stop.
In the present condition of the oil industry
there is only one country, among those pro
ducing oil on a large scale, where the solidify
ing process could be carried out with any hope
of commercial success. That country is Mex
ico ; there not being enough transport facilities,
either ashore or afloat, to transport the oil in
its liquid state. By a coincidence, Mexico is
the nearest great oil field to Central and South
America, whose customers peculiarly need oil
fuel in a solidified state. Once a plant is cre
ated the solidifying process is not a costly one,
especially if carried out on a large scale.
British and Latin-American Trade Gazette.
Excellent Crops are
Being Harvested
Famous Corn Expert Makes a Tour of
the Principal Agricultural Regions
HE privations which Mexicans have suf
E
THfered on account of scarcity of corn and
other cereals will end as soon as the new
crops, which are abundant and sufficient for
the needs of the country, are harvested ." Thus
Señor Zeferino Dominguez , who has been
called the "Apostle of Corn" and who has for
many years worked untiringly to make Mexico
a purely agricultural country, expressed him
self recently .
Señor Dominguez has just returned from a
trip through the greater part of the States
where, at the suggestion of the Department of
Fomento and Agriculture , he went to give lec
tures and demonstrations on the cultivation
of corn . He traveled by rail more than six
thousand kilometers in a special car which was
converted into an agricultural museum for the
instruction of the farmers in modern methods
of cultivating the land. :
Señor Dominguez said that the greater part
of the land under cultivation over which he
had traveled in the States of Queretaro,
Guanajuato, Michoacan, San Luis Potosi,
Tamaulipas, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Durango,
Chihuahua, Aguascalientes, Hidalgo, Mexico ,
Jalisco and Colima, are perfectly tilled and
that the prospects are the most flattering.
According to Señor Dominguez the crops that
are grown will not only be sufficient for these
States, but will supply other less favored parts
of the country .
In every place he visited he held confer
ences on the subject of agriculture , showing
the urgent necessity of cultivating the land
intelligently and of employing modern methods
to increase the yield. More than fifty thou
sand farmers were at these meetings and
showed themselves greatly interested in all
that Señor Dominguez recommended and
which he explained in all its details . The
result of the journey will be that the agri
culturists will abandon their crude methods of
tilling the land and in the future will give
attention to fertilization , selection of seeds
and sowing in the proper manner .
In the rich Laguna district, where modern
methods in farming are followed, employing
machinery for cultivating and harvesting the
crops , the best results have been obtained by
these favored farmers.
On the journey Señor Dominguez collected
in an album the opinions of many prominent
men, governors, high military chiefs and men
of science and agriculturists . The greater
part of them concur in the opinion that the
true independence of Mexico can only be ob
tained when she has become self-supporting
from an agricultural point. Others expressed
themselves that in our country, unfortunately ,
the farmer is not esteemed for his true worth ,
and that a man dedicated to the cultivation of
the ground is superior to a conqueror or a
warrior, taking into account the labor ex
pended by each of these.
 THE
Lord Cowdray Discusses
He Says That British Production is Vital to Her Maintenance
of Ocean Power-The American Situation
DISPATCH from London announcing
that Lord Cowdray plans to spend
A $2,500,000 in drilling for oil in Eng
land, but that operations have been held up
awaiting the arrival of machinery ordered
from the United States last fall, adds interest
to the following letter from Lord Cowdray to
the Westminster Gazette . Lord Cowdray
says :
"In the course of the debate in the House
of Commons on Wednesday last my firm was.
mentioned in connection with the development
of petroleum in the United Kingdom . I venM
ture, therefore, to draw the attention of your
readers to the position which exists, and to
certain views I hold thereon .
"Extensive studies carried out by my scien
tific staff during the last three and a half
years lead me to the conclusion that, notwith
standing the long-established opinion to the
contrary, the possibilities of securing a com
mercial production of oil in Great Britain are
of a distinctly promising nature, and we have
from time to time advised the Admiralty to
this effect.
"Experience in America has shown that the
policy of uncontrolled working, and that on
small areas, is a national blunder. Moreover,
this method of working has produced wild
speculation, and has resulted in the most de
plorable waste. According to American scien
tific estimates, there is only oil in sight in that
great continent for another twenty-nine years.
This situation is causing serious disquietude
to the Government of the United States.
"This is the position which the United King
dom will have to face if unorganized and un
controlled drilling be permitted.
"In June last I was approached by the Ad
miralty with a view to immediate drilling as
a war measure. At that time my firm were
negotiating with certain landlords with a view
to arranging leases. It must be remembered
that, dependent on the nature of the strata,
a well will drain oil for a distance varying
from a few yards to a few miles. As we were
not in control of anything approaching the
areas, requisite to obviate the evils of the
small block system, my reply to the Admiralty
was that I recommended a system of national
drilling licenses as the only sound policy for
the nation.
"From the production point of view, I am
not concerned whether royalty shall or shall
not be paid to landlords, but I am concerned
with the preservation of what should become
a great national industry. So little is known.
by the public about oil that its interest in the
question is but lukewarm. No one can say
for certain whether the United Kingdom will
produce oil or not. This only the drill can
prove. My American expert advisers ( whose
opinion I value ) tell me that they think that
oil will be found in commercial quantities.
"Recognizing as I do that the potential
1 wealth of the United Kingdom in oil is as
essential for our mercantile marine of the
MEXICAN REVIEW
Oil
future as coal has been in the past, I beg the
public to realize the importance of the issue
I am raising. My ambition is to see this in
dustry born and reared, so that the nation
may benefit to the full, not only from a new
source of great possible wealth , but from the
conservation of a factor vital to its mainte
nance as a great Ocean Power.
"With this object we have made alternative
offers to the Government, subject to the pass
ing of the necessary act to safeguard the
industry, offers which are still open :
"(a) For the period of the war to place at
the disposal of the Government, free of all
cost, the services of my firm and geologic
staff, for the purposes of exploration and
development.
"(b) If the Government does not wish to
risk public money on what must be deemed a
speculative enterprise, we are prepared to
drill, at our own risk and expense as licensees,
subject to certain areas being reserved to us.
"This offer committed my firm to a probable
expenditure of £500,000.
"Operating, as the Government now sug
gests , without legislation and under the De
fence of the Realm act, the position of the
Government is that of a temporarily legalized
trespasser, and after the war the benefit of
national expenditure will revert to the owner
of the land. The country will have run the
risk, others will be entitled to the post-war
gains. Even if the Acquisition of Lands act
applies, and I am advised it does not, it means
that the nation must acquire in each case the
land necessary to protect the whole oil pool ,
which may even amount to thousands of acres,
not at normal values, but at a price having
regard to its being a proved oil property.
"More serious, however, than the financial
losses which working under the Defence of
the Realm act will entail is the result that,
presuming drilling be successful and oil
proved, vested interests will have been created
throughout the country, and, as a consequence,
the legislation essential to the welfare of the
industry will then meet with opposition many
times stronger than that with which it is con
fronted to-day.
"My earnest hope is that Parliament, being
apprised of the situation , will not allow this
nascent industry to be sacrificed on the altar
of indecision merely because those interested
for and against a royalty are not willing to
come to a compromise."
The company which controls all the electric
street-car lines of Mexico City and suburbs
has recently extended its service to the more
remote outskirts and country villages by estab
lishing regular automobile bus lines , each ma
chine having a capacity of twenty-five passen
gers. It is stated that not only is better time
made, but the cost of operation is less than
by the rail system .
Persons detected in exporting metals whose
shipment is forbidden are punishable by a fine
of five times the amount of the ordinary duty.
Formerly the punishment was confiscation of
the entire product smuggled.
13
Proposed Permanent Exhibit
West Coast Products to be Established
Contiguous to the Boundary Line
LANS are being considered in Nogales ,
PLANS
Sonora, for a permanent exhibit of the
products and resources of the Mexican West
Coast, to be located close to the international
boundary line on the Mexican side near
Nogales .
The project has been placed before the Gov
ernors of Sonora, Sinaloa and Tepic, and they
have expressed their approval and signified
their willingness to co-operate therein.
As soon as the chambers of commerce of
the two cities of Nogales have arranged for
co -operative work, the plan will be presented
to the two bodies , and it is believed that they
will take active steps to ascertain whether
sufficient financial and official support can be
obtained to make the proposition feasible.
Mr. A. C. Villasenor, among others, has
become interested in the idea, and he is suffi
ciently impressed with it to be ready to fur
nish a site for the proposed building in which
the exhibit would be housed.
Mr. Villasenor owns considerable land bor
dering the international boundary line on the
Mexican side. He has suggested a site west
of Nogales, Sonora, opposite the canyon which
winds through Nogales, Arizona.
At that point there is a beautiful level tract
of some 30 or 40 acres which Mr. Villasenor
believes would be ideal for the purpose, and
if the proposition should take definite shape
he would be willing to donate a lease for a
long term for the tract mentioned .
Among other advantages, it has a splendid
spring of water adjacent that would furnish
a source of abundant water supply.
The plan, as under consideration now, con
templates showing samples of the agricultural
products of the entire West Coast section ,
samples of its mineral products, and a com
plete photographic representation of the beau
ties and resources thereof.
Mr. Turnbull, of Los Angeles, a cinema
operator, is now engaged in taking moving
pictures throughout the West Coast region,
and he is incidentally laying the exposition
project before the authorities of the different
States in which he is working .
Those interested in the plan believe that
financial assistance for carrying it out can be
secured both in the Mexican States of the
West Coast region, and also in Nogales, Ari
zona, and possibly from the State authorities
and from California.
It is pointed out that such an exhibit would
stimulate development of the West Coast re
gion by giving Americans and other visitors
to Nogales a knowledge of the wealth and
resources of the West Coast region that could
not otherwise be obtained except by tedious
and expensive journeys into that region. It
would stimulate trade in Mexican products .
Many of the influential and wealthy resi
dents of the Mexican side have expressed
interest in the plan, and it is probable that
it will be laid before the chamber of com
merce of Nogales, Arizona , and Nogales,
Sonora, at the first joint meeting those bodies
hold.- Nogales (Arizona ) Oasis .
*
14
THE MEXI REVI
CAN EW

that Texas has- and 25,000 miles of telegraph

Mexico Viewed With Friendly Eyes lines in the country, wagon roads are scarce
and poor-some States not having any-and
A Former United States Diplomatic Official Presents the means of communication difficult. The
Various Aspects of the Life and History of the Republic population is said to comprise 14,000,000
(though I think the figures are exaggerated ),
BY GEN. CHRISTOPHER C. ANDREWS, of which 2,000,000 are pure whites and the
(Formerly U. S. Consul- General at Rio de Janeiro and U. S. Minister at Stockholm. ) balance Indians and mixed bloods. Lack of
education makes many of the people an easy
OUR years ago the President of the to engage in mining, business, agriculture, or prey to falsehood and prejudice. Let us be
United States made a friendly visit to professional callings , a number of whom, thankful that they are as good as they are.
it
F the President of Mexico . Two years be
is pitiful to believe, have lost both property Imperfect System of Surveys
fore that our Secretary of State, Mr. Root, and life from the lawlessness accompanying
made a friendly visit to the capital of Mexico. An important drawback to the development
frequent political revolutions. Not only on of Mexico's agricultural resources has been
About two years previously our Government their account
, but for the sake of the Mexi the imperfect system of surveys of public
conveyed in one of its ships of war the re
cans themselves, the people of the United lands. In the United States all public lands
mains of a Mexican Ambassador to his coun States are anxious for a just administration
try and requested that our marines who acted of government in that country that were valuable for agriculture or timber
. were by the general Government carefully sur
as escort be allowed to accompany the remains It is harder to govern a large country than veyed into sections only a mile square, and
to their last resting place. Such exceptional a small one, and some allowance should be stakes with letters and figures carved thereon,
acts express better than words American good made our Mexican neighbors for any short
will. showing the number of the section and town
comings in government on that account. A ship in which it was situated, set at each
Four of our largest States, in area- Texas, person leaving El Paso, Texas, by railroad for
New Mexico, Arizona, and California- border Mexico City, and finding that he must travel corner ; also quarter-section stakes set so that
on Mexico, with a frontier about two thou 1224 miles to get there, begins to realize the a settler hunting for land could himself select
sand miles in length. The Rio Grande River, a quarter section of 160 acres, the maximum
extent of the country. In area, Mexico is ten quantity allowed a settler under our home
which forms a great part of the boundary, is and a half times larger than the State of New
fordable most of the time, and affords peculiar York. It is larger than the German Empire, stead and pre-emption laws, double that quan
means for the concealment of lawless incur France, and Spain together. tity, however, being allowed a settler in the
sions. There have been some pillaging excur Pacific States. Not only so, but the settler
It is an elevated plateau , divided by moun could by Government stakes pick a forty-acre
sions from our side into Mexico. For military tain ranges into vast plans and numerous
tract.
protection of that border, our Government has valleys. In the 263 miles from Vera Cruz to
incurred considerable expense. There are now Conveniently located in districts about a
Mexico City, the railroad climbs 8330 feet, hundred miles square, is a Government land
five or more railroads running from the Mexico City itself having an altitude of 7400
United States into Mexico , and in recent years office, where, without charge, the settler can
feet. While there are over 15,000 miles of examine township maps, each descriptive of
several thousand Americans have gone there railroa
d-just about the same number of miles thirty-six sections of land, on a scale of two

OCB.WHITE

2013 Co EB PROPUGAD ABBO

 THE MEXICAN REVIEW 15

It is a striking fact that, although Mexico

is seventeen times larger than Cuba in area,
and has, according to her census, a population
seven times greater than Cuba's, her foreign
commerce is only about seven million dollars
more than that of Cuba. Her foreign com
merce for the year 1911 amounted to $243,
458,851 , and that of Cuba $236,319,087.
Mexico's trade with the United States for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1913, was larger
than in any previous year, her exports to the
United States amounting to $77,500,000, and
her imports from the United States amounting
to $54,500,000. Among the principal articles
of our imports from Mexico were : Copper,
amounting to $17,000,000 ; sisal grass, $15,000,
000 ; crude mineral oils , $7,000,000 ; cattle,
$5,000,000, and coffee, $4,000,000 . Our exports
CA to Mexico, principally manufactures, included
lumber amounting to $2,000,000 ; boots and
shoes, $2,000,000 ; lard, $1,000,000 ; wheat, over
half a million ; and corn, a little less than half
a million dollars.

Lago Alameda, San Luis Potosi, Mexico It is also a striking fact that, although Can
ada's population is only about half that of
inches to the mile. Also there are on file Where capital, enterprise, and intelligence Mexico, her foreign commerce is nearly four
brief field notes, made by the surveyor, show are applied, one will see handsome, up-to-date times as great . The foreign commerce of
ing the character of the land, and copies of and profitable farms. Elsewhere he may see Canada for the fiscal year ending in 1912 was
which can be obtained. No such system of wide and arid prairies covered with scattered $874,637,794. As manual labor becomes more
surveys of public land has obtained in Brazil, cactus plants, sometimes forty feet high, a popular among the Mexicans, they will pro
nor, so far as I know and believe, in any of foot or two in diameter, and without branches. duce more and buy more.
the Spanish-American countries . Running streams are scarce, and there are
The Ambassador who represents the United
It is difficult to obtain clear title. In many cattle ranges where, from the scarcity of herb
States Government in Mexico should be very
instances an individual holds a million acres ; age, fifteen acres are said to be needed for
influential and effective in maintaining good
and there are instances where an individual one head of stock. relations between the two countries . Assisted
holds over five million acres. Imagine fifty In the more southerly and lower situations by three secretaries and a military attaché, he
families owning nine-tenths of the land in a mahogany and ebony trees are numerous conducts on our part the business which the
State as large as Indiana and Ohio together, (amid malaria, however, and tropical jungle) , two Governments have with each other, and
and the situation can be understood.
but generally trees grow only on mountain is expected to keep his Govrenment correctly
Unimproved land in these large estates does
sides, where sometimes may be seen pine and informed in regard to conditions, political and
not bear its just burden of taxation ; and it other trees resembling American forests. otherwise, in Mexico, and the sentiments of
is easy for one to hold a large tract as a
wilderness indefinitely. Often a part of such Mexico has large tracts of yet undeveloped its people towards the United States . To ac
land is used for cattle ranges, but the system fertile soil ; and with the gradual increase of complish this effectually, he should have long
shows some of the obstacles to communication the means of irrigation, acquisition of capital, experience, a thorough acquaintance with the
and application of science and enterprise, country, and friendly social relations, not only
and development. Besides, the unequal taxa
tion- upon a valuation as declared by the should-with peace and security- have a great with the higher officers of the Government,
owner-pertaining to the holding of such large agricultural future. but with leading citizens. He must, therefore,
estates excites discontent. Many small holders
have been dispossessed of land, and the dis
satisfaction arising therefrom is a leading
cause of the present troubles, demanding im
mediate treatment by wise statesmanship.
The Mexicans think that the best time for
tourists to visit their country is in the rainy
season, which is from the latter part of June
till into September. The rest of the year is
dry. "Northers" sometimes prevail for suc
cessive days when, as the dwellings are with
out means for heating, people really suffer
discomfort. Frost and snow sometimes occur
at Mexico City.
While undoubtedly rich in the precious
metals, Mexico produces neither coal nor iron
to much, if any, extent. Of agricultural crops,
cotton, rice, sugar cane, corn, wheat, barley,
and alfalfa are the leading. Generally one
crop a year can be produced without irriga
tion ; but with irrigation, two or three crops
of various products can be raised in one year.
At an elevation of about 4000 feet, coffee plan
tations are successful. Oranges, bananas,
grapes, and other tropical fruits are grown. A Picturesque Aboretum in Mexico
16 THE
live, not in a pretentious and flashy, but in a
hospitable and proper, style that will command
respect and good will.
Above all, the Ambassador himself should
be a man whose wisdom, thorough honesty,
sincerity, and human sympathy are apparent .
It is the wise policy of European governments
to maintain especially well their embassies to
their nearest neighboring countries, and we
should do the same in respect to Mexico.
Every one remembers how immensely valuable
were the services of Charles Francis Adams
as our Minister to England during our Civil
War, and the right man sent and continued
as Ambassador to Mexico would be of great
benefit to both countries.
Owing to our unfortunate practice of using
such offices as rewards for party services, the
United States has had six different Ambassa
dors in Mexico in the past twenty years. They
were continued scarcely long enough to be
come acquainted with the country or become
well known to its people.
If our Government can find a Benjamin
Franklin, he is the kind of man who should
be sent as Ambassador to Mexico, and he
should be kept there as long as he is useful.
A few years ago, one of our consuls in Mex
ico, in writing to our Government about the
case of an American citizen imprisoned there
without legal process, said that in his district
the Mexicans did not respect Americans. If
we could keep such an Ambassador in Mexico
as I have mentioned, I believe this influence,
after a while, would make the Mexican people
like us. It would anyhow show them that we
respected their country.
A number of years ago, when a member of
the Austro-Hungarian Legation at Stockholm
MEXICAN REVIEW
was telling me how popular Mr. Motley was
as American Minister at Vienna, I said, "Mr.
Motley was known as a distinguished his
torian." "Oh," he replied, "it was not on
account of that-he gave splendid receptions."
Mr. Motley happened to be wealthy, and prob
ably spent three times his salary. It is not
receptions alone, however, that can make a
diplomatic representative popular ; he must, as
has been said, have good traits of his own,
as Mr. Motley surely had. There were also
accomplished members of his family to assist
him in welcoming Austro- Hungarian society.
In the Matter of Salary
The United States pays its Ambassadors to
Mexico a salary of $ 17,500 a year, out of
which, among other things, he is expected to
procure and furnish a house at an average
expense of about $6,000 a year, pay the wages
of eight or more first-class servants, entertain
liberally with dinner parties and receptions,
Great Britain pays her Ambassador to
France £ 11,500 ($55,660) per annum, provides
him with a fine house well furnished, and,
after he has been in the diplomatic service
fifteen years and has served as Ambassador
three years, he can retire with a pension or
retired pay of £1,700 ($8,228) per annum ; the
retired pay being exactly on the same prin
ciple as we treat our United States Judges
and our army and navy officers . I would sub
mit that it would be a truly economical plan,
and tend to save military and naval expendi
tures, if our people would urge their Senators
and Representatives in Congress to maintain
our embassy in Mexico as liberally as Great
Britain maintains her embassy in France.
What I ventured to say in the closing part
Fisherman's Paradise on the West Coast
of my article " Our Commerce with Cuba,
Porto Rico, and Mexico," in the July, 1879,
number of the Atlantic Monthly is true to-day
as well as then : "The United States do not
want an inch more of Mexican territory. All
that the United States ask of Mexico is that
she shall align herself with other civilized
nations. They ask that she shall suppress that
marauding which, on a considerable part of
their frontier, renders life, to use the words
of the Secretary of State, ' well-nigh insup
portable' ; and they wish that, under govern
ment justly and humanely administered, she
may enjoy the tranquillity indispensable to
business enterprise and industry, and which
will enable her to attain the social and material
prosperity that will make her a good neigh
bor."
General Ignacio Enriquez, the newly ap
pointed Governor of the State of Chihuahua,
recently held an amicable conference with
Governor Hobby, of Texas, at Juarez, in which
many subjects were discussed for the better
ment of relations between the two countries.
The Boy Scout movement is proving very
popular in Mexico . Three battalions have
been organized in Mexico City alone, while
in most of the centers of population through
out the Republic there are also groups num
bering in all several thousands of members.
They have adopted the name of "Mexican
Explorers," and are enthusiasts in all branches
of the service, which includes cavalry, in
fantry, bridge-builders, etc.
A highway capable of accommodating auto
mobiles as well as all other classes of vehicles
is being constructed from the city of Pachuca,
capital of the State of Hidalgo, to the Vega
of Metztitlan, a rich agricultural region from
which in the past it has been difficult to trans
port the large quantities of grain, etc. , that are
produced there.
 3090

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The
Cathedral
18 THE MEXICAN REVIEW

as regards city and interurban transportation,

Mexico that led to the introduction of the jitney into
City's Jitney Service
this city, and the success of the novelty from
its very inception led to its development upon
Many Hundreds of These Popular Vehicles a very large scale, there being now not less
Idiosyncrasies of Their Nomenclature than 2500 of these popular vehicles in constant
operation day and night. The street cars, dur
ing the two years following the occupation of
the city by the present government in 1915,
were so overcrowded that they were as dan
gerous as they were uncomfortable. Notwith
standing the fact that the principal lines ran
their cars in couples- first and second class,
the latter charging just half the fare of the
first, though with practically the same accom
modation, since the seats in the one were little
if any softer than those of the other-the
vehicles for the greater portion of the day
were jammed to repletion. During the "rush
hours" of morning, noon and night, passen
‫דיו‬
gers hung on to the rear of the platform,
clung to the car couplings, crowded the steps ,
jammed the platforms and passage ways,
perched upon the tension rods at the sides and
clung to the open windows, even climbed on
the roofs of the cars. It was no uncommon
sight to see passengers algihting by way of a
window instead of seeking to make their way
through the crowded interior to the platforms.
The crowded cars were the favorite resort for
A Mexico City Jitney pickpockets as well as for the vermin which
are said to be the sole conductors of the virus
MEXICO CITY, September 15. larger competitors . Still others are just plain , of typhus fever, and many a fatal case of that
LTHOUGH the "jitney" business origi ordinary autos, those of the Detroit vintage disease, as well as many a lost pocketbook or
nated in the United States (in exactly being the favorite, and accommodate all that watch, was traced to a journey in an over
A what city there is some conflict of can find seat, foot or toe hold. During the crowded street car.
statement) , those who have had personal ex rush hours every vehicle is crowded to the Naturally under these conditions accidents
perience and have watched its development are limit, and the homeward-bound travelers, of were not infrequent, hangers-on were often
willing to concede that just as Abou-ben every age, of every walk and condition in swept from their perches by passing vehicles ,
Adhem is supposed to have led all his com life, cluster all over them, inside and outside, and numerous deaths were credited to this
peers, it is to this country, singularly enough like a swarm of bees. Indeed, it is a wonder account. The public generally called for re
and surprisingly enough, that one must come how so many people can attach themselves to lief, but none was afforded until some enter
to see this modern solution of the transporta so small a vehicle. prising person who had seen or heard of the
tion problem in its highest stage. Mexico There are many hundreds of these jitneys, wonderful rise and success of the jitney ser
City, if she does not actually lead all the cities or "camiones" as they are called here, and vice in Texas cities along the border intro
on this continent in this respect, still is so they pass in almost endless procession to and duced the idea here and at once found a
close to the head of the procession as to fro along their selected routes at a rate of swarm of imitators. This is now the popular
proudly challenge all possible competitors. speed that is calculated to turn one's hair gray method of locomotion, and seldom are the
Among the many novel features of the every unless he be hardened to such deadly risks. contemned electric cars crowded to an extent
day (and every night as well ) life of this city, The electric car lines of this city have always that one cannot at most time find a seat. To
this is one of the most prominent that attracts been regarded by travelers as offering a most be sure the pickpockets still ply their trade,
the attention of the first-time visitor. And excellent and rapid service, but they are not two of them working in concert having helped
the former resident, who returns, like your to be compared with the jitneys. These trans themselves the other day to your correspond
correspondent, after an absence of a year or port passengers along the same thoroughfare
thoroughfares s ent's bocketbook-happily empty and prepared
so, is filled with surprise at the throng of and to the same suburbs as do the car lines, especially for the benefit of the light-fingered
auto-busses of every conceivable shape, style but make the journey in rather less than half gentry.
and capacity which at top speed traverses all the time consumed by the former. Notwith Up to the time of the introduction of the
but one of the city's principal thoroughfares standing this advantage, with the further one jitney, automobiles were a decided luxury only
and renders access to all the suburban villages of there being a practically continuous stream to be enjoyed by those having money, and the
and "colonies" ready as well as economical. of the jitneys against the fifteen or twenty fortunate auto riders, as they rolled proudly
Many of these vehicles have only the running minutes headway of the electric cars, the fares down the Paseo de la Reforma, were the
gear and framework of their original mechan as regulated by the government are exactly envied of all, and especially of their less for
ism, and have been rebuilt in order to enlarge the same. The average charge for the city tunate countrymen and women. But all this
their passenger-carrying capacity to the ut and nearby suburbs is 10 centavos ( about 6 is changed. Now, any one having 10 or 15
most. The more pretentious have canopy tops cents American gold) , though to some of the centavos can enjoy a trip from the commence
and are arranged with parallel seats like the more remote outlying localities it is higher ment of the avenue at the famous "Iron
much-sneered-at but nevertheless popular and 15 centavos being the limit. Horse," all the way down to Chapultepec
valuable "rubber-neck wagons" of our own Considering the distance traversed, the time said to be one of the most beautiful as it is
large cities. These will accommodate from consumed and the frequency of operation, the one of the most famous pleasure thorough
25 to 30 passengers with seats, and half as rates charged make this about the most com fares in all the world, and can ride neck and
many more on occasion clinging to the run fortable and low-priced traffic of its kind to neck with the proudest official or merchant
ning boards. Others have seats lengthwise and be found anywhere . in his expensive French or American machine.
can carry half or two-thirds as many as their It was the necessities of the situation, so far No more must the lowly peon or mechanic
 THE
and his wife watch from the sidewalk the
supercilious auto rider, leaning back against
the soft cushions. The seats of the jitney may
not be so soft and luxurious, but the vehicle
runs side by side with those of the aristocracy,
and "gets there just the same," to the manifest
huge content of the occupants, who for a few
centavos now find themselves enjoying a lux
ury once supposed to belong peculiarly and
solely to the wealthy.
When first introduced, the operators of
these novel conveyances ran them about as
they pleased, passing through any street that
took their fancy, and being a law entirely unto
themselves. But their number increased so
rapidly that the District Government soon
found itself obliged to take cognizance of
their activities and adopt regulations for their
control . But in so doing the officials did not
lose sight of the rights and conveniences of
the traveling public. They did not believe, as
has been the case in many places that might
be mentioned, that the street car companies
were entitled to a monopoly of the avenues
over which they had been given franchises
of great value and that any intrusion upon
that monopoly should be prevented. Regular
routes of travel were laid out, obliging the
jitney operators to adhere rigidly to certain
thoroughfares, and under no circumstances to
trespass upon others. All jitneys running, say,
to San Rafael must pass down a certain street
and return by another, all those to Tacubaya
by another street, and so on. Upon certain of
the wider thoroughfares they may pass in one
direction upon one side and in the other upon
the opposite, but as a rule they are obliged to
keep to one street in the heart of the city
while going in one direction and to another
when reversing their journey, just as are the
street cars in the center of the town. On the
principal street affected by promenaders and
pleasure traffic (the Avenida Francisco I. Ma
dero, once the Avenida San Francisco ) , no
jitneys are allowed under any circumstances ,
and there are no street cars on that avenue.
Many of the jitney owners seek to attract
attention by giving their machines more or
less fancy names, sometimes indicative of
their political or other sentiments. Thus, here
comes one denominated the "General Joffre,"
and it is a staunch and well-patronized vehicle,
pushing its way valiantly to the fore despite
all obstacles. Here is another called the
"Hindenburg," and singularly enough it broke
down on the Avenue Juarez on the very same
day that the Hindenburg line was broken by
the Allies in Europe. There was one called
the "Kaiser," so I was told, but it has evi
dently gone out of commission or perhaps has
changed its name, for though the writer
watched in vain for several hours on the prin
cipal thoroughfare, he did not catch a glimpse
thereof. Perhaps this newly painted one
proudly bearing the name "America" is the
"Kaiser" rechristened ! Here comes "El Vam
pire," whose name is self-explanatory, fol
lowed by "Fifi, " perhaps the driver's sweet
heart or kidlet. There too is the "Maclovio
Herrera," after the famous Constitutionalist
General who lost his life while doing such
good service for his country. "Rosa Blanca"
(the White Rose ) , "La Marina" (the Sailor) ,
MEXICAN REVIEW
"Hormiga" (the Ant, but why ?-since it is
anything but ant-like in its movements ) ,
"Mayatito" (the Little Maya ) , "Rio Bravo"
(the Rio Grande-which is one of the fastest
of the swarm ) , "Nandito," "Anahuac," "Mari
anella," "Mitla," "Malintzi," "Monterrey,"
"Pretty Baby" (which belies its name) , "El
Submarino" (which also does not live up to
its cognomen) . Here comes "El 8" (but it is
not an "eight" and carries more than eight
passengers, hence the appropriateness of the
name is not apparent) . "Mancito" (the Gentle
One) comes roaring and puffing down the
street, and of all things in the world, here
comes the "Charlie Chaplin"! My, but
wouldn't Charlie be proud to see the jitney
to which his name is attached. The " Chaplin"
is closely followed by the "Max Linder," fa
vorite film comedian with movie "fans" in
this country, and then comes " El Pacholin"
(Happy Hooligan ) . The "Guillermina" limps
and halts, clashes and clamors on its last
"wheels" in full imitation of its namesike
Guillermo of Germany. "Dante" comes rush
ing recklessly along, threatening unless care
is used to land its passengers where the one
from whom it inherited the name passed so
much time! Then comes a machine with the
comforting name of "La Paz" (the Peace ) ,
followed by "El Transiberiano" and "Con
sentido" (the Spoiled Child, or the Cuckold,
just as you prefer ) . "España" plainly enough
indicates the nativity of its owner, and it is
followed by "Don Tancredo," "Lupe" ( favor
ite feminine diminutive ) , " El Centenario" (the
VOICE
WATE,
Jitneys in Front of the Mexico City Postoffice
Centennial), "Montserrat," and (be careful
now) " El Chimalpopoca" and "El Cintapa
lapa !" "La Favorita" (the Favorite ) proves
true to its name and is always crowded, as
is "El Recreo" (the Recreation ) , "El Arcon,"
"Laredo," "Zacatecas," "El Triunfo" (the
Triumph) , and so on down a long list of
more or less appropriate names, all of which
serve to lend interest to the observer and are
a source of amusement as well as conjecture.
But if you want a good jitney service, by all
means come to Mexico !
19
Ford to Establish a Tractor
Factory in Mexico
Profits Will Remain in That Country
Mexicans Will be Taught
NNOUNCEMENT is made in the Mex
ican press that Henry Ford, the lead
ing tractor and automobile manufacturer
of the United States, has submitted a plan
to President Carranza, of Mexico, for
the establishment in that country of an exten
sive and complete plant for the manufacture
of tractors for agricultural purposes. The
plan is to educate Mexican mechanics in the
Ford plants in this country and then return
them to their own land to operate the factory
there. The principal object of the Mexican
factory will be the manufacture of tractors,
which will be sold to farmers practically at
cost and also on terms which will allow them
to be paid for from the increased crops made
possible by the use of the modern machinery.
At present those wishing to buy tractors are
met by the necessity of paying heavy freight,
import and other charges, commissions, etc.
All this will be obviated by the manufactory
in Mexico and the tractors and other machin
ery will be sold for much less than is now
possible.
Mr. Ford declares that his sole purpose is
to benefit Mexico and that every cent of profit
that may be made in this enterprise will re
main in that country. Stringent provisions
will be made in this direction in the contracts
that will be drawn up, while after his death
LA- C
ZABE
MARTMAINCEE
AL R
PE
EX
FOR PRAY
Offivi
his descendants will be required to follow the
same policy.
It is the intention of Mr. Ford to invest
several millions in this enterprise- whatever
sum may be necessary to put it upon a suc
cessful footing from its inception. No idea
has been given as to the probable location of
the mnaufactory, but it will of course be at
some point where rail transportation is con
venient, as well as where oil, coal, iron and
other essentials may be readily procured.
Such places are not difficult to find.
20 THE
The Mexicans ' Forefathers
Their Mental Status and the Reasons for Their
BY ROBERT BRUCE BRINS MADE
HE majority of men do not think, be
cause they are compelled to spend all
Ttheir energy in the struggle for life, and
they have no time left for thinking. The ma
jority accept everything that exists as inevi
table, natural and current. This is what makes
so hard the task of the social reformer, and
converts his way into a Way of the Cross.
This is what brings the jeers of the powerful
and the curses of the rabble on those who
dare to be the first to raise their voice in the
defense of a truth.-HENRY GEORGE.
The basis of national progress is the educa
tion of the young, since in no other way can
we transmit to future generations the knowl
edge inherited and acquired by the present
one. In order to investigate the causes of
the backwardness of education in Mexico, we
must study the history of the European and
Indian races which were the ancestors of the
Mexicans, and investigate their intellectual
peculiarities.
Archaeology has demonstrated that man be
gan his own history on the plans of animals,
and has made his way from savagery to civili
zation by means of the slow accumulation of
experimental knowledge. Morgan* estimates
that the period of five thousand years com
prised in written history is less than one-fifth
per cent of the period during which man, as
such, has dwelled on the earth. Every exist
ing nation is the outcome of savage ancestors,
and the periods of civilization through which
every nation has passed in order to reach its
present state may be classed as follows :
Order. State. Grade.
1 Savage. Low.
2 Savage. Medium.
Savage. High.
4 Barbarians. Low.
5 Barbarians. Medium.
6 Barbarians.
High
7 Civilized . Low.
Civilized. Medium .
The Spanish chroniclers judged the Aztecs
as "civilized" due to the ignorance of the
former in archaeological matters. Their ob
servations were so erroneous that they de
scribed the indeterminate Aztec confederation.
of the democratic tribes as an "empire," the
warrior chief, Montezuma, as a "monarch,"
and his associates, the chiefs of the tribes, as
"feudal lords. " This error of the Spaniards
has been adopted by Prescott in his interesting
histories.** Morgan says : "Spanish chroniclers
MEXICAN REVIEW
for cultivation of their lands ; wove coarse
materials with cotton and feathers ; built mud
and stone houses and made excellent pottery.
They owned the lands in common ; they
dwelled in the houses by family groups ; they
Present Condition- Hope for the Future
prepared only one meal per day, which was
served first to the men ; they lacked chairs
and tables. The Indians practiced drawing,
and had a marvelous knowledge of astronomy.
Consequently, the Spaniards may refute the
charge generally made against them, that they
destroyed Aztec civilization, since the latter
did not exist. Their sins in Mexico have been
much more sins of omission than of commis
sion. Considering the Indian as a domestical
animal, they taught him the vices and not the
virtues of civilization ; their selfish colonial
government is still reflected in the suffering of
the masses in Mexico. The failure of the
Spaniards lies in not shouldering the task of
the "white man," that of civilizing the Aztecs,
and it can be appreciated by a glance at
history.
In the times of Christ, the Iberian Peninsula
was one of the civilized countries forming
part of the Roman Empire, with a population
of Iberians, Celts and Italians. During the
decadence of Rome, after the fourteenth cen
tury, the peninsula was invaded by different
barbarous tribes of Teutons, especially Van
dals and Visigoths. The latter settled in the
northern part of Spain, founding there a
kingdom in the year 415, and spread over the
whole peninsula during the following three
centuries, although merely in the character of
a reigning caste, since the conquered Latins
formed the bulk of the nation.†
Z
In the year 711 the Visigoth kingdom was
overturned by the Mohammedan invader com
ing from Africa, who established a Moorish
empire destined to subsist for about 800 years.
The Visigoth chieftains were not extermi
nated, but they took refuge in the provinces
of Asturias, Biscayan Galicia, Navarre and
One of the Old Apache Chiefs Aragon. There they lived isolated, secure in
the mountains, but deprived of all the advan
Knowledge acquired. Example tages of civilization ; and the poor and igno
rant Christians, guided by their fanatical
Vegetable food, articu Man at the ple
late language. ocene ag priests, undertook an incessant and inhuman
Fish food, use of fire. Polynesians. war against the Moors. The conflict did not
end until the year 1492, when Granada, the
Animal food, use of bows
and arrows. Athabascans. last Moorish bulwark in Spain, was taken by
Agriculture, huts, pottery. Iroquois. King Ferdinand V.
Irrigation, domestic animals Aztecs, Incas.
When Mexico was conquered in 1521 ,
Use of metals , temples. Homeric G'ks.
Charles V ruled over Spain, as successor to
Phonetic alphabet, land Spaniards in 1521
owners. Ferdinand V, and, due to the possessions of
Natural sciences, appli Contemporary the empire in America, a wonderful century
cation of steam. Frenchmen. of material grandeur began for Spain. But it
already nourished at its breast a monster des
deserve credit in what relates to the acts of tined to bring about its ruin-the Inquisition .
the Spaniards, or to the weapons, tools, indus This famous body was instituted in permanent.
tries, food, etc., of the Indians ; but in what form by Pope Innocent III in the year 1215.
relates to the Indian government, social rela At first the Church employed it with the help
tions and political economy these chronicles of the government, as an instrument against
are absolutely worthless." heresy.
At the time of the Conquest the Indians did Its appalling possibilities as a political lever
not know the uses of iron ; but they worked were not understood until it became a tool in
softer metals, such as copper ; they traded by the hands of the Spanish Crown in 1478..
means of exchange of goods, for money was Under the reigns of Ferdinand V and Charles
unknown among them ; they used irrigation V, the Inquisition became the principal means

THE
of support of their autocratic power through
out their vast empire, which comprised almost
all the world. It helped to unify the primitive
seven Christian kingdoms of Spain and con
vert them into a single fanatical State ; it en
riched the royal treasury with the properties
of those it declared heretics, and smothered
political and religious dissensions . For the
fulfilment of its decrees recourse was had to
the most outrageous and sanguinary methods ,
and secret torments ended only in public exe
cution. It is estimated that in Spain alone,
in the period from the year 1481 till its aboli
tion in 1808, by Napoleon, the Inquisition* had
ordered the burning alive of 31,912 individuals,
and had inflicted odious punishments on
291,456. Its short domination in the Low
Countries during the reign of Charles V cost
100,000 lives of "heretics," who perished under
the ax, on the gallows or by fire.††
The reason which led the Spaniards to sup
port through three centuries such a diabolical
institution, which no other Catholic country
would have maintained even for ten years, was
that, during a religious war which lasted over
eight centuries, the people had been taught by
their priests that heretics were outside the
pale of humankind. Bound by the friars in
the double chains of superstition and ignor
ance, the Spaniards became the abject slaves
of the Church and the King, ready to commit
any crime, however frightful.
In the New World also, with savage feroc
ity, they hounded the unbelievers, and the
Antilles were depopulated in the period of one
century. The Mexican Indians would have
disappeared, too, had it not been for the parti
sans of the virtuous Father Bartolome Las.
Casas, who secured from the Spanish Crown
the Law of Commons.
The Inquisition, expelling with refined
cruelty the Jews and the Moors from Spain
at the beginning of the sixteenth century,
occasioned the ruin of Spanish industries.
Those inoffensive people formed the indus
trial middle class which, through its artisans
and gardeners, had caused industry and agri
culture to prosper. Their absence left a
vacuum between the nobility and the clergy in
the upper class and the laborers below. The
privileged classes were too proud to work, and
the masses too incapable of working produc
tively without efficient direction. Industry lan
guished, factories were closed, lands were
abandoned. In the meantime, church buildings
and priests multiplied, and thousands of labor
ers, driven to want, turned into bandits or
beggars.
Whether one believes that the great men are
the creators or the creatures of the progres
sive movements of humanity, it is a fact that
they are essential concomitants of such prog
ress , which wou not be possible without
them. Consequen.. the Inquisition, by its
careful elimination, during nine generations ,
of the independent thinkers in the Spanish
Dominions at a rate of about 1000 a year, did
exactly the reverse to what the gardener does
when weeding, since that institution made
away with the fine plants, leaving the weeds.
The destruction of intelligent individuals
carried out by the Inquisition has been denied
MEXICAN REVIEW
by some Spaniards, who point out the numer
ous native poets, artists, musicians, painters ,
novelists ; but this defense fails, because not
all superior people were eliminated by the
Inquisitors, but only a certain class of them.
The principal victims were the intellectuals in
the scientific realm, who asked : "Why?"
"Whereof?" as well as all those parties of
independent mind or nonconformists who re
fused to approve any political or religious acts
unless they were in accordance with morals.
By the destruction of scientists, the Inquisition
made away with that part of humanity which
makes discoveries and inventions ; by suppress
ing the nonconformists, it put an end to that
type of men who maintain liberty of con
science and who help democratic governments
to attain success.
Spain has not yet recovered from the harm
caused by the expulsion of the middle class
and the extermination of the scientists and
nonconformists . Its masses carry the weight
of the upper clergy and nobility ; and in the
meantime factories, mines, lands are in the
hands of foreigners, who themselves manage
these properties . The educated class in Spain
is still too proud to work, and, consequently,
must live by foul or fair means ; legacies or
cheating. Many of these individuals, lacking
legacies, rush into public office, and the result
is prevalent corruption and inefficiency therein.
It is only since Spain had the fortune to lose
its last colonies, in 1899, that it is beginning
to reform ; but it must go through a long and
arduous apprenticeship in order to reach the
same degree of culture prevailing in France
or Northern Italy.
The Old Girl is 106
21
The law of heredity explains the present
condition of Spain. Galtont demonstrated, a
half century ago, that intellectual faculties are
transmitted in the human family in the same
manner in which certain peculiarities are in
herited in the animal species, and that it is
just as possible by judicious marriages to pro
duce a race of men highly endowed as it is
feasible to create a notable race of horses or
dogs. Galton, after a careful study of many
eminent Englishmen, arrived at the conclusion.
that at least 50 per cent of the mental faculties
of these men were atavic. Lately, Woods‡‡
has investigated the genealogy of 832 members
of royal families in Europe, and he found that
about 90 per cent of their intellectual qualities
and about 50 per cent of their moral qualities
were derived from their forefathers.
During the Colonial epoch, Mexico suffered,
with other Spanish colonies, the cruelties of
the Inquisition, established in the City of Mex
ico shortly after the Conquest. The contempt
of the feudal warriors for manual labor was
also prevalent in the educated classes of the
colony, although an exception was made with
respect to mines, which were exploited by
Spanish Creoles more as a military adventure
than on a commercial basis. Although Mexico
secured its independence in the year 1821 , it
was not until 1857 that it was freed from the
Clericals' yoke by the Laws of Reform, ‡‡‡
and this freedom lasted only a few years, for
freedom of thought was quickly repressed
shortly after the accession of Diaz to power,
in the year 1876.
The history which I have cited abounds in
hopes for the mental future of the native
races. The Indians of the Communal lands
have not degenerated from a previous civilized
state ; they are still in the same condition of
barbarism and lack of culture (see table)
merely because they have never been helped
by the white man to rise out of that condition.
It is true that many of the peones on the farms
and in the cities are degraded by slavery and
alcoholism, but the notable aptitudes they have
shown for industry and mechanical work indi
cate that the natural artistic gift of the Indian
can be successfully applied to the modern sys
tem of production .
The fact that a statesman like Benito Juarez
came from a family of pure Indians is a
demonstration that the present intellectual
state of the Indian is not the result of an
organic inferiority, but of lack of education
and culture.
*"Ancient Sociology," by Daniel Morgan.
** "Ferdinand and Isabella," 1837 ; "Con
quest of Mexico," 1843 ; "Conquest of Peru,"
1847, by W. H. Prescott.
+"Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire,"
by Gibbon.
"Inquisition," in Vol. IV of Johnson's
"Cyclopedia," U. S. A.
"Hereditary Genius," by F. Galton, and
"Descent of Man," by Darwin, U. S. A.
"Mental and Moral Heredity in Royalty,"
by F. A. Woods, in Popular Science Monthly.
New York, August, 1912.
# "Codigo de la Reforma," by Blas J.
Alatorre, Mexico, D. F.
 22 THE
1
WITH
DE BLANCO
Manuel Gutierrez Najera Mexico)
¿Qué cosa más blanca que cándido lirio?
¿Qué cosa más pura que místico cirio?
¿Que cosa más casta que tierno azahar?
¿Que cosa más virgen que leve neblina?
¿Que cosa más santa que el ara divina de gótico altar?
De blancas palomas el aire se puebla;
con túnica blanca, tejida de niebla,
se envuelve a lo lejos feudal torreón ;
erguida en el huerto la trémula acacia
al soplo del viento sacude con gracia su níveo pompón.
¿No ves en el monte la nieve que albea?
La torre muy blanca domina la aldea,
las tiernas ovejas triscando se van,
de cisnes intactos el lago se llena ;
columpia su copa la enhiesta azucena
y su ánfora inmensa levanta el volcán.
Entremos al templo: la hostia fulgura;
de nieve parecen las canas del cura,
vestido con alba de lino sutil ;
cien niñas hermosas ocupan los bancos,
y todas vestidas con túnicas blancas
en ramos ofrecen las flores de Abril.
Y subamos al coro : la virgen propicia
escuha los rezos de casta novicia
y el cristo de mármol expira en la cruz;
sin mancha se yerguen las velas de cera;
de encaje es la tenue cortina ligera
que ya transparenta del alba la luz.
Bajemos al campo: tumulto de plumas
parece el arroyo de blancas espumas
que quieren, cantando, correr y saltar;
su airosa mantilla de fresca neblina
terció la montaña , la vela latina
de barca ligera se pierde en el mar.
Ya salta del lecho la joven hermosa
y el agua refresca sus hombros de diosa,
sus brazos ebúrneos, su cuello gentil ;
cantando y risueña se ciñe la enagua,
y trémulas brillan las gotas del agua
en su árabe peine de blanco marfil .
IOh mármol! Oh nieve! 10h inmensa blancura
que esparces doquiera tu casta hermosura !
Oh tímida virgen ! ¡ Oh casta vestall
Tú estás en la estatua de eterna belleza ;
de tu hábito blando nació la pureza,
lal ángel das alas, sudario al mortal !
Tú cubres al niño que llega a la vida,
coronas las sienes de fiel prometida,
al paje revistes de rico tisu.
IQue blancas son, reinas, los mantos de armiñol
IQué blanca es loh madres! la cuna del niñio !
¡Que blanca, mi amada, qué blanca eres túl
En sueños ufanos de amores contemplo
alzarse muy blancas las torres de un templo
y oculto entre lirios abrirse un hogar;
y el velo de novia prenderse a tu frente,
cual nube de gasa que cae lentamente
y viene en tus hombros su encaje a posar
*
MEXICAN REVIEW
THE MEXICAN
WHITE
Manuel Gutierrez Najera (Mexico) .
What thing than the lily unstanied is more white?
More pure than the mystic wax taper so bright?
More chaste than the orange-flower, tender and fair?
Than the light mist more virginal- holier too
Than the stone where the eucharist stands, ever new,
In the Lord's House of Prayer?
By the flight of white doves all the air now is cloven ;
A white robe, from strands of the morning mist woven,
Enwraps in the distance the feudal round tower.
The trembling acacia, most graceful of trees,
Stands up in the orchard and waves in the breeze
Her soft, snowy flower.
See you not on the mountain the white of the snow?
The white tower stands high o'er the village below ;
The gentle sheep gambol and play, passing by.
Swans pure and unspotted now cover the lake ;
The straight lily sways as the breezes awake ;
The volcano's huge vase is uplifted on high.
Let us enter the church: shines the eucharist there ;
And of snow seems to be the old pastor's white hair;
In an alb of fine linen his frail form is clad.
A hundred fair maidens there sit robed in white ;
They offer bouquets of spring flowers, fresh and bright,
The blossoms of April, pure, fragrant and glad.
Let us go to the choir; to the novice's prayer
Propitiously listens the Virgin so fair;
The white marble Christ on the crucific dies;
And there without stain the wax tapers rise white ;
And of lace is the curtain so thin and so light,
Which the day-dawn already shines through from the
skies.
Now let us go down to the field. Foaming white,
The stream seems a tumult of feathers in flight ,
As its waters run, foaming and singing in glee.
In its airy mantilla of mist cool and pale
The mountain is wrapped; the swift bark's lateen sail,
Glides out and is lost to our sight on the sea.
The lovely young woman now springs from her bed,
On her goddess-like shoulders fresh water to shed,
On her fair, polished arms and her beautiful neck.
Now, singing and smiling, she girds on her gown;
Bright, tremulous drops, from her hair shaken down,
Her comb of Arabian ivory, deck.
O marble! O snows ! O vast , wonderful whiteness !
Your chaste beauty everywhere sheds its pure brightness,
O shy, timid vestal, to chastity vowed !
In the statue of beauty eternal are you ;
From your soft robe is purity born, ever new;
You give angels wings, and give mortals a shroud.
You cover the child to whom life is yet new,
Crown the brows of the maiden whose promise is true,
Clothe the page in rich raiment that shines like a star.
How white are your mantles of ermine , O queens !
The cradle how white, where the fond mother leans!
How white, my beloved, how spotless you arel
In proud dreams of love, I behold with delight
The towers of a church rising white in my sight,
And a home, hid in lilies, that opens to me;
And a bridal veil hung on your forehead so fair,
Like a filmy cloud, floating down slow through the air,
Till it rests on your shoulders, a marvel to seel
Version by Alice Stone Blackwell
POETS
LA PLEGARIA DE LA ROGA ESTERIL
Por Enrique Gouzalez Martinez
Sefior, yo soy apenas una roca desnuda
que azota el viento y quema el sol ;
la nube, cuando pasa, de lejos me saluda
y tiende el ala a otra region.
Soy en la cumbre signo de un esperar eterno,
vuelvo los ojos al zafir
y entre lluvias de agosto y ráfagas de invierno
C
no hay primavera para mí.
Ignoro los follajes ; yo nunca de la fuente
tuve la límpida canción,
ni musgos fraternales que brindar a la frente
del fatigado viajador.
Yo soy como un espectro que se alzara insepulto,
angel proscrito de un edén ;
en el fondo del alma llevo un afán aculto,
en las entrañas, vieja sed.
Tengo mi planta inmóvil hundida en la montaña
y una esperanza en el azur,
y me ignoran los hombres, y nadie me acompaña
en estas cárceles de luz.
Señor, ya que no tengo ni musgo florecido
ni un arroyuelo bullidor,
haz que en mis agbras forjen las águilas su nido
y hagan su tálamo de amor.
Mas si ha de ser forzoso que me aparte del mundo
y del concierto universal,
hazme símbolo eterno, inmutable y profundo
de la más alta soledad.
THE PRAYER OF THE BARREN ROCK
By Enrique Gonzalez Martinez
Lord, I am nothing, but barren rock,
Lashed by the wind , scorched by the sun's fierce might.
The passing cloud salutes me from afar,
Then elsewhere bends its flight.
I am a sign of everlasting hope,
Here on the height ; the azure depths I see,
But amid August rains and winter blasts
There is no spring for me.
I have no greenery of waving leaves,
No fountain's limpid song and silvery stir,
No kindly mosses to invite the brow
Of the tired wayfarer.
Like an unburied spectre I rise up,
Or angel from an Eden forced to part;
A hidden yearning in my soul I bear,
An old thirst in my heart.
My foot is buried , moveless, in the mount;
My hope is fixed on heaven's azure height.
Men know not, and no one comes with me
Into this prison bright.
Lord , since I have no softly-flowering moss
Nor singing stream down-leaping from above,
Within my clefts let eagles build thier nest,
And make their home of love.
If I must stand apart from all the world
And its vast concert with earth's joy imbued.
Make me the symbol, endless, changless, deep,
Of loftiest solitude!
 THE
LA TUMBA DE JUAREZ
Ignacio Mariscal 4 Por Jesus E. Valenzuela (México)
En bronce 6 duro mármol esculpido
No admires, no, su refulgente nombre,
Ni con su pompa funeral te asombre
La rica tumba en que le ves dormido .
Sepulcro más esplendido crigido
Á Juárez tiene, de inmortal renombre,
En el santuario de su pecho el hombre
Que le ama con un pueblo agradecido.
¿Buscas el epitafio? En esas leyes
Contémplalo en que altivro el mexicano
Su gloria encuentra y su robusta egida.
Por monumento igual, decidme, loh reyes!
¿La púrpura y el cetro soberano
No dierais. · • y también la inútil vida?
THE TOMB OF JUAREZ
By Ignacio Mariscal
Do not admire his great name, carved with art
In bronze or marble; wonder not, to see
The sepulchre's dark pomp and majesty
In which he slumbers, smitten by death's dart.
He has a nobler tomb within the heart
Of every man who loves him tenderly,
And in his grateful nation's memory ;
'Tis built of fame that never shall depart.
His epitaph? The statues of our land,
In which the Mexicans with pride behold
Their glory, their defence from wrong and strife.
Monarchs, to earn a monument as grand,
'Would you not give your purple and your gold,
Your sovereigns seiptre, yea, your worthless life?
LUCES DEL PRISMA
Agustín F. Cuenca
Sepulta en horizontes de escarlata
Su carro de oro el fulgurante día,
Y en el tocado de la noche umbría
Prendes, loh Venus ! tu floron de plata.
IRica joya del ciell en ti retrata,
Ya su amarga aflicción, ya su alegría,
Quien duelos llora de la suerte impía,
Quien dichas debe á la fortuna ingrata.
Te ve radiante la inocencia pura,
Melancólica y triste el desconsuelo,
Gloriosamente belle la hermosura,
Voluptuosa el amor, fúnebre el duelo ;
Que, doliente ó feliz, cada criatura
Tiene un cristal para mirar el cielo.
PRISMATIC LIGHTS
By Augustin F. Cuenca.
Below the west, that glows all ruddily.
Day's car of blazing gold hath sunk from sight.
Soon, Venus, thy rosette of silver bright
Upon Night's dusky mantle clasped will be.
Rich jewel of the skies! Alike in thee
The man who mourn's o'er unjust Fortune's slight,
And he on whom her choicest favors light,
Their sorrow and their joy reflected see.
Pure innocence beholds thee radiant, clear;
Beauty perceives thee gloriously fair;
Love sees thee tender: and the heart which sighs
Beholds thee mournful. Every creature here
Possesses, in delight or in despair,
A crystal glass through which to read the skies.
MEXICAN
A SONG OF HANDS
By Jesus E. Valenzuela (Mexico), born 1856, died 1911.
Hands-like, soft blossoming buds
Of children that search for the breast,
In the calm sea of love's gaze
Cradled and sweetly caressed !
Small hands of Jesus the Christ,
In glory ineffably bright;
Hands like soft blossoming buds,
Hands bathed in milk and in light.
Fairy hands, nimble and fair,
O'er the piano that stray
Like a vague dream of life, or the void
A dream from some realm far away!
The winged expression are ye
Of a sigh, or some cry on the air,
Floating in infinite space,
Fairy hands, nimble and fair.
Hands of an ivory white,
In the shade of the mantle obscure
Brightening prayer with their gleams
Gentle and starlike and pure !
Through their whiteness have passed all the woes
That ever humanity knew,
With the rosary's beads, one by one—
O hands of the ivory's huel
Hands full of charity's grace,
Which to the hungry by night
Carry forth comfort and food,
Bread of hope's joy, of truth's light!
Noble, mysterious hands,
Of kindness unending, sincere !
Brothers are we, one and all,
Hands full of charity dear!
O pale, perished hands of the dead
For love or as martyrs who died !
Leaves of one lily are ye,
Hands that were clasped or spread wide ;
Hands full of questions, desires,
Aspirations and yearnings unsaid
Hands to the heavens outstretched,
O pale, perished hands of the dead!
Hands with the sword in their grasp ,
That by warfare a sceptre have won,
And fill the whole world with the flood
Of rivers of blood that o'errun!
Hands of the common folk, armed
When quarrels or battles have birth
Hands with the sword in their grasp,
Red hands of the great of the earthl ..
Hands that are bleeding and hard,
That plough up the stern, arid soil,
And scarce feel the flight of the hours,
So heavy and cruel the toil ;
Hands in the workshop that sweat,
That set up the type in all lands,
Hands that meet death in the mines
Hard, rough and blood-spotted hands!
Hands that are wonted to toil,
Strong hands of the brave and the freel
When on the heights, in the depths,
Vibrates o'er land and o'er sea,
Stirring the world from its roots,
The anger of justice on fire
Hands that are wonted to toil,
You shall that day hold the lyrel
Version by Alice Stone Blackwell
RHYME
By S. José M, Pino
What matter that thy madest lips, my dearest one,
From which a maiden's prayer alone flows free,
Say, in their innocent and timid coyness,
Thou hast no love for me?
If thy sweet eyes, so beautiful, so lustrous,
In the soul's language mystical and soft,
Unto my soul of love and hope have spoken
Yes, many a time and oft!
REVIEW 23
BALADA DE LAS MANOS
Manos-capullos en flor
De niños buscando el seno
En el piélago sereno
De una mirada de amor.
En inefable fulgor
Manecitas de Jesús
Bañadas en leche y luz...
Manos-capullos en flor.
Manos ágiles de hada
Que pasan por el piano
Como un ensueño lejano
De la vida o de la nada ;
Manos, expresión halada
De un suspiro o de algun grito
Que flotaba en lo infinito ...
Manos ágiles de hada.
Manos de ebúrnea blancura
Que en la sombra del mantón
Iluminan la oración
Con luz sideral y pura,
Manos entre cuya albura
La camándula desgrana
Toda la desdicha humana ...
Manos de ebúrnea blancura.
Manos de la Caridad
Que a la noche del hambriento
Llevan consuelo y sustento,
Pan de esperanza y verdad ,
Manos de eterna bondad,
Nobles y místicas manos,
¡Ah! Todos somos hermanos ...
Manos de la Caridad.
Manos pálidas, difuntas
En el amor o el martirio,
Pétalos del mismo lirio ,
Manos abiertas o juntas;
Manos llenas de preguntas,
De aspiraciones y anhelo,
Manos tendidas al cielo,
Manos pálidas, difuntas.
Manos que empuñan espada
Y un cetro han hecho en la guerra,
Y que llenaron la tierra
Con la sangre derramada ;
Manos de la plebe armada
En la riña o el combate,
Rojas manos de magnate,
Manos que empuñan espada. ·
Manos duras y sangrientas
Que abren el surco en el suelo
Arido y triste ; que el vuelo
No sienten de horas cruentas;
Las que mueven las imprentas,
Las que el taller estremecen,
Las que en las minas perecen,
Manos duras y sangrientas.
Manos hechas al trabajo,
Fuertes manos de hombre libre,
Cuando en el espacio vibre,
Lo mismo arriba que abajo,
Moviendo al mundo de cuajo,
De las justicia la ira... t
Vosotras tendréis la lira,
Manos hechas al trabajo !
RIMA
S. José M. Pino
No importa que tu labio pudoroso
que sólo brota virginal plegaria,
en su inocente y tímido recato
me diga que no amas.
Si tus ojos, tan bellos, tan hermosos,
en el lenguaje mistico del alma,
han hablado á la mia muchas veces
de amor y de esperanzas.
24 THE
The Gold Situation
Argument in Favor of the Government Putting
BY JOHN CLAUSEN, VICE- PRESIDENT CROCKER NATIONAL BANK OF SAN FRANCISCO
O MORE interesting chapter will be
written in economic history than that
NⓇwhich deals with the problem of the
proper distribution of the world's gold supply.
Probably there was never greater need than
now for co-operation of our industrial and
financial elements to devise a workable plan
for control of an increased production of that
precious metal.
A great man once said. " Necessity opens our
eyes to the advantage of fresh principles ," and
as I see it this is now our position. The
greatest war that the world has ever known
has so altered conditions that new methods
and customs must necessarily take the place of
the old in order to keep abreast of the times.
In reality, a very important issue is presented,
namely, whether the standard of value of the
world will in future be gold or become a
combination of silver and gold ; and, if so ,
what effect such changes would have on the
trading powers of nations. It is obvious that
if a bi-metallic standard were adopted as
media, the question of the value between the
metals themselves would become one of vital
issue. Then again, there may be a scarcity
of gold available as money for the purpose of
effecting the sale or purchase of commodities,
or as affecting the position of governments
and banks and the availability of that precious
metal in proportion to liabilities.
There are many interesting angles from
which to view this important subject, but it
may be of general benefit to recount what
happened in this country during and after our
Civil War, and in Europe since the beginning
of the present hostilities.
As an inevitable result of government policy
which had placed upon the banks a burden too
heavy for them to carry, the financial institu
tions in New York and other sections were,
during the Civil War, forced to discontinue
specie payments, which subsequently brought
about the suspension of the National Treasury.
At the beginning of 1862 a bill was intro
duced which had for its purpose the making
of government notes legal tender, and al
though that measure was considered unconsti
tutional, it became law in February of the
same year. The issue of greenbacks payable
to bearer, after several amendments of this
bill, was authorized up to a maximum of four
hundred million dollars . When the green
backs were issued it was expected that they
would circulate at par with the gold dollar,
containing 23.2 grains of pure metal, but a
year after the first Legal Tender Act had been
passed paper money had an exchange value
equal to only 14.5 grains of gold. Its value
rose in August, 1863, to 18.4 grains, but fell in
July, 1864, to 9 grains , which was its lowest
point. The premium on gold was then such
that a dollar in paper money was not worth
more than 36 cents in gold coin.
MEXICAN REVIEW
a Premium Upon Gold Mining
The most striking example of profiteering
during that period was the Black Friday Con
spiracy of September 24, 1864, when a group
of speculators bought up large quantities of
gold-creating an artificial scarcity- and as a
result that commodity could only be obtained
from this clique at ruinous terms. This
brought about many failures, and to check
gambling in gold and reduce the premium on
it, the Anti-Gold Law was passed, but as it did
not materially bring the premium on gold to
a lower level, it was very soon repealed .
In June, 1862, Congress authorized the use.
of "postage and other stamps of the United
States" because of the enormous increase in
demand for small currency, notwithstanding
the circulation of the so-called "shin-plasters,"
which were issued in denominations of 5 , 10 ,
20, 25 and 50 cents.
In some of the Western States attempts
were made to maintain specie payments , after
they had been given up in the East, but Cali
fornia alone had the distinction of remaining
on a gold basis during the Civil War, and it
was not until 1876 that gold again sold at par
throughout the United States.
Since that period the more notable event
was the panic of 1893, which was followed
by a depression throughout the nation, with
the result that a large amount of gold was
drained from this country to Europe. The
Treasury's reserve became so low in Novem
ber, 1894, that a sale of Government bonds
was resorted to ; in fact, the stock of coin was
reduced to such an extent that there were
outstanding more gold notes than coin, leaving
a part of the certificates represented by bullion
in the form of bars. Again during February
of 1895 , and also in July of the following
year, strong syndicates headed by leading
bankers in New York accomplished the diffi
cult task of bolstering up the finances of the
United States Government, and it was largely
due to their activities that the United States
remained on a gold basis. The success of
these combinations had a far-reaching influ
ence on business and as soon as it was seen
that the gold obtained from abroad was not
going to be lost at once as in previous bond
sales , confidence was again revived and the
financial position of the United States im
proved so favorably in the eyes of Europe that
it was possible to float large blocks of Ameri
can securities abroad.
In August of 1914 foreign exchange became
demoralized, and to remedy that situation a
gold pool was again created, when leading
banks and bankers throughout the country
joined in an agreement to provide for mail
and telegraphic transfers to Europe in lieu of
gold for export, which proved a helpful factor
in restoring order and confidence.
For several years prior to the declaration
of war in Europe the countries of France,
Russia and Germany especially had been en
gaged in an eager competitive scramble for
gold, which resulted in the holdings of their
great state institutions expanding rapidly. On
this account, at the outbreak of the war we
found them with what was up to that time
the peak of their gold reserves.
The embargo which was universally adopted
clearly demonstrated the desire of every com
mercial nation to control and retain its supply
of gold. As far as the United States is con
cerned, other than the necessity of obtaining
Government permission to export gold in coin
or bars, its circulation in this country has not
been restricted-although the efforts of banks
and individuals alike are directed towards har-
moniously co-operating with the Government
in concentrating the nation's supply with the
Federal Reserve banks.
One of the most curious economic features
of the present situation has been the strong
light which it has thrown on the fact that it
is possible to have too much of a good thing.
even when that thing is gold. This is force
fully demonstrated if we glance at the finan
cial position of the Scandinavian countries,
where the law has been carried so far as to
relieve the government banks of the statutory
obligation to buy gold and coin it for all those
who bring it in. This naturally prevented
other countries dealing with Scandinavia from
paying for purchases in gold, and the barter
of commodities was the only means open for
concluding commercial transactions
It has lately been said that the world t is
divided into two classes of countries : those
which refuse to accept gold and those which
refuse to part with it. Sometimes it is asked
how any one can possibly refuse to take gold
in payment, but this is easily explained by the
fact that gold in bars or foreign coins is not
legal tender anywhere. No person in Scandi
navia, for example, could be made to take gold
bars or American eagles in reimbursement for
goods to meet a required payment in legal
tender currency of that country.
There are comparatively few who really
understand to what a great extent mere credit
can be made to do the work of wealth, al
though the time will come when credit will
assuredly break down unless it is built upon
a solid foundation. The issue and circulation
of paper credits throughout the leading na
tions of the world has been proportionately
far greater than their holdings of gold and
has naturally resulted in inflation on an alarm
ing scale.
The thought, however, that Europe may
possibly repudiate part of her war debts for
the sake of reducing the amount of currency
outstanding against government bonds or
notes is obviously superficial. Finance has
become an international rather than a national
question and the monetary history of any one
country tends to become more and more
merged in the monetary history of the whole
civilized world. International credit is firmly
established on a gold basis and unless the flow
of gold is not too strong in one direction no
country has any interest in upsetting the pres
ent standard, although it is contended that
notwithstanding a great production of new
 THE
gold it may not necessarily make universal
gold standardism possible, as it would be a
mere drop in the bucket of our future needs.
If the world's credit, therefore, is to be car
ried on after the war with gold, every ounce
that can possibly be produced will be required.
The production of gold is a vitally essential
industry which, for obvious reasons, should
be promoted to the fullest extent. It is very
apparent, however, that with a fixed value for
the yellow metal, together with the rapidly
increasing cost of material, labor and trans
portation, this particular industry as now de
veloped is seriously affected and it would seem
inevitable that unless some form of govern
ment relief-but only as a temporary war
measure is given to the producing mines,
many of them will be compelled to discontinue
operations..
In a letter addressed to the Hon . Charles A.
Sulzer relating to the present conditions con
cerning the production of gold in Alaska, the
Secretary of the Treasury clearly voiced the
attitude of our Government when he stated ,
"I fully appreciate that with the rising cost of
raw material and labor and with a fixed value
for their output, the gold miners are facing
difficult conditions. I should be sorry, how
ever, if for this reason there were any relaxa
tion in the effort to produce gold. At no time
has this country so much required the largest
possible production of gold as at present.
Next to food and ammunition, gold is one of
the most needed war essentials. In order to
place the enormous amount of Government
bonds required to finance our war expendi
tures, a large credit structure will inevitably
be erected on our gold reserves, and it is
necessary that these reserves-which are the
foundation of the structure-shall be main-
tained on the broadest possible basis. * * *
The man or the community that maintains or
increases its production of gold in the face of
difficulties and discouragement is performing
a patriotic service which deserves recognition
no less than the more obvious but not more
useful services that are more in the public
eye."
There are people who argue that if the
Government would agree upon a plan to in
crease the value of gold from $20.67 to say
$40 or $50 a fine ounce, it would make a set
tlement of obligations possible with only half
the metallic requirement otherwise necessary
to redeem outstanding paper credits. This
course, radical to say the least, would have
a disastrous effect upon all credits and espe
cially reflect upon the cost of living which,
in all probability, would climb to limits be
yond the reach of the average citizen. In
creasing the value of gold or giving it a
premium does not necessarily give it a higher
purchasing power, but, on the other hand, in
the final adjustment seriously disrupts the
basis of international credit.
When peace comes all the world will be
faced with a period of great financial and
industrial uncertainty and to pass through it
successfully will be a task that will need all
the statesmanship civilization can muster. To
increase this uncertainty by tampering with
the standard of international payment would
MEXICAN REVIEW
be an extraordinarily futile means of handling
the situation and would only make the con
fusion worse confounded .
The principal nations of the world have
adopted gold as the basis of their currency
system. The market price for it is everywhere
the same and everywhere equally certain at
the standard price of $20.67 an ounce. It may
be an anomaly that economic civilization
should depend for means of payment on the
supply of a particular metal, but it will take
much ingenuity to find a practical substitute
for gold and secure for it the popularity and
confidence that gold now enjoys. The mere
fact that it has been chosen by the most
enlightened commercial nations is strong proof
that it is the best single commodity for prac
tical use as a standard.
The disproportionate distribution of gold
among world nations attracts attention to the
study of the part that this metal plays and is
to play in future in the world's economic af
fairs, and the question naturally arises whether
the production of gold is keeping pace with
the world's expansion of credit.
The vast obligations piled up by the nations
at war ; the huge issues of paper currency ;
the refunding of debts and resumption of
specie payments after the war, are among the
most urgent and difficult problems with which
the world will be confronted. This makes it
only too apparent that gold is a necessity for
the credit and financial unity of nations, and
it is therefore essential that an adequate foun
dation of gold must be created to uphold that
system .
One of the first acts of the British Govern
ment after England was plunged into war was
to insure that the gold which was being turned
out of the mines should be safeguarded, and
steps were taken for the deposit of their new
holdings in Canada , South Africa and Austra
lia to the credit of the Bank of England . This
arrangement had many advantages and tended
greatly to facilitate the concentration of the
metal where it was most needed for the set
tlement of liabilities and Great Britain has in
this way used her gold unsparingly to meet
obligations to neutral creditors.
The United States stands in the unique
position of possessing more gold than any na
tion has ever before owned at one time, but
if we are to perform the part that destiny
seems to have laid out for us as the world's
banker, it will without doubt be necessary to
further increase our gold holdings, and for
this reason encourage to the fullest extent the
production of that metal.
The end of the war will find the old world
not only disorganized industrially, but with a
volume-just how large no one can foretell
of paper currency that can only be compared
with our own greenbacks in the years immedi
ately following the contest between the North
and the South. "The problem of the world's
currency after the war," says a great econo
mist, "is not of course decipherable at this
time. It involves the question, 'When will the
war end ? " There is little fear, however, that
Europe will demonetize gold and carry out an
economic revolution in changing the present
standard, as it is evident that the effect of
25
such a move would be almost as far-reaching
as that of the war.
We are at the dawn of a bigger financial
and commercial tomorrow and while the situ
ation is fraught with a great many difficulties ,
because there are no precedents for us to
follow, we must face conditions as they exist
and through frank and free discussion arrive
at a practical and sound solution.
Let us hope that our united efforts will
crystallize into a practical plan for the allevi
ation of the present critical situation, and that
in the process of correction we may establish
those principles which lie at the base of na
tional welfare.
* * * *
The following resolutions have been adopted
by several mining and commercial bodies in
various portions of the United States :
Whereas, gold production in the United
States has declined from one hundred and one
million dollars in 1915 to eighty-four million
dollars in 1917, with a still greater decrease
now taking place, the production of California
alone having declined three million dollars in
the first six months of the present year ; and
Whereas, this decrease is principally due to
the increased cost and shortage of labor and
material, the price of gold, as our standard of
value, being fixed by law at the invariable
figure of $20.6718 per ounce, thus being the
only important product which has not obtained
an increased market price due to the present
war conditions ; and
Whereas, under present conditions capital
cannot be obtained for gold mining, but is gen
erally being withdrawn wherever possible from
the said industry ; and
Whereas, on account of the increased cost
of production with no increase at all in the
market price of their product, many mines
have been forced to cease operations in the
last six months and many others are now
running at a loss and are about to be closed
down or abandoned and from their nature will
require years to be re-opened, so that a large
portion of the gold mining industry is now
threatened with extinction ; and
Whereas, a war emergency exists, which we
are advised by our own government necessi
tates the maintenance, and if possible the in
crease, of gold production of the United States,
as of next importance after food and war
munitions, being of vital importance as a basis
for our continually expanding credits, which
are increasing both for the financing of the
war and for reconstruction after the war ; and
Whereas, the gold resources of the United
States are adequate to maintain our former
production , and to afford under proper en
couragement a substantially increased produc
tion ; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of this meet
ing that of all the various measures which
have been suggested, the following will be
most effective in maintaining and encouraging
the production of gold in the United States ;
namely :
Relief by the United States to the gold
producers of this country to correspond with
the increased cost of production , the extent
of such relief to be fixed from time to time
to meet changing conditions.
That nothing contained in these resolutions.
as passed is to be construed as meaning and
intending to alter the amount of gold in the
dollar, nor to place a premium upon gold.
A grand total of 82,459 alumnos have
registered in the school of the Federal Dis
trict for the season. The number last year
was 7287 less than for this .

26 THE
Mexico and the United States as Friends
Nature Having Made the Two Countries Next-Door
Neighbors Complete Amity Should Always Exist
HE necessity for the constant encour
agement and permanent maintenance of
Tnot only merely friendly but the most
cordial relations between Mexico and the
United States is so obviously apparent as
almost to require no argument or explanation .
But because many do not recognize this neces
sity, a few observations upon this important
and vital topic may not be out of place or
prove uninteresting or unworthy of careful
consideration .
Nature has made the two countries next
door neighbors . Only an easily crossed river
for a large portion of the upwards of three
thousands miles of boundary and an imaginary
line for the remainder separate the two coun
tries . There are no natural barriers to inter
rupt intercourse of the freest possible char
acter. But even if there were such obstacles
as are provided by lofty and not readily pass
able mountain ranges, or by great rivers or
other bodies of water, that would not obviate
the necessity for unvarying friendliness . Both
countries have a community of interest,
whether industrially or politically, that should
bind them together with hooks of steel-hooks
of copper and silver and gold, of food and
clothing, of machinery and supplies, of the
thousand and one manufactured or unmanu
factured products that are essential to the
well-being and development of both countries
alike.
From a purely material standpoint each
country needs the other. Mexico , that incom
parably endowed storehouse of the world,
needs the capital and the enterprise of her
nearest neighbor for the development of her
minerals, her forests, her agricultural re
sources and her vast array of latent wealth.
While it is natural perhaps that there should
be some sensitiveness on this score, still
scarcely any one will deny the fact that such
development as has already taken place has
been largely at the instigation and through the
initiative and enterprise of those not native
to the soil. This is not the only instance in
the world's history of the kind. That such
should be the case, it is no disparagement to
say, is due to inherent and inherited natural
causes and qualities and should therefore be
no reason for resentment or unfriendliness.
Nature, in her inscrutable designs, has given .
one race qualities which she has denied to
others, and it is only by uniting and giving
those qualities full play that the results are
reached that are most conducive to the wel
fare and best development of all.
On the part of many who have been en
gaged in the development referred to there
has been a real and earnest desire to encour
age and benefit their neighbors . Not every
one has deserved to be classed as a mere
"dollar seeker," though it is lamentably true
enough that many of all nationalities have
placed themselves in that category. As a mat
ter of fact, the Conquistadores themselves set
*
MEXICAN REVIEW
the example of a ruthless pursuit of wealth
regardless of the rights or feelings of the
owners of the land which they invaded.
But there is a natural need on both sides,
each for the other, which should result in the
most cordial reciprocity and friendliness . The
United States needs the silver and gold, the
copper, the oil and other minerals ; the sugar,
the coffee, the fiber, the tobacco, the hides,
the hard woods, the thousand and one other
mineral and agricultural products which she
either does not produce herself, or if at all,
not in sufficient quantity to supply the demands
of her people for consumption. Mexico , on
the other hand, needs supplies of food , of
clothing, of machinery, of manufactured arti
cles covering the widest possible range and
which are not or cannot be produced within
her boundaries. The needs of each nation are
a complement to those of the other, and under
normal conditions there should be and indeed
is no hindrance to the freest possible inter
change of commodities. Under the dominant
and pre-eminent stress and necessity of war
such interchange must unavoidably be regu
lated and checked, to the manifest incon
venience of both sides. But since self-protec
tion is the imperative law of nature for nations
as well as individuals, temporary interruptions
of this character are unavoidable and their
necessity should be recognized by those who
under other conditions might feel that they
had just cause for complaint. But such occa
sions are only of temporary duration , and
have little if any bearing upon what should
be the general policy and sentiment of the two
countries toward each other. Not too strongly
can it be urged that from purely material con
siderations alone there should be only the
utmost friendship and co-operation between
the two neighboring countries.
It is not necessary to go into the question
of a community of political interest and all
that it involves . It is so perfectly obvious that
Mexico must look to her necessarily more
powerful neighbor on the north to prevent any
attempted foreign interference, such as that of
the French of the middle of the last century,
for example, not only as a protection to MexC
ico herself, but also to safeguard her own
interests from similar aggression, that there
can be no well-founded refusal to recognize
the necessity for the most friendly underSON
standing and co-operation between the two
countries that occupy so dominating a position
and influence on the North American conti
nent. Whoever seeks to prevent or destroy
that understanding and that co-operation in
any manner is an enemy to his own as well
as to the other country. It is not too much
to say that the sovereignty of Mexico and her
inviolability and integrity as a nation depend
to a great extent if not entirely upon her rela
tions with the United States . There is no
alternative, as all intelligent and far-sighted
men readily must concede.
i
It has been well said that "God made Mex
ico and the Untied States next-door neigh
bors, and only the devil can make them
enemies." And those who seek in any man
ner to foment distrust and enmity between
the two countries can only be actuated by the
most unfriendly not to say devilish motives.
American Tomato Seed
Some time ago THE REVIEW republished a
Consular report on tomato production in
Mazatlan, in which reference was made to
losses due to inferior seed. As there is yet
time for American seedmen to collect good
seed for export to this section of Mexico, it is
desired to draw attention to the fact that
tomato growers are becoming interested in the 4
purchase of suitable seed for the approaching
planting season, which begins the 1st of
November.
The local manager of a large house inter
ested in exporting tomatoes to the United
States is planning to make a special trip thither
to procure the best tomato seed possible for
the planters whose tomatoes his house handles .
He states it as his purpose to visit a few
American seed houses and lay his needs be
fore them while there is yet opportunity to col
lect good seed from tomatoes produced in the
United States this summer, so that he may be
assured of an adequate fresh supply of seeds.
It is estimated that some 700 hectares ( 1,730
acres ) of land were devoted to tomato produc
tion last year ; and that, owing to the success
of that and the three prior crops which were
raised for export to the United States, the
area will be doubted this year. Manifestly it
will be in the interest of American seedmen
and of consumers in the United States of the
Mexican west coast tomato crop-not only in
the present but in future years to take steps
to collect good seed for export to this district.
A trade in seed can be established this year
which will be reasonably permanent and of
increasing importance, and advantage should
be taken of the opportunity which now offers
for this business.
The American consul at Mazatlan , Sinaloa,
Mexico , will take pleasure in supplying any
interested American exporters of seed with a
list of tomato growers in his district upon reK
quest ; but in his replies to their inquiries will,
in every case, insist upon good seed being
furnished where orders are secured as a re
sult of his efforts.
Lectures on Mexico
Mr. Manuel Carpio, the well-known Mexi
can student and lecturer, has recently re
turned from a tour of investigation of
Yucatan and other portions of his country,
where he has made a careful study of con
ditions and the wonderful development
accomplished as a result of the Revolution .
He proposes to address American audiences
upon this question and promises a fund of
valuable and intensely interesting informa
tion regarding labor, social, industrial, edu
cational and other matters in the neighbor
ing Republic. He may be addressed through
the office of the Mexican News Bureau, 613
Riggs Building, Washington , D. C.
 THE
America's Banking Strength
Tremendous Increase in Its Financial Strength
BY WILL PAYNE
HAT the financial institutions of the
United States have been able not only
Tto meet the tremendous strain placed
upon them by the expenditure of untold bil
lions for war purposes , but actually to flourish
under this strain, is due chiefly to the flexi
bility of the Federal Bank System, established
early in President Wilson's first administra
tion.
About ten years ago the Monetary Commis
sion, appointed by the United States Senate,
made a voluminous report on which reforma
tion of the American banking system was
largely based.
At that time- 1909-there were 25,512 banks
in the United States. Their deposits, exclud
ing the deposits of one bank with another
bank, were somewhat over fourteen billion
dollars. Adding capital, surplus and circu
lating notes outstanding, their total power of
extending credit was just short of nineteen
billion dollars.
At the last report before the United States
declared war on Germany the number of banks
had increased to 30,525 ; their deposits to
twenty-three billion dollars, and their total
power of extending credit to twenty-nine
billions.
In 1909 each bank was a completely separate
unit. There was no legal organism by which
even two banks could act together, except as
the more important banks in cities voluntarily
joined in clearing-house associations whose
normal purpose was simply to facilitate the
daily clearing of checks .
The typical situation was this : Banks
throughout the State of Nebraska, say, kept
the larger part of their reserve funds on de
posits with the leading banks of Omaha, and
the Omaha banks kept the larger part of their
reserves with the big banks of Chicago .and
New York. Michigan banks deposited their
reserves in Detroit, and Detroit deposited its
reserve in New York. The large central cities
of the interior, headed by Chicago, kept an
important part of their reserves on deposit
with big , New York banks.
Thus at any decided stringency in money—
especially of a panicky sort-a tremendous pull
from the whole country centered on the big
Wall Street banks, each of which stood alone.
Those banks had nowhere to turn . There was
no legal method by which they could liquidate
their assets rapidly to meet an emergency.
Besides cash, they held notes, payable on de
mand and secured by Stock Exchange col
lateral. But in a pinch, if they began throwing
this collateral on the market in order to realize
cash, the Stock Exchange went into a panic
and the market for the collateral disappeared.
Now a great part of the bank reserves of
the whole country are held by the Federal
Reserve Banks, managed by a board appointed
by the President of the United States and
acting as a unit. These reserve banks will
MEXICAN REVIEW
New Methods Caused by the War
immediately, at any time, rediscount good
commercial paper having not more than ninety
days to run and endorsed by the bank which
originally discounted it—either issuing circu
lating notes therefor or giving the discounting
bank reserve credit. In short, a bank can at
once turn its sound assets into cash and from
having had, in 1909, the most unliquid banking
system in the world we now have one of the
most liquid-and one that no longer hangs
upon the big Wall Street institutions.
So the figures given above tell only the
smaller part of the story as to the actual in
crease in American banking power. In 1909
a crisis might at any time have paralyzed that
nineteen billion dollars of bank assets-jellied
it, so to speak. In fact, substantially that had
happened only two years before in the panic
of 1907. Now, thanks to the Federal Reserve
system , paralysis of lending power is impos
sible. Knowledge of that fact gives a confi
dence to the banking system and to its de
positors which was not present before. For
example, banks everywhere lend with the
greatest freedom to Liberty Bond subscribers
and still meet legitimate commercial demands
without hesitation. They know that as long
as they hold good paper they cannot be tied
up. While there are still many banks which
are not members of the Reserve System , its
benefits practically extend to all.
Banking power of the United States, mean
ing aggregate of capital, surplus, deposits and
circulating notes- in short, of lendable funds
-was twenty-nine billion dollars in 1916. In
his report for 1908 the Comptroller of the
Currency calculated the banking power of the
world, exclusive of the United States, at a
little over twenty-eight billion dollars. Mul
hall, in 1890, calculated the banking power of
the world at a trifle under sixteen billion
dollars, of which the United States' share was
five billions.
Diffusion of the wealth represented by bank
deposits is another important item. Aggregate
bank deposits in 1909 included $3,713,405,710
of savings deposits, credited to 8,831,863 de
positors . In 1916 the numbers of depositors
had increased to 11,148,392 and the amount to
their credit to $5,088,587,294.
This, however, includes only the returns of
those institutions which are organized distinc
tively as savings banks . In the United States
a great many banks not distinctively so organ
ized have savings departments in which de
posits are received on the same terms as in
savings banks and from the same class of
depositors. Thus in 1916 national banks held
over a billion dollars of deposits subject to
thirty days' notice which were mainly in fact
savings deposits. Banking institutions organ
ized as loan and trust companies held $1,214,M
090,179 of savings deposits and State banks
held $961,693,954. These are savings deposits
in exactly the same way that deposits held by
27
concerns organized under the name of savings
banks are. Almost all the savings deposits in
Chicago, for example, are held by loan and
trust companies and State or national banks .
The aggregate is well over eight billion dollars .
Of the 30,525 banks in 1916 only 7,579 were
national banks, and the latter held about one
third of the aggregate deposits . Being under
the supervision of the Comptroller of the Cur
rency, however, the national banks are re
ported upon more fully than other banks . In
1910 there were 7,690,468 deposits, or deposit
accounts, in national banks and 27,979,542 de
positors, or deposit accounts, in all banks . In
1916 the number of depositors in national
banks had increased to 14,288,059 —nearly a
hundred per cent. That ratio would not apply
to all other banks- as to which there are no
comprehensive reports under that head in re
cent years- but there are certainly forty
million bank accounts in the country.
This credit strength is now organized, mo
bile and free from its former dependency on
Wall Street.
Petroleum Development
A Pennsylvania corporation has been en
gaged in prospecting the territory covered by
an important concession in the interior of
Colombia in what appear to be oil-bearing
lands during the past two years and early in
April of this year brought in a well that gives
promise of being a good producer, tapping the
oil-bearing strata at about 1,500 feet. Oil-bear
ing sands were also passed through at 500
and 1,200 foot depths. This well, unfinished as
it stands, is said to be good for from 1,000 to
2,000 barrels per day of light, asphalt-base oil .
This company is operating on the Colorado
River, about 35 miles east of the Magdalena
River at Barranca Bermeja, or about 420 miles
from the mouth of the Magdalena. The com
pany has also a second well drilling and it has
reached a depth of about 740 feet and is re
ported to be in a very promising formation.
Several efforts have been made at various
times to develop oil in Colombia in commercial
quantities, but without previous success. Var
ious wells have been drilled near Puerto
Colombia by a Canadian and, later, an Amer
ican company ; south of Barranquilla by a
California promotor ; and in the valley of the
Sinu River by an American company, but none
have proven producers.
A New York company is now drilling near
Mariquita, along the La Dorada Extension
Railway, 200 miles to the south of the Tropical
Oil Co.'s workings. Various other American
companies have done superficial exploration
work in Colombia and some have secured ex
tensive optional leases on lands supposed to be
oil bearing, but only those mentioned have
done any active mechanical work.
After the termination of the war it is ex
pected the oil fields of Colombia will meet with
considerable development at the hands of
American and other foreign interests.
-Consular and Trade Reports.
28 THE
Coffee Growing In Mexico
Something About One of the Principal Corps
BY ALVIN FOX, HORTICULTURIST
HIS plant is indigenous to Abyssinia
and the southern parts of Arabia and
Tand was introduced to tropical Mexico by
the Spaniards. It belongs to the family of
Rubiaceae genus coffeas. Several varieties are
known. The common coffee shrub is an ever
green plant, which under favorable conditions
grows to the height of from ten to twenty
feet. The fruit is a fleshy berry, and as it
ripens it assumes a dark-red color, containing
one, two or three seeds. A coffee plantation
at maturity presents a very attractive appear
ance, the glossy green leaves affording a pic
turesque background for the brilliantly glow
ing fruit.
The soil best suited to this crop is a sandy
clay loam, rich in humus, deep and with good
drainage, as the plant has a tap root pene
trating more than three feet into the ground.
An impervious soil should not be used, as the
tree suffers severely in damp localities. Cal
careous soils are also undesirable for this crop.
However, lime should be present in the soil
in small quantities . The silicious- ferruginous
soils are desirable, as in such leaf blight is not
so destructive.
The lands on the lower mountain slopes
produce berries with larger seeds , though ac
cording to some authorities with less aroma
than the coffee grown on the highlands. Coffee
should never be planted near the sea unless
good wind-breaks are provided. The strong
sea breeze blows away many flowers and con
sequently the yield is decreased.
From two to three seedlings are planted in
each hole, dropping some earth and giving a
little jerk to the plants so that the roots will
not be bent. The hole is then filled to the
top, rounding up enough earth to the trunk
so that when the soil settles down there will
be no hollow space where the water can settle.
The seed selected for planting should not be
kept for over a year, as it soon loses its
germinating power. It always should be
picked and kept during the four or five months
between harvesting and the planting season.
The soil for seedbeds should be prepared
with the utmost care. Beds seven feet wide
by any length desired should be prepared, with
furrows two to three centimeters apart, drop
ping the seeds at a distance of from ten to
fifteen centimeters in the furrows. They are
afterwards covered with finely pulverized soil
and protected from the intense sun. Some
planters spread over the seedbeds banana
leaves or leaves from the guano or the royal
palm, in order to preserve sufficient moisture
for germination. The germination starts a
month or a month and a half after the seed
is planted and when the seedlings have at
tained the necessary height they are trans
planted to another bed, where they are set
at a distance of from 25 to 30 centimeters
until they are sufficiently strong and vigorous
to be transferred to the field.
MEXICAN REVIEW
of the Tropical Portion of the Country
This last bed should be protected from the
scorching sun, either with some kind of ele
vated bower or by planting shade trees, as the
banana, castor bean, etc. In every coffee
plantation there should always be a bed of
this kind to replace clear spots with trees of
the same age. When the trees are from 30
to 40 centimeters high, which will be in about
six months, they will be ready for definite
planting in the field . The most vigorous ones
should be selected and all the weak ones dis
carded. Some planters recommend not to
transplant the seedlings to the field until they
are a year and a half or two years old, these
being called forked seedlings . But the younger
the seedlings are the less will be the disturb
ance in transplanting and the results are more
satisfactory.
The best time for transplanting is in the
months of May and June. The distance at
which the plants should be set in the fields
cannot be determined in a general way, de
pending, in the first place, on the kind of soil .
In rich soils the distance should be greater
than in poor ones or on hillsides, as first men
tioned. The planting is generally done in
squares of three by three meters. If trees
are planted too close they are liable to
Cryptogamous disease . Besides growing slen
der, they become too high, on account of the
tendency of all vegetables to seek the light.
On the other hand, if there is not sufficient
light and air the crop will be deficient.
During the first two years the centers of
the rows can be used for some other crop
without resulting in any damage to the coffee
trees. Such crops as pineapples , etc. , and
especially some legume such as cow peas which
furnish to the soil a great amount of vegetable
matter can be profitably grown. After this
the field should be exclusively dedicated to
coffee, taking good care to destroy all weeds
and furnishing the necessary moisture, but it
must be borne in mind that an excess of water
is harmful, especially in fruiting time, because
irrigation causes the coffee to lose its aroma
and quality. It is a good practice to deeply
plow the soil every four or five years, taking
care not to injure the roots , and also to fertil
ize if it is necessary. It is also very important
to clear the trees if they are growing too close
and keep the planting free from injurious ani
mals like mices, which destroy the seed
covering .
Some planters affirm that coffee trees grow
ing in the open yield the same as if shaded,
but I am not of the same opinion. Coffee
trees under shade last longer ; besides, the
trees used for shade are beneficial in many
respects, provided they are properly situated ,
for if they are too close the coffee trees will
grow too slender and are exposed to fungus
attacks . Shade trees help to retain the mois
ture in the soil. They protect the planting
against strong winds, this being the worst
enemy of all, especially in the blooming sea
son, and they also help to maintain a certain
amount of moisture in the lower atmospheric
layers, producing a faint light suitable to the
vegetations. But not all trees are suitable for
the purpose. Those with the highest crown
and whose roots will not intermingle with
those of the coffee trees should be selected ;
they should also be of long life and resistance
to strong winds.
It is advisable to plant shrubs of short life
in order to protect the new plants, and also
trees of long life to protect the plants when
grown up. Among the first we have the castor
bean and the banana in its different varieties .
This last one especially is the most suitable,
as once the coffee trees are grown up it is
easy to cut down the banana trees, leaving only
the trees of long life, which should be planted
from 12 to 15 meters apart.
One of the operations demanding practical
experience is the pruning of coffee trees. A
pruning knife in unskilled hands will mean the
ruin of a coffee plantation. This operation
should be carried out at least every two years,
after the crop is harvested. By so doing the
trees grow in better shape. The trees when
pruned strengthen and thicken their stems and
their system of branches, these later being the
organism for fruit bearing. All suckers and
shoots should be taken off. When they the
tender this can be easily done by hand.
The fertilizer preferred by this plant is phos
phate, but other elements should also be ap
plied if there is a deficiency of them in the
soil. The amount of each element must be
determined according to the nature and com
position of the soil.
Green manures, if grown between the rows,
will serve a double purpose, providing humus
and maintaining the soil moisture .
The first picking begins in September and
keeps on till January. As the picking is done
according to the ripening of the berries, it is
necessary to make two or three pickings, the 1
second one being the most important. A short
time after the flowers have appeared the fruit
starts to set, and when ripe the picking begins.
The berries should be picked one by one,
never "squeezing” or “milking," as in this way
the undeveloped blossoms are injured and
some unripe berries are gathered . The berries
should not be kept to ripen too much, as in
this condition any light shower will bring
them down. Rains are always harmful after
the fruit ripens, and for this reason the ground
under the trees should always be kept clean.
Some planters harvest the fruit by spreading
blankets or other suitable material under the
trees, shaking them so that the berries will
drop ; this practice is not commendable by any
means ; by shaking the trees not only the ripe
but also the unripe berries will drop. If the
branches are high they should be carefully bent
so that they will not break, though they are
quite flexible.
For the drying operation there are also ap
propriate machines where the berries receive
a current of hot air, which makes them lose
their moisture in a few minutes, while by the
old method it takes several days. Once the
coffee is hulled and dried the grading can be
done with sieves of different gauges or the
 1
THE
Taxes on Metal Exports
The Secretary of the Treasury has issued
the following rates of taxation on metals for
export during the month of October-the
figures being in Mexican gold per kilo ( 21/5
lbs.) in weight, the value of the Mexican dol
lar being in the neighborhood of 55 cents
American gold :
Gold in bars or ingots—$93.33. İn minerals
or concentrates , $106.67.
轉 preference over those who ask it to produce
Silver in bars or ingots-$4.561 . In minerals
or concentrates, $5.213 .
Copper in bars or ingots- 5.732 cents. In
minerals or concentrates, 6.878 cents. In bars,
matte or concentrates, containing more than
50 per cent of copper and less than 300 grams
of silver and 5 grams of gold per ton, 2.866
cents.
Lead in bars or ingots- 0.798 of one cent. In
minerals or concentrates, 1.064 cents.
Zinc in bars or ingots-0.296 of one cent. In
minerals or concentartes , 0.395 of one cent.
Tin, in bars or ingots-3.538 cents. In min
erals or concentrates, 4.246 cents.
Antimony, in bars or ingots-0.443 of one
cent. In minerals or concentrates , 0.615 of one
cent.
Tungsten in minerals or concentrates-19.048
cents.
Molybdenite in minerals-22.090 cents.
The quotations given are net, and are based
upon the total value in accordance with the
decree of April 26, 1918 .
machinery separating three grades, as follows :
First, small contorted and bluish berries,
called in Spanish "caracotillo" and of superior
quality.
Second, small and somewhat roundish
grains.
Third, large and light grains, which are the
inferior quality .
In order to keep it for a long time the
moisture must be driven out, otherwise the
grain will get mouldy.
Besides the direct yield from the coffee trees
we have the fruits and timber of the other
trees which have been planted. An apiary can
also be established from which good returns
can be expected .
A coffee tree may yield from three to five
pounds of coffee and even more, and if it is
well attended may be kept yielding for nearly
100 years .
Among the several enemies of the crop there
is the slug, which causes an injury that breaks
the young trees at the foot. Spraying with
arsenate of lead or distributing poisoned baits
through the fields is recommended .
The coffee-leaf miner is a small flying insect
which attacks the plants in the evening, stain
ing the leaves a brown color, which later be
comes dark. Against this insect the best
remedy is to take off the infected leaves and
burn them.
A form of scale is combated by spraying the
plants with a solution of iron sulphate in the
proportion of one grain of sulphate for every
litre of water.
ነ The mouse that eats the berry covering
should be destroyed by every means at dis
posal.
REVIEW
MEXICAN
Water for Irrigation
Purposes
The Rights of Irrigators and Other
Users of Water Defined by Law
GRICULTURISTS who seek concessions
AGfor the use and benefit of water for
irrigation, have, under the law of December
10, 1910, declared in force by a recent ruling
of the Secretary of Agriculture and Fomento,
power, motor force or for other industries,
and also for the agricultural purpose of cover
ing the land with silt.
Of those who ask water for irrigation the
right is given first to proprietors of farms
bordering on streams and among these the
preference is given to those who lawfully are
already in possession of a concession. Among
several such claimants the right is given to
the one who has held possession longest.
Those who are not owners of lands are not
able to obtain concessions for water for ir
rigation except under the following restric
tions :
The use and benefit of water for domestic
purposes must be for the inhabitants of towns,
whether situated or not on water courses, and
the rights of other consumers under former
concessions who are in lawful possession .
A concession may only be contested when
the opposition is founded on a priority claim
or the rights that the contestor may have over
the applicant, in which case his opposition
must be accompanied by a document establish
ing his claim to the concession .
The time for contesting a claim for the use
and benefit of water is seventy days, counted
from the last publication in the Official Federal
paper and in the Official paper of the state
where the concession is asked.
The Government can grant to the conces
sionaire under this law the following exemp
tions Land taxes for five years, except stamp
taxes, import duties on machinery, tool, fix
tures, hydraulic material for generation, trans
portation and accumulation of power.
The Government can also grant right of
way through private properties for examina
tion, for making maps and formation of plans
for profiting by the concession, sewers along
the canals, telegraph and telephone lines and
lines for the transmission of force, the right
to occupy unappropriated and public lands with
the works of the concession and the construc
tion of telephone and telegraph wires for the
use of the concessionaire.
The concessionaire is obliged to observe the
following : The times fixed for the surveys and
making the maps of the locations of the works ,
their presentation to the Department of Ag
riculture and Fomento for approval, to begin
and complete the works, and the order in which
he must execute them. The maximum rates
must also be submitted to this same department
and a deposit of a certain sum in national notes
is required as a guarantee of good faith that
he will fulfill his contract. He is prohibited to
transfer the concession independent of the
works and he must construct the necessary
works in a manner so as not to interrupt lines
of communication, nor to interfere with other
works or properties .
29
The Proposed International
Labor Conference
Ta recent meeting of the Federation of
ATLabor Unions of the Federal District, the
following propositions were adopted and will
be submitted to the American Federation of
Labor concerning the proposed international
conference to be held at Laredo in November
of this year :
First-Immediately upon the opening of the
conference, a commission will be appointed
which shall ask of President Wilson and
President Carranza the freedom of those
workingmen who have any relations with the
world movement for the alleviation of their
condition and other social conditions.
Second- The establishment of a Pan-Amer
ican Federation of Labor, represented by a
committee nominated by a plurality of votes
of five members-two from the American
Federation of Labor, two from the Federation
of Labor Unions of the Federal District and
the Rural Federation of Mexican Working
men, and one from groups having no affilia
tion with either of those bodies .
Third- It is mutually pledged among the
groups represented that they shall lend their
mutual aid toward facilitating the passage of
laboring men individually from one country
to the other, in the unions, with due consider
ation for their economic condition , and col
lectively to guard the integrity of the groups ,
their development and furthermore to guar
antee and make sure their respect.
Fourth- To utilize all the measures possible
for the protection of the rights and interests.
of the two nations , especially those pertaining
to emigration .
Fifth- The exclusion from all points of
undesirable immigrants ; the exercise of what
ever influence they have for the intensification
of the European war ; the breaking of the
neutrality of Mexico with reference thereto ;
the mingling in local politics in both countries,
and when they can be regulated by their own
officials in any other manner than by resort
to arms.
A New Fibre Discovered
A very important discovery has been made
in the State of Jalisco, Mexico , which consists
in obtaining a magnificent fibre, which has
been found to be very resistent and of many
applications in industries, and is produced by
a tree called "cuázuma" or "cuahulote." This
tree grows abundantly in different sections of
the state named,
The travelling Botanist appointed by the
Department of Agriculture to make various
scientific researches in the aforementioned
State , has already sent several samples of
this fibre, which has been chemically analyzed
and found to be of the finest quality. The
fibre can be obtained, utilizing at the same
time the bark of the tree that produces it.
which is sometimes from 20 to 30 centimetres
in diameter, by means of maceration, and it is
procured at a very low cost.
The Bureau of Biological Studies is now
carrying on an active propaganda in order that
the planting and exploitation of these trees be
extended in the State of Jalisco .
30 THE
Great Demand for Cocoanuts
The United States Consumes Immense Quantities-
A Promising Field for Mexican Growers
HE announcement from Washington of
the cancellation of the order of June
28th, by which the importation of copra
into the United States was suspended, calls
attention to a remarkable increase in the use
of the cocoanut and its products in the United
States in recent years.
"Copra" as is well known is the trade name
for the dried meat of the cocoanut. A compila-
tion by The National City Bank of New York
shows that the quantity of copra brought into
the United States in the fiscal year 1918 just
ended was approximately ten times as much as
in the year before the war. From a modest
56,000,000 pounds in the fiscal year 1914, all
of which preceded the war, the figures grew to
90,000,000 pounds in 1915 ; 110,000,000 in 1916 ;
247,000,000 in 1917 and about 550,000,000
pounds in 1918. The tropical sections of the
whole world are being ransacked for the cocoa
nut, and the imports into the United States are
drawn from more than 30 countries and islands
representing every grand division of the globe.
Oceania is by far the largest contributor and
our own Philippine Islands supplied nearly
one-half of the approximately 550,000,000
pounds entering the United States in the fiscal
year 1918. The recent orders of the GovernG
ment upon this subject again permit the im
portation of all copra except that classed as
"shredded, desiccated or prepared," which has
formed in the past but an extremely small
proportion of the copra imported into the
United States. The quantity imported in 1918
of this class which is still excluded was but
about 20,000,000 pounds out of a grand total
of 550,000,000 pounds imported.
Even this tremendous increase in the im
portation of copra tells only a part of the story
of the increased demand for the product of the
cocoanut. The quantity of cocoanut oil im
ported has also rapidly increased, from 74,
000,000 pounds in 1914 to about 250,000,000
pounds in 1918, and of this our Philippine
Islands also contributed more than one-half.
The United States apparently consumed in
the fiscal year 1918 the product of over 2,000,
000,000 cocoanuts . Accepted authorities indi
cate that one pound of copra represents the
meat of three averaged-sized cocoanut ; and
as the importation of copra for the year is
about 550,000,000 pounds and of oil about 250,
000,000, the total number of nuts represented
by these two importations would be ap
proximately 2,400,000,000 cocoanuts, while the
number of nuts imported in the natural state
from foreign countries and our own islands
during the year amounted to about 100,000,000,
bringing the total of the nuts represented by
these three classes of imports up to approx
imately 2½ billions against about 500,000,000
in 1914. The value of the cocoanuts, copra
and cocoanut oil imported in 1918 is about $60,
000,000 , against approximately $ 12,000,000 in
1914.
This great increase in the use of the cocoa
MEXICAN REVIEW
nut in the United States is apparently due, in
some degree at least, to the decrease in the
supply of meats, fats, and dairy products avail
able for the use of our own people. The num
ber of food animals in the country in 1918 is
about the same in proportion to population as
in 1914, but as we are compelled under the
exigencies of the war to greatly increase our
exports of meats and dairy products, the sup
ply remaining for our own people has neces
sarily decreased . The quantity of meat ex
ported in the fiscal year 1918 is approximately
2,000,000,000 pounds including that sent on
Government vessels, against about 450,000,000
pounds in the year preceding the war ; and the
quantity of dairy products including butter,
cheese and condensed milk has increased from
22,000,000 pounds in 1914 to 590,000,000 pounds
in 1918. The total exports of meats, fats and
dairy products increased from a little over 1,
000,000,000 pounds in 1914 to about 3,000,000 ,
000 in 1918. As a result of these conditions,
people of the United States are greatly increas
ing their use of vegetable oils, especially that
from the cocoanut. A part of the oil thus re
tained is utilized in the manufacture of marga
rine and substituted for butter, and other parts
for cooking fats, while large quantities are also
used in the production of glycerine required
for war purposes and the residue utilized in
the manufacture of soap and candles.
Most of the copra and cocoanut oil imported
comes from the Philippine Islands, Australia,
Dutch East Indies, and other islands of the
Pacific, while most of the cocoanuts imported
come from Panama, Honduras, and the West
Indian islands ; the average price of the cocoa
nuts imported being about 3 cents each in the
country of production .
The foregoing is of interest to Mexico , since
the cocoanut grows in abundance in many sec
tions and could be cultivated upon an almost
unlimited scale with profit.
Preparations are being made to largely in
crease the output of the mines (mostly copper )
in the Cananea section of the State of Sonora.
Many carloads of railway material have re
cently been shipped thither from the United
States, to be used in the betterment of the
transportation facilities. All the mines are
increasing their forces as well as their ma
chinery, and a period of unexampled activity
has been inaugurated.
Among the articles largely imported into the
United States from the West Coast of Mexico
are many hundreds of tons of dyewood, for
which there is an increasing demand in New
York for manufacturing purposes, to take the
place of dyes formerly imported from Europe.
The supply of these woods is practically inex
haustible and affords a lucrative occupation
for hundreds of natives.
The Cabinet Ministry has under discussion
the adoption of an income tax law, which will
be presented to the present session of Con-
gress. It is expected to remedy in this manner
certain difficulties connected with the internal
revenue stamp law which are no longer
adapted to modern commercial conditions .
NOTES OF INTEREST
A largely attended conference was held re
cently at Saltillo, capital of the State of
Coahuila, between workingmen and those in
terested in sociological progress, at which
many measures were discussed looking to the
advancement of the people in general. It is
only since the triumph of the Revolution that
matters of this sort have been possible.
The head tax of $8 American gold collected
by the United States Government from all
immigrants coming from Mexico into this
country has been suspended so far as agri
cultural laborers are concerned, but is still in
force as to immigrants of other classes. This
is the statement made by the American immi
gration officials.
A proposition has been made by the chief
of the mercantile pilot service in Vera Cruz
to supply the city of Mexico with abundance
of fresh fish at a rate which will enable it to
be sold at an average of a little over ten cents
per pound American gold. This is much less
than the usual prices that are demanded .
Many refugees have recently arrived in the
southern portion of the Republic from Guate
mala, whence they have been driven by the
earthquakes which have been so destructive.
Under instructions of the President they have
been given free passage to whatever portion
of the Republic was their former home.
On March 26th the fifth anniversary of the
adoption of the Plan of Guadalupe was cele
brated with appropriate ceremonies by Presi
dent Carranza and his associates. Many of
the original signers of that declaration were
present, although many lost their lives in
bringing about its final triumph.
The exportation of pearl shell from all the
west coast ports of Mexico has been prohibited
for a period beginning with April 1st and to
and including the month of September. This
has been done in order to prevent the de
struction of the pearl oyster beds of the Gulf
of California and adjacent waters.
The Government has recently purchased in
Chile a steamer of ten thousand tons capacity,
which will be utilized for traffic on the west
coast of Mexico and South America. The
vessel will bring as its first cargo a large
amount of grain and food, as well as a ship
ment of nitrate.
On the first of the present month the issue
of international postal money orders was re
sumed between the United States and Mexico.
American dollars will be received and dis
bursed at the option of the holder or appli
cant, and Mexican gold will be also received
and paid on the basis of the rate of exchange
established at Nuevo Laredo, State of
Tamaulipas.
An attempt to smuggle $300,000 in 50-cent
pieces into the United States was recently
frustrated at Laredo , and one-half of the
amount was declared forfeited to the National
Government under the law forbidding such
exportation . The high bullion value of the
coins was the reason for the attempt.
The Oriental Steamship Company "Toyo
Kishem -Kaisha," a Japanese organization, has
decided to resume its bi-monthly service be
tween west coast Mexican and Central Amer
ican ports and San Francisco, Cal. It had
been suspended for some time. The first trips.
will be made in October.
The production of vegetable oils from vari
ous sources has received a great impetus_in
Mexico since the outbreak of the war in Eu
rope. Coquito or palm nuts, peanuts, castor
beans and other oil-bearing growths are in
demand for this purpose .
 THE
Cultivation
of Guayule
Propagation of This Valuable Rubber Producing Shrub
in a Scientific Manner and With Good Results
HE guayule shrub (Parthenium argen
tatum ) was formerly grown with more
Tor less success by means of seed. It
would seem that this method would be the
most economical, but in practice it has often
failed . The Central Agricultural Station has
occupied itself with this subject and has turned
the study of its production over to the Horti
cultural Division.
This division took advantage of the seed
furnished by the Secretary of Fomento to
study cultivation in this manner, with the re
sult that few of the plants reached maturity,
owing to the fact that fertile seed are scarce.
While Professor Calvino was making these
experiments a writer on agriculture, Salvador
Creel, announced that several years ago he had
succeeded in growing guayule by slips or cut
tings. This idea was approved by Professor
Calvino, and he took the necessary steps to
perfect the planting by means of herbaceous
cuttings, because it is by these means that the
anthemis and the chrysanthemum, which are
of the same family, are multiplied.
Through Mr. Lorenzo Gonzales Trevino the
Central Agricultural Station obtained cuttings
of the guayule shrub with the leaves cut and
fastened in potatoes, that they might retain
their freshness. These F arrived the first of
last September. Woody, semi-woody and
herbaceous cuttings were planted in open
boxes, and in cold frames under glass. The
herbaceous and semi-herbaceous slips germi
nated in ten days, the woody in fifteen in the
cold frame, and those in open boxes in twenty
days.
The woody cuttings are made in spring from
pieces of branches which are cut from 15 to
30 centimeters, burying them in the ground to
a depth of from 12 to 25 centimeters.
The semi-woody cuttings are made in the
spring from the points of the branches and
wood two or three years old. These cuttings
are made from 15 to 25 centimeters long.
If there is a herbaceous point on the upper
part, it may be cut off, the leaves removed,
leaving the eyes only on the slip . On the
lower extremity a little fragment with the
wood that has this bud may be left, or it can
be cut off entirely. As the slips have many
joints close together, there is no need to look
for a suitable place to cut it at the lower
extremity, because the cut always remains
under any joint.
The slips thus prepared are planted at a
distance of 5 centimeters apart in rows 6
centimeters from each other. The plants are
buried from 12 to 21 centimeters in the bed,
which is prepared beforehand, well sifted and
mixed with sand and manure .
As soon as the slips are planted they must
be covered with mats of rushes or with cloth,
that the sun may not dry the plants before they
take root. The covering serves also to pro
tect from the changes in the temperature that
are always harmful at this stage of growth .
1
MEXICAN REVIEW
On days when the sun is not strong and the
slips have begun to bud, they must be uncov
ered to the light, so that the plants may be
strengthened. In thirty or forty days the cov
erings may be permanently removed. The
plants should be watered daily with tepid
water.
The herbaceous slip is made from the tender
parts of the branches, cutting it 10 centimeters
long, stripping off the leaves and leaving the
terminal bud and the eyes. In the lower ex
tremity cut immediately below a joint.
These slips are planted in beds, the earth of
which has been prepared beforehand and cov
ered with a layer of sand two centimeters
thick. Place in rows 5 centimeters apart at a
depth of from 6 to 7 centimeters. Keep well
covered . This must be strictly observed, as
the risks are always great.
During the next rainy season , that is to say
in July, the plants may be transferred to their
permanent place or they may await the follow
ing rainy season. For the last planting it is
better to prepare the holes in which the shoots
are to be placed some months beforehand. In
this way the soil will be more fertile.
The planting done, the ground around the
plants must be covered with a thick layer of
dried leaves or grass and the plants with large
leaves or paper.
The daily rains water the plants, but in case
of a drouth water should be applied by hand,
a liter of water being sufficient for each one.
The layer of leaves or other covering prevents
the soil from drying, thereby helping the
plants to take root.
The system of growing guayule by means
of cuttings is much more sure than by seed.
The advantage of the former is in the selec
tion and propagation of the kinds of guayule
richest in rubber.
It is known that the first sugar beets con
tained only 8 per cent of sugar, while by selec
tion they have obtained beets that yield 16 to
18 per cent. The same has been done with the
potato for the production of starch, and a like
result may be obtained for guayule.
Studies of this nature on the selection of
guayule has been commenced at the Central
Agricultural College.
The experiments, however, were not success
ful ; the seed sown in the Botanical Garden of
Berlin sprouted but “could not stand the hot,
moist air of the greenhouse." The German
East African Society wrote concerning the
growth of guayule plants raised from seed
furnished by the Colonial Economic Commit
tee : "The growth is slow ; do not know
whether the damp climate or the soil is wrong ;
plants have three or four leaves, but look
sickly."
The story of the American experiments is
very different. The guayule cultivation ex
periments in Mexico were abandoned, not spe
cifically because of failure, but because of un
settled conditions in that country, and the field
31
of operations was transferred to the United
States.
The present plantation is in an upland desert,
at an altitude of 2,500 feet. Of the 9,000 acres,
some 1,500 are already planted to seedlings.
The plantation possess a huge cement irrigation
system, the pipes for which are made on the
grounds. It has a laboratory, greenhouses for
seed experiments, bungalows for the officers,
excellent quarters for the help, planting and
cultavating machines, tractors , etc. The indus
try has a possible future of such importance
that a brief view of the whole undertaking is
given.
The Beginning of Cultivation Experiments
One must go back at least 10 years for the
beginning of cultivation experiments. Of all
the companies operating in Mexico, one was
preeminent in product, processes, and in vast
holdings of land. It was an American organi
zation with ample capital and unusual admin
istrative talent. To those in charge it was
perfectly apparent that the time would come
when the wild guayule fields would be ex
hausted and the business stop entirely or shut
down until new plants matured . Whether re
growth could be induced or the shrub be raised
from seed or cuttings none knew. Most of
those who were asked concerning this were
positive in their declarations that it could not
profitably be cultivated . The actual head of
the company, a man of broad vision, believed
that with sufficient effort cultivation could be
made successful, and under his direction the
work was begun.
Preliminary Work of Mexico
The first step was the selection of a corps
of chemists, botanists, plant physiologists, and
experts in desert plants. The company drew
men from agricultural colleges, desert labora
tories, and experiment stations, arranging to
send their notes and conclusions to these seats
of botanical learning, receiving from them
knowledge in return. This body of men, which
was was added to from time to time, embraced
such well-known names as Dr. Francis E.
Lloyd, Dr. Theodore Whittlesey, Dr. J. E.
Kirkwood, Prof. C. I. Hare, Prof. J. P. C.
Southall, Dr. W. R. McCallum , and half a
score of others .
These scientists took up the following sub
jects and exploited them thoroughly : Geogra
phical and alitudinal distribution ; climate, air,
and soil temperatures ; rainfall, soil, moisture,
and relative humidity ; analysis of soils and
plants under all conditions ; diseases ; effects of
drought, rain, and irrigation. Seeds, leaves,
flowers stems , and roots were subjected to the
closest scrutiny under a multiplicity of condi
tions and the results tabulated. In time their
work begun in Mexico was transferred to the
United States, notably to California and
Arizona. Here were established laboratories
and experimental plants and work on a com
mercial scale commenced. Prior to the actual
planting for the commercial product however,
the shrub was practically remade to meet the
necessities in the case.
32 THE
Difficulties in Obtaining Supply of Vital
Seed
The seed of the guayule is very minute, and
efforts to obtain it from the desert plant were
very unsatisfactory. In the heads that should
hold good seeds there will actually be found
half-developed dried husks of seeds and very
few good ones . As vital seed and plenty of it
is essential, the guayule trainers planted the
shrub under varying conditions, fed, watered,
starved, and petted it, until they learned pos
itively just what conditions were necessary to
full seed pods. In time the barren seed vessels
became full ones and the treatment necessary
to get this result became a matter of record .
It may not be generally known, but the seeds
of some plants, seeds that are vital and that
should germinate without difficulty, refuse to
do so . This seems particularly true of desert
plants. For example, there is a certain cactus,
distributed very generally throughout the
southwest, that bears seeds in abundance . So
far, however, no one has been able to get these
seeds to germinate. It was not thought that
guayule was of this class ; it promised so many
other disabilities that it did not seem possible
that it had this also . Nevertheless, when the
first bushel of seeds were carefully sown, not
one germinated . And so it was with the suc
ceeding lots. There was nothing to do but
sow smaller lots under every condition that
could be thought of and learn just what was
required . For a long time only failure re
sulted. Then an accident pointed the way and
this problem was solved .
Speeding Up the Growth
The problem of speeding up the growth of
the plant was one of the most interesting and
vexing of all. Left to itself in its desert home
under normal conditions a guayule seeding
takes some 15 years to arrive at maturity ; that
is , to attain a size suitable for rubber extrac
tion. It grows only a little at a favorable
season each year. The rest of the time it re
mains dormant. Now, it is exceedingly diffi
cult to get a tree, shrub, or plant to do any
thing that its forebears have not previously
done. It may be said that they are hidebound
in their prejudices, rockribbed as to their
habits ; they have no ambition to speed up, to
be efficient, and to be different. These plant
prejudices and habits may be broken up by
coaxing, cajoling, and fooling. For example,
the guayule habit of a slight growth in the
spring once a year was noted by a plant phy
siologist, who took advantage of it in this way :
He furnished a simulated spring and the guay
ule responded ; then before it settled back for
its months of rest, another spring was sim
ulated. Again and again was this done, and
the plant attained a lusty growth in record
time. By this method the development that
under natural conditions had taken 15 years
was accomplished in 4 years . This , by the way,
beats first-crop Hevea by two years .
Study and Classification of Varieties of
Shrub
One of the most interesting preliminaries
in guayule cultivation was the study of the
varieties . To the average guayule expert there
are but two types of plants, the Parthenium
MEXICAN REVIEW
argentatum , which is the rubber producer, and
the mariola, or Parthenium icanum, which
much resembles it, but contains no rubber.
From the beginning the botanists began to
segregate the rubber-producing species into
types. Dr. McCallum, in whose desert labora
tory the most of this work was done, published
a statement in Science, long ago, that he had
found 125 different varieties. He told the
writer that his records now show more than
900 types, and that the list is still growing.
Quantity and Quality of the Rubber Content
From the beginning of the experiments
much care was taken in the analysis of the
shrubs in order to learn as much as possible
concerning the rubber content. First, the por
tions of the plant containing the rubber were
catalogued. This was important in determin
ing whether it was wiser to uproot the plant
for the sake of the rubber in the roots , or to
cut it off above the roots , leaving them to pro
duce new growths . With cultivation in sight,
however, there was much more to be learned
than the portion of the plant richest in rubber
—that was, whether the 10 per cent of rubber,
the rough estimate of the whole rubber content,
was at all variable. The analyses gave results
so astounding that they were repeated several
times. The investigations showed that there
were wide differences in the amount of rub
ber in the different shrubs . This ran from 1
per cent to 20 per cent and in rare cases to 27
per cent. Plants of the poorer quality were
thrown out and plants that were big rubber
producers were selected as seed bearers for
the future cultivated shrubs.
Guayule rubber has not been considered of
the highest grade. When it first came upon the
market, the resin content was so high and it
was so soft that it was accepted with reluct
ance. Certain importers for years refused to
allow that it was rubber at all and scornfully
dubbed it a substitute. In time, however, by
new methods of extraction and by deresination ,
it was recognized as a valuable crude rubber
and was used by the million pounds .
The searchers of guayule secrets , when they
began to test the quality of the rubber in the
different plants, learned some more surprising
truths. Some of the shrubs gave a black
resinous paste that contained not enough rub
ber for extraction ; others contained rubber
with about 20 per cent of resin- the type that
the whole trade was familiar with ; a few
yielded a firm hard product, low in resin, and
showing in a remarkable degree the "nerve"
that is characteristic of the best crude rubber.
As a result of this study, the best producers
were selected as seed bearers for cultivated
rubber. Nor was that all. By hybridization—
that is, the crossing of the big producers with
the best producers- plants were obtained that
had the good qualities of each. Therefore,
with the big producing and best producing seed
stock the real cultivation of guayule was well
on the way to success .
Solving the Labor Problem
In an age when almost everything is done
by machinery, the growing of india rubber,
particularly the tapping and the gathering, is
handiwork entirely. Without large gangs of
coolies the production of india rubber in any
considerable amount seems impossible. With
the cultivation and the collection of guayule
rubber, however, machinery takes the place of
men in almost every part of the work. The
preparation of the fields is done by disk harK
rows, drawn by tractors. The planting is
done by specially built machines, similar to
tobacco planters, that plow four furrows, set
the plants at the proper intervals , cover them,
and pack the earth about the roots. One ma
chine plants 18 acres a day. The cultivating
is also done by machinery. For gathering
there are two systems : One consists in cutting
the rows down by a harvesting machine ; the
other in plowing the plant out root and all as
in the harvesting of sugar beets. The ex
traction of rubber is wholly mechanical . If
the rubber is deresinated, that also is done by
a mechanical process .
Guayule growing on a large plantation in
volves a laboratory for examining and testing
plant and product, a small greenhouse for seed
experiment and hybridization, seed beds pro
tected by wind breaks, an irrigation system ,
planting and harvesting machinery, and an ex
traction plant ; but above all, it requires a
knowledge of the plant and plenty of capital.
Huertistas Refused Entrance
to Chamber of Deputies
Y AN overwhelming majority, the Na
BYtional Chamber of Deputies adopted a
resolution excluding from possible member
ship in that body the following classes who
took part in the "Huerta treason" against
Constitutional Government and which culmi
nated in the deposition and assassination of
President Madero and Vice-President Pino
Suarez :
Secretaries, sub-secretaries or chief officers
of any of the national departments of gov
ernment.
Governors of States, the Federal District,
or their private secretaries.
Secretaries of State Governments or of the
Federal District.
Deputies and Senators elected during the
period of usurpation.
The Attorney General of the Republic and
agents of the Public Federal Ministries.
Magistrates of the Supreme Court and
Judges of the First Instance in the States .
District Judges and other judicial authori
ties.
Generals, colonels and naval commanders.
Jefe Politicos.
Officials of whatever character who partici
pated in the military mutinies of Vera Cruz
and of the Citadel in Mexico City.
The Director General of Police of the Fed
eral District and of the States.
The Directors of the Postoffice and of the
Telegraph service.
The administrators of custom houses and
of stamp-tax offices.
The directors , proprietors and managers of
the semi-official publications of the usurpation
period.
And all others who committed acts of any
kind which showed their co-operation with
those guilty of the military mutiny and the
usurpation.
 THE
The Shrimp Industry
How It is Carried on in the State of Mazatlan
HERE are some 40 or 50 shrimp fisher
ies along the Pacific shore line within
Tthis consular district, with the trading
center of the industry at Mazatlan. Most of the
shrimp are collected during the rainy season→→
from July to November- in numerous shallow
lagoons along the seashore. They are brought
in from the adjacent waters of the Pacific
Ocean by the currents. It often happens that
there are large areas of the sea literally filled
with them.
How the Shrimp are Caught
· All lagoons utilized in catching the shrimp
are traversed at the inlet by a dam with two
rows of light piling about 4 feet apart filled
in with enough fine brush to prevent the
shrimp passing through. Depending upon the
length of the dam , one or more traps of the
ordinary style of lobster trap are located at
convenient intervals for allowing the shrimp
to enter the lagoon and at the same time for
catching them when the fishermen are ready
to take them from the water. When they
first enter the lagoons from the sea they are
usually small, although in some seasons they
are large enough for immediate use.
The lagoons produce a weed or grass that
grows from the bottom and is known locally
as paiste. Immediately upon entering the
lagoons the shrimp begin feeding upon this
weed so that in seasonable years the average
length of the shrimp increases to about 4½
inches.
Unlike the ordinary species of fish, shrimp
move with the currents of water in which they
are found. Therefore the fishermen watch
for the rising of the tide to open the entrances
through the dams and the falling of the same
to close them.
When the shrimp have reached full growth
in the lagoons the fishermen set their traps and
again utilize the force of the tide, this time the
outgoing one, in making the catch. At each
trap, if there are men enough, one man uses a
sort of basket fastened to the end of a pole
with which to dip the shrimp from the trap
and deposit them in a canoe. Generally several
canoe loads are taken to camp by each man at
each tide, making it possible for a few men to
gather several tons in a day.
Many of the smaller operators in the shrimp
industry catch with nets ranging from 100 to
400 feet in length, either in the lagoons or
in shallow water along the open seashore.
When the shrimp season is good, as is
usually the case, it is not uncommon for 10
men to catch 20 tons of shrimp in a period of
eight hours, using the hand nets . Of course
this success can be attained only on such oc
casional days as the shrimp happen to drift
within the scope of operations.
Different Methods of Preserving- American
Plant to Increase Its Output
The shrimp industry in this district provides
three forms of the preserved product for the
MEXICAN REVIEW
Capable of Large Extension
trade, namely : ( a ) Mexican shrimp which
is salt-dried and so called because it is pro
duced principally by Mexican fishermen and
used almost exclusively in the Mexican trade.
It is packed in mat bags with the head and
shell on and is first in importance among the
three products. ( b ) China shrimp, which is
cooked with a little salt and then dried with
the head and shell removed. It was so named
because it is produced by the Chinese to some
extent and is prepared for the use of the
Chinese in Mexico , the United States, and even
in China. China shrimp is second in import
ance. ( c) Canned shrimp, which is prepared
for the market in the United States at a few
small canneries located at points adjacent to
the fisheries. All of the canning factories are
operated by Americans.
One American concern that has been in the
shrimp-canning business during the past three
or four years, having a plant with a daily
capacity of 5,000 cans, is taking steps to re
organize for the purpose of increasing its
output to about 20,000 cans daily. It will in
stall can-closing machinery. The closing of
shrimp cans in the past has been done by hand.
Difficulties Attending the Business
The shrimp industry in this district, however,
is not carried on without some difficulties.
The foreigner can not succeed unless he has
a good command of the Spanish language, a
good knowledge of local conditions affecting
the business, and plenty of capital with which
to work. Catches will be lost if exposed to
heavy rains during the process of drying in the
case of Mexican or China shrimp, or before
the canned shrimp are put up unless some
method of covering is employed at a heavy
cost. Another difficulty is the matter of gaug
ing the number of laborers necessary to the
success of the season or of the particular catch,
as several thousand dollars may be lost in
shrimp over night due to insufficient help .
The shrimp industry appears to be in its
infancy, and is conducted on a small scale in
this section of Mexico, handling only about 10
per cent of the available supply.
Work on the new railway connecting
Morelia, capital of the State of Michoacan,
with Pugarabato and other remote portions of
the State, is well under way, and communi
cation will shortly be opened. Michoacan is
a rich agricultural and timber region and the
construction of this road will open new dis
tricts to development.
Carlos Castro Morales, recently elected
Governor of Yucatan, will take office on Feb
ruary 1 , 1918, He has been closely asso
ciated with General Alvarado, and will con
tinue the policies inaugurated by that official,
and which have done so much to ameliorate
the condition of the working classes of that
State.
A large amount of machinery has been
purchased by the Government for the manu
facture of clothes and military supplies of all
kinds. It will be installed in the national fac.
tories as soon as received.
33
NEWS BREVITIES
Arrangements are being made for reopening
the old mint at Culiacan, capital of the State
of Sinaloa, which has been closed for some
time. Mints are also being established at
Hermosillo, capital of the State of Sonora,
and at Mazatlan , in Sinaloa . A large amount
of bullion is produced in that section, but the
distance and the difficulty of transportation
prevent it from being coined in the mint lo
cated in the National Capital.
It is expected that important results will
follow the development of the petroleum de
posits known to exist beneath the waters of
the Gulf of Mexico in the Tuxpam and Panuco
region, but work for their exploitation by pri
vate parties has been suspended until such time
as the Government can complete the necessary
preliminary surveys and examinations.
Steps are being taken for the return to the
private company owning them of the electric
railway system of Mexico City and its suburbs,
which has been operated by the Government
for an extended period. It is expected the
lines will be transferred by the first of the
coming year.
A large shipment of tractors and other agri
cultural machinery purchased by Secretary
Rouaix, of the Department of Fomento, dur
ing his recent visit to the United States, is
expected to reach here shortly. The machines.
will be distributed in those sections where the
most advantageous use can be made of them.
A new petroleum well with a capacity of
30,000 barrels daily is reported to have been
brought in at Tantoyucan, in the State of Vera
Cruz. It is believed the well will show an
increased yield when fully developed. The
oil is said to be of superior quality and to
possess a paraffin base instead of the usual
one of asphalt.
A wireless telegraph station was recently
opened at Pungarabato , in the State of
Guerrero, and communication thus opened
with the stations at Chapultepec, Acapulco and
other remote points in the Republic which are
difficult of access in any other manner.
The Chancellery of the Department of For
eign Relations, in reply to numerous queries
upon the subject, has issued notice that for
eigners who are members of any society or
company of Mexican organization , are exempt
from the provision of the constitution requir
ing all foreigners desiring to become possessed
of real property in the Republic to renounce
any right of appeal to their home government
so far as that particular property is concerned .
Announcement is made that the market
price of petroleum has increased 150 per cent
within a brief period and that Tuxpam oil is
now worth $9 American gold per ton ( seven
barrels ) owing to the unprecedented demand.
It is expected that the price will go even higher
than present figures.
A course of industrial instruction for adult
working women has been opened in the Com
mercial School of this city under the direction
of the director of the University.
The Governor of the State of Zacatecas has
reported to the national authorities that he has
subdivided and allotted to applicants forty
thousand acres of land situated in the district
of San Marcos . The total amount of munici
pal lands in that district is 144,375 acres.
It is estimated that the States of Vera Cruz.
Tamaulipas, Aguascalientes and Chiapas pro
duced a total summer crop of corn approxi
mating 300,000,000 pounds in weight . The
introduction of much of this into Mexico City
ទ
has resulted in the reduction of its retail price
from about 7 1/3 cents per pound in American
gold to less than half as much .
 3
34 THE
Importance of the Peanut Industry
OT only as a farm crop throughout
the immense territory of southern
N °
United States, but also as a food for
human beings , a feed for livestock, and a
source of an industrial material adapted to a
wide variety of uses especially now during war
times, the peanut is the subject of one of the
most remarkable tales of increased popularity
and importance that can be found in the history
of American agriculture.
As late as 1909 the total area planted to this
crop was less than 900,000 acres. In 1916, it
had increased to approximately 1,000,000 acres ;
the following year recorded the addition of a
full million acres more ; and indications at
this time make it appear certain that fully 4,ww
000,000 acres will be harvested this fall and
yield a crop worth not less than $ 150,000,000.
For the real beginnings of the peanut in
dustry of the United States, one must go back
to the years following the Civil War ( or be
tween 1865 and 1870 ) when a merchant of the
state of Virginia perceived the foundation of
a new and profitable business hidden behind
the retail sale of the pleasantly flavored but
little known nut. From this simple beginning
the crop has risen to a position of nation wide
and even world wide importance based on at
least seven different uses to which it is now
put.
These are the uses of the roasted nuts by
themselves and in various confections ; the
use of flour made from them, the use of oil
obtained from them, the use of the cake or
by-product obtained in extracting the oil, the
use of the crushed nuts as butter, the use of
the combined nuts and green parts of the
plant as hog feed, the use of the plants them
selves cured as hay for cattle or other stock,
and, finally, the use of the crop as a soil
builder this quality hinging upon the fact that
the peanut is one of that group of nitrogen
gathering plants called legumes.
With a good yield averaging about 60 bushels
of nuts and from 1 to 1½ tons of hay per acre,
the crop of the United States in 1917 was
practically 60,000,000 bushels of nuts with
shells, or 20,000,000 bushels of shelled nuts.
However the peanut oil yield of 26,000 gallons
used slightly more than one third of these,
although it was insufficient to meet the needs
of the country as the import figures of k,
474,123 gallons in 1916 and 3,026,188 gallons in
1917 prove. The best grades of this oil are
somewhat better for table use and cooking
than cottonseed oil, and not quite as good as
olive oil, but in view of the present shortages
of and demands for oils and fats, they are of
the utmost importance. Not only is this
product used in the making of cosmetics , soap,
medical emulsions, kid gloves, silks, oilcloth ,
paint bases, artificial leather and other in
dustrial materials, but also it has recently been
utilized by the Government in making high
explosives to an extent, and with a success,
MEXICAN REVIEW
A Crop Which Could Be Produced Upon
An Equally Large Scale in Mexico
that promise a greatly increased demand for
this purpose .
The ground nuts produce an excellent flour
for human consumption, and various grades
of meal which may or may not contain the
hulls, all of which make a rich and efficient
cattle and hog feed. Because of the compact
ness and versatile usefulness of peanut butter,
this is one of the most popular forms in which
the nut is used ; of the crop of 1917 probably
4,000,000 bushels of the best nuts were ground
to produce some 7,000,000 pounds of butter.
Even the hulls themselves, dicarded in the
making of the more refined products, are
turned to account. Often they are ground to
make hog feed ; and in other cases they are
specially prepared and used in polishing tin
plate ; if unavailable even for this, they are
turned into fertilizer or some form of fuel.
This was formerly also the fate of the pressed
cake remaining when the oil is extracted , but
at present this material, rich in food value
although greatly reduced in fat content, is
either ground and bolted to serve as flour
substitute, or fed unchanged to live-stock.
Peanut hay is one of the most nutritious and
inexpensive of forages and this year will reach
the people and the armies of this nation and
the allied nations in the form of thousands of
hog and cattle carcasses . The estimated yield
in 1917 was 1,333,000 tons with a value of
approximately $20,000,000. With the develop
ment of new, labor saving machines and im
proved, efficient, economical methods for
handling the crops , many of which are just
emerging from the experimental stage into
that of practical usefulness, its yield, its use,
and the definite benefits accruing to the farm
ers of this country and the peoples in whose
interests they are working, are all expected to
undergo still greater andand more significant
growth .
The newly constructed railway between
Canitas, on the old Mexican Central line in the
State of Zacatecas, and the city of Durango,
has been completed and turned over to the
Government. A special commission has been
appointed to receive it and it will be opened
for the use of the public with appropriate
ceremonies. It is confidently expected that
the section traversed by the new line will
enter upon a period of substantial development,
as the resources . it possesses are varied and
extensive.
The local officials of the city of Puebla are
taking active steps for the maintenance of the
good reputation of that. place as the cleanest
city in the Republic. Merida, the capital of
Yucatan, is proud of its reputation as a
"Spotless Town," but Puebla long since gained
her present repute in this respect and is de
termined to maintain it against all comers.
For the first ten days of the month of April
the Constitutionalist Railways turned over to
the National Treasury over $200,000, the sur<
plus after salaries and other costs of operation
were defrayed .
Deposits of Rock Crystal
By the merest chance rich deposits of rock
crystal have been discovered in the mountains
of Escalerillo, situated to the west of San
Luis Potosi . Some freighters who were bring
ing charcoal to the city in passing this mount
ain found stones which shone with surprising
brilliancy in the rays of the run. They picked
up several pieces with the intention of taking
them as curiosities to San Luis.
In passing through Morales, where the re
duction plant of the Compania Metalurgica
Mexicana, a branch of the American smelting
and Refining Company, is situated, one of the
American assayers learned that these men had
some rare stones, and wishing to know what
they were, hunted them up and for a few
pesos bought them. After carefully analyzing
them he was convinced that they were rock
crystal of an excellent quality and of great
value. Without loss of time he went in search
of the freighters to learn where they had found
these samples and by offering a small sum of
money he not only got the desired information
but persuaded them to guide him to the spot
where they had discovered the deposit. After
a careful examination the assayer was con
vinced that the rock crystal existed in great
abundance and was of inestimable value.
Greatly pleased to have found such a rich
prospect he proposed to some of his friends
to form a company for the purpose of obtain
ing a concession to exploit these deposits. The
first steps have been taken and as soon as the
concession is granted they will begin their
work of exploration and development.
In order to set at rest certain rumors, it has
been officially announced that the entire rail
way system of the Republic is abundantly
supplied with both coal and oil for the opera
tion of all trains and shops, and that sufficient
is on hand to supply all demands for many
months to come.
The National Department of Health has
issued stringent orders that all remedies or
concoctions of a medical character sold in
bottles or boxes must contain on their outside
the complete formula of their constituents. It
has also been ordered that all bottles contain
ing beverages for human consumption must be
provided with metallic capsules as coverings
in place of cork or other substances.
Owing to the increased and constant demand
for rubber because of the European war, the
companies engaged in the production of
guayule rubber in Mexico have resumed oper
ations . These concerns are located in North
ern Mexico, where the plant which yields this
kind of rubber is solely found, and they give
employment to thousands, both in the factories
and in the desert regions where the shrub is
gathered and baled for transportation to the
reduction establishments.
As to conditions in Sonora, Mexico , the
Oasis, of Nogales, Arizona , declares that con
trary to many false reports that find circula
tion, business of all kinds is going on as usual
in all portions of the State, mines long sus
pended have resumed operations, large areas
of land are being brought under cultivation,
great crops of all kinds are being harvested
and moved, hundreds of carloads of garbanzos,
tomatoes and other products are being brought
into the United States, money in large amounts
is taken into the country and carried from
place to place without hold-ups, robberies or
violence.

THE
Cultivation of Corn
Interesting Facts About the Great Cereal and
; meat.
BY PROFESSOR ZEFERINO DOMINGUEZ
ROPICAL AMERICA was the cradle.
T of corn, where it had been cultivated
o
extensively for many years at the time
of the discovery of the New World. It prob
ably took its name from a forage plant called
by the Mexicans "Teozini.”
On his return to Spain, Columbus carried
with him some of the seed, which was planted
the following year. From Spain it was car
ried into France and Italy, and from Italy to
Switzerland, Austria-Hungary and Portugal.
From this country it was sent to Asia.
In the year 1650 about 600 bushels were
exported to Europe, and in 1770 the quantity
exported increased to about 13,500 bushels.
From this date its development was rapid,
reaching in 1880 more than two million
bushels.
The population and riches of the United
States have increased to such an extent that
this important cereal has been introduced
throughout the entire country, so that today
there are 108,771,000 acres given over to its
cultivation, with a production of 2,772,376,000
bushels.
If this branch of agriculture, representing
so great a part of the national wealth , has such
significance for the United States, how much
greater is it for Mexico , since it constitutes
the food of 90 per cent of the people.
All the problems of Mexico depend on this
crop-political, economical and moral. If the
crops are good the farmer is in condition to
meet his obligations , to pay off the mortgage,
or better to put money in bank and to buy all
the necessities for his farm and cotton cloth
for his laborers. As is well known, the manu
facture of cotton cloth is an industry that gives
employment to thousands of workmen and
represents millions of dollars. The railroads
profit by increased traffic, wages are higher
and taxes more easily paid . Moreover, corn
has another important influence. The peones
of the tropics and semi-tropics have in it their
necessary food, and thus it is that the produc
tion of sugar, coffee, tobacco, rubber and jute,
as well as wheat, barley, pulque, fruits and
the raising of cattle, are entirely subordinate
to corn production.
The value of corn used in making tortillas
is $160,000,000 annually, and the number of
women employed in this industry is about one
million. At 50 cents as a minimum daily wage
for each of these women, the manufacture of
tortillas costs $ 182,000,000 . Uniting these two
items, the cost of the national food is the
respectable sum of $342,500,000, approximately
a million pesos daily.
The scarcity of corn is one of the causes ,
if not the only one, of the present conflict
in Mexico . When the crops fail, the Govern
ment is obliged to import corn to feed the
people, for it is well known that hunger is
one of the incentives for revolutions and
general disturbances.
MEXICAN REVIEW
the Development of Its Use by Mankind
The human body and mind have an intimate
relation with food . In many places in Mexico
the inhabitants live on tortillas alone. If the
corn is poor in quality, lacking in oil, protein
and carbohydrates, it has little food value and
the consequences are debility and degeneration
of the race. Tuberculosis and other sicknesses
make ravages among a people who subsist on
food lacking nutritive value. This is the
cause of lack of nourishment and energy of
our people.
About two million inhabitants of Mexico
live on corn. Allowing, as the least quantity
of food to sustain life, one kilo per day, we
have this result : That Mexico needs three
million hectoliters to support its population,
without counting the many industries that use
this cereal as their base. The production of
corn is in normal times only thirty million
hectoliters, and from this arises the necessity
for importing enormous quantities yearly to
meet the national consumption. This is the
root of our economical distress.
The wealth of a nation is reckoned by what
its soil produces . A nation that buys grain
from a foreign country to feed its people is
far from enjoying economical advantages ; in
other words , it is bankrupt. But if the pro
duction exceeds internal consumption , this ex
cess is the guarantee for the money that fur
nishes the government revenue. The key of
the situation is in the hands of the farmer
and not in the Government offices.
The most important problem that the Gov
ernment has to solve is the agricultural one.
Allied with it is an enduring peace which will
give us prosperity and independence. Because
of the agricultural problem being intimately
linked with the production of corn is the rea
son I have given such importance to its culti
vation.
The potential capacity of Mexico to produce
this cereal is enormous if modern and ade
quate methods are employed. In my trips of
inspection across the Republic I have seen
States so fertile that one alone of these could
produce sufficient corn for the maintenance of
the nation.
An American company which is interested
in the development of agricultural lands in
the State of Sonora has submitted a proposi
tion to the Department of Fomento for the
construction of a dam and reservoir in the
Yaqui River valley with a capacity of two
billions of liters of water, which will be de
voted to the irrigation of a tract of some five
million acres of fertile land in that section . men, in the State of Campeche, which had
If the project is approved, construction will
commence at once.
A careful census of the Chinese population that point and it will be materially increased
in lower California and the States of Sinaloa by the improved shipping facilities:
and Sonora has been directed, in order that
the information may be utilized in drawing an active campaign against the introduction
up a new immigration law that is now under
consideration. The localities named are the been made. The Chinese are the most active
centers of Mongolian immigration in the
Republic.
Ý
35
Rabbits Becoming Valuable
A ten acre farm from which 700 rabbits are
marketed each month, is a good illustration of
the increased interest being taken in the rais
ing of these domesticate animals as a source of
This monthly production is the increase from
about 1,000 head of Flemish and New Zealand
stock, and is sold at an average price of 15
cents a pound at the farm . The rabbits are
marketed at an average weight of 31/2 pounds.
About the only cost outlay involved is a dol
lar a day per each 1,000 rabbits fed , for grain.
All the green food required-and this furn
ishes the bulk of their ration- is provided by
a 5-acre field of alfalfa, and the space between
the trees of a small orchard that occupies the
space not given up to buildings , etc.
The wild rabbit of the United States is
also being utilized in greatly increased numC
bers , both for its meat and for its fur which
is used by hat manufacturers . It is estimated
that 200,000,000 rabbits are trapped or shot in
the United States each year, and supply ap
proximately 250,000 tons of valuable food.
The game commission of the state of Penn
sylvania estimates that three and a half million
rabbits were killed there during the 45 day
open hunting season of 1917. In Kansas, a
firm reports that during the winter of 1917
it dressed and shipped 157,000 rabbits or 275
tons of meat, and saved and marketed every
skin .
From a fur standpoint, the larger Jack rab
bit is worth from 18 to 20 cents ; the pelt of
the smaller native cottontail is worth 10 to
12 cents. On this basis the total value of the
pelts of the annual rabbit catch of the country
is about $20,000,000.
Several applications have been received
from young ladies to be permitted to receive
instruction in aviation at the National School
of Aeronautics conducted under the auspices
of the War Department. They have, however,
been refused.
Under the direction of the Bureau of
Climatology and Geography, a new and com
plete map is being made of the Republic of
Mexico, which will shortly be available for
distribution . Such a map is very greatly
needed, in order that conditions may be
brought down to date.
Instruction in modern agricultural methods
is being given throughout the country by
means of moving-picture films and much good
is being done in this manner.
Under the supervision of Governor Pascual
Ortiz Rubio , of the State of Michoacan, fif
teen new schools have recently been opened
in various localities, several of which are for
adults of both sexes. An agricultural school
has also been established with modern equip
ment.
The Department of Communications and
Public Works has commenced work upon the
reconstruction of the wharves at Puerto Car
fallen into disrepair during the Revolution. A
large amount of commerce is transacted at
The police of Mexico City have commenced
and use of opium and numerous arrests have
in this illegal traffic and quantities of the drug
have been seized.
 ·
36
THE
How Mexico is Progressing
Notes of Interest Regarding Finance, Commerce
RESIDENT CARRANZA'S message to
E
PRCongre ss upon its upon, September 1st,
gave the following summary of the financial
resources of the National Government for the
nine months from September 1 , 1917, to May
31. 1918 :
Custom -house :
Import taxes $22,600,000
Export taxes 7,800,000
Other sources
3,000,000
Stamp Taxes :
Petroleum ..
Metals... 8,900.000
7,500,000
Other sources
45,300,000
Collected by Consuls .. " 3,200,000
Postoffice surplus 3,000,000
Telegraph surplus
National property and inter 2,000,000
ventions ..
1,600,000
Receipts from various other
sources ...
690.000
Total for 9 months ......$ 102,590,000
At the same ratio the receipts for the year
would amount to $ 137,000,000 . The receipts
from the various ayuntamientos of the Federal
District are estimated at $ 12,000,000 , bringing
the total annual income to $ 149,000,000 , as
compared with $ 105,000,000 for the fiscal year
1911-1912.
According to the expenses for the month of
July, the total for the year will be $ 155,000,000 ,
but this includes the sum of $ 12,000,000 due
employes on salary account . An economy of
$30,000,000 has also been effected in the esti
mates allowed by Congress for the year .
Yaquis Offer to Surrender
Information has been received from Sonora
that that portion of the Yaqui tribe known as
"Broncos" and which has engaged in desultory
hostilities at various times, while the greater
portion of the tribe has either been in the army
or occupied with peaceful pursuits, has at last
concluded to follow the example of their fel
lows and lay down their arms. In recent
encounters with the Government troops the
"Broncos" have suffered severely and are now
willing to make peace . Chief Matus , one of
their principal leaders, lost his life in the last
battle, and this had not a little to do with their
discouragement. The only terms that will be
accepted by the Government are unconditional
surrender, it is announced.
Henry Ford's Factory Plans
A corps of expert engineers who have been
intrusted with the preliminary investigation
needed for carrying out the offer of Henry
Ford to establish various tractor manufactories
at several points in the Republic is now in
this country. Included in the party are several
engineers who have been employed in this
country and who have knowledge of the re
sources and capabilities of the points that have
been suggested . At the present time it is
understood that Mr. Ford will confine his
operations to the establishment of three plants
REVIEW
MEXICAN
and Internal Improvement
at different points . It is believed that the cities
of Monterrey and Durango will be the two
first selected and that the third will be at some
point in either Michoacan or Jalisco. In the
first-named city all the essentials are to be
found in the way of railway communication .
coal, oil, labor supply, etc. After making a
thorough study of the various points sug
gested, the visiting engineers will return to
Detroit and report to Mr. Ford before any
further steps are taken .
Some Retail Food Prices
Retail food prices in Mexico City, according
to the market reports published in the press ,
are as follows for various of the prime neces
sities. The figures given are in American gold
at the equivalent of $2 Mexican gold for $1
American gold , the actual exchange rate, how
ever, being less : Rice, 122 cents per pound ;
granulated sugar, 18 2/3 cents ; coffee ( green ) ,
12 cents ; dried meat, 24 cents ; fresh meat,
1334 to 16 cents ; beans. 834 cents ; garbanzas,
8½ cents ; flour , 12 2/3 cents ; corn, 9 9/10
cents ; lard, 44 cents ; potatoes, 3½ cents ;
brown loaf sugar, 1334 cents.
Proposed Church Tax
The tax law that has been introduced into
the Chamber of Deputies calls for an annual
taxation of 2 per cent of the value of all
churches used for religious purposes. It is
expected that more than three million dollars
will be raised annually from this source, while
the tax is not regarded as onerous. Official
estimates show that in the Federal District 65
per cent of the total population are Catholics,
10 per cent belong to various other religious
sects, and the remaining 25 per cent are in
different.
Closely Guarding the Frontier
Aurelio Cardenas, Chief Administrator of
Customs for the section tributary to Juarez,
Chihuahua, has completely reorganized the
border guard, with the view of suppressing
the traffic in arms, munitions, and other con
traband articles, which has been going on in
certain localities . At the same time, greater
vigilance will be exercised to put an end to
the traffic în stolen stock from both side of the
line.
Paper Produced in Mexico
El Universal, a prominent daily paper of
Mexico City, states that the average consump
tion of paper by the various periodicals pub
lished there is 250 tons per month, most of it
in rolls for rotary presses. There are three
paper factories now in operation in the Re
public, as follows : San Rafael, producing a
maximum of 150 tons per month ; Loreto , 125
tons per month ; Peña Pobre, 100 tons per
month. This production includes all classes
of paper, and not solely that used for news
papers.
International Labor Conference
The Governors of the States on both sides
of the line between the two countries have
signified their intention to take part in the
international labor conference proposed by
Samuel Gompers, President of the American
Federation of Labor, to be held at Laredo ,
Texas, on November 13th prox. Governor
Cantu, of the Territory of Lower California,
has also accepted an invitation to participate
in the meeting. It had been hoped that the
Presidents of the two Republics might meet at
the same time and place, and this question is
still in abeyance. Great efforts are being made
to bring about such a meeting.
Internal Revenue From Various Sources
The report of the internal revenue or stamp
tax office shows that during the year from
July 1 , 1917, to June 30, 1918, there was a
total of $75,496,360.75 collected from various
sources. Included in this amount was $2,203 ,
353.90 from general mining taxes , $10,003,225.52
from metals exported, $4,047,532.27 from alco
hol and liquors, $2,304,050.17 from textile fab
rics and threads , $2,330,584.53 from imported
wines, beer and other alcoholic beverages,
$800,743.34 from electric light and power,
$201,055.51 from telephones, $900,164.93 from
sealed bottles containing various liquids, $286,
842.98 from matches, $93,638.42 from tax on
advertising, $479,295.75 from pulque, $7,955,
113.85 from petroleum , $23,449.10 from patents ,
trade marks , etc.; $357,577.51 from inheritance
taxes, $92,301.50 from loans, $27,545,389.92
from Federal contributions, and $ 14,376,216.84
from taxes on documents, etc.
One Year's Receipts
The total receipts of the Constitutionalist
Railways, as the National Railways of Mexico
have been known during and since the Revo
lution, for the year between September 1 ,
1917, and September 1 , 1918, were $72,000,000 .
These receipts do not represent solely commer
cial business, but include military traffic and
commissions on behalf of the Government.
But even with this deduction there is a con
siderable margin in favor of the lines.
Orders have been issued by the President
that hereafter no special trains shall be run
for any person, no matter what his official,
military or other status. Other regulations
have also been promulgated for increasing the
efficiency of the lines.
Requests have been received from many
portions of the Republic for increased railway
service to meet the demands of the resumption
of industrial activity.
Railway Improvements
The equipment of the Constitutionalist Rail
ways has recently been increased by the addiJ
tion of several Pullman cars, which were pur
chased in the United States at a cost of
$20,000 Mexican gold each .
Three sleeping cars of the Pullman type
were recently completed in the railway shops
in Mexico City and have been added to the
number now in use.
The construction of the new railway line
(Continued on page 39)
 THE MEXICAN REVIEW 37

story buildings, no elevated railways, no sub

From a Pullman Window ways. Even the stores have something-I
know not what-that is familiar. The auto
Impressions of a Journey Through the United States mobiles slide silently over the asphaltum along
the wooded avenues . You may imagine that
A Vision of Washington
(Translated from the "Universal Ilustrado " of Mexico City . ) even the tramways only allow themselves a
discreet noise of a diminished , agreeable tone.
T WAS about noon when before our eyes formity that prevail mainly in the parks. You It seems as though the thought of the
note it, as is natural, because of the absence founder of the city was to surround the resi
appeared the gigantic dome of the Capitol.
IAt first we thought we saw it at the end of flowers. dent government with an atmosphere of si
Let us not talk here of flowers. I have seen lence, of quietness , propitious to good govern
of a street. Afterward it appeared immedi
them ! And the handsomest, you may be sure ! ment, to the equilibrial elaboration of the laws.
ately over a group of buildings. There was
And in this country, where the government
a moment when we believed we had it so near But they were in the show windows- elegant,
seems to count for the utmost, and which
that it could be reached by extending the hand. almost sumptuous- exhibited as a jeweler ex
accomplishes everything and develops and
Oh, illusion- only illusion ! It happens with hibits the rarest diamonds, the most blood-red
completes all the private initiation , the capital
this kind of Cyclopic construction that they rubies, iris-like pearls, topazes, amethysts.
The flowers here are a product of the green of the great republic, as I understand it, is
not only make the character of the cities they
house and conservatory. Those roses-Amer not and never will be for the mob ( mass ) .
are in, but they also dominate over them,
This city is one of those favorites, like Paris
crush them, absorb them, and are somewhat ican Beauties ; those gladioluses, those chry
to the Parisians, like Mexico to ourselves, like
akin to a Bluebeard-always on guard, jealous santhemums, and those myosotis that my eyes
New York for the same Americans . A New
of the slave. The Capitol was everywhere admired behind the glass in a florist's store
and nowhere ! York gentleman ( if not by birth, by senti
on Pennsylvania Avenue shall not go to per
ment) at the end of my Washington trip said
The train enters into a subway. Minutes fume the little parlor of a poor married couple,
to me, with a kind of tediousness and of pro
after it stops . We are in the Union Station. nor will they adorn the ivory-like bust of a
found weariness evident in his voice : "Oh,
We jump to the sidewalk. And here I stand, modest bride through the affection and love
here in Washington everything is official
pen in hand. It is a question of putting in of any subordinate clerk richer in sensibility
than in yellow or white metal. They will everything official." I can explain these words
brief terms and in a short chapter the im and the tone of the voice in men like this,
pressions received by me in my four days at instead be taken by the "smart set." They cost
many dollars ! Just imagine how many-— who, without the ostentation of Dantons or
Washington ; of giving you in a few dozens
Marats, are sincere lovers of democracy and
of lines the entire vision of a city- to give the remembering that the embassies in Washing
expect nothing from the State, individually
essence and only the essence, the number of ton have assigned to them annually amazingly
large amounts of money for merely social ask for nothing, and systematically reject the
notes taken from nature- now in a garden,
affairs in the way of floral decorations alone. extravagant centralization and "State -ism" of
now on the porch of a palace, then from the
Latin peoples .
step of an automobile, or at the corner of a But if there are no cheap flowers, there are
in compensation many children and flocks of Washington is a city of functionaries, of
street where an enigmatic, unknown crowd
diplomats, of employes, and of millionaires.
passes by. birds. Children are the kings of the parks.
Everything there is for them. They rule over The former personages by obligation, the lat
Let us try it !
all, and you may see them, as I did, in Rock ter by pleasure, establish here their homes.
Washington is not a city- it is a beautiful
Just on that account it will be understood
garden. In cities all is walls, houses and Creek Park, with their naked legs wading in
more houses. But here the trees are the the many small streams and shouting charm that in such a small metropolis there could be
found monuments of such splendor and value
whole. It may be said that in foliage are ingly while splashing the crystal of the water.
dissolved the walls and houses. The trees Notwithstanding they are smaller than the as the Capitol, the State Department, the
Obelisk, the Pan-American Union, the Library
cover with their green color all the perspec children, the birds are little kings as well.
tives. Between the trees the monuments dis of Congress, and others. Statues are abun
Little kings that are respected not only in
dant. You find them at the corner of almost
close themselves. The trees are found on the air but on the ground. Sparrows I have
any street. Some of them are dedicated to
every hand. They are treated with care-are found even on the sidewalks among the hurry
coaxed , loved in such a manner that to the ing throngs of people, jumping and hopping great civilians, prominent in the history of
about. the United States, but a good many of them,
foreigner at first sight all avenues are but
notwithstanding, were erected to the memory
one-umbrageous, repeated infinitely, all in Let us recognize this : The poetry of the
of soldiers. The soldiers ! When we think
symmetric order. American character is shown in four devo
that they have not lost and will not lose their
Now and then the trees appear as if they tions- to women, to children, to trees, and
had separated themselves from the streets and to birds. These men, whom many people un primacy, even among a people the most indus
trious and peaceful of the earth !
formed a vast mass. They indulge in an ex justly suppose to the rude ; these men , who
tended dialogue and boast of their fortunate make millions ; these men, who maintain the The great monuments, the isolated cyclopic
condition. So it is at Rock Creek, the ample rails through immense deserts ; who build up constructions, do not disharmonize , as it might
park outlined and made possible through the formidable industries, have in their spirit these be supposed, with the general buildings inhab
initiative of Roosevelt. One evening I went four devotions, which honor them vastly and ited by the common people. And such a
there and can synthesize in simple formula the which not a few of us Latins would like to miracle of harmony is due (who doubts it ? )
reiterated impressions that the trees of the have for the better honor and embellishment to the fact, on the one hand, that the best
innumerable woods gave me that were seen of our common existence. portion of the residences are embassies or
in the South while going from New Orleans Washington is quiet and adorable, as an belong to potentates of power and of money.
to Washington and which were like the trees adorable and quiet provincial city. It gives us and the remainder dissemble their modesty
of this very city. And the formula is this P confidence. It gives us a pleasant sedative. by the abundance of foliage and also ( how
the uniform soft green. Do not search here If it were not for the official elegance ruling could I say it ?) to a general comfort and col
in springtime for the plentifulness, the rich here, we should imagine that unexpectedly lective accommodation reflected even in the
ness, the joyfulness of the different tints of from one of these houses, pleasingly shaded careful cleaning of the streets and in their
green that are seen in Mexico . It is a tender by the trees, would emerge a gentleman in perfect pavementation . During the daytime
green, transparent, one that extends and pro shirtwaist and slippers. It can be assured that the animation , without being excessive , seems ,
longs and that at first sight seduces like the here the Yankee character, according to the without being hyperesthetic , let us say not per
eyes of the Naiads of which Bergner tells us illustrations thereof commonly known, is not ceptible but almost extreme. For you have
-that unforgettable poet- in the years of his to be found. The ostentatious life of bustle to remember that in this place, where so many
adolescence. At the end it brings a sort of and noise is not apparent in Washington, in sinners' feet stand, resides one of the strongest
fatigue, by reason of the intensity and uni any portion of the city. There are no forty and most powerful governments of the earth,
 N
I CA IE
W
FIL E EX V
TH M RE
38

most stupendous impression that can be felt

not counting the now disintegrated and chaotic trated on the spacious and attractive Pennsyl
of the means there taken for the elevation of
Russia, and counting even England with the vania Avenue, at the restaurants, in the
cinematographs and theaters, and above all in human genius in the effort to give knowledge
vast dominion of her colonies.
and intelligence by perfect mechanical means,
At the doors of the ministries, around the the hotels.
"The hotels of the United States," a friend I traversed the great walk that extends in
White House, at the embassies, a multitude
has told me who is connected with the Mexi front of the Capitol. It was a Sunday and
of people pass constantly. I think of the in
can Embassy, "are centers of sociability as every rumor had ceased in the city. The mar
numerable telegraph wires vibrating every mo ble giant was asleep. There it was, immensely
ment with the voice of Washin gton. I think well as of business-places of amusement and
white in the blue night, erected in the midst
of the number of fates, fortunes, adversities of rest." And this I confirm, going and com
of circuits of light spread into torrents by the
and enterprises which are settled here. I ing out by the spacious halls of the renowned
New Willard, or by the not less splendid electric globes. Its arrogant dome broke the
think of this great country that, not counting
Raleigh. A crowd, still more compact than sky. The gallant colonnades of the lateral
the prodigious historic casualt ies, owes its
the one that I saw in the New Orleans hotels pavilions were obscured by the distance . It
greatness to its not less prodigious spirit of
on my way here , is always found therein. You gave me, in the enormousness of the monu
organization and discipline, and to some sort
feel the vertigo of the elevators . You listen ment, the painful consciousness of my own
of formidable yet docile energy in reference
ns their instruments. Beau insignificance. Suddenly my spirit went out
to the national future and the inspiration of to the musicia with
tiful and elegantly clad women pass in and out of me and instinctively I raised myself to that
the guiding power that resides in the Garden
hastily. No dining room is empty. Numbers manner of contemplation in which the abstract
City. thought is higher than the great things-up to
I must say, and all Mexicans must know, of gentlemen, sitting down or standing, talk
or smoke. There is dancing in the different the very highest. The fate of war was tortur
that here on United States territory such is
nt parlors. For you must know that dancing here ing me of the present war, that is. Nothing
the general sentime of a moral uplift on less than the moral breakdown of a civiliza
account of the war that every citizen works is a daily practice-it is something like an
institution . Even the patriotic airs, including tion, which built up all the ideals here ; of the
for his country-from the poor newsboy who
"Joan of Arc," "Over There," etc., can be present war, where two principles fight, of
only in the hours left free from school pur which one or the other shall decide the desti
sues his modest task, and from his minute danced ! And little old men I have seen, with
white hair, with many years over their heads, nies of the world.
earnings invests no small portion in buying
who in dancing can compete with any fifteen And the dome of the Capitol, in the peaceful
War Savings Stamps which represent a loan
June night, stood like a fantastic interrogation !
from him to the Government, to the great year-old boy.
Living, even as a temporary sojourner, in -CARLOS GONZALES PEÑA.
industrials and magnates of wealth ; to the
small farmers and merchants, who for instance one of these caravansaries, you feel the sensa
as in New Orleans increased the potato pro tion of the perpetual jollity. Where is the
war ? we ask ourselves. Where is the war?
duction, raising it fifty per cent, and then had Development of Petroleum
to increase, with personal loss to themselves, Suddenly in a hall we lift up our eyes. We
It has just been announced that the New
the standard price to the producers on these see a flag-an immense flag-striped with red
Zealand Government has paid one company the
goods, so necessary for food for the army. on a white background, over which are at
tached innumerable blue stars. "The war is sum of $48,665 for the production of the first
But let us continue the interrupted thread
there," we answer to ourselves. Each of these million gallons of petroleum, and was pre
of our thought. The noise and bustle increase
in the city at noon-the lunch time-and at stars represents a man, an employe or servant pared to assist further in the development of
six o'clock in the evening, the end of all labor of the hotel , who has marched to the battle the oil fields of this Dominion .
It has been estimated that one field on the
though not of trouble. Then the spring-like field. west coast of the South Island contains not
avenues are full of people. In the gardens Meanwhile those who stay here await their
and parks these are surely the wives of am turn quietly, and meanwhile they enjoy them less than 38,000,000 gallons of crude petroleum
bassadors or of their first secretaries, with selves. Not even in this beautiful city, nor in that might be extracted from the shale of that
any of the other places which I have visited, part of the country.
such haughty air! They are the stenographer Indications make it clear that there are other
or typewriter, smiling and coquettish ; the does the thought of sacrifice and of death
perturb for a momen t the suprem e harmon y deposits that have not yet been investigated to
clerk-the drygoods- store clerk ; the employes,
of life. any great extent, and the Government proposes
who pass by in a haste when the sun is hot,
quietly and peacefully when the shades of eve Coming out one night from the famous to assist in this as soon as conditions become
Congressional Library, in which I received the normal -Consular Reports.
ning fall. At these last hours life is concen

‫זווד‬ ‫עור‬ Tu Ke T

A Splendid Specimen of
School Architecture
City of Guadalajara Opens Magnificent
Structure for Public Education
HERE was recently opened with appro
priate ceremonies in the city of Guadala
TH
jara, capital of the State of Jalisco, a magnifi
cent school structure of which an illustration
is given in this issue of THE REVIEW. This is
known as the "Constitution School" and is
well built of stone. It covers a superficial area
of 4660 square meters and is provided with
all modern educational as well as sanitary ap
pliances . The corner stone was laid in Sep
tember, 1914, by General Manuel Dieguez, but
active construction dates from October, 1916,
under the administration of Secretary of State
Berlanga. Despite the straitened financial
Berlanga. Despite
condition of the Government, the edifice was
completed and on Independence Day ( Septem
ber 16th ) was formally dedicated to public use
with appropriate ceremonies .
A glance at the illustration demonstrates
that this building is one of which any city in
the world might well be proud.
 THE MEXICAN REVIEW 39

HOW MEXICO IS PROGRESSING men under General Lopez de Lara to suppress found necessary to obtain additional passen
the banditry in the petroleum region . The ger coaches to accommodate it. Director Gen
(Continued from page 36)
first advance was made against the "Juan eral Pescador is taking steps to secure forty
from Guadalajara, capital of the State of cars from the United States, for which advan
Casiano" well, producing 250,000 barrels of
Jalisco, to Chamela, a port on the Pacific coast, tageous offers have been made. Two more
has been resumed with activity, work having oil daily, and which is the largest in the world.
This was taken possession of without difficulty, Pullmans of the "observation" type have been
been suspended for several months. It is in secured and will soon be put into service.
tended to push it to early completion, thereby and the Government troops next moved to
ward the "Potrero del Llano" well, with a
opening a rich agricultural and mineral region
to better development. capacity of 130,000 barrels daily. This was
also recovered without difficulty. The " Cerro
Azul," with a capacity of 110,000 barrels , was Food Send to Mexico
Modern Agricultural Machinery
the next objective point, and this, like the The following reports show the amount of
Secretary Pastor Rouaix, of the Department
others, was taken possession of without trou corn and other food products sent from the
of Agriculture and Development, has organized
ble of a serious character. After this Palaez, United States into Mexico during the periods.
a new bureau for the especial purpose of
the bandit leader, retired to "Las Amarillas," specified :
supplying the farmers of the Republic with
a region where there are a few small wells
agricultural machinery of the most modern Domestic Exports for Mexico
and where it was announced he would make
pattern at cost in order to avoid speculation August 1 , 10, 1918 .
a last and determined stand. It was given out Barley. bus. 51
and the heavy expense of importation which that he had six thousand men well armed, two Bran & Middlings . • ton 15
formerly prevailed and which caused such ar Bread & Biscuit . • lbs. 2,171
batteries of cannon and thirty machine guns, Corn ..... bus. 92,146
ticles to be very scarce. Besides providing Cornmeal . bbls. 865
with fortifications therefor. The Federal Oats .. bus. 4.074
machinery at cost, permanent exhibitions are Oatmeal . • • lbs. 3,729
troops advanced with care, but found that Rice .. lbs. 9,357
to be maintained for the purpose of instruct Palaez had only a few hundred poorly organ Wheat Flour. • bbls. 382
ing the farmers in the use of the new devices, Cocoa & Chocolate .. • • Value 3,943
ized men, with neither cannon nor machine Coffee, Green .. • lbs. 330
as also to demonstrate the results of such Coffee, Prepared.. lbs. 3,348
guns, and that the fortifications consisted of Cod . Haddock, Etc... lbs. 3,816
application. During his recent visit to the - Herring, Dried, all other. 4 lbs. 3,600
a trench less than two feet deep and two hun Salmon Canned . • Iba. 748
United States, Secretary Rouaix purchased a dred yards in length . In two hours the entire Dried Apples . • lbs. 1.460
large quantity of the desired apparatus, and Apricots.. lbs. 275.
force was put to flight and Palaez, who was Cattle . ་ no. 26.
it will be ready for distribution early in Nov Horses .. no. 1
wounded, took refuge on a small sail boat and Fresh Fish .. lbs. 4
ember. Various points have been selected for went to New Orleans for treatment. After Peaches, Dried . • • lbs. 976
the purpose and competent persons will be Prunes, Dried . • Ibs. 9,560
his departure from the country his followers Glucose . lbs. 613
stationed there to give instrustions in their use. broke up into small bands, and not a single Hay . • · ► tons 121
Motors, tractors and artesian well tools will Canned Beef • • • lbs. 2,848
well now remains in their power. Trains are Fresh Beef... lbs. 940.
be provided, as also all the machinery for Pickled Beef.. · C lbs. 72
now operating regularly between Tampico and Oleomargarine . • a Ibs. 200
plowing, planting, cultivating, harvesting and San Luis Potosi without escort and in perfect Bacon . • • lbs. 2,988
Hams & Shoulders lbs.. lbs. 6,886
threshing grain and other crops. safety, according to the official quoted in the Lard .. ་ lds. 584,862
Canned Pork . lbs. 42
foregoing. Fresh Pork ……. lbs 51
Steamship Service to be Augmented Lard Compound ► ► • lbs. 123,838 .
Mutton ... • · lbs. 4
The mercantile and traveling public has been Sausage, Total.. • • lbs. 11.375
Moss as a Substitute for Absorbent Cotton Butter . • • lbs. 7,174
gratified to learn that within a short time the lbs. 17,027
Cheese . · •
steamship service to gulf ports will be greatly The Director of Biological Investigation of Condense,dMilk 2 lbs. 125,770
Lard Oil.. gal. 300
increased. In addition to the two vessels the Department of Agriculture and Develop All other animal oil .. · ► gal. 2,507
operated by the principal line connecting with ment has received a number of communica Linseed Oil . gal. 2.436.
All other vegetable oil . D gal . 383
New York, six others are to be put on the tions from the State of Puebla regarding the Molasses . gal . 2
feasibility of exploiting a species of tree moss Sirup . · gal. 3.
route between Progreso, Vera Cruz, Tampico, Refined Sugar. • lbs. 26,647
Havana and New York. In various American that is found in abundance in that region and Beans & Dried Peas . • • bus. 5,353
Onions . + bus. 1,345
ports there are several thousand tons of freight from which a product is made that takes the Potatoes .. bus. 9,409
Canned Vetetables . • Value 3,029
destined to Mexico that had accumulated dur place of absorbent cotton, now so largely used
ing the embargo but which have been released in the European war for the treatment of the
wounded. Moss of a similar variety is now Report of Commodities going Freely to Mexico August
and will now be forwarded to its destination. 1st. to 31st inclusive.
Return cargoes of henequen and other Mexi used to the extent of upward of four million STATE LARD MILK PORK CORN
can products are promised to be abundant. treatments each month, and it is believed that (Pounds) (Pounds) (Pounds) (Bushels)
the local product can be utilized to great ad Mexican Food Commission , Mexico City, · • 200,000
vantage. Constitutionalist Rys. of Mexico , N, Laredo, Tams. 10,000
Will Export Fifty Thousand Tons of Aguascalientes . 6,320 .
Cotton Campeche. ▼
Chiapas. • ·• 94 •
Announcement is made in the Mexico City From Chicago to Tampico by Auto Chihuahua .. 475,120 34,845 68,907 149,990
Coahuila . · A 4 1,924,670 38,530 9,680 186,839
daily press that under permission granted by There recently passed through the city of Colima. 4 240 104 600
the Treasury Department some 50,000 bales of Durango. 78,200 • > MA 20,800 ·
Monterrey, capital of the State of Nuevo Federal District 3,495,245 258,246 67,611 131,233
cotton will be exported from this country to Leon, a party of three prominent oil promoters Guanajuato .. · • 15,000
Guerrero . • + C • 210 • ❤ •
the United States, Japan and South America, who had made the entire journey to that point Hidalgo . • · 14,800 • • 1.120
where advantageous contracts have been made Jalisco . • 35,000 27,750 64 5,000
from Chicago in an automobile. The recorded LowerCalifornia 21,500 6,977 133 703
therefor. The price in this country is $32 distance traversed was 2200 miles and the time Mexcio ... • 2,000 .
Michoacan . ❤ • 60,000 9,800
gold per 100 pounds, while in the foreign consumed was three weeks. They only trav Morelos . .
market it is worth four or five dollars more. Nuevo Leon . • 1 2,026,150 154.600 42.889 126,900
eled by day and frequently made extended Oaxaca . → 1,300 16,788 4.790
stops for rest and recreation. They met with Puebla . 99,400 10,000
Queretaro . 4
In the Tampico Oil Region no obstruction or delay after entering Mexico Quintana Roo . 8,620 2,525 125
San Luis Potosi 570,000 27 10,009 115,464
One of the chiefs of brigade under General and expected to reach Tampico within two Sinaloa... 75,188 26,608 12,731
Sonora . 1 · • • 1,328,710 943,542 58,000 2,680
Lopez de Lara, who has been in charge of the days after passing through Monterrey. Tabasco ... " 7.480 16,355 140 ** · •
campaign against Palaez in the Tampico-Vera Tamaulipas . • 1,260,010 277,045 70,470 127,603
Tepic .. 3,000
Cruz petroleum region, has made the follow Tlaxcala . • • .. • •
To Buy More Passenger Cars Vera Cruz . 1,582,665 606,022 112,594 67,935
ing statement in the press of Mexico City : Yucatan. 79
It is now nearly three months since the Gov Owing to the increase of traffic between Zacatecas... 40,000 3.400
ernment dispatched a force of four thousand Mexico City and border points, it has been 13,104,058 2,403,310 453,341 1,193,387
40 THE
LATE NEWS BREVITIES
The Department of Industry and Commerce
has prepared an alphabetical index of all the
industries actually in operation in the Federal
District. This is the result of careful and
minute investigation , and great pains has been
taken to make it accurate and complete. It is
the work of special inspectors appointed by the
Department. It is divided into four sections,
as follows : Food, textiles, metals, and diverse
industries. It will shortly be issued for public
distribution .
Under instructions of the Department of
Agriculture special agents have been appointed
in various portions of the Republic for the
purpose of stimulating the cultivation of idle
lands and introducing modern methods of
agriculture. It is intended to extend this work .
to all portions of the country as rapidly as
possible.
In order to protect the pearl fisheries of the
Gulf of California it has been determined to
divide the entire region where such deposits
exist into two zones, which will be worked
at intervals of two years respectively, thus
preventing the exhaustion of the oysters which
is threatened under indiscriminate exploitation .
The eighth anniversary of the foundation of
the National University was celebrated with
appropriate ceremonies on Sunday, September
22d.
Concessions to exploit petroleum measures
beneath the waters of bays and rivers and
along the maritime zone belonging to the gov
ernment have been nullified until the proper
steps can be taken by the government for the
regulation of such matters.
Reports from the State of Chihuahua are
that the crops of corn and beans in that sec
tion are abundant and prices are correspond
ingly low.
It is stated that the heavy demand for hene
quen has caused an increase in the price of
that fiber on the west coast, due to its use
in the explosive factories in the United States
and in Europe in place of cotton, the price of
which is higher than for many years. Large
quantities of the fiber are being exported.
A permanent biological exhibition has been
opened in the city of Mexico under the direc
tion of Professor Alfonso Herrera, who has
charge of biological investigation under the
National Government. The pupils of the pub
lic schools will be afforded opportunities to
study plant and animal life through the me
dium of this institution.
Announcement is made that train service
between Mexico City and the city of CuernaNE
vaca, capital of the State of Morelos , will be
regularly resumed . The Federal forces are in
permanent occupancy of the city, and General
Fortunato Zuazua has been appointed Pro
visional Governor of the State.
A plan is under way for the inauguration of
local expositions of the varied products of the
country, whether natural or artificial, and the
first one was opened on September 15th at
Tehuacan, State of Puebla.
In compliance with a recent decree of the
President of the Republic, a course of study
in agricultural mechanics has been inaugurated
in the Agricultural School in this city. Prac
tical as well as theoretical instruction will be
given in the most modern agricultural methods,
while shops and machinery will be provided
for the purpose ,
It is proposed to establish a wireless tele
graph station at La Paz, Lower California ,
owing to the difficulties in the way of the
transmission of important news and commer
cial messages in any other manner.
Under the management of an agent of the
Department of Agriculture instructions are
MEXICAN REVIEW
being given in the public schools in such mat
ters. An arbor day was recently celebrated,
during which a large number of trees were
planted by the pupils. A rural school has also
been established at the Hacienda Rosales,
where permanent classes will be maintained in
agriculture .
A movement is under way to export paper
pulp from British Columbia to Mexico for the
use of the three paper factories located there.
A Norwegian steamship company has been
engaged to handle the product.
Permission has been given to export ten
thousand bales of cotton to Spain, on condition
that the exporters pay an impost of ten cents
per kilo, instead of the regular rate of three
cents.
The city officials of Vera Cruz are taking
steps to secure title to the extensive areas that
have recently been reclaimed from overflow
in that port, with the design to subdivide them
among the poor classes for purposes of habita
tion.
Several of the large smelting companies
operating in Mexico have petitioned the Sec
retary of the Treasury for permission to im
port ores of various kinds from Central and
South America in order to refine them, in the
absence of the necessary plants for such pur
poses at the places of production. It is asked
that the ores so treated be exported free of
duty. The matter is now under consideration ,
with the prospect that the request will be
granted .
The jitney service has proved so successful
in Mexico City, where many hundreds of such
vehicles are operated greatly to the accommo
dation of the public, that it is being extended
to other centers of population. The city of
San Luis Potosi is to have such an innovation,
which will connect it with many outlying sub
urbs with which communication at present is
difficult.
The work of dredging the harbor at Puerto
Mexico, under the direction of the Department
of Communications and Public Works, has
been completed and the machinery has been
removed to Frontera, in the State of Tabasco ,
where similar improvement will be carried out.
All the ports on both coasts are being bene
fited in like manner as rapidly as the necessary
machinery can be utilized.
The Mexican Railway has sent 140 cars to
Salina Cruz, on the West Coast, to transport
a large amount of sugar that has arrived at
that port from Peru to other portions of the
Republic where it is needed. Two vessels are
also due to arrive from Japan with similar
cargoes.
Specimens of bread made from flour pro
duced from the nopal cactus have been sub
mitted to the National Board of Health for
test in order to determine its suitability as food
for human beings. The novel product is said
to be appetizing in appearance and taste, and
as there is an unlimited supply of the fruit
available the originators of the new article
of food are hopeful of its introduction upon
a large scale.
A corps of four hundred mounted police
has been organized and will be detailed for
the purpose of guarding the outstkirts of the
city, especially at night. The rapid growth of
the suburbs in various directions has made it
necessary to afford other protection than is
possible by the usual police in the more
sparsely settled suburbs.
The route of the Ward Line steamers con
necting various Mexican ports with New York
has been changed . Vessels now touch first at
Vera Cruz, thence going to Tampico , thence
to Galveston, thence to Havana, thence to
Progreso, Yucatan, and thence directly to New
York. Formerly the steamers called at Pro
greso first, then Vera Cruz, then Tampico,
after which they returned to Vera Cruz,
Progreso, Havana and New York.
A movement has been inaugurated for send
ing to the United States films representing
various scenes, industrial, educational, social,
etc. , in Mexico , for the purpose of enlightening
the American public as to actual conditions in
the neighboring Republic and removing many
of the widely held misapprehensions in rela
tion thereto .
The Department of Labor under control of
the Secretary of Industry and Commerce has
prepared and will present to the National Con
gress laws regarding compensation for acci
dents , the formation of unions and mutual
associations , social reforms, weekly rest of one
day, strikes, contracts of labor, etc. The pro
posed laws are all favorable to the interests
of the working people and have been drawn
up after careful study and discussion with the
parties interested .
General Plutarco Elias Calles, Constitutional
Governor of the State of Sonora, who was
some time since granted leave of absence from
his civil post in order to lead the campaign
for the pacification of the "Broncho" Yaquis .
has now resumed his position at the head of
the State Government. The rebellious Indians
have been subdued and allotted lands, and it
is not believed there will be much further
trouble on this account.
Many thousands of acres of level lands in
the State of Vera Cruz are being cultivated
by the use of modern tractors . Five of these
machines were at first used, and it was found
that they could make three round trips daily
over a strip sixteen kilometers in length-over
nine miles. As a result twenty-five additional
tractors have been ordered and a very exten
sive area will be planted in cereals.
Extensive works are in progress for the
improvement of the vicinity of Tampico by
filling in large areas of swamp and overflowed
land adjacent to the city and devoting the re
claimed tracts to residential and commercial
purposes. This improvement will also add to
the salubrity of the place, the swamp lands
having been conducive to malarial and other
fevers.
A petition has been presented to the Depart
ment of Communications and Public Works
for permission to construct a line of railway
from the city of Campeche, capital of the
State of the same name, into the interior in
order to provide a region known as "Los
Chines" with transportation. This region is
populated by an indigenous tribe which is very
industrious and peaceable, but which has been
retarded by lack of communication.
The establishment of a series of agricultural
colonies has been undertaken in the State of
Nayarit ( formerly Tepic) under the auspices
of the Department of Agriculture. Irrigation
canals and dikes will be constructed and the
settlers will be aided in every way to make
their holdings productive .
Permission has been asked by the Southern
Pacific Railway of Mexico for the construction
of a branch from some point on the main line
of that road in Arizona to the vicinity of
Lechnel, Sonora, in order to aid in the de
velopment of the mineral and agricultural re
sources of that region .
The National Agrarian Commission has or
dered the restoration of several pueblos or
community lands in the States of Vera Cruz
and Sinaloa.
General Francisco Murguia, the military
commander in the State of Chihuahua, having
met with great success in the establishment
of a colony for small farmers from among
his forces in the vicinity of Chihuahua City,
has now undertaken to establish one at La
guna, on the line to Juarez, and will also
establish others as the occasion permits . The
best results in the maintenance of peace and
the prevention of banditry are expected to
follow this movement .
The National Board of Health has issued
instructions that in all restaurants, hotels , etc.,
where sugar is served for the use of custom
ers, it must be kept in receptacles which close
automatically, or in those so constructed that
the contents cannot be contaminated by flies.
In no case must it be exposed to the air.
 THE
Wilson Through Mexican Eyes
A Visiting Newspaper Man Gives His Impressions
(The following description of an interview with
President Wilson was written by J. de J. Nunezy
Dominguez, in Excelsior, a newspaper published in
Mexico City. The interview described is presumably
that in which President Wilson made his famous
speech to the Mexican editors proposing a new doc
trine of Inter-Americanism to take the place of the
Monroe Doctrine. The article is interesting not only
because of the impressive picture it paints of the
President in these war days, but because it is written
by a neutral, and especially by a Mexican. )
N aide-de-camp points out to us with
quiet but friendly gesture the places
Α we are to occupy in order to have our
interview with President Wilson. We are in
the "Blue Room" of the White House, where
we have arrived after passing through the
lawns which lie between the street and the
presidential dwelling. It is a severe room.
Almost down to the floor the walls are painted
a dark blue, made darker by the heavy cur
tains which hang at the windows. Two
chandeliers, suspended from the ceiling, flaunt
their prismatic crystals in the afternoon glow.
We are silent, expectant . Running my eyes
over the faces of my companions , I see signs
of emotion. In their countenances I can trace
the nervous tension ; their eyes are fixed . It
is a solemn moment.
There is a stir among the attendants. Ready
hands sweep back the curtains, and framed in
the luminous square of the door stands Mr.
Wilson. A hearty round of applause greets
him, and the great man smiles. Then, while
one of our number makes a brief address, I
look him over at my leisure. There are the
eye-glasses , the same I have seen pictured a
thousand times ; that thin face is the one which
photographs and engravings have carried to
the ends of the earth ; from that mouth, with
its strong-looking teeth, has gone forth the
new evangel of the nations.
The President listens attentively. His hair,
though gray, is not yet white. His clean
shaven, angular face reveals by its clear skin.
and high color perfect physical condition , and
his form, neither short nor tall- short rather
than tall-is erect and firm. He is dressed
simply, in summer wear, a blue serge sack
coat, from the left lapel of which a small
chain descends into the outside pocket, white
trousers and white low shoes. As he turns
toward the speaker his characteristic glasses
and his thoughtful head are lighted up by rays
from without which glitter fascinatingly upon
the marble columns behind him.
The thing that chiefly impresses me is his
democratic simplicity ; it promptly puts at their
ease even those who, like ourselves, have come
from distant and foreign lands thus into his
presence. This First Citizen of the United
States is in appearance merely a reputable
inhabitant of any one of the country's cities,
a circumstance which at once gets in motion
a wholesome train of thought. One reflects
that, after all, a government of the people by
the people has no need of pedigreed beings
after the manner of princes, but simply of
plain men like this, who, for all of his mod
esty, is guiding over the sea of politics a
MEXICAN REVIEW
of the Great War President
mighty ship of state, carrying thousands upon
thousands of free citizens.
Now the President is speaking, and our
spirits strain with attention, like tense cords
on which the slightest breath might play. His
voice is clear and firm, the voice of a man
accustomed to face audiences of free voters.
His manner and accent are moderate at first.
Finger and thumb pressed together seem
meant to add emphasis, to underscore, as it
were, his opening sentences. Then his voice
becomes vibrant and individual. It warms
especially as he begins to speak of those high
ideals which are his special doctrine. His
right arm is lifted apostolically, and his hand
opens as he dwells on the liberation of peo
ples and the rights of humanity. Turning
then to words of welcome for us and of good
wishes, a smile plays over his face.
There were moments while he was speaking
when, good college man that I am, I fancied
myself a student on a recitation bench in
Princeton University, faced by a wise and
genial professor. It was as though the Presi
dent were speaking in some sacred hall of
learning, which gave all the more weight to
those wise words which make him a preacher
of progress. Then when I came to him in
line, to take his hand, when I heard from his
lips the courteous words, "I am very glad to
know you !" I pressed with genuine reverence
those fingers which were created to transcribe
words of incalculable significance for the
world.
And with the emotion of that moment still
upon me, when my good star brought me into
the presence of one of the leading men of
these stupendous times, I have hastened to set
down these lines that I might imprison in them
one of the most indelible recollections of my
life as a journalist.
New Mining Claims Filed
During the month from January 17 to Feb
ruary 17, the Department of the Treasury
forfeited 228 mining claims for failure to
comply with the laws governing such matters.
In the same period the Secretary of Industry
and Commerce granted 52 new claims, the
greater portion being in the State of Sonora,
while Nuevo Leon, Chihuahua, San Luis
Potosi and Sinaloa came next in order. The
claims covered a wide range of minerals, in
cluding : Gold, 1 ; silver, 1 ; copper, 7 ; anti
mony, 1 ; gold and silver, 13 ; gold, silver and
lead, 3 ; gold, silver and copper, 6 ; gold, silver,
copper and lead, 1 ; silver, copper and iron, 1 ;
silver, copper, lead and zinc, 1 ; lead and zinc,
1 ; lead, copper and zinc, 1 ; molybdenum , 1 ;
lead and zinc, with traces of silver, 2.
Colonel Alberto Salinas, the chief of the
Department of Aviation, has commenced the
manufacture of armored aeroplanes in the
well equipped shops of that branch of the
service. Various improvements have been
adopted which have been invented by Mexican
mechanics, and it is believed the new machines
will equal anything in the world if not surhandy
pass them.
4I
LATE NEWS NOTES
The Governor of the State of Queretaro has
taken steps for the establishment of a school
of arts and sciences in the capital city of that
commonwealth for the benefit of the working
people of both sexes.
A Congress of the Owners of Petroleum
Lands throughout the Republic was recently
organized in Mexico City, and has held sev
eral sessions. Many millions of dollars are
represented in the new society.
The Legislature of the State of Jalisco has
authorized the construction of a railway line
connecting Guadalajara with the famous Falls
of Juanacatlan, in order to make that resort
more accessible to the common people.
The period for the importation of articles
of food free of tariff has been extended until
the 31st of December of the present year.
The articles so exempted include : Lard, sugar,
rice, potatoes, corn, wheat, barley, garbanzo,
lentils, beans, oats and flour of all classes.
The commission appointed by President
Carranza to inquire into and determine the
claims for damages on account of the Revo
lution has established its headquarters in the
Central Bank Building, in Mexico City, and
will receive all such claims and adjudicate
them .
Professor Agustin Boone, of the Educa
tional Department of the State of Coahuila,
announces that there have been established
schools in every village and hamlet or haci
enda where there are fifteen or more children,
and the claim is made that under the stimulus
given to such matters by Governor Mireles,
of Coahuila, that State outranks all others in
the Republic in the number of schools of all
grades.
A contract has recently been closed between
the Rosita Coal Mining Company, in the State
of Coahuila, and Governor Espinosa Mireles ,
for the employment of a large force of men
at a minimum wage of $1.50 per day national
gold, which is a considerable increase over the
average heretofore. A newly organized for
eign company will open new coal mines upon
an extensive scale in the same State, and will
employ upward of six thousand men.
An offer has been received by the Govern
ment from a well-known impresario to com
plete the National Theater at his own expense
in return for a concession for the exclusive
use of the building for theatrical purposes for
two years after completion. He offers to de
posit a guaranty fund of $400,000 that the
work will be done in accordance with the plans
of the original architect. The structure has
been under way for some twenty years. (
A special commission from the Department
of Fomento was dispatched some time ago to
investigate certain land grants in the State of
Yucatan and the Territory of Quintana Roo ,
the holders of which had not in any manner
complied with the terms of their concessions
as to improvement, settlement, cultivation, etc.
As a result of the investigation a total of
1,765,000 acres of land has been returned to
the Government, and it will now be surveyed
and allotted to those who will make use
thereof.
Governor Espinosa Mireles , of the State of
Coahuila, has issued instructions to all mu-
nicipal authorities under his jurisdiction to
organize Agricultural Commissions in their
respective localities for the purpose of carry
ing out the necessary measures for the stimu
lation of all forms of agriculture and horti
culture.
42 THE
Some Mexican Reminicences
Where the Cost of Living Was Far From High-Dried Oysters—
Tourists Who Ordered Some Fried Babies
IN THE course of my travels in Mexico
I enjoyed many interesting experiences,
I' showing the kindly and courteous character
of the natives. For example : One cold, rainy
day in December my exceptionally stupid mozo
lost his way-we were following some little
used trails along the mountain ridges of the
western slope of the Sierra Madre, having
been driven from the regular route in a canyon
by high water. 1 At last the trails, which were
mere cattle tracks, gave out, and Hilario, the
mozo, was obliged to confess himself lost. We
were away up on a narrow, rocky ridge, the
rain coming down in torrents, and I had no
protection except a heavy Durango blanket
wrapped around the body. The obvious thing
to do was to get down off the mountain top
into some canyon as soon as possible, and this
we did, sliding and slipping and jumping our
animals over places which seemed impassable,
but which perforce had to be negotiated. Fi
nally, we struck a dim trail and late in the
afternoon picked up a peon who offered to
guide us to a ranch.
We reached the place about dark, as lonely
and forbidding a spot as one ever saw, away
down deep in a narrow canyon, with just
enough space to accommodate a small adobe
house and a corral for animals. There were
several men and women there-afterwards I
learned that it was a notorious resort for
bandidos and "sin verguenzas" of that ilk, and
when I afterwards told people that I had
passed a night at Las Ventanas, they were
amazed and could scarcely credit it. However,
nothing transpired during our stay to show
this, and we were treated by all with great
consideration. I asked the woman who ap
parently headed the household if we could get
something to eat, and some feed for our mules.
She said yes, and before long a good meal
for all three of us was ready, consisting of
fresh eggs (three for each person ) , tortillas ,
frijoles, cheese of the country and coffee
the latter supplied by ourselves . Our mules
were also fed, and we passed the night on cots
furnished by the landlady, in the portal of the
house, the mozo keeping a fire going all night,
as it was quite cold and damp. In the morn
ing we took merely a cup of coffee, as we
desired to make an early start, and getting an
early breakfast not being one of the usual
habits in this country. When ready to leave
I asked the landlady how much I owed her.
After hesitating a moment, as if in fear of
making an overcharge, she replied in a diffi
dent manner : "Quince centavos , Señor" (fif
teen cents Mexican, or 7½ cents gold ) . I
handed her a 50-cent piece, which threw her
into a panic. She had no change ; there was
no money in the house ; could I not give her
the exact amount? I told her there was no
change needed, and we departed followed by
a volley of "Mil graciases !" and "Adioses !"
More than once I was accommodated by
natives in lonely places with the best they had
MEXICAN REVIEW
had to eat, while payment was absolutely re
fused. I have had families insist upon giving
up their sleeping apartment, the only one they
had, for my accommodation, and have had
courtesy of every kind bestowed upon me
freely and gladly. I always found some way
of recompensing my free-hearted hosts, either
with gifts of coffee, most highly prized indeed
by them, or with presents of coin to the chil
dren or the women folks . In the more remote
regions of the mountains coffee is indeed a
luxury to the natives, both from its high price
and from the difficulty of obtaining it. Al
ways when camping near a native's house, I
would make a big pot of coffee and invite
the men to sit by the fire and share in the
beverage. Then the coffee was passed along
to the women and children, and we would
hear them far into the night enjoying them
selves over it, adding hot water from time
to time until the last drop of the essence of
the berry had been extracted and but a mere
flavor of coffee remained. The coffee pot was
always a sure passport to the good graces of
these people, and they tried in every way to
show their gratitude for the unusual treat.
An odd experience in another direction was
in connection with the Chinese proprietor of a
sort of restaurant operated for the employes
of a coal-mining camp in the State of Coa
huila. The company with which I was then
connected had taken a contract to construct
a new railroad bridge across a river close to
the mine, and I went in advance to see what
arrangements could be made with regard to
food for the five or six Americans who were
to have charge of the work, the rank and file
of the employes being Mexicans. I found that
the only place where food could be obtained
was the mine boarding house, and accordingly
addressed myself to the proprietor, a jolly,
good-natured Mongolian who spoke a little
English. When I asked him if he could board
a half-dozen Americans he said : "Yes , but I
think you not like it . This glub here pletty
damn bum . This glub only for peones." I
asked him how much he charged per month
and he replied that his price was $20 Mex .,
$10 gold ! Naturally, one could not expect
much for such a price, so I asked him if he
could not arrange to give us better food than
that supplied the miners, telling him we were
willing to pay what it was worth. He asked :
"How much you pay ? You pay $30 month ?"
I told him yes, we were willing to pay so
much as that—$15 gold per month ! For this
large sum he agreed to provide a separate
room for us, to give us chicken three times a
week at least, with turkey on Sunday ; to give
us pie twice a day (think of it-twice a day ! ) ,
and he even served it for breakfast several
times when asked, and to supply plenty of
fresh vegetables and fruit. So the bargain
was made and for five or six months we ate
the "pletty damn bum glub." Then came a
shut-down of the mine. Of course, none of
the peones had any money saved up, or more
than a day's supply of food in their cabins,
while those who had been eating at the board
ing house had their supplies cut off at once.
There were four windows to the room
wherein we Americans ate, and at meal time
each window was packed with hungry-eyed
natives , gazing at each mouthful we swal
lowed as if they were starving-which they
probably were. For one, I know that I felt
guilty to be sitting there eating in the pres
ence of so much hunger. Finally, we con
cluded that all the food put on the table was
our own property to do with as we pleased,
and we began passing out bread, meat and
what not, leaving the dishes bare to a crumb.
The Chinaman found this out after a while,
and arming himself with a club, chased the
peones away time and again, but was never
able to stop the practice . He was afraid to
say anything to us, as we were his best-paying
customers, and as soon as he had given over
chasing the poor devils away we would again
pass out the food. Often while he was chas
ing one gang away another would run to the
window, grab what we held out, and then hike
for the brush, devouring the food like wild
animals. Happily the shut down did not last
long, much to our relief, for hungry men,
women and children are not at all conducive
to one's own appetite.
I afterwards learned that this Chinaman was
conducting a sort of school for his fellow
countrymen, instructing them in the proper
answers to the questions that were apt to be
propounded by the immigration inspectors in
the States . After graduation from this school ,
the candidate would, upon advance payment
of $400 , be put across the Rio Grande River
some dark night. There was a constant suc
cession of strange Chinese coming and going
from this place, and some one certainly reaped
a good harvest from the per capita. [ At the
present time the rate is from $1500 to $2000
per head. ]
I was present at one meal when I most
emphatically refused to partake of the prof
fered viands . I had gone out along the line
of the railroad to inspect progress on a bridge
being put in in a remote spot, and had taken
a light lunch with me. At noon the native
workmen built a fire and were soon busy
cooking something, what I did not exactly
make out. If there had been water near by,
I would have thought they had caught some
large fish and were frying it after cutting it
into pieces . When the cooking was finished
I was asked if I would partake. "What is
it ?" I asked. "Vivaro de kaskabel- nada
mas," was the reply. But inasmuch as my
education in the gastatory line had failed to
include rattlesnake chops in the bill of fare,
I begged to be excused. But the peones did
not leave a morsel of the delectable mess.
Truth to tell, however, the meat was white
and far from unappetizing in appearance, but
no snake in mine, if you please, no matter
how hungry I. might be. Over 釁 on the west
coast the natives eat the iguana, a great lizard
of most repulsive appearance. The flesh, how
ever, like that of the rattlesnake, is white and
not at all unappetizing in appearance . A
friend of mine stopped at a native hut one
 THE
day and asked for something to eat. It being
the family's meal time, he was handed a dish
of stew which he soon devoured, finding it
very toothsome and tender. After he had fin
ished his meal, he asked what he had been
eating, and was told "Carne de iguana." No
emetic could have acted quicker than did this
information , and the traveler passed on, emp
tier but wiser, and with a determination never
again to eat any native dish without inquiring
its nature beforehand.
One of my queerest experiences was down
at Culiacan, on the west coast, the capital city
of the State of Sinaloa. I am very fond of
oysters and fish, and while traveling through
the mountains of Western Durango I had fre
quently seen fine strings of trout offered on
the streets of remote villages at half a cent
or a cent each. I was told that when I
reached Culiacan I would find an abundance
of salt-water fish and oysters from the Gulf
of California, the supply being brought from
the port of Altata, about 40 miles from the
capital city, which is an inland town . When
I finally reached the place I learned that the
trains bringing the oysters and fish only came
up three times a week, and that if I wished
to obtain any of the delicacies I would have
to be on hand in the market by five in the
morning, as the demand was so great that
the supply was always quickly exhausted . As
I did not care to get up so early, on the eve
ning before I gave my mozo 75 cents and
explicit directions to take a casuela, or dish,
go to the market early in the morning and
invest the amount in fresh oysters, but as we
had no means of opening them, he was to have
the dealer remove the shells. When I arose
next morning, I asked the moso if he had
bought the oysters . "Si, Señor," was the reply.
"Where are they ?" "In my maral" (a sort of
saddle bag made of fiber ) . My heart misgave
me at this information , as I did not exactly
see what fresh oysters could be doing in such
a receptacle. I directed the moso to bring me
the oysters , whereupon the intelligent youth
drew a dirty paper parcel out of the bag and
opening it displayed to my astonished vision
a couple of hundred dried oysters! They
were about the most unappetizing, ill-smelling,
dirty-looking objects that one can conceive.
They were not actually dried , but had been
heavily salted, and then spread in the sun until
most of the moisture was evaporated. Of
course, I could do nothing with the mass, but
I learned subsequently that if I had soaked
them over night, then parboiled them, and
then cooked them in a soup, I could have
eaten them. Doubtless after this process they
would have been fully as palatable as so many
bits of boiled leather.
But I was destined not long after to have
a feast of oysters such as had never before
fallen to my lot. Visiting La Prosperidad ,
an American colony about 50 miles south of
Culiacan , on the newly constructed Southern
Pacific line from Guaymas to Guadalajara , I
was told that oysters were abundant on an islet
off the coast a few miles. So a party of
us went thither at the first opportunity. We
found some Indian fishermen with dugouts ,
and for a consideration they paddled us off
MEXICAN REVIEW
to the island. We found it nothing but a solid
bed of oyster shells and live oysters, and as
the tide was low, had no difficulty in gather
ing up several hundred fine, large specimens
in a few minutes. There was some driftwood
on the island, and we straightway proceeded
to roast oysters and to open and eat them
raw until filled to repletion. On a part of the
island where some sand and earth had gath
ered were bushes with limbs that hung in the
water at high tide, and these were covered
with small oysters which we found of most
delicious flavor, but when we subsequently told
of finding oysters growing on trees, ready at
hand for gathering , we were met with such
scoffing incredulity that I quit telling about it
until now. The oysters on the gulf coast and
farther south are very large, fat and white in
color, and as fine as any I ever ate in New
York years ago . In the towns along the coast
and for miles back within reach of pack trains,
oysters are sold all the year round, there being
no closed season there during the R'less
months, as with us. The average price is two
for one cent Mex., or one-quarter of a cent
each in gold. An expenditure of eight or ten
cents thus secures about all an able-bodied
man with a good appetite can consume at a
sitting.
Speaking of oysters reminds me of a funny
little story of the experience of some Ameri
can turistas in the city of Monterrey. There
was quite a party of the strangers, included
in the number being a young lady armed with
a Spanish-English dictionary, who took upon
herself the management of affairs . Seeing a
sign of "Oysters" in a resaurant window, they
concluded they would indulge in a light lunch,
but upon entering the place were disappointed
to find that the English-speaking attendant
had just stepped out. "Oh , never mind," said
the confident young lady ; "I can manage it .
We will have a small fry each. Let's see"
(turning the pages of the dictionary. “Um
um-small-small-Oh, yes, ' chiquita' ; that means
small. Now fry-fry- here it is, 'frita.' That's
it-chiquita frita-small fry." So , calling a
waiter, with the utmost confidence the young
linguist informed him that the party required
a chiquita frita for each. But the waiter
stared in amazement, not to say horror. "No ,
no, no !" was all they could understand of the
torrent of Spanish that he poured forth, the
while he gesticulated violently and seemed
overcome with wonder or some other feeling.
But the young woman persisted that nothing
but a chiquita frita would do , and so a dead
lock seemed imminent, when a gentleman at
an adjoining table addressed the party and
offered his services in straightening out the
tangle. Thereupon , he ordered the desired
dishes as requested, but after doing so asked
the visitors if they knew what they had really
told the waiter they wanted . Of course, they
were in blissful ignorance, which changed to
amazement when the gentleman informed
them that they had really asked the attendant
to bring each of them a fried baby !
An experience which is apt to puzzle the
stranger for a little while is the frequent ab
sence of knives and forks from the table in
many places where one would naturally ex
43
pect to find such conveniences , not to say
necessities. It is a trifling disconcerting to sit
down at table and find the food served with
out these aids to its consumption. However,
if the stranger be of an observant turn, he
will have long since taken note of the deft
manner in which the native , using portions of
a tortilla in each hand, will convey the food
to his mouth neatly, cleanly and expeditiously.
After a trial or two it will be found compara
tively easy. Tearing a tortilla into quarters ,
one piece is folded into a sort of trough be
tween the thumb and forefinger of the left
hand, while with the other portion in the right
hand, the beans or what not are deftly shoved
into the fold, which in turn is conveyed to the
mouth , where as much of the tortilla as con
tains the other food is bitten off with it and
masticated. The process is repeated until tor
tilla and beans are entirely consumed. A few
experiments in this direction will make one
an adept at the process , which has its advan
tages in the way of simplifying the labors of
the housewife and reducing the table furniture
and equipment to a minimum.
Just one little anecdote and I will shut off :
Attention, you prune-joke writers ! Did you
know that there is a country at your very
door where prunes are a luxury, only to be
indulged in by the well to do ? It is a fact
nevertheless . Down in Mexico City they sell
the smallest dried prunes , small as marbles ,
on the street at three for a cent ! And no one
ma
thinks of using them as they are used through
out the United States. There is a wealthy
railroad corporation in this country which
once upon a time kept several gangs of Amer
icans in the field, and for convenience boarded
them at the corporation's expense . The fore
man of one of these gangs sent in his regular
monthly requisition for supplies once upon a
time, and included therein what he considered
a reasonable amount of prunes, for it is an
old proverb among frontiersmen, miners and
the like that there is no such peace-maker and
peace-keeper as regular rations of prunes .
Fact ! But back came a letter from the chief
supply man, asking how many prunes it was
customary to allow each man at a meal. The
foreman replied that he put no limit on the
number, but that each one helped himself to
as many as he wanted . Then came a circular
letter to each chief of a gang : "Hereafter, the
cook of each gang will serve the prunes in
separate dishes to each man, and under no
circumstances shall any man be given more
than three prunes at any one meal." Such a
notice is surely calculated to make a California
prune grower, glad to get four or five cents
a pound for his fruit, sit up and take notice .
"EL GRINGO."
LIC . RAMON OBREGON
CIVIL, CRIMINAL AND FEDERAL LAW
10 A. M. AND 4 P. M.
Mexico , D. F. Monte De Piedad
P. O. B. No. 598 No. 13
44 THE
General Resumption
Great Demand for Silver and Its Increased Price Causes
HE world's total production of silver
is at present running about 130,000,000
Tounces a year, of which 80,000,000 ounces
is yielded by American silver mines or mines
carrying the metal as a by-product. In normal
times Mexico's output is 70,000,000 ounces, or
close to the American total.
This stabilizing of the market for silver at
a highly profitable price, coming as it does
upon the heels of the re-establishment of stable
government in the Mexican State of Sonora
and the inception of renewed mining activity
on an unprecedented scale in that section, will
be of the greatest assistance in extending oper
ations in Mexican mining properties on which
work has been suspended partially or entirely
during the long period of disorder and internal
strife in the southern Republic.
Before the outbreak of the recent Mexican
revolution that country led the world in the
production of silver, with a yield of upwards
of 70,000,000 ounces yearly. In consequence
of the restoration of order in Sonora, guaran
tee of protection by the Mexican authorities
and phenomenal improvement in business
conditions generally, practically all of the
important mining companies have resumed
work, while the growing interest in mining
operations in that portion of the neighboring
Republic makes it probable that within a very
short time it will lead the entire country in
the production of all metals. This is only
natural, since Sonora is not only fortunate in
being one of the Mexican States immediately
adjoining the United States, but has vastly
superior railroad facilities.
Sonora has an area of 77,000 square miles,
admittedly one of the most highly mineralized
portions of the entire globe. Deposits of gold,
Grinding Gold Ore in an Arastra, Sonora, Mexico, Mine. Crudest but Effective Method of
Separating Free Gold From Quartz
MEXICAN REVIEW
of Mining
Renewal of Activity in Mexico
silver and copper occur in remarkable abun
dance, and, under modern management, many
have developed great commercial importance,
while hundreds have remained unworked since
their abandonment during the revolution
against Spain, from 1810 to 1821. Long before
the Spaniard came, in 1519, the natives had
developed primitive methods of mining and
metallurgy which gave them large quantities
of precious metal and of copper and bronze
implements.
Sonora is pitted and honeycombed with
abandoned shafts, open cuts and underground
workings which are now called "antiguas,"
the term applying to all of the ancient work
ings operated before the revolt against Spain
in 1810. In the clear atmosphere, on the tree
less hills and mountains, the traveler sees
everywhere openings of old workings that
record the mining industry of the early days .
In this climate of small rainfall and rapid
erosion, the gradual decay of ledges and im
pregnated rocks, wherever exposed, resulted
in surface accumulations of precious metal,
especially near the exposures of gold-bearing
veins. In these detrital deposits, or " placers,"
the first miners reaped a rich and easy har
vest. Later, under Spanish rule, the introduc
tion of the "arrastre," the use of quicksilver
and various technical devices, gave the miner
control of a large field of action and new re
sources of profits. Practically no machinery,
however, was used in mining, and the notched
log or "chicken ladder," with the rawhide
bucket on the back of the "peon," was the
primitive substitute for present-day hoisting
and pumping machinery. So , also, the slow
hand boring of shallow holes and the breaking
down of the ore by the Spanish method, of
quicklime packed in the holes and moistened,
were the humble though efficient substitutes
for the use of modern machine drills and
dynamite.
As a result of these conditions, work was
limited in depth for lack of pumping ma
chinery, and in thoroughness by imperfect
methods of extraction. The "arrastre" could
be erected and worked without capital other
than that needful to command the services of
a cheap mule or burro, and since the slowness
of the process was unimportant and little or
no value was assigned to the labor of man or
beast, it was effective on free-milling gold ore,
even of very low grade, but useless for the
extraction of gold from sulphides. One,
therefore, usually finds that an "antigua" mine
has not been exhausted in depth, unless the
orebody was very shallow and that in the old
workings, and below them, there often is rich
ore unfit for the "arrastre" but available for
modern metallurgy. Further, there may be
waste dumps rich enough for treatment by
modern methods. At one time substantial re
turns were gained by a company which sent
out a portable cyanide plant to treat the dumps
of old " arrastre" tailings.
The ancient mine workings or "antiguas"
of Sonora are of much interest, for many of
them have become richly productive in the
hands of people with capital and up-to-date
methods. Whenever the ancient miners
worked extensively, it may be inferred that
they found ore profitable for treatment by
their methods. That these old mines were
rarely worked out is due to several reasons :
First, the lack of means of handling large
volumes of water, since many "antiguas" show
rich ore when unwatered.
Second, the fact that the old miners knew
nothing of the geology of ore deposits and
did not appreciate that an orebody might be
expected to pinch out or be cut off by faults
and that a new orebody, or the continuation
of the first, might be found by exploration.
The old Mexican miner only followed the
ore and knew nothing of systematic develop
ment.
Third, the early miners only sought for ore
which could be worked in the "arrastre" or
reduced in their simple "adobe" furnaces. Any
gold ore not free milling, or any silver ore
from which the metals could not be recovered
by their simple treatment, was useless. Cop
per was of little interest to them, and it is
not known that any mine was actively worked
for copper. The Aztecs, however, used some
copper tools and a small quantity of this metal
was used by the Spaniards for church bells .
"Antigua" mines differ very much in ap
pearance from mines of present day because
the following of the ore was the only purpose
in view, and little, if any, waste rock was
taken out. The underground workings are,
therefore, of very variable dimensions and
extremely irregular in direction. Where the
roof needed support this was more often
supplied by pillars than by timbering, and in
later years "gambusinos" (prospectors ) and
others have robbed the pillars and allowed the
ground to cave.
Although its mineral wealth was known of
old, Sonora was practically closed to the miner
 THE
for nearly half a century after the end of
the revolution against Spain. This was due
to the depredations of the Apache Indians,
who, after the Mexican troops retired, rav
ished this southwestern country. It has, in
deed, been truly remarked that for a long time
Sonora was under the Apache government
rather than that of Mexico. After the pur
chase by the United States in 1853, under the
Gadsden treaty, of the territory south of the
Gila, southern Arizona was somewhat pro
tected by soldiers until the beginning of the
Civil War, when, on the withdrawal of these
troops, savages overran many of the white
settlements . The region remained subject to
their depredations and largely closed to com
merce until after the completion of the South
ern Pacific Railway. This greatly facilitated
transportation of troops and the final capture
of Geromino soon followed in 1886. From
that time dates the opening of Sonora to the
modern miner.
The copper zone of Sonora is the southward
continuation of that of Arizona and extends
for nearly the whole of the State. Deposits
of this metal occur rather frequently in all the
districts. As in Arizona, so in Sonora, the
principal copper orebodies are in limestone or
associated with it, and, in turn, are in close
relation to masses or dikes of eruptive rock,
which contains copper or has stimulated the
flow of a copper-bearing medium. While the
presence of green stains on quartz, indicating
the existence of carbonates and silicates of
copper, has led in many places to the expendi
ture of much time and money in the attempt
to make copper mines, it seems established,
after many trials, that no one has yet suc
ceeded in developing a substantial copper mine
on a quartz vein in Sonora. In some of the
silver mines, tetrahedrite occurs in quartz, and
from this copper comes as a by-product with
the silver, but the large copper producers are
all on or near lime-porphyry contacts. Many
large quartz veins are barren, although de
posits of commercial importance are often
found in the country beside the vein. Further,
Haunted Mining Shaft Into Which Over 100 Bodies of Murdered Natives and Foreigners Were Thrown
in the Time of the French Invasion
MEXICAN REVIEW
ar
e
Native Miners in Sonora, Mexico
many of the largest and most productive ore
bodies contain very little quartz. Most of
the large veins carry copper, lead, gold and
silver. There are few mines of silver free
from copper. Gold occurs in nearly all the
copper ores, so that the copper mines are usu
ally producers of gold. A notable exception
is the Pilares at Nacozari. Gold also occurs
to some extent in quartz veins . These latter
occurrences are chiefly in the Altar district.
Iron pyrite and copper sulphides carry gold
and yield, by their decomposition, oxides, sili
cates and carbonates, which give up their gold
to amalgamation in the "arrastre."
The zone of oxidation in Sonora is gen
erally, except on steep mountain slopes, quite
deep. So few of the mines have been worked
far into the zone of unaltered sulphides that
it is too early to undertake a general discus
AXPAY
45
sion of the types of Sonora ore deposits. It
may, however, be stated that the predomi
nating type is the impregnated shear zone.
This is a zone of shattered rock of greater
or lesser width, where fractured ore faulting
has occurred in a series of parallel fissures
very close together. Through this fragmental
material, a metallizing solution has flowed,
saturating the fragments to a variable extent
with lead, silver, gold, copper or other metal,
but not carrying sufficient silica to form a
distinct vein-stone. Sometimes local deposits
of quartz are formed in the shear zone and
these, when exposed at the surface, resemble
true vein outcrops, but do not continue far in
length or depth, although there may be im
portant bodies of ore beneath them. As might
be expected, the metallizing solution appears
usually to have taken a wandering course.
The ore bodies are the record of a flow that
has often divided, in passing, the less porous
rock masses, so that "horses" are formed, both
along the vein and sometimes in its width.
These "horses" are not entirely barren, but
carry low-grade ore. The formation of large
"horses" along the shear zone gives the effect
of shoots or chimneys of ore that unite at
depth. A peculiar condition sometimes no
ticed is the offsetting of the ore through the
constriction of the zone of flow and its di
vision in a lateral direction to be succeeded
after a distance by a widening again and the
resumption of ore along the general course.
The result of this is a displacement similar to
that which might result from the faulting of
a fissure-vein. In the shear zone, however,
there is no marked fissure to guide the miner
in determining geometrically the position of
the displaced orebody. Exploration work
alone will find it.
The free importation of autos, wagons , carts
and other vehicles has been extended until
December 31, 1918. Trucks, tractors and other
forms of vehicles of this class are also in
cluded.

E XI
46 TH
Mining in Mexico
As Depicted by an Author Over Fifty Years Ago-The
IEUT. SYLVESTER MOWRY, who in his
day was one of the foremost mining
L and civil engineers identified with the
State of Arizona and northwestern Mexico , in
1864 wrote a book on the geography, history
and resources of that region . Lieutenant
Mowry was a graduate of the United States
Military Academy at West Point, and was
associated with Generals Sherman, McClellan
and Dodge and other equally famous military
engineers in making a reconnaissance survey
from 1840 to 1861 for the construction of a
transcontinental railroad across the United
States. He also at one time occupied the posi
tion of United States Boundary Commissioner
in Arizona . In his various capacities he gained
an intimate knowledge of Sonora and Arizona
and accumulated vast mining holdings in both
States . During the Civil War he was arrested
on a charge of supplying the Confederates with
lead for bullets from his mines on the inter
national boundary line, which he afterward
lost and which are now known as the famous
Mowry mines. He was tried and acquitted
of the charge, it having been proved that it
was impossible for him to ship lead from his
mines to the Southern States by the primitive
means of transportation in sufficient quantities
to give aid to the Secessionists.
In his book Lieutena
nt Mowry gives a
graphic description of the mineral resources
of Sonora which makes highly interesting
reading today in view of the renewed and
growing activity there as a result of the resto
ration of peace , after years of internal strife ,
as well as the fact that the opportunitie await
s strong attachment when firmly and kindly
ing capital in Sonora are just as great today
as they were at the time he wrote the book.
Considerable space in the book is devoted to
the San Javier district, in which the properties
of the Internationa Mines Developmen Com
l t
pany , the LaDura mine of the Mines Company
of America and other properties now attract
ing attention are located . Among the prop
erties in the district named to which Lieu
tenant Mowry made special reference are the
Los Bronces and Las Animas . The Los
Bronces mine was adjacent to the present La
Dura mine , already referred to, one of the
properties of the Mines Company of America ,
and enjoys as eminent a position among Mexi
can mines today as it did when it was known
by its former name . The Las Animas mine
is of great present - day importance , and is
owned by the Laughlin Mining Company . At
the time revolutionar movements in that sec
y the very mild winter of 1862 and 1863 of the
tion compelled suspension of operations there
the mine had blocked out silver-lead ore re
serves of a value of over $ 1,000,000 . Practi
cally all of the other mines in the San Javier
district referred to by Lieutenant Mowry in
his book are known to present -day mining
men , but under somewhat different names , as
great properties and with only one or two
exceptions have not been developed to greater
depth than 500 feet . These mines , figuratively
N
CA
VI
ME RE
J
Observations of Lieutenant Mowry
speaking, have only been scratched, and are
certain to yield under development great re
wards to their present owners.
In chapter 5 of his book Lieutenant Mowry
says in part :
"The prospects of Sonora have much im
proved since 1859. The constitutional power
of the State has been boldly asserted , and
maintained with courage and ability by Gov
ernor Pesqueira ; the disturbances caused by
the Yaqui Indians suppressed with a firm
hand, revolutions nipped in the bud, and pro
found peace maintained for a long time past.
A new port, La Libertad, on the Gulf of
California, above Guaymas, has been opened,
giving an immediate out let to the valuable
district of Altar and Northeastern Sonora, and
to Arizona. A liberal grant has been made
by the Legislature of Sonora to an Eastern
company, ably represented by General Angel
Trias, for the right-of-way of a railroad from
Guaymas to El Paso , to connect with the
Southern Pacific Railroad.
"This road, which would now have been in
an advanced state had it not been for the
Civil War in the United States, must some
day be built. The extension of the Opelousas
Railroad from New Orleans, with the Mem-
phis branch to San Antonio, Texas, and El
Paso, then to Guaymas, will surely be built
before any other road when wise counsel shall
take the place of the madness of the hour,
and peace again shed her benignant smile over
our happy country. European capital, with
the valuable grants in aid of constructing the
road, was secured to a sufficient amount to
insure its rapid completion. The calculations
on which this foreign aid was procured re
main valid, and the development of Sonora
and Arizona will increase their value. The
great valley of the Mississippi will be placed
in easy communication with the Pacific- a
communication most devoutly to be wished .
An immense item-never yet noted , I believe,
in the trade of such a road-will be the freight'
of unnumbered tons of ores, not sufficiently
rich to bear the present costly transportation.
As a friend, who is more poetical than pious,
remarked to me : ' God never intended these
ores, worth $10 or $20 a ton, to remain useless
forever.' I see no reason to change, in any
degree, my opinion of the great superiority of
the Southern route along the thirty-second
parallel for the Overland Mail and Pacific
Railroad.
"The temporary and partial success during
Northern Overland Mail is no decided proof
in its favor. 'One swallow does not make
summer.' The change of climate- and vastly
less cost is indisputably with the Southern
route. I have therefore reproduced, in a sub
sequent chapter, an abstract from the speech
of Senator Davis and my own brief remarks.
I stand by them, and am willing to risk what
reputation I may have on their accuracy.
EW
"A considerable amount of Eastern capital
has been invested in city lots in Guaymas and
in landed property near this magnificent port.
The foundries of this city ( San Francisco )
are turning out engines, mills and costly ma
chinery for the several mines owned in part
here. The steamship line established between
San Francisco and Guaymas is not only a
permanent institution , but the communication
will soon be greatly facilitated by the addition
of another steamer to the route. The last
steamer went full to her guards with freight
and passengers, and this is but the beginning.
I am drawing no fancy picture. The reader
can inquire for himself. I repeat, with a sin
cere conviction of their truth, the words of
Ward in his able work on Mexico .
"I am aware that many of the statements
in this and preceding books, respecting the
mineral riches of the north of New Spain
( Sonora, Arizona, Chihuahua and Durango )
will be thought exaggerated . They are not so .
They will be confirmed by every future report ;
and in after years the public, familiarized with
facts-which are questioned only because they
are new—will wonder at its present incredulity,
and regret the loss of advantages which may
not always be within its reach.
"I submit the descriptions contained in the
following chapters of various mines in Sonora
to the attentive consideration of the public.
Detailed notices of La Cananea, Cieneguita
and others are given, not to show that they
are the only good mines, but as types of dif
ferent classes of mines which are found in
the State. The question of labor is one to
commend itself to the attention of the capi
talist ; cheap, and under proper management,
efficient and permanent. My own experience
has taught me that the lower class of Mexi
cans, with the Opata and Yaqui Indians, are
docile, faithful, good servants, capable of
treated. They have been peones ( servants )
for generations. They will always remain so,
as it is their natural condition . The master,
if he consults his own interest, and is a proper
person to carry on extensive works, is ( in
their own language ) their ' amo y patron'
" guide , philosopher and friend .”
"I can firmly assert that, although having
large pecuniary interests in both Arizona and
Sonora, I have not exaggerated the advan
tages or palliated the drawbacks to the invest
ment of capital and personal enterprises in
these States. They are a part of the Pacific
Empire, in which I claim a citizenship of more
than ten years. In these pages I have but one
desire ; to state things as they are, and, in the
spirit of an honorable ambition, to connect
my name in a permanent and useful way with
her magnificent progress to a place among the
powers of the world."
The Permanent Commission of the National
Congress, a body which deals with legislative
matters during the recess of the Chambers of
Deputies and the Senate, has considered the
proposition of the Legislature of Yucatan, for
bidding the manufacture and sale of all bever
ages of an alcoholic character except beer and
light wines, and has referred the question to the
regular session of Congress.
 THE
Law of Mining Taxation
Regulations Under Which the Exploitation of All
N order to correct errors and omissions in
the first law, the Federal Government has
I decreed a new law, that of April 26th of
this year, and although in Article 1 it declares
gold, silver and the industrial metals that are
produced in the Republic or which proceed
from foreign countries are subject to taxes,
neither the production nor the importation of
them is burdened, but only the exportation of
the first and mining property. Quoting from
this declaration, in order that it may be more
intelligible, the following extracts are chosen :
Eight per cent of the value of gold and silver
exported in ore or concentrates, cyanides or
sulphides, or allied in any form with non
metallic substances.
Seven per cent if exported as bullion and
with the alloy only of other metals, whatever
may be the assay value of the product.
For the exportation of copper, six per cent
on the raw product or in concentrates with
an assay value of less than fifty per cent value
in New York of 20 cents or more per pound
of electrolytic copper ; five per cent when it
is worth less or the same if it is exported in
bars, matte and concentrates with fifty per
cent of copper, three hundred grams silver and
five grams of gold per ton ; four per cent when
only the copper contents are greater and the
gold and silver less, whatever the price of
copper. In any case the gold and silver con
tents in it pay the corresponding duty on these
metals. The duty on lead, tungsten , molibdeno,
manganese, graphite, antimony and other
metals, minerals and substances that contain
them not specified in this law, one per cent of
their value.
Exemptions to Exportation
The tax is not levied on the exportation of
gold and silver in the above forms when the
contents of gold do not exceed 2 grams per
ton and that of silver 250 grams ; or when
imported as bullion or partly extracted and
when they are exported within four months
of their importation after having been em
ployed in metallurgical work.
The duty does not apply to the exportation
of copper the contents of which may be less
than three per cent ; that of lead of eight per
cent and of zinc of fifteen per cent, nor sam
ples of these minerals in their natural state
weighing not more than ten kilograms, and
with an intrinsic value of $10. Iron in min
erals pays no export duty.
Conditions of Exportation
For mixed bars with whatever contents of
gold and for minerals or concentrates with
gold contents greater than two grams per ton,
the exporter is required to reimport it within
twenty days in gold bars ready for coinage
or in gold money of foreign coinage equivalent
in value to the gold exported . For refined
silver or silver allied with other metals and
of minerals or concentrates with contents of
MEXICAN REVIEW
Classes of Minerals May be Carried Out
more than 250 grams per ton the exporter
must reimport into Mexico within the same
time in bars of gold ready for coinage, Mexi
can gold coin or foreign coin of such per cent
as the Secretary of Hacienda shall periodically
or in each case place on the value of the
exported silver. No duties are imposed on
the reimportations.
The exporter will furnish to the custom
house where the exportation is made or at the
mint or assay office a bond which will be a
guarantee of these reimportations or their
equivalents, which will be forfeited after
twenty days in case of failure to comply with
the law.
The gold will be delivered to the mint for
coinage within thirty days of its reimporta
tion. On the contrary, the forfeiture will be
come effective as in the case of non - importa
tion. The mint will advise the custom house
of the presentation of gold and the custom
house likewise will inform the mint of the
reimportation. Pending these advices the bond.
will not be cancelled.
Taxes on Mining Properties
First-Whatever minerals the mine may
produce, a tax of $10 in stamps must be paid
on the title to the property.
Second-Six dollars per pertenencia must be
paid annually on mines of one to five or six
pertenencias, or $2 each four months.
Third- Nine dollars per pertenencia on
properties of from fifty to one hundred
pertenencias, or $3 each four months.
Fourth-Twelve dollars per pertenencia on
properties of from fifty to one hundred
pertenencias , or $4 each four months.
Fifth-Eighteen dollars per pertenencia, or
$4 for each third of a year, for properties of
one hundred or more pertenencias, if belong
ing to one owner or if they are situated in
the same district.
Exemptions from Mining Taxes
The States may not tax mining properties,
the labor and production, with more than one
tax, which shall never exceed two per cent
of their value without deduction of costs (the
law does not specify for what period, whether
annually or in periods of two or more months ) .
Therefore all taxes except the stamp tax,
whatever may be its denomination , on extrac
tion, production of the mines, invested capital,
shares and mining titles, transference of
ownership, denouncements, possessions, organ
ization of companies, expediting the titles and
procedures necessary for this purpose, are
prohibited .
States may not impose a tax exceeding five
pesos per thousand on the value of reduction
plants , metallurgical offices, including coke
furnaces when in operation and on the ma
chinery.
47
Taxation of Coinage
Gold and silver presented at the mine for
coinage will pay seven per cent. Money pre
sented for recoinage will not be taxed.
The mint will receive gold without restric
tions, but an order from the Department of
Hacienda must accompany silver when it is
presented for coinage.
For pure gold the mint will pay at the rate
of $ 1,333,133 per kilogram, or the equivalent
in Mexican money at the New York price on
the day of presentation , deducting cost of
freight and insurance from Mexico to New
York, and with the limitations that the Secre
tary of Hacienda may fix when this price
exceeds seventy-six and one-half cents ounce
Troy.
( NOTE.- Another mining law is under dis
cussion, but at this date- September 16- it had
not been issued. )
Mexico Offers Supply
of Majahua Fiber
A vegetable fiber which is produced in con
siderable quantities in the "costa chica" district
of the State of Guerrero, Mexico, is taken
from a low and rapidly growing tree known
locally as "majahua." The fiber comes from
the inner surface of the bark, and is retted and
dried in the sun, then turned into cordage.
Samples are forwarded.
Mr. Lyster H. Dewey, botanist in charge of
fiber investigations, Bureau of Plant Industry,
United States Department of 4 Agriculture ,
states that a specimen taken from the samples
mentioned, which was examined by him, is
much more promising than most of the numer
ous of majahua , also called majagua and
emajagua, received from various parts of the
tropics in both hemispheres. He also makes
the following statement regarding its produc
tion and use :
"There are probably very few fibers so
widely and extensively used in the tropics of
both hemispheres as this one obtained from
the bark of Paritium tiliaccum . In nearly all
cases , however, it is produced in a kind of
ribbonlike form, which can not be spun suc
cessfully by machinery.
"If the fiber could be prepared without too
much loss so as to be in the form of single
strands instead of flat ribbons , it might be
used in the same manner as jute, and with
jute at present prices there would undoubtedly
be a very good demand for it. It is fully as
strong as the medium grades of India jute,
but it is harsher, stiffer, and would not spin
as readily, and therefore would not command
a price equal to that now paid for jute.
"So far as is known at this office, this fiber
has never been produced on a commercial
scale or in quantities sufficient for export , but
it is very largely used for twisting by hand
into cords and twines for domestic use."
Consular Reports.

HE
48 T ME
MARCH OF PROGRESS
A concession has been granted by the Sec
retary of Industry and Commerce for the ex
ploitation of a deposit of gold, uranium and
radium at Guadalupe, in the mountains of the
State of Chihuahua . All the machinery neces
sary for thorough and extensive operation will
be introduced. The Government will receive
five per cent of the gross output in return for
the permission granted . This is the only de
posit of these minerals so far discovered in
the Republic.
A technical and engineering office has been
opened in Cananea, State of Sonora, by ex
perts under the direction of the Departments
of Fomento and Industry and Commerce,
which will devote itself to a careful study of
the national lands, forests, waters, etc. , as well
as to the unused lands held in private owner
ship, with especial reference to the encourage
ment of mineral development. The agrarian
problem will receive particular attention .
The Department of Industry and Commerce
has given notice to the national mining agents
in all portions of the Republic to permit the
denouncement of deposits of graphite, which
had been forbidden by a decree of 1912. It is
expected that activity will result in the de
velopment of this much-needed mineral, which
is found in various localities in abundance.
Investigations made under instruction from
the Department of Fomento have disclosed the
presence in Sonora of extensive deposits of
sulphate of molybdenum and also of tungsten,
which are of great value in the manufacture
of steel, as also of incandescent lamp films.
These deposits, it is announced, will be de
veloped upon an extensive scale.
A discovery has been made in the moun
tains near Tampico of a deposit of onyx that
is said to be of superior quality and to be
equal to the famous quarries of the same ma
terial in the State of Puebla, whose product
has been utilized extensively in the embellish
ment of many public and private structures
throughout the Republic and elsewhere. The
new discovery will be developed at once on a
large scale.
On the first day of March an entertainment
was given in one of the leading theaters of
Mexico City for the purpose of raising funds
to be donated to the Allied forces in Europe.
It was given under the auspices of the Lyric
Club and a large sum was realized, which was
distributed as follows : Thirty per cent each
to the American and British forces, twenty
per cent to the French, and ten per cent each
to the Italian and Belgian.
A school for elementary instruction has been
opened in the penitentiary in Mexico for the
betterment of the inmates who lack the rudi
ments of education .
A laboratory with modern appliances is to
be established by the National Government at
Tampico for the purpose of making the neces
sary analyses of the petroleum exported from
that section , in order to facilitate the collection
of the export taxes, which are based upon the
constituents of the product.
NEWS BREVITIES
A commission of Japanese bankers and com
mercial representatives has recently visited
Mexico with the view of establishing a line
of steamers on the West Coast and thus
stimulating traffic between Mexico, Japan and
other portions of the Orient.
AN
C EW
XI I
R EV
The Labor Congress of the State of Zaca
tecas some time since petitioned the National BOUND VOLUMES OF THE MEXICAN REVIEW
Agrarian Commission to secure and allot lands
for such laboring people as desired to culti A limited number of bound copies of
the first volume of THE MEXICAN
vate them. This request has been favorably
REVIEW are ready for distribution.
acted upon and a commission appointed to
carry out the project, which will greatly alle The price is $2, postpaid. If accom
viate the condition of the working classes. panied by a subscription for the second
volume, the price for both is $2.50.
The Secretary of the Department of Gober Address, The Mexican Review, 613 Riggs Bldg., Wash., D. C.
nacion, Sr. Manuel Aguirre Berlanga, has sent
communications to the Governors of all the
States in the Republic, requesting them to
urge and assist the farmers to increase the
area devoted to the production of beans , in Cable Address
order that not only may the home demand Fernando Gonzalez Roa
B. Carbajal y Rosas "Golecar"
be met, but that there may be a surplus for Adam Leckie
exportation. The demand for this product is
urgent and prices are such that the producers Gonzalez Roa
are sure of satisfactory returns .
The crop of garbanzos , or chick peas, which Carbajal & Leckie
is produced mostly on the West Coast of
ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW
Mexico, is larger this year than ever before
known and many hundreds of carloads have Mexico , D. F.
already crossed the border into the United
States. This is a novel food article for this Washington Offices:
Southern Building, Suite No. 822-830
country, but it is being received with favor
wherever introduced, as it is both nutritious
and appetizing to a degree.
GEORGE WILSON
Red Cross Christmas Mines, Oil Lands
Correspondence Solicited
Roll Call
P. O. Box 1677 Mexico, D. F.
Make Your Christmas
Happier by Joining
A Good Book for
STAMP EXCHANGE
Foreign stamps wanted Vacation Reading
for exchange or cash.
CLARK & MAHONEY
613 Riggs Bldg.
"SEEN IN A
MEXICAN PLAZA ”
CONTRIBUTIONS REQUESTED
THE MEXICAN REVIEW will be pleased to receive
communications from whatever source dealing with
matters of interest to both Mexicans and Americans,
and from those who desire to have the truth known "A Summer's Idyll of an
about Mexico. It is hoped that all who wish to aid
in the removal of the widespread false impressions Idle Summer"
concerning that country, and in placing it in its
proper light before the world, will assist THE REVIEW
in this important but difficult task.
By GEO . F. WEEKS
SPANISH TRANSLATION BY Price $ 1 , postage paid. With one year's
subscription to the Mexican Review $ 1.75.
TECHNICAL EXPERT
Competent American (Engineer) with foreign
business experience offers limited service in
translation. Among his authorized references
is the editor of this journal, in care of which
he may be addressed as "Don Jaime."
Published by the Fleming H. Revell
Company, New York, Chicago, London
and Edinburgh.
Edward M. Wilson , M.E.
Send check or money order to
Technical Petroleum Expert THE MEXICAN REVIEW
Geological Reports , Plans & Estimates 613 Riggs Building
of Mexican Oil Regions WASHINGTON, D. C.
P. O. Box 274 Mexico City
 !

dalajar

MEXICAN RAILWAY CONSTITUTIONALIST RAILWAYS OF MEXICO

National Railway of Tehuantepec 35 Hours Between Mexico City and Nuevo Laredo,
Vera Cruz and Isthmus Railway Tamaulipas
(Opposite Laredo, Texas)
Vera Cruz and Alvarado Railway
Connecting with the ports of Tampico, Vera Cruz and
Pan-American Railway Manzanillo

Passenger and freight service from Mexico City to the Also with the border ports of Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros,
Guatemala frontier. Connection at Vera Cruz and Puerto Piedras Negras and Juarez (opposite El Paso )
Mexico with the steamers of the Ward Line and the DIRECT JOURNEYS IN FAST TRAINS AND WITH
Mexican Navigation Company, and at Salina Cruz with SLEEPING-CAR SERVICE
steamers for South America and Japan. Passengers by
the Mexican Railway can secure sleeping- car accommoda
tions by applying on the day before the departure of their Daily TIME TABLE Daily
train. The trip is made in fourteen hours from Mexico
6.30 a.m. (leave) Mexico City (arrive ) 8.30 a.m.
City to Vera Cruz, and the buffet service of the Pullman 1.30 p.m. Queretaro
cars is of the best. The passage is made in absolute 1.30 p.m.
2.55 p.m. Gonzalez Junction 12.25 p.m.
security and is the same as in normal times. 8.35 p.m. San Luis Potosi 6.40 a.m.
The Vera Cruz and Isthmus, the Tehuantepec National 7.40 a.m. Saltillo 7.50 p.m.
and the Pan-American railways transport in both directions 11.20 a.m. Monterrey 4.00 p.m.
without delay or accident fruits of all classes , valuable 1.50 p.m. Villaldama 1.35 p.m.
timber, cereals , sugar, cattle, etc. The extensive zones 6.00 p.m. (arrive ) Nuevo Laredo (leave) 10.00 a.m.
crossed by these lines as well as by the Vera Cruz and
Alvarado road are the richest in the Republic and the lines
mentioned have sufficient cars and other facilities to satisfy The meal service on the sleeping cars is conducted with
all requirements that may be asked. strict vigilance
USE THESE LINES IN YOUR JOURNEYS AND YOU
WILL BE ENCHANTED WITH THE SCENERY The custom-house inspection of baggage and its fumiga
tion, without change of cars, and compliance with the
USE THEM IN YOUR BUSINESS , AND YOU WILL BE sanitary requisites of the Immigration Service , is expedited
SATISFIED on the international train from New Laredo, Mexico, to
With the exception of the Vera Cruz and Alvarado line, Laredo , Texas, at less cost and with immeasurably less
the other four are of broad -gauge and are in magnificent delay than by crossing the frontier in any other manner.
condition .
V. M. GUTIERREZ , J. M. CARDENAS,
F. PENA, R. ZERECERO , General Passenger Agent. Assistant General Passenger
General Freight and Assistant General Agent.
Passenger Agent Agent (ad Interim ) Bolivar Street and Cinco de Mayo Avenue
P. FONTES , General Agent (ad Interim ) Mexico City, D. F.

WARD LINE Where Co -operation Succeeds

PASSENGER AND FREIGHT STEAMSHIP SERVICE The Llano del Rio Co- operative Colony

REGULAR SAILINGS BETWEEN

N the healthful highlands of Louisiana is
NEW YORK
the largest and most successful co-opera
AND Itive colony in the world . It was founded
HAVANA , * SANTIAGO , CIENFUEGOS , by many serious, thoughtful men and women
who believed co- operative ownership and co
GUANTANAMO and MANZANILLO , CUBA
operative working more desirable than the cut
VERA CRUZ , ** TAMPICO , PUERTO MEX throat competition of ordinary life . On a
splendid tract of 20,000 acres of fertile land,
ICO and PROGRESO , MEXICO
they have proved their theory. Land, indus
NASSAU, N. P. , BAHAMAS tries, machinery , etc. , are owned in common .
Meals are served at the community hotel for
*Cargo for interior points and for Isle of Pines handled on 12½ cents each. A room in the hotel or rental
through Bills of Lading via Havana. of a cottage , as is preferred , is furnished each
**Cargo for Campeche, Laguna , Frontera, Tuxpam and San member free. The fascinating story of this
Juan Bautista handled on Bills of Lading to Vera Cruz. successful experiment in co- operation is told
each month in
For rates, bookings , etc.
Apply to THE INTERNATIONALIST
NEW YORK AND CUBA MAIL STEAMSHIP COMPANY " The Most Constructive Radical Magazine in America ''
General Offices:
Published by the Llano Colonists \
Foot of Wall St., New York City 10c a Copy $ 1 a Year

Address: THE LLANO PUBLICATIONS

1 A Monthly Magazine, AGWI STEAMSHIP NEWS, de
Leesville, La.
scriptive of these Lines and Territory reached, upon application .
 } &
A

4
1

}
THE TRUTH ABOUT SISAL

Send a letter or postcard with a request that your name and ad

dress be entered on the permanent mailing list of Comision Regula

dora del Mercado de Henequen , the largest and most successful co

operative association of farmers in the world . +2

If you want to know the truth about binder twine , the reasons for

recent advances in price and the identity of the powerful interests

that are back of the campaign that has been waged against the Yuca
tan co-operative marketing association of sisal producers , the Comis
ion Reguladora will take pleasure in mailing you literature from time
to time .

If you read Spanish , send $2.50 for a year's subscription to "EL

HENEQUEN , " a semi-monthly magazine issued by the growers ' as

sociation at its home office in Merida , Yucatan .

1
Comision Reguladora del Mercado de Henequen
120 Broadway, New York City

SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD OF MEXICO

#
TRAIN SERVICE FROM THE UNITED STATES TO THE
INTERIOR OF MEXICO

Regular trips from Nogales, on the border of the
United States, as far as Nayarit (formerly Tepic)
touching the important towns of Magadalena, Her
mosillo, Guaymas, San Blas , Culiacan, Mazatlan,
Rosario, Acaponeta, etc.
This road, in its progress southward, crosses the
wealthy regions of the Mayo and Yaqui rivers , which
produce the best garbanza in the world. It passes Nava
joa, the center for this product, and then touches San
Blas , in the State of Sinaloa, where it connects with the
Kansas City and Orient Railroad, connecting with the
city of Fuerte to the east and with the important sugar
plantation of Los Mochis in the other, as also the mag
nificent port of Topolobampo .
There is a continual panorama of the most delightful
landscapes, while the fact that the region traversed is a
heavy exporter of mid-winter tomatoes , oranges, and
other semi-tropical products is of great interest to all
seeking opportunities for profitable investment .
Passing southward many living streams are crossed ,
having their source in the snow-capped Sierra Madre in
the dim distance, and then the historical city of Culiacan ,
capital of Sinaloa , is reached. A few hours' ride brings
the traveler to the picturesque and historical port of
Mazatlan, where connection can be made with steamers
from various California ports down the Pacific coast to
Panama and South America.
At Manzanillo, the seaport of Colima, connection is
made with the National Railways of Mexico, affording
communication with all portions of the interior- Guada
lajara, Mexico City, etc.
Those desiring to send consignments of any variety to
points in Mexico can do so through the Customs Agency
of the Southern Pacific Railway of Mexico , maintained
in both cities of Nogales-the American and the Mexican.
All matters of this kind will receive prompt attention.

Address
CUSTOMS AGENCY OF THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD OF MEXICO
{ 1
Nogales, Sonora , Mexico

CAPITAL PUBLISHERS, INC., WASHINGTON, D. C.

 THIS EDITION 25,000 COPIES

ANY
IST
REV
val

MEXICANA

EF
11

Zecktia 合

VOLI. MEXICO CITY

, AVGVST. 1919. No.5 .
M

Ambassador Ambassador
Ing. Ignacio Bonillas. Henry P.Fletcher
FOT.CLARKE,MEX.

20c. American . The Only Periodical Giving General Mexican News in English. 40c . Oro Nal.
建
Treaty of Guadalupe
Hidalgo
The United States and Mexico
Pledged to Arbitrate all
Disagreements .
Article 21 of the Treaty of peace and
amity concluded between the United States
and Mexico on February 2, 1848, is as
follows :
"If unhappily any disagreement should
hereafter arise between the governments
of the two republics, whether with respect
to the interpretation of any stipulation in
this treaty, or with respect to any other
particular concerning the political or com
mercial relations of the two nations , the
said governments, in the name of these
nations, do promise to each other that they
will endeaver, in the most sincere and
earnest manner, to settle the differences
so arising, and to preserve the state of
好きさん peace and friendship in which the two
countries are now placing themselves ;
using, for this end, mutual representations
and pacific negotiations . And if, by these
means, they should not be enabled to come
to an agreement, a resort, on this account,
shall not be had to reprisals, aggression, or
hostility of any kind, by the one republic
against the other, until the government of
that which deems itself aggrieved shall
have maturely considered, in the spirit of
peace and good neighborship, whether it
would not be better that such difference
should be settle by the arbitrations of
commissioners appointed on each side, or by
that of a friendly nation. And should such
course be proposed by either party, it
ACCEDED TO BY THE
SHALL BE
OTHER, unless deemed by it altogether
incompatible with the nature of the dif
ference or circumstances of the case."
It does not seem possible that the
United
States, after having spent
billions of dollars and hundreds of
thousands of lives to uphold the prin
1520
ciple that treaties between strong and
weak nations are not to be regarded
as mere "scraps of paper" at the will
J.A of the stronger, should intend
stultify herself to theextent of an
armed invasion of Mexico , as deman
ded by the interventionists , without
having exhausted all peaceable means
of coming to an understanding.
THE REVIEW most emphatically
refuses to believe that any such course
will be followed !
1
Tratado de Guadulupe
Hidalgo
Los Estados Unidos y México se
Obligaron a Someter Todas las
Dificultades al Arbitraje .
El artículo 21 de los Tratados de Paz,
amistad y límites de 2 de febrero de 1848,
entre los Estados Unidos Mexicanos y los
Estados Unidos de Norte América, dice tex
tualmente :
"Si desgraciadamente en el tiempo fu
turo se suscitase algún punto de desacuerC
do entre los gobiernos de las dos Repú
blicas, bien sea sobre la inteligencia de al
guna estipulación de este tratado, bien sea
sobre cualquiera otra materia de las rela
ciones políticas o comerciales de las dos na
ciones, los mismos Gobiernos, a nombre de
ellas, se comprometen a procurar de la
manera más sincera y empeñosa a allanar
las diferencias que se presenten y conser
var el estado de paz y amistad en que ahora
se ponen los dos países usando al efecto
de representaciones mutuas y de negocia
ciones pacíficas. Y si por estos medios no
logran todavía ponerse de acuerdo, no por
eso se apelará a represalia, agresión ni hos
tilidad de ningún género de una República
contra la otra, hasta que el Gobierno de la
que se crea agraviada haya considerado ma
duramente, en el espíritu de paz y buena ve
cindad, si no sería mejor que la diferencia
se terminase por un arbitramiento de comi
sarios nombrados por ambas partes o de una
nación amiga. Y si tal medio fuese pro
puesto por cualquiera de las dos partes, LA
}
OTRA ACCEDERA A EL , a no ser que lo
juzgue absolutamente incompatible con la
naturaleza y circunstancias del caso."
No parece posible que los Estados
Unidos , después de haber gastado mi
les de millones dólares y cente
de
nares de miles de vidas para sostener
-
el principio de que los tratados con
certados entre las nacion es s
fuerte y
débiles no deben ser mirados como
simples "pedazos de papel", al antojo
to
del más fuerte , intentasen cegarse
hasta el grado de lanzar una invasión
armada en México , como lo piden los
intervencionistas , sin haber agotado
de antemano todos los medios pacíficos
para llegar a un arreglo .
LA REVISTA MEXICANA, de la
manera más enfática, se niega a creer
que se adopten tales procedimientos .
S
 The Mexican
Vol. III .
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
Published Monthly at Mexico City .
Geo . F. Weeks .. +2 Editor
Edmundo Melero ..
Business Mgr.
Registered as Second-Class Matter in the Mexico City
Postoffice , April 14, 1919.
Yearly subscription in United States and Canada,
$2 gold. Elsewhere , $2.50.
In Mexico , $ Mexican coin.
MEXICAN NEWS BUREAU
Accurate news by wire or mail of all important mat
ters . Special articles on any Mexican topic prepared
by competent writers. Photographs furnished when
desidered . Questions answered . Special Inquiries un
dertaken.
Mexico City Office: Nuevo Mexico 6, Room 601. P. O.
Box 70 Bis. Tel . Ericsson 61-33 . Cable address: Mex
neb. Washington office: 1821 Jackson St. , N. E.
E. H. Talbot, Traveling Representative in U. S.
Cause for Congratulation
Both the United States and Mexico
are to be congratulated upon having
such fearless, capable and statesman
like representatives in their respect
ive countries as Ambassador Fletcher
and Ambassador Bonillas . Both have
performed an inestimable service to
the cause of Truth and Justice by their
conduct of the situation that has pre
vailed for some time.
It is devoutly to be hoped that both
will retain their responsible positions
7 indefinitely. No better selections
could be made.
} ferer ever read a sentence in an old, old
Increase in the Number
Of American Passports Issued .
HE large increase in the number of
T pass
ports issued and countersigned for
persons wishing to visit Mexico is an
indication of the return to normal condi
tions that cannot be disputed. And when
it is known that passports are not issued
to any except those coming here on busi
ness , the indication becomes all the strong
er. A goodly percentage of those arriving
do so with the intention of remaining, and
the number of new agencies and offices
being opened not only in Mexico City but
in other business centers augurs well for
the future .
Alleged Desecration!
OME supersensitive critical soul has found
S fault with the recent renditions of grand
opera in the old bullring, on the ground
that it was a desecration . A desecration
of what-the bullring? True, it was a con
trast to the former performances there, but
it gave thousands of poor music lovers an
p opportunity to enjoy high-class music under
surroundings and conditions not equaled by
any auditorium in the city and by but few
in the world. Desecration ! Nonsense !
*
VV
}
Review
MEXICO CITY, AUGUST, 1919
Coming to Mexico to
Keep Cool in Summer.
WAY
A the down here, more deal
or less near to
equator, a great nearer than
New York anyhow, one reads with sympathy
the accounts from the Atlantic coast of
high temperatures and deaths from the ex
cessive heat. Those who have never ex
perienced the wonderful climate of Mexico
City have no idea of the comfort enjoyed
during that portion of the year which two
thousand miles farther north is SO pro
ductive of discomfort and fatality. It
seems an anomaly that one should be able
to enjoy a cooler climate by going nearer
the equator, but this is so. The summer
climate of Mexico City is incomparable-and
this is said advisedly .
·
Workingmen's Wages in
Various Countries .
correspondent of the New
A London
York Evening Post discusses the ques
tion of the " large earnings " of work
ingmen in England and cites as a typical
example that of " compositors and printers
on newspapers who. before the war received
wages of 35 to 38 shillings weekly, but now
are seldom paid less than £ 3.10 per week. "
That is the equivalent of about $ 17.50 Amer
ican gold, or $35 in Mexican money. The
American newspaper printer who does not
receive twice this amount, and the Mexican
compositor on a newspaper who does not
receive from twenty-five to fifty per cent
more, would think himself very hardly used,
and a strike would be in order very quick
ly-and they would win the strike too !
After all, high wages are a question of lon
gitude and latitude, to some extent at least.
Chinese in Mexico Not
Cause for Apprehension.
HE apprehension that Mexico is threat
T ened with
being overrun by Chinese
scarcely scens to be borne out by the
facts, according to statements made by
the Chinese Minister to this country. He
says that all told there are only between
20,000 and 21,000 of his fellow-countrymen
in the Republic . Of these ten thousand
more or less are in the States of Sonora
and Sinaloa and are engaged in commerce
and agriculture. There are some four thou
sand in Lower California and the re
mainder are scattered throughout the in
terior. Since the commencement of the
present year exactly 1043 Chinese have
landed in Mexico , while 793 have left the
country, making a net gain of only 250.
The popular idea with regard to the num
ber of foreigners in the Republic has al
ways been exaggerated , no less with the
Chinese than with all the other nation
alities. Certainly, there is little to be
feared from SO small a number as that
stated. L well, it is to laugh!
No. 5
#
Much Opium Used in
The United States.
(1
to the
INVESTIGATION with regard
growing use of opium and other narcotics
in the United States discloses the astonish
ing fact that from ten to sixty times as
much of that drug is used there as in
Austria, Italy, Germany, Portugal, France .
or Holland. A grand total of 470,000 pounds
is consumed annually in the United States ,
against from two to seventeen thousand
in each of the other countries named. It
is claimed that the use of opium has in
creased extraordinarily in those States where
prohibition has been in force the longest.
This is set forth in the report of a special
committee appointed by the Treasury Dé
partment to make an investigation of this
matter.
Poverty Prevails Elsewhere
1
}
Than in Mexico .
EXICO is not the only country where
M dire poverty prevail
s. A poverty
stricken young woman of eighteen in New
York has just been forced by stress of in
digence to apply to the courts for relief,
which she declares is urgently needed . For
several years she has been obliged to eke
out a meager existence upon an income of
a mere trifle of fifteen thousand dollars a
year ( dollars, mind you- not pesos) , and
has suffered to such an extend that it is
absolutely necessary that she should have
" a raise" to $ 20,000. As such suffering as
hers is not to be tolerated if a remedy
can be found, it is altogether likely that
she will be given the additional trifle of
$5,000 a year . Wonder if this poor suf
book, beginning " Inasmuch as ye did it
not, " and so on.
Shutting Car Windows to
Keep Out the Bullets !
N operatic singer who recently visited
ANthis country has been unburdening her
soul to a New York periodical regarding her
" perfectly terrible experiences " in Mexico.
Among these was the necessity of tightly
closing the windows on the Pullman cars
-for what, do you suppose ? Why, to keep
out the showers of bullets fired at the cars
by bandits ! Fact ! Being armed only with
popguns, of course the " bullets " were flat
tened against the glass and the opera sing
er's life was saved ! The same veracious
chronicler records that in Mexico City "all
the houses and gardens are surrounded by
high walls, " and that " all doors are cover
ed with curtains of steel, which are kept
closed night and day. " Those of us who
have the good fortune to live here have
seen quite some few very beautiful houses
and gardens which are not surrounded by
high (or low) walls, as also a moderate
sprinkling of doors that are not kept cur
tained in steel both night and day. Oh

La Revista
lixenst
! La mat
Tomo III.
LÀ ‫ مود‬REVISTA MEXICANA
Se publica mensualmente en la Ciudad de México .
A Ha Aumentado Notablemente.
Geo. F. Weeks.·· · ... Editor
Edmundo Melero.. Administrador
Registrada como artículo de Segunda Clase en la
Administración Local de Correos de México, D. F.
t el día 14 de abril de 1919.
1 A Suscripciones por un año:
En la República Mexicana .. ...$4 Oro Nacional.
‫ރ‬ En los Estados Unidos y Canadá ,, 2 Oro Americano
En cualqiera otra parte........ 71 2,50 "I
Precio del ejemplar 40c . Oro Nal.-20c. Oro Am.
TJ " ' 50c . JF " en el interior
de la República .
} AGENCIA DE NOTICIAS DE MEXICO
Noticias exactas porTATtelégrafo y correo de todos los
asuntos de interés. Artículos especiales sobre cual
quier tópico mexicano confeccionados por escritores
competentes. Se proporcionan fotografías a solicitud.
Se contestan preguntas . Se toman a cargo investiga
ciones especiales .
Oficinas en la Ciudad de México: Nuevo México Núme
( La Inmigración China en México
ro 6, Despacho 601. Apartado Postal 70 Bis. Teléfono
Ericsson 61-33. Dirección Cablegráfica: Mexneb. Ofici
nas en Washington, E. U. A., 1821 Jackson St. N. E.
E. H. Talbot, Representante Viajero en los
Estados Unidos de América.
Congratulaciones
Tanto los Estados Unidos como Mé
xico deben congratularse de tener re
presentantes tan impertérritos , tan
idóneos, y estadistas de tal talla en
sus respectivos países, como los seño
res Embajadores Fletcher y Bonillas.
Ambos han prestado un inestimable
servicio a la causa de la Verdad y de
la Justicia por su acertada dirección
y sus gestiones en la situación que ha
prevalecido por algún tiempo
Las Terribles Aventuras
de una Diva.
NA
U cantante de ópera que visitó este
país recientemente, ha estado descar
gando su alma en un periódico de Nueva
York, refiriendo todas las " perfectamente
terribles experiencias " que tuvo que sopor
tar en México. Entre otras, la necesidad de
cerrar herméticamente las ventanillas de los
coches Pullman ¿ con qué
ra evitar que entrase la objeto Pues
lluvia? de pa-
balas
disparada por los bandidos ! Hallándose és
tos armados con cerbatanas de carrizo , por
supuesto que sus " balas " se aplastaban
contra los cristales, y la vida de la can
tante se hallaba a salvo. La misma in
formante dice que en la ciudad de México
" todas las casas y los jardines están ro
deados de altas paredes, " y que todas las
puertas se encuentran cubiertas con corti
nas de acero y permanecen cerradas de día
y de noche. " Los que tenemos la buena
suerte de vivir aquí, hemos visto innume
rables casas y bellos jardines que no están
rodeados por altas (ni bajas ) paredes, así
como también un buen número de puertas
y ventanas que no están cubiertas con cor
tinas de acero ni de día ni de noche. Bue
no, es para reirse, nada más.
1 ✔
{
*
Mexicana
MEXICO, D. F. , AGOSTO, 1919 .
La Expedición de Pasaportes
}
gran aumento en el número de
ELpasaportes que se expiden
y refrendan
a las personas que desean visitar México ,
es un indicio · claro del retorno a las con
diciones normales, que no puede ser discu
tido . Y cuando se sabe que esos pasaportes
no se expiden sino a aquéllas que vienen
al país en viaje de negocios, la p、 teba se
robustece más. La mayor parte de las per
sonas que cruzan la frontera lo hacen con
la intención de radicarse aquí ; y el número
de agencias y nuevas oficinas que constan
temente se abren, no sólo en la ciudad de
México, sino en otros centros comerciales
de la República, auguran un futuro de pros
peridad.
No Infunde Temor.
L temor de que México se hallaba ame
E nazado por una invasión China, parece
no tener ningún fundamento, según las de
claraciones hechas por el Ministro de China
ep este país. Dice que a pesar de todo, cuan
to se ha dicho respecto al número de sus
conciudadanos, en la República sólo hay de
20,000 a 25,000 hijos del ex-Celeste Impe
rio. Diez mil de ellos, más o menos, se en
cuentran radicados en los Estados de Sina
loa y Sonora, y se dedican al comercio y la
agricultura. Hay aproximadamente cuatro
mil en la Baja California, y los restantes
se encuentran dispersos en el interior. Du
rante el corriente año, 1043 chinos han arri
bado a las playas mexicanas, al mismo tiem
po que 793 han abandonado el país, suman
do 250, únicamente, el exceso habido en los
meses que corren. La idea general, en lo
que se refiere al número de extranjeros re
sidentes en la República siempre es exage
rada, y sucede con los chinos lo mismo que
con individuos de cualesquier otra nacio
nalidad. En verdad, poco debe temerse de
un número tan reducido como el indicado.
El Incomparable Clima de México
en el Verano.
EN esta meridional Ciudad de los Pala
cios, más o menos distante del ecua
dor, pero mucho más cerca que Nueva York.
de cualquier manera, puede uno leer con
simpatía las noticias que llegan de la costa
del Altántico , de las altas temperaturas y
las muertes causadas por el calor excesivo
que reina en aquella región. Las personas
que nunca han disfrutado del maravilloso
clima de la ciudad de México, no tienen
idea del bienestar que se goza en esa épo
ca del año, que dos mil millas al Norte, es
tan fecunda en desgracias y malestares.
Parece una anomalía que se pueda disfrutar
de un clima más fresco en un punto más
próximo al ecuador, pero así es. El clima
de México, en el verano, es sencillamente
incomparable- puede tomarse como consejo
esta recomendación.
i
No. 5
La Cuestión de los Salarios en
Distintos Países.
N corresponsal en Londres del " New
UNYork Evening Post,'' tratando la cues
tión de los altos salarios ' que los obre
ros ingleses están percibiendo, cita como un
ejemplo típico el de los " compositores e
impresores " de periódicos diarios, que antes
de la guerra recibían sueldos de 35 a 38
chelines semanarios, y que en la actualidad
cobran un salario muy raras veces inferior
a £3.10 por semana. El equivalente de esa
cantidad en oro americano es de $17.50, 0
sean $35.00 en moneda mexicana . El impre
sor americano empleado en la prensa que
no percibiese el doble de esa cantidad, o
el compositor de periódicos mexicano que
cobrase del veinticinco al cincuenta por
ciento más , se consideraría tratado muy
mezquinamente , y la huelga se vendría co
mo un resultado inmediato-y la ganarían
también ! Después de todo , la cuestión de
los altos salarios es de latitud y longitud,
hasta cierto punto, cuando menos.
En Todas Partes
se Cuecen Habas.
EXICO no es el único país que re
M encuentra asolado por el terrible pau
perismo. En Nueva York, una joven de
dieciocho años se vió forzada, por la extre
ma miseria, a recurrir a los tribunales en
demanda de socorro , que ella dijo necesitar
urgentemente. Durante algunos años tuvo
que arrastrar una existencia de vigilia , d's
frutando tan sólo la friolera de $ 15,000
anuales , ( dollars, no pesos ) , y ha sufrido a
tal extremo, que es absolutamente indis
pensable que se le aumente la renta a
$20,000. Un padecimiento como el de ella
no debe tolerarse si se encuentra el reme
dio, y, según parece, se le dará la fruslería
Desearíamos
adicional de $5,000 anuales.
saber si esta pobre víctima conoce Und
máxima que se halla escrita en ‫ ונון‬libro
muy antiguo , que dice así : " Puesto que
tú no " ... etc.
Es Alarmante la Cantidad de
Opio que se Consume en
los Estados Unidos.
AS investigaciones sobre el aumento del
L uso del opio y otros narcóticos en los
Estados Unidos, han venido a revelar el es
tupendo hecho que las drogas de esa natu
raleza se usan en una proporción de diez a
setenta veces más que en Austria, Italia,
Alemania, Portugal, Francia u Holanda. Un
gran total de 470,000 libras se consume
anualmente en los Estados Unidos, contra
una cantidad que varía de dos a siete mil
‫܀‬
libras en los países mencionados. Se dice
que el uso del opio y sus derivados ha au
mentado extraordinariamente en aquellos
Estados donde la prohibición alcohólicà ha
estado en vigor más tiempo . Se menciona
en el informe que el Departamento del Te
soro designará un comité especial para que
haga las investigaciones del caso.
 4 THE
" Carranza Makes
A Rectification of Many of the Errors Made by Mr. George
Creel in a Recent Article - What the Records Disclose
HEN an honest man falls into error
or is misled thereto, it is the part
W ciple, Carranza was so overwhelmed with
of a friend , if the matter is of suf
ficient importance and its non -refutation is
liable to produce results of the most seri
ous character, to point out to him his mis
takes , privately and as considerately as
possible . But when this error is spread
broadcast in print, and millions of persons,
C
having • the utmost trust in the good faith
and accuracy of the one responsible for
it, believe every detail in the most im
plicit manner and base their opinions upon
it , it is the part of a friend not only of
the person in fault, but of truth and jus
tice, to give the widest possible circulation
to a rectification ▼ thereof. Especially is
this the case where considerations of in
ternational amity are at stake, and where
the statements made, if permitted to remain
uncontradicted, are prone to result in the
most serious consequences .
Such an instance is that of an article
which appeared recently in the Saturday
Evening Post under the title of " Carranza
Makes Trouble, " and which bears the sig
nature of Mr. George Creel, the well known
writer. Mr. Creel has a host of friends all
over the world, of whom the writer is
proud to call himself one, who believe in
his sincerity and would not under any cir
cumstances call it in question. Unfortun
ately in the present case it would seem
that he has permitted himself to be misled
by that intangible and frequently not well
supported or accurate thing known as
" public sentiment, " while at the same time
also being manifestly misled by plausible
ex parte statements regarding certain mat
ters of which the record that will be cited
furnishes the absolute proof of their mis
taken character.
It is with no feeling of pleasure that the
writer undertakes this task, but with a.
sense of obligation toward Mr. Creel to see
that he is undeceived , as also that the
truth should be made known to as wide a
eircle of readers as is possible.
Writing from Mexico, it scarcely seems:
becoming on the part of a foreigner to
take up in detail that portion of the article
which SO undeservedly attacks President
Carranza. It may merely be remarked by
the way that in the opening paragraphs.
this statement occurs :
" Were we to give Diaz, or Villa, or even
Pelaez the same measure of material help
in guns and cartridges that we gave to
Carranza, when he was in the field against
Huerta, his position would speedily be
come as untenable as did that of Madero's
+ murderer. "
That sentence alone betrays such a lack
of understanding of the situation, of the
men named, of their characters and of the
sentiments of the Mexican people, that it
is indeed lamentable.
Mr. Creel is apparently oblivious to the
fact that during the greater part of the
strenuous period of the revolution there was
a strict embargo against the shipment of
arms and munitions from the United States:
to Mexico ; that the bulk of the arms used
MEXICAN REVIEW
Trouble "
by the Revolutionists were either captured
from the Huertistas or smuggled across the
border from the United States, while in
two notable instances the Huertistas were
permitted openly to import such articles
from that country, and that it has only
been during the past year that arms and
ammunition held up at American ports were
permitted to be forwarded to their destina
tion .
Merely pausing to remark that Mr. Creel's
reference to " Carranza's fulsome birthday
telegram to the Kaiser '' is misleading,
since the very same kind of telegram, in
the same sort of phraseology, was sent as
a mere matter of routine by the subordin
ate official whose duty it is to attend to
such matters to every ruler of every country
with which Mexico is at peace-including
the United States- as such messages are
always sent on national occasions and birth
days of rulers, and that the language used
by Latins and Latin-Americans being as
is well known of a somewhat more florid
nature than our own coldly formal expres
sions ; also that the reference to the non
recognition of the black-list in Mexico is
somewhat unfortunate in view of the fact
that there was a decidedly strong sentiment
in the United States before that country
went into the war, in the same direction
as the sentiment of Mexico-that neutrals
should recognize no such restrictions-and
if memory, serves, that there were even
some diplomatic expressions upon this mat
ter ; the writer will relate a couple of in
cidents which will throw some light upon
the real attitude of President Carranza to
ward the United States .
When Vera Cruz was the seat of gov
ernment in 1915, the writer was stationed
there as the representative of a news
gathering association . Mr. John R. Silliman
was there as the Special Representative of
the American Government, a position which
he filled with marked ability and good
judgment. Carranza was at that time in
one of the most critical stages of his career
and his time and attention were fully oc
cupied in managing affairs of the highest
importance to his country. It was a time
of war- of civil war-the worst kind of
warfare there is. It was a time of such
warfare as the United States once passed
through, and which appealed to the sym
pathy of every lover of liberty. It was
a time of such war as is referred to in
Borchard's Compendium of International
Law regarding diplomatic intervention in
cases of loss , wherein the principle is enun
ciated as having been more fully observed
by the United States than by European
countries that " The effect of a continuous
residence by aliens in the territory rent by
civil war is to place them for practically
all purposes in the same legal position as
nationals. By remaining, they assume the
risk of injury within the limitations pre
scribed by the rules of war. Aliens coming
to and settling in a country must normally
share its fortunes and have no claim to
better treatment than nationals . ' In other
words, foreigners who elected to remain in
4
this country during civil war must expect
the vicissitudes of such warfare. Secretary
Bayard said in this connection : " It gay"at a is
the duty of foreigners to withdraw from
such risks, and if they do not, or if they
voluntarily expose themselves to such risks2 ,
they must take the consequences . '
Nothwithstanding this well defined prin
protests and claims from foreigners for real *
>
or fancied damage that it became a by. 1 1
word that no foreigner could lose an orange f
from a tree, a chicken from a roost or a
horse or mule from a pasture without Car
'
ranza being straightway presented with a
diplomatic protest, as if it were some real
ly grave and important international mat
ter. One foreign minister found himself
very summarily escorted out of the country
for his insolent and insulting language in
connection with the taking for military
purposes of a horse belonging to a fellow
countryman.
Those familiar with history will recollect
that President Lincoln, when urged to per
mit the presentation of trivial claims and
protests through diplomatic channels at a
time when Mexico was torn with civil war
and outside intervention, positively refused
to permit it to be done, saying that it
would be time enough to present damage
claims when the Mexican government had
reached such a stage of freedom from the
troubles that encircled it as to permit of a
discussion of such matters. It is also of
interest to note that when these claims
were finally presented in due form, less than
one per cent of them were allowed by the
arbitration commission, in which the British
Minister to Washington had the final voice.
First Chief Carranza was constantly made
the target for these unimportant protests
and claims, most of them of the most
trivial character, until finally, on one oc
casion when the writer was paying his reg
ular daily visit to the headquarters of the
government in quest of news, he was
ushered into the presence of the revolution
ary leader, who thereupon addressed him
after this fashion :
" I have come to the conclusion, " said
the Chief, " that it is time the world knew
of the manner in which I have been treated
and am being treated by foreign gov
ernments. The world should know what
language has been used toward } me, the
leader of the revolutionary forces-the only
ruler in Mexico that is in any manner re
cognized by foreign powers. I want the
world to see for itself how I have been
used, They would not dare to use such
language to any other government. I have
therefore given orders that all the diplo
matic correspondence that has been address
ed to me since the commencement of the
Revolution, together with my replies, shall
be collated, translated and given to the
press through you. "
I notified my superiors of what had been
promised and that a most interesting piece
of news was to be expected. Several times
at appropriate intervals I asked the private
secretary of the First Chief whether the
expected copies of the correspondence were
ready, as promised, and received a negative
reply. At length, after nearly two weeks
had elapsed , I was told one day that Car
ranza wished to see me.
" I am sorry, "' ' he said, " to have to dis
*
K
 "
A 1 5
LA REVISTA MEXICAN A

observado más plenamente por los Estados

Unidos que por los países europeos, que :
"Carranza Constituye la Dificultad
" El efecto de la continua residencia de
'દ Una Rectificación a los Muchos Errores en que Incurre George los extranjeros en el territorio desgarrado
Creel en un Artículo Reciente - Lo que los Archivos Revelan por la guerra civil consiste en colocarlos ,
кунотоки prácticamente en todos sentidos , en la mis
3
UANDO un hombre honrado incurre en hecho de que durante . la mayor parte del ma posición legal que los nacionales. Per
=
error £ o se halla engañado, corresponde maneciendo, asumen el riesgo de ser per
período activo de la revolución, existió un
C judicados, dentro de los límites prescritos
al amigo, si el asunto es de bastante estricto embargo sobre el embarque de ar
importancia y si la falta de refutación pue mas y municiones de los Estados Unidos por las reglas de la guerra. Los extranje
de producir resultados del más grave carác para México ; que la mayor parte de las ar ros que vienen y se establecen en un país,
ter, mostrarle sus yerros reservadamente y mas usadas por los revolucionarios fue, o deben normalmente compartir su suerte y
con la mayor consideración posible. Mas capturada a los huertistas, o introducida de no reclamar un tratamiento mejor que los
cuando este error se difunde extensamente nacionales. "' En otras palabras, los extran
contrabando por la frontera de los Estados
por la prensa, y millones de personas, tenien Unidos, en tanto que en dos notables casos jeros que decidieron permanecer en este
do la más absoluta confianza en la buena país durante la guerra civil, deben esperar
se permitió a los huertistas , abiertamente,
fe y exactitud del signatario creen en to las vicisitudes de tal lucha. El Secretario
importar tales artículos de ese país, y de
Bayard dijo a este respecto : " Es deber
Ja dos los pormenores de la manera más im que sólo 'durante el año próximo pasado fue
plícita y basan sus opiniones en él, corres cuando se permitió expedir a su destino de los extranjeros apartarse de tales peli
pónde al amigo, no solamente de la persona las armas y municiones detenidas en los gros, y si no lo hacen así, o si voluntaria
equivocada, sino de la verdad y la justi puertos americanos . mente se exponen a ellos , deben asumir las
cia, dar la más amplia circulación posible consecuencias. ''
Unicamente hago una pausa para hacer
a la rectificación del error . Con especiali notar que la referencia de Mr. Creel al A pesar de este bien definido principio ,
dad, es este el caso donde las considera " repugnante telegrama de Carranza al Carranza fue tan abrumado con protestas y
ciones de amistad internacional se encuen reclamaciones de extranjeros, por perjuicios
Kaiser el día de su cumpleaños " es erró
tran en peligro y 1, en donde las declaracio reales o imaginarios, que llegó a ser dicho
nea, puesto que la misma clase de telegra
nes hechas, si se permite que queden sin trillado el que ningún extranjero podía per
mas, en el mismo género de fraseología, era
by. cóntradicción, pueden acarrear resultados de der una naranja de un árbol, un pollo de
enviado, como mera materia de rutina, por
las más serias consecuencias . el funcionario subordinado cuyo deber con un gallinero o un caballo o mula del campo ,
Tal es el caso de un artículo que apare siste en atender a tales asuntos respecto a sin que se presentase a Carranza inmedia
ció recientemente en el periódico " Saturday cada uno de los gobernantes de los países tamente una protesta diplomática, como si
→ Evening Post " bajo el título de " Carranza con quienes México está en paz_incluso se tratara realmente de un grave asunto
Constituye la Dificultad" (Carranza Makes los Estados Unidos , puesto de importancia internacional. Un ministro
que tales
Trouble) , y que lleva la firma de Mr. George mensajes son enviados siempre, en ocasio extranjero se vió expulsado del país, suma
ཝཱ Creel, el bien conocido escritor. Mr. Creel nes nacionales y cumpleaños de los gober riamente, por su insolente e injurioso len
tiene multitud de amigos en todo el mun nantes, y que el lenguaje usado por los guaje, empleado con relación a la confisca
do, y de los cuales tiene el orgullo de lla latinos y latino-americanos, es, como se sabe ción, hecha con fines militares, de un ca
marse uno el que esto escribe, que creen bien, de naturaleza un poco más florida que ballo que pertenecía a uno de sus conna
cionales.
en su sinceridad y que en ninguna circuns nuestras frías y formales expresiones ; y
tancia la pondrían en duda. Desgraciada también, que la referencia al no reconoci Los que están familiarizados con la His
mente, en el presente caso, parecería que miento de las " Listas Negras " en México toria recordarán que el Presidente Lincoln,
ha permitido ser engañado por esa intan es un poco desgraciada, en vista del hecho cuando fue urgido a permitir la presen
gible cosa, con frecuencia no bien fundada de que existía en los Estados Unidos un tación de reclamaciones y protestas tri
ni exacta, conocida bajo el nombre de " sen sentimiento decidido y fuerte, en el mismo viales por medio de conductos diplomáti
timiento público ; "' mientras que, al mismo sentido que el de México , antes de que cos, en una época en que México estaba
tiempo, ha sido manifiestamente engañado aquel país entrase en la guerra que los desgarrado por la guerra civil y por la in
por plausibles declaraciones de una de las neutrales no reconocerían tales restriccio tervención exterior, se negó rotundamente
partes respecto a ciertos asuntos, de cuyo nes-, y, si mi memoria es fiel, que hubie a permitir que se hiciera tal cosa, dicien
erróneo carácter darán una prueba absoluta ron aún algunas declaraciones y expresio do que habría tiempo suficiente para pre
los datos que se citarán . sentar las reclamaciones por perjuicios, cuan
nes diplomáticas sobre la materia; el que
Es sin ningún sentimiento de placer como, csto escribe relatará un par de incidentes do el Gobierno Mexicano hubiese llegado a
el que esto escribe, emprende la tarea, poro que arrojará alguna luz sobre la verdadera un período tal de libertad de las dificulta
con un sentimiento de obligación hacia Mr. actitud del Presidente Carranza hacia los des que le circuían, que le permitiera la dis
cusión de tales asuntos. Es también inte
George Creel, para ver que él se desegañe Estados Unidos.
resante notar que cuando esas reclamacio
y también para que la verdad sea hecha del Cuando Vera Cruz era el asiento del Go nos fueron presentadas en la forma debida ,
conocimiento de un círculo de lectores tan bierno, en 1915, el que esto escribe se en menos del uno por ciento de ellas fue apro
amplio como sea posible. contraba radicado allí como representante bado por la Comisión de Arbitraje, sobre la
Escribiendo desde México , casi no parece de una Asociación de Información. cual tenía el voto decisivo el Ministro Bri
corresponder a un extranjero el considerar Mr. John Silliman se hallaba en el puerto tánico en Washington. El Primer Jefe Ca
en detalle esa parte del artículo que tan como Representante Especial del Gobierno rranza, constantemente era el blanco de
inmerecidamente ataca al Presidente Ca Americano, puesto que desempeñaba con no
esas inoportunas protestas y reclamaciones,
rranza . Puede sólo ser notado , de paso ,
table habilidad y buen juicio. Carranza se la mayor parte de las cuales eran del carác
que on los párrafos iniciales se encuentra encontraba en esa época en uno de los más ter más trivial, hasta que, finalmente , en
esta declaración : críticos períodos de su carrera, y su tiempo una ocasión en que el que esto escribe , ha
tr Si prestáramos
" a Díaz, a Villa, o aún a y atención estaban ocupados enteramente en cía su diaria y regular visita a la resi
Peláez, el mismo grado de ayuda material la dirección de los negocios de la mayor dencia del Gobierno, en busca de noticias,
en cañones y cartuchos, que រ dimos a Ca importancia para su país. Era un tiempo fue introducido ante la presencia del jefe
rranza cuando se encontraba en el campo de guerra de guerra civil- , la peor clase revolucionario , quien, sobre esto , se dirigió
rebelado contra Huerta, su posición se ha a él en la siguiente forma :
de guerra que existe. Era una época de la
ría rápidamente tan insostonible como lo misma clase de guerra que los Estados " He llegado a la conclusión , "> dijo el
fue la del asesino de Madero . " Unidos atravesaron una voz y que apela a jefe, “ que ya es tiempo de que el mundo
Este solo párrafo revela tal falta de in la simpatía de los amantes de la libertad . conozca la manera cómo he sido tratado y
teligencia do la situación, de los hombres Era una época de esa guerra que es aludida estoy siendo tratado por los Gobiernos ex
mencionados, de sus caracteres . y de los en el " Compendio de Loy Internacional ” tranjeros . El mundo debe saber qué len
sentimientos del pueblo mexicano , que cs ,
de Borchard, rospecto a la intervención di guaje se ha usado para conmigo, el jefe de
mi ciertamente, lamentable. las fuerzas revolucionarias- el único gober
plomática en casos de perjuicios , donde so
Mr. Creel, aparentemente, se olvida del enuncia este principio, como habiendo sido nante en México que, en cierto modo, es re

↓ >

1
}
 We Ha 192
HE
८ ICA
Lov
appoint you, but when I told you that I had
ordered all the diplomatic corresponden ce
to be given out for publication by you, I
was aggravated by an unsually uncalledA
for and discourteous communication , and I
concluded to take the action that I com
municated to you . Since then I have given
the matter careful consideration, and have
come to the conclusion that it would only
tend to create further ill feeling and to
accentuate that which already exists , if the
correspondence were published, and I have
therefore countermanded the order. "
Another instance :
Soon after the capture of Mexico City
by General Gonzalez in the summer of 1915,
there were discovered in the archives of
the National Treasury Department certain re
ceipts for considerable sums of money paid
out by the Huerta government and signed
by foreigners, for " services rendered . "
These documents were sent to Vera Cruz
and were there shown the writer by the
Secretary of Foreign Affairs in whose hands
they were. He promised to have photo
graphs made of them for transmission to
the United States for publication, where
they would assuredly have created a sen
nation. But after waiting several days, I
received almost the same reply that Car
ranza had given me :
" We have reconsidered the matter (the
First Chief and the Secretary) , and as the
publication of those receipts would only
tend to create further ill feeling, we havo
concluded not to have it done. "
But those receipts were surely " mighty
interesting reading, " and might have been
productive of some awkward explanations.
That they would have been productive of
ill feeling, there is not the slightest1 doubt.
• But enough of this . It seems to me that
these two incidents throw a strong light
upon the real sentiments of the President
toward the United States . When the time
comes to tell the complete story of Car
ranza's relations with foreign governments,
absolute proof can be afforded that he has
had good reason for sensitiveness and that
the only wonder is that he has not ex
hibited it more strenuously. That he has
made mistakes his best friends will con
cede. But so have others ! There never
‫مجھے‬ was but one man who never made mistakes!
The greater portion of Mr. Creel's article
is devoted to the oil question . First he
deals with certain decrees and projected
laws as if they were already accomplished
facts, when as a matter of actuality those
to which such strenuous objection is raised
are not enforced , and have not even been
enacted into statutes . The entire matter
of an organic petrol eum law is to be con
sidered by the present special session of
Congress, and it is somewhat premature to
discuss those matters as though they were
facts. There is one fact howeve r that
should not be lost sight of and that is that
the constitution expressly provides against
the enactment of any retroactive laws , which
s
at ones remove much of the critici sm from
the realm of discussion . Another fact that administration there were no taxes paid on
should not be lost sight of, is that no for
eigner or native has ever operate d a mine
in Mexico in which the ownership of the
mineral was not acknowledged to be in the
Government and not in the possessor of the
surface. No land owner, native or for tion for fifty years and the Huasteca Com
eign, can open a mine on his own land pany for ten years.
* ,*
MEX RRE
12 N
without first obtaining permission from the When Madero took +J the Presidency,
#4 government and paying the necessary taxes established an export tax on oil of 50 cents
and dues-stamp taxes, and otherwise . And per ton. Huerta increased this to 75 cents,
in the enumeration of the properties of the and Carranza reduced it to 60. This was
Crown in the sub-surface deposits of min not found to operate satisfactorily, and a
erals , " bitumen " was expressly mentioned, new method was devised . The selling price
から
that being the only term then used for oil of the oil at the point of discharge in the
bearing deposits , and from the Spanish United States was ascertained, and from
Crown this ownership descended to the Gov this the cost of shipment was deducted. ་ On
ernment of Mexico . But under the inhibi the balance remaining a tax of ten per cent
tion of retroactive laws, and the repeated was levied. Those values are determined
assurances of officials , it would not appear every two months and public notice given
that those holding " vested rights ' need thereof through the press. For July and ‫ܡܐ‬
August the announcement was made on the
entertain any undue apprehension. No one
1st of the first named month. It is as fol *
has yet made an international question of 2
the Government's ownership of other min lows : Upon combustible petroleum of a
eral deposits. density of 0.91 , the valuation is fixed at $13
But to get down to facts . Mr. Creel Mexican gold per ton ; upon crude petroleum
say s: of a density of 0.91 , the valuation is $15.50 '
per ton ; upon petroleum the density of which
" To finish the story properly there
are several purely American misunder is more than 0.97, the valuation is $6 per
02056
standings that must be cleared up-the ton ; upon gas oil the density of which is
accusation of tax dodging for instance . more than 0.91 , the valuation is $ 13 per
The question of taxes was never at
issue and is not now at issue. Taxes ton . The various amounts required are, in
have always been paid, and are being the order of valuation , 60 cents , $1.30 and
paid today, and published statements $1.55 Mexican gold . In American gold, which
prove conclusively that the money is worth two to one of the Mexican, the tax
flowing into the Mexican treasury from
the oil fields developed by foreign cap equals 30 cents, 65 cents and 77 1 |2 cents
ital is not the least source of income per ton. The average number of barrels to
by any means.. There is, first of all , the ton is 6 14, so that the tax levied on
an export tax of ten per cent, but
exportations varies from between four and
owing to the high valuation assessed by
the Mexican authorities this is in real five cents per barrel for the lowest priced I
ity a tax of 33 1-3 per cent. There are
oil to between 12 and 13 cents for the high
also bar dues, stamp duties and dredg
ing taxes, all resulting in an annual est priced . Mexican oil is quoted at 70 cents
income to Mexico of more than eight to $1 per barrel delivered at Gulf ports in
million dollars from oil alone, constitut
the United States.
ing the highest tax on petroleum pro
duction in the world, and netting Mex There is a tax of $ 150 Mexican gold per
ico a sum far in excess of the total month for inspection, while there are harbor
return to capital paid to foreign in
vestors in the form of dividends . It dues , and the usual stamp taxes on legal and .
is not a case of tax dodging, but plain financial documents. The writer has of
resistance to confiscation in the form course no means of knowin g the exact amount
of rentals and royalties that are in ad
paid in these directions.
dition to the regular taxes and apart
from them. " But there is an official record of the
amount of oil shipped by each company , of
" Taxes have always been paid and are
"} its value and of the export taxes paid there 1
being paid today. '
They have not always been paid and are on. For 1918 it was as follows :
NAME OF COMPANY Value of Shipments Duties Paid
$2,203,814.71
Huasteca Petroleum Co. $21,612,789.54 ·
31,740,224.02 1,887,510.05
Aguila Co. ( Lord Cowdray ) .
Standard Oil of New York . 28,528,486.72 1,740,327.39
16,014, 984.14 1,203,3 56.00
Standard Qil of New Jersey .
Penn .A Mex . Fuel Co. ·· 14,878,536.23 1,487,853.60
4,324,198.16 432,419.80
Cortez Oil Corporation . •
Freeport & Mex. Fuel Oil Co. · 3,844,894.65 355,179.39
3,811,926.33 282,729.76
Pierce Oil Corporation . •
East Coast Oil Co. 3,317,630.22 305,154.86
356,084.38
Metropolitan Pipe Line Co. 3,560,843,94
3,285,980.25 328,598.37
Union Oil Co. of California .
Mexican Gulf Oil Co. 2,890,780.28 279,943.17
The Texas Co. of Mexico . • 1,473,225.44 139,966.81
National Petroleum Corp. · 522,275.28 49,306.92
Interoc ean Oil Co. J 491,073 .59 43,863.20
9,213.28
Tal Vez Petroleum Co. 92,132.80
T1 166,571.61 15,076.21
New England Fuel Oil Co.
Totals . $140,557,553.20 $11,120,397.90
•
only paid today by at least one leading In American gold these values are respec
company under protest and with a distinct tively: Value of shipments, $70,278,775,60 ;
intention to secure their refunding through total duties paid, $ 5,560,198.95. As stated,
pressure of some sort ! Under the Diaz those duties are paid under protest by the
very concern from which it is reasonably cer
the oil. If any were paid on lands, they tain Mr. Creel received the information that
were so slight as not to be worth mention " taxes have always been paid and are being
ing. The Aguila Company under its conSE being paid today, " as well as others.
Mr. Creel says that the total amount of
cessions was granted exemption from taxa
* taxes paid is $ 8,000,000 , and that this is " far
in excess of the total return of capital paid
 盎 7
LA
H
conocido por W las potencias extranjeras. De
seo que el mundo vea por sí mismo cómo
he sido tratado. No osarían usar tal len
guaje hacia ningún , otro gobierno . Por con
secuencia,
*& he * dado órdenes de que toda la
correspondencia diplomática que me ha sido
dirigida desde el principio de la revolución,
juntamente con mis respuestas, sea coleccio
14 nada, traducida y entregada a la prensa
4
por conducto de usted.' >
овать под
* Notifiqué a ✰✰mis superiores de lo que so
había prometido y de que debía esperarse
Ꮵ **
un B conjunto más interesante de noticias.
fF Varias veces, y con intervalos debidos , pre
gunté al Secretario del Primer Jefe si las
copias prometidas de la correspondencia es , - período de sesiones del Congreso, y es algo
++
taban listas, como era lo prometido, y re
cibí una respuesta negativa.
2
después de que habían transcurrido cerca
ན་ de dos semanas, se me dijo que Carranza
deseaba verme .
"L
"Siento, " dijo, tener que contrariar a
usted ; mas cuando le participé que había
ordenado que toda la correspondencia di
plomática fuese dada a la publicidad por
medio de usted, estaba exasperado por upa
'comunicación insólitamente inmerecida y
น descortés, y concluí por resolverme a la ac
↓ que éste no funcionaba satisfactoriamente y
ción que le comuniqué. Desde entonces, he
prestado al asunto una detenida atención y
he llegado a la conclusión de que sólo sc
‫ ܕ‬tendería a crear más mal sentimiento y a
acentuar el que existe ya, si la correspon
dencia fuese publicada ; y, por consiguiente,
1 he revocado la orden . "
Otro caso :
Inmediatamente después de la captura de
la ciudad de México por el general Gonzá
lez, en el verano de 1915, fueron descubier
tos, en la Secretaría de Hacienda, ciertos
recibos, por considerables sumas, pagados
por el Gobierno de Huerta y firmados por
extranjeros, y por concepto de " servicios
prestados. Estos documentos fueron en
viados a Vera Cruz y fueron mostrados al
que esto escribe por el Secretario de Rela
ciones Exteriores, en cuyas manos estaban.
El Secretario prometió sacar fotografías de
ellos para enviarlas a los Estados Unidos
para su publicación, donde seguramente hu
biesen provocado sensación. Mas después
de esperar por varios días, recibí la misma
respuesta casi que me había dado Ca
Tranza :
" Hemos reconsiderado el asunto ( el Pri
mer Jefe y el Ministro ) , y como la publi
cación de los recibos sólo tendería a crear
1
más mal sentimiento, hemos resuelto no
hacerla. }}
' contribuciones han sido pagadas siem
Pero estos recibos eran seguramente " lec
tura de poderoso interés " y pudieron haber
sido causantes de explicaciones delicadas.
De que hubiesen provocado sentimiento ad20
verso, no existe la menor duda.
Pero basta do esto . Me pareco que estos
dos incidentes arrojan una intensa luz 90
bre los reales sentimientos del Presidente
hacia los Estados Unidos. Cuando llegue el
tiempo do relatar la historia completa de
las relaciones de Carranza con los Gobier
nos extranjeros, podrá proporcionarse la
prueba 嘴 absoluta de que ha tenido buena
razón para obrar con délicadeza y que la
única maravilla consiste en que no haya
exhibido osto más vigorosamente. Que ha
cometido errores ; sus mejores amigos lo conV
1 Ap
REVISTA MEXICANA
cederán . Pero lo mismo han hecho otros !
Jamás existió hombre alguno que nunca hu
biese errado !
} la forma de rentas y regalías que f se
La mayor parte del artículo de Mr. Creel
está dedicado al asunto del petróleo. Pri
meramente, trata de ciertos decretos y leyes
proyectados como si fueran hechos consu
mados, cuando que, como asunto de actuali
dad, esas leyes contra las cuales se le
vantan tan vigorosas objeciones , no están
en vigor y no han sido codificados en Esta
tutos.
{ quier género !
Todo el asunto de una ley orgánica del
petróleo debe ser considerado en el presente
prematuro discutir estas cuestiones como si
Finalmente , fuesen hechos. Existe una circunstancia ,
sin embargo, que no debiera perderse de
vista y es que la Constitución expresamen
te provee contra la expedición de cuales
quiera leyes retroactivas , lo que elimina gran
parte de las críticas del dominio de la dis
cusión. Otro hecho que no debiera perderse
de vista, es que ningún extranjero o na
tivo ha operado nunca una mina en Mé .
xico, en que la propiedad del mineral no
fuera reconocida en el Gobierno y no en
el poseedor de la superficie. Ningún pro
pietario de tierra, nacional o extranjero,
puede abrir una mina en su propio terre
no sin obtener primero permiso del Go
bierno y pagar las contribuciones y los tri
butos necesarios-impuesto del Timbre y
otros más. Y en la enumeración de las
propiedades de la Corona, en los depósitos
minerales subyacentes a la superficie, se
mencionaba expresamente el " betún, " sien
do éste el único término empleado enton
ces para los depósitos que contenían petró
leo ; y de la Corona Española, esta propie
dad descendió al Gobierno Mexicano .
Mas bajo la prohibición de expedir leyes
retroactivas y por las repetidas seguridades
de los funcionarios, no parecería que los
que poseen " " derechos consagrados '' nece
sitaran abrigar ninguna aprehensión inde
bida. Ninguno ha hecho todavía una cues
tión internacional de la propiedad del Go
bierno sobre otros depósitos minerales.
Poro para ir a los hechos : dice Mr. Crecl :
" Para aclarar debidamente el rela
to , existen muchas malas inteligencias,
puramente americanas, que deben ser
aclaradas- la acusación de evadir las
contribuciones, por ejemplo. La cues
tión de las contribuciones no estuvo ja
más en disputa, y ahora lo está. Las
pro, y están siendo pagadas actualmen
te, y los informes publicados prueban
terminantemente que el dinero que en
tra al Tesoro Mexicano por los campos
de petróleo desarrollados por el capi
tal extranjero no es, de ningún modo,
la menor fuente de ingresos. Existe,
ante todo, un impuesto de exportación
del diez por ciento ; mas debido a la
alta valuación asignada por las autori
dades mexicanas , es, on realidad, de
treinta y tros un tercio por ciento .
Existen también derechos , de barra, im
puesto del Timbre y derechos do dra
gado , convirtiéndose todos en un ingre
so anual para México de más de ocho
millones de dólares, dol petróleo sola
mente, constituyendo el mayor impues
to sobre la producción del aceite mine
ral en el mundo y produciendo a Mé
xico una suma superior en exceso a las
ganancias totales del capital pagado a
los inversores extranjeros bajo la for
ma de dividendos. Este no es un caso
de evasión de las contribuciones, sino
franca resistencia a la confiscación en
sobreañaden a las contribuciones regula
res y que están separadas de ellas. "
" Las contribuciones han sido paga
das siempre, y están siendo pagadas
actualmente."
No han sido pagadas siempre, y son pa
gadas ahora solamente, cuando menos por
una Compañía principal, bajo protesta y
con la distinta intención de asegurar su res
titución por medio de una presión de cual
Bajo la Administración de
Díaz, no se pagaban impuestos sobre el pe
tróleo. Si se pagaban algunos por las tie
rras, eran tan pequeños, que no valen la
pena de ser citados. La Compañía “ El
Aguila, " por virtud de sus concesiones, fue
agraciada con una exención de contribucio
nes por espacio de cincuenta años, y la
Huasteca Petroleum Co., por diez años .
Cuando Madero ocupó la presidencia, esta
bleció un derecho de exportación de cin
cuenta centavos por tonelada. Huerta au
mentó éste a setenta y cinco centavos, y
Carranza lo redujo a sesenta. Se encontró
se ideó otro método . Se cercioraron del
precio de venta del petróleo en el punto de
descarga de los Estados Unidos, y de éste
se dedujo el costo del embarque. Sobre el
resto del saldo se impuso una contribución
del diez por ciento. Estos avalúos son de
terminados cada dos meses y se da de ello
noticia al público por medio de la prensa .
Para los meses de julio y agosto se pu
blicó el aviso el día primero del presente
mes. Es como sigue :
}
Sobre petróleo combustible, de densidad
le 0.91 , la valuación es de $ 13.00 oro mc
xicano por tonelada ; sobre petróleo crudo 4
de densidad de 0.91 , el avalúo es de $15.50
por tonelada ; sobre petróleo cuya densidad
es mayor de 0.97, la valuación es de $ 6.00
por tonelada ; sobre gas oil, cuya densidad
es mayor de 0.91 , la valuación es de $ 13.00
por tonelada. Las distintas sumas requeri
das, en el orden de valuación, son : sesenta
centavos, un peso treinta centavos y un.
peso eincuenta y cinco centavos en oro
mexicano. En oro americano, que vale dos
por uno respecto al mexicano, los impuestos
equivalen a treinta centavos, sesenta y cin
co centavos y setenta y siete centavos y
medio por tonelada. El promedio de ba
rriles por tonelada es seis un cuarto, de
modo que el impuesto decretado sobre las
importaciones varía entre cuatro y cinco
centavos por barril, para el petróleo de más
bajo precio, a doce y trece centavos para
el de mayor valor. El petróleo mexicano
se cotiza de setenta centavos a un peso
por barril, entregado en los puertos de Es
tados Unidos que se encuentran sobre el
Golfo.
Existe un impuesto de ciento cincuenta
pesos, oro mexicano, por mes, por inspección ,
cu tanto que hay derechos de puerto y el
impuesto del Timbre de costumbre on los
documentos legales y financieros. Natu
ralmente que el que esto escribe no tiene
medios de conocer el monto exacto de lo
que se paga por estos conceptos.
Mas existe un registro especial de la can
tidad de petróleo embarcado por cada Com
 8 THE
to foreign investors in the shape of divi
dends. '
Here are the facts :
In the annual report of the Aguila Com
pany as published in the London Financial
Times, it appears that the net profits of
that company from the year 1911 to the end
of the year 1918 (the revolutionary and "C con
fiscatory " period ) were as follows :
Year ended
June 30 Net Profit
1911. £89,602
• 7,165
1912. 437,156
1913 . 872,098
1914. · 1,073,449
1915. 還 1,237,930
1916. 1,763,081
1917. • 2,036,742
1918. 2,894,134
The percentage of the dividends declared
has been as follows :
Year Preferred Common
1911 . 8%
1912 . 8%
1913 . · 8%
1914 . • 8% 8%
1915 . 8% 8%
1916 . 16% 16%
1917 . 20% 20%
25%
1918 . 25%
From this it is learned that a single com
pany has made a net profit of over fifty mil
lion dollars (American gold ) in the past
eight years. And it has paid over twenty
millions in dividends.
The original capital of the Aguila Compa
ny, according to the London papers, was
$60,000,000 Mexican money, or $30,000,000
American gold. So that it is shown that in
eight years it has recouped its investment
twice over, has a balance of ten million dol
lars to the good, and is the owner of prop
erty worth several times its actual cost.
But this is far from the entire case. From
the same newspaper that gives the Aguila
Company's earning, it is learned that the
Dutch Shell Company paid dividends last
year of 48 per cent en preferred stock and
37 per cent on ordinary shares. The total is
not given, but it certainly could not have
been less than the amount paid by the Agui
la, although a portion of its profits were de
rived from its business in other countries
besides Mexico.
From the financial columns of New York
papers, it is learned that the Pan-American
Petroleum and Transport Company (under
stood to be a branch of one of the large pro
ducing companies) paid quarterly dividends
at the rate of 28 per cent per annum.
It is a fair conclusion that Mr. Creel was
acting under a decided misapprehension when
he declared with so much positiveness that
the annual collection of taxes in 1918 was
more than all that had been returned to the
foreign investors in the way of dividends.
Dividends ranging from 25 to 48 per cent
in a single year are quite fair returns.
But still further as to the tax matter ,
which Mr. Creel declares to be " confisca
tion disguised in the form of rentals and
royalties that are in addition to the regular
taxes and apart from them. " ‫ވ‬
No such taxes are being paid, but here is
the rate that it was proposed to collect, but
which was suspended pending action by Con
1 For commercial and industrial informa
gress.
Where rentals are $5 per hectare or less
(that is, the rentals paid by the operators
MEXICAN REVIEW
to the land owners ) a tax of ten per cent
on that amount- which is equal to $1 per
acre in American money valuation, the tax
being therefore exactly ten cents per acre.
Where the rentals run from $5 to $10 per
hectare ( $ 1 to $2 per acre American money) ,
ten per cent on the first dollar and 20 per
cent on the balance.
Where the rents are over $10 per hectare
To re
Divideds Carried
pald serve Forward
£69,700 £4,479 £4,300
69,700 64,759
69,700 23,653 444,494
410,000 23,653 444,494
410,000 30,499 494,277
47,501
820,000 576,812
1,025,000 109,923 666,600
1,300,601 661,740 227,452
($2 per acre American money) the tax is
ten per cent for the first five pesos, and fif
ty per cent beyond that. Fifty per cent of
the royalties paid to the land owner is also
collected by the government .
The foregoing taxes fall on the land owner
and not on the lessee.
Where lands are held under contract but
without the payment of rent, the tax is $1
(50 cents gold) per acre annually, and five
per cent of the output.
Where the oil land is owned outright, the
owner pays an annual tax equivalent to $1
an acre American money, and also a royalty
on the oil produced of five per cent of its
value. Less than ten per cent of the oil land
is so held.
In connection with the matter of rentals
and royalties , some figures have been pub
lished in the local press that are of interest.
In the State of Oklahoma, for example, un
der direction of the United States govern
ment, and on behalf of the Indian owners of
the oil lands, the cost of the right to develop
oil upon a quarter-section (160 acres ) for a
period of fourteen years, was put at $225,000.
Besides this,? the holder of the right was
obligated to pay the Indian owners from one
fifth to one -sixth of the total amount of oil
produced. Three per cent in addition went
to the Government of the State of Oklahoma.
The total amount of the royalties is from 16
to 23 per cent of the production. A similar
area in Mexico would cost the lessee only
$320 annually, or $4160 for the same period.
In Texas the lessees pay $ 2 an acre annual
ly, or two and one-half times the rate in
Mexico. In California producing land is as
sessed at an average valuation of $1000 an
acre, according to an authority on oil in that
State. At an auction sale of oil rights re
cently held in Texas nearly four hundred
dollars an acre was bid for an untried tract,
in addition to which a royalty is paid on the
production.
One thing more : The companies that have
protested against what they are pleased to
call " confiscatory '' taxation, but which nev
ertheless pay their taxes (under protest and
with a distinct design to recover such pay
ments through intervention or otherwise) ,
make much of the " value of the oil at the
wells, '' sometimes claiming that the taxation
is equal to that value. But they do not ex
plain how they arrive at such a valuation .
This is the explanation : Many small well own
ers have oil which they cannot transport to
tidewater nor could they ship it, if it were
there. All the means of transportation and
shipment belong to a few large companies.
1 1
Consequently, when a small owner needs
money (and he\\always needs it) he is oblig
ed to go to one of the monopolistic concerns
and accept just exactly what they are willing SIM
to pay, and not being in business in Mexico
1
from any altruistic motives, though they
seek to persuade people that they are, they
pay the + unfortunate small owner just what
they please- a few cents per barrel. And
then they assert that this represents the value
of the oil at the well!
Just at the close of the article, Mr. Creèl
remarks :
" Even today, when Great Britain,
France and Italy, angered beyond for-་
bearance are refusing to receive the ac
credited representatives of Carranza,
the Ambassador of Mexico holds his
place of honor in Washington. '
This was printed on June 14th, and at
that time Minister Pani had been received
by the French Government over one month
previously (the 13th of May to be exact) ,
while Minister Hay was received by the
King of Italy on the 17th of May. ļ
This article is quite lengthy enough, but
the writer feels that he has set forth unim
peachable facts enough in contradiction of
Mr. Creel's statements to convince him that
he has been wofully misled, and to acknow
ledge that he has been too hasty in placing
implicit confidence in those who had an ulshah
terior purpose to serve in securing his al
liance.
In conclusion, it may be added that there
are certain earmarks about that portion of
the article devoted to the oil question that
indicate clearly the source of Mr. Creel's
mis-information to those who are familiar
with the interventionist propaganda that is
now going on openly in the United States,
but which for a long time was kept sub rosa
so far as possible. And to use a phrase which
is now becoming familiar and is very ex
pressive, " it smells of oil " -strongly and
unmistakably. And it is quite certain that
when Mr. Creel learns how he was imposed
upon, he will be of a like opinion.
It is stated that by the introduction of
improved machinery and the adoption of
the latest methods for making coke, the
production of the Coahuila coal fields in
that direction is of a quality superior to
the imported and it is now being used by
smelting concerns that had heretofore
favored the imported article. The removal
of the embargo on the shipment of silver
bullion and the increase in the price
thereof has greatly stimulated the develop
ment of silver mines in all portions of
the Republic .
Preliminary steps have been taken for
the construction of a strategical railroad
encircling the valley of Mexico in its en
tirety. It will include Las Cruces, San
Juan Teotihuacan, Nochistongo, El Peñon
and other outlying places . The natural .
defenses of the valley will thus be placed
within easy communication of each other,
rendering artificial fortifications unneces
sary.
tion, read The Review and then send it to
the States.
3
затори
1
 *
*** pyeBara REVISTA MEXICA
h LA N A 9

pania, de su valor y de los derechos de ex-" millones en el haber y que es poseedora de Donde las rentas varían de cinco a diez
portación pagados por él. Para el año de una propiedad que vale varias veces su &
A fue # como sigue : pesos por hectara (de $ 1 a $2 por acre,
I
1918, éste
****
51 prečio primitivo.
a*t hey H en moneda americana) , el impuesto es del
→ ‫يمه‬ j
NOMBRE DE LA COMPAÑIA Valor de los Embarques Derechos Pagado diez por ciento sobre el primer dólar y de'
veinte por ciento sobre el resto.
Huasteca **** Petroleum Co. .$ 21,612,789.54 $ 2,203,814.71 Donde las rentas son de más de $10 por
Aguila Co. (Lord Cowdray) 31,740,224.02 1,887,510.05
Standard Oil Co. de Nueva York hectara ($2 por acre en moneda americana ) ,
28,528,486.72 1,740,327,39
Standard Oil, de Nueva Jersey D 16,014,984.14 la contribución es de diez por ciento sobre
Penn-Mex. Fuel Co. • 1,203,356.00
L L 14,878,536.23 1,487,853,60 los primeros cinco pesos, de veinte por
Cortez Oil Corporation 4,324,198.16 432,419.80 ciento sobre los segundos cinco pesos y de
*
Freeport & Mexico Fuel * Oil Co. 3,844,894.65 355,179.39
Pierce Oil A Corporation 3,811,926.33 cincuenta por ciento sobre el excedente.
282,729.76
Fast Coast Oil Co. 3,317,680.22 305,154.86 El cincuenta por ciento de las regalías
17 Metropolitan Pipe Line Co. 3,560,843.94 356,084.38 pagadas al propietario de la tierra es tam
Union Oil Co. de Californią. 3,285,980.25 328,598.37 bién recaudado por el Gobierno.
Mexican ‫ اسه‬Gulf * Oil Co. 2,890,780.28 279,943.17
La Texas Co. de México T Las anteriores contribuciones recaen SO
1,473,225.44 139,966.81
National Petroleum Corporation 522,275.28 bre el propietario de la tierra y no sobre
49,306.92 el arrendatario.
Interocean Oil Co. 491,073.59 43,863.20
Tal + Vez Petroleum Co. 92,132,80 9,213.28 Allí donde las tierras están contratadas,
እ пчела
New England Fuel Oil Co. 166,571.61 15,076.21 pero sin el pago de rentas, la contribución
r Totales • . $ 140,557,553.20 es $1 (cincuenta centavos oro) por acre,
$11,120,397.90
‫میرےہو‬ anualmente, más el cinco por ciento de la
En oro americano esos valores You son, res Pero esto está lejos de ser el caso en[ producción total.
pectivamente: valor de los embarques .... tero. Por el mismo periódico que publica Allí donde las tierras petrolíferas son po
$ 70,278,775.60.
♡I ~ Total de los derechos pa las ganancias de la Compañía " El Agui seídas directamente , el propietario paga una
gados, $5,560,198.95 . Como se ha decla la, " se sabe que la Dutch Shell Company contribución anual equivalente a $ 1 por acre.
rado ya, esos derechos son pagados bajo pagó en dividendos, el año pasado, el cua en moneda americana y también una re
protesta por la misma empresa, de la cual renta y ocho por ciento sobre las accio galía sobre el petróleo producido , del cinco
L Vfoty es そのパター razonablemente seguro que recibió Mr. nes de preferencia y el treinta y siete por por ciento de su valor. Menos del diez
ľ 梦 篇 Creel el informe de que, " las contribucio ciento sobre las ordinarias. No se publica
* Энер por ciento de la tierra petrolífera se en
прива nes han sido 2 pagadas siempre y están sien J el total, pero ciertamente que puede no cuentra en estas condiciones.
do pagadas actualmente," así como algu haber sido menor que el monto pagado por
** To th nosposte otros informes. En relación con el asunto de las rentas
" El Aguila , " aunque una parte de sus y regalías, se han publicado en la prensa
tm F Mr. Creel dice que el monto total de las ganancias se derivara de sus negocios en local algunos datos numéricos que tienen
Je1f .S contribuciones pagadas es de $ 8,000,000 y otros países, además de México. importancia. En el Estado de Oklahoma,
20 7 , que esto es " superior en exceso a la gaME
•S Por las columnas financieras de los pe
por ejemplo, bajo la dirección del Gobierno
mancia total del capital pagado a los in riódicos M de Nueva York, se sabe que la
de los Estados Unidos y en apoyo de los
versores extranjeros en la forma de divi Pan-American Petroleum and Transport
риват зна N dendos." propietarios indígenas de las tierras petro
"" Company ( considerada como una rama de
4.1 líferas, el precio del derecho para extraer
He aquí los hechos : las grandes compañías productoras ) , pagó
se Enfor 4 informe cada tres meses dividendos en la propor
petróleo en un cuarto de milla cuadrada
el anual de la Compañía " El
Aguila;" tal como fue publicado en ` el (160 acres ) , por un período de catorce años ,
ción de veintiocho por ciento anual. fue fijado en $ 225,000 . Además de esto , el
" London Financial Times, " aparece que las Es pues, una exacta conclusión la de que poseedor del derecho fue obligado a pagar
utilidades líquidas de esa Compañía, desde Mr. Creel obró bajo la influencia de un
los propietarios indios, de un quinto a
el año de 1911 hasta fines de 1918 (el pe decidido error cuando declaró con tanta cer
un sexto del monto total del petróleo pro
ríodo revolucionario y confiscatorio " ) fue teza que la recaudación anual de contribu ducido. El tres por ciento , por añadiduta ,
ron como sigue : ciones , en 1918, fue mayor que la suma que
se aplicó al Gobierno del Estado de Okla
Año terminado Ganancia Dividendos Fondos de homa. El monto total de la regalía es de
el30 de junio líquida En Depósito
pagados reserva 16 a 23 por ciento de la reducción. Una
-
1911 área similar en México costaría al arren
£89,602 £ 69,700 £ 4,479 £ 4,300
1912 437,156 69,700 datario sólo $ 320 anuales , o sean $160 por
1913 7,165 69,759
872,098 69,700 23,653 444,494 el mismo período de catorce años. En
1914 • # 1,073,449 410,000 427,262
26,065 Texas los arrenda tarios pagan dos dólares
*1915 1,237,930 410,000 30,499
1916 494,277
1,763,081 820,000 47,501 576,812 por acre, o sea dos veces y media la cuota
1917 2,036,742 1,025,000 de México . En California, la tierra pro
1918 109,923 666,600
2,894,134 1,300,601 661,740 227,452 ductora es fijada en un costo medio de
-
El porcentaje de los dividendos maui se había pagado a los inversores cxtranjeros $1,000 por acre, de acuerdo con una autori
festados ha sido como sigue : en calidad de dividendos. Los dividendos , dad del petróleo en ese Estado . En una
que fluctúan entre el veinticinco y el cua almoneda de derechos petroleros celebrada
Año Preferencia Ordinario
S renta y ocho por ciento en un solo año , recientemente en Texas , se pidieron cerca
1911 . 8% de . cuatrocientos dólares por cada acre de
son réditos demasiado equitativos .
1912 8% un terreno no ensayado, y sobreañadido a
1913 8% Pero hay aún más respecto al asunto de
lo cual se paga una regalía sobre la pro
The+ 1914 8% 8% las contribuciones, que Mr. Creel declara
1915 8% 8% son una " confiscación disfrazada en la for ducción.
_1916 16% 16% ma de rentas y regalías que están sobre . Una cosa más : Las Compañías que han
1917 S 20% 20% añadidas a los derechos regulares y separa protestado contra lo que gustan Hamar
1918 • 25% 25%
das de ellos. "' " taxativa confiscatoria, " pero que , sin em
Por esto se sabe que una sola compañía Tales contribuciones no están siendo pa bargo, pagan sus contribuciones (bajo pro
ha realizado una utilidad líquida de cerca gadas, y aquí está ìa proporción que se testa y con el definido propósito de recu
de cincuenta millones de dólares ( oro ame ha propuesto cobrar, pero que fue sus perar tales pagos por medio de la inter
ricano ) , en los ocho últimos años. Y ha pendida, pendiente de la resolución del Con vención o de cualquier otra manera ) , ba
pagado sobre veinte millones en dividendos. greso . Donde las rentas son de cinco pesos blan mucho del ¿ valor del petróleo en los
El capital original de la Compañía " El por hectara o menos (eso es, las rentas pa pozos, '' sosteniendo algunas veces que la
But Aguila, '' de "Y acuerdo con los periódicos de gadas por los operadores a los propietarios tributación es igual a
ese valor. Pero no
• Londres, era de $60,000,000, en moneda me de la tierra ) se .propone una contribución explican cómo llegaron a tal avalúo . Esta
xicana, o ṣeau $ 30,000,000 en oro ameri del diez por ciento sobre esa suma- que es es la explicación : Muchos pequeños pro
cano. De modo que se demuestra que, en igual a $1 por aero, valuada en moneda pietarios de pozos petrolíferos poseen pe
ocho años, hạ recuperado su inversión cerca americana, siendo la contribución, por con tróleo que no pueden transportar al litoral
siguiente , do diez contavos por acre , exac
de dos veces, que tiene un balance de diez ni podrían embarcar si lo tuvieran allí.
↑* tamente!
(Sigue en la página 13)

X
LoomJe
золт
1
 10 THE MEXICAN REVIEW

of Tampico, Tuxpan and Lobos for various

Six Hundred Millions in Petroleum portions of the world, carrying in the
neighborhood of eight million barrels of
Latest Estimate of the Technical Bureau- Many New Companies oil. One of the largest companies in the
Coming In Despite Antagonistic Reports field, the Corona, for some reason made no
exportations during the month, or other
N estimate has recently been made been forbidden to pursue their develop wise the total would have been close to
by the Technical Bureau of the Pe ment work, such as the sinking of wells, nine million barrels. The principal export
A
troleum Department of the total which is an act of absolute justice, since ers and their respective shipments were as
amount invested in the oil industry in this they have put themselves beyond the law. follows :
country, including pipe lines, machinery . The Aguila Company (and others as well ) Barrels
tanks, buildings , refineries , vessels, etc has made the regular manifestation of its
The total is nearly six hundred millions properties that is required, accompanied by Aguila ( Lord Cowdray) . " 1,088,335.00
Standard .. . 1,086,173.87
Mexican gold, equivalent to three hundred the documents showing its ownership of the Huasteca 1,048,025.04
millions in American gold, and the detail lands which it possesses, but although it Penn . -Mex. 928,045.38
ed estimate is as follows : has not paid a cent of the taxes imposed, Cortez M 651,578.00
Island 275,456.31
Wells in exploitation with a capacity of 1,500,000 barrels daily . $300,000,000 Texas
1,200 kilometers (780 miles) pipelines . 546,065,46
50,000,000 Mexican Gulf
Tanks with capacity of 26,000,000 barrels 366,543.32
60,000,000
Refineries 55,000,000 East Coast 312,602.37
Lands . 50,000,000 Pierce 94,753.00
Railway lines, buildings and machinery 30,000,000 New England 22,567.33
Vessels for transportation, of which the Aguila Company owns Freeport . 354,222.21
one-third part, with a capacity of 250,000 tons . . 50,000,000 Other companies . 300,055.48
Total . $595,000,000 Total. .. 7,074,422.77
Within the past few months there has
been a great stimulation in investments in Mexican Officials and Foreign Diplomats at the Fourth of July Celebration in Mexico City
the oil regions and several very large for
eign companies have acquired lands and are
proceeding with their development. One
of these, called the Petroleum Corporation
of the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific, has a
capital of $40,000,000 and has acquired a
fleet of tank vessels for the purpose of
transporting the oil to all portions of the
world. Other new concerns engaging in
the business are the Atlantic, Gulf and
West Indies, the New York and Porto Rico,
the Mallory and Clyde, as also a Norwegian
Company, an Italian one and one made up
of French capital, the latter of which pro
mises to be one of the largest in the field .
It will establish refineries and maintain
its own transportation system, as well as
developing its Own petroleum deposits
which it has acquired.
Why Permission is Refused to Certain Oil
Companies to Sink Wells.
The Secretary of Commerce and In
dustry, under whose charge is the develop
ment of the petroleum deposits of the coun
try, has issued an official statement in
connection with the complaint of the " Pa
nuco Boston Company, " that " President Funcionarios Mexicanos y Diplomáticos Extranjeros en la Celebración del Cuatro de Julio
Carranza has issued an order forbidding en la Ciudad de México
foreign companies from continuing to sink
oil wells : "" permission to sink new wells has not been Taking into account the number of ves
denied it, nor to exploit those already in sels due to arrive in time to load in the
" All petroleum enterprises operating in
Mexico are compelled by law to file a production. It can be seen that it is the present month, it is believed the total
palpable desire of the petroleum companies exportations for July will reach upward of
statement of the properties which they pos
that refuse to make the manifestation re ten millions of barrels.
sess, with the object of assessing the
amount of taxes which they ought to pay quired to falsify the acts and requirements The first shipment of 300,000 barrels has
thereon, in accordance with the decree upon in order to create a bad impression against been made to Argentine and many con
this subject promulgated by the Secretary the Mexican government, and hence they tracts for large amounts have been closed
of the Treasury. The companies which unjustly accuse it of inaugurating the with other South American countries.
work of confiscation of the lands of the
claim that the tax in question is confiscatory Powerful French-American Company Goes
have refused absolutely to file these state foreign companies . Into the Oil Fields
ments alluded to, and which would also " All of the companies which comply
It is only a short time since a company
serve to effectively prove the possession with the orders of the Government enjoy,
of Norwegian capitalists with several mil
of the lands which figure in their contracts as is natural, all the privileges which they
lions of dollars went into the Tampico oil
It is believed that the probable cause for may ask, but this does not apply to those
this refusal is that many of these lands which demonstrate hostility. " fields and at once engaged not only in the
have not been legally acquired and the sinking of wells, but in also preparing to erect
Large Increase in Oil Exports for June
companies fear they may be dispossessed tanks, refineries, and other appliances neces
of them on this account. The companies The exportations of oil for the month sary for the transaction of a large business,
that have not respected the directions of of June show a sudden and large increase including the construction of pipelines, rail
the Secretary of Industry are operating over any preceding month. During that roads, etc., and the inauguration of agricul
irregularly and for that reason they have month over 150 tank boats left the ports tural colonies for its employes .
 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 11

cinco centavos por barril, para el aceite

Seiscientos Millones en Petróleo
de más baja graduación, y de 12 a 13
centavos para el de clase superior. El va
El Ultimo Estado de la Sección Técnica - Muchas Compañías Están lor del aceite mexicano no ha tenido fluc
Desarrollándose a Despecho de los Informes Antagónicos tuaciones durante algún tiempo en los pun
tos de desembarque , permaneciendo la coti
A Sección Técnica del Departamento Petróleo combustible, cuya densidad sea zación entre 79 centavos y $ 1 por barril.
del Petróleo, últimamente presentó un de 0.91, tonelada, $13.00. entregado en los puertos del Golfo de los
L
estado calculando el capital inverti Petróleo crudo, cuya densidad sea de 0.91 , Estados Unidos.
do en la industria petrolera de este país, tonelada , $ 15.50.
incluyendo oleoductos, maquinaria, tanques , Petróleo en la Baja California
Petróleo cuya densidad sea mayor de 0.97,
edificios, refinerías, barcos, etc. El total Tanto en la prensa local como en la ex
tonelada , $ 6.00 .
suma aproximadamente seiscientos millones Gas Oil, cuya densidad sea mayor de 0.91 , tranjera, se ha dado gran importancia a la
de pesos , oro nacional, equivalente a tres tonelada, $13.00. cuestión del Territorio de la Baja Cali
cientos millones en moneda americana ; cl Gasolina refinada, suelta o en envases , fornia, referente a la proposición formulada
cálculo detallado es como sigue :
litro, $ 0.12 12. en ciertos círculos para que la citada re
Pozos en explotación, con una capaci lad gión sea " comprada " a México, siendo este
diarios . de 1,500,000 barriles
..$ 300,000,000 uno de los temas de discusión . A propósito
Oleoductos, 1,200 kilómetros ( 900 millas)
50,000,000 de esto, la prensa local publica algunos da
Tanques con capacidad de 26,000,000 barriles
Refinerías 60,000,000 tos interesantes sobre las riquezas latentes
Tierras.. 55,000,000 de lo que se ha mirado con desprecio, como
Líneas de ferrocarril, edificios y maquinaria 50,000,000
si fuese una comarca montañosa y yerma,
Barcos para el trasporte, de los que la Compañía del Aguila posee 30,000,000
y casi sin ningún valor. El Territorio de
una tercera parte, con una capacidal de 250,000 toneladas
50,000,000 la Baja California ofrece todas las trazas
Total.. de llegar a ser, en un futuro no lejano ,
$ 595,000,000
Durante los últimos meses pasados , ha
Cosmopolitan Gathering at the American Fourth of July Celebration in Mexico City
habido un gran estímulo de las inversiones
en las regione s petrole ras, y algunas grandes
compañías extranjeras han adquirido tierras
y están procediendo a su explotación. Una
de éstas, denominada la Petroleum Corpo
ration of the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific
tiene un capital de $ 40,000,000, y ha ad
quirido una flota de barcos tanques con el
propósito de transportar el aceite a todas
partes del mundo. Otras negociaciones
nuevas que han emprendido el negocio, son
la Atlantic, Gulf and West Indies, la
Nueva York y Puerto Rico, la Mallority
and Clyde, así como una Compañía Noruega,
una Italiana y una formada con capital
francés, prometiendo esta última ser una
de las más grandes en el campo. Estable
cerá refinerías y mantendrá un servicio de
transportes propio, así como el desarrollo
de los depósitos petroleros que ha adqui
rido .
Se han hecho importantes descubrimientos
de petróleo en el Estado de Coahuila, y se
cree que la franja petrolera se extiende
completamente a través del Norte de Mé
xico, conectando los depósitos de Texas con
los de Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí y Ve
racruz. Este petróleo se dice que tiene
base de parafina en lugar de asfalto , y ser Concurrencia Cosmopolita en la Fiesta Americana del Cuatro de Julio en la Ciudad de Méx.
de magnífica calidad. El Gobernador del
Gasolina cruda, suelta o en envases , li- una de las más grandes fuentes de riqueza
Estado, señor Espinosa Mireles, se halla
tro, $ 0.11 3/4.
profundamente interesado en el desarrollo en la producción petrolera de la República.
Kerosena cruda o refinada, suelta o en Un geólogo que practicó una exploración
de esta nueva riqueza , y, a la vez, ha to
mado las debidas precauciones para que los envases, litro, $0.06 12 . superficial de la citada región , dice que los
Los precios del petróleo crudo, combus depósitos petroleros
nuevos campos no caigan en manos de mo de la Baja California,
tible y gas oil, se aumentan o disminuyen ,
nopolistas, en vastas áreas, como ha suce son evidentemente una prolongación de los
según su densidad, de conformidad con lo yacimientos de aceite
dido en otras partes. del Estado de Ca.
prevenido en el inciso A del artículo 1o.
lifornia, o la " Alta " California, como зe
Cuotas que Pagará el Petróleo en Julio y de la citada Ley y del acuerdo de esta Se denominaba antes de su anexión
a los Es
Agosto cretaría de fecha 17 del mes de mayo úl
tados Unidos . Estos depósitos son incom
La Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Pú timo. " parablemente más vastos que los del Es
blico, fija en la siguiente circular, las cuo Conforme se ha dicho, la tarifa de taxa tado de Texas . Se opina
Se opina que cuando se
tas que pagará en julio y agosto el petró ción es el diez por ciento sobre estos ava llegue
a hacer una exploración perfecta, se
leo de exportación : lúos. Las distintas cantidades que se re encont
rará que los yacimientos de la Baja
" De conformidad con lo prevenido por caudan se hallan, por lo tanto, en razón California son tan grandes como los de
el artículo 40. de la Ley de 13 de abril de directa del avalúo, 60 centavos, $ 1.30 y
los Estados de Tamaulipas y Veracruz .
1917 y por los decretos de 30 de junio y $1.55 oro nacional, o sean 30 centavos, 65 El petróleo se halla a una profundidad
16 de octubre del mismo año, esta Secre centavos y 77 1/2 centavos por tonelada, en considerable y en cantidades suficientes pa
taría ha tenido a bien disponer que para el oro americano, a razón de dos por uno- la ra desterrar el temor de un agotamiento
cobro del impuesto especial del Timbre so cuota legal. El número de barriles que por prematuro. En Texas, el aceite se en
bre petróleo de exportación en el bimestre término medio tiene una tonelada es de cuentra a muy escasas profundidades, y los
de julio-agosto del corriente año, se fijen los 6.26 ; por lo tanto, la contribución impuesta pozos se agotan en un período de veinte a
precios siguientes : sobre las exportaciones varía de cuatro a treinta años. Se cree que los depósitos de
 12
THE
The information is now given out by the
Department of Industry and Commerce that
another extensive organization composed of
French and American capitalists has com
pleted its organization, and will devote its
enterprise solely to the development of the . $6 per ton.
petroleum deposite of the Canton of Papan
tla, in the State of Vera Cruz, some forty to
fifty miles south of Tuxpan. Not much de
velopment has yet taken place in that region,
but examination by experts resulted in a amounts collected are therefore in the ratio
firm belief of the existence of oil in large
quantities. As a result the company will,
it is stated, acquire by purchase or rental
some 125,000 acres of land upon which de
velopment will be undertaken. Ten million one- the legal rate. The average number of
dollars have already been subscribed and it
is expected that fifty millions will be invested levied on exportations varies from between
within a brief period.
The necessary machinery for well drilling
and other purposes, is now on the way from highest priced. The value of Mexican oil has
New York, and as soon as a well is brought not fluctuated to . any extent for some time
in, pipelines will be constructed to convey at points of disembarkation, the quotation
Fourth of July Reception at the American Embassy in Mexico
Recepción del Cuatro de Julio en la Embajada Americana en la Ciudad de México
the oil to a shipping point. The necessary
railways will also be constructed and it is
believed by those familiar with the region,
that the Canton of Papantla will in no great
time become one of the leading petroleum
producing sections in the Republic.
The investments noted would seem to in
dicate complete confidence in the government
of Mexico, and willingness to comply with
the laws of the country regarding the petro
leum industry.
Oil Valuations For Taxation.
The valuations of oil for purposes of levy
ing the export tax for the months of July
and August were issued on July 1st. There
is no change from previous valuations, but
as many readers will see this for the first
time, the rates are given herewith. It should
be stated that they are arrived at by taking
the market price of the oil at the American
ports where it is discharged, deducting the
cost of transportation thereto, and levying a
tax of ten per cent on the balance as being
the real value. The different qualities of oil
are valued as follows :
MEXICAN REVIEW
Combustible petroleum of a density of 0.91 ,
$13 (Mex. ) per ton.
Crude petroleum of a density of 0.97, $ 15.50
per ton.
Petroleum whose density is more than 0.97,
Gas oil whose density is more than 0.91,
$ 13 per ton.
As stated, the rate of taxation is ten per
cent upon these valuations. The various
of valuation, 60 cents, $1.30 and $ 1.55 Mex
ican gold, or 30 cents, 65 cents and 77 12
cents per ton in American gold at two to
barrels to the ton is 6.26, so that the tax
four and five cents per barrel for the lowest
grade oil to between 12 and 13 cents for the
remaining at from 70 cents to $1 per barrel
delivered at Gulf ports in the United States.
The Secretary of Industry and Commerce
has granted permission to the Mexican Gulf
Oil Company to construct a pipeline from
Boca de Cajeta, in the municipalty of Pa
nuco, to the refinery of the Pierce Oil Com
pany at Arbol Grande, near the city of Tam
pico.
Important discoveries of petroleum have
been made in the State of Coahuila, and it
is believed the oil belt extends entirely across
Northern Mexico, connecting the deposits in
Texas and those in Tamaulipas, San Luis
Potosi and Vera Cruz. This oil is said to
have a paraffine base instead of asphaltum,
and to be of high quality. Governor Espi
nosa Mireles of the State named, is actively
interesting himself in the developing of the
new measures, as also in taking proper pre
cautions that the new fields do not fall into
the hands of monopolists in vast areas as
has been the case elsewhere.
Under the auspices of the Geological So
ciety of Mexico , a Free Petroleum School
has been established, with headquarters in
Tampico, that being the center of the oil in
dustry. An initial appropriation of $500,000
has been made and the projectors are en
thusiastic in carrying out their plans. It is
considered essential , since the petroleum
measures of the Republic are among its most
valuable possessions, that native students
should be given an opportunity to learn what
ever technical and practical instruction can
impart in this direction . There promises to
be a large attendance at the school.
A petroleum expert has invented a new
style of pipe for transporting oil for which
many advantages are claimed . It is made
of many strips of paper, chemically treated,
and wound on a mandril in spiral form, with
re-enforcement of wire. It is otherwise
prepared to withstand usage and it is claimed
that it is superior in every way to the present
system, while costing less.
Two new petroleum companies have recent
ly been registered, making 350 in all now
in operation. The last two that have secur
ed legal permission for their operations are
the Union Terminal Company and the Union
Oil Company, bearing the numbers 357 and
358 respectively .
As to " Untruthful Stories "
About Señor Francisco Villa.
A very well who
of Villa, knownis party by the
now and for name
quite
some time has been more or less in the
public eye, has recently issued a statement
in which he seeks to refute some of the
" untruthful and scandalous ' stories circu
lated regarding him. Among other of his
statements is one that he has never
tolerated the use of liquor in any form by
any of the men over whom he has had com
mand. " Can this be the same Villa that
a party of newspaper men accompanied on
one of his campaigns? And if it is, what
then became of the baggage car of booze
that was a part of his entourage ? It is
true he himself is very abstemious so far
as the correspondents saw, but- well, what
did become of that carload of alcoholic
beverages, comprising almost everything
from beer to champagne ? The Review ed
itor knows it was there-he had some of it!
And in the stress of the campaign it was
literally a " life-saver."
In connection with the commercial
museum maintained by the Department of
Industry and Commerce in Mexico City, a
bureau has been established to which all
persens are invited to send samples of
mineral or vegetable products in their
natural state and of whose use they may
not be aware. The bureau will make the
proper investigation and then inform the
sender as to the nature and value of the
samples, their uses and the best markets
for the same.
Two steamers that arrived at Vera Cruz
on the same day recently unloaded over
seven thousand tons of freight, made up
of food, textile manufactures and articles
of luxury.
Have Review mailed free of postage by
calling at this office.
 LA
la Baja California, por el contrario, ten
drán una vida de producción más larga.
Estas son las razones para creer que los
yacimientos de Texas se prolongan a los
Estados de Chihuahua y Durango, en donde
acaban de hacerse descubrimientos en lo
calidades más o menos distantes unas de
otras.
Se considera indispensable que el Secre
tario de Industria y Comercio designe una
comisión de geólogos para que visite, no
solamente la Baja California, sino también
Durango y Chihuahua, y lleve a efecto ex
ploraciones concienzudas, con la certeza de
obtener magníficos resultados en la adqui
sición de esas vastas fuentes de riqueza
nacional, con que la naturaleza ha dotado
a México.
Los yacimientos petroleros de la Baja
California se encuentran localizados en tie
rras de la propiedad del Gobierno, el cual
especificará exactamente bajo qué condi
ciones pueden ser explotadas por las per
sonas interesadas en ello . Los derechos de
la nación, en consecuencia, quedarán pro
tegidos cuidadosa y debidamente. Algunos
extranjeros, de distintas nacionalidades, han
procurado sacar ventajas de estos nuevos
descubrimientos y obtener concesiones para
trabajarlos ; pero hasta el presente han ha
llado muy poco estímulo, debido a la pro
mulgación de una ley amplia que regule el
negocio petrolero en su totalidad.
Un experto petrolero ha inventado un nue
vo modelo de tubos para transportar el
aceite, y que dice tiene muchas ventajas .
Está hecho de muchas tiras de papel , quí
micamente tratado, y enrollado en un man
dril en forma de espiral, con un refuerzo
de alambre. Se halla, por otra parte, pre
parado para soportar el uso, y se pretende
que es superior en todos sentidos al pre
sente sistema, a la vez que cuesta menos.
Bajo los auspicios de la Sociedad Geoló
gica de México, se ha establecido una Es
cuela - de Petróleo Gratuita, con residencia
en Tampico, por ser esta ciudad el centro de
la industria petrolera. Se votó un crédito
inicial de $500,000 , y los promotores de la
idea se hallan entusiasmados en el des
arrollo de sus planes. Se considera como
esencial, en vista de que los yacimientos
petroleros de la República son una de las
principales fuentes de riqueza nacional, por
cuya razón los estudiantes nativos deben
tener oportunidad de aprender, tanto la
instrucción práctica como la teórica que se
les pueda impartir sobre la materia. Esta
escuela promete ser muy concurrida.
Dos nuevas compañías petroleras han si
do registradas, haciendo un total de 358
las que se hallan en operación. Las dos
últimas que han obtenido permiso legal pa
ra sus operaciones, son la Compañía Ter
minal Unión , y la Compañía Petrolera
Unión, correspondiéndoles los números de
registro 357 y 358, respectivamente.
La Secretaría de Industria y Comercio
ha concedido permiso a la Mexican Gulf
Oil Company para construir un oleoducto
de Boca de Cajeta, Municipalidad de Pá
nuco, a la refinería de la Pierce Oil Cor
poration, en Arbol Grande, cerca de Tam
pico.
Si desea usted estar al tanto del des
arrollo de la riqueza natural del país, lea
La Revista.
REVISTA MEXICAN A
" CARRANZA CONSTITUYE
LA DIFICULTAD"
(Sigue de la página 9)
Todos los medios de transporte y embarque
pertenecen a unas cuantas grandes compa
ñías. Por consecuencia, cuando un peque
ño propietario necesita dinero (y siempre
lo necesita ) , es obligado a dirigirse a una
de las empresas monopolizadoras y acepta
precisamente lo que desean pagarle, y co
mo esas empresas no se encuentran nego
ciando en México por motivos altruistas ,
por más que traten de persuadir al pueblo
de que están por esto, pagan al desdichado
pequeño propietario lo que quieren- unos
cuantos centavos por barril. Y entonces
aseguran que esto representa el valor del
petróleo en el pozo !
Precisamente al final del artículo, Mr.
Creel hace notar :
" Aun hoy, cuando la Gran Bretaña, Fran
cia e Italia, irritadas después de la tole
rancia, se están negando a recibir a los re
presentantes acreditados de Carranza ..."
Esto fue impreso el catorce de junio, y,
Attendance at Base-ball Game in Mexico City on July 14th.
Concurrencia al Juego de Base-ball el 14 de Julio, México, D. F.
en ese tiempo, el Ministro Pani había sido
ya recibido por el Gobierno Francés, preci
samente un mes antes, (el 13 de Mayo, para
mayor exactitud) como había sido el Minis
tro Hay formalmente bien recibido por el
Rey de Italia el día 17 de Mayo.
Este artículo es bastante largo, mas el
autor siente que ha sentado suficientes he
chos intachables en contradicción de las de
claraciones de Mr. Creel para convencerlo
de que ha sido dolorosamente engañado, y
para confesar que se ha mostrado muy apre
surado al poner una confianza implícita en
aquéllos que tienen un propósito ulterior de
servirle conquistando su alianza.
En conclusión, puede agregarse que hay
ciertas observaciones acerca de la parte del
artículo dedicado a la cuestión del petróleo,
que indican claramente la fuente de las
falsedades de Mr. Creel a los que están fa
miliarizados con la propaganda intervencio
nista que se lleva a cabo ahora abierta
13
mente en los Estados Unidos, pero que por
mucho tiempo se mantuvo oculta, en tanto
que fue posible. Y para usar de una frase
que se está haciendo ahora familiar y que
es muy expresiva, " esto huele a petróleo "
-decidida e inequívocamente. Y es com
pletamente cierto que cuando Mr. Creel sepa
cómo fue informado, será de la misma opi
nión.
CRECE LA OPOSICION CONTRA LA
INMIGRACION CHINA
movimiento iniciado en Sonora y Si
EL
naloa contra la futura inmigración chi
na al por mayor, se está extendiendo a otros
Estados. En Chiapas se están dando los
pasos necesarios para obligar a los mongo
les, que suman alrededor de dos mil, a aban
donar el país y que se refugien en Gua
temala. Los chinos, en ese Estado, han es
tablecido campamentos y ofrecen sus ser
vicios en la agricultura y en otros ramos,
a precios tan bajos, que los nativos no
pueden sostenerse con esa remuneración.
La Comisión Permanente, integrada por
miembros de las Cámaras de Diputados y
Senadores, que tiene a su cargo las cues
tiones públicas durante el período de re
ceso del Congreso, ha aconsejado al Presi
dente de la República que presente la cues
tión ante el Congreso, convocando un pe
ríodo extraordinario de sesiones, con el fin
de que se tome alguna determinación para
afrontar las necesidades del caso. Algunas
organizaciones de los Estados de Sonora y
Sinaloa están también tomando activamen
te los pasos necesarios para la protección
de los obreros nativos contra la competen
cia asiática.
Se están efectuando negociaciones de
parte del Gobierno de Coahuila para la
construcción de un ferrocarril que una a
Allende, en la parte norte de esa entidad,
con Villa Acuña. Tal línea abrirá una rica
región agrícola, cuyo desarrollo ha sido im
pedido por la falta de facilidades para el
transporte.
 14 THE
Empiricism of Latin- American
Governments
And the Empiricism of Their Relations With the United States
By Manuel Gamio, Director of the Anthropological Board.
HIS article was written for the
Twentieth Congress of Americanists
T always shown a visible sentiment of dis
which should have been held at Rio
Janeiro, Brazil, during the month of June,
1919, but which on account of various
reasons was deferred for the year 1920.
The larger part of the Latin-American
peoples have never been able to constitute
real nations ; a deficient exploitation of
their natural resources, a marked back
wardness of their culture, economic dis
turbances, long suffered despotic govern
ments or constant domestic strifes, these
and other unfavorable phenomena which
are a hindrance to the development of the
population have succeded one another with
out interruption for various centuries, and
consequently the creation of social pros
Crowds Honor July 14th at the Tivoli in Mexico City
La Muchedumbre Glorificando al 14 de Julio en el Tívoli de la Ciudad de México.
perity and the formation of nationality have
been impossible. On the other hand, up
North, in the United States, just the op
posite was recorded, for although the colo
nization of the territory was even more
slow than in the southern countries, the
Nation was soon made and the fatherland
formed, and the general prosperity was
very rapidly won. No despotic govern
ments have ever got hold of the northern
people, and they had just one civil war,
which instead of producing the long periods
of turmoil as are wonted to disturb us,
brought about more liberty and created
prosperity. What is the cause of such
failure on the part of the peoples of Span
ish, Portuguese and Indian origin of Amer
ica, and what the reason for the contrast
ing victorius achievements of the Anglo
Saxon of the same Continent?
The prejudices of intellectual inferiority
MEXICAN REVIEW
or superiority of such or such races in re
gard to others have already been discarded,
and therefore , we reject them at once to
explain the above question. Nor can the
remarkable contrast alluded to be attributed
to a difference of physical strength or
power of endurance between the peoples of
the North and those of the South, because
the physical conditions of the southern
population, the indigenous race very special
ly, are not comparatively inferior to those
of the northern people. A good lot has
been said of the cultural decadence of our
European ancestry as an explanation of our
actual state of inferiority, but such argu
ment is very questionable, since all the
foreign elements which founded our hybrid
population of today came from a nation
A either visibly or in secret, until there
which at that time was in the highest
degree of cultural grandeur, wealth and
power, and these advantageous conditions
reflected upon some of its colonial pos
sessions, as New Spain for instance, which
soon became the first educational center of
America. Furthermore, it should not be
forgotten that the majority of the popula
tion in the countries we refer to in these
lines is of the Indigenous race, and such
argument could not, therefore, be applied
to them even though it were true. The
natural wealth of the United States is not
enough either to explain the dominating
and marvelous development of the Anglo
Saxon population, for the soil of America
is providentially rich and production from
Alaska down to Patagonia.
For these and other reasons and opinions
rather prolix to enumerate, well-meaning
governments-the first being that of the
Great Bolivar- undertook to redeem our
countries by dragging them out of the
state of numbness in which they lay and
to avoid the inveterate uneasiness they
suffer. Most unfortunately the results
have been little or not satisfactory. We
go on living always so frail, so disorientat
ed, decading and pauper, whereas the
United States grows each day more power
ful, healthier, richer and happier.
The Latin-American countries have almost
trust and a more or less veiled animosity
toward the United States. Well justified
reasons of the past explain such feelings
in some of the southern countries, as Mex
ico, Colombia, Nicaragua and others for
instance ; but there are some other reasons
entirely unjust which in a large part give
birth to such sentiments. One of them
consists in the natural, human, unavoidable
disgust which are produced in a poor, weak
and worried man by seeing his neighbor
strong, rich and happy. We Latin-Amer
icans are the weak man. The North-Amer
icans are the strong man. Another not less
important reason, perhaps even more, is
the following : If we Latin-Americans do not
know ourselves, if we do not know our own
necessities and the means to meet them, if
we cannot find our way to Damascus, why
should we expect that the North Americans
know us better and find the adequate means
to make us as rich and happy as they are,
to draw us together, to create a mutual
understanding and love between us? Now
then, insofar as there is no sincere com
prehension and a positive convergence of
ideals and interests of the Latin and the
Saxon- Americans, it may be easy and most
probable that the ill-feelings shall grow
shall
be no human power able to prevent their
explosion in a disastrous conflict. The
sound judgment and just endeavors of Pre
sident Wilson have done much during the
last six years of activity to prevent the
possibility of a conflict, and perhaps such
conflict may become impossible in the
future, thanks to the League of Nations.
However, since it is certain that the said
League will ignore the very peculiar con
ditions of the character and the existence
of the Latin- American countries, for even
in the Pan-American Congress such condi
tions have been totally ignored, it seems
to be momentous that new orientations be
adopted tending to make the Latin- Amer
ican peoples know themselves and make
the United States know them better.
If the means resorted to by the Latin
Americans for over one century to know
themselves better and to redeem their po
pulation have been a failure up to the
present ; if no real and tangible success
has been achieved by the means used by
the United States to create a profitable
and sincere understanding between North
and South Americans on account of the
total lack of mutual knowledge, why not
walk in different paths and adopt new
ideas?
In our opinion a large part of the great
development actually obtained by the
United States is originally due to their
racial homogeneity and to the unity of their
 LA REVISTA
El Empirismo de los
Latino -Americanos
Y el Empirismo de sus Relaciones con los Estados Unidos
Por Manuel Gamio, Director del Departamento de Antropología, Sría. de Agri
cultura y Fomento. México.
STE artículo fue escrito para el XX
Congreso de Americanistas que debe
E
ría efectuarse en Río Janeiro, Bra
sil, durante el mes de junio de 1919 ; pero
que por diversos motivos se transfirió para
el próximo año de 1920.
La mayor parte de los pueblos de la
América Latina, nunca han podido cons
tituir verdaderas naciones : deficiente explo
tación de recursos naturales , atraso cultural,
malestar económico , prolongados gobiernos
despóticos o constantes revoluciones intes
tinas, esos y otros fenómenos desfavorables
al desarrollo de la población se han suce
dido sin interrupción desde hace siglos , ha
ciéndose por consecuencia imposible el es
tablecimiento del bienestar social y la for
mación de la nacionalidad . En cambio, ha
cia el Norte, en los Estados Unidos, sucedió
precisamente lo contrario, pues aun cuando
la colonización del territorio fue más tardía
que en los países del Sur, pronto se hizo la
Nación y se formó la Patria, y muy pronto
se alcanzó el bienestar general. Allí nunca
se han entronizado gobiernos despóticos y
sólo hubo una gran guerra civil, la cual,
en vez de producir los prolongados trastor
nos que suelen perdurar entre nosotros, trajo
consigo más libertades y mayor bienestar.
¿A qué se debe el fracaso de los pueblos
de origen indo-hispano-lusitano de América ,
y a qué el contrastante desarrollo triunfal
de los anglo- sajones?
Ya han sido autorizada y definitivamente
rechazados los prejuicios que hacían atri
buir inferioridad o superioridad intelectual
a unas razas con respecto a otras, así que
excluimos desde luego este punto de vista.
Tampoco puede atribuirse tan saliente con
traste a una diferencia de vigor y resis
tencia física entre las agrupaciones huma
nas del Sur y las del Norte, pues las dotes
físicas de la población del Sur, principal
mente de la indígena, no son, comparati
vamente, inferiores a las que presenta la
población del Norte. Mucho se ha dicho
que la decadencia cultural de la población
europea, que fue nuestra antecesora, explica
nuestro actual estado, pero tal argumento
es muy discutible ya que los elementos ex
tranjeros fundadores de nuestro mestizaje
venían de una nación que entonces estaba
en el apogeo de su cultura, de su riqueza
y poderío, dotes estas que en parte se re
flejaron en algunas de sus colonias, como la
Nueva España, que llegó a ser el primer
centro cultural americano ; además, no debe
olvidarse que la mayoría de la población
de los países a que nos referimos en estas
líneas es indígena, no pudiéndosele aplicar
dicho razonamiento, aun cuando fuese ve
rídico. La riqueza territorial de los Esta
dos Unidos, tampoco basta para explicar
el preponderante y maravilloso desarrollo
de su población, ya que el suelo de Amé
rica es providencialmente rico y productivo,
desde Alaska hasta la Patagonia.
De acuerdo con las anteriores y otras
MEXICANA
Gobiernos
orientaciones y conceptos que sería largo
enumerar, se ha procurado por gobiernos
bien intencionados , comenzando por el del
gran Bolívar, redimir a nuestros países,
arrancarlos del entorpecimiento que los pa
raliza, remover el crónico malestar en que
se debaten. Desgraciadamente los resulta
dos han sido poco o nada satisfactorios .
Seguimos viviendo débiles, desorientados ,
decadentes y pobres, en tanto que los Es
tados Unidos son cada vez más vigorosos,
sanos, ricos y felices.
Los países latino-americanos han abri
gado casi siempre visible desconfianza, y
más o menos velada animadversión hacia
los Estados Unidos. Muy justificadas causas
pretéritas explican esos sentimientos con
respecto a algunos países del Sur, como
Scene at the French Hospital in Mexico City on July 14th
Escena en el Hospital Francés de
México, Colombia, Nicaragua, etc., etc., pero
hay otros motivos injustos que en buena
parte originan dichos sentimientos. Uno de
ellos consiste en la desazón natural, huma
na, inevitable, que produce a un hombre
pobre, débil y triste, contemplar a su ve
cino, vigoroso, rico y feliz ; " el hombre
débil " somos los latino-americanos , " el
hombre fuerte " los norteamericanos. Otra
causa no menos importante o quizá más,
es la siguiente : Si nosotros mismos, los
latino-americanos, nos desconocemos, si ig
noramos nuestras propias necesidades y los
medios de satisfacerlas, si no podemos en
contrar nuestro camino de Damasco, ¿ cómo
es posible esperar que los norteamericanos
nos conozcan y atinen con los medios ade
cuados para hacer que ellos y nosotros sea
mos paralelamente ricos y felices, que nos
15
acerquemos, nos comprendamos y estimemos ?
Ahora bien, en tanto que no haya una sin
cera comprensión y una positiva convergen
cia de ideales e intereses entre latino y
norteamericanos, será fácil y muy probable
que los sentimientos de animadversión se
desarrollen ostentosa u ocultamente hasta
que no exista fuerza humana que evite ex
ploten en un conflicto desastroso . La justa
y sensata gestión del Presidente Wilson hs
disminuído mucho, en seis años de actividad
los peligros de un conflicto que quizá lo
haga imposible para el futuro, merced a la
Liga de Naciones. Sin embargo, como es
seguro que en la Liga de Naciones se ig
noren las peculiarísimas condiciones que
presiden el modo de ser de los países latino
americanos, ya que hasta en los Congresos
Panamericanos han quedado ignoradas di
chas condiciones, precisa que cuanto antes
se adopten nuevas orientaciones que con
duzcan al auto-conocimiento de las pobla
ciones latino- americanas y al conocimiento
de ellas por los Estados Unidos.
Si los procedimientos que los latino- ame
ricanos hemos empleado, desde hace un siglo,
para conocer y redimir a nuestras poblacio
la Ciudad de México el 14 de Julio
nes han fracasado hasta hoy ; si todavía no
suministran éxito real y tangible, los me-
dios usados por los Estados Unidos para
producir una benéfica y sincera inteligencia
entre norte y sud-americanos por falta de
mutuo conocimiento, ¿por qué no caminar
por nuevos senderos y adoptar otras ideas ?
En nuestra opinion, buena parte del gran
dioso desarrollo alcanzado por los Estados
Unidos, se debe originalmente a la homo
geneidad racial, a la comunidad de manifes
taciones culturales de ideas, de hábitos y
de costumbres y a la unificación linguística
de su población. En efecto, los norteame
ricanos están ligados entre sí por afinida
des étnicas fundadas en la común ascen
dencia caucásica de los habitantes que pue
blan su territorio. Los indios, insignificantes
en número, y los negros, que suman varios

16 THE
culture, their ideas, habits, customs and
language. The North Americans are bound
to one another by ethnical affinities found
ed in their common Caucasian origin. The
Indians, insignificant in number, and the
colored people which amount to several mil
lions, are fatally condemned to be absorbed
by the white population. As to culture
that is, as to ethic, aesthetic and religious
ideas, to ambitions, ideals and national in
stituti、 ns, to customs and usages, etc.—a
surprising cohesion and uniformity are ob
served. In fact he who has lived in the
gigantic New York and in the meanest
town of Texas, can detect, here and there,
and everywhere hardly hidden under super
ficial differences , the same American spirit,
unmistakable , unique, typical. The unani
mous, admirable and powerful effort of all
the American social groups hastening to
give their share during the recent war
offers a most eloquent testimony of the
unity of national feeling.
Finally, the exchange of views among
Americans is made through the English
language, more or less characterized by its
phonetics and grammatical peculiarities in
each region of the country, but always com
prehensible and utilizable for the whole
population.
Well then, such national unity of 80
many facets undoubtedly constitutes the
main principle, the fundamental basis of
the American success .
On the other hand, the failure of our
Latin - American countries is explained by
the heterogeneity of race which implies an
ethnical strangeness of the white inhabit
ants in regard to the natives ; the re
luctance dividing them is positive, undeni
able, and can be detected under any dis
guise ; we all know how carefully one must
use the word " Indian " when applying it
to a Latin - American, white or mixed, for
he usually takes great offense at it.
In regard to ideas, customs, ambitions,
etc., there is such a great divergence among
the various groups forming the population
of these countries, that when the inhabitants
of a region move to another within the
same country they find such a diversity of
customs and ways of living that they feel
as though they were in a foreign coun
try. ( 1 ) . The language does also constitute
a serious hindrance for social approximation ,
because the coexistence of Spanish and
Portuguese with numberless Indian dialects
and languages makes difficult, if not im
possible, the communication among the
diverse communities forming each country .
May the public welfare be achieved , the
nationality be formed and the common
fatherland be constituted in countries
lacking national unity ? Undoubtedly no.
Now then, if we are to try the difficult
and slow task of the ethnical- linguistic
cultural unification of our populations, it is
indispensable , as I said before, to previ
ously get acquainted with them, but not
merely to get an indirect, superficial and
empirical knowledge of them, but to study
them scientifically and by personal ex
periences. On the other hand, by getting
acquainted with the Latin-American peoples
the North Americans shall be able to de
vise the only and true means they must
resort to in order to attain a sincere and
equitable Pan-American understanding .
Vy
MEXICAN REVIEW
In the book entitled " Forjando Patria '
published by the undersigned in 1917, (2)
as well as in the articles entitled " Revisió)
de las Constituciones Latino-Americanas ''
American Conati
(" Revising the Latin American
tutions '') and " El Instituto Antropo
lógico Central de México " (" The Central
Anthropological Institute of Mexico " ) (3) ,
written for the second Pan-American
Scientific Congress at Washington, he
submitted to the consideration of the
Congress several arguments on this topic.
Later on, in 1918, he gave a concrete form,
within a strict method, to various proposi
tions in the " Program of the Anthropol
ogical Institute " (formerly known as
Bureau of Archeologic and Ethnographic
Studies '') (4) . Distinguished Americanists ,
Messrs. Frederick Starr and Philip Ains
worth Means among them, designed to ap
prove and give their enthusiastic support
to this new conception of Americanism , and
we might quote their articles " The Mexican
Situation-Manuel Gamio's Program, " writ
ten by the former, and " Race Appreciation
in Latin America, '' " Race Appreciation and
Democracy, " and " Race Society in the
Andean Countries, " (5) written by the lat
ter. The Latin and the North American
press also accepted the new conception with
lively interest ( 6) .
Once these antecedents have been dis
closed let us make a concrete statement of
the two propositions constituting the con
clusive part of our thesis.
The Acquaintance of the Latin-American
Countries With Themselves.
It is a pressing necessity to undertake
the study of our population and to in
vestigate the practical means to have our
governments remedy the necessities and
satisfy the ambitions of our several peoples,
and endeavor to unify them, This has to
be done in accordance with the social
sciences, the application of which has been
always disregarded by our statesmen and
rulers. Only then shall our peoples possess
the prosperity they are entitled to and shall
be authorizedly governed, while armed force
and governmental I empiricism shall be
automatically abolished the only laws which
unfortunately have ruled - for a long time
the destinies of Latin America.
Mexico took already the first steps to
that end, as proven by the fact that the
President of the Republic and the Secre
tary of Agriculture and Promotion (Fo
mento ) have approved and given their offi
cial support to the realization of the " Pro
gram of the Antropological Bureau , '" form
ed by the undersigned and already develop
ed in almost all its parts as regards the
inhabitants of the Valley of Teotihua
can. (7)
Considering that it may be timely to
make known the essential part of said pro
gram , let us insert it herein :
" Our population, especially that of the
indigenous race, has remained unknown up
to the present time in its most transcen
dental aspects, and therefore it has been
deficiently ruled, for one cannot govern
logically what one does not know, and of
course the development of the population
is necessarily defective and abnormal as a
logical consequence of the empirical govern
……
jam Itam -veTTraVw g h
mental system which has prevailed for a YearBig" e l et is
A
long time. 3 Fik 好
S
"Our extensive territory - does not of
fer the regular geographical, biological and
climatic conditions which inother coun
tries have existed and helped tothe forma
tion of populations which are ethnically, a
culturally and linguistically homogeneous,
T
but on the contrary, many and very dif
ferent regional conditions contribute very.
strongly to give a great variety to + the
Mexican population .
" Our people are not indeed homogeneous,
but heterogeneous and dissimilar, since their
various elements differ among themselves in
historical antecedents, racial characteristics,
the aspects of their material and intellec
tual culture and even in the expression
each element makes of its ideas by means
of several dialects and languages:
" In short, it may be stated, with all
justice, that the Mexican population is an
aggregate of regional peoples, little known,
abnormally developed, and more or less dif
ferent to each other, this depending on the
degree of difference and divergence of
their innate actual characteristics, on the
geographical, climatic and geological condi
tions of the regions where they live, and
on their racial, cultural and linguistic an
tecedents.
" In view of the above considerations, it
has seemed convenient to concrete as trans
cendental tendencies of the Bureau, the
following : First : The gradual acquisition
of knowledge referring to the racial char
acteristics, the manifestations of material +
and intellectual culture, the dialects and
languages, the economic situation and the
physical and biologic conditions of the
actual and future regional peoples of the
Republic. Second.-The investigation of the
adequate methods * to promote the actual
economic, physical and intellectual develop
ment of said peoples. Third . To prepare
the racial approximation, the cultural union,
the unity of language and the economic
equilibrium of such peoples, since only by
such means can they be led to form a co
herent and well defined nationality and a
true country.
"What program shall be followed in the *
study of our regional peoples according to
such tendencies ? The ethnical, ▼ cultural,
linguistic and historical diversity offered
by such peoples as well as the great dif
ference there is in the geographic and
biologic conditions of the regions they in
habit forbid us to establish a unique pro
gram to be used in studying them all, and
therefore it seems more logical to form
several program, one corresponding to each
type of the said regional peoples.
" The first regional people this Bureau
has undertaken to study is formed by 10,
000 inhabitants of the Valley of Teotihua
can, and it may be considered as a repre
sentative type of the regional peoples of
the Central Plateau. The plan for the } in
vestigations effected is as follows:
" The Geographic Environment.
" The Biological Environment.
" The Pre-Hispanic Population.
" The Colonial Population .
" The Population of the XIX Century.
" Biological, * Social, Ethnical, Cultural,
Liguistic and Economic conditions of the
actual population, *
<
3
←
}
}
 { 若
LA REVISTA MEXICANA 17

MaCkhi {
millones, están, fatalmente destinados a ser Pan-Americano en Washington (3) , presentó cultura material e intelectual y en la ex
absorbidos ‫ کسی‬por la población blanca. En a la consideración de los americanistas di presión que de sus ideas hace por medio de
* cuanto a cultura, es decir, a ideas éticas, numerosos idiomas y dialectos.
versos razonamientos sobre este tópico . Mas
estéticas y religiosas, a aspiraciones, a idea tarde, en 1918, concretó metódicamente di "'En resumen, puede justificadamente
‫ܫܬܵܐ‬
les, a instituciones nacionales, a usos y versas proposiciones en el " Programa de la asentarse que la población mexicana es un
J #
costumbres, etc., etc., se nota cohesión y Dirección de Antropología " (anteriormente conjunto de poblaciones regionales, poco co
convergencia sorprendentes. En efecto , Dirección de Estudios Arqueológicos y Etno nocidas, anormalmente desarrolladas y más
quien ha vivido en la gigantesca New York gráficos ) . (4) Distinguidos americanistas, 0 menos diferentes entre sí, según es el
We do th y en el último poblacho de Texas, siente entre ellos los señores Frederick Starr y grado de diferenciación y divergencia de sus
Zap palpitar, mal oculto por diferencias super > Philip Ainsworth Means, se dignaron apro características innatas actuales, de las con
ficiales, el mismo espíritu americano in bar y apoyar entusiastamente este nuevo diciones geográficas, climatéricas y biológi
TA

confundible, único, típico. El unánime, ad cas de las regiones que habitan y de sus
b7y

The

concepto americanista, pudiéndose citar sus

mirable y vigoroso esfuerzo con que las artículos " The Mexican Situation : Manuel antecedentes raciales, culturales y linguís
agrupaciones sociales americanas se apresu Gamio's Program, '' del primero , y " Race ticos .
rarón a contribuir con motivo de la re Appreciation in Latin America , " Race " En vista de las anteriores considera
ciente guerra, ofrece testimonio elocuente Appreciation and Democracy " y " Race and ciones, ha parecido conveniente concretar ,
✓ *de unificado criterio nacional. Society in the Andean Countries, " (5 ) del como tendencias trascendentales de la Di
* -9 Por último, el cambio de ideas se hace segundo. La prensa latino y norteamerica rección, las siguientes : 1o.-Adquisición gra
L por medio del idioma inglés, más o menos na la acogió también con interés. ( 6 ) dual de conocimientos referentes a las ca
diferenciado en su fonética y en su gramá Expuestos los anteriores antecedentes, va racterísticas raciales, a las manifestaciones
地 tica de acuerdo con la diversidad de re mos a concretar las dos proposiciones que de cultura material e intelectual, a los
孬 す
gionės ; pero comprensible y utilizable pa constituyen la parte concluyente de nuestra idiomas y dialectos, a la situación económi
ra la totalidad de la población. tesis : ca y a las condiciones de ambiente físico
Pues bien, esa, unidad nacional de múi y biológico de las poblaciones regionales
El Conocimiento de los Países Latino
tiples facetas, constituye a no dudar, el actuales y pretéritas de la República. 20.M
L principio, la base fundamental del éxito Americanos por Sí Mismos
Investigación de los medios adecuados para
americano. Es urgente emprender el estudio de nues fomentar el actual desarrollo económico ,
$
En cambio, el fracaso de nuestros países tras poblaciones e investigar los medios físico e intelectual de dichas poblaciones .
адна 3
latino-americanos se explica por la hetero prácticos para que los gobiernos remedien 30.-Preparación del acercamiento racial, de
> geneidad de raza que trae consigo el aleja y satisfagan sus necesidades y aspiraciones la fusión cultural, de la unificación lingüis
miento étnico de los pobladores blancos con y procuren su unificación . Esto tiene que tica y del equilibrio económico de dichas
respecto a los aborígenes ; esta repugnancia hacerse inspirándose en las ciencias sociales agrupaciones, las que sólo así formarán una
es positiva, innegable por más que se trate cuya aplicación ha sido tan desdeñada por nacionalidad coherente y definida y una
2 de disfrazarla ; todos sabemos con cuantas políticos y gobernantes. Nuestros pueblos verdadera patria.
reservas debe usarse la palabra " indio '' al poseerán entonces el bienestar a que tienen ¿ Qué programa debe presidir al estudio de
aplicarse a un latino-americano, blanco 0 derecho y serán autorizadamente gobernados nuestras poblaciones regionales, de acuerdo
mestizo, pues generalmente se considera quedando automáticamente abolidas la fuer con estas tendencias ? La diversidad étnica ,
grandemente 2 ofendido . za armada y el empirismo gubernamental, cultural, lingüística e histórica que presen
Con respecto a ideas, costumbres, aspira leyes únicas que desgraciadamente han re tan dichas poblaciones así como la diferen
ciones; etc., etc., hay tan gran divergen gido por largo tiempo los destinos de la cia de condiciones geográficas y biológicas
cia entre las agrupaciones que forman la América Latina. de las regiones que habitan, vedan el es
población, que cuando habitantes de una México dió ya los primeros pasos en tal tablecimiento de un programa único adap
región se dirigen a otra del mismo país, sentido, como lo demuestra el hecho de que table al estudio de. todas ellas, por lo que
encuentran tal diversidad de costumbres y el Presidente de la República y el Secre parece más lógico formular programas que
modos de vida, que les parece hallarse en tario de Agricultura y Fomento han apro correspondan a cada tipo de población re
suelo extranjero. ( 1 ) El idioma constituye bado y apoyado oficialmente la realización gional.
también un obstáculo serio para el acerca del " Programa de la Dirección de Antro "La primera población regional cuyo es
miento social, pues la coexistencia del es pología, " formulado por el suscrito y des tudio ha emprendido esta Dirección, suma
pañol o el portugués con numerosas lenguas arrollado ya en casi todas sus partes con 10,000 habitantes y es la que habita el Va
y dialectos indígenas, imposibilita la amplia referencia a la población del Valle de Teo lle de Teotihuacán, pudiendo considerársele
y fácil comunicación entre las diversas agru tihuacán . (7) como tipo representativo de poblaciones re
paciones de que consta la población. Como puede ser oportuno hacer conocer gionales de la Mesa Central. En seguida se
¿ Puede establecerse el bienestar público, en estas líneas la parte esencial de dicho expone el plan de investigaciones efectua
formarse la nacionalidad y constituirse la programa, la transcribimos en seguida : das :
patria, en países que carecen de unidad " Hasta la fecha, nuestra población, es 'Ambiente geográfico.
}
nacional ? Indudablemente que no. pecialmente la de origen indígena, ha per " Ambiente biológico.
Ahora bien, parà intentar la difícil y lar manecido desconocida en sus aspectos más " La población colonial .
guísima tarea que entraña la unificación trascendentales, y por lo tanto, ha sido de " La población en el Siglo XIX.
étnico-lingüística-cultural de nuestras pobla ficientemente gobernada, pues no puede go Condiciones biológicas, sociales , étnicas,
ciones, es indispensable, como antes dije, el bernarse lógicamente lo que se desconoce, y culturales, lingüísticas y económicas de la
conocimiento previo de las mismas, pero no claro es que el desarrollo de la población población actual. "
el conocimiento indirecto, superficial, ´em es forzosamente defectuoso y anormal, como Medios Autorizados para Fomentar el Con
pírico, sino el científico y experimental. consecuencia lógica del empírico sistema gu
Por medio del auto- conocimiento de Sus bernamental que la ha regido desde remotos veniente Desarrollo Económico Físico e
poblaciones podrán los latino -americanos Intelectual de la Población Actual.
tiempos.
iniciar con éxito la formación de sus futu " Nuestro extenso territorio no ofrece las Una de las principales dificultades con que
ras nacionalidades. En cambio, el conoci se ha tropezado al hacer las citadas inves
regulares condiciones geográficas, biológicas
miento de las poblaciones latino-americanas tigaciones, consiste en que, hoy por hoy,
y climatéricas que en otros países han pre
por parte de los norteamericanos, permitirá contamos en nuestros países con reducido
me sidido a la formación de poblaciones étnicas,
a éstos deducir los verdaderos y únicos número de especialistas : sociólogos, antro
cultural y linguísticamente homogéneas, sino
dios que deban emplearse para conseguir una pologistas, etnógrafos, lingüistas, etc. , ete.,
por el contrario, múltiples y distintas con
sincera y equitativa inteligencia pan-ame y es casi imposible impartir esas enseñan
ricana. diciones regionales influyeron poderosamente zas especiales, pues son muy pocos los pro
En el libro " Forjando Patria " que pu en la diferenciación de la población mexi fesores aptos , deficiencia explicable, ya que
blicó el suscrito en 1917 ( 2 ) , así como en cana. nunca se les han dado facilidades de vida,
los artículos titulados : " Revisión de las " En efecto, nuestra población no es ho viéndose forzados a dedicar muy secunda
Constituciones Latinoamericanas ' '' y El mogénea sino hoterogénoa y disímbola, ya rias actividades a investigaciones especialis
$
Instituto Antropológico Central de México , '' que difiere en antecedentes históricos ; en tas, para encauzar sus esfuerzos en laboros
quo escribió para el II Congreso 虞 Científico características raciales, en modalidades de más remunerativas . Estos obstáculos pueden
11
rangefront

>
+
 18 REVIEW
THE MEXICAN
Means authorized to promote the con
MINISTER BONILLAS the American troops crossing the line at
venient economic, physical and intellec
RETURNS TO WASHINGTON Juarez, and that further diplomatic discus
tual development of the actual sion regarding the incident is wholly un
population. necessary.
No Reason for Friction Between the Two
One of the main difficulties met in The Mexican diplomat laid particular
Countries-Educational Ties the Best
making these investigations is that at pre emphasis on the proposed establishment of
sent we have in our country a very small Means of Friendship. exchanges between the National University
number of specialists , sociologists, anthropo MBASSADOR Bonillas, who has for of Mexico and American colleges.
logists, ethnographists, linguists, etc., etc., several years represented this coun " Educational ties are the strongest, " he
and it is almost impossible to give special A try at Washington with great ability said. " I know that from my own
courses on such matters because there are and satisfaction to both Governments, perience. The movement which has been
perience.
very few efficient teachers. This deficiency visited Mexico City early in July for the started for the exchange of Mexican and
American students between the universities
is easily explained, for we have never given purpose of consulting with the President
of the two countries is one calculated for
any means of livelihood to such specialists as well as for a vacation from the arduous
and therefore they have been compelled to duties at his post. On his return he was much good and is one that is going to
devote only secondary activities to investiga entertained at a breakfast given him by grow. Every inducement will be offered
tions in order to devote their main efforts prominent citizens of San Antonio, in the American students by my government to
to more profitable undertakings . These course of which he made some interesting encourage their attendance at our univer
obstacles may be met by sending young remarks . sities.
Latin-Americans to European and North " President Carranza wishes you to know " I say educational ties are ties that
American scientific centers where they shall that he is a lover of American traditions last, for by that means the best and most
take up with great profit. the special studies and has a very kind feeling for the Amer intimate knowledge of the institutions of
alluded to, if they are properly prepared ican people, " said Mr. Bonillas. a country may be learned. Friendships are
for it, in three or four years . (8)
In accordance with these views the Mex Celebrating July 14th at the Tivoli in Mexico City
ican Government endeavors to perform an

T
effectual task in various national scientific

H
institutions such as the National University ,

O
the National Museum and the Anthropolo
gical Bureau, even though it is fully rea
lized that the special courses of such educa
be
tional centers are partly deficient. In Ri
order to obtain still better results the
Government has started sending a few Mex
ican students to foreign Universities , the
Harvard University having been the first
one to receive a Mexican boy who is
actually making ethnographic and archeolo
gical studies. It is something remarkable
regarding this student that half the tuition
is disbursed by the Mexican Government
while the said University disburses the
other half.
The United States and Their Knowledge of 13
Latin-America

The foreign diplomatic legations in the

countries organized like Latin-America have
never, or seldom, got acquainted with the
peoples of such countries. They only know
a very small group of the leading class,
specially the rulers and the politicians .
But the enormous remainder of the anony
mous masses, difficult to understand even to
their own leaders, remains hidden to the
eyes of the foreign diplomatist, hidden and
inert, meaningless despite being the quiet
seed-bed where originally germinate the
fundamental activities and the great motions
of the peoples .
The investment of money in the exploita
tion of an enterprise in any country does.
not necessarily imply the acquaintance of
the foreign investor with such country, and
much less his knewledge of the people of
that country. At most, he may know the
economic aspect of the country as regards
similar enterprises to the one in which he is
to invest his money, as well as the small
group of the population connected with
such enterprise.
The religious missionaries sent by foreign
churches to our countries know only of the
religious aspect of the individuals they
come in touch with, and of course they
apply the special criterion necessarily de
rived from their religious creed.
(Continued on Page 38)
Celebrando el 14 de Julio en el Tívoli México, D. F.
" He asked me to state that when cir formed which are never forgotten. I count
cumstances permit he intends to make a the years of my attendance at an Amer
visit to the United States. President Car ican university among the most pleasant
ranza, is not a stranger to the American of my life. "
people. He remembers with pleasure his As a result of his better understanding
previous visits to the United States. " of the American people through his Ameri
Ambassador Bonillas said that friendly can college training, the Ambassador point
relations between his government and that ed out that he had been instrumental in
of the United States were one of the chief correcting many wrong opinions among his
desires of his heart. " Circumstances may countrymen, as well as at the embassy in
seem bad at times, " he said, " but these Washington.
things can be adjusted, and will be, I Dr. Oviedo Mota, rector of the Univer
think." sity of Michoacan at Morelia, Mexico, is
Ambassador Bonillas would not discuss accompanying the Ambassador to Washing
the message which he was bearing from ton. He is making a study of the methods
President Carranza to President Wilson, but of American colleges and universities, es
it is understood to be in the nature of in pecially those of the East, and will use
formation showing the stability of the Mex these in advancing the interests of his
ican government and the possibility of own institution.
establishing the best of relations between
the two republics without the necessity A public reading and lecture room has
of military intervention on the part of the been opened adjacent to the library of
United States in Mexico. It is known to the Department of Industry and Commerce.
be the belief of the Ambassador that not Periodicals of all kinds both native and
even the slightest friction has resulted foreign will be kept on file for the use
between the two countries on account of of visitors.
 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 19

Balvarse enviando jóvenes latino-americanos EL MINISTRO BONILLAS de los Estados Unidos, y que la política
a centros científicos europeos y norteameri del señor Carranza tiende hacia un cordial
REGRESA A WASHINGTON
canos en los que, si están previamente pre Se refirió el ingeniero Bo
acercamiento .
parados, cursarán con fruto los antes aludi
No hay Motivos de Fricción Entre los Dos nillas, con gran entusiasmo, al proyectado
dos estudios especiales, en tres o cuatro
Países-Los Lazos Culturales y Educati canje de estudiantes entre los que perte
años . ( 8) necen a la Universidad Nacional de Méxi
Consecuente con estas ideas, el Gobierno vos Son Los Más Fuertes.
co y los de distintas Universidades de los
de México procura hacer labor efectiva
L señor ingeniero Bonillas, que duran Estados Unidos.
en varios centros científicos nacionales , co te algunos años ha estado represen
E " Los lazos culturales y educativos son
mo son la Universidad Nacional, el Museo
tando a este país en Washington, con los más fuertes, dijo el Embajador mexi
Nacional y la Dirección de Antropología ,
gran beneplácito de los dos Gobiernos, vino cano,-lo digo por propia experiencia. El
por mas que comprende las deficiencias que a la ciudad de México a principios de ju intercambio de estudiantes entre los dos
indefectiblemente presenta la enseñanza es lio con el objeto de conferenciar con el países, producirá, más que otra cosa, un
pecial en dichos centros. Para contrarres señor Presidente , y a la vez, para disfrutar verdadero acercamiento entre ambas na
tar esto se ha iniciado el envío gradual de de una bien merecida vacación de las ar ciones . Toda suerte de facilidades, así co
Universidades extranjeras , co
jóvenes a Universidades duas labores de su puesto. A su regreso mo un cordial recibimiento, tendrán los es
menzando por la Universidad de Harward, fue obsequiado en San Antonio con un ban tudiantes americanos de parte del Gobier
en la que actualmente cursa estudios et quete, en el que hizo interesantes decla no de México . "
nográficos y arqueológicos, un joven mexi raciones : "Este procedimiento será tanto más efi
cano, siendo notable la circunstancia de que " El Presidente Carranza desea que los caz cuanto que los estudiantes estarán en
la mitad de la beca de que goza es ex americanos sepan que es un devoto de las condiciones de entender en toda su signi
pensada por el Gobierno Mexicano y la tradiciones americanas y siente gran sim ficación las leyes y costumbres del país que
otra mitad por la Universidad mencionada. patía por el pueblo de los Estados Unidos. " visitan, así como de sembrar amistades ver
El Conocimiento de los Países Latino-Ame Estas o parecidas palabras fueron las que daderas, que serán un medio para que am
ricanos por los Estados Unidos
Library and Reading-Room of the Department of Agriculture and Development
Las delegaciones diplomáticas extranjeras Mexico City
en los países de índole de los latino- ameri
canos, nunca o casi nunca han conocido a
sus poblaciones ni cuantitativa ni cualita
tivamente. Sólo conocen a la reducidísima
parte compuesta por las clases directoras ,
especialmente a los gobernantes y políti
COS. Pero el gran resto, la enorme masa
anónima, incomprendida aún para dichas
clases, queda a los ojos de los diplomáticos
extranjeros, oculta, inerte, sin significación,
no obstante que es el semillero silencioso
donde originalmente germinan las activida
des fundamentales y los grandes movi
mientos de los pueblos .
El invertir capital en explotación de una
empresa en cualquier país, no connota pre
cisamente el conocimiento de ese, país por el
capitalista extranjero, ni menos el conoci
miento de su población ; a lo sumo se cono
cerá el aspecto económico del país en lo
referente a empresas análogas a aquella en
que se invirtió el capital, así como el in
significante sumando de población relacio
nada con dicha empresa .
Los propagandistas religiosos enviados por
iglesias extranjeras a nuestro país, sólo co
nocen el aspecto religioso de los individuos
con quienes viven en contacto, y eso con
Biblioteca y Salón de Lectura del Departamento de Agricultura y Fomento,
el criterio especial que forzosamente imprime
en ellos su fe religiosa. México, D. F.
Investigadores científicos, como por ejem pronunció el Embajador de México en los bos pueblos se compenetren mejor del es
plo, geógrafos, naturalistas , geólogos , y Estados Unidos, según el " San Antonio píritu de cada uno. "
otros más, apenas tienen oportunidad de Express " del 12 de julio, durante un ban El señor profesor Oviedo Mota, rector de
conocer a reducido número de habitantes . quete que le fue ofrecido ayer en esta ciu la Universidad de Michoacán, que acompa
Los maestros y pedagogos sólo llegan a dad, antes de su salida para Washington. ña al Embajador Bonillas, siguió con él
compenetrarse del modo de ser de los niños El viernes tuvo efecto esta convivialidad , su viaje hasta Washington, habiendo de
a quienes educan, los cuales forman muy a la que asistieron, además de prominen clarado a los periodistas, que va con el
reducido número en proporción con el que tes personas de la ciudad, el coronel Al propósito de estudiar el sistema de las
suma la población. berto Salinas, director de las Fábricas Mi grandes Universidades americanas, para
Hay dos grupos de extranjeros cuyas ac litares de México , el doctor Oviedo Mota, procurar tomar de ellas lo que tengan de
tividades debieran de ser de gran trascen rector de la Universidad de Michoacán, el avanzado.
dencia en lo que respecta al conocimiento colegio más antiguo de la América Latina ; Se consagrará a estudiar principalmente
de nuestras poblaciones : el primero com Antonio Prieto, miembro mexicano de la co las instituciones pedagógicas que se
prende a los especialistas en ciencias socia misión de límites internacionales ; Ernesto euentran en los Estados del Este. Este
les : psicólogos, sociólogos, antropologistas, Pérez Rebolledo , vice-cónsul de México en paso dado por el Gobierno del Estado le
etnógrafos y lingüistas ; el segundo a los San Antonio ; José Serrano, secretario par Michoacán , México, se toma como una de
periodistas, principalmente a los correspon ticular del Embajador Bonillas, y algunas mostración evidente de que en México se
sales de grandes revistas y diarios. Los
otras personas más. El banquete se cele generaliza la idea de buscar un estrecha
primeros son indudablemente quienes más bró en las azoteas del Hotel Anthony. miento verdadero de las relaciones entre
y mejor conocen a la población ; pero des El Embajador expresó su idea de que no México y los Estados Unidos, procurando la
graciadamente , su conocimiento nada o ca existe en la actualidad ningún motivo de mutua comprensión del espíritu y la ten
(Continúa en la Página 39) fricción entre el Gobierno de México y el dencia de cada pueblo.
 20 THE MEXICAN REVIEW

great festivals or of national civic acts,

Mexican Educational Films such as the elections, the President of the
Republic is seen with his official retinue,
or in his daily life, or going to cast his
The Foreign Public to Be Given an Opportunity to See Mexico vote as a citizen . A film was also made
as It Really Is and Not as Usually Pictured of his recent trip to Jalisco on account of
the inauguration of the Chamela Railroad,
HE Mexican Government has lately had the physical training of the boys in the
Internado Nacional- an educational estab a line of great importance for the rich
the splendid idea of making several
T zone it traverses.
films in various portions of the coun lishment of the first order of esthetic
It is plainly seen in this picture that
try, showing the industries, commercial dances and physical training at the Normal
the President of the Republic enjoys a great
activities, natural wealth, scenes of local School for Girls, of aspects of the main popularity among the Mexican masses, as
customs and ways, and in general, all such streets of the city ; of several flights made proven by the demonstrations made in his
aspects of the national life as may help by Mr. Jiménez, a student of the Aviation honor at the railroad stations of Huicha
to form an exact idea of the true nature School ; of some scenes of the student de
pam, Querétaro, Irapuato, etc., and the
and conditions of Mexico and its progress monstration held in the celebration of the main features of the trip are also re
since 1917. The making of such films is Festival of the Race, on the 12th of Oc corded, as for instance the opening of the
unquestionably useful, not only from an tober, 1917 ; and automobile races with all Constitutionalist School of Guadalajara.
educational point of view within our boun details , etc. Among other prominent citizens, are seen
daries, considering that their exhibition is Pictures were also taken of the " Toreo "
those of Governor Castellanos Tapia and
bound to diffuse all over the country a bull-fighting ring during the performance the Mayor of the Capital City of Jalisco.
better knowledge of our own resources, organized by a Grand Opera Company when The beautiful buildings of Guadalajara, such
but also to spread abroad a better under " Carmen " of Bizet was sung; of a sham as the State Capitol, the Asylum, the Degol
standing of our economical and social con battle in which the boys of the primary lado Theater, the Penitentiary, the Water
ditions. This idea of reproducing in films schools took part ; of swimming contests, Plant, etc., were also taken. Shortly after
the national activities will undoubtedly be at the Alberca Pane ; of the surroundings wards another film was made of the city
Scene in the Library and Reading Room of the Department of Agriculture and Develop and its surrounding, including scenes of the
visit made to Guadalajara by the repre
ment, Mexico City. sentatives of the San Antonio Chamber
of Commerce, and various buildings of im
portance . There are to be seen the Santa
Monica Church, the Convent of Santa Ma
ría de la Gracia-the first one erected in
Guadalajara, -the " Cuauhtemoc ' Theater
with its splendid Nahoa ornamentations ;
several bird's- eye views of the town; auto
mobile and motorcycle races ; bull riding
the small town of San Pedro Tlaltepaque,
a place where pottery is wonderfully work
ed, made famous by primitive but greatly
talented sculptors such as Pantaleon Pan
HEY
duro. The Lake of Chapala also appears
in that film.
Yucatan has been the subject of this pro
paganda work, and pictures were taken of
its industrial life. Monterrey offered a
good subject too with its brewing plants
and its smelters and foundries. Pictures
11971
were made of the surroundings of Hermo
sillo and the process of cultivation of the
chick-peas ; in Culiacan the sugar-cane in
dustry gave a splendid subject ; in Maza
tlan bird's eye views were made of the
G
port and its surrounding ranges of moun
tains, all capped by forests of fine woods,
and also various aspects of the Carnival
Sección Alta de la Biblioteca y Salón de Lectura del Departamento de Agricultura y feasts annually held in the city. Other
Fomento. points of interest which have been filmed
are Cholula and its marvelous shrines ; the
of great advantage to the country, and the of Mexico City; of Xochimilco, La Viga Rio Blanco factories ; Necaxa and its Light
Department of the Interior which origin and the gathering of " mosquitoes " in the and Power Plant ; Pachuca and its sur
Lake of Texcoco, with the several in
ated and fostered it deserves hearty con roundings, including scenes of the mining
gratulations . dustries and entertainments of the indigen plants and works ; Real del Monte and its
During the last few months several copies ous race, including the manufacturing of famous mines ; the bathing resort at Cuyu
of the films obtained have sent to the palm and twine products, pottery, the
tlan ; the Maltrata hights, etc., etc.
United States and the Latin-American re making of adobe and brick by native This propaganda campaign, which has no
publics through the available consular and methods ; the manufacture of saddles, the precedent in the history of the country,
diplomatic officers, and free exhibitions extraction of "pulque " from the maguey is really useful and deserves all praise, for
were arranged with success which sur and the planting and development of that it cannot be surpassed in its accuracy,
passed all expectations. growth ; various scenes of farm life, the
completeness and efficacy.
Besides certain of the main buildings of most important of them, without missing The Government intends to continue it
the city of Mexico, as for instance the the very typical ones, as for instance horse and enlarge its scope, and for this pur
Chapultepec Castle with the surrounding riding and bull breaking. pose new films are now being made.
Scenes have also been taken from the
park, the military quarters known as the It is only by such methods as this that the
" Ciudadela; " the Museum and its treasures, life of our professional men, of several
factories , of the aviation shops, of flights foreign public can be given an adequate idea
the National Theater, the Mining Palace, of the real Mexico, as distinguished from
part of the Reforma promenade, the Con in airplanes , and a magnificent bird's eye
the false one that is inculcated by the usual
stitution Square, and some historic relics view of Mexico City from a height of one
movie film. There is no other educational
such as the Pyramids of Teotihuacan, thousand meters.
In some of the films made on account of method of such value as this.
graphic information has been produced of
 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 21

sidiendo ceremonias, en sus costumbres co

Películas Mexicanas Instructivas
El Público Extranjero Tendrá Oportunidad de Ver a México
Como Realmente Es y No como Comunmente lo Pintan
ON loable acierto, el Gobierno ha or Teotihuacán, han sido grabados en las cin
denado que se tomen películas cinema tas, informaciones gráficas de la educa
C sa.
tográficas en distintas zonas del país, ción física que se imparte en el Interna
de las industrias, comercio, riquezas natu do Nacional, bailes estéticos y ejercicios
rales, escenas de costumbres, etc., y en ge físicos por señoritas de la Escuela Nor
neral, de todos aquellos aspectos de la vida mal de Profesoras, aspectos de las princi
nacional que puedan dar una idea exacta pales calles de la ciudad, vuelos por el
de las verdaderas condiciones y carácter alumno de aviación, señor Jiménez, mani
del país y de su progreso desde 1917. Es festaciones escolares celebradas con motivo
to, como se comprenderá, no sólo es útil de la conmemoración de la Fiesta de la
desde el punto de vista didáctico para las Raza, el doce de octubre de 1917, carreras
diferentes zonas de la República, por cuan de automóviles con sus detalles, etc.
to que lleva a unas el conocimiento de aque Se han tomado fotografías de una re
llas fuentes de riqueza que existen en otras, presentación de "Carmen " en el " Toreo, "
sino que, además, sirve para que el ex de un simulacro de combate en la Condesa,
tranjero se forme un juicio perfecto de por niños de las escuelas, de concursos de
nuestras circunstancias económicas y mo natación en la Alberca Pane, de los alre
rales. A todas luces, pues, este procedi dedores de la capital, de Xochimilco, la
miento de registrar por el cinematógrafo Viga, de la recolección del " mosco " en el
Dedication of Monument to French Soldiers at Their National Cementery in Mexico City,
July 14th.
03
tidianas o asistiendo a las urnas electorales
para depositar en ellas su voto como sim
ple ciudadano mexicano. También se tomó
una película de su reciente viaje a Jalisco
con motivo de la inauguración del Ferro
carril de Chamela, que será de gran im
portancia para la rica región que atravie
Se ven allí detalles gráficos e irrebatibles
de las manifestaciones de simpatía reci
bidas por el Primer Magistrado de la Na
ción en las estaciones de tránsito , como
Huichapan, Querétaro, Irapuato, etc., y los
principales sucesos de la jira, como la
inauguración del Colegio Constitucionalista
en Guadalajara. Se miran, en esta cinta,
entre otros personajes, al Gobernador Cas
tellanos Tapia y al Presidente Municipal
de la capital tapatía. Los soberbios edifi
cios tapatíos, tales como el Palacio, el
Hospicio, el Teatro Degollado, la Peniten
ciaría, la Planta de Aguas, etc., fueron
también fotografiados . Poco después se to
mó otra película de Guadalajara y alrede
dores, comprendiendo escenas de la visita he
cha a esa ciudad por la Comisión de la Cá
mara de Comercio de San Antonio , Texas,
y varios edificios de importancia . Se mi
ran, en efecto, el templo de Santa Mónica,
el Convento de Santa María de la Gracia,
que fue el primero erigido en Guada
lajara, el cine " Cuauhtémoc," decorado al
estilo nahoa, vistas panorámicas de la po
blación, carreras de automóviles y moto
ciclos, jaripeos, el pueblo de San Pedro
Tlaquepaque, lugar de un notable y autóc
tono arte de cerámica que asombra y que

ha sido hecho célebre por primitivos pero

célebres y vigorosos escultores no culti
vados, tales como Pantaleón Panduro. El
Lago de Chapala aparece también en la
cinta.
A Yucatán le ha tocado su turno, regis
trándose en las películas los principales as
pectos de su vida industrial. Otro tanto ha
sucedido a Monterrey, donde se han foto
grafiado detalles de sus industrias cervece
ra y fundidora. En los alrededores de Her
mosillo se han tomado vistas de los dife
rentes procesos del cultivo del garbanzo : en
Culiacán, de la fabricación del azúcar ; en
Mazatlán, vistas panorámicas, aspectos del
Carnaval y las sierras vecinas, donde se
miran los grandes bosques de maderas fi
Ante el Monumento Erigido en Honor de los Héroes Franceses Muertos en la Gran Gue
nas. Cholula y sus soberbios templos, las
rra, en el Cementerio Francés de la Ciudad de México, el 14 de Julio. fábricas de Río Blanco ; Necaxa y sus
las actividades nacionales de todo género, Lago de Texcoco y de las diferentes in plantas de energía eléctrica ; Pachuca y sus
patrocinado e iniciado por la Secretaría de dustrias y entretenimientos de la raza in alrededores, con detalles del beneficio de
Gobernación, es favorable y ventajoso. dígena, comprendiendo la elaboración de los metales ; el Real del Monte y sus mi
Por los conductos consulares y diplomá artículos de palma y jarcia, alfarería, cons nas, el balneario de Cuyutlán, las cumbres
ticos aprovechables, desde hace tiempo se trucción de adobes, ladrillo, sillas de mon de Maltrata,, etc., etc., han sido también
han estado enviando a los Estados Unidos tar, la extracción del pulque y la planta fotografiados fielmente.
y a los países latino- americanos, copias de ción y laborio del maguey, detalles de la Esta campaña de propaganda informati
las cintas cinematográficas obtenidas, que vida en las haciendas, con los principales va, que por su carácter de gráfica, minu
han sido exhibidas gratuitamente, con aspectos, sin olvidar aquellos típicos, como ciosa y precisa no tiene precedente en el
sultados que superaron a cuantas esperan son la equitación y los jaripeos. país, es realmente útil y digna de encomios.
zas se habían abrigado en un principio. Se han tomado escenas de la vida de El Gobierno abriga la resolución de con
Además de ciertos edificios de la ciudadtoda clase de profesionistas, de las fábri tinuarla, intensificándola, estando impri
de México, -los principales, entre los
cas diversas, de los talleres de aviación , miéndose ya otras nuevas películas.
cuales se cuentan el Castillo de Chapulte de vuelos en aeroplano, y un magnífico pa
pec, al cual se anexa el bosque del mismo norama de la ciudad de México, fotogra Adyacente a la biblioteca del Departa
nombre, la Ciudadela, el Museo y sus teso fiado desde una altura de mil metros. mento de Industria y Comercio, se ha abier
ros, el Teatro Nacional, el Palacio de Mi En varias cintas tomadas con motivo de to un salón de lectura pública. Toda clase
nería, y lugares como el Paseo de la Re grandes festividades o de actos cívicos na de periódicos, tanto nacionales como ex
forma, la Plaza de la Constitución, y reli cionales, tales como el de las elecciones, tranjeros serán conservados en colecciones
quias históricas, como las Pirámides de se ve al Presidente de la República pre para el uso de los visitantes.
 22 THE
How Unions and Strikes
Are Legalized
The Law Regulating Labor Matters Now Before Congress - Careful
Stipulations for the Protection of All Concerned
HERE has been so much misapprehen
sion regarding that portion of the
T by Special Commissions.
labor law dealing with the organiza
tion of unions and the right to strike on
the part of employes, as well as that of
locking out their hands by employers , that
The Review gives - herewith a translation
of that portion of the measure :
Proposed Law Regulating Strikes and Suspen
sions of Work
Chapter 10.
Article 124.- The right is recognized of
both laborers and employers to strike and
to cease work (lock-outs. )
Art. 125.- Strikes, or the union of working
men , or societies and syndicates of working
men, to defend the collective interests of
their occupation, by means of the abandon
ment of their labor, will be considered as
legal when they have for their object the
counterbalance of the different factors of
production, harmonizing the rights of labor
with those of capital.
Art. 126.- The stopping of work (lock -
out) shall be considered for the purpose of
this law provisional and definitive :
I. The temporary suspension of labor by
a manufacturing concern shall be legal only
when the proprietors can establish its jus
tice before the Central Councils of ConciliaP
tion and Arbitration, on the ground the they
production , presenting
havo an excess of production,
such evidence fifteen days before the sus
pension.
II. The conclusive suspension of opera
tions will only take place on account of se
rious causes, which will be judged by the
Councils of Conciliation and Arbitration .
The justification of a measure of such im
portance must be proven in the terms of the
preceding fraction, unless it is the result of
the cause of superior force.
Art. 127. In public services, when they
depend upon private enterprises, it is obliga
tory upon the workingmen that they give
notice ten days in advance of the date deter
mined upon for the suspension of their labor
to the Central Council of Conciliation and
Arbitration.
Art . 128.—Strikes will be unlawful when :
I. When the strikers commit acts of vio
lence against persons or property.
II. In case of war when they deal with
workingmen who are employed in establish
ments in the service of the government ; and
III.-At all times when the workingmen
are employed in establishments for making
military supplies for the government of the
Republic, because they shall be considered
as assimilated.
Art. 129.- The suspension of work (lock
outs) shall be unlawful :
I.-When they have for their object the
unjustifiable dismissal from employment of
any workingmen or representative of the
associations of workingmen.
II.- When they have in conclusion no res
l
MEXIĊA N ` REVIEW
एकही
pect for the findings of the Central Council
of Conciliation, or for the salary scale fixed
III .— When no attention is paid to the pe
titions of the workingmen, based upon the
guarantees and rights conceded by this law.
Art. 130. —When the employers bring about
a legal temporary suspension of work, they
shall be obliged to pay their employes half
salaries during the continuance of the same,
and when work is resumed allowances not
exceeding twenty per cent of the amount they
earn.
Art. 131. The administrative authorities
of the municipalties where these matters
occur, are charged with the enforcement of
the preceding articles.
Art. 132 - The conflicts originating from
strikes and suspensions of labor will be sub
mitted to the Councils of Conciliation and
Arbitration, but work must be resumed
while they are resolving the matter.
Art. 133. The employers, while the Coun
cils of Conciliation and Arbitration have not
announced their determination, and in cases
where the workingmen refuse to resume
their labor while the matter is being decided ,
shall1 not have power to frustrate the effects
the effects
to frustrate
of a strike, to accept other workingmen, nor
to organize groups of them in order to re
place the strikers .
Art. 134.-If after thirty days from the
finding and judgment of the Councils of Con
ciliation and Arbitration, the workingmen
refuse to resume their labors, the employers
shall have power to substitute others in their
places, without obligation to indemnify in
any manner the damages that the working
men may claim to have suffered.
Art. 135. - The striking workingmen, or
whoever shall be proven to have committed
individually or collectively any penal infrac
tions or concerted delinquencies, are respon
sible therefor the same as the authors and
shall be consigned to the judicial authority
for judgment.
t ?
THE GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGING
VINE GROWING AND WINE MAKING
SPECIAL commission of exports has
A
A been dispatched to California under
instructions from the Secretary of Agricul
ture and Development, for the purpose of
making a study of the cultivation of the
vine, the making of wine of all kinds, and
also of the conservation of fruits . Upon
their return the results of their observations
will be embodied in a program that will
be formulated for the systematic develop
ment of those industries. The laboratories
of the Department of Agriculture will pro
ceed with the making of wine from grapes
of the varieties produced in the State of
Coahuila, in order that the pupils may
obtain practical instruction and be pre
pared to inaugurate the industry upon a
large scale, with the intention of making
it one of the most important in the Re
public.
B
THE ENGLISH GOVERNMENT AND
THE DUTCH SHELL PURCHASE
N Admiralty official confirmed today :
A the recent report that the Government.
have purchased the Earl of Cowdray's and
the Dutch Shell Oil Interest in Mexico,
without waiting for the Mexican Govern
+
ment to settle the question of what have
been termed the " confiscatory "? features
of their various oil decrees . The purchase
means, I am told, that the Government do
not intend that the property in Mexico ,
acquired by British subjects in good faith
and under the existing laws of the country,
shall be " confiscated. ” The purchase is
also part of the policy of the Government
to secure oil-producing lands throughout the
world, in order to ensure a sufficient supply
of cheap fuel for the Navy and merchant
marine. With the new acreage secured
about a month ago, the British holdings in
Mexico are about 20 per cent. of the pro
ducing property M of the country. The re
maining 80 per cent. is almost exclusively
P
American. This country received 207,983'
W
barrels of Mexican oil last month, the
Suez Canal ports, 42,504 barrels, and West
Suez Canal ports 42,504 barrels, • and West
the wells for the month was 5,420,305 bar
rels . Yorkshire Post. "'
Don't Approve of Sunday
Baseball and Movies.
T a recent convention held in the
resolutions
A United States strong
against " Sunday desecration " were adopted
and the passage of laws was urged to pre
vent such "" crimes ''' as playing baseball,
'crimes
going to the movies, and similar innocuous
amusements on the first day of the week.
Sunday newspapers also came in for con14
demnation , although it has been pointed!
out ten thousand times that the work on
the Sunday papers is not performed (to
any extent ) on Sunday, but on Saturday.
The Monday paper, on the other hand, is
the product solely of Sunday labor, as any
weary editor, reporter or printer can confirm .
And if the toiling masses who are forced
to labor six 1 days in the week in order to
1
gain a bare livelihood, are not to have
some recreat ion, when can they have it
LAT
except on Sunday ? And it need not inter
fere with their religious duties either. The
stronge st denoun cers of Sunday recreat ion,
it will be noted , are as a rule those who
have abundant opportunity throughout the
week for their own relaxation and enjoy
ment.
An organization of Italians capitalists is
preparing to invest several million dol
lars in various enterprises in this country,
most notably in the petroleum fields, where
they have secured upward of 2,500 acres
of oil land and will proceed with the sink
ing of wells, the construction of pipe lines,
refineries, etc. They will also establish a
direct line of steamers between Mexican'
and Italian ports and will enter actively
into various branches of commercial enter
prise and development.
Financial and commercial statistics
regarding Mexico are a special ty of The
Review.
1
点
+
₹
+
 LA
*
La Legalización
y las Huelgas
El Proyecto de Ley Reglamentando las Cuestiones del Trabajo
£
ha Sido Sometido al Congreso - Cuidadosas Estipulaciones
para la Protección de Todos los Interesados
A habido tanto concepto erróneo sobre
aquella parte de la ley del trabajo que
H
trata de la organización de uniones
y del derecho de huelga por parte de los em
!
pleados, así como en la que se refiere al
derecho de paros, que La Revista cree con
veniente dar a conocer a continuación el ca
pítulo que se ocupa del asunto.
Proyecto de Ley Reglamentando las Huelgas
3 y los Paros
CAPITULO X
De las huelgas y paros
Artículo 124. Se reconoce como un derecho
de trabajadores y patronos las huelgas y los
paros.
Artículo 125. Las huelgas, o sea la coa
lición de los trabajadores o sociedades y sin
dicatos de trabajadores, para defender los
intereses colectivos de la profesión, me
* diante el abandono del trabajo , se consi
derarán como lícitas siempre que tengan por
objeto, + el equilibrio entre los diversos fac
tores de la producción , armonizando los de-,
rechos del trabajo con los del capital .
Artículo 126. Los paros, para los efectos
de esta ley, se considerarán como temporales
y definitivos :
I. Los paros temporales de una industria
serán lícitos únicamente cuando los patro
nos justifiquen ante las Juntas Centrales de
Conciliación y Arbitraje , que tienen exceso
de producción , debiendo comprobarlo quince
días antes de la fecha fijada para efec
tuarlos ; y
II, Los paros definitivos sólo podrán te
ner lugar por causas graves que calificarán
las Juntas de Conciliación y Arbitraje . La
justificación de una medida de esta trascen
dencia se hará valer en los términos de la
fracción anterior, a menos que el caso sea
efecto de causas de fuerza mayor .
Artículo 127. En los servicios públicos,
cuando éstos dependan de empresas parti
culares, es obligación de los trabajadores dar
aviso a la Junta Central con diez días de
anticipación de la fecha señalada para la
suspensión de sus labores.
Artículo 128. Las huelgas serán ilícitas :
I. Cuando los huelguistas ejercieren actos
violentos contra las personas o las propie
dades ;
II. En caso de guerra, cuando se trate
de obreros que trabajen en establecimientos
al servicio del Gobierno ; y
III. En todo tiempo , las de obreros que
trabajen en establecimientos fabriles milita
res del Gobierno de la República, pues debe
considerárseles como asimilados.
Artículo 129. Los paros serán ilícitos :
I. Cuando tengan por objeto destituir in
justificadamente a algún trabajador o re
presentante de asociaciones de trabajadores ;
II. Cuando tengan por fin no acatar el
laudo de la Junta Central de Conciliación
y Arbitraje, o las listas de salario , fijadas
por las Comisiones Especiales ; y
&
REVISTA MEXICANA
de las Uniones
III. Cuando sea para no atender las pe
ticiones de los trabajadores, fundadas en
las garantías y derechos que les concede esta
ley.
Artículo 130. Cuando los patronos efec
túen un paro temporal lícito están obli
gados a pasarles medio salario a sus tra
bajadores, mientras dura éste, el cual les
será reintegrado al reanudarse el trabajo ,
por abonos que no excedan del veinte por
ciento de lo que ganan .
Artículo 131. Las autoridades adminis
trativas de los Municipios en que estos ca
sos sucedan, son las encargadas de hacer
cumplir los dos artículos anteriores.
Artículo 132. Los conflictos originados
por las huelgas y paros, se someterán a las
Juntas de Conciliación y Arbitraje , pu
diéndose reanudar el trabajo mientras re
suelven éstas.
Artículo 133. Los patronos, mientras no
dicten sus resoluciones las Juntas de Conci
liación y Arbitrajc, y en los casos en que
los trabajadores se nieguen a reanudar el
trabajo mientras éstas deciden, no podrán ,
para frustrar los efectos de una huelga,
aceptar a otros trabajadores, ni organizar
grupos de éstos que substituyan a los huel
guistas.
Artículo 134. Si después de treinta días
de dictado el fallo de las Juntas de Con
ciliación y Arbitraje, los obreros se rehu
saren a reanudar sus labores, los patronos
podrán substituirlos sin que tengan obliga
ción alguna de indemnizar los perjuicios que
pudieran alegar los trabajadores.
Artículo 135.- Los trabajadores huelguis
tas a quienes se justifique su participación
individual en un delito colectivo, o que co
metieren infracciones penales fucra del de
lito concertado, serán responsables do ellos
como autores y por lo tanto serán consig
nados a la autoridad judicial para que los
juzgue.
EL GOBIERNO ESTIMULA EL CULTIVO
DE LA VID Y LA ELABORACION
DEL VINO
NA comisión especial de peritos ha si
U do despachada a California, bajo ins
trucciones del Secretario de Agricultura y
Fomento, con el objeto de hacer un estudio
del cultivo de la vid, la olaboración de to
da clase de vinos, y también de la conser
vación de las frutas. A su regreso, los
resultados de sus observaciones serán en
glosados en un programa que será formu
lado para el sistemático desarrollo de esas
industrias. Los laboratorios del Departa
mento de Agricultura procederán a hacer
el vino con las uvas de las varicdades pro
ducidas en el Estado de Coahuila, para que
los discípulos puodan obtener instrucción
práctica y se encuentren preparados para
inaugurar la industria en gran escala, con
la intención de hacer de ella una de las
más importantes de la República.
23
EL GOBIERNO INGLES Y LA COMPRA
DE LA DUTCH SHELL
UN oficial del Almirantazgo confirmó hoy
los rumores que recientemente corrían ,
de que el Gobierno había comprado los
intereses petroleros de Lord Cowdray y de
la Dutch Shell, sin esperarse a que el Go
bierno Mexicano arreglase la cuestión que
se ha dado en llamar de carácter " confis
1)
catorio, por razón de sus distintos decre
tos lanzados sobre el petróleo . La compra
quiere decir, según se me dijo, que el Go
bierno no intenta que la propiedad de
México, adquirida por súbditos británicos,
en buena fe y bajo las leyes existentes del
país, sea " confiscada. '' La adquisición for
ma también parte de la política del Go
bierno de obtener tierras productoras de
petróleo en todas partes del mundo , con
el fin de asegurar la provisión suficiente
de combustible barato para la marina de
guerra y mercante. Con los nuevos terre .
nos adquiridos hace como un mes, las pro
piedades británicas en México vienen a ser
aproximadamente el 20 por ciento de la
propiedad productora del país . El 80 por
ciento restante es casi exclusivamente de
americanos. Este país recibió 207,933 ba
rriles de México el pasado mes, los puer
tos del Canal de Suez, 42,504 barriles , y
los puertos de las Indias Occidentales ,
153,983. La producción total de los pozos
petroleros durante el mes fue 5,420,305 ba
rriles. Del Yorkshire Post. '
Los Místicos Pretenden que
Nadie se Divierta en Domingo .
N una convención de iglesias que tuvo
E lugar hace poco en los Estados Unidos ,
se tomó un acuerdo terminante contra la
" profanación dominical, "‫ ܕ‬y se aprobó que
se urgiese el trámite para la implantación
de leyes a fin de evitar crímenes tan ho
rrendos como jugar al base-ball, ir al cine,
y otras diversiones inocentes en el primer
día de la semana . Los periódicos dominica
les también fueron condenados, aun cuando
ya se ha dicho y repetido más de diez mil
veces, que el trabajo de las ediciones de los
domingos no se hace ese día, sino la vís
pera, los sábados. En cambio , los periódi
cos de los lunes, son el producto de las la
bores desempeñadas precisamente el domin
go, como cualquier editor, reportero o im
presor puede confirmarlo. Las masas tra
bajadoras que se ven obligadas a trabajar
los seis días consecutivos de la semana para
ganar su sustento, muy justo es que dis
fruten dede algún
algún esparcimiento . ¿ Cuándo
pueden disfrutarlo , si no el domingo ? Y
eso no tiene ingerencia alguna con SUB
obligaciones religiosas. Los más fuertes
enemigos que tiene el recreo dominical, se
gún se ve, son generalmente los individuos
que gozan de toda clase de oportunidades
durante la semana para darse gusto y hol
gar a su sabor.
&S
Por órdenes del Presidente de la Repú
blica , debe llevarse un registro cuidadoso
de los cartuchos entregados a los soldados,
y cuando se encuentre que faltan tales ear
tuchos sin explicación satisfactoria , se im •
pondrá a los soldados una multa de se
tenta y cinco centavos por cartucho. Has
ta ahora, la multa ha sido de doce centavos.
 24 THE
Immense Audience
Open - Air Opera
Over Twenty Thousand People Gather at the Old Bullring
to Listen to a High- Class Performance
Geo F. Weeks in San Antonio Express.
T is a warm, sunny Sunday afternoon
in June- such an afternoon as sees
I Mexico
at its best. The bullfighting
season is under way. And as it has been
in Latin-European and Latin-American coun
tries more or less for all time, is now in
most of them, and will be forever (perhaps)
in some of them-so Sunday afternoon is
set apart by common consent to be de
voted to this delectable " sport " -that is,
delectable or otherwise according to your
viewpoint. It may be that in some places
they have week-day bullfights, but so far
as the writer is concerned, he never saw
one in Mexico nor ever heard of one either.
But on Sunday- ah, that is a different
thing. It is " the " day for entertainments
of this kind, and he must be poor indeed
who cannot muster the necessary coin for
admission. A peon will mortgage his pay
A Typical Mexican Audience at the Open-Air Opera in Mexico City
FITNE
Aspecto Típico del Público Mexicano Que Asistió a la Opera al Aire Libre en México
a week ahead or more in order to enable
him to take himself and his family, from
oldest to youngest, to the Plaza de Toros
on a Sunday afternoon . Which reminds the
writer of the farmer in California, many
years ago, upon the advent of the first
circus that had ever visited that remote
portion of the State where he and his wife
and their six children lived, who hauled
his cookstove into town and sold it for
enough cash to pay the way of the entire
party into the tent- and then contentedly
resorted to the primitive method of cooking
in the fireplace until harvest time had
brought him the wherewithal to purchase a
new stove. And wanted to shoot the
writer, then a reporter on a local news
paper, who had " written up " the incident.
MEXICAN REVIEW
at
without mentioning names, but merely as
an interesting example of the intense pop
ular interest aroused by the circus! But
to resume.
So, being Sunday, and it also being the
bullfighting season, Mexico City having the
largest bullring in the country-one of the
largest in the world, in fact, seating and
standing from 35,000 to 40,000 people- and
since a traveler ought to see at least once
an example of this all too popular racial
sport, we will take a car marked " Toreo "
and ride to the immense steel-and-concrete
structure in the outskirts of the city, close
to the heart of the Colonia Roma-the
choicest residence section-which is devoted
to the purpose in question.
As is customary, thousands of others are
of the same mind, apparently, their faces
all being turned toward the building and
CASAEDLA
TOYOON
REF CHILE
the cars being crowded with passengers
all bent on an enjoyable afternoon's en
tertainment. Electric cars, " camiones " 28
jitneys are called here, of every imaginable
type and size ; private automobiles, horse
or mule drawn equipages (some of the lat
ter being of elegant appearance and equip
ment, to say nothing of the fashionable
apparel of the occupants) , are all headed
in the same direction, and all are crowded
to the limit. Manifestly, a great event is
about to be witnessed. And it was! No
one was disappointed ! The popular an
ticipation was not thwarted, as will be seen
only with a slight difference as to the
character of the " sport. "
Arriving at the main entrance of the
ring, the same crowds are seen that have
been familiar to residents and visitors alike
for all the time of their stay here, and
the streets centering at the " Toreo " are
thronged with pedestrians as well as with
passenger-carrying vehicles. Dozens of re
freshment stands, vending all sorts of
liquid and solid beverages and comestibles ,
are gathered in the open space about the
entrance and are liberally patronized.
We approach the gateway and casually
glance up at the boarding on which it is
customary to make the announcements of
the details of the
event. "
But what is this ? Instead of the fa
miliar sign " Six valiant bulls of the famous
Zarca breed, all to be killed by the fam
Segura, " or
ous matadors Silveti and
whoever, we find this in great letterings :
" PLAZA " EL TOREO"
Gran Compañía de Opera Italiana.
Temporada de Primavera de 1919
Domingo 8 de Junio de 1919, a las 4 p. m.
en punto. Novena Matinée de Opera
al aire libre
Despedida en la Plaza " El Toreo " del
eminente barítono
TITTA RUFO
El Acontecimiento Culminante de la Tem
porada.
Por única vez, la hermosísima ópera
en cuatro actos de G. Verdi :
UN BAILE DE MASCARAS !!
Por
ROSA RAISA Y TITTA RUFFO
And so forth and so on.
All of which being translated into United
States is an announcement to the effect
that at the bullring the " Italian Grand
Opera Company will celebrate the spring
season by giving on Sunday, June 8th, at
four o'clock sharp, its ninth matinee in
the open air, upon which occasion will be
given the farewell appearance of the emi
nent baritone Titta Ruffo, the culminating
event of the season. For the only time.
will be given that most beautiful opera in
four acts by G. Verdi " The Masked Ball,"
by Rosa Raisa and Titto Ruffo, " with a
long list of assistants, and with a grand
orchestra composed of one hundred profes
sors, under the direction of Master Eduar
do Vigil y Robles. "
That is to say, instead of a bullfight
in which " six brave bulls '' are to be tortured
to death, with various and sundry horses
and perhaps a man or two gored painfully
and sometimes fatally, there is to be an
open-air performance of one of Verdi's
popular compositions.
Very well! It may be a disappointment
to some, but not so to the trio of whom
the writer was one- a cultured Mexican
gentleman and his wife being the other
two. Being wise to the requirements of
the occasion, a location had been selected
beforehand- half-way up the great tiers of
seats surrounding the ring and directly op
posite the stage. We climb up the long
flights of concrete stairs, and although it
is only three o'clock and the entertainment
is announced to commence at four sharp
(which it does) , there are already thous
ands present seeking suitable points of
vantage for both seeing and hearing. Since
it is a bright and sunny afternoon, with
a well nigh cloudless sky, it is one of
Nature's unavoidable attributes , coupled of
course with architectural features alike un
avoidable, that half of the seats should be
in the shade and the other half in the
sun. There is no difference otherwise.

LA REVISTA
Inmensa Audición
Aire Libre
Cerca de Veinte Mil Personas se Reunieron en la Antigua Plaza
de Toros para Asistir a una Audición de Música Selecta
Por Geo. F. Weeks, para el San Antonio Express.
S una tarde cálida, llena de sol, de
E domingo de junio, una tarde como
las mejores que ve México. La tem
porada de las corridas de toros está en
curso. Y como ha sido en los países latino
europeos y latino-americanos, más o menos
en todos los tiempos, y sucede ahora en la
mayor parte de ellos, y sucederá siempre
(quizás ) en algunos- la tarde del domingo
es elegida, por consentimiento común, para
ser dedicada a este delicioso " sport," es
to es, delicioso o como lo juzguéis, según
vuestro propio punto de vista. Puede ser
que en ciertos lugares haya corridas de
toros en cualquier día de la semana, mas
por lo que toca al que esto escribe, debe
decir que jamás vió una en México, ni oyó
decir que hubiera en otro día, por cierto.
Pero el domingo, ah!, es cosa diferente.
Este es el día " para las diversiones de
este género, y debe ser ciertamente muy
pobre aquel que no pueda reunir el dinero
necesario para pagar la entrada. Un peón
pignorará su paga de una semana o más
a fin de poder ir, junto con su familia, de
mayor a menor, a la Plaza de Toros la tar
de del domingo. Lo cual recuerda al que
esto escribe a aquel agricultor de Califor
nia, hace muchos años, a la llegada del
primer circo que visitaba la remota región
del Estado en que vivían el propio agri
cultor, con su mujer y sus hijos, que llevó
su estufa de cocina a la población y la
vendió en el precio suficiente para pagar
la entrada de todo el grupo en la tienda
del circo y que después, tranquilamente,
recurrió al método primitivo de cocinar en
el brasero hasta que la época de la cose
cha les hubo traído el dinero suficiente
para comprar una nueva estufa, y que lue
go quiso dar de balazos al que esto es
cribe, que era entonces repórter de un pe
riódico local , quien había publicado el in
cidente, sin mencionar nombres, únicamen
te como un interesante ejemplo del enorme
interés popular producido por el circo ! Pe
ro reanudemos el relato.
Así, pues, siendo domingo y siendo tam
bién la época de las corridas de toros y
teniendo México la mayor plaza de toros
del país- una de las más grandes del mundo,
de hecho, pues, contiene, sentadas y de pie,
de treinta y cinco mil a cuarenta mil
personas y puesto que un viajero debe ver
cuando menos una vez este muy popular
sport racial, tomaremos un tranvía con esta
guía " Toreo, " y nos dirigiremos a la in
mensa construcción de acero y cemento, en
las afueras de la ciudad, cerca del cora
zón de la Colonia Roma-el barrio de las
residencias selectas, que está dedicado al
objeto en cuestión, es decir, a las corridas
de toros.
Como es de costumbre, millares de per
sonas tienen el mismo pensamiento, apa
rentemente, estando vueltos todos sus roз
tros hacia el edificio y yendo los tranvías
MEXICANA
de Opera al
llenos de pasajeros resueltos a pasar una
deliciosa tarde de divertimiento. Los tran
vías, camiones, como se llama a los auto
móbiles ómnibus, de todos los tipos y ta
maños imaginables ; automóviles particula
res, carruajes tirados por caballos o mulas
(siendo algunos de los últimos de elegante
apariencia y compostura, por no decir na
da de la elegante indumentaria de los
ocupantes) se dirigen todos en la misma
dirección y se apretujan hasta el límite.
Manifiestamente va a ser presenciado un
gran acontecimiento. Y así fue!
fue ! Ninguno
resultó chasqueado ! La ansiedad popular no
fue frustrada, como se verá, sino por una li
gera diferencia relativa al carácter del
" sport. "
Open-Air Opera in the Old Bullring in Mexico City
33
808
Opera al Aire Libre en la Plaza de Toros de México
En llegando a la entrada principal de
la Plaza, son vistas las mismas muchedum
bres que son familiares a los residentes
lo mismo que a los visitantes durante todo
el tiempo de su permanencia aquí, y las
calles que desembocan en " El Toreo " es
tán congestionadas de peatones, lo mismo
que de vehículos que cargan pasajeros. Do
cenas de " puestos " de refrescos, que ven
den toda clase de bebidas y comestibles
sólidos y líquidos se concentran alrededor
de la entrada y se ven concurridos libe
ralmente.
Nos aproximamos a la puerta, y por ca
sualidad miramos el cuadro en que es cos
tumbre fijar los anuncios de los detalles
del "acontecimiento . "
Pero ¿ qué es esto? En lugar del le
trero familiar " Seis valientes toros de la
famosa ganadería de Atenco, que serán
25
muertos por los famosos Matadores Silva
ti y Serio, " o cualesquiera otros, nos en
contramos con estos grandes letreros :
"PLAZA " EL TOREO"
Gran Compañía de Opera Italiana.-Tem
porada de Primavera de 1919.
Domingo ocho de Junio de 1919, a las 4
p. m. en punto.
Novena Matinée de Opera al Aire Libre.
Despedida de la Plaza "El Toreo " del
eminente barítono
TITTA RUFFO.
El acontecimiento culminante de la
temporada.
Por única vez, la hermosísima ópera en cua
tro actos, de G. Verdi :
UN BAILE DE MASCARAS !!
Por
ROSA RAISA Y TITTA RUFFO.
etc., etc. "
Todo lo cual, traducido a la manera de
los Estados Unidos, es un anuncio que avi
sa que en la Plaza de Toros, la " Gran
Compañía de Opera Italiana, " celebrará la
Primavera dando el domingo 8 de junio, a
las cuatro de la tarde en punto, su novena
matinée al aire libre, con cuya ocasión
wacie TEXSEJAS BUCHER B
EST
Mayer y Huerta S
625
AVREILEA MEXICIDY
será la presentación de despedida del emi
nente barítono Titta Ruffo , que consti
tuirá el suceso culminante de la tempo
rada. Por única vez, será cantada la her
mosísima ópera en cuatro actos, de G.
Verdi " Un Baile de Máscaras, " por Rosa
Raisa y Titta Ruffo, con una larga lista
de auxiliares y con una gran orquesta
compuesta de cien profesores, bajo la di
rección del maestro Eduardo Vigil y Ro
bles."
Es decir, que en lugar de una corrida
de toros en la que " serán torturados has
ta ser muertos, seis bravos toros con
rios y diversos caballos y quizá uno 0
dos hombres , corneados dolorosa y a veces
fatalmente, va a haber la ejecución al aire
libre, de una de las populares composiciones
de Verdi.
Muy bien! Esto puede ser una contra
riedad para algunos, mas no para el trío
 26 THE MEXICAN REVIEW

Except as to price ! In the " Sombra " or and finding their way to their seats . They THE LEGAL GENESIS OF THE
thade the seats vary from $5 to $ 10 each, are of every quality and condition from CONSTITUTIONALIST
while in the " Sol " they are only from $2 the highest, the middle class and even
REVOLUTION
to $3-a difference well worth considering. goodly representation away off up there
All the seats around the amphitheater are toward the skyline on the sunny side of most interesting volume has recently
of the same construction-all with smooth pelados, with their high crowned hats. A been issued under the title " Revolution
ement surface and all are equally hard Every last man, woman and child (and and Reforma The Legal Genesis of the Consti
and wearisome. To be sure, a popular de there any number of the latter) is " dress tutionalist Revolution. " The author of the
vice is to spread several sheets of news ed in his best Sunday clothes, " and the work (which will be in several volumes ---
paper on the concrete, but that does not re scene is a decidedly interesting one. A the first now being in circulation ) is Lie.
lieve the hardness of the surface, however peculiarly pathetic sight is that of a good Manuel Aguirre Berlanga, who took an active
much it may save my lady's light sum sized party of inmates from the blind part in the inauguration of the movement,
mer gown from being soiled. There are asylum-men, women and children . They kept a record of the various step , and now
boys passing about among the audience of come in, each squad headed by a guide bas committed them to print in order that
fering cushions for rental, but no real he with his eyesight unimpaired, each of the they may be preserved. There have been
man wants to seem so effeminate, and they unfortunates resting his right hand upon so many misstatements of fact, so many char
are taken mostly by the aged and infirm the left shoulder of the one in front. They ges and countercharges, that those who are
-among which number the writer, though are guided carefully to good seats, many in search of the truth will welcome this com
close to three-score and ten, is most em a friendly hand is stretched out by spec pact volume. Each step is recounted, from
phatically not listed . So we compose our tators in aid of the difficult task of climb the receipt of the first news of the treason,
selves as best we can, for it will be four ing the steep shelves, until all are safely the immediate defiance of Huerta and his
hours later and even more before the per ensconced in favorable positions. It is a co-conspirators by Carranza, down to the
formance will have been concluded . There
are no backs to these seats, nothing but How the People Attended a " Boxing Exhibition" at the Old Bullring.-A Great Portion
a series of stone shelves rising one above Were Foreigners
the other, from the ground half way to
the zenith That portion of the shelf
allotted to sitting is elevated a couple of
inches and there is a sort of gutter back
of that in which the person sitting behind
the occupant puts his feet, there being
just enough space to accommodate those
feet and their accompanying legs and knees
without hitting the back or neck of the
person in front.
But these are trifling inconveniences and
after the performance begins one forgets
such personal discomforts so interested docs
he become in the singing and the music.
Over on the sunny side several thousand
people have already gathered before we
enter, and as they are for the most part
provided with umbrellas (it is the rainy
season ) all that one can see from his
elevated seat is a bewildering array of
thousands on thousands of black umbrella
tops.
Down in the pit, or orchestra, or old
many " valiant bulls " and
ring where so many
horses and some men have given up their
lives for the delectation of the multitude ,
a floor has been laid and this is covered
with thousands of folding chairs only a El Público que Patrocinó la " Exhibición de Box " en la Plaza de Toros
trifle if any less hard than the stone ones.
Over on the side where the bulls were sight that appeals to one's deepest sym final occupation of Mexico City. The various
paties to watch the poor afflicted ones as decrees issued by Carranza as the movement
wont to enter to their death an ample
they lean forward just as though they could progressed are given andtheir perusal will
stage has been built out about a quarter
of the distance across the circle. It is see what was going on upon the stage, and set at rest many mistaken ideas and many
roomy enough for the largest company and listening intently to the music and the unfounded charges that have been made by
singing. The expressions upon their coun the enemies of the Revolution . This is the
most elaborate performance that is imagin
tenances denote their deep interest and un first clear-cut compendium of the principal
able, but it seems so far from the major
derstanding, and are clear proof that af revolutionary facts that has been issued .
portion of the audience- those on the con
flicted as they are, they are still capable It is not lengthened by discussions of this and
crete shelves about the ring- 300 feet or
of intense enjoyment. One learns that the that point, but is a brief, concise and most
more-that it seems impossible that voices
Ayuntamiento, or City Council, has seats re interesting recital of facts, accompanied by
and music should carry so far in the open
served at all the theaters in the city-ex documentary proof. It is also, by the way,
air as to be as distinguishable as such
cept of course the moving picture estab embellished with a series of most intensely
things should be for thorough enjoyment. lishments and that the blind are taken
There is of course no roof- not even the interesting illustrations of the early events
regularly to such places for an afternoon of the Revolution . The author has done his
cloth shelter that was a notable feature of
or evening's enjoyment. This may be done work well, and is deserving of congratula
the ancient Roman amphitheaters of which
this structure is more or less an imitation. in foreign cities, but if so it never came tions for the little volume.
under the writer's observation.
No sound-carrying devices have been pro
vided, and at first glance it seems somewhat (To be Continued) The management of the National Railway
doubtful as to whether one will be able to lines has found it possible to obtain rail
hear and enjoy the music and singing. But Announcement is made that plans are way ties in the United States to greater
all doubt on this score is quickly removed under way for the construction of a large advantage than in this country, and a ship
as soon as the performance commences. modern hotel in the central portion of Mex ment of 75,000 has recently been made from
It is a treat to watch the audience pour ico City. The present influx of foreigners Texas for use on the lines running south
has made such an institution a necessity. from Juarez .
ing in from the dozen or twenty entrances
 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 27

del cual el que esto escribe formaba parte, bagatela de menos duras que los asientos tidos domingueros, " y la escena es deci
y del que un culto caballero mexicano y de piedra, si es que eran menos duras. En didamente una escena interesante. Un
su esposa formaban los dos restantes miem el lado donde se acostumbraba introducir a espectáculo peculiarmente patético es el de
bros. Estando advertidos de las exigencias los toros para su muerte, ha sido cons un grupo de regular número de internos
de la ocasión, se había escogido una lo truído un amplio escenario, extendiéndose a del asilo de ciegos, hombres, mujeres y ni
calidad de antemano, a la mitad de las la cuarta parte de la amplitud del círculo . ños. Entran, yendo cada escuadra encabe
filas de asientos que rodean la plaza y que Este escenario es lo suficientemente amplio zada por un guía que tiene sus ojos in
están directamente opuestas al escenario. para contener la mayor compañía y la más tactos ; cada uno de esos desdichados des
Subimos los largos tramos de las escaleras elaborada función imaginable ; pero se ve cansa su mano derecha sobre el hombro
de concreto, y aunque son solamente las tres tan lejos de la mayor parte del auditorio izquierdo del que va delante. Son guiados.
de la tarde y el espectáculo está anun -los que están en los asientos de concreto cuidadosamente hacia buenos asientos y
ciado para principiar a las cuatro en punto en torno del redondel quedan a trescientos muchas veces es extendida por los expec
(lo que sucedió) , hay ya miles de perso pies de distancia o más,-que parece im tadores una mano amiga para ayudar a los
nas presentes buscando puntos apropiados posible que las voces y la música puedan ciegos en la difícil tarea de trepar por las
y ventajosos , tanto para ver como para llegar tan lejos en el aire libre para ser empinadas gradas, hasta que todos están
escuchar. Como hace una tarde brillante percibidas, como tales cosas deben serlo, seguramente acomodados en posiciones favo
y de sol, con un cielo sin nubes, resulta para ser gozadas completamente. Natural rables. Es una escena que apela a las
que es uno de los atributos inevitables de mente que no hay techo ninguno- ni aun más profundas simpatías de uno el observar
la Naturaleza, unido, naturalmente, con los la cubierta de tela que constituía un no a los pobres afligidos, cómo se inclinan
aspectos arquitectónicos, también inevitables, table aspecto de los antiguos anfiteatros hacia adelante, como si pudieran ver lo que
que la mitad de los asientos estén en la romanos, de los cuales esta construcción está sucediendo en el escenario, y escu
sombra y los otros en el sol . No hay di
ferencia de otra categoría. Excepto en el Sales Department Rochester Photo House, Av. 16 de Septiembre No. 5.
precio ! En Sombra, los asientos varían
desde $5.00 a $10.00 cada uno, mientras
que en Sol, sólo cuestan de $2.00 a $3.00,
lo que constituye una diferencia de consi
deración. Todos los asientos que están al
rededor del anfiteatro, son de la misma
construcción --todos tienen una tersa super
ficie de cemento y son igualmente duros
y molestos. Sin duda, hay un recurso
popular que consiste en extender muchas
hojas de papel sobre el concreto ; pero esto
no libra de la dureza de la superficie ; sin
embargo, puede salvar de ser ensuciado el
ligero vestido de verano de una dama. Hay
muchachos que caminan entre los especta
dores ofreciendo cojines de alquiler, pero
ningún hombre verdadero quiere aparecer
como afeminado, y los almohadones son
tomados en su mayor parte, por los ancia
nos y enfermizos, entre cuyo número , el
que esto escribe, aunque está próximo a los
70 años, no está alistado decididamente.
Así, nos acomodamos lo mejor que po
demos, puesto que pasarán cuatro horas o
quizá más, antes de que haya terminado el
espectáculo. No tienen respaldos tales
asientos ; no hay sino series de gradas, ele
vándose la una sobre la otra, desde el
suelo hasta medio camino del zenit. La
porción de la grada destinada para asien
tos, está elevada un par de pulgadas, y
existe una especie de canalón por detrás,
y en el que la persona que se sienta detrás
del ocupante coloca los pies, habiendo el
suficiente espacio para acomodar esos pies
Departamento de Despacho al Público
y sus piernas y rodillas acompañantes, sin
rozar la espalda o el cuello de la persona la plaza de Toros, es una imitación, más chando atentamente la música y el canto.
situada abajo. o menos. No se han preparado ningunos Las expresiones de sus fisonomías denotan
Pero estos son inconvenientes insignifi artificios para llevar el sonido, y a pri su profundo interés e inteligencia, y son
cantes, y después de que comienza la fun mera vista parece algo dudoso el que uno una clara prueba de que, aun afligidos co
ción, olvida uno tales incomodidades per pueda escuchar y gozar la música y el mo son, son aún capa es de intensos re
sonales por lo interesado que llega a estar canto. Pero toda duda a este respecto gocijos. Se sabe que el Ayuntamiento o
en el canto y la música. En el lado de queda prontamente suprimida cuando co Concejo de la ciudad, tiene reservado cier
sol, muchos miles de gentes estaban ya mienza la función. to número de asientos en todos los teatros
reunidas antes de que entrásemos, y como Es un solaz ver a la concurrencia des de la capital- exceptuando, por supuesto,
en su mayor parte están provistas de pa parramarse por la docena o veintena de a los cinematógrafos, y que los ciegos son
raguas (es la estación de las lluvias) , todo entradas y encontrar su camino hasta sus llevados regularmente a tales sitios para
lo que uno puede ver desde su elevado asientos. Los concurrentes son de todas las pasar una tarde o noche de solaz. Esto
asiento es un conjunto de millares de mi clases y condiciones, desde la más alta ; puede hacerse en las ciudades extranjeras ;
llares de bóvedas de paraguas, que aturden. la clase media y aun una representación mas si es así, jamás cayó bajo la observa
En la liza, o luneta, o antigua plaza, algo numerosa de aquella, que va a la fila ción del que esto escribe.
donde tantos valientes toros " y caballos del cielo, en el lado de sol, de la gente (Continuará)
y algunos hombres han dado sus vidas pa humilde con sus sombreros de alta copa.
ra diversión de la muchedumbre, se ha ten Cada uno de los últimos hombres, mujeres Si desea usted estar al tanto del des
dido un entarimado, y éste está cubierto y niños (y hay cierto número de los úl arrollo de la riqueza natural del país, lea
con millares de sillas plegadizas, sólo una timos) está " vestido con sus mejores ves La Revista.
 1
28 THE
Some "News " and Otherwise
Interesting Statements That Find Circulation and Doubtless Belief
in Foreign Lands - Lamentable Ignorance Exhibited
HE editor of The Review finds an inter
esting means for passing a more or less.
T trine never contemplated making Ameri
idle hour in the perusal of the batch of
newspaper clippings that comes with regularity
from New York-from the Luce Press Clip
ping Bureau, to give a very excellent insti
tution the note that it deserves. Why this
perusal is interesting, not to say at times
amusing, can be gathered from what follows.
For example :
Here is the Cheyenne (Wyoming) Leader,
with this remarkable bit of presumable " in
formation ' -editorial at that :
" Mexico is now the lowest and most
unhappy country on the continent, with
no market for the farmer, no industries
to pay wages, no credit to rebuild the
country, and with millions of people
dying by inches of hunger and loath
some diseases. ''
Merely remarking in passing that this
affords a remarkable instance of ""' uncon
scious cerebration , " since the very same ar
ticle with few and if any but slight chan
ges appears in a number of newspapers at
the same time, The Review pauses long enough
to remark that in the last and the present
issues it gave official figures showing that
the foreign commerce of the Republic was
larger last year than ever before in its his
tory- remarkable if there is one word of
truth in the Leader's assertions-which there
is not. And the death rate of Mexico City,
notoriously for all time one of the worst
places in the world in that respect, is now
lower than it has been for two or three de
cades.
Then here comes the old reliable Brooklyn
Eagle, with this choice editorial statement :
" Far more significant is the news from
Mexico City that rioting is going on
there ; and that only by stationing ma
chine guns where they would intimidate
the people has Carranza held his own ;
also that General Obregon has refused
to lead the army against Villa. '
With the exception of the facts that there
has been nothing worthy to be called rioting
in this city, that no machine guns have been
used to intimidate people, and that Obregon
did not refuse to lead the army against
Villa, the foregoing may be taken for what
it is work. The editor of The Review sought
in vain during the recent teachers ' strike
for any sign of street rioting ; he could not
find any machine or other guns (and he
knows them when he sees them) mounted so
as to "' intimidate " any one, and it is a fact
that Obregon was not asked to lead the army
against Villa-all of which any one could
verify without trouble had he sought 80
to do.
For a clear and comprehensive view of
the " Mexican situation, " we turn to the San
Francisco Chronicle, which thus concludes an
editorial upon " Mexico's Opportunity: '
" Mention is made of " a secret and
unwritten agreement " at Paris for the
purpose of employing force " to bring
Mexico into a condition where industrial
development will again be possible, " but
4
MEXICAN REV
$
is the allotment of lands, and it is going on
constantly day by day. It is surprising to
find a paper of the Jstanding of the American
make such an unqualified statement and one
so entirely without foundation .
this is as improbable as it would be fool The Springfield (Mass. ) Republican, anoth
ish if not criminal. The Monroe Doc er paper which like the one just quoted is
as rule well informed and not prone to error,
can republics alter their domestic policies. takes a whack at Mexico after this fashion,
Mexico must set her own house in order,
but we will be prepared to help with in an editorial headed " Why Not a Tariff on
our capital and enterprise the moment Zinc ?''
it is clear that both are welcome. "
"Nobody is taking any profits out of
the mining of zinc in this country today.
The reason is that American produced
The Pittsburg ( Pa ) Post comments upon zinc is compelled to compete with Mex
the recent sending of a party of newspaper ican produced zinc, the latter on the
men to the north to see for themselves that starvation wage basis. "
conditions are not so bad as they had stated, There is an import tariff in the United
to this effect : States on zinc of 15 per cent ad valorem in
blocks, pigs or sheet and on zinc ores of 10%
" But, regrettable though it is to re ad valorem on the metal therein . There is
cord the fact, it must be admitted that
there are editors, just as there are per an export tax from Mexico of both the metal
sons in every other vocation, who, even and the ore, of a comsiderable amount.
after being given ocular proof, will con Furthermore, the zinc exports of Mexico
tinue to make statements contrary to the
truth . You can lead a horse to water, cut a very small figure. The total zinc pro
the proverb is, but you cannot make him duction of the United States for the year
drink. If the Mexican editors are of the 1918 was valued at $ 119,258,000 . The total
same temperament as a few exceptional zinc exportations from Mexico for 1917 were
American editors, they may, in addition $4,289,958 , while for 1918 from the three
to having to be shown, have to be co
erced into telling the truth . '' leading ports of Piedras Negras, Chihuahua
and Nogales, only $338,437 was exported. In
In the concluding sentence, the Post evin 1917 the total amount of zinc and zinc ore
ces a through appreciation of the situation imported into the United States from all sour
in its own country! ces was only $7,596,930 . From which it is
difficult to understand why the " starvation
In an editorial on Mexico, the St. Louis wage basis " (another error by the way) of
Mexico should threaten the great zinc in
(Mo. ) Globe-Democrat shows its grasp of
the situation by the following : dustry of the United States with destruction .
" All the stories of his ( Carranza's)
trying to aid Germany proved false. The
very existence of his government depen
ded upon continued operation of the oil
wells at Tampico, for the oil tax was its
chief source of support. The Globe
Democrat, all throught the war, denied
credence to the rumors because it relied
on Carranza's intelligent self-interest.
There was nothing Germany could do for Due
Mexico, and every interest, government
as well as business, lay in maintenance JUENO,
of friendly relations with the United
States and its war associates. Nor can
the rumors of Carranza's assaults on the
Monroe doctrine and his threat to aid
Costa Rica in its trouble with Nicaragua,
be accepted without concrete evidence.'i
s
chler
The Baltimore American, known as a con NDY
servative and usually well informed news DULCES AMERICA
paper, says :
" Carranza has absolutely failed to do
the one thing that would effect justice 1
and reform for Mexico . He has failed The Only
to make promised land apportionments. ''
Before the revolution was six months old,
AMERICAN CANDY FACTORY
land distribution was commenced in Tamau
lipas and in Durango. One of the first steps
taken by Carranza was the appointment of in
a National Agrarian Commission, which in
MEXIGO
turn appointed local branches, and under
whom hundreds of thousands of acres of land
have been apportioned to applicants. In WHOLESALE AND RETAIL
many localities where lands were not im
mediately available for this purpose, idle 2a . del 5 de Febrero No. 30.
tracts whose owners refrained from cultivat
ing them were apportioned free of cost to
those desiring to raise crops, the area so
utilized reaching also into the hundreds of MEXIGO GITY, MEX .
thousands of acres. It there is any one thing
that has been done by the revolutionists, it
* ☺
‫ܝܢ ܚܢ‬
 LA
Algunas Noticias o
'. }}
> Interesantes Informes que Tienen Circulación, y que
*** Sin Duda Son Creídos en Otros Países
L editor de La Revista halla un buen
medio para pasar una hora más o me
₹ de miles de acres de tierra. En muchas loca
J E nos ociosa en la lectura de un montón
de recortes de periódicos que vienen con re
gularidad de Nueva York, procedentes de la
Oficina Luce de Recortes de Prensa, para
dar a esta excelente institución la importan-
! con el objeto de emplear la fuerza " pa
cia que merece. La razón de por qué es
interesante esta lectura, por no decir chisto
sa, puede deducirse de lo que sigue ; por
ejemplo:
He aquí el " Cheyenne Leaders, " de Wyo
ming, con un trozo de información editorial Y
"presuntuosa como el siguiente :
" Actualmente, México es el país que
está colocado más abajo, y el más infeliz
del continente ; sin mercados para sus
agricultores, sin industrias para pagar
salarios, sin crédito para reconstruir el
país, y con millones de personas que mue
ren a pausas por el hambre y por repug
nantes enfermedades. '
Haciendo notar sólo de paso que ésto pro
porciona un notable ejemplo de " cerebración
inconsciente, '' puesto que el mismo artículo,
con pocas alteraciones, por cierto insignifican
tes, àparece en cierto número de periódicos
al mismo tiempo. La Revista hace una pau
sa suficiente para hacer observar que en s'i
última edición y en la presente, publicó da
tos y cifras oficiales que demuestran que el
comercio exterior de la República fué mayor
el año pasado que en ninguna otra época de
su historia-lo que es notable si existiera una
sola palabra de verdad en las aseveraciones
del Leader-, lo que no sucede ! Y la morta
lidad en la ciudad de México , que, notoria
mente, fué en todos los tiempos uno de los
I
peores lugares del mundo a este respecto, es
actualmente menor que de lo que ha sido en
dos o tres décadas.
Después viene el "Broocklyn Eagle, " el
de reconocida honorabilidad, con esta esco
gida declaración editorial :
" Mucho más significativa es la noticia
procedente de la ciudad de México, que
asegura que se están desarrollando en ella
tumultos ; y que sólo emplazando ame
tralladoras en los lugares donde puedan
intimidar al pueblo, se ha sostenido Ca
rranza ; y también que el general Obregón
se ha negado a comandar al ejército que
marchará contra Villa. "
Exceptuando a los hechos, a saber que no se
ha registrado en esta ciudad nada digno de
ser llamado motín, que no se han empleado
ametralladoras para intimidar al pueblo, que
' hacer en ayuda de México, y todo el in
Obregón no se ha rehusado a comandar al
ejército contra Villa, puede tomarse la ase
veración anterior en su verdadero valor. El
editor de La Revista buscó vanamente, du
rante la reciente huelga de maestros, algún
signo de tumulto callejero ; pero no puedo ver
ningunas ametralladoras o cualquiera otra
clase de armas de fuego- y el propio editor
las reconoce cuando las mira-emplazadas de
modo de intimidar a cualquiera; es también
un hecho que Obregón no fué solicitado para
comandar al ejército que va contra Villa, to
do lo cual podria verificar sin dificultad al
guna, si se hubiera tratado de ello .
Para obtener una opinión clara y com
REVISTA MEXICANA
lo que Sean
prensiva de la " Situación Mexicana, " nos
dirigimos al San Francisco Chronicle, que
concluye así un editorial sobre " La Oportu
nidad de México . ”
" Se ha hecho mención de "un pacto
secreto, no escrito, '' celebrado en París,
ra poner a México en condiciones de que
sea posible nuevamente su desarrollo in
dustrial, '' mas esto es tan improbable,
puesto que sería insensato, si no fuese
criminal. La Doctrina Monroe jamás
proyectó obligar a las Repúblicas ameri
canas a alterar su política. México de
be poner su propia casa, en orden, mas
nosotros debemos estar preparados pa
ra ayudarle con nuestro capital y empre
sa en el momento en que sea indudable
que ambos sean bien recibidos. ''
El "Pittsburgh Post, " de Pensilvania, ha
ce comentarios acerca del reciente envío de
un grupo de periodistas al norte para que
viesen por sus propios ojos que la situación
no es tan mala como ellos han asegurado ; al
efecto , dice así:
"Mas, por lamentable que sea recor
dar el hecho, debe admitirse que hay edi
tores, precisamente como existen perso
nas de toda vocación, que, aún después
de haber obtenido pruebas oculares, con
tinuarán proporcionando informes contra
rios a la verdad. Se puede llevar un ca
ballo al agua, dice el proverbio, pero no
se le puede hacer beberla. Si los edito
res mexicanos son del mismo carácter
que unos cuantos excepcionales editores
americanos, puede, además de mostrárse
les la verdadera situación, obligárseles
a que digan la verdad. ''
En la frase final el Post evidencia una
perfecta apreciación de la situación en su
propio país!
En un editorial relativo a México, el St.
Louis Globe Democrat, de Missouri, revela
su inteligencia de la situación por el siguien
te párrafo :
"r Todos los relatos que aseguran que
Carranza trató de ayudar a Alemania,
han resultado falsos. La real existencia
de su Gobierno depende de la continua
explotación de los pozos petroleros de
Tampico, puesto que el impuesto del pe
tróleo constituye la principal fuente del
sostenimiento de ese Gobierno . El Globe
Democrat, durante toda la guerra negó
crédito a todos esos rumores, porque con
fiaba en que Carranza procuraría favo
recer inteligentemente su propio interés.
No había nada que Alemania pudiese
terés de este país, tanto gubernamental ,
como de los negocios, consistía en man
tener amistosas relaciones con los Estados
Unidos y sus aliados en la Guerra. Los
rumores acerca de los ataques de Carran
za a la Doctrina Monroe y de su ame
naza de ayudar a Costa Rica en su con
flicto con Nicaragua, no pueden ser acep
tados sin tener de ellos una evidencia
concreta . ''
El Baltimore American, conocido como pe
riódico conservador, y de ordinario, bien in
formado, dice :
¿ cial y del cabello.
" Carranza, en lo absoluto, ha dejado
de ejecutar lo que podría realizarse pa
ra México : Justicia y Reforma. No ha
cumplido con la prometida repartición
de tierras. ''
29
Antes de que la revolución llevase seis
meses, se principió a hacer la distribución de
tierras en Tamaulipas y Durango. Una de
las primeras medidas adoptadas por Carran
za fué el nombramiento de una Comisión Na
cional 'Agraria, la cual, a su vez, nombró su
cursales locales, por medio de las cuales han
sido repartidos a los peticionarios centenares
lidades existían tierras que no eran aprove
chables inmediatamente , para ese objeto ; las
tierras ociosas cuyos propietarios se abste
nían de cultivarlas fueron repartidas, libres
de costo, a los que deseaban producir cose
chas, comprendiéndose la superficie así uti
lizada en los centenares de miles de acres.
Si hay una cosa que hayan hecho los revo
lucionarios, ha sido la repartición de tierras,
y esta repartición continúa constantemente
día con día. Es sorprendente ver que un pe
riódico de la reputación del American, haga
tan incalificable declaración, desprovista por
entero de fundamento.
El " Springfield Republican, " de Massa
chusettes, otro periódico, que como el anterior
mente citado, es por regla general, bien inLa
formado y no propenso a error, vapulea a
México de la siguiente manera, en un edito
rial titulado " ¿ Por qué no hay una tarifa
para el zinc ?: "
" Nadie obtiene untilidades de la in
dustria del zinc en este país actualmente .
La razón es que el zinc americano pro
ducido, se ve obligado a competir con el
zinc mexicano, descansando este último
sobre la base de salarios miserables. ''
Existe en los Estados Unidos una tarifa
de importación para el zinc, del 10 por ciento,
sobre el valor, en bloques, lingotes u hojas.
Existe en México una tarifa de exportación
así del metal como de su mineral, que tiene
un monto considerable.
Además, las exportaciones de zinc de Mé
xico representan una cifra muy corta. La
producción total de zinc de los Estados Uni
dos, durante el año de 1918, fué valuada en
$119,258,000 . Las exportaciones totales de
zine de México, durante 1917, fueron de
$4,289,958, en tanto que en 1918, por las tres
aduanas principales , Piedras Negras, Chihua
hua y Nogales , sólo fueron exportados .....
$338,437. En 1917, el monto total del zinc
y del mineral de zinc importados en los Esta
{
dos Unidos, de todas partes, fué tan solo de
$7,596,930. Por lo cual, es difícil entender
porqué, " la base de salarios miserables ''
(otro error por el estilo) de México , podría
amenazar con la destrucción a la gran indus
tria del zinc en los Estados Unidos.
Charlotte
BeautyShop
Gante No. 7
TEL. ERICSSON 99-18 MEXICO, D. F
Smart hair dressing Peinados estilos
for different occa elegantes para to
sions. da clase de cere
Specialist in monias.
Especialista para
face and scalp
treatment. el tratamiento fa
Shampooing, Ma
nicuring. Shampoo y Ma
nicure .
Every Tollet Preparation Tenemos las Mejores Pre
For Ladles Use
paraciones para las Damas
 30 THE
"Multum in Parvo "
Condensed News Notes of Interest From
NE of the largest pulp and paper estab
lishments in British Columbia is seek
O
ing to establish commercial relations
with this country for the purpose of shipping
supplies of pulp to be made into to be made
into paper here.
Latest reports from the State of Sonora
are that there is a renewal of activity in
the copper mines and that it is hoped be
fore long that the usual number of hands.
would be employed in mining and smelting.
The agricultural outlook is said to be of
the best.
Within six days there arrived at the
port of Manzanillo eight merchant ves
sels from foreign ports, including Japan.
Large shipments of beans and other food
products were brought from the latter coun
try. A large number of freight cars were
required for the transportation of these
shipments into the interior of the country.
Negotiations are under way on the part
of the Government of the State of Coahui
la for the construction of a railway con
necting Allende , in the northern part of
that State, with Villa Acuña . Such a line
will open up a rich agricultural region
whose development has been hindered by
lack of transportation facilities.
The Director General of the Postoffice
Department, by orders of the President of
the Republic , has secured ten postal cars
of the latest model from builders in the
United States, which will be utilized for
the accommodation of the postal service be
tween the border and this city, which has
F " Someone has been unkind enough to
increased to far greater proportions than
ever before.
Reports from the State of Sinaloa are
that all the industries in that section are
now operating under normal conditions
mining, agricultural and industrial. Great
impetus has been given to the production
of tomatoes, both for shipment fresh to
the United Statos, as well as for canning.
The fact that this crop ripens in the late
winter and early spring months assures it
a regular market at good prices.
The Ayuntamiento , or authorities of Mex
ico City, have approved a project for the
establishment at once of two open-air
schools in the outskirts of the city, and
it is expected that others will follow. A
study has been made of such institutions
in the United States, and it was decided
that they were eminently suitable for the
climate and other advantages possessed by
this section .
A project has been submitted to the Sec
retary of Communications and Public Works
for the establishment of a regular line of
steamers between Progreso, in Yucatan, and
various ports in that State and the Ter
ritory of Quintana Roo. Calls will be
made at Xcalak, Payo Obispo, Cozumel and
Isla de Mujeres. The service will be estab
lished within six months arcter permission
shall have been secured.
The dealers in pulque have made a de .
finite offer to the city authorities to con
tribute $60,000 annually toward the main
tenance of the public schools, paying it
at the rate of $5000 per month.
MEXICAN REVIEW
All Portions ofthe Republic
The transactions of the Public Registry
of Property in the city of Mexico for the
month of May amounted to $14,789,677.20,
being half a million larger than for any
previous month of the year. For the first
five months of the current year the total
was $56,837,363.58.
A renewal of mining activity is reported
from Zacatecas, and when the preparations
now under way shall have been completed,
practically all of the leading mines in that
State will be in operation. Several
thousand men have been employed, most
of them being those who have returned
recently from the United States.
It is announced that the National City
Bank of New York will soon open a branch
in this city and one in Vera Cruz. The city
of Merida in the State of Yucatan will
also be favored with a similar institution
and it is regarded as probably that others
will be opened in important interior cities.
The commercial world welcomes this infor
mation.
The Department of Agriculture and De
velopment has appropriated funds for the
construction of three canals that will divert
water from the Yaqui river, in the State
of Sonora, and which will be used for the
irrigation of the lands of five Indian settle
ments to which have been allotted tracts
for cultivation . It is expected that this
will result in the complete pacification of
the State named.
It is reported that the consumption of
dried bananas in the United States is in
creasing rapidly and it is estimated that
more than ten million people on the Atlan
tic coast are regular users of this com
paratively new article of food. The retail
price varies from 16 to 20 cents per pound
in America money, and at these rates the
producers realize handsome profits . The
variety used almost exclusively for this
purpose is known as the " Roatan, " from
Tabasco, and is of superior quality.
Work is progressing steadily upon the
extension of the railway line from the city
of Durango westward toward the port of
Mazatlan. Regular trains are running so
far as the road has been completed and a
great impulse has been given to the agri
cultural, mineral and timber development of
the district traversed. The people of both
Sinaloa and Durango are looking forward
to a period of prosperity as soon as the
extension of the line shall have opened
commercial relations between those States,
which are separated by the Sierra Madre.
Nineteen Spaniards and two Germans
were recently deported from this country
under Article 33 of the National Constitu
tion, which provides for the summary ex
pulsion, without recourse and on the order
of the Chief Executive, of " any foreigner
whose presence he may deem inexpedient. "
The same article also provides that " No
foreigner shall meddle in any way what
soever in the political affairs of the coun
try. " The men who were expelled are
said to have violated the latter provision.
SOME " NEWS " AND OTHERWISE 1
(Continued fron Page 28)
The Topeka (Kan.) Journal certainly does
not pay much attention to facts that any
one may acquire with ease regarding this
country- such for example as the reports
issued by the United States government on
foreign commerce. It says :
" In view of the fact that conditions
in that benighted country have not im
proved, but rather have grown steadily
worse during the time we have been
engaged abroad ..... The net result has
been much bloodshed and the complete
disruption of the industries of the coun
try ... It is said that more Americans
have lost their lives by violence in Mex
ico than perished on the Lusitania. ''
An so on in the familiar1 vein. For a coun
try whose industries have been " completely
‫ܕ‬
disrupted " Mexico is certainly doing remark
ably well to transact foreign commerce last
year to a much greater extent than ever
before in her history. And as to the com
parison of loss of life in this country with
that on the Lusitania, this has been so com
pletely exploded on the showing made by
the most rabid enemy of Mexico that it is a
wonder it should find repetition among reput
able papers .
The St. Louis Republic however seems to
appreciate the situation, as the following
demonstrates :
" Just whom do the American interests
now criticising Carranza want to put in
power? The old autocracy of Diaz, the
autocracy of 10 or 15 years ago that
was based upon the great haciendas, or
have they some new and untried candi
date to handle affairs south of the Rio
Grande del Norte ?
remark that it is in the power of the
new Republican Congress to go ahead
and have that little war with Mexico
that certain Republicans have been crav
ing ever sinèe the Taft administration.
What is back of the sudden and inimical
interest that is assailing the Carran
za Government ? Does relative peace
across the border interfere with the
plans and ambitions of certain Ameri
cans ?"
LA OPERA
5 de Mayo No. 10.- Mexico City.
TEA ROOM
THE BEST IN TOWN
PASTRY
BON - BONS
CHOCOLATES
CHOCOLATERIA FRANCESA
|+1|44|4 | }«»ÕÌÒ«Q«Ü«*
THE UNITED METAL CO.
2a. Motolinia, 18.
APARTADO , 1684. MEXICO.
BARRAS DE ORO Y PLATA
Compramos o Tomamos en
Comisión para su Venta.
AZOGUE
DEPARTAMENTO DE ENSAYE
}
 LA REVISTA
2
GENESIS LEGAL
DE LA REVOLUCION
CONSTITUCIONALISTA.
AJO este título ha sido últimamente edi
BAJ O un tomo del más interesante ma
tado
terial histórico documentado. El autor del
trabajo que será desarrollado en varios vo
lúmenes, estando en circulación el primero ,
es el señor licenciado Manuel Aguirre Ber
langa, quien tomó parte activa en el movi
miento revolucionario y llevó un registro mi
nucioso de los diferentes sucesos, habiéndolo
entregado a la imprenta con el objeto de que
los hechos sean conocidos.
Ha habido tanta relación equivocada de
los acontecimientos , tantos cargos y recrimi
naciones, que los que se hallan en busca de
verdad, recibirán con plácemes este compac
to volúmen.
Cada paso es detallado desde que Carranza
recibió las primeras noticias del cuartelazo,
la inmediata traición e insubordinación de
1 obtener el control económico de México.
Huerta y sus asociados en la conspiración,
hasta } la ocupación final de la ciudad de Mé
xico.
Los diferentes decretos , expedidos por Ca
rranza, conforme el movimiento progresaba,
han sido recopilados textualmente, y su lec
tura, vendrá a destruir muchas ideas erró
neas y muchos cargos infundados que han
sido lanzados por los enemigos de la{ Revo
lución.
Este es el primer compendio específico de
los principales hechos revolucionarios, que
se ha editado. Su lenguaje es fácil, florido ,
no se alarga en discusiones sobre tal o cual
punto, sino que es breve, conciso y cautiva
dor en el relato de los más interesantes su
cesos que aparecen acompañados de pruebas
documentadas.
También se haya embellecido con series
de curiosas ilustraciones de los principales
acontecimientos de la Revolución y diferen-
tes mapas de distintas secciones del país.
La impresión es correctísima ; fué hecha en
los talleres tipográficos de la Imprenta Na
cional, S. A. , en donde se imprime esta Re
vista.
} "Alguien ha sido lo suficientemente
El autor ha hecho un buen trabajo, y me
rece, por todos conceptos, las más sinceras
felicitaciones por su primer volumen.
El Presidente ha expedido instrucciones
para no conceder más concesiones para el
desecamiento de lagos, a fin de reclamar
los terrenos cubiertos por el agua, puesto
que hay vastas superficies de otras tierras
que son apropiadas para el cultivo .
1848# [24]
}
OPTICA
Montada y dirigida científicamente, gastando sólo material de primera calidad. Despacha
mos recetas con el mayor escrúpulo y con absoluta garantía de exactitud . Todo lo mejor del
ramo a precios equitativos.
Ponemos a su disposición a un óptico de vastos conocimientos y extensísima práctica.
La casa tiene fama nacional y es conocida y recomendada por los más eminentes ocu
listas y médicos del país.
ROCHESTER
AVENIDA 16 DE SEPTIEMBRE No. 5.
MEXICANA
LA " REVOLUCION DE BLANQUET ’’
SUS VERDADEROS SOSTENEDORES
Y SU TRAGICO FIN.
IL inesperado y trágico fin de la lama
ELda " revolución "
de Blanquet, a la
que tanto espacio se le dedicó en esa
porción de la prensa americana que es anta
gónica a México , sugiere la pregunta si
guiente : ' dos respecto al comercio extranjero . Dice
Si tan pronto debía acabar,
¿ Para qué diablos comenzó ?
Tomamos del " Revolutionary Age, " de
Boston, Mass ., el siguiente párrafo que tiene
especial interés, aunque no contiene nada
que no sea bien conocido- en este país, cuan
do menos :
Se ha organizado en México una " re
volución " contra el Gobierno de Carran
za. No es una revolución de las masas,
sino una conspiración de los intereses
monetarios extranjeros y los elementos de
de los regímenes de Díaz y Huerta, para
El General Blanquet, Jefe de la expe
dición militar, anuncia que uno de los
actos de su " gobierno será nulificar
los decretos " confiscatorios ' del actual
gobierno mexicano . Estos decretos " con
fiscatorios " afectan al capital extranjero ,
y el gobierno tiene el propósito de rom
per la influencia que el capital extran
jero tiene en los recursos de México.
Estos decretos afectan particularmente
a los intereses petroleros ingleses y ame
ricanos en México ; y el " golpe " militar
que se está preparando, " huele a petró
leo. "
El golpe fué preparado en la ciudad
de Nueva York, y está apoyado financie
ramente por bandidos imperialistas. El
Gobierno Americano protestó contra es
tos decretos legítimos, por ser " confis
catorios, " pero no obra contra los bandi
dos imperialistas. ¡ Y la conferencia de
paz está organizando una Liga de Na
ciones!
ha en
UN alma crítica supersensible,
contrado impropias las últimas audi
ciones de gran ópera en la antigua plaza de
toros, apoyándose en que eran una profa
nación. ¿ Una profanación de qué ? ¿ de la
plaza de toros ? En verdad , eran un gran
dísimo contraste comparadas con las ante
riores fiestas presenciadas en ese lugar ; pe
ro, sin embargo, se proporcionó a miles de
personas amantes de la música, una opor
tunidad de gozar de la música clásica a
precios al alcance de todas las fortunas, y
bajo un circumambiente y condiciones no
igualadas por ninguna otra sala de la ciu
dad, y por muy pocas en el mundo. ¡ Pro
fanación !, ¡ qué insensatez !
[+ 8+ Du
ESCRIBA O VEANOS .
LA
}
31
ALGUNAS NOTICIAS,
O LO QUE SEAN.
(Continúa de la página 29)
(
El Topeka Journal, " de Kansas, no pres
ta mucha atención a los hechos relativos a
este país , que se pueden conocer fácilmen
te tales, por ejemplo, como los informes ex
pedidos por el Gobierno de los Estados Uni
así el periódico :
" En vista del hecho de que las condi
ciones de ese descarriado país no han me
jorado, sino que más bien han empeorado
rápidamente durante el tiempo que hemos
estado comprometidos en el exterior.
" ... El único resultado ha sido un
abundante derramamiento de sangre y
el completo aniquilamiento de las indus
trias de ese país ... Se dice que han per
dido sus vidas por la violencia, más ame
ricanos en México que los que murieron
en el Lusitania ."
Y se sigue así en la forma de costumbre.
Para ser un país cuyos industrias han sido
" completamente aniquiladas, " ciertamente
que México se ha manejado admirablemente
bien para aumentar su comercio exterior du
rante el año pasado hasta un grado muy su
pèrior a cuanto se había visto en su historia .
Y por lo que toca a la comparación de la pér
dida de vidas en este país con la habida en
el Lusitania, ha sido tan completamente ex
plotada en las demostraciones hechas por los
más rabiosos enemigos de México , que sor
prende pueda ser repetida entre los periódi
cos de reputación .
El periódico St. Louis Republic , '' sin em
bargo, parece aquilatar bien la situación , co
mo lo demuestra lo siguiente :
" A quién quieren poner en el Poder
los intereses americanos que critican ac
tualmente a Carranza ? ¿ A la vieja auto
cracia de Díaz, la autocracia de hace 10
ó 15 años, y que estaba basada en las
grandes haciendas, o tienen algún nuevo
y no probado candidato para dirigir los
negocios en el sur del Río Grande del
Norte?
severo para advertir que está dentro de
las facultades del nuevo Congreso Repu
blicano ir adelante y sostener contra
México esa pequeña guerra que ciertos
republicanos han anhelado siempre desde
al Administración de Taft.
" ¿ Qué hay detrás del repentino y hos
til interés que está atacando al Gobierno
de Carranza ? ¿ Es que la paz relativa
del otro lado de la frontera obstruye los
planes y ambiciones de ciertos ameri
canos ?''
Haßesße
MEXICO, D. F.
 A задачени за да I
32 THE
{
Mexican Byways
Scenes and Experiences Away From the
By Geo. F. Weeks .
CHAPTER V.- Continued.
From Tepehuanes to Topia.
(By an unfortunate transposition of the
copy ." Chapter VI was given in the July
issue, instead of the continuation of Chap
ter V, which is here presented.)
UT to resume the journey from this
digression- a pardonable one , since
B one of the salient experiences of all
travelers in the byways of Mexico is the
abundant hospitality of even the poorest
of the natives .
Again we get an early start the next
morning, though it was very cold and wind .
The rising sun did not mend matters, and
there was ice all day long by the road
gide wherever there was moisture enough
to freeze . I was wearing the heaviest
fleece lined underwear , woolen shirt, two
vests, three coats , woolen trousers and
khaki over them, yet was cold and shiverel
all day. We were at an elevation of 9000
to 10,000 feet, and the temperature could
not have gone above the freezing point
at any time. Of course this would not
seem very cold to one from the Atlantic
coast or the Middle West, but to an old
Californian , with over thirty years in that
genial climate added to several in Mex
ico, the temperature was quite sufficien¹13
low and made one wish to get as soon as
possible into a more genial climate.
An hour before sunset we reached Llano
Grande, a large clearing with a cluster of
farm buildings, all of the same primitive
type as those heretofore encountered . Herc
we found the lowest depths of poverty so
far as food was concerned , that I had yet
seen. Upon asking if they had any cggs
for sale, " No, Señor, " was the reply.
" Anv
"Any tortillas ? '' " No, Señor. "
" No
frijoles ? " " No , , Señor. " " What have
you to eat ? " " Nothing but potatoes, Sc
ñor. '' And so it proved. The corn crop
had been a failure, and the bean crop like .
wise. The potatoes had well nigh failed ,
but a lot had been harvested none of which
exceeded a very small English walnut in
size, and this was the sole diet of the
seven or eight people whom we found living
here on the bleak mountain top. When [
made coffee I brewed sufficient to pass
around, and told the mozo to keep the pot
going at the fire all night, and give them
more when they wanted it. The gusto
with which they drank the unwonted bever
showed what a treat it was to them
age
At this place we could not obtain any
feed for the mules at any price , with the
exception of a little " rastrojo , " and even
with this the proprietor was loath to part.
Topia was now but half a day distant,
and it needed no urging for me to be up
before . daylight and assist in having every .
thing in readiness to start as soon as the
trail was visible. The route led through
heavy timber and over frozen ground.
crossing streams fringed and even covered
with ice, and climbing still higher and
higher. About nine o'clock the mozo said
" Soon you will see Topia, " and I began
MEXICAN REVLE
was the next question. At first glance, the
spot where I stood seemed to be the ter
and Highways minus of the trail. But the mozo "
मैं and the
mules, with a greater appetite for a square
meal than for scenery, could be heard
Usual Paths of Travelers and Writers
clattering over the rocks far below and ་ I
looked to see how they were to be followed .
At a sharp angle with the course of the trail
was a narrow shelf of rock whose worn sur
to keep a sharp outlook for the first glimpse face showed that it had been traveled by
of the place. I knew in a general way countless thousands of feet. Little more
from what I had been told that the town
than a foot in width, apparently , with a
to which I was bound lay in a deep canyon
precipice on one side and a rocky walk on
and that it could be seen for some time
the other, it was very far from inviting
before reaching it, but I had not in any
way been prepared for the actuality . To as a safe pathway for mule or man. Besides
being narrow and slippery, it was steep as
ward ten o'clock we had been for some
well, and after a glance at it I concluded
time traveling along the bed of a creek ,
that walking was to be preferred to riding
but finally crossed it for the last time and
over any such perilous looking trails, s
struck up a rather steep incline that ter
dismounted, and taking the reata in my
minated in a jagged crest with high, sharp
hand, hugging the rocky wall closely, and
cliffs on either side, towering above the
keeping as far from the edge as possiblc ,
trail. The mozo and pack mules were in
started down the mountain side, nor did
front, and as we neared this crest they I remount until the ‫ که‬comparatively level
suddenly disappeared around a rocky corner. surface of the valley was reached, an hour
Without the faintest idea of what was
and a half later and about 4000 feet
before me I rode my mule to the creat, deeper .
and then
The sight that greeted me was one to I was told a story of a party of Amer
icans who were on their way to Topia, one
strike the observer literally dumb with
amazement and admiration. I stood on the of whom, on reaching the spot in the trail
that I have described, at once dismounted,
brink of a cliff down whose sheer sides
and falling to the ground, hugged the side
I scarcely dared cast more than a momeut
of the cliff as closely as he could get to
ary glance. And that fleeting glance made
it and absolutely refused to move or try
me dizzy and faint. Down, down, down .
to walk down the trail. He was so panic
almost perpendicularly, fell the cliff into
stricken at the sight of the tremendous
the abyss below. A single step in ad
precipice that he could not move, and his
vance- well, death could scarcely be more
companions were forced to tie him with a
sudden than yawned at my very feet. The
rugged cliffs swung around in a great rope, so that any involuntary movement on
his part would not endanger their lives, and
amphitheater miles in diameter, and away
down in their depths, thousands of feet
below, cradled in verdure and seattered over
the low hills at the bottom of the valley,
were the white walls, red tiled roofs and
gleaming church towers of the ancient old
pueblo of Topia. Off to the west were Po
other chiffs and crags and lofty mountain
summits, piled one on the other, rugged
W
E
beyond description, fading away in the dis
S
tance in a wilderness of, rock, tree and
mist, and away beyond, more than a hun
miles away, where the
dred and fifty
mountains sank into the plain, beyond that
even, what was that faint silvery line
It did not seem possible that it could be
the Pacific Ocean, yet inquiry subsequently CALIDAD EXACTITUD
proved that it was indeed so and that i PRONTITUD
had chanced upon one of those rare mo
ments when the waters of the sea were
visible, even though so faintly, from these
MEXICO OPTICAL CO.
lofty summits. I have seen the Sierra of
California from old Shasta to the summit
Independencia, 2. Facing the Cable Office.
of Grayback and of San Bernardino- from
one end of the Golden State to the other
I have traveled repeatedly and am familiar The Optical House of Mexico .
with the grandeur of her mountains. But
nowhere in all the length and breadth of
the Sierra Nevada have I ever seen such a We make lenses in all styles and colors
picture as held me breathless and opecchles from any prescription.
this morning on the brink of the Topia
chasm. I wish I had the ability to describe Headquarters for Invisible Bifocals
the scene adequately, but it is impossible. We give you the best and quickest service
It is one of those scenes of grandeur, of We have many Exclusive Agencies for
sublimity, that remain indelibly impressed
the Best Optical Goods, including the Best
upon the sensitive plate of the memory so
long as life shall last, and which words Ear Phones for the deaf.
A
are all too feeble to depict.
How to get down into the depths of the Call on us or write.
valley, where a warm welcome awaited me,
ነ
 1
71
** L
33

।
al et ante ** LA REVISTA MEXICANA
сто будет три проти
--Sierra de California, desde la antigua Shas
ta hasta el vértice de Grayback y de San
Por Caminos y Veredas de México . Bernardino ; -he viajado de uno al otro ex·
Fo ** tremo del Estado del oro, repetidas veces,
Ame Escenas y Aventuras en Caminos y Parajes Poco
She y estoy familiarizado con la grandeza de
Frecuentados por Viajeros y Escritores sus montañas. Pero en ninguna otra parte
a todo lo largo y ancho de la Sierra Ne
bars Por Geo. F. Weeks. vada había yo visto nunca un cuadro como
=== для на el que me tenía mudo y sin aliento esa
CAPITULO V.- Continuación. de distancia y no se necesitó apremiarme mañana, al borde de la quebrada de To
para que estuviera levantado antes de que pia. Desearía tener la habilidad suficiente
~ *** De Tepehuanes a Topia.
alumbrara la luz del día y ayudara a te para describir la escena debidamente ; mas
(Por una desgraciada trasposición de los
originales, el Capítulo VI fue publicado en la ner todo dispuesto para partir tan pronto esto es imposible. Esta es una de esas
edición de julio, en lugar de la continua como el sendero se hiciera visible . La ruti
ción del Capítulo VIque se inserta aquí.) escenas de grande za , de sublimidad , que
conducía a través de espesos bosques , y permanecen indeleblemente impresas en la
ERO debo seguir la relación del viaje sobre un terreno helado, cruzando arroyos
desde esta digresión- una digresión placa sensible de la memoria en tanto que
P orlados y aun cubiertos de hielo, y ascen dura la vida y que las palabras son de
-perdonable, puesto que una de las diendo cada vez más y más. Cerca de las
masiado pálidas para describir.
Jet principales experiencias de todos los viaje. nueve de la mañana, el mozo me dijo :
ros en las veredas de México consiste en Cómo llegar al fondo del valle, donde me
+ " Pronto divisará usted Topia, " y comencé
la pródiga hospitalidad de los nativos, aun esperaba una calurosa acogida, era el pro
a dirigir miradas indagadoras para echar blema inmediato . A primera vista, el lu
de los más pobres de ellos. ‫ܚܐ‬ la primera ojeada sobre la plaza. Sabía,
wdy& Nuevamente, a la mañana siguiente, par gar donde estaba yo parecía ser el término
de una manera general, por lo que se había de la senda. Mas el mozo y las mulas ,
fo ds timos muy temprano, aunque hacía mucho referido, que la población a la cual me di
frío y viento. El naciente sol no mejoró atraídas más por el deseo de un justo ali
rigía, se asentaba en un profundo cañón y mento, que por contemplar el espectáculo ,
las cosas y hubo hielo durante todo el día , que podía ser vista durante algún tiempo
a
a lo largo de la ruta, en dondequiera que se habían adelantado , pudiéndoseles oír
раздни antes de llegar a ella ; pero no había sido haciendo ruido entre las rocas, mucho más
Exa -babía suficiente humedad para congelarse.
preparado de ningún modo para el presen abajo ; y entonces miré en torno mío para
Yo llevaba encima la ropa interior más pe te caso. Hacia las diez de la mañana,
sada y forrada de lana, camisa de lo mismo, ver de qué modo debía seguirlos. Formando
habíamos caminado durante algún tiempo
un ángulo agudo con el sendero, se encon
S dos
Mary chalecos, tres sacos, pantalones de lana por el lecho de un arroyo, mas finalmente
And wes ý unos de kakhi sobre ellos, y aun todavía traba una estrecha grada de roca cuya des
I lo cruzamos por la última vez y tomamos
tuve frío y temblé todo el día. Nos gastada superficie indicaba que había sido
* un empinado declive que terminaba en una
encontrábamos a una altura de nueve o recorrida por incontables millares de pies
cresta dentada con altos y agudos riscos de
Teniendo poco más de un pie de anchura,
4r

буми ипро
#* * diez mil pies yзадать la temperatura no podía cada lado, que descollaba sobre la vereda.
whe✰ haber ascendido del punto de congelación aparentemente , con un precipicio a un lado
El mozo y las mulas de carga marchaban
ên ningún momento. Naturalmente que esto y un muro de rocas en el otro , estaba muy
adelante y cuando nos acercábamos a esa
no parecería muy frío a un nativo de la cresta, desaparecieron súbitamente detrás de lejos de convidar a pasar sobre él como
costa del * Atlántico o del Oeste medio , mas un ángulo de roca. Sin tener más ligera si fuera un camino para hombres o mulas.
para un viejo californiano , que había vi; idea de lo que estaba adelante de mí, di Además de ser estrecho y resbaladizo , eran
vido sobre treinta años en el confortable rigí mi mula hacia la cresta y entonces : también empinado , y después de haberlo
clima de California y varios más en Méxi El espectáculo con que me encontré era mirado, concluí que debía preferirse mar
co, la temperatura era demasiado baja, y para dejar al observador materialmente mu char a pie que sobre montura en sendas
lo hacía desear a uno encontrarse lo más do de admiración y asombro. Encontrá de tan peligroso aspecto , y así, desmontado
pronto que fuera posible en un clima más Aut bame de pie en el borde de
un acantilado, y tomando la reata con la mano, ceñido es
confortable.
debajo de cuyos flancos cortados a pico , no trechamente al muro de rocas y mantenién
Una hora antes de la puesta del sol, lle me atreví a echar sino una mirada instan
dome tan alejado del borde como era po
gamos a Llano Grande, un gran espacio tánea. Y la fugaz mirada que arrojó me
sible, eché a andar montaña abajo, y nɔ
abierto con un grupo de construcciones cam dejó desvanecido y acobardado. Bajo , aba remonté sobre mi montura sino cuando ha
pesinas, todas del mismo estilo primitivo jo, más abajo, casi perpendicularmente , ol •
5 bíamos llegado al nivel relativo de la su
que las encontradas antes. Aquí encontra risco caía en el abismo que coronaba. Un
mos los más bajos fondos de la pobreza perficie del valle , una hora y media des
solo paso más hacia adelante y mi muerte
que había yo visto, en lo que se refería a pudo haber sido más instantánea que si ya pués, a cuatro mil pies más abajo.
los alimentos. Al preguntar si tenían al Me contaron entonces de una partida de
ciera a mis pies. Los escarpados riscos se
gunos huevos de venta, la respuesta fue : extendían alrededor formando un gran anfi americanos que estaban en camino de To
“ No, señor. ' ' " Algunas tortillas ?" " No, teatro de varias millas de diámetro , y pia, y uno de los cuales , al llegar al sitio
при señor. '' " Algunos frijoles !" " No, se4 { muy lejos,
en su fondo, a millares de pies
ñor. " "¿ Qué tienen pues, para comer? ' más abajo, rodeados de verdura y disemi
" Nada más patatas, señor. '' Y así suce
nados sobre las bajas colinas del fondo del
dió. La cosecha del maíz había constituído valle se encontraban los blancos muros, los GUERRERO
4
un fracaso, y la del haba, lo mismo. Las rojos tejados y las brillantes torres de la
patatas habían estado a punto de faltar. iglesia del
antiquísimo pueblo de Topia . Fine American Tailoring
pero se había recogido un lote , de ellas Hacia el oeste había otros acantilados y des
que por su tamaño no excedía ninguna a peñaderos y altísimos vértices de montañas, Imported Woolens
una nuez inglesa pequeña, y este era el hacinados los unos sobre los otros, escar
único alimento de las siete u ocho perso ENGLISH SPOKEN
pados más allá de toda ponderación, esfu
nas que encontramos viviendo allí, en la mándose, a la distancia, en un yermo de 24
desabrigada cúspide de la montaña. Cuando roca, árboles y niebla, y más allá todavía Avenida Juárez 14.
preparé café, mezclé el suficiente para servir -a más de ciento cincuenta millas de dis
a todos y ordené al mozo que conservara tancia, allí donde las montañas parecían
la olla en el fuego durante toda la noche hundirse en la llanura-más allá de cual
y que les diera más si querían . El gusto quier cosa, ¿ qué era esa línea argentina Taquigrafía por Correspondencia
con que bébieron la inacostumbrada bebi que se observaba? No parecía posible que en Inglés y Español, por la
da mostró que placer constituía para ellos . pudiese ser el Océano Pacífico , aunque una
En este lugar no pudimos obtener ningún investigación ulterior me probó que en SEÑORA A. M. L. COLESON
alimento para las mulas, a ningún precio, efecto lo era y de que había yo tenido la
con excepción de un poco de " rastrojo, ” suerte de observarlo en uno de esos raros La Mejor Profesora de Taquigrafía
y aun tratándose de esto, el propietario no momentos en que las aguas del mar eran en México .
estaba dispuesto a separarse de él. visibles , aunquo muy esfumadas, desde Gante, 9. México, D. F.
Ahora, Topia se encontraba a medio día aquellos altísimos vértices. He visto la

T
{

Kais
1
 Theમ 34 THE
then carry him bodily down the trail to a
place where it widened out and was safer.
I must confess that I could readily sym-
pathize with him, and could well imagine
what an effect the sudden sight of this awe
inspiring scenery might have upon any weak
nerved person .
Founded in 1582 by those hardy Conquis
tadores who have left their impress all over
Mexico, Topia may well boast of her an
tiquity. Earlier by a generation than the
coming of the Pilgrims, older than any city
in the United States (with a single ex
ception- St. Augustine ) , Topia was a town
of respectable age when the country east
of the Mississippi River was an unsettled
wilderness. Yet with all its antiquity, wilh
all its hoary years, the paved streets of
Topia never felt the turning of the wheels
of¹ any sort of vehicle, and generations of
people have been born, brought up, lived
and died in this town without ever having
22
seen a wheeled vehicle of any kind. AI
though the Pacific coast of the United States
has many large and thriving cities which
were originally in situations far more diffi
cult of access that this, but are now pro
vided not only with wagon roads but with
lines of rail as well, and although thers
are no actually insurmountable engineering
obstacles in the way of road construction ,
still the old pueblo has managed to exist
and thrive for nearly 340 years with no
other means of communication or transporta
tion than are afforded by a pack trail, and
it seems altogether probable that she wil!
continue to so exist for generations yet to
come, though it is true that a number of
years ago a survey for a railroad was made
connecting Topia with Culiacan, the object
being to afford an outlet for the low grade
ores of its mines, which are too poor lu
stand the heavy cost of pack train trans
portation , and at the same time to open
up the vast timber resources of the region
round about. Doubtless such a road may be
built sometime, the fact that the Southern
Pacific railroad has required large interests
in the Topia quebrada, less than a day's
ride from the town, pointing to the pos
sibility of a movoment in that direction
what time the construction of the line to
Guadalajara from Mazatlan shall have been
completed.
One could fill a volume with the tales and
traditions that he can pick up around an
ancient place like this . Once upon a time
the fear of Indian depredations made the
lives of the people a burden to them.
Twice was the town sacked and burned by
the savages from the north, and there are
still standing old buildings which are pierced
with loopholes from which the marauding
savages were shot.
By the way, my initial experience was
unexpected and novel, but typical of some
of the pleasantest Mexican customs. We
arrived at my son's house about 2:30 p. m. ,
weary, travel stained and hungry . After
the first warm greeting from the mother
of my grandchildren, she looked around and
finally asked in surprise " But where is
Walter?" " Walter? I do not know. He
is here, is he not ? " " Why no ; he left yes
terday to meet you and guide you over the
trail. Have you not seen him ? " " Why
no! I have seen nothing of him. " " Oh,
he must be lost in the mountains ! Or he
may have fallen over a cliff. Where can
MEXICAN REVIEW
F
he be ? " I immediately told the mozo io
resaddle the mules, and said that we would
start on the back trail at once, to search
for the missing one. This was demurred
to , and after considerable argument and
insistence I was prevailed upon to wait
for a good meal, and also to feed the mules
at the same time, in order to freshen all
hands for the unexpected journey . Over
an hour was passed in this manner, while
I anxiously looked back toward the cliff
which we had just descended and wondered
and worried about the possible fate of the
missing one. When the meal was concluded
I again instructed the mozo to saddle up ,
and then came the surprise. " Oh, Señor ,
it is not necessary for you to go in search
of your son. As soon as it was found that
he was not with you and was lost, his
compadre, Don Plutarco Almeida, was told,
and within ten minutes he and an ex
perienced guide who knows all the moun
tain trails, had saddled up and left town
without telling you. They will find him
and you may rest content after your long
journey. "
Sure enough, some time after dark the
party returned with the missing man. Iu
the darkness of the night before he had
wandered off the trail, had become com
pletely lost, and all day long had wander
ed in the wilderness of the rugged moun
tain fastnesses until met by the two search
ers .
A compadre is one for whose child you
have acted as godfather or who has acted
in that capacity for your own offspring
The tie is regarded as highly sacred, and as
calling for every service and every sacri
fice which are supposed to be a brother's
duty, and which are always freely ren
dered.
(To be Continued )
THE STATE OF SONORA STILL
REMAINS IN THE " DRY COLUMN '
SHORT time since it was announced
Α ' publicly that the State of Sonora had
reversed its “ dry '' policy and had declared
in favor of a "wet " regime. It was said
that there was a flocking of foreign liquor
dealers to border towns like Nogales, Naco ,
Agua Prieta, etc. , for the purpose of open
ing saloons in order to slake the thirst
of the dry people of the adjacent dry State
of Arizona. But it seems this was an error .
General Plutarco Elias Calles , under whose
regime Sonora was made dry and kept dry ,
arrived in his State a short time since and '
almost immediately thereafter the news was
sent to this city that Sonora was still dry
and would in all probability remain so !
The Governor of the State of Chihuahua
has issued a decree closing all the gambling
houses of whatever character in the city
of Juarez after July 30th . It was his
intention to have them closed sooner, but
it was found that some of them had paid
considerable sums to the city government
for licenses , and it was decided to allow
them to operate until the end of the time
for which they had paid. Much trouble
has been caused by the visits of throngs
of strangers from the " dry" territory on
the northern bank of the Rio Grande to
the "wet " region on the south bank, and
the State Governor finally took the step
mentioned in order to remedy the evil.
THE BLANQUET "REVOLUTION, "
ITS REAL BACKING AND
ITS TRAGIC ENDING.
IN view of the sudden and tragic ending of
the recent so-called Blanquet " revolut
ion, '' which was given so much space in that
portion of the American press that is antago
nistic to Mexico , and which inspires the ques
tion . 1
If it was so soon to be done for
What in thunder was it begun for ?
The following from the Revolutionary Age
of Boston, Mass., is of especial interest ,
although it contains nothing that is not well
known-in this country at all events.
" There is a 'revolution " being or
ganized in Mexico , against the Carranza
government. It is not a revolution of the
masses, but a conspiracy of foreign mo
ney interests together with the elements
of the Diaz and Huerta regimes to secure
economic control of Mexico . General
Blanquet, the leader of the military ex
pedition, announces that one of the acts
of his " government '' will be to nullify
the " confiscatory ' decrees of the pre
" sent Mexican government. These " con
fiscatory " decrees affect foreign capi
tal, the purpose of the government being
to break the grip which foreign capital
has upon Mexico's resources. These
decrees affect particularly British and
American oil interests in Mexico ; and
the " military coup " being organized
" smells of oil. " The coup was prepared
in New York City, and is financed by
imperialistic brigands. The American
government protested against these legi
timate decrees as " confiscatory, " but it
acts not against the imperialistic brig
ands. And the Peace Conference is or
ganizing a League of Nations ! '
Heavy storms washed out all the railway
lines to the border and caused the mails
from the United States to be delayed for
upwards of a week during the last of July.
Have Review mailed free of postage by
calling at this office .
GO
OF
S
AS
CA
CHICAGO
Comm
EL
RAL
ME
SPAN
NT
C
E
A
D
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****
REPRESENTANTES EXCLUSIVOS
EN
MEXICO.
EDIFICIO GORE 204
CALLE DE NUEVO MEXICO Nº 6.
Hacendados
Industriales
Comerciantes
VENDEMOS TODO LO QUE
USTEDES NECESITAN A
Precios de Fábrica
 .‫ید‬
? LA REVISTA
de la vereda que he descrito, se desmontó
inmediatamente, y echándose de bruces en
el sueló, abrazó el borde del acantilado tan
estrechamente como pudo, y se negó en
lo absoluto a moverse de allí para conti
nuar su camino por aquel paso. Se había
apoderado de él tal pánico a la vista del
tremendo precipicio , que no se pudo mover,
habiéndose visto obligados sus compañeros
a atarlo con una $ soga, de manera que nin
gún movimiento involuntario de su parte
pusiera sus vidas en peligro, y llevarlo en
tonces en peso por la vereda hasta un sitio
donde ésta se ensanchaba y ofrecía mayores
seguridades.
W Debo confesar que pude ha
ber simpatizado inmediatamente con él y
que me imaginé el efecto que podía produ
cir la súbita visión de esta escena, que ins
piraba pavor, en cualquiera persona de dé
bil constitución nerviosa.
Fundada en el año de 1582 por esos fé
rreos Conquistadores que han dejado sus
huellas ❤ en todo México, Topia puede muy
bien vanagloriarse de su antiguedad. AnC
terior en una generación a la venida de
los peregrinos, y más vieja que cualquiera
ciudad de los Estados Unidos (con una sola
excepción San Agustín) , Topia era una
ciudad de edad respetable cuando el país
que queda al este del río Mississippi era
un páramo inhabitado. Y aun con toda su
T antigiiedad
y sus luengos años, las empe
dradas calles de Topia no han sentido nun
ca el rodar de las ruedas de ninguna clase
de vehículos , y en ella han nacido , cre
cido, vivido y muerto muchas generaciones,
sin haber visto jamás ningún vehículo de
ruedas. A pesar de que la costa del Pací
fico de los Estados Unidos contiene muchas
y prósperas ciudades que estuvieron primi
tivamente en condiciones de tan difícil ac
ceso como Topia, pero que están provistas
ahora no solamente con caminos carreteros
sino también con líneas de ferrocarril, y
a pesar de que no existen actualmente obs
táculos insuperables de ingeniería en lo que
respecta a la construcción de rutas, aun ese
pueblo ha existido y desarrolládose por un
espacio de cerca de trescientos cuarenta
años sin otros medios de comunicación 0
transporte que los que proporciona una
simple vereda para animaels de carga, y
aun parece también probable que continuará
viviendo así durante las generaciones que
han de venir, por más que es verdad que
hace algunos años se hizo una visita de
inspección por allí para la construcción de
un ferrocarril que uniera a Topia con Cu
liacán, teniendo por mira el proporcionar
una salida a los minerales de baja ley de
sus minas, que son demasiado pobres para
soportar el alto costo del transporte en re
# cuas, y, al mismo tiempo, para abrir las
grandes riquezas de maderas de la región
circunvecina. Sin duda alguna que tal fe
rrocarril será construído en algún tiempo,
señalando la posibilidad de una iniciativa
en tal sentido, cuando haya terminado la
construcción de la línea de Guadalajara a
Mazatlán, el hecho de que el Ferrocarril
del Pacífico del Sur ha adquirido vastos
intereses en la Quebrada de Topia, a menos
de una jornada de esa población.
Podría uno llenar un volumen con los
cuentos y tradiciones que se puede recoger
en torno de un lugar tan antiguo como éste.
En cierta ocasión, el temor a las depreda
ciones de los indios, hizo de la vida de los
habitantes una verdadera - carga para ellos.
{.
K
35
MEXICANA
EL ESTADO DE SONORA SE ENCUEN
La población ha sido dos veces saqueada e
incendiada por los salvajes del norte, y aún TRA TODAVIA EN LA " LISTA DE
80 conservan en pie viejas construcciones LOS SECOS '
que están perforadas con troneras, desde
donde eran cazados los salvajes merodeap OCO ciado públicdespués
amente de quequeel fuese anun
Estado de
dores.
De paso relataré mi experiencia inicial Sonora había abolido su política " seca " y
- declarádose en favor del régimen " húme
aquí, que fue tan inesperada como nove
dosa, pero característica de alguna de las do , " se dijo que había una bandada de
costumbres mexicanas más agradables. Arri cantineros extranjeros en las poblaciones
bamos a la casa de mi hijo cerca de las de la línea divisoria, como Nogales, Naco,
dos y media de la tarde, aburridos y fati Agua Prieta, etc., con el propósito de abrir
gados del viaje y hambrientos. Pasada la cantinas para extinguir la sed de la gente
calurosa bienvenida que me dispensó la del Estado " seco " adyacente de Arizona.
madre de mi nieto, miró en torno y final Pero según parece esto fue un error. EI
General Plutarco Elías Calles , bajo cuyo
mente preguntó, con sorpresa : " Mas dónde
está Walter ? " " Walter, no sé ? '' " ¿Es régimen Sonora se volvió " seco , " y se con
tá él aquí, o no ? " " Qué no- salió ayer serva "seco, " llegó a su Estado al poco
para encontrarlo a usted y guiarlo por el tiempo, y casi inmediatamente después se
camino .M No le ha visto usted ? " a esta ciudad, que So
" Qué enviaron noticias
no ! -No le he visto para nada. ' " Oh, de nora se seguía " seco " todavía y que proba
be haberse perdido en las montañas! O ha blemente continuará en tal estado !
brá caído en algún despeñadoreo. ¿Dónde
podrá estar? '' Inmediatamente ordené al Se ha inaugurado una empresa privada
mozo que reensillara las mulas e indiqué para la construcción de habitaciones para
que marcharíamos al camino desde luego uso de los maestros de escuela en los te
para buscar al desaparecido . Esta resolu rrenos situados en las afueras de la ciu
ción mía fue objetada, y después de larga dad, que actualmente están inutilizados, o,
argumentación e insistencia, fuí disuadido dicho en otras palabras, para el estableci
a esperar un buen almuerzo y también pa miento de una colonia para esos profesio
ra alimentar a las mulas al mismo tiempo, nistas. Las casas serán vendidas al costo
a fin de que todos estuvieran dispuestos a los que las deseen, y en abonos menores
y descansados para emprender el inesperado que la renta mensual de costumbre exi
viaje. Pasó cerca de una hora de este gida por otras que ofrecen menores ven
modo, mientras que yo miraba retrospecti tajas de situación, etc.
vamente la escarpadura que acabábamos de
bajar y que discurría y me angustiaba me
ditando en la posible suerte del desapareci ، ، ‫ ܬ‬Gerencia de los Ferrocarriles Nacio
do. Cuando concluyó el almuerzo di nue nales ha encontrado la posibilidad de ob
the euer durmientes de ferrocarril en los Es
vamente instrucciones al mozo para ensi
llar, pero entonces se produjo una sorpre tados Unidos con mayores ventajas que en
sa. " Oh, señor, no es necesario que vaya este país ; recientemente se hizo un embar
usted en busca de su hijo. Tan pronto co que de sesenta y cinco mil durmientes , de
mo se vió que no regresaba con usted y que Texas, para el uso de las líneas que corren
estaba perdido, su compadre, don Plutarco hacia el Sur, desde Ciudad Juárez.
Almeida fue enterado de lo acaecido, y a
los diez minutos de esto, él y un experto
guía que conoce todas las veredas de la
montaña, habían ensillado y partieron de la
población sin comunicárselo a usted. Lo
encontrarán, y usted descansará tranquila
mente después de su largo viaje. "'
Ciertamente, un poco después de que ha
bía descendido la oscuridad regresó la par
HOTELS LOUIS
tida con el que se había perdido. En la
oscuridad de K la noche anterior, se había
000
apartado de la senda y se había extravia
do completamente, y había vagado todo el
día en el yermo de la áspera montaña , de
prisa, hasta que fue encontrado por los dos
que le buscaban.
Un compadre es una persona de cuyo
hijo se ha actuado como padrino o que ha
actuado del mismo modo respecto a vuestra
propia descendencia. El vínculo de unión
es considerado como altamente sagrado , y
obliga a toda clase de servicios y sacrifi
HOTEL St. LOUIS
cios, que se supone son deberes de herma
nos, y que siempre son prestados liberal Cuartos y Departamentos de lujo con baño
mente. la. y 2a. Categoria
(Continuará) * Teléfonos: Eric. 1254. -Mex. 791 Neri.
RESTAURANT
Varios millones de dólares que se han
Plan Europeo, Servicio smerado con
acumulado en la ciudad de Nueva York Garantla para los Señores Pasajeros .
a cargo del Agente Financiero de México , Plaanse Departamentos Telegráficamente
Caturegli, durante el embargo sobre la
1a . Uruguay 30
exportación de oro y plata de los Estados MEXICO , D F. $
Unidos, serán enviados al Tesoro Nacional, 2
ahora que la prohibición se ha levantado

36 THE
Diplomatic Notes Interchanged
United States Demands Protection for Citizens - In Reply,
Americans Are Advised to Remain in Populated Centers
OTES have been exchanged between the
United States and the Mexican govern
N ments regarding the protection of government to give protection.
Americans in this country, and were made
public recently. The American Note is as
follows :
July 22 , 1919 . enjoy a special and effective protection, so
" The Honorable Mr. Salvador Diego Fernán
dez, Chargé of the Foreign Relations then the government of Mexico finds itself they request guards suffiicent for safety,
Office-Sir :
" With reference to the note sent from
this Embassy on July 16, 1919, relative to
the murder of Peter Catrón, near Valles,
San Luis Potosí, which occurred on the
7th of July or thereabouts , I have the
honor to inform you that I have received
telegraphic instructions from my govern
ment to urge the Mexican government to
capture and punish those responsible for this
murder and adopt adequate measures to
prevent the recurrence of assassinations of
American citiziens .
" I am also instructed to inform you
that if the lives of American citizens con
tinue insecure, and if the assassinations
continue because of the unwillingness or
the inability of the Mexican government to
furnish adequate protection, my government
may be obliged to adopt a radical change
in (6policy with respect to Mexico .
Accept, Sir, the repeated assurances of that which ordinarily takes place in cities
my high consideration.
" Signed) GEORGE T. SUMMERLIN,
Charge D'Affaires. ''
THE REPLY OF MEXICO .
The Mexican government sent the following
answer to the above note :
July 28, 1919 .
" Mr. George T. Summerlin : Chargé d'Af
faires ad-interim of the United States of
America-Sir :
" The note of the 22d inst. which you
me of
communicated to me informed
instructions you had received to notify this
department that if the lives of American
citizens in Mexico continued in a state
of insecurity, and if the murders continued
because of the unwillingness or inability of and as a first step has put down the chief
the Mexican government to give due
protection, the government of the United
States would be forced to adopt a radical
change of policy toward Mexico.
" In answer, I have the honor to point
out to you that the fact that attacks upon
the lives of American citizens have occurred
Z น **}
‫علیشاه‬ ****
MEXICAN REVIEW
Wave
in the pacification of the country, is , the
T
existence of certain small groups, ephemeral
remains of the larger bands.
" The government of Mexico has been
and continues to be animated by the
highest T aims of eliminating all those dif
ficulties which might embarrass its
relations with the United States, and thus
within the territory of the Republic cannot it has shown itself on A repeated occasions.
be ascribed to the unwillingness of the If the government of the United States
wishes its citizens to enjoy greater protec
' On the other hand, if we interpret tion, the government of Mexico , desiring
"} as always a good understanding between
rigidly the term " protection of human life ,
taking it to mean that in every case, and the two governments, would suggest that
wherever a citizen of the United States American citizens remain in populated
centers, where they will be granted complete
may go within Mexican territory, he should
guarantees and when it is necessary for
that his life may never be put in danger, such citizens to cross danger zones , that
>
unable to grant such protection, for SO which will be furnished by the Mexican T
perfect a state of security does not exist authorities.
anywhere. In this connection it is necessary " In the Tampico district, escorts have
to take into consideration the large ter been offered to the paymasters of the
ritorial extension of the Republic, its sparse oil companies to assure them of safe conduct
population , and thethe unsettled conditions and have been refused by the companies,
on the pretext that the presence of guards
which prevail after a long civil war.
" The government of Mexico has always would provoke attack, or that guards would
tried as far as was possible to give complete not conduct themselves properly, statements
security to the lives of foreigners as well which are unfounded. Furthermore the
as of citiziens ; but the truth of the matter relation which has existed between certain
oil companies and the rebels is notorious ;
is that the former, through ignorance, or
imprudence, or desire for gain, venture to and there are rumors to the effect that the
remain or to travel across dangerous regions, paymasters worked in conjunction with the
thus laying themselves open to attack and supposed assailants. The Mexican govern
even expecting to be free from them ment, in order once more to show its in
because of their nationality. tention of granting complete protection,
" Furthermore , it is well to remember that has formally promised to reimburse the
the Government of Mexico whenever it has companies for the sums taken from the
heard of an attack, has pursued those who paymasters in spite of the presence of Примерни a
were presumably responsible for it. Pursuit guard, and if the companies do not accept
in this case is certainly not the same as the services of a guard, they are the only
ones to blame.
in the case of ordinary criminals ; for " I believe I have explained the real
situation and the Mexican government's
circumstances are different in a populated
place, in such a case it is relatively easy ability to give day by day, as previously,
to identify the guilty person, while in an increased protection to life and property,
unsettled district the band which made and its undeniable desire to give all kinds
the attack is pointed out, pursued, and as of guarantees within the territory of the
many of its members as is possible are nation. In view of these facts the govern
killed, without it being possible . as a ment is surprised at the threat included in
general thing to identify the really guilty your note, and especially when it is con
party. In fact it is even impossible for the sidered that in unpopulated districts human
group of evildoers themselves to say just life is better protected than in the largest
which one fired the fatal shot. The recent cities of more advanced countries, where
Correll case shows that the Government of attacks occur without the governments
Mexico, following this course of action concerned being the object of severe cen
sure.
which is the only one possible, displayed
the greatest activity, for immediately upon " I take this opportunity to repeat to you
Sir, the assurances of my respectfully
receiving the news of this murder, troops consideration .
started out in pursuit of the band and
killed four bandits. (Signed )
SALVADOR DIEGO FERNANDEZ.
" The government of Mexico has constantly
worked for the pacification of the Republic
MEXICO'S REPLY TO A
rebel bands, and has rendered incapable of
THE AMERICAN NOTE
fighting the most important leaders , as
shown by the recent defeat of the Vil No fair minded and unprejudiced person
listas, the death of Zapata, of Blanquet,
can read the straightforward reply of Acting
and of Inés Dávila, to say nothing of the
operations against less important groups. Secretary Fernández to the American Note
As a necessary consequence of this progress (Continued on Page 42)
152552525252525252525252

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Geo. J. McCarty, K. M. Van Zandt, Jr., F. Peltier, Fco. Coudurier, G. A. Moran,
President. Vice-President and Manager. Assistant Manager. Cashier. Assistant Cashier.

GENERAL BANKING BUSINESS TRANSACTED

FOREIGN EXCHANGE BOUGHT AND SOLD

TELEGRAPH TRANSFERS. LETTERS OF CREDIT.

TRAVELERS' CHECKS ISSUED

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Current Checking Accounts of Merchants, Manufacturers and Individuals Invited.
 *
Buy Lo k *
LA REVISTA MEXICANA 37
SALARIN

nes que recibiera para notificar a esta Se

cretaría que si las vidas de los ciuda
Notas Diplomáticas Intercambiadas danos de los Estados Unidos en México con
tinuasen en estado de inseguridad y se re
Los Estados Unidos Piden Protección para sus Ciudadanos -En Respuesta pitiesen asesinatos a causa de la falta de
voluntad o incapacidad del Gobierno de
se Aconseja que los Americanos Permanezcan en los Centros Poblados México para dar debida protección, el Go
bierno de los Estados Unidos se vería for
N la Secretaría de Relaciones Exterio cuadas para prevenir la nueva ocurrencia zado a adoptar un cambio radical en su
de asesinatos de ciudadanos de los Estados política con relación a México .
Eres se nos proporcionó copia de la no Unidos. " En contestación, tengo la honra de ma
tà diplomática dirigida por el Gobier " He recibido también instrucciones pa nifestaros, que no puede notoriamente im
thea 44
de los Estados Unidos al de México , ra expresar que si las vidas de los ciuda putarse a falta de voluntad de dar pro
con fecha 22 de julio, relativa al ase danos americanos continúan inseguras , y tección el que hayan ocurrido en el terri
los asesinatos continúan a causa de la falta torio de la República atentados contra la
sinato del señor Peter Catron, cerca de Va de voluntad o incapacidad del Gobierno vida de ciudadanos de los Estados Uni
B les, San Luis Potosí, y en la que se pide Mexicano para impartir adecuada protec dos. La buena voluntad de otorgar esa pro
la →W captura y castigo ** de los responsables ción, mi Gobierno puede verse obligado a tección ha sido expresada reiteradamente y
‫ ތ‬de dicho homicidio. adoptar un cambio radical en su política no deben confundirse las dificultades ma
con respecto a México . teriales para cumplir una promesa, supo
Al solicitar el * representante diplomático niendo que no se cumpliese, con la falta
' Aceptad, señor, las reiteradas seguri
americanò se dicten las , disposiciones ten dades de mi alta consideración. ' de voluntad para ello, tanto más cuanto
3 dentes a evitar nuevos 4 atentados en la que esa voluntad se ha demostrado con
(Firmado ) , GEORGE T. SUMMERLIN, hechos.
República contra sus conciudadanos, infor Encargado de Negocios.
Kyn ma también que el Gobierno de la Casa Por otra parte , si entendemos en tér
A
Al Honorable Salvador Diego Fernández , minos absolutos la protección a la vida hu
Blanca, < de no otorgarse las garantías que Oficial Mayor, Encargado del Despacho de mana, es decir, que en todo caso y donde
solicita, adoptará un cambio radical de su Relaciones Exteriores.-Presente. quiera que se encuentre un ciudadano de los
política hacia México. Estados Unidos dentro del territorio mexi
L
201 La nota de referencia está concebida en cano, deba gozar de una especial y efectiva
RESPUESTA DEL GOBIERNO protección, de tal suerte que su vida nun
los siguientes términos : ca sea puesta en peligro , el Gobierno de
MEXICANO México se ve imposibilitado para ello, pues
Embajada de los Estados Unidos de Amé
rica. México .- No . 1212. El Gobierno Mexicano, en contestación un estado de seguridad tan perfecta en nin
Прива L
Manger,forthe guna parte existe, con mayor razón tenien
Bow Bars México, julio 22 de 1919. do en cuenta la grande extensión territo
a la nota americana entregó el 28 de ju
x Señor : lio la respuesta siguiente : rial de la República , su escasa población y
無 las difíciles circunstancias que prevalecen
'Con referencia a la nota de la Em
A su Señoría George T. Summerlin, Encar después de una larga guerra civil.
bajada, número 1198, fechada el 16 de ju gado de Negocios de los Estados Unidos. CC El Gobier no de México , siempre ha pro
lio de 1919 , relativa al asesinato de Pater
Catron, cerca de Valles, San Luis Potosí, Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores .- Re curado en la medida de lo posible, dar a la
acaecida el 7 de julio último, o aproxima pública Mexicana.- No. 2310 . vida de los extranjeros, como a la de los na
→ → damente en esa fecha, tengo la honra de cionales plena seguridad ; pero es el caso
México, 28 de julio de 1919.
informar a usted que he recibido instrucM que los primeros, por ingnorancia, falta de
ciones telegráficas de mi Gobierno para ur Señor Encargado de Negocios : prudencia o por un temerario afán de luero ,
gir al Gobierno de México que se capture " La nota número 1212 , que con fecha se aventuran a permanecer o transitar en re
y se castigue a los responsables de este 22 de los corientes se sirvió dirigirme Vues giones peligrosas, dando con ello ocasión a
asesinato 2 y se adopten las medidas ade tra Señoría, me impuso de las instruccio (Continúa en la Página 13)

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MAYA
38 THE
EMPIRICISM OF LATIN AMERICAN
GOVERNMENTS.
(Continued from Page 18)
Scientific investigators , as for instance
geographers, naturalists, geologists and
others, hardly have any opportunity to get
acquainted except with very few inhabit
ants .
Teachers and pedagogues go only so far
as knowing the children they educate, which
is a very small number in comparison with
the total population .
There are two groups of foreigners whose
activities should be of great transcendance
in regard to the knowledge of our peoples :
The first includes the special students of
social sciences : psychologists, sociologists,
anthropologists, ethnographers and linguists ;
the second one includes the newspapermen ,
mainly the correspondents of large dailies
and reviews. The former are undoubtedly
the ones who know more and better the
population , but most unfortunately their
knowledge exerts little or no influence in
the relations of our countries, as we shall
demonstrate afterwards. The knowledge
obtained by the newspapermen is much
reduced , but it might be larger if they were
not-with a few exceptions counted
moulded and identified with the criterion
of the editors they represent, who naturally
do not know the Latin- Americans.
Let us consider a concrete case , taking
for instance the United States as one of
those foreign countries we speak of, say
Mexico for instance . On what ground has
the United States Government based its of
ficial relations and its national feelings to
ward Mexico? Besides universal principles
of international legislation , the State De
partment at Washington has taken in con
sideration for its decisions four sources of
information : First , the diplomatic reports ;
second, the consular reports ; third, press
information , and fourth, private reports .
Let us analyze these four sources of in
formation :
Diplomatic Reports.- President Wilson's
arrival to the Presidency of the United
States brought about a radical change in
the orientation of these reports, which pre
viously were inspired by the exclusive con
venience of the United States , whereas
later on they have had in view the mutual
advantage of that country and Mexico .
REMINGTON
LA MEJOR ; LA MAS PRACTICA ;
Economía de 25% de tiempo : el trabajo de una hora y cuarto, EN UNA HORA ! ...
PIDANOS
smhadkoapnrksav,
REMINGTON
Av. 5 de Mayo 6 B. Apartado 1423.
MEXICAN REVIEW
Ꮃ
This new orientation and the happy circum-
stance of having an honorable, sagacious
and highly cultured Ambassador, have de
termined the late reports to be wholly de
void of the influence of • illegitimate in
terests. Whoever may examine in Mexico
{
or at Washington the difference of the
diplomatic dealings of Henry Prather
Fletcher and Henry Lane Wilson will readily
understand the lofty spirit of justice and
wisdom presiding over the new tendencies
of President Wilson's policies. Therefore ,
the diplomatic reports actually received by
the American Government in regard to
Mexico are honest, just and dispassionate ;
but such reports are still one-sided, limited ,
incomplete, for as I said before, they refer
to a minimum part of the population- the
leading one- without paying any attention
to the majority, and if they ever happen
to refer to such majority of the Mexican
people, they do so in an empirical man
ner, because not only the Embassy but
even the Mexican leading classes themselves
do not know the true nature, the necessities
and the ambitions of that majority.
Consular Reports.- The Consular reports
are reduced of course to matters of interest
between both countries, so that little or
nothing do they contain in regard to the
complex social problems of Mexico.
Press Information.- The North American
press unfriendly to Mexico has always tried
to create trouble between both peoples for
the immediate purpose of conquest and ul
terior purpose of graft and despoil. The
friendly press has a great deal to say re
garding the prodigious natural resources of
Mexico, her artistic beauties and splendid
opportunities as a summer or winter resort,
and the virtue of her rulers, and all there
is in the country that is charming and allur
thing, of the most
ing, but of the main thing,
important one, although the most difficult
to sce, the press never says a word- for
it could not say anything, since although
the editors may have the necessary psycho
logical, anthropological and sociological pre
paration needed to appreciate the situation
such as it is, they cannot apply integrally
and pertinently their knowledge of such
matters on account of lacking the much
needed direct observation of the great
anonymous masses în whose bosom fun
No 10.
CON ARRANQUE AUTOMATICO.
LA MAS RESISTENTE ;
UNA DEMOSTRACION.
TYPEWRITER
México , D. F.
занметь
damentally act and re-act the social acti
vities. -
Private Reports.-Among private reports
•
the most important ones are those of T the ·
capitalists, especially so when the profits of
the capital invested decrease or come to
naught, because if the economic situation is
good then the investors have nothing to
report to, Washington. It seems useless to
say that these reports being inspired- with
very few honorable exceptions- by naturally
egotistic interosts, cannot help the Amer
ican official mind to grasp a true know
ledge of the Mexican people.
Other private informations have weighed
very little in the judgment of the State
Department.
Now then, can be relations between man the
United States and Mexico be considered
as logical, judicious, just and cordial when
they are based on the informations we refer
to ? We do not think so.
President Wilson, with a wise and clear
vision of things and wonderfully humani
tarian feelings, from the moment he reached
the Presidency has endeavored to amplify
wh
and intensify his informations - in various
ways , and this effort of the American
President has given splendid fruits to the
American Democracy. However, even
though such informations offer remarkable
characteristics of honesty and altruism , they
do not attain the sufficient integral am
plitude on account of the above given ‫رام‬
reasons, and therefore it is useful for the
United States, and desirable and convenient
for Mexico and the other Latin-American
countries, to establish a new orientation to
the reports that Washington receives re
garding the countries to the South, since
such reports are intended to be the basis
and the ulterior explanation of the char
acter assumed by the relations between
Anglo -Saxons and Latin-Americans . By
what means are we going to secure such
new sources of information as we consider
desirable ?
Transcendental Reports. We said before
that a select group of American intellectuals
knows practically and scientifically various
aggregations which are representative of
the majority of our indigenous and mixed
population ; we refer to the specialists in
social sciences and particularly to anthro
pologists who have carried out certain in
'
E
CO .
Eric. 100-33 . Méx . 9-26 Neri.
{

LA REVISTA
EL EMPIRISMO DE LOS GOBIERNOS
LATINO-AMERICANOS.
(Continúa de la página 19).
si nada ha influído en las relaciones de
ambos países, según demostraremos después.
El conocimiento de los periodistas es mucho
más reducido, pero pudiera ser mayor si
no estuvieran, con raras excepciones, mol
deados e identificados con el criterio de los
editores a quienes representan, los cuales,
naturalmente, no conocen a los latino-ame
ricanos.
Consideraremos concretamente el caso de
uno de esos países extranjeros, por ejemplo,
los Estados Unidos, con respecto a uno de
los países latino-americanos ; supongamos
México: ¿ En qué se ha fundado siempre
el Gobierno de los Estados Unidos para
regular sus relaciones oficiales y sus senti
mientos nacionales con respecto a México ?
Además de principios universales de legis
lación internacional, el Departamento de Es
tado de Washington ha tomado en cuenta
para sus decisiones, cuatro fuentes de in
formación : Primero, Los informes diplo
máticos. Segundo, Los informes consula
res. Tercero, Los informes de la prensa,
y Cuarto, Los informes particulares o pri
vados.
Examinemos estas cuatro fuentes infor
mativas :
Informes Diplomáticos.- El advenimiento
del Presidente Wilson a la Presidencia de los
Estados Unidos, trajo consigo un cambio
radical en la orientación de dichas infor
maciones, las que antes tenían como ten
dencia la conveniencia exclusiva de los Es
tados Unidos, en tanto que después han
tenido por mira la mutua conveniencia de
ese país y de México . Esto y la circunstan
cia de contar con un Embajador honrado,
culto y sagaz, hace que las actuales infor
maciones diplomáticas no estén influenciadas
por intereses bastardos. Quien examine en
México o en Washington la diversidad de
actuaciones de Henry Pratter Fletcher y de
Henry Lane Wilson, comprenderá la alta
justicia y la sabiduría que preside a las
nuevas orientaciones impuestas por el Pre
sidente Wilson. Son pues honradas, justas
y ecuánimes las informaciones diplomáticas
que recibe el Gobierno Americano con res
pecto a México, pero por desgracia siguen
siendo unilaterales , limitadas, incompletas,
pues como ya se dijo antes, se refieren a
"EL FENIX "
Candy and Pastry Store
Corner 16 Septiembre Ave. and
Bolívar.
Open Until After Theaters Close
UNIQUE OF ITS KIND
The new proprietors will attend you
carefully and promptly . The Best
Service Given
Dishes to Order a Specialty
LEOPOLDO REYES, S. EN C.
MEXICANA
una reducida parte de la población, que es
la dirigente, sin ocuparse de la mayoría, y
cuando lo hacen es de una manera empí
rica, pues no sólo la Embajada sino aun
dichas clases dirigentes ignoran, el modo de
ser, las necesidades y aspiraciones de esa
mayoría.
Informes Consulares.-Las informaciones
consulares están reducidas, por razón natu
ral, a cuestiones de intereses entre ambos
países, así es que nada o casi nada pre
sentan sobre los hondos problemas sociales
de México .
Informes de la Prensa. - La prensa norte
americana, enemiga de México, ha procura
do en todo tiempo, enemistar a ambos pue
blos con fines inmediatos de conquista y
Señor Manuel Gamio,
Autor del Presente Estudio.
miras posteriores de lucro y despojo. La
prensa amiga habla de los prodigiosos re
cursos materiales de México, de sus bellezas
artísticas y grandes condiciones como lugar
de tourismo, de las dotes y virtudes de sus
gobernantes, de todo lo agradable, risueño
y brillante que en resumen presenta el país ;
pero de lo principal, de lo profundamente
importante, aunque difícilmente visible, de
eso no dice nada ni podría decirlo, pues
aun cuando sus redactores tengan la pre
paración psicológica, antropológica y socio
lógica, que es menester para ello, no pue
den aplicar integral y atinadamente esos
DULCERI
EL FENIX
CROCKERY
ALTO TO
39
conocimientos, pues les falta la observación
directa de la gran masa de población anó
nima en cuyo seno accionan y reaccionan
fundamentalmente las actividades sociales.
Informes Particulares.-Entre las infor
maciones privadas o particulares, las más
importantes corresponden a los capitalistas ,
principalmente cuando la producción de los
capitales impuestos disminuye o se parali
za, pues si es bonancible, los capitalistas
nada tienen que informar a Washington.
Huelga decir que esos informes inspirados,
con muy honrosas excepciones, en intereses
naturalmente egoístas, no pueden ilustrar el
criterio oficial americano en lo relativo al
verdadero conocimiento de la población me
xicana.
Las demás informaciones particulares poco
han pesado en el criterio del Departamento
de Estado.
Ahora bien, pueden considerarse como
lógicas, sensatas, justas y cordiales las re
laciones entre los Estados Unidos y México ,
fundadas en las informaciones a que antes
hicimos referencia ? Creemos que no.
El Presidente Wilson, con sabia clari
videncia y laudable humanitarismo, procuró
desde su elevación a la primera magistra
tura, ampliar e intensificar sus informacio
nes por diversos medios, procedimiento que
trajo consigo hermosos frutos para la de
mocracia americana. Sin embargo, aun
cuando esas informaciones hayan presentado
notables características de honradez y al
truísmo, no ofrecen suficiente amplitud in
tegral por las causas ya expuestas, así que
es útil para los Estados Unidos y deseable
y conveniente para México y los demás
países latino- americanos, el establecimiento
de una nueva orientación en las informacio
nes que con respecto a los países del Sur se
reciben en Washington, ya que éstas fundan
y explican ulteriormente el carácter de las
relaciones anglo- sajonas y latino-americanas.
¿ Por qué medios puede asegurarse esto?
Los Informes Trascendentales.-Antes di
jimos que un selecto grupo de intelectuales
americanos, conoce práctica y científicamen
te, a agrupaciones representativas de la
mayoría de la población indígena y mes
tiza ; nos referimos a los especialistas en
ciencias sociales, en particular a los antro
pologistas que han efectuado investigaciones
en México. Estos hombres, no han venido
a México, buscande riquezas materiales ni
A
311
 40 THE
vestigations in Mexico. These men have
not come to Mexico in search of material
wealth or official decorations. Their scien
tific apostleship of a humanitarian nature
has consisted in analyzing by the light of
the truth the life conditions, the sentiments,
the ambitions and tendencies of the humble
anonymous Mexican- Indians and mixed
who have been neglected for centuries by
former regimes and by the ruling classes,
and who live in idleness merely waiting
for their long expected redemption. This
kind of foreigners (who not only do speak
Spanish but even try to acquire a full
knowledge of the Indian dialects ; who lived
for months or years in comfortless huts and
ate the tortilla " and pepper of the
humble ; who studied and respected the In
dians ' creed and superstitions and estimated
in their full value the typical usages and
customs) , are the ones who leave a deep
and grateful remembrance in the popular
soul, for such men have lived among the
poor in terms of disinterested friendship, of
true fraternity, of real humility. You may
ask the Zapoteca Indians, or the Taras
cans, the Huicholes, the Mayas, etc., as well
as the " mestizos " of a great number of
places, about Starr, Hardlicka, Boas, Lum
holtz, Tozzer and many others and you shali
see how a spontaneous and grateful re
membrance is in bloom in all the Indians'
hearts.
But if you ask the same people about
UGARTECHEA
Promotor of Athletic Exibitions ,
manager and promoter of Jack Johnson.
Champion of the World.
Calle de Tacuba Núm. 15. Méx., D. F.
J. DE LA
JEWELRY, FURNITURE .
ART OBJECTS
BOUGHT AND SOLD .
ALHAJAS
Always on hand a com
ALHAJAS
plete and varied stock of
Fine Jewelry, Eyeglasses,
Paintings , Safes, and all
classes of objects of Art
and Luxury.
MEXICAN REVIEW
ranchers, miners, traders, tourists and other
Americans who also resided among them,
you will see that the Indians do not re
member them at all, or if they do, it is
with all indifference.
Well, then, the very worthy informations
of such investigators regarding social groups
which are representative of an enormous
majority of the whole nation, where are
they? What is the official advantage de
rived therefrom despite their importance ?
Have they contributed to improve the re
lations between both countries ? It is sad
dening to say no. The brilliant studies made
by those distinguished scientists in regard
to the Mexican population were printed in
specialist publications destined to be kept
in libraries, museums and other educational
centers, and they have given splendid scien
tific fruits in what concerns the abstract
conception of human evolution in our coun
tries and, in general, all over the Continents ;
but they have exerted little, if any, in
fluence in a practical manner in the policies
of the White House concerning the Latin
American peoples, notwithstanding the fact
that such wise reports contain the most
solid and trascendental bases upon which
such policies should be built.
If the State Department at Washington
takes in consideration the conclusions ar
rived at in the works of those sincere in
vestigators, and if in the future the reports
of old are accompanied by those furnished
by the anthropologists, the sociologists, the
ethnographers and other specialists who
study the population of the Latin-American
countries, the United States policies in its
Pan-American relations shall cease to be
empirical and one-sided.
MANUEL GAMIO,
Director of the Anthropological Board.
México, March, 1919.
(1) In Mexico, for instance, going
from Tlaxcala to Yucatán ; in Ecuador
going from Imbabura to Esmeraldas ; in
Colombia from Cauca to Cartagena.
(2) " Forjando Patria, " Pro-Nation
alism ; M. Gamio, Mexico , 1916.
(3) " Proceedings of the II Pan
American Scientific Congress. " Wash
ington, 1917.-Pages 374 and 375.- Sec
tion I.-Anthropology.-Col. I.
FUENTE BUSTILLOS
4a. Calle Bolívar, 36. México, D. F.
M 辮
RELOJES MUEBLES PINTURAS ANTIGUEDADES COMPRAY VENTA
SMD ANEWTONT
de la Fuente S.Grelly 25
(4 ) Program of the Board of Arch
eological and Ethnographic Studies, "
Department of Agriculture and " Fo
mento." Mexico , 1917.
(5) The Mexican Situation : Manuel
Gamio's Program. " Frederick Starr.
The American Journal of Sociology.
Vol . XXIV.-No. 2.- Sept. 8th. N. Y.
" Race Appreciation in Latin America.
" Philip Ainsworth Means. Science ,
new Series. Vol. XLVII. Friday, Sept.
13th, 1918. " Race Appreciation and De
mocracy. " The same author. Reprinted
from the Journal of Race Development.
Vol. 9. Num. 2. October, 1918. " Race
and Society in the Andean Countries. ""
The same author. Reprinted from " The
Hispanic American Historical Review. "
Vol. I. Num. 4. November, 1918.
(6) " Revista Jurídica y de Ciencias
Sociales. " Buenos Aires, Argentina. " El
Magisterio Ecuatoriano. " Año I, Num.
12.-Feb. 1918. Vol . 34. " La Revista
del Mundo . " New York, August, 1916.
July to Sept. 1918.
(7) This article was finished and will
be published in the course of the pre
sent year.
(8 ) The author of this article made
his anthropological studies in the Colum
bia University, N. Y.
"SCOTCH TEA" SOLD BY TORREON
RESTAURANT KEEPERS.
N the statement made by Villa, referred
I
to elsewhere, he says that as soon as he
captured Torreon he issued an order forbid
ding the selling of liquor under any
circumstances, with a death penalty attach
ment. True as gospel- he did indeed issue
that order ! The restaurant and cantina
keepers were hard put to in meeting the
demands of their customers until one began
the sale of a very fine brand of " Scotch
tea," which he served in teapot, cups and
saucers, greatly to the edification and re
freshment of many officers as well as civil
ians. No one was shot for selling this new
kind of " tea, " though it must be confess
ed some were half-shot in buying it! It
was not the " Lipton " brand, but that of
a gentleman named Walker !
Y HNO .
ALHAJAS Y MUEBLES
OBJETOS DE ARTE,
COMPRA - VENTA.
Siempre completo y va
MUEBLES
riado surtido en Alhajas
Finas, Muebles, Anteojos,
Cajas Fuertes, Pinturas y
toda clase de Artículos de
Arte y Lujo.
 2
ΓΑ 41
REVISTA MEXICANA

gloria oficial. Su apostolado científico-hu
manitario ha consistido en hurgar a la luz
de la verdad las condiciones de vida, los
sentimientos, las aspiraciones y tendencias
de los humildes anónimos mexicanos, indios
ỳ mestizos, que desdeñados desde hace si
glos por los gobiernos pretéritos y por la
población dirigente, vegetan esperando re
dención. Esta clase de extranjeros (que no
sólo hablan el idioma español sino procuran
conocer las lenguas indígenas, que viven
durante meses , o años , en pobres chozas y
} comen la tortilla y el chile de los humil
des, que estudian y respetan sus creencias
y supersticiones y aprecian en su valor los
usos y costumbres típicas) , es la única que
deja profundo y grato recuerdo en el alma
popular, pues ha convivido con ella en
términos de desinterés, de fraternidad y de
verdadera humildad. Preguntad en cual
quier momento por Starr, Hardlicka, Boas,
por Lumholtz, Tozzer, por otros muchos, a
los indios zapotecas, a los tarascos, a los
ม huicholes, a los mayas, etc. etc., así como
a los mestizos de numerosos lugares, y ve
1 > réis florecer en todos los corazones un es
pontáneo y grato recuerdo.
Si aludís, en cambio, a hacendados, mi
neros, comerciantes, touristas, y otros ame
ricanos que también residieron entre ellos,
no los recordarán o si acaso con indife
rencia.
Pues bien, las valiosas informaciones de
£ estos investigadores sobre grupos sociales,
Y que son representativos de una abrumadora
mayoría de la población, ¿ dónde están? ¿ qué
utilidad oficial producen y han producido
dada su importancia? & han contribuído a
fomentar favorablemente las relaciones en
tre ambos países ? Es sensible tener que
decir que no. Los brillantes estudios que
esas distinguidas personalidades han efec
tuado con respecto a la población mexicana,
fueron impresos en publicaciones especialis
tas destinadas a bibliotecas, museos y otros
centros culturales y han suministrado
grandes frutos científicos en cuanto
! al con
cepto abstracto de la evolución humana en
nuestros países y en la América en gene
ral, pero nada o casi nada han influído de
modo práctico en el criterio político de
Washington con referencia a los pueblos
latino -americanos, no obstante que en bue
na parte A contienen las bases más profun
das y trascendentales sobre las que de
biera elaborarse dicho criterio .
Si el Departamento de Washington tiene
en consideración las conclusiones de la obra
que han hecho esos sinceros investigadores
y si en el futuro se acompañan a las in
formaciones acostumbradas anteriormente ,
las que suministren antropologistas, soció
logos, etnógrafos y otros especialistas que
estudien a la población de los países latino
americanos, el concepto que presida a las
relaciones pan-americanas dejará de ser
empírico y unilateral.
México, marzo de 1919 .
El Director de Antropología ,
MANUEL GAMIO.
(1) En México , por ejemplo, de
Tlaxcala a Yucatán ; en Ecuador, de
Imbabura a Esmeraldas ; en Colombia,
de Cauca a Cartagena.
(2) " Forjando Patria. " Pro-nacio
nalismo. M. Gamio. México, 1916.
(3 ) " Proceedings of the II Pan
American Scientific Congress. " Wash
ington, 1917. Págs. 374 y 375. Section
I. Anthropology. Vol. I.
(4) " Programa de la Dirección de
Estudios Arqueológicos y Etnológicos. "
Secretaría de Agricultura y Fomento .
México , 1917.
(5) " The Mexican Situation : Ma
nuel Gamio's Program . >> Frederick
Starr. M " The American Jornal of So
ciology. " Vol. XXIV. Num. 2. Sept. 8.
N. Y. " Race Appreciation in Latin
America. " Philip Ainsworth Means .
Science New Series. Vol. XLVIII.
Friday, September 13, 1918. " Race Ap
preciations and Democracy. ” Mismo
autor. Reprinted from " The Journal of
Race Development . '' Vol. 9. Num. 2.
October 1918. " Race and Society in the
Andeans Countries. '' Mismo autor. Re
printed from " The Hispanish Amer
ican Historical Review. " Vol. I. Num.
4. November, 1918.
(6) " Revista Jurídica y de Cien
cias Sociales ." Buenos Aires , Argenti
na. " El Magisterio Ecuatoriano . " Año
I. Num. 12. Febrero, 1918. Vol. 34. " La
Revista del Mundo. '' New York,
Agosto de 1916. Jul. a Sept. de 1918 .
(7) Este estudio está terminado y
será publicado en el curso de este año.
(8) El autor de estas líneas hizo
estudios antropológicos en Columbia
University, N. Y.

' ECONOMY IS THE

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HATS ARE ONE OF THE

MOST EXPENSIVE THINGS

>
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BUYING THEM AT THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF

1
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5a. Bolívar, 42.
YOU WILL ECONOMIZE WHILE AT THE SAME TIME LOSING NOTHING IN QUALITY OR LOOKS .

IMPRENTA NACIONAL.
HACEMOS CON PERFECCION TODA CLASE DE IM
S. A. PRESOS. EN MATERIA DE REVISTAS ILUSTRA
DAS, EL PRESENTE NUMERO DE " LA REVISTA
525252525

AVE. URUGUAY 41. MEXICO , D. F. MEXICANA ' ES UNA MUESTRA DE NUESTRO

15252

TRABAJO .

PRINTING AND PUBLISHING OF EVERY DESCRIP

UNICOS IMPRESORES
TION. BOOKS AND MAGAZINES A SPECIALTY. THIS
NUMBER OF " THE MEXICAN REVIEW '' IS A SAMPLE DE PRESTIGIO
OF ITS WORK.
THE LEADING HOUSE

IN ITS LINE
 42 THE
DIPLOMATIC NOTES
INTERCHANGED
(Continued fron Page 36)
without being impressed with the spirit of
friendliness and desire for simple justice
that pervades it and characterizes its every
sentiment. That it is impossible to afford
greater protection to foreigners than to its
own nationals in sparsely settled regions that
are infested by bandits, is well known to
be true, and it is not reasonable to expect
it. When the former venture into such re
gions for whatever reason they cannot expect
to be immune because of their nationality.
While the charge has been made that the
government has not pursued bandits making
such attacks, this is repelled and the Correll
case is pointed to as an instance in kind.
Pursuit was immediate and four of the
bandits were killed. That the government
has earnestly sought to do what it could
to protect the paymasters of foreign com
panies in the Tampico region is shown by
the fact that it has tendered armed escorts
in all such cases, but the offer was declined.
It has also offered to reimburse the
companies that have been robbed, but no
mention of this or of the escort offer seems
to have reached the United States. The
recomendation that Americans should
remain in populated districts and not venture
into those known to be the resort of bandits,
is well founded. It is founded on that well
established principle of international law
that foreigners venturing into or remaining
in regions which are known to be unsafe
owing to revolutionary disorders, do so
at their own peril. That the government
is animated by a desire to afford proper
protection to the lives and property of
foreigners as well as of its own people, is
so plain that it scarcely needs reiteration.
But it finds itself in the same situation
that the United States found itself for
several years after the civil war, as also
on the western frontier. Although it has
the best of intention, it is a physical
impossibility to do this and it is not just
or fair to ask it to do the manifestly
impossible. Even the government of the
United States recently found itself unable
to afford protection to the lives of a large
number of negroes and white men in two
of its largest cities ! How much less then
in a country still subject to a degree of
revolutionary strife, and whose remote sec
EL
TRIUNFO
FABRICA DE
DULCES Y
CHOCOLATES
Av. República
El Salvador 197
CARLOS HERNANDEZ
E HIJOS
México, D. F.
MARCA IND. REG. NO. 16882
MEXICAN
MEXICAN REVIEW
tions are still harassed by bandits-bandits
too who largely owe their power to the
material support given them from residents
of the very country that is now criticising
the occasional inefficacy of the measures ta
ken against them.
The Mexican note is straight to the
point. It carries conviction with it, and
it should be read and studied by every one
desirous of obtaining an adequate and ac
curate idea of the present situation .
LATER. Since the foregoing was written,
news has been received that seven bandits,
including those who recently attacked a
boatload of sailors from the American
warship Cheyenne, have been killed by the
Federal troops near Tampico . These bandits
are believed to have been some of those
who have been attacking foreigners in that
region, as much booty of American origin
was found in their hidden camp.
AN APPOINTMENT WHICH
ASSURES SATISFACTORY RESULTS
MONG recent changes in the official
A
staff of the National Railway lines
is the appointment of Ing. Angel Peim
bert as Chief Engineer of the system. Se
ñor Peimbert is a comparatively young
man, having been born in 1872. He was
educated in this city and is a graduated
engineer of the National School of En
gineers of Mexico . He has had a wide
experience in railway and other construction
Ing. Angel Peimbert.
work, as a brief glance at his record will
show. From 1896 to 1899 he was superin
tendent of construction of the Quito Rail
way; from 1899 to 1901 , sub-director of the
Legislative Palace works in this city; 1901
to 1904, technical and commissary inspector
of the Tehuantepec National Railway ; 1904
to 1910, resident engineer for S. Pearson &
sans (Ltd. ) ; 1910 to 1915, chief engineer
for the same concern ; 1915 to 1917, chief
engineer and general representative for the
same concern at the Valparaíso (Chile)
Harbor works ; 1917 to 1918, manager San
Salvador drainage and paving works ;
1919, consulting engineer of the Mexican
Eagle Oil Company, and now, as stated,
appointed chief engineer of the Mexican
National Railways.
Mr. Peimbert is a member of the Aso
ciacion de Ingenieros and Arquitectos de
Mexico, of the Societé des Ingenieurs Ci
viles de France, the American Society of
Civil Engineers of New York, the Instituto
de Ingenieros Civiles de Chile, and an
honorary member of the Sociedad de Geo
grafia y Estadistica de Mexico. From
which it will be seen that he is thoroughly
well equipped both by education and ex
perience to fill in the best possible manner
the position of great responsibility to which
he has been called. The Review congratu
lates both Mr. Peimbert and the National
lines upon the promotion.
ONLY FACTORY OF ITS
KIND IN MEXICO
HE only
THE factory in
only factory in Mexico which pro
duces the steel door and window cur
tains which are used so extensively in this
country is that of Riba & Amigo, located at
try is that of Riba & Amigo, located at
8a. Cipres, No. 242. This factory was estab
lished in 1910, and at once began the de
velopment of an important business , as
before that time it had been necessary to
import such products from abroad. Prac
tically all the recently constructed business
buildings in this city have been equipped
from this establishment and the excellenco
of its products is recognized by all.
The National Norwegian Company, a new
concern with large capital which has recent
ly engaged in extensive operations in the
petroleum region about Tampico, has se
cured a concession from the Government
for the construction of an electric railway
line connecting Tampico and Tuxpan, and
with branches to various important places
that section. It is said that the new line.
ADAM LECKIE
Attorney and Counselor at Law
Gante 1, Suite 211-212 . Mexico City, D. .F.
Corporation Practice a Specialty
KOLYNOS .
Una Crema Dental Científica ,
Deliciosa.
Limpia la Dentadura.
Esteriliza la Boca
La recomiendan los principales Dentistas
De venta en las Principales Droguerías,
Boticas y Perfumerías.
THE KOLYNOS CO.
New Haven, Conn., U. S. A.
Agentes Exclusivos :
THE CHIRINO DENTAL
SUPPLY CO.
1a. Motolinía Número 6.
México, D. F.
 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 43

€
NOTAS DIPLOMATICAS Vr empresas han rehusado, pretextando que la lidad. Aunque se ha hecho el cargo al
presencia de la escolta precipita el ataque de Gobierno de que no ha perseguido a los
INTERCAMBIADAS los rebeldes o que los individuos de ella no
hip &
dady

se conducen debidamente, aseveraciones in bandidos que cometen tales ataques, esta im

(Continúa de la Página 37) .
ser víctimas de atentados y hasta fían en
verse librados de ellos sólo por su calidad de
extranjeros.
" Es de recordar, además, que siempre que
el Gobierno de México ha tenido conoci
miento de un atentado, ha perseguido a los
presuntos culpables. La persecución en este
caso no es la misma ciertamente que la que
de ordinario se efectúa en las ciudades para
los crímenes del orden común, pues son di
ferentes las circunstancias en un centro po
blado : en éste resulta fácil relativamente
individualizar al culpable, mientras que en.
despoblado se señala y persigue a la gavilla
que cometió el atentado, se le dá alcance
y se le causan las bajas que es dable hacer,
sin que por lo general se pueda individua
lizar al verdadero culpable, toda vez que ni
en el grupo mismo de los malhechores se
puede, como es de suponer, precisar qué
proyectil de una descarga colectiva, ocasionó
un homicidio. + El reciente caso de Correll
demuestra que el Gobierno de México, usan
do de este procedimiento, que es el único po
sible, despliega la mayor actividad pues in
mediatamente que se tuvo noticia de ese ho
micidio, salieron fuerzas en persecución de
la gavilla y dieron muerte à cautro fora
gidos. I
( El Gobierno de México se ha preocupado
constantemente en pacificar la República y
como primer paso ha aniquilado a los prin
cipales núcleos rebeldes y puesto fuera de
combate a los más connotados cabecillas, se
gún lo demuestra el fin del reciente movi
miento villista, la muerte de Zapata, la de
Blanquet y la de Inés Dávila, sin mencionar
ya las operaciones contra grupos de menor
importancia. Consecuencia necesaria de es
te progreso en el terreno de la pacificación
es la existencia de algunas gavillas, restos
efímeros de los grandes núcleos.
" El Gobierno de México ha estado y
continúa animado de los mejores propósi
tos para eliminar todas aquellas dificultades
que pudiesen entorpecer sus buenas relacio
nes con el Gobierno de los Estados Unidos
de América y así lo tiene acreditado en re
petidas ocasiones. Si el Gobierno de los Es
tados Unidos desea que sus ciudadanos go
cen de mayor protección, el Gobierno de Mé
xico , anhelando como siempre un buen enP
tendimiento entre ambos gobiernos , sugiere
la conveniencia de que los ciudadanos de los
Estados Unidos se reconcentren en los luga
res poblados, donde se les otorgan completas
garantías, y cuando esos ciudadanos se vie
ren en la necesidad de trasladarse a las zo
nas de peligro, que soliciten fuerzas bastan
tes para su seguridad, las que serán propor
cionadas por las autoridades de México .
" En la región vecina a Tampico, se ha
ofrecido dar a los pagadores de las com
pañías petroleras, escolta que los acompañe
para la segura conducción de fondos y las
fundadas. Además, es notoria la relación
que ha existido entre algunas compañías pe
troleras y los rebeldes sospechándose tam
bién que pueda haber habido casos en que
los pagadores estuviesen de acuerdo con los
supuestos asaltantes. El Gobierno de Méxi
co, a fin de demostrar una vez más la bue
na voluntad que tiene de otorgar cumplida lo que podía para proteger a los pagadores
protección, ha prometido ya formalmente
reembolsar las sumas que fuesen arrebatadas
a los pagadores, no obstante la presencia
de la escolta, y si este último ofrecimien
to no se acepta, las consecuencias serán cul
pa exclusiva de los mismos interesados.
" Creo haber dejado expuesta la verdade
ra situación y la posibildad del Gobierno Me
xicano de dar, aumentándolas día a día, co
mo palpablemente lo ha hecho, medidas de
protección a vidas y propiedades y su inne
gable deseo de procurar todo género de ga
rantías dentro del territorio nacional. En
vista de estos hechos ha causado sorpresa
al Gobierno de México la amenaza que en llos reconocidos como dominados por los
cierra la nota de Vuestra Señoría, tanto más
cuanto que parece extraña la exigencia de
que aún en regiones despobladas se pro
teja la vida humana de una manera más 4 ternacionales de que los extranjeros que se
perfecta que en las ciudades más populosas
de los países cultos donde suelen ocurrir de
litos de sangre sin que por ello los gobier
nos respectivos sean objeto de severas apre
ciaciones .
(C
Aprovecho la oportunidad para reiterar
a Vuestra Señoría las seguridades de mi muy
atenta consideración.
(Firmado) , SALVADOR DIEGO FERNAN
DEZ."
A su Señoría
George T. Summerlin Encargado de Ne
gocios ad-interim de los Estados Unidos de
América.-Presente.
LA RESPUESTA DE MEXICO A LA y no es justo ni honrado pedir que haga
NOTA AMERICANA.
INGUNA persona de buen juicio y
N y exenta de prejuicios puede leer la
respuesta anterior del Secretario de número de blancos y negros en dos de sus
Relaciones Exteriores en funciones , licencia
do Fernández , a la Nota Americana , sin ser
impresionada por la amistad y deseo de
simple justicia que campea en ella y que ca
racteriza sus verdaderos sentimientos . Que
es imposible impartir mayor protección a los
extranjeros que a los propios nacionales, en
lejanas y apartadas regiones que se hallan
infestadas de bandidos, es cosa bien sabida,
y no sería razonable esperarlo. Cuando los
extranjeros se aventuran en tales regiones
por cualquier razón, no pueden esperar que
dar inmunes por la sola causa de su naciona
putación es rechazada, señalándose el caso
de Correll como un ejemplo de esta clase.
La persecución en esta ocasión se hizo in
mediatamente, y durante ella fueron muer
tos cuatro de los bandidos. Que el Go
bierno se ha empeñado seriamente en hacer
de las compañías extranjeras en la zona
de Tampico, es demostrado por el hecho
de que ha ofrecido escoltas armadas en to
dos los casos ; pero su oferta ha sido rehu
sada. Ha ofrecido también reembolsar a las
compañías lo que se les ha robado, más
ninguna mención de ésto , ni del ofrecimien
to de la escolta, parece haber llegado a los
Estados Unidos. La recomendación de que
los americanos deben permanecer en los dis
tritos poblados y no aventurarse en aque
bandidos , está bien fundada. Se basa en
el bien establecido principio de las leyes in
aventuran o permanecen en las regiones que
se sabe son inseguras, debido a desórdenes
revolucionarios , lo hacen bajo su propia cuen
ta y riesgo. Que el Gobierno está animado
del deseo de impartir la debida protección
a las vidas y propiedades de los extran
jeros , lo mismo que a sus propios Goberna
dos es tan claro, que apenas necesita reite
rarse. Pero se encuentra en la misma si
tuación en que se encontraron los Estados
ť
Unidos durante varios años, después de la
guerra civil, como también en la frontera
occidental. Aunque tiene las mejores inten
ciones, es físicamente imposible hacer esto,
aquello que es manifiestamente imposible .
¡ Aun el Gobierno de los Estados Unidos, re
cientemente , se encontró incapacitado para
impartir protección a las vidas de un gran
(Continúa en la Página 45).
Sastrería ,
GABR IEL FLORES
Cortador para Señoras y Caballeros .
Práctica en los Estados Unidos .
la. Capuchinas, 14. Tel. Ericsson, 70-31 .
México, D. F.

CAPITALISTS !!

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TO BE FOUND IN THE COUNTRY, IN

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} MEXICO CITY, MEXICO .
· P. O. BOX 70 BIS.

•
#
 44 THE
Ambassador Bonillas Tells
Reviews the Situation and Refutes Many Unfounded
Statements Made Regarding Mexico
ESPITE the operation of a few ban
dits in some districts, Mexico has a
D
stable government, and foreigners.
are accorded every protection, Ambassador
Bonillas declared in a public statement on the
situation in the Southern republic, addressed
to the American people soon after his recent
return to Washington.
The Ambassador's statement said :
" Mexico today has a stable government.
True there are some districts in which a few
bandits are at large. Mexico is in the after
math of a civil war and the conditions in
these few areas are such as have followed
such struggles in all lands. In your own
South it was many years after Appomattox
before conditions were restored to normal and
your central government was occupied a long
time in the work of pacification in a few
of the remoter districts . Yet because the
James boys, the Apache Kid, Geronimo and
other bandits in the Southwest continued their
depredations after the civil war, no one would
have urged that the American government
was unstable.
" Your army was kept busy for two gener
ations by the Indians and bandits of the
West . Within my own memory the border
districst of Mexico were raided almost con
stantly by Indians escaping from reservations
on your own side of the border. Co-operation
of the two governments (treaty of 1882 ) in
the matter of pursuit of bandits and cattle
thieves across the international line resulted
in the suppression of most of these disorders
in the early eighties , culminating in the cap
ture of the Apache Geronimo and his band of
Chirahua Indians by the forces of Gen : Miles
in 1886.
" We are now trying to arrange for a re
newal of the former system. Foreigners in
Mexico today are accorded every protection .
In the few disturbed areas they are occa
sionally made the victims of bandits, but in
every case the government is devoting the
utmost energy to the pursuit and punishment
of the criminals . In such areas the foreigner
undergoes a risk that he assumes when he
enters such an area, and his peril is not great
er than the danger to Mexicans .
" The Mexican government today is spend
ing two-thirds of its national income on the
pursuit and punishment of bandits. It has an
army of over 50,000 men engaged in this
work and troops are ever on the heels of these
bands. The whole business is in process of
being wound up at this time. Zapata and
many other bandit chiefs have been tracked to
their lairs and killed.
" Mexico has never repudiated any of her
international obligations and will meet every
debt which is due. She has the resources to
discharge every obligation and she will meet
her obligations . In the oil regions there has
not been one instance of confiscation , nor
are the companies paying royalties. In 1918
they produced 64,000,000 barrels of oil out
of a potential capacity of their wells of over
580,000,000 barrels. Their own published
balance sheets show their property and profits.
" The very intense press propaganda of
these days when the pacification of the coun
MEXICAN REVIEW
Facts
try is in sight, is interpreted in my country
as the last effort of expatriates, members of
the old regime of Mexico and their powerful
confederates and politicians in Europe and
this country, to precipitate armed interven
tion, as they feel that when the complete
pacification, the rehabilitation of the indus
tries now in suspense, the intensification of
commercial relations and the general develop
ment of the wonderful resources of the coun
try are accomplished facts, their dream of the
return of an obsolete, despotic system of gov
ernment, and the embroilment of two nations
in armed conflict will be a thing of the past.
INFORMATION WANTED
Who Knows Anything About These Persons?
-Joseph S. Johnson or Señora
Carmen P. de Andrade.
HE photograph given herewith is that
TH
of Joseph S. Johnson, of New Orleans . He
sailed from Mobile several months ago on
the tanker " Tuscan " for some port in Mex
ico, since which time his wife and family
of four children have had no word from him.
Joseph S. Johnson .
Any one having any knowledge of his where
abouts will be conferring a favor by sending
such information to the office of The Mexican
Review.
Friends of Señora Carmen P. Andrade, who
at one time lived at Calle Colima, 145, and
whose brother, Francisco R. Pradillo , lost his
life during the revolution, are anxious to
learn her present whereabouts, as they have
some information of advantage for her. Any
one having such information will confer a
favor by sending it to the office of The Re
view.
For commercial and industrial informa
tion, read The Review and then send it to
the States.
AN IMMENSE OIL TANKER
BUILT FOR MEXICAN TRADE
RITISH enterprise in the petroleum in
BRdustry was again in evidence this week,
when the official trials of the " San Flor
entino " were carried out. This enormous
vessel, which has been built on the Tyne
and was launched last December, carries
over 18,000 tons of oil, and is going into
the Mexican trade . She was designed by
and built for Lord Cowdray's interests,
which also made the previous great step
in oil-tanker shipbuilding six years ago,
when they initiated a class of vessel to
carry about 15,500 tons each- a quantity
much larger than any tank-steamship had
then carried . The " San Florentino " is one
of a group of five new vessels of similar
size and capacity, and will be used in
bringing oil from the Mexican fields. It is
understood that she proceeds to Hull this
week to take on sufficient oil fuel to carry
her to Tampico, in Mexico, where she will
load with a cargo of oil products for this
country, subsequently proceeding to Tux
pan to take on oil fuel for the homeward
voyage.-London " Financier Bullionist ."
OPPOSITION GROWING TO FURTHER
IMMIGRATION OF CHINESE
HE movement inaugurated in Sonora
and Sinaloa against the further whole
sale immigration of Chinese is spreading to
other States. In Chiapas a project is under
way to force some two thousand of the
Mongolians to leave the country and take
refuge in Guatemala. They have established
camps in the State named and offer their
services to farmers and others at such low
rates that the natives are unable to sup
port themselves on like remuneration .
The Permanent Commission, made up of
members of the Chamber of Deputies and
Senators and which acts in regard to public
affairs during the Congressional recess, has
recommended to the President of the Re
public that he lay the matter before the
extra session of Congress, with the view
that some action be taken to meet the ne
cessities of the case. Various organizations
in the States of Sonora and Sinaloa are also
taking active steps for the protection of the
native workers against the competition of
the Chinese .
NOTABLE DECREASE
IN MORTALITY.
HE statistics of the Department of Health
THEfor the first six months of the present
year show a most remarkable decrease in mor
tality, are beyond any question to the energetic
measures of that body and to its earnest care
measures of that body and to its earnst care
of the public health . Following are the
figures for the first six months of 1918 and
1919:
Month. 1918 . 1919
1,491 1,230
January ..
February . 1,219 1,104
1,112
March.. 1,452
1,987 1,927
April..
May . 2,339 1,123
1,707 1,055
June ..
7,551
Totals ... 10,195
A decrease of almost one-third is not
bad showing.
 7
45
LA REVISTA MEXICAN A

NOTAS DIPLOMATICAS
El Fomento de la Agricultura INTERCAMBIADAS

La Maquinaria Agrícola Moderna es un Factor de Economía

* (Continúa de la Página 43).
De la Fábrica al Consumidor Directamente
} mayores ciudades ! Cuánto menos, pues, en
NMEDIATAMENTE después de que prin debajo del tren una bomba conectada con un país que está aún sujeto a cierto grado
cipió la gran guerra, en 1914, se produjo una batería eléctrica, explotó entre el ténder de lucha revolucionaria y cuyas remotas re
I giones están todavía siendo castigadas por
una enorme actividad de parte de los de la máquina y el primer carro, y que sólo
financieros de los Estados Unidos para satis cortó el tubo del aire . Esta conmoción apli los bandidos que deben la mayor de su
facer las demandas de artículos del propio có los frenos e impidió al maquinista del fuerza al apoyo material que les es propor
país hechas por las naciones europeas. En tren proseguir su avance. La tripula cionado por los residentes del mismo país
tre las muchas Casas Exportadoras importan } ción fué obligada a abandonar el tren y que ahora critica la ocasional ineficacia de
tes que se establecieron entonces, para satisfa a internarse en los bosques, cuando los bandi las medidas tomadas contra los bandoleros.
་་ La nota mexicana va` directamente al
cer las demandas de la guerra, se contaba una dos, en número de cien, se aproximaron para
llamada Gaston, Williams y Wigmore. Esta pegar fuego al convoy. Los atacantes no punto. Lleva consigo la convicción y de
firma tuvo un ascenso muy rápido, y al ter tomaron ninguna precaución, y no sabiendo be ser leída y estudiada por todo aquél que
minar el primer año de establecida, se halla A
McCormick Self-Binder and Reaper
ba bien experimentada en negocios de impor
tación y exportación, que abarcaban todo el
mundo. En el mes de noviembre de 1915, H.
T. Oliver propuso a los miembros de dicha fir
ma entrar en negocios con México, juntamen
te con él, e inmediatamente vino a la Repú
blica para tratar de realizar su proyecto .
Después de un mes, descubrió el señor Oliver F
que existían pocas esperanzas de realizar ne
gocios con México en grande escala, a menos
que se tuvieran propios medios de transporte,
a fin de poder entregar los productos ameri
canos en el interior de México con violencia,
McCORMICK
y de enviar los productos mexicanos a los
Estados Unidos. Por consiguiente, consiguió
dos locomotoras e inmediatamente principió
el bien conocido negocio de que ahora dis
fruta. Hace dos años, H. T. Oliver adquirió
los intereses de Gaston, Williams y Wigmore. Segadora y Agavilladora Mecánica McCormick.
La Oliver American Trading Company fué la
que el tren contenía dinamita, su ignorancia . deseè obtener una idea exacta y amplia so
primera en comprender la conveniencia de
les resultó desastrosa, cuando un carro carga bre la actual situación.
allegarse necesarios medios de transporte para
do con 1,230 cajas del explosivo, explotó y
usò de su departamento de ventas y de sus mató a veintiuno de ellos . A ULTIMA HORA.- Después de que fue
numerosos compradores. Desde esa época se escrito lo anterior se recibió la noticia de
La Oliver American Trading Company com
han formado varias organizaciones similares, que siete bandidos, incluyendo los que últi
pra y vende desde un alfiler hasta una loco
y se han desanimado ; pero los trenes de la mamente atacaron una lancha tripulada por
motora, y no sólo hace esto, sino que puede marinos del barco de guerra americano
Oliver continúan operando en una vasta es
garantizar la entrega de mercancías acarrea << Cheyenne, " fueron muertos por las tro
cala. La base para el funcionamiento de esos w
trenes consiste en un contrato celebrado con das en sus propios trenes, plenamente asegu pas federales cerca de Tampico. Se cree que
radas contra cualquier riesgo posible.
las Líneas Nacionales de México, y por virtud estos bandidos pertenecen a la partida que
Por razón del record de buen éxito alcan
del cual la Oliver American Trading Compa ha estado atacando a los extranjeros en
zado en el transporte de mercancías que aca esa región, pues en el botín que se les re
ny paga a la Compañía de los Ferrocarriles rrea
con seguridad y prontitud, la Oliver
los mismos fletes que pagan otras empresas ; cogió en su campo se hallaron muchas pie
American Trading Company ha podido obte zas de procedencia americana.
mas gracias al hecho de que cuenta con sus
ner una póliza de seguros contra cualquier
propios medios de locomoción, esta compañía
riesgo posible, que ampara a todas las mer SE NECESITAN INFORMES
puede hacer entrega de mercancías, en el pla
cancías que son transportadas en sus trenes.
zo de cuatro a cinco días , desde la frontera
hasta la ciudad de México . Las relaciones Esta compañía vende explosivos de la E. I. De Joseph S. Johnson y de la Señora Carman
Du Ponts De Nemours Company, y probable P. de Andrade.
mantenidas entre la Oliver American Trading
mente vende y maneja mayores cantidades A fotografía que aparece en la página
Company y los Ferrocarriles Constituciona
que cualquiera otra empresa de México. Ꮮ opuesta, es el retrato de Joseph S. Johnson
listas de México, han sido hasta aquí muy
La Oliver American Trading Company tie de Nueva Orleans. Se embarcó en Mobile hace
cordiales y muy satisfactorias para ambas ne la
representación exclusiva de la Inter varios meses, en el buque tanque " Tuscan, "
partes.
1 Durante la Guerra, los Estados Unidos se national Harvester Company, manufacturera para algún puerto de México, y desde ese tiem
de implementos agrícolas bien conocidos en po, su esposa y su familia, compuesta de cua
..mostraron muy estrictos en la expedición de
el mundo. La propia Oliver está realizando tro niños, no han tenido noticias de él. Si al
licencias de exportación , particularmente en
una activa campaña de introducción de ma guien sabe algo acerca del lugar de su parade
lo tocante a explosivos para el uso de las mi
quinaria agrícola de todas clases a los más ro, hará un gran favor enviando los informes
nas de México. Solamente se podía dar per
poderosos hacendados, lo mismo que a los que posea a la Oficina de " La Revista Mexi
miso a una mina para obtener de los Estados >>
Unidos la suficiente dinamita para el gasto agricultores más humildes. cana.
de un mes. Por consecuencia, era necesario La Compañía principió sus operaciones en Los amigos de la señora Carmen P. Andra
fuese entre 1915 en el Edificio de la Mutua , en un pequeño de, quien en alguna época vivió en la calle
que cualquier envío de dinamita
cuarto, y ahora posee un hermoso almacén de de Colima número 145, de esta ciudad, y cuyo
gado a las compañías mineras, desde la fron
exposición situado en el Paseo de la Reforma, hermano, Francisco R. Pradillo, perdió la vida
téra, en el menor plazo de tiempo posible y
lo mismo que oficinas en la ciudad de Nueva durante la Revolución, están ansiosos por sa
con la mayor seguridad .
ber su actual paradero, pues tienen que par
Como resultado de cuatro años de operacio York e Eagle Pass, sucursales en otras ciu
ticiparle algo que le interesa mucho. Cual
nes continuadas en esos trenes, la Oliver Ame dades de la República de México. La Oliver
rican Trading Company no ha sufrido sino "/ ha establecido una reputación " haciendo las quiera que esté en posesión de algunos infor
}} mes sobre el particular, hará un gran servi
un accidente serio, que ocurrió en octubre de cosas ; y las está procediendo con buen éxito ,
cio enviándolos a la Oficina de " La Revista
1917 , cuando una partida de bandidos colocó con seguridad y honradez. Mexicana.'
*
 46 THE MEXICAN REVIEW

Mexico's Doors
Are
Prospective Citizens of Whatever Nationality and of
Good Character Will Be Welcomed and Aided
EXICO will hold open the door to
nationals of all countries who can
M are distorting the facts. The President con
show that they possess wholesome
ideas of citizenship and will not prove a dis
turbing element in the nation, President Ve
nustiano Carranza told the correspondent of
the Associated Press in a recent interview
during which the chief executive commented
at length on various phases of Mexico's prob
lems.
The President's statement of the govern
ment's attitude toward immigration was in
response to an inquiry concerning declara
tions in the press of the City of Mexico that
large numbers of colonists were leaving
their European or Asiatic homes because of
disrupted conditions due to the World War.
President Carranza gave assurances that
Mexico would place no barriers against
proper immigration , and in fact would ex
tend all possible aid to such prospective
colonists . That such material aid is in con
templation is evidenced by the fact that the
President recently appointed a commission
to investigate all phases of the colonization
problem. Senor Luis Ludert y Rul, president
of the commission , has announced that com
munications have been received from England,
France, Canada, Germany and Russia in
regard to the feasibility of colonies in the
republic, and in each instance the answer
has been that Mexico welcomes all dependable
colonists.
Señor Carranza was asked whether the
Mexican government had any policy concern
ing Latin-America which might be construed
as indicating that the solidity of such coun
tries was more to be desidered by Mexico
than alliances with any foreign nation . He
replied that to date the Mexican government
was considering no such project of union,
and until such a proposition presents itself
he refused to define a possible government
policy.
Touching on the petroleum question, Pre
Open
to All
by the petroleum interests, which he said,
tinued :
" The petroleum companies have set out to
engender ill-feeling between Mexico and the
United States. They are doing this through
the medium of some sections of the American
press which are distorting facts to suit their
own ends.
" Mexico is not opposed to the petroleum
companies or to any other foreign investors.
We merely require that if such companies are
to operate in the republic, they abide by our
laws. What the new oil law will be, I can
not say, for I have expressed my beliefs and
ideas in my initiative of last November. The
passing of a new oil law is now in the hands
of Congress. '
President Carranza refused to venture a
prediction as to action of Congress. The
attitude of the petroleum commission , which
mill be a determining factor in the settlement
of the present difficulties , he also declared
problematical. The spécial ocmmission
appointed by the Mexican Senate to investi
gate condition in the Tampico region has
information to Congress. This report is pri
vate and is for informative purposes only.
In conclusion, President Carranza gave
renewed assurances of his personal wishes
and those of the government, that cordial
relations between Mexico and the United
States be maintained .
MRS . A. M. L. COLESON
Teaches Shorthand in English
and Spanish by Mail
The Best Teacher of Shorthand
in Mexico .
Gante, 9. México, D. F.
AGRICULTURAL COLONIES
IN LOWER CALIFORNIA
News comes from Lower California that
an agricultural colony composed of Mexicans
who have been employed in the State of
California has been established in the Val
ley of Palms, in the northeastern portion
of the Territory, and is making good pro
gress. On September 16th next, the Mex 1
ican National Holiday, another colony of
the same character will be inaugurated in
the Valley of Guadalupe, and following that
others will be established successively on
lands that are suitable for cultivation, of
which there is a large area in that portion
of the Territory.
Dr. Sieg's German Tablets
IS the name of an extraordinarily effective
medicine in all cases of suffering derived
from kidney diseases, the different stone for
mations , bladder and uretha ailments . This
wonderful medicine is not advertised to
induce you to try it, but to urge upon you
not to delay its prompt use for you own be
nefit. Thousands of suffers have recovered
their perfect health by the use of Riñonina,
after having uselessly spent their time and
money with all and every other medicine
advertised for Kidney diseases. We onlyмон
wish you to keep in mind what a famous
physician said not long ago :. " There is the
life of a man in each tablet of Riñionina. " If
your druggist hasn't got Riñonina, write for
it at once. Apartado 1272 , México, D. F.
EHLERS CO.
Representantes exclusivos en la Repú
blica Mexicana de
NICHOLAS POWER CO. NEW YORK, N. Y.
Bureau of Commercial Economics
Washington, D. C.
2a. Nuevo Mexico , 38.
México, D. F.
PELICULAS Educativas, Agrícolas, In
dustriales, Científicas, Comerciales.
APARATOS POWER Camararágrafos
Máquinas de Proyección,
Pantallas, Carbones, Lámparas, Piezas
de Refacción
Equipos Excelite, Lentes.

CINTURONES
sident Carranza asserted that the legislation CAMISETAS PANTALONES
ZAPATOS

he presented to Congress last November, RESTAURANT GIACOMINI

SUELA
HULE
CON

which was in effect an amendment to Article

DE

3a. Bolívar, 23. (Bajos del Hotel S. Carlos . ) Aurelio T. Hernández

27 of the constitution , probably will be con
IMPORTADOR
PROTECTORES

sidered by that body soon. He was emphatic

Meals at Moderate Prices DE ARTICULOS DE SPORT
in the declaration that the public press of
Good Service
the United States is being grossly influenced DE PREFERENCIA EL UNIFORME
The Best the Market Affords que exige la Asociación Cristia
CARLOS GIACOMINI PROP. na de Jóvenes para hacer uso
México , D. F. (Phone Ericcson, 52-55. ) del Departamento Físico
Avenida Independencia, 16-A.
PALUDISMO Apdo. Postal, 1575

CALENTURAS JUAN TRAJES Y GORROS DE BAÑO , ETC.

no debe tratarse con QUININA que
daña el corazón y el estómago .
Tome las MONTELONGO
PASTILLAS LOS SOMBREROS
SASTRE
ALEMANAS FEBRINADEL Dr.SIEG
y pronto se curará . COMERCIANTE TORRES
} SON
De venta: Droguería del Ele
fante, Av. Isabel la Católica 6 LOS MAS ACREDITADOS
DR CALLE MOTOLINIA 35.
SIEGS y en las principales Droguerías LOS MAS ECONOMICOS LOS MAS OUŘADEROS
✓ Boticas. Depósito general : I SIEMPRE LOS MEJORES ! )
Apartado 1272. México , D. F.
MEXICO, D. F. LOUVRE 10 FACTOR 2.
1ª FACTOR 2 "EL

+
}
 47
LA REVISTA MEXICANA

LA ROCHESTER algunos datos, le enviarán un cuestionario,

N vista del creciente desarrollo de la fo que servirá para hacer la adaptación co
rrecta. Si usted es aficionado a la fotogra

R
EN
tografía en México, se hizo una necesi

E
fía o pretende serlo, escriba a esa Casa y

L
S
dad la fundación de una casa seria que en

O
E
le darán todo género de detalles, fórmu

J
T
existencia constante tuviese artículos del

E
N
las y explicaciones. Si es usted Fotógrafo

S
ramo, para evitar odiosos monopolios y re

L
profesional, esa es la casa que debe sur
ducir los precios exagerados que reinaban
tirlo, porque cuidará sus intereses como si
antes de que esta casa abriese sus puer se tratara de ella misma.
tas. El año de 1904 se constituyó una so
Estas son las ventajas que obtienen sus
ciedad denominada " The Rochester Photo
consumidores : Mercancía inmejorable, aten ALHAJAS
Stock House, S. A. , '' con capital de $50,000,
ción inmediata y los más bajos precios .
siendo sus miras favorecer al público, tanto DE OCASION
Pida Lista de Precios.
en la equidad de sus precios, como en la PRECIOS BARATISIMOS
calidad óptima de sus materiales fotográ COMPRAMOS ALHAJAS
ficos. Desde luego instaló sus oficinas y
A LOS MEJORES PRECIOS
despacho en la Avenida 16 de Septiembre SALON TOKIO DE MEXICO
No. 5, de esta ciudad, y desde entonces ha AVE. URUGUAY 23 .
gozado del favor del público. The best restaurant in Mexico. LA PRINCESA
Después de algunos años se anexó el De Meals a la carte and table d'hote.
Good service and moderate prices. BOLIVAR9
partamento de Optica, que es en la actua Music every day. Meal tickets at
lidad uno de los mejores de la República, reduced prices.
por contar con maquinaria moderna, mate
rial de primera clase y personal que es ab
soluta garantía de los trabajos que ejecuta.
La importación de sus artículos se hace
de casas extranjeras de reconocida fama,
tanto en el ramo de Fotografía como en
el de Optica, no habiendo en el mercado
marcas que superen en calidad. En foto
grafía renueva constantemente sus existen
cias de materiales sensibles, pidiendo men
sualmente cantidades proporcionadas a su
consumo, a las acreditadas fábricas ameri
canas de Eastman Kodak Co., Hammer Dry
Plate Co. , Cramer Dry Plate Co. y Burke
& James, de cuyas casas son distribuidores.
Su despacho de pedidos foráneos es ob
jeto de especial cuidado y presteza, asegu
rando al consumidor todos los beneficios que
es dable proporcionar.
Si usted necesita anteojos o lentes, dando

EDWARD M. WILSON, M. E.
Technical Petroleum Expert
Geological Reports, Plans & Esti
mates of Mexican Oil Regions.
MAXIM'S
P. O. Box, 844. Mexico City.
RIBA Y AMIGO
CORTINAS- PUERTAS DE ACERO
APARTADO 16-15. TELEFONOS ERIC - 18-12
(MEX- 5-09
8 CIPRES N° 242. MEXICO. D. F.
PARA COMPRAR

CON ECONOMIA

66 99
DR
SIEGS " RINONINA
Toda clase de
PASTILLAS ALEMANAS DEL " DR . SIEG . "
Muebles y Ar
Curan las enfer URETRA .
tículos de Viaje, medades de los Expulsan el
Ocurra Usted a la RIÑONES tan peligroso
DEE

Mueblería y Pe HIGADO Acido úrico

Y LOS
taquería. VEJIGA CALCULOS.

"Riñonina" cura los COLICOS de los RIÑONES y del HIGADO,

calmando inmediatamente los terribles dolores al orinar.
EL CONGRESO
B. ISOBA Y HNO. De venta en las principales Droguerias y Boticas.
1A. FACTOR NUM 3 Y 5 Depósito General: Apartado 1272. México, D. F.
 47
LA REVISTA MEXICANA
ぶ
LA ROCHESTER algunos datos, le enviarán un cuestionario,
¿
N vista del creciente desarrollo de la fo que servirá para hacer la adaptación co
EN rrecta. Si usted es aficionado a la fotogra

K
ES
tografía en México, se hizo una necesi

E
fía o pretende serlo, escriba a esa Casa y

L
NT
ཝཱཙཱdad la fundación de una casa seria que en

O
le darán todo género de detalles, fórmu

LA

J
existencia
* constante tuviese artículos del

E
las y explicaciones. Si es usted Fotógrafo

IL

S
ramo, para evitar odiosos monopolios y re profesional, esa es la casa que debe sur
ducir los precios exagerados que reinaban tirlo, porque cuidará sus intereses como și
antes de que esta casa abriese sus puer se tratara de ella misma.
tas. El año de 1904 se constituyó una so Estas son las ventajas que obtienen sus
ciedad denominada " The Rochester Photo
consumidores : Mercancía inmejorable , aten ALHAJAS
Stock House, S. A. , '' con capital de $50,000,
ción inmediata y los más bajos precios .
siendo sus miras favorecer al público , tanto DE OCASION
Pida Lista de Precios.
en la equidad de sus precios, como en la PRECIOS BARATISIMOS
calidad óptima de sus materiales fotográ COMPRAMOS ALHAJAS
ficos. Desde luego instaló sus oficinas y A LOS MEJORES PRECIOS
despacho en la Avenida 16 de Septiembre . SALON TOKIO DE MEXICO
No. 5, de esta ciudad, y desde entonces ha AVE. URUGUAY 23 .
gozado del favor del público . The best restaurant in Mexico. LA PRINCESA
Después de algunos años se anexó el De Meals a la carte and table d'hote.
Good service and moderate prices . BOLIVAR
partamento de Optica, que es en la actua Music every day. Meal tickets at
lidad uno de los mejores de la República, reduced prices .
por contar con maquinaria moderna, mate
rial de primera clase y personal que es ab
soluta garantía de los trabajos que ejecuta.
La importación de sus artículos se hace
de casas extranjeras de reconocida fama,
tanto en el ramo de Fotografía como en
el de Optica, no habiendo en el mercado I
marcas que superen en calidad . En foto
grafía renueva constantemente sus existen
cias de materiales sensibles, pidiendo men
sualmente cantidades proporcionadas a su
consumo, a las acreditadas fábricas ameri
canas de Eastman Kodak Co., Hammer Dry
Plate Co. , Cramer Dry Plate Co. y Burke
& James, de cuyas casas son distribuidores.
Su despacho de pedidos foráneos es ob
jeto de especial cuidado y presteza, asegu
rando al consumidor todos los beneficios que
es dable proporcionar .
Si usted necesita anteojos o lentes, dando •

EDWARD M. WILSON, M. E.
Technical Petroleum Expert
Geological Reports, Plans & Esti
mates of Mexican Oil Regions.
MAXIMUS.
P. O. Box, 844. Mexico City.
RIBA Y AMIGOMA
CORTINAS- PUERTAS DE ACERO
APARTADO 46-15. TELEFONDS ƒ( ERIC -18 · 12
MEX - 5-09
T H )B A
& CIPRES Nº 242. MEXICO. D. F.
PARA COMPRAR

CON ECONOMIA

66
G DR
SIEGS ' RINONINA'
Toda clase de
PASTILLAS ALEMANAS DEL " DR . SIEG . "
Muebles Ꭹ Ar
Curan las enfer- URETRA .
tículos de Viaje, medades de los Expulsan el
Ocurra Usted a la RIÑONES tan peligroso
CRC

Mueblería y Pe Acido úrico

HIGADO
Y LOS
taquería. VEJIGA CALCULOS.

“Riñonina” cura los COLICOS de los RIÑONES y del HIGADO,

calmando inmediatamente los terribles dolores al orinar.
EL CONGRESO
B. ISOBA Y HNO. De venta en las principales Droguerías y Boticas.
1A. FACTOR NUM " 3 Y ត Depósito General : Apartado 1272 . México, D. F.
‫݂ܽܢܕ‬
>
48 THE MEXICAN REVIEW

307

FUNDICION Y TALLERES DE LAS DELICIAS

ALFONSINA Casa Establecida en 1854

LA

GRANDES ALMACENES

C
DE ROPA Y NOVEDADES

Great Dry Goods and

Novelties Store

5a. DE CAPUCHINAS 91 PRIOPS3

3a. de las Delicias No. 51

L. MIGOYA Y HNO. TOMAS PHILLIPS
Apartado 88
. S. EN C. Tel. Mex. 2-26 Neri. Tel. Eric. 2-26
MEXICO, D. F.

FUNDICION DE FIERRO Y BRONCE. CONS

Apdo. 2163. Tel . 8294 Eric . TRUCCION Y REPARACION DE TODA CLA
SE DE MAQUINARIA
MEXICO, D. F. Especialidad en Maquinaria para Azúcar.

The Anglo- Mexican AGENCIA DE INHUMACIONES

J. N. CARMONA
Trading Co. Ltd.

Ave. 5 de Mayo No. 1.-Apartado No. 241. TELEFONOS : MEXICANA 314 NERI . ERICSSON
S 7460
O NE
MEXICO, D. F. CI
HOMPRES ILUSTRES 23. AMEXICO , D. F.
H UM
IN
A
CI
EXISTENCIA CONSTANTE DE EN
A G DE
Mechas Inglesas de Seguridad para Minas, Marca
"CORONA" de la Fábrica BENNETT
HOMBRES TELEFONOS
ILUSTRES MEX: 314
Bandas de Transmisión de Pelo de Camello NERI
NUMO ERICSSON
"Gripoly" y "Landt" y de CUERO de la Fábrica 23. 7460
LEWIS & TAYLOR

ONA
Para la República tenemos la representación exclusiva de CARM
las Fábricas citadas y atentamente les suplicamos a los Seño
res Industriales y Mineros, se sirvan enviarnos sus solicitu
des de precios. Casa Establecida en 1913
Prontitud garantizada en la entrega de cualquier mer
cancía. Traslado Cadáveres y Restos a Todas Partes
de la República y del Extranjero, Exhumaciones ,
Compramos : Traslaciones, Embalsamamientos, etc., etc.
Minerales y Metales, Barras de Plata y Oro.
AZOGUE . PRECIOS LOS MAS BAJOS.

PIDA PRESUPUESTOS
LABORATORIO DE ENSAYES.
 A

NATIONAL RAILWAY LINES OF MEXICO.

Direct line to Mexico City from all points in the United States via Laredo,
also via El Paso, Eagle Pass and Brownsville.

Sleeping Cars on all Lines.

Connections with Tampico, Vera Cruz and Manzanillo, Durango, Saltillo ,

Torreón, San Luis Potosi, Queretaro, Guadalajara and all
Importants Cities in the Republic.

MEXICAN RAILWAY

NATIONAL RAILWAY OF TEHUANTEPEC, VERA CRUZ AND ISTHMUS

RAILWAY, VERA CRUZ AND ALVARADO RAILWAY, PAN-AMÈRICAN

RAILWAY

Passenger and freight service from Mexico City to the Guatemala frontier .
Connection at Vera Cruz and Puerto Mexico with the steamers of the Ward Line
and the Mexican Navigation Company, and at Salina Cruz with steamers for South
America and Japan .
C BOLIVAR STREET AND CINCO DE MAYO AVENUE MEXICO CITY, D. F.
V. A. GUTIERREZ P. FONTES, J. M. CARDENAS,
General Passenger Agent. Director General. Assistant General Passenger Agent.

LA ANTIGUA Y SEGURA
THE GREATEST BOOK

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México , en el Edificio Oliver, Avenida 16 de Septiembre , con un buen núme
ro de peritos mecánicos, con el objeto de ayudar al Gobierno , y a sus
Annuary of Commerce, Industry , Agentes Distribuidores , y ver que la Maquinaria CASE mantenga su Supe
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factura de maqui ¿Pueden necesitarse
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p 4.

COMISION REGULADORA

DEL

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Negociación en la que participan todos

los productores de la Fibra Yucateca .

LAJMEGEN
,
Buques especiales

destinados para la Exportación .

Expedición de Giros sobre el Extranjero .

GERENTE GENERAL:
47

Manuel Zapata Cázares

MERIDA , YUCATAN .

COMPAÑIA DE FOMENTO DEL SURESTE DE MEXICO

‫ہک‬

S. A.

CAPITAL TOTALMENTE PAGADO $5.000.000.000

Estamos llevando a cabo la exploración de nuestro suelo , en busca de yacimientos de

petróleo, para beneficio y engrandecimiento de la riqueza de este Estado . Somos los prin

cipales accionistas de los Ferrocarriles Unidos de Yucatán, S. A. Contamos con una línea

directa de vapores de carga y pasajeros entre Progreso y New Orleans . Tenemos un Depar
K
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ción, " " Ferretería , " " Granos y Abarrotes en General," y se encarga al mismo tiempo de

hacer pedidos " Cuenta Ajena ," cobrando solo una módica comisión . En resumen : esta Com

pañía tiene por única misión el engrandecimiento del Estado .

C

Gerente General: Manuel T. Castella ,

Oficinas : CALLE 59 , NUM , 519 . MERIDA, YUCATAN

12011
M62 THE REVIEW CIRCULATES 25,000 COPIES .

Vol . III.
Mexico City, January, 1920 . No. 10.
W
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Y

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2
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FELIZ AÑO ! A

REVISTA MEXICANA

20c. American. The Only Periodical Giving General Mexican News in English. 40c . Oro Nal.
 CONDONEDOF

12525252

CIA . FERRETERA DEL RIO BRAVO

525
:- : LAREDO , TEXAS . :-:

APARTADO NO . 213 . LAREDO , TEXAS .

¦
29

25257 7252525
IMPORTADORES Y EXPORTADORES DE

1252525
MATERIALES PARA FERROCARRILES Y MINAS 2525

AGENTES DE MANUFACTUREROS.

152

OFICINAS EN MEXICO :

EDIFICIO DEL BANCO DE LONDRES Y MEXICO , NO . 25 .

525

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THE MILMO NATIONAL BANK

LAREDO , TEXAS

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OFFICERS Assistant Cashiers :

525252 1252525

MILES T. COGLEY, President. ALBERT MARTIN.

A. M. BRUNI , Vice-President . P. W. BUTTRON.

G. P. FARIAS, Cashier. H. S. CLUCK.

L. E. BRUNI.

A. J. NOTZON.

f
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 525

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Avenida Morelos No. 70.

Teléfonos : Mexicana, 4-20 Juárez.
Ericsson, 67-97.
L
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MEXICO, D. F.

EXISTENCIA CONSTANTE DE LOS

SIGUIENTES ARTICULOS

Fierro Comercial. Viguetas y Canales .

Es el aparato más perfeccionado y económico para
reproducir, copias exactas en cualquier cantidad,
de escritos en máquina, manuscritos y dibujos.
El papel sin cera "Dermatipe" que se emplea para
hacer los originales, garantiza un trabajo limpio y
rápido en cualquier clima.
PRECIO, DESDE $ 180.00 A $560.00.
Angulos y Tees. Acero para Minas, Ace
ro para Herramientas. Acero para Mue
lles. Cable y Alambre. Tornillos y Tuer
cas. Remaches y Rondanas. Clavos y
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AGENTES EXCLUSIVOS

GERBER CARLISLE Co.

AVE. 5 DE MAYO 19-21 MEXICO, D. F.

OL
17777777
 +
The Mexican
Vol. III. MEXICO
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
Published Monthly at Mexico City .
Geo . F. Weeks ….. ... Editor
Edmundo Melero ·· Business Mgr
Registered as Second-Class Matter in the Mexico City
Postoffice , April 14, 1919.
Yearly subscription in United States and Canada .
$2 gold . Elsewhere , $2.50.
In Mexico , $4 Mexican coin.
MEXICAN NEWS BUREAU
Accurate news by wire or mail of all important mat
ters. Special articles on any Mexican topic prepared
by competent writers . Photographs furnished when
desired . Questions answered. Special inquiries un
dertaken .
Mexico City Office: Nuevo Mexico 6. P. O. Box 70 Bis
Tel. Ericsson 61-33. Cable address: Mexneb .
Washington office: 1821 Jackson St., N. E.
E. H. Talbot, Representative in U. S.
** The Outlook for 1920.
NOT ssince ince the commencement of the
Ν struggle for emancipation nearly ten
years ago has the outlook for Mexico's future
been so bright and so encouraging as now.
Glance in what direction one may, within the
boundaries of the country, and the prospect
presented is found by every intelligent and
unprejudiced observer to be of the most hope
ful kind. One by one these who had remain
ed in opposition to the present government
have either been eliminated by force of arms,
J or, recognizing the hopelessness not to say
futility of longer opposing the establishment
of a stable government, have given in their
adhesion . Little remains to be done in this
direction, and the coming year beyond any
doubt will see the complete pacification of
even the most remote portions of the coun
try .
The constant increase in the value of silver
bullion has stimulated the resumption of work
upon many mines that had been wholly or
partially idle for years , though it is a mistake
to suppose that there was any complete sus
pension of operations in that direction , as
E. some of the largest mines in the Republic have
continued their work with scarcely any in
terruption , and that only for a few days at a
time. Many new developments are also be
ing undertaken in various directions, the high
value of the white metal making it profitable
to undertake the operation of deposits of ore
that are of too low grade to permit this being
done in former years. The production and
exportation of silver show a constant increase.
The latest available statistics show that for
the month of October there was exported
from Mexico to the United States $ 6,060,765
in silver bullion, against $5,185,554, for the
same month in 1918 , while for the ten months
ending October 1919, the exportations were
$51,233,802, as against $43,471,809 for the
preceding year. The coming year will beyond
any doubt show an even greater increase.
*
The petroleum regions show steady pro
the gress , both in development and shipments.
Many new companies with large capital
have come into the country during the past
year, and from inquiries that are being made
the new year will see an even greater ad
vance in that direction . Exportations of oil
Review
CITY, JANUARY , 1920
for 1919 show an increase of over thirty per
cent, the amount for 1918 having been 63,
828,836 barrels, against (approximately ) 82,
954,858 barrels for 1919. For the year just
commencing the ratio of increase will be
yond doubt be still greater, since the only
obstacle is the lack of shipping, caused by
the war and its attendant results. There
is sufficient oil now in sight (that is, in wells
already in production ) to increase the ex
portation ten times over the present amount.
New discoveries of petroleum deposits have
been made in various portions of the Re
public and steps are under way for their
proper development.
All the principal railway lines have either
been restored to their normal condition or
are rapidly approaching such restoration.
Millions have been and are being expended
in this work, as also in the acquisition of new
rolling stock to take the place of that des
troyed during the revolution. These millions,
it should he especially noted, have been taken
from the net earnings of the lines, not a single
dollar of outside capital having been devoted
to these objects . In due time the entire sys
tem controlled by the government will have
been rehabilitated from the earnings.
Through passenger and Pullman traffic has
been inaugurated between Mexico City ond
El Paso , while that with other border points
has not been seriously interrupted at any
time. Through Pullman service between this
city and St. Louis, which was so popular be
fore the revolutionary period, is now in pro-
cess of re-establishment. Direct passenger
and Pullman service has also been established
by the Southern Pacific Railway between
Nogales and Mazatlan. Much new railway
construction has been carried out during the
past year and will be continued during the
new one. New stations superior to any be
fore known have been built, bridges replaced ,
tracks put in order, and in a word nothing
has been neglected that would tend to put
the entire railway system of the Republic in
even better condition than before the re
volution.
Commerce, agriculture , education, manufac-
turing have all been stimulated and the pre
sent year will see the development of many
plans in these directions.
The crops for 1919 were abundant and for
1920 the present outlook is most encouraging.
It is the universal testimony of those who
have investigated or who have had experience
that the cost of living in Mexico during the
past year and at present is far lower than in
any other part of the world. Food articles
of prime necessity, clothing, etc., are cheaper
here than in the United States, and undoubt
edly will continue to be so.
Mexico still maintains the proud and unique
pre-eminence of being the only country on
the face of the globe which has a purely specie
circulating medium, no paper of any kind
being current. The constantly increasing
volume of business, both domestic and foreign,
is an abundant testimonial of her ability in
this and other directions of a financial char
acter. The resumption of interest payments
on the national debt is assured for the new
No. 10.
year and will be a still further demonstration $
of the wonderful recuperative power and in
herent wealth of the country.
Mexico enters upon the last year of the
first century of her national independence
under most favorable auspices, and unless
hampered by undue interference with her
domestic concerns will beyond doubt record
one of the most prosperous periods of her
Interventionist Propaganda Decreasing.
THE influences behind the interventionist
propaganda seem to have " shot their
bolt, '
''
' and there has of late been a marked
diminution in the flood of attacks on this
country. A contributing cause, beyond any
doubt, has been the publication of the vast
profits attending oil development in the face }
of the complaints made by the profiteers.
Common sense tells the intelligent public that
concerns which even in the troublous times
we have been going through pay from 12 to
48 per cent dividends in a single year, which
put millions into their reserve funds, which ex
tend their operations by the expenditure of
other millions, have not much cause to com
plain of taxation or to talk about oppressive
legal regulations . The public is just be
ginning to realize, apparently , that it has
been grievously misled by unfounded com
plaints and exaggerated reports.
A Senator With Correct Ideas.
THE Mexican Consul in New York has sent
a report to the Minister of Foreign Re
lations of the declarations made by Senator
Johnson, before the Senate Sub-Committee
on Mexican Affairs , recently. Senator John
son stated that in his opinion there should
be no intervention in Mexico. The American
people, he claimed, 1 were tired of war, and
before adopting such drastic measures a min
ute investigation should be made of conditions
as they really exist in this country.
San Antonio Friends of Mexico.
SENOR Gonzalo de la Mata, Mexican Con
sul in San Antonio, has notified the
Secretary of Foreign Relations of the for1
mation of a club in that city to promote a
better understanding between the United
States and Mexico . The Club is called " The
Two Republics . } Members will endeavor to
develop commercial relations with Mexico and
offset any propaganda of the interventionists
by publishing facts of conditions in this coun
try .
Forbearance Asked.
HE kind forbearance of the readers of
THE
The Review is asked should they consider
that this or the previous issue of this maga
zine are or were lacking in any respect. The
long-continued illness of the editor has in
capacitated him from devoting any attention
to his duties , and the entire load has fallen
in consequence upon the already amply bur
dened shoulders of his associate. It is hoped
that normal conditions will have been restor
ed in time for the February issue.- Editor
Review.

7.
Revist
La
Tomo III.
LA REVISTA MEXICANA
Se publica mensualmente en la Ciudad de México
Geo . F. Weeks... ... ...Edito
Edmundo Melero . • Administrador
Registrada como artículo de Segunda Clase en la
Administración Local de Correos de México , D. F.
el día 14 de abril de 1919.
Suscripciones por un año:
En la República Mexicana.......$ 4 Oro Nacional.
En los Estados Unidos y Canadá ,, 2 Oro Americano
2.50 ..
En cualquiera otra parte………….
Precio del ejemplar 40c . Oro Nal. - 20c . Oro Am.
" 11 50c . " " en el interior
? de la República..
ht
AGENCIA DE NOTICIAS DE MEXICO
Noticias exactas por telégrafo y correo de todos los
asuntos de interés. Artículos especiales sobre cual
quier tópico mexicano confeccionados por escritores
competentes. Se proporcionan fotografías a solicitud.
Se contestan preguntas. Se toman a cargo investiga
clones especiales.
Oficinas en la Ciudad de México: Nuevo México Núme
ro 6. Apartado Postal 70 Bis. Teléfono Ericsson 61-33
Dirección Cablegráfica: Mexneb. Oficinas en Wash
ington, E. U. A. , 1821 Jackson St. N. E.
E. H. Talbot , Representante en E. U. de A.
La Perspectiva para 1920.
JAMAS, desde el principio de la lucha por
la emancipación, hace cerca de diez años,
había sido tan brillante y alentadora la pers
pectiva del futuro de México como ahora.
Mirando en la dirección que se quiera, dentro
de las fronteras del país , se encontrará que
las perspectivas que observan los más inteli
gentes y exentos de prejuicios son del género
más prometedor. Uno por uno, han sido eli
minados los oponentes al Gobierno actual, ya
sea por la fuerza de las armas o porque re
conociendo lo inútil, por no decir fútil de se
guir ofreciendo una prolongada oposición al
establecimiento de un Gobierno permanente,
se han adherido a éste. Muy poco queda por
hacer en este sentido y está fuera de toda
duda, que el año que principia, verá la com
pleta pacificación aun de las regiones más re
motas del país.
El constante aumento del valor de la plata
ha estimulado la reanudación del trabajo en
muchas minas que han estado inactivas, total
o parcialmente durante varios años , aunque
es un error suponer que hubo una suspensión
completa de las labores de esta industria, pues
algunas de las minas más grandes de la Re
pública, han continuado su trabajo con pocas
interrupciones apenas, y eso, sólo por períodos
de tiempo de pocos días. Se están empren
diendo también nuevas explotaciones, puesto
que el alza del metal + blanco convierte en
remuneradora la explotación de depósitos de
mineral que era de muy baja ley para permi
tir que se le explotara en años anteriores. La
producción y exportación de la plata ofrece
un aumento constante. Las últimas estadís
ticas que se tienen a mano, muestran que en
el mes de octubre fueron exportados de Mé
xico para los Estados Unidos, $6.060,765 de
plata en barras, contra $5.185,554, que se ex
portaron en el mismo mes de 1918 , en tanto
que por los diez meses que terminaron en oc
tubre de 1919 , la exportación fue de
$51,233,802, contra $43.471,809 en el año pre
cedente. El año que principia, ofrecerá sin
duda alguna, un aumento mucho mayor.
Las zonas petroleras muestran un firme pro
3
a ana
Mexic
MEXICO, D. F., ENERO, 1920 No. 10
greso, tanto en lo que se refiere a explotación artículos de primera necesidad, la ropa, etc.,
como a exportación. Han venido al país, du son mucho más baratos aquí que en los Es
rante el año pasado, muchas nuevas compa tados Unidos , y sin duda alguna que conti
ñías con grandes capitales. Debe decirse que nuarán siéndolo por algún tiempo .
se supone, por las investigaciones hechas so México sigue manteniendo el orgullo y la
bre el particular, que el año nuevo verá un prominencia única de ser el solo país, opuesto
progreso mucho mayor en este sentido . Las al resto del mundo, que posee un medio cir
exportaciones de petróleo en 1919 , muestran culante de especie, puramente, sin que circulen
un aumento de más del treinta por ciento so billetes de ninguna clase. El constante au
mento de los negocios, tanto en el interior co
bre el año anterior, ya que en este fueron de
-63,828,836 de barriles contra 82,954,858 de mo con el extranjero, es un buen testimonio
barriles en 1919 , aproximadamente. En el año de la capacidad de México a este respecto, lo
que principia, la proporción del aumento sin mismo que en otros de carácter financiero .
duda alguna que será mucho mayor, puesto Se asegura para el año que principia, la re
que el único obstáculo para la exportación, es anudación de los pagos de la deuda nacional ,
la falta de buques, derivada de la guerra y lo que constituirá otra prueba más del mara
villoso poder recuperativo del país y de su
de sus resultados inherentes. Hay suficiente
petróleo en perspectiva ( esto es, en pozos que inherente riqueza .
están ya en producción, ) para aumentar la México entra en el último año del primer
exportación a diez tantos de la cantidad ac siglo de la consumación de su independencia,
tual. Se han hecho varios descubrimientos bajo los auspicios más favorables, y, a menos
de depósitos de petróleo en diferentes regio que sea perjudicado por intervenciones in
debidas en sus asuntos domésticos, sin duda
nes de la República y se están dando los de
bidos pasos para su explotación. que registrará uno de los períodos más prós
Las principales líneas ferrocarrileras han peros de su historia.
sido restauradas en sus condiciones normales,
o se están acercando rápidamente a una res Los Amigos de México
tauración completa. Se han gastado en esta
en San Antonio .
obra, millones de pesos, como también en la
adquisición de nuevo material rodante para L señor Gonzalo de la Mata, cónsul de
EL México en San Antonio , ha participado
substituir al que fue destruído durante la Re
volución. Debe notarse especialmente , que al Secretario de Relaciones Exteriores, la for
estos millones han sido tomados de las utili mación de un club en esa ciudad , para pro
dades líquidas de los ferrocarriles , sin que se mover una buena inteligencia entre los Esta
haya dedicado al efecto, ni un solo . peso de dos Unidos y México. Este club es llamado
capital extraño. A su debido tiempo queda " Las Dos Repúblicas. Sus miembros se
rá rehabilitado, con las ganancias obtenidas, esforzarán por fomentar las relaciones co
todo el sistema controlado por el Gobierno. merciales con México y por contrarrestar la
Se ha inaugurado el tráfico de pasajeros y de propaganda de los intervencionistas, publi
carros dormitorios entre las ciudades de Mé cando hechos relativos a las condiciones que
+
xico y El Paso, en tanto que no se han inte prevalecen en este país.
rrumpido gravemente los de otros puntos de
la frontera norte, en ninguna época. El ser Un Senador que Abriga
vicio de carros dormitorios entre esta ciudad Ideas Correctas.
y St. Louis, que fue tan popular antes del pe L cónsul de México en Nueva York, ha
ríodo revolucionario , se halla ahora en pro ELenviado un informe a la Secretaría de
ceso de restablecimiento . Se establecerá el Relaciones Exteriores, acerca de las declara
tráfico directo de carros de pasajeros y de ca * ciones emitidas recientemente por el senador
rros dormitorios en la línea del Ferrocarril Hiram Johnson ante el Subcomité de Relacio
del Pacífico del Sur, entre Nogales y Maza nes Extranjeras del Senado que investiga los
tlán . asuntos mexicanos. El senador Johnson de
Durante el año pasado se llevaron a cabo claró que en su opinión , no debía haber in
numerosas construcciones ferrocarrileras, que tervención en México. El pueblo norteame
se continuarán en el año en curso. Se han ricano, según afirmó, está cansado de la gue
construído nuevas estaciones, superiores a las rra y antes de adoptar medidas drásticas co
conocidas hasta ahora ; hanse reconstruído mo se aconsejan, debe hacerse una minucio
varios puentes, se han reparado varias vías sa investigación acerca de las condiciones por
y, en una palabra, no se ha descuidado na que atraviesa en realidad este país.
da que tendiese a poner todo el sistema fe
rrocarrilero de la República aun en mejores Pedimos Indulgencia.
condiciones que antes de la Revolución .
El comercio, la agricultura, la educación , PEDIMOS indulgencia a los lectores de La
Revista Mexicana, si es que juzgan que
la manufactura, han sido estimulados ; el año esta edición de nuestra Revista o la anterior,
on curso verá el desarrollo de muchos planes fueron defectuosas en cualquier respecto. La
que se refieren a estas actividades. larga enfermedad que ha padecido el Director
Las cosechas de 1919 fueron abundantes, de La Revista Mexicana, lo ha incapacitado
siendo de lo más alentadoras y halagüeñas las para dedicar su atención a sus deberes, ba
perspectivas para el de 1920. Declaran uná biendo recaído toda la carga de la publica
nimente los que han investigado el asunto ción , en consecuencia, sobre su colaborador,
o que tienen experiencia personal del hecho, el Administrador de La Revista. Esperamos
que el costo de la vida en México durante el que so restablecerán las condiciones normales
año pasado y en el presente, es mucho menor de nuestro periódico para la edición de febre
que en cualquiera otra parte del mundo. Los ro próximo.-La Dirección.
 4 THE MEXICAN REVIEW

NOVEMBER Barrels.
In the Petroleum Field Huasteca Company. 1,301,751
Cortez. 975,185
Aguila. 907,400
Alleged Disregard of Petroleum Property Rights Penn. Mex.. 2 846,299
Positively Denied - Drilling of New Wells Texas Oil..***** 601,851
Metropolitan. . 569,929
Standard. 445,682
Freeport... ww 321,333
East Coast. A 346,487
"Neither the Department of Industry, Commerce and Mexican Gulf. 358,450
Tal Vez... 138,182
Labor nor the General Government of the country have 61,422
Pierce Navigation .
created any obstacles to the development of the petroleum Interoceanic... 34,482
Terminal Union. . *** 33,242
industry in the country." New England. ** 29,000
Corona... 59,950

Total...... .. 7,040,645
N such manner the above mentioned De points are all filled. Their capacity is several The total shipments for the year are as fol
times the total amount shipped in the months lows, the figures for December being averaged,
partment made its official statement when
I the representatives of the press convened showing the largest exportation. while those for October, November and De
The unofficial figures for October show cember are subject to revision when the of
to obtain the Department's declarations
upon the statements of the Associated Press exportation of 8,561,002 barrels, and for ficial returns are given out, though those
on that matter and which have been published November of 7,040,645 barrels. given herewith may be taken as approximate
in the Press of this capital, saying that the scar The shipments by companies for September, ly correct : Barrels.
city of mineral oil in the United States is due October and November, were divided as fol 5,279,120
January.
to the restrictions placed on the exploitation lows: SEPTEMBER. Barrels. February. .. 6,928,020
1,340,265 March. . 6,651,150
and exportation of that product by the Gov Huasteca. 6,254,572
ernment of President Carranza. Aguila.. 1,071,292 April.
912,772 May. . .. ** 6,897,962
The Department of Petroleum and Engineer Cortés.... 7,074,422
Standard. 774,658 June..
Sr. Salinas, Assistant Secretary of Industry, 596,413 July... 6,085,438
Island..
Commerce and Labor, have already made Mexican Gulf. 560,896 August. 7,988,519
September .. 7,194,008
declarations to this effect, when the press of Stone Carvings of the Entrance to the 8,561,002
October..
the United States was publishing notices Tepozotlan Convent. 7,040,645
November.
similar in character to those referred to, deny December (estimated ) average .. 7,000.000
ing that they have refused to recognize proper
ty rights and demonstrating by means of Total.... 82,954,858
statistical data which have already been This is an increase of 19,126,022 barrels.
published that the producing wells in the over the shipments for the year 1918.
Gulf Zone have not been exploited even to The exports for the past ten years have
H

a tenth part of their potential production, been as follows : Barrels.

the sole limitation to exportation being lack 3,332,807
1910 ...
of shipping facilities, with which this govern 1911... .. *** 14,051,643
ment has nothing whatever to do. 1912... 16,558,215
On asking if any had been denied permis 1913... *** . 25,696,291
1914... 26,235,403
sion to exploit petroleum, the Chief of the
1915. . 32,910,508
Department of Petroleum stated that " In Jose
1916... ** . 40,440,468
the cases in which the exploiters have not 55,292,770
1917...
complied with the existing laws upon the ** 63.828.836
1918...
matter, the borings have not been made. "' ... 82,954,858
1919. (Aproximately) ...
Finally he declared that the Department For the year 1918 the value of the oil ex
would like to know of just a single case in ported was $140,557,553 Mexican gold, or $70,
which the Government had not respected a
278,776 American money, and the total amount
petroleum property right, which goes to prove.
that the stories circulated in the United States of duties paid by the exporters to the Mex
are entirely without foundation. ican government was $ 11,120,397 or $ 5,560,
It may be added, that there have been ab 198 American money. The total value of the
solutely no changes in any of the laws or re shipments for 1919 cannot now be given, but
gulations concerning the production or ship Convento de Tepozotlán. the duties will approximate $ 14,800,000 or $7,
ment of petroleum for over a year, and that Texas. 531,125 400,000 American money..
the same rate of taxation and the same rules Freeport & Mexican . 410,341
408,569 SEVERAL WELLS TURN
prevail that have been in force for much East Cost......
Penn, Mex. 385,916 TO SALT WATER.
more than that period , and during which time 85,808
the industry has made such tremendous strides Interoceanic. Salt water has appeared in several of the
Pierce Navigation. . .. 63,260
and paid such large profits, as shown by the National.. 31,371 wells in the Tepetate camp. The wells af
reports of the companies themselves . Tal Vez.. 21,323 fected are the Texas Company of Mexico's
wells on lots 2 and 3, having a pro
PETROLEUM PRODUCTION Total... 7,194,008
duction of 75,000 and 5,000 barrels of
FOR THE PAST YEAR. OCTOBER petroleum daily; the Mexican Gulf Com
Reports from Tampico are to the effect The complete figures by companies for Oc pany's well on lot 163 , Chinampa , rated at
that while development work is going on with tober are not at hand, but the following in 40,000 barrels daily capacity , and the same.
out cessation in any respect, the usual com clude the leading shipments : company's well on lot 8, Tepetate , which is
plement of men being employed and all man Barrels. rated at 60,000 barrels. About the middle
ner of construction being pushed, the ex Metropolitan. A 511,823 of November the salt water made its appear
portation of petroleum for November shows Mexican Gulf. . .. 332,318
45,324 ance in the wells and within a week all of the
Corona...
a falling off as compared with that Texas Company .. 758,281 wells had gone salt.
for the month of October of upward Huasteca.. . 1,577,042 There may be some hope for the Texas
of a million and a half barrels. This is due Cortez.. . ** 1,398,820
Standard . 4 223,296 Company's wells, but it is a slim one. They
entirely to the shortage of of vessels for 1,398,820 showed 4 per cent B. S. and water and were
transportation and to nothing else, as the Aguila. B 9 87,396
Tal Vez. AMV closed in and are still shut down.
storage tanks at Tampico and other shipping East Coast.. 413,821
 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 5

Corona. 45,324
Texas Company 758,281
En el Campo Petrolero Huasteca. . . 1,577,042
Cortez.. . ... 1,398,820
Standard . " 223,296
La Incautación de las Propiedades Petroleras 1,398,820
Aguila. .
-Perforación de Nuevos Pozos Tal Vez. 87,396
East Coast. . 413,821
NOVIEMBRE .
Barriles.
" Ni la Secretaría de Industria, Comercio y Trabajo, ni Huasteca Company. 1,301,751
Cortez.. 975,185
el Gobierno General de la República, han puesto trabas para 907,400
Aguila.
Penn. Mex. . ** 846,299
el desarrollo de la industria petrolera en el país." Texas Oil. 601,851
Metropolitan . 569,929
Standard . " . 445,682
Freeport.. 321,333
East Coast. ww 346,487
SI lo manifestó oficialmente la citada nos de petróleo. La capacidad de dichos tan Mexican Gulf. 358,450
Secretaría, a donde ocurrieron los re ques, es varias veces superior al total de las Tal Vez..... 138,182
A Pierce Navigation . 61,422
presentantes de la piensa para obte exportaciones que se hayan hecho en el mes 34,482
Interoceanic . . . .
ner declaraciones sobre lo asentado en el men en que fueron ellas más abundantes . Terminal Union. 33,242
saje transmitido por la Prensa Asociada y pu Las cifras relativas, que fueron obtenidas New England . . 29,000
blicado en la prensa de esta capital, que dice en fuentes privadas, indican que la exporta Corona.. 59,950
que la escasez de aceite mineral en los Esta ción fue de 8,561,002 barriles en octubre. y de 7,040,645
Total.....
dos Unidos , se debe a restricciones puestas 7,040,645 en noviembre.
Las exportaciones totales por el año, serán
para la explotación y exportación de ese pro Los embarques de petróleo hechos por las
ducto por el Gobierno del señor Carranza. las siguientes, en la inteligencia de que las
diversas compañías durante los meses de sep correspondientes a diciembre, han sido caleu
" El Departamento del Petróleo y el Inge tiembre, octubre y noviembre, fueron como ladas, basándose en el término medio de los
niero Salinas, Subsecretario de Industria, Co sigue : meses restantes, y que los datos concernien
mércio y Trabajo, han hecho ya declaracio
nes sobre este asunto, cuando han sido puoi1 Altar of the Kings, in the Mexico City tes a octubre, noviembre y al mismo diciem
Cathedral. bre, están sujetos a rectificación, cuando se
cadas en la prensa norteamericana afirmacio
nes semejantes, negando que se haya incauta publique el informe oficial, aunque pueden
do dicha propiedad y demostrando por me aceptarse los presentes como aproximadamen
dio de datos estadísticos, que La Revista te correctos :
Mexicana ha publicado, que los pozos en Barriles.
producción de la zona del Golfo, no son ex Enero... 5,279,120
plotados ni una décima parte de su produc Febrero. • . 6,928,020
Marzo. 6,651,150
ción potencial . Abril. 6,254,572
..
Al preguntar si habían sido negados los Mayo . . 6,897,962
permisos para la explotación del petróleo , el Junio.. 7,074,422
Jefe del Departamento del Petróleo manifes Julio... 6,085,438
Agosto.. 7,988,519
tó que en los casos que los explotadores no 7,194,008
Septiembre.
han cumplido con las leyes vigentes sobre la Octubre... 8,561,002
materia, no se ha permitido hacer perforacio Noviembre. 7,040,645
nes. " Diciembre (cálculo aprox.) . 7,000,000
Por último, declaró que la Secretaría de Total..... 82,954,858
searía conocer un solo caso en que el Gobier Este total muestra un aumento de
no se hubiese incautado de una sola propie
19,126,022 de barriles de petróleo sobre las
dad petrolífera, lo que prueba que las especies
exportaciones del año de 1918 .
propaladas en el vecino país, son enteramente
infundadas. Las exportaciones de aceite mineral en los
diez años anteriores, fue como sigue :
Puede añadirse que no ha habido cambio
Barriles.
ninguno en las leyes relativas a la producción
y exportación de petróleo durante el año, y 1910... 3,332,807
1911.. 14,051,643
que han estado en vigor las mismas contribu 16,558,215
Catedral de México.-Altar de los Reyes. 1912...
ciones y los mismos reglamentos que han regi 1913... .25,696,291
do por un período mucho mayor que éste, y SEPTIEMBRE. 1914... 26,235,403
durante el cual ha hecho la industria tan gran Barriles. 1915.. .32,910,508
1916.. A .. 40,440,468
des progresos y ha pagado tan fuertes divi Huasteca. . 1,340,265 1917.. 55,292,770
dendos, como lo demuestran los informes de Aguila. 1,071,292 1918. . ...63,828,836
las mismas compañías interesadas. Standard. N 774,658 1919. ( Aproximadamente ) . ..82,954,858
Cortés... 912,772
LA PRODUCCION DE PETROLEO Island. ... 596,413 El valor del petróleo exportado en 1918,
DURANTE EL AÑO PASADO. Mexican Gulf, 560,896 fue de $ 140,557,553, en oro mexicano, o sean
Texas...w 531,125 $70,278,776 en americano. El total de los
Los informes de Tampico, que se han re Freeport & Mexican .. 410,341
East Cost. 408,596 derechos pagados por los exportadores, en ca
cibido recientemente en esta capital, indican Penn. Mex... 385,916 calidad de derechos de exportación, al Gobier
que al mismo tiempo que continúan los tra Interoceanic. 85,808 no mexicano, fue de $ 11,120,397, o sean, ***
bajos de explotación de la zona petrolífera Pierce Navigation . . ** 63,260 $5,560,198 en americano. El valor total de
sin cesar, que se emplea al número habitual National... 31,371
Tal Vez.. 21,323 las exportaciones hechas en el presente año
de trabajadores y que se realizan como de de 1919, no puede ser dado a conocer aún, pe
costumbre, todos los trabajos de construccio Total ..... .. 7,194,008 ro es probable que los derechos de exportación
nes, las exportaciones de petróleo hechas du OCTUBRE .
pagados por ellas, asciendan a $14,800,000, o
rante el mes de noviembre, fueron inferiores Aún no está terminado el cómputo de las sean, $7,400,000 en oro americano.
en más de millón y medio de barriles a las exportaciones hechas por las compañías en VARIOS POZOS EMPIEZAN
de octubre. Esta disminución fue debida a octubre, pero damos a continuación los datos
la escasez de buques para el transporte del A ARROJAR AGUA SALADA.
referentes a las principales :
aceite mineral y no a ninguna otra causa, pues Barriles. Varios pozos petroleros del campo de Tepe
los tanques de almacenamiento de Tampico 511,823 tate, han empezado a arrojar agua salada.
Metropolitan.
y de otros puertos, están perfectamente lle Mexican Gulf. 332,318 Los pozos que han ofrecido este fenómeno,
 6 THE
The Tepetate field is one of the oldest light
oil producers in Mexico, work having begun
there in the early summer of 1910 and con
tinued steadily since that time. Is round
numbers more than 100,000,000 barrels of
petroleum have been taken from this pool.
The appearance of salt water is a severe
blow, but it is nothing more than that. It is
not fatal and is not unmixed with good in
that it will stimulate exploration and develop
ment of other locations and will, undoubtedly,
result in greater activity in the lower fields ;
the drilling of more wells to replace these
that have turned to salt, and the consequent
discovery of other big gushers and other im
portant oil deposits.
DRILLING OF NEW WELLS.
As an offset to the wells that went salt
in the Tepetate camp reecntly, the Aguila
Dil Company drilled in another big well, be
ing the second well they have discovered that
wil make 30,000 or 40,000 barrels of petro
leum, or more, daily, within two weeks.
The new well is their Los Naranjos No. 5
on lot 111 , Chinampa, and it was drilled in
November 10, the day before Armistice Day, at
12.45 p. m.
All preparations had been made for the
advent of the new producer in the Aguila
group of wells and it was closed in securely
in the record time of seven minutes from the
time the pay was struck until the well was
shut in and it was a completed job.
Naturally no accurate estimate could be
made of the well's capacity in that time, but
every indication points to its being a big well,
one of the big wells in that section , and it
is conservatively estimated to be not less than
30,000 barrels, with no calculations on how
much more it may run.
The well is located about 800 meters from
the company's Los Naranjos No. 10 well that
was drilled in a few weeks ago with a daily
capacity estimated at more or less the same
as the one just obtained. Closing in the latter
well beat the record on No. 10 by just one
minute.
Official notices have been received by the
Department of Commerce and Industry, an
nouncing that the following oil wells have
been bored :
That of Cruz y Amoravieta, number 3, that
yielded approximately four thousand barrels
daily; number 2 of the " Compañía Arrenda
dora de México, " with a production of two
thousand barrels ; that of the " El Espino "
Company, number 1 of Salvasuchi, with a
yield of fifteen hundred barrels ; number 9
of Los Naranjos, of the Aguila Oil Company
which is the most important of all those that
have recently been tapped, for its yield
amounts to fifty thousand barrels.
These maximum yields are really of actual
importance and the wells which have been
recently bored produce enough to compensate
for the exhaustion of the region of Tepetate.
The Mexican Gulf Oil Company is building
an extension of its pipe line from Tepetate
to lot 251 , Amatlan, the property recently ac
quired from the International Petroleum Cor
poration. The distance is nine and one
quarter kilometers.
Since the installation of the big new pump
by the Island Oil & Transport Corporation,
at its lower country pumping station they are
enabled to pump more than 25,000 barrels of
MEXICAN REVIEW
oil daily. The company's loop line will be
finished by the last of the month.
The Island Oil and Transportation Cor
poration is at present boring a well in the
lot in the section of Comates, Hacienda of
Tampaca, of the Municipality of Tantoyuca.
The engineers inform us that the boring is
nearly completed, and that all evidence in
dicate that the yield of the new well will
exceed the one in Cerro Azul and that it will
produce more than two hundred thousand
barrels daily.
MORE VESSELS FOR OIL CARRYING
Thirty huge vessels of armored cement
have weighed anchor in Liverpool on their
way to the Mexican Coast ; they will carry
petroleum for France, England and Belgium.
Likewise and with the permission of the Eng
lish Admiralty there have left German ports
five vessels, to carry mineral oil. The early
arrival of South American vessels is also ex
pected. This is the most important commercial
movement in the branch of petroleum that has
been observed up to-day.
National Preparatory School,
Mexico City.
Fachada Norte de la Escuela Nacional
Preparatoria, México, D. F.
As soon as the thirty-two English vessels
arrive at the Gulf of Mexico, they will be
divided into two parts ; one will go to the
Puerto de Lobos where many companies have
the terimnals of their pipe lines for petroleum,
and the other will touch at Panuco to tank
up there with petroleum.
Likewise the fleet of tank vessels belong
ing to the " Bowie " Company and which
were placed in American ports in service in
the first two weeks of December, will arrive
at Tampico to load petroleum destined to
Russia.
As there is expected an active movement
of exportation of Mexican petroleum to the
principal European industrial centers, nearly
all the companies have commenced to con
struct double pipe-lines from their holdings
the terminals in Puerto Lobos for the
exportation of mineral oil.
The labor of construction of tanks in these
holdings has been most active. Lately there
arrived a merchant vessel from the " Bowie"
Company carrying pipes of twenty inches in
diameter for a new pipe-line. This above
mentioned pipe is of the largest diameter that
has been used up to now in this region.
At the present time Tampico is the world's
most active petroleum port.
FIFTY MILLION BARRELS
OF PETROLEUM WANTED.
In the Department of Commerce and In
dustry we were informed that the great rail
road combine in the United States had ad
dressed themselves to the Mexican Petroleum
Companies, ordering for their use the enor
mous quantity of fifty million barrels of crude
petroleum each month, as American petroleum
is not sufficient to satisfy the demandsof
exportation and national consumption.
In this year there will be exported from
Mexico a total of eighty million barrels,
which makes it evident that companies will
reply that at this time it will be impossible
to furnish that enormous quantity of petro
leum monthly to the United States ; but within
four or five months it is believed that such
exportation will become feasible, it being un
derstood that the American railroads shall
furnish the necessary facilities for.transpor
tation, and that the remitting of petroleum
be made little by little during the whole
month in regular quantities until the fifty
million barrels has been shipped.
This enormous order has caused a great
sensation in Tampico and has resulted in that
the principal companies interested in filling
the order have hastened to complete new
borings and have planned larger pipes to
carry off the oil, so that within five months
it is possible that Mexico will have to supply
fuel to the entire system of railroads in the
United States.
MILITARY SITUATION IN THE
PETROLEUM ZONE IMPROVING.
Since Brigadier General Pablo Gonzalez
had organized his forces to combat the rebels
that were marauding in the neighborhood of
various of the most important oil companies
of Tampico, the rebels have been making for
cover as fast as possible, as their attackers
have begun to pursue very actively.
Notices received from prominent oil men of
this capital, make it evident that already
the region of the well of " Juan Casiano " and
others in the vicinity have been rid com
pletely of rebels and that the last encounter
had taken place in the point called " Bajos
de Ensenada, " which resulted in the complete
defeat and pursuit of the gang under Vicente
Reyes, one of the most aggressive rebels that
have caused many of the assaults committed
in those places.
LATER. Since the foregoing was put into
type the figures of exportation for the month
of December have been received, showing
shipments of 6,134,817 barrels. This places the
total for the year at 82,089,675 barrels.
Announcement has been made that the
National Government will protect all Chinese
in this country, extending to them the guaran
tees of the treaty with China. The Anti
Chinese movement is confined to the West
Coast States, where many thousands have
settled and have monopolized certain lines of
business and industry.
 LA
pertenecen a los lotes números 2 y 3 de la
Compañía Texas, de México, que tienen una
capacidad de 75,000 y 5,000 barriles de pe
tróleo diariamente ; el pozo de la Mexican
Gulf Company en el lote 163, en Chinampa,
con una capacidad productiva de 40,000 ba
rriles diarios, y el que tiene la misma compa
ñía en el lote número 8, de Tepetate, que pro
duce 60,000 barriles diarios. El agua salada
comenzó a brotar de los pozos a mediados de
noviembre, y en el plazo de una semana, to
dos los pozos se habían salado.
Hay alguna esperanza para los pozos de la
Compañía Texas, pero pequeña. Ofrecen cua
tro por ciento B. S., y agua, y fueron cega
dos, permaneciendo todavía en esta condi
ción.
El campo de Tepetate es uno de los más
antiguos productores de petróleo de alumbra
do en México, habiéndose comenzado a tra
bajar en él a principios del verano de 1910 y
continuado firmemente hasta la fecha. Se han
extraído de los pozos de esta zona, en nume
ros redondos, cien millones de barriles de pe
tróleo.
La aparición del agua salada constituye un
serio revés, pero no es más que eso. No es
funesto y tiene algo de bueno, puesto que
estimulará la exploración y explotación de
otras localidades, dando por resultado, indu
dablemente, que se produzca una actividad
mayor en los campos bajos ; producirá tam
bién, la perforación de nuevos pozos pura
substituir a los que han dado agua salada, y
el descubrimiento consiguiente de pozos y de
pósitos más grandes y más importantes.
PERFORACION DE
NUEVOS POZOS.
Como compensación de los pozos que han
arrojado agua salada en el campo de Tepetate,
la Compañía "El Aguila, " perforó uno enor
me, que es el segundo que se ha descubierto
y que producirá de 30,000 a 40,000 barriles
de petróleo, o más, diariamente, dentro de dos
semanas.
El nuevo pozo es el de Los Naranjos núme
ro 5, en el lote 111, Chinampa, y fue perfora
do el 10 de noviembre, la víspera del Día del
Armisticio, a las 12.45 p. m.
Se han hecho todos los preparativos para
la explotación del nuevo pozo productor del
grupo de " El Aguila. " Este pozo fue ce
rrado en el plazo asombroso de siete minutos,
desde que se removió la última capa y se ter
minó la obra enteramente.
Naturalmente que no se pudo hacer ningún
cálculo de la producción del pozo en esos mo
mentos ; pero todos los indicios son de un po
zo enorme, uno de los más grandes de la re
gión, cuya producción, según se calcula, ser
de 30,000 barriles diarios, sin que se haya cal
culado todo lo que puede producir.
Este pozo está situado a cerca de ochocien
tos metros de distancia del número 10, " Los
Naranjos, " de la misma compañía, que fue
perforado hace unos cuantas semanas, y que
tiene una capacidad productora que se calcu
la más o menos en la misma cantidad del que
se acaba de perforar. La cerradura de este
último, se hizo en un minuto menos que la del
número 10.
En la Secretaría de Industria y Comercio,
se han recibido noticias oficiales que anun
cian la terminación de las perforaciones de
los siguientes pozos petroleros :
El de Cruz y Amorevieta, número 3 , que
brotó con una producción aproximada de cua
tro mil barriles diarios ; el número 2 de la
Compañía Arrendadora de México, con pro
REVISTA MEXICANA
ducción de dos mil barriles ; el de la Compa
ñía "El Espino, " número 1 de Salvasuchi,
con producción de mil quinientos barriles ; el
número 9 de "Los Naranjos, " de la Compa
ñía de Petróleo " El Aguila, " que es el más
importante de todos los que han brotado últi
mamente, pues su producción es de 50,000
barriles.
El auge petrolero es, pues, de verdadera
importancia y los pozos últimamente perfora
dos, producen lo bastante para compensar el
agotamiento de la región de Tepetate.
La Compañía " Island Oil and Transport
ation Corporation, " está perforando actual
mente un pozo en el lote del campamento de
Comates, Hacienda de Tampaca, del Munici
pio de Tantoyuca. Informan los ingenieros
que están llevando a cabo la perforación, que
todos los indicios que hay hasta ahora, se
ñalan para el nuevo pozo una producción que
será mayor que la de otro que existe en Ce
rro Azul y que produce más de doscientos mil
barriles diarios.
La Compañía Mexicana de Petróleo del
Superior Primary School in Mexico City.
Escuela Primaria Superior " León Guzmán,"
México, D. F.
Golfo, está construyendo una extensión de su
oleoducto de Tepetate al lote número 251 , en
Amatlán, la propiedad que adquirió reciente
mente de la Corporación Internacional de Pe
tróleo.
La distancia que recorre el oleoducto,
es nueve kilómetros, doscientos cincuenta me
Desde que la Island Oil and Transport Cor
poration instaló su enorme bomba en su esta
ción de la tierra baja, ha podido extraer de
sus pozos, más de veinticinco mil barriles de
petróleo diariamente. La nueva línea del
oleoducto de la compañía mencionada, será
terminada a fines del mes de enero.
Han zarpado de Liverpool rumbo a costas
mexicanas, treinta y dos grandes barcos de ce
mento armado, que cargarán petróleo para
Francia, Inglaterra y Bélgica. Asimismo y
con permiso del Almirantazgo inglés, han sa
lido de puertos alemanes cinco embarcacio
nes más para llevar aceite mineral ; se noticia
también el próximo arribo de barcos sud
americanos. Este es el movimiento comercial
más importante, en el ramo de petróleo, que
se ha registrado hasta hoy.
Tan luego como las treinta y dos unidades.
7
mercantes inglesas lleguen al Golfo de México,
se dividirán en dos partes : una irá a Puerto
de Lobos, donde muchas compañías tienen
sus estaciones terminales de oleoductos, y la
otra entrará en el Pánuco para cargar allí
aceite.
Asimismo la flotilla de barcos-tanques per
tenecientes a la Compañía " Bowie " y que
fueron puestos en puertos americanos al ser
vicio en la primera quincena de diciembre,
arribaron a Tampico para cargar petróleo con
destino a Rusia.
Como se avecina un intenso movimiento
de exportación de petróleo mexicano a los
principales centros industriales europeos, casi
todas las compañías han comenzado a cons
truir dobles cañerías de sus campamentos has
ta las terminales en puerto de Lobos, para
la exportación del aceite mineral.
Los trabajos de construcción de tanques
en los campamentos, son activísimos. Ulti
mamente llegó un vapor mercante de la " Bo
wie, " cargando tubería de veinte pulgadas
para un nuevo oleoducto. La tubería mencio
nada es de capacidad mayor que se ha pre
hasta ahora en esta región. Inmediatamente
comenzó a descargar las conecciones que pre
via revisión arancelaria, serán enviadas des
de luego en chalanes a los campamentos pe
troleros.
Ahora Tampico es el puerto que tiene ma
yor movimiento petrolero en todo el mundo.
SE NECESITAN 50 MILLONES DE
BARRILES DE PETROLEO.
En la Secretaría de Industria y Comercio,
fuimos informados de que la Gran Liga de
Ferrocarriles Norteamericanos se ha dirigido
a las compañías petroleras mexicanas, pidién
doles que les faciliten a sus empresas la enor
me cantidad de cincuenta millones de barri
les de petróleo crudo cada mes, pues el petró
leo americano no basta para la exportación
y el consumo nacional .
En este año se exportarán de México, por
total, ochenta millones de barriles, por lo que
se comprenderá que desde luego las compa
ñías contestaron que en estos momentos sería
imposible facilitar esa enorme cantidad de pe
tróleo mensualmente a los Estados Unidos ; pe
ro que dentro de cuatro o cinco meses, creen
que será muy factible hacer esta exportación,
siempre que los ferrocarriles americanos faci
liten los transportes necesarios, y que el en
vío del petróleo se haga paulatinamente du
rante todo el mes, en cantidades regulares has
ta completar los cincuenta milones de barri
les .
Este enorme pedido ha causado en Tampi
co gran sensación y ha hecho que las princi
pales compañías interesadas en servirlo , se
apresuren a efectuar nuevos trabajos de per
foración y proyecten oleoductos más amplios
para estar preparados para dentro de cinco
meses en que, probablemente México tendrá
que surtir de combustible a toda la red ferro
viaria norteamericana .
MEJORA LA SITUACION MILITAR
EN LA ZONA PETROLERA.
Desde que organizó sus fuerzas el general
de brigada Pablo González, para batir a los
alzados que merodeaban por las inmediacio
nes de varias de las más importantes compa
ñías petroleras de Tampico, los rebeldes fue
ron poniendo tierra de por medio, dado que
la batida que se les empezó a hacer, fue muy
activa.
 8 THE
The Carranza Doctrine
An Exact Report of the Declaration of the
President on International Diplomacy
HE First Chief of the Constitutionalist
Army, Venustiano Carranza, sketched
T conflict. Mexico tried to help the reform
his ideas regarding international rights
in a speech he made in the city of Matamoros,
on the 29th of November , 1915 .
Later on, at a banquet offered him by the
merchants , bakers, farmers, landholders and
intellectual people of the city of San Luis
Potosi, on September 26th of the same year,
Mr. Carranza extended his opinions, which
have been fundamentally applied, with all
timeliness , to all cases dealt with in the dip
lomatic correspondence addressed to several
countries.
" The international policy of Mexico has
National Normal School for Men, Mexico City.-Exterior View.
Escuela Normal para Varones, México, D. F.
been characterized by the firmness with which
the principles upon which such policy is laid
have developed themselves. The results
achieved are sufficiently satisfactory, and
therefore the Executive has always had the
common backing of the people in all inter
national questions arising during the year I
refer to in this report. Wishing that the
same practices adopted by Mexico be follow
ed by all the countries and all the legislative
bodies over the world, and particularly those
of Latin-America, so much like ourselves in
their political phenomena, these principles I
allude to have acquired the nature of a very
significant doctrine, specially so if considered
that they were expressed by the speaker as
First Chief of the Constitutionalist Army, in
charge of the Executive Power of the Union,
during the revolutionary struggle, as also
that they were made public for the purpose
of informing the whole world on the ideas of
the Revolution and our wishes for universal
peace and Latin-American brotherhood. The
MEXICAN REVIEW
ideas directing our international policies are
few, clear and simple. They are reduced to
proclaim the following:
" That all countries are equal to one an
other, and they all must mutually and scrupul
ously respect their institutions, their laws and
their sovereignty.
" That no country must intervene in any
form and for any reason whatever in the
domestic affairs of another. All must strictly
and without exception submit to the univer
sal principle of non-intervention .
" That no individual must pretend to enjoy
a better situation than the citizens of the
country where he goes to reside, nor makeof
his foreign citizenship a title for special pro
tection or privilege. Nationals and foreigners
must be equal under the sovereignty of the
country where they live ; and finally :
" That the legislation of all the world must
be uniform and equal as far as possible, with
out establishing distinctions based on nation
ality, except in matters exclusively pertain
ing to the national sovereignty.
" Out of this group of principles a new con
ception of diplomacy has been derived, which
modified radically the old one. Diplomacy
must not be any longer a means of protecting
private interests, and it should not place at
the command of such interests the force and
power of the Nations. Neither should Diplo
macy be used to exert pressure upon the gov
ernments of weak countries for the purpose
of obtaining the amendment of laws which
do not agree with the interests of citizens of
powerful countries.
" Diplomacy must have for its only scope
to look after the general interests of civiliz
ation and the establishment of universal
brotherhood.
" The leading ideas informing actual policies
of an international character are on the verge
of being modified because they have proven
to be insufficient to prevent international wars
and put an end in a short term to the world
ation of the old principles, and we have al
ready expressed on several occasions that
Mexico is ready to lend its good offices to
ward any settlement. Today we entertain
the hope the conclusion of the war shall be
the dawn of a new era for Humanity, and
that the day when the private interests be
not the motive power of international policies
a great number of causes for war and con
flicts between the peoples shall disappear.
" In short, equality, mutual respect to each
country's institutions and laws, and the firm
and persevering willingness not to intervene
at all, under any excuse, in the domestic af
fairs of other countries, have been the fun
damentals of the international policy adopted
by the Executive under my charge, always
trying at the same time to obtain for Mexico
a treatment like the one she gives ; that is,
that Mexico be considered as a sovereign
nation equal to the other peoples on earth ;
that its laws and institutions be respected,
and that no one intervenes in any form in her
domestic affairs."
Guanajuato State Prospering.
OVERNOR Federico Montes of the State
G of Guanajuato states that the economical
situation in that State has improved consider
ably during the past few months. The State
Treasury he said had a reserve of fifty thou
sand pesos on hand and the building of a
state road between the ancient city of Dolores
Hidalgo and the State capital was under way
Many other important public improvements
were being considered by the legislature.
Rebel movements in the State had ceased en
tirely the Governor said and only small bands
of bandits were still active, but the majority
of the inhabitants desired to work undis
turbed.
As to the State of Sonora.
SHORT time since The Review referred
A to a map published in the foreign press
in which it was alleged a correct showing
was made of the small portion of Mexico that
was under actual control by the present gov
ernment . That map depicted the major por
tion of the State of Sonora as being rebellious .
Reports have just been received showing that
during the past year the total exports from
that State alone amounted to over eighty-one
million pesos in value! For a region sup
posedly in rebellion and turmoil , may not this
be called a somewhat fair showing without
stretching the truth ?
The force of civil guards that has been
organized in the State of Chihuahua is report
ed to be doing good work in conjunction with
the Federal troops in preserving order in that
section. These guards are employed in their
usual vocations and are only called on when
needed.
It is stated that the fares on the electric
street railway system of Mexico City and
connecting with the surrounding towns are
to be reduced shortly to correspond with
those that prevailed before the revolution.
 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 9

es, que México sea considerado como una na

La Doctrina Carranza
ción soberana igual a los restantes pueblos
de la Tierra ; que sus leyes e instituciones sean
Informe Exacto de las Declaraciones del Señor respetadas y que ningún Estado intervenga,
Presidente Sobre Politica Internacional en ninguna forma, en sus asuntos internos.''

L Primer Jefe del Ejército Constitucio y poderío de las naciones. Ni tampoco debe Decae la Propaganda Intervencionista .
nalista, Venustiano Carranza, esbozó
E ser empleada Gobiern
diplomacia para ejercer pre- LAS influencias que se ocultan detrás de la
sus ideas respecto a Derecho Interna sión sobre los la os de los países débiles, propaganda intervencionista parece que
cional, en un discurso que pronunció en la con el objeto de obtener la reforma de las le han quemado su último cartucho, pues a últi
ciudad de Matamoros, el día 29 de noviembre yes que no convienen a los intereses de los
del año de 1915 . mas fechas ha habido una marcada disminu
ciudadanos de las naciones poderosas.
ción del cúmulo de ataques lanzados contra
Posteriormente y en un banquete que le fue " La diplomacia debe tener por única fina México. Sin género de duda que una de las
ofrecido en San Luis Potosí el día 26 de sep
lidad, el velar por los intereses generales de causas que han contribuído a producir estos
timbre del mismo año, por los comerciantes, la civilización y por el establecimiento de la resultados , ha sido la publicación de las enor
banqueros, hacendados, terratenientes e inte fraternidad universal.
mes ganancias derivadas de la explotación del
lectuales de esa población, el señor Carranza " Las ideas principales que informan a las petróleo, en oposición a las quejas que han
amplió sus opiniones, que habían sido funda actuales políticas de carácter internacional, formulado los explotadores . El sentido co
mentalmente aplicadas, con toda oportunidad, están a punto de ser modificadas a causa de mún indica al público inteligente, que las em
en los casos que había tratado en las notas que han resultado ser insuficientes para evi presas que han pagado dividendos del 12 al
diplomáticas dirigidas a varios países.
" La política internacional de México se ha Interior Courtyard of Normal School for Men, Mexico City .
caracterizado por la firmeza con que se han
desarrollado los principios sobre los que des
cansa la misma política. Los resultados que
se han obtenido, son suficientemente satisfac
torios, y, por consecuencia, siempre ha con
tado el Ejecutivo con el apoyo popular en to
das las cuestiones internacionales que se han
presentado durante el año a que me refiero.
en esta relación. Deseando que las mismas
prácticas adoptadas por México sean seguidas
por todos los países y Cuerpos Legislativos
del mundo, particularmente por los de la Amé
rica Latina, tanto como nosotros mismos, en
sus fenómenos políticos, los principios a que
aludo, y que han adquirido la naturaleza de
una doctrina muy significativa, y especialmen
te si se considera que fueron expresados por
el que habla, en su carácter de Primer Jefe
del Ejército Constitucionalista Encargado del
Poder Ejecutivo de la Unión, durante la lu
cha revolucionaria, como también que fueron
publicados con el propósito de informar a to
do el mundo acerca de las ideas de la Revo
lución y de nuestro anhelo de paz universal y
de fraternidad latino-americana . Las ideas 1000
que presiden sobre nuestra política interna
cional son poco claras y simples. Se reducen
a proclamar lo siguiente :
" Que todos los países son iguales entre sí
y que todos deben respetar recíproca y escru
pulosamente sus instituciones , sus leyes y su Patio de la Escuela Normal para Varones, México, D. F.
soberanía.
" Que ningún país debe intervenir en nin tar las guerras entre las naciones y para po 48 por ciento en un solo año, aun en las épo
guna forma ni por ningún motivo en los asun ner término en corto plazo al conflicto mun cas de perturbación por que hemos atravesa
tos interiores de otro. Que todos deben so dial. México trató de apoyar esta reforma do, que han aumentado millones de dólares
meterse estrictamente y sin excepción al prin de los viejos principios, y hemos expresado en sus fondos de reserva y que ensancharon
cipio universal de no intervención . ya en varias ocasiones, que nuestro país es sus operaciones por el empleo de otros millo
" Que ningún individuo debe pretender go tá dispuesto a prestar sus buenos servicios nes, no tienen mucha razón para quejarse de
zar de mejores condiciones que los ciudadanos para cualquier convenio de esta especie. En las contribuciones o para hablar de decretos
del país donde va a residir, ni hacer de su la actualidad, abrigamos la esperanza de que legales opresivos. Parece que el público ha
ciudadanía extranjera un título para reclamar la conclusión de la guerra será al aurora de comenzado a advertir que ha sido gravemen
protección o privilegios especiales. Los na una nueva era para la Humanidad y de que te engañado por quejas infundadas e informes
cionales y extranjeros deben ser iguales bajo el día en que los intereses particulares no exagerados.
la soberanía del país en que viven, y, final constituyan el motivo de acción de la política La última Navidad se celebró en todo el
mente :
internacional, desaparecerá un gran número país con más entusiasmo y en mayor grado
" Que la legislación del mundo debe ser uni de causas de guerra y conflictos entre los pue que en los ocho o nueve años pasados. Esto
forme e igual en cuanto sea posible, sin esta blos . se notó especialmente en la capital , lo cual de
blecer distinciones basadas sobre la naciona " En resumen : la igualdad, el mutuo res muestra el restablecimiento de las condicio
lidad, excepto en aquellas cuestiones que per peto hacia las instituciones y leyes de los de nes normales y la existencia de una prosperi
tenezcan exclusivamente a la soberanía na más pueblos, y la firme y perseverante vo dad general en el país.
cional. luntad de no intervenir en los asuntos inte
" De este grupo de principios se ha deriva riores de otras naciones , bajo ningún pretexto,
Se ha aumentado la potencia de la estación
do una nueva concepción de la diplomacia, han sido los fundamentos de la política inter
de telegrafía inalámbrica de Chapultepec,
que modifica radicalmente a la antigua. La nacional adoptada por el Ejecutivo a mi car hasta el punto de que se ha obtenido comu
Diplomacia no debe ser ya un medio de pro go, tratando siempre, al mismo tiempo , de nicación con varias ciudades de la América
teger a los intereses privados ni deben po obtener para México un tratamiento como el del Sur, extremadamente alejadas de Méxi
nerse al servicio de tales intereses la fuerza que ella concede a los demás pueblos : esto
 10 THE MEXICAN REVIEW

GENERAL CALLES TALKS OF
PETROLEUM AND MINING.
Some Emphatic Opinions of the
Secretary of Commerce and In
dustry .
Plutarco Elías
recently appointed Calles,
Secretary ofwho
the was
De
partment of Industry, Commerce and Labor,
has returned from an extended visit to the
State of Sonora, where he has for several
years filled the positions of military com
mander and also Provisional Governor. It
was he who so successfully resisted and final
ly defeated the Villista forces under Mayto
rena and who afterwards pacified the State
and restored normal conditions.
Upon his arrival in this city he gave out
an interview embodying his ideas upon the pe
troleum question, in the course of which he
said:
President Carranza Voting at the
ing an absolute imperialism in Mexican pe
troleum, they can easily extinguish the smaller
companies of the United States by lowering
the price of petroleum and its derivates until
the smaller companies are in such a position
that they can no longer operate their wells,
obliging them to dispose of them at any
price.
" It is for that reason that the petroleum
law which is being discussed has its best
defenders among the American petroleum
operators.
" Petroleum is the best source of riches
which Mexico has and it would be an absurd
inconsistency without name to give it up for
a puerile apprehension. "
Referring to the mining industry, General
Calles said: " It makes one sad to see some
mining centers which were of enormous im
portance, sunk in a desolate quietness and
completely abandoned . A commission of
miners has claimed that sixty per cent
Municipal Election in Mexico City.
see that every branch works with all activity,
striving for the ends for which they were
created. "
LATER. Since the foregoing was written
conditions have been radically changed, and
under the direction of Secretary Calles and
Governor De la Huerta the mines of Sonora
have been generally reopened and prosperity
again prevails.
NONSENSE STORIES
FROM MEXICO.
(From The New York Evening Post, Nov. 29)
ROMPT and positive denial of the report
PRO ed armed clash between Carranza and
Obregon should serve to promote able -bodied
skepticism about Mexican news. This ap
plies especially to stories from border towns.
The press agencies are not to be blamed for
sending on the rumors that circulate there ,
but these should be plainly stamped for just.
what they are. Travellers and refugees keep
on arriving from the interior of Mexico , and
naturally cleanse their stuffed bosoms of all
that they have been told or imagined. But
their output ought to he distinctly labelled as
gossip. A less charitable view must, how
ever, be taken of the special correspondents
who have apparently been sent to El Paso
and other places with instructions to invent
news, if they cannot find it. Everybody
remembers how the border rumor-factories
worked nights and Sundays, in 1913 and 1914,
when we were on or over the verge of war
with Mexico. They were mostly shut down
during the Great War, but now are visibly
firing up again ready for operation. Surely,
the well-advised will demand verification of
their products of tales, before creditingthem.
The Mexican complication is serious enough
on the basis of ascertained fact, without
making it worse by credulous or malicious
purveyors of romance from the border. The
State Department is displaying a commend
able purpose to investigate before acting. It
is better to be sure than sorry.

A Specimen of Accurate " News. "

El Presidente de la República, Sr. Carranza, Votando en la Elección Municipal
de la Ciudad de México.
" The large petroleum companies have no
reason to ask unmerited concessions from the
Mexican government which would prove ruin
ous to the country. These large companies
seek for the absolute monopoly of all the
leading petroleum wells in order to secure
a commercial monopoly of that product, form
ing a trust which would be fatal in its con price of silver , to exploi the enormo
sequences for the petroleum industry, because
the smaller companies would have a tendency
to disappear.
" It is for that reason, although it may ap
pear contrary, that the greater part of the
petroleum operators in the State of California
are making colossal efforts to have a petrole
um law adopted by the American government
similar to that which is now being discussed
in the Mexican Senate.
" The reason for these efforts, which have
greatly changed public opinion in the United
States, is that the wells of California barely
have a potential production of ten or twelve
thousand barrels daily, at the most, while on
the other hand the Mexican wells are world
famous for their enormous production, as
there are wells which produce more than two
hundred thousand barrels daily. In such con
ditions, and with the large companies exercis
MBASSADOR Bonillas recently made a
of the mines are paralyzed for fault A trip to this country in order to confer
of guarantees , communication and the with President Carranza while on his tour in
req uisite labor . As for the protection guar the north. Just before the Ambassador re
ant ees , I am disposed to give them to the turned to his post a dispatch from Washing
com panies as amply as they wish , as I believe ton was published broadcast throughout the
tha t Mex ico sho uld tak e adv ant age of thi s county saying:
opportunity which has no precedent in the " Washington.- Mexican Am
t us riches bassador Bonillas, who is returning to
which she has below the surface . Washington after a conference with
President Carranza at Venegas, will pre
" The United States has agreed to deliver sent protests to the State Department
to England three hundred million ounces of against American aviators flying over
silver which the latter country requires for Mexican territory. "
her colonies in India. It is clear that Mexico, Ambassador Bonillas did nothing of the
which has always been one of the princip al kind . Neither was he placed at the head of
producers of the white metal, is obliged to the Department of Foreign Relations, as an
serve indirec tly such an import ant requir e nounced in another dispatch. The trouble
ment, to which follow many others from about such false reports is that the millions.
China and the rest of Asia. It is then neces who see the falsehood seldom if ever see its
sary that the mining industry should enter refutation .
upon a period of activity, and for that effect A project for the creation of an agrarian
I shall see that the mines are supplied with debt of one hundred million pesos is to be
the forces which they may need for their se submitted to the Senate by one of its mem
curity; that the communications are bettered , bers . The debt will be in the shape of cer
and they do not lack explosives or machinery
tificates payable to bearer in denominations
for their operation. of one to five hundred pesos. They will be
" For the rest, I have many projects, barely interest bearing and are to be devoted to the
outlined , which I cannot yet mention, but
when I take charge of the Department I will extension of agriculture.
 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 11

HABLA SOBRE EL PETROLEO Y seguridad; que las comunicaciones mejoren, y echan fuera de sus atiborradas mentes todo
LA MINERIA EL GRAL . CALLES . que no falten explosivos ni maquinaria para lo que se les ha relatado o han imaginado.
la explotación . Pero sus declaraciones deben ser tildadas ex
Opiniones Enfáticas del Secreta "Por lo demás, tengo muchos proyectos,
presamente de habladurías. Se debe abrigar
apenas esbozados, a los cuales aun no doy for una opinión menos caritativa, sin embargo,
rio de Comercio e Industria.
ma; pero cuando ya esté al frente de la Se
AS grandes empresas petroleras- dice el cretaría, procuraré que todos sus departamen de los corresponsales especiales que han sido
LAgeneral enviados a El Paso y otras ciudades con ins
Calles , -no tienen razón al pre tos funcionen con toda actividad, llenando
tender del Gobierno mexicano concesiones in trucciones de inventar noticias, si es que no
ampliamente los fines para los que fueron
merecidas, que resultarían ruinosas para el creados. pueden conseguirlas. Todos recuerdan cómo
país. " Todo el personal de la Secretaría es abso trabajaron día y noche, durante los años de
" Pretenden las grandes empresas el aca lutamente apto-siguió diciendo el general 1913 y 1914, las fábricas de rumores de la
paramiento absoluto de todos los grandes po Calles, y tengo absoluta confianza en su ap frontera, cuando estábamos orillados a sos
zos petrolíferos, para ejercer el monopolio co titud, por lo cual ni uno solo de los emplea tener una guerra con México . Esas fábricas
mercial de ese producto, formando un trust dos ni jefes de departamento , será removido ; fueron suprimidas en su mayor parte en el
que sería de funestas consecuencias para la por lo que hace al Subsecretario, ha demos transcurso de la guerra, pero ahora se les ve
industria petrolera, puesto que la pequeña in trado hasta la evidencia ser apto y conscien encendiendo de nuevo sus calderas, dispuestas
dustria tendería a desaparecer. te en su gestión, y con todo gusto le conser para las operaciones. Seguramente que las
" Es por ello que, aunque parezca un con varé a mi lado, seguro de que será un colabo personas advertidas, exigirán la verificación.
trasentido, la mayor parte de los petroleros rador inteligente y valioso . "' de las producciones de relatos de esas fábri
del Estado de California están haciendo es
fuerzos colosales para conseguir que el Go Election Scene in Mexico City.
bierno americano adopte una ley del petróleo
en todo semejante a la que se está discutien
do en el Senado Mexicano.
" Y la razón de estos trabajos , que han ve
nido a cambiar en gran manera la opinión pú
blica en Estados Unidos , es que los pozos de
California apenas si tienen una producción
potencial de diez o doce mil barriles diarios ,
los más eficientes ; en cambio , los pozos me
xicanos son de fama mundial, por la enormi
dad de su producción, pues los hay que pro
ducen más de doscientos mil barriles diarios.
En tales condiciones, y ejerciendo las empre
sas petroleras un imperialismo absoluto en el
petróleo mexicano, fácilmente acabarían con
la pequeña industria de los Estados Unidos,
pues abaratarían el petróleo y sus derivados,
hasta poner a las pequeñas empresas en si
tuación de no poder explotar sus pozos, obli
gándolas después a cedérselos por cualquier
precio.
" Es por ello que la ley del petróleo que es
tá discutiéndose, tiene en los mismos petrole
ros americanos sus mejores defensores.
" El petróleo es la mayor fuente de rique
za que tiene México, y sería una inconsecuen
cia absurda y sin nombre cederla por un te
mor pueril. Escena Durante las Elecciones Municipales, México, D. F.
" Da tristeza - dice, refiriéndose a la mine
ría, el general Calles, ver algunos centros NOTA.- Las condiciones han cambiado de cas antes de darles crédito. La complicación
mineros que tuvieron enorme importancia, su una manera radical, después de haber sido mexicana es demasiado seria en sí misma y
midos en el marasmo de una quietud desola escrito el artículo anterior, y bajo la dirección. por los hechos evidentes, para que la quieran
dora y completamente abandonados ...... '' del Secretario señor Calles y el Gobernador
empeorar los crédulos o maliciosos proveedo
-Una comisión de mineros- confirmó el de la Huerta, las minas del Estado de Sonora
res de fantasías que residen en la frontera.
reportero, ha expresado que el sesenta por han entrado en un período de actividad y El Departamento de Estado se propone inves
ciento de las minas está paralizado, debido a prosperidad nuevamente, habiendo reanudado
tigar los hechos antes de obrar. Es mejor es
la falta de garantías, de comunicaciones y de sus labores casi todas.
tar seguro que apesadumbrado por la incerti
personal apropiado.. dumbre.
" Por lo que hace a garantí as, yo estoy RELATOS DISPARATADOS
Se ha anunciado que el Gobierno Federal
dispuesto a otorgarlas a las empresas, tan SOBRE MEXICO.
protegerá a todos los chinos residentes en el
amplias como las deseen, pues estimo que Mé país, impartiéndoles las garantías estipuladas
(Tomado de " The New York Evening Post, "
xico debe aprovechar esta oportunidad sin pre
29 de noviembre .) en el Tratado firmado con la República Chi
cedente en el precio de la plata, para explotar
na. El movimiento anti-chino se ha locali
la enorme riqueza que tiene en su subsuelo. L mentís categórico y diligente de la no zado en ciertos Estados de la Costa Occiden
E
" Los Estados Unidos se han comprometido ticia del choque armado que se dijo había
tal , donde muchos millares de esos individuos
a entregar a Inglaterra trescientos millones ocurrido entre Carranza y Obregón, debió ha
se han establecido , monopolizando ciertos ra
de onzas de plata, que este país necesita pa ber servido para provocar un eficaz escepti
mos de los negocios y de la industria.
ra sus colonias de la India. Es claro que Mé cismo acerca de las noticias de México . Es
xico , que siempre ha sido uno de los princi to se aplica especialmente a los relatos que
pales productores de metal blanco, está avo se envían desde las ciudades de la frontera. Se comunica que la fuerza de guardias ci
cado para servir indirectamente tan impor No se debe censurar a las Agencias de pren viles que se ha organizado en el Estado de
tante pedido, al que seguirán otros muchos, de sa, por transmitir a sus matrices los rumo Chihuahua, ha prestado buenos servicios,
China y del resto de Asia. res que circulan en esas ciudades, pero los de juntamente con las tropas federales, para
" Es, pues, necesario que la minería entre bían incluir en sus mensajes con el carácter preservar el orden en este Estado . Los guar
en un período de plena actividad , y al efecto, que tienen. dias mencionados siguen dedicados a sus ocu
conseguiré que las minas cuenten con las Los viajeros y refugiados se guardan al paciones particuulares, siendo llamados al
guarniciones que estimen necesarias para su llegar del interior de México y naturalmente servicio solamente cuando es necesario.
 12 THE
Call For a Trade
For The Betterment of Commerce and Harmony
Between the United States and Mexico
HE American Chamber of Commerce of
Mexico has just called a conference of
Tmanufacturers , exporters and importers
of Mexico and of the United States, interest
ed in the trade between the two countries, to
meet in the rooms of the Chamber in the City
of Mexico, February 11, 12 and 13. President
Herbert P. Lewis has appointed as a general
Committee to manage the conference Bruno
Newman, Chairman, E. G. Wuerpel and Ralph
Cabañas. The call, which has been sent to
all the principal exporters and importers of
the two countries, and to the Chambers of
Commerce in the principal cities, is as fol
lows :
To All Manufacturers, Bankers, Exporters
and Importers, and Merchants Interested
in Trade Between the United
States and Mexico.
The commerce between the United States
and Mexico is increasing . In 1918, it amount
ed to $ 245,613,991 , and this year it will be
much greater. As this commerce grows, trade
problems arise, the practical and immediate.
solution of which is of vital importance if the
United States is to hold its present trade ad
vantage in Mexico.
In order that these questions may be dis
cussed and clarified by experts, this Chamber
of Commerce is calling a Conference of all
the Exporters and Importers, Manufacturers ,
Bankers and Merchants concerned with trade
between the United States and Mexico, to
meet in the rooms of this Chamber in Mexico
City, Wednesday morning, February 11th,
1920, and to last three days, ending with the
evening of Friday, February 13th.
This will be the first conference of this
kind that has ever been held in Mexico.
Two sessions will be held each day. The
subjects to be discussed will be:
1. Mexican sales methods and distribution .
2. Mexican agencies and representations.
3. Mexican banking facilities .
4. Mexican credits.
5. Financing the exports of Mexico.
6. Shipping and Packing merchandise for
Mexico .
7. Trade marks in Mexico .
The proceedings will be in English, but the
report of the Conference will be printed in
both English and Spanish.
This Chamber earnestly hopes that every
bank and commercial and manufacturing
house in the United States, trading with Mex
ico or intending to go into this field, will send
one if its officers or the Manager of its Ex
port Department to this Conference. The
Mexico representatives of the American houses
will be of course invited to the Conference,
but they see the problems from the point of
view of the Mexico office, and we must have
the point of view of the office in the United
States also presented.
This Chamber asks that houses in the
United States who intend to send representa
tives to this Conference will write to the
Secretary at once for further details as to the
arrangements.
A slip is enclosed in each letter, giving
passport directions as follows :
MEXICAN REVIEW
Conference
UNITED STATES-MEXICO TRADE
CONFERENCE.
Application for Passport Should Be Made to
the Bureau of Citizenship, Department
of State, Washington, D. C.
In making applications state whether ap
plicant is a native-born or a naturalized
citizen, and proper blank with instructions for
filling out will be sent by the Bureau. Ap
plications for passports should be made at the
earliest possible moment. If applicant is to
be accompanied by wife, passport will be re
quired for her as well, and marriage certificate
must accompany application as explained in
instructions which will be received from the
Bureau. Application must be sworn to be
fore Clerk of District Court, or before Clerk
of a State Court.
Independence Monument, Mexico City.
1010
Monumento de la Independencia,
México, D. F.
After securing passport, and previous to
starting for Mexico, it must be presented to
nearest Mexican Consul in the United States
to be vised.
In answer to the question as to what parts
of Mexico the applicant intends to visit, it
would be well to say Mexico City only.
It will also be necessary for applicants to
bring with them some proof that their income
tax for the year 1918 has been paid.
Six photographs of each applicant are re
quired.
The conference is exciting great interest
in the exporting centers of the United States,
and the Chamber is getting many letters from
exporters who are planning to come. In New
York, Chicago, St. Louis, Boston and San
Francisco the members of the Chamber are
organized into groups, each with a Chairman,
and these groups will hold meetings shortly
and arrange for the coming of those who want
to attend this conference.
The Chamber has received the following
cordial cablegrams from distinguished men in
the United States, expressing hearty approval
of the idea of the conference :
From W. L. Saunders, President of the
Manufacturers ' Export Association and
Chairman of the Board of the Ingersoll-Rand
Company :
New York, December 2, 1919 .- (By cable. )
American Chamber of Commerce of Mex
ico, Mexico City:
I hope that there will be a large attendance
the United States-Mexico Trade Con
ference to meet in the City of Mexico Feb
ruary 11 , 12 and 13. The program is careful
ly thought out and the discussions of the
matters affecting trade between the two
countries should be very useful to manufac
turers , exporters and importers in this field .
I hape that there will be a large attendance
of the serious exporters of the United States.
at the Conference.-W. L. Saunders.
From John Barrett, Director General of the
Pan-American Union in Washington :
Washington , D. C. December 5, 1919 .- (By
cable.)
American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico,
Mexico City :
Referring to the circular call of November
6 for the United States-Mexico Trade Con
ference to be held February 11, 12 and 13,
I think the plan is an excellent one and de
serving of the hearty co- operation of those
in both Mexico and the United States anx
ious to promote commerce and good relations
between the two countries . I will gladly co
operate in any way possible for the success
of the Conference .- John Barrett.
Tobacco Next to Be Attacked .
AVING won the fight for a constitutional
amendment prohibiting the manufacture
or sale of alcoholic beverages in the United
States , the same organizations are now seek
ing to secure the adoption of a similar
measure prohibiting the growth , sale and use
of tobacco in that country . As a result, it has
seemed worth while for tobacco growers,
manufacturers and dealers to organize in op
position to this movement. Some day, it is
safe to say, there will be a large emigration
from the United States to free countries like
Mexico , where the regulation of what a man
eats, what he shall drink or wherewithal shall
he be clothed , is not subject to the intoler
ance of a lot of fanatics . The Review editor
is not a tobacco user, but he objects with
all his power to the attempt of any one to
say that he shall not use the "filthy weed"
(vide the Sunday School story of little Rob
er how long
bie Reed) , if he so elect. Wond
a people that boasts of being free and in
dependent will submit to having its personal
rights interfered with by a lot of busy
bodies .
There was a more general celebration of
the recent Christmas holidays througout the
country than at any time for the past eight
or nine years. Especially was this the case
is the Capital City, thus demonstrating the
resumption of normal conditions and the
existance of general prosperity .
The shortage of small coins continues to be
felt throughout the Republic , owning to the
constant increase in the value of silver bul
lion which has reached a point higher than
ever before known .
 LA
Conferencia Comercial
Con el Fin de Ensanchar el Comercio y las Relaciones
Amistosas Entre México y los Estados Unidos
A Cámara Americana de Comercio de
México, acaba de convocar a todos los
L dispensables para que vengan al país los que
manufactureros, exportadores e impor
tadores de México y de los Estados Unidos,
que se interesen en el comercio entre los dos
países, a una conferencia que se celebrará en
el local de la misma Cámara, en la ciudad de
México, durante los días 11, 12 y 13 de fe
brero próximo. El Presidente de la Cámara,
Herbert P. Lewis, ha designado un Comité
General para conducir las conferencias, inte
grado por Bruno Newman, Presidente, E. G.
Wuerpel y Ralph Cabañas. La invitación, que
ha sido enviada a los principales exportadores
e importadores de los dos países y a las Cá
maras de Comercio de las principales ciuda
des, dice así :
A todos los Manufactureros, Banqueros, Ex
portadores e Importadores y Comerciantes
Interesados en el Comercio Entre
México y los Estados Unidos.
El comercio entre los Estados Unidos y
México, se está desarrollando. En 1918, im
portó $ 245,613,991 , y en este año será mucho
mayor. En tanto que crece este comercio,
surgen numerosos problemas comerciales, cu
ya resolución inmediata y práctica, es de vi
tal importancia para los Estados Unidos, si
es que desean conservar sus ventajas en el
comercio con México.
A fin de que estas cuestiones puedan ser
discutidas y aclaradas por expertos, esta Cá
mara de Comercio convoca a una conferencia
a todos los exportadores e importadores , ma
nufactureros, banqueros y comerciantes inte
resados en el comercio entre México y los
Estados Unidos, conferencia que deberá cele
brarse en el local de la misma Cámara, en es
ta ciudad, en la mañana del miércoles 11 de
febrero de 1920 y que durará tres días, ter
minando, por consecuencia, en la tarde del
jueves 13 del mismo mes.
Esta será la primera conferencia en su
género que se celebrará en México.
Cada día habrá dos sesiones. Los asuntos
que se pondrán a discusión, serán los siguien
tes:
1. Métodos mexicanos de ventas y distri
bución.
2. Agencias y representaciones mexicanas.
3. Facilidades bancarias mexicanas.
4. Créditos mexicanos.
5. Manejo financiero de las exportaciones
de México.
6. Empaque y embarque de mercancías pa
ra México.
7. Marcas industriales en México..
Las actas se escribirán en inglés, pero el
informe de los resultados de la Conferencia
se imprimirá en inglés y español.
Esta Cámara espera que todas las casas ban
carias, comerciales y manufactureras de los
Estados Unidos, que trafiquen con México o
que intenten hacerlo, enviarán a alguno de
sus miembros o al gerente de su departamen
to de exportación a esta Conferencia. Los
representantes mexicanos de las casas ame
ricanas, serán también invitados a la Confe
rencia, pero como ellos ven los problemas des
de el punto de vista mexicano, deseamos co
nocer el punto de vista de las oficinas de las
empresas en los Estados Unidos.
REVISTA MEXICANA
Convocada
Suplica esta Cámara a las empresas de los
Estados Unidos, que deseen enviar sus repre
sentantes, que escriban inmediatamente al Se
cretario de la Conferencia, pidiendo detalles
sobre los arreglos para la misma.
En cada carta está incluída una nota que
da instrucciones para recabar pasaportes, y
que dice lo que sigue:
CONFERENCIA COMERCIAL DE ESTADOS
UNIDOS Y MEXICO .
Las Solicitudes de Pasaportes Deben Hacerse
a la Oficina de Ciudadanía, Departamento
de Estado, Washington, D. C.
Al hacer solicitudes para pasaportes , declá
rese si el solicitante es ciudadano nacido en
el país, o naturalizado. Dichas solicitudes
deben hacerse con toda anticipación posible.
Si el solicitante desea viajar con su esposa,
Monument to the Patriot Woman Josefa
Ortiz de Domínguez, Querétaro .
Monumento a la Corregidora Ortiz de
Domínguez, Querétaro .
pedirá también pasaporte para ella, debiendo
adjuntar a la solicitud el certificado de ma
trimonio, como se explica en las instrucciones
que le enviarán de aquella oficina. Las so
licitudes deben ser certificadas por un juez
de la Corte del Distrito o por uno de la Corte
del Estado.
Después de conseguir el pasaporte y antes
de partir para México, el viajero deberá pre
sentarse al cónsul mexicano que esté más
próximo al lugar de su residencia , a fin de
que éste vise el documento.
En la respuesta que dé a la pregunta de
qué partes de México pretende visitar, será
conveniente decir que sólo a la ciudad de
México .
Será necesario que los solicitantes traigan
consigo alguna prueba de que han pagado las
contribuciones sobre capital por el año de
1918.
Se exige a cada solicitante que adjunte seis
retratos a su solicitud.
La proyectada conferencia está provocando
gran interés en los centros exportadores de
13
los Estados Unidos, habiendo recibido la Cá
mara de Comercio muchas cartas de exporta
dores que desean venir al país. En Nueva
York, Chicago, St. Louis, Boston y San
Francisco, los miembros de las Cámaras de
Comercio se están organizando en grupos, con
un Presidente cada uno, a fin de celebrar al
gunas juntas y arreglar los preparativos in
deseen asistir a la Conferencia.
La Cámara de Comercio ha recibido los si
guientes cordiales cablegramas de distinguidas
personas de los Estados Unidos, las que expre
san su calurosa aprobación a la idea de la
Conferencia :
PRINCIPALES REPRESENTANTES DEL
COMERCIO DEL EXTERIOR.
W. L. Saunders y John Barrett Cooperan con
la Conferencia Comercial de México
y los Estados Unidos.
De W. L. Saunders, Presidente de la Aso
ciación de Manufactureros Exportadores y Di
rector de la Junta de la Compañía Ingersoll
Rand:
Nueva York, 2 de diciembre de 1919 .-( Por
cable. )
Cámara Americana de Comercio de México,
Ciudad de México .
Con gran placer me he enterado de que
habéis convocado una Conferencia Comercial
entre México y los Estados Unidos, que se
reunirán en la ciudad de México durante los
días 11 , 12 y 13 de febrero. El programa está
cuidadosamente preparado ; las discusiones
sobre los asuntos que afectan al Comercio en
tre los dos países, serán muy útiles a los ma
nufactureros, exportadores e importadores en
este ramo. Espero que la Conferencia se vea
muy concurrida por los exportadores más
prestigiados de los Estados Unidos.-W. L.
Saunders.
De John Barrett, Director General de la
Unión Pan-Americana, en Washington :
Washington, D. C., 5 de diciembre de 1919.
- (Por cable. )
Cámara Americana de Comercio de Méxi
co. Ciudad de México .
Refiriéndome a vuestra invitación circular
del seis de noviembre, para una Conferencia
Comercial, de México y los Estados Unidos,
que deberá celebrarse los días 11, 12 y 13 de
febrero, creo que el plan es excelente y mere
cedor de la cordial cooperación de los que
están ansiosos, tanto en los Estados Unidos
como en México, de fomentar el desarrollo
del comercio y de las buenas relaciones entre
los dos países. Con gusto cooperarán todo lo
posible para el buen éxito de la Conferencia.
John Barret .
Se han dado instrucciones a la Casa Na
cional de moneda para que dedique preferente
atención a la acuñación de las piezas de oro de
$2.50, a fin de aliviar en algo la escasez de mo
neda de plata, causada como se sabe, por el
alza del valor de ese metal en barras. Se
está llevando a cabo una cuidadosa vigilan
cia en la frontera, para impedir la ilícita
exportación de la moneda de plata.
Entre los expatriados que han regresado al
país por permiso del Gobierno, se encuentran
las familias Lascuráin, Braniff y Araoz. Es
tán regresando también otras muchas , perte
necientes a los elementos enemigos del pasa
do, o bien lo han hecho ya sin haber sido
molestadas.
 14 THE MEXICAN REVIEW
Mexico's Agricultural Possibilities
Address of Mr. Delbert J. Haff Before the American Chamber
of Commerce of Mexico City, December 2 , 1919
HE most promising country today com sources of Mexico and none that promises a
mercially and industrially in the West greater future, " and after twenty-five years
T ern Hemisphere, if not in the world, is of acquaintance with this Republic, during
the Republic of Mexico. This is a fact which time I have carefully studied its re
which is not generally appreciated, or certain sources and observed its development, I am
ly has not been in the past, either by the convinced that Mexico is destined to become
civilized world outside of Mexico or by the one of the greatest and richest nations in the
inhabitants of Mexico, whether native or world.
foreign; and this is not surprising when we With an area of 767,000 square miles, equal
and distinguished Mexican historians, like to that of all Europe, excluding Russia, and
Francisco Bulnes, wholly blind as to the agri with a coast line of 6,000 miles, it has a pre
cultural possibilities of the country, the latter sent population of 15,000,000 people, while
having declared in a recent work published the same extent of territory in Europe sus
in the United States that the agricultural tains a population of 215,000,000 people, and
capacity of Mexico was scarcely equal to the making all due allowance for the topography
support of her present population of only fif of the country, as well as the difference in
teen million souls and that periodic famines soil and rainfall, the statement that Mexico
were inevitable. If the agricultural pos will easily sustain a population of 100,000,000
Moco have been so badly under souls may be considered conservative.
stood by its own citizens, it is not strange The basis of the real commercial stability
Interior of the Royal Chapel at Cholula, Puebla,
Interior de la Capilla Real de Cholula, Puebla.
that foreigners should have been misled and and greatness of any nation must be agricul
that immigration of a beneficial character ture, which is but the expression of the pos
should have been retarded. The foreign sibilities and desirability of its territory as
visitor coming into Mexico at certain seasons a human dwelling place. This is true even
of the year over its railroad lines, obtains a of England, because what this snug little
wholly wrong and unfavorable impression of island lacks in arable lands is abundantly sup
the country, especially in travelling through plied by its rich and extensive colonies. The
the table lands. economic power and grandeur of the United
Mexico has been considered in the past by States today is founded upon agriculture. For
the whole world too much as simply a mining two centuries it was the principal pursuit and
camp. I believe it was Humboldt who said absorbing thought of its inhabitants and the
that there could be no greater misfortune for object that attracted immigrants to its shores.
the progress of a country like Mexico than The Atlantic slope and the great valleys of the
to have its bowels filled with precious met Ohio, Mississippi and Misouri Rivers and the
als. plains surrounding the Great Lakes of the
During the past twenty- five years I have north, comprisinig a vast extent of compara
become personally acquainted with fourteen tively level and unbroken virgin land, easy of
States of this Republic and with Lower Cali subdivision and blessed with an ample an
fornia and I have become positively convinced nual rainfall evenly distributed throughout
and I am absolutely certain that the agricul the year, making irrigation unnecessary and
tural resources of Mexico, when fully develop cultivation by individual proprietors easy,
ed, will support in comfort and prosperity a with only sufficient capital to provide them
population of at least one hundred million selves with seeds, animals and tools, attracted
people, and in this opinion I am supported by millions of sturdy immigrants from the most
experts who have made a study of this ques industrious classes of Europe who easily be
tion. Professor J. L. Lowe of the United came independent rural proprietors and who
States Department of Agriculture, after a reared families to become future citizens and
painstaking tour of the entire Mexican Re rulers of that great Republic. Prior to the
public and a careful inspection of its fauna year 1850, the United States was practically
and flora, its topography and soils and irri a nation of farmers and its commerce was
gable resources, declared " There is no other based upon agriculture, and during the last
country of the unlimited and diversified re half of that century immigration increased
until between the years 1880 and 1890 more
than a million immigrants annually landed
on the soil of the United States from Euro
pean nations, most of whom established their
homesteads on the western plains and became
successful agriculturists .
The colonization of the country required
the construction of railroads, necessitating
vast investments of European capital , and
this was the first American industry in which
foreign capital was employed. Agriculture
was the mother of American commerce and
during the last half of the nineteenth century
the United States was feeding one-half of
Europe and was also furnishing the wool and
cotton to clothe it. Agriculture has made
the United States self-supporting. No block
ade could destroy her. A wall could be built
around the country and it would, nevertheless ,
support 200,000,000 people on its own resources
and the basis of this economic independence
is agriculture.
The future of Mexico lies in the same direc
tion . Mexico needs but two things to put
her on the road to unlimited commercial and
industrial properity and national greatness.
The first is that there should be a better un
derstanding and more cordial and friendly
relations with her sister republic of the north.
This can and will be brought about by the
friends of both countries and especially by
such organizations as this Chamber of Com
merce. The next and most important agency
of Mexican national greatness and progress
will be the development of her agricultural
resources, heretofore neglected and as yet al
most untouched . Progress in this field will
depend, for the most part, on the efforts of
the Mexican government. Private initiative
and great amounts of capital will be required,
but the desired results will not be accomplish
ed by private effort alone. This must be
supplemented by favorable legislation and by
government aid, because successful agricul
ture in Mexico is, to a great extent, a problem
of irrigation . Colonization enterprises in Mex
ico, if they are to be successful, must be
planned with great care. They must be con
ducted under expert and careful supervision.
The conditions of the climate and the quality
and capacity of the various soils of the dif
ferent districts must be carefully studied and
the nature and variety of the products that
can be grown thereon, must be proved by ex
periment. All this will require the powerful
aid of the government extended through the
agency of the Department of Agriculture.
With proper scientific education and manage
ment the agricultural possibilities of Mex
ico startle belief, and I am pleased to know
that the present government of Mexico has an
intelligent comprehension of the problem and
is making great efforts to establish this here
tofore neglected industry upon an intelligent
and successful basis, and I predict that by
the year 1950 Mexico will be one of the first
countries of the world in the volume of its
agricultural products, and in variety of pro
ducts will surpass all other countries .
No other country in the world has such a
variety of soil and climate and within its
territory can be found or grown every pro
duct useful to man. Every one of its thirty
states and territories from the Rio Bravo to
the Suchiate is highly productive and needs
only the application of scientific agriculture
to become one of the most productive coun
tries in the world.
The State of Chihuahua, three times the
size of the State of New York and surpassed
in area only by California and Texas, has a
population of only one and one - half persons
per square kilometer. Four- fifths of its area
is plain and it is watered by at least seven
great rivers and can be further irrigated at
almost any point by wells. It produces wheat,
corn, barley, beans, garbanzos, lentils, pea
nuts, apples, apricots, pomegranates, potatoes,
melons and other varieties of fruits and
garden products, cotton, which is indigenous,
live stock of every kind, and has vast forests
of trees and is one of the richest mineral
states of the world.
Sonora, the second largest State of the Re
public, with an area of approximately 200,
000 square kilometers, with a present popu
lation of less than two per square kilometer,
is watered by at least eight important rivers
and has large alluvial fields and fertile soil,
 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 15

tre 1880 y 1890, más de un millón de inmi

grantes anualmente desembarcaban en los
Posibilidad Agrícola de México puertos de los Estados Unidos, procedentes
de los países europeos, y después, la mayor
Discurso Pronunciado por el Sr. Delbert J. Haff Ante la Cámara Americana parte de ellos, fueron a fincar y a fundar sus
hogares en las tierras fértiles de los llanos
de Comercio, en la Ciudad de México, el día 2 de Diciembre de 1919 occidentales, y pronto lograron el mejor éxito
como agricultores.
OY día, el país de las más grandes es gado el proclamar que México muy fácilmen La colonización del país requería la cons
peranzas, y él que más promete comer te podrá sostener una población de 100,000,000 trucción de muchas vías férreas, y por consi
H cial e industrialmente hablando, en el de almas, y que este cálculo puede conside guiente, hubo necesidad de las grandes inver
hemisferio occidental, o quizás en el rarse enteramente razonable. siones de capital europeo, y ésta fue la pri
mundo entero, es sin duda, la República de En efecto, la verdadera base de la estabi mera industria americana en que fueron em
México. Este aserto es rigurosamente exac lidad comercial y grandeza de cualquiera na pleados capitales extranjeros. La agricultu
to, aunque no ha sido generalmente reconoci ción, tiene que radicarse precisamente en sus ra ha sido la madre del comercio americano,
do todavía; sobre todo, nunca fue considera producciones agrícolas, pues la agricultura y durante la segunda mitad del siglo diecinue
do así en los tiempos pasados, ni por los pue viene siendo la mejor expresión de las posi ve, los Estados Unidos ya estaban alimentan
blos del mundo civilizado exteriores a Méxi bilidades y de lo deseable de su territorio pa do a la mitad de Europa y a la vez suminis
co, o por los habitantes de este mismo país, ra fundar un agradable hogar humano. Lo trando toda la lana y algodón que necesitaban
ya nativos o extranjeros ; y en efecto, esto dicho, es aún la verdad, tratándose de Ingla para la fabricación de su ropa. La agricul
no es de llamar mucho la atención cuando ve terra, porque lo que esta pequeña y simpática tura ha hecho que los Estados Unidos pueden
mos que distinguidos historiadores mexicanos , isla no tuviere en tierras labrantías, le so sostenerse por sí mismos. Ningún bloqueo
como Francisco Bulnes, se encuentran comple bran abundantemente en sus ricas y extensas de sus costas por escuadras enemigas podría
tamente ciegos, por decirlo así, ante las gran colonias. La potencia económica y la gran vencerlos. Aunque una muralla fuese coloca
des e incomparables posibilidades de la pro deza de los Estados Unidos hoy día, consiste da en derredor del país, eso no importaría,
ducción agrícola de este país, pues en un li precisamente en la riqueza de su agricultura. pues seguirían sosteniéndose fácilmente ....
bro recientemente publicado en los Estados Durante dos siglos, la agricultura ha sido la 200,000,000 de habitantes con sus propios re
Unidos, el escritor antes mencionado, ha de ocupación principal y pensamiento que más cursos, y la base de esta incomparable inde
clarado que la capacidad agrícola de México, absorbía las actividades de sus habitantes, y pendencia económica, es la agricultura.
apenas bastaría para la mantención de su po fue el objeto que más atraía a los inmigrantes El futuro poderío de México quedará ase
blación actual, que no pasa de quince millones hacia las playas americanas. La vertiente gurado de la misma manera . México nada
de almas, y que, además, terribles épocas de Patio of the Convent of San Gabriel, Cholula, Puebla.
carestía vendrían sucediéndose periódicamente.
y serían inevitables. Así es que si las posibi
lidades agrícolas de la República de México
han sido tan erróneamente comprendidas por
eus propios ciudadanos, no es nada raro que
los extranjeros en general hayan sido mal in
formados, y que una inmigración sana y pro
vechosa haya sido retardada en llegar a estas
playas, por las razones expuestas. El visi
tante extranjero que llega a México durante
ciertas épocas del año, viajando por las vías
férreas, obtiene una impresión enteramente
errónea y muy desfavorable a veces respecto
al país, sobre todo al caminar a través de las
llanuras y tierras planicies.
México siempre ha sido considerado en el
pasado más bien como un campamento mine
ro que otra cosa, por todo el mundo . Creo
que fue Humboldt quien dijo que no puede
haber mayor desgracia para entorpecer el pro
greso de un país como México, que la de te
ner sus entrañas llenas de metales precio
SOS.
Durante los últimos veinticinco años trans
curridos, yo he recorrido catorce entidades
federativas de esta nación, lo mismo que el
Territorio de la Baja California, y he
quedado positivamente convencido, y estoy
absolutamente seguro sin temor de equivo
carme, de que los recursos agrícolas de la Re
pública de México , una vez desarrollados y
aprovechados, bastarán muy bien para mante
ner próspera y felizmente, cuando menos
Cien Millones de almas, y me es grato decir
que en esta opinión estoy apoyado por inves
tigadores que han hecho un estudio de esta
Cholela Convento de S Gabriel 191
cuestión. El señor Profesor J. L. Lowe, del
Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Convento de San Gabriel, Cholula, Puebla.
Unidos, después de haber recorrido minuciosa
mente toda la República Mexicana, e inspec del Atlántico y los inmensos valles atravesa más necesita os cosas para poderse adelan
cionado cuidadosamente su fauna y flora dos por los ríos Ohio, Mississippi y Missouri, tar rápidamente por los senderos del progreso
lo mismo que la topografía, calidad de tie y los llanos rodeando los Grandes Lagos del hacia la grandeza nacional, y la prosperidad
rras, y recursos aprovechables para el riego, Norte, abarcando una vasta extensión de te comercial e industrial ilimitada. La prime
ha dicho: " Que no hay otro país en el mundo rrenos vírgenes comparativamente planos y ra consideración , indudablemente, consiste en
que tenga tantos y tan diversos recursos, y sin sin cultivo, fáciles para su fraccionamiento, que debe haber un acercamiento bien enten
limites, como México, y que tampoco hay con bendiciones derramadas por el cielo, en dido, y relaciones mucho más cordiales y amis
nación alguna que prometa más para un gran forma de lluvias abundantes durante el año tosas, cultivadas con la vecina República del
porvenir, "-de modo que yo mismo después y distribuídas igualmente, para no necesitar Norte. Este feliz acontecimiento, será una
de haber conocido a México durante veinti el riego, y haciendo muy fácil el cultivo de realidad y será asegurado por los amigos de
cinco años, y después de haber estudiado cui los terrenos por los propietarios individuales , ambos países, y especialmente por institucio
dadosamente todos sus recursos naturales y con nada más el capital suficiente con que nes como esta Cámara de Comercio. En se
observado su desarrollo, estoy plenamente proveerse de las semillas, animales y herra guida, el factor más importante para la gran
convencido que México se halla predestinado mienta necesarios, todo esto sirvió para deza nacional de México y su marcha siem
a ser una de las naciones más grandes y ricas atraer millones de fuertes y vigorosos inmi pre adelante, consistirá en el desarrollo de
del mundo entero. grantes procedentes de las clases más indus sus recursos agrícolas que hasta ahora han
Con un área de 767,000 millas cuadradas, triosas de Europa, y muy pronto después sin sido descuidados, y en efecto, casi intactos
igual a la de toda Europa, sin incluir a Rusia, grandes esfuerzos, resultaron ser propietarios en estos momentos . En este ramo, el progre
y con litorales por las costas de 6,000 millas, rurales independientes, y progenitores de so que se alcanza, dependerá en gran parte
la República Mexicana tiene actualmente ... aquellas familias cuyos miembros iban siendo de las actividades desplegadas por el Gobier
15,000,000 de habitantes, mientras que es de los futuros ciudadanos y gobernantes de no mexicano. La iniciativa individual y
fijarse en que esa misma extensión de terri aquella Gran República. Antes del año de grandes inversiones de capital serán necesa
torio en Europa sostiene una población de .. 1850, los Estados Unidos eran prácticamente rias, pero los resultados apetecidos no pueden
215,000,000 de gentes, y aun concediendo una nación de puros agricultores, y su comer lograrse por el esfuerzo individual únicamen
bastante para igualar ciertas deficiencias cio estaba basado sobre la agricultura, y du te. Esto deberá ser suplementado por una
tratándose de la topografía del país y de la rante el transcurso de la segunda mitad de legislación favorable y con la ayuda del Go
diferencia que existe respecto a la calidad de ese siglo la corriente inmigradora se aumentó bierno, porque sucede que para lograr un
tierras y caída de lluvias, no es nada arries a tal grado, que en los años comprendidos en buen éxito en el ramo de la agricultura en
 16 THE MEXICAN REVIEW

all very productive under irrigation. Its to be developed and the possibilities are al
principal products are cattle, corn, wheat, bar ed with the progress of Mexico and because
most unlimited . I wish to call to the attention of this Cham
ley, sugar cane, garbanzos, cotton, vegetables The States of Jalisco and Puebla are, per ber the work that is being done by the Mex
and fruits common both to the temperate and haps, the most advanced of the Republic in ican Government at the present time through
tropic zones. In minerals it is one of the rich agriculture. The former is called the " gran
est states in the entire world, producig gold, its Department of Agriculture in the pro
ary of Mexico " and "the Mexican Anda motion and development of this important
silver, copper, lead, antimony, cinnabar, gra lucia. " It produces sugar cane, coffee, industry. I recently made a somewhat
phite and other minerals. A cinematographic vanilla, rice, tobacco, every variety of grain thorough inspection of the School of Agricul
film showing the industries of Sonora which and fruits and is rich in live stock. It has ture, the nurseries and experimental stations
is now being exhibited in this city, should 500 kilometers of coast line and is well water maintained by the Department of Agriculture
be seen by all members of this Chamber. ed by rivers and rainfall. It has many large in the Federal District, and I have been amaz
Coahuila, the third largest State of the Re and beautiful lakes. Both the government
public, has sixty varieties of trees and forty ed at the extent and quality of work that
and private individuals have projected some is being done by this important Department
of fine fruits, including apples, oranges, pears, of the most important irrigation enterprises under the direction of the Minister of Agricul
mulberries, and grapes of a quality superior there. Its minerals include all varieties and
to those of California and equal to any ture, Ing. Pastor Rouaix, and his able lieu
it is celebrated for its delicious fruits. It is tenants, Ing. Jose Duvallon, Director of
of Spain. As a matter of fact, nearly allof capable of being made a varitable para
the table lands of Mexico can rival Italy and Agriculture, and Ing. Ignacio Bancalari, Di
dise. rector of Irrigation. It is not an exaggeration
Spain in grape culture and the production The State of Puebla, with over a million
of silk is also destined to become one of the to say that more has been done by this Depart
population, has over thirty, sugar mills and ment under their direction duringthe past
most important industries of Mexico, since the its products include all varieties of both the three years for the advancement of scientific
mulberry is indigenous and the propagation temperate and tropic zones. Other important
of the silkworm easy. In the flora of Coa agriculture in the Mexican Republic than has
agricultural States are Durango, Michoacan, been done before that time in the entire four
huila are fifteen textile plants, thirteen tan Aguascalientes, Morelos and Nuevo Leon. In centuries of its history. It is difficult to un
ning, ten dye, thirteen forage, seventy me fact, scarcely any of the States and Territories derstand how so much could be done in so
dicinal, ten oleaginous and twelve gums and of the Republic can be omitted from this list. short a time. The work includes the estab
A Typical Colonial Residence in Querétaro. lishment of departments of teaching, ex
perimental studies, cootecnia, agronomy, hor
ticulture, including parasitology, bacteriology,
rural engineering, forestry, agricultural chem
istry and agricultural hydraulics. In the
schools are taught the manufacture of all milk
products, packing and canning of fruits and
vegetables, refrigeration, disinfection, pre
servation, conservation, veterinary science
and the management of all agricultural im
plements and machinery. Experimental
stations have been established in eleven States
where the Mexican farmer is taught the most
advanced methods of agriculture and is
furnished with the best seeds and most ap
proved agricultural implements and is taught
how to use them. Every species of practical
information is furnished gratis by numerous
pamphlets and bulletins and by travelling
expositions in the form of special railroad
trains carrying samples of the most approved
agricultural implements and machinery and
seeds and these trains are manned by ex
ports to explain the use and management of
the implements and machinery. Schools and
experimental stations are in charge of able
and enthusiastic young men who have been
educated in the best foreign universities and
a department of propaganda is maintained
throughout the entire Republic in charge of
some twelve hundred agents of influence and
standing in each community. The Depart
ment also maintains a permanent exposition
of the most improved agricultural machinery,
in Mexico City.
Te Department has undertaken not only to
improve the agricultural methods that have
Casa de Villar del Aguila, Querétaro. been followed throughout the country, in
resins. Cotton is indigenous and perennial. Mexico is destined to become one of the most troducing the most improved scientific tools,
It requires replanting but once in ten years. important countries in the world in the pro but also to raise the quality of the products,
and to this end it maintains nurseries, grows
The culture of cotton is as profitable here as duction of cattle and other live stock, to and furnishes seeds and has also undertaken
in any other region of the world, there being which its vast grazing plains are peculiarly
already under cultivation 1,100,000 acres and adapted. to improve the quality of the live stock and
an annual production of 80,000,000 kilograms. The various States of the Tierra Caliente , fowls and has expended thousands of dollars
in acquiring thoroughbred animals and fowls
Cotton was grown by the Toltecas and Aztecs Vera Cruz , Oaxaca, Chiapas, Tabasco, Cam of every kind from which it furnishes breed
and Cortez found the natives clothed with peche and Yucatan, are all noted for their ing stock at low prices to the farmer and
cotton garments. Additional agricultural wonderful forests of precious woods and every
products of Coahuila are corn, wheat, barley, stockgrower. I hold in my hand a bulletin
known variety of tropical products, this which is issued by the Department of Fomen
beans and sugar cane and the guayule rubber region being the first in the world in the
to and Agriculture setting forth the work of
plant, the growing of which has become an production of textile fibers and comprising that Department, which should be read by
important industry. The mineral products the second largest and most productive pe every member of this Chamber. From it will
are gold, silver, lead, copper, zine, coal and troleum fields, the individual wells of which
probably petroleum. In some sections the surpass all others in the world in volume of be seen that great progress has been made
rainfall is plentiful . production. in the advancement of scientific agriculture.
in Mexico which is destined to be of the
The State of Sinaloa , with an area of 87,231 Among its tropical products the tobacco, highest importance to the country. It is the
square kilometers and a coast line of 510 sugar cane and coffee of Mexico are equal
duty of this Chamber of Commerce to co
kilometers, is one of the most important states in quality to those of any country of the operate with the Department of Fomento and
of the Republic in agricultural possibilities. world. The coffee grown in Oaxaca and
Chiapas is equal to the finest of Arabia and Agriculture in disseminating information of
Fourteen large rivers, each with numerous
this industry and to invite capital and im
branches, cross the State, cutting the great the East Indies. All these wonderful re migration for the purpose of developing it,
alluvial plain, which extends along the entire sources have heretofore been practically un
coast, at regular intervals and at almost right touched and undeveloped. because upon this industry more than upon
angles, making hundreds of thousands of any other, depends the future progress and
What are the commercial possibilities of a greatness of Mexico.
acres of rich deep soil capable of easy and country destined to be perhaps first in the
inexpensive irrigation. In this soil is pro production of petroleum and silver, second in
duced every variety of grain and fruit, and copper, among the first in production of cat Mexico has made greater progress in agri
sugar cane equal to that of the Island of tle and other live stock and perhaps the first cultural methods since the revolution than
Cuba. It is one of the most important sugar in variety and among the first in the volume during any period in the country's entire his
producing States of the Republic, and, I be of its agricultural products ?
lieve, second in the production of garbanzos. I have chosen this subject today because tory. Modern machinery is no longer o novel
Its agricultural resources have scarcely begun I considered it the most important one relat ty, but is widely used.
 LA
México, es cuestión, en alto grado, de resol
ver problemas de irrigación. Para que las
empresas colonizadoras, operando en México ,
tengan el mejor éxito, es necesario que sean
organizadas con sumo cuidado sobre buenas
bases. Deberán ser regenteadas por directo
res competentes y ser sujetas constantemente
a una vigilancia especial . Hay que estudiar
debidamente las condiciones del clima, y a la
vez, la calidad y capacidad de las tierras en
los diferentes distritos, y la naturaleza y va
riedad de las producciones propias para el lu
gar, deberá ser determinado, después de hacer
experimentos conducentes. Todo esto nece
sitará la poderosa ayuda del Gobierno, facili
tada por conducto del Departamento de
Agricultura. Aquí diré, que con una
buena educación científica y un buen manejo
en el ramo mencionado, las posibilidades agri
colas de México asombrarán al mundo, y me
es grato decir que me complace saber que el
actual Gobierno de la República Mexicana,
goza de una comprensión inteligente del pro
blema en cuestión, y que está haciendo muy
grandes esfuerzos por establecer esta indus
tria abandonada por tanto tiempo, sobre ba
ses inteligentes y de seguros resultados ; y ade
más, me cabe la seguridad de poder predecir
que para el año de 1950, este país de México ,
será uno de los primeros del mundo, con mo
tivo del gran volumen de sus producciones
agrícolas, y en lo referente a la variedad de
ellas, no habrá nación que le sobresalga. En
ningún otro país de este mundo, puede encon
trarse tanta variedad de tierras y climas, y
dentro de su territorio, puede hallarse y culti
varse cualquier producto que se conoce y que
es útil para el hombre.-Cada uno de sus
treinta Estados y Territorios, desde el Río
Bravo hasta el Suchiate, son muy feraces,
amenos y productivos en alto grado, y así se
comprende que México nada más necesita
aplicar las reglas científicas a su ramo de
agricultura, para quedarse en muy poco tiem
po, como uno de los países más productivos
de este planeta.
El Estado de Chihuahua, con tres veces el
área del Estado de New York, y segundo úni
camente en área a los Estados de California
y Texas, está poblado solamente a razón de
una persona y media por cada kilómetro cua
drado. Cuatro quintas partes de su superfi
cie se componen de extensos llanos que son
regados por las aguas de siete grandes ríos,
cuando menos y estas tierras pueden ser aun
regadas más si se desea, pues en casi cual
quier punto del Estado pueden perforarse po
zos artesianos para surtir de líquido a las
obras irrigadoras. Este Estado produce tri
go, maíz, cebada, frijoles, garbanzos, lentejas,
cacahuates, manzanas, duraznos, chavacanos,
granadas, uvas, papas, melones, y una infi
nidad de otras variedades de frutas y pro
ducciones hortenses ; el algodón, que es indí
gena de la zona, ganado de todas clases, e in
mensos bosques de árboles, además de ser
uno de los distritos minerales más ricos del
mundo.
Sonora es el segundo Estado de la Repúbli
ca, en cuanto a superficie, pues tiene aproxi
madamente una extensión de 200,000 kilóme
tros cuadrados, y actualmente está poblado
a razón de apenas dos personas por cada kiló
metro cuadrado ; es regado cuando menos, por
ocho ríos de importancia, y tiene grandes
campos terreros con suelo fértil, y muy fe
,cundos, bajo la acción de las obras irrigado
ras. Sus principales productos, son : ganado ,
maíz, trigo, cebada, caña de azúcar, garban
zos, algodón, legumbres y frutas de todas cla
ses, igualmente cultivables en las zonas tem
pladas y tropicales. Respecto de sus depósi
tos de metales preciosos, puede decirse que
es uno de los distritos más ricos del mundo
entero, pues sus minas producen oro, plata,
cobre, plomo, antimonio, vermellón , grafito
y otros minerales. Actualmente se está ex
hibiendo en esta ciudad, una película cine
matográfica que reproduce vistas de las in
dustrias de Sonora, y es de recomendarse que
todos los miembros de esta Cámara, vayan a
verlas.
Coahuila es el tercer Estado de la Repúbli
ca en el sentido indicado, y privilegiado con
sesenta distintas variedades de árboles, y cua
renta variedades entre las exquisitas frutas,
incluyendo manzanas, naranjas, peras, moras,
y uvas de calidad muy superior a las de Ca
lifornia, e igualando a cualquiera de España.
Como un hecho rigurosamente exacto, es de
REVISTA MEXICANA 17
llamar la atención de todos a que en casi to bilidades a donde pueden llegar, serán ilimi
das las planicies de la República, el cultivo tadas .
de las uvas puede rivalizar ventajosamente Es muy probable que los Estados de Jalisco
con el de Italia y España, y también es de fi y Puebla, sean los más adelantados de la Re
jarse en que la producción de la seda será en pública Mexicana, en el ramo de la agricul
día no lejano, una de las industrias mexica tura. El primer Estado mencionado ha sido
nas más importantes, pues la morera es in llamado el granero de México, " y también
dígena del país y la cría de gusanos de seda, lo nombran a veces " la Andalucía mexica
es, por consiguiente, muy fácil. Entre la na. " Sus producciones son: caña de azúcar,
flora del Estado de Coahuila, hay como quin café, vainilla, arroz, tabaco, y todas las va
ce plantas textiles, trece que se emplean en riedades de cereales y frutas, y su ganado es
las curtidurías, diez con substancias de tinte, muy numeroso, con un valor crecido. Su li
trece que se emplean como forraje para el toral por el Pacífico, es de 500 kilómetros y
ganado, setenta con propiedades medicinales, queda muy bien regado por sus ríos y abun
diez son oleaginosas, y doce conteniendo subs dantes lluvias. Tiene varios grandes lagos
tancias gomosas y resinosas. El algodón es que son de los más hermosos. Varias empre
indígena y perenne. Nada más tiene que ser sas irrigadoras de gran importancia, ya han
sembrado de nuevo una vez en diez años. El sido proyectadas, tanto por su supremo Go
cultivo del algodón es tan ventajoso y lucra bierno, como por particulares en esta Enti
tivo, como puede serlo en cualquier otra re dad Federativa. Sus minerales son de todas
gión del mundo, y actualmente se cultivan clases, y las frutas deliciosas, son la fama de
1,200,000 66 acres," que dan un rendimiento Jalisco. Este hermoso pedazo del territorio
anual de 80,000,000 de kilogramos. Las anti mexicano, puede ser convertido fácilmente en
guas razas de esta tierra privilegiada, como un verdadero paraíso.
los Toltecas y Aztecas, cultivaban el algodón El Estado de Puebla, con más de un millón
provechosamente, y cuando Hernán Cortés lle de habitantes, tiene más de treinta ingenios
Patio and Swimming Pool of the National Boarding-School, Mexico, D. F.
Patio y Alberca del Internado Nacional, Mexico, D. F.
gó a México, encontró a los nativos del país de azúcar, y también las producciones en es
con vestiduras hechas de algodón. Otras pro te Estado, incluyen todas las variedades pro
ducciones agrícolas del Estado de Coahuila, pias de las zonas templadas y tropicales .
son: maíz, trigo, cebada, frijoles, caña de Otros Estados de mucha importancia en el
azúcar, y la planta hulera guayule (Parthen sentido indicado, son Durango, Michoacán,
ium argentatum) que actualmente se cultiva Aguascalientes, Morelos y Nuevo León. En
en gran escala y es ahora una de las indus verdad, no sería conveniente omitir ninguno
trias más importantes. Los productos mine de los Estados y Territorios de la República,
rales, son : el oro, plata , plomo, cobre, carbón de esta lista. No cabe duda que México es
y probablemente hay petróleo en su subsuelo. tá predestinado para ser uno de los países del
En algunas zonas del Estado, las lluvias son mundo más importantes, tratándose de la pro
abundantes. ducción de ganado vacuno, lo mismo como de
El Estado de Sinaloa con un área de 87,231 las demás clases, pues por donde quiera, a
kilómetros cuadrados y un litoral de 510 ki través de sus inmensas llanuras, se encuen
lómetros, es ciertamente uno de los Estados tran los más ricos pastos tan especialmente
más importantes de la República, con gran adaptados para esta industria.
des posibilidades y alcances en el ramo de la Los varios Estados de la Tierra Caliente,
agricultura. Catorce ríos bastante grandes , Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Tabasco, Campe
y cada uno con numerosos afluentes, atravie che y Yucatán, todos son ya afamados por
san el Estado, penetrando por el gran llano sus maravillosos bosques tan llenos de ma
terrero que se extiende a lo largo de toda la deras preciosas y todas las variedades cono
costa, y cortándolo a ciertas distancias, en cidas de los productos tropicales ; y esta re
forma de ángulos rectos casi , de modo que gión viene siendo la primera del mundo en la
resultan centenares de miles de " acres '' con producción de fibras textiles, y tratándose de
teniendo las más ricas tierras muy propias los campos petrolíferos mayores y más pro
para obras de irrigación de las más fáciles y ductivos de la República, ocupa el segundo lu
económicas. En este suelo fértil, se producen gar, y cuyos pozos individuales sobresalen a
todas las variedades de cereales y frutas, y su todos los demás del mundo, en cuanto al vo
caña de azúcar es igual a la de la Isla de Cu lumen de sus rendimientos.
ba. Este Estado es una de los más importan Entre sus productos tropicales, hay que ha
tes de la República en la producción de azú cer constar que el tabaco, caña de azúcar y el
car, y creo que Sinaloa ocupa el segundo lu café de México, igualan, en calidad, a los
gar en la producción de garbanzos . Sus re de cualquier país del mundo. El café que
cursos agrícolas apenas han sido tocados y se produce en los Estados de Oaxaca y Chia
una vez que comience su desarrollo, las posi pas, es igual al mejor de la tierra árabe o de
 18 THE
PAX ANIMAE.
Manuel Gutiérrez Nájera.
Speak not a word of wild, blaspheming grief!
Be proud, be brave, though fallen in the
strife!
And gaze , O poet, with supreme disdain
On all the dark injustices of life !
Thou shalt not seek for constancy in love ,
Nor aught eternal from frail mortals ask ;
To rear sepulchral monuments on high
From all thy griefs, O artist, be thy task !
Chisel thy statues out of marble white,
Forms chaste of mien, though naked to the
air ;
And let speech slumber on their sculptured
lips ;
Let them stand deeply sad, yet silent there .
A name ! A sounding echo on the air,
Fleeting and frail , its life a moment's span !
A dreamer's foolish idol ! Name and fame!
This is the last sad vanity of man.
Why should we justice ask, or clemency,
If our own comrades here deny our plea
From the indifference , mute and icy-cold ,
Of unknown men, to live days to be ?
Tardy compassion why should we implore
From strangers hid in shadow one and all ?
The echoes sleep within the darksome wood ,
And no one , no one answers to our call.
The only consolation in this life,
Is to remember happy hours and fair,
And lift our eyes on high to view the skies
When skies are blue or stars are shining there ;
To flee the sea, and on the sleeping lake
Enjoy the water's calm, the peaceful time ;
To sleep- to dream- our wizard strong, the
Dream,
Is a deceiver holy and sublime!
'Tis true , alas ! that in the honest breast
The fresh wound calls for vengeance and for
strife ;
But yet- forgive the evil they have done !
All suffer from the malady of life.
The very men who crown themselves wth
flowers
Are born to sorrow, and to perish, too.
If those you love the most betray your trust,
Forgive them, for they know not what they
do.
Perhaps those instincts they inherited ,
And they avenge unknowingly to-day
Races that gathered on their hapless heads
All griefs and hatreds are they passed away.
Art thou perchance the judge Map the sinless
one?
Do justice and sweet mercy meet in thee ?
Ah, who is not a fugitive, that bears
The weight of crimes unpunished, guiltily ?
Who has not feigned to love- dared with false
VOWS
Into a maiden's holy soul to steal?
Who* can be sure that he has never killed ?
Who is the just man, that may justice deal ?
Pity and pardon for all those that live !
So , fl of love , in mild and gentle mood ,
We shall be tender and compassionate,
And haply, haply, some time shall be good!
Friend, dost thou suffer ? Seek thy sweetheart
fair
In deathless beauty, free from pain and fear
Live leaning on thy sadness, as of old
On young Cordelia leaned the wandering Lear.
See far and farther ebbs the dying day !
How good it is to rest ! In shade obscure
The woodland lulls us with a music soft ;
Virgin the waters, the air is pure.
Weary, her eyes the light is closing now ;
Sad murmurs sound, and many a mournful
sigh,
The night, descending, to the earth says ,
( Come!
'Tis over. Go to sleep, and do not cry ! "
To recollect- forgive-have loved, believed,
And had brief happiness our hearts to bless ,
And soon, grown weary, to recline against
The snowy shoulder of forgetfulness !
MEXICAN REVIEW
WITH THE POETS
MUSA MEXICANA
To feel forevermore the tenderness
That warmed our youthful bosoms with its
flame,
Receiving happiness, if it should come,
Like a glad visit from some beauteous dame ;
To hold still hidden that which most we love
Smiling forgiveness on our lips to keep
Until at last, O earth ! we come to thee
In the complete abandonment of sleep :
This ought to be the life of him who thinks
How transient all things are that meet his
eyes,
And, wisely, stops before the vast expanse
Of falsehood's ocean that around him lies.
Gather the flowers, while there are flowers to
pluck ;
Forgive the roses for their thorny guise !
Our sorrows also pass away and fly,
Flitting like swarms of dark-winged butter
flies.
Love and forgive ! Resist with courage strong
The wicked , the unjust, the cowardly.
The silent evening, when it settles down
Pensive and sad, is beautiful to see !
When sorrow dims my spirit, on the heights
I seek for calmness and for shining light.
Upon the frozen summits of my soul
Infinite pity spreads its hue of white.
-Version by Alice Stone Blackwell.
PAX ANIMAE.
Manuel Gutiérrez Nájera.
Ni una palabra de dolor blasfemo!
Sé altivo , sé gallardo en la caída,
¡ Y ve, poeta, con desdén supremo
Todas las injusticias de la vida!
No busques la constancia en los amores ,
No pidas nada eterno a los mortales,
Y haz, artista, con todos tus dolores ,
Excelsos monumentos sepulcrales.
En mármol blanco tus estatuas labra,
Castas en la actitud, aunque desnudas,
Y que duerma en sus labios la palabra .. a
Y se muestren muy tristes ... ¡ pero mudas !
¡ El nombre ! .... Débil vibración sonora
Que dura apenas un instante ! ¡ El nombre ! ...
Idolo torpe que el iluso adora!
Ultima y triste vanidad del hombre !
A qué pedir justicia ni clemencia
-Si las niegan los propios compañeros
A la glacial y muda indiferencia
De los desconocidos venideros ?
¿ A qué pedir la compasión tardía
De los extraños que la sombra esconde ?
IDuermen los ecos en la selva umbría
Y nadie, nadie a nuestra , voz responde !
En esta vida el único consuelo
Es acordarse de las horas bellas,
Y alzar los ojos para ver el cielo ....
Cuando el cielo está azul o tiene estrellas.
Huir del mar y en el dormido lago
Dirfrutar de las ondas el reposo .. •
Dormir ... soñar.... el Sueño, nuestro mago .
Es un sublime santo mentiroso !
¡Ay ! Es verdad que en el honrado pe
cho
Pide venganza la reciente herida .....
Pero .... perdona el mal que te hayan hecho !
¡ Todos están enfermos de la vida!
Los mismos que de flores se coronan
Para el dolor, para la muerte nacen ....
Si los que tú más amas te traicionan
¡ Perdóñalos , no saben lo que hacen
Acaso esos instintos heredaron,
Y son los inconscientes vengadores
De razas o de estirpes que pasaron
Acumulando todos . los rencores.
<
Eres acaso el juez ? El impecable !
¿ Tú la justicia y la piedad reúnes
¿ Quién no es un fugitivo responsable
De alguno o muchos crímenes impunes ?
¿ Quién no ha mentido amor y ha profanado
De una alma virgen el sagrario augusto ?
¿ Quién está cierto de no haber matado ?
¿ Quién puede ser el justiciero, el justò ?
Lástima y perdón para los vivos !
Y así, de amor y mansedumbre llenos, ዲ
Seremos cariñosos, compasivos ....
¡Y alguna vez, acaso, acaso buenos !
t
1
¿ Padeces ? Busca a la gentil amante,
A la impasible e inmortal belleza,
Y ve apoyado, como Lear errante,
En tu joven Cordelia : la tristeza.
*
Mira : se aleja perezoso el día ..... ←
¡ Qué bueno es descansar ! El bosque obscuro
Nos arrulla con lánguida armonía.... •
El agua es virgen. El ambiente es puro. *
1
La luz, cansada, sus pupilas cierra ;
Se escuchan melancólicos rumores,
Y la noche, al bajar, dice a la tierra :
¡Vamos ... Ya está ... ya duérmete ... no
llores !
↓·
Recordar ... Perdonar ... Haber amado ....
Ser dichoso un instante, haber creído ...
Y luego, ... reclinarse fatigado
En el hombro de nieve del olvido .
Sentir eternamente la ternura >
Que en nuestras fechas jóvenes palpita,
Y recibir, si llega, la ventura,
Como a hermosa que viene de visita.
Siempre escondido lo que más amamos ;
Siempre en los labios el perdón risueño ;
Hasta que al fin, ¡ oh tierra! a tí vayamos
Con la invencible laxitud del sueño !
Esa ha de ser la vida del que piensa {
En lo fugaz de todo lo que mira,
Y se detiene, sabio , ante la inmensa
Extensión de tus mares, ¡ oh Mentira!
Coje las flores, mientras haya flores ,
Perdona las espinas a las rosas ....
También se van y vuelan los dolores
Como turbas de negras mariposas !
Ama y perdona. Con valor resiste
Lo injusto, lo villano , lo cobarde .....
Hermosamente pensativa y triste
Está al caer la silenciosa tarde!
Cuando el dolor mi espíritu sombrea
Busco en las cimas claridad y calma,
Y una infinita compasión albea
En las heladas cumbres de mi alma!
EVOCATION
Amado Nervo .
From the deep mystery of the past I called
her,
Where now a ghost among the ghosts is she,
A shade mid shades-and I at my call she
hastened,
Putting the centuries aside for me.
The Laws of Time, astounded , followed after ;
The Spirit of the Graves, with mournful cry,
Called to her, " Stay ! " Like unseen hooks,
the Epochs
Grasped her rich, faded robes when she went
by.
But all in vain ! She came, with red hair float
ing,
That red hair fragrant of eternity ;
With wings loose hanging, clad like a chimera,
That strange queen, following my will, drew
nigh.
I said to her , " Do you recall your promise
Made in the year One Thousand, to my
bliss!''
" Remember, I am but a shade ! '' •
" I know it. "
" And I was mad. "
" You promised me a kiss ! "'
" My kiss has by the chill of death been
frozen ;
Long has my life been lost in Time's eclipse. "
Queen do not break the word they once
have given!"
Thus I made answer. And she kissed my lips.
-Version by Alice Stone Blackwell .
A
 L (
LA
POSIBILIDAD AGRICOLA EN MEXICO
las Indias Orientales. Todos estos recursos,
verdaderamente maravillosos , se han queda
do hasta ahora, prácticamente, sin haber sido
tocados, y, por consiguiente, se hallan aún
casi en su estado virgen.
¿ Cuáles serán, pues, las posibilidades co
merciales de un país que indudablemente está
llamado para ser el primero en la producción
de petróleo y de plata ; el segundo en la pro
ducción de cobre ; ocupando un prominente
lugar entre los países que más producen el ga
nado vacuno y demás clases ; -y por último ,
es de creerse que México probablemente va a
figurar como el primer país en cuanto a la
variedad de sus producciones agrícolas, y en
tre los primeros con referencia al volumen de
ellas.
Yo he querido hablar sobre este asunto hoy,
porque lo he considerado el más importante
con relación al progreso de México , y debido
a que yo deseaba llamar la atención de esta
Cámara de Comercio sobre las actividades que
actualmente el Gobierno mexicano está des
plegando por conducto de su Departamento
de Agricultura, con el fin de fomentar y lle
var a cabo satisfactoriamente el desarrollo
de tan importante industria. Recientemente
hice una inspección bastante minuciosa de la
Escuela de Agricultura, los semilleros y esta
ciones de ensayo mantenidos por el Departa
mento de Agricultura en el Distrito Federal,
y verdaderamente me he quedado asombrado
de ver los grandes trabajos y la calidad de
ellos que se llevan a cabo en este Departa
mento, que se halla bajo la digna dirección
del señor Ministro de Agricultura , Ing. Pas
tor Rouaix, y sus ayudantes competentes , que
son el Ing. José Duvallón, Director de Agri
cultura, y el Ing. Ignacio Bancalari , Director
del ramo de Irrigación . No es una exagera
ción, por mi parte, el decir que más se ha he
cho en este Departamento bajo la dirección de
los mencionados funcionarios durante los úl
timos tres años para hacer adelantar la agri
‫ތދހަޒ‬
AGUILA
LA
PIDALA EN LAS TIENDAS, CANTINAS Y RESTAURANTES O DIRECTAMENTE A LA
CERVECERIA
?
REVISTA MEXICAN A
cultura científica en la República Mexicana,
que se hizo antes de este tiempo durante los
cuatro siglos enteros que cuenta su historia.
Realmente es difícil comprender cómo se han
podido hacer tantos trabajos notables en tan
poco tiempo . Los trabajos a que me refiero ,
abarcan el establecimiento de los departa
mentos de enseñanza , estudios experimenta
les, zootecnia ( la cría científica de los anima
les domésticos, ) agronomía, horticultura, e
incluyendo parasitología, bacteriología , inge
niería rural, el cultivo de bosques, química
agrícola y obras hidráulicas en su aplicación
a la agricultura. En las escuelas se enseña
todo lo relativo a la fabricación de productos
lácteos, empaque y envase de frutas y legum
bres, refrigeración , desinfección , confitación ,
conservación , ciencia veterinaria y el manejo
científico de toda la maquinaria e implemen
tos que se emplean en la agricultura moderna.
Estaciones experimentales han sido estableci
yas ya en once Estados , donde el agricultor
mexicano puede instruirse debidamente , res
pecto a los sistemas más modernos que se
usan en la agricultura , y a la vez se le pro
porcionan las mejores semillas y los imple
mentos agrícolas más renombrados y le ense
ñan cómo debe manejarlos . Toda especie de in
formación práctica se suministra gratuitamen
te, por medio de numerosos folletos y boleti
nes, y también se han inaugurado exposicio
nes ambulantes en forma de trenes especia
les que corren por todas las vías férreas de
la República, llevando muestras de los imple-
mentos agrícolas de utilidad más reconocida ,
juntamente con maquinaria y semillas, y estos
trenes están a cargo de los peritos más re
nombrados , quienes se encargan de explicar
detenidamente el uso y el manejo a que debe
rán estar sujetos los implementos y maqui-
naria agrícola. Las escuelas y estaciones ex
perimentales, se hallan bajo la dirección de
jóvenes muy competentes y entusiastas , quie
nes han recibido su educación en las mejores
universidades extranjeras , y además , es de
mencionarse que se mantiene un Departamen
CENTRAL
CERVEZA NACIONAL
4a8l5ler
Hey va
CENTRAL ,
19
to de propaganda en toda la República Mexi
cana, a cargo de unos mil doscientos agentes
de influencia y categoría en cada comunidad.
El Departamento también mantiene una ex
posición permanente de maquinaria moder
na para la agricultura, en la Ciudad de Mé
xico.
El Departamento no sólo se ha propuesto
modernizar los sistemas agrícolas que se em
pleaban en todo el país anteriormente , por
medio de los mejores implementos científicos ,
sino también ha procurado mejorar la cali
dad de los productos, y por lo tanto , con es
te fin, está manteniendo semilleros ; cultiva
y suministra semillas ; se ha consagrado a me
jorar la calidad de los ganados y toda clase
de aves, y desembolsado muchos miles de pe
sos en la adquisición de animales y aves de
pura sangre de distintas razas, a fin de po
der abastecer a los agricultores y ganaderos
con buenos animales de cría, a precios bajos.
Yo tengo en mi mano un boletín publicado
por la Secretaría de Fomento y Agricultura ,
dando una relación de todos los trabajos lle
vados a cabo por el mismo Departamento que
debiera ser leído por todos los miembros de es
ta Cámara . Por él se verá que muy grandes
éxitos han sido alcanzados tratándose de los
sistemas empleados en la agricultura cientí
fica en esta República, que, como ya he dicho
Ada
repetidas veces, tiene que ser de la más al
ta importancia para su porvenir. Es el de
ber de esta Cámara de Comercio cooperar
con el Departamento de Fomento y Agricul
tura en la diseminación de toda clase de in
formes respecto de esta industria, y a fomen
tar la inversión de capitales y la inmigración
con objeto de desarrollarla, porque de esta
industria, más que de cualquier otra, dependen
el futuro desarrollo y grandeza de esta amada
nación .
Delbert J. Haff.
Si necesita usted un buen anuncio, no olvi
de La Revista Mexicana .
&
Masti
S. A.
 20 THE
Work of Petroleum
Report of Ing. J. Vazquez Schiaffino Upon the Work of the Republic. The " Map of the Oil Belt
Performed by That Department for the Year is being printed, and all data of that zone
(Concluded. )
VII -TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRA
TIVE WORKS.
1.-General Views.
URING the period referred to in this
report the Oil Bureau has developed a
D large and elaborate technical and ad
ministrative plan, and the works per sonnel The statistical reports formed by the per published in the Oil Bulletin are made by
formed to comply with the new decrees on
taxes to oil fields and oil contracts originated the unanimous approval of the oil companies public has approved of the works inserted ,
strenuous efforts of its technical as well as and have succeeded in winning a good rep which are neat and proper.
its administrative personnel.
2.-Technical Commission.
The Technical Commission of the Bureau an American newspaper won hearty praise
has co-operated in a very active and ef from similar publications of the United
fectual manner to the general works charged States and was welcomed among the foreign interruption although somewhat irregularly,
to the Bureau, and especially concerning oil producers.
legislation . Said Commission studied very
Avenida Juárez and Paseo de la Reforma, México, D. F.
Avenida Juárez y Principio del Paseo
carefully the decree on taxation and the Bill
regulating Art. 27 of the Constitution in re
gard to the oil properties. It has also taken
up the various questions arising in regard
to said decrees and the Bill, and furnished the
greater part of the reports rendered on ac
count of the incidents provoked by the is
suance of the decrees and the discussion of
the Bill alluded to.
In the legal report furnished on account
of the " amparo " (appeal ) proceedings
started by the oil companies, the Technical
Commission took an active and important
part as well as in the development of the
conferences held by the Department of In
dustry with Messrs. Garfie.d and Rhodes on
account of the taxes created.
The newspaper campaign carried on by
the head of that commission in reply to
numerous charges made to the legislation we
are trying to establish, has been constant
and strong, and it has produced splendid re
sults considering the few elements that could
be disposed of for that purpose.
A pamphlet has been lately prepared con
taining all the historical antecedents relating
to the oil legislation of Mexico, the publi
cation of which will be of considerable im
portance and at the same time it will surely
exert influence over the public mind to
win support for the Bill submitted by the
MEXICAN REVIEW
Bureau
the Executive to the Congress of the Union.
The work carried out by the Statistical
Section of the Bureau is very interesting and
every day is improved to the extent that it peche and Chiapas are almost ready and
may be said that it is now possible to answer will be finished by the end of this year.
any questions asked regarding statistical All the drawings needed to illustrate the
data connected with the oil industry.
in charge of this section have deserved the personnel of the Department, and the
utation for their accuracy, their completeness
and precision.
The statistical report of 1918 published by projects has been performing with all dili
The Census Department of the above men
ww
TAMPAN
de la Reforma, México, D. F.
tioned Commission has developed a long and
complicated task while studying, comparing
and recording with all exactness the state
ments presented by the companies and in
dividuals in compliance with Circular No. 11
as well as with the decrees on taxes. This
census work takes time, but the achieve
ments surpass our expectations and it is
easy at present to identify any parcel of oil
land, to know whom it belongs to, where
is it located, what is its area, whether it is
owner by the exploiter or just leased, etc.
The Exploitation department has been in
charge of the studying of plans and descrip
tive reports sent over by the companies ac
cording to the stipulations of the respective
concessions. It has furnished reports on all
those points of a technical nature submitted
to it, and it has had to consult for that pur
pose books and publications referring to the
matter; it has made translations and studies
on books dealing with subjects of interest
for the development of the oil industry and
for the best preservation and good use of
the products derived from the oil beds.
On several occasions hints have been given
to the oil companies as to certain convenient
changes they should make to their instal
lations, which would help them from an eco
nomical point of view as well as for greater
security.
The Drawing Section has continued work
ing in the formation of maps of the oil belts
of Northern Veracruz and adjacent regions "
that could be gathered are inserted in it as
taken from the most authoritative sources
within the reach of the Department.
The maps of the oil belts in Tabasco , Cam
technical stories and articles of other kinds
The section in charge of preparing the
" Oil Bulletin " and of studying some other
gence and efficiency its duties. The " Oil
Bulletin is still being published without
which is due not to deficiency of the per
sonnel of the section, but to the extraor
dinary amount of work accumulated in the
Government printing plant. The reading
matter for the bulletin is delivered very
timely to the said printing office, and were
it not for the above given reason the num
bers of that publication would have appear
ed regularly .
Besides the Bulletin the section is charged
with forming and publishing some pamphlets ,
as for instance, " The Submarine Oil beds,'
by Mr. Fernando Urbina ; "The Oil Indus
try of Mexico , " by the head of the Tech
nical Commission, Mr. Joaquin Santaella ;
The Pipe-lines in California, " translated
by J. Vázquez Schiaffino, and the compilation
of laws and decrees regarding the oil indus
try.
The same Section is now engaged in print
ing the special pamphlet which will contain
all the historical antecedents relating to the
oil legislation of Mexico, which is bound to
creat quite a sensation, for it will banish
many doubts and refute many objections op
posed to the project of the nationalization of
oil, made by people interested in avoiding such
project from materializing.
3. The Oil Agencies.
The Oil Agencies depending from the
Bureau and established at Tampico, Tuxpan
and Minatitlán, have followed very faith
fully the endeavors of the Bureau and co
operated with it in the realization of its pur
poses.
The personnel of the agencies, despite the
difficulties and risks they have to meet and
run on account of the insecurity of certain
regions (more insecure still for Government
clerks) , have performed their duties with suf
ferance, energy and enthusiasm.
Besides the inspection of the works carried
on in well-drilling, laying of pipes lines, con
struction of tanks and refineries and other
annex constructions, the agencies have had
to attend the office transactions in regard to
denouncements made by companies and in
dividuals according to the provisions of the
decrees in force. Furthermore, on account
of the rebelliousness of certain foreign oil
concerns, especially the American ones, which
refuse to comply with the laws in force, the
Oil Agencies have had to make their watch
closer and more constant, trying by all pos
sible means to enforce such decrees.
In order to make still more efficient the
task of the agencies, they were provided with
swift means of transportation , so that they
may in a moment visit the oil fields and see
any accidents that may occur in the encamp
ments and watch all the works carried on by
the oil companies.
The agencies of Tampico and Tuxpan have
been recently provided with "Ford " ma
chines, and these vehicles together with the
motocycles and gasoline boats each agency
has, will help a good deal to make their in
spection more effectual.
The oil agencies have not only confined
their works to perform acts of an administra
 LA
El Departamento de
Informe del Ing. J. Vázquez Schiaffino Sobre el Trabajo Desarrollado
por Ese Departamento Durante el Año Pasado
(Concluye. )
VII. LABOR TECNICA Y ADMINISTRA
TIVA.
1.-Generalidades.
L Departamento de Petróleo durante el nes sobre todos aquellos puntos de carácter
período de tiempo a que se refiere es técnico, para lo que ha sido necesario estu traducido
E te informe, ha desarrollado una inten diar y consultar los libros y las publicaciones
sa labor técnica y administrativa, pues que se refieren a la cuestión ; ha hecho tra
los proyectos que ha desarrollado y la trami
tación necesaria para dar cumplimiento a los
nuevos decretos de impuestos a los terrenos la industria y para la mejor conservación y
petrolíferos y a los contratos petroleros, han
originado un esfuerzo tenaz colectivo de par
te de su personal, tanto en la parte técnica
como en la administrativa.
2.-Comisión Técnica.
La Comisión Técnica ha cooperado de una
manera activa y eficaz en las labores gene
rales encomendadas al Departamento y muy
especialmente en la parte legislativa. En la
citada Comisión se estudiaron principalmen
te los decretos de impuestos y el Proyecto o
Iniciativa de Ley Reglamentaria del Artícu
lo 27 Constitucional, en lo relativo al Petró
leo . Ella ha estudiado las diversas consultas
acerca de dichos decretos y del Proyecto de
Ley y ha producido la mayor parte de los
informes que ha sido necesario rendir con
motivo de todos los incidentes surgidos a
causa de la expedición de los decretos y de
la discusión del citado Proyecto de Ley.
En el informe con justificación rendido con
motivo de los amparos interpuestos por las
compañías petroleras, la Comisión Técnica
de este Departamento tomó parte activa e
importante, e igualmente en el desarrollo de
las conferencias que con los señores Garfield
y Rhoades tuvo esta Secretaría , con motivo.
de la expedición de los decretos de impuestos.
La campaña periodística desarollada por
el jefe de la citada Comisión, contestando
numerosos ataques hechos a la legislación
que se trata de implantar, ha sido activa y
vigorosa y ha producido un resultado de im
portancia, dados los pocos elementos de que
se ha dispuesto para el caso.
Actualmente se ha formado un folleto con
teniendo todos los antecedentes históricos re
lativos a la legislación petrolera en México ,
cuya publicación será importantísima y que
sin duda influirá considerablemente para
que sea comprendida y aprobada la Iniciati
va de Ley enviada por el Ejecutivo al Con
greso de la Unión.
La labor de la Sección de Estadística ha
sido muy interesante y cada día se perfeccio jando en la formación
na más y más, al grado de que puede decirse
es posible contestar cual ha
que actualmente
quier consulta en que sea necesaria la sumi
nistración de datos estadísticos relacionados
con la industria petrolera.
Las estadísticas formadas por el personal
encargado de esta Sección, han merecido la
aprobación unánime de las compañías petro
leras y ha logrado conquistar en este asunto
una bien merecida reputación de exactitud,
seriedad y precisión .
La estadística relativa al año de 1918, pu
blicada en un periódico americano, mereció
elogios de parte de la prensa petrolera ame
ricana y tuvo muy buena acogida entre el
gremio de industriales extranjeros.
La Sección de Catastro de la citada Comi
sión, ha desarrollado una labor difícil y di
latada al estudiar, comparar y registrar cui tación.
dadosamente las manifestaciones presentadas
por las compañías y particulares, tanto en
cumplimiento de la circular número 11 , co
mo de los decretos sobre impuestos. Este
trabajo catastral es dilatado, pero se ha lo
grado avanzar bastante, y al presente, ya es cuando con algún atraso, el que no se ha de nes vigentes, las agencias de Petróleo han
posible identificar cualquier lote de terreno,
saber a quién pertenece, en dónde está ubi
REVISTA MEXICANA 21
meración de trabajo que ha tenido la impren
ta del Gobierno . El material necesario pa
Petróleo ra los boletines, ha sido entregado oportuna
mente, y a no ser por la razón antes indi
cada, los números de esta publicación, se
habrían impreso y visto la luz oportuna
mente.
Además del Boletín, " la Sección se ha
cado, decir su extensión superficial, si es pro encargado de la formación y publicación de
piedad o arrendamiento , etc. , etc. algunos folletos, entre los cuales pueden ci
La Sección de Explotación ha tenido a su tarse " Los yacimientos petrolíferos subma
cargo el estudio de todos los planos y me
rinos " por el señor Fernando Urbina ; " La
morias descriptivas que remiten las compa
ñías en cumplimiento de lo estipulado en las industria petrolera en México, " por el jefe
concesiones relativas. Ha rendido dictáme de la Comisión Técnica, ingeniero Joaquín
Santaella ; "El oleoducto en California, "
por el subscripto, y la colección de
Leyes y Decretos relativos a la Industria
Petrolera.
ducciones y estudios sobre todos aquellos Actualmente se ocupa esta Sección de la
puntos de gran interés para el desarrollo de impresión del folleto especial que contendrá
todos los antecedentes históricos relativos a
aprovechamiento de los productos extraídos la legislación petrolera en México, folleto
de los yacimientos petrolíferos. que indudablemente será de gran interés , di
En numerosas ocasiones se han hecho in sipará muchas dudas y refutará muchas ob
jeciones que contra el proyecto de naciona
dicaciones a las compañías petroleras res
pecto a ciertas reformas en sus instalaciones , lización del petróleo se han hecho por los in
que podrían serles beneficiosas, desde un pun teresados en que no se lleve a feliz término.
tal proyecto.
to de vista económico o de mayor seguridad.
Ixtaccihuatl As Seen From the Town of Amecameca.
El Ixtaccihuatl Visto Desde Amecameca.
La Sección de Dibujo ha continuado traba 3.- Agencias de Petróleo.
de las cartas de las
Las Agencias de Petróleo dependientes de
regiones petrolíferas de la República. Se
terminado y actualmente se está impri este
Tuxpan
Departamento, establecidas en Tampico,
y Minatitlán, han secundado eficaz
miendo la Carta de la Zona Petrolera del
mente su labor y han cooperado en la realiza
Norte de Veracruz y regiones colindantes, "
en la cual se han concentrado todos los da ción de los fines que persigue.
tos que sobre dicha región se ha logrado El personal de las agencias, no obstante
obtener, tomándolos de las diversas fuentes las dificultades y peligros que han tenido que
vencer y arrostrar, a causa de la inseguri
que han estado al alcance del Departamento .
La formación de la carta de las regiones dad, (especialmente para los empleados del
Gobierno) que prevalece en las zonas petrole
petrolíferas de los Estados de Tabasco, Cam
peche y Chiapas, se encuentra ya bastante ras, ha desempeñado sus trabajos con abne
adelantada y se terminará probablemente en gación, energía y entusiasmo.
el año en curso . Todos los dibujos que son Además del trabajo de inspección de las
necesarios para ilustrar los artículos técnicos obras, que con relación a pozos, oleoductos ,
o de otra naturaleza, publicados en el " Bo tanques de almacenamiento, refinerías y obras
letín del Petróleo, '' son ejecutados por la conexas, ejecutan las compañías, las agencias
Sección de Dibujo, y tanto éstos como los han tenido que atender, durante el período
planos han merecido la aprobación general de tiempo a que se refiere este informe, el
del público por su limpieza y buena presen trabajo exigido por la tramitación de los de
nuncios de fundos petroliferos que han hecho
La Sección encargada de la formación del algunas compañías y particulares, en acata
Boletin del Petróleo, " y de otros proyec miento de lo dispuesto en los decretos rela
tos, ha desempeñado activa y cuidadosamente tivos. Además, dada la rebeldía de muchas
su cometido. El Boletín del Petróleo " se compañías extranjeras, especialmente norte
ha seguido publicando sin interrupción, aun americanas, para cumplir con las disposicio
bido, de ninguna manera, a deficiencia de la tenido que intensificar su labor de inspec
Sección, sino el retardo causado por la aglo ción, procurando por medios prudentes y ati
 22 THE
tive character which fall mainly to them, but
they have also helped very efficaciously, with
their reports and suggestions, to complete
the technical and legislative works performed
by the Bureau.
Many studies, reports and suggestions pre
sented by the inspectors and the expert as
sistants of the agenies have been published
in the " Oil Bulletin, " and referring to these
works it is pertinent to mention in particular
the report furnished by Mr. Salvador Casillas
y Cruz, an Engineer, formerly in charge of
the oil ogency at Minatitlán, on account of
the tour of inspection he made to the oil
fields of Tabasco and Chiapas. The Compañía
de Fomento del Sureste de México has made
a good installation in the port of Progreso,
Yucatán, to supply with fuel the industries
and the railroads of the península.
4. Despatch of Applications.
The transaction of applications and pe
titions made to the Bureau increased con
siderably during the period alluded to in this
report, as a result of the legislative system
Theater " Degollado, " Guadalajara, Jal.
11
Teatro Degollado, Guadalajara, Jal.
we are trying to establish, and also on ac
count of the activities of the oil concerns
matters referring to transportation and stor
ing of crude oil and its by-products.
The number of communications received by
the Bureau this year was 6,000 and the notes
sent out amounted to 5,324.
An increase is likewise recorded in the
this Bureau has to favor and facilitate all
number of applications for laying of pipe
lines and construction of tanks, which were
speedily dispatched in view of the intention.
once the European war is over.
The increase of the correspondence receiv
ed, the augment of the applications for per
mits to build pipe lines and tanks, and the
transaction of statements and denouncements
of oil claims have increased enormously the
stenographic work of the Bureau, as other
works were done besides the correspondence
described.
The classification and filing of the cor
respondence is done at the Bureau according
to the decimal system, so that every paper is
in good order and may be found at any mo
ment without difficulty.
Although some of the concessions granted
under the condition that the concessionaries
would be exempted of import duties were
made void, for the remeining concessions the
qualification of the respective orders is still
made.
MEXICAN REVIEW
VIII -END.
In short, the Oil Bureau depending from
the Department of Industry, Commerce and
Labor is following a programme containing
the following fundamental points :
1st. To obtain the nationalization of the
oil beds and other hydrocarbures existing on
the soil and in the subsoil of the national ter
ritory, as this measure is considered one of
the loftiest and most patriotic revolutionary
ideals , as fortunately it has been already
established in the Constitution of the Republic,
which all Mexicans must respect ;
2d. To see to the development of the
national oil industry by giving great facilities
consistent with our laws and the guarantee
and protection due to the general interests
of the Mexican people ;
3d. To see to the preservation of the
natural resources of our soil, preventing their
waste and endeavoring to have them properly
made use of, especially as concerns to the
natural beds of oil and gases which, being
exhaustible and of impossible restitution ,
TTE
once extinguished, would deprive the coun
try of elements indispensable for its future
development and economical independence ;
and,
4th. To carry on a work of propaganda of
all the data concerning the oil industry in
order to draw to it the attention of Mexican
investors and Mexican industrial people, pro-
fessional and workmen, for they must take
an active and important part in its develop
ment so as to make of the oil industry esen
cially and genuinely Mexican.
J. VASQUEZ SCHIAFINO.
Mexico, August 9, 1919.
San Franciscans Declare
Against Intervention .
Ta
AT a regular meeting of the Argus League
of San Francisco held recently at 172
Golden Gate avenue, after hearing a most.
splendid talk on Mexico by Sue Greenleaf, a
resolution was unanimously passed declaring
" against any kind of intervention in Mexico
by the United States, being convinced by the
speaker of the evening that the Mexican
people are quite capable of settling their own
internal difficulties. " The resolution con
tinued : " We go on record, also, as indorsing
heartily the present administration of Mex
ico, and we favor using moral force and
ethical methods in trying to bring about a
better understanding in the United States of
the real conditions in Mexico. We also favor
the United States of America lending Mexico
money, provided she makes a request for
the same, to enable her to establish normal
conditions in Mexico, being confident that
under the guidance of the present head of
the Mexican government, a thoroughly de
mocratic and great human power, all disturb
ing elements will soon be united and the rule
of equity will reign. "'
Copies of these resolutions were sent to
President Wilson, President Carranza, and
to the press of the United States and of
Mexico.
Huge Machine Shops
Will Be Constructed .
N order that the Department of Agriculture
IN
may rely upon perfectly equipped shops
that admit of the execution of important
operations in the branch of agricultural ma
chinery, the installation of machine shops,
blacksmith, plumbing, pattern, foundry and
carpenter shops, in the edifice occupied by
the Agricultural Department has been under
taken.
In this manner, in the future can be made.
all kinds of repairs to agriculture machinery,
supply missing parts, and even be constructed
some agricultural machinery; more especially
it is proposed to aid the national inventors,
that they may find in those shops the means
most adequate to materialize their ideas.
Bringing Back One ' Youth .
FRENCH surgeon is said to have dis
A covered a method by which youth may
be restored to the aged, and claims to have
accomplished this in the case of a man of
eighty. But who in the name of common
sense who has gone through the eighty years
(or less as the case may be ) of hell that this
world affords to the average person, could
over want to go through with it again? If
some surgeon or other could only devise some
means of giving a youth at the outset of life
the wisdom that he acquires by the time old
age is reached, so that he might order his
conduct thereby, that would indeed be a boon
worth having. But the restoration of mere
bodily youth- never !
As to the Value of Oil Lands.
THE State of Texas has recently brought
suit to recover possession of certain oil
lands which it claims are its rightful proper
ty, those who are holding them for oil develop
ment not having a just title thereto. The
value of these lands is put at $250,000. And
their area is just exactly seven and one- half
acres ! It would be interesting to know what
would be the result if the Mexican govern
ment were to put such a valuation upon oil
lands either for taxation or any other pur
pose !
DISPATCH from Washington states that
A an average of five thousand Bolshevikis
monthly enter the United States from Mexico .
It is difficult to understand the conservative
ness of this estimate . The one responsible
therefore might just as well have put the
number at five hundred thousand. One figure
would have been just as accurate as the
other.

LA
nados, el cumplimiento de esas disposicio
nes.
A fin de hacer más eficiente la labor de
esas agencias, se las ha dotado de medios rá
pidos de transporte, con objeto de que los ins
pectores puedan violentamente transladarse a
los campos petrolíferos y atender cualquier
accidente que se produzca en campamentos y
vigilar de una manera activa, los trabajos de
las compañías petroleras.
Ultimamente y con el fin señalado, se ha
dotado de automóviles " Ford " a las agen
cias de Tampico y Tuxpan, este nuevo ele
mento de transporte, sumado a las lanchas
de que disponen las tres agencias y a las mo
tocicletas, que tienen dos de ellas, facilita
rá los trabajos que les están encomendados.
Las agencias de Petróleo no solamente se
han limitado a cumplir con la labor de ca
rácter administrativo que principalmente les
compete, sino que han ayudado eficazmente,
con sus informes e iniciativas, al trabajo téc
nico y legislativo que ha desarrollado el De
partamento.
Boletín del Petróleo " se han pu
En el
blicado muchos de los estudios, informes e
iniciativas presentados por los inspectores y
ayudantes técnicos de las agencias, y hago
especial mención al referirme a estos traba
jos, del informe rendido por el ingeniero Sal
vador Casillas y Cruz, ex-jefe de la Agen
cia de Petróleo en Minatitlán, con motivo de
su viaje de inspección a los campos petrolí
feros de Tabasco y Chiapas, y a las instala
ciones que la Compañía de Fomento del Sur
este de México, ha llevado a cabo en el puer
to de Progreso, para abastecer de combustible
a las industrias y a los ferrocarriles de la
península yucateca.
4.-Tramitación.
La tramitación de ocursos y solicitudes en
el Departamento, ha aumentado considera
blemente durante el período de tiempo a que
se refiere este informe, como consecuencia del
nuevo régimen legislativo que se trata de im
plantar, y como resultado, también, del au
mento de actividad de las compañías petrole
ras, en vista de la terminación de la guerra
europea.
El número de piezas de correspondencia que
han entrado hasta la fecha, es aproximada
mente de 6,000, y las que han salido del De
partamento, 5,324.
Se ha notado un aumento en el número de
peticiones relativas a oleoductos y tanques
de almacenamiento, peticiones que se han tra
mitado violentamente, en vista del firme pro
pósito que, como se dijo antes, tiene este De
partamento de favorecer y facilitar todo lo
que se refiere al transporte y almacenamiento
del petróleo crudo y sus derivados.
El incremento de correspondencia recibida,
el aumento de peticiones de permisos para
construir oleoductos, estaciones de almace
namiento de petróleo y la tramitación de las
manifestaciones y denuncios de fundos pe
trolíferos presentados, han aumentado consi
derablemente el trabajo de mecanografía en
el Departamento, de lo cual da idea el núme
ro de piezas de correspondencia que han sali
do, aun cuando éstas no representan todo el
trabajo de escritura verificado.
La clasificación y archivo de la correspon
dencia, se ha seguido haciendo conforme al
sistema decimal, de tal suerte, que todos los
documentos se encuentran perfectamente cla
sificados, al grado de que inmediatamente se
encuentra un expediente y los demás que con
él se relacionen.
Esta científica clasificación de documen
tos, ha facilitado mucho el trabajo de tra
mitación del Departamento y ha influído
grandemente en la eficiencia de sus traba
jos .
Aun cuando han terminado o se han decla
rado caducas la mayor parte de las concesio
nes en que se estipuló exención de los dere
chos de importación, sin embargo, aun conti
núan haciéndose, para las concesiones restan
tes, la calificación de los pedimentos respec
tivos, trabajo que ha sido desempeñado sa
tisfactoriamente por los empleados encarga
dos de él.
REVISTA MEXICANA
VII. CONCLUSION.
En resumen, el Departamento de Petróleo
dependiente de esta Secretaría de Industria,
Comercio y Trabajo, a su digno cargo, ahora,
como anteriormente, ha tratado de desarro
llar un programa de labores que contiene los
puntos fundamentales siguientes :
10.-Lograr la nacionalización de los yaci
mientos de petróleo y otros hidrocarburos,
existentes en el suelo y subsuelo del territorio.
nacional, tratando de realizar ese alto ideal
revolucionario, eminentemente previsor y pa
triótico, y el cual, afortunadamente, ya fue
consignado en la ley fundamental de la Re
pública, que todos los mexicanos tenemos el
deber de cumplir ;
20.-Procurar el desarrollo de la industria
petrolera nacional, dándole las mayores faci
lidades, compatibles con el respeto y atención
que se deben prestar a nuestras leyes y cón
la garantía y protección que merecen los inte
reses generales del pueblo mexicano ;
30.-Procurar la conservación de los recur
sos naturales de nuestro suelo, evitando su
desperdicio y procurando su mejor utilización,
Birds-eye View of Cholula, Puebla.
Vista Panorámica de Cholula, Puebla.
especialmente tratándose de los depósitos na
turales del petróleo y gases que, siendo ago
tables y de imposible restitución, al extinguir
se, privarían al país de elementos indispensa
bles para su desarrollo e independencia eco
nómica futuros , y
40.-Hacer una labor de vulgarización y di
fusión de todos los datos que con la industria
petrolera se relacionen, a fin de interesar en
ella al capital nacional y llamar la atención
de los industriales, profesionistas y obreros
mexicanos, con objeto de que tomen parte ac
tiva e importante en su desarrollo y llegue a
ser pronto una industria esencial y genuina
mente mexicana.
México, agosto 9 de 1919.
Respetuosamente :
El Jefe del Departamento ,
J. VASQUEZ SCHIAFFINO.
Uno de los miembros del Senado va a so
meter a la consideración de esa Alta Cámara,
un proyecto para la creación de una deuda
agraria por valor de cien millones de pesos.
La deuda se reconocerá en forma de certifica
dos pagaderos al portador en títulos de cien
a quinientos pesos. Dichos certificados ga
narán cierto interés, y el capital será dedi
cado a fomentar el desarrollo de la agricul
tura.
23
En San Francisco se Declaran
Contra la Intervención .
N una junta ordinaria celebrada hace po
ENco tiempo en el número 172 de la Ave
nida Golden Gate, por la Liga Argus, de San
Francisco, y después de escuchar una esplén
dida alocución relativa a México, que fue
pronunciada por Sue Greenleaft, se aprobó
unánimemente una resolución por la cual di
cha Liga se declara " contra cualquiera clase
de intervención de los Estados Unidos en Mé
xico, pues se convenció, por los argumentos
alegados por el orador que habló en la noche,
de que el pueblo mexicano es absolutamente
capaz de arreglar por sí solo sus conflictos in
teriores. " La resolución sigue diciendo :
" Apoyamos también cordialmente a la ac
tual Administración de México y favorece
mos el empleo de fuerzas morales y métodos
éticos para tratar de producir en los Esta
dos Unidos una buena comprensión de las
verdaderas condiciones de México. También
somos partidarios de que los Estados Unidos
presten dinero a México, siempre que este
país lo pida, a fin de capacitarlo para que
restablezca las condiciones normales, confian
do en que bajo la dirección del Jefe del Go
bierno Mexicano, personaje completamente
democrático , pronto se unirán todos los ele
mentos perturbadores y reinará en el país la
ley de la equidad.
Se enviaron copias de esta resolución al
Presidente Wilson, al Presidente Carranza
y a la Prensa de los Estados Unidos y Mé
xico.
O que se ha informado acerca de los
L restos fosilizados de un ser humano de
gigantesca estatura, que han sido descubier
tos recientemente en Nanacamilpa , remoto cen
tro indígena del Estado de Veracruz. Los
restos forman un conjunto que tiene más de
treinta piés de estatura, siendo mirado por
algunos indígenas como un dios. Varios ex
pertos harán una investigación sobre el par
ticular, para determinar la verdadera natu
raleza de dichos restos.
 24 THE
A NOTABLE TRANSLATOR
Whose Work With Mexican
Poetry Is Well Known to Read
ers of THE REVIEW.
ISS Alice Stone Blackwell, whose trans
M lations of Mexican poetry have ap
ap
peared in our columns, comes of a family
distinguished in the United States for their
good deeds. Her parents, Henry B. Black
well and Lucy Stone, were both of them ac
tive workers for the abolition of Negro sla
very, and in behalf of equal rights for
women.
Alice was born in Orange, New Jersey,
September 14, 1857. About 1869 she removed.
with her parents to Boston, Massachusetts.
She was educated at a large private school
attended by several hundred boys and about
twenty girls. Here she took the highest
prize for English composition, and a special
prize for knowledge of Shakespeare. She
entered the College of Liberal Arts of Boston
University in a class consisting of twenty
six young men and two girls. At the end
of the first year she was elected president
of the class.
Later she was chosen president of the col
lege literary and debating society. She was
graduated with honors in 1881 .
She assisted her parents for many years
in the work of the Woman Suffrage As
sociation, and in the editing of their paper,
the Woman's Journal, and continued to car
ry on both lines of work after their death .
She has held various offices in the Suffrage
Association, the Woman's Christian Temper
ance Union, the Friends of Armenia , and the
Friends of Russian Freedom. She is now
President of the Massachusets Woman Suf
frage Association and one of the editors of
the Woman Citizen of New York City. She
is also a member of the New England Wo
man's Press Association, and a contributor
to various magazines and papers.
Miss Blackwell has always loved poetry,
and in her girlhood wrote many verses. She
says that their merit was slight, and that
she has never thought of collecting them.
In later life, her time has been largely taken
up with controversial writing on the woman
question ; but for many years her favorite
amusement in her spare moments has been
rendering foreign poetry into English verse.
She says, " I do it for recreation, as other
people play cards or make embroidery. ' ""
Brought up in a home that was full of the
spirit of the Crusaders, it was natural that Miss.
Blackwell, in her poetical work, should try
to serve as an interpreter for nations that
are oppressed and persecuted, or for those
that are little known in the United States,
and are consequently misunderstood. She
thought that it might be a helpful contri
bution to the cause of human brotherhood to
make their beautiful poetry better known
to her countrymen. In 1896 she brought out
a volume of "Armenian Poems " which has
gone through three editions, and in 1908
" Songs of Russia. " Later appeared " Songs
of Grief and Gladness," made up of English
renderings from the Yiddish and Hebrew;
also a study of the Hungarian poet Petoffi.
About eleven years ago Miss Blackwell made
the acquaintance of Señorita Juana Palacios,
who had been sent to the United States by
the Mexican Government to investigate cer
tain educational subjects, and who was tak
ing a postgraduate course at Boston Univer
MEXICAN REVIEW
sity. Miss Blackwell, who at that time knew
no Spanish, asked Señorita Palacios to make
her acquainted with some of the poetry of
Mexico. Señorita Palacios translated a num
ber of Mexican poems into English prose, and
Miss Blackwell rendered the English prose
into English verse. This was the method she
had pursued with the Armenian, Russian,
and Yiddish poets. She was delighted with
the Mexican poetry, and so were other Amer
icans who now made its acquaintance for the
first time. Mr. Ainsworth R. Spofford, who
was for forty years Librarian of the United
States Congress, and was considered an ex
cellent judge of literature, was especially im
pressed by Gutiérrez Nájera's " Ondas Muer
tas."
After Señorita Palacios returned to Mex
ico, Miss Blackwell received some help from
other Spanish-speaking friends ; but, by dint
of persistently digging out the meaning of
Spanish poems with a dictionary, she finally
Miss Alice Stone Blackwell.
learned to read the language, and she now
makes her translations direct from the origi
nal.
She has put into English verse about 90
Mexican poems, by 24 different authors, be
sides many poems of Rubén Darío, José San
tos Chocano, and other Spanish American
writers. Justo Sierra , Minister of Education
under President Diaz, was preparing to pub
lish her Mexican translations in a volume,
with the Spanish and English on opposite
pages, when the fall of the Diaz government
put an end to the project.
Mrs. Bertha S. Papazian, in the Woman
Citizen of May 18, 1918, spoke of " the grace
ful and exquisite world opened by Miss Black
well's translations from the poets of Mexico,
Nicaragua, Chile, Argentina, and Peru- a
world so romantic, so languorous, so tropical,
and yet, oddly, so American. "' Mrs. Papaz
ian said she had been interested to learn that
the main reason for making these translations
had been " the desirability of bringing our
Southern neighbors to public attention not as
markets but as souls.''
Miss Blackwell has always been indignant.
with the efforts to stir up ill feeling against
Mexico in the United States. Naturally, she
has been much interested in the Mexican
Review, and has been glad to write for it..
Among the many compliments that her
English versions of Mexican poems have re
ceived, she says that none ever gave her so
much pleasure as a comment made by the
editor of the Stratford Journal of Boston,
Massachusetts. In the autumn of 1916 he
published an article on Luis G. Urbina, and
said editorially in the same issue :
" The other night I was present at a ga
thering in which the inevitable Mexican
question popped up. The people discussed
Hearst, the American troops at El Paso , etc.
One of the company remarked that the Mex
icans are a savage race or reptiles who have
no fine thoughts and feelings. A friend of
mine had just happened to read some ex
quisite poetry by Urbina. He began to tell
us about it ; and by the time he got through,
we knew of a different Mexico -a country of
men who loved, who aspired to better things,
who saw beauty in all things, and the spirit
of God even in the hearts of their enemies .
That man had taken the blindness away from
our eyes. He knew and loved and read about
people other than those who lived in the
buildings surrounding his own back yard. "
" Let Mexico Alone !"
Says Dr. Henry Allen Tupper.
MR . Henry Allen Tupper, who is well known
in this country for the part he took in
telling the truth about the Constitutionalist
revolution in its early days, and who has at
all times shown himself an ardent friend of
Mexico, had this to say recently to the church
over which he presides in the city of Wash
ington:
" There are three methods by which to deal
with Mexico .
" First, ignore Mexico entirely ! Let the
agencies there bear the result of their work
independently of any influence from outside.
" Invasion and intervention on the part of
United States by force of arms and other
drastic measures and the punishment of the
Mexicans who have caused us to sustain losses
of lives and property, by conquering and
occupying the territory, is the second measure.
" The third measure, is to recognize their
nationality and independence and sovereignty
and to continue our patient dealings with them
and, by tactful leadership, commerical reci
procity, and by intelligent appreciation of
their character and position, and by Christian
education, in its broadest sense, we should
attempt to brighten and bless the land of
wonderful dormant possibilities. ""
" Much depends on the attitude and recep
tivity of Mexicans, as all true Americans wish
to help, not to hurt them. "'
Service of Motor Trucks Between
Ciudad Victoria and Tula .
HE Governor of Tamaulipas inaugurat
THE
ed on the first day of December, motor
truck service between Victoria and Tula, as
the highway joining them has just been com
pleted.
This new line of communication is most
important, for the region about Tula pro
duces in a large scale articles for export.
A further prolongation of the Victoria
Tula highway is projected as far as the
Cerritos of the State of San Luis Potosi, in
order to give an outlet to various products
of the same region.
 LA
UNA NOTABLE TRADUCTORA
Cuyos Trabajos de Traducción de
la Poesía Mexicana Son Bien Co
nocidos por los Lectores de Esta
Revista.
A señorita Alicia Stone Blackwell, cuyas
traducciones de poesías mexicanas han
aparecido con frecuencia en las columnas de
La Revista Mexicana, desciende de una fami
lia de los Estados Unidos, que es distingui
da por sus buenas acciones. Sus padres, Hen
ry B. Blackwell y Lucy Stone, trabajaron ac
tivamente por la abolición de la esclavitud de
los negros y en apoyo de la concesión de de
rechos a las mujeres, en igualdad con los hom
bres.
Alicia nació en Orange, Nueva Jersey, el
catorce de septiembre de mil ochocientos cin
cuenta y siete. Hacia el año de 1869 , se
transladó con sus padres a Boston, Massachu
setts. Se educó allí en un gran colegio par
ticular, al que concurrían varios centenares
de niños y cerca de veinte niñas. Ganó allí
el primer premio en Composición inglesa, y
un premio especial por su conocimiento de
las obras de Shakespeare. Ingresó posterior
mente en el Colegio de Artes Liberales de la
Universidad de Boston, en una clase compues
ta de veintiséis jóvenes y de dos señoritas.
Al terminar el primer año, Alicia fue nom
brada " Presidente " de la clase. Más tarde,
fue electa para el mismo grado en el colegio
literario y en la sociedad de debates. En 1881
se graduó, con honores.
Ayudó a sus padres durante muchos años,
en el trabajo de la Asociación para el Sufra
gio de la Mujer y en la publicación de su
periódico, " El Diario de la Mujer, " habien
do continuado ambos trabajos después de la
muerte de sus progenitores. Ha desempeña
do varios puestos en la Asociación Sufragista,
en la Unión de Temperancia de las Mujeres ,
en la sociedad " Los Amigos de Armenia " y
en la de Amigos de la Libertad de Rusia. "
En la actualidad, es Presidenta de la Asocia
ción del Sufragio de la Mujer, de Massachu
setts," y se cuenta entre los editores de " La
Mujer Ciudadano " de la Ciudad de Nueva
York. Es miembro de la Asociación de Pren
sa de las Mujeres de Nueva Inglaterra, y
colaboradora de varios magazines y periódi
COS.
Miss Blackwell ha amado siempre la poesía
y escribió en su juventud muchos versos. Di
ce que el mérito de éstos es corto y que ja
más ha pensado en coleccionarlos. Posterior
mente, las controversias sobre el problema
femenino han absorbido casi todo su tiempo ;
pero durante muchos años ha sido su entre
tenimiento favorito, en sus momentos ociosos,
el verter poesías extranjeras en verso inglés.
Dice a este respecto : " Hago ésto por re
creación, como otras gentes juegan a las car
tas o bordan."
Habiendo nacido en un hogar saturado del
espíritu de los cruzados, era natural que la
señorita Blackwell, en sus trabajos poéti
cos, hubiera tratado de servir de intérprete
a las naciones oprimidas y perseguidas, o de
las que son poco conocidas, y, por consecuen
cia, mal comprendidas en los Estados Unidos.
Pensó que constituiría una poderosa contri
bución a la causa de la fraternidad humana,
el hacer que fuese mejor conocida por sus
compatriotas la bella poesía de aquellos pue
blos. En 1896, publicó un volumen de los
" Poemas Armenios, " que ha tenido tres edi
REVISTA MEXICANA
ciones ; y en 1908, los " Cantos de Rusia."
Más tarde, aparecieron los " Cantos de Dolor
y Alegría, " traducidos al inglés de los judíos
y hebreos ; también publicó un estudio sobre
el poeta húngaro Petoffi.
Hace once años, aproximadamente, trabó
conocimiento la señorita Blackwell con la se
ñorita Juana Palacios, quien había sido en
viada a los Estados Unidos por el Gobierno
mexicano, para estudiar ciertos métodos edu
cativos, y que estaba siguiendo un curso adi
cional en la Universidad de Boston. La se
ñorita Blackwell, que no conocía el castella
no en aquella época, pidió a la señorita Pa
lacios que le diera a conocer algo de la poe
sía de México . La señorita Palacios tradujo
cierto número de poemas mexicanos en prosa
inglesa, y la señorita Blackwell vertió la pro
sa en verso inglés. Este fue el método que
siguió con los poetas armenios, rusos y ju
díos.
Se encantó con la poesía mexicana, como
sucedió a otros americanos que la conocieron
entonces por vez primera. Mr. Ainsworth R.
Bank of London and Mexico Building.
u
D vimos como a un país de hombres que ama
Edificio del Banco de Londres y México.
Spofford,, quien fue durante cuarenta años
bibliotecario del Congreso de los Estados Uni
dos y que era considerado como un excelente
juez en literatura, fue impresionado honda y
especialmente por el poema de Gutiérrez Ná
jera intitulado " Ondas Muertas. "
Después de que la señorita Palacios hubo
regresado a México, Miss Blackwell fue ayu
dada por otros de sus amigos que hablaban
castellano ; mas a fuerza de buscar el signifi
cado de los poemas españoles, con la ayuda de
un diccionario, acabó por aprender este idio
ma, finalmente. En la actualidad, hace sus
traducciones directamente del original.
Ha vertido en verso inglés, alrededor de
noventa poemas mexicanos, de veinticuatro
autores diferentes, además de muchos otros
de Rubén Darío, José Santos Chocano y otros
poetas de habla española. Justo Sierra, quien
fue Ministro de Instrucción Pública en el ré
gimen de Díaz, se estaba preparando para
publicar las traducciones de poesías mexica
nas, hechas por Miss Blackwell, en un libro
que llevara los originales castellanos y las
traducciones inglesas en páginas opuestas,
cuando puso fin a sus designios la caída del
Gobierno de Porfirio Díaz.
25
La señora Berta S. Papazian, habla en el
número correspondiente al 18 de mayo de
1918, de la Mujer Ciudadano, del agraciado
y exquisito mundo abierto por las traduccio
nes hechas por la señorita Blackwell de los
poetas de México , Nicaragua, Chile, Argenti
na y Perú-un mundo tan romántico, tan lán
guido, tan tropical, y, singularmente, tan ame
ricano. " La señora Papazian ha dicho que
se ha interesado mucho al saber que la prin
cipal razón que hubo para hacer esas traduc
ciones, fue el deseo de exponer a nuestros
vecinos del sur, a la atención pública, no co
mo mercados, sino como almas."
La señorita Blackwell se ha indignado siem
pre contra los esfuerzos que tienden a promo
ver sentimientos adversos a México en los
Estados Unidos. Naturalmente que le ha in
teresado mucho La Revista Mexicana y que
se ha regocijado en escribir para ella.
Entre los muchos elogios que han recibido
las versiones inglesas que ha hecho de poe
mas mexicanos, dice que ninguno le agradó
tanto como el comentario que hizo el Director
del " Stratford Journal " de Boston, Masachu
ssets . En el otoño de 1916, publicó un ar
tículo de Luis G. Urbina y se expresó así en
las columnas editoriales de la misma edi
ción :
" La otra noche me encontraba en una ter
tulia en la que se ofreció hablar de la inevi
table cuestión mexicana. Los concurrentes
discutían sobre Hearst, sobre las tropas ame
ricanas que hay en El Paso, etc. Uno de los
presentes observó que los mexicanos forman
una raza de víboras, que no abriga buenos
pensamientos y sentimientos. Uno de mis
amigos acaba de leer precisamente algunas
exquisitas poesías de Urbina, y comenzó a ha
blarnos de ellas ; y mientras proseguía hablan
do, comprendimos a un México diferente, lo
ban y aspiraban a cosas mejores, que veían
la belleza en todas las cosas y que miraban el
espíritu de Dios aun en el corazón de sus ene
migos. Ese hombre había quitado la venda
de nuestros ojos. Conocía, leía y amaba a un
pueblo distinto del que vive en los edificios
que rodean su traspatio. "
Serán Reparados los Muelles
De Todos los Puertos.
DIENE en estudio la Secretaría de Comu
nicaciones y Obras Públicas la reposición
de la mayoría de los muelles y demás embar
caderos de los diversos puertos de la Repú
blica, algunos de los cuales, como el de Sa
lina Cruz y varios de la Baja California, ado
lecen de ciertos defectos. Para llevar a ca
bo tan interesante medida, será propuesta una
cantidad que no baje de cuatrocientos mil pe
sos. El puerto de Salina Cruz será el primero
entre los que quedarán listos.
Uno de los ingenieros dependientes de esa
Secretaría, emprenderá en breve un viaje de
inspección a los puertos de la República, con
objeto de informar acerca del estado de los
muelles.
Una compañía compuesta de capitalistas del
Estado de Jalisco, se dedica a la exploración
de depósitos petroleros que se cree existen en
algunas de las islas del Lago de Chapala. Se
dice que los indicios encontrados, demuestran
la presencia de extensos depósitos de petróleo,
haciéndose por esto, la exploración en grande
escala. Se cree que son también petroliferas
las tierras que forman la orilla del lago .
 26 THE
Opportunities Offered
From an Interview Wilh Consul- General De Negri in the
New York Press -Favorable Conditions Here
ONSUL- GENERAL R. P. De Negri, the
representative of the Mexican Govern
C partake of the welfare to which we are all
ment in New York City, recently gave
an interview to the press from which the fol
lowing is taken. Incidentally it may be re
marked that Señor De Negri is one of the
best foreign agents of this country and in
the various positions held by him has done
much to establish friendly relations between
the two countries. He said in part:
" Mexico, as never before, is now under
exceptionally encouraging conditions for
small capital to employ its force there, pro
ducing results that could be obtained in no
other country on earth. There is the special
circumstance that in Mexico, in spite of nine
Legislative Palace, State of Querétaro.
522
Palacio Legislativo de Querétaro.
years of strife to conquer social reforms of
the most transcendental importance, no heavy
taxes weigh upon our people, as is the case
almost everywhere. Taxes in Mexico are re
latively low; and if they are high to a certain
extent and in some instances it is accidentally
while our economic crisis is in solution. A
proof of the vitality of the country is that
Mexico is the only nation, without procedent
in the history of the world, having a metallic,
monetary basis. There is no paper money in
Mexico. All transactions and payments are
made in gold and silver, and we are very near
to equalizing our budget. Banking laws have
not yet been reformed, because we want to
legislate in such a way that all mistakes com
mitted by former governments may disappear,
establishing just and even laws.
" The revolution initiated in Mexico in
1910, is unique in its kind, as it has had a
social and reforming character. With great
sacrifices we have gained our sacred rights
and are near a final triumph, and no one can
doubt that under these circumstances foreign
MEXICAN REVIEW
by Mexico
ers will go to my country in large groups to
entitled. Mexico receives with open arms all
honest foreigners who respect our laws and
go there to take advantage of our immense
natural riches, which have caused such ter
rible ambitions.
" Our reforming movement is not alone.
All the people of the globe actually strive
to the same end, and everywhere is noted a
desire to conquer rights that the masses have
never had, to establish a permanent social
and economic equilibrium.
" President Carranza, notwithstanidng the
bitter attacks directed against him, is a great
reformer ; a men serene and capable to carry
his people to a definitive victory. It is
natural that men of his size, as all leaders
that sustain high ideals, should meet with
the formidable attacks of the retrogressive
element.
" There is at this epoch in Mexico the most
ample liberty of press and speech, and the
Government is constantly criticised by the
element above said and by those who despair
of rapid reforms without taking the pains
to aid in bringing them about.
" You ask me if I believe in intervention
in Mexico. I do not admit by any means, the
right of intervention of any country in the
affairs of any other nation. It is a transgres
sion that admits of no explanation-to carry
armed forces into to a foreign country or mix
in any way in its affairs for the sake of
pretending to protect private interests.
" It is logical that in Mexico the great
foreign capitalists should have suffered some
during our social revolution. Everybody has
suffered . Those capitalists have amassed
huge fortunes, especially in our enormous oil
deposits, mines, agricultural lands, cattle, etc. ,
which they have acquired for ridiculous prices,
obtaining results exceedingly greater than
those gotten in other countries through the
same investments ; adding to it, they have
enjoyed concessions contrary to the order and
form prescribed by the laws, granted them by
former governments who did not think of
the future of Mexico , and probably for the
latter's personal benefit. The damages that
those capitalists have sustained during our
troubles are insignificant.
" I strongly believe, and say with sincerity,
that it would be a sign of intelligence on the
part of those great interests, now facing a
world-wide reform movement, to sacrifice
seventy-five per cent of their ambitions, and
keep the twenty-five remaining, to avoid
greater misfortunes. The peoples of the earth
have arrived at such a state of consciousness
that there is no human power to stop them
in their progress, as their tendencies are to
attain a balance whose results would be the
common welfare.
" We do not discourage big capital. It may
go to Mexico to develop our industries and
natural resources, with the only condition
that they have an absolute respect for our
laws. That is all we ask.
" I do not think that the American people
participate in the interventionists ' idea,
which only radicates in certain elements per
fectly well known, and naturally the efforts
to gain American public opinion have been
initiated throughout the United States in an
immeasurable manner ; but I am confident
that justice, so longed for by us and the
good American people, will triumph at last,
until we make out of the two nations a real
brotherhood.
" We ask for nothing. We only desire a
good understanding and a mutual respect, as
it is the sole way to reach a ocmplete state of
peace among the races of the whole world.
" For example, the declarations of Dr. Bar
rows of San Francisco, California, saying that
'intervention in Mexico is inevitable ; " that
"
we need a " strong hand, " gring at once be
fore the public sight the most profound ig
norance and the most absolute lack of prin
ciples. Dr. Barrows undoubtedly does not
understand our problems ; and if he does un
derstand them, he has acted with the utmost
bad faith, trying to influence American public
opinion, in which I trust he will not succeed.
He has placed himself on the level of the
regular demagogue. A person who, like Dr.
Barrows, is in charge of the education of
youth in a University, is dangerous, as he
guides their opinions in an erroneous man
" You ask my opinion about the statements
made in this city by Mr. George A. Chamber
lain, lately Consul General of the United
States in my country; and I must answer you
solely that it is incredible that there can be
so crude a morality as that of representing
diplomatically a country in another with
which relations of friendship are maintained,
only to return to one's native land to libel
and attack the First Magistrate of a nation
that honored that one with admittance to
the ruler's country, and where the former has
been shown all hospitality, courtesy and at
tentions. That is all I have to say, because
Mr. Chamberlain, before the opinion of the
wise American people, has answered himself.
All those who act in a similar manner deserve
the same considerations."
 LA
Oportunidades que
Tomado de una Entrevista Concedida a la Prensa de Nueva York por el
Cónsul General De Negri - Condiciones Favorables de la República
L Cónsul General de México en Nueva
E York, señor Ramón P. De Negri, conce
dió una entrevista a la prensa de esa
ciudad, de la cual tomamos los siguientes
párrafos. De advertirse es, de paso, que el
Sr. Denegri es uno de los mejores Agentes
Consulares de México. En los distintos pues
tos que ha desempeñado, ha laborado eficaz
mente por establecer relaciones amistosas en
tre México y los Estados Unidos. Dicho Cón
sul declaró lo siguiente, en parte :
" Actualmente se encuentra México en con
diciones excepcionalmente alentadoras para
que el pequeño capital sea empleado y pro
duzca utilidades que no podrían ser obtenidas
en otros países del mundo. Existe en México
una circunstancia especial y que consiste en
que, a pesar de nueve años de lucha intensa
para conquistar reformas sociales de la mayor
trascendencia, no gravitan sobre el pueblo im
puestos gravosos, como es el caso en la ma
yoría de los países extranjeros.
Las contribuciones son en México relati
vamente bajas. Y si son elevadas en cierto
grado y en algunos casos, esto es accidental
mente y sólo mientras no sea resuelta nuestra
crisis económica. Una prueba de la vitalidad
de nuestro país, consiste en que México es la
única nación que ofrece un ejemplo sin pre
cedente en la Historia ; el de contar con una
base monetaria metálica. En México, en efec
to, no existe el papel moneda. Todos los pa
gos y transacciones se hacen en oro y plata.
Además, estamos próximos a nivelar nuestros
presupuestos. No se han reformado aún las
leyes bancarias, pues necesitamos legislar a es
te respecto de tal modo, que desaparezcan
los errores cometidos por los Gobiernos ante
riores, y que se establezcan leyes justas y
equitativas.
" La Revolución iniciada en México en 1910,
es única en su género, pues ha tenido un ca
rácter social y reformador. Merced a gran
des sacrificios, hemos conquistado nuestros
sagrados derechos y estamos próximos a la
victoria final , sin que pueda dudar ninguno
de que bajo estas circunstancias, puedan ir
los extranjeros a mi Patria, en grandes gru
pos, para compartir con nosotros el bienestar
a que estamos llamados. México recibe con
los brazso abiertos a todos los extranjeros
honrados que respeten nuestras leyes y que
lleguen al país para sacar provecho de nues
tras inmensas riquezas naturales, las que han
provocado tan terribles ambiciones en el ex
terior.
" Nuestro movimiento reformista no es ais
lado. Todos los pueblos del mundo luchan en
la actualidad con el mismo fin, observándose
en todas partes un vivo deseo de conquistar
los derechos de que jamás han gozado las ma
sas populares y para establecer un equilibrio
permanente, social y económico.
" El Presidente Carranza es un gran refor
mador, a pesar de que digan lo contrario los
acres ataques que se le dirigen; es un hom
bre sereno y capaz de conducir a su pueblo
al triunfo final. Es natural que un hombre
de este carácter, como sucede con todos los
que defienden ideales elevados, sufra muchos
ataques de parte de los elementos retrógra
dos .
" Existe en México actualmente, la más
REVISTA MEXICANA
Ofrece México
amplia libertad de imprenta y de libre emi
sión de las ideas, siendo el Gobierno constan
temente atacado por el elemento ya indica
do, y también por los que se desesperan de
las reformas radicales, sin tomarse la pena de
colaborar para que sean realizadas esas refor
mas.
" Me preguntan ustedes si creo en la inter
vención norteamericana en México. No admi
to, por ningún motivo, el derecho de un pue
blo a intervenir en los asuntos de otra na
ción. Constituye una transgresión a las leyes,
que no puede ser explicada, el enviar tropas
extranjeras a un país, o intervenir en cual
quiera forma en él para proteger los intereses
particulares.
" Es lógico que los grandes capitalistas ex
tranjeros residentes en México, hayan debi
do sufrir algo durante nuestra revolución so
cial. Todos han sufrido. Dichos capitalistas
han reunido grandes fortunas, especialmente
National Academy, the " West Point" of Mexico.
Academia de Estado Mayor, México, D. F.
en nuestros enormes depósitos de petróleo, en
las minas, tierras laborables y para la cría
de ganado, etc., que han adquirido a precios
ridículos, obteniendo utilidades excesivamen
te más grandes que las obtenidas en otros paí
ses y en los mismos ramos ; debe añadirse o
esto, que han disfrutado de concesiones con
trarias al orden y a la forma prescrita por
las leyes, y que les fueron otorgadas por Go
biernos anteriores que no pensaron en el fu
turo de México, y probablemente, para su be
neficio particular. Los daños que han sufri
do esos capitalistas durante nuestras pertur
baciones, son inisignificantes.
" Creo firmemente, y lo declaro sinceramen
te, que demostrarían inteligencia esos gran
des intereses, que se encuentran ahora ante
un movimiento de reforma mundial, al sa
crificar el setenta y cinco por ciento de sus
ambiciones y conservar el veinticinco por
ciento restante, a fin de evitar grandes des
gracias. Los pueblos de la Tierra, han lle
gado a tal grado de comprensión, que no exis
te poder humano que detenga su progreso,
pues su tendencia consiste en llegar a un equi
27
librio cuyo resultado sea el bienestar co
mún.
" No desalentamos a los grandes capitales.
Pueden ir a México para desarrollar nuestras
industrias y explotar nuestros recursos natu
rales, con la sola condición de que concedan
un respeto absoluto a nuestras leyes. Esto es
todo lo que pedimos.
" No creo que el pueblo norteamericano to
me parte en el proyecto de los intervencio
nistas, que radica solamente en ciertos ele
Natural
mentos perfectamente conocidos.
mente que estos elementos han hecho esfuer
zos poderosos en todo el país, para conquis
tar la opinión pública; pero confío en que la
Justicia, tan anhelada por nosotros y por el
buen pueblo norteamericano , triunfará al fin,
cuando hayamos establecido una verdadera
fraternidad entre las dos naciones.
" No pedimos nada. Sólo deseamos que ha
ya una buena inteligencia y un respeto mu
tuo ; pues es este el único medio de llegar a
un perfecto estado de armonía entre las razas
del mundo entero.
" Por ejemplo : las declaraciones del doctor
Barrows, de San Francisco, California, indi
cando que " es inevitable la intervención en
uts
México ; " que necesitamos una " mano de
hierro, " revela inmediatamente a la opinión
pública, la más profunda ignorancia y la más
absoluta falta de principios morales en la
mente del declarante. Sin duda que el doc
tor Barrows no comprende, ha obrado con la
mayor mala fe, tratando de influenciar a la
opinión pública norteamericana, la cual, se
gún espero, no conquistará él. Se ha coloca
do, por este solo hecho, a la altura de los de
magogos. Una persona que, como el doctor
Barrows tiene a su cargo la educación de la
juventud universitaria, es peligrosa, pues guía
la opinión de los jóvenes de un modo erró
neo.
" Me piden ustedes mi opinión sobre las de
claraciones hechas en esta ciudad, por Mr.
George A. Chamberlain, ex-cónsul general de
los Estados Unidos en mi país, y debo con
testar, únicamente, que apenas es creíble que
sean capaces de representar diplomáticamen
te a un país en otro, con el cual se mantienen
relaciones amistosas, con el exclusivo fin de
(Continúa en la Página 41.)
 28 THE
Mexican Byways
Scenes and Experiences Away Fromthe
Usual Paths of Travelers and Writers
By Geo. F. Weeks.
CHAPTER IX.
Across the Sierra Again.
EACHED Culiacán at midnight, just as
the rain began to pour down-a very un
I Hours were passed also in looking at the
usual occurrence at this season, (Califor
nians who have had to explain " unusual
weather" will appreciate this. ) Acting on the
advice of friends who were supposed to know
the country, I had not provided myself with
waterproof clothing when I left Torreon, so
found myself in a dilema . I had no fuerther
business in the place and was anxious to be
on the road, so I hunted the stores of the city
high and low in search of a slicker or some
form of rubber garment, but could find
nothing except a fancy poncho of French
make for which a high price was asked . I
declined to invest and concluded that a Du
rango blanket wrapped around me after the
native fashion would answer the purpose of
Facade of the National Boarding-School.
Fachada del Internado Nacional.
keeping out the moisture-a conclusion which
the event justified .
All next day and night the rain poured,
and all day I paced the cheerless tile-paved
room of the inn. In this " tropical " climate,
as was once the case in California, no
provision is made for so wasteful and un
necessary a thing as a fire for mere heating
purposes, consequently, though I wore an
overcoat and kept a blanket wrapped around
me, I passed a throughly cheerless and un
comfortable day. All I could do was to stare
at the infrequent passers-by, among whom I
noted the sorrowful spectacle of a mother
carrying the corps of her little baby in a pink
coffin to its grave, accompanied by but one
female friend. The burial laws of the coun
try are very insistent and are rigidly en
forced- a body must be interred within 24
hours after death, and there can be no delay
from bad weather or any other cause what
soever. So this poor drenched mother, tears
MEXICAN REVIEW
and
Highways
dripping down her cheeks, plodded through
the rain and mud on her way to the Campo
Santo, carrying the tiny pitiful little coffin
in her own arms!
numbers of the houses across the way. In
consecutive order these numbers ran : 17, 47,
33 and 51 , and though I puzzled over it a good
deal and asked questions of many, no soultion
other than the universal " Quien sabe ? " was
vouchsafed, and I left Culiacan with the
mystery unsolved. Had I been a " policy "
gambler I might have taken these numbers
as a " hunch " and made a winning! But was
not!
One experience I had however which is a
fair illustration of the stupidity of the aver
age mozo. Before going to Culiacan I had
been told that oysters of an exceptionally
good quality could be obtained there and
that I would do well to feast myself on them.
The first day in town I visited a native res
taurant and called for some fried oysters.
They were served, but they were not cooked
after the usual American style, though suf
ficient of the natural flavor was not disguis
ed by native condiments to disclose the fact
that they had originally been of very fine
quality. On inquiry I learned that fresh
oysters were brought from Altata, the port
for Culiacan, some 40 miles distant, thrice
a week by train. I was advised that Sunday
morning was the best time to find them in the
market and that one should be on hand very
early, say about 5 o'clock. This was a trifle
too early for me, but bent on having a good
treat of the delicacy, even if I had to cook
them myself, I gave Hilario, the mozo, ex
plicit instructions. I told him that I suppos
ed fresh oysters would cost perhaps two
reales (25 cents) per dozen-I had paid 50
cents for a plate of ten fried ones. In any
event, I told him I wanted two or three dozen,
but in no case was he to expend more than
six reales (75 cents. ) He was to have the
dealer open the shells and remove the oysters ,
as I had no shell opening apparatus at the
inn. I repeated my instructions until Hilario.
had them letter perfect. Then with an
tipations of a treat for breakfast, I went to
bed.
When I arose the first question asked was:
" Well, Hilario, did you get the oysters ? "
" Si, Señor. " " How many did you buy ?"
" Quien sabe, Señor . " " Where are they? ''
" In my morral. " ( morral is a small bag of
fiber that is universally used by the natives
in place of a basket. )
I felt a slight misgiving when he said he
had the oysters in his morral, as that seemed
scarcely an appropriate receptacle for them,
and I had told the mozo to take a pan or a
plate in which to carry his purchase. I told
him to produce the oysters, and he did so.
He drew a bulky newspaper parcel out of the
morral and proceeded to emty it into a four
quart tin pan that was part of my camping
outfit. The oysters filled the pan and were
heaped up so that not another one could be
put on the pyramid. There were at least 200
of them, and they were altogether the worst
looking and vilest smelling collection of un
appetizing objects that ever masqueraded as
anything eatable. It seems that at Altata
they have a delectable practice of opening
the oysters, patrially drying them in the sun,
after first rolling them in salt, and, a flabby,
discolored, evil smelling mess, they are
shipped to Culiacan and strangely enough
find ready sale. Many oysters are also ship
ped in the shell and arrive in the best con
dition, but no person in his right mind could
ever be persuaded to eat a half dried oyster.
After a lot of them had been washed, rolled
in cracker dust and fried in lard, I managed
to eat just one, but it was an ill tasting dose.
And so ended my oyster experiment in Culia
can.
About 9 o'clock the rain having ceased and
the clouds lightening a little, I told Hilario
to pack up, saddle the mules, and we would
take the road. But he apparently had other
plans. It was Sunday and it seemed he had
found 'some friends from the mountains and
I suspect intended to " make a day of it"
with them. For as soon as I told him to get
ready to march he began to raise objections.
It was too late to start that day : it was going
to rain more, the roads were too muddy, one
of the mules was very weary, '' another had
a sore back, and so on. When he had com
pleted his list of objections I looked at my
watch and merely told him that we would
start in one hour. Sulkily enough he then
proceeded to make the necessary arrange
ments. To be sure he took two hours to get
ready, whereas half an hour would have been
amply sufficient, but ready he finally was
and we rode off down the street toward the.
open plains, our objective point being San
Ignacio, two or three days ' journey to the
south. But we soon had to change the route.
Hilario was quite right when he said the roads.
were very muddy. They were indeed. But
we were fortunate in starting when we did,
as it rained for a straight week after we left.
Culiacan, and had we waited another day it
would doubtless have been ten days before
we could have navigated the slough of de
spond into which the unusual downpour con
verted the entire plains region.
 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 29

un plato o cacerola para traer la compra. Le

pedí que me enseñara las ostras, y así lo hì
Por Caminos y Veredas de México ZO. Sacó un voluminoso envoltorio de papel
de su morral y procedió a desenvolverlo y a
Escenas y Aventuras en Caminos y Parajes Poco
vaciarlo en un vaso de zine de cuatro cuartos
Frecuentados por Viajeros y Escritores que formaba parte de mis alforjas. Las os
Por Geo. F. Weeks. tras llenaron el vaso y se amontonaron tanto,
que no se podía añadir una más a la pirámi
CAPITULO IX pero no estaban aderezadas al estilo america de. Había cuando menos, doscientas, ofre
no, aunque es verdad que el condimento no ciendo todas la colección de objetos de peor
A Través de la Sierra Nuevamente.
les quitaba un buen sabor que indicaba su aspecto y olor, y sin ningún atractivo, que
LEGUE a Culiacán a media noche, pre disfrazó jamás a cualquier comestible. Pare
buena calidad. Al preguntar, se me dijo que
cisamente cuando empezaba a llover, ce que en Altata observan la deliciosa prác
L se traían de Altata, tres veces a la semana,
lo cual era un acontecimiento inusitado tica de abrir parcialmente las ostras para
las ostras de cuarenta millas de distancia de
en esta estación . (Los californianos que han la ciudad. Se me dijo que la mañana del secarlas al sol después de haberlas envuelto
tenido que explicar esto de tiempo inusita en sal, y en seguida, ya reblandecidas, des
domingo era la más adecuada para encontrar
do " apreciarán lo anterior. ) Por consejo de buenas ostras en el mercado, pero a hora tem coloridas y constituyendo un bocado de un
ciertos amigos que suponía yo conocían el prana, a las cinco . Esto era un poco tem olor endiablado, son colocadas en sus conchas
país, no me había provisto de impermeable prano para mí, pero decidido a disfrutar de y enviadas a Culiacán, donde, lo que es muy
cuando salí de Torreón, de manera que me extraño, se venden prontamente. Muchas os
la delicadeza de las ostras, aunque tuviera
encontré ante una disyuntiva. No tenía más tras son embarcadas en la concha y llegan a
que prepararlas yo mismo, dí a Hilario, mi
negocios en la ciudad y estaba deseoso de es Culiacán en el mejor estado, pero ninguna
mozo, explícitas instrucciones para comprar
tar en el camino, de manera que recorrí las persona que tenga juicio, puede ser persuadi
me algunas. Le indiqué que suponía habría
tiendas de arriba a abajo en busca de un im de costarle la docena de ostras frescas, dos da a comer una ostra semi -seca. Después
permeable o de cosa parecida, pero sin poder
encontrar nada, excepto un vistoso poncho A Section of the Queretaro Aqueduct.
francés, por el cual me pidieron un precio muy
elevado . Me rehusé a comprarlo y concluí por
pensar que una frazada de Durango, envuel
ta a la manera de los nativos, me guardaría
de la humedad, creencia que justificaron los
hechos.
Durante todo el día y la noche siguientes,
siguió cayendo la lluvia, y durante ese tiem
po recorrí de un lado a otro el triste enladri
llado de la posada. En este clima " tropi
cal, ' como es el caso en California, no se
preocupan de tener una cosa tan innecesaria
como un fuego para calentar, de suerte que,
en consecuencia, conservé envueltos un sobre
todo y una frazada y pasé un día triste e in
cómodo. Todo lo que pude hacer fue observar
a los transeuntes que acertaban a pasar cer
ca de la posada, y entre los cuales contemplé
el triste espectáculo de una madre que lle
vaba el cadáver de su niño en un ataúd rosa,
rumbo al cementerio y que iba acompañada de
una mujer.
Las leyes de entierros del país son enér
gicas a este respecto y se observan estricta
mente ; todo cadáver debe ser enterrado den
tro de las veinticuatro horas consecutivas a la
muerte, sin que pueda tolerarse ninguna de
mora por causa del mal tiempo o por cual
quier otro motivo. Así, esta pobre madre,
calada por el agua y cuyas lágrimas descen Arquería del Acueducto de Querétaro.
dían por sus mejillas, avanzaba penosamente
bajo la lluvia y en el lodo, rumbo al Campo reales, (25 centavos, ) puesto que había paga de que fueron lavadas algunas de ellas, en
santo, llevando el pequeño ataúd en sus bra do cincuenta centavos por un plato de ostras vueltas en polvo de galleta y fritas en man
zos ! Pasé también varias horas en mirar fritas. En todo caso, le dije, que necesita teca, quise comer una, pero tenía un sabor
los números de las casas fronteras. Por su ba yo dos o tres docenas, pero que no gastara muy desagradable. Y así terminó mi experi
más de seis reales, (setenta y cinco centavos . ) mento con las ostras en Culiacán .
orden, estos números eran : 17, 47, 33 y 51, y
aunque me devané los sesos buscando la razón Debería pedir al vendedor que abriera las Cerca de las nueve, habiendo cesado la llu
de este orden y que hice muchas preguntas, ostras, pues no tenía yo con que sacarlas en la via y aclarándose un poco el cielo, ordené a
sin encontrar otra solución que el universal posada . Y después, pensando en la perspec Hilario, que cargara y ensillara las mu
"Quién sabe ! " cuando partí de Culiacán aun tiva de darme un banquete en el desayuno, las para que emprendiésemos la mar
me fuí a la cama. cha. Pero, aparentemente, el mozo te
subsistía para mí el misterio. Si hubiese yo
sido un policía aficionado, habría anotado Cuando me levanté, la primera pregunta que nía otros planes. Era domingo y parece que
esos números y habría obtenido alguna ven hice, fue: " Bien, Hilario, compraste las os había encontrado a algunos amigos de las
taja. Pero no lo era! tras?" " Sí, señor. " " Cuántas compras montañas, y según sospeché, intentaba " so
te ?" " Quién sabe, señor . '' " ¿Dónde es lemnizar el día " con ellos. Pues tan pronto
Hé aquí una experiencia que tuve y que
muestra la estupidez de la generalidad de los tán ? " " En mi morral (un morral es una como le indiqué que debía alistarse para la
mozos o criados . Antes de partir para Cu bolsa pequeña hecha de fibra y usada gene marcha, empezó a hacer objeciones. Era
liacán, había sido informado de que se po ralmente por los nativos en lugar de ces muy tarde para partir por la mañana ; iba
dían obtener en esta ciudad ostras de calidad ta.) a llover más ; los caminos estaban llenos de
excepcionalmente buena, y de que haría yo Me contrarié un poco, cuando me dijo és lodo ; una de las mulas estaba "muy cansa
bien en regalarme con ellas. El primer día to, pues me parecía que el morral era un re da, " otra tenía una llaga en el lomo, etc., etc.
que estuve en la población, entré en un res cipiente muy poco adecuado para el caso y Cuando hubo terminado la lista de sus ob
taurant y pedí ostras fritas. Se me sirvieron, que había yo ordenado al mozo que llevara jeciones, consulté mi reloj y le dije solamen
 30 THE
I have seen mud in California-the old
fashioned red and black adobe mud- but
never had I seen such mud as we now en
countered. It was black as coal, thick and
viscid. The feet and legs of the mules sank
into it almost to their knees, and when a
foot was withdrawn it came out with dif
ficulty, the mud clinging tenaciously to
it and giving way with a " klooping "
sound like the exaggerated noise of the ex
traction of a cork from a bottle. It did not
require more than half an hour of this sort
of work, with the sight of numerous ox carts
abandoned in the road, their wheels an in
distinguishable mass of mud, to convince me
that it was useless to endeavor to travel any
distance in the plains, so I decided to make
straight for the foothills , half a day's ride
distant. It was a hard task for the mules ,
but I went in advance and set a slow pace,
giving the animals all the time they needed
and not urging them, so that in due time we
reached the hills and the soft black soil of
the plains was left behind . Here, because
of the gravelly character of the soil and
large areas of outcropping rock, the strata
lying almost level , travel was comparatively
easy and I was congratulating myself on the
good progress we were makng when we met
a man on horseback who asked where we were
going. I told him my objective point, and
he said that we could not go there. The river
a few miles ahead was high and absolutely
impassable, and we would either have to go
back to Culiacan and cross the stream on the
bridge, taking a very roundabout course to
the mountains, or else camp several days on
the banks and wait for the water to go
down.
Being of a disposition that requires " to
be shown, " and not caring to take any per
son's mere say-so under such circumstances,
I concluded to keep on and take a look at the
river myself. Just before sundown we rode
down off the hill into the valley and came
to the bank of the river. When we had
crossed it on our way to Culiacan, it was per
haps 100 feet in width and our mules may pos
sibly have moistened their legs half way to
their knees, the water not being over fetlock
deep. Now it was a raging torrent at least
half a mile wide . Long before we came in
sight of the stream the roaring of the water
had convinced us that we had been told
aright. Out in the middle of the stream the
water was piled up in a mad current, with
great " white horses ' chasing each other
with the speed of a railroad train , while the
entire surface was broken with trees , logs
Remington
kaanzie St
n, a
MEXICAN REVIEW
and debris being carried toward the sea. A night had worked a considerable change. The
single glance showed that further progress stream was as wide as before, but the " white
was impossible, so there was nothing to do ex horses '' in mid-current had disappeared and
cept to wait. there were no more floating trees. A couple
A mile or• more back we had passed a clear of natives had got hold of a crazy log canoe,
ing in the jungle with a couple of palm full of holes which had been patched up with
thatched huts, and as it still threatened rain pieces of the ubiquitous oil can, and were
I decided to return and ask for shelter. We now on hand, seeking to earn a few reales
received the same warm welcome that was from people willing to take chances in cross
extended everywhere, and were told to make ing the river. After watching the craft make
ourselves at home in the portal of one of the one trip I concluded that where natives went
huts, which we proceeded to do , without California could follow, so sent back for the
further ceremony, making firm friends of the pack mule and mozo . In due time he came
family by presenting them with a cupful of down and we prepared to cross. The pack
ground coffee-evidently a great luxury to and my saddle were placed in the bottom of
them . The next hut was about 100 yards the canoe . One native in the stern wielded
distant, and there seemed to be many people a paddle, while the other in the bow took, the
there who were in a state of great hilarity reata that was around the neck of my saddle
all evening. A number of freight packers mule and led the animal into the stream. My '
were also here waiting for the river to go duty was to sit in the bottom of the cranky
down. It was a lonely place , and as I sat by vessel (there were no thwarts ) and keep it
the camp fire under the roof of the portal, trimmed against the agitation of the current.
listened to the sounds of jollity from the (To be continued . )
neighboring hut, and looked at the not reas
suring faces of the travelers who were also
Have Review mailed free of postage by
sharing our shelter, I would not be telling
calling at this office .
the truth if the thought did not occasionally
present itself " How easy it would be for [**@++Ü«» ējas
these people to put the lone gringo out of the
way, and how could any trace of him be PELUQUERIA " ROMA "
found ?'' URUGUAY, 5.
After further experience of traveling alone Antiguo Local del Restaurant Roma.
in out-of-the-way places, however, I got en !
tirely over any apprehensions of this kind Higiene Absoluta.- Servicio Esmerado.
and learned that I was as safe among the Establecimiento de Primera Clase.
Indians and natives as in any part of the
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in Latin, and the others were giving the res JESUS PLASCENCIA.
ponses in the proper places ! To be sure, the
Latin was literally " murdered , " but that
did not alter the character of the perform
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When morning came I rode down to the Avenida Juárez 14 .
!
river again and found that the hours of the
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 }

} LA REVISTA MEXICANA 31

te que partiríamos dentro de una hora. Con durante varios días en la ribera para esperar cualquiera parte de los países que se supó
I que el agua descendiera. nen más civilizados del muundo, mucho más,
mucho enojo procedió entonces a hacer los
preparativos necesarios . Con seguridad que Encontrándome en ese estado de ánimo en de hecho, que en algunas otras localidades.
--se tomó dos horas para hacerlo, siendo así que ' quiere uno que le demuestren lo que se Poco después de que había cesado el rego
que le habría bastado media hora, pero fi afirma, y no queriendo tomar el dicho de cijo en la cabaña vecina, escuché el monóto
nalmente estuvo listo y cabalgamos por las cualquiera como una verdad, resolví seguir no sonado de una voz que seguramente leía
calles rumbo a la llanura, siendo nuestro el camino y ver el río por mí mismo. Poco o recitaba algo, y de otras voces que le res
objetivo San Ignacio, que se encontraba a antes de la puesta del sol, descendimos de pondían de vez en cuando . Escuchando con
dos o tres jornadas más al sur. Pero pronto la colina al valle y llegamos a la margen todo cuidado , me dí cuenta finalmente de lo
tuvimos que cambiar de camino. Hilario ha del río . Cuando lo cruzamos antes de llegar que era aquello . Era la voz de un hombre
x* bía dicho bien cuando indicó que los cami a Culiacán, tenía como cien pies de ancho que hacía los servicios de la iglesia en latín
nos estaban llenos de lodo. ' Ciertamente que quizá ; nuestras muulas se mojaron las patas y de los otros que le daban respuesta opor
-lo estaban. Pero fuímos afortunados en par quizá, hasta media altura de la rodilla, pues tunamente. Ciertamente que el latín era ma
tir cuando lo hicimos, pues llovió después una el agua no era muy profunda. Ahora, era el terialmente ، ، asesinado , " pero esto no al
។ semana en Culiacán, y que si hubiésemos es río un rabioso torrente que tenía una milla teraba el carácter de la función religiosa ni
perado otro día, seguramente que habrían pa de anchura, cuando menos. Mucho antes de me impedía abrigar una confianza que no me
sado diez antes . . . de que hubiésemos podido na que hubiésemos avistádolo, el ruído de las hubiera ganado de otra suerte. Me envolví
<+ vegar en el desesperante lodazal en que con aguas nos indicó que nos habían informado entonces en mis frazadas y me dormí bajo
virtieron a toda la región plana los insólitos verídicamente. En medio de la corriente se el cobertizo de hojas de palma , al aire libre,
aguaceros. amontonaba el agua, corriendo furiosamente, tan pacíficamente y con un sentimiento tan
Yo había visto lodo en California. El vie con grandes oleadas blancas que se apiñaban grande de seguridad , como no lo había teni
* jo lodo rojo y negro de adobe, pero jamás unas sobre otros , con la velociadd de un tren do nunca en la ciudad más civilizada y segu
había visto uno como el que encontramos. de ferrocarril , en tanto que la superficie ra de todas cuantas he conocido .
‫ܣܢܬܳܐ‬ Era negro como carbón, espeso y viscoso. arrastraba árboles desgajados, leños y restos Cuando amaneció, me dirigí al río, y me
Los cascos y patas de los animales se hun qeu eran llevados haca el mar. Una sola mi encontré con que las horas transcurridas ha
dían en él casi hasta las rodillas, y cuandorada me demostró que era imposible seguir bían operado un cambio considerable. La co
se sacaba un pie del atascadero, se hacía con
avanzando , y de que no había que hacer otra rriente era tan ancha como la víspera, pero
gran dificultad, pues el lodo se adhería a él ,
cosa sino esperar . habían desaparecido las olas del centro y no
}~
despegándose solamente con un sonido seme Una milla o más atrás , habíamos pasado había ya troncos flotantes. Una pareja de
jante, al que produce el descorchamiento de nativos se había apoderado de una débil ca
por un claro del pantano , donde había un
una botella. No se necesitó más de una me noa de madera , llena de agujeros, que habían
dia hora, con * el espectáculo de numerosos par de cabañas de techo de paja, y como la
remendado con pedazos de envases de petró
lluvia amenazaba, resolví regresar para en
carros tirados por bueyes, abandonados en contrar refugio en esas cabañas. Nos reci leo, y que estaban ahora manos a la obra,
el camino, pues sus ruedas eran ya unas ma con el fin de ganarse unos cuantos reales con
bieron cordialmente , como en todas partes,
sas identificables de lodo , para convencerme la gente que quiera arriesgarse a cruzar el
y se nos exhortó a estar como en nuestra ca
de que era inútil esforzarse en caminar cual río . Cuando ví que la canoa hizo el primer
sa, en el portal de una de las cabañas, lo
quier trecho en la llanura , de modo que me viaje, concluí que donde iban los nativos , po
decidí 'a dirigirme directamente al pie de que procedimos a hacer sin ceremonias, tra
dían seguirlos los californianos, de manera
las colinas, que se encontraban a medio día bando buena y firme amistad con la familia,
al ofrecerle una taza de café, lo cual, evi que hice llamar al mozo y a la mula de carga .
de distancia. La caminata constituía una Llegaron oportunamente y nos preparamos
dentemente , era un lujo para ellos . La cabaña
dura tarea para las mulas, pero yo me ade para cruzar el río. La carga y mi silla fue
próxima estaba a unas cien yardas de dis
lanté para caminar a paso reposado, dando ron colocadas en el fondo de la canoa. Un
a los animales todo el tiempo que necesita tancia, y parecía que en ella había gente
que hallábase en estado de hilaridad . Tam nativo colocado en la popa, manejaba un re
ban, sin apremiarlos, de modo que llegamos mo, en tanto que el otro, sentado en la proa ,
oportunamente a las colinas y dejamos de bién había aquí cierto número de arrieros es
perando que bajaran las aguas del río . Era sujetaba la reata que se enrollaba en el cue
trás el blando suelo de la llanura. Aquí, a
este un sitio aislado, y mientras me sentaba llo de mi mula y conducía al animal en la
causa de que el suelo era da grava y que corriente. Mi deber era sentarme en el fon
había grandes eflorescencias de roca , pues cerca del fuego, bajo el techo del portal y es
cuchaba los rumores regocijados de la caba do de la canoa (no había bancos ) y preser
los estratos estaban casi a flor de tierra,
ña vecina y miraba los no tranquilizadores var la embarcación de la agitación de la co
el viaje fue relativamente más fácil, y ya rriente.
me congratulaba yo de los progresos que ha rostros de los viajeros que compartían nuestro
(Continuará)
cíamos, cuando nos encontramos a un hom techo , no diría la verdad si dijera que no se
bre a caballo, quien nos preguntó a dónde había presentado en mi mente el pensamiento
nos dirigíamos. Le dije mi objetivo y él me de " cómo no sería fácil para esta gente ha DR. H. W. STAHL
manifestó que no podríamos llegar. A unas
cer desaparecer a este gringo solo, sin que pu DENTISTA
diera ser encontrada huella de él. "
cuantas millas más adelante, el río era muy { TELEFONOS :
profundo y absolutamente invadeable, de ma Después de haber viajado mucho en luga ERIC. 7679 . MEX ,7679 NEGRO.
nera que tendríamos que regresar a Culia res apatrados , he perdido toda aprensión de AV. 16 DE SEPTIEMBRE NO. 12 .
cán y cruzar la corriente por el puente, dan este género y he aprendido a considerarme
MEXICO, D. F.
do un rodeo a las montañas, o que acampar seguuro entre los indios y nativos, como en

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•
 32 THE
The Monroe Doctrine
How And
Objection - Some Very Interesting History
HE most remarkable political event the
TH nineteenth century recorded in the his
tory of this New World was the un
protested abolition of the Monroe Doctrine by
Great Britain.
In the year 1862, at a time when two fam
ous Presidents were ruling over Washington's
land of the free and home of the brave-in
the North Abraham Lincoln, in the South
Jefferson Davis-haughty and challenging
England, forever disregarding the policy of
the United States, erected the Belice settle
ment (adjoning the extreme southeastern
coasts of Mexico and Guatemala, ) into a
daring colony, leaving thenceforth the Amer
ican continents again subject to future colo
nization by any European Powers.
Interior of Hotel Iturbide, México, D. F.
Interior del Hotel Iturbide, México , D. F.
OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS.
I in the treaties with Spain, in 1783 and 1786,
Mr. Canning, on the part of the British
Cabinet, stated :
That the British Government absolutely dis
claimed not only any desire of appropriating
to itself any portion of the Spanish colonies,
but any intention of forming any political con
nection with them, beyond that of amity and
commercial intercourse.- (Extract of a memo
randum of a conference between the Prince
de Polignac and Mr. Canning, held October 9,
1823.
-2
Mr. Monroe, one of our wisest and most
discreet Presidents ; announced in a public
message to Congress on December 2, 1823 ,
that the American continents, by the free
and independent conditions which they have
assumed and maintained, are henceforth not
to be considered subject to future colonization
by any European Powers. "'
This declaration has since been known
MEXICAN REVIEW
When it Was Crucified Without
throughout the world as the " Monroe Doc
trine, " and has received the public and of
ficial santion of subsequent Presidents, as
well as of a very large majority of the Amer
ican people.- Statement for the Earl of Clar
endon, London, January 6, 1854.
—3—
Great Britain for a long period has had
possession of a district of country on the
shores of the Bay of Honduras, called " The
Belize . " The right she has to hold it is
derived from a grant of Spain and this right
is limited to a single purpose, with an express
prohibition against using it for any other. A
possession so restricted as to its use could
never be considered a British colony. While
KANLA
she confines herself to the boundaries specified
and uses the district of country described
only for the purpose stipulated therein, we
have no right to complain that she is infring
ing our policy, but when she extends her oc
cupancy by encroachments far beyond the
prescribed bounds, and changes its tenure by
exercising over it civil authority, a very dif
ferent character is given to this settlement.
It then becomes a new colony on this con
tinent.
Since the acquisition of California, Great
Britain has manifested a more mature design
to change Spanish license to cut dyewood and
mahogany at the Belize into a British dom
inion. The object of such change cannot be
misunderstood nor will be desregarded by this
government. The character of the British
settlement at the Belize is explicitly shown by
an authority which will not be controverted.
or questioned by the government of Great
Britain. This authority is no other than the
Parliament of the United Kingdom. In two
acts- one passed in 1817 and the other in
1819-it is admitted that the Belize is not
within the British dominions . In these acts
provision is made for the punishment of
crimes committed at Belize which otherwise.
could not be punished by any existing law,
because Belize, as expressly alleged, was not
a British dominion. Mr. Marcy to Mr.
Buchanan, Department of State, Washington ,
July 2, 1853.
-4
The United States, while they concede that
Great Britain has rights in the Belize, posi
tively deny that the Belize is a British prov
ince, or any part of the British dominion, and
in maintaining the policy referred to, they
are bound to resist any attempt to convert
it into a British colony.-Mr. Marcy to Mr.
Buchanan, Department of State, Washington ,
July 2, 1853.
—5—
This government is not aware that Great
Britain claims to have full sovereignty over
it (Belize ; ) but if she does, the United States
would contest that claim, and regard the
assertion of it as an infringement of the
Monroe Doctrine -a Doctrine which it is the
policy of the President to maintain. Mr.
Marcy to Mr. Buchanan, Department of State,
Washington, September 12 , 1853.
-6
With regard to the Doctrine laid down by
Mr. President Monroe, 1823, concerning the
future colonization of the American continent
by European States, it can only be viewed
as the dictum of the distinguished personage
who delivered it ; but Her Majesty's govern
ment cannot admit that Doctrine as an inter
national axiom which ought to regulate the
conduct of European States.-Statement for
Mr. Buchanan, Foreign Office , May 2, 1854.
Clarendon ,
-7
But you will resist the British pretension
to extend it (Belize ) to any part of Central
America, or beyond the limits fixed to it in
the Spanish treaty of 1786. You will also
resist the British pretension to regard that
territory as one of her colonies. She acquir
ed no sovereign right in Belize under her
treaties with Spain. Her treaty with Mexico ,
in 1826, only continued the limited right she
had from Spain, and the very fact of treat
ing with Mexico for the continuation of her
usufruct of Belize, was a clear acknowledg
ment that the sovereignty over it was in Mex
ico at that time- Mr. Marcy to Mr. Buchanan,
Department of State, Washington, June 12,
1854.
-8
It was not until 1862 that the decisive step.
was taken whereby the " settlement " of Brit
ish woodcutters in the Belize was erected into
a colony. The step was taken, it will be ob
served, at a time when our government, over
whelmed by the anxieties and burdens of a
tremendous civil war, could not be expected
to heed, or if heeding, to protest against an
infringement of treaty obligations in a matter
which, however important in itself, must then
have seemed insignificant compared with the
threatened existence of the nation. - M. W.
Hazeltine, " The North American Review,"
New York, October, 1897.
 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 33

-
-5
La Doctrina Monroe
Este Gobierno no ha sido advertido de que
la Gran Bretaña alegue tener plena sobera
Cuando y Cómo Fué Crucificada sin Objeciones nía sobre ese territorio (Belice) ; pero si ha
-Una Historia Interesante ce tal, los Estados Unidos tendrían que dis
putar esa afirmación y la considerarían co
L acontecimiento político más notable civil, se dará un carácter muy diferente a es mo una violación a la Doctrina Monroe- una
E que registra la Historia del Nuevo Mun te Establecimiento, el cual se transformará doctrina que está dentro de la política del
do, en el siglo diecinueve, fue la abo entonces en una nueva colonia en el Conti Presidente el mantener incólume. -Mr. Mar
lición de la Doctrina Monroe por la Gran Bre nente. cy a Mr. Buchanan, Departamento de Esta
taña, abolición que no provocó protestas por Desde la época de la adquisición de Cali do, Washington, 12 de septiembre de 1853.
parte de la Potencia lesionada. fornia, la Gran Bretaña ha manifestado un -6
En el año de 1862, cuando gobernaban en designio más maduro de transformar esta li
la tierra de Washington y de la libertad y en cencia que le fue concedida por España pa Respecto a la doctrina enunciada por el
la patria de los bravos, los famosos Presiden ra cortar maderas de tinte y caoba en Belice, Presidente Monroe en 1823, respecto a la fu
tes-Abraham Lincoln en el Norte y Jeffer en un Dominio Británico . El objeto de tal tura colonización del Continente Americano,
son Davis en el Sur- Inglaterra, altanera y transformación, no puede ser mal entendido por parte de los Estados Europeos, debo de
desafiadora, desconociendo para siempre la ni será descuidado por este Gobierno. El ca cir que se la puede considerar únicamente
política de los Estados Unidos, erigió el Es rácter del Establecimiento Británico de Beli como la opinión del distinguido personaje que
tablecimiento de Belice (adyacente a la por ce, es enunciado explícitamente por una au la enunció ; pero el Gobierno de Su Majestad
ción extrema sudoriental de las costas de toridad que no puede ser discutida ni contro no puede admitir a esa Doctrina como a un
México y Guatemala, ) en una Colonia, dejan vertida por el Gobierno de la Gran Bretaña. axioma internacional que deba reglamentar
do desde entonces sujeto a la colonización, Esta autoridad no es otra que el Parlamento la conducta de los Estados Europeos. - Nota
por parte de cualquiera potencia europea, al
Continente Americano. Antique Table from Vestry of Parish of Apam, State of Hidalgo.
DOCUMENTOS OFICIALES.
-1
Mr. Canning, a nombre del Gabinete inglés,
declaró lo siguiente :
" Que el Gobierno Británico negaba en lo
absoluto que existiera el deseo, de parte de la
Gran Bretaña, de apropiarse cualquiera por
ción de las Colonias Españolas, o cualquiera
intención de establecer relaciones políticas Ebbies
con ellas, fuera de la amistad, y del inter
cambio comercial. (Extracto del memorán
dum de la conferencia celebrada entre el
Príncipe de Polignac y Mr. Canning el 9 de
octubre de 1823. )
-2
" Mr. Monroe, uno de nuestros más juicio
sos y discretos Presidentes, anunció en su
mensaje presentado al Congreso el 2 de di
ciembre de 1823, que " el Continente Ameri
cano, por virtud de las condiciones de liber
23

tad e independencia que había asumido y

mantenido, no debía considerarse en lo suce
sivo como sujeto a futura colonización por
ninguna de las potencias europeas. "
Esta declaración ha sido conocida desde en
tonces bajo el nombre de la " Doctrina Mon Ho in Parroquia
roe " y ha recibido la sanción pública y ofi
cial de los Presidentes posteriores, lo mismo Mesa de la Secretaría de la Parroquia de Apam, Estado de Hidalgo.
que de la de una gran mayoría del pueblo
norteamericano . Informe para el Conde de del Reino Unido. En dos decretos-aproba- para Mr. Buchanan, Oficina de Negocios Ex
Clarendón, Londres, 6 , de enero de 1854. do uno en el año de 1817 y el otro en 1819- tranjeros, 2 de mayo de 1854. -Clarendon.
-3 se admite que Belice no está incluído en los -7
dominios británicos. En estos decretos se le
La Gran Bretaña ha estado en posesión,
Pero vos resistiréis a la pretensión britá
por mucho tiempo, de una zona de la costa gisla para el castigo de los crímenes que se nica de extender este Establecimiento (Beli
de la Bahía de Honduras, llamada " Belice. " cometan en Belice y que de otra suerte, no
ce) a cualquiera parte de la América Central
El derecho que posee se deriva de una con podrían ser castigados por ninguna ley, a
causa de que dicho territorio, como se declara o más allá de los límites que le fueron fija
cesión que le hizo España, estando limitado
ba expresamente, no era un Dominio Británi dos por el Tratado firmado con España en el
a un propósito único, con expresa prohibición
co.-Mr. Marcy a Mr. Buchenan, Departa año de 1786. También resistiréis a la pre
de emplear el territorio con otro fin. Una
tensión británica de considerar a ese territo
posesión cuyo aprovechamiento está tan res mento de Estado, Washington, 2 de julio de
1853. rio como a una de sus colonias. Inglaterra
tringido, no podría ser considerada nunca co
-4 como la opinión del distinguido personaje que
mo una colonia británica. Mientras Inglate
rra se mantenga dentro de los límites especi Aunque los Estados Unidos conceden que no adquirió derechos de soberanía por los
ficados en los Tratados firmados con España la Gran Bretaña posee derechos sobre Belice, Tratados firmados con España. El Tratado
en los años de 1783 y 1786 y aproveche la niega terminantemente que este territorio sea que firmó con México en el año de 1826 y el
zona indicada en la única manera estipulada una provincia inglesa o parte de un Dominio cual continúa concediendo los limitados dere
en los documentos, no tendremos derecho pa Británico, y al sostener la política aludida, chos que obtuvo la Gran Bretaña de España,
ra quejarnos de que viola nuestra política, se ven obligados a resistir a cualquier inten y el hecho de negociar con México para con
pero cuando extienda la zona de ocupación to que se hiciera para convertir a Belice en tinuar gozando de Belice en usufructo, fueron
por medio de invasiones que salgan de los lí una Colonia inglesa.-Mr. Marcy a Mr. Bu un reconocimiento claro, de que la soberanía
mites prescritos y cambie la naturaleza de su chanan, Departamento de Estado, Washing sobre este territorio competía a México en esa
dependencia al ejercer sobre ella jurisdicción ton, 2 de julio de 1853 . época.-Mr. Marcy a Mr. Buchanan, Departa
 34 THE
-9-
In 1861 it was finally determined to place
the settlement in every respect on the foot
ing of a colony, though subordinate to the
government of Jamaica, from which it is
distant about 660 miles.
British Honduras, writes an English histori
an, was a settlement until by letters patent
under the Great Seal ofthe United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date
the 12th of February, 1862, it was declared
that thereafter it should be designated the
" Colony of British Honduras, " and the Cap
tain- General and Governor-in -Chief of the
island of Jamaica, or the officer for the time
being administering the government of the
said island, should be Governor and Com
mander-in- Chief over the said colony, or in
his absence a Lieutenant-Governor or other
person as may be appointed.
The only protest lodged was one by the
American Consul, bribed, says a British
Patio of the Convent of Tepozotlan, State of Mexico.
Patio del Convento de Tepozotlán, Estado de México .
author, to make his country look ridiculous,
or imbued with the spirit of the Monroe Doc
trine and anxious to shine before his little
world.
-10
In 1919, the Legislative Assembly, writes
an English historian, petitioned that British
Honduras, like Jamaica, whose constitution
was altered after the disastrous events of
1865, should be made a Crown colony, and in
1870 their petition was granted and British
Honduras became a Crown colony.
-11
By letters patent bearing date the 2d of
October, 1884, and read and proclaimed at
the sam
Council
e monChamber, Belize,
th, the offi onnist
the- rin
31st of
the cer admi g the
government was appointed Governor and
Commander-in- Chief of the Colony of British
Honduras, thus severing the relationship
which had formerly existed with Jamaica .
MEXICAN REVIEW
-12
This is the recapitulation of the steps by
which the tolerated settlement of woodcutters
was gradually transformed into a Crown
Colony, over which the exercise of British
sovereignty became open and absolute. In
other words, it constitutes precisely the enter
ing wedge which might carry the British colo
nist with his project of annexation into
the heart of Central America, and which it
was one object of the Clayton- Bulwer treaty
to remove?
NOT THE CLAYTON-BULWER TREATY
BUT THE MONROE DOCTRINE, WAS
ABOLISHED BY GREAT BRITAIN IN
1862.
Mr. Frelinghuysen founded an ingenious
argument upon the fact that the British " set
tlement " of Honduras had been made a " colo
ny."
Lord Granville replied : " Inasmuch, then,
as British Honduras was expressly excluded
altogether from the arrangement which was
entered into between the two governments in
1850 .... Her Majesty's government cannot
see with what justice it can be said that the
change of title of that possession of Her
Majesty from that of a " settlement " to a
"colony," can be appealed to as a violation
of the arrangement of 1850.-Lord Granville.
to Mr. West, August 17, 1883.
How could an English diplomatist ignore
the difference between a settlement and a
colony?
(By Prof. Francisco Rivas, of the National
Preparatory School, Mexico City) .
El Paso Chamber of
Commerce Makes Good Move.
THE Chamber of Commerce of El Paso has
made a move for better relations with
Mexico which will be without doubt of great
benefit for El Paso as well as for Mexico ,
specially to all the border States in the Re
public of Mexico.
El Paso is the largest city along 2,000
miles of Mexico and isthe gateway to Mex
ico .
All this region in the United States is
grouped in the 11th Regional Bank District,
the Government thus recognizing the solidari
ty of El Paso Southwest.
El Paso is the natural concentrating point
for all passenger travel as well as for trade
and industrial traffic.
Her transportation facilities are most com
plete, her trade relations with her vast em
pire are secure, her manufactures are exten
sive, and the city takes toll from heavy
tourist traffic across the continent and with
Mexico.
The Chamber of Commerce of El Paso has
Mr. Fournier in the Mexican Trade Bureau,
who speaks Spanish and understands fully the
Mexican customs commercially and otherwise ,
and will always take great pleasure to put
himself at the disposition of the visitors to
El Paso from Mexico, either for commercial
purposes or for visiting El Paso .
Wish to Invest Four Hundred
Thousand Dollars in Lower California .
R. William R. Morris, representative of
M the Mormon colony "Star Line " locat
ed in the State of Texas, is in this capital
to confer with the Secretary of Agriculture.
about the desire of those colonists to locate
on the lands of Lower California in order to
devote themselves to the cultivation of the
grape on a large scale.
The capital that the Mormons wish to in
vest in this country amounts to four hundred
thousand dollars, as they plan to bring suf
ficient machinery to manufacture wines , in
the customary manner of the principal Cali
fornian vineyards.
HE parcel post traffic between Mexico
THE
and foreign countries increases daily. It
is officially announced by the Postoffice De
partment that during the past six months
over 200,000 packages were received in this
city from abroad, mostly from the United
States. This is an increase of 135,000 pack
ages over the same period in 1912. In the
same period postal money orders issued in the
United States have been paid in this city to
the amount of $4,712,536. Quite recently
it was found necessary to dispatch a special
train from Laredo to this city carrying
nothing but mail from the United States that
was crowded from the regular trains.
THE government has taken up the matter
of the equitable distribution of the wa
ters of the Colorado river in accordance with
the treaty of 1848. Recently irrigation works
have been inaugurated in the State of Califor
nia which have deprived the settlers in the
Territory of Lower California of sufficient
water for the irrigation of their lands, and
there has been much complaint in consequence.
The commission that have had this matter in
hand have not come to a satisfactory con
clusion and new negotiations will therefore be
undertaken between the two governments.
Arrangements are now under way for the
early resumption of through Pullman service
between Mexico City and St. Louis, as before
the revolution. This service was very popular
and it is believed it will be well patronized
again.
 LA
mento de Estado, Washington, 2 de junio de
1854.
-8
No fue sino en 1862 cuando se dió el paso
decisivo, gracias al cual fue erigido en colonia
el " Establecimiento " de explotadores británi
cos de madera en Belice. Se dió este paso , co
mo debe observarse, en una época en que nues
tro Gobierno, abrumado por las cargas y an
siedades de la tremenda guerra civil, no po
día prestar atención al caso, o si atendía, no
podía protestar contra una violación de las
obligaciones de los Tratados, en una cuestión,
que, aunque importante en sí, debió haber pa
recido entonces como insignificante en compa
ración con la amenazada existencia del país.
M. W. Hazeltine, "The North American Re
view, " Nueva York, octubre de 1897.
-9
En 1861 se resolvió definitivamente erigir
ese establecimiento sobre la base de colonia,
en todos respectos, aunque subordinada al Go
bierno de Jamaica, de la cual distaba alrede
dor de seiscientas sesenta millas.
Las Honduras Británicas, escribe un histo
riador inglés, formaron un establecimiento
hasta que, por virtud de decretos sellados con
el Gran Sello del Reino Unido de la Gran Bre
taña e Irlanda, que llevan fecha del 12 de fe
brero de 1862, se declaró que en lo sucesivo
deberían ser designadas con el nombre de la
" Colonia de Honduras Británicas " y que el
Capitán General o Gobernador en Jefe de la
Isla de Jamaica, o el funcionario que admi
nistrara en esa época el Gobierno de la men
cionada isla, debía ser Gobernador y Coman
dante en Jefe de la referida Colonia, o.
su defecto, un Teniente Gobernador o cual
quier otro funcionario que pudiera ser nom
brado para el caso.
La única protesta que se registró fue del
Cónsul Americano, quien, según dice un autor
inglés, fue cohechado para hacer aparecer ri
dículo a su país o imbuído con el espíritu de
la Doctrina Monroe y deseoso de brillar ante
su pequeño mundo.
10
En el año de 1869 , la Asamblea Legislati
va, escribe un historiador inglés, pidió que
las Honduras Británicas, como Jamaica, cu
ya Constitución fue reformada después de los
desastrosos acontecimientos de 1865 , fuesen
convertidas en una Colonia de la Corona, ha
biendo sido aceptada su solicitud y satisfe
cha, en 1870 por el Gobierno, de suerte que
la dicha posesión se convirtió en ese año en
Colonia de la Corona británica.
-11
Por decretos que llevan la fecha del 2 de
octubre de 1884, y que fueron leídos y procla
mados el día 31 del mismo mes, en la Cámara
del Consejo de Belice, se nombró Goberna
dor y Comandante en Jefe de la Colonia de
Honduras Británicas, al funcionario que ad
ministraba el Gobierno, cortando así las rela
ciones que habían existido anteriormente con
Jamaica.
-12
Esta es la recapitulación de los pasos por
virtud de los cuales, el tolerado estableci
miento de aserradores de madera fue conver
tido gradualmente en una Colonia de la Co
rona, sobre la cual se hizo absoluta y abierta
mente el ejercicio de la soberanía británica.
En otras palabras, constituyen precisamente
la cuña penetrante que puede llevar a los co
REVISTA MEXICANA
lonos británicos, con sus proyectos de ane
xión, hasta el corazón de la América Central,
y cuya evasión fue uno de los objetos que
persiguió el Tratado Clayton - Bulwer.
NO FUE ABOLIDO POR LA GRAN BRE
TAÑA, EN 1862, EL TRATADO CLAYTON
BULWER, SINO LA DOCTRINA MONROE.
Mr. Frelinghuysen fundó un ingenioso ar
gumento sobre el hecho de la conversión del
" establecimiento " británico de Honduras en
una " colonia."
Lord Granville replicó : " En vista de que
fue expresamente excluída como Honduras
Británicas de los convenios celebrados entre
los dos Gobiernos en 1850 .... el Gobierno de
Su Majestad no puede comprender con que
justicia se diría que el cambio de título de
esa posesión de Su Majestad, de " estableci
miento " al de " colonia, " podría ser procla
mado como una violación del convenio de
Grammar School " Horacio Mann, " Mexico, D. F.
MLENME
Escuela Superior Horacio Mann, " Ciudad de México.
1850.-Lord Granville a Mr. West, 17 de agos
to de 1883.
¿ Cómo podía un diplomático inglés ignorar
la diferencia que existe entre un estableci
miento y una colonia?
(Por el Prof. Francisco Rivas, de la Escue
la Nacional Preparatoria de México ) .
Buenas Gestiones de la
Cámara de Comercio de El Paso.
A Cámara de Comercio de El Paso, ha
iniciado gestiones de acercamiento y
mejores relaciones comerciales con México ,
lo que sin duda beneficiará grandemente tan
to a El Paso como a México, y especialmen
te a todos los Estados Mexicanos a lo largo
de la frontera con los Estados Unidos de
América.
El Paso es la ciudad más grande en una
extensión de 2,000 millas a lo largo de la lí
nea divisoria con México, siendo el punto
principal de entrada hacia esa República.
Toda esta región, en los Estados Unidos,
35
está agrupada en el Segundo Distrito Regio
nal Bancario, reconociendo de esta manera
el Gobierno, la solidaridad de todo el Suroes
te de El Paso.
El Paso, es punto natural de concentra
ción , tanto para viajeros como para el trá
fico comercial e industrial.
Sus facilidades de transportación, son las
más completas; sus relaciones comerciales
que dominan una gran extensión, están segu
ras ; el número de sus manufactureros es vas
to, y la ciudad toma gran actividad con el
importante tráfico de turistas a través del
continente y hacia México.
Todas las casas comerciales al por mayor,
así como los dueños de establecimientos co
merciales al por menor, tienen a empleados
mexicanos que hablan perfectamente el In
glés, y por tanto, pueden atender debidamen
te a todos los mexicanos que vengan a El Pa
so, con objeto de transar operaciones mercan
tiles.
La Cámara de Comercio de El Paso tiene
al frente del Departamento de Comercio con
México, al señor Fournier, quien habla espa
ñol y está enterado de las costumbres comer
ciales mexicanas y quien, asimismo, tendrá
gran placer en ponerse a disposición de los
visitantes a El Paso, que vengan, ya sea con
propósitos comerciales o de visitar la ciu
dad.
Se anuncia que dentro de poco tiempo se
reducirán los pasajes en los tranvías que co
munican a esta capital con las Municipalida
des vecinas, de manera que dichos pasajes co
rrespondan a los que prevalecían antes de la
Revolución .
Continúa sintiéndose en toda la República
la escasez de moneda fraccionaria, debido al
alza del valor de la plata, que ha llegado a
un extremo que nunca se había visto .
La Revista Mexicana saldrá el día primero
de cada mes.
 36 THE MEXICAN REVIE W
"A

Circulation in December, Tiro del Número de Diciembre ,

25,000 Copies 25,000 Ejemplares

Certificado Notarial en que Consta la Cantidad de Papel que
Notarial Certificate Showing Actual Count of Paper Used
se Utilizó en la Edición de LA REVISTA MEXICANA
in the December Issue of THE MEXICAN REVIEW. del Mes de Diciembre Próximo Pasado.
El licenciado Adalberto Saldaña , notario público de la ca
pital , encargado de la Notería número siete ,
Certifico : que a pedimento del señor Luis Malgarejo Randolf, di
rector y gerente de la " Imprenta Nacional S.A. " levanté en mi
protocolo , con esta fecha , el acta número siete mil novecientos
cincuenta y cuatro , la que contiene , ontre otras cosas , las que en
MEXICOS
PARKIMITE
ARTERION

seguida se copian : ..pasé el dia de hoy al despacho y

ƒ
COLD

talleres de la misma , situados en la case número cuarenta y'uno ,

..D
LBERT

de la Avenida del Uruguay , de osta ciudad , con el objeto de con

HapO SA
F

tar el número de ejemplares tirados en esos talleres , respecto

dol número nuevo , del volumen tercero , del periódico denominado
" Revista Mexicana " (Mexican Review ) , editado por los señores Geo:
F.Weeks y Fdmundo Melero , que está escrito en español y en in
glés . que una vez constituido en los respectivos departamentos ,
procedí a contar los tres pliegos de que se compondré dicho e
jemplar , además de sus carátulas a colores , que representan un
Paisaje de la municipalidad de Xochimilco , y encontré pura cada
pliego cincuenta volúmenes , conteniendo cada uno de ellos qui
nientos ejemplares que , en junto , ascienden a setenta y cinco mi )
pliegosyo sean veinticinco mil ejemplares del periódico , de tres 1

pliegos cada uno , exclusives las carátulas .

I a pedimento del interesado señor Luis Melgarejo Randolf,
expido la presente en México , el mismo dia, que es el nueve de di
01embre , de mil novecientos diecinueve .
O

Adalberto
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Note.-Those desiring to inspect the originals of these certificates Nota. Los originales de estos certificados se hallan a la disposición
de las personas que deseen inspeccionarlos en las Oficinas de LA RE
may do so by calling at the Office of THE REVIEW. VISTA MEXICANA.

The National Railways Are
Being Put in First-Class Condition.
[NDER instructions from the President,
UNDER
the receipts of the National Railway
lines are being devoted to restoring them to
→ normal conditions. The recent heavy rains
in the north caused much damage and very
heavy loss, while several branch lines are
still in poor condition owing to the damage
caused to them during the revolution. An
abundant supply of ties has been secured.
while the Monterrey Steel Works are furnish
ing all the rails necessary. Large forces of
men have been put to work and it is expected
that within a few months the entire damage
will have been repaired and the system will
be in even better shape than formerly.
A project has been approved by the De
partment of Comunications and Public Works
for the construction of a railway from Mex
icali, on the California boundary line, to the
port of San Felipe, on the Gulf of California.
An important agricultural region will be
traversed, and several towns will be given
railway communication . It is expected that
the line will be completed within a year.
An Appreciation of The Review.
HE Times-Union recently remarked that
THE
it had never seen a Mexican newspaper
and within a day or two afterwards a com
munication was received from the Mexican
consul at Jacksonville, giving us the infor
mation that there were many fine publications
in Mexico. Later a a copy of The
copy of Mexican
The Mexi can
Review, published in English and Spanish, at
Mexico City, was received. The Review is a
monthly magazine, attractively gotten up and
is more than a year old. The Review is filled
with interesting information, current comment
and excellent pictures, and should be a great
help to those who may be contemplating a
visit to Mexico or desire to emigrate to
that country. While inquiring whether or
not newspapers were printed in Mexico we
naturally knew that there were a number of
publications of all kinds in the republic, but
it appears that there is not a great amount of
trouble taken by the Mexicans to obtain cir
culation for them in the United States. The
Review is the first Mexican publication to be
received in this office within many years and
it is welcome and will be read with interest. *
-Jacksonville (Fla. ) Times -Union. ?
1
NE of the leading elements in re-establish
O ing normal commercial conditions in this
country is the excellent work done by the
American Chamber of Commerce of this city.
A Trade Conference will be held in this city
next month under the auspices of the body
mentioned, which will beyond question go far
to remove many widespread misconceptions
regarding Mexico. 4: +
M
*
5S
 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 37

THE MOST DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC OF
MEXICO LEARN ENGLISH WITH IN
TEREST, JUST AS IN THE UNITED
STATES THERE IS GREAT EN
THUSIASM FOR LEARNING SPAN
ISH.
OR some time past, we have been noting
FOR a great enthusiasm for learning Spanish,
which is becoming more necessary every day,
not only in commercial interchange with the
countries of the south, but also from a social
point of view.
There are numerous academies and edu
cational institutions existing where the teach
ing of Spanish is in preference, but none has
reached the record of the Academy of Profes
sor Oscar Galeno, that, by the success obtain
ed as well as by the great number of pupils
enrolled, has demonstrated that it is the most
practical and rational known up to the present
time.
Professor Galeno, whose unquestionable
Professor Galeno's English Class in " Festival Palace " (Teatro
Ideal) One of the Three Sessions, Mexico City .
sons than it is for children, and it is compos
ed of short simple lessons that are learned
during the hours of the class without fatigue
nor effort on the part of the pupils. That the
system employed in teaching these classes is
effective, logical and practical is fully de
monstrated as the press of New York, Chicago ,
San Francisco, California, and to-day of Mex
ico, bears witness. The Mexican Review has
entered into a compact with Professor Galeno
to facilitate the learning of Spanish by its
readers.
DO YOU WANT TO STUDY SPANISH?
Send one year's subscription to The Mex
ican Review, with $1 additional, $3 in all,
and you will receive this magazine for one
year, together with a book of instruction in
the Spanish language the regular price of
which is $5.
Professor Galeno's Spanish Class in Carnegie Chamber Music Hall,
One of the Five Sessions, New York.
tanto de la prensa extranjera, como local, ha
solucionado el problema de dominar el apren
dizaje del inglés y el español por medio de
un sistema de conversación directa que elimi
na la necesidad de libros, claves, gramáticas,
traducciones o estudios forzados, cada lección
según su sistema que es llamado " Modo Na
tural," se aprende en la clase misma de don
de se deduce que el alumno no tiene que aban
donar sus ocupaciones diarias, ni sacrificar
sus horas de descanso a un estudio más o
menos tedioso y árido, no siempre coronado
por el éxito.
En tal virtud, pueden recibir clases para
el aprendizaje del inglés y español en la Aca
demia del Profesor Galeno, aun las personas
que no podrían hacerlo, tratándose de proce
dimientos anticuados, que, como todo el mun
do sabe, implica una notable pérdida de tiem
po.
El sistema del referido Profesor se adapta
mucho mejor que a la de los niños, a la ense
ñanza de personas mayores, y se compone de
lecciones cortas y sencillas, que se aprenden

11 1111 0 0 10 0 14

Clase del Profesor Galeno en el Salón Cámara de Música de

Clase del Profesor Galeno en el Festival Palace " (Teatro Ideal. )
Una de las Tres Sesiones. México, D. F.
success has been published both in the foreign
and local press, has found the solution to the
problem of acquiring the English and Span
ish languages by means of a system of direct
conversation that eliminates the necessity of
books, grammars, translations or forced study.
Each lesson in his system, which is called
" Natural Methods " is learned during the
class, from which it may be seen that the
pupil does not have to abandon his daily oc
Galeno's academy who could not afford the
cupations nor sacrifice his hours of rest to a
more or less tedious and arid study which is
not always crowned with success.
Thus, many persons can attend the classes
for learning Spanish in Professor Galeno's
academy who could not afford the time to do
so with any of the antiquated methods which
were notably slow and tiresome.
The system of the Professor referred to ,
is much better adapted to teaching older per
Carnegie, " Una de las Cinco Sesiones. Nueva York.
PUBLICO MUY DISTINGUIDO DE MEXI
CO APRENDE CON INTERES EL IN
GLES, ASI COMO EN LOS ESTADOS
UNIDOS HAY GRAN ENTUSIASMO
POR EL ESPAÑOL.
HACE tiempo que se viene notando un gran
entusiasmo por el aprendizaje del idio
ma inglés, que se hace cada día más necesario
tanto en el intercambio comercial con los paí
ses del Norte, como en el punto de vista social.
Numerosas son las academias y planteles
de educación que existen en nuestra capital,
en las que enseña con preferencia el inglés ,
pero ninguno ha batido el record como la Aca
demia del Profesor Oscar Galeno, que tanto
por el éxito obtenido, como por el gran número
de los adeptos inscritos, ha demostrado que
es el más práctico y racional de los conocidos
hasta hoy.
El Profesor Galeno de cuyo indiscutible
éxito han publicado caracterizados órganos,
durante las horas de la clase, sin fatiga ni es
fuerzo por parte de los alumnos, lo efectivo ,
lo lógico y lo práctico del sistema de ense
ñanza que en dichas clases se emplean, está
demostrado de una manera palpable, como lo
ha atestiguado la prensa de Nueva York, Chi
cago, San Francisco de California, y hoy en
México. La Revista Mexicana ha celebrado
un convenio con el Profesor Galeno, para fa
cilitar a sus lectores el aprendizaje del inglés.
¿QUIERE USTED APRENDER INGLES?
Envíe usted a La Revista Mexicana el pre
cio de la subscripción por un año , más $2 adi
cional, lo que hace un total de $6 oro na
cional, y recibirá nuestro magazine durante
doce meses, lo mismo que un libro de Inglés,
cuyo precio corriente es de $5 .

MERCANTILE BANKING CO . LTD .

Av. F. I. Madero No. 12. P. O. Box. 131 Bis. México , D. F.

Geo. J. McCarty, K. M. Van Zandt, Jr., F. Peltier, Fco. Coudurier, G. A. Moran,
President. Vice-President and Manager. Assistant Manager. Cashier. Assistant Cashier.
GENERAL BANKING BUSINESS TRANSACTED
FOREIGN EXCHANGE BOUGHT AND SOLD
TELEGRAPH TRANSFERS. LETTERS OF CREDIT.
TRAVELERS' CHECKS ISSUED

Current Checking Accounts of Merchants, Manufacturers and Individuals Invited.

 38 THE
"The Time They Lose in Spain "
The Humorous Closing Chapter of the Popular Book " The Route
of Don Quijote " by the Noted Spanish Writer Azorin
Translation by Joel Quiñones .
OCTOR DEKKER is in our midst Dr.
Dekker is, first of all, an F. R. C. S. ,
D Dr. Dekker raves upon Madrid. "The best
that is, Fellow of the Royal College of
Surgeons ; after that Dr. Dekker is a philolo
gist, pholosopher, geographer, psychologist,
botanist, numismatist, archaeologist. A genial
letter from Dr. Paul Smith, known to the
young Spanish literati- through his having
associated on terms of friendship with them
years ago has put me in touch with the il
lustrious member of the Royal College of Sur
geons of London . Dr. Dekker does not lodge
in a fine hotel of the capital ; not Sr. Cap
devielle, nor Sr. Baena, nor Sr. Ibarra can
boast the honor of having his name register
ed on their books. Could Dr. Dekker write
Scene at a Polling Place at the Recent Mexico City Election.
Escena en una de las Casillas Electorales Durante las Ultimas Elecciones Municipales,
Ciudad de México.
his grand work if he were rooming in the
Hotel de la Paz, or the Paris, or the English
Hotels ? No ; Dr. Dekker has taken lodgings
at a very modest private house of our middle.
class ; on the dining- room table there is an
oil-cloth covering-somewhat faded; the backs
of the reception chairs show some grease
spots. " The best in the world ! " Dr. Dekker
has enthusiastically exclaimed upon beholding
the spectacle, with his thoughts centered on
the country of Spain, which is absolutely the
best in the world.
And forthwith Dr. Dekker has pulled out
his pencil. Marching with this pencil sen
tinel fashion from one end to the other, as a
rifle-man with his firing piece, Dr. Dekker has
begun to heap the materials for his terrible
book. And what book is this ? I have al
ready stated it : " The time they lose in
Spain. " The illustrious Doctor has with two
words explained to me the plan. method and
MEXICAN REVIEW
idea of the whole matter. I have understood
at once. Dr. Dekker is delighted with Spain.
in the world! " he exclaims at every moment
teeming with enthusiasm.
And pray, why does the respectable Dr.
Dekker go into ecstasies in this way? " Ah! "
says he, " Spain is the country where the
longest waiting is done. " In the morning
Dr. Dekker arises and confidently directs his
steps toward his wash-bowl ; however, the re
nowned member of the R. C. of S. of London,
is destined to experience a slight disappoint
ment: the wash-bowl contains not a single
drop of water. Dr. Dekker calls the maid ; the
maid has just gone out this instant ; never
theless, the landlady herself will wait upon
him ; but the landlady is combing her hair
this very moment, and in any event it is ne
cessary to wait seven minutes. Dr. Dekker
brings out his small note-book and his pencil,
and writes: " Seven minutes. " Are they
aware in this house as to when a stranger
should breakfast ? Most assuredly a stranger
does not breakfast at the same hour that a
native does ; when Dr. Dekker orders his cho
colate, he is apprised of the necessity of mak
ing it ; in Spain all things are made when they
ought to have been ready. The illustrious
Doctor waits fifteen minutes ; and he writes.
down in his tiny book: " Fifteen minutes."'
The eminent Doctor goes out.
Of course all the street-cars will not go
by just when it is our will that they should :
there is a secret and unyielding destiny which
takes things and street- cars in ways and
directions which we fail to understand . But
Dr Dakker is a philosopher and knows that
when we wish to go towards the right, seven
street-cars will pass by in a left-handed direc
tion, whereas if our intention should be to
travel towards the left, these seven street
cars will run toward the right. But Dr. Dek
ker's philosophy does not hinder him from
taking out his small note-book and jotting
down: " Eighteen minutes. "'
What foreigner is so lucky as to have
nothing to straighten out in our offices,
ministries, or political centers ? Dr. Dekker
wends his way toward a Ministry ; the Min
istry clerks-this is traditional, please read
Larra on this point- never know anything
about anything. If they knew anything,
would they be employees in a Ministry ? Dr.
Dekker walks through long corridors, winds
about, crosses pavilions, opens and shuts
doors, questions door-keepers, doffs his hat
before first, second, third, fourth and fifth
officers, who gaze upon him amazedly, while
they leave " El Imparcial" or " El Liberal"
on the table At one office they tell him
that is not the place where he should seek
his information ; at another that they know
nothing about the matter ; at a third that
they are probably posted at some other of
fice; at a fourth that " to-day, off hand,
they can say nothing. " All these goings and
comings, greetings, questions, astonishments,
exclamations , delays, subterfuges, shifts ,
evasions, are as a hidden path which lead Dr.
Dekker to the discovery of the supreme truth,
the national synthesis, id est, that it is neces
sary to return to-morrow. And here, the learn
ed Doctor cries out with greater enthusiasm
than ever: " The best in the world ! " where
upon he immediately gets hold of his note
book and makes this entry: " Two hours."'
Can a stranger who is a philosopher, philol
ogist , numismatist and archaeologist, go
through Madrid without visiting our National
Library ?
Dr. Dekker receives from the hands of a
door-keeper a pair of strange and mysterious
pincers ; then notes down on a blank form
the work he requests, the language in which
he desires it, the requisite volume, the number
on the pincers, his own name and address ;
after all of which he waits a long while in
front of a small railing. Is the illustrious
Doctor sure the work he has requested bears
the title which he has written down ? Per
haps it is this other one, the title of which
a librarian reads to him from a memorandum
which he holds in his hand ? Or may be the
book he desires is being bound and conse
quently is not yet included in the indices ? Or
in all probability the blanks have been
changed, and it would be better to look for
the name of the translator instead of insist
ing on looking for that of the author ? The
librarian who looks and looks again for the
description of this book has a vague idea.
Dr. Dekker also has a vague idea and writes
down : "Thirty minutes. "'
However, it is impossible to stop for further
inquiry ; a friend has made an appointment
with Dr. Dekker, and the illustrious Doctor
departs hastily for the meeting place. The
distinguished member of the R. C. of S. of
London is unacquainted with another fun
damental truth in our life, another small
national synthesis : which is, that in Madrid
a discreet man should never show up at any
appointment , and on top of not appearing,
should reproach the person with whom he
had his appointment for his lack of attend
with the certainty of receiving this
 LA
"El Tiempo Que Pierden en España "
El Humorístico Capítulo Final del Simpático Libro
de Azorín "La Ruta de Don Quijote"
Traducido al Inglés por Joel Quiñones.
L Dotcor Dekker se encuentra entre nos
otros : el doctor Dekker, es, ante todo,
Eof
F. R. C. S.; es decir, fellow of the Royal
College of Surgeons ; después el doctor Dekker
es filólogo, filósofo , geógrafo, psicólogo, bo
tánico, numismático, arqueólogo . Una sen
cilla carta del Dr. Pablo Smith, conocido de
la juventud literaria española-por haber
amigado años atrás con ella-, me ha puesto
en relaciones con el ilustre miembro del Real
Colegio de Cirujanos de Londres. El doctor
Dekker no habita en ningún célebre hotel de
la capital ; ni el Sr. Capdevielle, ni el señor
Baena, ni el señor Ibarra, tienen el honor de
llevarle apuntado en sus libros. ¿ Podría es
cribir el doctor Dekker su magna obra si vi
viera en el Hotel de la Paz, o en el de París ,
o en el Inglés ? No ; el doctor Dekker tiene
su asiento en una modestísima casa particular
de nuestra clase media : en la mesa del co
medor hay mantel de hule- un poco blanco- ;
la sillería del recibimiento muesta manchas
grasientas en su respaldo. The best in the
world!-ha exclamado con entusiasmo el doc
tor Dekker al contemplar este espectáculo ,
puesto el pensamiento en el país de España,
que es el mejor del mundo.
Y en seguida el doctor Dekker ha sacado
su lápiz. Con este lápiz, caminando avizor de
una parte a otra, como un rifle-man con su
escopeta, el doctor Dekker ha comenzado ya
a amontonar los materiales de su libro terri
ble.. Y, ¿ qué libro es éste? Ya lo he dicho :
" The time they lose in Spain." El ilustre
doctor me ha explicado en dos palabras, mé
todo y concepto de la materia : yo lo he en
tendido al punto. El doctor Dekker está en
cantado de España ; pero el doctor Dekker
delira por Madrid The best in the world !
grita a cada momento entusiasmado.
Y, ¿por qué se entusiasma de este modo el
respetable doctor ? ¡Ah ! -dice 61-España
es el país donde se espera más. " Por la ma
ñana, el doctor Dekker se levanta y se dirige
confiado a su lavabo ; sin embargo, el ilustre
miembro del Real Colegio de Cirujanos de
Londres, sufre un ligero desencanto : en el
lavabo no hay ni una gota de agua. El doc
tor Dekker llama a la criada ; la criada ha sa
lido precisamente en este instante ; sin em
bargo, va a servirle a la dueña de la casa, pe
ro la dueña de la casa se está peinando en
este momento , y hay que esperar de todos
modos siete minutos. El doctor Dekker saca
su pequeño cuaderno y su lápiz, y escribe :
Siete minutos. Saben en esta casa cuándo
ha de desayunarse un extranjero ? Segura
mente que un extranjero no se desayuna a la
misma hora que un indígena ; cuando el doctor
Dekker demanda el chocolate, le advierten que
es preciso confeccionarlo. Otra pequeñaob
servación : en España todas las cosas hay que
hacerlas cuando deben estar hechas. El ilus
tre doctor torna a esperar quince minutos ; y
escribe en su diminuto cuaderno : Quince mi
nutos.
El ilustre doctor sale de casa.
Claro está que todos los tranvías no pasan
cuando nuestra voluntad quiere que pasen ;
hay un destino secreto e inexorable que lle
vn las cosas y los tranvías en formas v di
REVISTA MEXICANA
recciones que nosotros no comprendemos. Pe
ro el doctor Dekker es filósofo y sabe que
cuando queremos ir a la derecha, pasan siete
tranvías en dirección a la izquierda, y que
cuando es nuestro ánimo dirigirnos por la
izquierda, los siete tranvías que corren van
hacia la derecha. Pero esta filosofía del doc
tor Dekker no es óbice para que él saque un
pequeño cuaderno y escriba : Diez y ocho mi
nutos.
¿ Qué extranjero será tan afortunado, que
no tenga algo que dirimir en nuestras oficinas,
ministerios o centros políticos ? El doctor
Dekker se dirige a un ministerio ; los emplea
Mexico's Geological Institute.
Instituto Geológico de México.
dos de los ministerios-ya es tradicional, leed
a Larra- no saben nunca nada de nada. Si
supieran alguna cosa , estarían empleados en
un ministerio ? El doctor Dekker camina por
pasillos largos, da vueltas, cruza patios, abre
y cierra puertas, hace preguntas a los porte
ros, se quita el sombrero ante oficiales prime
ros, segundos, terceros, cuartos y quintos que
se quedan mirándole, estupefactos, mientras
dejan " El Imparcial " o " El Liberal" sobre
la mesa. En una parte le dicen que allí no
es donde ha de enterarse ; en otra que desco
nocen el asunto ; en una tercera que acaso
lo sabrán en el negociado tal ; en una cuarta
que hoy precisamente así al pronto, no pue
den decir nada. " Todas estas idas y venidas,
saludos, preguntas, asombros, exclamaciones,
dilaciones, subterfugios, cabildeos, evasivas,
son como una senda escondida que conduce al
doctor Dekker al descubrimiento de la supre
ma verdad, de la síntesis nacional, esto es,
de que hay que volver mañana. Y entonces
al ilustre doctor grita con más entusiasmo que
39
nunca: The best in the world ! y luego echa
mano de su cuaderno y apunta : Dos horas.
¿Podrá un extranjero que es filósofo, filó
logo, numismático, arqueólogo, pasar por Ma
drid sin visitar nuestra Biblioteca Nacional?
El doctor Dekker recibe de manos de un
portero, unas misteriosas y extrañas pinzas ;
luego apunta en una papeleta la obra que pi
de, el idioma en que la quiere, el tomo que
desea, el número de las pinzas, su propio nom
bre y apellidos, las señas de su casa ; después
espera un largo rato delante de una pequeña
barandilla. Está seguro el ilustre doctor de
que la obra que ha pedido, se titula como él lo
ha escrito? No se tratará, acaso, de esta
otra, cuyo título le lee un bibliotecario en una
papeleta que trae en la mano? O es que tal vez
el libro que él desea, están encuadernándolo
y no se ha puesto aún en el índice ? O quizá
no sucederá que las papeletas estén cambia
das o que hay que mirar por el nombre del
traductor en vez de empeñarse en buscar por
B
8461
el del autor? El bibliotecario que busca y
rebusca las señas de este libro , tiene una va
ga idea..... El doctor Dekker también tiene
otra vaga idea, y escribe : Treinta minutos.
Pero es imposible detenerse en más averi
guaciones ; un amigo ha citado para tal hora
al doctor Dekker, y el ilustre doctor sale pre
cipitadamente para el punto. El insigne
miembro del Real Colegio de Cirujanos de
Londres, ignora otra verdad fundamental de
nuestra vida , otra pequeña síntesis nacional :
y es que en Madrid un hombre discreto, no
debe acudir nunca a ninguna cita, y sobre.
no acudir, debe reprochar, además, su no asis
tencia a la persona que le ha citado, seguro
de que esta persona le dará sus corteses ex
cusas, puesto que ella no ha acudido tam
poco.
El doctor Dekker, al enterarse de este de
talle trascendental , ha gritado de nuevo, hen
chido de emoción : The best in the world! y al
momento ha consignado en su cuaderno : Cua
renta minutos. Habrá que decir también que
al egregin doctor ha tenido que esperar a que
 40 THE
person's courteous apologies, inasmuch as he
kewise failed to appear. Dr. Dekker, upon
Alighting on this overwhelming piece of truth,
exclaims anew, brimming full of emotion :
" The best in the world!" And without a
moment's loss he adds in his note-book:
"Forty minutes." Is it at all necessary to
state that the egregious Doctor, upon return
ing to his house for lunch, has had to wait
for his soup, and he has likewise written in
his booklet " Fifteen minutes?''
There is nothing more in order after lunch
eon than to go to a café. To cross the Puerta
del Sol is quite an enterprise. One must edge
his way through compact groups where social
revolution is being discussed, and avoid pass
ers-by who go from one side to the other with
slow and crooked step, incline to the left, or
lean to the right, avoid a collision, and often
times await for an opening to sift through.
"A man who is coming behind me, " wrote
Montesquieu, in speaking of this modern
bustle, " makes me turn right about face,
while another who crosses before me, sudden
ly puts me back in the same place the first
had got me out of. I have not gone a hundred
steps and I am as tired as if I had made a
six-league trip. "
Montesquieu did not know our Puerta del
Sol , but the illustrious Dr. Dekker has crossed
and recrossed it time and again. From the
corner of Preciados to the entrance to Alcalá
street, with free right of way he could spend
at an easy gait, about two minutes ; now it
takes him six to do it. Dr. Dekker painfully
wedges through the crowd of job-hunters,
wild-schemers, pick- pockets, demagogues ,
priests, panders, policemen, venders, and
writes in his notes : " Four minutes.'' And
once in the café, a servant delays some min
utes in investigating his wishes ; other min
utes go by before the same servant brings
the things appertaining to the beverage, and
still many more minutes are wasted before
the waiter finally realizes that he must ful
fil his duty. Dr. Dekker feels moved.
Twelve minutes" he transcribes in his book
and then goes out into the street.
Shall we relate one by one all the con
tingencies which befall him?
In a store
where he has given a five-duro bill to pay for
his purchase, they delay ten minutes in giving
him back his change, because the boy-an
every day occurrence- has had to go out to
get the bill changed.
In the theater, in order to see the show
which is billed for 8:30, he must wait until
9:15; if, meanwhile, he takes up a newspaper
to read on a certain subject, the incongruity,
disorder and lack of proportion with which
our daily sheets are gotten up, make him lose
a great while. Dr. Dekker fairly bubbles over
with inward satisfaction. Can you appreciate
the joy of the astronomer who confirms his
remote intuitions, or of the paleontologist
who has just reconstructed from a single bone
the frame of a milenary monster, or of the
epigraphist who has hit upon a great enigma . Para las ENFERMEDADES de los
engraved on a rock almost worn away by the
centuries ? Dr. Dekker has verified at last,
radiant with pleasure, the calculations which
he ventured through mere presumption in his
office on Fish-Street Hill.
And when upon his return to his humble
Madrid lodging, about midnight , the watch
man makes him wait a half hour before ad
mitting him at the door, the eximious fellow
of the R. C. of S. of London reaches the
acme of his enthusiasm , and exclaims for the
MEXICAN REVIEW
last time, stentoriously and jovially, thinking sowing of that textile, so advantageously
of this country, without peer on the globe : known.
" The best in the world ! '' The Secretary of Agriculture has made an
The famous economist Novicow has in important order for the seeds of various kinds
vestigated in his book " The Wastefulness of of cotton grown in the United States, among
Modern Societies, " the infinite lapses of time which are the so-called " Lone Star " and
which in the present era we waste in gram " Mebane Triumph. " The houses that will
matical forms, useless letters, printed and fill the order are the Fergusson Seed Farm
handwritten (according to the author, these and Allbright and Caldwell. This order was
useless characters cost the English and the made to fill the many requests for these seeds.
French 195 million franes a year) , in cour that the Mexcan farmers are making.
tesies, in tiresome complications of weights ,
measures and currencies. Dr. Dekker, a sin
gular humorist and sagacious sociologist , shall
inaugurate, by the application of this method
to the concrete cases of daily life, a series ¡ GRATIS!
of highly interesting studies. With this end
in view he has come to Spain and marches Para todo Agricultor,
from one part to another with tilted pencil
all day long. We will soon be able to enjoy Hacendado, Comerciante
the first of his books in project. It is entitled o persona que se interese
" The Time They Lose in Spain; that is, " El
Tiempo que se Pierde en España." en la lectura de asuntos
agrícolas e industriales.
The Wharves of All the
Ports to Be Repaired. UN EJEMPLAR DE MUESTRA
HE Secretary of Communications and
T Public Works has under consideration the DE LA REVISTA
restoration of the majority of the wharves
and other landing points throughout the "LA HACIENDA"
Republic, some of which like that of Salina
Cruz and various ones in Lower California que contiene, además de
suffer from various defects. To complete
texto interesante y muy
such an interesting project, a sum of not less
than four hundred thousand pesos will be instructivo, magníficos
appropriated.
The port of Salina Cruz will be the first grabados, cubierta a co
to be ready.
lores, etc., y ofrece un
One of the engineers dependent on that
Department will set out in a short time on a servicio gratis para sus
voyage of inspection to the ports of the Re
public, having as his object to obtain in lectores .
formation in regard to the condition of the
wharves. Una tarjeta postal, es su
Jute Is to Be Grown in Vera Cruz . ficiente para pedir un
ARIOUS agriculturists of Ori número de muestra.
zaba and Córdoba, of the State of Vera
Cruz, have recently requested the Department DIRECCION:
of Agriculture to send them some of the LA HACIENDA COMPANY
existing pamphlets concerning the most SAMPLE COPY DEP. , 40.
BUFFALO, N. Y., E. U. A..
modern methods of cultivating jute, for they
wish to dedicate a part of their land to the
RINONINA
SIEG'S PASTILLAS ALEMANAS
DEL DR.
SIEG'S
LOK DR. SIEG"
52525 2525
RIÑONES , HIGADO , VEJIGA, URETRA.
Disuelven el tan peligroso ACIDO URICO
causa directa del REUMATISMO, GOTA etc
De venta en las principales DROGUERIAS Y BOTICAS
DEPOSITO GRAL . Apartado 1272 MEXICO, D.F.

40 THE
person's courteous apologies, inasmuch as he
kewise failed to appear. Dr. Dekker, upon
lighting on this overwhelming piece of truth ,
exclaims anew, brimming full of emotion :
" The best in the world ! '' And without a
moment's loss he adds in his note-book :
" Forty minutes.'' Is it at all necessary to
state that the egregious Doctor, upon return
ing to his house for lunch, has had to wait
for his soup, and he has likewise written in
his booklet " Fifteen minutes?''
There is nothing more in order after lunch
eon than to go to a café. To cross the Puerta
del Sol is quite an enterprise. One must edge
his way through compact groups where social
revolution is being discussed, and avoid pass
ers-by who go from one side to the other with
slow and crooked step, incline to the left, or
lean to the right, avoid a collision , and often
times await for an opening to sift through.
" A man who is coming behind me, " ‫ ܕ‬wrote
Montesquieu, in speaking of this modern
bustle, " makes me turn right about face,
while another who crosses before me, sudden
ly puts me back in the same place the first
had got me out of. I have not gone a hundred
steps and I am as tired as if I had made a
""
six-league trip.
Montesquieu did not know our Puerta del
Sol , but the illustrious Dr. Dekker has crossed
and recrossed it time and again. From the
corner of Preciados to the entrance to Alcalá
street, with free right of way he could spend
at an easy gait, about two minutes ; now it
takes him six to do it. Dr. Dekker painfully
wedges through the crowd of job-hunters,
wild-schemers, pick-pockets , demagogues ,
priests, panders, policemen , venders, and
writes in his notes : " Four minutes. '' And
once in the café, a servant delays some min
utes in investigating his wishes ; other min
utes go by before the same servant brings
the things appertaining to the beverage, and
still many more minutes are wasted before
the waiter finally realizes that he must ful
fil his duty. Dr. Dekker feels moved.
" Twelve minutes " he be transcribes in his book
and then goes out into the street .
Shall we relate one by one all the con
In a store
tingencies which befall him?
where he has given a five-duro bill to pay for
his purchase, they delay ten minutes in giving
him back his change, because the boy-an
every day occurrence- has had to go out to
get the bill changed .
In the theater, in order to see the show
which is billed for 8:30, he must wait until
9:15 ; if, meanwhile, he takes up a newspaper
to read on a certain subject, the incongruity,
disorder and lack of proportion with which
our daily sheets are gotten up, make him lose
a great while. Dr. Dekker fairly bubbles over
with inward satisfaction . Can you appreciate
the joy of the astronomer who confirms his
remote intuitions, or of the paleontologist
who has just reconstructed from a single bone
the frame of a milenary monster, or of the
epigraphist who has hit upon a great enigma
engraved on a rock almost worn away by the
centuries ? Dr. Dekker has verified at last ,
radiant with pleasure, the calculations which
he ventured through mere presumption in his
office on Fish-Street Hill.
And when upon his return to his humble
Madrid lodging, about midnight, the watch
man makes him wait a half hour before ad
mitting him at the door, the eximious fellow
of the R. C. of S. of London reaches the
aeme of his enthusiasm , and exclaims for the
J
MEXICAN REVIEW
last time, stentoriously and jovially, thinking sowing of that textile, so advantageously
- known.
of this country, without peer on the globe :
" The best in the world ! "' The Secretary of Agriculture has made an
The famous economist Novicow has in important order for the seeds of various kinds
vestigated in his book " The Wastefulness of of cotton grown in the United States , among
Modern Societies , '' the infinite lapses of time which are the so-called " Lone Star ' and
which in the present era we waste in gram "Mebane Triumph. " The houses that will
matical forms, useless letters, printed and fill the order are the Fergusson Seed Farm
handwritten ( according to the author, these and Allbright and Caldwell. This order was
useless characters cost the English and the made to fill the many requests for these seeds
French 195 million francs a year) , in cour that the Mexcan farmers are making.
tesies, in tiresome complications of weights,
measures and currencies. Dr. Dekker , a sin
gular humorist and sagacious sociologist, shall
inaugurate, by the application of this method
to the concrete cases of daily life, a series GRATIS !
of highly interesting studies. With this end
in view he has come to Spain and marches Para todo Agricultor,
from one part to another with tilted pencil
Hacendado, Comerciante
all day long. We will soon be able to enjoy
the first of his books in project. It is entitled o persona que se interese
" The Time They Lose in Spain ;? ' that is, " El
Tiempo que se Pierde en España. '' en la lectura de asuntos
agrícolas e industriales .
The Wharves of All the
Ports to Be Repaired. UN EJEMPLAR DE MUESTRA
HE Secretary of Communications and
1 Public Works has under consideration the DE LA REVISTA
·
restoration of the majority of the wharves
and other landing points throughout the "LA HACIENDA”
Republic, some of which like that of Salina
Cruz and various ones in Lower California que contiene, además de
suffer from various defects . To complete
texto interesante y muy
such an interesting project, a sum of not less
than four hundred thousand pesos will be instructivo, magníficos
appropriated.
The port of Salina Cruz will be the first grabados, cubierta a co
to be ready.
lores, etc., y ofrece un
One of the engineers dependent on that
Department will set out in a short time on a servicio gratis para sus
voyage of inspection to the ports of the Re
public , having as his object to obtain in lectores.
formation in regard to the condition of the
wharves. Una tarjeta postal, es su
Jute Is to Be Grown in Vera Cruz. ficiente para pedir un
VARIOUS prominent agriculturists of Ori número de muestra.
zaba and Córdoba, of the State of Vera
Cruz, have recently requested the Department DIRECCION:
of Agriculture to send them some of the LA HACIENDA COMPANY
existing pamphlets concerning the most SAMPLE COPY DEP. , 10,
BUFFALO, N. Y. , E. U. A.
modern methods of cultivating jute , for they
wish to dedicate a part of their land to the
RINONINA
DR. PASTILLAS ALEMANAS DR.
SIEG'S SIEG'S
" DR. SIEG " O
OK
52525
Para las ENFERMEDADES de los
Riñones , Higado , Vejiga, URETRA.
Disuelven el tan peligroso ACIDO URICO
causa directa del REUMATISMO , GOTA etc
De venta en las principales DROGUERIAS y BOTICAS
DEPOSITO GRAL . Apartado 1272 – MEXICO , D.F.
}
 LA
pusieran la sopa, cuando ha regresado a su
casa en demanda de su yantar y que también
ha escrito en su librillo : Quince minutos?
Nada más natural después de comer, que ir
a un café. Atravesar la Puerta del Sol es
una gran empresa. Es preciso hendir grupos
compactos en que se habla de la revolución
social , sortear paseantes lentos que van de
un lado para otro, con paso sinuoso, echar a
la izquierda, ladearse a la derecha, evitar un
encontronazo, hacer largas esperas para po
derse colar al fin por un resquicio...
" Un hombre que viene detrás de mí - decía
Montesquieu hablando de estos modernos trá
fagos- me hace dar una media vuelta, y otro
que cruza luego por delante, me coloca de re
pente en el mismo sitio de donde el primero
me había sacado. Yo no he caminado cien
pasos, y ya estoy más rendido que si hubiera
hecho un viaje de seis leguas. "
Montesquieu no conoció nuestra Puerta del
Sol, pero el ilustre Dr. Dekker la ha cruzado
y recruzado múltiples veces. Desde la esquina
de Preciados hasta la entrada de la calle de
Alcalá, estando libre el tránsito, podría tar
darse con andar sosegado, dos minutos ; aho
ra se tarda seis. El doctor Dekker hiende per
sonalmente la turba de cesantes, arbitristas,
randas, demagogos, curas, chulos, policías,
vendedores y escribe en sus apuntes : Cuatro
minutos. Y luego en el café, ya sentado ante
la blanca mesa, un mozo tarda unos minutos
en lleguar a inquirir sus deseos ; otros minutos
pasan antes de que el mismo mozo aporte los
apechusques del brevaje, y muchos otros mi
nutos transcurren también antes de que el
echador se percate de que ha de cumplir con
la digna representación que ostenta . El doc
tor Dekker se siente conmovido. Doce mi
nutos, consigna en su cartera y sale a la calle.
Relataremos, punto por punto, todos los
lances que le acontecen ? En una tienda donde
ha dado un billete de cinco duros para que
cobrasen lo comprado, tardan en entregarle
la veulta diez minutos, porque el chico- cosa
corriente ha tenido que salir con el billete
a cambiarlo.
En un teatro, para ver la función anunciada
a las ocho y media en punto, ha de esperar
hasta las nueve y cuarto ; si mientras tanto
coge un periódico con objeto de enterarse de
determinado asunto, la incongruencia, el des
orden y la falta absoluta de proporciones con
que nuestras hojas diarias están urdidas, le
hacen perder un largo rato. El doctor Dek
ker desborda de satisfacción íntima. Os per
catáis de la alegría del astrónomo que ve con
firmadas sus intuiciones remotas o del palen
teólogo que acaba de reconstruir con solo un
hueso el armazón de un monstruo milenario ,
o del epigrafista que ha dado con un terrible
enigma
tada porgrabado en ?unaElpiedra
los siglos medio
doctor desgas
Dekker ha
comprobado, al fin, radiante de placer, los
EAGLE "MIKADO"
174 EAGLE MIKADO N°2 * EAGLE
Regular Length, 7 inches
For Sale at your Dealer, 5c Each.
Conceded to be the Finest Pencil made for general use.
EAGLE PENCIL COMPANY, NEW YORK
REVISTA MEXICANA
cálculos que él hiciera por puras presuncio
nes, en su despacho de Fish- street-Hill.
Y cuando de regreso a su modesto aloja
miento, ya de madrugada, el sereno le hace
aguardar media hora antes de franquearle la
puerta, el eximio socio del Real Colegio de
Cirujanos de Londres, llega al colmo de su en
tusiasmo y grita por última vez, estentoria
y jovialmente, pensando en este país, sin par
en el planeta : The best in the world!
El famoso economista Novicow, ha estu
diado, en su libro, " Los Despilfarros de las
Sociedades Modernas, " los infinitos lapsos
de tiempo que en la época presente malgas
tamos en fórmulas gramaticales, en letras inú
tiles y escritas (195 millones de francos al
año, dice el autor que cuestan estas letras
a los ingleses y franceses,) en cortesías, en
complicaciones engorrosas de pesos, medidas
y monedas.
Señor Joel Quiñones.
El doctor Dekker, original humorista y, a la
vez, penetrante sociólogo, va a inaugurar, apli
cando este método a los casos concretos de
la vida diaria, una serie de interesantísimos
estudios. Con este objeto, ha llegado a Es
paña, y marcha de una parte a otra todo el
día con el lápiz en ristre. Pronto podremos
leer el primero de sus libros en proyecto . Se
titula " The time they lose in Spain ; " es de
cir, " El tiempo que se pierde en España. "'
"¡ Dejad Solo a México ! "
Dice el Dr. Henry Allen Tupper.
ELconocido
Dr.Henryen Allen por la quien
MéxicoTupper, quebien
parte es to
mó en divulgar la verdad acerca de la Revo
PENCIL No.174
NEW
Made in five grades
41
lución Constitucionalista, en los comienzos de
ésta, y que se ha mostrado siempre como ar
diente partidario de México, declaró reciente
mente, en el templo que dirige en Washington,
lo que sigue :
" Antes que todo, hay que no ocuparse
de México para nada ! Dejad que los es
fuerzos que se hacen en ese país alcancen
sus resultados, independientemente de toda
influencia extraña.
" La segunda medida consistirá en la no
invasión e intervención armada por parte de
los Estados Unidos y la no adopción de otras
medidas drásticas para el castigo de los me
xicanos que nos han obligado a resentir pér
didas de vidas y haciendas, por la conquista
y ocupación de su territorio.
" La tercera medida consiste en reconocer
su nacioanlidad, independencia y soberanía
y continuar nuestras pacientes relaciones con
los mexicanos, por medio de una dirección lle
na de tacto, de una reciprocidad comercial
y por la inteligente apreciación de su carác
ter y condiciones, lo mismo que por la educa
ción cristiana, en su sentido más amplio, es
como debiéramos bendecir y dar brillo a la
tierra de las maravillosas posibilidades ale
targadas. "
" Gran parte de la obra depende de la ac
titud y la receptividad de los mexicanos,
puesto que todos los americanos desean ayu
darlos, no perjudicarlos. ''
Concerniente al Valor de las
Tierras Petroleras.
L Estado de Texas, inició hace poco un
EL juicio para recobrar ciertas tierras patro
leras que alega son de su legítima propiedad,
puesto que sus actuales poseedores, quienes
las desean explotar, no tienen títulos legales
para retenerlas en su poder. Se ha fijado el
valor de esas tierras en la suma de $250,000.
Y su área es precisamente de siete acres y
medio! Sería interesante saber lo que resul
taría, en caso de que el Gobierno Mexicano
valuara en esa proporción , las tierras petro
leras con objeto de imponer contribuciones o
con cualquier otro fin!
OPORTUNIDADES QUE OFRECE MEXICO
[Continúa de la Página 27.1
regresar a su patria para atacar y difamar
al Primer Magistrado de una nación que hon
ró al difamador, admitiéndolo en su país don
de encontró hospitalidad, cortesía y muchas
atenciones . Esto es todo lo que tengo que
decir, pues ya Mr. Chamberlain, con sus de
claraciones, ha contestado a la opinión del
juicioso pueblo norteamericano. Todos los que
obran en forma semejante, merecen las mis
mas consideraciones. "'
SORDERA
Y RUIDOS EN LA CABEZA
SI USTED SUFRE- Ocurra a la Botica o
Droguería más próxima, y pida una lata de
"CONCENTRADO SOURDAL" que vale $ 2.50.
Este nuevo remedio produce un alivio casi
inmediato. y realiza prontamente una curación
radical Se introduce hasta el sitio mismo del
mal, y ha curado copletamente muchos casos
considerados como desesperados. Si su boti
cario todavía no tiene en existencia el " SOUR
DAL" , no acepte ningún substituto, mande di
rectamente un giro postal a la " SOURDAL
DISTRIBUTING CO. , 38, STATION ROAD.
CROYDON , SURREY, INGLATERRA; y a
vuelta de correo se le enviará un paquete
conteniendo las instrucciones detalladas pa
ra usarlo,
:
A

42 THE MEXICAN REVIEW

Condition of the Only State of Mexico, 44-45 cents ; Bank of Guer holiday season,, even thought it was in a " dry 営 1
Remaining Paper Currency. rero, 30-35 cents ; Bank of Guanajuato, 15-16 town. "
cents ; Bank of Hidalgo , 40-45 cents ; Bank Double Tracking the
THE Treasury Department has issued a of Jalisco, 28-30 cents ; Bank of Morelos , 23
statement of the status of the only re Isthmus Railroad.
24 cents ; Mercantile Bank of Monterrey, 69
maining paper currency, known as the " in
falsificable, " which was issued in 1916 at a 70 cents ;; Mercantile
70 cents Bank of
Mercantile Bank Vera Cruz,
of Vera Cruz , 50
50 IN view of the increased traffic on the
cents ; Bank of Chihuahua, 18-19 Isthmus of Tehuantepec railroad , officials
par value of twenty cents Mex. or ten cents of the National Line are contemplating buildW
cents ; Bank of Nuevo Leon, 65 cents ; Oc
gold per dollar. This paper or any other has cidental Bank, 75-80 cents ; Oriental Bank, ing a double track railway across the isth
not been in circulation since specie payments mus. During the last few months numerous
15-16 cents ; Peninsular Bank, 33-35 cents ;
were resumed in the winter of 1916-17, since Bank steamers from Japan, Norway, Sweden and
of Queretaro , 15-16 cents ; Bank of
which time nothing but gold, silver and cop Sonora, 59-60 Holland have arrived with cargoes destined
cents ; Bank of Tamaulipas, 34
per coins have been in use. In order to re cents ; Bank of Tabasco, 29-35 cents ; Bank for South American countries and the pre
tire the paper entirely the Treasury Depart of Zacatecas , 32-34 cents. sent facilities for transporting this merchan
ment decreed a sur-tax in the paper named During the revolutionary period the banks dise across the isthmus have proven inade
on all imports. That is, those paying duties refused to accept their own paper except at
quate.
in Mexican gold were also obliged to pay the a heavy discount, this being one of the rea
same amount in " infalsificable. " At the time sons why the Government finally forced them
this tax was decreed the paper was worth prac into liquidation. It has always been claimed
Schools, Tutors, Governesses.
tically nothing, and for a long time could be that the banks of emission possessed abund
bought in the market at a fraction of a cent ance of assets to have enabled them in time Persons can obtain reliable infor
on the dollar. As fast as the paper was re to redeem their paper at par. mation respecting SCHOOLS, TUTORS
ceived by the government it was destroyed & EDUCATIONAL HOMES for boys
and as a result the price began to rise, until and girls, by sending full particulars
Major Gaston de Prida of their requirements (age of pupils,
now it is quoted at 7 1-2 to nearly 8 cents on locality preferred, &. ) to R. J. Fenn, late ኔ

the dollar.
The status of this paper, as regards the
amount issued , the amount destroyed, and
the total outstanding is given by the Treasury
Department as follows :
Printed by the American Bank
Note Company in New York.... $ 450,000,000
Bills of $1 and $ 2 printed here .. 65,000,000
Total amount issued .
515,000,000
Burned by the Monetary Com
mission up to June 30, 1919 ... 348,944,163
Burned since July 1, 1919..
48,175,130
Total amount outstanding.. ·
117,880,702
There has, naturally, been a large amount
of this paper that has been destroyed in one
way or another, and it is to be doubted if so
much as a hundred millions is still in exis
tence. Various efforts have been made to
induce the government to abolish the sur-tax
in paper, but without success, as it is desired
to retire the entire issue and this seems the
only reasible method. Practically all of the
holders of the paper obtained it for only a
small fraction of its present value.
While there are no bank bills in circulation,
there are occasional dealings in them on the
exchange, the quotations being as follows :
Banco Nacional, 63-64 cents ; Bank of Lon
don, 31-32 cents ; Bank of Aguascalientes, 21
22 cents ; Bank of Coahuila, 19-22 cents ;
Bank of Durango, 22-23 cents ; Bank of the
1
Not Executed By Villa professor English in Mexican University
and Normal School, Manager Orellana
Major
HE Gasfriends
many ton de Pri will be glad of
anddaacquaintances to & Co. University and School Agency, 10
T Blenheim St. Bond St. London W. 1.
learn that the report of his recent execution Established over 60 years.
by Villa in Chihuahua was a gross exag
geration. The Major is very much alive and
enjoyed a Merry Christmas in the city of
New York. Several weeks ago an account
of his alleged execution was sent out broad PALMETAS
cast from a border point that is notorious for
de la
the inaccuracy of about twelve-tenths of its
FABRICA
so-called Mexican news. He and several સન
de
others were alleged to have been captured DULCES
and shot because of their complicity in a plot у
to secuure the mythical reward of $ 50,000 for CHOCOLATES
Villa " Dead or alive. " Prida's family and
O
NF
friends have been mourning his untimely and L R IU
tragic end, but those familiar with the me E T
thods of the border " news factories " gave
no credence to the report and endeavored to
persuade his family that the chances were
altogether favorable to the falsity of the re Av. Rep. del
port. Their belief has now been verified . Salvador, 197.
The editor of The Mexican Review is in re México, D. F.
ceipt of a letter from New York, from a
gentleman who knows the Major very well , Aprobadas por
saying that the latter was in that city on the el C. S. de Sa
21st hale and hearty, not at all dead, and ap lubridad. MARCA IND. REG. NO. 18668
parently in the anticipation of a pleasant

THE FINEST JEWELRY ESTABLISHMENT IN MEXICO

Diamonds , DANIEL INCLAN Watches ,

3a. BOLIVAR No. 23.
Pearls, Jewelry of
The
ALHA M
Precious 23 GLE OCASION 23
JAS D Every
COMPRO ALHAJAS
Stones DANIELING + Descrip
TE

of Every
tion

Variety Everything in this estab

lishment is of the most
Residents and tourists
modern and artistic
should remember that
precious stones and jew design. Visitors are
elry are always cheap welcomed whether
er in Mexico than in
any other country. purchasers or not.

4
 44 THE
Regulations Governing Oil
Development in Texas.
HE oil and gas department of the Texas
THE Railroad Commission has given out the
following partial summary of the laws and the
rules of the commission on conservation, to
gether with the number of the commission's
form to be used :
1. Keep an accurate set of books.
2. File organization report on Form 7.
3. Do not drill nearer than 150 feet of any
property line or nearer than 300 feet of any
other well without a permit from the com
mission.
4. Give the Railroad Commission notice of
intention to drill, deepen, plug or shoot on
Form 1.
5. Keep drilling records at all wells while
drilling, re-drilling or deepening; said re
cords to show all formations, casings used,
etc.
6. Plug every abandoned well, give notice
to the commission on Form 1, so that said no
tice will reach the commission at least 24
hours before the time you wish to plug.
7. Before plugging any well, in addition to
notifying the commission, notify all adjoining
property or lease owners so that they may wit
ness the plugging if they so desire.
8. File plugging record on Form 4.
9. Upon completion of any well, file with
the commission a log of said well immediately
on Form 2.
10. Make report on all gas wells on Form 3.
11. File a narrative report of the result on
every well shot-no form prescribed.
12. As soon as you have production, make
application for pipe line certificate on Form
12 .
13. Do not allow oil and gas to escape
through leaks.
14. Report immediately all fires and leaks
causing material loss, giving location and
cause.
15. Make all sketches on a scale of 400 feet
to one inch, except where tracts are less than
two acres, then on a scale of 40 feet to one
inch.
16. Lay proper anchorage before drilling
is begun, unless it is in a field where it is
known high pressure does not exist.
17. In proven gas fields adequate prepara
J. DE LA
JEWELRY, FURNITURE,
ART OBJECTS
BOUGHT AND SOLD
Always on hand a com ALHAJAS
plete and varied stock of
ALHAJAS
Fine Jewelry, Eyeglasses,
Paintings, Safes and all
classes of Objects of Art
and Luxury.
252
MEXICAN REVIEW
tion must be made for the preservation of gas More Bronze Coins.
before drilling in a well.
18. If oil well is making gas, trap must be To relieve the acute shortage of change in
the capital, Lic. Luis Cabrera has issued
used. orders to the National Mint to start im
19. All gas wells must be restrained to 50 mediately the minting of bronze 20 centavos
per cent of their potential capacity.
pieces on a large scale. It will be possible
20. Pipe line companies are prohibited from to put over ten thousand worth of pesos in
making permanent connection with any oil
circulation daily and the monetary situation
or gas well until the owner or operator has will be somewhat relieved until the govern
a certificate from the Railroad Commission ment is able to resume the minting of silver
that he has complied with the conservation
bullion.
law.
The wireless station at Chapultepec has
Penalty for Wasting Gas been increased in power until now communi
In the United States. cation is had with various distant South Amer
ican points.
HOW owners of wells producing gas in the
United States instead of the oil for
which they were bored, are penalized for
permitting the former to escape without con EDWARD M. WILSON, M. E.
trolling it, is shown by the following extract
Technical Petroleum Expert,
from a telegraphic dispatch from Austin,
Texas: of Mexican Oil Regions.
" An Eastland County gas well making 75,
Geological Reports, Plans & Estimates
000,000 cubic feet of gas per day was per
Mexico City.
mitted to run wild for 40 days and today P. O. Box. 844.
Dr. George C. Butte, chief supervisor of the
oil and gas department of the Railroad Com
mission, advised the owner that the facts will
be presented to the County or District Attor
ney of Estland County for prosecution. Dr.
Butte also refused to issue the applicant a THE GRAND LEADER
permit showing that he had complied with
the oil and gas conservation law of the State. OTAL BROS.
The penalty, according to Dr. Butte's notice,
is $5,000 per day for each day the well wasted
gas. "'
GRAN SURTIDO DE
Artillery to Be Made .
HE War Department announces that the
ROPA EECHA, CAMISAS , CALZADO
THE Mexican Government is planning to build
a modern artillery factory where guns of
large caliber will be constructed . Every ef SOMBREROS, CRISTALERIA .
fort is being made to obtain the necessary
machinery and the country's best chemists are
working on a formula of a steel composition
which will surpass the best that is used by PRECIOS SIN COMPETENCIA
foreign manufacturers.
Five Pullman carloads of Japanese sailors 1011-1013 ITURBIDE STREET.
from a man-of- war now visiting the West LAREDO, TEXAS .
Coast recently visited Mexico City and were
entertained officially as well as otherwise.
52525252
FUENTE BUSTILLO Y HNO .
4a. Calle Bolivar, 36.- México, D. F.
ALHAJAS Y MUEBLES
OBJETOS DE ARTE.
COMPRA-VENTA.
11
RELOJES MUEBLES PINTURAS ANTIGUEDADES COMPRAY VENTA Siempre completo y varia
5822
Twente Bustie ‫الات‬ MUEBLES do surtido en Alhajas Fi
nas, Muebles, Anteojos , Ca
jas Fuertes, Pinturas y toda
clase de Artículos de Arte y
Lujo.
25.525 52525

đang đ
LA
L L
Reglamentación que Rige la
Explotación de
Y ! Petróleo en Texas.
E Departamento de Petróleo y Gas de la
Comisión del Ferrocarril de Texas, ha
públicado el siguiente resumen parcial de las
leyes y reglas de la misma, respecto a la con
servación de esos productos, juntamente con
algunas formas en blanco de la comisión pa
ra el uso de los propietarios :
1 Llévese una contabilidad exacta, en li
bros .
2 Presentese el informe de organización en
KA
la forma numero 7.
3. No se Inperfore a menos de ciento cin
cuenta píes de distancia del lindero de cual
quier propiedad; o a menos de trescientos
pies de otro pozo, sin permiso de la Comi
sión
4. Comuníquese a la Comisión del Ferro
carril laY intención de perforar , profundizar,
obturar, en la forma número 1 .
$ 5 5. Consérvense los registros de perforación
jor
en todos los pozos cuando se perfore, reper
fore * o profundice, para mostrar todas las
Y EN EL CAMPO PETROLERO.
formaciones y cubiertas pasadas.
6. Obtúrese todo pozo abandonado , dando
"sa3 aviso a la Comisión en la forma número 1, de
**55-12
manera, que este aviso llegue cuando menos,
Itw horas antes del momento en que se piense -
*~ obturar.
7. Antes de obturar cualquier pozó , además**
de comunicarlo a la Comisión, notifíquese a
los propietarios o arrendadores de las propie
dades vecinas, a fin de que puedan presenciar
la operación si lo desean .
8. Anótese el registro del taponamiento en
la forma número 4. A por aquellos lugares.
9. Al terminarse un pozo, envíese a - la Co
misión un informe detallado en la forma nú
mero 2.
10. ያንInfórmese de los pozos de gas, en la for
ma número 3 .
! 11. Preséntese un informe narrativo de to
do pozo brotado : No se requiere forma espe
I desperdiciado gas. "
cial.
12. Tan pronto como está asegurada la pro
ducción, elévese una solicitud para el certifi
cado de oleoductos, en la forma número 12.
13. No se permite que escape el gas de los
pozos por las rendijas.
14. Informe inmediatamente de todos los
incendios y derrames que ocasionen pérdidas
-IG materiales, diciendo la localidad y la causa.
15. Háganse todos los planos según una
escala de 400 pies por una pulgada, excepto
en los terrenos que tengan menos de dos acres,
en los que se adoptará una escala de cuarenta
pies por pulgada.
5 16. Establézcase la adecuada obturación an
tes de que comiencè la perforación , a menos
} D
77777777527
Hacemos
wift Y
Imprenta NACIONAL , ción toda clase de impre
SOS.
S. A.
En materia de revis
tas ilustradas , el presen
} of "The Mexican Review"
te número de "La Revis
AVE . URUGUAY 41 .
ta Mexicana,"
MEXICO ,
muestra de nuestro tra
D. F. bajo.
}
REVISTA MEXICANA
W trate de un terreno donde se sabe
de que se
que no existe una presión elevada.
17. En los terrenos donde se haya demostra-
do que hay gases, se adoptarán las debidas pre
cauciones para evitar el escape de éstos, antes
de perforar .
18. Si un pozo hace gas, debe aplicarse una
válvula.
19. Todos los pozos de gas deben ser restrin
gidos al cincuenta por ciento de su capacı
dad.
20. Se prohibe a todas las compañías de
oleoductos el establecer concesiones permanen
tes con cualquier pozo de petróleo o de gas,
mientras no tenga el propietario un certificado
de la Comisión del Ferrocarril , demostrando
que ha cumplido con lo prescrito en la ley de
conservación . :
Penas para los que Desperdicien
el Gas en los Estados Unidos .
EN el siguiente extracto, tomado de un
E de personas que los leen , casi nunca leen las
despacho telegráfico procedente de Aus
tín, Texas, se verá cómo son penados en Esta
dos Unidos los propietarios de pozos que arro
jen gas en lugar de petróleo, para lo cual fue
ron perforados , si dejan que se escape dicho
gas sin contenerlo :
" Se permitió que durante cuarenta días se
desprendiera libremente el gas de un pozo del
Condado de Eastland que produce bien unos
75,000,000 de metros cúbicos de fluído dia
riamente ; pero hoy notificó al propietario de
dicho pozo , el doctor George C. Butte, Inspec
tor en Jefe del Departamento de Gas de la
Comisión del Ferrocarril, que se comunicarían
los hechos al Procurador de Distrito del Con
dado de Eastland, para que abriera una ave
riguación y persiguiera al culpable. El doctor
Butte se negó a entregar al propietario un per
miso, certificando que había cumplido con la
ley conservadora de petróleo y gas del Estado .
La pena aplicable, en opinión del doctor But
te, es de $ 5,000 por cada día que el pozo haya
*
Se Fabricarán Cañones .
NFORMA la Secretaría de Guerra, que el
Gobierno mexicano proyecta construir una
fábrica moderna de cañones donde puedan
construirse piezas de grueso calibre. Se es
tán haciendo todos los esfuerzos posibles pa
ra obtener la necesaria maquinaria, estando
trabajando los mejores químicos del país on
el descubrimiento de una fórmula de alguna
clase de acero que supere a las mejores que
usan los constructores extranjeros.
La Revista Mexicana saldrá el día primero
de. cada mes.
1757
Printing and publishing
177
con perfec of every description.
Books and magazines a
speciality. This number
is a sample of its work.
es una
45
Un Ejemplo de " Noticia " Exacta.
EL Embajador Bonillas hizo recientemente
un viaje a México, a fin de conferenciar
con el Presidente Carranza, cuando éste se
hallaba en el norte del país. Precisamente
- antes de que el Embajador regresara a Wash
ington a hacerse cargo de sus funciones , se
dió amplia publicidad en todo el país a un
despacho de Washington que dice así :
" Washington.- El Embaja
dor de México, señor Bonillas, quien
regresa a Washington después de haber
celebrado una conferencia con el Presi
dente Carranza en Venegas, protestará an
te el Departamento de Estado contra los •
aviadores norteamericanos que realizan
vuelos sobre el territorio mexicano . "
El Embajador Bonillas no hizo nada pare
cido. Ni tampoco fue puesto al frente de la
Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores, como se
anunció en otro despacho . Lo grave de estos
falsos informes, consiste en que los millones
rectificaciones.
(Continúa de la Página 7.)
Noticias recibidas por prominentes petrole
ros de esta capital, hacen constar que desde
luego la región del pozo de " Juan Casiano "
y otras inmediatas, han quedado completa
mente libres de rebeldes y que el último en
cuentro habido , se efectuó en el punto llama
do " Bajos de Ensenada, " en el que salió
completamente derrotada y perseguida la ga
villa de Vicente Reyes, uno de los secuaces
pelaecistas que más atropellos han cometido
A ULTIMA HORA.-Hallándose ya listo pa
ra entrar a la prensa el artículo anterior, se re
cibieron las cifras exactas de la exportación
habida durante el mes de diciembre, que su
ma 6.134,817 barriles. Esta cantidad hace que
el total general por el año , se eleve a
82,089,675 barriles .
AVES DE PELEA
DE SUPREMA CALIDAD
Gallos de ataque rá
pido y seguros hasta
la muerte .
No los hay mejores
en el mundo . Pida Ca
tálogo Ilustrado Gra
tuito, a
ALFRED F. GRAHAM.
CAMERON, N. C.-E. U. A.
Puedo también proporcionar Sabuesos Ingle
ses y Perros de Caza, educados para todos los
usos a que se destinan los Perros de caza.
525
Unicos Impresores
DE PRESTIGIO
G
THE LEADING
HOUSE
IN ITS LINE
25
 46 THE MEXICAN REVIEW

HEAVY SILVER OUTPUT to admit liquors for storage upon receipt of constitutional practice which might elad to
FOR THE YEAR 1919. fifty per cent of the duty thereon . Whenever very great confusion regarding the guidance
they shall be removed for shipment to other of our foreign affairs. Confident that I am
points, the balance of the duty must be paid. supported by a very competent constitutional
Figures That Show the Prosperity
This ruling applies to the States of Nuevo authority in the statement that the initiative
Of Mexico's White Metal
Leon, Tamaulipas, Coahuila and Chihuahua . in directing the relations of our government
Mines.
The State of Sonora does not allow the im with foreign governments is assigned by the
HE constitution to the executive and executive
TH E Department of Industry, Commerce portation of liquors.
and Labor announces that the total silver only.
production for the year 1919 amounts to more Mexico's Increased " The senate is only associated with the pre
than 1,949,662 kilogram-2 1-5 pounds avoir sident by the constitution in an advisory
Foreign Commerce.
dupois to the kilogram. The market price of capacity and the advice of the senate is
silver bullion in this city today (January 3d) FFICIAL figures of the foreign commerce provided for only when sought by the execu
OFof this country have been published,
is $84 (Mex. ) per kilo, or $42 American gold. tive in regard to explicit agreements with
The total value of the product at the rate showing that for the first six months of 1919 foreign governments and the appointment of
given would be $163,771,608 (Mex. ) , or $ 81 , the total importations amounted to $96,431 , diplomatic representatives of the United
885,804 (American.) The actual value is of 981 (American) . For October the amount of States to foreign capitals. The only safe
course less, as the price of silver increased imports was $9,942,552, or twenty per cent course, I am confident is adherence to the
greatly since the first of the year 1919. greater than for the same month of 1918. prescribed method of the constitution. We
The approximate figures of silver produc The total of exportations for the first ten might go very far afield if we departed
tion for the ten years prior to the revolution months of 1919, was $296,000,000 (Mex. ) , or from it.
were as follows in Mexican money: $148,000,000 (American) . " I am very much obliged to you four giv
ing me this opportunity to express this opin
General View of the Factory of the " Cervecería Central, " México City. ion."
When the president's latter was received
Senator Lodge had a conference with Fall
and Brandegee, latter announcing that no
further action the Mexican situation
AS
ALR
S CAV would be taken by the Foreign Relations Com
EGA
BOD G SLIS
AI mittee.
DUETF
BOB Lodge said: " We wanted to help but now
CALIDEMILDTO the entire Mexican situation goes to the pre
sident. The responsibility is on his should
C ers. Let it rest there. The investigation of
E A
N I the whole Mexican situation by the Foreign
T R
E Relations Subcommittee will be continued , ac
R T
A N cording to Fall, who expects to leave soon for
L *C I
P
R the border, where he will resume hearing.
A L
C IA TRA
VECER CEN
CER S. A.
Another Laudable Organization .
N association to develop and maintain
cordial relations between the United
A:
States and Latin-American countries has been
formed in New York. The association has sent
MEXICO D..
a circular to the Secretary of Foreign Re
lations in which they assure the Mexican
Vista Panorámica de la Fábrica y Almacenes de la Cervecería Central, México, D. F. Government of their faith in the Mexican
people and their right to solve their own
1902... .$ 70,000,000 From the port of New Orleans alone the problems. The association will direct its ac
1903. . 78,000,000 exports to Mexico amounted to $36,000,000
1904. 65,000,000 tivities, the circular read, to counteracting
1905.. 103,000,000 (Mex.) , upon which dues were collected to the the false reports published about Mexico.
1906. . . 115,000,000 amount of $ 1,340,000.
1907... 104,000,000
1908.. 75,000,000 The Department of Industry, Commerce and
1909. . 75,000,000 PRESIDENT WILSON AGAINST Labor has been informed that an American
1910... 78,000,000 geologist has discovered a method of locating
86,000,000 BREAK WITH MEXICO.
1911... deposits of petroleum by the use of an elec
RESIDENT Wilson wrote a letter dated
For the ten months ending October, 1919, trical appliance, thus obviating the contin
the exportations of silver from Mexico to the December 8, to Senator Fall regarding gency of sinking dry wells.
United States amounted to $102,467,604 the latter's resolution requesting the Pre
(Mex. ) , or $51,233,802 American ) , while for sident to sever diplomatic relations with the
the ten months ending October 1918, the silver President Carranza government of Mexico,
exportations were $ 86,913,618 (Mex. ) , or $ 43, saying:
" I thank you very much for your kind BLAND BROS
471,809 (American.)
promptness in complying with my request
that you send me a copy of a memorandum
Importing American PRINTERS
report of the Subcommittee on Mexican Af
Whiskey and Wine. fairs of the Committee of Foreign Relations. APARTADO (P. O. BOX)
NUMBER of dealers in whiskey, wine I shall examine it with greatest interest, and
A and other alcoholic beverages in the care. What you told me of the investigation 1426.
United States, who have large stocks of such on Friday prepares me to find in it matter
liquors on hand which will become valueless of the greatest importance. You ask and in
Telephone Ericsson, 14-28
under the enforcement of the prohibition dication of my desires regarding the pending
amendment to the constitution, have applied resolution to which you and Senator Hitch
1a. CALLE LOPEZ No. 10
to the Mexican treasury department for a cock called attention on Friday and I am glad.
relaxation of the rules governing import taxes to reply with the utmost frankness that I
on such goods. Their application has been should be gravely concerns to see any such CITY OF MEXICO.
favorably considered, and the collectors of resolution pass congress.
customs at border points have been instructed " It would constitute a reversal of our
 Kama14.na
>

RICA PRODUCTION
DE PLATA EN 1919 .
Cifras Que Muestran la Prospe
ridad de las Minas Mexicanas
De Metal Blanco .
NFORMA la Secretaría de Industria, Co
mercio y Trabajo, que la producción to
tal de la plata durante el año de 1919 , ascen
dió a más de 1,949,662 kilogramos-2 115 li
bras equivalen a un kilogramo. El precio de
la plata en barras en el mercado, en esta ciu
dad, fue hoy (3 de enero ) , de $4 oro nacio
nal) por kilo, o sean $42 en oro americano.
El valor total del producto, a este precio , se
ría de $ 163,771,608 ( oro nacional) , u
$81,885,804 ( oro americano ) . El valor real
naturalmente que es menor, pues el precio
de la plata ha aumentado considerablemente
desde el primero de enero de 1919.
Las cifras aproximadas que representan la
producción de plata durante los diez años an-
teriores a la revolución, son como sigue, en
moneda mexicana :
1902. . • ··
1903 ..
1904 .
1905. •
1906. •
1907.. • · · 104,000,000
1908. • · I B
1909. •
1910.
1911..•
Durante los diez meses que terminaron en
octubre de 1919 , la exportación de plata de
México a los Estados Unidos, ascendió a •
$102,467,604 ( oro nacional) , o sean $ 51,233,802
LA REVISTA MEXICAN A 47
+} =" 8) manag
El Acrescentado Comercio
Importación de Whiskey
Y Vino Americanos. Exterior de México .
IERTO número de traficantes en whiskey, E han publicado datos oficiales acerca del
C vino y otras bebidas alcohólicas de los S comercio exterior del país, demostrando
Estados Unidos, que poseen grandes reservas que en + los primeros meses de 1919, las im
de tales licores, los que perderán su valor por portaciones totales ascedieron a la suma de
virtud de la vigilancia de la enmienda prohi $96,431,981 ( oro americano ) . En octubre de
bicionista a la Constitución norteamericana, 1919, las importaciones fueron de $ 9,942,552,
han pedido a la Secretaría de Hacienda de o sea un veinte por ciento más que las del
México, que se suavicen los reglamentos sobre mismo mes de 1918.
la importación de tales artículos. Su solici El total de las exportaciones por los pri
tud ha sido considerada favorablemente, pues meros diez meses de 1919 , fue $296,000,000
se han dado instrucciones a los recaudadores
( oro nacional ) , o sean $ 148,000,000 ( en oro
de las aduanas de ciertas plazas fronterizas, americano.)
para que admitan los licores en los almace-· Sólo del puerto de Nueva Orleans, las ex
nes al recibir el cincuenta por ciento de los portaciones para México , importaron
derechos respectivos . Cuando dichos licores $36,000,000 ( oro nacional) , sobre las que se
deban ser transladados a otros puntos del in recaudaron derechos por valor de $ 1,340,000 .
terior, se pagará el resto de las contribucio
Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Coahuila y Chihua
nes. Esta regla se aplica a los Estados de hua. El Estado de Sonora no permite la im
oro americano, en tanto que por los diez me portación de licores.
ses que terminaron en octubre de 1918, as
cendieron a $ 86,943,618 ( oro nacional ) , o sean La Revista Mexicana saldrá el día primero
$13,471,809 oro americano. de cada mes.
→ $ 70,000,000
78,000,000
65,000,000
103,000,000
• 115,000,000 LOS SOMBREROS
THE UNITED METAL CO.
· • 75,000,000 TORRES 2a. Motolinia, 18.
* 75,000,000 SON APARTADO , 1684. MEXICO.
78,000,000 BARRAS DE ORO Y PLATA
86,000,000 LOS MAS ACREDITADOS ,
LOS MAS ECONOMICOS LOS MAS OURADEROS Compramos o Tomamos en
Comisión para su Venta.
|| SIEMPRE LOS MEJORES ||
AZOGUE
LOUVRE
1ªFACTOR 2 "EL 1º FACTOR 2.
10 DEPARTAMENTO DE ENSAYE

152
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País .

NOTA.— Se aceptan estampillas de correos siempre que éstas vengan en carta certificada.
2525252
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 48 THE MEXICAN REVIEW
/

American Capitalists Invest

Heavily in Mexican Coal Mines.
MERICAN capitalists are reported to
A have invested heavily in mining proper
ty in the northern part of the republic, the
largest single deal having been made by the
American Smelting and Refining Company
for a controlling interest in the Rosita coal
mines in Coahuila, for which a million and
one-half pesos were paid. The Rosita fields
in the past have furnished the greater part
of the coal supply of the country and the new
owners are said to contemplate enlarging
the field and placing Coahuila coal on the
United States market.
Have Review mailed free of postage by
calling at this office .
EUROPEAN nationsfrom the borrowed
which FROM Philadelphia American news that
billions of dollars ten
United States a commission of ," comes the Friends of
will not be able to pay any interest thereon Mexico " is about to visit this country for
for the next three years. That interest, to
the purpose of ascertaining the truth regard
gether with various charges, it is stated ing conditions here. This or any other com
amounts to half a billion dollars annually. mission having a like object will be wel
These tremendous figures make the debt of comed. It is the truth that the people and
Mexico seem trifling by comparison. the friends of Mexico desire to have made
known to the world. That truth is as far
removed from the popular conception abroad,
based upon misleading statements, as day
light is from darkness.
DROGUERIA DEL REFUGIO
A petition has been presented by a large.
POR MAYOR Y MENOR number of prominent residents of the State
of Morelos asking for the restoration of civil
rule, the pacification of that region making
J. M. RAMOS PROP. martial law no longer necessary .
LAREDO, TEX.

Se atienden todos los Pedidos

Escuelas, Tutores, Institutrices.
por Mayor y Menor con pron
titud y eficacia. Todas las personas que deseen obte
ner informes fidedignos sobre Escuelas,
NATHALINA Tutores, y Planteles de Educación pa
DROGAS , ra niños y niñas, pueden conseguirlos,
PREPARACION MEXICANA
dando completos detalles de sus deseos

1
MEDICINAS DE
Para devolverle el color al cabe (tales como edad de los discípulos , lo
} PATENTE calidad en que preferirían que fuesen
llo, ya sea rubio , castaño o negro. educados , etc. , ) a R. J. Fenn, ex-profesor
No mancha, no contiene nitrato
de Lengua Inglesa de la Universidad
de plata. No es nociva a la salud Nacional de México y de la Escuela
y es fácil de usarla. ARTICULOS
Normal para Maestros , Administrador
De venta en las Droguerías y DE ESCRITORIO de la Orellana & Co. University y de la
Boticas. Por mayor, con descuen Agencia de Escuelas, a esta dirección :
Y PERFUMERIA. 10 Blenheim St. Bond St. London W. 1.

PROTECTORES.
to, según cantidad,

CINTURONES.
Establecido desde hace sesenta años.
Dirigirse a
ZAPATOS

F. M. ESPINOSA R.
SUELA
'. ULE

1a. de López, Núm. 11. México.

CON

CAMISETAS. PANTALONES.
HDE

LA OPERA
Aurelio T. Hernández 5 de Mayo No. 10.- Mexico City.
IMPORTADOR
-TEA ROOM—
Ra DE ARTICULOS DE SPORT.
te THE BEST IN TOWN
DE PREFERENCIA EL UNIFORME PASTRY .
que exige la Asociación Cristiana
de Jóvenes, para hacer uso del BON - BONS .
回 米 Departamento Físico . CHOCOLATES .
Avenida Independencia, 16-A. A CHOCOLATERIA FRANCESA.
Apartado Postal, 1576.

TRAJES Y GORROS DE BAÑO, ETC.

} OO
CALIDAD EXACTITUD
M. ZETTLE , J. H. WALTERS,
PRONTITUD Cashier.
OCTAVIO A. Manager.
RICARDO M.
GONZALEZ. GONZALEZ ,
MEXICO OPTICAL CO.

Independencia, 2. Facing the Cable Office. Ricardo M. González y Cia .

Agentes Aduanales .
-
Actividad, Economía y Eficacia . Cam HOTEL HAMILTON
The Optical House of Mexico
bios, Comisiones, Ventas de Giros sobre
We make glasses in all styles and México. Importadores y Exportadores.
Cuotizamos a solicitud, los Mejores Pre
colors from any prescription.
Headquarters for Invisible Bifocals. cios sobre productos mexicanos.
Laredo, Texas, U. S. A.
We give you the best and quickest ser
vice. OFICINAS : European Plan, $1.00 up.
We have many Exclusive Agencies for FIRST CLASS CAFE
Laredo, Texas, Av. Convento 414.
the Best Optical Goods, including the
Apartado , 87. IN CONNECTION
Best Ear Phones for the Deaf.
N. Laredo, Mex., Lafragua, 78. HEADQUARTERS FOR TRAV
Call on us or write. Apartado, 8. ELERS TO AND FROM MEXICO

"
 FUNDICION Y TALLERES DE LAS DELICIAS

लि CASA

ESTABLECIDA EN 1854

3a. DE LAS DELICIAS NUMERO 51

25257
5252
538
TOMAS PHILLIPS

Apartado 88.
Tel. Mex., 2-26 Neri.
Tel. Eric., 2-26.
MEXICO, D. F.

FUNDICION DE FIERRO Y

BRONCE . CONSTRUCCION

Y REPARACION DE TODA

CLASE DE MAQUINARIA .
ESPECIALIDAD EN

MAQUINARIA PARA AZUCAR G

THE GREATEST BOOK

Imitelos !

ABOUT MEXICO.

"THE FIRST NATIONAL"

Annuary of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture,

ue
Communications, Mines and Finances of the
BueNo"
Republic of Mexico.

Send your orders for copies to

Las Cajas de Chocolates

Imprenta Nacional , S. A.

Uruguay 41 , Mexico City, Mex.

Zahler's

hacen milagros ! Will be out Next Month.

$ 150 $ 3- $6- $ 1350laaja

Libre de Porte. We are yet in time to accept orders for

Apartado 753. 5 de Febrero 30. advertising in this book. WRITE AT ONCE

before it is too late.
National Railways of Mexico and Operated Lines
( MEXICAN GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION)
GENERAL PASSENGER DEPARTMENT

Sea Ports :
Border Gateways:
VERACRUZ, Ver. CONNECTION
NUEVO LAREDO, Tamps .
TAMPICO, Tamps.
PIEDRAS NEGRAS, Coah.
PUERTO MEXICO, Ver. WITH
CIUDAD JUAREZ, Chih.
SALINA CRUZ, Oax. MATAMOROS, Tamps.
MANZANILLO, Col. UNITED STATES
SUCHIATE , Chis.
RAYLWAYS

AT

Laredo, El Paso , Eagle Pass and Brownsville

Daily through trains with sleeping cars between

Mexico City and Nuevo Laredo , Torreon and Guadalajara

"The Laredo Route "

is the shortest between the United States border and Mexico City.
Trains leave daily from New Laredo at 10.00 a. m., Mexican time, 36 minutes slower than Central time.

There being a great demand for sleeping car accommodations, prospective passengers from the United States should
apply in advance by letter or telegram to Mr. Fausto Treviño, Assistant Station Agent at New Laredo, care of International & Great
Northern Ry. Passenger Station, Laredo, Tex.
The General Passenger Department in Mexico City will be pleased to supply at any time information relative to any con
templated trips over these lines and to assist passengers in every possible way.

L. VALDES, J. M. CARDENAS,
General Freight and Passenger Agent. Asst. General Passenger Agent.

El conocido camión " INTERNATIO

NAL ", de capacidad de 2 toneladas, re

molcando un " MIAMI " Trailer (carro

remolque) de capacidad de 3 toneladas de

carga. El presente grabado representa

IA
estos equipos cargados con una caldera

que pesa 8 toneladas.

El conocido camión " INTERNATIONAL" tiene un costo económico debido a su enorme producción. Su calidad es reconocida por el solo hecho de que
la fábrica que lo manufactura es una de las más poderosas del mundo, y es construido en su totalidad por la citada fel rica. Se corserva siempre a ran
altura a causa de que todas y cada una de sus partes importantes son manufacturadas y adaptadas a la más alta eficiencia. En esta fábrica se trabaja
bajo una vigilancia centralizada y perfecta. por lo que los camiones " INTERNATIONAL" han llegado a ser conocidos en todas partes del mundo.
Los carros remolques denominados Miami Trailers " se construyen en una de las fábricas más grandes de los Estados Unidos, manufacturera de esta
clase de equipos : los remolques de carga se fabrican en varias capacidades desde 50 kilos basta 6,000 kilos.
En la fabricación de estos carros se emplean exclusivamente materiales de a mejor calidad, tales como los conocidos ejes " Timkem" , los que se neAD
en las mejores marcas de automóviles. Estos ejes contienen el mejor acero que se pueda fabricar para tal obeto llevando en sus ligas el cinco por ciento
de níquel. Estos carros se fabrican en cuatro y dos ruedas, conocidos estos últimos bajo la denominación de " Semi- Trailers. "
Tendremos gusto en proporcionar lista de precios y especificaciones completas de nuestros equipos; el camión " INTERNATIONAL" y el camión "Duplex
4 Wheel Drive " y los carros-remolques " MIAMI TRAILERS , " a todos aquellos que lo soliciten.

E. L. HOWARD Y CIA.
CALLE INDEPENDENCIA 4 - C. - MEXICO , D. F.
AGENTES EXCLUSIVOS PARA MEXICO DE LOS CAMIONES " INTERNATIONAL," " DUPLEX FOUR
WHEEL DRIVE " Y CAR ROS- REMOLQUES MIAMI .''
SOLICITAMOS AGENTES RESPONSABLES PARA LOS ESTADOS DE LA REPUBLICA.
 F
1201
1162

MEXICAN REVIEW

REVISTA MEXICANA

拿生
3
4
0
0
S

ADOLFO DE LA HUERTA GENERAL ALVARO OBREGON

Provisional President of Mexico Candidate for President of Mexico

WASHINGTON, D. C. SEPTEMBER , 1920

VOLUME IV, No. 2
 The Purpose of the " Review"

IN making the change of the place of publication

Ι industry , should breed international friendship
Mexican it seems proper as well.
66
again to call attention to the objects of the maga "The Mexican Review' will have no political or
zine as set forth in the "Foreword" to the initial sectarian bias . The relations between Mexico and
number, issued in October, 1916. In part that the United States find their basis in physical geog
Foreword said : raphy, and physical geography is a non-partisan
"The Mexican Review' is the proponent of but science . Whether it is the docile donkey or the
a single policy- Neighborliness. Its editor real ponderous pachyderm that grazes the White
izes that throughout the century and more that House lawns, the course of the Rio Grande can
has elapsed since Mexico shook free from the be deflected by neither, and in building anew the
restrictions of alien rule-since 1810-the spirit international friendship with both the United
of neighborliness States and the
has been the Mexican Repub
rarest and most lic, partisan poli
faintly discerni tics can find no
ble factor in the place.
Mexican - Amer "Through the
ican relation columns of "The

ship . Mexican Review'

"The absence the truth about
of neighborliness Mexico will be
is responsible to brought to light.
a far greater de It is the inspira
gree than are wa tion of its pro
differences of.. ducers that
race or creed or only through
language for the complete, unre
development of stricted publicity
the spirit of can the value of
strife and dis Mexico's friend
cord which ship to her great
characterized the northern neigh
Mexican - Amer bor be made
ican relationship clear."

in recent years.
It is with the
earnest hope It is in no

that the careful, spirit of vain

truthful and at glory that "The
the same time Review" points,
DON FERNANDO IGLESIAS CALDERON
persistent state to the commen
Mexican Ambassador and High Commissioner to Washington
ment of Mexi dation that it has

co's hopes and ambitions , her intentions and her
accomplishments , will bring home to the people of
the United States that the Mexicans are worthy of
that friendship and confidence which the great
Republic of the North stands ready so willingly to
extend, that this publication is undertaken .
"Propinquity breeds friendship as between indi
viduals . It is the more natural expectation that
received during the past four years from thousands
of subscribers and readers . Over and over again
has "The Review" been told that it has been the
means of conveying to intelligent and well - educated
people more of the truth about Mexico than they
had gained during a lifetime. "The Review" pro
poses to merit this commendation even more in the
future than in the past.

a propinquity which combines physical contact Its sole and only purpose is to promote friend
along an international boundary line of more than ship between the nations whom the Creator has
2,000 miles with the most intimate relationship placed side by side and to encourage them to live
and interdependence in commerce, finance and in amity and good will .

2
 Contin

Blus
5-20-41

El Objeto De " La Revista"

L hacer el cambio de lugar de la publicación largo de una línea divisoria internacional de más
AL
de " La Revista Mexicana," nos parece propio de 2,000 millas, con las más íntimas relaciones y
otro vez llamar la atención sobre los propósitos del mutua dependencia en el comercio , la finanza y la
periódico como se asentó en el "Prólogo" del nú industria, debiera engendrar también amistad
mero inicial, publicado en Octubre de 1916. Decía internacional .
en parte el citado Prólogo : " "La Revista Mexicana ' no tendrá fines políticos

" La Revista Mexicana ' es la propuesta de una ni sectarios . Las relaciones entre México y los
sola política Buena Vecindad . Su editor com Estados Unidos tienen su base en la geografía
prende que a través del siglo o más que ha física, y la geografía física no es unaciencie de
transcurrido desde que México se libertó de las partidos . Ya sea el dócil mono o el pesado paqui
restricciones del régimen extranjero- en 1810-el dermo el que apacente en los prados de la Casa
espíritu de buena vecindad ha sido el factor más Blanca, el curso del Río Grande no será desviado
raro y más dé
por ninguno de
bilmente per los dos , y al
ceptible en las volver a edificar
relaciones Mé la amistad inter
xico - America nacional entre
nas . los Estados
"La ausencia Unidos y la Re
de buena vecin pública Me
dad es mucho xicana , la políti
más responsable ca de partidos no
que las diferen puede encontrar
cias de razas , cabida.
credos o idiomas , "A través de
del desarrollo las columnas de
del espíritu de 'La Revista Me

guerra y desa xicana' la verdad

h

cuerdo que ha acerca de Mé

caracterizado las xico saldrá a luz.

relaciones Mé La inspiración
xico - America de sus autores es
nas en los recien que solamente
tes años . por medio de una

"Es con la más completa publi

ardiente espe cidad sin restri
cciones, se acla
ranza de que la
rará el valor de
exposición cui
la amistad de
dadosa, verda DON RAMON P. DE NEGRI
Mexican Consul-General in New York la República de
dera y al mismo México hacia su
tiempo persistente de las esperanzas y ambiciones gran vecino del Norte."
de México, sus intenciones y sus obras, ponga de Sin intención de vanagloria, " La Revista" llama
manifiesto en los hogares del pueblo de los Estados la atención hacia las alabanzas que ha recibido de
Unidos, que los mexicanos son dignos de la amistad miles de subscriptores y lectores, durante los últi
y confianza que la gran República del Norte está mos cuatros años. Mucho se ha repetido a "La
pronta a extender con tan buena voluntad, para lo Revista " que ella ha servido de medio para llevar
que se ha emprendido esta publicación . a las personas inteligentes e ilustradas, más verdad
"La proximidad engendra amistad como entre acerca de México que la que hubiesen obtenido
los individuos . Es lo más natural esperar que una durante toda su vida. " La Revista" se propone ser
proximidad que combina el contacto físico a lo más digna aún de estas alabanzas en el futuro.
3
The Mexican
VOL. IV WASHINGTON , D. C. , SEPTEMBER , 1920
The Mexican Review
Published Monthly at Washington, D. C.
- EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
GEO . F. WEEKS
Yearly subscription in the United States, Canada and
Mexico , $2 gold . Elsewhere , $2.50 .
Office- Rooms 501-502 , 817 Fourteenth Street
Washington, D. C.
MEXICAN NEWS BUREAU
Accurate news by wire or mail of all important matters .
Special articles on any Mexican topic prepared by com
petent writers. Photographs furnished when desired .
Questions answered . Special inquiries undertaken.
Greeting to "Review"
Readers
HE MEXICAN REVIEW again greets its
T readers from Washington, and hopes to
be able to deliver its message of good will
and better understanding between the two
leading American Republics without inter
ruption in the future.
A word of personal explanation is appro
priate in this connection. The repeated and
long continued illness of the editor of THE
REVIEW finally resulted in sentence of banish
ment from the great altitude of Mexico City,
issued by his medical advisers in that place
and confirmed by others in New York, while
being repeated with emphasis. With reluctance
this advice was at length followed, as all can
understand whose good fortune it has ever
been to have resided for any length of time
in the Aztec capital. Few foreigners who have
enjoyed even a brief residence in that city have
relinquished it without feelings of keen regret ;
feelings shared to the fullest by THE REVIEW'S
editor.
There are compensations , however, in a
sojourn in the most beautiful city in the great
North American Republic, and in the very
center of international activities .
Cable Censorship
Abolished
NE of the first steps taken by the present
O government of Mexico was the abolition
A very well remembered that when Arizona
of the censorship on cable dispatches, a regu
lation which had existed throughout the revo
lutionary years as is customary in time of war
among all nations. Nothing could so well
demonstrate the present condition of affairs
as the recognition that such a regulation is no
longer necessary. It bore heavily upon foreign
correspondents, and was the indirect means
of causing the very condition that it was
intended to prevent- the sending out of sen
sational and ill- founded reports which went by
other channels than the cable. Happily this is
now ended, and the good results of this action
became apparent almost at once.
Review
The Elimination of Villa
HE elimination of Pancho Villa without
TH further bloodshed, removes the last leader
any serious
of any moment who presented any serious
obstacle to the complete pacification of the
country. While there are still, and perhaps
will be for years, sporadic instances of ban
ditry, groups of greater or less size who prefer
a life of pillage and risk to their own freedom
or existence, to one of peace and industry,
their number is not now large nor does it seem
likely to be. The present condition of Mexico
in this respect very much resembles that which
prevailed during the reconstruction days fol
lowing the Civil War in the United States.
There were numerous scattered parties of
bandits who persisted in their outlawry and
in following murderous methods, but who at
no time afforded a serious menace to the gen
eral welfare. Villa, of course, will be on his
good behavior, and report has it that a careful
watch will be maintained over his incomings
and outgoings until he has demonstrated his
good faith by a long period of proper behavior.
Personal acquaintance with the ex-bandit war
rants the statement that he "will bear watch
ing." Those who are well acquainted with him
are ready to believe that he has wearied of a
life so strenuous as that which he has followed
ever since his overwhelming series of defeats
at the hands of his successful opponent, Gen
eral Obregon, and that he will be content to
pass the remainder of his life in accordance
with the terms of the arrangement which he
has entered into with the government. At all
events, it is to be hoped that he will . The
manner in which the elimination of Villa has
been accomplished is subject for congratulation
toward those responsible for it.
Border Gambling Resorts Closed
RESIDENT DE LA HUERTA has
ES orders that all gambling resorts in
PRissued
the border States shall be closed , especial refer
ence being had to those situated in towns that
are either directly on the line or immediately
across the Rio Grande from American cities.
The leaders of the present Government have
some very decided ideas upon such matters, as
illustrated by their action in the past. It is
"went dry" in 1915, saloon keepers in the
American border towns fancied that all they
had to do was to move their stocks across
the line into Mexico , where they would be able
to accommodate their regular patrons. But to
their huge disgust they were met by a decree.
instituting the death penalty against all liquor
dealers an infringement of what they sup
posed to be their "rights" which caused them
to file some very strenuous but entirely futile.
protests . To be sure, no executions ever took
place under the decree mentioned-but it had
the desired effect nevertheless.
4
No. 2
Resignation of Director General
Barrett of the Pan-American Union
ROFOUND ND regret has been caused
PROFOU
throughout Latin-America by the announce
ment in the last issue of the Bulletin of the
Pan-American Union of the resignation by Mr.
John Barrett of his post as director general
of that institution . For upward of twenty
years he has been an enthusiastic worker in the
cause of Pan-Americanism, and for fourteen
years has filled the position at its head which
he has just resigned . It is not too much to say
that in the minds of the great body of residents
of the Latin-American countries the Pan
American Union and Mr. Barrett are synony
mous. While he has been ably seconded by his
corps of assistants, it is no exaggeration to
say that the success of the organization has
been due to his personal efforts more than to
any other one factor. That he may meet with .
like success in whatever walk of life he may
tread in the future is the hearty wish of his
innumerable friends. The success that he has
already achieved is a guaranty in this direction.
A Friend in Need
HE old proverb has it that "a friend in
TH need is a friend indeed." No better illus
tration of the truth of this saying was ever
given than the action of the American Red
Cross in so freely and spontaneously coming
to the assistance of the authorities of the port
of Vera Cruz during the recent visitation of
the bubonic plague. "I was sick and in prison
and ye visited me," or words to that effect,
was the utterance of One who bestowed the
highest commendation upon aid so given. That
was the case under the circumstances referred
to, and that the assistance extended in so
timely and generous fashion was highly appre
ciated was demonstrated by the utterances of
the press at the time. THE REVIEW takes the
first opportunity at its command to assure the
Red Cross of the high estimation in which its
timely assistance is held by the Mexican people.
It is pleasant to note that the people of Vera
Cruz have bestowed a suitably inscribed gold
medal upon Dr. Carl Michel, of the American
Public Health Service, under whose efficient
management the steps were taken which led
to the eradication of the plague.
Forbearance of Readers Asked
HE removal of a publication office from
TMexico City to Washington, especially
when such removal was not contemplated until
recently, is a matter involving so many con
tingencies that the issuance of the first number
is unavoidably accompanied with much diffi
culty. The forbearance of the readers of THE
REVIEW is asked, with the assurance that
future numbers will, it is hoped, be fully up to
the mark .
 La Revista
TOMO IV
La Revista Mexicana
Publicacion mensual en la Ciudad deWashington
GEO. F. WEEKS P EDITOR Y PROPRIETARIO
Suscripciones por un Año , en los Estados Unidos, Canada
y México, $2 oro. En qualquiera otra parte, $2.50.
Oficiana-Cuartos 501-502, 817 Fourteenth Street,
Washington, D. C.
AGENCIAS DE NOTICIAS DE MEXICO.
Noticias exactas por telegrafo y correo de todos los asuntos
de interés. Artículos especiales sobre cualquier tópico
Mexicano hechos por escritores competentes. Se propor
cionan fotografías a solicitud. Se contestan preguntas.
Se toma a cargo investigaciones especiales .
Saludos a los Lectores de la Revista
! A REVISTA Mexicana otra vez saluda a
LA sus lectores desde Washington , y y espera
poder entregar el mesaje de buena voluntad
y mejor relaciones entre las dos primeras
Repúblicas Americanas en el futuro . Una
explanación personal es necesaria en esta
conección. La repetida y continua mala salud
del editor de la Revista resultó finalmente en
la sentencia de destierro de la gran altiud de
la Ciudad de México promulgada por el
médico de aquella ciudad, y confirmada port
otros en New York, la cual fué reptida con
én facis. Con mucho desagrado siguió este
consejo, como puden comprender todos los que
hayan tenido la suerte de residir por mucho
tiempo en la capital Aztec. Pocos extranjeros
que han gozado de una breve recidencia en esa
ciudad han salido sin sentir pena, cuyo sen
timiento es también del editor de la Revista.
Hay compensación, sin embargo, en la
estancia en la más bella ciudad de la gran
República de Norte América y en el centro de
actividades internacionales.
1 asegurar a la Cruz Roja de ia alta estimación
• especial es hecha de las ciudades que están
Abolicion de la Censura
del Cable
NO DE LOS primeros pasos tomados
UNO por el presente Govierno de México fué
lo abolición de la censura de los mensajes de
cable, regulación que existió durante los años
de revolución como es costumbre en tiempo de
guerra en otras naciones. Nada puede
demonstrar mejor el estado actual como el
reconocimiento de que aquella ley no es ya
necesaria. Esta cayó muy pesada sobre los
coresponsales extranjeros y fué el medio
inderecto de hacer lo que se tratava de pre
venir, el mandar reportes sensacionales y mal
fundados, los cuales eran mandados por otros
medios que del cable. Felizmente 鲲 ésto ha
concluido y los buenos resultados de ésto
apareció al momento .
Mexicana
WASHINGTON , SEPTIEMBRE , 1920
La Eliminacion de Villa
A eliminación de Pancho Villa sin más
L derrame de sangre, ha quitado al último
jefe que presentaba obstáculos sérios para la
pacificación completa de este país . Mientras
que todavía existen, y tal vez por algunos
años existan, recurrencias espasmódicas de
bandidos, grupos de mayor o menor número,
que prefieren una existencia de rapiña y
riesgo de perder su libertad o existencia a una
da paz e industria, este número no es ahora
grande y no parece que aumentara . La
presente condición de México en este respecto
se parece a la que existió durante los días de
reconstrucción que siguieron a la guerra civil
en los Estados Unidos. Existieron un gran
número de grupos de bandidos desimenados,
quienes presistian en su conducta ilegal y
seguían métodos de asesinos, pero quienes
núnca fueron una amenaza al bienestar gen
eral. Villa se conducirá bien, pero se dice que
se mantendra una vigilacian extricta sobre su
proceder hasta que haya demostrado su sin
ceridad por bastante tiempo. Conocimiento
personal del ex-bandido garantiza el decir que
"sera necessario vigilarlo." Las personas que
le conocen están listas a creer que Villa está
cansado de la vida fatigosa qua ha llevado
desde las séries de pérdidas que ha sufrido a
manos de su oponente, el General Obregon ,
y el estará contento de pasar el resto de su
vida en acuerdo con los términos del contracto
que ha hecho con el Gobierno . Se espera que
él haga esto .
La manera como se consiguió la eliminación
de Villa es digno de congratulaciones para
aquellos que son responsables de ésto .
Clausura de Lugares de
Juego en la Frontera
L PRESIDENTE DE LA HUERTA ha
E emitido una orden para clausurar todos
los lugares de juego en la frontera, referencia
directamente o en línea inmediata a ciudades.
americanas al otor ladol del Rio Grande. Los
jefes del presente Govierno tienen opiniones
decididas sobre este asunto, como se puede ver
por sus acciones en el pasado .
Es de recordar que cuando Arizona “went
dry" (tuvo efecto la prohibición ) in 1915,
todos los dueños de tiendas de licores en las
ciudades americanas de la frontera tenían la
idea de que lo único que tenían que hacer era
el remover sus mercancías al otro lado de la
frontera , en México, donde ellos podrían
servir a su clientela, pero tuvieron una gran
sorpresa cuando supieron que el decreto
imponía la pena de muerte a los traficantes en
licores-infringimiento que ellos suponían de
su derecho, lo cual causó vehementes pero
futiles protestas .
5
No. 2
Resinacion del Director General Bar
rett de la Union Pan-Americana
A CAUSADO una profunda pena en
H toda la América Latina cuado se supo,
por medio del Boletín de la Unión Pan-Ameri
cana, que el Señor John Barrett había hecho
su resignación como Director General de esa
institución . Por más de veinte años él ha sido
un trabajador entusiasta en la causa del Pan
americanismo , y por catorce años ha llenado el
questo como jefe de esa oficina , de la cual hoy
ha hecho su resignación . No es mucho el decir
que el en gran grupo de residentes de los países
Latino -Americanos se considera a la Unión
Pan-Americana y al Señor Barrett como
sinónimos. Aunque él ha sido bien ayudado
por su hábil grupo de asistentes, no es exage
ración el decir que el suceso de la organiza
ción ha sido debida a sus esfuerzos personales
más que a ninguna otra cosa. Que él
encucentre suceso en cualquera otra ocupación
en que entre, es el desco vehemente de sus
amigos innumerables.
Un Amigo en necesidad
L ADAGIO viejo dice que "Un amigo en
E necesidad es amigo en verdad ." Nunca
se demostró mejor la verdad de ésto sino
cuando la Cruz Roja Americana vino expon
tanea y libremente a dar ayuda a las autori
dades del puerto de Vera Cruz en la reciente
epidemia de la plaga bubónica . "Yo estuve
enfermo y preso y tu me visitastes," o palabras
a este efecto , fueron dichas por uno quien dió
el más alto encomio por tal ayuda. Este fué
el caso bajo las circumstancias referidas y la
asistencia que a tiempo y de una manera tan
generosa hizo la Cruz Roja y que fué
apreciada muy altamente, y fué demonstrado
asi por los escritos de la prensa. La Re
vista toma esta primera oportunidad para
que el pueblo Mexicano le tiene por su pronta
asistencia. Es un gran placer el notar que el
pueblo de Vera Cruz confirió, con inscripción
apropiada, una medalla de oro al Dr. Carl
Michel, bajo cuyo eficiente manejo se tomaron
los pasos necesarios para la eradicación de
la plaga.
Pedimos la Indulgencia de
Nuestor Lectores
L CAMBIO de la oficina de la publicación
Ε ' de esta publicación de la ciudad de
México a Washington , especialmente cuando
este cambio no fué contemplado sino recien
temente, es una cosa que tiene tantas conti
gencias que la emisión del primer número
está acompañado de inumerable dificultades.
Pedimos la indulugencia de los lectores de la
Revista con el aseguro que los números
siguientes, se espera, sean completamente
satisfactorios.
 6 THE
Mexican Investments
New Government Promises Protection for Every Legitimate Interest
BY GENERAL ALVARO OBREGON
E OF MEXICO are today a poor
people, although the country is po
* WⓇ
tentially enormously rich. We are
not buried under a load of debt, as many
peoples are after the World War. It is not
much more than $20 per capita , which is ridic
ulously small as debts are counted now. Our
hope for the future is in economy and indus
try and friendship with our neighbors and
what foreign capitalists who can aid to de
velop our resources. We want less war and
more work.
First, we will take care of Mexico's foreign
obligations . We do not yet know how much
we owe. New claims are coming in and some
of the old claims are being thrown out . No
bills will be paid unless we owe the money,
but we will try to pay just bills as nearly on
the nail as we can. After satisfying our in
ternal needs, we will attack the foreign debt.
The principal will be paid in full as it comes
due, of course , if we can possibly pay ; other
wise we will make arrangements for extension
which will satisfy our creditors . As for in
terest overdue, we will do what good busi
ness men would naturally do-we will try to
reach a satisfactory compromise.
I do not think the debt contracted by Huerta
is legal, but is being looked into by men in
whom I have confidence. If they find that it
is legally binding on Mexico , I will see that it
is paid.
When that is done we will talk about bor
rowing more money for the rehabilitation of
our railroads and the building of our ports
and other public works which have been al
lowed to go to pieces . In other words , we
propose to establish a credit in just the same
way that the individual merchant establishes
a credit and that is by paying our debts.
Then we can borrow all the money we want
anywhere in the world without talk of guar
antees or compromises or concessions .
Whatever money we borrow will be devoted
to public works only. That guarantee I will
personally give . Not one penny of borrowed
money will be spent for the current expenses
of the Government.
Absolute protection and every facility will
be afforded capital. We need more money
and more work here and we are going to in
duce capitalists to come by convincing them
that they will be given only fair treatment.
There are technical questions relating to the
oil industry into which I have not examined .
I believe the mining industry as a whole has
no quarrel with Mexico , although individuals
have suffered . The differences with oil men
will be placed in the hands of a fair com- >
mission and worked out to solution.
I know nothing in detail of the claims for
reparation made on their governments by
Americans and other foreigners . Each case
will be given a hearing on its merits before an
impartial commission , and damages will be
MEXICAN REVIEW
Safe and S ound
Sound
of Own People and Foreign Alike
paid on its merits. I desire to restore Mexico
in the eyes of the world. Our treatment of
cases in which other nationals are concerned
will be precisely as fair as that of the United
States or any continental country.
Our army will be cut in two. It will be
reduced to one-half its present size , or 50,000
men, and will be well paid, clothed, equipped ,
and modernized . The 50,000 men retired will
be aided to go to work on farms. We are now
trying to discharge men in regions where work
is plentiful and well paid. These men will
remain in the reserve, subject to call.
I shall propose to congress that the gen
erals be paid the lump sum in lieu of retirement
pay that will enable them to buy homes or go
into business and increase production . If they
were on half pay they would eat what they
were paid, and the country would be no better
off. I want to make our surplus generals pro
ducers instead of consumers . I shall try to
reduce the number of clerks in government
employ too, and do away with sinecures.
This is my desire, I might say my ideal . I
know the difficulties, but every man in my
party knows that I mean business. The public
in Mexico has suffered more and is far more
disgusted that is the public in the United
States.
I do not know how far the government will
be successful in recovering the money taken
by former Carranza office holders. Only five
or six million pesos have been regained so far.
I have no idea how many different graft
games have been worked.
A political miracle has been worked at con
version of the Bronco Yaquis. They are all
contented now and confident of the sincerity.
of the revolutionary leaders. At one time it
had not been thought possible they would ever
make peace. Now they are the trusted guards
of the national palace . A satisfactory arrange
ment will be made with them about their lands .
The country is at peace, even the followers
of Zapata and Palaez are coming in. Villa was
a great problem at a time when we had many
problems , but this seems now happily settled .
I hope this harmony will spread beyond the
border. There is to be no punishment of
political offenses, but those who have broken
the law cannot hope to escape retribution
merely because they have been Obregon's ene
mies. Magnanimity cannot be stretched to
make a cloak for law breakers .
In a recent interview General Obregon de
clined to answer some inquiries as to his opin
ion of the present Presidential campaign in
the United States. He said that anti- Ameri
canism was a dead issue in Mexico henceforth.
The strength of feeling opposing hatred of
Americans was evinced by the fact that within
three weeks after the revolution 90 per cent.
of the Mexicans were with his cause, he said .
He now estimates that 98 per cent. of his
September, 1920
countrymen are for the revolutionists and their
aspirations.
"There is only one party now in this coun
try," he said, "and it has only one aim to
restore credit and end militarism by reducing
the army to 50,000 . We want to get all the
children in school.
"Deeds , not . words, must show the sincerity
of our intentions," he continued . "I want to
make emphatic that Mexico wants, needs , and
will seek all means in its power to secure and
deserve the friendship and close cooperation .
of America and all other countries." He then
gave a brief resume of the last revolution .
The people, not the army, had made it possi
ble, he said.
"I promise that if by tomorrow some men
now holding public office in the new order of
things should prove unworthy of their trust,
some one will quickly start a new revolution
and punish the faithless." He concluded :
"Mexico has found herself at last and will
tolerate nothing but good government."
!
Mexican Railway Returned
After an extended period, during which
the Mexican Railway was operated by the
National Government, it has been turned
back to the original owners-a British concern .
The former management is now in complete
charge. The present officers are : General
manager, B. E. Holloway ; resident engineer
and assistant manager, W. T. Pogram ; audi
tor, M. Merino ; cashier, J. W. Hunter ; gen 2
eral passenger and freight agent, E. G. Wuer
pel ; superintendent of motive power, C. H.
Burk ; superintendent of Pullman service, H. R.
Bradbury ; legal department, Lic. Rafael Pardo..
The question of indemnity has not, it is
understood, been taken up, as that matter is
amply cared for in the concession contract
between the railway and the Government.
During the operation of the railway, which
extends from Mexico City to Vera Cruz, and
which was the first line built in the Republic,
stone block houses were constructed by which
the entire road was protected from the assaults.
of bandits . 1
Mexico to Exhibit at
Texas Fair
HE Department of Industry and Com
THE merce of Mexico is preparing to make a
great exhibit at the Texas state fair at Dallas !
this fall. To this end it has sent notices
throughout the Republic inviting farmers,
miners, manufacturers, and the women, to
submit samples of their products for inspec
tion, that the best may be chosen for exhibition
and something of the immense resources of
Mexico shown to the thousands who visit the
exposition each year.
Exhibits are to be sorted into five great
classes and will be forwarded to Dallas and
returned, so far as may be, to the owners ,
at government expense. The Chamber of
Commerce of Queretero has announced that it
will organzie a great excursion to Dallas and
extends an invitation to join to the business.
men and merchants of the Republic generally
through the Confederation of Chambers . of
Commerce of Mexico,
 3
Septiembre, 1920 LA
Las Investiduras Mexicanas
El nuevo Gobierno promete protección a todo interes légitimo
POR EL GENERAL ALVARADO OBREGON
OSOTROS los de México somos un
pueblo pobre, aunque el país es po
N tencialmente riquísimo. Nosotros no
estamos enterrados bajo una carga enorme de
deuda como se encuetran otras naciones
después de la guerra europea. La deuda
no sube a mas de $20 por cabeza, la cual es
ridiculamente pequeña comparada con otras.
Nuestra esperanza en el futuro es en la
economía e industria, el desarrollo de nues
tros recursos naturales , relaciones cordiales
con nuestros vecinos y el empleo de capital
extranjero. Lo que queremos + es menos
guerras y más trabajo .
Pimero, cuidaremos de las obligacines
extranjeras de México . Todavía no sabemos
cuanto debemos. Nuevos reclamos están
· trabajo es abundante y el pago bueno. Estos
viniendo y reclamos antiguos se están recha
zando . No pageremos ninguna cuenta sino
debemos aquella, pero trataremos de pagar las
cuentas justas tan pronto como podamos.
Después de haber satisfecho nuestras necesi generales una suma definida en lugar de paga
dades internas, tomaremos la dueda extranjera.
El principal lo pagaremos en completo si nos
! es posible hacerlo , sino es posible ésto haremos aumentar la producción . Si se les pagasen
arreglos para una extensión para satisfacer a solamente la mitad se comerian lo que se les
nuestros creditores . Con el interés que está pagase y el país no mejoraría. Quiro hacer que
vensido haremos lo que hacen los buenos los generales sobrantes sean productors y no
negociantes-trataremos de hacer un com consumidores. Trataré de reducir le número
promiso satisfactorio .
No creo que la deuda contraída por Huerta
is ilegal, pero se está haciendo una investi
gación por personas en quien tengo la mayor
confianza. Si estos encuentran que esta deuda.
es legítima, será pagada.
Cuando esto se haya hecho hablaremos
sobre el hacer une empréstito para la rehabi
litación de los ferrocarriles y la mejora de
nuestros puertos y¿ la erección de otras obras
públicas que se han permitodo ser arruinadas.
De otro modo, proponemos establecer un
crédito de la misma manera que un comer el presente.
ciante lo establese, pagando nuestras deudas.
Entónces podemos pedir préstamos de todo el
dinero que necesitamos en cualquier parte del
con
mundo sin garantías o compromisos o
cesiones.
Cualquier dinero que pidamos emprestado
será puesto en obras públicas solamente. Esto
lo garantizo personalmente, ni un centavo del
empréstito se gastará en los gastos corrientes
del Gobierno.
Se dará absoluta protección y todas las
facilidades que se puedan dar al capital.
Necesitamos más dinero y más trabajo, y
vamos ha inducir a los capitalistas para que
vengan y les convenceremos que les daremos
un tramiento justo .
Hay cuestiones técnicas con respecto de la
industria del petroleo las cuales todavía no las
he examinado . Creo que la industria minera
en el todo no tiene quejas contra México ,
aunque algunos individuos han sufrido. Las
diferencias que existen entre las personas
interesadas en el petroleo serán puestas en
REVISTA MEXICANA
Son Seguras
de nuestro pueblo y de los extranjeros
manos de una comisión para que encuentre
una solución justa.
No sé nada en detalle sobre los reclamos
hechos al Gobierno Americano y a otros
Gobiernos extranjeros . Cada caso sera oído
ante un tribunal imparcial y los daños serán
pagados según su mérito . Deseo poner a
México como una nación justa ante el mundo
entero. El tramiento de los casos en que
nuestro nacionales tienen interés tendrán el
mismo tratamiento que los casos de las per
sonas de los Estados Unidos o de otos países.
Nuestro ejército será reducido a la mitad o
constará de 50,000 hombres, y será bien pagado,
bien vestido, y equipado a la moderna. Los
50,000 hombres que se retiraran se las ayudará
para que trabajen en la agricultura . Estamos
demitiendo hombres en las regiones donde el
hombres quedan en la reserva, sujetos a
llamada.
Propondré al Congreso que se pague a los
de retiro para que sean capaces de comprar
un domicilio O entrar en negocios para
de empleados en el Gobierno, también, y quitar
las gagas .
Este es mi deseo, mejor diria , mi ideal .
Conozco las dificultades que existen, pero todos
los de mi partido saben que soy sincero en
ésto . El pueblo mexicano ha sufrido más y
esta más disgustado que el pueblo de los
Estados Unidos .
No se que suceso tendrá el Gobierno para
recobrar el dinero que los oficiales del gobierno
de Caraza se llevaron. Solamente cinco o
seis millones de pesos se han recobrado hasta
No tengo ninguna idea de los medios de
que se valieron para sacar este dinero.
Un gran milagro político se ha hecho en la
reforma del Bronco Yaquis. Todos están
contentos y tienen confianza en la sinceridad de
los jefes de la revolución . A veces creimos
que no sería posible que ellos hiciesen la paz.
Ahora ellos son la guardia fiel del palacio
nacional. So hará un arreglo satisfactorio a
cerca de sus terrenos .
El país esta pacificado , hasta los que seguían
a Zapata y Palaez están viniendo al apoyo del
presente gobierno . Villa fué un gran problema
en el tiempo que teniamos muchos problemas ,
pero ésto parece felizmente se ha concluido .
Tengo la esperanza que esta armonía se
extienda hasta el otro lado de la frontera. No
habrá castigo por ofensas políticas , pero aqullos
que han transgresido la ley no pueden esperar
salir libres solamente por que fueron enemigos
de Obregon. La magnanimidad no puede
extenderse para hacer un manto para cubrir
a los que hayan infringido la ley.
*
7
En una entrevista resiete el General Obre
gon rehusó responder algunas preguntas que
se le hiso sobre la situación de la campaña
presidencial en los Estados Unidos. Dijo que
el anti- americanismo era una cosa del pasado.
El sentimiento grade que existe en contra de
aqullos que tienen odio a los americanos va
aumentando , esto es evidenciado por el hecho
que en las últimas tres semanas después de la
revolución 90 por ciento del pueblo mexicano
estaban en su favor . Dice que cree que 98 por
ciento de sus compatriotas están en favor de
los revolucionarios y sus aspiraciones.
"Hay un solo partido en este país ahora,"
K
dice él, "y éste tiene un solo objeto en vista
la restauración del crédito nacional y poner
fin al militarismo reduciendo el ejército a
50,000 hombres. Queremos mandar a todo los
niños a la escuela.
"Acciones y no palabras tienen que demos
trar la sinceridad de nuestras intenciones, "
continuó él . "Yo quiero manifestar enfatica
mente que México quiere, necesita , y buscará
por todos los medios en su poder conseguir y
merecer la amistad y las relaciones íntimas
de América y de los otros países." El dió
entónces un resumen de la última revolución
y dijo que el pueblo y no el cjército hizo ésta
posible.
"Prometo que si manaña se encuentra alguno
que tiene un empleo en el nuevo gobierno y
no se maneja bien y es falso en su desempeño
alguien hara una revolución para castigarlo .
México está bien establecido y no tolerara
ninguana otra casa sino un buen gobierno ."
Son Devueltos Los Ferrocarriles
Mexicanos
ESPUÉS de un largo período , durante el
D cual el Ferrocarril Mexicano fué mane
jado por el Gobierno Nacional, ha sido de
vuelto a sus dueños originales-una compañía
inglesa. Los oficiales presentes son : Manejo
general, B. E. Holloway ; ingeniero residente y
asistente del manejo , W. T. Morgan ; auditor,
M. Merino ; cajero, J. W. Hunter ; agente
general de pasajeros y carga, E. G. Wuerpel ;
superintendente de fuerza motriz, C. H. Burk ;
superintendente del servicio de Pullman, H. R.
Bradbury ; departamento legal, Lic . Rafael
Pardo .
La cuestión de indemnización entendemos no
se ha considerado por que esto está provista
en la concesión entre el ferrocarril y el
Gobierno.
Durante la operación de este ferrocarril, el
cual se extiende desde la Ciudad de México
hasta Vera Cruz y la cual fué la primera
linea en la República, se construyeron garitos
de manpostería los cuales protegían toda la
linea de los asaltos de los bandidos .
Los diarios de la Ciudad de México han
subido el precio de los periódicos de seis a
diez centavos, equivalente a tres y cinco cen
tavos americanos .
Las importaciones mexicanas por los
primeros cuatro meses de este año subieron a
92,000,000 de pesos. demonstrando un gran
aumento comparado con los años precedentes.
Las cifras por los primeros seis meses de 1918
fueron 164,470,378.38 .
 THE MEXICAN REVIEW September, 1920

true and responsible government. Regarding

Statement by General Alvarado Candidate Obregon, I may say that the Mex
ican people are perfectly aware of his char
acter as a man of integrity and as the pos
Program of Reconstruction Undertaken by the New
Government-Important Reforms Projected sessor of progressive tendencies . On the
one hand, then, the weariness of the Mexican
ENERAL SALVADOR ALVARADO , either directly or indirectly influenced in order people after ten years of strife, and on the
Secretary of the Treasury of the to accommodate their decisions to any sort of other its legitimate hopes of a prompt better
G Mexican Government, has furnished expediency. ment, concur to make it now impossible that
THE MEXICAN REVIEW with the following "When I was in Washington last April I new upheavals should succeed ; and this has
statement regarding the recent revolution and predicted categorically that Carranza's Gov been plainly substantiated by the utter failure
the numerous reforms which are projected by ernment would fall before 90 days, and I of the recent uprisings caused by four or five
the present leaders : made this statement on my knowledge of Mex military chiefs. These uprisings were sup
"The large majority of the men of influence ican politics. It is precisely on account of my pressed in less than two weeks without almost.
belonging to the party who brought Carranza close observation of such conditions that I any bloodshed or any fighting, for the soldiers
into power wished that he would end his term now affirm that the De la Huerta Government decided to abandon their rebellious com
of office in spite of the very serious errors can be considered among the strongest gov manders and reported to their higher authori
which he made during his administration, es ernments that have existed in Mexico, not ties.
pecially at the last stages of the same. The excepting that of Porfirio Diaz. I will say "The present Mexican Government is de
country in general was willing to wait for
Mr. Carranza to step out until the last day
which according to law he should stay.
"Not only the prominent persons of the
party but the whole Nation were anxious that
the change of office should take place peace
fully, because they realized the tremendous
evils that the downfall of a Government by
force would bring.
"But the peril of the continuity in power of
the clique of politicians and bureaucrats cre
ated by Carranza and in view of the continu
ation of a disorganized administrative regime ,
the whole country made a great effort and
threw down in a few days a Government that
seemed to be very strong, due to the material
resources that it had.
"It has been the purpose of some interested
parties to present this movement as a military
coup, and there is nothing so unjust and base
less . The Government fell because it did not
have the moral force and the public opinion
was against it.
"Regarding Mr. Carranza's death, I can say.
as I have a good knowledge of the facts in
the case, that this incident has been of the
greatest concern for all of us, since we have
been Carranza's opponents but never wished
any personal injury to him. We wanted at
most that he should either leave the country
or cease to be outright a factor in our internal
politics. So, we did all in our power to save
Mr. Carranza from personal injury. "Salvos
Conductos" (safe conducts) were issued in his
favor and the terminant orders were given to
all military commanders to the effect that Mr.
Carranza's life should be strictly protected in
GENERAL SALVADOR ALVARADO, Secretary of the Treasury
case he fell a prisoner.
"I wish most solemnly and emphatically to now what are the reasons that substantiate veloping a vast program for rebuilding the
state that General Alvaro Obregon has not this belief : country, so they could well advance before the
the least connection with Mr. Carranza's "1. The Mexican people today are tired of new President gets into power. I shall de
death, since Obregon as well as all of us who turmoil and are anxious to live within law and scribe as briefly as possible what these plans.
collaborated with him in the movement against order. It aspires to start at once reconstruc are and how they affect the preservation and
Carranza's Government are opposed to such tive work, and it will not support any move utilization of our resources, material as well
methods of criminal politics ; and we expressly ment nor will it follow any banner that may as human. We are doing this, calling into
repudiate anything that is contrary to the nor retard the Mexican people's entrance into a action all competent men no matter what their
mal standards of morality. normal mode of life. views, political or religious, might be. Our
"President De la Huerta has placed in the "2. The present Mexican Government is idea is to have our Government managed on
hands of the courts the case I refer to ; and nothing more than the preparation of a sound the standard of private enterprise. We are
I wish to state that there is a positive inde administrative policy set up with all possible working on the reduction of the army, so that
pendence in the conduct of the Mexican judi care, so that the incoming President of Mex it may not be greater than 40,000 and 50,000
ciary, whose members were duly elected dur ico may be able to find the way clear and the soldiers, well equipped and modernly trained.
ing Carranza's time and who could not be difficulties minimized for the initiation of a "A law is being studied for the reorganiza
Septiembre, 1920 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 9

y cuyos preliminares está llevando a cabo el

Cual Declara El General Alvarado gobierno del señor de la Huerta son muy
vastos y a grandes rasgos pueden describirse
El Actual Gobierono Mejicano Tiene en Proyecto in Vasto Programa por la conservación y utilización de la mayor
suma posible de recursos naturales y la con
de Reconstruccion - Importantes Reformas Proyectadas
servación y mejoramiento de los recursos de
AL GENERAL OBREGÓN tiene abso- ha tenido Méjico sin exceptuar al del general Méjico.
lutamente segura su elección a la Pre- Díaz. Las razones en que me apoyo son : En primer lugar se está luchando por
Esidencia de Méjico, dijo el general organizar la administración sobre bases de
1. Que el pueblo mejicano de hoy está
Salvador Alvarado, Secretario de Hacienda cansado de los desórdenes y ansía paz, trabajo eficiencia y economía aprovechando todo ele
del Gobierno mejicano, al Redactor de La y reconstrucción por lo que no apoyará ningún mento útil sin tener en cuenta su color políti
Revista Mexicana recientemente. movimiento ni seguirá ninguna bandería que co si no más bien su capacidad de trabajo y
Y luego continuo : retarde el advenimiento de la normalización producción .
La inmensa mayoría de los hombres de de su vida. Se trata acercarse lo más posible a la admi
influencia del partido que elevó a Carranza al 2. Porque este gobierno no es más que la nistración de un próspero negocio privado. Se
poder deseaba que éste concluyera su período. iniciación del del Gral . Obregón que sin duda está procediendo a reducir el ejército hasta
alguna será elegido en las elecciones de setiem que sólo haya de 40,000 a 50,000 soldados
El país en general estaba resignado a esperar
que el señor Carranza gobernara hasta el bre próximo y como la nación tiene todas sus instruidos y bien equipados.
último día que legalmente le correspondia. esperanzas basadas en los antecedentes de inte Se está terminando la ley para restablecer
Tanto las personas prominentes del partido
como la nación ansiaban que la transmisión
del poder fuera pacífica porque comprendían
todos los graves males que acarrea el de
rrocamiento de un gobierno por la violencia.
Pero ante la amenaza de la continuación en
el poder del grupo de políticos y burócratas
creado por Carranza, ante la perspectiva de la
continución de un régimen de desorganiza
ción administrativa y de corrupción, el
país entero hizo un esfuerzo y echó por tierra
en unos cuantos días al gobierno que parecía
tan fuerte por los recursos materiales con que
contaba.
Se ha querido hacer aparecer ese movi
miento como un cuartelazo y no hay nada Fi
más inexacto ni más injusto. Aquel gobierno
cayó porque no contaba con la fuerza moral y
la opinión pública le era adversa y hostil.
En cuanto a la muerte del señor Carranza
puedo decir con perfecto conocimiento de
causa que su suerte y seguridad constituyó la
más seria preocupación de todos nosotros, pues
lo único que se deseaba era que saliera del
país y se hizo cuanto se pudo por salvarlo ya
enviándole salvoconductos, va reiterando las
órdenes más terminantes para que se respetara
su vida si caía prisionero.
Puedo asegurar de la manera más enfática
y solemne qué el general Obregón es absoluta
mente ajeno a la muerte del señor Carranza y
que tanto él como todos nosotros comprendi
mos y comprendemos en toda su significación
las consecuencias de un precedente como éste.
El señor Presidente de la Huerta ha
consignado los hechos a las autoridades judi
A PRECIPITOUS STREET IN THE CITY OF GUANAJUATO
ciales, cuya real y positiva independencia
actual nadie puede poner en duda, y no hay
gridad y espíritu de progreso de los señores el sistema bancario y se han celebrado juntas
razón por qué no se haga plena luz en este
asunto ya que todos los miembros del poder de la Huerta y Obregón, espera una era de con los banqueros para ajustar toda depen
libertad, de justicia y de bienestar bajo su dencia entre bancos y gobierno.
judicial fueron electos y nombrados durante
administración. Así es que por una parte el Antes de noventa días podrán funcionar
la administración del mismo señor Carranza.
cansancio traído por diez años de luchas y todos los bancos.
Hablando de la seguridad del señor de la
por otra la esperanza bien fundada de una Se está procurando arreglar la cuestión del
Huerta dice el general Alvarado :
En abril de este año, cuando estuve en gran mejoría, hacen que ya no sean posibles petróleo y con el espíritu de cordialidad y
nuevos trastornos del orden, como se acaba justicia que inspira los actos del gobierno se
Washington, asegueré de una manera cate de demonstrar con los últimos levantamientos espera fundadamente que en unos cuantos
górica que el gobierno del señor Carranza
de 4 a 5 jefes de fuerzas que concluyeron en meses quede zanjada esta cuestión a satisfac
caería antes de 90 días ; esta afirmación la menos de dos semanas, sin que casi hubiera ción de todos .
hice gracias al profundo conocimiento que necesidad de combatir, pues los soldados Se estudia con empeño la reorganización de
tengo de la historia y las condiciones del abandonaron a los jefes y se presentaron a las las líneas ferrocarrileras y la terminación de
pueblo mejicano ; pues bien, con el mismo con autoridades. algunas de ellas así como el completar el sis
vencimiento afirmo hoy qué el gobierno del El general Alvarado manifiesta que los tema construyendo los ramales alimentadores.
señor de la Huerta es de los más firmes que planes de reconstrucción del general Obregón Se está estudiando la manera de crear una
 J

10 THE MEXICAN REVIEW September, 1920

tion of our banking system. Meetings have istration school , so that all public offices should of foreign capitalists to Mexico with all pos
been held with the bankers in order to adjust be filled by men properly trained and not sible legitimate opportunities. We shall see to
all differences that there are between the banks through political influence , as up to now. it that foreign investors in Mexico shall be
and the Government. Before 90 days from Following this system, the Nation will save secured and honestly protected. We shall see
now I feel confident Mexico's bank will be in a good many millions of dollars in its annual to it that the foreign capitalists come to help
full activity. budget and there will be in all public offices. us in the development of our natural resources
"We are trying to settle the petroleum ques experts and trained men. The labor problem and to create the prosperity to which we all
tion in the spirit of cordiality and justice is easier to be solved in Mexico than it seems. are entitled .”
which inspires all the acts of the Government, The Government is now taking some measures "The talk of bad feeling existing between
and it is firmly hoped that in a few months which will greatly abbreviate this work, and the people of Mexico and the United States
this question will be settled satisfactorily for it will finally be successfully settled by the has been the subject of many pages written
all concerned. undertaking of the works that are soon to be and given to the public in both countries.
"We are studying plans for the restoration started . There have been lately some strikes This is a subject that cannot be ignored by
to normal of our railroad system, the com in Mexico which some persons have attributed any man in public life, .either here or there.
pletion of some of them and the building of to some organizzed radical movement. This But at the same time it must be said that this
feeding lines . is not based on facts . Those strikes have whole subject is mainly a question of words .
"We are studying the creation of a mer been caused mainly by unemployment and high "I believe as much in business as I am
chant marine in proportion to our resources, cost of living. Most naturally , as these disappointed in professional politics . And
and shortly a call will be made to steamship troubles have been going on for about ten everybody knows today that professional poli
companies for the establishment of steamship years , business has greatly suffered , especially tics is mainly a question of words. The
service for freight and passenger and rapid agriculture, mining and transportation . The doctrine of deeds means more to me than the
transit lines of express and mail attracted by ultimate and greatest damage have been, of doctrine of words. I am not a preacher and
generous subsidies. course, sustained by the working class , there my people know me above all as a doer. So
"A call also will be made for the construc being today some expensive regions where the whenever I hear this continuous rattle of good
tion of 15,000 miles of railroad lines and for working man does not earn wages sufficient and bad feelings between Mexicans and Amer
the harbor works in · Progreso, Frontera, enough to feed himself properly. There are icans, it seems to me that the thing can be
Mazatlan, Guaymas and other Mexican ports. still places where salaries do not go above 30 briefly described as follows : There are some
We also propose to enter into contracts for cents and 40 cents American gold per day. people, both in Mexico and the United States,
irrigation works, roads , oil pipe lines, city Considering that all merchandise and com who play upon each other's nerves by thinking
paving, drainage, water service, lighting, etc., modities have gone up during the past five they should be all the time abusing each other.
in more than one hundred cities . years in a proportion from 200 to 500 per That is the source of that feeling ; and bad
"We are directing all our efforts to create cent, it is easily understood what the position feeling expresses itself with the help of pub
an agricultural banking system and refaction of the Mexican working man is today. Some licity, with the help of the movies, with the
ary banks , to help our agricultural production. of the strikes of late have been in a way pro help of gossip and with all the little plays
"A sanitary campaign is now on throughout moted agitators , but I can assure that these upon emotion which mediocrity acts on the
the Republic. are isolated examples and cannot by any lower impulses of people. Bad feeling of this
"Agricultural laws are under study and im means determine -J the general situation. The international kind is foolish, as it is always
portant bills are to be passed affecting indus radical propaganda is liable to occur at the based on prejudice and arbitrary opinions.
try, mining, commerce, transport by land and time of elections by politicians who are en "Good feeling between Mexico and the
water. These bills tend to clean up our legis deavoring to win the favor of the working United States, on the other hand, is not a
lation from all obsolete rut methods and useless men's vote by means of pleasing promises. thing of emotion or of nerves. It is and must
red tape . This reform will also affect the "I have been accused by some people (and be the result of good practices toward each
Civil Code, the commercial laws, the Custom so have some other members of the recent other, which we all, Mexicans and Americans,
House ordinances, and sanitation of the ports, Government ) to be a man of radical tenden should all the time encourage. Now, we of
as well as the tariffs . cies. This charge is a merely rhetorical one, Mexico, who are the head of the new order of
"Our tax system will also undergo a wide The fact is that I and those who partake of things in that country, believe that those who
and deep improvement that will purge it of my views have labored, have fought for and have thriven and prospered on the commotion
all antiquated and clumsy practices, which at are anxious to see that there is an improve of bad feeling should be put out of business .
present embarrass and retard business tarns ment in the condition of our people ; we did And as soon as the right kind of business
actions. not hesitate to go against prejudices and vacil takes a lead in our countries in everything that
"Plans for an educational campaign are lations ; we thought that a brave work was affects their mutual relations, there will not
almost completed . Included in this plan is the needed and we did it ; we thought that it was be any more of this idle talk of bad feeling
arrangement of a drive in favor of an integral necessary to pass upon anything that hindered between Mexicans and Americans ."
education of the people, mainly on practical , us from mobilizing our natural resources , so
technical and agricultural lines, with the aim as to put them in the shape of production , and
in view of banishing forever from our midst we did it ; we want to increase business in our Appreciation of Courtesies
the old outgrown education of superficial country in order to promote prosperity and The REVIEW extends its sincere thanks to
memorizing and encyclopedic university daub well-being and we know that we need for this the American Chamber of Commerce of
ing of scholarships, which is deceiving and purpose the cooperation of foreign capital and Mexico City for much of the news matter
impractical. the cooperation of foreign people, mainly of given in the present issue, as also to the Pan
"We have among those who form a part of the American people, and there are reasons. American Union of this city for the use of
the present Government the majority of young for it. It is not only the fact that we are engravings of various scenes in Mexico. The
men, progressive and enthusiastic, and some neighbors which prompt us to seek this co timely aid of the organizations named has very
of them have been educated in this country operation ; it is the fact that we buy from 84 considerably lessened the labor of publishing
and were in business and enterprises before to 90 per cent of all imports from this country the first number here.
they joined the Revolution ; but none of them and in the same proportion we sell to this
was a professional politician. This group is country our production . It would be a folly The Mexican Government has approved a
exerting a powerful influence, so that the most and it would be a crime against our own well schedule for commercial wireless cables be
rigid morality should be at once established being to promote agitation in Mexico against tween that country and foreign parts . The
in all the branches of the public administra foreign investments of capital . We need them, press service will be served free to the dailies
tion. Having this in mind, the Civil Service we shall use them in solving our most imJ of the capital . The Chamber of Commerce
has also appointed a special committee to take
Commission will soon be established and there mediate problems and we shall see to it that up the question of night messages between
will be in the University of Mexico an admin our laws shall not interfere with the access Mexico and the United States.

Septiembre, 1920 LA
marina mercante y al efecto en breve se con
vocará a los navieros y capitalistas para el
establecimiento de líneas de navegación y
servicios regulares de carga y pasajeros así
como de líneas rápidas de expreso y correos
con subsidios y primas halagadoras .
La misma convocatoria se hará para cons
truir como 15,000 millas de ferrocarriles, las
obras en los puertos de Progreso, Frontera,
Mazatlán, Guaymas y otros puertos más.
También se contratarán obras de irrigación,
carreteras, oleoductos y para pavimentación ,
drenaje, provisión de agua y alumbrado de
más de cien ciudades.
Se hará un esfuerzo para crear cuanto antes
el crédito agrícola estableciendo bancos agrí
colas y refaccionarios para intensificar la pro
ducción agrícola .
Se va a empezar una intensa campaña sani
taria en todo el país.
Se están estudiando con gran actividad las
reformas a todas las leyes relacionadas con la
agricultura, la industria, la minería, el comer
cio, los transportes terrestres y la navegación,
para limpiar esas leyes de todo formulismo
inútil y librar a los negocios de toda traba y
obstáculo. Al efecto se reformará el Código
Civil, el de comercio, la ordenanza de aduanas,
de sanidad y de puertos y las tarifas arancela
rias, así como las de los ferrocarriles. Se
está haciendo un minucioso estudio de las
leyes de impuestos para purgarlas de lo anti
cuado y complicado, a fin de dar a los negocios
una protección amplia y decidida .
Los planes para una campaña de educa
ción, están terminándose para emprender el
más vigoroso empuje (drive ) para dar al
pueblo una educación integral, armónica y es
pecialmente técnica, agrícola e industrial,
desterrando para siempre la educación me
morista, enciclopédica y universitaria que
tanto daño nos ha hecho.
La mayoría de los hombres prominentes del
partido que está en el poder son jóvenes y pro
gresistas, algunos educados en este país y la
mayoría antes de entrar a la revolución eran
hombres de empresa y de trabajo y no políticos
professionales.
Este grupo de hombres está ejerciendo una
vigorosa influencia para establecer la más
rígida moralilad en todos los ramos de la
administración y al efecto pronto se establecerá
el servicio civil y la universidad con escuelas
de administración para que los empleos públi
cos se cubran por oposición y a base de com
petencia y no por favor político como hasta
hoy. Con esto sólo la nación ahorrará muchos
millones de pesos al año y los servicios pú
blicos se atenderán por expertos.
El señor general Alvarado, hablando del
problema del trabajo dice que este es muy
fácil de resolver en Méjico y que de hecho
quedará resuelto con algunas medidas que el
gobierno está tomando y sobre todo con la
iniciación de las obras que se empezarán muy
pronto. Ultimamente ha habido algunas huel
gas y no ha faltado quien crea que se deben a
un movimiento organizado de radicalismo.
Nada es más falso que ésto. Esas huelgas se
han debido en su inmensa mayoría a la falta
de trabajo y al alto costo de la vida. A causa
de los trastornos ocurridos durante estos
últimos diez años los negocios han sufrido
REVISTA MEXICANA
mucho, especialmente la agricultura, la minería
y los transportes, a eso se debe que la clase
trabajadora haya sufrido y esté sufriendo mu
cho, pues hay extensas zonas donde el trabaja
dor no gana lo suficiente para alimentarse,
pues sus salarios son de 30 a 40 centavos oro
americano diarios, y si se tiene en cuenta que
las mercaderías han subido de hace cinco
años a esta parte un 200 a 300 por ciento se
comprende la situación desesperada de los
trabajadores.
El general concluye con las siguientes pala
bras :
-Se ha dicho que yo y otros miembros del
gobierno actual tenemos tendencias radicales
y lo que es cierto es que todos nosotros hemos
luchado y estamos ansiosos de mejorar la
situación de nuestro pueblo y para esto com
prendemos que la única manera de lograrlo es
TRAYS IN WHICH PEARL OYSTERS ARE CULTIVATED.
poner en producción los recursos naturales del
país y fomentar los negocios para que haya
prosperidad y bienestar. Y sabemos bien que
para desarrollar esos negocios necesitamos
del capital y de la cooperación de los extranje
ros y especialmente de los capitales de este
país, por razones de vecinidad y de que aquí es
donde compramos el 84 a 90 por ciento de lo
que importamos y vendemos nuestro pro
ductos en la misma proporción.
Sería una locura y un suicidio hacer agita
ciones contra las inversiones extranjeras cuan
do lo que necesitamos para resolver pronto.
nuestros más urgentes problemas son esas in
versiones y por lo cual, como ya dije, estamos
quitando de nuestras leyes y reglamentos todo
cuanto pueda estorbar el desarrollo de los
negocios para que las inversiones que se hagan
en Méjico sean seguras y productivas, para
inducir a los capitalists a ayudarnos a desar
rollar nuestros recursos y a crear la prosperi
dad que necesitamos y que podemos tener da
dos nuestros inmensos recursos naturales.
El Gobierno está comprando grandes canti
dades de plata y cobre y el cuño de monedas
está trabajando en toda su capacidad en la
acuñación de monedas de oro, plata, y cobre.
La mejora ya se ve de la falta de cambio
peqeuño que existía. Monedas de plata están
en circulacion abundante.
11
Regulaciones Concernientes
a Los Pasaportes
L cónsul americano ha prevenido a los
E ciudadanos americanos que no hagan caso
de lo publicado en la presan y en otras partes
de que ya no se necesitan pasaporte esto no es
verdad, solo es un consejo malo y exagerado, lo
cual está causado confusión la cual se desea
prevenir. Ningún ciudadano americano puede
cruzar la frontera sin pasaporte.
Los pasaportes de emergencia y los regulares
valen diez pesos.
Los pasaportes regulares son validos por dos
años, con tal que sean renovados al terminar
el año, y se pueden renovar otra vez al fin de
los siguientes seis meses sin ningun cargo .
No hay ningun cargo por la emisión de tar
jetas de identificación .
SEE PAGES 28-31.
No es necesario la verificación por el consul
americano de las tarjetas de identificación.
Cuando se desea un pasaporte de emergencia
para visitar lugares en el interior de Mexico,
el dueño de la tarjeta de identifición tiene que
hacer una solicitación al Departamento de
Estado por un pasaporte como un prerequisito
del endoso de la tarjeta de identificación
permitiéndose el viaje de emergencia.
Cuando un permiso de emergencia es deseado
por un ciudadano americano-quien no posee
ni pasaporte valido de los Estados Unidos ni
tarjeta de identificación- el tendrá que hacer,
como un prerequisito de la emisión del permiso
de emergencia, una aplicación a la propia corte
por un pasaporte, el cua será dado, si la dicha
emergencia lo permite y si las circumstancias
y los hechos lo justifican.
Tampico tendrá una estación de ferrocarril
probablemente la mejor de la República.
El periódico Británico Overseas Journal
dice que los sembadores de algodón de Laguna,
México, están en comunicación con compra
dores ingleses de algódon con el objeto de
poner todo el algodón sobrante en el mercado
británico . Esto será posible en vista de la
legislación antagonista americana contra el
algodón mexicano.
12 THE
Proposes Pitiless Publicity
President De la Huerta Says Days of Secret Policies, Internal
From Interview with ADOLFO DE LA HUERTA
President of the Republic of Mexico
OVERNMENT is the people's busi
ness and every phase of its conduct
G should be made open to the public
that it may be subjected to the closest scrutiny.
This is equally true of internal affairs and
dealings with other governments. The day of
secrecy as to political policies, whether at
home or abroad, is done, I believe, though not
all statesmen, perhaps, are yet fully sensible of
the truth of this statement.
One of the first necessities for Mexico , if
she is to attain the uttermost of progress and
advancement, is to establish friendly relations
with other nations . Of all nations, the most
important to us is our great neighbor to the
north, the United States of America . There
is absolutely no reason why these two nations
should not be on the most friendly terms,
supporting each other in all policies for mutual
benefit and the betterment of the Americas.
Misunderstandings there have been, some of
them natural and more created by the activities
of unofficial but powerful intersets on both
sides of the border. That these should the
sooner be cleared up I have chosen as Mex
ico's representative in Washington a highly
educated gentleman, an experienced diplomat
and a man strongly friendly to the United
States in the person of Iglesias Calderon. I
intend hereafter to appoint only the highest
type of Mexicans to consular posts there.
Such consideration is due to and from both
countries. Had this practice always been fol
lowed, irrespective of political considerations,
many of the difficulties which have arisen in
the past would have been avoided.
As a further means of improving our rela
tions Judge Gonzalez of the Mexican Supreme
Court has been commissioned to visit the
United States and make a first-hand study of
your judicial system. We hope thereby to
achieve a better understanding of the differ
ences between the two legal systems and be
better prepared to smooth out such troubles
as arise because of basal divergencies between
the Latin and Anglo- Saxon legalisms.
But there is an enormous work to be done
at home. First, we wish to discharge the
excess soldiers, keeping an army of 50,000 to
70,000 men, who will be well armed with the
latest weapons, well clothed and well paid.
Do not think that the discharge of a number
of soldiers will endanger the peace of the Re
public . In fact, I am confident that we will
gain by this measure, as the remaining army
is loyal to the Government. They will not be
personal followers, but will be as other
armies are.
I think the economic situation will soon be
better, as I have noted a better atmosphere
among bankers and business men, although
the men in power are the last to know the true
conditions. I may be fooled by this feeling,
MEXICAN REVIEW
or External, Are Past
but it would seem that we are on the road
to progress.
Regarding oil affairs, the constitution of
1917 will prevail, as it is the legal constitution ,
but Article 27 will not be retroactive. Present
holders of property will have an opportunity
to improve their holdings and will have
preference.
We will go half way, and I am sure that the
American business interests will come the
other half. The new constitution means new
ideas which we will carry out, but we are
unable under Mexican laws to make other laws
which will be retroactive.
We hope that the era of misunderstanding
is past and that in its endeavor, to establish
good relations with our neighbors and carry
out our own reconstruction program this Gov
ernment may have the sympathy and good
will not only of all our own people, but of all
who come among us for business or other
reasons.
The foregoing is taken from an interview
which President de la Huerta gave to a group
of newspaper men recently, in pursuance of
his policy of holding such meetings regularly,
and at which topics of all kinds are discussed
freely and openly.
Mexico on Path
To Progress 4 give opportunities to writers and propagandists
People Everywhere Express Willingness
to Follow Government's New Plans for
Reconstruction
BY MANUEL CARPIO
Editor Heraldo de Mexico
EXICO is at the parting of the ways,
and her people have chosen the path
M® that leads to reconstruction. I made
a tour recently through all the States of
Mexico and found nowhere among those who
represented the vital forces of the country an
unwillingness to help President Adolfo de la
Huerta.
I have been very much surprised to read
that Julia Carranza, daughter of the late
president, had asserted that General Obregon
was responsible for the death of her father
and that she had documents to prove it. While
deploring the death of Carranza, I see that
such statements as those of his daughter, with
out production of proof, would merely mean
the circulation of scandal and would prevent
Mexico from showing her peaceful condition
to the world .
We all deplore the death of Carranza, and
we want to see the murderers punished. He
was a fine character, surrounded by incom
petents.
President de la Huerta is impressed with the
necessity for a far-sighted policy of recon
struction. He wants to reorganize the public
finances and to establish banks . General
Alvarado has already begun the financial re
September, 1920
construction. He is now here on a mission
that has to do with the increasing of trade re
lations between the United States and Mexico.
His object will not be to negotiate a loan,
but to make plans for the exchange of goods.
President de la Huerta sees the need for
settling the agrarian question. He wants to
see an effective distribution of labor on the
farms and to prevent a great migration of
our workers to the United States. He is also
desirous of reducing the army to from 40,000
to 60,000 men. We now have an army of
200,000, and steps toward reducing this num
ber have already been taken by General Calles,
Minister of War
Illiteracy is another point of attack by Presi
dent de la Huerta, and the new government.
We want every one in Mexico to know the
three R's. As a beginning in this direction a
campaign is under way whereby every educated
person, teacher, government employe or other
wise, will give a pledge to teach reading, writ
ing and arithmetic to 100 persons. A special
diploma will be granted by the University of
Mexico City to each of these volunteers. The
campaign is under the direction of José Vas
concelos, head of the university, and employes
of the Treasury Department all over the coun
try have already made pledges to do this work.
I think the peaceful condition in Mexico
today shows what we have been fighting for.
We who want Mexican reconstruction to suc
ceed and desire friendly relations between
the two countries, are opposed by crooks
and politicians and selfish intriguers of both
countries who take advantage of troubled con
ditions to keep alive turmoil and mistrust and
and mercenary people to go on feeding the
people of the United States with the impres
sion that Mexico is a savage country.
We want to show the United States that we
are an able nation, that we have been thrown
into disturbances not exactly by our incapacity
for government, but because of the interests
that would possess our wealth.
I hope that the oil interests will appreciate
the liberal spirit of the new order of things
in Mexico and will come to an agreement
with us. I don't think an agreement is im
possible and in fact I am hopeful one will be
arrived at. Some of the foreign oil repre
sentatives give the impression that they want
to rule in Mexico . They want Article 27 of
the new Constitution to be abolished and to
restore the Constitution of 1857.
As to foreign loans, my private opinion is
that after careful consideration of the subject
the Government should seek a loan on the basis
of converting the present debt and not to give
scandalous promises that small countries are
so apt to give. I have in mind what hap
pened to Persia and China, and I don't want
Mexico to be another Persia or China.
A German colonizing concern is preparing
to bring over soon 100 families to be located
in the State of Michoacan. The colonists are
being chosen with great care and with a view
to their experience as farmers as well as per
sons of good character and some financial
means. The new colony will be in the market
for a large quantity of American farming ma
chinery of all kinds.

LA
Septiembre , 1920
Se Propone Dar Publicidad
El Presidente de la Huerta dice que los días de secretos en asuntos
políticos internacionales y estranjeros ya se han concl ido
DE UNA ENTRAVISTA CON ADOLFO DE LA HUERTA
Presid nte de la República de México
A CONDUCTA del Gobierno es asunto
del pueblo y cada face de su conducta
Ldebe ser pública para que este sujeta
al mayor escrutinio . Esto es igual
mente verdadero en nuestros asuntos internos
como también en nuestro intercuso con otros
gobiernos . Los días de secretos en asuntos
políticos tanto del país como del estrangero
han pasado ; creo, aún que no parece que todos
los hombres de estado talvez estén de acuerdo
con la verda de este principio:
Una de las primeras necesidades de
México, si ella quier alcanzar el progresso y
adelanto más alto, es establesser relacines
amistosas con las otras nacines. De todas las
naciones, la más importante para nosotros es
nuestra vecina del norte, los Estados Unidos.
No hay ninguna razón absoluta por que estas
doc nacines no pueden tenner relacines más
estrechas para llevar a cabo todos los beneficios
mutúos y par el mejoramiento de las Américas.
Han habido equivocasiones , algunas de ellas
naturales, otras causadas por las actividades
de intereses poderosos en ambos lados de la
1
frontera. Estos serán arreglados pronto, y he
nombrado como representante de México a
un caballero de buena educación, un diplomata
de experienza, un hombre que tiene sentimien
tos de amistad hacia los Estados Unidos , en
la persona del Señor Iglesias Calderón. Intento
• en el futuro solo nombrar a hombres de con
ducta irreprochable para los puestos de con
sules en ese país . Esta consideración es debida
ambos países ; si esta práctica se hubiese
seguido, irrespectivamente de consideraciones
políticcas, muchas de las dificultades que se han
encontrado en el pasado se hubiesen podido
prevenir.
Como un medio de mejorar más nuestra
relaciones amistosas, el Juez Gonzales de la
Corte Suprema de México ha sido comisionado
para que haga una visita a los Estados Unidos
y haga un estudio personal del sistema jurídico
de ese país. Esperamos por este medio tener
mejor conocimiento de las diferencias de los
dos sistemas jurídicos, ye asi estar preparados
para allenar los desavenimientos que existan
causados por las divergencias basales de
legalismo entre el sistema Latino y el Anglo
Sajon.
Pero antes de ésto tenemos mucho que
hacer acquí en el país . Pimero, deseamos
reducir el ejército a 50,000 or 70,000 hombres,
quienes serán equipados con las últimas armas
modernas, bien vestidos y bien pagados. No
se debe creer que la dimision de este gran
número de soldados sea un peligro para la
paz de la República. Tengo gran confianza
que ganaremos al tomar esta medida, porque
el ejército que queda es fiel al Gobierno.
Estos no son personas que siguen a otros, pero
es como culquier otro ejército .
Creo que la situación económica mejoara
pronto, he notado una mejor atmósfera entre
i
REVISTA MEXICANA
Sin Limites
los banqueros y los comerciantes, aún que los
hombres de poder son los últimos quienes
saben las verdaderas condiciones.
Talvez me engaño en este sentimiento, pero
creo que nos encontramos en el camino del
progreso.
Con respecto a los asuntos del petroleo , la
constitución de 1917 estará en vigor como con
stitución legal, pero el artículo 27 no sera
retroactivo. Los actuales dueños de pro
piedades tendrán la oportunidad de mejorar
sus propidades y tendrán la preferencia .
Iremos la mitad del camino y no me quda
duda que los intereses americanos vendrán a la
otra mitad. La nueva costitución significa
nuevas ideas, las cuales las llevaremos a cabo,
pero somos impotentes bajo las leyes mexicanas
poder hacer otras leyes que sean retroactivas.
Tengo esperanzas que la era de equivo
casiones haya pasado y que el esfuerzo para
establecer relaciones más cordiales con
nuestros vecinos y llevar el programa de
reconstrucción este Gobierno tenga la simpatía
y buena voluntad no solamente de nuestro
pueblo pero de todos aquellos vienen aquí
pornegocios o por otras causas .
Mexico en la via
del Progreso
En todas partes se espresa la voluntad
de seguir al Gobierno en sus nuevos
planes para la reconstrucción
POR MANUEL CARPIO
Editor del Heraldo Mexicano
ÉXICO ha llegado a la separación
de los caminos , y su pueblo ha
M
escojido la vía que conduce a la
reconstrucción . He hecho un viaje por
todos los Estados de México y no he en
contrada en ninguna parte, entre aquellos
que representan las fuerzas vitales del país,
ninguno que no desease ayudar al Presidente
Adolfo de la Huerta.
Me ha sorprendido muchísimo que la Se
ñorita Julia Carranza, hija del fallecido presi
dente, que diga que el General Obregon fué
responsable de la muerte de su padre, y que
tiene pruebas documentales de ésto .
Mientras que deploramos la muerte de Ca
rranza, veo que estas aserciones de su hija, sin
producir prueba, simplemente sirven poner en
circulación un escándalo que prevendrá a
México el demonstrar al mundo su condición
pacífica.
Todos deploramos la muerte de Carranza y
deseamos que sus asesinos sean castigados.
El fué una gran persona, pero estaba rodeado
de incompetentes .
El Presidente de la Huerta está imbuído con
un programa bien adelantado para la recons
trucción . El desea la reorganización de la
#
13
Hacienda Pública y el establecimiento be
bancos. El General Alvarado ha principiado
ya la reconstrucción financiara . El vine con
una misión para aumentar las relaciones co
merciales entre los Estados Unidos y México .
Su objecto no es el negociar un empréstito ,
sino el de hacer planes para el intercambio de
mercancias.
El Presidente de la Huerta ve la necesidad
de arreglar la question agriaria. Desea ver
una distribución efectiva de la labor en las
haciendas y prevenir la gran emigración de
trabajadores a los Estados Unidos . El también
desea reducir el ejército a 40,000 o 60,000
hombres. Tenemos ahora un ejército de 200,
000 y el general Cailes, Ministro de Guerra,
está tomando medidas para este fín. La
iliteratura es otro punto de ataque del Presi
dente de la Huerta y del nuevo Gobierno.
Deseamos que todos los Mexicanos conozcan
sus R's. Como principio en estra dirección va
a inegurar un proyecto de que toda persona
educada , maestro , empleado de Gobierno o
cualquiera otro persona dé una promesa de
enseñar a leer, escribir, y aristmética a 100
personas. Un diploma especial será dado por
la Universidad de México a cada una de estos
voluntarios. La campaña de instrución está
al cargo del Señor José Basconcelos, jefe de
la Universidad ; empleados del Departamento
del Tesoro, en todo el país han dada ya pro
mesas de hacer ésto .
Creo que la condición pacífica de México
demuestra el porque estuvimos peleando .
Nosotros los que deseamos que la reconstruc
ción Mexicana sea un suceso y los que desea
mos las relaciones amistodas entre los dos
países, la cual esta opuesta por pillos y políti
COS e intrigantes egoistas de ambos países,
quienes han tomado la opurtunidad del estado
turbuleto del país para tener siempre agitado
el disturbio y la desconfianza y dar oportuni
dades a los escritores y propagandistas y per
sonas mercernarias para seguir dando al
pueblo de los Estados Unidos la impresión
que México es un país salvaje.
Queremos demonstrar a los Estados Unidos
que semos una nacion capaz, de que nos en
contramos en medio de disturvios políticos no
exactmente por nuestra ineptitud de saber go
bernarnos sino causada por los intereses que
querían poseer nuestra riqueza.
Espero que los interesados en el aceite apre
cien el espiritu liberal del nuevo orden de cosas
en México y que lleguemos a un convenio
mutuo. No creo que un arreglo sea imposible,
y espero que lo concluiremos.
Algunos de los operadores de petroles dan
la impresión de que ellos quieren gobernar a
México .
Quieren que el artículo 27 de la nueva cons
titución sea abrogado y que la constitición
de 1857 se ponga en vigor.
Respecto de empréstitos extranjeros, mi
opinion privida es, que después de una cui
dadosa consideración de este asunto, el Go
bierno debía buscar un empréstito para con
vertir la presente deuda nacional, y no dar
promesas escandalosas como algunos de los
países pequeños son aptos de hacer. Tengo en
el presente lo que le pasó a Persia y a la
China, y no deseo que México sea otro Persia
o China.
14 THE MEXICAN REVIEW September, 1920

That is incontrovertible, pessimists and propa

Mexico Wants Oil Developed gandists to the contrary. From a basis of
sound data it is easily demonstrated that the
Mexican oil fields will yield an unprecedented
Ready to Negotiate Liberal Terms with Producers Whose
total of 140,000,000 barrels as against 88,000,000
Greatest Handicap Now is Lack of Transportation
barrels in 1919 and more than twice the totals.
BY ROBERTO V. PESQUEIRA for 1918 or 1917.
Financial Agent of Mexican Government Only one country, the United States, will
produce a greater quantity of petroleum than
DO not know by what rare intuition the pecially held out to heads of American com Mexico this year ; all other countries com
petroleum operators in Mexico foresaw panies who have refrained for one reason or bined will produce less. The two leading pro
that the Revolution might curtail many another from entering the Mexican field of ducing companies in Mexico, the El Aguila
of their privileges -without doubt some-be activity, but who, I am sure, after obtaining a and the Huasteca, one British, the other Amer
cause the Government of Señor Madero per correct understanding of the situation (and of ican, will alone produce more oil than all
ceived clearly the orientation that actuated the the country) will be eager to establish them Russia will actually produce and as much as
Revolutionary Party. I recall clearly that in selves in this country. Rumania, India and Galicia put together. In
1913, in the beginning of our Constitutionalist Mexico is second to the United States among deed, one well of the Huasteca Company
Revolution , the chief and most active enemies the petroleum-producing , countries of the might of itself, if adequately piped to the
that we had then in the United States, were world, and the first in the exportation of that coast, produce as much petroleum as all Rus
the petroleum men, led by Mr. E. L. Doheny, commodity. Does Mexico get the share of sia in 1919.
and Mr. Harold Walker, his attorney. The production of petroleum in Mexico, this
this wealth which justly belongs to her ? That
Mr. Walker knows quite well that I am is what we are going to find out. year, would without doubt equal one-third of
familiar in every detail with their attitude and
their activities as well as their objective. Mr.
Walker also knows that my attitude has
always been frankly friendly towards Amer
icans and that I have labored determinedly to
bring about a better understanding and closer
relations between the two countries.
I am infinitely pleased that these gentlemen,
after carrying on a tremendous campaign
against Mexico, in which they have spent so
many millions in presenting us before the
world as a people barbarous and without re
demption, have at last come to Mexico to dis
cuss their difficulties with us. Accordingly, I
wish to extend a frank invitation to the oil
men to abandon once for all their campaign
of mendacity and misrepresentation. Their
great outlay of money has filled the American
newspapers with lies. It has distributed miles
of outrageous moving-picture films, picturing
us in the most disastrous circumstances.
Now, let these gentlemen come together with
us to discuss things clearly and honorably, for
the purpose of arriving at a practicable and
equitable solution.
During the past year a number of inde
pendent oil operators have come into Mexico
with the praiseworthy idea of investigating the
situation for themselves, rather than accept
the views of others who were perhaps con
cerned in keeping competition away from Mex
ico . The independent oil men have found that
conditions were not at all as so often repre
sented in the United States, but on the con
trary, were quite fair and favorable to the
industry and that the acquisition and develop
ment of properties in Mexico could be under
taken with comparative simplicity of procedure, ROBERTO V. PESQUEIRA, Financial Agent of the Mexican Government in New York
indeed, with much less difficulty than in many Bearing in mind that the demand for petro the production for the entire world, providing
other countries endowed with petroleum de leum in the markets of the world at the pres there were adequate facilities for taking the
posits. The example of these newcomers is ent time is much greater than the available oil away from our shores-if there were
worth following. supply, a circumstance that explains the rapid enough tankers- if the transportation facili
I am certain that I speak the sentiments of rise in price everywhere of petroleum and its ties were keeping pace with the production.
all officials of the present Government of
products, it is pertinent that we ask ourselves The oil is here, of course. As everybody
Mexico and, for that matter, of Mexicans gen what is the present and future importance to knows, Mexico is the world's largest oil field
erally, in extending at this time a friendly and Mexico and its people- and to the world, for contains the largest known deposits of pe
sincere invitatio: to presidents of companies that matter-of our great deposits of pe troleum of any country on earth.
already operating in Mexico and to all others troleum ? Let it be stated very emphatically that the
who may desire to operate in Mexico to come A few figures tell the story. only present limiting factor of any importance
to Mexico City to discuss the situation and Mexico will produce this year more than to a production of petroleum in Mexico equal
their problems with us. The invitation is es one-fifth of the world's outnut of petroleum. ing or surpassing that of any other country,

LA
Septiembre, 1920
México Quiere El Desarrollo Del Petroleo
Esta listo para negociar términos generosos con los productores, su
mayor desventaja es falta de transportes.
POR ROBERTO V. PESQUEIRA
Agente Financi.ro del Gobierno Mexicano
O sé por que rara intuición los
operadores del petroleo previeron que
N la revolución les habría de quitar
muchos de sus privilegios-sin duda alguna
pero el gobierno del General Madero percivio
claramente la orientación que autó al partido
revolucionairio. Me acuerdo bien que en 1913,
al principio de la revolución constitucional los
jefes y enemigos más activos que teniamos
entonces en los Estados Unidos eran las
personas interesadas en el petroleo, el prin
FEDERAL POST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICE BUILDING, PORT OF VERACRUZ
cipal de éstos fué Mr. E. L. Doheny, y Mr.
Harold Walker, su abogado .
Mr. Walker bien sabe que yo tengo todos
los detalles y actitudes así como su objetiva.
Mr. Walker sabe muy bien que mi actitud
siempre ha sido de amistad franca hacia los
americanos, y que he trabajado muchísimo
para conseguir un mejor conocimiento y tener
relaciones más íntimas entre los dos países.
Estoy sumamente satisfecho de que estos
caballeros, después de haber hecho una cam
paña tremenda contra México, en la cual han
gastado muchos millones de pesos, que nos
pusieron ante el mundo como un pueblo bár
baro y sin redempción, hayan al fin venido
a México a discutir sus dificultades con
nosotros .
De acuerdo, deseo extender una franca
REVISTA MEXICANA
invitación a las personas intersadas en el
petroleo para que abandonen inmediatamente
su campaña de falsedad y malas represen
taciones . El gran espendio de dinero que han
hecho llenó de mentiras los periódicos
americanos . Han distribuído centenares de
películas de sinomatógrafo representandonos
en circunstancias las más desastrosas .
Dejemos ahora que estos caballeros se
reunan y vengan a discutír estos asuntos
clara y honradamente , con el objeto de
TELEGRAFO
llegar a una solución equitable y práctica.
Durante el año pasado un gran número
de operadores independientes de petroleo
han venido a México con la idea laudable
de investigar la situación existence ; ellos ,
en lugar de aceptar las , opiniones de otros ,
quines tal vez tenían motivos para prevenir
la competición en México . Estos opera
dores independientes han encontrado que la
situación no era como tantas veces se
había representado en los Estados Unidos,
por el contrario era más favorable para la
industria y la adquisición de propiedades
para el desarrollo del petroleo y se podía
llevar a cabo con simplicidad de procedi
miento, en verdad con menos dificultades
que en otros países . Este ejemplo es digno
de imitar.
15
Estoy seguro que yo expreso los deseos
de todos los oficiales del Gobierno Mexicano y
también el de su pueblo en general, en dar
ahora una invitación amistosa a los presi
dentes de compañías de petroleo que están
operando en México, así como también a
tados los que desean operar en México,
para que vengan a la Ciudad de México a
discutir con nosotros la situación y sus
Esta invitación es hecha a los
problemas .
jefes de las compañías que se han retraído
por una o otra razón a entrar en el campo
de actividades mexicanas , pero quienes,
estoy seguro , despues de haber obtenido
una correcta opinión de la situación (y del
país ) ansiaran establecerse en este país .
México es el segundo , después de los
Estados Unidos, de los países productores
de petroleo y el primero del mundo en la
ROPPSO
exportación de este producto . Recibe
México su parte de la riqueza que justa
mente le corresponde ? Estos es lo que
vamos a averiguar. Teniendo presente la
gran demanda que existe en los mercados
del mundo por petroleo al presente, esta
demanda es más grande que la producción,
razón que explica la subida rápida de los
precios del petroleo y sus productos en todas
partes, es pertinente que nos hagamos esta
pregunta, ¿ cual es la presente y futura im
portancia para México y su pueblo y para
el mundo también- de nuestros depósitos de
petroleo?
Unos pocos números pondrá esto en
claro :
México producirá este año más de la
quinta parte de todo el producto del mundo.
 16 THE
the United States not excepted, is primarily
insufficient transportation . There are neither
enough tank-steamers nor pipe-lines. Just now
there are pipe-line faciilties for moving 220,
000,000 barrels annually and enough tank
steamers in trade with Mexico for taking
away about 150,000,000 barrels annually.
As a matter of fact, more than one-fifth of
all the tankers in the world are operating in
and out of Mexican ports, but if the combined
tank- steamers of the various maritime coun
tries were placed at the service of the Mexican
oil fields, the productive capacity of those
fields, supplemented by some additional pipe
lines, would be easily equal to the demand
upon them. A few additional pipe lines would
ensure full cargoes for the tankers 365 days
of the year.
The above declaration may at first glance
appear startling and perhaps boastful, but the
admirably equipped and organized Department
of Petroleum in the Mexican Government
that which there is no better in any country
has ample authoritative data on the potential
capacity of our already exploited petroleum
fields for substantiating every word of it con
clusively and fully. In other words, the
already developed oil areas of Mexico can
produce upwards of 500,000,000 barrels an
nually, and that is a greater quantity of oil
than all the tanker fleets in the world today
can move to market.
One factor alone in the petroleum situation
is certain to bring about a phenomenal expan
sion of the oil industry in Mexico- the rapidly
expanding American market. The United
States is, of course, the chief petroleum-pro
ducing country. Time was when the United
States produced enough and to spare, but that
day has passed, and probably passed forever.
It is to Mexico beyond all argument that the
United States must turn, and is turning, for
its supplementary supply of petroleum, and
industries and commerce.
A recent compilation of data from the
United States Geological Survey indicates that
the total production of petroleum in that
country, this year, will rise close to 400,000,000
barrels. But the curve of consumption ascends
from 7,000,000 to 10,000,000 barrels a month
above that of production, unequalled as the
latter is. And the curve of consumption is
constantly widening the distance between itself
and that of production, notwithstanding the
tremendous efforts underway in the United
States to open up new petroleum regions. It
is evident to all geological authorities that the
United States has virtually reached the peak
of petroleum production.
And all over the world the demand for
petroleum is increasing by leaps and bounds.
The war made it clearly evident that when
things are reduced to their ultimate analysis,
the first of all commodities next to food, per
haps, is fuel. So that there are two kinds of
countries in the world today which are posi
tively assured of prosperity : those that pro
duce food and those that produce fuel. This
is specially the age of petroleum and happily
Mexico has more of it than any other coun
try, and should, accordingly, become one of
the most prosperous countries in the world.
Of the 150,000,000 barrels of petroleum
MEXICAN
which will be producecd in Mexico this year
and certainly should be produced-approxi
mately 90 per cent will be exported, and of
that quantity fully 80 per cent will be exported
to the United States. That is the customary
rate of distribution of Mexican oil, and there
is every reason for being certain that it will
tend to increase rather than to decrease, albeit
there is a growing call for our oil from South
America particularly and from Europe . It is
quite within the scope of probabilities that con
siderable quantities of Mexican oil will pres
ently be shipped to points as far away as Asia.
There are still great untapped markets for the
cheapest and most abundant of all petroleum.
Our petroleum has now come to constitute
the chief export of Mexico, and Mexico has
come to be the greatest oil- exporting country
in the world. To date, this year, the exports
mar 93329
57
6
N 0
22
Wwwneduod
MIDLA 3
5
0161
4
Courtesy Pan-American Union
THE FAMOUS AZTEC CALENDAR STONE
have attained an unprecedented total of nearly
60,000,000 barrels, a figure approximating the
entire production of Mexico in 1918 and nearly
four times the output which took place in any
year prior to the war. In the six months '
period just closing Tampico has become the
second port in the Western Hemisphere and
today stands second only to New York among
the American ports. It is, of course, the
greatest oil port in the world .
The monthly shipments of petroleum from
Mexico are now over 11,000,000 barrels. They
have already increased nearly 40 per cent since
January, this year, and of about 80 per cent
over the exports of a year ago. Taking into
consideration the productive capacity of the
already driven wells, the pipe-line facilities
existing and under construction and the avail
able tankers, constantly increasing in number,
it is certain that the average monthly exports
of petroleum from Mexico for the remainder
of 1920 will not be less than 12,000,000 barrels.
And despite this great and unprecedented
REVIEW
September, 1920
export of petroleum from Mexico, there exists
at the present time in the United States, in
Europe, in South America and, in fact, nearly
every other part of the world except in Mex
ico, a great shortage of the commodity. That
is to say, in spite of the circumstance that the
production of petroleum is greater than ever,
there isn't enough of it to go around ; the mar
keted supply is insufficient to meet the demand.
It is authoritatively reported that there is an
especially acute shortage of fuel oil in the
United States, owing to the transformation
of industries from a coal-burning basis , and
to the enormous fuel-oil requirements of the
new American Merchant Marine.
Consequently the spectacle is presented of
an amazing rise in the price of petroleum in
the United States. Within six months the
price of fuel oil in the United States has in
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creased more than 150 per cent. A year or
so ago the price of fuel oil in the United
States was around $1.50. Today it has risen
to $3 and it is evidently bound to rise to $4
before the end of the present year. But fuel
oil at $3 or thereabouts a barrel is still so
much cheaper and serviceable than coal-of
which there is an even greater shortage-that
the demand for it continues to exceed the
marketed supply, and the consumer is glad to
get it even at rising prices.
Conservatively figured, therefore, the 1920
production of Mexican petroleum will cost the
consumers approximately 800,000,000 Mexican
pesos- will sell for that amount in the markets.
of the world. What will it yield to Mexico,
the country which produced it ? After all, that
is the question which concerns Mexico to in
vestigate.
The recent suspension of tariff on iron pipes
and rubber tires has been reconsidered and the
old tariff is in force.
 LA
Septiembre, 1920
Esto es incontrovertible, no obstante
pesimistas y propagandistas .
Sobre bases del datos irrefutables es fácil
demonstrar que los · campos mexicanos de
petroleo producirán un total de 140,000,000
de barriles de petroleo , comparados con la
producción de 1919 que fueron de 88,000,000 ,
dos veces más que los totales de 1918 o 1917.
Solo hay un país-los Estados Unidos
cantida d de tienen los Estados Unidos que venir para
el cual producirá mayor
petroleo que México . Las dos compañías
petroleras de México , el Aguila y la industrias y comercio.
Huasteca, una inglesa y la otra americana ,
producirán más petroleo que toda la Rusia
tanto como la
actualmente produce , y
Rumania, la India y Galicia juntas . En
verdad un solo pozo de la Compañía
Huasteca puede, si la canalización a la costa
fuese adecuada , producir tanto petroleo
como produjo la Rusia en 1919.
México producirá este año , sin duda
alguna, la tercera parte del producto total
del mundo , si hubiesen facilidades adecu PRINTERNATION Estados Unidos para encontrar nuevos
adas para llevar el aceite a nuestros puertos ,
si huiesen vastantes "tankers" (vapores de las autoridades geológicas que los Estados
cargar aceite ) , si las facilidades de transpor
tación estuviesen tan adelantadas como la
producción . Aquí existe el aceite . Todo el
mundo sabe que México es el campo más
grande de petroleo - contienen los depósitors.
más grandes que se conocen en el mundo .
Decimos enfáticamente que lo único que
limita la producción de petroleo en México ,
que igualaría a la producción de cualquier
a los Estado s
otro país , sin exceptuar
amente
primeramente la
Unidos, es primer la insufic iente
A transportación . No hay vastantes vapores
ni líneas de cañerías para el transporte de
o te
petrole . Solo existe en México al presen
una sola línea de caños que puede trans
portar 220,000,000 de barriles anuales y solo
hay vapores de carga para transportar
solamente 150,000,000 de barriles anual
mente.
Es un hecho que más de la quinta parte
de los vapores aceiteros del mundo entran
y salen de los puertos mexicanos , pero si se
hiciese una combinación de todos los
vapores aceiteros de todos los países marí
timos y estuviesen en el servicio de la trans
portación del petroleo mexicano, la capacidad
productora de los campos de petroleo ,
ayudada por cañerías adicionales, podría
suplir carga de petroleo a todos esos vapores.
Unas líneas de cañerías aseguraría la carga lejanos como la Asia. Existen mercados
para los vapores petroleros 365 días al año .
Esta declaración parece a la primera vista productos más baratos y comunes de
exagerada y ostentosa, pero el admirable
mente equipado Departamento de Petroleo
del Gobierno Mexicano , el cual no lo hay
mejor en el mundo, tien data autoratativa
de la capacida potencial de la producción de
nuestro campos de petroleo aunque ya ex
plotados , para sustanciar todo lo que hemos
dicho conclusiva y plenamente . En otras
palabras, los campos que ya están trabajan veces más qu la producción durante la
dose queden producir más de 500,000,000 de
barriles anuales, y ésta es una cantidad
mayor de la que los vapores aceiteros son
capaces de transportar a los mercados del
mundo.
REVISTA MEXICANA
Un hecho solo tiene que traer una expanA
sión fenomenal a la industria aceitera mexi
cana- el ensanche del mercado americano .
Los Estados Unidos es el principal pro
ductor de petroleo . Hubo una epoca en
que los Estados Unidos producian suficiente
cantidad para su consumo y había un
restante, pero eso ya ha pasado .
Sin argumento alguno, es a México a donde
conseguir petroleo que le hace falta para sus
• facilidades de las líneas de cañerías que
Una compilación de fecha reciente de la
Agrimensura Geológica de los Estados
Unidos indica que la producción de petroleo
en ese país este año subira a cerca de 400,
000,000 de barriles , pero la curva del con
sumo asciende de 7,000,000 a 10,000,000 bar
riles mensuales más que la producción, y la
curva de consumo esta constantemente
aumentandose si embargo de los tremendos
esfuerzos que se están haciendo en los
campos de petroleo. Es evidente a todas
Unidos ha llegado al zenit de producción .
La proximidad de México resue ve el pro hay suficiente cantidad para hacer frente
blema de suplir el resto del petroleo que al pedido. Se dice de una manera autora
necesita los Estados Unidos.
En todo el mundo la demanda por petroleo
está aumentando enormemente. La guerra mación de las industrias que cosumían
europea ha demonstrado claramente que
cuando se reducen las cosas. a un análises
último, la primera de las necesidades de la
vida, después de los alimentos, es el com
bustible. Así es que hoy existen dos clases
de países cuya prosperidad es segura, y son
aqullos que producen alimentos y los países
productores de combustibles. Esta es la
edad del petroleo y felizmente México posee
más petroleo que ningun otro país, y vendrá
a ser el país más próspero del mundo.
✔ suba a $4 antes de concluirse el año
De los 150,000,000 de barriles de petroleo
que se producirán en México este año-y
que ciertamente tiene que producirlos-90
por ciento seran exportados, y de esta can
tidad más de 80 por ciento se exportarán a
los Estados Unidos. Esto es el pormedio
acustumbrado de la distribución del petroleo ,
hay probabilidades que su aumento sea
mayor, sinembargo de que hay demanda
creciente de la América del Sur y de
Europa. Hay probabilidades razonables de
creer que grandes cantidades de petroleo
mexicano sean exportados a países tan por esta suma en los mercados del mundo .
que aún no han sido explotados para los
petroleo.
El petroleo ha llegado a ser la primera
materia principal de exportación , y México
ha venido a ser el mayor exportador de
petroleo del mundo . Hasta la fecha la ex
portación ha subido a un total sin precedente
de 60,000,000 de barriles en este año , una
suma que se aproxima a la producción
total del año de 1918, y cerca de cuatro
guerra. Durante el período de los seis
meses que van a terminarse Tampico
ha venido a ser el segundo puerto del
hemisferio americano, y hoy está como
segundo, después del puerto de New York,
17
entre los puertos americanos. Este es el
mejor puerto para el embarque de aceite
del mundo .
Los embarques mensuales de petroleo de
México suben a más de 11,000,000 de bar
riles . Esta cantidad ha aumentado un 40
por ciento más desde Enero del presente
año, de cerca de 80 por ciento de las expor
taciones del año pasado.
Tomándose en consideración la capacidad
productora de los pozos que están abietros , las
existen, y las que se están construyendo, y
los vapores aceiteros que hay, cuyo
número está aumentando constantemente ,
es indudable que el pormedio de las expor
taciones de petroleo de México por el resto
del año 1920 no bajará de 12,000,000 de ba
rriles.
Sin embargo de la exportación sin pre
cedente de petroleo de México , existe al
presente en los Estados Unidos , en Europa ,
en la América del Sur, y en verdad en casi
todas las partes del mundo , una escaces
enorme de esta comodidad . Aunque la
producción es mayor hoy sin embargo no
tiva que hay gran escases de petroleo en
los Estados Unidos debido a la transfor
carbón y que hoy consumen petroleo y los
requirimientos enormes de la nueva marina
mercante americana .
En consequencia de esto se presenta
la espantosa subida del precio del petoleo
en los Estados Unidos . Durante los últimos
seis meses el precio del petroleo en los
Estados Unidos ha subido a más de un 150
por ciento. Hace como un año el precio del
petroleo en los Estados Unidos era $ 1.50
por barril hoy esta a $3 y es probable que
presente. Pero aceite a $3 el barril es más
barato y más servicial que el carbón-del
cual hay gran escases-la demanda por el
petroleo continúa en exceso de la cantidad
que hay en el mercado y el consumidor
está contento en conseguirlo aún que sea a
precios más altos.
Cálculos conservativos dicen que la pro
ducción de petroleo mexicano costará a
los consumidores de este artículo más de
800,000,000 de pesos mexicanos-se venderá
20 Cuanto obtendrá México de ésto, el país
productor? Después de todo , ésta es la
pregunta que más le concierne a México ,
y de la csual ben hacerse una investigación ,
No obstante la situación financial grave
que existe, trabajo en la extensión del ferro
carril de Durango a Mazatlan se continua en
ambos extremos de la linea. La parte desde
Durango ya ha pasado la division media. El
camino, cuado esté completo, abrira al tráfico
un campo muy rico.
Uno de los últimos proyectos del Depart
amento de Haciehda es el establecimiento de
tres puertos libres, Guaymas y Salina Cruz en
la costa del Pacifico, y Puerto México en el
Golfo. Hay discusión considerable sobre las
ventajas de este programa.
I
 18 THE MEXICAN REVIEW
Richest Mines in the World
Wonderful Mineral Wealth of the State of Guanajuato - Hundreds
of Millions of Dollars That Have Been Produced
whose hundreds of millions of silver and gold
Valenciana went to enrich the world within the space of
$350,000,000.00
Maravillas 50,000,000.00 no more than a generation, and which inciden
Cata ...
50,000,000.00 tally at the same time contributed to the
Mellado
100,000,000.00 poverty and misery of tens of thousands of
Sirena 50,000,000.00
victims of professional mining stock manip
Tepeyac 100,000,000.00 ulators and gamblers. But not so with the
El Porvenir 11,000,000.00
El Secho ... mines of Guanajuato !
100,000,000.00
The Mother Lode deposit upon which the
El Rayas Group . 300,000,000.00
Numerous others ... 439,000,000.00 city is founded is contained in a gigantic fissure
in the earth's crust, extending to what depth
Total $1,550,000,000.00 can only be conjectured, but hundreds of feet
in width and completely filled with rich silver
and gold bearing ore mingled with other
OREGOING are the approximate metals and minerals. The discovery of this
figures of the production of the leading treasure house dates back to the middle of the
F silver mines of the Guanajuato group, sixteenth century and some forty years after
perhaps the most famous deposits of their kind the advent of Cortez and his handful of con
Courtesy Pan- American Union VIEW OF THE CITY OF GUANAJUATO
in the entire world. Professor Percy F. Mar querors in the city of the Aztecs. In another
tin, F. R. G. S., author of "Mexico's Treasure article it is proposed to relate the romantic
House, Guanajuato," and foreign correspond story of the first discovery of these fabulously
ent of the London Financial Times over a term rich depostts of precious metals, surpassing as
of twenty years, is authority for the state it does almost everything in that direction,
ment that : "The Guanajuato mining district, replete as has been the history of mining with
six by twelve miles, has furnished over three scarcely believable incidents. It was in 1558
fifths of the world's total silver production that the first work was done in the Guanajuato
for the past three hundred years, along with region, with the commencement of the shaft
hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of of the Rayas mine, with more than three
gold." hundreds of millions of dollars' output to its
The picturesque city of Guanajuato, in the credit. The same year work was commenced
State of the same name, is literally built upon. on the Mellado property, with phenomenal suc
a foundation of silver and gold- in this respect cess as well.
not being unlike its later counterpart of Vir While these two great silver mines are on
ginia City, that famous Nevada mining camp record as having paid taxes to the Government.
September, 1920
on the basis of a production of three hundred
millions and one hundred million respectively,
it is believed that these vast amounts by no
means represent their actual production, since
in all the history of mankind from ancient
times down to the present day those who are
called upon to contribute to their rulers or
governments in the form of taxation have
never been noted for any readiness to disclose.
the full extent of their income, especially when
derived from actual mining operations
At the point of discovery of the Guana
juato deposits the rich ores were found .
outcropping for a distance of some hundred
feet in width, and were mined with success.
The familiar saying regarding some mines
that "they paid from the grass roots down"
was amply exemplified in this case. The
original vein, however, had such a sharp pitch
that in the adjacent Mellado mine pay ore
was not struck until a depth of over 600 feet
had been reached. It is worthy of note, in
passing, that the famous and often-condemned
"law of the apex," as enforced in the United
NO
States, is unknown in Mexico , and therefore
the discoverers of a vein at any depth possess
the right to develop it, no matter if it may
be at a lower level than on the adjacent prop
erty.
No one can come in after the discovery of
a vein and by uncovering the same lode higher
or at its apex, deprive the original discoverer
of his property, as can be done under the
American law.
To come down to the situation today in
the Guanajuato mining region, conditions are
now and for an extended period have been
absolutely peaceable and ideal for securing the
most satisfactory profits, with silver at the
highest price known in a century. Labor is
 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 19
Septiembre, 1920

mina de Mellado, con el mismo y monstruoso

buen éxito .
"Guanajuato , la Casa del Tesoro de Mexico "
Aunque se han inscrito esas dos grandes
minas en el registro con la indicación de haber
Maravillosa Riqueza Mineral del Estado de Guanajuato - Los Cente pagado sus contribuciones al Gobier no sobre
nares de Millones de Dólares que ha Producido la base de una producción de trescientos mi
llones de dólares y ciento cincuenta millones ,
Valenciana $350,000,000.00 enriquecer al mundo en el espacio de no más
respectivamente , se cree que estas colosales
Maravillas 50,000,000.00 de una generación yy que que,, incidentalmente ,
Cata ... 50,000,000.00 cifras no representan por ningún motivo su
contribuyeron al mismo tiempo a provocar la verdadera
Mellado 100,000,000.00 producción puesto que en la historia
pobreza y miseria de decenas de millares de
Sirena 50,000,000.00 entera de la humanidad, desde los tiempos más
Tepeyac 100,000,000.00 victimas de especuladores profesionales de remotos hasta nuestros
días, todos aquellos
El Porvenir . 11,000,000.00 acciones de minas y de jugadores . ¡ Mas no
El Secho .... 100,000,000.00 que son requeridos para contribuir en pro
sucedió así con las minas de Guanajuato ! El
El Grupo de las Rayas 300,000,000.00 vecho de sus gobernantes o gobiernos en la
Otras Muchas 439,000,000.00 depésito de la Veta Madre sobre la que está
forma de tributos jamás se han revelado por
construída la ciudad, está contenido en una
Total ..... $1,550,000,000.00 su disposición de manifestar el total íntegro
gigantesca grieta de la costra terrestre que se
de sus ganancias, especialmente cuando éstas
prolonga hasta una profundidad que sólo pue
N EL cuadro anterior se indican las de conjecturarse, pero que tiene varios cen provienen de expoltaciones mineras .
En el punto en que se descubrieron los
Exif cifras aproxi madas de la producc ión de tenares de pies de ancha y que está com
pletame nte llena de ricos mineral es de plata depósitos de Guanajuato encontráronse ricos
las principales minas de plata del Estado de

RO
AT EZ
callTE AR COMEDI
A
AR JU

ANEARL

THE JUAREZ THEATER, GUANAJUATO, MEXICO

Guanajuato, que son quizás los más famosos
depósitos minerales del mundo entero. El
profesor Percy F. Martín, F. R. G. S., autor
de los libros y corresponsal extranjero
que fué por espacio de veinte años del London
Financial Times, es una autoridad que hace
la declaración de que : "La zona minera de
Guanajuato, de seis millas de ancha por doce
de larga, ha producido más de tres quintos de
la producción total de plata del mundo, en los
trescientos años últimos, juntamente con cen
tenares de millones de dólares en oro."
La pintoresca ciudad de Guanajuato, del
Estado del mismo nombre , está materialmente
edificada sobre una base de plata y oro no
siendo distinta en este sentido de su imagen,
la Ciudad de Virginia, ese famoso campo
minero de Nevada cuyos centenares de mi
llones de dólares en oro y plata fueron a
y oro mezelados con otros minerales y metales. minerales a flor de tierra en un espacio de
El descubrimiento de este tesoro doméstico es varios centenares de pies de ancho y fueron
remonta a mediados del siglo dieciséis, unos explotados con buen éxito . El dicho familiar
cuarenta años después de la llegada de Cortés que se refiere a ciertas minas y que dice que
y del puñado de conquistadores a la capital " produjeron de las raíces del pasto abajo,"
de los aztecas. Nos proponemos relatar en se justificó perfectamente en el presente caso.
otro articulo la romántica historia del primer No obstante, tenía una inclinación tan aguda
la veta, que en la Mina de Mellado, que estaba
descubrimiento de estos yacimientos de metales
adyacente, no se obtuvo mineral apreciable sino
preciosos fabulosamente ricos, que supera a
despues de haber perforado hasta una pro
todos los relatos semejantes, por llenas que fundidad de más de seiscientos pies. Es digno
estén las historias de las minas con incidentes
de mencionarse, de paso, que la famosa "lev
que apenas son creíbles. Fue en el año de del ápice," a menudo condenada, tal como
1558 cuando se emprendieron los primeros tra está en vigor en los Estados Unidos, es
bajos en la zona de Guanajuato con el co desconocida en México, y que, por conse
mienzo de la perforación del tiro de la mina cuencia, los descubridores de una veta a
de Las Rayas, que se acredita una producción cualquiera profundidad poseen el derecho de
de más de trescientos millones de dólares . En explotarla sin importar que pueda quedar a
el mismo año se comenzó a trabajar en la un nivel inferior que en la propiedad adya
 20 THE
cheap and efficient. It varies around $1 per
day and as against $6 in many other countries
and in mines with ore not nearly so rich.
Strikes and labor troubles are practically un
known, the working people being happy and
contented , with regular employment , steady pay
and reasonable prices for food staples. The
ores of the Guanajuato deposits are so clean
that they can be treated at an exceptionally
low cost, approximating $ 1.50 per ton , with
a recovery of 93 per cent of the silver and
gold content. Another advantage of this
region is that the character of the formation
containing the rich veins is such that little or
no timbering is needed, and while there is suffi
cient water for all mining and milling pur
poses, there is not enough to hinder operation
or make it unduly expensive . The vein systems
are traversed , also , by high voltage power
electric lines, furnishing cheap and efficient
service, by which enormous bodies of low
grade ores, which would be of no value what
ever in other districts not so advantageously
situated , are here an extra and enormous asset.
Although strictly speaking Guanajuato is
an agricultural and mining State, the very
foremost in the Republic , it is also a great
cattle raising country, surpassed only by the
States of Jalisco and Chihuahua , respectively.
There are also numerous indutsrial establish
**
ments of great magnitude , including many
woolen and cotton mills using principally elec
tric power, as well as linseed mills, hat, saddle
and harness factories of great extent, potteries,
distilleries, tanneries, foundries , etc. From
this it will be seen that if the mining industry
were eliminated altogether , Guanajuato would
still remain one of the most important portions
of the Republic . The State is divided into five
departments and the population is something
over a million, about 85 per cent of whom are
peones, the laboring class ; the rest are mainly
an enlightened and educated people, perhaps
fully as capable of governing their own affairs
in an intelligent manner as the educated and
→
civilized in other lands.
In the book "Mexico's Treasure House,
Guanajuato," is included the following state
ment : "Nature has been quite bountiful in
its dealings with this State. It is one of, if not
the most, favored districts in the world as to
climate and mineral riches. Its immense de
posits of gold and silver are known the world
over and have been for hundreds of years.
Its fertile lands, populous cities, thriving in
habitants, superb climate, well equipped and
modern railroads, telephone and telegraph sys
tems , cheap and efficient electric power and an
abundant water supply, along with innnumer
able other resources beyond mention, make
Guanajuato the choicest of the twenty- seven
States constituting the United States of
Mexico ."
The Encyclopedia Britannica, Vol. XI , page
206, says : “Guanajuato, founded in 1554 A.
1 D. , owes its existence and prosperity to the
fact that it is the center of the greatest mining
district in the world."
John Hays Hammond, one of the best known
mining engineers of the age, declares : "The
district of Guanajuato is the most thoroughly
mineralized zone for gold and silver in the
known world ."
Robert T. Hill, United States Government
MEXICAN REVIEW
geologist, says : "In the Guanajuato mining
district the developed mines have without an
exception proven that the values extend as
deep as it has been possible to mine them."
High Profits from Mining
HE National Banker publishes some
TCanadian official figures showing the
returns on invested capital in that country, as
follows :
Railroads 3%
National Banks 614 %
Insurance " A 11 %
Lumbering • • • * 14%
Manufacturing 14%
Mining 182%
In addition to the foregoing, Bradstreet's
and Dun's Commercial Agencies supply the
interesting addenda that but 36 per cent of all
legitimate mining investments fail, as against
54 per cent in commercial lines.
It is safe to say that in the famous Guana
juato mining district, whose production has
formed so large a part of the total world out
put, there has been more than a thousand
dollars actually yielded for every dollar in
vested in legitimate mining.
American "Manners" Are the
Cause of Much Trouble
MERICA has brought Mexican prejudice
AM upon herself because she has insulted the
finer sensibilities of her neighbor, in the opin
ion of Colonel L. M. Maus, who is making
a sociological and educational survey of the
Mexican situation in Texas, New Mexico,
Arizona and California under the auspices of
the International Reform Bureau of Wash
ington, D. C.
"I am convinced, after a careful investi
gation of the Mexican situation in the border
States, that the only way to obliterate the
prejudice between the American and the
Mexicans in the border country is by a 'right
about face' change in our own ethics," said
Colonel Maus.
The lesson which we have never learned,
and which Americans have had ample oppor
tunity to have assimilated through our experi
ence in the Philippines and elsewhere, is that
the suave manner and polite deportment of the
Latin is outraged by the aggressive, direct
method of the Anglo- Saxon in his dealings
with the Latin race."
Colonel Maus says the American's egotism
makes him a poor neighbor for a warm
hearted, demonstrative. people like the Mex
icans.
Colonel Maus's ideas, as set forth in the fore
going, will be corroborated by every sensible.
traveler who has visited Mexico and has con
ducted himself in a sensible and sympathetic
manner. THE REVIEW hopes , by the way, to be
able shortly to publish the report of Colonel
Maus in a great part or in its entirety. The
sample quoted is an indication of the char
acter of the whole.
Tampico is to have a new railway depot,
probably the finest in the Republic.
September, 1920 ·
Mexico Knows the Art of Life
NTERVENTION will give a different cast
IN to Mexican development and life, which
for its rags, filth, poverty, ignorance and
bloodshed, is to me something more lovable
and serene than the mad, helter- skelter,
squirrel-cage twitching that is America's idea
of life.
To my mind the social revolution should do
more than install the workers in charge of the
factories , and place the farmers firmly on
their land. I conceive of the revolution as an
attack on all that we have named western
civilization—its great, nervous cities, the gray
commercialism and shallow, eager competi
tiveness that marks its every feature-even its
art and science and so-called culture.
The social revolution will, I hope, give a
different tempo and direction to our western
life. I want to see a more serene, a less ambi
tious, a slower, more patient and nature-loving
race come forth. The skyscrapers must be
leveled, with all they are monuments to .
In Mexico City there are no skyscrapers, and
the people move slowly about the streets, and
there is always a faint fragrance of flowers in
the air. We have more time to know one
another here. The food is simpler, the
houses simpler and more beautiful, the people,
except for their flashes of childish violence,
are sunnier and sweeter and unconsciously
comradely. In the United States I found in
the radical movement many Socialists, but few
comrades. You have no time, for even your
own souls have conceived ineradicable marks
of the fever and rush and impatient super
ficiality of the American life . There is some-.
thing different here, and though I cannot quite
analyze what it is, I know it is nearer that .
manly love of comrades on which the new
world is to be built. It is nearer to the
quieter, more natural and contented life of
the future. Intervention would change it all,
and inoculate this healthy, sweet Mexico of
the Indian Pueblos and ranches with the
horrible germ of our western disease.-Irwin
Granich in The Liberator.
New School at
Orizaba
EOPLE of the United States who have
OPnL persuaded by propaganda that
PEbee
in
Mexico religion is taboo, the churches robbed
and churchmen persecuted, are evidently not
joined in this opinion by Bishop Guizar Va
lencia, of Orizaba . Word comes from that far
southern city that the bishop has just founded
there a new school for the education of his
youthful parishioners . To this end Bishop
Valencia himself contributed 5,000 pesos and
the business men of the city subscribed another
10,000 pesos . Besides the ordinary primary
and preparatory studies of schools in the
United States, and the music course universal
in Mexican schools, the Orizaba institution will
offer to advanced students courses in business
practice and telegraphy.
Ing. Joaquin Pedrero Cordova has been
elected President of the National Railway
Lines of Mexico and Mr. Lorenzo Perez
Castro, vice-president.
 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 21
Septiembre , 1920

el mundo y han sido por centenares de años, Nueva Escuela en Orizba

cente. Nadie puede presentarse después del
sus fertiles terrenos , sus ciudades populosas , AS PERSONAS en los Estados Unidos
descubrimiento de una veta y privar al
sus habitantes industriosos , su clima superbo LAS que hayan sido persuadidos que la religion
descubridor primitivo de su propiedad , como
sus modernos y bien equipados ferrocarriles , en México es prohibida y que han robado las
se puede hacer de acuerdo con la ley norte
su sistema de teléfonos y de telégrafos , su iglesias y han perseguido a sus eclesiásticos , es
americana, por la sola causa de descubrir la
barato y eficientes fuerza eléctrica , y su gran evidente de que esta no es la opinión del Obispo
misma veta a un nival superior o en su ápice.
abundancia de agua, en conjunto de otros innu de Orizaba. Recibimos
Pero, trataremos de la situación que reina Guizar Valencia de
merables recursos que nos es imposible men
en la actualidad en la zona minera de Guana noticias de aquella lejana ciudad del sur que
cinar, hace que Guanajuato sea el Estado
juato. Las condiciones son y han sido por el Obispo acaba de instalar una nueva escuela
escogdo entre los veinte siete Estados que com
un largo periodo de tiempo absolutamente para educar a sus jóvenes feligreces. Para
ponen los Estados Unidos de México."
pacificas e ideales para obtener las ganancias'
más satisfactorias con la plata, al precio más
alto del siglo. El trabajo es barato y eficiente .
Varía alrededor de $1 , contra $6, que se pagan
en otros países por día y en minas que cuyo
mineral no es tan rico como el de Guanajuato .
Las huelgas y los conflictos del trabajos son
prácticamente desconocidos , puespues lala clase
trabajadora está feliz y contenta con tener un
empleo regular, recibir un pago que no falte
y con que prevalezcan precios razonables de
los artículos alimenticias . Son tan limpios los
minerales de los yacimientos de Guanajuato
que pueden ser tratados a un costo excep
cionalmente bajo, aproximadamente $1.50 por
tonelada , con un rendimiento del noventa y
tres por ciento del contenido en oro y plata.
Otra ventaja de esta región minera consiste
en que es tal el carácter de la formación que
contiene la rica vena, que se necesita ademas
fe

muy poco con madera, y aunque hay agua

abundante para las minas y fábricas no es
tanta que obstruya las explotaciones o las haga
haga muy costosas . El sistema de vetas son
atravesadas por lineas eléctricas de gran volt
age potencial , las cuales dan un barato y
eficiente servicio, por medio del cual se puede
extraer los minerales de grado mas bajo, lo
cual no se puede hacer en otros distritos que
no estan situados tan ventajosamente como
estem, los cuales dan una buena entrada.
Aunque, extrictamente hablando , Guana
juato es un Estado agrícola y minero, el mejor
de la República , también es uno de gran cria
de ganado, sobrepasado solo por los Estados
de Jalisco y Chihuahua , respectivamente .
También hay numeros os establicimientos in
dustriales de gran magnitud , incluyendo 147
muchas fábricas de tejidos de lana y algodón
que usan principalmente potencia eléctrica ,
también hay molinos de linaza ; fábricas de
sombreros ; de monturas y arneses de gran
extención ; alfarerias ; alamibiques ; curtiem
bres ; fundiciones ; etc. De esto se puede ber
que si es eliminase la industria minera de THE OLD JESUIT CHURCH AT GUANAJUATO, MEXICO
Guanajuato éste seria todavía uno de los más
importantes lugares de la República . El Estado La Enciclopedia Británica, Vol. XI , página conseguir este fin el Obispo Valencia contri
buyó 5,000 pesos y los comerciantes de la
esta dividido en cinco departamentos y su 206, dice : "Guanajuato, fundado en 1554,
debe su existencia y prosperidad al hecho de ciudad contribuyeron 10,000 pesos. Además
población es de más de un millon, de la cual
que es el centro del distrito minero más grande de los estudios promarios y preparatorios de
85 por ciento son peones (clase trabajadora ) ;
del mundo." las escuelas de los Estados Unidos, se dá un
el resto es compuesta de personas educadas e
John Hays Hammond, uno de los más bien curso de música, tan universal en las escuelas
instruidas tan capaces de manejar sus nego
conocidos ingenieros de esta época declara : Mexicanas, el institute de Orizaba ofrece a los
cios de manera tan inteligente como las clases
"El distrito de Guanajuato es una de las estudiantes avanzados , un curso mercantil y
educadas y civilizadas de otros lugares.
mejores zonas de minerales de oro y plata que de telegrafía.
En el libro " Mexico's Treasure House ,
Guanajuato," se encuentra lo siguiente "La existe en el mundo." El Ferrcarril Nacional tiene un proyecto
naturaleza ha sido muy generosa en sus dá Robert T. Hill, geólogo del Gobierno de los bajo consideración de despachar trenes de
divas a este Estado . Es una de los, sino el Estados Unidos, dice : "En el distrito minero Laredo a la Ciudad de México a las 7.30 p. m.,
de Guanajuato se han desarrollado minas , que en lugar de la salida por la mañana temprano.
más, favorecidos districtos del mundo por su Este cambio proporcionará que los pasajeros
clima y por sus ricos minerales. Sus inmensos sin excepción ninguna, se extienden a tanta crucen el Rio Grande la misma tarde de su
depósitos de oro y plata son conocidos en todo profundidad como ha sido posible trabajarlas." llegadaa la frontera-una gran convenencia.
 22
THE
In the Field of Petroleum
Official Report of Conditions and Development as Seen in the
HE Department of Petroleum made the
following statement of conditions as re
gards development in the oil fields dur-
ing the early part of the year 1920, and which
is of interest at the present juncture :
Pipelines-There are at the present time
1,420,920 meters of pipeline in use ( 4.078,450
feet-over 770 miles. ) These lines have a
daily capacity for transporting 382,016 cubic
meters of oil, or more than two millions of
barrels. They are able, therefore, to transport
to the various ports of embarkation all the oil
that the wells produce. It must be taken into
account that a great part of the producing
wells are not connected with the pipelines , so
that some companies can carry more oil than
they produce, while others that have no means
of transportation are obliged to sell at very
low prices their products to the companies
owning the pipelines, or store it in tanks.
The total daily production capable of being
Courtesy Pan-American Union
TRANSPORTING OIL BY BARGE ON THE PANUCO RIVER, NEAR TAMPICO, MEXICO
transported is two millions of barrels and it
is believed this will be reached actually in
the present year.
Number of Wells- There are now in the
peroleum zones a total of 1,103 wells :
Number located . 147
Number drilling... 123
Number in production..
305
Not paying... 35
Producing ' water .
65
Unproductive 428
Total 1.103
The wells in full production, as will be seen,
are many, and they afford a complete demon
stration of their ability to yield more than the
thousands of wells now in existence in the
United States. It is well known that Mexico
has the largest well in the world, the Cerro
Azul No. 7, which produces 370,000 barrels
daily.
Storage Tanks and Their Capacity- In order
to store petroleum destined for immediate ex
portation, there are 902 tanks, as follows :
Steel tanks .. .. 882
Concrete tanks .
4
Earthern tanks . 16
Total . 902
MEXICAN REVIEW
First Half of the Current Year
These have a total capacity of 7,812,957
cubic meters, or more than fifty million bar
rels.
Value of the Industry-The present value of
the industry and its various branches is esti
mated as follows :
Wells ...
$37,000,000
Pipelines 60,000.000
Storage tanks . 60,000,000
Vessels 90,000,000
Refineries
50,000,000
Accessories 33,000,000
Total $330,000,000
To this sum should be added the value of
the lands possessed by the oil companies, and
which are in the neighborhood of 300,000
hectares (750,000) acres ) , and worth at the
rate of $100 (Mex. ) per hectare, a total of
$300,000,000, making a grand total of $650,
000,000 ($325,000,000 American money) , in
rested in the petroleum industry. (Note- No
account is taken of the area of land under
lease, and which is several times that in actual
ownership of the companies ) .
The value of the wells is put at a sufficiently
low figure because of their possible ephemeral
character. One well alone, the Cerro Azul ,
can produce $350,000 daily, or $ 126,000,000
annually.
Exportation of Petroleum- The exportation
of petroleum in 1918 was 52,000,000 barrels,
and in 1919 approximately 80,000,000 barrels.
The export duties collected for three years
have amounted to $22,224,515.45, as follows :
1917 $6854,537.42
1918 10,135,991.21
1919 15,203,986.82
Total
$32,224,515.45
The total collection for the three years were
equivalent to only $16,112,257.72 in American
money.
The total amount of royalties levied by the
government for the past two years is about
$9,000,000 Mex., $4,500,000 American money,
but they have not been collected from the com
panies on account of their complaint that such
tax is confiscatory. The bar tax at Tampico
has yielded in the last three years a total of
September, 1920
$1,500,000 Mex. , or $ 750,000 American money.
The total amount received and levied by the
government for three years does not reach
$50,000,000 Mex . , or $25,000,000 American
money, while a single company has obtained
greater profits than that.
Official Investigation of
Petroleum Deposits in Chihuahua
HE EXPLORATIONS which have been
TH made in the northern portion of the State
of Chihuahua for some years past have led
to the well founded belief that extensive de
posits of petroleum exist in that region, and
as a result the Department of Industry, Com
merce and Labor has appointed a special com
mission of experts to make a careful investi
gation in this direction . The town of Ojinaga
will be taken as the basis from which to carry
on the explorations, as oil is known to exist in
that section. According to old miners familiar
with the country, deposits of chapopote or
asphalt are to be seen not far from the Con
chos river near its junction with the Rio
Bravo. Coal has also been found in the
same neighborhood ..
The belief in the existence of petroleum
on the Mexican side of the river has within
a few months caused many Americans to ap
ply to the Mexican consul at Presidio for per
mission to exploit the same, and a number of
such concessions have been granted. This has
actuated the Department in question to dis
patch special expert commissions to make a
thorough examination.
More than 12 years ago reports were that
the well-known Hearst estate in drilling wells
for water for stock use on its immense prop
erties in northeastern Chihuahua, had struck
oil, but that the wells had been capped over
and the matter kept a profound secret, being
only known to the well drillers and to the
owners of the estate. It was the former who
disclosed to a few the information of the oil
discovery.
Notwithstanding financial straits, work on
the extension of the railway from Durango to
Mazatlan is being continued from both ends.
The work from Durango has already passed
the main divide. The road, completed, opens.
a very rich country to traffic.
 :

Septiembre, 1920 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 23

El Govierno ha demonstrado desde el prin

En los Campos Petroleros
Informe Oficial Rendido al Gobierno del Estado
L GOBIERNO de la República pidió
hace algún tiempo , a la Secretaría de
E Industria y Comercio, un informe
permenorizado de las industrias carbonifera y
petrolera de To México y el Departamento
Técnico del Petróleo, sabiamente dirigido por
el señor ingeniero Joaquin Santaella, acaba de
formular el informe solicitado .
La red de oleoductos basta para dar sali
da hacia los puertos de embarque a todo el
petróleo que los pozos pueden producir, pero
hay que tener en cuenta que una gran parte
de los pozos no están aún unidos a los oleo
ductos, por lo cual, mientras algunas empre
sas pueden dar salidad a más petróleo del que
queden producir, otras no tienen medios de
conducción y se ven obligadas a malbaratar
sus productos a las empresas que tienen eleo
ductos o a almacenar el petróleo que sus po
zos producen.
México produce o puede producir, alrededor
de dos millones de barriles diariamente, y
quizás en el presente año esa sea su produc
ción.
En al actualidad hay en las zonas petrole
ras los siguientes pozos :
Localizados » • · ■ 147
En Perforación " 123
En Producción · 305
Incosteables • 35
Agotados • A 珈D D 65
Improductivos W• 428
Total de pozos . → 1,103
Los pozos en plena producción , como se ve,
son muchos, y ello es precisamente la mejor
demonstración de su bondad, puesto que pue
den superar en producción potencial a los
millares de pozos perforados en los Estados
Unidos .
Ya es sabido que en México está el pozo
más grande del mundo , Cerro Azul número
siete, que produce trescientos setenta mil ba
rrilles diarios.
Para almacenar el petróleo destinado a la
exportación inmediata, las empresas petrole
ras cuentan con los siguientes depósitos :
Tanques de acero • · · * 882
Tanques de concreto •
Tanques de tierra J
Total • 902
Con capacidad para 7,812,957 metros cúbi
cos, o sea más de cincuenta millones de barri
les.
Veamos ahora lo que vale la industria petro
lifera :
Pozos $ 37,000,000
Oleoductos • 60,000,000
Almacenamientos 60,000,000
T • ►•
Buques 90,000,000
Refinerías 50,000,000
Accesorios 33,000,000
Total 2 $330,000,000
A la suma anterior hay que agregar el va
lor de los terrenos poseídos por las empresas
petroleras y que son unas trescientas mil hec
Actual De la Industria Petrolera
táreas , que calculadas, a razón de cien pesos
cada una, dan un total de trescientos millones,
que sumados a los trescientos treinta que va
len los pozos , oleoductos, etc., dan un valor
total aproximado de seiscientes treinta mi
llones de pesos, invertidos en la industria pe
trolera.
Hay que tener en cuenta que los pozos han
sido calculados a un precio bastante bajo y
en el supuesto de que tuvieran vida efímera,
pues sólo el Cerro Azul puede producir tres
cientos cincuenta mil pesos diarios, o sea cien
to veintiscis millones al año, dado el caso de
que soportara una explotación uniforme por
toda su producción potencia.
Los datos relativos a este asunto, son ya am
pliamente conocidos y sólo los mencionamos,
para recordarlos a los lectores, México expor
tó en 1918 , cincuenta y dos millones de ba
rriles, aproximadamente , y en 1919, ochenta
millones.
Los impuestos percibidos por el Gobierno,
en los tres últimos años, son como sigue :
En 1917 · $ 6,854,537.42
En 1918 10,135,991.21
En 1919 15,203,986.82
Total D $32,224,515.45
Hay, además, el impuesto de regalías que
debió producir al Gobierno cerca de nueve
millones en los diez últimos años, pero que no
ha sido pagado por las empresas, que lo con
sideran confiscatorio.
Y hay, por último, el impuesto de Barra que
ha producido alrededor de un millón y medio
de pesos en los tres últimos años . En total , el
impuesto percibido por el Gobierno, como se
ve, no llega ni a cincuenta millones de pesos,
a pesar de que una sola de las empresas ha
obtenido mayores utilidades.
La Situacion del Petroleo
'N AVISO reciente de la Ciudad de
U México dice que algunos de los inte
resados en el petroleo han rechazado el
convenio de pagar los impuestos que se debían
en consideración de una suspensión temporaria
4 aproxima a la vida más quieta, más natural y
del decreto de Carranza sobre el petroleo
16
hasta que el Congreso pase una nueva ley, ha
resultado en una demora hasta que la Corte
Suprema dé la decisión en los casos pendientes .
El General Jacinto B. Trevino, Ministro de
Industria, Comercio y Labor, declara en esta
conección :
"Con un supremo egoismo, " dice referiendose
a compañías que no quieren obedecer la ley,
"ellas quieren estar sin ley o obligaciones .
Después de muchas conferencias vanas con el
Govierno Mexicano representates de los inte
reses del petroleo convinieron pagar los im
puestos que debían, pero ahora dicen que sus
compañías no ratificaran el convenio. Nustra
intención es el ejecutar firmente el decreto
de le Corte Suprema . Tenmos fé en la
justicia y tenemos valor para hacer respetar
sus decretos."
cipio una disposición de pedir solamente lo que
es justo en conección con la questión del
petroleo, y es de sentir mucho que aquellos
que tienen interes en el desarrallo y el esta
blicimiento de paz en México no muestren
voluntad para hacerlo .
Mexico Conoce el Arte de la Vida
A INTERVENCION dará un aspecto di
L ferente al desarrollo y 1a la vida mexica
nos, que, a pesar de sus harapos, su desaseo,
su pobreza y derramamiento de sangre, es
para mí más amable y serena que el desorde
nado, agitado movimiento hecho a troche
moche, que constituye la idea norteamerica
na de la vida.
Para mí, la révolución social debe hacer al
go más que instalar a los trabajadores al fren
te de las fábricas y asegurar las tierras fir
memente en manos de los agricultores. Con
cibo la revolución como un ataque a lo que
llamaron todos la civilización occidental- sus
ciudades enormes y nerviosas, el gris mercan
tilismo y la frivolidad, la ávida competencia
que marca cada uno de sus aspectos - aun el
arte y la ciencia de su llamada cultra.
La revolución social, lo espero, dará un
tiempo y un sentido diferentes a nuestra vida
occidental. Quiero ver venir a una raza más
serena, menos ambiciosa, más lenta , más pacien
te, más amante de la naturaleza . Los "rasca
cielos" deben ser derribados con todo lo que
representan . En la ciudad de México no hay
"rascacielos" y la gente camina más lenta
mente en las calles, y hay siempre una débil
fragancia de flores en el ambiente. Se tiene
más tiempo para conocerse mutuamente aquí.
Los alimentos son más simples ; las casas,
más sencillas y hermosas ; el pueblo , fuera de
sus relámpagos de violencia infantil es más
alegre , dulce y amistoso . En el movimiento
radical de los Estados Unidos, encuentro
muchos socialistas, pero pocos camaradas. No
se cuenta con ningún tiempo, pues aun nues
tras propias almas han recibido la indeleble
marca de la fiebre la impetuosidad y la super
ficialidad de la vida americana. Aqui las cosas
son distintas, y aunque no puedo analizar en
qué consiste la diferencia, sé que se aproxima
más al carin viril de los camaradas, sobre el
que deberá construírse el nuevo mundo . Se
contenta del futuro . La intervención cambiaría
todo ésto e inocularía a este México dulce y
saludable de los pueblos indios y de los
ranchos primitivos, con el horrible germen da
nuestra enfermedad occidental.- Irwin Granich
en "The Liberator."
Se están dando pasos que en toda probabili
dad traeran la favorable solución de la devo
lución después de muchos años de la Linia de
Expresos de Wells -Fargo , la cual fué confis
cada y operada por los varios gobiernos mexi
canos que han existido. El Presidente de la
Huerta ha expresado publicamente su apruebo
sobre este paso .
El Ing. Joaquin Pedrero Cordova ha sido
elegido presidente de las lineas de Ferrocarril
Nacional de México y el Señor Lorenzo
Perez Castro vicepresidente .
 24 MEXICAN REVIEW
THE
September, 1920

luck I could bring him up quickly, while I

Mexican Byways and Highways
Interesting Scenes and Experiences Away from the Usual
CHAPTER X-(Continued . )
San Andrés, Otaez and Bacis.
EVERAL DAYS' ride to the southwest
of Topia, the trail following the crest
S of the range, is the mining town of
Bacis, located in the bottom of the quebrada
of the same name, and on the banks of a
river likewise called the Bacis. The day
before we arrived at Bacis we became
thoroughly lost among the dense pine forests
and sought in vain for a settlement of any
kind at which to obtain information.
Up to this time we had always managed to
Paths of Travelers and Writers
was left until we attempted to ford it on our
mules a few days later and gave it up as a bad
job.
What should we do ? was the question
asked . Camp or go down ? There was no
feed for the mules, no water for either them
or us on the barren, naked summit. So the
decision was quickly made. We will go down.
It was, as stated, just as sunset, about six
o'clock in this region, and I fancied that per
haps an hour and a half at the most would
suffice for the trip . I ought to have known
better, but I was not "mountain wise" at this
kept my foot loose in the stirrup on the down
precipice side, ready to throw myself against
the wall in the opposite direction should occa
sion demand. Over and over again I repented
not having made a "dry camp" on the summit.
of the mountain, but there was no opportunity
to stop once we had started, so we kept on and
on and on, and down and down and down,
and still downward we went, hour after hour.
It seemed as though we surely must have
missed the right trail and gone off in the op
posite direction from the town. But at last
we saw lights in the distance, then came to
them, then rode into the single main street,
halted in front of the police station, there
being no hotel, and asked where we could find
accommodations, only to learn that it was a
feast day, the town was crowded with visitors

DHD

0104-3

Courtesy Pan-American Union

'VIEW OF THE PORT OF MAZATLAN , ON THE WEST COAST OF MEXICO

obtain the necessary instructions from trav time, though I became more or less so later. and no accommodations of any kind could be
elers or at the infrequent little ranches en So we started, with the "guide" in the lead, had. At last a man who overheard the con
countered, but on this occasion we were in an the pack mule next, and myself bringing up versation stepped up and told me that if I
unsettled wilderness and the travelers were not the rear. We went down and down. And cared to put up with the accommodations of a
to be found. So we were forced to proceed in then we kept on going down and down. And sitting room opening off his bakery, I was
hit-or-miss fashion until, just at sunset, we when we thought we must surely be down, we welcome to its use. Anything with a roof
came out on the edge of a lofty cliff, and, still kept on going farther down and down. looked good and I at once accompanied my
looking downward into the depths of a tre The sun was just sinking as we started on volunteer host to his residence and place of
mendous abyss a mile and more in width, saw the downward trail and before long it was business.
what we had reason to believe, as indeed dark. The farther we went down the trail the When we halted I had looked at my watch.
proved to be the case, the red tiled roofs and darker it became, until I could not see even It was ten o'clock ! We had taken over four
white walls of the ancient pueblo of Bacis the pack mule in front of me. The angle of hours to make a trip which I had regarded as
(accent on the last syllable and a soft "c.") descent was so steep that I lay back in my requiring only an hour and a half at the out
Away down in the bottom of the quebrada saddle until my body almost touched that of side. And I came to a decision right then and
was a narrow snow white ribbon- resembling my mule, while my feet were in the vicinity there, and one that I have adhered to ever
nothing so much as a piece of common cotton of his ears and nose. I made no attempt to since-never to try mountain travel after dark.
thread thrown carelessly on the ground guide the animal, as is proper in the moun
It does not pay ! Better a dry camp and a
among the sand and rocks and boulders. We tains. A self-respecting mule knows better dry supper or no supper at all.
knew of course that it was a stream, but from than his master where to step, and can see in Next day we went down the canyon to a
our commanding position up here in the sky the darkest night. I merely held my bridle foreign owned mine that had been my objec
could form little or no idea of its size. That rein so that if the beast stumbled by any ill tive, receiving a warm welcome. After de

LA
Septiembre, 1920
Por Caminos y Veredas de Mexico
Escenas y Aventuras en Caminos y Parajes Poco
Por GEO. F. WEEKS
CHAPTER X.- CONTINUA
ARIAS jornadas al sudoeste de Topia,
por un camino que corre por la cresta
V de la cordillera, encuentráse la pobla
ción minera de Bacis, situada en el fondo de
la quebrada del mismo nombre, y sobre las
riberas de un río llamada igualmente el
Bacis . La víspera de mi llegada a la población
nos perdimos completamente en medio de los
espesos bosques de pinos y buscamos envano
algún lugar habitado para informarnos sobre
el verdadero camino . Hasta entonces, nos
habíamos conducido de modo de obtener los
informes necesarios para nuestro viaje, de los
viajeros o de los pocos ranchos que encon
tránbamos al paso, en esta ocasión, hallándonos
en un páramo deshabitado no podíamos encon
trar ningún caminante. Así puese, nos vimos
obligados a proceder por propia iniciativa,
acertada o erróneamente hasta que, preci
samente a la puesta del sol, llegamos al borde
de un elevado risco, y mirando hacia abajo,
en la profundidad de un tremendo abismo de
más de una milla de ancho divisamos lo que
supusimos con razón como lo comprobamos
más tarde, los techos de teja roja y los muros
blancos del viejo pueblo de Bacis (acento en la
última silaba y "c" suave.")
Abajo, en el fondo de la quebrada, mirá
base una estrecha cinta de nieve, que se aseme
jaba bastante a un hilo de algodón tendido
REVISTA MEXICANA
Frecuentados por Viajeros y Escritores
en el suelo, descuidadamente , entre las rocas y
piedras. Naturalmente que comprendimos se
trataba de un riachuelo, pero desde nuestra
posición dominante, próxima del cielo, no
podíamos formarnos sino una ligera idea o ni
aún eso, de sus dimensiones. Dejamos la
identificación de su tamaño para unos cuantos
días después, cuando tuvimos que cruzar el
río con nuestras mulas y nos encontramos con
que el vado fué una ardua tarea.
fué la pregunta que
¿Qué debíamos hacer ?
LAKE CHAPALA, STATE OF JALISCO
formulamos ? ¿Acampar o seguir adelante ?
No había pastura para las mulas ni agua
para nosotros ni para ellas en el desierto y
desabrigado vértice de la montaña. Así, pues,
tomamos pronto una resolución. Bajaríamos .
Era la hora de la puesta del sol, hacia las seis
de la tarde en esa región y época, y me
imaginé que bastaría una hora y media
cuando más para el viaje. Debí haber
calculado mejor, pero en esa época no era yo
"conocedor de montañas" aunque es verdad.
que lo vine a ser más o menos bien posterior
En consecuencia, emprendimos la
marcha, con el " guía" a la cabeza, la mula de
carga enseguida, y yo en la cola. Bajamos y
bajamos . Y seguimos bajando y bajando. Y
cuando creíamos que con toda seguridad nos
encontrábamos abajo, aun seguíamos descen
diendo más y más. El sol se hundía precisa
mente en los momentos en que rompimos
25
la marcha y hacía mucho tiempo que había
descendido la oscuridad de la noche. Entre
más descendíamos, más densa se hacía la
oscuridad hasta el grado de que no podía yo
ver a la mula de carga que caminaba delante
de mí. Era tan pronunciado el ángulo de
descenso que caminaba yo echando para atrás,
apoyando casi mis espaldas en el cuerpo de mi
cabalgadura, en tanto que mantenía mis piés
cerca de sus orejas y de su nariz. No intenté
guiar al animal, como es lo debido en las mon
tañas. Una mula que se respeta a si misma
sabe mejor que su amo donde debe poner las
patas y pueba ver aún en la noche más oscura.
Me conformé, pues, con sujetar la rienda de
manera que si tropezara la mula por desgracia,
pudiera yo levantarla rápidamente . Además ,
llevaba los piés libres en los estribos, del lado
opuesto del precipicio de madera que pudiera
Them
dejarme caer sobre el muro rocoso si la ocasión
lo exigía. Me arrepentí una y otra vez de
no haber aceptado pernoctar "en seco" en
el vértice de la montaña, pero no había modo
de detenerse después de que partimos, de
modo que continuamos adelante, abajo, más
abajo y más abajo, y aún descendimos así hora
tras hora. Me parecía como si hubiese perdido
el camino y hubiese tomado una dirección
opuesta a la ciudad. Pero al fin, divisé sus
luces a distancia, llegué a ella entré en la
única calle principal que posee y me detuve
frente a la oficina de la policía, pues no había
hotel en el pueblo, y pregunté donde podía
encontrar albergue, para saber solamente que
era día de fiesta, que la población estaba llena
de forasteros y que no se podía conseguir alo
jamiento. Por fin, un hombre que había es
cuchado la conversación, detúvose y me in
dicó que si me tonformaba con un cuarto
26 THE
scribing my journey of the night before, the
engineer to whom I was talking asked me
whether I had any idea of the distance I had
traveled, that is, in a perpendicular direction .
I told him I thought I had surely descended
fully three or four thousand feet. "You are
away off," he replied . "It is nearer seven
thousand. My measurements with instru
ments show that it is six thousand seven
hundred feet from the cliff at the summit to
the point where you are standing." Here I
met the superintendent, Mr. Wm. MacNeill,
and his associates, and received a hearty invi
tation to send up to the pueblo for my camp
outfit and make my headquarters at the com
pany mess. The employes of the company
included representatives of Scotland, England,
Germany, the United States and California ,
and a pleasanter and more congenial associa
tion it was never my fortune to meet. (This
was before August, 1914 ! ) I was made to
feel completely at home and the three days
that I passed here will always remain a bright
spot in my memory.
While here I was able to vertify two stories
about this region which I had picked up on
the road. One was told me by a guide who
had been with me on the first part of my
journey through the timber region west of
Santiago Papasquiaro . It was to the effect
that in a remote canyon tributary to the
great Bacis quebrada were a large number of
cliff dwellings of most interesting character.
According to this guide, but few people knew
of the loction of these remains of a prehistoric
race, and so far as he knew he was the only
man who had ever visited them. It was a very
difficult and dangerous trip, but he had been
successful after many efforts, and he offered
to guide me to the spot for a consideration , of
course. According to his account, the dwell
ings were in a perfect state of preservation ,
the walls being built of stone and cement or
mortar, and the houses divided into rooms by
partitions , also of stone and cement. The
openings for doors and windows were just
as their builders left them and in all respects
the structures were in practically perfect con
dition .
Upon inquiry among the foreigners at Bacis
I found full corroboration of the story, which
I had until this time been disposed to regard
as more or less apocryphal. Subsequently I
was afforded an opportunity to see the struc
tures. I learned that at various times parties
had sought to find a trail to these cliff dwell
ings, but had so far been unsuccessful. The
dwellings had been seen by many in their
lofty and apparently inaccessible location, but
all efforts to reach them had been unavailing.
Another story which had all along seemed
even more apocryphal than the one about the
cliff dwellings was the tradition of the "Lost
City of Naranjal," which I had heard several
times. According to the current legend, soon
after the conquest rich mines were discovered
in a rugged and precipitous canyon tributary
to the Bacis quebrada . A town sprang up here,
buildings of stone were erected , a church was
of course built, orange and other trees were
planted, and the place was in the full tide of
prosperity. But one day a band of savage
Indians from the north swept down on the un
MEXICAN REVIEW
protected settlement, without warning of any
kind, and the entire population was put to
death. Then came a cloudburst which
washed out the narrow trail that gave access
to the canyon, and so changed the face of
nature that the locality became entirely inac
cessible. But the orange trees were not de
stroyed, for every year at high water quanti
ties of ripe fruit come floating down the
Bacis river from some unknown source, popu
larly believed to be the Lost City of Naranjal.
Many efforts have been made to solve the
secret of the Lost City, but without avail.
A resident of Topia spent an entire season in
search, and returning home after a long ab
sence, claimed to have made his way down
the canyon , where he found the half-ruined
houses, church, etc., jungles of orange and
other trees, and best of all piles of rich ore
from the mines which had been the original
cause of the building of the town. In proof
he showed specimens of valuable ore which he
claimed to have found. He succeeded in in
teresting a merchant of Topia in his story,
and agreed with him that he would give him
a half interest in his discovery if the mer
chant would defray the expense necessary to
cut and blast a trail into the canyon and
open the mines. While the discoverer was
getting together the necessary outfit for the
proposed work, he was attacked with sudden
illness and died, without having disclosed to
any one the route taken by him in reaching
the Lost City. So the secret perished with
him.
At Bacis I found implicit believers in the
truth of the tradition . One American had
spent his spare time for years in the search,
and was firm in the belief that he had located
the canyon in which was hidden the Lost City,
but though on one trip he had almost starved
to death, he had so far been unable to obtain
access thereto . I found him enthusiastic in
this belief, and it did not require much talk
on his part to lead me to promise to accom
pany him on the next trip he took-no date,
however, being fixed for the expedition .
One of the most interesting things I saw at
Bacis was the ruins of a church known to be
370 years old. It had been a structure of large
size, as shown by the debris of the old walls,
but now nothing is left save a portion of one
of the towers and the better part of the wall
at the opposite end, where was located the high
altar. The carved stone of this altar still re
mains in place, and I succeeded in getting a
fairly good picture of it. It is related that this
was once a prosperous community and the
church was well attended. There were some
warring factions, however, in the community,
and the enmity was so bitter that on one
occasion an open dispute followed by a fight
took place in the very house of God itself.
The priest descended from the altar, went
among the people and tried to put a stop to the
sacrilege, but the blood of the combatants was
hot and the peacemaker was killed even while
exhorting his murderers to respect the holy
place. When news of the deed was carried
to the Archbishop, a messenger was sent back
who told the people that for their sin in
murdering the priest their black souls were all
consigned to the depths of hell ; that as a pun
•
September, 1920
ishment the church was to be dismantled and
abandoned, and that they would be left to their
own devices under the leadership of the devil,
who had instigated the slaughter of the ser
vant of God. And dismantled and abandoned
it was, nor was a church ever again main
tained on this spot. At Bacis, however, is an
ancient church, perhaps three hundred years
old or more, and boasting a holy water font
carved from an immense stone, of great size
and antiquity, and much venerated by the
people. It was one of the most interesting
of the many "antiguas" that I say in all my
journeying.
As the limit of time set for my journey had
nearly expired, I decided to go directly from
Bacis to Santiago Papasquiaro, which was the
nearest railroad point. The trail in this direc
tion is not nearly so precipitous nor dangerous
as the one from Otaez, which I had followed
in reaching Bacis, as it is used regularly by
pack trains and travelers, and is kept in fair
condition by the labor of prisoners and others.
I had been told that it was a very perilous and
fearsome road, but did not find it so. Indeed,
it turned out to be the best kept and most easily
followed of the hundreds of miles of moun
tain trail over which I had passed.
Again and for the last time I went
through the experience of passing from the
tropics to the semi- frigid zone with all the
intermediate gradations of temperature , in
little more than three hours . The first night
out from Bacis was the most uncomfortable
of any that I had passed .
We were unable to find a ranch that we
had been told of as a good place to pass the
night, and darkness overtook us in a wild and
lonely spot. Finding it impossible to go far
ther, we camped by the roadside . Fortunately,
wood was abundant, as the night was bitter
cold and a piercing wind blew down the can
yon. For once I followed the native example
and did not remove my clothes, but crawled
into my blankets fully clad- a wise precaution,
as I had to get up no less than four times in
the course of the night to attend to the fire,
while the mozo snoozed quietly and never
lifted a hand all through the freezing
watches. In the morning he had the assurance
to grin and remark : "You had to get up
many times in the night to fix the fire, did you
not ?"
Five minutes after leaving this camp. we
rounded a turn in the canyon and came to
the comfortable log cabin which should have
been our stopping place. For at least once I
was speechless !
Two days later I rode up to the door of
the hotel in Santiago Papasquiaro , whence I
had started very nearly two months before,
and very glad indeed was I when I caugh *
sight of the steel rails of the Ferrocarril In
ternacional and realized that for a while at
least I could exchange the saddle and the
mule for the cushions of a Pullman. It was a
heartfelt "Gracias a Dios" that I uttered when
I dismounted and was able again to seek some
of the comforts of civilization- such as a
bath, a barber shop, etc., not to mention a
civilized table and the enjoyable company of
friends .
(To be continued.)
 ;

Septiembre, 1920 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 27

exterior que daba acceso a su panadería, sería tas y ventanas encontrábanse exactamente Encontré en Bacis quienes creían en la
yo bien recibido en él. Como me parecía en como las había dejado los constructores y tradición . Cierto norteamericano había em
esos momentos cualquiera cosa que tuviese un las estructuras se hallaban prácticamente en pleado sus ratos de ocio, durante muchos
techo, accepté la oferta de mi expontáneo buen estado , en todos respectos. años, en hacer la investigación y abrigaba la
huésped y lo acompañé a su residencia y centro Una investigación que hice entre los exS firme creencia de haber localizado el cañón
de negocios . tranjeros residentes en Bacis me confirmó donde se ocultaba la Ciudad Perdida, pero
Cuando nos detuvimos frente a la oficina plenamente el relato, que hasta entonces, como en su último viaje había sufrido
de la policía, habia yo consultado mi reloj . había estado inclinado a considerar como privaciones enormes y había estado a punto
¡ Eran las diez de la noche ! Habíamos em más o menos apócrifo. Posteriormente se de parecer de inanición no había podido
pleado más de cuatro horas para hacer un me presentó una oportunidad para ver esas obtener acceso al sitio buscado. Lo ví en
viaje que calculé lleviaría una hora y media construcciones . Supe que en distintas oca tusiasmado con su convicción , no habiéndose
cuando más. Y entónces me formé esta reso siones, ciertas partidas de curiosos habían necesitado mucha insistencia de su parte para
lución, a la que me he adherido siempre, desde tratado de encontrar un camino para llegar prometerle acompañarlo en su próximo viaje—
entónces-jamás intentar ningún viaje en las al sitio , pero sin obtener buen éxito. Mu aunque es cierto que no fijamos fecha para
montañas después de que ha descendido la chas personas habían visto las casas en su hacer la expedición.
oscuridad de la noche. ¡ No resulta ! Es pre altísimo y al parecer inaccessible asiento , (Continuara ) •
ferible aceptar un campo y una cena " secos" pero todos los esfuerzos hechos para llegar
o nada de cena allegado el caso ! a ellas habían resultado inútiles. Sin duda
Alta Estimacion par los
Al día siguiente marchamos, por el cañón, alguna que esperan interesantes descrubri
a una mina de propiedad extranjera, que mientos a la persona que dedique el tiem Poetas, Artistas, y Otros
había sido mi objetivo y donde disfruté de po y las fatigas suficientes a obtener acceso A ALTA estimación que tiene México por
una calurosa acogida. Después de relatar mi a esas ruinas de alguna raza antigua. LA los poetas, artistas, y otros de semejante
viaje de la víspera al ingeniero con quien Otro relato que me pareció aun más fal carácter, se demuestra en la reciente acción de
hablaba, me preguntó él si tenía yo una idea so que el de las casas de los acantilados , fué la Asociación de Periodistas de la Ciudad de
de la distancia que había recorrido- esto la tradición de "La Ciudad Perdida," que México quienes trataron de pedir clemencia
es, en sentido prependícular, dijele que creía había yo escuchado varias veces. Según dice para Fabio Fallio , patriota bien conocido en
haber descendido bien unos tres o cuatro mil la leyenda vulgar, inmediatamente después de Santo Domingo, quien fué juzgado por consejo
piés . "Está usted muy lejos de la verdad," la Conquista se descubrieron ricas minas en de guerra que tuvo efecto bajo las autoridades
replicó. "Son casi siete mil." Las mediciones • una cañón áspero y lleno de precipicios, militares Americanas en ese país. La estima
que he hecho con instrumentos adecuados de tributairio de la quebrada de Bacis. Levan general que se tiene para esta clase está en
muestran que hay una distancia de seis mil tóse en él una ciudad, se construyeron edificios, evidencia constante en la prensa . Las capciones
setecientos piés desde el risco del vértice hasta se edificó una iglesia, se plantaron naranjos y en la primera página siempre dan noticias de
el punto en que se encuentra usted en estos bien pronto llegó la villa al máximo de pros éstos , mientras que otras materias , como
momentos." Fué en este lugar donde encontré peridad. Pero cierto día hizo errupción en el política , crímenes, etc., se encuentran en una
al superintendente de la empresa proprietaria desarmado establecimiento una banda salvaje posición subordinada- en buen contraste de los
de la mina, Mr. Wm . MacNeill, y sus socios , de indios del norte, y toda la población fué métodos de otros países. Los lectores de la
quienes me invitaron cordialmente a enviar al pasada a cuchillo. En seguida se desató una Revista recordarán el relato del soldado
pueblo por mi equipaje y albergarme en la casa tormenta que borró el camino que conducía fugitivo que salvo su vido cuando dijo al
de la compañía. Los empleados de ésta al cañón y cambió de tal modo la natura enemigo que le perseguia que era poeta ; y es
incluían representantés de Escocia, Inglaterra, leza del terreno que se hizo inaccessible la de espera que el mismo alegato sirva en el
Alemania, los Estados Unidos y California, villa. Pero los naranjos no fueron destruí presento caso.
formando el grupo más placentero que quiso dos , pues año con año , en la época de las
mi buena fortuna que encontrase. ¡ Esto grandes crecientes, bajan flotando en las
acaecía antes del més de agosto de 1914 ! aguas del río Bacis, frutos maduros, de pro Camara de Comercio Americana
Se me hizo obrar como si estuviese en mi pro cedencia desconocida y que la imaginación En La Ciudad de Mexico
pia casa, por lo cual recuerdo con alegría popular cree que son de la Ciudad Perdida
N la junta de los directores de la Câmara
los tres días que pasé en el lugar. de Naranjal. E de Comercio Americana de la Ciudad de
Estando en él, pude verificar dos relatos Se han hecho inútilmente muchos, esfuer México los sigiuentes oficiales fueron elegidos
que recogí en el camino. Uno de ellos me zos para aclarar el misterio de la Ciudad
para el año entrante : Presidente, H. P. Lewis
fué referido por el guía que me acompañó Perdida. Un vecino de Topia empleó una
(reelegido ) ; vicepresidentes, Arnol Shanklin
en la primera parte de mi viaje, a través estación entera en hacer una investigación
y M. V. Steward ; tesorero, J. R. French ;
de la zona boscosa que se encuentra al oc y regresó a su casa después de una larga secretario, William T. Saunders. George T.
cidente de Santiago Papasquiaro. Referíase ausencia, pretendiendo que había llegado
Summerlin, encargodo de negocios de la
a que existía en un remoto cañón , tributario hasta el cañón , donde encontró casas semi
embajada americana, y John Barrett de Wash
de la gran quebrada de Bacis, un gran nú derruídas, una iglesia, etc., setos tupidos de ington, fueron también elegidos vicepresi
mero de construciones en los acantilados, naranjos y otros árboles , y, sobre todo , dentes honorarios . Los asuntos financiarios
alojamientos que eran del carácter más inHa montones de rico mineral precedente de las de la cámara están en una condición altamente
teresante. Según dijo mi guía sólo unas minas que habían sido la causa de la fundación satisfactiorias . Esta organización es una de
cuantas gentes conocían el lugar en que se de la Ciudad Perdida. Como prueba de las más activas en la promoción para tener
encontraban esos vestigios de una raza pre sus asertos , mostró algunos ejemplares de relaciones más cordiales entre los dos países,
histórica y que, por lo que había podido valioso mineral que dijo haber encontrado. y ha hecho un gran servicio en esa dirección.
saber, era el único hombre que las había Logró interesar con su relato a un comerciante
El personal de sus miembros y sus oficiales es
vistado . El camino para llegar a ellas era de Topia y convino con él en que partirían las
una garantía del buen trabajo que hace y el
difícil y peligroso, pero él lo había hecho, ganancias del descubrimiento si dicho comer
tras muchos esfuerzos y ofrecía conducirme ciantè sufragaba los gastos para construir un cual continuará indefinitivamente.
al célebre sitio-mediante una equitativa camino que condujera al cañón y para abrir
recompensa , naturalmente. Según su relato las minas. Mientras el descubridor reunía
El Gobierno Mexicano ha aprovado un
encontrábanse aquellas moradas en buen todos los elementos necesarios para la tarea reglamento para los cables inalambricos comer
estado de conservación , pues los muros ha que se proponía, fué atacado por súbita ciales entre ese país y el extrangero. Lo
bían sido construídos con piedra y cemen enfermedad y falleció, sin haber revelado a periódicos diarios de la capital tendrán el ser
to de mezcla y las casas estaban divididas
vicio franco . La Cámara del Comercio
ninguno el camino que había seguido para también ha nomrado un comité espesial para
en cuartos por particiones de piedra y ce llegar a la Ciudad Perdida. De esta suerte arreglar la cuestión de los mensajes de la
mento también . Las aberturas de las puer perecí con él el secreto . noche entre México y los Estados Unidos.
 28
THE MEXICAN REVIE N
September, 1920

of misinformation from the gossip of a bunch

Pearls Produced by Cultivation
of jokers whose greatest delight was that fa
vorite pastime of the frontier known as "stuff
Lower California the Possessor of the Only Enterprise of the ing a tenderfoot."
Kind in the World-A Remarkable Achievement The legends of lost ships and hidden trea
sures and Golconda-like mines are familiar
OR SOME time Congress, a certain sun," at least when applied to purely material
enough to the few who have ever ventured
portion of the press, and various self things . But here is one. into this remote and forbidden region. The
F constituted bodies of persons whose Lower California is a little known country pearl fisheries of the Gulf of California have
dominant desire appears to be to " regulate"
and always has been. To the greater portion given wealth to not a few from the time of the
the affairs of the world to conform
of the world it is still as misty and hazy as it Conquistadores down to the present day, and
with their own oftentimes narrow ideas, was when to its limits was ascribed the famous the wonderful and extensive copper mines at
based upon ignorance or misinformatio n,
Kingdom ( or rather Queendom) of the Ama Santa Rosalia have poured wealth into the lap
have been wasting their time in dis zons, which was one of the traditions handed of the corporation that has jealously kept out
cussing what they choose to call the "ques down to and by the Conquistadores, along with siders from visiting the remote camp and ob
tion" of the purchase by the United States the Seven Cities of Cibola and the Golden
taining first hand information regarding the
from Mexico of the Territory of Lower Cali Towns of the far northwest. Those who have bonanza which they have so long enjoyed.
fornia. This calls to mind, from its similarity, skirted the Pacific coast on the long and But how many have ever heard, even among
the old story of the backwoodsman who, after tedious voyage from Panama to San Fran
those who are reasonably familiar with this
studying a circus poster depicting a giraffe cisco are familiar to repletion with the barren,
strange and out-of-the-way corner of the
for half an hour or more, at last delivered his verdureless hills and mountains that form the
world, that Lower California possesses one
judgment : "Huh ! There ain't no such a shore line, with their jagged summits and
animile !" So, too, with the so-called "ques thing that is distinctly unique ? The world
precipitous sides. Not a particle of vegeta has nothing else like it and its relation sounds
tion" of the purchase of Lower California. tion is there to relieve the monotony of the
"There ain't no such a question !" almost like a fairy tale.
ash-gray slopes and one turns his eyes for Who is there among the readers of this
Any one with the slightest knowledge of
Mexico and the Mexican character knows
without argument or discussion that
might as well talk of the purchase of a portion
of the moon, as to fancy for one moment that
there is the slightest possibility of persuading
Mexico to part with an inch of her territory
through any other method than that of over
whelming force and violence . Every person
possessed of the most ordinary powers of ob
servation who has lived in Mexico no more
than a few months ; every person who has
read history and knows what happened to the
man who was responsible for the cession of
upwards of one-third part of the then Mexi
can territory to the United States as a seque!
of the war of 1846-47 ; every one who knows
in what detestation the memory of that man is
held knows that the mere suggestion of the
segregation of any further portion of Mexican
soil (or water) , whether to the United States,
Japan or what ever other power, is sufficient to
arouse the deepest antagonism of any Mexican,
whether peon, merchant, official or what not. Courtesy Pan-American Union
The time and space devoted to the discussion CANALS IN WHICH YOUNG OYSTERS ARE RAISED
of this figment of the imagination are worse
than wasted, since their only result is to relief to the swelling surges of the ocean, and article who ever heard of the great pearl
arouse ill feeling and antagonism at a time does not let them return for a moment to the
oyster cultivating plant on the coast of Lower
when exactly the opposite course should be barren, eye-wearying desert character of the California-the only one of the kind in the
pursued. In fact, there is more or less reason shore line. A few there are who are ac world? True, there are many portions of
for the belief that this indeed is the object of quainted with the eastern shore of the penin both Europe and of this continent where the
those agitating the matter, since they know full sula, abutting on the Gulf of California. edible oyster is "cultivated," but not another
well (or at least the leaders do ) the truth of They know something either from experience establishment exists where pearl oysters are
what has just been said.. or hearsay about the wonderful "tidal bore" the subject of artificial propagation and care.
of the mouth of the Colorado river, with some Away off down there ( look at your map) on
But enough of this . It is of certain features,
or rather a single feature, of Lower California, of the tragedies that have thereby befallen the southeastern portion of the Gulf coast of
that tierra incognita to most of the world, that ignorant and unsuspicious travelers. They the Territory, you note an islet a short dis
this article proposes to deal, and it is a fea have heard enough about the Seri Indians and tance off the shore marked "Isla del Espiritu
ture too that is absolutely unique. It is to be their habitat, Tiburon Island, with their purely Santo," or the Island of the Holy Ghost. It is
doubted whether the most ardent advocate of supposititious cannibalistic tendencies and pro some fifteen miles north of La Paz, the only
trouble through the promulgation of the ab clivities, to persuade them to remain at a re settlement of any size or importance in the re
surdity referred to at the outset knows any spectful distance therefrom . The well-known gion, and is in the center of the natural pearl
thing whatever regarding the subject to which journal ist who wrote a thrilling account of his oyster beds which are found for a distance of
the reader's attention is invited for a brief alleged experiences among these Indians knew hundreds of miles up and down that coast.
space. There are not many things, in these enough, or rather thought he did, about them . Between the island and the nearest mainland is
days of rapid communication, by air, land and not to set foot on the island, but to do his the "Canal of San Lorenzo," and the San
sea, that are new or novel. It can well be "investigation" from the deck of a vessel at a Gabriel Cove, and here it is that the business
said that "there is nothing new under the safe distance off shore, and derived his fund of " cultivating" the pearl oyster and encour
 LA
Septiembre, 1920
Se Producen Perlas Por Medio Del Cultivo
La Baja California es Poseedora de la Unica Empresa de Este
Género en el Mundo - Una Obra Notable
URANTE algún tiempo, el Congreso,
la prenas y varias agrupaciones par
D ticulares de individuos, cuyo deseo
dominante parece ser el " arreglar" los asun
tos del mundo hasta conformarlos con sus,
a menudo, estrechas ideas, basadas, en la
ignorancia o falsa información, han perdido
su tiempo en discutir lo que han dado en
llamar la "cuestión" de la compra del Terri
torio de la Baja California por los Estados
Unidos a México . Esto recuerda, por su
semejanza, la vieja historia de aquel habitante
de un remoto y rústico país quien, después
de haber estado contemplando un cartel anun
ciador de un circo, que representaba una
girafa, formuló el siguiente jucio al cabo de
hora y media : " Hum !" No existe tal animal !"
Así sucede con la amada "cuestión" de la
compra de la Baja California : "No hay tal
cuestión !"
Cualquiera que posea un ligero conoci
mientó de México y del carácter mexicano
sabe, sin que haya lugar a duda, que daría
lo mismo hablar de comprar una parte de
la luna que imaginarse por un momento
que existe la más pequeña posibilidad de
inducir a México a deshacerse de una pul
gada de su territorio por cualquier medio.
que no fuera el empleo de la violencia y
le fuerza arrolladoras. Todo aquel que po
see la facultad ordinaria de observación y
que haya vivido en México unos cuantos
meses, todos los que hayan leído la his
toria del país y que sepan lo que sucedió
al responsable de la cesión de más de un
tercio de la superficie de México a los Es
tados Unidos, como consecuencia de la guerra
de 1846-47 ; todos los que saben cómo se
detesta la memoria de ese hombre, comprenden
que la simple sugestión de segregar otra parte
del terreno mexicano (o de sus aguas terri
toriales) , y sea para cederlo a los Estados
Unidos, al Japón o a cualquiera otra potencia,
basta para provocar un profundo antagonismo
de todos los mexicanos, peones, comerciantes,
funcionarios o lo que sean. El tiempo y el
espacio que se dediquen a la discusión de esta
ficción son peores que perididos, ya que el úni
so resultado que se produce es el provocar senti
mientos de hostilidad y antagonismo en una
época en que se debe perseguir precisamente
el objeto contrario . En verdad que existen
más o menos motivos para creer que tal es el
objeto que persiguen los que tratan de agitar
el asunto, ya que conocen perfectamente bien.
(o cuando menos sus jefes ) la verdad que se
ha expresado anteriormetne.
Pero basta de ésto. Es a ciertos aspec
tos o mejor dicho a un aspecto único de
la Baja California, esa tierra que es aún
incógnita para la mayor parte del mundo
al que trata de referirse este artículo y
es un aspecto verdaderamente singular. Debe
dudarse de que el abogado más ardiente
defensor de la provocación de dificultades
por medio del asunto a que nos referimos
REVISTA MEXICANA
al principio, sepa alguna cosa al sujeto
sepa alguna
sobre el cual llamamos la atención del lector
por un momento . En estos días de rápida
comunicación por el aire, la tierra y el mar no
hay muchas cosas que sean nuevas . Puede
decirse con justicia que "no hay nada nuevo
bajo el sol" cuando se habla de cosas pura
mente materiales. Pero he aquí una verda
deramente nueva.
La Baja California es y ha sido siempre
un país muy poco conocido. Para la ma
yor parte del mundo es aun tan nebuloso
como lo era cuando se colocaba cerca de
sus confines el famoso reino (o mejor di
cho, Reino de las Mujeres ) de las Ama
zonas que fué una de las tradiciones re
cogidas y transmitidas por los conquistadores,
juntamente con las Siete Ciudades de Cibola
PUTTING THE CRATES OF YOUNG OYSTERS BACK INTO THE WATER
y las Ciudades de Oro del lejano noroeste .
Los que han bordeado la costa del Pacífico en
el largo y tedioso viaje de Panamá a San
Francisco están familiarizados hasta la hartura
con las colimas y montañas peladas y despro
vistas de vegetación que forman la línea de la
costa, con sus vértices dentados y sus faldas
llenas de precipicios . No existe ni una partícula
de vegetación que rompa la monotonía de las
faldas cenicientas y el viajero se ve obligado
a volver sus miradas, en busea de tregua para
su tédio, a las hinchadas olas del oceáno y no
las deja tornar ni por un momento al desnudo
y fatigoso desierto del litoral . Pocas personas
conocen la costa oriental de la península, sobre
el Golfo de California. Saben algo, ya sea
por propia experiencia o por lo que han oído,
sobre la maravillosa marea del Río Colorado
y de algunas de las desgracias que han su
cedido en ellas a los viajeros ignorantes y
confiados. Han oído lo bastante sobre los
Indios Seri y su país, la Isla Tiburón, de
las propensiones y tendencias caníbales que
se les atribuyen falsamente, para mantenerse
29
a una respetuoso distancia de dicha isla . El
periodista bien conocido que escribió un sen
sacional relato sobre sus supuetas experiencias
entre dichos indios sabía, o mejor dicho ,
pensaba que sabía, mucho sobre ellos, para no
poner ni un pié en la isla sino que hizo su
"investigación" desde el puente de un navio
anclado a cierta distancia de la costa y fundó
en las falsedades y charlatanerías de un
puñado de bromistas cuvo mayor placer con
sistía en el pasatiempo favorito conocido de la
frontera bajo el nombre de "engañar a un
inexperto."
Las leyendas de los buques perdidos, de los
tesoros ocultos y de las minas como las de
Golconda, son bastante familiares a los pocos
viajeros que se han aventurado en esta remota
y prohibida región. Las pesquerías de perlas
del Golfo de California han enriquecido a no
pocos desde la éspoca de los conquistadores
hasta nuestros días ; las maravillosa y extensas
minas de cobre de Santa Rosalía han derra
mado riquezas en los cofres de la Corpora
ción que con gran celo, ha impedido a los
forasteros que visiten sus remotos campos y
obtengan en ellos informes sobre la bonanza de
que han disfrutado tanto tiempo.
¿Pero cuántos han sabido, aún entre los que
conocen medianamente a este extraño y
remoto rincón del mundo, que la Baja Cali
fornia posée algo que es distintamente único ?
El mundo no tiene cosa parecida, y el relato de
lo que es se parece más bien a un cuento de
hadas.
¿ Quién de los que lean este artículo ha oído
hablar de la gran planta cultivadora de concha
perla que se encuentra en la costa de la Baja
California-la única de su género en el mundo ?
Es verdad que existen en muchas partes de
Europa y de este Continente establecimientos
donde se "cultiva" la ostra comestible, pero no
existe ningún otro donde la concha perla sea
sometida a la propagación artificial y un
atento cuidado. Abajo de él (consúltese el
mapa) en la porción sudoriental de la costa
del Golfo, so verá una isleta, situada a cor
ta distancia del litoral y que está marcada
con este nombre : Isla del Espíritu Santo.
 30 THE MEXICAN REVIEW
September, 1920
aging it to do its best for the behoof of gem until they are mature, from three to four years prepared for market, bringing as high as $500
lovers and wearers is carried on upon an being required to reach full maturity so far
per ton.
extensive and important as well as decidedly as the shell is concerned . After four years
lucrative scale. The accepted theory of the origin of pearls,
the shells are subject to deterioration from a according to the originator of this plant, Mr.
The Gulf of California itself at this point variety of causes. The pearls are most fre Gaston Vives, is that they are formed in the
and for a long distance in either direction quently secreted in the young oysters and in
fleshy part of the oyster as the result of the
abounds in natural deposits of the pearl oys crease in size with time. But after three years intrusion of a cestode parasite, around which
ter, which have been exploited ever since the few are secreted. There is danger of loss as the oyster secretes a layer of epithelial tissue,
discovery of that body of water by the Con well from accidents to the oyster which permit
within which the pearl is eventually formed.
quistadores which is now known as the Gulf the pearl to drop from its home. Most of the Prior to the revolution several crops of
of California, but was called by them the Sea pearls are found in the flesh of the oyster, shell had been secured and the industry
of Cortez, as indeed it is still known to some but occasionally they are attached to the shell . promised to be highly remunerative. Unfortu
extent and can be found so designated on cer Some beautiful specimens have been shown nately bandits destroyed a portion of the
tain maps . In their natural condition and
the writer, one noteworthy from there being plant located on shore- the buildings, shelters,
when unprotected these oysters are the prey two snow-white pearls of exactly the same
etc. -and at present efforts are under way to
of a variety of submarine animal life, while size and attached to the shell firmly, but so as restore the establishment and put it again into
the scattered nature of the beds makes their to leave all but the small point of contact free full working order. Enough was accomplished
exploitation anything but a certain source of and exposed . By cutting these twin pearls
in the years prior to the revolution, however,
revenue, though ample returns not infrequently from the shell and leaving sufficient of the to demonstrate that the idea had been entirely
reward the pearl fishers. Nevertheless it may latter to hold them together as arranged by removed from the domain of chance, and that
well be called a game of chance, though at
tracting many, as it is a "gamble" with all the
lure of the gambling table, though in this case
the "stakes" are not even in sight and the
player has to "go it blind." After long expe
rience in this enticing game of chance, and
perhaps encouraged by the success that is
known to attend the cultivation of the edible
oyster, an enterprising individual decided that
it might be feasible to apply those methods or
something like them to the systematic produc
tion of pearls by protecting the parent oyster
from the ravages of its enemies and even to
encourage them to make the secretions that
form the pearls, as also to increase the pro
duction of the shells, which form not the least
important source of revenue for the pearl
fishermen.
A plan was decided upon after much
thought in order to provide against all possible
contingencies, and it is sufficient to say that
it has been carried through to success and the
business of cultivating the pearl oyster has
been put upon a successful and remunerative.
basis. A technical description of the plant
would interest no one except a technical ex
pert or student. For the average newspaper Courtesy Pan-American Union
reader it is sufficient to say that a section of OPENING PEARL OYSTERS ON BOARD VESSEL
the bay was walled off by a substantial ma
sonry pier or dike, reaching well above high nature, a decidedly novel and handsome orna- it is as nearly a practical business proposition
water mark. Openings in this pier admit the ment could be made. Other interesting speci- with a certainty of adequate return as can be
free passage of the sea water, but are pro mens were two shells into which small fish found.
tected by heavy wire screens that prevent any had swum when opened for feeding. The In this connection, it is interesting to note
intruders were at once killed and their bodies that the writer
injurious animal life from entering. A large of this article is at present in
part of the bottom of this segregated area was covered with the secretion which forms the communication with a resident of the Puget
cleared of all growth and paved with rock pearls. They are clearly outlined on the Sound country who claims to have developed
.
polished inside surface of the shell and pre and demonstrated a process by which it is
brought from the mainland and laid by men
sent a most interesting example of the capa possible to so treat or "inoculate" the pearl
in diving dress.
The oyster "spat" or seed at certain seasons bility of the oyster in protecting itself from oyster, with some substance and in some man
outside attack. ner which is his personal secret, that great
are found floating in the water, having been
propagated from the " wild" oysters. Wire When the oysters have attained the proper numbers of pearls can be obtained with
trays provided with short pieces of lath are age for marketing, the crates containing the certainty.
used for collecting the seed, the young oysters shells are hauled by windlass up the runways
from the bottom of the bay and the contents The British Overseas Journal states that the
attaching themselves to the wood. Large oys
Laguna cotton growers of Mexico are in com
ters of both sexes (they are male and female) are spread out for examination. As in the munication with prominent British cotton
are also placed in these trays in order to make diamond mines of South Africa, every pre buyers with a view of placing the entire sur
sure of a supply of spat. When sufficient have caution has to be taken to prevent the cupidity plus cotton output this year in the British
been gathered, the trays are placed in ma of the shell openers from making way with market. This is quite possible in view of
the valuable contents when found. antagonistic American legislation against Mex
One ican
sonry channels inside of the protected area, cotton.
and are left several months until sufficiently watcher is assigned to each two openers, and
grown. They are then transferred to large the movements of their hands are carefully The daily newspapers of Mexico City have
crates which are placed on paved runways in advanced the price of their papers from six to
watched while the work is going on. The ten cents, equal
to three and five cents Ameri
the protected region of the bay, and there left shells themselves are afterwards cleaned and can gold."
 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 31
Septiembre , 1920

de alambre provistos de cortos pedazos de Se vigilan con extremo cuidado todos los mo
Encuéntrase a quince millas al norte de La vimientos de sus manos mientras se practica
Paz, el único establecimiento de importancia. lámina. Las ostras jóvenes se adhieren
de la región, y en el centro de los yacimientos expontáneamente a la madera. Las mayores la operación. Posteriormente se limpian y
de ambos sexos (hay machos y hembras) preparan las conchas para el mercado, ven
naturales de concha perla que se encuentran diéndose al precio de quinientos pesos la
en una extensión de centenares de millas hacia se disponen también en grandes bandejas a fin
de contar con una provisi ón suficien te de tonelad a.
el norte y sur, a lo largo de la costa . Entre la
huevas. Cuándo se han recogido bastante se La teoría aceptada sobre el origen de las
isla y la vecina zona de la tierra firme se halla
el Canal de San Lorenzo y la ensenada de colocan las bandejas en canales de mampos perlas, según dice el fundador de esta planta,
San Gabriel, siendo aquí donde se desarrolla tería, dentro de la zona protegida y se dejan el señor Gastón Vices, es la que afirma que se
allí por varios meses hasta que han crecido lo forman en la parte carnosa de la ostra, como
en una extensa, importante y lucrativa escala, resultado de la introducción de ciertos
suficiente. Se trasladan entonces a unos cestos
la industria de "cultivar" la concha perla y parásitos en torno de los cuales secerta la
grandes que se colocan en canales pavimenta
de favorecerla para que rinda lo más que se ostra una capa de tejido epitelial, dentro de la
dos en la misma zona protegi da de la bahía,
pueda en provecho de los amantes y portadores
donde quedan para madurar, requiriéndose cual se forma la perla a veces.
de perlas. Antes de que estallara la revolución se
En este punto y en considerable distancia, para ésto de tres a cuatro años, por lo que
toca a la maduración de la concha. Pasado habían recogido varias cosechas de conchas y
abunda el Golfo de California en depósitos
naturales de concha perla que han sido explo ese plazo las conchas quedan expuestas a la industria prometía resultar remuneradora
en alto grado . Desgraciadamente los bandidos
tados desde el descubrimiento por los conquis deteriorarse por muchas causas.
Con más frecuencia se secretan las perlas destruyeron una parte de la planta- situada
tadores, de esa parte del mar que se conoce
en las ostras jóvenes y aumentan de tamaño en la costa- edificios cobertizos, etc. -y en la
bajo el nombre de Golfo de California pero
que ellos llamaron Golfo de Cortés , como aún con el tiempo. Pero después de tres años se actualidad se hacen grandes esfuerzos para
producen pocas . Existe el peligro de pérdidas reconstruir el establecimiento y ponerlo nue
se le nombra y se denomina en ciertos mapas.
En su estado natural y cuando carecen de
protección esas ostras son presa de una
variedad de peces. Por otra parte, lo disperso
de esos depósitos hace su expoltación algo
distinto de una buena fuente de ingresos ,
por más que no con poca frecuencia
obtienen buenas ganancias los pescadores
de perlas. Sin embargo , puede muy bien ser
considerada dicha explotación como un juego
de azar aunque atrae a muchos, y es un "jue 20
go" con todo el cebo del tapete verde por más
que en este caso no estén las apuestas a la
vista y tenga el jugador que "marchar a
tientas." Tras una larga experiencia en este FLEET OF PEARLING VESSELS IN THE GULF OF CALIFORNIA
incitante juego de azar y quizás alentado por
el éxito que se sabe obtiene el cultivo de la por diversos motivos, lo mismo que por la vamente en aptitud de funcionar perfecta
ostra comestible, un individuo de iniciativa propria ostra, que deja desprenderse la perla mente. Se había logrado mucho en los años
pensó que sería posible aplicar los métodos de la concha. La mayor parte de las gemas se anteriores a la revolución, no obstante, para
usados con ese fin, o algunos parecidos , para encuentran en la carne de las ostras, pero demostrar que se había sacado, enteramente la
lograr la sistemática producción de perlas, incidentalmente se las encuentra adheridas a idea del terreno de las probabilidades y que
protegiendo a los padres contra los ataques de la concha. Se han mostrado al que esto escribe constituía una oferta práctica de negocio con
sus enemigos marinos y aun estimulándolos a algunos bellos ejemplares, uno de ellos muy la certeza de obtener buenas utilidades.
desprender las secreciones que forman las per notable, consistente en dos perlas de blanco de Es interesante observar a este respecto que
las, como tambien aumentando la producción nieve, de igual tamaño, adheridas firmemente el que esto escribe se encuentra en communic
de las conchas, que no forman la menor fuente a la concha de manera que tienen libre toda su ción con un residente de Punget Sound, quien
de granancias para el pescador de perlas . superficie, excepto su pequeña zona de con pretende haber desarrollado y demonstrado
Después de mucho meditar formó un plan tacto . Cotando esas perlas gemelas de la un proceso por el cual es posible tratar de
para ponerse a salvo de todas las contingencias, concha, pero respetando la parte de ésta a que "inocular" la concha perla con cierta sustancia,
siendo suficiente decir que dicho plan se ha están adheridas tal como lo hizo la naturaleza. según cierto modo que es el secreto del des
realizado con buen éxito y que se ha estable se obtendría un bello y novedoso adorno. Otros cubridor, y con lo cual se obtiene con seguridad
cido la industria de cultivar la concha perla dos ejemplares interesantes fueron dos conchas de una producciós mucho mayor de perlas.
sobre una base ventajesa y remuneradora. No en que se encontraron pequeños peces
interesaría a nadie, excepto a un experto o a cuando, se abrieron. Los intrusos fueron
Estimacion Popular del
un estudiante de estos asuntos, una descrip muertos inmediatamente, siendo cubiertos sus Presente Gobierno
ción técnica de la planta cultivadora. Para lacuerpos con la secreción que forma las perlas.
L Boletín de la Cámara de Comercio es la
media de los lectores bastará decir que se ha Los cadáveres se delinean claramente en el
áislado una parte de la bahía por medio de brillante interior de la concha y constituyen E autoridad de lo siguiente respecto de
un ejemplo ilustrativo de la capacidad de la las condiciones actuales del país bajo el
la erección de un sólido muro de mampostería,
o dique, que sube más que el nivel de la ma octra para defenderse contra los ataques Gobierno presente :
rea alta. Ciertas aberturas que tiene el dique
extraños. "Por la primera vez en ocho años México
permitea el paso del agua, pero están provistos Cuando las ostras han alcanzado la edad está realmente pacificado. Los trenes salen
de telas de fuerte alambre que cerran la suficiente para ser puesta en el mercado, se sin escolta militar y el brigandage ha desa
entrada a cualquier dañino habitante del mar. trasladan los cestos que las contienen por parecido. Todas las fuerzas revolucionarias
Gran parte del fondo de esta parte así aislada medio de calabrotes, de las canales, desde el que presistieron luchar con el régimen de Ca
rranza han dado una bienvenida al nuevo
fué limpiada de toda clase de vegetación sub fondo de la bahía y se saca su contenido para
marina y pavimentada con rocas traídas de ser examinado. Como pasa en las minas de Gobierno y están trabajando con voluntad por
tierra firme y colocadas por buzos . diamantes del Africa del Sur, se adoptan toda su consolidación. Comentarios de la prensa
Las huevas o semillas de la ostra, se en clase de precauciones para evitar que la americana indican que el nuevo Gobierno está
cuentran flotando sobre las aguas en ciertas codicia de los operarios encargadas de abrirlas reciviendo en el extranjero una bienvenida
ocasiones, derivándose de las ostras incultas. los lleve a robarse el precioso contenido. Se grata, y generalmente se cree que México ha
dejado atras sus principales sufrimientos. "
Se emplean para recoger dicha semilla cestos destina un vigilante a cada dos trabajadores.
 ***
#:

32 THE MEXICAN REVIEW September, 1920

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REVISTA MEXICANA

VOL. IV WASHINGTON, D. C. , OCTOBER, 1920 NO. 3

PETROLEUM AND FOREIGN RELATIONS

From President de la Huerta's Recent Address at the

Opening of the Mexican Congress

THE MEXICAN REVOLUTION

Its Philosophy and Economic Bases

By R. P. DE NEGRI
CONSUL GENERAL AT NEW YORK

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN THE REPUBLIC

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 Mexicans Pay Honor to the American Independence Day

Celebration in Nogales, Arizona

SENOR ALVARO OBREGON

from reviewing stand

on Mexican soil ,
reviews Independence
Day parade ín
Nogales , Arizona

American and Mexican

Consuls on his right ,
Mayors of Nogales,
Arizona, and Nogales,
Mexico on his left .

SENOR OBREGON AND

GOV. BORQUES WITH
MEMBERS OF NOGALES ,
SONORA CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE OF WHICH
GENERAL OBREGON WAS
ITS FIRST PRESIDENT.

The presidents of the

Nogales Chambers of
Commerce, A.C.Villesenor
of Nogales, Sonora on
left of Obregon; Bracey
Curtis, Nogales , Arizona
on right.
$

THE MAYOR OF TUCSON,

ARIZONA AND MEMBERS
OF THE TUCSON CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE AT THE
BARBECUE GIVEN IN
201LE
VP HONOR OF SR. OBREGON
GOV. CAMPBELL AND
GOV. FLAVIO BORQUES
AT CASITA, 20 MILES
SOUTH OF THE BORDER.

Courtesy Chamber of Commerce, Nogales, Arizona

 PROCHEROP
ALANCES SCARPA
AA

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ELSVAPO

LA CUDAD DE MEXICO
AUD RAA
8Y9

AUDEMEXICO
CAVITUAL
www ទំហំ ទង់ខាង

AM

tor

191 M

$3 ****
MILITARY PARADE IN HONOR OF INDEPENDENCE DAY , SEPTEMBER 16th

wil

britis
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HUVA

1616
8040

The Liberty Bell in front of the National Palace,

which is always rung in memory of Indepen Veterans of the War of 1847 commemorating the Chapultepec Cadets who fell in defense of the Castle
dence Day, September 16, 1810
The Mexican
VOL . IV WASHINGTON , D. C. , OCTOBER, 1920
The Mexican Review
Published Monthly at Washington, D. C.
GEO. F. WEEKS J - EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
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MEXICAN NEWS BUREAU
Accurate news by wire or mail of all important matters.
Special articles on any Mexican topic prepared by com
petent writers. Photographs furnished when desired .
Questions answered . Special inquiries undertaken .
More Commendable Pacification
HE policy of the present Mexican Gov
E
THernment in carrying out its work of
pacifying the country by peaceable rather
than by violent measures received an apt
exemplification in the case of Villa. An
other notable instance is now added to the
history of the administration in the manner
in which the Lower California situation has
been handled . Despite the alarming and
sensational newspaper reports, the entire
affair has been settled in an amicable and
bloodless fashion . Governor Cantu has re
tired voluntarily and gracefully, having rec
ognized to the fullest the authority of the
central government, and his successor has
taken office without firing a shot or spilling
a drop of blood . The approbation of "good
work well done" is being well earned in this
direction as well as in many other of the
activities of the government on behalf of
the country .
Oil Values and Taxation
LSEWHERE THE REVIEW gives the latest
decree of the Government with regard
Ε
to the taxes levied upon petroleum and its
products for exportation . There is a wide
spread misunderstanding regarding this
matter, and some very erroneous ideas
have been inculcated . As will be seen , the
valuations placed upon the products referred
to are not excessive, and neither are the
rates of taxation . When it is remembered
that the total collections of such taxes in
the three last years amounted to a trifle
over thirty-two million dollars American
gold, or an average of about eleven million
dollars annually, while under the present
valuations the increase will not be exces
sive, it can be seen how little ground there
is for complaint on the part of fair-minded
exporters.
:
Review
Redemption of Paper Money
N accordance with the statements pub.
INlished heretofore in THE REVIEW, the
Monetary Commission, under whose direct
charge was placed the issue of the so - called
"vales" or paper currency several months
ago in order to relieve the fractional cur
rency stringency due to the high price of
silver bullion and the consequent disap
pearance of subsidiary coin, has redeemed
at par in gold coin all outstanding bills that
have been presented . Upward of a quarter
of a million remains unredeemed , and this
amount is believed to represent bills that
were worn out, burned or otherwise acci
dentally destroyed. Every pledge made
when the paper was issued has thus been
kept. The lowering of the market value of
silver bullion and the increased activity of
the mint has supplied all currency require
ments, and once more Mexico occupies the
proud position of being the only country in
the world where the sole circulating medium
is gold and silver.
Not an Unfavorable Showing
NEWSPAPER correspondent whose
A personal knowledge of Mexican matters
is confined to a visit of a few short weeks
and one of whose chief sources for "infor
mation" is the gossip of the foreign clubs
and hotel lobbies , writes an article that has
been published under the heading in black
type, "Crimes Increase in Mexico City ." In
the course of the article it is declared that
"on one day five crimes against person and
property were reported, and on the day
following seven similar offenses were re
ported." Inasmuch as the population of
Mexico City is in the vicinity of a million ,
one may be pardoned for asking if this is
not a decidedly favorable showing? Will it
not compare with foreign cities on both
continents to the advantage of Mexico ?
More Ignorance About Mexico
WASHINGTON dispatch of recent date
A says that the Mexican government has just
given the first intimation that it proposes to
recognize any part of the so-called "Huerta
loans." The author of that dispatch is woefully
ignorant of Mexican history. Such "intimation
was made several years ago and has been
repeated on various occasions. When it comes
to dealing with Mexican news, too many cor
respondents and writers seem to proceed on
the theory that facts are not worthy of attenW
tion. Their motto appears to be : "If the facts
will not fit your ' story' or your editorial , so
much the worse for the facts !"
No. 3
"The Finances of Mexico "
HE REVIEW is in receipt of a copy of
T
The Financial Review of Reviews, of Lon
don, which contains one of a series of articles
bearing the foregoing title, and written by Pro
fessor Percy F. Martin, author of several
works on Mexico and Latin-American coun
tries. Mr. Martin takes a sane and sensible
view of the situation in Mexico and his re
marks are worthy of consideration by every
one who wishes to learn the truth about the
"Mexican situation" as distinguished from the
flood of untruth and misrepresentation of the
greater portion of the press. Besides dealing
with the financial situation, the author takes
cccasion to point out the manner in which the
public is misled by erroneous reports of occur
rences or by reports that are without any
foundation whatever. He selects the case of
Mr. Cummings, British Charge d'Affairs, as
one in point. That gentleman was reported
throughout the world as having been expelled
from Mexico, yet nothing could be further
from the truth . Yet millions still believe the
report simply because those who first circulated
it have not had the candor to give the facts
contradictory of their sensational original state
ments . The entire article is replete with in
formation of the most valuable character and
stamps its author as one of the exceptional
few who first make sure of their facts and
then give them , regardless of consequences .
A Proud Enough Record
ILLIAM J. BRYAN, a gentleman not
Wunknown to fame, says in his paper, The
Commoner: "What has become of the cock
sure financial authorities who in 1896 prated
about the unchangeable value of gold and the
sufficiency of the gold standard ?" What in
deed ? Mr. Bryan has championed three great
reforms in behalf of mankind- woman suf
frage, prohibition and the double standard of
gold and silver. He was ridiculed and opposed
for years, but has lived to see two of these
reforms written into the Federal Constitution .
Who shall dare predict that he will not live
to see the remonetization of silver ? To few
men in the world's history has it been given
to win such victories as have fallen to the
Nebraska leader. It may well be that other
victories will yet be his .
A Washington dispatch declared that " de
spite the injunction of the Federal courts, the
employes of the Southern Pacific Railroad of
Mexico operating the line south from Nogales
still remain on strike." THE REVIEW rises to a
question of information : Since when did the
writs of the United States courts run south
of the Rio Grande?
 Contin
Bliss
5-10-41
La Revista
TOMO IV
Mexicana
La Revista
Publicacion mensual en la Ciudad deWashington
GEO. F. WEEKS F - EDITOR Y PROPRIETARIO
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cionan fotografías a solicitud. Se contestan preguntas.
Se toma a cargo investigaciones especiales.
Pacificación más
Recomendable
OS métodos del actual gobierno mexicano
Los para la pacificación del país por medios
conciliadores en vez de tomar medidas violentas,
han sido demostrados con el caso de Villa. Otro
notable ejemplo que ha dado la administración
a la historia es la manera como se manejó la
situación de la Baja California. A pesar de los
artículos alarmantes y sensacionales que aparecen
en la prensa, este asunto fué solucionado de una
manera amistosa y sin derrame de sangre. El
Gobernador Cantú se ha retirado voluntaria
mente habiendo reconocido plenamente la
autoridad del Gobierno del Centro y su sucesor
ha asumido el poder sin disparar un solo tiro o
derramar una gota de sangre. La aprobación
de "una obra bien hecha " es bien merecida en
este caso como en muchas otras de las actividades
del Gobierno en beneficio del país.
El Papel Moneda
Redimido
E acuerdo con lo publicado anteriormente
DEen LA REVISTA la Comisión Monetaria,
bajo cuyo cargo se hizo la emisión de los llamados
" "empréstitos de Huerta." El autor de este
vales " o papel moneda hace algunos meses
con el fin de mejorar la situación crítica de la
moneda fraccionaria debida al alto precio de la
plata y a la desaparición de la moneda subsi
diaria, ha redimido en moneda de oro todos los
billetes que se le han presentado . Más de un
cuarto de un millon de pesos quedan todavía por
redimirse, y se cree que esta suma representa
billetes que se han quemado o han sido destruidos
accidentalmente o por el uso constante. Todas
las garantías dadas cuando se puso en circulación
dicho papel moneda se han cumplido .
La baja del precio de la plata y el aumento en
las actividades de la Casa de Moneda han per
mitido suplir toda la moneda necesaria, y
México ocupa otra vez el lugar de preferencia
como el único país del mundo donde la circulación
de moneda es solamente en oro y plata .
Mexicana
WASHINGTON , OCTUBRE , 1920
El Petroleo : Su Valor
y los Impuestos
N otra parte de La Revista publicannos el
EN último decreto del Gobierno sobre los
impuestos del petróleo y sus productos para
la exportación . Existe una grandísimo error con
referencia a este asunto y se han inculcado
algunas ideas erróneas. Como se verá, la
valuación puesta a los productos referidos no es
excesiva, ni tampoco son excesivos los impuestos.
Si tenemos presente que la recaudación total de
estos impuestos durante los últimos tres años
subió a poco poco más de $32,000,000 , oro
americano, o un promedio de cerca de $ 11,000,000
anuales, mientras que bajo la presente valuación
el aumento no es excesivo , se verá pues que los
exportadores justos no tienen por que quejarse.
Esta Proporción no es
Desfavorable
N corresponsal periodista, cuyo conoci
UN miento de los asuntos mexicanos lo obtuvo
durante una visita de unas cuantas semanas, y
!!
que tuvo por fuente principal de " información
la chismografía de los casinos extranjeros y de
los corredores de los hoteles, esscribe un artículo
que se ha publicado a letras grandes bajo el
título de "Los Crimenes Aumentan en la Ciudad
de México ." En el curso del artículo dice “que en
un día se reportaron cinco crímenes en contra de
la persona y de la propiedad, y que al día si
guiente fueron reportados siete más de igual
naturaleza ." Como la población de la Ciudad
de México es alrededor de un millón de habitan
tes, se me perdonará si pregunto si esto no es una
proporción favorable?
No compara favorablemente para México esta
ciudad con ciudades de ambos continentes?
Más Ignorancia Sobre México
N despacho de Washington de fecha
UNreciente dice que el Gobierno Mexicano
acaba de hacer la primera indicación de que no
se propone reconocer nada de los llamados
despacho desgraciadamente no conoce nada de
historia mexicana. Tal " indicación " fue hecha
hace varios años y ha sido reiterada en diversas
ocasiones. Cuando se trata de noticias mexica
nas muchos corresponsales y escritores parecen
obrar de acuerdo con la teoría de que no son
dignos de atención los hechos . Su divisa parece
ser: " Si no se compadecen los hechos de vues
tros "relatos " o editoriales , tanto peor para
ellos ! "
El Departamento de Hacienda está haciendo
un estudio de una tarifa especial para dar un
estímulo a las manufacturas mexicanas. Se
darán concesiones para la importación de ma
terias primas, así como también para la expor
tación de artículos manufacturados en el país.
país.
No. 3
"Las Finanzas de Mexico ."
A recibido LA REVISTA MEXICANA un ejem
HAplar de The Financial Review of Reviews
de Londres, que contiene un artículo de la serie
que lleva el título anterior y que fue escrita por
el profesor Percy F. Martin , autor de varias
obras sobre México y los países latino-ameri
canos. El señor Martin adopta un juicio sano y
sensato sobre la situación de este país y sus
observaciones son dignas de ser tomadas en
consideración por todos los que deseen conocer
la verdad sobre la " situación mexicana " en
contraposición con el cúmulo de mentiras y
falsedades de la mayor parte de la prensa .
Además de tratar de la situación financiera
aprovecha el autor la ocasión para indicar la
forma en que es engañado el público por falsos
einformes de sucesos imaginarios o por nuevas qu
carecen de todo fundamento. Elige el caso de
Mr. Cummings, el Encargado de Negocios de la
Gran Bretaña, como ejemplo . Se dijo en todo
el mundo que este caballero había sido expulsado
de México, a pesar de que no hay nada que esté
más lejos de la verdad que esta afirmación .
Sin embargo, aun creen la noticia milliones de
personas simplemente porque los que la hicieron
circular primeramente no tuvieron el candor
suficiente para publicar los hechos que desmen
tían su original y sensacional informe. Todo el
artículo de Mr. Martin está lleno de información
del género más valioso y presenta a su autor
como uno de los excepcionalmente pocos que se
cercioran primero de los hechos y que los pre
sentan después sin temor a las consecuencias .
Un Testimonio Verdaderamente
Enorgullecedor
ILLIAM J. BRYAN , caballero no descon
WILLIA ocido para la fama dice en su periódico
The Commoner! 44 Qué ha sucedido con las
confiadas autoridades financieras que hablaron
mucho en 1896 sobre el valor invariable del oro
y la suficiencia del tipo de oro?" Qué sucedió
con ellas, en efecto? Mr. Bryan ha patrocinado
tres grandes reformas en pro de la humanidad : el
sufragio femenino, el prohibicionismo y la doble
base de oro y plata . Fue ridiculizado y hostili
zado durante muchos años, pero ha vivido lo
bastante para ver inscritas dos de esas reformas
en la Constitución Federal. Quién se atreverá a
decir que no vivirá lo suficiente para ver la remo
netización de la plata? A pocos hombres en la
historia del mundo les ha sido dado ganar victo
rias como las que han tocado al político de
Nebraska . Puede ser que le toquen aún otras
victorias.
El nuevo impuesto sobre la exportación de
pieles es el siguiente : humedos, 15 centavos
por kilo ; secos, 26 cenvatos ; pieles de cabra,
40 centavos ; de cabrito, 20 centavos ; de
venado, 30 centavos.
6 THE
President De la Huerta's Message to Congress
ongress
Interesting Utterances Regarding Foreign Relations-
The Petroleum Situation Discussed at Length
N Wednesday, September 1 , the Con
gress of Mexico met and received Pro
visional President De la Huerta's mes
с
sage. It discussed conditions generally through
out the Republic, but the portions most inter
esting to foreigners, and especially Americans,
were those devoted to foreign relations and to
the petroleum question . Under the first head
ing, the President said in part :
"Upon the successful termination, last May,
of the political and social movement initiated
in Sonora, there was naturally produced that
change in our international relations which you
have all felt. The establishment of cordial re
lations with the majority of nations and the
tightening of existing bonds was the main ob
ject of the Executive. Accordingly, the ef
forts of the Government were directed to in
spire the rest of the countries with the assur
ance that Mexico is fully capable of fulfilling
her international obligations and animated by
the sincere desire of fulfilling them in a spirit
of cordiality and harmony. To this end, spe
cial attention has been given to matters left
unfinished by the government of Señor Car
ranza, as well as to the settlement of the new
ones that have arisen in the course of our re
lations with the governments of the other peo
ples of the world .
"Prompted by his ideals of justice, the Exec
utive has endeavored to bring about a better
understanding and friendship with the other
countries in order to obtain and grant, as the
case may be, the delivery of fugitives who have
transgressed the law in Mexico and found
refuge abroad, and vice versa, thus contribut
ing to the achievement of universal justice.
Among these cases mention can be made of
that of Carlos Carmelo Garcia, a former pay
master accused of theft, and the fugitive from
justice, Luis E. Velez, accused of embezzle
ment, for both of whom extradition papers
were granted to Mexico by the United States
Government.
"There are other extradition cases pending of
action with references to fugitives from Mexi
can law, and it is well to take note of the fact
that the extradition papers granted by the
United States are the first obtained by Mexico
from that country during the last ten years,
which speaks well of the better administration
of justice.
"Mexico, on the other hand, has been asked
to grant the extradition of Ernesto Muñoz
Villar to Cuba, and of Alvaro Peña and Jacobo
Lubán to the United States . The first two
named having appealed, their cases are pend
ing of action awaiting the decision of the courts ,
while the extradition of the latter named was
granted.
1
"The Jenkins case, which occupied so much
of the attention of the press of our neighbor
country and ours, toward the end of the for
mer Administration, is now in the hands of the
courts having the jurisdiction, and in a short
time they will pronounce a definite decision.
"As a result of representations made to the
United States Government with reference to
MEXICAN REVIEW
American airplanes flying over Mexican terri
tory, the authorities of that country have on
several occasions given strict orders with a
view to preventing the repetition of disagree
able incidents . The instructions given by the
Navy Department of the United States in this
connection have been productive of good results,
as is evidenced by the fact that the incursions.
of airplanes over our territory have become
more rare.
"For some time past there has been a cur
rent of Chinese immigrants flowing to some of
the States in our Pacific Coast, specially to
Lower California, Sonora and Sinaloa. The enT
trance of this class of immigrants to the coun
try has taken place under the protection of our
fundamental laws and subject to the Treaty of
Amity, Commerce and Navigation existing be
tween China and Mexico . The conflict which
took place in the State of Sonora recently was
not originated by race prejudice. It was sim
ply a labor question in which it was desired to
protect the interests of our own workers. Be
lieving it to be his duty to find a satisfactory
solution to these difficulties, the Executive has
taken the necessary steps toward that end, and
is confident that the question will in a short
time be amicably settled through the Chinese
Legation, which in view of the resistence enA
countered by Chinese citizens to enter into the
Territory of Lower California, used its good
offices before our Government at the request in claims previously filed but not titled. Six
of American and Japanese shipowners. This
incident was settled subject to our laws and
with no further limitations than those pre
scribed by our sanitary and immigration reg
ulations.
"With a desire to give ample and due pro
tection to Mexican citizens residing in foreign
countries, the Executive has omitted no effort,
nor cost, to the end that our nationals may en that, prompted by the high price reached by
joy the guarantees and considerations to which
they are entitled in foreign countries. To ob of low grade ores. However, all of the mines.
tain this end, the Executive has appointed com
petent lawyers whose duty it will be to devote
all of their activities in defense of the interests and as the fluctuations in the silver market
and the lives of Mexican citizens living abroad.
The Government is firmly decided to continue
its efforts along these lines, and these efforts
will serve, undoubtedly, to prevent the repe
tition of deplorable incidents that at times
have taken place in which our nationals have
been the victims of abuses on the part of the
authorities of other countries.
"Apart from the activities of our Consular
and Diplomatic Corps in behalf of Mexican
citizens who are imprisoned in other nations,
the Executive has given special attention to the handling of all matters connected with it.
indemnization to which our nationals are en
titled for injury while at work and other
causes, and is justified in believing that favor northern part of the State of Veracruz, and in
able results will be obtained .
"Notwithstanding the many difficulties that
have to be met with, the Executive has been
greatly and intensely engrossed with the mat
ter of giving protection to the lives and the in
terests of foreigners residing in our country,
and with this purpose in view, nothing is left being pending of action : two in the Territory
October, 1920
undone that the amplest and most effective
guarantees may be given. The solicitude and
efforts of the Executive have not been at all
unproductive, and the measures he has taken
up to the present time have given good results .
It may not be amiss to reiterate that the line of
conduct of the Executive will always be to
offer ample guarantees to the foreigners who
come to our shores, and in accord with , this
purpose, the Government has not failed to ap
preciate the great and serious responsibilities
contracted by former administrations, especially
during the revolutionary period .
"Therefore, the Government has had to study,
and is still studying , its responsibilities on ac
count of damages done to foreign citizens and
foreign property in Mexico ; of damages re
sulting from the disposition of funds not be
longing to the National Treasury ; and on ac
count of loans matured and the non-payment of
interest. With the spirit of rectitude in which
his acts have been inspired, the Executive is
confident that all of the problems intimately
connected with international life will be solved
in time through the elements at our disposal
and through the friendly relations that bind us
to the countries interested in their solution.
The Petroleum Situation
"The state of pacification of the Republic is
reflected in the two principal branches of the
Department of Industry, Commerce and Labor.
There have been filed with the department
4.084 mining claims embracing a total area of
42,525 hectares. Besides issuing 714 mining
titles, the department has issued 89 permits for
exploration and 21 for exploitation purposes
hundred and fifty-nine mining titles have been
annulled. There are in existence at present
3,876 mining claims and 359 metallurgical
plants.
"Following the sharp decrease in the price
of silver the mining companies in the country
were shaken to a considerable degree, especially
those who lacked capital reserves and those
silver, devoted their efforts to the exploitation
that were working before the decrease in the
price of silver have continued their operations,
show a tendency to a higher quotation it is very
probable that actual operations may be con
tinued without interruption, thus making it pos
sible for the country to give a production equal
to that of former years .
"As a result of the activities shown in the
petroleum industry, the Petroleum Bureau has
developed greatly of late, and steps have now
been taken toward the elaboration of regula
tions governing the exploration and exploita
tion of this industry which will facilitate the
"The activities of those interested in the oil
industry, heretofore confined mainly to the
lesser proportions to Minanitlán County, in the
same State, are now being extended to other
regions of the Republic in a search of new }
fields for the investment of capital in the ex
ploration and exploitation of oil.
"Five concessions have been granted, there
Octubre, 1920 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 7

nuestros nacionales tienen derecho por accidentes

de trabajos y otras causas, y espera, con funda
El Mensaje del Presidente De la
mento, obtener resultado favorable en su gestión .
No obstante las dificultades que para lograrlo
Huerta al Congreso ha tenido que vencer el Ejecutivo , se ha preocu
pado intensa y grandemente por la defensa de
Importantes Declaraciones Sobre las Relaciones Exteriores - La Legislación la vida e intereses de los extranjeros que residen
Petrolera Examinada Ampliamente en nuestro país, y con tal propósito no desper
dicia esfuerzo alguno para que esas garantias
L día Primero de septiembre el Congreso dentro de breve plazo, pronunciarán su definitiva sean lo más amplias y efectivas . Su alán y
de México se reunió y recibió el mensaje resolución . empeño no han sido estériles y las providencias
del Presidente Provisional De la Huerta . Como consecuencia de las representacioncs tomadas hasta el presente, han producido bue
El mensaje relata en lo general las condiciones hechas ante el Gobierno de Washington , para nos resultados ; no estará por demás reiterar que
que existen a través de la República, pero la impedir los vuelos de aviones de los Estados la norma de conducta del Ejecutivo será siempre
parte que interesa más a los estranjeros, y en Unidos sobre territorio Nacional, las autoridades la de procurar que los extranjeros que pisen el
particular a los americanos, es la dedicada al de ese país, en diferentes ocasiones, han dado suelo mexicano encuentren en él todo género de
estado de las relaciones exteriores y a la cuestión órdenes estrictas a fin de evitar la repetición de garantías y, consecuente con este fin , el Gobierno
del petróleo . Sobre el primero de estos temas, incidentes desagradables . no ha dejado de pesar las grandes y serias res
el Presidente dijo en parte : Las instrucciones que el Departamento de ponsabilidades contraidas por las anteriores
Al triunfar en mayo último el movimiento Guerra del Gobierno Americano envió a las Administraciones , sobre todo en el curso del
político social iniciado en Sonora , se produjo * autoridades respectivas, con ese objeto, han dado movimiento revolucionario.
como era natural , el cambio que todos vosotros buenos resultados, como lo demuestra el hecho Asi pues , ha tenido que estudiar, y lo seguirá
conocéis en nuestras relaciones internacionales ; de que cada vez han sido más raras las incursiones haciendo , las responsabilidades por daños
que México continuará cultivándolas cordial de aeroplanos sobre nuestro territorio . ocasionados a personas e intereses extranjeros
mente con la mayoría de las naciones y estrechará Desde hace bastante tiempo existe una fuerte residentes en México ; por perjuicios sufridos con
los vínculos existentes, fué el principal propósito corriente de immigración de ciudadanos chinos, motivo de la disposición de fondos que no
que guió al Ejecutivo. En tal virtud, los que se dirigen a algunos Estados de nuestra formaban parte del Tesoro Nacional ; por créditos
esfuerzos del Gobierno tendieron a infundir a costa del Pacífico, especialmente al territorio de vencidos y por falta de pago de intereses. El
los demás países la seguridad de que México se la Baja California, y a los Estados de Sonora y Ejecutivo espera , siempre dentro del espíritu de
halla plenamente capacitado para llenar las Sinaloa. El ingreso al país de los immigrantes moralidad que ha inspirado su gestión, que
obligaciones internacionales que le incumben, y mencionados se ha efectuado siempre al amparo todos esos problemas íntimamente relacionados
animado del sincero deseo de cumplir con ellas de nuestras leyes fundamentales, con sujeción con la vida internacional, se resolverán a medida
dentro de un espíritu de cordialidad y armonía. al Tratado de Amistad, Comercio y Navega de nuestras fuerzas, con los elementos con que
Con este fin, se ha dedicado especial atención a ción que existe entre China y México , y los nos ligan con los países interesados en su reso
todos los asuntos que dejó pendientes el régimen conflictos que se originaron recientemente en lución .
del señor Carranza , y al arreglo de los nuevos , el primero de dichos Estados, no fueron conflictos El estado de pacificación de la República está
que se han presentado en el curso de nuestras de raza, sino simplemente de lucha y de trabajo, reflejado en las dos ramas principales que forman
relaciones con los Gobiernos de los demás pueblos para dar la debida protección a los intereses de la Secretaría de Industria , Comercio y Trabajo.
de la tierra . nuestros trabajadores y obreros . El Ejecutivo , Se han presentado 4,084 denuncios de fundos
Inspirado el Ejecutivo en amplios ideales de considerando de su deber buscar una solución mineros, con una extensión de 42,525 hictáreas,
justicia, ha procurado mejorar sus relaciones de satisfactoria a esa dificultades ha dado los pasos habiéndose expedido 714 títulos. Se otorgaron ,
amistad y cortesía con los demás países, para necesarios para lograrlo y, confiadamente, espera además, 89 permisos para exploración y 21 para
obtener y conceder, respectivamente , la entrega que muy pronto será resuelto amigablemente explotación, previa de fundos denunciados y
de los prófugos que delinquen en México , refu este asunto con la Legación de China, la cual con aun no titulados declarándose la caducidad de
giándose en el Extranjero, y viceversa ; contri motivo de la resistencia que encontrara cierto 659 títulos. Existen en la actualidad 3,876
buyendo así a la mejor satisfacción de la justicia número de ciudadanos chinos para penetrar fundos y 359 plantas metalúrgicas .
mundial. Entre algunos casos pueden mencio a la Baja California, empleó sus buenos oficios Con motivo del fuerte descenso en el valor
narse los del ex-pagador Carlos Carmelo García , ante la de nuestro país, a solicitud de algunos de la plata, las compañías mineras del país ,
presunto responsable del delito de peculado, y navieros japoneses y norteamericanos . Este sufrieron el desequilibrio consiguiente, pero de
el del prófugo de la justicia mexicana Luis E. incidente quedó arreglado con sujeción a las un modo principal aquellas que carecían de
Vélez, acusado del delito de abuso de confianza , leyes, sin más limitaciones que las establecidas reservas de capital y las que con el estímulo que
extradiciones que han sido concedidas por el por los preceptos vigentes en materia de sanidad les dió el alza en el precio de la plata , se dedicaron
Gobierno de Washington al de México . e inmigración. a la explotación de minerales de baja ley .
Están actualmente corriendo sus trámites Deseoso el Ejecutivo de proteger debidamente Sin embargo, todas las minas existentes en
otras demandas de extradición de prófugos de la a los mexicanos que residen en el extranjero, no explotación antes de la baja en el precio de la
justicia mexicana, y debe hacerse notar que las ha omitido esfuerzos ni gasto alguno para que plata, han continuado sus labores y como las
extradiciones concedidas por los Estados Unidos nuestros nacionales disfruten en todos los países fluctuaciones en el valor de ese metal marcan una
son las primeras que México obtiene de aquel de las garantías y consideraciones a que justa tendencia al alza, es muy probable que los
País, en el último período de diez años, lo que es mente tienen derecho y para lograr ese fin , ha trabajos actuales puedan continuarse sin inte
un buen antecedente para la mejor Adminis ordenado el nombramiento de Abogados com rrupción, lográndose, así, que el conjunto de la
tración de Justicia. petentes que dediquen toda su actividad a la producción del país, sea igual por lo menos a la
A México en cambio se le han pedido, entre defensa de los intereses y vidas de mexicanos en de los años anteriores .
otras, las extradiciones de Ernesto Muñoz Villar, el extranjero . Tal esfuerzo , en que el Gobierno El Departamento del Petróleo ha desarrollado
por la República de Cuba y las de Alvaro Peña está decidido firmemente a perseverar, servirá, durante el último período, una labor intensa
y Jacobo Lubán, por el Gobierno de los Estados sin duda alguna, para que no se repitan los como resultado del impulso que de día en día
Unidos, Las dos primeras están pendientes del lamentables casos que alguna vez han ocurrido , toma la industria petrolera, y se ha iniciado la
fallo que se dicte en el recurso de amparo que de que nuestros nacionales sean víctimas de formación de un reglamento para la formación
interpusieron los quejosos y la última fué vejaciones por parte de las autoridades de otros de un reglamento para la exploración y explota
concedida . países. ción con lo que se facilitará la tramitación de
El caso Jenkins, de que tan extensamente se A parte de las gestiones reiteradas que hacen estos negocios.
ocupó la prensa de la Nación vecina y la de nuestros Cónsules y Diplomáticos para aliviar La actividad de los interesados en la industria
nuestro país, en las postrimerías de la anterior la suerte de algunos mexicanos en las cárceles de petrolera, que se desarrolla casi exclusivamente
Administración , se halla en la actualidad sujeto otras naciones , el Ejecutivo ha dedicado prefer en la parte norte del Estado de Veracruz, y
al fallo de los Tribunales correspondientes que , ente atención a las indemnizaciones a que en proporción menor, en el Canton de Minati

A

8 THE
of Lower California ; two in the State of So
nora ; two in the State of Sinaloa ; one in the
State of Colima which extends to two districts.
in the State of Michoacan ; one that comprises
two districts in the State of Jalisco ; one com
prising three districts in the State of Guerrero ;
one in the State of Chiapas ; two in the State
of Campeche ; one in the Territory of Quintna
Roo and two in the northern part of the State
of Tamaulipas. Furthermore, there have been
filed with the department oil claims from the
States of Chihuahua, Coahuila and Durango .
"It is noteworthy that the new interests that
are being created under our laws are offsetting
the opposition of the oil operators dissatisfied
with the principle of nationalization of the sub
soil.
"The notable difference since 1918 between
the number of claims filed and the number of
titles issued is due to the fact that an effort
has been made to give attention to the protests
of the oil companies which filed their claims in
accordance with the decree of August 12 , 1918 ,
the object being to postpone the issuance of
titles until the passage of the new oil laws.
"Of the wells drilled in the federal zones
under the concessions given, Well No. 1 , of the
Mexican Petroleum Company (Compañia Pe
trolera Mexicana) , has produced 5,000 barrels
a day, of which 750 barrels, or 15 per cent of
the production belongs to the Nation, this being
the royalty agreed to in this class of conces
sions.
"The concession given to the Tampico Com
pany under date of October 11 , 1916, to con
struct a pipe line for private use in the north
ern part of the State of Veracruz, was annulied
for non-compliance with the conditions stipu
lated .
"The present state of the oil industry is as
follows : Wells drilled , 1,123 ; wells localized,
147 ; producing wells, 313 ; wells now being
drilled, 123 ; abandoned wells, 540 ; furthermore,
39 permits for drilling wells have been issued
during the period to which this report refers.
"Since the month of May, 1920, the potential
daily production has been increased by 33.005
cubic meters, which added to the April produc
tion totals 2,177,781 barrels. If it were pos
sible to report it all, the yearly production
would amount to 794,890,065 barrels, or more
than twice the total production of the United
States which has been the greatest oil producer
in the world.
"Following the activity displayed in the drill
ing of oil wells, petitions are being filed for the
construction of pipe lines, especially in the
northern part of the State of Veracruz.
"The Executive has made every effort possi
ble for the establishment of oil refineries in our
country, for he believes that the petroleum in
dustry proper is the refining of the oil . With
this end in view, the following privileges have
been granted ; the right of expropriation of the
land necessary for the installation ; free access
to national or uncultivated lands ; the right of
way for pipe lines, railroads, highways, and
other means of transportation across private
property ; and import tax exemption for all
machinery and other materials intended for the
refineries, etc.
"At present there are ten refineries under
operation, and work will begin soon in four
+
MEXICAN REVIEW October, 1920
more. The total capacity of existing refineries "O That Mine Enemy Would
is 50,000 cubic meters. Twenty-two per cent Write a Book !"
of the petroleum exports consists of refinery OT that the Honorable Albert B. Fall,
products.
N United States Senator from New
"It is of public notoriety that there is in ex Mexico, is anybody's enemy. Far be it
istence an association of oil interests that is
from such. To hear him tell it, he is a near
actually an organized block to place all kinds
disciple of Kipling's Kim, a "little friend of
of obstacles in the way of the existing oil legis
all the world," and especially of Mexico.
lation derived from our Constitution. During
But, until recently, those who have had
the first days of the present Administration ,
occasion to take the opposite side of any
this association tried to obtain the derrogation
question with Senator Fall have accounted
of those decrees which they deem prejudicial
him an opponent worthy of their steel.
to their interests, but its efforts were unsuc
Now the Senator has written a book ; at
cessful.
least, what amounts to the same thing ; he
"The interests to which reference is made,
has signed a 96-page report of the Senate
have also been opposed to the issuance of con
sub-committee on Mexican relations.
cessions for the extraction of oil in the federal
zones. And apropos , in accordance with the On page 16 of this report he publishes a
estimates of the Bureau of Concessions it can table purporting to show the ownership of
Mexican wealth ( in 1911 , at the beginning
be said, without fear of being mistaken, that
of the revolution. This table shows Mex
upon the completion of the majority of the +
ico's total wealth as $2,434,241,422, of which
wells located in the federal zones, the Govern amount Americans are credited with the
ment will receive, under the caption of reve
ownership of $1,057,770,000 ; the British with
nues, a sum of money so large that it will suf
$321,302,800 ; the French with $ 143,446,000 ;
fice to cover nearly all of its expenses." other foreigners with $ 118,535,380 ; the Mex
icans themselves with but $ 792,187,242 . In
other words , the Mexican people owned less
"The Brass Check"
than one-third of their own natural wealth,
HE foregoing (to those who have had Americans one-half, and other nationals the
the misfortune to become familiar balance. Just picture it.
through observation as police reporters or Most common, every-day Americans will
otherwise with one of the worst phases of accept such a condition as full justification
human life ) is the suggestive title of a book for the Mexican revolution, whatever its
recently issued by the well-known writer, attendant evils, and will unhesitatingly
Upton Sinclair. It is of absorbing interest commend any Mexican government for at
from the first word to the last, and is worthy tempting by legislation , however drastic, to
of being read with care by every lover of the recover for its people some portion of the
wealth dissipated under the Diaz regime.
truth. It is a convincing demonstration of the
Take the figures in the table at their face.
manner in which truth is poisoned at its
value and it is bad enough. But Senator
source, and the public misled by great news
Fall goes farther.
papers and news-gathering associations . Mr.
In accompanying explanatory notes, Sen
Sinclair goes into the details of certain ex ator Fall declares that these are minimum
periences in his own career, and shows in the figures and that from evidence submitted
clearest manner the existence of a tacit con before his committee he believes Americans
spiracy not only of silence but of downright owned $ 1,500,000,000 and the British $800,JA
misrepresenta tion and falsehood on the part 000,000 of Mexico's wealth . On this basis,
of the greater portion of those whose mission foreigners would be accredited with the
it is to "give the news"-for a consideration. ownership of $ 2,561,981,380 of the wealth of
Mexico. But Mexico's total wealth is
There are many who, like Sinclair, have had
placed by Senator Fall at $2,434,241,422.
occasion to acquire similar knowledge with
The Mexican people, then, not only
himself of the existence of this tacit conspiracy
would own nothing of their own resources,
or understanding. No one who has had per
but would be mortgaged to the tune of
sonal experience in news gathering and in the
effort to get the truth before the public will $ 127,739,958 more than the total value of all
the property in Mexico .
deny the accuracy of Mr. Sinclair's charges.
O piffle !
After reading the personal experiences of the
author in certain purely personal matters, one
Oil Taxes in Texas
can only wonder that he had not in a moment
of exasperation over some particularly flagrant GOOD idea of the manner in which oil
falsehood taken an appeal to the court of A companies are called on to contribute to
Judge Colt that tribunal of last resort which the government is afforded by the report just
in times not so long since gone had a more issued by the State of Texas , which shows that
or less salutary effect upon the conduct of last year a total of $2,215,118 was derived
individuals, newspaper men and others who from the gross production tax alone. Besides
were not disposed to recognize the personal this, other taxes are collected from oil comg
rights of others. Any fair-minded person who panies. The entire collections from oil taxes
wishes to know how he is misled in the pres in Mexico for the year 1918 were $5,560,000,
entation of the news today, and how deliber while for 1919 the amount was in the neigh
ately people and causes are misrepresented, borhood of $10,000,000, Comment would
should read "The Brass Check." seem to be superfluous.
 Octubre, 1920 LA
' tlán, del mismo Estado, se ha ido extendiendo
poco a poco por otras regiones de la República ,
buscando nuevos horizontes para la inversión de
capitales en la exploración y explotación.
Se han otorgado cinco concesiones y están por
otorgarse: dos más en el Territorio de la Baja
California, dos en el Estado de Sonora, dos en
el de Sinaloa, una en el de Colima y dos Distritos
de Michoacán ; otra que comprende dos distritos
del Estado de Jalisco, una en tres Distritos del
Estado de Guerrero ; una para el de Chiapas ; dos
en Campeche ; una en el Territorio de Quintana
Roo y dos en la parte norte del Estado de Tamau
lipas, y además, se han presentado denuncios de
fundos petrolíferos en los Estados de Chihuahua,
Coahuila y Durango.
Es digno de observarse que todos los intereses
nuevos que se van creando al amparo de nuestras
leyes, están contrarrestando la oposición que han
hecho los petroleros inconformes con el principio
de nacionalización del subsuelo.
La notable diferencia que se advierte desde
1918 , entre el número de los fundos solicitados
y el de los titulados, es debida a que se ha pro
curado atender las protestas de las empresas
petroleras que en numerosos casos , han fundado
en el Decreto de 12 de agosto de aquel año, sin
otro fin que el de aplazar el otorgamiento de los
títulos, para cuando se expida la nueva ley del
Petróleo .
De los pozos perforados en las zonas federales
a virtud de las concesiones respectivas, el número
uno de la Compañia Petrolera Mexicana , ha
tenido una producción de 5,000 barriles diarios ,
de los cuales 750 corresponden al Gobierno de la
Nación, o sea , el quince por ciento de la produc
ción, que es la regalía pactada en esta clase de
concesiones.
La concesión que se otorgó a la Tampico
Company, con fecha 11 de octubre de 1916 ,
para construir un oleoducto de uso particular en
el norte del Estado de Veracruz , se declaró
caduca, por no haber cumplido con las condi
ciones estipuladas.
El estado actual de la industria petrolera, es
como sigue ; pozos perforados, 1,123 ; pozos
localizados , 147 ; pozos productivos , 313 ; pozos y a $278,000,000 en 1919. Las últimas cifras
en perforación 123 ; pozos abandonados, 540;
y, además, se han concedido 39 permisos de
perforación en el período que comprende este
informe.
Desde el mes de mayo del presente año, la
producción potencial diaria ha aumentado en
33,005 metros cúbicos, la que, agregada a la
que habia en el mes de abril , da un total de
2,177,781 bârriles que si pudieran exportarse se
obtendrían 794,890,065 barriles o sea más del
doble de la producción actual de los Estados
Unidos del Norte, que ha sido el mayor productor hechas a los 300,000,000 de habitantes de India
del mundo .
Como consecuencia de la actividad desarro ™ . mos de México durante el año de 1919 llegó a la
llada para la perforación de pozos petroleros, se
están presentando solicitudes para la construcción sumó $131,452,000.
de oleoductos, especialmente en la parte notre
del Estado de Veracruz.
El Ejecutivo ha hecho todos los esfuerzos vecinos del Sur que están separados de los
posibles para que se establezcan refinerías de Estados Unidos solo por una línea imaginaria o
petróleo en nuestro país, pues considera que la
refinación es propiamente, la industria petrolera . mente angosta?
Con ese fin, se han concedido las siguientes.
franquicias: el derecho de expropiar los terrenos
necesarios para las instalaciones ; la ocupación $20,000,000 ; algodón crudo, $ 10,000,000 ; pieles ,
gratuita de terrenos baldíos o nacionales ; el $ 10,000,000 ; café, $5,500,000 ; plomo , $5,000,000 ;
REVISTA MEXICANA
derecho de paso para tuberías, ferrocarriles,
caminos y otros senderos a través de terrenos de
propiedad particular, y la exención de derechos
de importación, para maquinaria, materiales des
tinados a las refinerías, etc.
Actualmente trabajan diez refinerías y en
breve, se inaugurarán cuatro plantas más.
La capacidad total de las plantas de refinación
instaladas es de 50,000 metros cúbicos y el 22%
del volumen total del petróleo exportado corres
ponde a productos refinados.
Es de pública notoriedad que existe una
agrupación de petroleros, que forma un verdadero
bloque para oponer toda clase de obstáculos a
la legislación petrolera vigente, derivada de
nuestra Carta Fundamental. Esta agrupación
en los primeros días del establecimiento del
gobierno actual, pretendió sin éxito, que se
derogaran en su provecho, los decretos que
juzgan perjudiciales a sus intereses.
Las Compañías aludidas se han opuesto
también a la expedición de concesiones para la
extracción de petróleo en las zonas federales .
A propósito , y según los antecedentes que obran
en la Sección de Concesiones se puede afirmar,
sin temor de equivocarse, que cuando esté
perforada la mayor parte de los pozos ubicados
en la zona federal , percibirá el Gobierno una
cantidad tan considerable, a título de ingresos,
que le permitirá cubrir casi todo su presupuesto .
El Comercio Entre Los Estados
Unidos y México Aumenta
Considerablemente
L COMERCIO de los Estados Unidos con
Ε México está por llegar a la suma de
$300,000,000 durante el año fiscal de 1920. Aún
durante el período que siguió a la renuncia del
Presidente Díaz en 1911 , nuestro comercio con
México ha aumentado considerablemente . Según
declaraciones del Banco Nacional de la Ciudad
de New York, en 1910 llegó a sumar $ 115,000,000 ;
en 1915 bajó a $ 110,000,000 , pero desde esa
fecha, y a pesar de los disturbios habidos, subió
a $191,000,000 en 1917 , a $245,000,000 en 1918 ,
proporcionadas, correspondientes al mes de
marzo del presente año , indican que el total
llegará a $300,000,000 para fines del año fiscal ,
en junio de 1920.
No puede predecirse si los recientes aconteci
mientos en México evitarán que el comercio
alcance a la suma de $300,000,000 durante el
año fiscal en curso, pero es un hecho , sin embargo ,
que las ventas de los Estados Unidos a nuestros
quince millones de vecinos en México durante
el año de 1919 fueron mayores que las ventas
o a los 400,000,000 de China. Lo que importa
contidad de $ 148,926,000, y lo que exportamos
۲۰
Cuáles son los artículos que vienen a formar
el grande y creciente comercio con nuestros
a lo mejor por una faja de agua comparativa
Las importaciones consisten de henequén ,
$40,000,000 ; petróleo crudo, $26,000,000 ; cobre,
g
caoba, guayule, y otros productos tropicales ,
como $500,000 de cada uno .
Lo que exportamos a México consiste en su
mayor parte de manufacturas, incluyendo ;
caños de hierro, más de $ 7,000,000 ; telas de
algodón , $6,500,000 ; harina , $5,600,000 ; azúcar ,
$2,500,000 ; automobiles , $2,350,000 ; manteca ,
$2,200,000 ; calzado , $2,000,000 ; madera , $ 1 ,→
200,000 ; llantas para automobiles , como $ 1 ,
000,000 ; huevos, $787,000 ; materiales coloran
tes, $ 715,000 ; salmon en latas, $703,000 ; tejidos
de algodón, $675,000 ; papel , $568,000 ; parafina,
$504,000 ; carros de ferrocarril , $497,000 ; ce
mento, $495,000 ; arados, $481,000 ; hierro gal
vanizado, $464,000 ; rieles de acero , $461,000 ;
máquinas de escribir, $422,000 ; y hierro para
construcciones , $401,000, mientras que con los
cientos de artículos exportados en cantidades
menores que las arriba indicadas, el total de
nuestras exportaciones a México en 1919, a cuyo
año corresponden las anteriores cifras, sumó
$ 131,452,000 . Compárese esta suma con la de
$97,789,000 que corresponde al año de 1918.
Es natural que estando tan cerca de México ,
los Estados Unidos suministran a ese país una
proporción muy grande de lo que importa , y a
la vez recibe una proporción correspondiente de
sus exportaciones. Aun antes de la guerra
suministrábamos a México con la mitad de lo
que importaba ; Europa suministraba la otra
mitad. Como uno de los resultados de la
guerra, la facilidad con que Europa suministraba
a México de la clase de mercancías que requiere,
sufrió menoscabo, y por lo consiguiente, los
Estados Unidos ahora suministran a México un
85% de lo que importa, mientras que por otra
parte tomamos un 90% de sus exportaciones .
Otra de las razones que existen para que
aumente el comercio entre México y los Estados
Unidos es que el clima de México es tropical,
mientras que el de los Estados Unidos es tem
plado . Como resultado de esto hay un cambio
de productos tropicales por productos de un
clima templado , consistiendo los últimos , en
su mayor parte, de artículos manufacturados .
Los Estados Unidos ahora importan anual
mente más de $ 2,000,000,000 de artículos tropi .
cales y semi-tropicales, comparado con $350 ,
000,000 que importó en 1900, y el hecho de que
México puede suministrar esta clase de materia
les, tales como guayule , fibras, café, cacao ,
algodón, tabaco , azúcar y aceites vegetales , hace
que los mercados de los Estados Unidos sean
especialmente atractivos para los productores de
México . Por otra parte, el hecho de que la
mayor parte de lo que importa México son
artículos manufacturados, hace a este país más
atractivo para los importadores por la razón de
que pueden obtener las mercancías en los Es
tados Unidos en un tiempo más corto que el que
se requiere para importarlas de Europa .
Probablemente otra de las razones para que
haya aumentado nuestro comercio con México
es el capital americano invertido en ese país, el
cual es considerable y crece constantemente .
Antes de la guerra se calculaba que ascendía a
mil millones de dólares, y recientemente el
Senador Fall del Estado de Nuevo México
declaró en el Senado de los Estados Unidos que
ascendía a dos mil millones de dólares , cantidad
mucho mayor que la invertida por americanos
en cualquier otro país.- From Pan-Pacific for
September .
 10 THE
My Ideas of the Mexican
Causes and Ultimate
doof
Deficiencies, Mistakes and Failures of the Past Are Not Significant Mexico, as of all the world, have yet to shake
BY R. P. DE NEGRI
Mexican Consul General in New York
HERE is no occasion for surprise at representations by those powerful in the world
the deficiencies , mistakes and failures
of the various administrations function
ing or striving to function in Mexico during the
past few decades. The legacy of inequitable
legislation and mal-administration left by the
Spanish colonial regime was too heavy to be
lightly discarded and, in fact, persisted largely
throughout the reign of Iturbide and of the
later rapidly succeeding presidents .
True it is that, having attained her inde
pendence from Spain, the form of a republic
was established in Mexico . But of what im
portance is a change in the mere form of gov
ernment, taken as a simple incident in the
occupation of governing, when those charged
with administration of a nation's affairs over
look or ignore the basic problems of economic ,
intellectual and moral development necessary
of solution for the advancement of a people's
welfare ?
For the people of Mexico , impoverished, en
slaved and debased by centuries of colonial
mis -government, intellectual and moral ad persistent will to achieve liberty and self-gov
vancement could follow surely only upon eco
nomic betterment. Some measure of material
satisfaction to relieve the misery of the masses
was a vital necessity before they could be ex neighbors, to rebuke and overthrow the suc
pected to respond with any enthusiasm to in
tellectual or spiritual urge . The most fruitful
seed of domestic , social and political discord
lies in the misery of peoples.
Out of our mental anguish , largely unknown condemning cach successive movement of the which, despite all hindrances, is always onward
because never paraded before strangers ; from
the darkness of ignorance in which was sub
merged the mind of man, the emptiness of his
pockets and the chill of his very bones, there
emerged Juarez . He saw in the Church, with
its vast accumulations of wealth which defi
nitely aligned it as the most powerful ally of
landlordism and other privileged interests , his
first object of attack if he was to recover to
in
the people anything of their lost material
heritance. He natioualized its lands, secular
ized marriage and burials and brought within
control of the State all civil administration
which customarily had been performed by the
Church. In these measures Juarez was fifty
years in advance of France and Italy and he
was not frightened or long deterred by Zulagoa the fancies and abstractions of political parties. posits. The President of the republic
or Miramon , who attempted to set up govern
ments in Mexico City and Guadalajara- not
even by the Emperor Maximilian, backed
though he was by French troops.
With Juarez, the masses of the people stood
firm and conquered . This should of itself
establish, though other object lessons are not
lacking, that the Mexican people are of prime
material upon which to build a free govern
ment. One objective attained , the people have
held it against all assaults for two generations . achievement have yet to learn from the lessons
They need but competent and disinterested
leadership to achieve for themselves happiness
MEXICAN REVIEW October, 1920
establish a just government, serving equitably
Revolution , Its all within her borders,
It will be strong enough to put aside its own
fears and prejudices, founded or unfounded ,
Objec tives
and to ignore the poisonous criticisms. of
foreign imperialism . The producing peoples of
of Lack in Natural Capacity of People off their shoulders the injustices of a systém
under which they have been burdened for cen
at home and to compel abroad that respect turies. The day is coming when peoples
which largely is denied them because of mis peacefully will adjust their differences, internal
and external. This only can be when mutual
of high finance. respect and confidence have been attained by
Capital has always a definite objective, to ab wider acquaintance and better understanding
sorb wealth and wring therefrom the maximum between the peoples themselves.
of profits for a minimum of service to the It is time that ideas , the rational truths
collective social entity. Attempts by the work evolved from common needs and emotions, be
men of hand and brain, the creators of the given real effect ; that the proclamation of the
comforts of life, to obtain for themselves a sanctity of right and justice be made into some
more equitable distribution of the usufruct of thing more substantial than a mere formula
wealth, possessed boundlessly by the privileged of counding words. Popular logic is irrefu
capitalist , must be fought and, if possible, table and inescapable. Ofttimes lacking ex
crushed ruthlessly. Privileged capital always pression, it yet translates itself ultimately into
is most active in the political and administra concrete results. Given definition by science
tive problems of government. Unfortunately or necessity, the logic of the populace quickly
the leaders of past insurrections in Mexico , passes through the deductive process to a
materialization of its inevitable conclusions.
once in power, have generally been misled into
similar activities instead of applying them The principles of justice dawned in the early
selves to the solution of the economic, educa ages of the Romans. Proclaimed too soon,
tional and social problems which, festering perhaps, by the jurisconsults, they were yet
received gladly by King people who soon
always, havė aroused the people into action.
It should be taken as most significant of forced their inscription in the Twelve Tables
the fundamental stability of the Mexican of the Praetor's Edict. The transfusion of
I
people-as sufficient proof, in fact, of their new ideas into the immense and drowsy
organism of the old world necessarily was
slow. No such lethargic process is possible
ernment, that they have arisen time and again ,
in this vitally active modern world of ours.
at infinite travail and suffering to themselves
and the risk of misunderstanding by their The seed of new thoughts germinates more
quickly and matures with wonderful rapidity.
The ideas which reason discover and are ex
cession of leaders who through incapacity or
worse have failed to obey their mandate. Many plained by science, that controversy examine
Mexicans, entrenched in privilege, have joined , closely, purify and expand , are the steam that
inexcusably, with foreign interests in bitterly propels and the electricity that re-animates and
fortifies us in our continuous social pilgrimage
people to regain for themselves something of
their native resources and to free their nation and upward. Mexico proposes to be of the
from the humiliation of foreign financial leaders in this march of progress, and, because
domination. of her immense natural resources and the
undaunted spirit of her people, hopes soon to
Material progress in Mexico must be based
on justice , for all, native and foreign alike . make of herself a nation upon which her
To all elements of the population must be neighbors on the American continent and the
assured such measures of the productive peoples of all the world can look with legiti
wealth of the country as is justified by their mate pride.
labor and efforts. Until some degree of equity
Oil Found in Salvador
is restored the rumblings of revolution will
continue, awaiting only propitious times to MPORTANT petroleum discoveries have
break forth in new and bloody efforts of the I been made recently in Salvador, according
people to achieve the conquest of their own to official advices received in Washington .
well-being. A new law has been enacted providing for
The people are no longer to be interested in Government ownership of all petroleum de
em
They live in an age of grim reality and are powered under certain conditions to grant con
demanding just, rational and tangible remedies cessions for oil development and to approve
for the problems confronting them. It is no the transfer of concessions from one party to
longer enough that a government shall digni another. The owner of the surface land has
fiedly confine its activities to the maintenance the first right for concessions on his property.
of the status quo. It must search out and
lead in those movements which will promote A new rapid train service has been put on
the continued economic betterment of the ma between the City of Mexico and Manzanillo .
jority of the people. Those who for their own Time, 24 hours .
cgotistic advantage stand in the way of such
The drop in foreign cotton quotations has
of sad experience writ large in the recent his caused some perplexity among Mexican grow
tory of the world. Mexico will ultimately ers and dealers.
 Octubre, 1920 LA
Mis Ideas Sobre La Revolucion Mexicana ,
Sus Origenes y Sus Objetos Primarios
Las deficiencias, Errores y Fracasos Pasados no Significan Faltas
en la Capacidad Verdadera de su Población
POR R. P. DE NEGRI
Consul General en Nuevo York
hay motivo de sorpresa en los
errores, deficiencias y fracasos que
NⓇ han acompañado a todo gobierno y
movimiento con tendencias a ser el poder
gubernativo en México, porque la herencia
administrativa española no cambió, natural
mente, ni con el imperio de Iturbide, ni con
la rápida sucesión de presidentes. Con la inde
pendencia de España, México estableció la
República, ¿ pero de qué sirve la forma de
Gobierno si es mera forma, se acoge como
simple incidente en la ocupación de gobernar
y se desatienden los problemas que han sido
siempre, son y serán principales : el desonvolvi
miento económico, el intelectual y el moral del
pueblo ?
Primordial, ineludible, vital, imperioso en
éstos, es el relativo a la satisfacción material
que demandan las masas . La miseria de los
pueblos constituye la semilla más fructífera de
dificultades en los órdenes doméstico , social y
político.
De entre nuestra angustia nacional, de esa
ignorada porque no es ostensible, de esa que
es oscuridad en el cerebro del hombre, vacío
en el bolsillo y frío en los huesos, surgió
Juárez. El sabía que era necesario atacar ante
todo la fortuna del clero , porque éste, subyu
gando el alma con la ignorancia absoluta, era
el arma más poderosa de los capitalistas, y
declaró la nacionalización de los bienes de
manos muertas, separó la Iglesia del Estado,
secularizó los cementerios y dijo que el matri
monio y los demás actos del estado civil de
las personas están sometidos exclusivamente a
la jurisdicción de la autoridad civil. Juárez
en la práctica de sus ideas liberales, se delantó
cincuenta años a Francia e Italia, y no lo
amedrentaron Zuloaga, que en la ciudad de
México se proclamó Presidente ; Miramón que
en Guadalajara también se decía la primera
autoridad de la República , ni el Imperio de
Maximiliano sostenido por las bayonetas fran
cesas.
Queda pues, perfectamente establecido , que
el pueblo mexicano es materia prima para el
sostén de las libertades y que sólo necesita un
grupo director competente, desinteresado y
dispuesto a ir de acuerdo con el progreso
creciente de la humanidad, que se impone, para
formar su felicidad interior y ocupar el puesto
que la calumnia de los poderosos del mundo le
ha arrebatado.
El capital tiene siempre una idea fija : ab
sorber diquezas, gozar del máximum de gananSt
cias por el mínimum de compensación a la
colectividad productora y aplastar con todas
las maquinaciones imaginables, cualquiera ac
ción que establezca un balance entre el creador
de las comodidades de la vida, que se llama
obrero y el usufructuario sin medida, o privi
legiado, que se llama capitalista.
1
REVISTA MEXICANA
Es prueba evidente de nuestro espíritu turbu
lento cuando se atropellan nuestros derechos,
la serie de revoluciones que durante toda
nuestra vida independiente, se han sucedido en
México . Los miembros de una insurrección
hecha ya poder gubernamental, olvidan las
promesas que hicieron públicas en el curso del
movimiento armado ; se preocupan por la solu
ción de problemas políticos, administrativos o
de cualquier otro orden, y abandonan los prin
cipales o básicos : económico , social y educativo ,
porque en éstos descansan o con ellos se ligan
intimamente todos los demás que forman el
complicado total de la vida.
Muchos extranjeros prominentes y mexi
canos contrarios a la idea de igualdad econó
mica por el esfuerzo individual y el colectivo,
critican acremente y condenan el empeño del
pueblo de México en implantar un estado de
cosas que satisfaga a la mayoría, libre a la
nación de cualquier protectorado , preponde
rancia o humillación por causas económicas
de procedencia extranjera. Con igualdad de
derechos y oportunidades para el desarrollo
de sus facultades, el nacional y el extranjero
han de gozar en México de un campo abierto.
Mientras el progreso material no esté basado
en la absoluta justicia para los elementos que
han entrado en su obtenimiento ; mientras no
se disfrute con equidad la riqueza amasada
por el conjunto social, el gérmen de los
sacudimientos revolucionarios vive en el
organismo de una nación y espera sólo el
momento propicio para revelarse y hacer que
el pueblo dé un nuevo paso sangriento hacia
la conquista de su bienestar.
Para los gobiernos y partidos políticos, ante
el ojo escrutador de los pueblos, ha pasado
ya la historia del período de las fantasías y
de las abstracciones. Se anuncia, y ávidamente
se espera, la edad de la realidad, de lo tangible,
de lo racional y justo. Que la vida, y princi
palmente la vida política, se vista con la digni
dad severa, pero a la par benévola, bien inten
cionada y tendente a un fin exclusivo : el no
interrumpido progreso económico de la mayo
ría. Que lleve esa vida la gravedad y la
mesura del que obra conforme a la razón y
a la justicia. Es tiempo ya de que los hombres
que buscan acumular tesoros para su propia
conservación egoísta, se den cuenta de las
amargas experiencias que han tenido sus
correligionarios en las diversas etapas de la
peregrinación humana hacia una vida mejor, y
se adelanten a las exigencias de los pueblos,
sacrificando (si cabe el término ) una gran
parte de su insaciable ambición .
México adoptará para sí, un Gobierno que
sea capaz y suficientemente fuerte para hacer
a un lado prejuicios y temores ( fundados o
infundados ) , pasar inadvertida la crítica
venenosa del imperialismo y de hacer para los
mexicanos y todos aquellos hombres ajenos de
buena voluntad que se cobijen bajo su bandera,
11
una tierra que prodigue la felicidad que es
debida a todo ser humano. México y todos
los pueblos oprimidos del mundo, tienen que
sacudir definitivamente el peso que sobre sus
espaldas ha gravitado por siglos. Llegará el
día en que los pueblos ajusten sus diferencias
interiores o internacionales, dentro de la más
completa paz, y ésto sólo se alcanzará cuando,
por resultado del esfuerzo de cada uno, existan
el mutuo respeto y confianza. México amplí
simamente se basta a si mismo. Sus riquezas
naturales son tan grandes que, logrados los
deseos de sus hijos, necesitará muy pocos años
para ser motivo de legítimo orgullo del conti
nente americano.
Tiempo es ya de que las ideas, las verdades
racionales, por muchos invocadas, encuentren
verdadero culto ; que las proclamaciones de la
sagrada idea del derecho y la justicia, expresen
un ardiente y hondo amor, una mística adora
ción. Porque las negaciones de la razón han
producido sus naturales efectos ; los dicterios
contra la libre especulación humana han fruc
tificado .
La lógica popular es férrea. Dadle el prin
cipio negando la realidad suprema , y por lo
tanto, superior de las ideas, y si no las deduce ,
ejecutará las consecuencias. que es una forma
más clara de deducción.
Una vez definida la idea por la ciencia o
por la necesidad, vista su razón , conocido su
fundamento y aceptada su verdad, pasa a ser
la eterna musa que inspira nuestras palabras
y nuestras acciones . Sin saberlo, inconsciente
mente, bajo esta nueva norma, se transfigura
nuestra inteligencia, múdase nuestra conciencia,
se cambia nuestra conducta y nos transfor
mamos en una viva encarnación de la idea,
que por ser verdad se enseñoreó de nosotros.
Y este fenómeno que en la vida individual
todos hemos sentido, cúmplese de igual manera
en la vida colectiva .
Un principio de justicia alborea en las
primeras edades del pueblo romano, y muy
luego , los jurisconsultos lo proclaman y las
sacras leyes y las más veneradas y seculares
instituciones del pueblo Rey, recibieron sus
nuevas enseñanzas hasta convertirlas en leyes ,
en las Doce Tablas del Edicto del Pretor.
Lenta fué esta transfusión de la nueva sangre
en el • inmenso y adormecido organismo del
mundo antiguo, pero en la edad moderna, la
vitalidad es universal y abraza a la sociedad
entera. Que el sendero es largo, se dice, y
tan largo añado yo, que es infinito . La hu
manidad está condenada a perseguir lo absoluto
y lo perfecto que no son de este mundo , pero
a cada paso que da en esta eterna espiral de
la vida, se siente y se reconoce mejor y más
perfecta que ayer, al abandonar la última estaGa
ción. Símbolo , y símbolo expresivo de esta
creencia, es la teoría matemática de los limites.
Enseña la ciencia exacta por excelencia, que
existen ciertas magnitudes las cuales jamás se
alcanzan, así como existen siempre cantidades
menores que toda cantidad dada. Indefinida
mente podemos aumentar y crecer e indefinidaYork
mente podemos disminuir, sin llegar nunca ni
a la magnitud imaginada , ni a fijar la cantidad
menor que concebimos, fraccionando la dada,
por mínima que sea. Así se desarrolla ante la
inteligencia la infinita jerarquía de la vida
(Concluido en Pagina 13 )

12 THE
Social Survey of the Mexican Border
Report of Colonel Maus Upon the Results of His Recent Investigation
on Behalf of the International Reform Bureau
OME time since Colonel L. M. Maus
(retired) , of the American Army, was
S detailed by the International Reform
Bureau to make an investigation of the socio
logical, industrial and educational conditions
existing along the Mexican border, with es
pecial reference to those of that nationality
who are residing in the United States. The
REVIEW has been favored with a copy of the
report of Colonel Maus, which has never been
published, and is glad to give it space in its
columns. Colonel Maus says :
"In order to assist the national movement of
Americanization, I was sent to the Mexican
border States by the International Reform
Bureau to make a sociological , educational and
industrial survey of the Spanish-American
people within our border (the so-called Mex
ican citizen) and to submit such recommenda
tions as I deemed necessary.
"I was selected for this work by the direc
torate of the Bureau, partly because I had
served as an army officer for nearly fifteen
years in the border States, Texas, New Mex
ico, Arizona and California, and from personal
contact was well acquainted with the Mexican
element which constitutes a large portion of
the native and foreign population. Besides, I
have made many trips through the Mexican
Republic, know the conditions and character
istics of the Mexican people, and speak the
Spanish language fairly well.
"As is well known, for the past century the
millions of foreigners from every nation in
the world who entered our shores have become
lost in the great melting pot of American
amalgamation, with few exceptions. This ex
ception has not only been well marked among
that large portion of the Mexican population
absorbed with the territory acquired as a re
sult of the Mexican War, but also holds true
with the hundreds of thousands of Mexicans
who since 1848 have emigrated to the United
States and become identified with America.
"From a careful study in Texas, where over
500,000 of the Spanish-American people live,
I find but a small percentage among the adults
who speak English, although many of such
families have lived in Texas for generations.
Not only is this true, but there are thousands
of such native-born Mexicans who are still
celebrating the national holidays of Mexico
and regarding the flag of that republic as
theirs.
"In my efforts to secure a correct estimate
of the Mexican population in Texas, I was
beset with many difficulties. Nor do I believe
that the correct figures will even be secured
after the publication of the recent census enu-
meration. The Mexicans in the border States
are classed with the white population and
allowed by law the same privileges of voting,
schooling, riding in the cars, entering hotels,
theaters and public places. Generally speaking,
Mexican children attend the public schools
with American children without class discrim
ination.
N
CA IEW
XI
ME REV
"I understood that a discrimination has been
made in certain sections of the large cities,
not altogether on racial lines . (It must be
remembered that many of the Mexican people,
the peon class, are desperately poor and ignor
ant, live in poor homes, with dirt floors, and
have few opportunities for keeping themselves
clean or in sanitary condition. ) I think this
in part accounts for separate schools for Mex
ican children where they exist.
"A study of the schools of San Antonio and
Bexar County, of which San Antonio is the
county seat, will give a fair estimate of the
American and Mexican population, and this
holds true throughout the State south of the
Southern Pacific Railroad. Forty-two per
cent of the pupils in the public schools of San
Antonio were of Mexican parentage and 52
per cent in the county. A large number of the
COL. L. M. MAUS, U. S. A. ( Retired)
Mexican children attend parochial schools,
probably 3,000, which would increase the num
ber of Mexican school children in the city to
about 50 per cent. Thus in San Antonio we
have a Mexican population of about 75,000
souls, or about 50 per cent of the city popu
lation. This percentage holds true in El Paso,
while in Brownsville, Laredo and other Texas
towns the Mexican population often reaches 75
per cent.
"There are hundreds of small towns scat
tered throughout Texas where the population
is almost entirely Mexican, where English is
rarely spoken. Indeed in some of the towns
along the Rio Grande all of the county officials
are Mexican and Spanish is necessarily the
official language in these towns, and juries are
Octob
er
, 1920
empaneled from men who do not understand a
word of English. Necessarily the entire pro
ceedings of such courts are transacted in the
Spanish language .
"Within the past few years Texas has
passed a compulsory school law requiring at
least 100 school days for every child. As a
result of this law conditions are much better
and many of the Mexican children throughout
the State are beginning to speak English.
"I find the Mexican pupil deeply in earnest,
anxious to learn and making excellent prog
Unfortunately, so many of them have
to leave in the lower grades in order to assist
in supporting the family. The large majority
leave before completing the sixth grade in the
public schools. As a rule, the Mexican child
is bright, intelligent and measures up with
the American child quite well. During my
recent visit to the Laredo High School I found
the honor scholar of the senior and sophomore
classes Mexican girls, the latter the daughter
of a washerwoman . The Mexican is naturally
artistic and methodical and usually surpasses
in music, drawing and penmanship his Amer
ican colleague.
"It has been said that there are no two coun
tries in the world so close together geographi
cally but so far apart in understanding one an
other. I believe the American people under
stand the Chinese far better than they do the
Mexican, and the same way may be said of the
latter's understanding of Americans. The
Mexican, who is Latin to all intents and pur
poses, is gentle, courteous and timid, and by
nature not able to cope with the brusque and
hard-driving Anglo- Saxon.
"Wherever Spain colonized she has left the
same conditions, even in the far away Philip
pines. I remember that the finer sensibilities
of the Filipinos were insulted to such an ex
tent that before we had been there a year our
people were despised by them, although we
had come on a great errand of mercy. The
prejudice which exists on the Mexican border
is largely due to the brusqueness of the Amer
ican people here and their eternal lack of con
sideration for the Mexican. Therefore, in
order to Americanize the Mexican portion of
our population we must humanize the Amer
icans .
"In conclusion I will briefly state that the
crying need along the border States is better
educational facilities, especially along voca
tional and industrial lines. The old slogan of
the Roman Empire should be reversed, and
instead of amusing. the Indian and keeping him
ignorant, we should educate the Mexican, who
is largely Indian.
"Yours very truly,
"L. MERVIN MAUS,
"Colonel United States Army (Retired)."
To Discuss Oil
XECUTIVE OFFICERS of several
E American petroleum companies are to
confer with Provisional President de la Huerta
relative to a settlement of the petroleum con
troversy, according to a statement issued by
Manuel Padres, Under Secretary of the
Treasury. Plans for a gradual introduction
of a direct Federal tax beginning with imposts.
on large estates owned by individuals, are being
considered by the Government.
Octubre, 1920 LA
Examen Social De la Frontera
Relato del Coronel Maus Sobre los Resultados de su Investigación
Reciente Hecha para la Oficina de Reformas Internacionales
ACE algun tiempo que el Coronel L. M.
Maus (retirado ) del Ejército ameri
Η cano fue comisionado por la Oficina de
Reforma Internacional para hacer una investi
gación sociológica, industrial y de educa
ción de las condiciones existentes en la fron
tera mexicana, con referencia especial a los
Mexicanos que residen en los Estados Unidos.
LA REVISTA ha sido obsequiada con una copia
del informe del Coronel Maus, la cual no ha
sido publicada aún, y se complace en publicarla
en estas columnas. Dice el Coronel Maus :
"Relato de la Campaña de Americanización
de la Frontera Mexicana. Por el Coronel L.
Mervin Maus, Representante de la Oficina de
Reformas Internacionales .
"Con el fin de cooperar en la campaña na
cional de americanización fuí enviado a los
Estados fronterizos por la Oficina de Re
formas Internacionales para hacer un exámen
sociológico, industrial y educacional de las
personas hispano-americanas que residen en
nuestros confines (los así-llamados ciudadanos
Mexicanos ) y que sometiese las recomenda
ciones que juzgare necesarias .
"Fuí elegido para hacer este trabajo por el
director de la oficina, en parte por que había
servido como oficial del ejército por cerca de
15 años en los Estados de la frontera, Texas,
New Mexico, Arizona y California, y por
contacto personal tenía conocimiento íntimo
del elemento mexicano, el cual constituye la
mayor parte de la población nativa y extran
jera. Ademas de ésto, he hecho varios viajes
a la República Mexicana, conozco las condi
ciones y el carácter del pueblo mexicano, y
hablo el idioma castellano bastante bien.
"Después de un estudio cuidadoso hecho en
Texas , donde viven más de 500,000 personas
de orígen hispano-americanó, encuentro que
sólo un número muy reducido de los adultos
hablan el idioma inglés, aunque muchas de
estas familias han vivido en Texas por genera
ciones. No sólo es esto verdad, sino que hay
millares de estos nativos, nacidos en México ,
que todavía celebrán los dias de fiesta naciona
les de México y considerán le bandera de
aquella República como la de ellos .
"En mis esfuerzos para hacer un cálculo
exacto de la población Mexicana de Texas , me
encontré rodeado de muchas dificultades. No
creo que so obtenga el número exacto de estos
habitantes por medio del censo últimamente
tomado. Los mexicanos en los Estados fron
terizos están clasificados con la población
blanca y la ley les dá los mismos privilegios
de sufragio , de educación, de ir en los tranvias,
de entrar a los teatros, hoteles y demás edifi
cios públicos como a los nativos. General
mente, los niños mexicanos van a las escuelas
públicas con los niños americanos sin distin
ción de clase ninguna.
"Entiendo que se han hecho ciertas distin
ciones en algunos puntos de las grandes
ciudades, pero no por cuestion de raza. Es
necesario recordar que mucha de la gente
REVISTA MEXICANA
Mexicana
Mexicana, los peones, son sumamente pobres
e ignorantes, y viven en casas pobres que
tienen los pisos sucios y tienen muy pocas
oportunidades para el aseo personal o para
condiciones sanitarias. Creo que ésta es una
de las causas por que hay escuelas separadas
para niños mexicanos en los puntos donde
existe esta distinción .
"Un estudio de las escueas de San Antonio ,
en el condado de Bexar, del cual San Antonio
es la capital, dará una idea clara del número
de americanos y mexicanos en esa ciudad y en
todo el Estado al sur el "Southern Pacific Rail
road." Cuarenta y dos por ciento de los dis
cípulos en las escuelas públicas de San Antonio
son de orígen mexicano y cincuenta y dos por
ciento en el condado. Un gran número de
niños mexicanos van a las escuelas parro
quiales, probablemente 3,000, lo cual aumenta
el número de niños mexicanos en esta ciudad
a más del cincuenta por ciento . Así es que
en San Antonio tenemos una población mexi
cana de cerca de 75,000 almas , o cerca de
cincuenta por ciento del total de la población
de la ciudad. Este por ciento es el mismo en
El Paso, mientras que en Brownsville, Laredo ,
y otras ciudades de Texas la población mexi
cana sube al setenta y cinco por ciento.
"Hay centenares de ciudades pequeñas espar
cidas en el Estado de Texas en donde la
población es casi toda mexicana, donde el
idioma inglés se habla muy raramente. En
verdad, en algunas de las ciudades a lo largo
del Rio Grande todos las oficiales públicos
del condado son + mexicanos, y el idioma
español es el idioma oficial en esas ciudades,
y los jurados se componen de personas que no
entienden una palabra de inglés . Necesaria
mente los procedimientos en las cortes son
hechos en el idioma español .
"En los últimos años el Estado de Texas
ha pasado una ley obligatoria que requiere que
todos los niños asistan a las escuelas a lo
menos 100 días al año . Como resultado de
esta ley las condiciones han mejorado muchí
simo, y muchos de los niños mexicanos estan
principiando a hablar inglés.
"Encuentro que los discípulos mexicanos
tienen muchos deseos de aprender y progresan
rápidamente. Desafortunadamente muchos de
estos niños tienen que dejar la escuela prema
túramente para poder ayudar a mantener a
sus familias. La mayoría dejan la escuela
antes de completar el sexto grado. Por regla
general el niño mexicano es activo, inteligente
y es igual que el niño americano en inteli
gencia. Durante mi visita reciente a la escuela
superior de Laredo encontré que los discípulos
más distinguidos en el primero y segundo año
eran niñas mexicanas ; una de ellas era hija
de una lavandera. El mexicano es por natu
raleza artístico y metódico, y generalmente
sobresale en música , dibujo y caligrafía a sus
colegas americanos.
"Se ha dicho que no existen dos países en
el mundo tan contiguos geográficamente, pero
tan apartados en relaciones mútuas como
13
México y los Estados Unidos. Creo que el
pueblo americano conoce mejor al chino que
al mexicano , y lo mismo se puede decir de
estos últimos en su conocimiento de los ameri
canos. El mexicano, que as latino de hecho
derecho, suave, cortés y tímido , no es capaz,
por naturaleza, de competir con la brusquedad
y arrogancia del anglo-sajón.
"Dondequiera que España ha colonizado ha
dejado las mismas condiciones, así también
sucede en las lejanas Filipinas. Recuerdo que
cuando las sentimientos más finos de los Fili
pinos fueron ultrajados hasta cierto punto, no
habíamos estado allí un año aún, cuando
nuestra gente era despreciada por ellos , aún
que habíamos ido a las Filipinas en una gran
misión de misericordia . El prejuicio que hoy
existe en la frontera de México en contra de
los americanos es debido en su mayor parte
a la manera brusca del pueblo americano y a
su eterna falta de consideración por el mexi
cano . Así es que para poder americanizar a
la porción mexicana de nuestra población es
menester que humanicemos a los americanos.
"En conclusión, diré brevemente, que lo que
necesitamos más en los Estados fronterizos
es mejores facilidades de educación, especial
mente en los ramos industriales y de vocación.
El dicho antiguo del Imperio Romano se debía
cambiar, y en vez de divertir al indio y con
servarlo en la ignorancia, debíamos de educar
a los mexicanos, que en la mayoria son indios.
"Cordialmente suyo ,
"L. MERVIN MAUS,
"Coronel del Ejército Americano (Retirado ) ."
Los Americanos Tuvieron
que Renunciar
E acuerdo
Dejo Privado erno Orden
reciente
condellaGobi del, "Con
Británico nin
guna persona que no sea súbdito británico resi
dente dentro de los límites de esta Orden puede
fungir como Director Gerente o en cualquiera otro
puesto semejante al de Director Gerente , o ejer
cer control general o substancial en los negocios
de una compania cnina. Como resultado de
esta orden se han visto obligados a renunciar
en favor de súbditos británicos , todos los gerentes
americanos de compañías americanas organiza
das, por conveniencia , bajo las Leyes británicas
de Incorporación para China .
Suponed ahora que el Gobierno mexicano
adoptara una accion semeiante respecto a las
compañías extranjeras que operan en México !
Pero el incidente relatado arriba no paréce
haber provocado ni un murmullo de comentario.
Ciertemente que no se han presentado por su
causa protestas diplomáticas !
Consul General De Negri
(Concluido desde Pagina 11 )
espiritual. Piérdense los orígenes en el último
fondo de los grados inferiores y el límite
último se pierde en las regiones siempre más
altas de una perfección inaccesible. Las ideas
que la razón descubre, que la ciencia explica,
que la controversia quilata, purifica y extiende,
son el vapor que impulsa y la electricidad que
reanima y fortalece esta incesante peregrina
ción de las sociedades humanas : y a pesar de
todo , ellas siempre marchan hacia arriba .
14 THE
Would Settle Oil Controversy
Justice to All Is Mexico's Objective , but Clear Understanding
of Actual Conditions by Americans Is First Necessity
BY ROBERTO V. PESQUEIRA
Financial Agent of the Mexican Government
NE of my first objectives as financial
agent of the Mexican Government in
O New York is to bring about some satis
factory adjustment of the controversies be
tween the American oil companies and my gov
ernment. I hope through friendly conferences
here with representatives of all the principal
companies soon to arrive at a fair conclusion
of all our difficulties . I do not come to the
United States as a stranger .
I have been studying American conditions.
for years . I know your New York, having
lived here for two years myself, and I have
traveled all over the United States . I am a
great friend of the United States. And from
this knowledge I say :
We seek to convince you people either that
you must clean up Mexico and the whole of
South America or obey the laws and expect the
same privileges and treatment that a native
might enjoy ; to quit this highbrow" method
of having your representative in Mexico
threaten the Government.
Representatives of the United States have
been a menace to their own country because
they have been trying to get things for the in
terests . They have mixed business with diplo
macy. Be careful whom you appoint to Mexico.
I can talk in this way because I am a friend of
the United States. My father was a medal
man in one of your universities .
The oil people have never been trusted in
Mexico ; they have never told the truth about
conditions. The mining interests, on the other
hand, have been working, paying their taxes,
and the country has trusted them.
I'll cite an example. United States investors
had large interests in Sonora-the Phelps
Dodge mines at Cananea, Nacozari, and other
points . To show that the hate of the Mexican
people was not a fundamental one at the time
the Pershing expedition was sent into Mexico ,
I relate this incident : The United States or
dered all of its citizens to leave the states
through which the trail of the bandit Villa
might lead, through fear that their lives would
be in danger. Thousands of American mining
men took their leave, but before they went
Mexican families, who had been their friends
during their stay there, came to bid them good
bye.
The mines were left in the hands of Mexi
cans to be operated . The mines were operated
and well, and when the Americans returned
they found things as they left them. Although
the Mexicans they had left behind were ready
to fight, they were white enough to carry on
the work of the Americans and take care of
their property.
Why? Because the mining interests did not
play politics.
Mexico is at last entering upon an era of
great material development which this country
to a vast extent will share, a solid government
has been established there and from now on
MEXICAN REVIEW
Mexico's problem will be how best to elevate
her national standards.
There are two or three points at issue, and
one of them is recognition by the United States
-an absolute recognition of the government to
be headed by Alvaro Obregon . Another is the
oil question. The Mexican Government is
more than ready and willing to meet the oil
interests more than half way, to play fair with
them, and there is no outstanding difficulty be
tween the United States and Mexico which can
not be settled with neatness and dispatch by a
mutual recognition of the respect due to each
other's sovereign independence.
Americans doing business in Mexico must
conform their practices to Mexican laws, just
as Mexicans in the United States must obey
your laws. They cannot expect, either, to claim
protection of Mexican law unless they have
conformed to its requirements. Thus with re
gard to the latest protests of the oil producers
to your State Department. These concern a
dispute properly between contesting groups of
Americans rather than with the Mexican gov
ernment.
In Mexico, as in the United States,-indeed ,
copied largely after your own laws- there is in
force, since 1884, a law requiring that all land
contracts be recorded. In either country a pur
chaser who fails to record his title properly
does so at his own peril . I understand that this
law in the United States is sometimes, though
very infrequently, temporarily evaded. In
Mexico compliance with the law is almost uni
versal except by some of the American oil
companies.
These, for reasons best known to themselves ,
failed to record many of their titles and leases,
trusting rather for security to an agreement
among themselves not to encroach on each
other's preserves. This worked well enough,
though with occasional friction and misunder
standings, so long as the old companies had the
field to themselves. But when independent in
vestors came in there was trouble. The inde
pendents did as they would do in the United
States.
Wherever they found land unrecorded they
hunted up the original owners as shown by the
records, bought quit-claims or, in many in
stances, straight deeds and promptly recorded
their titles as provided for under the law.
Technically, at least these newcomers were well
within their rights, as they would be in the
United States in similar circumstances . Their
titles must stand as valid in Mexico , as they
would stand in the United States, subject to re
view by the courts , and the old companies , if
they can prove they have been mulcted , can
have recourse only in suits against those indi
viduals from whom they claim originally to
have purchased .
It is only through a proper understanding
of such things as these by the American peo
ple that just agreements between our two gov
ernments can be reached. It is only by ac
knowledgment of the facts and a strict compli
ance with equitable laws that foreign investors
October, 1920
can justly claim their . protection. Mexico
wants and needs foreign capital for develop
ment not only of her oil but of all her im
mense resources, but it must come there sub
ject to fair regulations such as it must submit
to in other civilized countries.
Acquisition of Real Estate
by Foreigners
HE REVIEW is frequently asked re
Tarding the regulations concerning the
acquisition of real property in Mexico by
foreigners. There has been a very general
misunderstanding in other countries regarding
this important question, and the explanation of
the question made by Mr. G. E. Towle before
the recent Commercial Congress in Mexico
City is therefore of interest. He said in part :
"There is no obstacle to foreigners acquiring
and owning real property in Mexico, outside
the proscribed frontier and more recently es
tablished costal zones . That is to say, 100
kilometers from a national boundary or 50
kilometers from a coast line.
"Although it is generally believed that the
new Mexican Constitution imposes special in
hibitions upon foreigners, the clauses in which
they are directly required to waive their rights
to such in so far as relates to the property
which they may acquire dates as far back at
least as 1856, in a decree of President Comon
fort. At that time also foreign property own
ers were liable to military service if needed
for the protection of the town or district in
which they resided . This is not at present
true, as they are not allowed to bear arms in
any military strife.
"Foreigners, then, may acquire land and own
the following :
"(1 ) Property acquired from private own
ers.
"(2) Government land open to denounce
ment and purchased direct from the Depart
ment of Fomento and Colonization.
"(3 ) Properties sold at auction for non
payment of taxes in which the competent au
thority directly authorizes the issuance of the
deed.
"In each and every instance, however, the
title must be drawn up and issued through a
notary, for although modified from time to
time in practice, but not in principle, the early
Spanish Notarial System for the transfer of
real property exists today in full force, and
while slow and voluminous, it is in its "" opera
tion eminently satisfactory and secure .
Americans Had to Resign
NDER the terms of a recent order of the
U Privy Council of the British Government,
"no person other than a British subject resident
within the limits of this order, shall act as
managing director or in any position similar
to that of managing director, or shall other
wise exercise general or substantial control of
the business of a China company." As a re
sult, all American managers of American . com
panies organized, for convenience, under the
British incorporation laws for China, have
been forced to resign their places in favor of
British subjects.
Just suppose the Mexican government were
to take similar action regarding foreign com
panies operating in Mexico ! But the incident
recited above does not appear to have caused
even a ripple of comment. Certainly no diplo
matic protests have been filed !
2 1
Octubre, 1920 LA
Se Desea Arreglas el Asunto del
Mexico Desea Hacer justicia a Todo Mundo , Pero lo Mâs Esencial es un
Entendimiento Claro por los Americanos de las Actuales Condiciones
POR ROBERTO V. PESQUEIRA
Agente Financiero del Gobierno Mexicano
NO de mis primeros objetivos como
agente financiero del Gobierno Mexicano
Uen New York es el de llegar a un arreglo
satisfactorio de las disputas que existen entre las
compañías petroleros americanas y mi Gobierno.
Espero por medio de conferencias amistosas con
representantes de todas las compañías princi
pales , llegar, muy pronto a una conlusión justa
de todas nuestras dificultades . No vengo a los
Estados Unidos como un entraño .
He estudiado por muchos años a los Estados
Unidos. Yo conozco New York, haviendo
vivido aqui por dos años, y he viajado por todos
los Estados Unidos. Soy un gran amigo de los
Estados Unidos . Y basado en estos conoci
mientos, diré lo sigmiente:
Nosotros tratamos de convencer a vuestro
pueblo de que o intervienen en México y en todo
Sur América, o obedecén las leyes y aceptan los
mismos privilegios y el mismo tratamiento de
que gozan los nativos. Abandonen ese método
arrogante de que vuestros representantes en
México amenazen al Gobierno . Los represen
tantes de los Estados Unidos han sido una
ámenaza para su propio país, por que han estado
tratando de conseguir previlegios para los
intereses. Ellos han mezclado los negocios con
la diplomacia. Tengan cindado al elegir los
representantes que mandan a México . Yo puedo
expresarme en esta forma porque soy amigo de
los Estados Unidos. Mi padre se distinguió en
una de vuestras universidades.
México nuñca ha tenido confianza en los
intereses petroleros, ellos nunca han dicho la
verdad acerca de la situación , por otra parte, los
intereses nineros han estado trabajando sus
propiedades y han pagado sus impuestos , y el
país ha confiado en ellos.
Pondré un ejemplo ! Los capitalistas de los
Estados Unidos tienen grandes intereses en
Sonora, las minas de Phelps- Dodge en Cananea ,
Nacozari, y otros puntos. Para demo strar que
el odio del pucblo Mexicano no era fundamental
cuando la expedición de Pershing fué despachada
a México , cito este acontecimiento : Los Estados
Unidos dieron órden que todos sus ciudadanos
salieran de los Estados por donde la persecución
del bandido Villa pudiera Tener lugar, por temor
de que sus vidas estuviesen en peligro. Miles
de mineros americanos salieron , pero antes de
que salieran, a las familias mexicanas, de los
alrededores, conquienes habian en relaciones
amistosas durante su estacnia alli, vinieron a
despedirse de ellos.
Las minas quedaron en manos de los mexicanos
para que las siguieran trabajando . Las minas
fueron trabajadas bien, y cuando los americanos
regresaron encontraron todas las cosas tal como
las habián dejado . No obstante que los mexi
canos que habián dejado detrás estaban listos
para ir a pelear, fueron suficiente leales para
llevar a cabo el trabajo que los americanos les
habián confiado , y para cuidar sus propiedades .
Por que? Porque los compañias mineras no
se mexlaron en la política.
Por fin México está entrando en una era de
REVISTA MEXICANA
Petroleo
gran desarrollo material del cual los Estados
Unidos también participarán ; se ha establecido
un gobierno J estable en México , y desde hoy el
problema de México será el de ver el mejor
medio de levantar su norma de vida .
Hay dos o tres puntos en discusión , y uno de
ellos es el reconocimiento por los Estados
Unidos-un reconocimiento completo del Go
bierno que presidirá Alvaro Obregón . Otro es
la cuestión del petróleo . El Gobierno Mexicano
lestá más que dispuesto para recibir a los repre
sentantes de los intereses petroleros y ser justo
con ellos ; no existen dificultades entre los
Estados Unidos y México que no pueden arreg
larse con prontitud , y eficcacia, por medio de un
reconocimiento mutuó del respeto que se debe
a la independencia y soberanía de ambas
naciones.
Los americanos que tienen negocios en México
deben sujetarse a las costumbres y leyes Mexi
canas, como los mexicanos en los Estados
Unidos deben obedecer sus leyes. Ellos no
pueden esperar, ni pedir la protección de las
leyes mexicanas, a menos que hayan cumplido
con sus requisistos con referencia a las últimas
protestas de los intereses petroleros a su Depart
amento de Estado , ésta es una disputa que
existe entre grupos contensiosas americanos más
bien que en contra del Gobierno Mexicano .
En México , como en los Estados Unidos, y en
verdad, copiada en su major parte de sus propias
leyes-existe en vigor, desde 1884, una ley que
requiere que todos los contratos de terreno sean
registrados . En cualquier país si un comprador
no registra el título de propiedad legalmente, lo
hace a su propio riesgo . Comprendo que esta
ley en los Estados Unidos es algunas veces,
aunque no muy frecuente, evadida temporae
mente. En México el cumplimiento de esta ley
es casi universal , con excepción de algunas com
pañias petroleras americanas.
Estas compañias por razones que solo ellas
conocen, dejaron de registrar muchos de sus
títulos y contratos, confiando más en la seguridad
de un convenio entre ellos de nó apoderarse de
las propiedades de unos o de otros. El plan
funcionó bien, aunque con dificultades y malos
entendimientos de vez en cuando, mientras que
laz compañías viejas tuvieron el campo libre
para sí solas. Pero cuando empresás inde
pendientes empezaron a llegar entónces princi
piaron las dificultades. Los compañits inde
pendientes hicieron lo que hubieran hecho en
los Estados Unidos .
Por donde quiera que encontraron terrenos que
no extaban registrados, buscaron a los dueños
originales compraron los titulos, y los registraron
en seguida como lo estipulaba la ley . Técnica
mente, por lo menos, estas nuevas empresas
obraban conforme a sus derechos, como lo
i los extranjeros son dueños de $2,561,981,380 de
hubieran hecho en los Estados Unidos en
iguales circunstancias. Sus títulos son tan
válidos en México , como lo serían en los Estados
Unidos, sujetos a revisión por los tribunales, y
las compañías viejas, ysi pueden probar que han
sido victimas de una injusticia, el unico recurso
que les queda es entablar demandas contra los
15
personas de quienes según ellos dice compraron
esos terrenos .
Es solamente por medio de un conocimiento
claro de asuntos como éste por el pueblo Ameri
cano, que pueden llevarse a cabo arreglos justos
entre nuestros dos Gobiernos ; es solamente por
reconocimiento de los hechos y un cumplimiento
extricto con las leyes equitativas que los intereses
extranjeros pueden demandar la debida pro
tección . México quiere y necesita capital
extranjero para el desarrollo , no solamente de su
petróleo , sino de todos sus inmensos recursos,
pero al ir allí los capitalistas deben sujetarse
a regulaciones justas como deben someterse en
otros países civilizados .
“O , Que Mi Enemigo
Escribiese un libro !"
es porque el Honorable Albert B Fall ,
N Senador de los Estados Unidos por el
Estado de Nuevo México, sea enemigo de nadie.
Muy lejos está él de serlo. Al oirle hablar, el
casi es un discípulo de la novela de Kipling,
titulada " Kim " ; es un " amiguito de todo el
mundo , " y especialmente de México .
Pero hasta últimas fechas aquellos que han
tomado el lado opuesto en cualesquiera cuestión
con el Senador Fall, dicen que es un adversario
digno de ellos . Ahora el Senador Fall ha escrito
un libro, o lo que es lo mismo, ha firmado un ,
informe de 96 páginas del subcomité de Rela
ciones Mexicanas del Senado de los Estados
Unidos.
En la página 16 de este informe publica un
cuadro en el cual pretende demostrar el valor
total de propiedades adquiridas en México hasta
1911 , al principio de la revolución . Este cuadro
demuestra que la sumá total, montaba.a $2,434,-
241,422 , de cuya suma a los americanos perte
necen, $ 1,057,770,000 ; a los ingleses , $321,302,800 ;
a los franceses, $ 143,466,000 ; y a otros extran
jeros, $ 118,535,380 ; y a los mexicanos' solamente ,
$792,187,242 . En otras palabras, el pueblo
Mexicano posee menos de la tercera parte de la
riqueza nacional, los americanos la mitad , y
otras nacionalidades el resto . Imagínese ésto !
Americanos de sentido común aceptarán esta.
condición como una justificación plena de la
revolución mexicana, con todos los daños que
trae consigo , sin vacilar elogiarán a cualquier
Gobierno Mexicano que atente, por medio de
legislación, aunque fuese drsática, recobrar para
su pueblo parte de la riqueza disipada bajo el
regimen de Díaz. Tómense las cifras de ese
cuadro en lo que valen, y resultan malas, pero el
Senador Fall va más lejos todavía .
En la nota explanatoria que la acompaña
declara el Senador Fall que éstas son las cifras
mínimas, y segun la evidencia sometida ante el
comité él cree que los americanos poseían
$ 1,500,000,000 y los ingleses $800,000,000 de la
riqueza mexicana. Basándonos en estas cifras,
la riqueza de México , pero la riqueza total de
México la pone el Senador Fall en $2,434,241,422 .
El pueblo de México, entónces, no solamente
no posee nada de sus recursos, sino que están
hipotecados en $127,739,958 más que el valor
total de la propiedad de México ,
O, la palabrería '
16
Taxation on Exports
Valuations Established by the Mexican Government and
T was officially announced in August that
the Treasury Department of Mexico had
Ifixed for the purpose of export taxation
at Mexican gulf ports the following prices on
petroleum and petroleum products :
Mexican American
money money
Crude oil of 0.965 specific
gravity, per ton.. $13.00 $6.50
Fuel oil of 0.97 gravity .. 13.00 6.50
Crude oil of 0.91 gravity . 21.67 10.832
Crude oil of 0.91 gravity . 16.62 8.312
Gas oil of 0.91 gravity .. 16.62 8.31
Refined gasoline, per liter. 0.16 0.08
Crude gasoline, per liter .. 0.154 0.0734
Kerosene, per liter ..→ 0.09 % 0.0434
Resolved into American measures and money
the above figures would represent prices of $1
per barrel for ordinary crude and fuel oils of
high density such as are used overthe grates
in firing ships and locomotives, and under the
boilers in manufacturing plants in this country.
The United States Shipping Board and the
United States Navy have been compelled to pay
$1.75 to upwards of $2 and more per barrel for
these grades of oil to American companies.
At the price of 16 centavos per liter set for
refined gasoline, the assessment valuation for
Mexican taxation is almost exactly 30 cents
per gallon . Motorists who are compelled to
pay upward of 34 cents per gallon for gasoline
in the United States will scarcely believe that
the oil companies are warranted in their pro
test against the Mexican assessment. The tax
levied on gasoline, as on all other petroleum
products, is 3 per cent, or 0.09 cents per gallon,
which would still leave the Mexican gasoline 3
cents lower than the price charged here .
Country people who are still dependent on
kerosene for light will join with motorists in
accepting 18 cents per gallon as a reasonable
price as compared with that charged for coal
oil in the United States . The tax on kerosene
is 6 per cent, or a fraction over 1 cent per
gallon, and on high density crude oil it is 10
cents per barrel. On the best grades of crude
oil, high in gasoline content, the tax runs as
high as 16½ cents per barrel.
For purposes of comparison, the figures of
former valuations for export taxation are
given . In April of this year, the then govern
ment established the following basis of valua-
tion :
Mexican American
money money
Fuel oil of 0.91 density .... $23.00 $11.50
Crude oil of 0.91 density .. 30.00 15.00
Crude oil of more than
0.965 density · 18.00 9.00
Fuel oil of more than 0.97
density - . 18.00 9.00
During the years 1918 and 1919 there was
little fluctuation in the market value of Mexi
can oil, and for the greater portion of that
time the valuations were as follows :
Mexican American
money
money
$6.50
Fuel oil of 0.91 density ... $ 13.00
Crude oil of 0.91 density . 15.50 7.75
Crude oil of more than 0.91
Fuel oil of 0.91 density. • $23.00 $ 11.50
Gas oil of more than 0.91
density 13.00 6.50
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
·
of Petroleum
How They Are Arrived At
The valuation of refined gasoline during the
same period was placed at 122 cents (64
cents gold ) per liter ; of crude gasoline at
1134 cents, and of either crude or refined
kerosene at 62 cents per liter.
According to the decree governing the taxa
tion upon exports of oil , the valuation for
such purposes is established by taking the mar
ket quotations at American ports and deduct
ing the cost of transportation therefrom, the
balance being taken as justly the value of the
oil in Mexico at the point of shipment, regard
less of what may be paid at the well for the
product, and which is dependent upon the
necessities of the producer who has no ship
ping or pipe-line facilities of his own. For
some reason the market quotations of petro
leum seldom refer to the Mexican product and
it is difficult to obtain such figures.
A standard authority upon such matters re
cently quoted the awarding of a contract by
the U. S. Shipping Board to the Standard
Oil Company of New Jersey for 9,300,000 bar
J matter to demonstrate how far this assertion
rels of fuel oil at $2.30 delivered at the com
pany's terminal at Bayonne, N. J. , or $2.40 in
barges at ship side in New York harbor.
A recent quotation was given by the Mex
ican paper, El Universal, as $2.18 per barrel,
minus freight. Another paper (an American
publication ) recently quoted Mexican crude at
Texas points at $3.25 to $3.75 per barrel.
Fuel oil ( origin unstated ) is quoted in
sellers' tanks at Bayonne, N. J., at 1234 cents
per gallon, which would be equivalent to $4.08
per barrel.
The United States navy recently com
mandeered fuel oil on the Pacific coast at $1.72
per barrel, but finally arrangement was reached
for a three-months' supply at $2 per barrel .
An average valuation of $4.68 per barrel is
shown by recent shipments from New Orleans.
A contract was recently made in Mexico for
several million barrels "at the well," at $1.25
per barrel. From all of which it can be seen
that the valuations established by the Mexi
can, government for taxation purposes are not
excessive, and that the amount of tax per
barrel is insignificant when compared with the
market valuation thereof.
THE REVIEW is taking steps to secure full
reports of oil quotations , both at the well and
at ship side in Mexico, as also the quotations
from the same in various American ports.
Such reports will assist materially in gaining
an adequate idea of the situation.
Nothing New In National
Ownership of Petroleum
HE officials in the Department of Industry
Twho have been sustaining the existing oil
legislation in Mexico are not sustaining any
thing new or novel created by the Government
of Señor Carranza, as some persons believe .
We are in fact sustaining one of the classics
of our judicial traditions."
October, 1920
The above words were spoken by Mr. de la
Peña, a lawyer and the Chief of the Juridical
Branch of the Department of Industry, in
answer to the attacks made upon the above
mentioned officials by American oil operators
who are trying to bring about a modification
of Mexican oil legislation to suit their interests.
"The Costitutional clause that gives to the
Nation the domain over petroleum is commonly
regarded as legislation destructive of property,"
added Mr. De la Peña, "and that is why public
opinion generally regards the owners of the
surface of the land as the victims of the ignor
ance or malice of uneducated legislators who
wrested from them rights sanctioned by justice
and proclaimed by the former Constitutions
of Mexico.
"The result is that those who participate in
these prejudicial opinions are ill-disposed
toward all persons who would discuss the mat
ter free from any prejudice whatsoever. They
pass a severe and unjust judgment on the
legislators of 1917, and regard the supporters
of the principle of the Nation's domain over
the subsoil resources as emulators or followers
of the Carranza policy.
"It is commonly asserted that the Constitu
tion of '57 protected the rights now claimed by
the surface owners over certain minerals, in
cluding coal and hydrocarbons, but it is an easy
is from the truth .
"To do this we will produce the irrefutable
testimony of witnesses who cannot be regarded
as contaminated with the influences attributed
to us. From the testimony of the President
of the Committee on the Mining Code of 1900 ,
we will quote the words he pronounced in
defense of the Code that destroyed the Nation's
right over the domain of the subsoil, but before
quoting them we must establish this scientific
fact : All inorganic substances extracted from
the subsoil, whether metalliferous or com
bustible, are called minerals, therefore, the
Constitution of 1917 properly classified pe
troleum as a mineral.
"Having established the fact that petroleum
is a mineral, let us now quote the words of
Señor Calero with reference to this matter in
1909 : 'According to our juridical traditions in
mining matters, all the mineral deposits and
inorganic substances of the country's subsoil
first belonged to the Spanish Kingdom . W
The system was perpetuated during our in
dependent period and the Mining Code of 1884
is the first Mexican legislation that brought
about really important innovations
which were expressly forbidden by Article 72
of the Constitution of the Republic .
"If all Mexican legislation proclaimed the
Nation's domain, as Mr. Calero says, and if
according to Article 72 of the Constitution
that right was inviolate, the owners of the sur
face have no constitutional right over the sub
4
soil. Therefore, the Constitution of 1917, in
stead of reforming the Constitution of 1857,
when it proclaimed the Nation's domain over
the minerals and hydrocarbons, merely pre
served the rights of the Nation in the same
manner in which they were safeguarded by the
Constitution of 1857.
"It is proper to state that immense riches ,
the extraction of which is demanded by the
public interest and the welfare of the Nation ,
Octubre, 1920 LA
Impuestos Sobre la Exportacion de
Petroleo
Valuación Establecida por el Gobierno Mexicano,
UE oficialmente ananciado en Agosto
que el Departamento de Hacienda de
F México había fijado el impuesto de la
exportación del petróleo y sus productos en los
puertos mexicanos del Golfo a los precios
siguientes :
Moneda Moneda
Mexicana Americana
Petróleo crudo de 0.965 grave
dad especifica, por tonelada .. $ 13.00
$6.50
Petróleo combustible de 0.97
gravedad ... 13.00 6.50
Petróleo crudo de 0.91 gravedad 21.67 10.822
Petróleo para gas de 0.91 grave
dad 10 • 16.62 8.31
Gasolina refinada, por litro . • · • 0.16 0.08
Gasolina cruda, por litro . • • • · 0.154 0.0734
Kerosina, por litro .. 0.09 % 0.0434
Convertidos a medidas y dinero americano
estas cifras representarían precios de un peso
por barril de petróleo crudo ordinario, y de
petróleo para combustible de densidad grave
como el que se usa en los calderos de los
buques y locomotoras, y en los calderos de las
plantas manufactureras de este país. La
"United States Shipping Board" y el Gobierno
de los Estados Unidos se han visto obligados
a pagar desde $1.75 hasta más de $2 por barril
por esta clase de petróleo a compañías ameri
canas. Al precio de 16 centavos por litro
de gasolina refinada, la valuación mexicana
para el impuesto es casi exactamente 30 cen
tavos por galón. Los automobilistas que se
ven obligados a pagar más de 34 centavos por
galón de gasolina en los Estados Unidos, no
creerán muy bien que las compañías petróleras
tienen razón en su protesta contra el impuesto
mexicano . El impuesto sobre gasolina, como
sobre todos los otros productos del petróleo es
de tres por ciento o .09 centavos por galón, el
cual es tres centavos más barato que el precio
que se impone aqui.
La población campestre que todavía necesita
la kerosina para el alumbrado, al igual que
los automobilistas acepta el precio de 18 cen
tavos por galón como precio razonable com
parado con el precio que se impone en los
Estados Unidos por el aceite de carbón. El
impuesto sobre la kerosina es de 6 por ciento,
o un poco más de un centavo por galón , y el
de petróleo crudo de densidad grave es de
10 centavos por barril. Sobre el petróleo crudo
de mejor calidad, que contiene una gran canti
dad de gasolina, el impuesto sube hasta 16%
centavos por barril.
Con el objeto de hacer una comparación,
insertamos las cifras de la valuación del im
puesto que había antes. En Abril de este año,
el gobierno de aquella época estableció las
siguientes bases de valuación :
Moneda Moneda
Mexicana Americana
Petróleo para combustible, de
densidad de 0.91 ... $23.00 $11.50
Petróleo crudo de densidad de
0.91 ··· • • 30.00 15.00
Petróleo crudo . de densidad de
más de 0.965 .. • ·· 18.00 9.00
Petróleo pára combustible, de
densidad de más de 0.97.. 18.00 9.00
Durante los años de 1918 y 1919 hubo muy
poca fluctuación en el mercado en los precios
REVISTA MEXICANA
y Como se Llegó a Ella
del petróleo mexicano, y en la mayor parte de
ese período las valuaciones fueron las sigui
entes :
Moneda Moneda
Mexicana Americana
Petróleo para combustible, de
densidad de 0.91 . D · • ⇓ M $13.00 $6.50
Petróleo crudo , de densidad de
0.91 ... 15.50 7.75
Petróleo crudo , de densidad de
más de 0.91 . 2 6.00 3.00
Petróleo para gas , de densidad
de más 0.91 ..
13.00 6.50
La valuación de la gasolina refinada durante
ese mismo período estaba a 12½ centavos
(64 centavos , oro) por litro ; gasolina cruda
a 1134 centavos, y de kerosina cruda o refinada
a 6½ centavos el litro.
Según el decreto que gobierna los impuestos
del petróleo, la valuación para ese fin es hecha
sobre las cotizaciones del mercado en los
puertos americanos y descontando el costo de
transportación. El resto se considera como el
valor justo del petróleo mexicano en el puerto
de embarque, sin tomarse en cuenta el precio
pagado en el pozo por el producto, el cual está
sujeto a las necesidades del productor que no
posee oleoductos o facilidades de transporta
ción. Por alguna razón las cotizaciones del
mercado de petróleo muy pocas veces se
refieren al producto mexicano, y es difícil
obtenerlas.
En el contrato que se otorgó a la " Standard
Oil Company" de New Jersey, por la "United
States Shipping Board," por 9,300,000 barriles
de petróleo para combustible, un perito en esta
materia cotizó a $2.30 el barril entregado a la
compañía en Bayonne, New Jersey, o a $2.40 en
los muelles del puerto de New York.
Una cotización reciente fue publicada por el
periódico mexicano El Universal a $2.18 por
barril menos flete. Otro periódico (una
publicación americana ) últimanente cotizó el
petróleo crudo mexicano puesto en lugares de
Texas a $3.25 y $3.75 por barril.
El petróleo para combustible es cotizado, en
tanques del vendedor, en Bayonne, New Jersey,
a 1234 centavos el galón , lo . que equivale a
$4.08 por barril. Se ignora la fuente de esta
cotización.
Los Estados Unidos recientemente confisca
ron petróleo para combustible en la costa del
Pacífico a $ 1.72 por barril, pero finalmente se
llegó un arreglo por medio del cual pagaría
$2 por barril durante tres meses. Los últimos
embarques de New Orleans muestran un pro
medio de $4.68 por barril. Recientemente se
hizo un contrato en México por millones de
barriles "en el pozo" al precio de $1.25 por
barril. De todo esto de puede ver que no es
excesiva la valuación establecida por el
Gobierno Mexicano para fijar los impuestos,
y que la cantidad del impuesto por barril es
insignificante cuando es comparada con el
precio que se obtiene en el mercado.
LA REVISTA está tomando medidas para ob
tener las cotizaciones de petróleo, tanto en el
17
lugar de producción como en los muelles de
los puertos mexicanos, como también los
precios en varios puertos americanos. Estas
cotizaciones serán una ayuda material para dar
una idea adecuada de la situación existente.
Se Descubrió Petróleo
en el Salvador
E han hecho importantes descubrimientos
STde petróleo en la República del Salvador,
según informes de fuentes oficiales que se han
recibido en Washington.
De acuerdo con una nueva ley que ha sido
decretada, todos los depósitos de petróleo
perteneceráan al Gobierno. El Presidente de la
República está autorizado , bajo ciertas condi
ciones, para dar concesiones para el desarrolo
del petróleo y para aprobar el cambio de con
cesiones de una persona a otra. El propietario
de la superficie en los terrenos petrolíferos
tendrá la preferencia para la adquisición de
concesiones en su propiedad.
Conferencia Sobre el Petróleo
OS directores de varias de las compañias
Lospetroleras americanas de más importancia
conferenciarán con el Presidente Provisional
De la Huerta con referencia a un arreglo de
la controversia petrolera, según declaraciones
hechas por Manuel Padres, Sub- Secretario de
Hacienda. El Gobierno tiene bajo su estudio
un proyecto para la introducción de un im
puesto federal directo, empezando por fijar
impuestos a los grandes terratenientes.
Utilidades Petroleras
OS directores de la "Mexican Petroleum
LosCompany, Ltd.," han aumentado los divi
dendos de las acciones ordinarias de 10 a 12
por ciento al año, para lo cual distribuirán
dividendos de 3 por ciento , trimestral, a los
poseedores de esa clase de acciones. Los
directores también han declarado un dividendc
regular trimestral de $2 por acción sobre
acciones de preferencia ( preferred stock) , el
cual será pagado el primero de octubre . El
dividendo sobre las acciones ordinarias será
pagado el 11 del mismo mes.
Dividendos de las Compañias
Petroleros
AS siguientes compañias petroleras han
LAS declarado dividendos durante la semana pa
sada : Pan-American Petroleum & Transport
Company, trimestralmente, $ 1.50 sobre acciones
ordinarias de clase A y B, pagadero el 11 de
octubre ; California Petroleum Company, tri
mestralmente, $1.75 sobre acciones de pre
ferencia, a pagarse el primero de octubre ;
Pure Oil Company, trimestralmente, $1.25
sobre acciones de preferencia del 54 por
ciento , $1.50 sobre las de 6 por ciento y $2
sobre las de 8 por ciento, todas pagaderas el
primero de octubre ; Seamans Oil Co. , tri
mestral , 5 por ciento a pagarse el 30 de sep
tiembre ; Big Heart Producing and Refining
Company, trimestral, 2½ por ciento pagadero
el primero de octubre ; y la Imperial Oil Cor
poration, mensualmente, 1 por ciento sobre
acciones ordinarias, y trimestralmente 3 por
ciento sobre acciones de preferencia , a pagarse ,
ambas, el 15 de octubre.
18 THE MEXICAN REVIEW October, 1920 .

would remain unearthed if the Nation's domain
over minerals is not recognized.
"For this reason, the Department of Industry
in coming to the defense of the integral
domain of the Nation over all minerals, is com
ing also to the defense of the public interest
and of the regard which is due to our juridical
traditions. It is defending a constitutional
principle sanctioned by all our constitutions.
To fulfill this duty we have no need of fol
lowing in the footsteps of Cabrera ( former
Minister of Foreign Relations ) . We have
only to remember that all the officials in the
Administration are bound under oath to safe
guard the Constitution and all the laws
emanating from it."
Nationalization of Petroleum
Deposits
N AN editorial deprecating the action
INof the United States Senate in refusing
to ratify the Colombian treaty at its last A
session because of objections to Colombia's to pay their back taxes in consideration of a
new petroleum legislation, the Engineering
and Mining Journal of May 22, one of the
most conservative and powerful profes
sional publications in the country, declares : hands down a decision on pending cases.
"We have had made a translation of
Law 120, enacted December 30, 1919,
and presented an abstract of the salient
features of it in this issue . The law is
based upon the fundamental principles
that the subsoil rights to petroleum
and its related compounds belong to
the state, and exploitation by private
parties must consequently be by per
mission of the state , under the control
of the state, and that such exploita
tion should contribute a suitable reve
nue to the state . These principles do
not differ from those in our own reN
cently enacted legislation embodied in
the Oil-Land Leasing Bill."
The Engineering and Mining Journal se right in connection with the petroleum question ,
cured the Spanish text of the law com as indeed with all other matters of public con
mented upon above, had it translated and
digested by Judge J. W. Thompson, who as
legal advisor of the Bureau of Mines at by all who are interested in the development of
Washington drafted the Oil-Leasing law reKl
cently passed by the United States Congress
after a hard fight. The Oil Leasing bill
was opposed both in and out of Congress
and has been denounced by many states
men and economists as surrendering im
y e
mensel valuabl resourc es to private par
ties at a tithe of their true value .
The Engineering and Mining Journal
comment should be interesting to the peo
ple of the United States because of its fa the exploitation of any petroleum deposits that
vorable comparison of the Colombian petro
leum law with the Oil Leasing bill . Also
it should interest them as well as the people
of Mexico because of the great similarity of merous springs of • chapopote or liquid asphal
the Colombian legislation to that now being + tum have been discovered in the district
considered by the Mexican Congress and
bitterly opposed by most of the American
companies having interests in Mexico . In
the matter of taxation the Mexican law is
particularly lenient as compared with either
the Colombian law or the Oil Leasing bill. showing a marked increase over the immediate
In both of the latter the tax is levied on the preceding years . The figures for the first six
entire production at the wells, while in
Mexico it is levied only on such oil as is
exported from the country.
Alien oil lessees in Colombia, as is pro
posed in Mexico , are compelled to sign
waivers subjecting themselves, so far as
property interests are concerned, entirely to
the courts and laws of that country .
Aliens in the United States subject them
selves to the courts and laws of the coun
try in such matters without question, as to
do otherwise would make them ridiculous.
and would be of no avail . It is only when
foreigners go to weaker countries , like
Colombia and Mexico, that they have the
assurance to defy the local laws and demand
extra privileges because of their nationality.
The Petroleum
Situation
RECENT dispatch from Mexico City
éstates that the refusal of some of the
petroleum interests to abide by the agreement
temporary suspension of the Carranza petro
leum decrecs until Congress passes a new law,
necessitates a delay until the Supreme Court
General Jacinto B. Trevino, Secretary of In
dustry, Commerce and Labor, declares in this
connection :
"With supreme selfishness , " he asserted, re
ferring to companies which would not obey
the law, "they want to be without law or obli
gation. After several fruitless conferences
with the Mexican Government, representatives
of petroleum interests agreed to pay the back
taxes, but now they say their companies will
not ratify the agreement. We intend firmly
to enforce the supreme court's decision. We
have faith in justice, and we have the courage
to make it respected ."
The Government has shown a disposition
from the outset to ask only what is fair and
cern, and it is to be regretted that its willing-J
ness in this respect should not be seconded
Mexico and the establishment of a permanent
peace.
Japanese Oil Company With
Large Capital
T is announced that a Japanese company
IT with a capital of fifty million yen ( equiva
lent to $25,000,000 American money ) has been
organized with the intention of entering upon
may be discovered upon the west coast of
Mexico. A commission of geologists is inJa
vestigating the matter and it is said that nu
between Mazatlan and Rosario, in the State of
Sinaloa.
Mexican imports for the first four months
of this year are stated to be 92,000,000 pesos ,
months of 1918 were 164,470,378.38.
.
Mistaken Reports Refuted
Officially
EPORTS have been published in the
REPO press stating that the American Govern
ment, in conferences held at the State Depart
ment with Mexican representatives, has made
it plain that the American Government will
insist on three main points before recognition
will be extended , namely, life and property of
Americans in Mexico must be protected ;
claims of Americans for life and property
destroyed in Mexico in recent years must be
promptly and fairly adjusted, and alleged conTag
fiscatory laws passed by the Mexican Con
gress under the Carranza régime must be
repealed . The report adds that the Mexican
representatives have agreed to all of these
points . While it is true that several confer
ences have been held between Mexican repre
sentatives and State Department officials , the
Mexican Embassy categorically denies that
such points were ever presented and agreed
to by Mexican representatives, as reported in
the press .
The Mexican Embassy has received specific.
instructions from President de la Huerta to
emphatically deny the reports published in
certain American newspapers to the effect that
it was his intention to continue in the Presi
dency and to postpone the date of the Presi
dential election . President de la Huerta's
strong determination is that the election be
held on the first Sunday of next September
as provided by law and to surrender the
Presidency to the person elected by the people.
to succeed him. Furthermore, it is the Presi
dent's keen desire to leave his office, as he is
anxious to turn over the affairs of the Nation
to his legally elected successor.
Petroleum Bank to be Established
TEPS are reported to be under way for
STEE the organization of the Bank of Pe
troleum for the purpose primarily of aiding
the oil companies which are hampered by the
lack of banking facilities in the Republic. It
is said that the new bank will commence with
a capital of $ 1,000,000 , which will be increased
as the demand grows. Ex-Secretary of the
Treasury McAdoo is reported to be one of the
leaders in the enterprise.
Buys Locomotives and
Freight Cars
RRANGEMENTS have been completed
A in New York by General Alvarado ,
secretary of the Mexican treasury, for the
purchase of several high-powered locomotives
and a number of freight cars for the Mexican
National railroads. Payment for this equip
ment is to be made in convenient instalments,
secured by notes offered by Alvarado and
satisfactory to the companies selling the ma
terial.
General Alvarado has also visited Boston
and Philadelphia, where he bought.other ma
terial and has under discussion with shipping
interests the establishment of steamer lines in
the Mexican coastwise trade.
1
靠
Octubre, 1920 LA
El Domiñio del Estado
Sobre Petróleo No Es Nuevo
OS funcionarios de la Secretaría de Industria
" LOSque han venido sosteniendo la actual
legislación petrolera de México, no sostienen en
verdad principios nuevos y que alguien considera
surgidos como una novedad de la Administra
ción del señor Carranza ; defendemos, en reali
dad, una tradición clásica de nuestras tradi
ciones jurídicas . "
En tal forma comenzó a hablarnos el licen
ciado M. de la Peña , jefe del Departamento
Jurídico de la Secretaría de Industria, a propó
sito de los ataques de que han sido objeto los
referidos funcionarios por los petroleros norte
americanos, que tratan de que sea modificada la
legislación petrolera de México , según convenga
a sus intereses.
"I
' Communmente se juzga como legislación
destructora de la propiedad el precepto constitu
cional que atribuyó al Estado el dominio del
petróleo- agregó nuestro interlocutor- y de allí
viene que la simpatía pública juzga a los dueños
de la superficie del terreno como víctimas de la
ignorancia o la malicia de legisladores indoctos,
que les arrancaron derechos que sanciona la
justicia y que proclamaban las anteriores con
stituciones de México.
De este prejuicio resulta que quienes tales
preocupaciones abriguen vean con prevención
a los que se yerguen contra esos prejuicios y
juzgan a los constituyentes de 1917 con severidad
injusta y a los sostenedoores del principio del.
dominio del Estado sobre todas las riquezas del
subsuelo, como émulos y continuadores de la
política carrancista:
Comunmente se dice que la Constitución
de 57 resguardaba los derechos que aducen los
superficiarios sobre algunas especies minerales
y entre ellas el carbón de piedra y los hidrocar
buros, pero esa afirmación es contraria a la
verdad, como es muy fácil demostrarlo .
" Para ello acudiremos al testimonio de testigos
irrefutables y que no pueden juzgarse contamina
dos de la influencia que se nos atribuye. Ele
giremos el testimonio del Presidente de la
Comisión dictaminadora del Código de Minería
de 1900 , refiriéndonos a sus palabras pronun
ciadas en defensa del Código que mutiló ese
derecho del Estado.
" Pero antes, debemos fijar un hecho científico : el anterior comentario, la hizo traducir , y la
Llámanse minerales las substancias inorgánicas
metalíferas o combustibles que se extraen del
subsuelo, y por eso es que con toda propiedad la
Constitución de 1917 clasifica entre los minerales
el "petróleo.
Una vez que queda demostrado que el
petróleo es un mineral, veamos lo que sobre esa
materia sostenía el señor Calero en 1909. Dijo :, muchos estadistas y economistas quienes alegan
'Conforme a nuestras tradiciones jurídicas en
materia de minería, todos los criaderos minerales inviduos particulares por una pequeñez de su
y substancias inorgánicas del subsuelo del país,
pertenecieron primero a la Corona Española .
El sistema se perpetuó durante nuestra época
independiente y el Código de 1884 es la primera
legislación mexicana que trajo innovaciones ver
daderamente importantess · que según el con \ para el arrendamento de terrenos petrolíferos de
cepto expreso del artículo 72 de la Constitución
de la República no podía tocar esas substancias.
"Si , como dice Calero , toda la legislación
mexicana proclamó el dominio del Estado , si
según el art. 72 Constitucional no podía tocar y al cual se oponen la mayoría de las compañías
esas riquezas, constitucionalmente ningún dere
cho tenían los superficiarios sobre ellas, y por eso cuanto a los impuestos, la ley mexicana es más
REVISTA MEXICANA
la Constitución de 1917 , lejos de reformar la
Constitución de 1857 al proclamar el dominio del
Estado sobre los minerales e hidrocarburos, con
servó los derechos del Estado en la forma que
los resguardaba la Constitución 57..
"
'No es fuera de ocasión manifestar que si no
se reconoce el dominio del Estado sobre los
minerales, quedarían sepultadas infinitas rique
zas cuya extracción reclama el interés general y
la riqueza nacional .
"' Al defender, pues, la Secretaría de Industria
el dominio integral de la Nación sobre los mine
rales todos, brega a la vez que por el interés
general, por el respeto que es debido a nuestras
tradiciones jurídicas , porque se guarde un
principio constitucional sancionado por todas
nuestras constituciones. Para cumplir ese deber
no necesita seguir los moldes cabrerianos, sino
recordar el que todo funcionario se impone al
aceptar un puesto en la Administración , el de
guardar y hacer guardar la Constitución y leyes
que de ella emanen.”
Nacionalización de los
Depósitos de Petróleo
N un editorial en que deplora la acción del
ESenado de los Estados Unidos , por haber
rehusado en la última sesión la ratificación del
tratado con Colombia, por objeciones hechas a
las leyes de aquel país concernientes al petróleo ,
el Engineering and Mining Journal, del 21 de
Mayo, una de las publicaciones profesionales de
este país más conservadoras y de más influencia,
declara :
"Hemos hecho una traducción de la Ley 120 ,
adoptada el 30 de Diciembre de 1919 , y presen
tamos en este núnero un abstracto de los puntos
más sobresalientes . La ley esta basada sobre los
principios fundamentales de que los derechos del
subsuelo al petróleo y sus derivados le perte
necen al Estado y la explotación por individuos
particulares debe ser por permisos concedidos por
el Estado y sujeto a su autoridad , y que ésta
explotación debía contribuír ingresos razonables
para el Estado. Estos principios no difieren de
nuestra ley recientemente promulgada para el
para el arrendamente de terrenos petrolíefros .
El Engineering and Mining Journal con
siguió el texto español de la ley sobre la cual hace
sometió a un estudio por el juez J. W. Thompson,
quien como consejero legal de la Oficina de Minas
de Washington, hizo la redacción de la ley
recientemente decretada por el Congreso de los
Estados Unidos. La ley que decreta el arrenda
miento de terrenos petrolíferos tuvo mucha
oposición en el Congreso y ha sido censurada por
que se entregan valiosísimas propiedades a
verdadero valor.
El comentario del Engineering and Mining
Journal debe ser interesante para el pueblo de
los Estados Unidos porque compara favorable
mente la ley del petróleo de Colombia con la ley
este país . También debía interesarles tanto a
éstos como al pueblo de México por la semejanza
de la legislación colombiana con el proyecto de
ley que el Congreso Mexicano está considerando
americanas que tienen intereses en México. En
•
19
indulgente que la ley colombiana o la de los
Estados Unidos. En las dos últimas los im
puestos estan basados sobre la producción total
de los pozos , mientras que en México sólo están
sobre el petróleo que se exporta del país. A los
extranjeros que tienen concesiones petroleras en
Colombia, como también se propone hacer en
México, se les obliga a firmar un documento
sugetándose por completo a las cortes y leyes
del pais en todo aquello que se refiera a sus
intereses y propiedades. Los extranjeros en los
Estados Unidos están sujetos a las cortes y leyes
del país con referencia a estos asuntos sin protesta
alguna, pues de lo contrario se pondrian en
ridículo y no conseguirían nada. Es solamente
cuando los extranjeros van a países más débiles,
como Colombia y México, que creen tener el
derecho de oponerse a las leyes locales y de pedir
privilegios extraordinarios solamente por Su
nacionalidad .
Compañia Petrolera Japonesa Con
Fuerte Capital
ANUNCIASE que con
pañia japonesa se ha
unorganizado
capital de una com
cincuenta
millones de yens (equivalente a $25,000,000 en
oro americano ) con la intención de invertirlos en
la explotación de depósitos de petróleo que puedan
ser descubiertos en la costa occidental de México .
Está investigando el asunto una comisión de
geólogos y se dice que se han descubierto nume
rosas fuentes de chapopote o asfalto líquido en
la zona que se encuentra entre Mazatlán y Ro
sales, en el Estado de Sinaloa.
La Actividad de los Mineros
de Chihuahua
L recibo de la noticia del retiro de Villa, el
A Departamento de Industria y Comercio
declaró que había recibido un sin número de
solicitudes pidiendo permiso para volver a tra
bajar las minas que se habían cerrado hacia largo
tiempo por motivo del bandidaje , y para la
exploración de nuevos campos que aún no estaban
explotados. Se calcula que más de 400 minas
han reanudado sus trabajos en el Estado de
Chihuahua durante el último mes.
Exhibición de Productos
de Sonora
L gobierno del Estado de Sonora ha hecho
E arreglos para mantener en Nogales, para
el beneficio de visitantes de la frontera , un salón
espacioso donde se exhibirán permanentemente
muestras de los productos de ese progresista
Estado . Se ha mandado una circular a los
manufactureros, mineros, agricultores, a los
cultivadores de frutas, a los criadores de ganado
y al público en general pidiéndoles que faciliten
artículos adecuados de producto local para esta
exhibición .
Entendemos que la Cámara de Comercio
Confederada ha recomendado que las varias
compañías de vapores, tanto nacionales como
extranjeras, que hacen uso de las aguas mexi
canas, se organicen para la defensa en contra
de la unión de marineros, la cual está haciendo
frecuentes e injustas huelgas.
20 THE
THE BORDER CELEBRATES
OBREGON'S HOME COMING
People and Officials of Arizona Extend a
Hearty Welcome to the Mexican General
HE Border peoples know each other.
TH Arizonans were quick to sense the fact
that the recent change in the Mexican govern
ment would make for betterment in the re
lations existing between the United States and
Mexico. To them, General Alvaro Obregon,
the champion of the new regime, was an old
and respected neighbor. They were quick to
do him honor.
Scarcely had the smoke of conflict cleared
away when the Chamber of Commerce of
Nogales , Arizona, extended an invitation to the
people of its twin sister, Nogales of Sonora,
to unite in celebrating the return home of Gen
eral Obregon from Mexico City, where he had
left President de la Huerta safely in power .
Governor Tom Campbell of Arizona, and Gov
ernor F. A. Borquez of Sonora, with their
staffs and other officials were invited and
promptly accepted the invitation to attend .
Though the idea for the celebration origi
nated with Bracey Curtis , president of the
Nogales , Arizona, Chamber of Commerce, it
was heartily backed up by the Commerce
Chamber of the Mexican Nogales and the prin
ciple features of the affair were on Mexican
soil, starting on the morning of July 11 with a
big parade through the streets of the towns, a
public reception with speeches and music, and
winding up in the evening with a big barbecue
at La Casita, 25 miles south of the Border,
whither the guests were whirled in a long train
of automobiles .
Though this barbecue was taged as a "stag"
party, and it is whispered that the Eighteenth
amendment does not run south of the border,
Governor Campbell's wife and Mrs. Obregon,
with a half-dozen women friends ran out in
an automobile during the afternoon and gave
the crowd the "once over." It was at this bar
becue dinner that General Obregon, replying
to a speech of congratulation and welcome by
Governor Tom Campbell, made his first state
ment as to Mexico's future foreign policy, as
follows :
"All we Mexicans who have fought for lib
erty and know how to appraise it aright, share
the glad emotions felt by our sister country in
celebrating the glorious anniversary on which
it won its indepen dence. A further cause for
rejoicing we find in the circumstance that the
people of the neighboring city of Nogales , are
giving proof by eloquent deeds to the men of
- has already led to an exodus that will help
Nogales , Mexico , of their old spirit of brother
hood and their aspirations for perfect harmony
between the two nations .
"Henceforward, a frank understanding
among all the peoples of the continent, on the
basis of mutual respect and absolute equity,
will form the backbone of America and offer
the most trustworthy guarantee for the future
of all those peoples.
"Since the last war, which for several years
stirred the world to its depths, civilization has
been moving through unwonted channels, al
lotting but a secondary part to brute force.
The time is now drawing near when the mighti
est people will be not that one which chances
to possess most heavy guns, but that other
MEXICAN REVIEW
which knows how to acquire the most sym
pathy among the other nations of the earth .
"Since the latest political movement in our
own country, which has restored to us all our
rights, we too are minded to guide our people
along new paths, which run parallel to our na
tional aspirations and to the newly manifested
tendencies of humanity.
"Without the shadow of a doubt, it is to
morality and to culture that the world of the
future will look for guidance and direction.
And we, in harmony with this new tendency,
will gladly throw open our frontiers and fra
ternally stretch out our arms to all men of
good will who bear with them these two ele
ments of progress and come to cooperate with
us for the advancement of our country.
"At the outset of this new political life,
which will harmonize with our aspirations, we
desire to see effaced all those former incidents
which, emanating from a variety of causes ,
sundered us from the other people of the earth.
We are eager to inaugurate an era of concord
which shall strengthen more and more as time
lapses, our amicable relations with foreign
nations.
"In conclusion, I wish to give utterance to
my heartfelt gratitude toward the inhabitants
of • the neighboring city of Nogales for this
demonstration of their sympathy and through
them, as the worthiest channel, I send a mes
sage of brotherhood to the American people
in the name of my fellow citizens."
Huerta Makes Way for Obregon
HE elections in Mexico have made Gen
TH eral Obregon the next president, as it was
predicted that they would. He had practically
no opposition with much voting strength, and
he will follow Carranza under quite different
circumstances from those which that admin
istrator first faced . Obregon owes much of
this good fortune to the provisional President
De la Huerta, whose name recalls that of the
executive that President Wilson drove from
power, but whose personality, spirit and policy
have been so different. Whatever the future
may have in store for the young executive who
has stood loyally by his program of fairplay
to all the best interests of the nation, he
already has made an honorable place for him
self in Mexican history.
He is a sincere, as we believe, friend of
democr acy, and he has no sympathy with the
redicalism which Carranza fostered . Rigorous
recent action against the "Red" faction that
found lodgment during the Carranza regime,
stabilize the country. While steadfast in pro
tecting national rights in mineral properties
De la Huerta also has shown that he is not
disposed to mulct holders of concessions . So
far as possible he has cleaned up centers of
vice along the border and in Southern Cali
fornia. Negotiations have been entered upon
providing for payment of interest charges on
the foreign debt. Revival of progressive poli
cies of education has been ordered . Reduc
tion of the army, with corresponding gain to
the treasury, has begun. In short, a happier
era has opened. Intimations that2 it2 is all
camouflage are common, as are hints that the
peace has been "purchased" by liberal use of
October, 1920
money coming from the United States . But
nominally, at least, the best Mexicans seem
to be tired of incessant factional fighting and
of strife with foreign powers.
General Obregon has proved his military ca
pacity. What he will decide to do as a civilian
administrator is on the hither side of fact, and
is still prophecy. His utterances, while wait
ing for the verdict of the voters, have been
friendly and sensible. If to a firm will he
unites wisdom and good will, and if he is a
statesman, as well as a soldier, he has a chance
to make Mexico rise in the scale of nations and
take the place she deserves among the republics
of the two continents. She has much to learn
from the best of her neighbors to the south
as well as from us. Of late years she has
acted as a marplot in the Pan-American move
ment. Carranza was deep in this intrigue,
and when he fell by the way he had few
mourners among the statesmen of the other
Latin-American states who foresee the need
of unity between the Americas, especially now
that Europe and Asia are in turmoil.
The crying need in Mexico and in the United
States, as they work out their mutual policy,
is for disinterested action. Explanation of
physical resources and of men by men of greed
in both countries has kept the two nations at
odds . Civil war in Mexico and threats of war
between the two countries too often has had
its basis in lust for power and for wealth.
If President Obregon believes this and intends,
as far as he can, to put an end to it, he should
be aided by American public opinion, and not
be hampered in any way from this side of the
line.-Washington (D. C.) Herald, Sept. 7.
Profits On Oil Stock
'HE directors of the Mexican Petroleum
THE Company, Ltd., have increased the divi
dends on the common stock from 10 to 12 per
cent per annum by the declaration of a regular
quarterly dividend of 3 per cent on the common
shares. The directors also declared the regular
quarterly dividend of $2 per share on the
preferred stock, payable October 1. The com
mon dividend is payable October 11 .
The following oil companies declared divi
dends during the past week : Pan-American
Petroleum & Transport Company, quarterly,
$1.50 on A and B common, both payable Octo
ber 11 ; California Petroleum Company, quar
terly, $1.75 on preferred, payable October 1 ;
Pure Oil Company, quarterly, $1.25 on 5 per
cent, preferred, $1.50 on 6 per cent, preferred ,
and $2 on 8 per cent, preferred, all payable
October 1 ; Seamans Oil Company, quarterly, 5
per cent, payable September 30 ; Big Heart
Producing & Refining Company, quarterly, 2½
per cent, payable October 1 , and Imperial Oil
Corporation, monthly, 1. per cent, on common
and quarterly, 2 per cent of preferred, both
payable October 15.
The diplomatic budget for the coming year
will be 6,300,375 pesos as against 4,570,000 last
year. The secret service attached to this de
partment has been reduced from 250,000 to
150,000 in the new budget. The diplomatic
and consular forces will be replaced in num
ber and the pay will be increased 50 per cent.
·
 LA
Octubre, 1920
LA FRONTERA CELEBRA EL
REGRESO DE OBREGON
Los Habitantes y los Funcionarios de
Arizona Extienden una Cordial Bien
venida al General Mexicano
OS habitantes de la frontera se conocen
Los mútuamente. Los arizonenses han com
prendido que el reciente cambio en el Gobierno
Mexicano será una mejora en las relaciones que
existían entre los Estados Unidos y México .
Para ellos el General Alvaro Obregón, cam
peón del nuevo régimen, era un vecino respe
tado. Ellos se aceleraron a hacerle honor.
Apenas se había disipado el humo del con
flicto, cuando la Cámara de Comercio de
Nogales, Arizona, extendió una invitación a
la población de la hermana gemela, Nogales
de Sonora, para celebrar conjuntamente el
regreso del General Obregón de la Ciudad de
México, donde él había dejado al Presidente
de la Huerta en el poder. El Gobernador
Tom Campbell de Arizona y el Gobernador
F. A. Borquez de Sonora con sus oficiales y
demás empleados fueron invitados y aceptaron
con prontitud la invitación para asistir a esta
fiesta.
Aunque la idea de esta celebración fue
originada por Barcey Curtis, presidente de la
Cámara de Comercio de Nogales, Arizona,
ésta fué apoyada vehementemente por la
Cámara de Comercio Mexicana de Nogales, y
los actos sobresalientes de esta fiesta tuvieron
lugar en suelo mexicano, principiando en la
mañana del 4 de Julio con un paseo cívico
en las calles de las dos ciudades, una recep
ción pública con discursos y música, y conclu
yendose por la tarde con una comida pública
en La Casita, 25 millas al sur de la frontera,
donde los huespedes fueron llevados en auto
mobiles.
Aunque esta comida fué sólo para hombres
y por ahí se dice que al sur de la frontera sí
se consigue licor, la esposa del Gobernador
Campbell y la Señora Obregón en compañía gran cosa de votos.
de media docena de amigas, fueron en un auto
mobil durante el día a darle un "vistazo" a
los festejantes. Durante la comida el General
Obregón respondió al discurso de bienvenida
y congratulaciones pronunciado por el Gober
nador Tom Campbell, y expuso la futura
política extranjera de México, como sigue :
"Todos nosotros, los mexicanos que hemos
luchado por la libertad y que la apreciamos,
participamos de estas alegres emociones que
nuestro país hermano manifiesta en la celebra
ción gloriosa del aniversario de su indepen
dencia. Una causa más para regocijarnos la
encontramos en que el pueblo de la ciudad México .
vecina de Nogales , está dando pruebas con
hechos elocuentes a los hombres de Nogales
de México, del espíritu de fraternidad de que
está animado y de sus aspiraciones en pro de
la más perfecta armonía entre las dos naciones.
"De hoy en adelante una franca inteligencia
entre los pueblos de , este continente, basada
en el respeto mútuo y justicia absoluta, dará
lugar a la estabilidad de América y ofrecerá
las más fieles garantías para el futuro de todos con referencia a las propiedades mineras,
estos pueblos.
"Desde la última guerra, que sacudió el demostrado que no está dispuesto a ser injusto
mundo hasta sus cimientos, la civilización ha con los dueños de concesiones.
*
REVISTA MEXICANA
ido por senderos poco comunes, dando sólo
un segundo lugar a la fuerza bruta. Está
llegando el tiempo que la nación más poderosa
no será la que posea los cañones más grandes,
sino aquella que sepa atraerse la mayor sim
patía entre las otras naciones del mundo.
"Desde el último movimiento político en
nuestro país, el cual nos ha restituido todos
nuestros derechos, tenemos las esperanzas de
guiar a nuestros compatriotas por nuevos
senderos, los cuales van paralelos a nuestras
aspiraciones nacionales y a las nuevas mani
festaciones de la humanidad.
"Sin duda alguna es en la moralidad y en
la cultura donde el mundo buscará en el futuro
su guía y dirección, y nosotros, de acuerdo
con esa nueva - tendencia, con gran rejocijo
abriremos las puertas de nuestras fronteras y
con los brazos extendidos daremos asilo a
aquellos hombres de buena voluntad que
traígan esos dos elementos de progreso y que
vengan a cooperar con nosotros para el
adelanto de nuestro país.
"Al principio de esta nueva vida política ,
la cual estará en armonía con nuestras aspira
ciones, deseamos ver borrados todos los inci
dentes pasados emanados de distintas causas
y los cuales nos separaron de los demás
pueblos del mundo. Ansiamos inaugurar una
era de cordialidad que estreche más nuestras
relaciones amistosas con las naciones extran
jeras.
"En conclusion, manifestaré mi más pro
funda gratitud a los habitantes de la vecina
cuidad de Nogales por esta demostración de
simpatia, y por el digno conducto de ellos
deseo enviar un mensaje fraternal al pueblo
americano en el nombre de mis concuidadanos."
Obregón Reemplazará a De
la Huerta
AL como se pronosticó, el General Obre
"AL
se
TAL gón fué elegido para Presidente de
México ; el candidato de la oposición no tuvo
Obregón subirá a la
Presidencia bajo distintas circunstancias de
las que rodearon a Carranza cuando éste
llegó al poder. Obregón le debe una buena
parte del crédito al Presidente De la Huerta,
cuyo nombre nos hace recordar el del Ejecu
tivo que fué desalojado del poder por el
Presidente Wilson , pero cuya personalidad,
espíritu y política son totalmente diferentes .
Sea cual fuere lo que el futuro le tonga reser
vado al jóven presidente que se ha adherido
firmemente a su determinación de ser leal a
los mejores intereses de la nación, él ya se ha
forjado un sitio honorable en la historia de
Abrigamos la creencia que De la Huerta es
un amigo sincero de la democracia, y que no
participa del radicalismo que animaba a Ca
rranza. Su reciente y vigorosa acción contra
los " rojos" que encontraron asilo durante el
regimen de Carranza ya ha dado lugar a un
exodo que ayudará a estabilizar el país.
Aunque se ha mostrado inmovible en su deter
minación de proteger los derechos nacionales
también es cierto que De la Huerta ha
21
Hasta donde le ha sido posible él ha supri
mido los centros de vicio a lo largo de la
frontera y al sur de California ; ya se ha
entrado en arreglos para el pago de los inte
reses de la deuda exterior ; se le ha dado
nuevo vigor al establecimiento de ideas pro
gresistas de educación ; se ha principiado la
reducción del ejército, lo cual redundará en
beneficio del tesoro nacional ; y en una palabra,
ha principiado una era más féliz. Las alu
siones indirectas de que todo esto es solo
"pintado" son comunes, como también las
alusiones de que la pacificación fue "comprada ”
por medio del uso liberal de dinero americano,
Pero aparentemente, si menos, la mejor parte
de los mexicanos ya está cansada de incesantes
luchas faccionarias y de dificultades con las
potencias extranjeras.
El General Obregón ha dado pruebas de su
capacidad militar, pero todavía queda por
verse lo que hará como gobernante civil . Sus
palabras, pronunciadas mientras estaba en
espera del veredicto de los sufragistas, fueron
amistosas y sensatas . Si a una determinación
firme une la circunspección y buena voluntad ,
y si es tan buen estadista como fue buen
soldado, Obregón tendrá la oportunidad de
levantar a México al lugar que le corresponde
en el concierto de las naciones de los dos
continentes . México tiene mucho que aprender
de sus mejores vecinos, tanto de los que están
hacia el sur como de nosotros. En los últimos
años México ha sido un enredador en el movi
miento panamericanista . Carranza estaba bien
enredado en esta intriga, y cuando cayó, fueron
bien pocos los que lo lamentaron de entre los
estadistas de las otras repúblicas latino
americanos que ven la necesidad de que exista
la unión entre las Américas, principalmente
ahora que Europa y Asia están tan agitadas,
Lo que más necesitan México y los Estados
Unidos es abordar desinteresadamente la tarea
de elaborar su mútua política. La explotación
de los recursos naturales y la explotación de
los hombres por hombres codiciosos , en una
y ostra parte, es lo que ha mantenido a estas
dos naciones distanciadas . El inmoderado deseo
de adquirir poder y riquezas ha sido muy a
menudo el origen de las luchas faccionarias
en México y de las amenazas de guerra entre
los dos países . Si el Presidente Obregón
piensa en esta forma, y si está resuelto a
ponerle fin a este estado de cosas, en lugar
de ser obstaculizado debe recibir la cooperación
del pueblo americano.-Washington Herald.
Los Alemanes Interesados en los
Negocios Petroleros
ICESE que una organización alemana que
Dcuenta con un fuerte capital se interesa en la
explotación y producción de petróleo en este país
y de su exportación a Alemania lo mismo que a
otros países extranjeros. Se propone construír
buques tanques y adquirir tierras petrolíferas ,
tal como lo han hecho las compañías de otros
países. Se ha pedido al Departamento del
Petróleo toda clase de informes necesarios para
llevar a cabo los propósitos de la corporación
indicada.
El Gobierno ha revocado el reciente permiso
de aumento en los precios de pasajes y fletes
en los tranvías de la ciudad.

22 THE
News Headlines vs.
Brief Survey of Mexican Misinformation Conveyed to the Public During
August by Newspapers in One American City
HE American people are "fed up" on
so-called " news" from Mexico all the
time. Irrespon
sible correspondents paid
at "space " rates by their news associatio seize
ns
upen wild and unconfirme rumors to bolster
d $75,000,000 CREDIT
up stories telegraphe without investigat
d ion as
to the facts . Below , with the facts italicised
tor emphasized ) , are typical headlines culled
from the four newspapers published during
August in one important American city :
CANTU TROOP
S
OPEN BATTLE
WITH FEDERALS
Yanks Pilot Planes and Man Machine
Guns Backed With Bombs
SEEK TO CUT OFF FOE
Six Detachments Sent to Hold Mexicans
South of Colorado
MEXICALI, Calif., August 7.
There ivas no fighting either of Mexicans
or “Yanks.” Mexican Federal troops never
!!
were within several hundred miles of the
Cantu forces until after Cantu had peaceably
resigned and a small detachment went in with
his successor to take over the government of
the peninsula.
VERA CRUZ REVOLT
DECLARED LIKELY
Nava Government Disregards De la Huerta
Order Dismissing Executives
VERA CRUZ, Aug. 11.
There has been no revoli in Vera Cruz, not
even a bandit raid reported up to this writing.
FEAR COUP BY HUERTA
Obregon Factionalists Scent Plot to Hold
Presidency
MAY POSTPONE ELECTION
Leaders Also in Friction Over Loan Sought
in United States
Assurances by Huerta to Deal Fairly With
American Interests Held Too Indefinite.
Attempt to Oust Cantu Resented . Armed
Conflict Threat in Vera Cruz.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 11.—
Coup does not materialize .
Obregon elected without the least ripple of
trouble.
No loan sought.
• Oil companies pay taxes.
Cantu resigns. No conflict.
}
MEXICAN REVIEW
The Facts
CAUTIONED AGAINST
CREDITS TO HUERTA
New York Financiers Get Warning From
Here
J
WASHINGTON, August 16.
No loan is sought or likely to be untii
Obregon takes office and Mexican congress
acts as provided by law.
PROTEST OIL TAXES
American Companies Call Mexican Rates
Excessive
BLAME HUERTA GOVERNMENT
Presidential Election in September In
volved in Controversy
Companies Called Good or Bad as They
Line Up With Obregon or Huerta Fac
tions. Both Seek U. S. Loans. Wash
ington May Claim Election Was Neither
Fair Nor Free. Army Huerta Agency.
WASHINGTON , August 18.—
All companies pay taxes within two weeks
of date story print d.
De la Huerta and Obregon continuc , as they
started, to act in perfect harmony.
No loan sought.
Elections pass without incident. Much of
army is disbanded.
SPAIN-MEXICO BREAK LOOMS
May Follow Cancellation of the Spanish
Consul's Credentials
MEXICO CITY , August 19.
No break follows ; incident closed without
day's rupture of relations.
LAYS DEMANDS ON MEXICO
France States Conditions Relating to Pos
sible Recognition
PARIS , August 19.
Officially denied both in France and Mexico.
MEXICANS KIDNAP
ELEVEN AMERICANS
ONE BRITISHER IS CAPTURED
Nephew of John Hays Hammond in Party
Big Ransom Demanded
MEXICO CITY . August 22.
All but two immediately released- Mexican
Army pursues bandits to mountains , killing
many. Two escape later.
October, 1920
VILLA FLEES TO MOUNTAINS
Mexican Bandit Chief Said to Have Begun
New Revolt
SAN ANTONIO, Tex., August 24.—
Villa about this time was writing in praise of
new government and advising other bandits
to surrender. Was making no resistance.
MEXICO SEEKING
Alvarado Declares American Money Neces
sary to Rehabilitate Country
NEW YORK, August 26.
No loan sought or possible until authorized
by Mexican Congress and improbable until
after inauguration of Obregon as president.
"The Two Republics "
NDER this caption there has come to
UN THE REVIEW a handsomely printed and
bound pamphlet containing a lecture delivered
by Charles Sumner Young at Los Angeles in
1916, and the publication of which has been
deemed opportune at this juncture. The tone
of the address can be judged from some pun
gent sentences taken from the preface : "For
the advantage and advancement of all man
kind" has been the slogan of the murderous
cohorts of invaders since the first recorded
battles of Biblical times 4,000 years ago.
Never country existed incapable of self-gov
ernment ! Mexico has existed a thousand
years without American rule ; and a thousand
years hence Mexico would continue to exist
without American rule. Paraphrasing Lin
coln's great speech at Peoria, Ill . , in 1854 :
"When the American governs himself, that I
acknowledge is self-government ; when the
American governs himself and the Mexican
besides, that I call despotism.”
In conclusion the author says that the ad
dress is now published in the interest of Mex
4
ico , in the interest of the United States and in
the interest of humanity, "in the hope that
self-evident truths may have some influence
on two historic friends to withhold the im
pending step which must humiliate Mexico
and might be the fatal and final step in Amer
ica's downfall ." In nominating Woodrow
Wilson to the Presidency, John W. Wescott
sounded the keynote of warning to campaignw
ing militant -patriots, who would troop under
the blue flag with the American eagle : "Help
Mexico , lest over her bloody grave are sown
the dragon's teeth of our own destruction ."
The address in question is worthy of careful
reading and serious consideration by all real
friends of both countries .
A German organization with large capital
is reported to be interesting itself in the
development and production of petroleum in
Mexico and its shipment to Germany as well
as to other foreign countries. It is proposed to
build tank vessels and also to acquire oil
bearing lands as is being done by companies
from other countries. Application has been
made to the Petroleum Department for all
information needed in carrying out the pur
poses of the organization .
Octubre, 1920 LA
Las Noticias Comparadas Con los Hechos
Un Exámen Breve de las Noticias Falsas Que Acerca de México Fueron
Publicadas en Agosto en los Diarios de Una Ciudad Americanc
IEMPRE se le han estado dando
pueblo americano lo que se ha dado en
S llamar "noticias" de México . Algunos
corresponsales de poco sentido común que son
retribuidos por las agencias de noticias según
las columnas que escriben, se valen de cual
quier rumor vago para darle color a los des
pachos telegráficos sin detenerse a investigar
la realidad de los hechos.
A continuación damos a conocer algunos
"encabezados" típicos escogidos de los cuatro
diarios que durante Agosto se publicaron en
una ciudad importante de los Estados Unidos,
y también insertamos, en tipo cursivo, los
hechos tal como sucedieron :
TROPAS DE CANTU
HACEN FUEGO CONTRA
LOS FEDERALES
Con Aeroplanos Porta -Bombas y Ametra
lladoras Manejadas por Yankis
TRATAN DE INTERCEPTAR AL
ENEMIGO
Seis Destacamentos Son Enviados a Detener
a los Mexicanos al Sur de Colorado
MEXICALI, Agosto 7.
No hubo ninguna batalla , ni con mexicanos
ni con yanquis. Las tropas federales ni siquic
ra estuvieron a cien millas de distancia de
las de Cantú hasta después que Cantú hubo
renunciado pacíficamente y su sucesor, acom
pañado de un pequeño destacamento, asumido
el gobierno de la peninsula.
PROBABLEMENTE HABRA UNA
REVOLUCIÓN EN VERACRUZ
El Gobierno de Nava Desatiende la Orden
de De la Huerta en Que se le Quita
del Poder
VERACRUZ, Agosto 11.
No hubo revolución en Veracruz; ni siquiera
hubo algun asalto por bandidos.
SE TEME UN GOLPE DE
ESTADO POR DE LA HUERTA
Los Adherentes de Obregon Temen Una
Intriga para Tomar la Presidencia
TAL VEZ SE POSPONGAN
LAS ELECCIONES
Hay Friccion Entre los Jefes Sobre el
Préstamo que se Busca en los Estados
Unidos- Las Promesas de De la Huerta
de Tratar Justamente a los Intereses
Americanos se Consideran Indefinidas- Se
Reciente la intencion de Quitar a Cantú—
Amanazas de un Conflicto Armado en
Vera Cruz.
WASHINGTON, Agosto 11.—
REVISTA MEXICANA
El golpe de estado no se materializó . Obre
gón fué elegido sin el menor disturbio.
No se solicita ningun empréstito.
Las compañías de petróleo pagan los im
puestos.
Cantú renunció.
No hay conflicto armado .
PREVENCIÓN CONTRA
EMPRESTITOS A HUERTA
Los Financieros de Nueva York
Aconsejados desde Aquí
WASHINGTON, Agosto 11.
No se busca ningun empréstito y ni es esto
probable hasta que Obregón asuma la Presi
dencia, y el Congreso Mexicano tome acción.
PROTESTAS EN CONTRA DE LOS
IMPUESTOS DEL PETRÓLEO
Las Compañías Americanas Dicen que los
Impuestos son Excesivos
SE CULPA AL GOBIERNO DE
DE LA HUERTA
Las Elecciones Presidenciales Implicadas
en Esta Controversia- Las Compañías
Llamadas Buenas o Malas si Están con el
Partido de Obregon o con el de De la
Huerta-Ambos Buscan Empréstitos en
los Estados Unidos- Washington Tal Vez
Alegue que las Elecciones no Fueron
Legítimas o Libres- El Ejército es la
Agencia de De la Huerta.
WASHINGTON, Agosto 18.—
Todas las compañías pagaron los impuestos
después de dos semanas depués de la publica
ción de esta pretendida noticia.
Huerta y Obregón continúan, como princi
piaron , en perfecta armonía.
No se buscan emprésilitos ,
Las clecciones pasaron sin ningun > incidente .
Gran parte del ejército ha sido dado de
baja.
ONCE AMERICANOS
SECUESTRADO POR
LOS MEXICANOS
UN INGLES ES CAPTURADO
Un Sobrino de John Hays Hammond Entre
los Secuestrados- El Rescate que se
Pide es Grande
CIUDAD DE MEXICO , Agosto 24.
Todos, menos dos, inmediatamente fueron
puestos en libertad. El ejército Mexicano
persigue a los bandidos en las montañas,
matando a muchos, Tugarse las dos mas tarde.
23
ES PROBABLE UN
ROMPIMIENTO ENTRE
ESPAÑA Y MÉXICO
Puede Esto Ser el Resultado de la Cancela
cion de las Credenciales del Consul
Español
CIUDAD DE MEXICO , Agosto 19.—
No ha habido rompimiento ; el incidente se
arregló sin un día de interrupción en las rela
ciones oficiales .
SE HACEN RECLAMACIÓNES
A MÉXICO
Francia Pone Sus Condiciones Para Otorgar
su Recomocimiento
Son PARIS , Agosto 19.
Es oficialmente negado esto , tanto en Francia
como en México .
VILLA SE FUGÓ A '
LAS MONTAÑAS
Se Dice Que Este ha Empezado una Nueva
Revolucion
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS . Agosto 24.
l'illa en esos días estaba escribiendo alaban
zas al nuevo gobierno, y aconsejando a los
otros bandidos que se rindieran.
MÉXICO BUSCA UN
EMPRESTITO DE
75,000,000 DOLARES
Alvarado Declara que el Dinero Americano
es Necesario par la Rehabilitacion
del País
NEW YORK, Agosto 26.
No se busca ningun empréstito , ni es posible
hacerlo sin la autorización del Congreso Mexi
cano, y ésto es improbable hasta después de la
inaguración de Obregón como presidente .
Se Establecerá Un Banco Del
Petróleo H
Dicese que se estan dando ciertos pasos para
la organización de un Banco del Petróleo con el
objeto fundamental de ayudar a las compañías
petroleras que resultan perjudicadas por la falta
de facilidades bancarias en la República. Dícese
que el nuevo Banco comenzará a funcionar con
un capital de un millón de dólares, el que será
aumentado a medida que crezca la demanda .
Agrégase que uno de los principales promotores
de la idea es el ex-secretario del Tesoro de los
Estados Unidos, Mr. McAdoo .
El Departamento de Hacienda dice que los
ingresos mensuales son de $ 18,000,000 , y los
gastos $ 17,750,000 , o una ganancia de $250,000
mensuales.
Desde el 8 hasta el 14 de Julio del año pasado
los ingresos de los Ferrocarriles Nacionales de
México fueron de $ 1,146,142 comparados con
$1,728,698 por el mismo período de este año , o
sca un aumento de más de medio millon de pesos .
24
With the Mexican Poets
THE BEES
Enrique Fernandez Granados
Within the comb the honey
Stored by the toiling bee
Less sweet is than the kisses
My true love gives to me!
When dawn is born, and Hesper
Scarce lights the silent lands,
I go into the orchard,
For there a bee-hive stands.
And when they hear my footsteps
The bees, a squadron bold,
Prepare their diamond daggers
To guard their combs of gold.
Oh, how the cursed insects ,
More fierce as I draw nigh,
With an infernal buzzing
Their pointed weapons ply !
Yet do I not turn backwards ;
The bees I do not fear,
And if a wound may pierce me
'Tis healed by love so dear.
The waxen comb I capture,
A-drip with honey sweet,
And I make haste to lay it
An offering at her feet.
A kiss my true-love gives me ;
Oh, sweet is the reward !
And then I know, while feeling
The bliss it can afford.
That in the comb the honey
Stored by the toiling bee,
Less sweet is than the kisses
My true-love gives to me!
THE SONG BY THE WAY
Francisco A. de Icaza
A solitary pilgrim I,
Through foreign lands I stray ;
Yet am I not alone- my song
Goes with me all the way.
And if the night around be black,
I make it bright as day ;
I sing, and then the song lights up
The darkness of the way.
I do not sigh for weariness,
However far I stray ;
The heavenly staff of song makes brief
The long, out-stretching way.
Ah, sad indeed that pilgrim's fate
Who goes alone all day,
Nor has for comrade of his march
A song along the way.
DAWN
Enrique Fernandez Granados
Look! in the darksome cast the Dawn anew
Now shakes abroad her glittering tresses bright ;
The morning star her soft and lovely light
Sheds amid clouds of changing opal hue.
A mirror to its banks and heaven's blue,
The murmurous river clear sweeps on in might ;
The modest violet hides herself from sight,
Outbreathing her sweet scent, and wet with dew.
The gentle birds forsake the leafy shades ;
Where half-blown rose and myrtle cheer our eyes ,
They sing their loves, or mourn for love's disdain .
Kissed by the breezes underneath soft skies,
The whispering leaves of the white poplar trees
Look like a swarm of snowy butterflies .
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
Versions by ALICE STONE BLACKWELL
ENVY
Salvador Díaz Miron
I know a reptile that pursues the shadow,
Swift and aerial, which to earth is thrown
By a bright bird of paradise, blithe soaring,
A living rainbow ' mid the blue alone.
I know a greedy worm in marsh-mire hidden ;
It for a butterfly is ambushed there—
A free and variegated flower, displaying
Two fluttering petals in the golden air.
Hate of the dark scale for the shining feather !
The caterpillar's grudge that ne'er can die !
O petty warfare that is waged forever
By all things crawling against all that fly!
TO HER EYES
Julio M. Flores
Undefinable eyes ; cyes enormous
As the heavens and the sea ;
Eyes like the Andes forests,
Fantastic, obscure, in mystery.
Eyes in whose mystic shadows
The trace of hidden grief is seen ;
Just as seen on the barren shore
The track of the waves of the sea.
Look at me with love eternally
Eyes of a melancholic pupil ;
Eyes resembling under her forehead
Wells of water, deep, tranquil.
Look at me with love, divine eyes,
Embellishing as suns her head ;
That above her lips of coral
As two abysses of sorrow bend.
Look at me with love, eyes in light aflamed,
And when I, who love you so, may die ;
Upon my livid remains shed
The sweet outpour of your cry .
M. S. P.
SAD SONG
Maria Enriqueta
The Hermit's Lane, how sad it is ,
How gloomy and how drear!
Except the evil-boding birds,
No song therein we hear.
Sad look the pavements, sad the eaves,
The hovels in a row
Its whole dark aspect makes my heart
With sadness overflow,
Pass not that way, O traveller!
The Hermit's Lane is drear ;
There lives the carpenter who made
The coffin for my dear !
ON A FAN
Juan B. Delgado
A butterfly this fan is, which took flight,
Following a dream in vain, from land to land.
It comes at last, outwearied, to alight
And rest from wandering, within the white,
Royal, five-petalled rose of your fair hand.
THE COLONEL
Carleton Beals
One foot on the stirrup, one hand on his gun,
His hat debonairly atilt on his head,
The summer's young night, with a full moon, begun,
He'll find a new love this soft night of Pared,
Or feel a keen blade, and a heart bleeding red.
}
October, 1920
::
MEXICO
Carleton Beals
Three centuries lie tucked away
Within a silent patio,
Where brown chayote tendrils stray
About the balconies grown gray
Beneath the sun's remorseless glow
Through years of mouldering decay.
The clear, calm sky of cobalt dies
Above the red adobe walls,
Heart-pierced where broken steeples rise.
The lizards sleep , the dragon flies
Drone drowsily as twilight falls.
Sudden the tropic thunder mutters,
The hurried call of birds grows shrill ;
A señorita's mantle flutters •
A muffled sob, and all is still
Behind the half-closed shutters.
BURROS
Carleton Beals
His master asleep beneath a nearby tree,
A shaggy burro drowses by the road
Knee-deep in dust, and, munching filaree ,
Forgets his heavy burdens and the goad.
Ajusco rears his turbaned head of snow,
And boldly shoulders the southern copper sky.
Thus he has held the heavens through ages slow :
Watching burros on the plain below,
Watching the Ancient Toltecs passing by.
DEITY
Amado Nervo
As in the pebble sleeps the fiery spark,
The statue in the clay, inert and dark,
So slumbers the divine, O soul ! in thee ;
But underneath the stroke of pain alone,
Smiting and smiting, from the lifeless stone
Leaps forth the lighting flash of deity.
Do not complain , then, of thy destiny,
Since what there is of the divine in thee
Only through it can rise into the light.
Bear, if thou hast the courage, with a smile
The life that the great Artist all the while
Is carving, with his chisel-strokes of might.
What matter hours that teem with grievous things.
If every hour unto thy budding wings
Adds one more feather beautiful and free?
Thou yet shalt see the condor high in air,
Thou yet shalt see the finished sculpture fair ;
Thou yet shalt see, O spirit, thou shalt see !
THE STARS
By Manuel José Othon
Who says that men, as we look down to sec
From the deep occan of the azure sky,
Seem but like motes before the wind that fly,
Or worms that creep and die, of low degree?
Not so ! Their brains, that throb with courage free ,
These are a marvel that naught else comes nigh
Forges where thoughts upon the anvil lie,
Brighter by far than we can ever be.
Beneath that little arch of pallid clay
We see ideas with flaming splendor beam,
Defying time and space and mortal bars.
Compared with these, to us who watch alway.
Ashes and dust doth all creation seem :
Stars are dead matter ; human brows are stars !
Octubre, 1920
Con
LAS ABEJAS
Enrique Fernandez Granados
No es la miel que fabrica
En su panal de abeja,
Dulce como los besos
De la que a mí me besa !
Cuando la aurora nace,
Y Héspero brilla apenas,
Voy a la huerta en donde
Un colmenar se encuentra.
Al escuchar mis pasos
El escuadrón de abejas
Sus diamantinas puntas
Prepara a la defensa.
¡ Oh ! cómo las malditas,
Al acercarme, fieras,
Con infernal zumbido
Me clavan sus saetas !
Mas yo no retrocedo ;
No temo a las abejas !
Si una me clava un dardo
Amor la herida cierra. · •
Y logro apoderarme
De la escondida cera
Que destilando mieles
Corro luego a ofrecerla.
¡ Me da un beso mi amada
¡ Oh dulce recompensa !
Entonces pruebo y siento
Con esa miel hiblea.
Que no es la miel que labra
En su panal la abeja,
Dulce como los besos
De la que a mí besa !
LA CANCIÓN DEL CAMINO
Francisco de A. Icaza
Aunque voy por tierra extraña
Solitario y peregrino ,
No voy solo, me acompaña
Mi canción en el camino.
Y si la noche está negra ,
Sus negruras ilumino ;
Canto, y mi canción alegra
La obscuridad del camino.
La fatiga no me importa.
Por que el báculo dívino
De la canción, hace corta
La distancia del camino.
¡ Ay triste y desventurado
Quien va solo y peregrino,
Y no marcha acompañado
Por la canción del camino !
AL AMANECER
Enrique Fernandez Granados
¡ Mirad El alba en el oriente umbrío
Su cabellera fúlgida desata,
Y entre celajes de ópalo dilata
Venus su luz con gentileza y brio
Fluye sonoro y transparente el río,
Ques sus riberas y el azul retrata,
Y exhalando su aroma se recata
La violeta, bañada de rocio.
Tiernas las aves el follaje dejan
Y entre los mirtos y entreabiertas rosas
Cantan su amor o del desdén se quejan.
Y al beso de las aures rumorosas ,
Las fronda de los álamos semejan
Un enjambre de blancas inariposas.
*
LA REVISTA MEXICANA
Los Poetas Mexicanos
Versiones por ALICE STONE BLACKWELL
ASONANCIAS
Salvador Diaz Miron
Sé de un reptil que persigue
La sombra randa y aéria
Que en ave del paraíso
Projecta sobre la tierra,
Desde el azul en que flota,
Iris vivo de orlas negras !
Conozco un voraz quiano
Que perdido en una ciénega,
Acecha una mariposa
Que, flor matizada y suelta,
Ostenta en un aire de oro
Dos pétalos que aletean.
¡i Odio que la oscura escama
Profesa a la olumna espléndida !
¡ Inmundo rencor de oruga !
¡ Eterna y mezquina guerra
De todo lo que se arrastra
Contra todo lo que vuela !
A SUS OJOS
Pósia por Julio M. Flores
Ojos indefinibles, ojos grandes,
Como los cielos y el mar ;
Ojos como las selvas de los Andes,
Misteriosos , fantásticos y oscuros.
Ojos en cuyas místicas ojeras
Hay la huella de incógnitos pesares ;
Asi cual en la aridez de las robiras
Deja el zurco las ondas de los mares.
Miradme con amor eternamente,
Ojos de melancólicas pupilas ;
Ojos que semejas, bajo su frente,
Fuentes de agua, profundas, y tranquilas.
Miradme con amor, ojos divinos,
Que adornais cual dos soles su cabeza ;
Y que arriba de sus labios coralinos,
Pareceis dos abismos de tristeza,
Miradme con amor, fulgidos ojos,
Y cuando muera yo, que os amo tanto,
Verted sobre mis lividos despojos
El dulce manantial de vuestro llanto.
CANCIÓN TRISTE
Maria Enriqueta
Oh, que triste callejón
El callejón del "Santero !"
Sólo da en él su canción
El ave de mal agüero.
¡Ay ! su empedrado, su alero,
Sus casucas ... todo entero
Abate mi corazón. & •
No pasas por él, viajero !
El callejón del "Santero."
Es un triste callejón ;
Alli vive el carpintero
Que hizo, a mi amado, el cajón. .
EN UN ABANICO
Juan B. Delgado
Este abanico es mariposa
que tras un sueño voló en vano,
3 y que cansada al fin se posa
en la ducal y blanca rosa
de cinco pétalos : tu mano .
25
.::
NO TODOS
Amado Nervo
No todos los muertos contemplan a Dios.
¿Tú piensas que basta morir para ver
ese gran misterio del que vas en pos ;
¿Que el velo de Isis habras de romper?
¡ Iluso creer !
1 No todos los muertos contemplan a Dios!
En cambio, las almas austeras y grandes,
en vida- si saben "subir" -le verán.
Como ven el alba florecer los Andes,
Cuando aún los llanos en la noche están !
SI UNA ESPINA ME HIERE ..
Amado Nervo
¡ Si una espina me hiere, me aparto de la espina
• pero no la aborrezco !
Cuando la mezquindad
envidiosa en mí clava los dardos de su inquina,
esquívase en silencio mi planta, y se encamina
hacia más puro ambiente de amor y caridad.
¡ Rencores !
¡ De qué sirven !
¡Qué logran los rencores !
Ni restañan heridas, ni corrigen el mal.
Mi rosal tiene apenas tiempo para dar flores
y no prodiga savias en pinchos punzadores :
si pasa mi enemigo cerca de mi rosal.
Se llevará las rosas de más sutil esencia,
y si notare en ellas algún rojo vivaz,
¡ será el de aquella sangre que su malevolencia
de ayer, vertió , al herirme con encono y violencia
Y que el rosal devuelve, trocada en flor de paz !
DEIDAD
Amado Nervo
Como duerme la chispa en el guijarro
y la estatua en el barro ,
en ti duerme la divinidad.
Tan solo de un dolor constante y fuerte
al choque, brota de la piedra inerte
el relámpago de la deidad.
No te quejes por tanto el destino,
pues lo que en tu interior hay de divino
sólo surge merced a él.
Soporte, si es posible, sonriendo,
la vida que el Artista va esculpiendo ,
el duro choque del cincel.
¿Que importan para ti las horas malas
si cada hora en tus nacientes alas
pone una pluma bella más?
Ya verás al condor en plena altura,
ya verás concluida la escultura ,
ya verás, alma, ya verás !
LAS ESTRELLAS
Por Manuel José Othon
¿ Quién dice que los hombres nos parecen,
desde el profundo mar del firmamento,
átomos agitados por el viento,
gusanos que se arrastran y perecen ?
No! Sus cráneos que heroicos se estremecen
son el más grande asombrador portento :
fraguas donde se forja el pensamiento
¡y que mas que nosotras resplandecen !
Bajo la estrecha cavidad caliza,
las ideas, en ignea llamarada,
contemplamos arder, y es, ante ellas,
toda la creación polvo y ceniza •
Los astros son materia inanimada
y las humanas frentes son estrellas !
 26 THE
MEXICO MISREPRESENTED
IN THE UNITED STATES
A Missouri Delegate to the Recent
Trade Conference Says Injurious
Reports Not Justified by the Facts
HE FOLLOWING letter was written to
THtheE Excelsior , of Mexico City, by Mr.
Charles G. Bittel, of St. Louis, one of the
delegates to the recent Commercial Congress
held in that city. It is a complete confirma
tion of what THE REVIEW has maintained from
the first day of its publication-that the mis
leading reports published in the foreign press
are responsible for the wrong impressions
held regarding this country in the United
States and elsewhere. Mr. Bittel says : "Upon
my return to St. Louis , it is with a feeling
of great satisfaction that I recall the not
only pleasant, but immensely profitable days
as well, which I spent while in your city.
It has been more than an agreeable surprise
to me to find conditions down there SO
entirely different from the news we are accus
tomed to gather from our newspapers, and I
gladly admit that any, to you, detrimental re
ports which may have appeared from time to
time in some of our daily papers, are not
justified by the actual present conditions, as I
found them in our great Sister Republic.
The Mexican-American Trade Conference , as
P called recently by the American Chamber
of Commerce of Mexico City, has done a
whole lot in dispelling many of the doubts we
have had in reference to your country, and
for that reason a great deal of credit is due
to their able secretary, Mr. W. F. Saunders ,
for his untiring efforts towards its so success
ful ending.
"We who had the opportunity of visiting you
all will be only too glad to try to offset and
efface some of the wrong impressions which
may still exist here and whenever they may
appear on the surface.
"It is to be regretted that the general public
seems to be more interested in scandalous
news with which our daily papers are suf
fused, than in good and upbuilding reports ,
and for that reason the actions of a few
bandits are read with avidity, whereas edito
rials of a healthy sort are hardly glanced at.
"Nevertheless I feel that the five scores of
delegates who are even now well distributed
all over the States of the Union, are working
in your country's behalf in so far as they
will be only too glad to state the actual facts
as they have found them.
"Of course, it will take some time before
a broader feeling of more generous leniency
towards unnecessarily exciting newspaper re
ports will be noticed, but if we all do our
share I feel that sooner or later some marked
improvement cannot fail of being recorded .
"This first Mexican-American Trade Con200
ference should by no means be the last one,
and I therefore propose, inasmuch as this
question has not been acted upon , that the
necessary steps should already be taken now to
prepare for another conference to be held in
1921 , at the same time and place, as I feel
that such a second meeting will far outshine
MEXICAN REVIEW
in scope, results and general interest this first
conference.
"I feel satisfied that, so far as St. Louis is
concerned and which we all regard as the
logical shipping point for export into Mexico ,
with the shipping advantages we have, in
connection with the low rates through the
Mississippi barge lines that connect our city
with New Orleans and facilitate placing our
merchandise direct on board steamers for
Vera Cruz, we should get overwhelmingly the
preference in being given the opportunity to
fill Mexican orders, and this is particularly
true of drug and chemical lines, as St. Louis
is (and no doubt you are aware of this fact)
the largest drug and chemical center within
the United States ; furthermore this business
will eventually come to St. Louis, so why
not start right now?
"Our banking institutions are some of the
strongest in the United States. Why not de
posit your accounts here with us where you
will do your buying in the future ?
"Such action on the part of some of your
leading importers would help considerably in
turning St. Louis sentiment in your favor and
then so much more could be expected in
future.
"If these few lines are instrumental in in
ducing some of your merchants to give us
the preference, it will have done all and more
than I may anticipate, and why not give us
the chance we are so rightly entitled to ?
"I. personally, will be only too glad to co
operate with you as much as my time will
nermit, and would willingly assist you in pub
lishing from time to time with your co-opera
tion such business reports as may prove
beneficial to further our mutual interests, and
assist you in your good work in placing be
fore our people Mexico and the Mexicans as
they really are.
· "Last but not least, full credit is due your
important journal for your efficient co -opera
tion in so faithfully and . ably reporting and
bringing before the public all information of
interest relating to the conference.
"Believe me, with best wishes, yours cor
dially,
"Meyer Brothers Drug Company,
"(Signed ) CHARLES G. BITTEL."
Popular Estimation of
the Present Government
HE Bulletin of the American Chamber of
TiCommerce of Mexico City is authority
for the following statement regarding the con
dition of the country under the present Gov
ernment :
"For the first time in eight years Mexico is
really peaceful. Trains run without military
escort and brigandage has practically disap
peared. All the revolutionary forces which
have persistently fought the Carranza regime
have welcomed the new Government and are
working heartily for its consolidation . Com
ments from American papers indicate that the
new Government is receiving a warm welcome
abroad and there is a general feeling that
Mexico's principal troubles are behind her."
October, 1920
Large Additions to the Coinage
ROM the 19th to the 31st of July 1,570,000
Fsilver pesos were minted in Mexico, and
during the same period 4,220,000 silver half
dollars and 50,000 pesos in twenty-cent pieces.
were minted and placed in circulation . In gold
the output was 800,000 " Aztecas ," or twenty
peso gold pieces , 800.000 also in five peso de
nominations and 200,000 in two and a half
pieces. No two peso pieces were minted for
the reason that the fractioned silver is now
plentiful and the necessity for the smaller gold
money has ceased to exist. Only 15,000 in cop
per twenty-cent pièces were coined during July
and there are in circulation 967,000 of this
mintage. There is also in circulation 752,000
of copper ten- cent pieces, of which 47,000
pesos was turned out in July. Principal at
tention is being given to the coinage of twenK
ties, tens, fives, twos and a half in gold, silver
pesos , half pesos and twenty-cent pieces, with
the idea of retiring the 20 and 10 cent copper
pieces as soon as possible.
Not An Unfavorable
Showing
NEWSPAPER correspondent whose per
A sonal knowledge of Mexican matters is
confined to a visit of a few short weeks and
one of whose chief sources for "information"
is the gossip of the foreign clubs and hotel
lobbies, writes an article that has been pub
lished under the heading in black type " Crimes
Increase in Mexico City." In the course ' of
the article it is declared that "on one day five
crimes against person and property were re
ported, and on the day following seven similar
offenses were reported ." Inasmuch as the
population of Mexico City is in the vicinity of
a million, one may be pardoned for asking if
this is not a decidedly favorable showing ?
Will it not compare with foreign cities on both
continents to the advantage of Mexico ?
An Easy Rule for Changing
Mexican Into American Values
N MANY business operations and estimates
INit is frequently necessary to arrive at the
value per pound in American money as com
pared with the price per kilo in Mexican
money. Taking the rate of exchange as two
to one two pesos in Mexican coin for one
dollar in American gold-the value of a pound
of any commodity in the latter currency may
be ascertained by calculating 23 per cent of the
Mexican price. Thus : If beans are quoted at
35 cents per kilo , their value per pound in
American money should be 23 per cent of that,
or 8.05 cents. Those who waste time with
the old method of calculating are advised to
try this as a saver of time and patience .
The Confederated Chambers of Commerce,
it is understood, has recommended that the
various steamship companies, foreign and na
tional, plying in Mexican waters, organize in
self defense against the seamen's union which
Captain
is bringing about frequent unjustified strikes. }
During the first five months this year 11,407
passports were visacd by Mexican consuls
abroad to admit travelers into Mexico .
Octubre, 1920 LA
EN LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS SE
REPRESENTA A MEXICO
FALSAMENTE
>
Un Delegado de Missouri a la Recient
Conferencia Comercial Dice que los
Hechos no 75 Concuerdan con las Noticias
Insultantes
A carta que a continuación publicamos fue
LA escrita a Excelsior, diario de la Ciudad
de México , por el Sr. Charles G. Bittel,
de St. Louis , Mo., uno de los delegados al
reciente Congreso Comercial que , tuvo lugar
en aquella ciudad. Es una confirmación com
pleta de lo que LA REVISTA ha venido soste
niendo desde el primer día de su publicación ,
que las noticias falsas publicadas en la prensa
extranjera son responsables por las impresiones
erróneas que con referencia a México existen
en los Estados Unidos y en otras partes. El
Sr. Bittel dice :
"A mi regreso a St. Louis, con sentimientos
de verdadera satisfacción recuerdo los días
tan placenteros como provechosos que pasé en
vuestra ciudad.
"Fue una sorpresa para mí más que agrada
ble el ver que las condiciones en vuestro país
son muy diferentes a como estamos acostum
brados a figurárnolas después de leer las
noticias publicadas en nuestros periódicos , y
con gusto le confieso a usted que los informes
perjudiciales que de tiempo en tiempo han
venido apareciendo en nuestros diarios no son
justificados por las condiciones actuales tal y
como las encontré en nuestra gran República
Hermana.
"La Conferencia Comercial México-Ameri
cana, como la llamó recientemente la Cámara
de Comercio Americana de la Ciudad de
México, ha hecho mucho para disipar las dudas
que hemos tenido con referencia a vuestro país,
y por esa razón una buena parte del crédito
se le debe al hábil secretario, Sr. W. F.
Saunders, por sus incansables esfuerzos en pro
del buen éxito de la conferencia.
"Nosotros, los que tuvimos la oportunidad
de visitar vuestro país, tendremos mucho gusto
en hacer lo posible por contrarrestar y borrar
algunas de las malas impresiones que aún
existan aquí y dondequiera que lleguen a
aparecer.
"Es de sentirse que el público en general
parece estar más interesado en las noticias
escandalosas de que nuestrios diarios están
llenos, que en los informes buenos y construc
tivos, y por esa razón las hazañas de unos
cuantos bandidos son leídas con avidez mien
tras que apenas si se pasa una mirada a los
editoriales buenos y constructivos.
"Sin embargo, yo creo que la centena de
delegados a esa conferencia, los cuales ahora
estan bien distribuidos por todos los Estados
de la Unión Americana, sentirán un placer en
declarar la realidad de los hechos tal como los
presenciaron, y al hacer esto contribuirán al
bienestar de vuestro país.
"Como es natural, pasará algún tiempo antes
de que se note un espíritu más amplio de
indulgencia hacia las noticias innecesariamente
excitantes que publican los diarios, pero si
todos hacemos nuestro deber creo que tarde
o temprano se notará alguna mejora en ese
sentido.
REVISTA MEXICANA
"Esta Conferencia Comercial México -Amer
icana es la primera que se celebra, y por
ningún motivo debe permitirse que sea la
última, para la cual propongo , en vista de que
no se trató este punto, que desde luego se
empiezen los preparativos necesarios para cele
brar otra conferencia en 1921. en la misma
fecha y lugar, pues creo que otra conferencia
semejante sobresaldrá a la primera en los
buenos resultados para el bienestar general.
"Por la parte que toca a St. Louis, con
siderada como el punto principal de exporta
ciones para México, estoy satisfecho de que
se nos debía dar la preferencia para llenar los
pedidos de México , pues contamos con vias de
transportación muy ventajosas ; los precios de
transportación en las líneas de navegación a
lo largo del Mississippi hasta New Orleans nos
facilitan el poder poner nuestras mercancías a
bordo de los buques que van directamente
hasta Veracruz, y muy principalmente en lo
que se refiere a artículos de química y
droguería, pués es bien sabido que St. Louis.
es en los Estados Unidos el principal centro
químico y farmacéutico . Esta clase de comer
cio tarde que temprano tiene que hacerse con
St. Louis, ¿ por qué no empezar de una vez ?
"Nuestras instituciones bancarias son de las
más fuertes de los Estados Unidos. ¿ Por qué
no depositáis vuestro dinero aquí donde tenéis
que venir a hacer comercio con nosotros en el
futuro ?
"Si esto hicieran algunos de vuestros más
importantes importadores, ayudarí considera
blemente a que la opinión pública en St. Louis
se pusiera a vuestro favor y de esta manera
mayores resultados se podrían esperar en el
futuro.
"Si estas cuantas palabras fueran suficientes
para hacer que algunos de vuestros comer
ciantes nos dieran la preferencia, habrán hecho
mis palabras más de lo esperado . ¿ Por qué
no habéis , pues , de darnos la oportunidad que
tan merecida tenemos ?
"En lo personal, yo tendré sumo placer en
cooperar con vosotros en todo aquello que mi
tiempo me permita, y gustosamente ayudaría
a publicar, con vuestra cooperación, todos
aquellos informes comerciales que puedan
reportar algún beneficio a nuestros mútuos
intereses, y que os ayudaran en la meritoria
labor de hacer a nuestro pueblo ver a México
y a los mexicanos tal como realmente son.
"Por último, permítame felicitar a vuestra
importante publicación por la cooperación
eficiente que nos prestó, y por la forma verí
dica en que publicó todas las noticias rela
cionadas con la conferencia.
"Con mis mejores deseos créame,
"Sinceramente vuestro,
"(Firmado) CHARLES G. BITTEL,
"Por la Meyer Brothers Drug Company.' "
Los gastos del cuerpo diplomático para el
año entrante serán de 6,300,375 pesos com
parados con 4,470,000 pesos en el año pasado.
El servicio secreto de ese departamento ha
sido reducido de 250,000 pesos a 150,000 pesos
en el nuevo presupuesto . El cuerpo diplo
mático y consular se reducirá en número pero
se le aumentará un 50 por ciento en los
salarios.
27
Adquisicion De Propiedad
Raiz Por Extranjeros.
ON frecuencia se pregunta a LA REVISTA
C MEXICANA respecto a la legislación relativa
a la adquisición de propiedad raíz en México por
los extranjeros. Ha habido una mala inteligencia
general en otros países respecto a esta importante
cuestión , por lo cual es de interés la'explicación
del asunto , hecha por Mr. G. E. Towle de este
ciudad ante el Congreso Comercial celebrado
recientemente . Dijo ese caballero en parte :
"No existe obstáculo para que los extranjeros
adquieran y posean bienes raíces en México ,
fuera de la zona prescrita de la frontera y del
establecimiento más reciente aún de zonas
prohibidas en la costa . Es decir , cien kilómetros
de distancia de una frontera nacional o cincuenta
de la costa.
Aunque se cree generalmente que la Consti
tución Mexicana impone inhibiciones especiales
a los extranjeros , las cláusulas en que son
requeridos a renunciar a sus derechos como tales
en lo que se refiere a la propiedad que pueden
adquirir data a lo menos del año de 1856, en un
decreto del Presidente Comonfort . En esa época
también los propietarios extranjeros estaban
sujetos al servicio militar si así se necesitaba para
la protección de la población o distrito en que
residían. En la actualidad no sucede esto, pues
no se permite a los extranjeros empuñar las armas
en las contiendas militares .
"Por consecuencia, los extranjeros pueden
adquirir tierras o poseer lo siguiente :
(1) Propiedad adquirida de propietarios
particulares.
"(2) Las tierras del Gobierno sujetas a de
nuncio y adquiridas directamente de la Secretaría
de Fomento y Colonización.
" (3) Las propiedades vendidas en almoneda
pública por la falta de pago de contribuciones y
en las cuales autoriza la autoridad competente
la expedición de títulos.
" En todo caso, sin embargo, debe ser redactado
y expedido el título en presencia de un notario'
porque aunque modificado de tiempo en tiempo
en la práctica, pero no en principio, aun existe en
pleno vigor, el primitivo sistema notarial español
para el traspaso de la propiedad raíz, y por más
que sea tardío y prolijo en su funcionamiento es,
eminentemente satisfactorio y seguro.'
El Actual Gobierno,
Causa Buena Impresión
EL Boletin de la Cámara de Comercio
D Americana de la Ciuded de México co
piamos las siguientes declaraciones con refe
rencia a las condiciones que existen en México
bajo el actual Gobierno :
"Por la primera vez en ocho años México
está verdaderamente pacificado . Los trenes
corren sin escoltas militares y el bandidaje
prácticamente ha desaparecido. Todas las fac
ciones revolucionarias que habían venido
luchando contra el regimen carrancista han
aceptado el nuevo Gobierno y están laborando
con entusiasmo para su consolidación. Los
comentarios de los periódicos americanos indi
can que el nuevo Gobierno ha causado buena
impresión en el extranjero # y que existe la
creencia general de que ya ha pasado para
México el período de sus dificultades .
Los manufactureros del Districto Federal y
de los Estados de México , Puebla y Vera Cruz
están formando una organización para pro
tegerse contra los abusos crecientes de las
uniones de trabajadores. En contra de los
huelgas ellos proponen la clausura de las
fábricas y contra el sabotaje , proponen el
"boycott."
28 THE
GOVERNOR ENRIQUEZ
OF CHIHUAHUA
His Progressive Ideas and His Hopes
for the Future of His State
ENERAL IGNACIO ENRIQUEZ,
G who was recently elected Governor of
the State of Chihuahua, is a man of progres
sive ideas and broad understanding, as indi
cated by his utterances in a recent inter
view.
Stating that it was time for Mexicans to
realize that sooner or later they would be
compelled by force of circumstances to know
that Mexico cannot be kept isolated, but must
be friends with the United States and work
together, he predicted that some day, before
he is old, he will see a great many American
customs adopted here. "We can with profit
adopt the American systems of education and
sanitation," he said, adding : "The enterprise
and hustle of Americans would do us good.
Some Mexicans go to the United States to
learn English, but I am sorry to say that a
large number of Americans live in Mexico for
years and never learn three words of Spanish ."
When asked his plans if elected Governor
of Chihuahua , Enriquez answered that, first,
he would make every effort to bring in Amer
ican capital for investment by giving every
guarantee. He would try to clean up disorder
and avoid the constant trouble now existing
through the fact that the authorities on both
sides have not worked in harmony. This dis
cord, said Enriquez, not only has caused trou
ble between peaceful citizens of both countries,
but gave protection to criminals.
He would appoint a force of special agents
who would be instructed to work in harmony
with the police forces along the border so that
criminals could not pass from one side to the
other.
When asked about American slackers, who
are living in great numbers in Juarez and Chi
huahua City, Enriquez answered : "Please tell
my American friends that I , as a soldier, ad
mire men who have risked their lives in war,
and despise the cowards who flew to Mexico
to avoid their duty.
"The slackers must go when I am Governor.
I do not want that type of Americans or for
eigners here. We have enough bad actors
here without importing more. We want the
best class of Americans and other foreigners.
Then we will have no trouble."
Enriquez did not think that the dry zone
along the border was practical . At present
gambling and liquor selling will be allowed, as
the State needs the revenue, but the revenue
must be applied to the welfare of the State or
there would be no object in allowing these to
exist. Personally, he said, he was opposed to
gambling, but the revenue for a year from
this source amounts to more than any other
income of the State. Part of this income he
would devote to improving the City of Juarez,
as he was ashamed that the first port of the
border where travelers pass makes such a bad
impression.
Public schools in Chihuahua in the past have
taught French and German, but that will be
changed and all schools must teach English .
MEXICAN REVIEW
After the pupils have learned English they
will be permitted to study whatever language
they wish.
"The American school systems are wonder
ful," said Enriquez. "I know, because I grad
uated there. My brothers studied in the
United States, and my children, when old
enough, will also go there. Some day," con
tinued Enriquez, "Mexico and the United
States will be different only in name. We will
have more 'pep' and the Americans will take
things more calmly. We will understand each
other, work out future problems in harmony
and good will, each working for the better
ment of their own people, but trying not to
take advantage of each other. A great many
Mexicans will speak English. I want to see
all Mexicans with a knowledge of English so
that they can understand the reasons why the
United States is such a great country, and
then make Mexico equally great."
General Enriquez left the army in order to
run for Governor of the State of Chihuahua
in the elections in August. Enriquez is one
of the youngest generals in the service, being
31 years old. He is a great admirer of the
United States, having graduated from the St.
Louis University.
He held the position of
Consul General at New York under the Car
ranza Government for some months, resigning
to reenter the military campaign. He is tall
and slender, with prematurely gray hair, a
square jaw of an aggressive type, a quiet
speaker, with a fluent command of English,
and, as indicated, has some progressive ideas
for the betterment of the State of Chihuahua.
Governor Enriquez was active in the entire
revolution, commencing in 1910, and showing
himself a good fighter as well as an able civil
ruler.
High Estimation for Poets ,
Artists and Others
'HE high estimation in which poets ,
TH artists, and others of like character are
held in Mexico is demonstrated by the recent
action of the Newspapermen's Association of
Mexico City in seeking for clemency on behalf
of Fabio Fallio, well known as the patriot
poet of San Domingo, and who is now
under trial by court martial held under the
American military authorities of that country.
The general esteem bestowed upon this class
is constantly in evidence in the public press.
First page display heads are given to news
of this sort, while other matters, such as poli
tics, crimes, etc., are relegated to subordinate
positions-in refreshing contrast to the meth
ods of the press in some other countries. The
story of the fugitive soldier whose life was
spared by the pursuing enemy upon his decla
ration that he was a poet, will be remembered
by readers of THE REVIEW, and it is hoped
that the same plea will prevail in the present
case.
+ relief is felt from the recent lack of small
One of the latest projects of the Department
of Hacienda is the establishment of three free
ports of entry, Guaymas and Salina Cruz on
the Pacific coast and Puerto Mexico on the
Gulf. There is considerable discussion pro with the Central line at Capilla has been for
and con as to the advantages of this program. mally opened.
October, 1920
Regulations Regarding Passports
MERICAN citizens are cautioned by the
AMConsulate General to disregard statements
published in the press and elsewhere to the
effect that passports are no longer required.
Such statements are ill-advised, misleading
and are causing confusion which it is desired
to avoid. No American citizen can cross the
border without a passport.
Both regular and emergency passports cost
ten dollars.
Regular passports are valid for two years,
provided they are renewed at the end of the
first year and may be renewed again at the
end of the following six months without
charge.
No fees shall be charged for the issuance of
citizen's identity cards.
Verification by the American Consul of
citizen's identity cards will not be necessary.
When an emergency permit is desired for
the purpose of visiting interior points in Mex
ico, the holder of an identity card should be
required to make application for a State De
partment passport as a prerequisite to the en
dorsement of the card permitting the emer
gency trip.
When such emergency permit is desired by
an American citizen- in possession neither of
a valid United States passport nor a citizen's
identity card-he will as a prerequisite to the
issuance of such emergency permit, file an ap
plication with the clerk of the appropriate
court for a regular State Department pssport,
following which he may be granted the said
emergency permit if the facts and circum
stances justify.
American Chamber of
Commerce of Mexico City
T the meeting of the Board of Directors
ATof of the American Chamber of Commerce of
Mexico City, the following officers were
elected for the ensuing year : President, H. P.
Lewis (re-elected ) ; vice-presidents, Arnold
Shanklin and M. V. Stewart ; treasurer, J. R.
French ; secretary, William T. Saunders.
George T. Summerlin, charge d'affairs of the
American Embassy, and John Barrett, of
Washington, were also elected honorary vice
presidents. The financial affairs of the
chamber are in a highly satisfactory condition .
The organization named is one of the most
active elements in the promotion of a better
understanding between the two countries, and
has done splendid service in that direction.
The personnel of its membership and officers
is a guaranty that this good work will be
continued indefinitely.
The Government is buying considerable
quantities of silver and copper and the Mint
is being worked at its full capacity in gold ,
silver and copper coins . Already a great
change. Silver coins, especially, are becoming
quite abundant.
The new railway connecting Lake Chapala
 ‫ד‬ LA
Octubre, 1920
EL GOBERNADOR ENRIQUEZ
DE CHIHUAHUA
Sus ideas progresivas para el
porvenir de su Estado
L GENERAL IGNACIO ENRIQUEZ,
Ε quien fúe recientemente elegido Gober
nador del Estado de Chihuahua, es un caba
llero de ideas avanzadas, como lo indica lo que
el dice en una entrevista reciente.
Dijo que ya era tiempo que los Mexicanos
realizacen que tarde o temprano la fuerza de
las circun stancias les obligará el comprender
que México no puede mantenerse aislado, pero
que tiene que mantener relaciones amistosas
con los Estados Unidos y trabajar juntos,
predice que algun día, antes que el sea viejo,
verá que se han adoptado muchos costumbres
Americanas en México. "Ganaremos mucho
con la adopción del sistema Americano de
educación y de sanidad," dijo, añadiendo ; " La
actividad y empresa Americana hará un gran
bien a México . Algunos Mexicanos van a los
Estados Unidos a estudiar el inglés, pero
siento el decir que muchos Americanos viven
en México muchos años y nunca aprenden
tres palabras de español."
Le preguntamos cuales eran sus planes si
fuese elegido Gobernador de Chihuahua, Enri
quez contestó, que, primero , él haría esfuerzos
para traer capital Americano para investirlo
y darle garantías ámplias. Que tratara de
suprimir los desordenes y evitar las constantes
contiendas que hoy existen debidas al hecho
de que las autoridades de ambos lados de la
frontera no estaban de acuerdo. Esta dis
cordia, dijo Enriquez, no solamente a causado
muchos disgustos entre los ciudadanos pa
cificos de ambos países sino que también ha
dado protección a los criminales .
El nombrará un número de agentes espe
ciales quienes tendrán instrucciones para que
en armonía con la policia de la frontera
prevencan que los criminales crucen de un
lado al otro.
Cuando se le preguntó que haría con los
flojoes Americanos , quines estan viviendo en
gran número en Juarez y en la Ciudad Chihua
hua, Enriquez dijo ; " Sírvase decir a mis
amigos Americanos que yo, como soldado,
tengo admiración por aquellos que han arres
gado sus vidas en la guerra, y desprecio a los
cobardes que se fugaron a México para evitar
su deber militar.
"Los flojos tendrán que irse cuando yo sea
electo gobernador, no deseo este tipo Ameri
cano o extrangero aqui. Nosotros tenemos bas
tantes de esos sin tener que importarlos .
Queremos la mejor clase de Americanos y de
otros extrangeros, entonces no tendremos más
perturbaciones."
Enriquez no cree que la zona de prohibición
en la frontera es práctica. Por el presente las
casas de juego y la venta de licores se permi
tirán, por que el Estado necesita rentas, pèro
estas entradas , se pondrán para la mejoria del
Estado , de otro modo no habría objeto en
permiterse ésto . Personalmente , dijo, que él
estaba opuesto a los juegos, pero que las rentas
que rendirían por un año subiran a más que
de ninguna otro entranda del Estado. Parte
de esta renta la dedicará para mejorar la
REVISTA MEXICANA
Ciudad Juarez, porque le · da vergüenza que el
primer punto o de la frontera por donde los
viajeros pasan haga tan mala impresión.
En las escuelas públicas de Chihuahua en el
pasado se enseñaba el francés y aleman, pero
esto se cambiará, y todas las escuelas en
señarán el inglés. Depués de que los jóvenes
hayan aprendido el inglés entonces se les
permitará que estudien cualquier otro idioma
que deseen.
"El sistema Americano de enseñanza es
asombroso," dijo Enriquez, "lo sé porque yo
me gradu en los colegios de los Estados
Unidos . Mis hermanos estudiaron allá, y mis
hijos, cuando tengan edad suficiente, irán
también allá a hacer sus estudios. Algum dia,"
dijo Enriquez, "México y los Estados Unidos
se diferenciaran solamente en el nombre.
Tendremos más actividad, y los Americanos
tomaran las cosas con más calma. Nos en
tenderemos mejor y haremos la solución de
los problemas futuros en armonía y con buena
voluntad, cada uno trabajando por la mejoría
de su pueblo, sin tratar de tomar ventaja del
otro. Un gran número de Mexicanos hablarán
el inglés . Deseo ver que todos los Mexicanos
sepan el inglés para que así comprendan las
razones porque los Estados Unidos es un gran
país, y para que entónces hagan a México
igualmente grande."
El General Enriquez dejó el ejército para
ser candidato de Gobernador del Estado de
Chihuahua en las elecciones de Agosto
Enriquez es uno de los generales más
jóvenes en el servicia, solo tiene 31 años de
edad. Tiene mucha admiración por los Estados
Unidos, se graduó en la Universidad de San
Louis. Tuvo el puesto de Cónsul General en
New York por algunos meses bajo el gobierno
de Carranza, renuncio este puesto para volver a
entrar en la campaña militar . Es alto y
delgado , con canas prematuras, de tipo agresivo
y decidido , buen orador, poseedor de un co
nocimiento elegante del inglés , como hemos
dicho ticne ideas progressivas para el mejora
miento del Estado de Chihuahua.
El Gobernador Enriquez fué muy activo
durante toda la revolución, que principió en
1910 y demostró que es un hombre muy
valiente , así como también es un buen gober
nante civil.
Las "Maneras " Americans Son
Causa de Mucha Inquitud
MÉRICA ha traído perjuicio Mexicano
sobre ella por haber insultado las senSu
AM
sibilidades más finas de su vecino , en la opinión
del Cornel L. M. Maus, quien está haziendo un
estudio sociológico y educacional de la situa
ción Mexicana en Texas, New Mexico,
Arizona , y California bajo los auspicios de la
oficina de Roforma Internacional de Wash
ington.
"Estoy convencido , desqués de una cuida
dosa investigación de la situación Mexicana
en los Estados de la frontera , que la única
manera de quitar el perjuicio que existe entre
los Americanos y Mexicanos de los Estados
de la frontera internacional es un completo
cambio de nuestra ética," dice el Cornel Maus .
La lección que núnca hemos aprendido , y la
cual América ha tenido vastante oportunidad
29
de haber asimilado con nuestra experiencia en
las Filipinas y en otras partes, es que la
manera suave y cortez de los latinos ha sido
herida por el metodo agresio y directo del
Anglo - Sajon en su intercuso con la raza latina.
El Coronel Maus dice que el egoismo Ameri
cano le hace mal vecino de un pueblo tan
demonstrativo como México. Las ideas, repre
sentadas en lo dicho arriva serán corroboradas
por cualquier viajero de sentido comúm que
haya visitado México y que se haya conducido
de una manera simpatetica y franca. La
Revista espera tener la oportunidad pronto de
poder publicar el reporte del Coronel Maus en
parte o completo. Las quotaciones hechas
indican el carácter de todo de este reporte .
"The Brass Check."
AL es el título de un sugestivo libro publi
TAL cado recientemente por el bien conocido
escritor Upton Sinclair ( principalmente para los
que han tenido la desgracia de familiarizarse, ya
sea por la observación como reporters de policía o
por cualquier otro medio con algunas de las
peores fases de la vida humana) . El libro posee
un interés absorbente desde el principio hasta el
fin y es digno de ser leído con atención por todos
los amantes de la verdad. Constituye una
demostración convincente de la manera en que
se envenena la verdad en su fuente y de aquella
en que es engañado el público por los grandes
periódicos y las poderosas agencias de informa
ción. Mr. Sinclair entra en detalles de ciertas
experiencias de su carrera y demuestra del modo
más claro la existencia de una conspiración
tácita no sólo del silencio sino de mentiras y
falsedades de parte de la mayoría de aquellos
cuya misión consiste en proporcionar noticias
mediante una recompensa. Existen muchos que
como el señor Sinclair han tenido ocasión de
adquirir un conocimiento parecido de la existen
cia de esa inteligencia o conspiración tácita .
Nadie que haya tenido experiencia personal en
asuntos de información y en el esfuerzo de pre
sentar la verdad al público negará la exactitud de
los cargos formulados por el señor Sinclair.
Después de leer el relato de las experiencias per
sonales del autor en ciertos asuntos meramente
privados sólo puede uno maravillarse de que en
un momento de exasperación por causa de
algunas falsedades flagrantes no haya recurrido
al juzgado del juez Colt-ese tribunal que
constituye un último recurso y que no hace mucho
tiempo ejercia un efecto más o menos saludable
sobre la conducta de las personas, periodistas y
otras que no estuvieran dispuestas a reconocer
los derechos privados de los demás. Toda per
sona de juicio sano que desee saber cómo se le
engaña al ofrecérsele las noticias del día y cómo
se presentan bajo un aspecto engañoso las per
sonas y las causas, debe leer el libro ."
El Gobierno asaba de completar la compra
de tres pequeños torpederos por $15,000 cada
uno, y un cañonero pequeño por $60,000 para
servicio en la costa del Pacífico. Se dice que
el Gobierno desea comprar un número igual
de buques para el servicio en la costa del
Atlántico.
Los trabajos de excavasión en el puerto de
Frontera sa han reanudado después de muchos
años de abandono.

30 THE
Opportunities in Mexico
A Discussion of the Commercial and Industrial Openings
By E. M. WILSON
Mexican Representative Chicago Association
of Commerce
OW THAT peace has been signed in
Europe, initiating a period of recon
N struction in proportion with the mag
nitude of the devastation accomplished, the
eyes of the whole world have been turned
to the Nations which for one reason or other
did not participate in the gigantic struggle
for Universal Democracy. Amongst these
Mexico is undoubtedly the wealthier in natural
resources and raw materials as yet unexploited ,
being, therefore, in the best position to supply
amply and at reduced costs the European and
American markets with all necessaries to
satisfy their numberless needs .
In Mexico the production of raw materials
of mineral, animal and vegetable origin is
enormous, although the methods employed in
the extraction of very many of these products
are relatively primitive and inefficient, said
production being capable of 50 to 100 per cent
increase, by the establishment of modern sys
tems and machinery. In this field there are
vast opportunities for the investment of
foreign initiative and capital anywhere in the
Republic, with almost absolute security that
a judicious investment, carefully administered ,
will invariably produce huge profits.
The majority of natural products exported
in raw state from the Republic of Mexico ,
after undergoing some of the various processes
of manufacture, return to the country, where
there is a great demand for them, and com
mand very high prices. It is in these various
forms of extractive and preparatory manu
facture that great opportunities exist for the
investment of foreign capital and activity,
admirably regulated by Mexican laws and cus
toms, and which, when enriching their pos
sessors, will duly contribute to the development
of this branch of industry and to the just
expansion of the Republic.
To acquire a general idea of the unlimited
field there is in Mexico , in regard to extrac
tive and preparatory industries, this article
mentions some of the principal ones from the
standpoints of either small development or the
generosity of their returns .
At the head of this group of industries,
because of their vital importance and of the
great profits returned, stand the agricultural
industries, comprising the planting and culti
vation of innumerable grains that can be raised
in all three zones of this country ; the culti
vation of cotton, guayule, sugar cane, tobacco,
vanila, coffee, cocoa and the exploitation of
precious woods, dye-woods and construction
timber, as well as of industrial gums and
resins ; the raising of many and varied fruits
that grow abundantly in all climates, and last
apiculture and aviculture, which are barely
beginning to be scientifically developed .
Just as important as the above mentioned
industries, from the standpoint of their re
turns, are cattle -breeding, the tanning industry,
‫نور‬
MEXICAN REVIEW October, 1920
scale manufacturing or finishing industries in
the lines of furniture, cabinet-making, crystal
and china ware or articles of art and orna
ment. The capitalist may also take up
profitably the manufacture of the many articles
To be Found in Ab ndance in the Republic that contribute to the comfort of the inhabi
the extraction and manufacture of greases, oils tants of the country, especially of certain
classes, such as light and heat apparatus using
and perfumes of vegetable or animal origin ,
etc. electricity, gasoline, oil or alcohol, and num
berless other articles, which though not indis
In the mineral kingdom, foreign capital and
initiative and native labor, organized according pensable, are still not luxurious .
Besides the industries already enumerated ,
to Mexican laws and equitably united, can
where there is an unlimited field for the in
push considerably the metallurgical industries
vestment of capital regardless of nationality,
and rolling mills, the manufactures of china
there is ample room and vast natural resources
ware, glass and building materials and the
to install, develop or increase the chemical in
factories of chemical products.
dustries, the manufacture of means of trans
Besides the extensive field existing in the
portation and their accessories, the manufac
extractive and preparatory industries , there
ture of paper, pens, ink, etc., of scientific, sur
are better opportunities and more ample room
gical and engineering apparatus, musical in
to install, reform or increase the industries
struments and very many other miscellaneous
that concern the life and comfort of the in
industries.
habitants. To this group belong the food and
There are other great industries, as that of
dress industries, as also those referring to the
home. Under each one of these three branches mining, which in Mexico is the most impor
tant of all, and though the extractive indus
of human activity a multitude of industries
tries have been mentioned, the exposition of
may be classified, which intelligently started
mining together with that of the petroleum
and directed, would augment the well-being of
industry has been left to the end, with the
the inhabitants and contribute to the economTO
purpose of giving an ampler idea of the
ical development of the Republic.
magnitude, significance and benefits of these
With the large crops obtained throughout
last two .
the country, mills for diverse flours can be
The magnitude of the mining industry in
erected and also factories to produce food
Mexico can be calculated assuming as a basis
pastes at reduced prices . The thousands of
the last officially published figures in 1913,
gallons of milk that can be contracted for at
which state that of the annual total production
the different producing centers could be advan
of the world, Mexico represents 6 per cent of
tageously turned into cheese and butter of dif
the gold, 30 per cent of the silver, 7 per cent
ferent grades by means of scientific and effi
of the copper and 12 per cent of the lead pro
cient processes that would lower the cost of
duced. In the same year it was estimated that
the product with the view to create new
the total amount of capital invested in mining
markets and supply the demand even of the
United States. here reached $647,000,000, of which $499,000, - ·
000 belonged to Americans, $87,200,000 were
Other natural products that can be obtained
British, $10,000,000 were French, and $29,
at ridiculous prices in different regions of 400,000 were Mexican .
Mexico are also fountains of wealth, that
The total capacity of the oil steel tanks is
await initiative and capital to return profits in
of over 50,000,000 barrels, with a cost of more
large percentage. Among these are include
than $52,000,000 Mex. The earth-deposits are
the great variety of fruits that grow i
valued at 6,000,000 pesos and the total cost of
Mexico , 35 per cent of which rot every year
all storage deposits is placed at $60,000,000
because of lack of factories to preserve them
Mex.
in cans or glass jars or to transform them
The civil revolution that has agitated caused
into wines or liquors.
little damage to the development of this in
To the group of the dress industries belong dustry, as is shown by the table of production
the wool, cotton, silk, linen, ramié and hene
of crude oil in Mexico between the years of
quen mills ; the manufactures in general of 1901 and 1919.
clothing, shoes, hats, etc. , and the manufac Cubic Metric
ture of so many articles indispensable for Year. Barrels . Meters . Tons.
toilet purposes and personal adornment. In 1901 ... 10,345 1,643 1,544
cach and every one of these industries there 1902 . U 2 . 40,200 6,338 6,000
11,250
are brilliant opportunities , particularly in those 1903 .. 75,375 11,077
1904 . ▼ 125,625 10,962 18,750
States of the Republic where the raw mate 1905 .. 251,250 39,924 37,500
rials are produced , for active and conscien 1906 .. •• 502,500 79,847 75,000
tious capitalists , who can obtain for these raw 1907 ... 1,005,000 159,694 150,000
products at low cost a certain market, since 1908 .. 2 3,932,900 624,968 587,000
1909 . • 2,713,500 431,175 405,000
in many of these industries competition is very 1910 .. · 3,634,080 577,455 542,400
weak and in others nil. 1911 .. 12,552,798 1,994,640 1,873,552
The industries regarding the home, at 1912 ... 16,538,215 2,631,100 2,471,375
1913 .. • • 25,696,291 4,083,141 3,835,267
present relatively undeveloped in Mexico , 1914 .. 26,235,403 4,168,805 3,915,732
offer a vast field for syndicates and individuals 1915 .. 32,910,508 5,229,480 4,912,016
who might choose this special line . 1916 .. • 40,543,712 6,445,967 6,059,589
1917 .. • 55,292,779 8,790,583 8,262,266
The large supply of timber of every de 1918 . 63,828,326 10,147,587 9,506,298
scription and in general of all raw materials * 1919 ... 78,000,000 12,394,200 11,692,452
of vegetable, animal and mineral orgin ,
greatly facilitates the establishment on any *Estimated .
Octubre, 1920 LA
Buenas Oportunidades
Un Exámen de las Oportunidades Industriales y Comerciales que
Existen en Abundancia en la República
POR E. M. WILSON
Representante de México en la Asociación de
Cómercio de Chicago
HORA que se ha firmado la paz con
A Europa, y que se ha iniciado un período
de reconstrucción en proporción con la
magnitud de la destrucción habida , los ojos del
mundo se han tornado hacia las naciones que
por una razon u otra no participaron en la lucha
.gigantesca por la Democracia Universal. Entre
éstas, México indudablemente es la más rica en
recursos naturales y materias primas que todavía
no han sido explotados. México está en la mejor
posición de poder suplir ampliamente y a un
costo reducido los mercados europeos y ameri
canos con todo lo necesario para satisfacer sus
necesidades sin número.
La producción de México en materias primas
de orígen mineral , animal y vegetal es enorme,
y aunque los métodos empleados para su extrac
ción son relativamente primitivos e insuficientes,
esta producción es capaz de un aumento de 50 a
100 por ciento , si se instalasen sistemas y maqui
naria moderna. En este campo hay vastas
oportunidades para la iniciativa y capital
extranjero en todas partes de la República, con
la seguridad absoluta que un capital juciosamente
invertido y cuidadosamente administrado, retor
nará grandes utilidades.
La mayoría de los productos naturales expor
tados de la República de México en su estado
natural, después de ser pasados por varios
procesos de manufactura , regresan al país donde
la demanda por artículos manufacturados es
grande, y se venden a precios muy altos . Es en
estas varias formas de extracción y manu
factura preparatoria que existen las grandes
oportunidades para el empleo de la actividad y
capital extranjero, admirablemente regulados
por las costumbres y leyes mexicanas, y las
cuales, mientras que enriquecen a sus poseedores
contribuirán al desarrollo de la industria manu
facturera y a la justa expansión de la República .
Para dar una idea general del ilimitado
campo que existe en México con referencia a la
industria preparativa y de extracción , en este
artículo se mencionan algunas de sus principales
formas desde las de menor escala hasta las que
reportan mayores utilidades.
A la cabeza de este grupo de industrias, por
su importancia vital y por las grandes utilidades
que reportan, están las industrias agrícolas, las
que incluyen la siembra y cultivo de los innumera
bles productos que se pueden cosechar en las
tres zonas de este pais ; el cultivo del algodón ,
guayule, caña de azúcar, tabaco, vainilla , café,
y la explotación de las maderas preciosas ,
madera de tinte y para construcción, como
también las gomas industriales, y la resina ; el
cultivo de muchas y variadas frutas que se
cosechan en todos los climas ; la cria de colmenas
y de aves de corral que apenas han principiado a
desarrollarse científicamente.
Tan importantes como las industrias men
cionadas , desde el punto de vista de las utilidades
tambien son: la cría de ganado , la curtiduría , la
extracción y manufactura de grasas, aceites y
perfumes vegetales y de origen animal, etc.
REVISTA MEXICANA
en México
En el reino mineral , el capital e iniciativa
extranjera y el obrero nativo , organizados según
las leyes de México y equitativamente unidos,
pueden desarrollar mucho la industria meta
lúrgica en todas sus ramas; manufactura de
loza, vidrio y materiales para construcciones , y
la producción de materias químicas .
Además del campo extenso que existe en la
industria de extracción y preparación , se encuen
tran mejores oportunidades y más mplio campo
para la instalación , reforma y aumento de las
industrias que conciernen a la vida y comodidad
de sus habitantes. En este grupo están los
alimentos y vestidos , y como también articulos
para el hogar. Bajo cada una de estas ramas de
actividad humana se pueden clasificar una mul
titud de industrias que principiadas y dirigidas
inteligentemente, aumentarían el bienestar de
sus habitantes y contribuirían al desarrollo
económico de la República.
Con las grandes cosechas que se obtienen en
todo el país, se pueden construir molinos para
hacer toda clase de harinas y también manufac
turas para el producto de pastas alimenticias a
precios reducidos. Los miles de galones de leche
que se pueden contratar en los diferentes centros
productores pueden ventajosamente convertirse
en queso y mantequilla de diferentes grados por
metodos científicos y eficientes que reducirían
el precio del producto con el objeto de crear
nuevos mercados y suplir la demanda que
existe, y aun se podría suplir a los Estados
Unidos.
Hay otros productos naturales que se pueden
conseguir a precios sumamente bajos en diferentes
partes de México que constituyen fuentes de
riqueza y que esperan la iniciativa y capital para
reportar grandes utilidades. Entre estas están
la gran variedad de frutas que se cultivan en
México, 35 por ciento de las cuales se pudren
cada año por falta de fábricas para conservarlas
en frascos o convertirlas en vinos y licores.
A la industria de la ropa pertenecen la lana,
el algodón, la seda , el lino, el ramie y el henequén ;
y la manufactura en general de ropa, calzado ,
sombreros, artículos indispensables del tocador
y para adorno personal. En cada una de estas
industrias hay oportunidades excelentes, par
ticularmente en aquellos Estados de la República
donde se encuentran las materias primas , para
los capitales activos y conscientes, pues pueden
obtener estos productos a precios bajos en ciertos
mercados, toda vez que en muchas de estas
industrias la competencia es poca o ninguna.
Las industrias pertenecientes al hogar al
presente no están desarrolladas en México, y
ofrecen un campo vasto para compañias e
individuos que quieran dedicarse a ellas.
La abundancia de madera de toda clase, y en
general la abundancia de materias primas de
orígen vegetal, animal y mineral facilita grande
mente el establecimiento de fábricas en cualquier
escala, de muebles, de artículos de cristal y loza
y de objetos de arte y ornamentación . a El
capitalista puede también dedicarse ventajosa
mente a la manufactura de muchos artículos que
contribuyen al bienestar de los habitantes del
país, especialmente los de cierta clase, como
31
aparatos para producir luz y calor por medio de
electricidad , gasolina, aceite o alcohol, y muchos
otros objetos más numerosos, los cuales no son
indispensables pero tampoco son de lujo .
Además de las industrias ya enumeradas ,
donde existe un campo ilimitado para invertir
capitales, cualesquiera que sea la nacionalidad
del empresario , existe también un amplio campo
y abundantes recursos naturales para instalar,
desarrollar y aumentar la industria química, la
manufactura de medios de transportación y sus
accessorios ; la manufactura de papel, plumas de
escribir, y tinta ; la manufactura de instrumentos
científicos y quirúrgicos, instrumentos musicales
y varias otras industrias misceláneas.
Hay otras grandes industrias, como la de
mineria que en México es la más importante de
todas, y aunque las industrias de extracción ya
las hemos mencionado , hemos dejado la de
extracción de minerales y la industria del petróleo
para el último para examinarla , más amplia y
extensamente con el fin de dar una idea de su
magnitud, significación y los beneficios que
reportan estas dos industrias.
La magnitud de la industria minera de México
se puede calcular asumiendo como base las cifras
oficiales publicadas en 1913, las cuales demues
tran que de la producción total del mundo ,
México produce el 6 por ciento de oro, 30 por
ciento de plata, 7 por ciento de cobre y 12 por
ciento de plomo . En el mismo año se calcula
que el monto total del capital invertido en la
industria minera en México subió a $ 647,000,000 ,
de los cuales $ 499,000,000 pertenecen a ameri
canos, $87,200,000 a ingleses, $10,000,000 a
franceses, y $29,400,000 a mexicanos .
Es verdad que durante los últimos siete años
ésta floreciente y bien organizada industria ha
sufrido mucho por los disturbios de la revolución ,
falta de medios de transportación y los ataques
de los bandidos , pero tan pronto como el
gobierno Central tuvo autoridad en la región
minera, todas las minas sin excepción reanudaron
sus labores.
Hoy existen 30,889 fundos mineros distribuidos
por toda la República, cubriendo más de 430,920
hectáreas ( 1,077,050 acres) de terreno.
Los metales principales que se producen en la
República son oro, plata , cobre, plomo , estaño , V
antimonio. Un gran número de minas que dan
una buena utilidad están situadas en los Estados
de Aguascalientes, Coahuila, Durango, Guana
juato, Hidalgo, Mexico, Nuevo Leon, Puebla,
Sonora, y Zacatecas . De éstas, durante 1917 , se
extrajo una cantidad de oro y plata que subió a
1,789 kilos ( 11,867 libras) de oro y 648,645 kilos
(1,452,963 libras) de plata. En el mismo año
la producción de cobre fué 141,529 kilos (317.024
libras) en los Estados de Aguascalientes, Baja
California, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Sonora, San
Luis Potosi, y Zacatecas.
Además de estos metales mencionados, la
República produjo en cantidades regulares, arsé
níco, estaño, mercurio, tungsteno, grafito, man
ganeso, molibdena, y aluminio .
El cuadro de producción que se da más abajo
demuestra la producción de minerales de México
durante una parte de 1918.
Hay en el país cerca de 175 compañías mineras
organizadas con grandes capitales y más de
3,000 de otras, como también de individuos
particulares, que se dedican, en escala grande o
pequeña, a la explotación de los diferentes
minerales mencionados . No obstante el gran
número de personas interesadas en el desarrollo
32 THE MEXICAN REVIEW October, 1920

During 1918 only 11 per cent of the potential the general conditions of this market as well Mexico there is a greater demand for English,
production of the country was extracted, due as the customs which here rule almost as laws. French or German articles, being more wide
to lack of appropriate means of transportation . Generally speaking, the Mexican producer of ly known . It is therefore indispensable that if
The tank steamers available to transport. any raw material prefers to place or sell his manufacturers and importers of the United
Mexican crude have a total aggregate capacity products to European firms who have accred States wish to invade the Mexican markets ,
of over 700,000 tons and a cost of $90,000,000. ited representatives in the Republic, for the they study carefully the ways and means of
The gross capital invested in storage and following two important reasons : First, be supplying solvent merchants of Mexico with
transportation is distributed as follows : t cause the producer in the majority of instances the same terms they were accustomed to be
obtains a higher price in Europe, and, second, fore the war from manufacturers and whole
In tank steamers • • .$ 90,000,000
50,000,000 because the agents or representatives of com sale dealers of the other side of the Atlantic.
In pipe lines
In storage tanks and reservoirs . • • 60,000,000 mercial European concerns invariably make a For the benefit of those who wish to devote
money advance upon arranging any transac themselves to imports, an enumeration is
$200,000,000 tion. made of articles that find an easy market in
In order to utilize the entire potential pro With the reopening of the world's markets, the Republic. Concerns manufacturing these,
duction of Mexico, the Chief of the Technical notwithstanding the state of depression that by establishing representatives or agents who
Commission of the Petroleum Bureau esti affects them, this custom has reappeared on know the Spanish language and the customs
mates that the investment must be increased such a scale that if American manufacturers and commercial ways of the country will ob
nine times, i . e., $ 1,800,000,000, and hence and importers wish to gain a firm foothold tain in their business very generous results .
$1,600,000,000 are yet to be invested to properly they must thoroughly study this point, with The articles that find an easy market are :
Machinery and tools employed in the different
Mineral Production of the Republic of Mexico from the 1st of January to the 31st of agricultural industries, mining and oil-drilling,
October, 1918.
conveying and refining machinery and instru
ments, machinery and tools used in all general
Value per Quantity in industries, as the manufactures of food , cloth
METALS Total Value
Kilogram Kilograms ing and home articles, chemical equipment,
machinery, tools and accessories for the trans
Silver $ 41.00 $ 1,601,331 $65,654,571.30 portation industry, and innumerable finished
Gold 1,333.00 6,185,207 8,244,881.18 articles necessary to life, or contributing to
Lead ■ 0.30 79,335,629 23,800,688.75
1.20 66,096,343.89 the comfort of the individual and those
Copper 55,080,286
Zinc 0.56 16,136,131 9,036,233.51 classified as mere niceties and luxuries .
Antimony 0.88 2,808,121 2,471,146.00 The syndicates or private individuals that
Arsenic 901,512 have the intention of investing their money
Tin · 1.82 13,537 24,637.66
6.50 120,815 785,296.99 and energy in the purchase and export of raw
Mercury
Tungsten - From 5 to 8.00 109,419 787,273.77 materials and natural products, have in the
Graphite O • 0.16 4,178,686 668,589.76 Republic of Mexico the most ample, the rich
Manganese · • From 0.23 to 9.26 1,889,082 450,321.32 est and the most varied field of the world.
Molybdenum 13.98 25,761 36,038.27
Aluminum • 55 The raw materials and natural products
that Mexico can export, after supplying the
national demand, are so numerous and varied
NOTE.-One kilogram equals 2.24 pounds .
that only a general relation of them is given to
develop this branch of the industry to its the view of amply authorizing their represen guide the parties interested in this branch of
maximum capacity. It is in this branch of the tatives. commerce .
petroleum industry where the most brilliant Importers and wholesale merchants of Raw materials of mineral origin : All kinds
opportunities exist for the investment of Mexico also prefer to acquire European man of minerals and metals, petroleum and its
capital. ufactured articles, without much regard to derivatives, mineral coals, metalloids, precious
There are also good opportunities to invest quality, but because they generally can obtain stones, miscellaneous mineral products, build
large capitals in petroleum refining, it being lower prices, and most important of all, easier ing and ornamental materials.
the most productive phase of the entire in terms of payment. Even nowadays, when in Raw materials of vegetable origin : All
dustry. dividual and commercial credit are dead, plants employed in the manufacture of foods,
owing to the late war, the difficulties and medicines, perfumes, textiles, aromatic oils,
Opportunities in Mexico dangers of transportation, etc., whenever gums, resins and rubber, as well as dye and
ONCERNING the opportunities for in wholesale dealers have had opportunities of saponiferous plants, and the ones employed in
vestment and the facilities offered to im acquiring merchandise in European markets , tanning ; the numerous and varied precious
C
porters, before enumerating all the raw mate they have preferred it to the American manu and dye woods and construction timber, and
rials that Mexico can export and the articles factured article, first because they do not wish an immense variety of industrial plants.
which indispensably must be imported, it may to lose contact with the manufacturing firms Raw materials of animal origin : All kinds
prove advantageous to give a definite idea of of the Old Continent, and next because in of hides and skins, horns, hoofs, bones, wools,

Mexican Crude Exported from 1911 to 1919.

TAMPICO TUXPAN PORTO MEXICO OTHER PORTS TOTALS

YEAR Metric Tons Metric Tons Metric Tons Metric Tons Metric Tons

1911 ... 121,000,000 14,001,000 135,001,372

1912 .. • 826,524,283 232,710,716 1,152,234,999
1913 ... 1,683,034,079 1,323,926,903 152,494,208 3,159,505,790
1914.. 1,812,000,000 1,570,049,870 273,623,600 •• ►• 3,456,273,470
2,044,494,604 1,336,321,220 286,290,185 · 3,667,106,000
1915 .. $
1916 . • 2,670,275,970 1,427,117,682 227,809,580 4,039,726,290
1917 ... 5.249,748,311 a 1,141,642,740 207,712,930 7,938,130 6,892,517,083.
1918 . • 5,271,012,872 2,256,346,700 149,554,604 335,776 7.677,277,952
* 1919 ... • 9,283,486,000

* Estimated . NOTE.-Exports from Tuxpan were in the last six months of 1911,
Octubre, 1920 LA REVISTA MEXICANA
minero, hay un gran número de fundos mineros 1915 ...... 32,910,508 5,229,480 4,912,016
que prometen mucho pero que aun no se han 1916 . • · 40,543,712 6,445,967 6,059,589
trabajado. 1917 ... $5,292,779 8,790,583 8,262,266
Las asociaciones o los extranjeros que tengan 1918 .. 63,828,326 10,147,587 9,506,298
el capital necesario siempre pueden encontrar 1919* • 78,000,000 12,394,200 11,692,452
buenas oportunidades en la industria minera , * Cálculo .
siempre que acepten las leyes y disposiciones.
Durante 1918 solo 11 por ciento de la pro
La industria petrolera, que está progresando ducción potencial del país fué extraída , debido a
rápidamente y es considerada como la de más
la falta de medios apropiados de transportación.
importancia para el país, es un negocio atractivo
Los vapores tanques que hay para el transporte
para la inversión de capitales. del petróleo crudo Mexicano tienen una capacidad
La región productora de petróleo de México ,
conjunta de más de 700,000 toneladas y costaron
hasta hoy está comprendida en los tres Estados $90,000,000. El capital total invertido en
de la costa del Golfo ; es decir, Tamaulipas, Vera
depósitos y en la transportación está distribuído
Cruz, y Tabasco, y los Estados de San Luis
como sigue:
Potosí y Chiapas.
En vapores tanques . $90,000,000
Geológicamente, en todos los campos petroleros ་ 50,000,000
En oleoductos . •
que estan en operación se obtiene el aceite en la
En tanques y depósitos . 60,000,000
capa que pertenece a los sistemas cuaternario
terciario y gredoso de la era cenozoica y meso Total .. $200,000,000
zoica. La producción aproximada de la zona
Para poder utilizar toda la producción poten
productora es la siguiente : 55 por ciento de la
cial de petróleo de México , el Jefe de la Comisión
terciaria y el resto de la cuartenaria ; de 20 a 25 Técnica de la Oficina del Petróleo ha calculado
por ciento de la terciaria y el resto de la gredosa. que ésta suma de $200,000,000 debe ser aumen
La región petrolera está geográficamente,
tada a $ 1,800,000,000 ; desde luego hay que
dividida en tres zonas, a saber, las zonas de
invertir $1,600,000,000 adicionoles para poder
Tampico, Tuxpan, y Minatitlán ; cada una da
obtener la capacidad máxima de esta rama de
éstas está bajo la jurisdicción de un agente de la
la industria petrolera, y es en ella donde existen
Oficina del Petróleo , Departamento de Industria,
mayores oportunidades para la inversión de
Comercio y Trabajo . En estas tres zonas hay
capitales.
muchas compañías, nacionales y extranjeras, que
También hay buenas oportunidades para
han llenado los requisitos que gobiernan la invertir capitales en la refinadura del petróleo,
industria, que explotan con variedad de éxito
siendo ésta la fase más productiva de toda la
areas de terreno desde 4 hectareas ( 10 acres) , que industria petrolera.
es la area mínima que se permite, hasta cente
Con referencia a las oportunidades para
nares de hectáreas.
invertir capitales y las facilidades ofrecidas a los
El cuadro que adjuntamos da la cantidad de
importadores, antes de enumerar todas las
petróleo crudo exportado en los años 1911 y 1919
materias primas que se pueden exportar de
de los diferentes puertos Mexicanos.
México y los artículos que indispensablemente
Las exportaciones, durante los seis últimos
tiene que importar ese país, estaría bien dar
meses, fueron de Tuxpan .
una idea definida de la condición general de este
La cantidad exportada no fue grande, como
mercado, como también de los usos y costumbres
hemos dicho, debido a la falta de oleoductos y
que en México son como ley.
vapores tanques. En lo general el productor mexicano de
El sistema de oleoductos tiene más de 780
materias primas prefiere colocarlas o venderlas a
millas de largo, valuado en 50,000,000 pesos,
compañías europeas que tienen sus represen
mexicanos.
tantes acreditados en la República por las dos
La capacidad total de los tanques de acero para
siguientes razones que son bien importantes.
el depósito de aceite es de más de 26,000,000
Primero, porque el productor en la mayoría de
barriles, que costaron más de $52,000,000,
casos obtiene un precio mejor en Europa , y
mexicanos. Los depósitos hechos de tierra están segundo , porque los agentes de casas comerciales
valuados en 6,000,000 de pesos , y el costo total
europeas invariablemente pagan adelantado en
de todos los depósitos de aceite se calcula en
cuanto se hacen los arreglos de cualquier tran
60,000,000 pesos , mexicanos. sacción.
Le revolución causó muy poco daño al desarro
Con la reapertura de los mercados del mundo,
Ilo de ésta industria, como se puede ver por a pesar del estado de depresión que los afecta ,
el cuadro siguiente de la producción de petróleo esta costumbre ha reaparecido en gran escala, y
crudo en México entre los años de 1901 y 1919 : si los manufactureros e importadores americanos
Metros Toneladas desean conservar su puesto en estos mercados es
Año Barriles. cúbicos. métricas. menester que estudien este punto con el objeto de
1901 ... 10,345 1,643 1,544 que autoricen ampliamente a sus representantes.
1902 .. 40,200 6,338 6,000 Los importadores y comerciantes al por mayor
1903 . · 75,375 11,077 11,250 de México desean también adquirir artículos
1904 . 125,625 10,962 18,750 manufacturados europeos, sin hacer mucho
1905 . 251,250 39,924 37,500 aprecio de la calidad, que generalmente se pueden
1906 ... 502,500 79,847 75,000 conseguir a precios más baratos, y lo más
1907 .. · 1,005,000 159,694 150,000 importante de todo ésto es que las condiciónes
1908 .. 3,932,900 624,968 587,000 de pago son faciles. Aún ahora que está muerto
1909 . 2,713,500 431,175 405,000 el credito personal y comercial a causa de la
1910 .. " 3,634,080 577,455 542,400 guerra europea y de las dificultades y peligros de
1911 . A 12,552,798 1,994,640 1,873,552 la transportación, etc., cuando los comerciantes
1912 . • 16,538,215 2,631,100 2,471,375 por mayor han podido conseguir mercancías en
1913 . M · • 25,696,291 4,083,141 3,835,267 mercados europeos han preferido éstas en lugar
1914 . 26,235,403 4,168,805 3,915,732 de artículos de manufactura americana, primero ,
&
33
porque no quieren perder el contacto con las
firmas manufactureras del Viejo Continente, y
también por que en México existe una gran
demanda por artículos ingleses, franceses y
alemanes. Es pues indispensable, que si los
manufactureros e importadores americanos de
sean invadir los mercados mexicanos, tienen que
hacer un estudio cuidadoso de la manera como
han de abastecer a los comerciantes solventes
de México en las mismas condiciones que estaban
acostumbrados a recibir antes de la guerra de los
manufactureros y comerciantes al por mayor del
otra lado del Atlántico .
Para beneficio de aquellos que deseen dedicarse
a la importación hacemos una enumeración de
los artículos que se pueden vender fácilmente en
la República. Los manufactureros de estos
artículos que tengan representantes o agentes que
hablen el idioma español y que conozcan las
costumbres comerciales y las del país , obtendrán
buenos resultados en sus negocios.
Los artículos que encuentran un mercado fácil
son : toda clase de maquinaria y sus accesorios
para usos agrícolas ; maquinaria para minas ;
perforadoras para pozos de petróleo ; máquinas
e instrumentos para refinar el petróleo y para su
transportación ; maquinaria y accessorios para
las industrias en general , como la manufactura de
alimentos , tejidos de todas clases y artículos para
el hogar ; instrumentos químicos, herramientas ,
maquinaria y sus accessorios para la industria de
transportación , é innumerables artículos necesa
rios para la vida y que contribuyen al bienestar
individual y los que son clasificados como
artículos de lujo .
Las compañias o individuos particulares que
intenten invertir su capital y dedicar su tiempo
a la compra y exportación de materias primas y
productos naturales, encontrarán en la República
de México el más amplio , rico, y variado campo
del mundo .
Las materias primas y productos naturales que
se pueden exportar de México después de satis
facer la demanda nacional , son tan numerosos y
tan variados que solo se puede hacer un relato
general de ellos para dar una idea general a las
personas interesadas en esta rama del comercio.
Materias primas de origen mineral : toda
clases de minerales y metales , petróleo y sus
derivados, carbones minerales, metaloides, pie
dras preciosas , productos minerales miscelaneos ,
materiales para construcciónes y de ornamen
tacion .
Materias primas de orígen vegetal : Todas las
plantas que se usan en la manufactura de
alimentos, medicinas, perfumes, tejidos, aceites
aromáticos, gomas, recinas y caucho, tintas y
jabones y las que se usan en la curtiduría nume
rosas y variadas maderas preciosas, de tinte y
para construcciónes , y una inmensa variedad de
plantas industriales .
Materias primas de orígen animal : toda clase
de cueros y pieles, cuernos, cascos, huesos, lana ,
cerda, pelo, plumas de ave, madreperlas , carey
y coral ; toda clase de grasas y desperdicios de
animal, materias de origen animal para teñir y
una gran variedad de productos animales.
La información contenida en este artículo ,
como lo dijimos al principio, es de un carácter
general. Cualquiera que esté interesado en las
actividades enumeradas y desee más informa
ciones puede dirigirse al Autor, Apartado 844,
Ciudad , de México.

:
34 THE
bristles , hairs, feathers, mother- of-pearl , tor
toise-shell and coral ; all kinds of animal
greases and wastes, animal dyes and a large
variety of miscellaneous animal products .
The information herein contained, as it was
mentioned at the beginning of this article , is
of very general character. Any one interested
in any of the activities enumerated may write
to the author , to Apartado 844, Mexico City,
ior special information .
U. S. Trade With México
Shows Great Expansion
HE trade of the United States with
THE Mexico is heading for the $300,000,000
line in the fiscal year 1920. Our trade with
Mexico even during the disturbed period
since the resignation of President Diaz in 1911
has shown remarkable gains.
It totaled, says a statement by the National
City Bank of New York, $ 115,000,000 in 1910 ;
dropped to $110,000,000 in 1915, then despite
the continued disturbances since that date, ad
vanced to $191,000,000 in 1917, $245,000,000 in
1918 and $278,000,000 in 1919, while the March
figures, the latest received, indicated a total of
over $300,000,000 in the fiscal year ending
with June, 1920.
Whether recent events in Mexico will pre
vent the trade from reaching the high water
mark of $300,000,000 for the current fiscal
year cannot now be foretold. It is a fact.
however, that the sales by the United States
to our 15,000,000 neighbors in Mexico in the
calendar year 1919 were more than to the 300,
000,000 inhabitants of India or the 400,000,000
of China. Our imports from Mexico in the
calendar year 1919 were $148,926,000, and ex
ports amounted to $131,452,000.
What are the articles forming this large
and rapidly increasing trade with our neigh
bors at the south separated from the United
States by only an imaginary line or at the
best a comparatively narrow stream of water ?
On the import side , sisal ( a substitute for
hemp) , $40,000,000 ; crude petroleum, $26,
000,000 ; copper, $20,000,000 ; raw cotton, $10,
000,000 ; hides, $ 10,000,000 ; coffee , $5,500,000 ;
lead, $5,000,000 ; mahogany, india rubber and
sundry other tropical products , about $500,000
each .
On the export side, manufactures form a
very large percentage of the sales , including
iron pipes , over $7,000,000 ; cotton cloths, $6,
500,000 ; flour, $5,600,000 ; sugar, $2,500,000 ;
lard, $2,200,000 ;
automobiles , $2,350,000 ;
shoes, $2,000,000 ; lumber , $ 1,200,000 ; automo
bile tires, nearly $ 1,000,000 ; eggs, $787,000 ;
dyestuffs, $715,000 ; canned salmon, $703,
000 ; cotton knit goods, $675,000 ; paper, $568 ,
000 ; paraffin, $504,000 ; railway cars, $497,000 ;
cement, $495,000 ; ploughs, $481,000 ; galvan
ized iron, $464,000 ; steel rails , $461,000 ; type
writers, $422,000, and structural iron, $401,000 ,
while the hundreds of other articles ranging
below those above enumerated made a total
of exports to Mexico in the calendar year
1919, to which the foregoing figures relate ,
of $131,452,000, against $97,789,000 in the cal
endar year 1918.
Quite naturally the United States supplies
a large proportion of the imports of Mexico ,
lying just alongside , as, she does, and takes a
1
MEXICAN REVIEW
corresponding proportion of her exports .
Even prior to the war we were supplying
about one-half of Mexico's imports, while our
European friends were supplying the other
half. With the circumstances of the war their
facilities for supplying the class of merchan
dise required by Mexico were naturally mini
mized, and as a result the United States is
now supplying about 85 per cent of the mer
chandise imported into Mexico, and taking
about 90 per cent of her exports.
Still another reason for the large trade be
tween Mexico and the United States lies in the
fact that Mexico has a tropical or subtropical
climate, while the climate of the United States
is that of the temperate zone. As a result
there is an interchange of tropical products for
temperate zone products, manufactured articles
especially being very large.
The United States now imports annually
over $2,000,000,000 worth of tropical and sub
tropical products as against $350,000,000 worth
in 1900 , and the fact that Mexico is able to
supply material of this character which in
cludes india rubber, fibres , coffee, cocoa, cotton ,
tobacco, sugar and vegetable oils, makes the
markets of the United States especially attrac
tive to her producers, while the other fact that
a very large proportion of her imports are
manufactures render this country especially at
tractive to her buyers, particularly because the
time required to obtain merchandise from the
United States is naturally less than from
Europe.
Another reason for the gains in recent years
of our share in the trade of Mexico is presum
ably the large and steadily increasing amount
of American capital invested in that country,
which before the war was estimated at over
a billion dollars and recently stated by Senator
Fall, of New Mexico, in a speech in the United
States Senate to be two billion dollars, or
far in excess of that of any other country.—
From Pan-Pacific for September.
RESOLUTIONS PASSED BY PANAt
AMERICAN FINANCIAL
CONGRESS
Various Recommendations for the Stim
of Commerce Between the
ulation of
Various Countries of This Hemisphere
T THE recent session of the Pan-Amer
A₁ ican Financial Congress held in Washing
ton, resolutions were adopted which are sumK
marized as follows :
1. That the name of International High
Commission be changed to Inter-American
High Commission .
2. That recommendations concerning in
creased freight and passenger ocean service to
South America be transmitted to U. S. Ship
ping Board, and recommendations dealing with
railroad transportation, postal and telegraph
facilities, be sent to Inter-American High
Commission for action.
3. That legislation * of certain States be
modified so as to permit operation of branches
of Latin-American banks within their juris
diction.
4. That Inter-American High Commission
study possibility of uniform treatments in laws
<
{
October, 1920
regulating foreign corporations in Latin
America.
5. That the increased use of acceptances
for financing foreign transactions be encourJ
aged.
6. That the establishment of international
gold fund, a plan already adopted by several
South American republics, be furthered .
7. That the desirability of adopting uni
form law regarding checks be brought to n0
tice of American governments .
8. That the Inter-American High Commis
sion be asked to study the best method of ,
avoiding simultaneous double taxation of in
dividuals and corporations in Latin-American
countries.
9. That American countries which have not
done so, be encouraged to ratify convention
adopted by International American Congress
at Buenos Aires in 1910 for establishment of
international bureau at Havana to register
trademarks.
10. That American countries which have
not done so ratify convention adopted at Bue
nos Aires in 1910 concerning patents and
copyrights.
11. That 我 Webb law be amended to per
mit United States companies handling raw ma
terials produced abroad to form under proper
government regulation so as to . compete on
terms of equality with companies of other
countries associated for conduct of such re
lations.
12. That commercial attache system be
extended with appropriate training • for all
branches of foreign service, as means of de
veloping commercial relations.
13. That simultaneous census be taken by
all American countries at least every ten
years , observing uniformity of statistics.
14. That metric system of weights and
measures be universally employed, and until
such time as this is done, articles marked by
standards used in the United States shall also
be marked according to the metric system .
15. That the plan of arbitration of com
mercial disputes in effect between the Bolsa
de Comercio of Buenos Aires and the Chamber
of Commerce of the United States be adopted
by all American countries..
16. That the Inter-American High Commis
sion study creation of tribunal for adjust
ment of commercial- or financial questions in
volving two or more American countries.
17. That importation of raw materials into
any country shall not be prevented by prohi
bitive duties.
18. That banking interests study the pos
sibility of financial relief to Europe by repay
ing Latin-American obligations held in Europe
by new • loans granted in United States to
respective Latin-American countries,
The treasury department is studying a spe
cial tariff intended to stimulate Mexican fac
tories. Concessions will be extended for bring
ing in raw materials as well as the export of
goods manufactured in this country.
THE MEXICAN REVIEW is now in its fourth
volume." It affords an unequaled opportun
ity for acquiring general ( and accurate ) in
formation regarding Mexico.
*
}
J
}
Octubre, 1920 LA
EL SUD -PACIFICO
DE MEXICO
La Linea al Sur de Nogales se Prolon
gará Hasta Guadalajara y de Ahi a la
Ciudad de Mixco
UNQUE el Ferrocarril del Pacífico del
AUN Sur de México, es el Ferrocarril de gue
rra de Arizona , está tornando gradual
mente al tiempo de paz y a sus condiciones
normales . Varios años de revolución en Mé
xico han destruido esta vía y causado a sus
directores muchas tribulaciones.
Las revoluciones que han estallado en esa
República desgarrada por las revueltas duran
te los últimos años, han acarreado considera
bles perjuicios a las vias de aquella compañía
en las cercanías de Topic.
En esa región fueron destruídas cerca de
99 millas de via, pero ya han sido reparadas NG
más de 25 y existen indicios de que el resto
será reconstruído antes de que pasen muchos
meses.
El Ferrocarril del Pacífico del Sur de Mé
xico, sostiene tres trenes de pasajeros per se
mana entre Nogales, Sonora, y Acaponeta ,
punto que se encuentra a unas 800 millas al
sur de Tucson.
Se están exportando por este ferrocarril,
25,000 toneladas de garbanzo de México en zalez pero sus sentimientos democráticos
este año y se está llevando este enorme tone
laje directamente a la ciudad de Nueva York.
Se calcula que la cosecha importará cerea de
$4,000,000.
El Ferrocarril del Pacífico del Sur de Mé oportunidad de dedicarse al trabajo con las
xico hizo ciertos arreglos , hace unas cuantas
semanas , • para reparar sus vias de Acaponeta
a Tepic, o sea una distancia de ciento cincuen
ir
ta millas, y para constru la línea de Tepic a
Orindine, a noventa y nueve millas de distancia ,
n
proporcionando asi communicació con Guada
lajara y la Ciudad de México .
El coronel Randolph confirmó la noticia de
que estaba siendo reparada la línea hasta Te
pie, pero indicó que el ramal a Orindine, pa
ra comunicar con Guadalajara, se construirá
después, y ' que su construcción depende del
resultado de las negociaciones que se están
celebrando con el Gobierno Mexicano.
Ferrocarril del Pacífico del Sur de Mé
xico, reclama al Gobierno de México la suma
de $10,000,000 por los servicios que le ha
prestado y por los daños que sufrió durante
la revolución. La reclamación de la suma que
corresponde a los servicios ha sido aprobada
ya por el Gobierno.
las que la prudencia debe aconsejar al General
La línea de Tepic a Orindine, cruzará
Barrancas y costará cerea de $10,000,000, se Obregón que vea an él un ejemplo de lo que
gún dice el coronel Randolph .
Ha sido siempre el sueño dorado de este
coronel, tender su línea hasta la ciudad de
México y de hacer correr trenes desde San amistosas con las potencias extranjeras , prin
Francisco a dicha capital, por la vía de No cipalmente con los Estados Unidos, cuyas rela
gales. Fué después de celebrar varias confe
rencias con el coronel Randolph, cuando hizo ›
su declaración en Nogales el señor Gutié Jóven,
rrez .
Declaró quo para extender la liena hasta
Guadalajara, se habia destinado la suma de
12,000,000 de pesos, "Se ha construido una una amenaza para las esperanzas de Obregón
gran parte del terraplén y está listo para ten y sus partidarios, fue eliminado por medio de
der rieles y durmientes," dijo . "Se prosegui
ra rapidamente la construcción de la vía a Te para que saliera del país ; Francisco Villa, el
REVISTA MEXICANA
pic. Más allá se continuará la obra lo más
rápidamente que se pueda . La compañia ha
hecho contratos para que se le entreguen dos
mil mulas y material en grande escala. Se
predice que la línea quedará terminada y que
se establecerá la comunicación con Guadala
jara para fines del año de 1920.
"Otra obra importante que se propone IleA
var a cabo la compañía, es la reconstrucción
del ramal de Corral, remontando el Rio Ya
qui hasta Tonichi, y la extensión # de esta lí
nea, hasta conectar con la División de Cana
nea del Ferrocarril Pacífico del Sur de Mé
xico en el mismo punto de Cananea ."-Dou
glas Dispatch.
Las Elecciones Presidenciales
en México
O parece haber ninguna duda de que el
General Obregón salió triunfante comc
resultado de las elecciones presidenciales en
México . Obregón es agricultor, militar, lider
popular, y uno de los mejores representantes
de la democracia que últimamente han cono
cido los mexicanos. Cuando la estrella de
Carranza fue extinguida el escenario quedó
listo para la llegada de Obregón . La fuerza
militar de él hasta cierto punto no admitía
rival, como lo llegó a comprender Pablo Gon
, asunto de las reclamaciones por daños sufridos
fueron suficientes para hacerlo aceptable a
todas las clases del pueblo mexicano, quienes,
cansadas ya de la revolución, quieren la 4
garantías de que podrán retener lo que su
trabajo los produzca.
Ayudados por los altos ideales y las buenas
intenciones de Carranza, los mexicanos encon
traron su conciencia, y ésto, según la opinión
del General Alvarado, Secretario de Hacienda
y Crédito Público , es uno de los beneficios
más grandes resultantes de los diez años de
revolución ; pero debemos admitir que, debido
a su mal temperamento y a su provincialismo
intenso, Venustiano Carranza fracasó lamenta
blemente como gobernante y diplomático.
Los interesados en la causa del General
Obregón tuvieron que buscar un precursor que
El
le preparara el camino , y la selección feliz
mente recayó en un mexicano hábil y enérgico
de la parte norte del país, conocedor de las
condiciones bajo las cuales el nuevo gobernante
sería reconocido por el gobierno de Washing
ton ; como Presidente Provisional de México ,
De la Huerta ha tenido un éxito tan brillante
debe ser el Ejecutivo de México .
La tarea del Presidente De la Huerta fue
la de pacificar el país y reanudar las relaciones
ciones habian sido burladas y ultrajadas por
la ineptitud de la administración carrancista.
optimista, capáz, y emprendedor, De la
Huerta ha obtenido un éxito comparativa
mente fácil donde otros han fracasado.
El General Pablo González, quien constituía
la corte marcial y el permiso que se le dió
35
azote del Norte, fue aplacado y pensionado ;
las partidas de merodeadores y los "rojos "
iueron perseguidos y eliminados ; el Gober
nador Cantú de la Baja California, quien tenia
algún agravio que satisfacer, fué removido
pacíficamente de su puesto ; el Estado de
Morelos, donde los zapatistas por mucho
tiempo le habían hecho la guerra al Gobierno
del Centro, ha sido pacificado sin tirar un
solo tiro ; a los americanos que tienen con
cesiones y otras propiedades en México se
les ha asegurado que recibirán protección y
se les hará justicia ; un comisionado discreto
fue enviado a Washington, y economistas
competentes como Salvador Alvarado han sido
enviados a los Estados Unidos para delinear
la política que seguirá la administración del
sucesor constitucional de Carranza.
El mensaje conque el Presidente de la
Huerta inauguró las sesiones del Congreso el
día primero de septiembre estuvo tan bien
preparado que hubiera hecho crédito a un
Presidente de los Estados Unidos. En ese
mensaje se le dijo al pueblo mexicano que los
ingresos a las arcas nacionales provenientes
de la industria petrolera " cubririan casi tode
el presupuesto nacional" ; que los Tratados de
Amistad y Comercio serían modificados " de
acuerdo con las condiciones producidas por la
guerra suropea" ; que se tiene en estudio el
y por pérdidas de propiedades en México
durante la revolución ; que se estaba redu
ciendo el ejército y que se introducirían
mejoras en el Estados Mayor y en el Departa
mente de Aviación ; que el asunto del petróleo
será resuelto satisfactoriamente para los
dueños de concesiones ; que en seis meses el
comercio interior de México había aumentado
cerca de 7,000,000 pesos ; que México cubrirá
todas sus obligaciones .
El Presidente De la Huerta ha estado
preparando el camino para la entrada del
Presidente Obregón en unos cuantos meses
más. Villa, él que parecía incorregible, dijo
hace unos dias que ahora los mexicanos
tendrán la oportunidad que tanto ansiaban de
dedicarse al trabajo. Si las promesas valen
algo, el Gobierno de Obregón les dará esa
oportunidad, pues el pueblo mexicano lo que
quiere es la paz, y paz es lo que desean tam
bién todos los que invierten sus capitales en
los recursos naturales de México . Si el
Gobierno de Obregón cumple sus promesas no
oiremos hablar más de intervención.
La Cámara de Comercio Confederada de
México está preparando una protesta en contra
del aumento del precio de los pasaportes para los
Estados Unidos de $10. Los peticionarios
alegan que se les está multando por el privilegio
de hacer compras en el mercado de los Estados
Unidos .
Ha habido un negocio muy grande en madera
de tintes. El promedio de los precios pagados
han sido desde $32 hasta $46 por tonelada, en
New York o Filadelfia, la última ciudad siendo
el mejor mercado. El impuesto de exportación
ha sido de 50 centavos por 100 kilos o 11½ centa
vos por 100 libras.
36 THE MEXICAN REVIEW October, 1920

and transportation systems, rehabilitating the

The Other Side of The Shield railroads and creating a merchant marine.
General Alvarado declared the work of the
revolution at an end. He said the people of
Indisputable Evidence of the Manner in Which Mexicans the country are beginning to realize that the
Were Done to Death in Texas
foundations for a better political, social and
BY WICKWIRE economic government have already been laid
testified gladly and proudly, almost gloatingly.
He told of twenty-odd Americans he knew by the new régime and that there is no longer
AWN seemed unwilling to disclose
any just cause for war. He said the present
so evil a sight, coming more slowly had been killed in border troubles during
D than is common in the semi-tropics. the same period in that section. "But," he government's aim is to give work to those
declared, "for each American killed, at least unemployed and especially to those who fought
Fourteen bodies dangled from the trees in the
under various revolutionary leaders .
little plaza of Paredon. Stripped from the twenty-five 'greasers' have paid the penalty"
over 500, this would mean, and court records. "The new Mexican government," General
waist, they were, and pitifully mutilated . It
show but two legal executions. Alvarado said, "is ready to spend $25,000,000
was no sight to preserve in remembrance,
in purchasing equipment for the railroads ,
yet, when the lights were higher, the ubiquitous Cameron and Hidalgo are but two of sixteen
Texas border counties. Not all have similar which have been practically depleted of their
Mexican photographer appeared. It was the rolling stock, and to buy a small fleet of
sight of these photographs, the writer has records, but listen to this from Presidio
County, in the Big Bend district, the name freighters in order to move the crops , the ore
been told, shown without explanation, that
of which has been much in the press : In and the cargo which has been accumulating in
confirmed the late Theodore Roosevelt as an
warehouses or has been allowed to rot on
interventionist. January of 1918 rumors of an unpleasantness
became current. It was alleged that a com account of the acute shortage of shipping."
For, though there could be perhaps no ex The Finance Minister said he was sure that
cuse, there was an explanation. For each pany of Rangers, accompanied by some
ranchmen, had visited one night a little vil international advertising would do a lot to
body hanging in that little bare park, there
bring about closer relations between his coun
was a woman accuser. Men coming from lage on the American side, taken therefrom try and the United States. He predicted a
months in the field with Gonzalez' hungry a party of Mexicans and shot them to death. period of enormous development for Mexico
little army had found their women violated , When these rumors became persistent, Cap in the near future.
under cover of the old marital law. When tain W. M. Hansen, now chief investigating "The progress which Mexico will • make
these men went on, those bodies were left officer for the Fall committee of the Senate,
was sent out to report. The result was more in the next ten years will be wonderful and
hanging there as reprisal and as warning for
than a whitewash- it was highly com will go far beyond the expectations of her
others . This was in 1914. Many were dying
mendatory of the action of the Ranger com friends and beyond the fears of her enemies,"
in Mexico in those days. Many have died
pany, who were alleged to have been de the General declared .
in the past ten years, in the forty years pre "Prospects have never been better than
ceding and, in fact, during all the 400 years fending themselves from an ambush.
Still the unpleasant rumors persisted. they are now. The Mexican people are tired
of Mexican history.
United States army officers took up the case. of armed revolution. The people have been
Of those killed during the past ten years, sensible enough to discriminate between real
according to a recent official statement of Later in the spring the Ranger company was
mustered out of service. Five of the men political and social leaders who are working
our own State Departemnt, 218 have been of
American citizenship . The Association for were discharged and the rest transferred to for the common advancement and happiness
other companies. Captain J. M. Fox, in of the nation and those who are ready to start
the Protection of American Rights in Mexico
a war for their own benefit and for criminal
claims to have record of 359. Unfortunately, command, was permitted to resign. Listen
and selfish purposes .
they prejudiced the authenticity of this claim to the words of the Adjutant General in ac
cepting this resignation : "That is why we have been able to estab
by failing to edit out of their list the nota
"The evidence discloses, after a thorough lish a firm government within a few months .
tion that two of the number were British
investigation as you know, that fifteen Mexi Conferences are now being held in Mexico
subjects. There were other errors, but let
cans were killed while in the custody of your City at which the banking interests have been
them go and accept their figures at their
face . What then ? How many foreign-born men, after they had been arrested and dis represented, and a bill is now ready which
armed. This is verified by all proof, even will permit the reopening of the banks and
have met violent death in peaceful America
to admission from the parties and informa will relieve the farmers, merchants and manu
during the same period? facturers from the tremendous burden of
Remember that Mexico has been through tion gathered by this office and by agents of
a bitterly fought revolution during that time. the United States Government." paying as high as 5 or 6 per cent a month on
Cities have been shelled by American, as Dawn must have come as haltingly that their loans.
well as native, gunners, serving with one or morning in the Big Bend as on that earlier "We resent, naturally, the antagonism of
another faction . Twice has Mexico been in morning at Paredon, but no photographer was certain isolated groups. But, taking the
vaded by American armies, under Funston present to record the scene. United States as a whole, we have nothing
and Pershing. These invasions may have else than friendly feelings. Unpleasant inci
been wise and necessary, but when armies are dents may arise which jingoist groups may ex
sent to foreign soil a certain number of aggerate, but there can be no enmity, no real
deaths are expected. These figures are in MEXICO NEEDS quarrel between us.
cluded in both the above totals. AMERICAN SUPPORT "The fact that we buy from you more than
Among the foreigners done to death dur 80 per cent of our imports and sell you about
ing the past ten years in the United States Frank Declaration of General Alvarado 90 per cent of our natural products preclues
have been some Mexicans . The Texas legis Before a Body of New York Business the possibility of a permanent breach. If it
lature last year investigated certain charges Men-Outline of Improvements Pro is true that our trade means little in the
against members of the Texas Ranger force.
posed enormous volume of your total foreign trade,
Judge "Jim" Wells, reputed political boss of
T a lunch given by the Pan-American the fact remains that we are your neighbors,
the entire lower Rio Grande Valley, chair
man of the district Council of National De A₁ Division of the Associated Advertis your nearest customer and all the balance of
fense throughout the war, with manifest un ing Clubs of the World in New York your clientele will trust you the more if you
willingness, testified to his belief that in two City recently, General Salvador Alvarado, give us a fair and square deal. We trust
counties , Cameron and Hidalgo , upwards of Secretary of the Treasury of the Mexican your sense of justice, and honor, and you
250 Mexicans had been killed since 1915 with Government, delivered an address, in which will do well, I am sure, to trust our plain
he declared that Mexico must have the sup horse sense . Let us join hands and create
out trial or preferment of legal charge.
His bitterest political foe, Lon Hill , is of port and the coöperation of the United States a new era in Mexico. We will meet you half
a different caliber. At the same hearing, he in the great work of reorganizing its banking way."
 Octubre, 1920 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 37 .

MEXICO NECESITA LA
El Otro Lado del Escudo AYUDA DE LOS EE. UU .

Evidencia Irrefutable de Como Algunos Mexicanos Declaración Franca del General Alva
Han Sido Asesinados en el Estado de Texas rado Ante una Reunion de Hombres de
Negocios de New York- Mejoras Que
Se Proponen
POR WICKWIRE la policía montada de aquel Estado (Texa
rangers) . El juez Jim Wells, reputado líder N un almuerzo obseqinado por la División
OMO si le repugnara dar a luz el lúgubre
político del Valle del Rio Grande y Presidente Ε Pan-Americana de la Asociación de los
espectáculo , la aurora tardaba más de
del Consejo de Defensa Nacional de ese Distrito, Clubs de Anuncios del Mundo , de New York
C lo que acostumbra en las regiones semi
manifestó contra su voluntad que en su opinión City, el General Salvador Alvarado , Secretario
tropicales. Catorce cuerpos, desnudos hasta la
en los Condados de Cameron y Hidalgo coerca de Hacienda del Gobierno Mexicano, en un
cintura y horriblemente mutilados, amanecieron
de 250 mexicanos habían encontrado una muerte discurco que pronunció declaró que México
colgando de los arboles en la pequeña plaza de
violenta sin ser juzgados o acusados conforme a debía recitir la ayunda y la cooperación de los
Paredón . No fué un expectáculo digno de ser
la ley. Pero su mayor enemigo político Lon Estados Unidos en la reorganización de su
recordado , y sin embargo, cuando hubo aumen
Hill, es de una disposición muy diferente. En sistema bancario y de transportación , y para la
tado la claridad del día, aparece en la escena el
omnipresente fotágrafo mexicano. Se me ha el mismo interrogatorio Hill declaró gustosa y rehabilitación de los refrocarriles y creación de
una marina mercante. El General Alvarado
dicho que al ver estas fotografías, que le fueron orgullosamente, y casi con alarde, que el sabía
mostradas sin explicación alguna, el espéctaculo de veinte americanos que fueron asesinados en declaró que la revolución ya se había concluido .
que representaban convirtió al finado Theodore los disturbios a lo largo de la frontera, durante Dijo que el pueblo principíaba a realizar que las
el mismo período, pero que "por cada americano bases para un gobierno mejor, politica , social y
Roosevelt en intervencionista .
asesinado a lo menos veinticinco mexicanos económicamente, ya estabán hechas por el nuevo
Aunque tal vez no había excusa alguna , sí
había una explicación de aquel expectáculo . Por habían pagado la misma pena, " es decir, más régimen, y que ya , no hay causa justa para
de 500, y los registros judiciales solo dan cuenta seguir luchando . Dijo que el objeto del Go
cada hombre que amaneció colgado en los arboles
de aquella plaza , hubo una mujer acusadora . de los ejecuciones conforme a la ley! bierno es dar trabajo a los que no lo tienen , y
Los condados de Hidalgo y Cameron solo son especialmente a aquellos que lucharon a las
Los soldados que regresaban de la campaña ,
dos de los dieciseis condados a lo largo de la ordenes de los varios jefes revolucionarios .
después de varios meses de servicio en el pequeño frontera de Texas. No todos tienen un record
"El nuevo Gobierno Mexicano " dijo el
ejército de González, encontraron que sus semejante, pero véamos el record del condado de
esposas habían sido violadas al amparo de la General Alvarado , " esta listo para gastar
Presidio del distrito de " Big Bend," cuyo
antigua ley marital. Al salir de aquella plaza , $25,000,000 en la compra de equipo para los
nombre ha ocupado tanto la atención de la ferrocarriles, el cual ha sido casi agotado, y para
aquellos hombres dejaron detrás los cuerpos que prensa. En enero de 1918 fueron generales los
colgaban de los arboles, como represalia y como rumores de dificultades en ese condado. Se dice comprar una pequeña flotilla de vapores de
via de amonestación para otros . Esa fué su carga para mover las cosechas, los metales, y la
que una compañía de " Rangers," acompa ada demás carga que se ha acumulado en las bodegas
venganza. Esto sucedió en 1914 , época en que
morían muchos en México . Son muchos los de algunos rancheros, visitaron una noche una o que se ha hechado a perder por falta de facili
pequeña villa en el lado americano, levantaron dades de transportación."
hombres que han muerto en los último ; diez
una partida de mexicanos y los asesinaron . El Ministro de Hacienda dijo que estaba
años, y en los cuarenta años precedentes, y en
Cuando estos rumores se hicieron frecuentes, el seguro que la Sociedad Internacional de Anun
realidad, durante los 400 años de la historia
Capitan W. M. Hanzen , investigador oficial del cios hará mucho para establecer más estrechas
mexicana.
sub-comité del Senado presidido por el Senador relaciones entre México y los Estados Unidos .
Según recientes declaraciones de nuestro .
Fall, fue enviado a hacer una investigación . El Predijo un periódo de enorme desarrollo para
Departamento de Estado, de entre los que resultado
no solo fue que los “ Rangers ” fueron México en el futuro.
murieron en México durante los últimos diez
declarados libres de toda culpa , sino que se "El progreso que hara México en los protimos
años, 218 eran ciudadanos americanos. La
elogió su actitud en defenderse de la emboscada diez años será maravilloso, 1 ira más lejos de lo
Asociación Protectora de los Derechos America
que, según éllos alegaban, se les tendió. que sus amigos esperan y más lejos de la que sus
nos en México asegura que eran 369 , pero Pero los desagradables rumores siempre per
desafortunadamente al incluir en ese número dos enemigos temen, " declaró el General Alvarado.
sistían, y el asunto pasó a manos de algunos " Nuestras esperanzas nunca estuvieron mejor
ciudadanos ingleses, esa Asociación ha puesto en
oficiales del ejército americano . En la primavera fundadas que ahora . El pueblo , mexicano está
duda la autenticidad de sus afirmaciones. Hubo ,
siguiente la compañía de " Rangers " fué disuelta , cansado de revoluciones armadas . El pueblo ha
además, otros errores, pero dejémoslos pasar
de cuyos miembros cinco fueron dados de baja y sabido distinguir a los verdaderos líders politicos
desapercibidos y aceptemos esas cifras en lo que los restantes transferidos a otras compañías. Al
valen . Y qué? Cuántos ciudadanos de orígen capitán de la compañia , J. N. Fox, se le admitió y sociales que están trabajando por el adelanto
extranjero han encontrado una muerto violenta su renuncia. He aquí lo que dijo el Ayudante y felicidad de la nación, de aquellos que están
en nuestro pacífico país durante el mismo período listos para principiar una guerra para beneficio
General al aceptar la renuncia del capitán : propio y con fines egoistas y criminales.
de tiempo?
"Después de una completa investigación , "Y es por esto que hemos podido establecer un
Recordemos que México ha pasada por una
como usted sabe, la evidencia pone de manifiesto gobierno estable, en pocos meses. Están dán
encarnizada lucha civil durante ese tiempo . Las que quince mexicanos fueron muertos mientras
dose conferencias en la Ciudad de México en las
ciudades han sido bombardeadas por cañones estaban bajo la custodia de los hombres que
cuales los intereses bancarios han sido represen
manejados por americanos y mexicanos que han tenía usted a su cargo, después de haberlos hecho
estado al servicio de una u otra facción. México tados, y se ha formulado un pro yecto de ley
prisioneros y haberlos desarmado. Esto ha
ha visto su territorio invadido por ejércitos que permitirá la apertura de los bancos, y
sido comprobado por la evidencia que se nos ha aliviará, al agricultor, al comerciante y a los
americanos dos veces, una vez al mando de presentado, y aún por la propia confesión de las
manufactureros del tremendo peso de estar
Funston y la otra bajo las órdenes de Pershing. partes implicadas y por la información obtenida
Estas invasiones podrán haber sido prudentes y pagando un interes tan subido como de 5 o o
por esta oficina y por los agentes del Gobierno por ciento al mes sobre sus empréstitos.
necessarias, pero cuando un ejército es enviado de los Estados Unidos. "
a suelo extranjero es de esperarse que resulte "Resentimos, naturalmente , el antagonismo
Al igual que en Paredón algunos años atrás, la de ciertos grupos aislados , pero considerando
cierto número de muertos . Los que así han aurora de seguro tardó más que de costumbre en
muerto están incluídos en los dos totales arriba a los Estados Unidos, en lo general no tenemos
el distrito de " Big Bend" aquella mañana, ipero sino sentimientos de amistad . Incidentes desa
*. mencionados.
no estuvo presente ningún fotógrafo que regis gradables pueden ocurrir y su importancia
Entre los extranjeros asesinados durante los trara la escena !
She últimos diez años en los Estados Unidos, han exagerada por grupos antagonistas, pero no
habido algunos mexicanos. La Legislatura del Los campos petroleros de Panuco -Topila puede existir animosidad ni enenustad entre
produjeron 33,620,303 barriles desde Enero nosotros.
Estado de Texas el año pasado investigó ciertos
cargos formulados contra algunos miembros de 1919 hasta Junio de este año. (Sigue en la página 38)

常
38 THE
Mexico's Presidential Election
HERE seems to be no doubt that the re
THsult E of the Presidential election in Mexico
on Sunday was the triumph of General Alvaro
Obregon, farmer, soldier and popular leader, as
tolerable a representative of democracy as the
Mexicans have known of late . When the star
of Carranza was extinguished, the stage was
set for the advent of Obregon . In a military
way he was too powerful to brook a rival, as
Pablo Gonzalez learned to his cost, and he was
public spirited enough to suit the Mexican
people of all classes, who were weary of revo
lution and wanted to get back to work with
a guarantee that they could hold what they
earned. , Carranza, with high ideals and good
intentions, had aided the Mexicans to discover
their conscience, which General Alvarado, Sec
retary of Public Credit, accounts as the greatest
achievement of ten years of revolution ; but it
must be admitted that as an administrator and
diplomat Venustiano Carranzo, because of a
perverse temper and intense provincialism, was
a lamentable failure.
A pioneer and herald for General Obregon
had to be found by those interested in his ad
vancement, and the choice happily fell upon
an energetic and clever Mexican of the north,
who thoroughly understood the conditions upon
which the Administration at Washington
would recognize the new ruler. As acting
or provisional President of Mexico De la
Huerta has been such a shining success that
General Obregon will be wise to accept him
as an example of what an Executive in Mexico
should be.
It became the task of President De la Huerta
to set the house of his people in order and
resume amicable relations with foreign powers,
notably the United States, which had been
outraged and flouted by the inept Carranza
Administration . Young, optimistic, enterpris
ing and resourceful, he seems to have easily
succeeded where others had failed . General
Pablo Gonzalez , a menace to the hopes of
DR . H. W. STAHL
DENTISTA
TELEFONOS :
ERIC . 7679 MEX. 7679 NEGRO
AV. 16 DE SEPTIEMBRE NO . 12
MEXICO, D. F.
MERCANTILE
Av . F. I. Madero No. 12.
Geo. J. McCarty, K. M. Van Zant, Jr. ,
President . Vice-President and Manager.
GENERAL BANKING BUSINESS TRANSACTED
FOREIGN EXCHANGE BOUGHT AND SOLD
Current Checking Accounts
MEXICAN REVIEW October, 1920
Obregon and his backers, was disposed of by el resto de vuestra clientela, y tendremos más
a court-martial and permission to leave the confianza en vosotros si se nos trata bien .
country. Francisco Villa, the scourge of the Confiamos en vuestra justicia y honor y haréis ,
north, was placated and pensioned . The bush bien, estoy seguro, en confiar en nuestro igual
whacking insurgents and "red flaggers" were proceder. Estrechémonos la mano y estab
hunted down and shot. Governor Cantu of lescamos una nueva era para México . Nosotros
Lower California, who had a grievance, was os encontraremos a la mitad del camino . "
painlessly removed from office. Morelos ,
where the Zapatistas had long defied the
The government has revoked the recent per
Central Government, was pacified without the
mission for the city tramways to advance the
firing of a shot. Americans who had con
suburban freight and passenger rates.
cessions and other property interests in Mexico
were assured of protection and fair play. A
e?
discreet envoy was sent to Washington , and
able economists like Salvador Alvarado were
dispatched to the States to outline the policy FOR SALE
of the administration of Carranza's constitu
tional successor . - New York Times.
100,000 acres of hardwood timber
(Sigue de la página 37) and OIL lands , in
" El hecho de que compramos de vosotros más
del 80 por ciento de nuestras importaciones y os
vendemos más del 90 por ciento de nuestros SAN ANDRES TUXTLA, STATE OF
productos naturales, excluye la posibilidad de VERACRUZ, MEXICO
una ruptura permanente. Si es verdad que
nuestro comercio significa muy poco en el Details furnished to
volumen enorme del total de vuestro comercio
serious buyers
extranjero, queda aun el hecho de que somos
vuestros vecinos y más cercanos compradores que
PUBLIC STENOGRAPHER ADDRESS :
Gante, 9.- Tel. Eric. , 21-01
English-Spanish Shorthand. Typewriter, GEORGE WILSON
Copying and Translations done by Experts.
Open 7 A. M. to 9 P. M. and Sundays. Apartado (P. O. Box) , 1677
MRS . A. M. L. COLESON MEXICO , D.f.
EAGLE "MIKADO” PENCIL No.174
174 EAGLE MIKADO × Nº2 X CAGLE TERREIOUS
CEMET
Regular Length, 7 inches
For Sale at your Dealer. Made in five grades
Conceded to be the Finest Pencil made for general use.
EAGLE PENCIL COMPANY, NEW YORK -
BANKING CO. LTD .
P. O. Box, 131 Bis . Mexico , D. F. ¦
F. Peltier , Fco. Coudurier , G. A. Moran,
Assistant Manager. Cashier. Assistant Cashier.
TELEGRAPH TRANSFERS . LETTERS OF CREDIT
TRAVELERS' CHECKS ISSUED
of Merchants, Manufacturers and Individuals Invited
 Mexican and American Officials Exchange Greetings at Nogales,

Arizona, and Nogales, Mexico

ARCH OF
WELCOME
BETWEEN
NOGALES
ARIZONA BI
AND EN
VE
NOGALES NI
DO
ME MEXICO.
WELCO

KU5-O14.1
WWW. 0 GEA

WELCOME TO MEXICO
PVEU WELCOME TO US.A

SR . ALVARO
JULY 11TH
OBREGON
1920 GREETS
AT
GOV. THOS. E.
NOGALES CAMPBELL
ARIZONA OF ARIZONA
AND
GOV
. FLAVIO
NOGALES
BORQUES
MEXICO
WAITING TO WEL
COME THE ARIZ.
GOVERNOR -

Courtesy Chamber of Commerce, Nogales, Arizona

 ;
National Railways of

Mexico and Annexes

(Administered by the Government)

Direct Passenger Service Between Mexico City and

Laredo , Texas; Ciudad Juaraz (El Paso) , Manzanillo ,

Morelia , etc.

The trains to Laredo, Texas, are detained in Nuevo

Laredo , Mexico , only the time indispensable for compliance

with the customs and health regulations .

Sleeping cars are run daily from Mexico City to 1

Laredo, Ciudad Jaurez, and Guadalajara, and every third

day to Tampico , via San Luis Potosi .

***
FREIGHT INSURANCE SERVICE

The business public is informed of the maintenance

of a system of insurance against the risks of war of all

classes of merchandise and with all points in the Republic.

This system has been in operation more than two years,

with most satisfactory results .

J. M. CARDENAS, A. G. ROEL,
Assistant General Passenger Agent General Freight and Passenger Agent

I. S. RODRIGUEZ,
Chief of the Insurance Department
1201 MAR 2 4 1921
M62

MEXICAN REVIEW

MCIN

REVISTA MEXICANA

VOL. IV WASHINGTON, D. C., NOVEMBER, 1920 NO. 4

9
664aaaaa66

RECOGNITION PROMISED

LABOR LEADER SEES MEXICO

Chester M. Wright, Noted Writer, Recently Returned from Tour,

Gives Vivid Picture of Conditions

OBREGON "SWINGS AROUND THE CIRCLE"

Innovation by President-Elect and its Results

as Told by Our Staff Correspondent

WHAT THE WOMEN ARE DOING

Miss Eulalia Hernandez, in Christian Science Monitor,

Tells of Their Advancement

THE FIELD OF PETROLEUM

Three Illuminative Articles by Various Authors

7 16 6

15c. American . The Only Periodical Giving General Mexican News in English.
30c. Oro Nal.
 Recognition by the United States
Government
ECRETARY OF STATE COLBY on October 29
announced the intention of the United States Gov
S anunció el 29 de Octubre la intención del gobierno
ernment to extend recognition to the Mexican Gov
ernment headed by Provisional President Adolfo de la
Huerta. In making the announcement , Secretary Colby
said :
"The discussions which have for some time been in
progress with Mr. Pesqueira, representing the Mexican
Government, give promise of a speedy and happy out
come . The letter which he has addressed to me, and
which I am today giving out for publication , is a very
gratifying and reassuring statement of the attitude and
purposes of the new government of Mexico. Mr.
Pesqueira came to Washington bearing the fullest powers
to speak and act on behalf of his government, and has
exhibited throughout the course of the discussions a com
plete realization of Mexico's international obligations,
just as his letter reflects clearly the firm resolve of his
government to discharge them.
"I think I am warranted in saying that the Mexican
question will soon cease to be a question at all, inasmuch
as it is about to be answered , not only as it concerns the
United States, but, indeed, the whole world as well.
"The new government of Mexico has given indication
of stability, sincerity and a creditable sensitiveness to its
duties and their just performance. While the full pro
tection of valid American interests , which is clearly en
joined upon us as a duty, has at all times been a matter
of primary concern to us, I may say that on the part of
this country, there has been no attempt to prescribe rigid
and definite terms upon which a recognition of the
Mexican Government would be expressly conditioned .
"This we have deemed wholly unnecessary, and the
disavowal of the Mexican representative of any policy
of repudiation of obligations or confiscation of property
or vested rights, either through retroactive legislation or
future regulations, has the added value of being spon
taneous and unprompted.
"There are certain pending matters in controversy
between the two governments and our respective na
tionals , but these will be determined either by agreement
or by the process of arbitration, to which Mexico is pre
pared to yield complete assent.
"The letter of Mr. Pesqueira offers a basis upon which
the preliminaries to recognition can confidently proceed,
and I am hopeful that within a short time the sympathetic
friendship and the patient forbearance which President
Wilson has manifested toward the Mexican people during
the long period of their internal disorders will be fully
vindicated. The desire reflected in Mr. Pesqueira's letter
for the confidence and amicable regard of the United
States is fully reciprocated, and I am happy to believe
that the last cloud upon the ancient friendship of the
two peoples is soon to disappear. "
El Reconocimiento del Gobierno
Mexicano por los Estados Unidos
L SECRETARIO DE ESTADO MR. COLBY
E
de los Estados Unidos de conceder su reconoci
miento al Gobierno Mexicano , representado por el Presi
dente Provisional don Adolfo de la Huerta . Al'anunciar
esa intención, el Secretario Mr. Colby dijo :
"Las pláticas que desde hace algún tiempo vienen
mejoran do con el Sr. Pesqueira , representante del
Gobierno Mexicano , prometen llegar a pronto y feliz
término . La carta que me dirigió, y que hoy entrego
a la publicidad, es una muy grata y nueva confirmación
de la actitud y propósitos del nuevo gobierno de México .
El Sr. Pesqueira vino a Washington trayendo las más
amplias facultades para hablar y obrar en representación
de su gobierno , y ha demostrado en la transcurso de las
conferencias una amolia penetración de las obligaciones
internacionales de México . Su propia carta refleia
claramente el firme propósito de su gobierno de cumplir
con aquellas obligaciones.
"Creo estar bien seguro al afirmar que la cuestión
mexicana muv pronto dejará de ser tal, absolutamente,
en vista de que está ya para ser solucionada , no sólo en
lo que concierne a los Estados Unidos sino . es seguro , a
todo el mundo .
"El nuevo gobierno de México ha dado pruebas de
estabilidad, sinceridad y de una evidente conciencia de
sus deberes y de su estricto cumplimiento . No obstante
que la completa protección de los legítimos intereses.
americanos , que claramente se impone a nosotros como
un deber, ha sido en todo tiempo un asunto de primordial
interés para nosotros , puedo asegurar que por parte de
este país jamás ha existido el propósito de imponer
rígidos y categóricos términos que tornaran condicional
el reconocimiento del Gobierno Mexicano . Esto lo
hemos juzgado totalmente innecesario , y la desaprobación ,
por parte del representante de México . de una política
de renudiamiento de obligaciones o confiscación de pro
piedades o derechos adquiridos, asi como de una legis
lación retroactiva o futuras medidas, tiene el gran mérito
de haber sido expontánea y libre.
"Existen algunos asuntos pendientes de controversial
entre ambos gobiernos y nuestros respectivos nacionales ,
pero éstos serán solucionados ya sea por convenio mútuo
o por el sistema de arbitraje, el cual México está dispuesto
a aceptar completamente .
"La carta del Sr. Pesqueira propone una base sobre la
cual los preliminares del reconocimiento pueden con toda
confianza continuarse , y tengo plena esperanza de que,
dentro de corto tiempo , la buena amistad y la paciente
tolerancia que el presidente Wilson ha demostrado hácia
el pueblo mexicano en todo el largo período de sus
desórdenes internos , será plenamente comprendida y
apreciada.
"El deseo que se refleja en la carta del Sr. Pesqueira
sobre la confianza y amigabilidad hácia los Estados
Unidos, es ampliamente correspondido, y me siento feliz
al creer que la última nube que flota sobre la vieja amistad
entre los dos pueblos , será prontamente disipada. ”
 1

3 1 . 2

ECOS DE LA RENOVACION DE PODERES EN GUANAJUATO

Centro- El Senor Ingeniero Antonio Madrazo, despues de rendir la protesta de ley ante el Congress Fed
eral, para tomar posesion de las riendas del Gobierno.
A la derecha- El Lic. Don Enrique Colunga, Gobernador saliente.
A la Izquierda- El Presidente de la Legislatura, Lic. Don Juan R. Dominguez.

ECHOES OF THE CHANGE OF AUTHORITIES IN THE STATE OF GUANAJUATO

Center-Engineer Antonio Madrazo, after taking the oath of allegiance before the Federal Congress, in
order to take possession of the reins of government.
Right-Attorney Enrique Colunga, the retiring governor.
Left-President of the State Legislature, Juan R. Domingues.
The Mexican
VOL. IV WASHINGTON , D. C. , NOVEMBER, 1920
The Mexican Review
Published Monthly at Washington, D. C.
GEO. F. WEEKS J . EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
Yearly subscription in the United States, Canada and
Mexico, $2 gold . Elsewhere , $2.50 .
Office-Rooms 501-502 , 817 Fourteenth Street
Washington, D. C.
MEXICAN NEWS BUREAU
Accurate news by wire or mail of all important matters.
Special articles on any Mexican topic prepared by com
petent writers. Photographs furnished when desired .
Questions answered . Special inquiries undertaken .
To Resume Interest Payments
HE good news comes from Mexico City
THE in the budget for the coming fiscal
that
year the Treasury Department will include the
amount necessary in order to resume the pay
ment of interest on the public debt, such pay
ments having been suspended during the re
cent revolutionary years, as was unavoidable.
The enemies of Mexico have insistently and
persistently claimed that that country was
burdened with a hopeless debt, that it was
bankrupt, and that its finances were in inex
tricable confusion . The fact that the debt of
Mexico is one of the smallest in the world
has been obscured, along with the further fact
that if given time the country would be able
to recoup itself and rehabilitate its Own
finances . This fact is now receiving confirma
tion in the proposed action of the Treasury
Department, which is in line with the constant
amelioration and improvement of conditions
in every respect throughout the Republic. In
this connection, it would seem appropriate to
again call attention to the fact that Mexico is
the only country in the world whose financial
business in transacted upon a strictly metallic
basis , whose only outstanding paper has been
redeemed at par in gold coin, and which now
proposes to resume interest payments without
asking for outside financial assistance. By the
way, when THE REVIEW published the state
ment regarding the unique position occupied
by Mexico in regard to the character of its
currency, it was met by the disclaimer of a
prominent American publication, which de
clared that the United States was essentially
upon a similar basis. But it did not hazard
any opinion as to what would happen should
any one or any considerable number of per
sons demand actual gold or silver coin in ex
change for paper promises to pay such coin !
There is a wide difference between paper
promises to pay coin and the universal use of
the actual coin itself.
Review
A
No. 4
Constant Source of Amusement Interchange of Scholarships
HAT of NDER the auspices and management of
TH
Ta • U the American Chamber of Commerce of
UNDER
many portion of the
of the daily papers columns
newswhich do
is de
voted to so-called "news" from Mexico , con Mexico City, a plan has been inaugurated and
tinues as always to afford a never- failing is already under way with good prospects for
source of amusement to careful readers as success, looking to an interchange of scholar
well as to those who are acquainted with mat ships between the educational institutions of
ters political, commercial and social in the · both countries, with the view to the further
One day we have a first- page
Republic. ance of a better understanding between the
"scare head" telling of the terrible revolution two peoples. It would be trite to say that no
ary work going on in Michoacan, or Aguas two nations in the world, whose territories
calientes, or Nayarit, or Lower California, border upon each other and who have inti
and a day or two later away down at the mate commercial relations, know less of the
foot of a column on an inside page is a fine truth regarding the conditions prevailing
type announcement "half a stick" in space, therein and entertain so many deep- seated, but
saying that all is quiet on the Potomac, or erroneous ideas in that connection as do the
words to that effect, and that the alleged revo United States and Mexico. The proposed
lutionists have given up peaceably to the reg interchange will go a long way to remove
ularly elected or appointed officials, as the much of the existent misapprehension and to
case may be. Then comes the same old story bring about a better state of feeling. If this
that has done duty for so many years, that continent ever is to occupy the position for
Mexico is seeking a foreign loan , and a day which Nature seems to have destined it, and
or two later the categoric denial of the offi if universal peace and prosperity are ever to
cials of that country-the first being "played prevail, whatever friction exists between the
up" but the latter being subordinated almost different nations occupying their respective
to the point of undiscoverability. The Villa portions thereof, must be removed . And in
and other myths have served their turn and order to remove or prevent international fric
there is no longer any " space" to be had in tion between the two great countries most
yarns about them, but a new or rather old ' prominently concerned, the enlightenment of
crop turns up with regularity." the people of the one as regards the other is
one of the prime and most essential factors.
To that end, the plan proposed by the great
Increasing Petroleum Exports foreign commercial body of the Mexican capi
T IS announced on good authority that the tal is one of the most important elements and
ITexports of petroleum from Mexico for the should be encouraged in every possible man
ner. THE REVIEW indorses the enterprise with
current year will exceed those of all other
countries combined . At the commencement of all its heart and hopes to witness its success
the year it was estimated that the shipments ful consummation, which indeed seems prac
would reach 100,000,000 barrels, but it is now tically assured at this writing.
believed the total will be upward of 140,000,
000. This, of course, is due to the provision An Immense Oil Well
of increased ocean tankage, and not to any EPORTS have been received from Tam
increase in actual production. Only such oil R pico to the effect that a well was recent
as is for local use and for exportation is ly brought in in that region whose daily out
allowed to flow from the wells. At the close put is upward of 80,000 barrels. When it is
of the year 1919 it was estimated by govern remembered that in other oil fields , in the
ment officials that only about 10 per cent, or United States and elsewhere, wells that pro
a little more of the potential production of duce no more than one or two hundred barrels
existing wells was utilized in this manner. daily by pumping are regarded as good prop
Since then there has been a marked increase erties, an idea can be formed of the tremen
in the number of producing wells brought in , dous value of the one under discussion. Accu
and it is not likely that there will be any ma rate figures are not at hand, but if memory
terial change in the proportion noted. I The serves the production of this well far exceeds
exportation of oil from Mexico, as frequently the combined daily production of all the oil
noted in THE REVIEW, is entirely dependent wells in California , at least. By the way, it
upon the supply of shipping, something that is of interest to note that geologists are said
Mexico has nothing to do with. Never at any to have discouraged the sinking of this 80,000
time since the first exports of petroleum has barrel well, on the ground that it would prob
there been any obstacle placed in the way of ably prove a failure !
shipping all the oil for which facilities could
be provided- contrary to a popular impres The Panuco-Topila oil fields produced 33,-
sion assiduously cultivated and widely enter 620,303 barrels of oil from January, 1919, to
tained abroad. June, this year.
COUN KA
}
La Revista
TOMO IV
La Revista Mexicana
Publicacion mensual en la Ciudad deWashington
GEO. F. WEEKS - G EDITOR Y PROPRIETARIO
Suscripciones por un Año, en los Estados Unidos, Canada
y México, $2 oro. En cualquiera otra parte, $2.50.
Oficina- Cuartos 501-502, 817 Fourteenth Street,
Washington, D. C.
AGENCIAS DE NOTICIAS DE MEXICO.
Noticias exactas por telégrafo y correo de todos los asuntos
de interés. Artículos especiales sobre cualquier tópico
mexicano hechos por escritores competentes. Se propor
cionan fotografías a solicitud . Se contestan preguntas
Hacemos investigaciones especiales.
Reanudarase el Pago de Intereses.
AN llegado las buenas nuevas de la
HAN
Η Ciudad de México de que en el pre
supuesto para el entrante año fiscal, la Secre
taría de Hacienda ha incluído la suma nece
saria para la reanudación del pago de los
intereses sobre la deuda pública, cuyo pago,
como era inevitable, fue suspendido durante
los años recientes de revolución. Los enemigos
de México habían venido persistiendo en la
idea de que aquel país estaba agobiado con
una deuda imposible de pagar, que estaba en
bancarrota, y que tenía sus finanzas en una
confusión inextricable. Se ha tratado de
ocultar el hecho de que la deuda de México
es, proporcionalmente , una de las menores del
mundo, como también se ha tratado de ocultar
el hecho de que si se le da tiempo , México
podrá rehabilitar sus finanzas. Este hecho ha
venido a confirmarse con la proposición de la
Secretaría de Hacienda, cuya acción en ese
sentido está en completo acuerdo con el
constante alivio y mejoramiento que se nota
en toda la República, en todos los ordenes.
Y a este respecto es oportuno repetir el
hecho de que México es el único país del
mundo cuyas transacciones financieras son
hechas estrictamente a base de metálico, y cuya
única emisión pendiente de papel moneda ha
sido redimida a la par, en monedas de oro, y
ahora se propone reanudar el pago de los
intereses sin solicitar ayuda financiera fuera
del país . Sea dicho de paso, cuando LA
REVISTA publicó declaraciones referentes a la
sin par situación que ocupa México respecto
de su circulación monetaria, contestó una pu
blicación americana declarando que también
la de los Estados Unidos era esencialmente a
base similar. Pero no se atrevió a adelantar
su opinión sobre qué sucedería si un considera
ble número de personas demandaran que se
les cambiara el papel moneda por monedas de
oro y plata ! Hay una gran diferencia entre
los billetes (promesas de pago ) y el uso
universal de la moneda ( metálico ) en sí sola .
Mexicana
WASHINGTON, NOVIEMBRE , 1920
Inagotable Fuente de Diversión
A parte o sección de los periódicos diarios
LA dedicada a la publicación de lo que se
ha dado en llamar "noticias " de México, como
siempre, continúa siendo fuente segura de
diversión para los lectores vigilantes asi
como para aquellos que están bien informados
de los asuntos políticos, comerciales y sociales
de aquella República. Un día encontramos en
primera plana un "notición" que nos informa
de la terrible revolución que ha principiado
en Michoacán, o Aguascalientes, o Nayarit, o
en la Baja California, y un día o dos después
encontramos por allá al pié de una columna,
en la novena o décima plana y en letra menuda,
un anuncio que ocupa "medio componedor” en
espacio, y leemos en él que todo está en paz
en el Río Potomac, o algo por ese estilo, y que
los supuestos revolucionarios se han rendido
pacíficamente a los funcionarios electos O
nombrados, según sea el caso. Luego viene el
cuento de nunca acabar, que México trata de
negociar un empréstito en el extranjero, y un
día o dos después viene la refutación categó
rica de los funcionarios públicos de aquel país,
y en este caso, lo del empréstito aparece pu
blicado en letras grandes, y la negativa la
publican en tal forma que casi es imposible
encontrarla. Villa y otros mitos ya no dan
resultado, en consecuencia, ya no hay “lugar”
en las columnas para desperdiciarlo en cuentos
sobre ellos, pero luego aparece con regularidad
un grupo nuevo, o viejo, mejor dicho , de quien
echar mano.
Intercambio Escolar
AJO la dirección y auspicios de la Cá
BA mara de Comercio Americana en la
Ciudad de México se ha inaugurado un pro
yecto, el cual ya está siendo experimentado y
promete tener éxito, para el intercambio de
becas entre las instituciones educacionales de
los dos paises, con el objeto de promover el
establecimiento de una mejor inteligencia entre
los dos pueblos. Sería mucho repetir que no
hay dos naciones en el mundo, cuyos terri
torios están tan contiguos y cuyas relaciones
comerciales son tan intimas, que conozcan tan
poco de las verdaderas condiciones de la una
y la otra y que den abrigo a impresiones tan
hondas pero erróneas en ese sentido , como los
Estados Unidos y México. El propuesto
intercambio de becas escolares contribuirá
mucho a extirpar los prejuicos que existen
y será un factor en la formación de un am
biente mejor. Si este continente va alguna vez
a ocupar la posición para la cual lo ha desti
nado la naturaleza, y si es que prevalecerán
la prosperidad y la paz universal, es menester
borrar los malos entendimientos que existen
entre las diferentes naciones que lo forman .
Y con el fin de borrar los malos entendimien
No. 4
tos que existen entre los dos grandes paises
más prominentemente interesados, uno de los
primeros factores y de mayor importancia es
el de ilustrar al pueblo del uno sobre lo con
cerniente al del otro . Teniendo ese fin, el
proyecto propuesto por esa gran organización
comercial extranjera de la Capital de México
es uno de los elementos más importantes y
debería recibir la mayor cooperación posible.
LA REVISTA aprueba la empresa de todo cora
zón y espera ser testigo cuando se lleve a su
feliz terminación , lo que, en verdad, parece
estar prácticamente asegurado al tiempo de
escribir esto.
Las Exportaciones de Petróleo
Aumentan
ABEMOS de buena fuente que la expor
SAB tación de petróleo de México durante este
año será mayor que la de todos los demás
paises en conjunto. Al principio del año se
calculaba que las exportaciones llegarían a
100,000,000 barriles, pero ahora se cree que el
total será más de 10,000,000. Esto , por
supuesto , se debe a que ha sido aumentado
el servicio de vapores tanques y no a que la
producción haya aumentado. Solo se deja
correr de los pozos el petróleo para el consumo
local y para la transportación . A fines de
1919, según los cálculos de los funcionarios.
públicos , solo un diez por ciento de la pro
ducción potencial de los pozos existentes era
utilizada en esta forma. Desde esa fecha ha
ido en aumento el número de pozos produc
tores que se han terminado, pero no es pro
bable que haya un cambio notable en la
proporción arriba indicada . Como frecuente
mente lo ha dicho LA REVISTA, la exportación
de petróleo de México depende exclusivamente
del estado del servicio de transportación, y
México no tiene nada que ver con esto. Desde
que se exportaron los primeros cargamentos
de petróleo hasta la fecha, jamás se han
puesto obstáculos para la exportación de todo
el petróleo que se pueda transportar, como
creen algunos que en el extranjero asídua
mente propagan impresión tan errónea.
Para Fines Educacionales
A REVISTA es de gran importancia para
L ^ fines educacionales , no solo porque por
medio de ella se conocen los hechos acerca de
México, sino porque es también un medio de
estudiar el idioma español. Muchas escuelas
y colegios así lo han manifestado , y constante
mente estamos recibiendo órdenes para subs
cripciones de esa clase de instituciones.
Ofrecemos precios especiales en estos casos si
asi se solicita.
La suspensión del último aracel de cañeria
de hierro y llantas de goma elástica ha sido
consideradá , y el arancel antiguo esta vigente.
6 THE
Americans Should Know Mexico
Impressions of An American Newspaper Man's
BY CHESTER M. WRIGHT
MERICA ought to know Mexico .
America ought to know the lovable, de
A lightful Mexico that holds out the
warm hand of welcome to the friendly
stranger, that lays before his wondering gaze
the rich delight of her wonderful beauty, that
sings into his ears the fervent songs of age
old romance and that talks to him with voices
out of a past the depths of which no man has
yet fathomed.
I have just come from that land.
Enchanted land, if ever there was one ; land
of richness and land of promise ; land of hope
and land of boundless faith.
I went to Mexico to see what was there, not
to see what I had been told was there . And
I think that every one who goes to Mexico in
that spirit must come away with regret, with
a longing to linger and see and learn and
enjoy.
If I were a corporation, seeking what profit
I might find, I would organize the friendship
of Mexico and teach to the American people
the realities about Mexico .
But our civilization goes rushing along en
grossed in what it terms the practical things
of life. Let us discuss those things for a
moment.
First of all, a word about conditions in
Mexico as they are today :
Mexico is at peace, internally and extern
ally. It is safe to travel in Mexico . The
greatest danger-and the only danger that I
saw is the danger that arises from railway
equipment long worn, long out of adequate
repair. Otherwise travel is as safe as it is
in the United States .
Mexico's government is a government of
great promise . It was my good fortune , with
my colleague, to meet President de la Huerta,
President-elect Obregon, Minister of War
Calles, Minister of Agriculture Villarreal and
many other leading figures . The men that
Mexico needs have come to her service. If
my judgment of men fails not, here are men
of fiber, men of integrity and character and
brains . And they are not men of bigotry and
obstinacy.
With them a settlement of the great oil
controversy seems inevitable, unless the oil
men do not want a settlement. We could find
no trace of that determination to confiscate
property of which we had heard much in our
own country, nor could we find any indica
tion that retroactive measures will be applied
in the interests of confiscation .
Mexico today has freedom of speech and of
the press. Amazing utterances may be read
in the scattering revolutionary press . Amaz
ing things may be heard from the revolution
ary platforms.
I witnessed the great Independence Day cel
ebration in Mexico City. In the great Zoa
colo there I saw a crowd gather greater than
any that I had ever seen before. Under the
MEXICAN REVIEW
First Visit South of the Rio Grande
windows of the National Palace the people
gathered in the evening of the fifteenth for
the "Grito," then on the sixteenth for the mili
tary parade. Here was a square two blocks
by two blocks in area, crowded with an as
semblage of such vividness of color, such
wealth of national character as could be seen
nowhere except in a Latin country, and per
haps nowhere so well as in a Latin -Indian
country. And yet it was but a crowd of good
ly folk out for a holiday !
The Mexico of the peon is still a Mexico of
heavy burdens and of extreme simplicity, but
the Mexico of the peon is rapidly on the up
grade. It is but a step back to the days of
Porfirio Diaz and the peonage system in per
fect flower. Never has such a system been
uprooted in a day. But the peon's economic
condition is being improved with amazing
speed. Today he is free and upon that free
dom he may build as far as his capacity leads.
him. He is organizing into unions and he is
breaking down the tradition of low wages and
long days of burden-bearing. His represent
atives are in posts of government and they are
in conference with employers. The movement
of progress is under way. There are weak
nesses and faults, and some of them are se
rious. Things are being done that may have
to be undone in pain, but whatever may be the
truth as to that, the liberation of the peon is
under way .
Let me set down here in rather random
fashion some of the scattered facts that made.
their impress upon me as facts of importance :
In the State of Morelos , for so long the
haunt of Zapata, the rebel chieftain , there are
today only fifty federal soldiers, and there is
no banditry.
American agricultural machinery is being
inported into Mexico by the Mexican govern
ment as rapidly as possible. A plan is being
worked out whereby small farmers may ob
tain machinery at cost and on credit.
Communal lands actually are being restored
to the people within the law and without con
fiscation . Carranza, early in his tenancy of
the presidentia! palace, talked about this, but
did almost nothing. However, the interesting
thing is not what Carranza failed to do, beset
as he was with troubles and trials ; the inter
esting thing is that it is being done now .
Until the budget allowance for educational
work can be made available early in the next
presidential term , volunteer teaching corps
are being organized . Jose Vasconcelos, direc
tor of the University of Mexico City, and one
of the ablest men it was my good fortune to
meet, is a man of vision and a man of prac
tical understanding. He hopes to so organ
ize his work as to teach the Mexican work
ing people how to read and write, how and
what to eat, how to keep clean, how to work
and how to do the simple necessary things
that underlie material progress. When you
listen to Vasconcelos you listen to a man who
inspires hope and faith.
November, 1920
The arsenal employes and the workers who
make all army supplies have been removed
from military discipline and allowed to or
ganize a union. They work in shops as light
and airy and clean as any that I have seen .
Trifling things , these, but they are set down
merely as straws picked out of a wind of
events.
Americans should know two things about
Mexico yes, three things :
It is a land worth seeing for the mere
sake of what there is to see-the age of Egypt,
the warm beauty of Spain and Italy, the
ruggedness and roughness of our own great
west, the mystery and charm of the Orient
all of these and yet none of these, for Mexico
is Mexico and it is not anything else.
It is a land where friendship is to be had
for the honest asking and where rich trade
awaits, growing richer as time goes on and
Mexico gains her feet.
It is a land toward whom our policy should
be guided by high international morality and
not by a few whose motive is greed- and our
goods and our people will find welcome.
I left Mexico through the Port of Laredo .
It is choked with American products going
in, just the vanguard of what may be devel
oped.
To be sure, there are faults in Mexico , but
of this I am sure : There is capacity in Mex
ico , and there is every evidence of a united
determination to make the best use of that
capacity in an era of national development.
I am profoundly convinced that the great
American majority feels for Mexico only
friendship . It is Mexico's greatest need just
now. And if there be those "practical" hungry
fisted souls who know no other argument, to
them it may be said that it will pay our nation
solidly as no other attitude could ever pay.
Mexico has hit her stride, if what the eye
sees and the ear hears means anything at all.
She will have rough spots and + trouble, but
she is on the way.
The Review's Position Sustained
TTENTION is called to the article pub
Α ' lished elsewhere in which Attorney Peña,
the chief of the legal bureau of the Depart
ment of Commerce and Industry, discusses the
various petroleum decrees to which exception
has been taken, and points out that the objec
tions advanced are due to misunderstanding
of their terms. The position of THE REVIEW
in this connection has always been on a par
with that of Attorney Peña, and his utterances
are commended to the careful consideration of
those desiring to arrive at the truth regarding
the Mexican petroleum situation and the laws
connected therewith.
THE REVIEW again expresses its appreciation
of the aid afforded it by the publications of
the American Chamber of Commerce of
Mexico City in supplying late and accurate
information. And by the way, any one wish
ing special information regarding commercial
matters of any kind cannot do better than to
get in touch or become a member of that body.
The work done by it in behalf of both Mexico
and the United States has never been excelled .
Noviembre, 1920 LA
Los Americanos Deberian Conocer a Mexico
Impresiones de Un Periodista Americano En Su
POR CHESTER M. WRIGHT
OS americanos deberían conocer a México ,
ese país tan hermoso y tan amable
L° $
que recibe al amigo extranjero con los
brazos abiertos y le presenta ante sus asom
brados ojos el rico deleite de su maravillosa
hermosura, y después de cantarle fervorosa
mente a sus oídos los romances de su historia,
le hablan voces que salen del pasado cuya
profundidad jamás hombre alguno ha llegado
a comprender.
Yo acabo de venir de esa tierra encantadora,
si es que encantadora hubo tierra alguna ; es
un país lleno de riquezas, un país que tiene
porvenir ; es un país lleno de esperanzas y de
una fe sin límites.
Fuí a México a ver por mis propios ojos
lo que hay allí, y no a ver lo que se me había
dicho que hay, y creo que todos los que van
a México dentro de este espíritu, se vienen
contra su voluntad, y quisieran poder estarse
más tiempo para ver, aprender y divertirse.
Si yo fuera una de esas compañias que
andan en busca de ganancias, organizaría los
sentimientos amistosos de México, y haría ver
al pueblo de los Estados Unidos la realidad
de lo que existe en México . Pero no , nuestra
civilización sigue adelante completamente pre
ocupada con lo que se ha dado en llamar las
cosas prácticas de la vida. Examinemos estas
cosas por unos momentos. En primer lugar,
hablaré sobre las condiciones de México tal y
como existen en la actualidad :
México está en paz, interna y externamente ;
se puede viajar con seguridad . El mayor
peligro y fue el único peligro que ví-es el
que resulta del equipo de los ferrocarriles que
habiendo estado en constante uso no se le han
hecho reparaciones . En cuanto a lo demás, se
puede viajar en México con tanta seguridad
como en los Estados Unidos .
El gobierno de México es un gobierno de
grandes esperanzas. Yo y mi colega tuvimos
la buena fortuna de conversar con el Presi
dente de la Huerta, con el Presidente-electo ,
Obregón, con el Secretario de Guerra, Calles ,
con el Secretario de Agricultura , Villarreal, y
con muchos otros personajes prominentes. Los
hombres que México necesita son los que
ahora tiene a su servicio, y si mi criterio de
los hombres no es equívoco, estos son hombres
de energía, de integridad, de carácter y de
juicio. No son hombres fanáticos no obstinados.
Con estos hombres el arreglo de la contro
versia del petróleo parece inevitable, a no ser
que los intereses petroleros no quieran un
arreglo. No pudimos encontrar ni pista de
esa determinación de confiscar las propiedades
de que tanto hemos oído hablar en este país,
ni pudimos encontrar indicación alguna siquie
ra de que la retroactividad de algunas leyes
será aplicada como medida confiscatoria.
En México hoy existe libertad de prensa
y de palabra ; en la prensa revolucionaria
• se pueden leer artículos que causan asombro,
y son causa de asombro también los discursos
REVISTA MEXICANA
Primera Visita al Sur del Río Grande
que se pronuncian en las tribunas revoluciona
rias.
Presencié la celebración del aniversario de
la Independencia en la Ciudad de México .
Jamás ví multitud más grande que la que se
reunió en el Zócalo . En la noche del día
quince la gente se reunió bajo las ventanas
del Palacio Nacional para oir el " Grito de
Independencia," y el día 16 para presenciar el
desfile militar. Ahí en aquella plaza, de dos
cuadras de ancha por dos de larga, ví una
aglomeración de gentes, de caracteres. na
cionales, de un aspecto tan rico y vigoroso
como no se encuentran en ninguna otra parte,
excepto en un país latino, y probablemente en
ninguna parte como en un país indo-latino.
¡ Y sin embargo, solo era una aglomeración
de buenas gentes que celebraban una fiesta !
El México de ayer- del sistema del peonaje
-todavía es el México de una extremada
sencillez y aún sostiene una pesada carga, pero
va caminando rápidamente hacia el progreso .
De los días de Porfirio Diaz cuando el sistema
del peonaje estaba a la órden del día , a la
fecha, no es más que un paso. Un sistema
como ese jamás pudo ser extirpado en un día,
у, sin embargo, las condiciones económicas del
peón van mejorando con rapidez asombrosa .
Hoy el peón es libre y scbre esa libertad
puede construir hasta donde su capacidad se lo
permita. Hoy los peones se están organizando
en uniones por medio de las cuales han venido
mejorando sus jornales y disminuyendo la
jornada larga de trabajo. Algunos de sus
representantes ocupan puestos en el gobierno.
Por medio de sus representantes celebran
conferencias con los patronos . La era de
progreso se ha iniciado ; como es natural , el
movimiento tiene sus faltas y sus defectos,
algunos de los cuales son serios ; se están
haciendo algunas cosas que tal vez será doloro
so deshacerlas , pero cualesquiera que sea lo
que hay en esto, la verdad es que la emancipa
ción del peón ha principiado .
Permítaseme asentar aquí, de una manera
casual, algunas de las cosas que me impre
sionaron mucho , y que las considero de mucha
importancia :
En el Estado de Morelos, la guarida de
Zapata por tanto tiempo, hoy no hay más que
cincuenta soldados federales, y ya no existe el
bandidaje.
El Gobierno Mexicano está importando
maquinaria americana para la agricultura tan
rápidamente como le es posible. Se tiene en
estudio un proyecto por medio del cual los
agricultores en pequeña escala puedan adquirir
esta maquinaria al costo y a crédito.
Actualmente se están devolviendo al pueblo
las tierras comunales, de acuerdo con la ley y
sin recurrir a la confiscación . Carranza dijo
mucho con referencia a este asunto cuando
fué Presidente, pero no hizo casi nada. Sin
embargo, lo que Carranza, rodeado de dificul
tades como se encontraba, no hizo, no es
interesante, lo que interesa es que lo que él
no hizo se está haciendo ahora.
7
Se está organizando un cuerpo de profesores
voluntarios mientras llega el próximo período
presidencial en que pueda hacerse uso de la
parte señalada en el presupuesto para la ins
trucción pública. El Sr. José Vasconcelos ,
Rector de la Universidad de la Ciudad de
México y uno de los hombres más hábiles con
quien tuve la fortuna de conversar, es un
hombre de una visión clara y de un entendi
miento práctico. Tiene esperanzas de or
ganizar su labor en tal forma que se pueda
enseñar al pueblo trabajador de México a leer
y escribir, cómo y qué ha de comer, cómo ha
de mantenerse siempre limpio, cómo ha de
trabajar y cómo ha de hacer todas las cosas
que se requieren para progresar materialmente.
Cuando uno escucha lo que dice Vasconcelos ,
está uno escuchando a un hombre que inspira
confianza y fe.
Los obreros de los arsenales y todos los que
trabajan en la fabricación de equipos para el
ejército se están organizando en uniones desde
que fueron removidos del control y disciplina
militar. Los talleres donde trabajan están tan
bien arreglados, tan limpios y bien ventilados
como los mejores que he visto.
Todos estos son hechos triviales, pero sirven
como una muestra de los verdaderos aconte
cimientos que se están registrando en México.
Los americanos deberían saber dos cosas
con referencia a México o mas bien, tres
cosas :
México es un país que vale la pena visitarlo
tan solo por lo que hay que ver allí ; la edad
de Egipto , la vehemento hermosura de España
e Italia, la escabrosidad y aspereza de nuestras
montañas del gran oeste, los hechizos y los
misterios del Oriente-todo esto y, sin em
bargo, nada de esto , porque México es Mé
xico y no es otra cosa.
México es una tierra donde la amistad le
espera al que la sabe apreciar, y le esperan
también ricas oportunidades para el intercam
bio de comercio, las cuales van haciéndose
más ricas a medida que pasa el tiempo y que
México se va levantando .
México es un país hacia el cual nuestra
política debería tener por norma los más altos
principios de moralidad internacional y no los
designios codiciosos de unos cuantos indivi
duos, y entónces- nuestras mercancías y nues
tras gentes serán bien recibidas .
Regresé de México por el puerto de La
redo ; es inmensa la cantidad de mercancías
americanas que pasa pos ese puerto, y hasta
hoy solo es la vanguardia, pues ese comercio
es susceptible de unmayor desarrollo.
México, como es natural, tiene sus defectos ;
pero de todas maneras , de esto sí estoy seguro :
el pueblo de México es capaz, y en todas
partes ví la firme determinación de hacer el
mejor uso de esa capacidad, y de la capacidad
material del país, para iniciar una era de
desenvolvimiento nacional.
Estoy firmemente convencido de que la gran
mayoría de los americanos tiene solo senti
mientos de amistad para México , y esto es lo
que México necesita más en la actualidad . Y
si acaso andan por ahí los eternos abogados
de lo meramente "práctico," a ellos les diré
que ninguna otra actitud que adopte nuestra
nación hacia México será tan ampliamente
(Sigue en la pagina 9)
8 THE
Obregon " Swings Around the
Mexican President-Elect Introduces Innovation by Devoting Pre-Inaugural
Period to Intensive Personal Study of Conditions Throughout the Republic
BY A STAFF CORRESPONDENT
HE humble and ofttimes humiliated
voter of these United States has become
Taccustomed, not to say indurated, to the
spectacle of "swings around the circle" by can
didates, near candidates and prospective candi
dates for the presidential office, even, on occa
sion, those already clothed with the dignity and
authority of that high station . Before the
primaries we are treated to bewildering series
of swings, swoops and sorties by various and
sundry persons and personages believing, hoping
or chancing the possibility of party preference
alighting on them. After the party conven
tions, the lucky ones whirl merrily in ever-
widening circles until the date of election ,
after which, by custom, the chosen one settles
down in dignified semi-obscurity to await his
inauguration .
If there is any instance of a president-elect
putting in the time between election and inau
guration in a personally conducted, unosten
tatious and unhurried journey of inspection
and investigation throughout the country, to
learn first-hand of its needs and possibilities ,
that voyage is not of record. Wherefore, by
all our precedents, Alvaro Obregon, President
elect of Mexico, in El Paso today, midway
of such a survey of his own country, is guilty
of an innovation. Or perhaps he should be
given credit therefor and emulated. It would
seem to be a fairly effective way for any man
to prepare for his administration of the com
plicated affairs of a nation.
Of course the fact that General Obregon,
without military escort, has traveled without
untoward incident by railroad and steamship,
by automobile and on horseback, some ten
thousand miles, from far-off Yucatan to
Juarez, just across the Rio Grande from this
border American city, is somewhat discon
certing to the literary gentlemen here who
have been making a comfortable living send
ing out lurid stories of the danger and dis
organization which they claim makes life in
the southern Republic one long nightmare of
horror and despair. These gentlemen, how
ever, take hope in the fact that General Obre
gon proposes to extend his journey some other
thousands of miles between now and December
1 , the date of his inauguration. Something
may happen yet, they say.
General Obregon's reception in El Paso was
in consonance with the dignity of the high
office which he soon is to occupy and relevant
of the respect and friendship borne him per
sonally by our own border people who know
him well. His special train was the first in
eight years to cross the international bridge
and marks the resumption of through passen
ger traffic between the two countries. The
mayor of El Paso and city commissioners met
the train and accompanied the General to his
hotel, escorted by a band from Mexican mili
tary headquarters staff in Juarez.
At a luncheon tendered by the Kiwanis
Club, General Obregon reiterated his often
MEXICAN REVIEW
Circle"
expressed desire for cordial relations between
Mexico and the United States and declared
that his administration will be ready to do
everything possible, short of the surrender of
national dignity, to bring about such a con
summation of the difficulties which have arisen
during the years of revolution. The Mexican
government, he said, will give every protec
tion to foreign nationals and interests. Capi
tal for legitimate investment under equitable
laws, fair alike to Mexicans and foreigners ,
is necessary for the development of the coun
try and will be welcomed .
General Obregon is under no illusions, ap
parently, as to the difficulties to be overcome
during the long reconstruction period facing
Mexico ; but on the other hand, as the result
of his observations thus far on his trip, he is
more than ever convinced that the Mexican
people are a unit in the desire for peace nad
the complete resumption of industrial and
agricultural pursuits upon which the solid
future prosperity of Mexico is based . Admit
GENERAL OBREGON AND WIFE
ting frankly that there is some unrest here
and there, General Obregon points out that in
this Mexico differs little from other countries
and declares his belief that such symptoms
are less widespread and deep- seated among the
people of Mexico than among those of any
of the European countries active in the great
Given a fair chance to work out their
problems in their own way, bolshevism and
communism, he declares, will find the Mexican
character affords a poor seed-bed for the
planting and growth of those theories.
Inasmuch as General Obregon spent some
time investigating conditions in Yucatan and
Campeche, whence are coming sensational
stories of organized effort to overthrow the
established government and set up a Soviet
republic, it is a fair presumption that his
analysis of the situation there is more likely
November , 1920
to be correct than that of strangers writing
principally from Mexico City, New York or
Washington. Poor crops, low prices, inade
quate transportation and financial stringency,
says General Obregon, have brought about a
difficult economic situation in Yucatan and
the people are milling about in search of a
remedy. Agitators have been at work and
secured some hearing from a small section of
the more ignorant agricultural laborers and
small farmers. But there has been practically
no violence and no semblance of insurrection.
Fundamentally, he says, conditions are sound
and the people, farmers and business men
alike, are hopeful that relief measures under
taken by the government will prove effective
and that unrest will cease with the harvesting
and marketing of the new crop.
The civic bodies of El Paso and Juarez,
together with the federal military authorities
at Fort Bliss, have prepared a round of enter
tainments for General Obregon here, to re
fresh him after his arduous travels, and fortify
him for the many miles of weary journeying
ahead before he completes his novel " swing
around the circle."
El Paso, October 6, 1920.
Fair Play for Mexico
ORMAL recognition of the existing gov
F ernment in Mexico, which is said to have
been recommended to the President by Secre
tary of State Colby, may be urged for many
reasons.
The Provisional President, de la Huerta,
and the President-elect, General Obregon, who
is to take office December 1 , besides being
committed to justice and peace at home and
abroad, are well disposed toward the United
States. Both are intimately acquainted with
this country and its inhabitants and both are
aware that the best assurance of prosperity
their own people can have must rest upon
friendly relations with their powerful neigh
bor. As President de la Huerta has long
manifested these sentiments toward us, recog
nition during his temporary service as chief
of the state would be a personal tribute well
deserved.
Official and private advices agree that the
new régime has popular support ; that its
promise of liberalized rule is being fulfilled ;
that law and order have at length gained
ascendancyover banditry ; that life and prop
erty are protected, and that civil stability is
giving industry a new development. All this
might have been brought about by General
Carranza if it had not been for his fatal
suspicion of foreigners and especially his ob
stinate rejection of proffers of friendship from
Washington .
The better-advised men who now control in
Mexico need world-wide confidence and com
merce no less than official acceptance by the
family of nations. Since Great Britain,
France, Italy and Japan are waiting upon us
to move in the matter, prompt action is highly
desirable. A Government in Mexico having
the moral support of the great powers will be
insured to some extent against the aggressions
of interests long covetous and just now un
usually eager for prey.-N. Y. World.
Noviembre, 1920 LA
Obregon Hace Una Gira por la Republica
El Presidente de México Antes de la Toma de Posesión Se Dedica a
Un Exámen Intenso de la Condiciones que Existen en la República
DE NUESTRO CORRESPONSAL
OS modestos y no pocas veces humillados
votantes de los Estados Unidos están
L tan acostumbrados a ver el espectáculo
de los candidatos y presuntos candidatos a la
presidencia en plena gira política al través del
país, que ya lo ven hasta con indiferencia. A
veces suelen también "dar la vuelta alrededor
del círculo," los que ya están investidos con el
manto de la autoridad y dignidad de los altos
puestos públicos. Antes de las elecciones pri
marias nos vemos rodeados por todas partes
de muchas y variadas personas y personajes
que entreteniéndonos de mil y un modos, todos
a una abrigan la esperanza de ser los fa
vorecidos con el nombramiento por los partidos
políticos. Después de las convenciones de los
partidos políticos, los favorecidos con la postu
lación de sus respectivos partidos siguen
alegremente la gira, dándole neuvas extensiones,
hasta el día de las elecciones, después de las
cuales el elegido se esconde en una semi
obscuridad dignificada a esperar el día de la
toma de posesión.
Si hubo algún presidente-electo que dedicara
el intérvalo de tiempo entre el día de su
elección y el día de su inauguración a hacer
un viaje de estudio personal, sin ostentaciones
y sin apresurarse, con el fin de recabar in
formes exactos de las necesidades de su país ,
asi como de sus posibilidades, el hecho no está
registrado en los anales, de todo lo cual, vistos
nuestros precedentes, resulta que Alvaro
Obregón, el presidente-electo de México, es
culpable de haber introducido una innovación,
pues hoy se encuentra en El Paso en medio de
una gira de estudio de las condiciones de su
propio país. O tal vez lo mejor será darle
crédito por ello y tratar de imitarlo, pues parece
un medio eficaz para que cualquier hombre
vaya preparado a administrar los complicados
asuntos de una nación.
Como era natural, para los hombres de letras,
que se procuran los medios de vivir cómoda
mente escribiendo artículos funestos sobre los
peligros y sobre el estado general de desor
ganización que hace de la vida en la Re
pública Mexicana una eterna pesadilla con sus
consiguientes horrores, ha sido algo descon
certante el hecho de que el General Obregón
haya hecho el viaje sin escoltas militares, y sin
que haya sucedido el menor incidente desagra
dable, desde Yucatán hasta Ciudad Juarez, al
otro de la ciudad americana de El Paso, en
ferrocarril y en vapores, a veces en autómovil
y a veces a caballo. Pero estos caballeros se
consuelan con saber que el General Obregón
se propone recorrer millares de kilómetros
adicionales entre ahora y el primero de diciem
bre, que es la fecha en que preste la protesta
de ley. "Algo puede suceder todavia," se
dicen ellos, tratando de consolarse a sí mismos.
La recepción que se hizo all General
Obregón en El Paso fue digna del alto puesto
que en breve será llamado a desempeñar, y una
prueba del respeto en que se le tiene person
REVISTA MEXICANA
almente y de los sentimientos de amistad que
le profesan nuestras gentes de la ciudad
fronteriza. Su tren especial fue el primero en
cruzar el puente internacional desde hace ocho
años, y marca la señal para la reanudación del
servicio directo → de pasajeros entre los dos
paises. El Mayor y los concejales de El Paso
estuvieron presentes a la llegada del tren y
acompañaron al General Obregón hasto el hotel,
acompañando a la comitiva una banda militar
mexicana de Ciudad Juarez.
Durante el almuerzo que le fue obsequiado
por el "Kiwanis Club," el General Obregón ex
presó nuevamente sus deseos por establecer las
más cordiales relaciones entre México y los
Estados Unidos, y declaró que su gobierno
estará en la mejor disposición para hacer todo
lo que sea posible, siempre que no sea en
menoscabo de la dignidad nacional, por solu
cionar todas las dificultades que han surgido
durante la revolución ; dijo que el Gobierno
Mexicano dará toda clase de proteccion a
los ciudadanos y propiedades extranjeros , y
que la inversión legítima de capitales, de
acuerdo con leyes justas tanto para para los
nacionales como para los extranjeros , es nece
saria para el desenvolvimiento del país, y, por
lo tanto, será bien vista.
El General Obregón no se hace ilusiones
respecto de las dificultades que hay que ven
cer para la completa reconstrucción de
México, pero también, como resultado de sus
observaciones durante este viaje, se ha con
vencido de que el pueblo mexicano desea la paz
y la reanudación de las labores en las indus
trias y en la agricultura , que son la base de
la prosperidad futura de México. El General
Obregón admite francamente que hay señales
de descontento por aquí y por allí, pero luego
señala que en ese sentido no es mucha la dife
rencia entre México y otros paises, agregando
que, en su opinión, estos síntomas de descon
tento están menos extendidos y son menos
profundos entre el pueblo de México que en
cualquiera de los paises europeos que tomaron
parte activa en la última guerra. El General
Obregón dice que si se deja a México SO
lucionar sus problemas por sí solo, los bol
shevikis y los comunistas encontrarán que el
carácter mexicano no es terreno fértil para la
propagación de sus teorías.
Como el General Obregón dedicó algún
tiempo al estudio de las condiciones que exVide
isten en Yucatán y Campeche, de donde nos
han estado llegando noticias sensacionales de
los esfuerzos que allí se hacen por derrocar al
gobierno constituído y establecer la república
soviet, justo es suponer que su análisis de la
situación en esa región es más exacto que el de
los extranjeros que escriben sus artículos en
la Ciudad de México, en Washington o en New
York. El General Obregón dice que las malas
cosechas, la falta de métodos de transporta
ción, y una tirantez en los créditos, son las
causas de la dificil situación económica porque
atraviesa el pueblo de Yucatán. Aprovechán
dose de la situación, algunos agitadores han
9
logrado hacerse oír por un pequeño número de
los labradores más ignorantes y por algunos
agricultores en pequeña escala . Pero práctica
mente no se han registrado actos de violencia
ni hay indicios siquiera de rebelión, y luego
agregó que fundamentalmente las condiciones
son seguras y que el pueblo, los agricultores y
los hombres de negocios tienen esperanzas de
que las medidas tomadas por el gobierno
probarán ser eficaces y que el descontento
cesará al levantarse las nuevas cosechas y ser
puestas en el mercado.
Las varias organizaciones civiles de El Paso
y Ciudad Juarez, de acuerdo con las au
toridades militares de Fort Bliss, han pre
parado una serie de festejos en honor del Gen
eral Obregón, para que descanse un poco
después de tan largo y pesado viaje, y para
que adquiera nuevas fuerzas para proseguir
adelante hasta terminar la novela, "la vuelta
alrededor del círculo ." 1
1
Nuestro Propio Criterio
LAMAMOS la atención del lector sobre el
Ľ articulo del Licenciado de la Peña, Jefe
de la Oficina Juridica de la Secretaría de Indu
stria y Comercio, el cual aparece en este
número, comprenebiendo un exámen de los
decretos petroleros a que se han hecho obje
ciones, las cuales son nacidas de la falta de
comprensión de las cláusulas de esos decretos.
El criterio que LA REVISTA ha venido soste
niendo en este sentido es igual al del Sr.
de la Peña, y a todas aquellas personas que
deseen saber la verdad con referencia a la
situación petrolera y a las leyes mexicanas que
se relacionan con esa industria, les recomenda
mos un estudio detenido del artículo men
cionado .
Muchas Gracias!
A REVISTA se complace en volver a ex
L^presar su gratitud por la ayuda recibida
de parte de las publicaciones de la Cámara de
Comercio Americana de la Ciudad de México
que nos han suministrado las informaciones
del día. Y sea dicho de paso , las personas
que deseen obtener informaciones especiales
sobre asuntos comerciales no pueden hacer cosa
mejor que ponerse en comunicación con esa
organización o hacerse miembro de ella. En
su labor desarrollada en beneficio de México
y de los Estados Unidos , esa organización no
es aventajada por ninguna otra.
LOS AMERICANO DEBERIAN
CONOCER
(Viene de la pagina 7)
recompensada como la de una amistad franca
y sincera.
Si lo que he visto y lo que he oído en mi
viaje a México significa algo, significa que
México va hacia el progreso . Tendrá sus
dificultades y sus tribulaciones , pero para
allá va.
Se dice que la famosa hacienda "González,"
que comprende más de un millon de acres,
cerca de Tampico, ha sido agregada, por medio
de arrendamiento para hacer perforaciones , a
los intereses de Doheney.
10 THE
In the Field of Petroleum
Insidious Propagandist Figures Creep Into Comprehensive and Generally
Admirable Report of U. S. Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce
BY WICKWIRE
N U. S. Commerce Reports of September
13, 1920, is a comprehensive article
I ' graphically portraying the past, present
and potential status of the Mexican petroleum
industry. Evidencing in its text exhaustive
investigation and every intention of fairness
on the part of the writer it is disconcertingly
suggestive of the permeative influence of the
"oil interests ," so-called , their capacity for
'boring within," that there should be included
in this article as an important statement of
fact what are purely propagandist figures, the
truth of which is naively disproved by the
writer's own figures on the succeeding page .
In this article ( page 1227 ) is the following
statement :
"On the latest valuations given above
(May-June, 1920) , fuel oil at Tampico of a
specific gravity of 95 pays an export tax of
12 cents U. S. currency per barrel. The
average contract price made for its delivery
f. o. b. steamer, Tampico, for this period was
49 cents U. S. currency per barrel. The tax
amounted to 24.5 per cent of its value. Heavy
crude paid an export tax of 10.8 cents U. S.
currency per barrel, or 25 per cent of its
value ; light crude paid 15.8 cents per barrel,
or 23 per cent of its value received by pro
ducers ."
The above quoted paragraph, a statement
made by the writer without qualification or
citation of authority, would appear to bear
out fully the contention of certain great
American oil companies that they are over
taxed by the Mexican government. It is not
the intention here to ask the reader to con
trast the above quoted price of 49 cents per
barrel shipboard at Tampico with the price of
$1.25 per barrel at the well, Tecumate, Mexico ,
for 15,000,000 barrels contracted by the United
States Shipping Board ; nor to account for the
price of $2.30 to $2.40 per barrel for some
other millions of barrels of Mexican oil con
tracted for delivery at New York by the
Standard Oil Company of New Jersey to the
United States Navy Department. It is possi
ble (I hope not probable ) that these two great
governmental organizations may have been
imposed upon in making these contracts ; that
they may have paid something more than dou
ble the actual commercial value of the oil.
Leave such considerations aside. The
quoted propagandist figures on page 1227 are
disproved by the figures of the Commerce Bu
reau's writer immediately following on page
1228. Note the following statement :
"In 1918 the value of oil exported was
140,557,533 pesos, the Mexican government
receiving 11,120,397 pesos in export duties.
In 1919 the exports of oil amounted to 186,
445,974 pesos, the export duties being ap
proximately 20,000,000 pesos.”
From these figures it is immediately appar
ent that the Mexican government in 1918 col
MEXICAN REVIEW
lected in export taxes a trifle less than 8 per
cent on the value of the oil exported . The
Commerce Reports writer "approximates" 1919
taxes collected at 20,000,000 pesos. Possibly
he had not available the official figures for
collections which total only 15,203,986 . On this
basis the tax collected in 1919 was a trifle over
8 per cent on the value of the oil. Were his
approximation correct the percentage would
be less than 11 instead of 23 to 25 per cent
as indicated in the paragraph quoted from the
preceding page.
No one will contend that petroleum prices
are lower in 1920 than in 1919. There has
been an increase this year in Mexican govern
ment valuations on the higher grades of oil,
estimated as sufficient to bring the average
collection up to 10 per cent on gross exports
instead of 8 per cent as heretofore. The basic
price on heavy crude as fixed by the Mexican
government for May- June, 1920, is $ 1 per
barrel shipboard, the same as in 1919. This is
the grade of oil claimed by the operators to be
worth only 49 cents per barrel- except when
they are asked to sell it.
How did the writer in Commerce Reports
come to accept that figure ? The producers'
association, it is true, submitted such figures
to the State Department. But only an inno
cent would accept such interested statements
at their face value. It seems reasonable to be
lieve that one whose intentions manifestly are
so fair, in some way must have been deluded
in endorsing such claims . Possibly he was
shown contracts at the 49- cent figure. That
would be easy. Any of the big oil companies
owning pipe lines could show contracts for
such delivery of oil to them by small interior
producers. None of them could show a single
contract whereby they have sold a barrel of
oil to the consumer, foreign distributor, broker
or refiner at that price-or anywhere near it.
For be it understood that the big oil com
panies in Mexico are not only producers but
buyers and sellers of oil . To buy cheap and
sell dear is as much a maxim for them as for
most other business interests . There are
scores of small producers having wells in the
interior who own no pipe lines or other means
of transportation. These are compelled to sell
at the buyer's price to the big companies who
do have pipe lines. Wells also are owned by
subsidiary companies which accept low prices
at the wells in order to keep the local market
down, taking their profits in larger dividends
tnereby made possible for the controlling com
panies. The process is simple and not un
known in practice in the United States. As a
matter of fact some of the smaller, more iso
lated companies would jump at the 49-cent
price. One recently contracted five years' out
put at 27 cents at the well.
Such prices give no just idea of the true
market value of oil.
November, 1920
Will Build a Terminal Station
TERMINAL station will be built at Las
Α Matillas by the Terminal Union Oil
Company to handle all the petroleum ship
ments from its properties, according to infor
mation given out by the president of the com
pany, Mr. G. A. Alonso . A pumping plant
will be erected and a water system installed
with the necessary condensers, filters, refriger
ators, etc. , from which water will be supplied
to the company's tugs, boilers, and for local
uses .
A part of the money to be spent by the
company in developing its properties will be
spent in the construction of seven steel tankers
of a capacity of 55,000 barrels each, six of
which will be built at Las Matillas and one
at Panuco . The material for their construc
tion is already on its way to Tampico from
the United States.
The development plans of the company cover
a period of from eight to nine months of
operations , at the end of which time the com
pany expects to be able to handle a daily
output of 50,000 barrels of oil . The river
front at the terminal station will be dredged
out to a depth of about thirty feet, so as to
enable the vessels to come up to the wharf.
The company has now in operation a small
vessel that makes trips to and from Tampico ,
by way of the river. It has under construction
twelve barges of 6,000 barrels capacity, and
six of 8,000 barrels.
The company contemplates also the placing
of several tankers on service to ports of Texas.
to New Orleans and to Cuba.
Wells Being Drilled in Mexican Fields
The following is a list of the wells now
being drilled in the Mexican oil fields :
The National Petroleum Corporation .— Maza
No. 1 is now being cemented with 8-inch pipes
at a depth of 1,400 feet.
The Tampascas Oil Company.-Robles No.
5 is drilling through slate at a depth of 1,202
feet.
The Empire Gas and Fuel Company.- Well
No. 1 , located in lot 113 at Chinampa, property
of the company, is being re-cemented .
The Transcontinental Petroleum Company.
-Well No. 4, located in lot 143 at Chinampa ,
is drilling through slate at 702 feet ; well No. 3,
located in lot 134 at Chinampa, has reached a
depth of 1,805 feet ; well No. 4, in lot 134, will
be cemented at a depth of 1,785 feet ; well
No. 1 , in lot 113 at Chinampa, is now drilling
at 1,780 feet.
The New England Fuel Oil Co.-Pazzi Nos .
3 and 4 are being equipped with Standard and
Rotative machinery, and will soon begin oper
ations.
The Azteca Petroleum Company.-Wells
Nos . 188 and 211 of this company, located in
Amatlan lot, are being equipped with Standard
and Rotative machinery.
The Mexican Sinclair Co. - Well No. 3 in
lot 251 , at Amatlan, will be cemented with
10-inch pipes at a depth of 1,718 feet ; well
No. 2, in the same lot, was cemented at 1,693
feet ; the company is drilling a well in lot 127.
at Amatlan, which is now 350 feet deep ;
Gonzalez No. 3, with 8-inch pipes , is being
Noviembre , 1920 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 11

quiera, a los agentes, a los consumidores, o a

los refinadores.
En Los Campos Petroliferos
Debemos tomar en cuenta que las grandes
La Propaganda Insidiosa Ha Logrado Introducirse En Un Informe compañias petroleras que tienen propiedades
en México , no solo son productoras, sino que
Admirablemente Redactado, En Lo General, Por el Departamento de son también compradoras y vendedoras de
Comercio de los Estados Unidos. petróleo . Comprar barato y vender caro, es
tanto la máxima de ellas como lo es de la
POR WICKWIRE Oficina de Comercio asienta en la página 1228, mayoría de las demás compañias de negocios .
donde dice :
LI

N el boletín de la Oficina de Comercio Hay en México muchos productores en

de los Estados Unidos de fecha 13 de "En 1918 el valor del petroleo exportado pequeña escala que tienen sus pozos en el
E septiembre de 1920, aparece un artículo interior, pero no tienen oleoductos ni métodos
fue de 140,557,533 pesos plata, habiendo
en el cual se pinta gráficamente el estado recibido el Gobierno Mexicano 11,120,397 de transportación . Estos productores se ven
potencial, pasado y presente, de la industria pesos plata, en calidad de impuestos de obligados a vender al precio del comprador ,
del petróleo en México. Aunque el texto exportacion. En 1919 el petroleo exportado que en este caso son las grandes compañías
revela una investigación minuciosa y la inten que tienen oleoductos . Algunas compañías
ascendio al valor de 186,445,974 pesos plata,
ción de ser justo por parte de su autor, se subsidiarias aceptan también el vender el
sobre cuyo valor los impuestos de expor
encuentran también indicaciones desconcertan tacion fueron aproximadamente 20,000,000 pétroleo en el pozo a ese precio, a las grandes
tes de que la influencia penetrativa de los pesos plata." compañías, con el objeto de que no suba el
mercado local, y reciben, por otra parte, sus
intereses "petroleros," y su habilidad para Basándonos en estas cifras, inmediatamente
ganancias en forma de los grandes dividendos
"abrirse paso desde adentro," pueda ser se puede ver que en 1918 el Gobierno Me
que así son posibles para las compañías
responsable por la inclusión en ese artículo de xicano recibió en calidad de impuestos de
números puramente propagandistas como si controladoras. Este método es sencillo y no
exportación menos de un ocho por ciento del del todo desconocido en los Estados Unidos.
fueran de hecho verdaderos , y la autenticidad valor del petróleo exportado . El autor del
de los cuales es refutada por las cifras que el En verdad, algunas, de las pequeñas compañías ,
informe de la Oficina de Comercio dice que
mismo autor asienta en la página subsiguiente. las que están más aisladas, no vacilarían en
en 1919 los impuestos de exportación fueron
En ese artículo (página 1227 ) el autor dice : vender a menor precio. Recientemente, una
“aproximadamente ” 20,000,000 pesos plata. Es
compañía contrató su producción total por el
"Basado en las últimas valuaciones ( Mayo posible que no haya tenido conocimiento período de cinco años , a 27 centavos el barril
y Junio, 1920) , en Tampico el impuesto de de las cifras oficiales que arrojan un total de entregado en el pozo.
exportacion es de doce centavos, moneda solo 15,203,986 pesos plata. Sobre ésta base , Pero sobre estos precios no puede uno
americana, por barril, sobre el petroleo para en 1919 los impuestos fueron un poco más basarse para determinar el verdadero valor
combustible de una gravedad específica de de ocho por ciento del valor del petróleo del petróleo en el mercado.
95. El precio medio del petroleo, a bordo exportado. Si sus cálculos fueran exactos,
de los vapores, en Tampico, por el mismo aun asi el porcentaje sería menor que
período, fue de 49 centavos , moneda ameri once en lugar de 23 y 25 por ciento, como Construirase Una Estación Terminal
cana, por barril, de donde resulta que el indica el párrafo que hemos extractado de la
impuesto fue de 24.5 por ciento de su valor. página 1227. EGUN informaciones proporcionadas por
El petroleo crudo de grave densidad pago Nadie se atreverá a sostener que los precios S el señor ingeniero G. A. Alonso, presidente
un impuesto de exportacion de 10.8 centavos, del petróleo son más bajos en 1920 que lo que de la "Terminal Union Oil Company," tienen
moneda americana, por barril, o sea 25 por fueron en 1919 ; las valuaciones que el Go en proyecto construir una Estación Terminal
ciento de su valor ; el petroleo crudo de bierno Mexicano ha hecho sobre las mejores en Las Matillas , así como un embarcadero
menor densidad pago 15.8 centavos por clases de petróleo han ido en aumento, de especial en "Worthington," los cuales tendrán
barril, o sea 23 por ciento del valor recibido manera que se calcula que el promedio de los una capacidad de 4,000 a 5,000 barriles por
por los productores ." impuestos sobre la exportación de petróleo, en hora, y estarán destinados para el manejo de
conjunto, darán 10 por ciento en lugar de 8 por todo el aceite de la terminal, así como para la
El anterior párrafo, que contiene declara
ciones hechas por el autor sin mencionar el ciento como hasta ahora. El precio básico carga y descarga de la planta.
Anexa a esta planta de bombeo, se cons
orígen de esas cifras, vendría en apoyo de que el Gobierno de México determinó por
mayo y junio del presente año sobre el petróleo truirá una planta purificadora de agua, dis
ciertas compañias petroleras americanas que
alegan que el Gobierno Mexicano las está crudo de densidad grave, fue de $ 1 por barril, poniendo de varios condensadores, filtros, re
gravando con impuestos excesivos. Ahora, no a bordo, igual que en 1919. Este es el petróleo frigeradores, etc. El agua proveniente de
es la intención del que esto escribe, llamar la que los petroleros alegan que vale solo 49 esta planta servirá para abastecer de agua
se les pura a las calderas, remolcadores y para los
atención del lector a la enorme diferencia entre centavos por barril- excepto cuando
quiere comprar a ellos. servicios domésticos de la terminal.
el precio de 49 centavos por barril, a bordo
de los vapores en Tampico, y el precio de $1.25 ¿Cómo es que el que escribió el informe de Tanques de Acero .-Incluídos en los gastos,
la Oficina de Comercio aceptó esas cifras se encuentra también la construcción de siete
por barril, en el pozo, en Tecumate, México,
como auténticas ? Es muy cierto , la asocia tanques de acero con capacidad de 55,000
por el cual la "United States Shipping Board"
ción de petroleros suministró esas cifras al barriles cada uno, los cuales se construirán
contrató 15,000,000 de barriles ; ni tampoco es
Departamento de Estado, pero solo un ino 6 en Las Matillas y uno en Pánuco. El ma
la intención juzgar por qué el Departamento
de Marina de los Estados Unidos contrató cente pudo haberlas aceptado como auténticas terial necesario para ellos ya se encuentra en
cuando venían de partes interesadas. Es camino de Tampico , proveniente de los Estados
otros millones de barriles de petróleo mexi
razonable creer que él, cuyas intenciones de Unidos.
cano con la "Standard Oil Company," de New
ser justo son manifiestas, en alguna forma fue Estos proyectos de la compañía tendrán que
Jersey, a $2.30 y $2.40 por barril, entregados
desarrollarse en el transcurso de 8 a 9 meses,
en New York. Es posible (pero espero no engañado para que aceptara esas cifras como
auténticas, y es posible que los interesados le tiempo para el cual se espera estar en posibili
probable ) que estas dos grandes organiza
ciones gubernamentales hayan sido víctimas de hayan mostrado algunos contratos de los de dad de manejar 50,000 barriles de petróleo
a 49 centavos barril, pues eso sería fácil, diariamente en la terminal.
un engaño al hacer estos contratos, y como La parte de rio que corresponda al frente
Cualquiera de las grandes compañias petrole
consecuencia, hayan pagado más que el doble ras que tienen oleoductos podría mostrar de la Estación Terminal, se va a principiar a
del valor comercial del petróleo . contratos , hechos con los productores en dragar, con el objeto de alcanzar un calado
Pero dejando estas consideraciones a un
menor escala, al precio de 49 centavos, pero de 10 metros , suficiente para que las embarca
lado, las cifras propagandistas antes mencio ninguna de ellas podría mostrar un solo ciones puedan llegar hasta el muelle.
nadas, que aparecen en la página 1227, son contrato por medio del cual hayan vendido un La compañía dispone en la actualidad de un
refutadas por las cifras que el escritor de la solo barril a ese precio , ni aproximado si barco pequeño, que hace el recorrido hasta el
12 THE MEXICAN REVIEW November, 1920

drilled at 1,420 feet ; Gonzalez No. 4 is now Private advices to the MEXICAN REVIEW are "A Fantastic Concession”
drilling at 960 feet . that September shipments of oil exceeded
The Freeport and Mexican Fuel Oil Corpo "Not one single inch of land has been
those for August, thus setting a new record
ration.-Zurita No. 5 of this company is being for the industry. granted by concession or in any other form
drilled at 1,305 feet. whatever to Japanese for the exploration or
The Continental Mexican Petroleum Com exploitation of petroliferous lands in the Re
pany. Cardena No. 1 , in lot 95, is now being public of Mexico ."
Vast Development Planned
equipped to start operations.
NOTHER indication of the faith of in NDER the foregoing head and the open
The Texas Company of Mexico .- Drilling A vestors in Mexican opportunities and U ing paragraph quoted and italicized (by
has been suspended at Chote No. 2 while they
are fishing for some tools at a depth of 1,585 ; friendliness is in the recent announcement that THE REVIEW ) , the Mexico City Excelsior, a
in Cicero No. 3 drilling is in the course of the Atlantic, Gulf and West Indies Steamship prominent daily newspaper, quotes General
preparation ; San Martin No. 1 is drilling at Company, which is building a pipe line from J. B. Trevino, Secretary of the Department of
Havre to Paris, France, proposes to invest Industry, Commerce and Labor, under which
a depth of 900 feet ; drilling is suspended at
Topila No. 2 while they are fishing for tools ; $50,000,000 to $60,000,000, in the development is included the Department of Petroleum, re
Amatlan 138 was abandoned at 1,500 feet. of its oil properties, principally in Mexico . garding certain sensational reports recently
The International Petroleum Company.— A More than half of this amount, or about $35,- published in a portion of the press of both
countries.
derrick 300 feet in height has been erected at 000,000, will be used to purchase tankers for
Amatlan No. 3 and is ready for drilling ; the transportation of its Mexican oil . A fleet The only concessions that have been granted
Amatlan No. 4 is ready for the 6-inch pipes of fourteen tankers is already under construc for the exploitation of the supposed petroleum
at a depth of 1,830 feet ; Amatlan No. 5 is tion. It is stated that no new financing is con measures of Sonora, Lower California and
drilling at 650 feet ; Amatlan No. 6, located ; templated in connection with the big expen the West Coast (none have been demonstrated
Amatlan No. 7, equipped and ready to drill ; diture. The company is said to have available as actually existing ) , have been applied for
the necessary material is ready at Tolteca at the present time about $50,000,000 for the and issued to the Maryland Oil Corporation ,
No. 2. purposes contemplated . The company made a very well-known American organization .
The Huasteca Petroleum Company.- Zaca large profits during the war and amassed a Such concessions or permits are open to all
applicants, regardless of nationality, who com
mixtle No. 1 is drilling through blue slate at big surplus.
1,700 feet ; Amatlan No. 1 is being tested with It is planned to expend about $10,000,000 on ply with the laws governing these matters , not
8-inch pipes at a pressure of 1,100 pounds ; the development of its Mexican properties and being exclusive but covering portions only of
Amatlan No. 3, drilled to a depth of 1,023 feet from $8,000,000 to $ 10,000,000 will be expended certain Federal lands in a narrow strip bor
with 10-inch pipes. . in the construction of pipe lines. It is asserted dering upon tidewater, navigable streams and
lakes. The company referred to is one of
The "Cia. Mexicana de Petróleo, ' El Aguila,' that the major portion of the French under
taking, which calls for the construction of re those which have shown the utmost respect
S. A. "- Los Naranjos No. 12, drilling in brown
fineries, storage tanks and pipe lines, will be for the laws of the Republic covering petro
slate at 2,448 feet ; Los Naranjos No. 13, drill
financed by Atlantic Gulf and West Indies. leum exploitation, paying the taxes and royal
ing in blue slate at 1,746 feet ; Los Naranjos
About $2,000,000 will be spent on the develop ties assessed by the government for such
No. 14, drilling in blue slate at 1,085 feet ;
Los Naranjos No. 15, ready to start drilling ; ment of properties in England, which have re privileges.
cently been acquired. In connection with the The statement of Secretary Trevino con
Los Naranjos No. 16, derrick being erected ;
cludes with the emphatic assertion that the
Zacamixtle No. 1 , drilling in slate at 888 feet ; British project the Agwi Petroleum Corpora
Zacamixtle No. 2, material being transported ; reported concessions to British and Japanese
tion, Limited, has been formed with a capital
interests of such petroleum rights are com
Zacamixtle No. 3, derrick being constructed ; of £1,000,000, and 65 per cent of the stock is pletely false and without other foundation than
Potrero No. 9, installing 10-inch pipes at 1,597 owned by Atlantic, Gulf and West Indies. Re sensational newspaper reports.
feet ; Potrero No. 10, drilling in brown slate cently 466 acres of ground were purchased at
at 1,478 feet ; El Cristo No. 1 , drilling in slate
Southampton, England, and on this property
at 2,240 feet ; Moralillo No. 1, transporting the New 100 -Thousand -Barrel Well
a topping plant will be erected .
pipes for strengthening the walls. NNOUNCEMENT is made that the
The development work in Mexico is being
carried on on an extensive scale. A Transcontinental Petroleum Company re
cently brought in a well in the Chinampa dis
Exports of Petroleum For Eight trict flowing 100,000 barrels daily. It was
Months in 1920 necessary to go to the 1,985- foot level before
Sweden Seeks Mexican Oil
HE following statement of the exports getting this flow. This is considered a deep
TH of petroleum from Mexican ports for the HE Swedish ministry of commerce has an well in the Tampico district where oil is cus
first eight months of the current year has T nounced the formation of two companies, tomarily found at lesser depths, but would
been published on what appears to be good one with 8,000,000 and the other with 1,500,000 scarcely be considered an unusual boring in the
authority, but is not official and is therefore crowns capital for the purchase and transpor Texas fields.
subject to revision : tation of Mexican petroleum. The demand for The well came with a rush, but is reported
Barrels fuel oil by Swedish manufacturies is great, and to have been successfully controlled after a
January 8,061,289,67 the capital for this new venture was readily hard fight by the workmen. The find has oc
February ·· - 7,687,943.83 provided. A 14,000-ton tank steamer has been casioned much excitement among the operators,
March · · · 10,288,383.92 who see in the discovery indications that the
April • 10,092,312.90 acquired by one of these companies and will
May • 11,255,531.93 be put into regular operation between Swedish Chinampa is likely to prove one of the great
June ► 10,574,396.64 est producers in the Huasteca field.
ports and Tampico.
July • 12,275,021.21
August 15,438,008.38
Among the projects to be presented at the
Total ... 85,672,888.48 New Field in Prospect present session of Congress will be the budget
for the ensuing year, a bill for establishing
This is considerably more than the total for HE Marland Refining Company, of Okla freeports in Mexico, and possibly some legis
the entire year 1919, when the exports reached homa, has secured options on a large area lation relative to banking.
some 82,000,000 barrels. If the shipments for of land in the vicinity of Linares, Tamau
the remaining four months should equal those lipas, well up in the foothills below Monterrey, The Mexican Northwestern Railway has
for August, and there is every indication that which it proposes to explore thoroughly for presented a claim against the Mexican gov- .
they will, the total for the year will be over petroleum. The company's geologist reports ernment for the amount of $5,000,000 dam
140,000,000 barrels. favorably on the prospect. ages during the revolutions, to date.

Noviembre, 1920 LA
Puerto de Tampico, por el rio ; 12 lanchones
de 6,000 barriles de capacidad y 6 de 8,000
están construyéndose ,
Barcos-Tanques .-En su extenso proyecto,
la "Terminal Unión Oil Co.," quiere poner al
servicio varios barcos-tanques petroleros , que
hagan el recorrido hasta los puertos del Estado
de Texas , Nueva Orleans y Cuba.
Trabajos De Perforacion En Los Campos
Mexicanos
English Oil Co.-El pozo Rivera Número 2,
tiene actualmente una profundidad de 2,480
pies, habiendo dado algunas muestras de aceite.
National Petroleum Corp.-Su pozo Maza
No. 1 , está siendo cementado a 1,400 pies, con
tubería de 8 pulgadas.
Tampascas Oil Co.- El pozo Robles Número
5, está siendo perforado en pizarra dura y a
1,202 pies de profundidad.
Empire Gas and Fuel Co.- El pozo Número
1, ubicado en el lote 113 de Chinampa, propie
dad de la compañía, está siendo recementado .
Transcontinental Petroleum Co.- Pozo No.
4, situado en el lote 143 de Chinampa, está
siendo perforado en pizarra a los 702 pies.
El pozo No. 3, ubicado en el lote 134 de
Chinampa , alcanza 1,805 pies de profundidad.
El pozo número 4, del mismo lote 134 de
Chinampa , será cementado en estos días a la
profundidad de 1,785 pies.
El pozo número 1 de la misma compañía,
situado en el lote 113 de Chinampa , es perfo
rado actualmente a los 1,780 pies.
New England Fuel Oil Co.- Los pozos Pazzi
Nos . 3 y 4 están siendo equipados respectiva
mente con útiles Standard y Rotativo, para
principiar sus trabajos .
Azteca Petroleum Co.-Los pozos 188 y 211
de la Compañía Azteca, ubicados en el lote
de Amatlán, están siendo equipados con
Standard y Rotativo.
Mexican Sinclair.- Pozo No. 3 en el lote
251 de Amatlán, va a ser cementado a los 1,713
pies de profundidad y con tubería de 10 Exportacio
pulgadas.
El pozo No. 2 del mismo lote 251 de Ama
tlán, fue cementado a los 1,693 pies.
El pozo que la compañía posee en el lote
127 de Amatlán, está siendo perforado a 350 curso, han sido publicadas, según parece, de
pies.
El pozo González No. 3 está siendo per
forado, su tubería es de 2 pulgadas y alcanza
1,420 pies de profundidad.
El pozo González No. 4 se continuá su per
foración a los 960 pies .
Freeport and Mexican Fuel Oil Corp.—
Zurita No. 5 de la Freeport, está siendo per
forado a los 1,303 pies de profundidad .
Continental Mexican Petroleum Co.- El
pozo Cárdena No. 1 , en el lote 95 está siendo
equipado para principiar sus trabajos.
Texas Company of Mexico.- Chote No. 2,
están suspendidos sus trabajos, por estar
pescando una herramienta , a los 1,585 pies.
El pazo Cicero No. 3 está en dispositivo de
trabajos.
El pozo San Martín No. 1 , de la misma
compañía, alcanza una profundidad de 900
pies.
Topila No. 2, está suspendido a los 184 pies,
por estar pescando una herramienta .
REVISTA MEXICANA
Amatlán 138, abandonado a los 1,500 pies.
International Petroleum Co.-Amatlán No.
3, dispuesta la torre de 300 pies de altura, para
principiar los trabajos.
Amatlán No. 4, profundizado a 1,830 pies
y listo para recibir la tubería de 6 pulgadas.
Amatlán No. 5, perforado hasta los 650 pies.
Amatlán No. 6, localizado.
Amatlán No. 7, equipado y listo para prin
cipiar la perforación.
Tolteca No. 2, transportando el material
necesario.
Huasteca Petroleum Co.-Zacamixtle No. 1,
perforado a los 1,700 pies en pizarra azul.
Amatlán No. 1 , está siendo probada la tu
bería de 8 pulgadas a 1,100 libras de presión .
Amatlán No. 2, perforado hasta los 1,023
pies y con revestimiento de 10 pulgadas.
Cia. Mexicana de Petróleo "El Aguila," S.
A.-Los Naranjos No. 11 , perforado a 2,448
pies en pizarra.
Los Naranjos No. 12, perforado a 2,083 pies
en pizarra morena .
Los Naranjos No. 13, perforado a 1,746 pies
en pizarra azul.
Los Naranjos No. 14 , perforado a 1,085 pies
en pizarra azul.
Los Naranjos No. 15, está listo para prin
cipiar los trabajos.
Los Naranjos No. 16, se está construyendo
la torre.
Zacamixtle No. 1 , perforado a 888 pies en
pizarra.
Zacamixtle No. 2, transportando material.
Zacamixtle No. 3, construyendo la torre.
Potrero No. 9, introduciendo tubería de 10
pulgadas a 1,597 pies .
Potrero No. 10, perforado a 1,478 pies en
pizarra morena.
El Cristo No. 1 , perforado a 2,240 pies en
pizarra.
Moralillo No. 1 , transportando la tubería de
revestimiento.
nes de Petróleo En
Ocho Meses En 1920
AS siguientes cifras que indican la exporta
LA ción de petróleo de puertos mexicanos
durante los primeros ocho meses del año en
fuente fidedigna, pero no son oficiales y posi
blemente esten sujetas a revisión :
No. de Barriles
Enero 8,061,289.67
Febrero 7,687,943.83
Marzo · 10,288,383.92
Abril ■ 10,092,312.90
11,255,531.93
Mayo
Junio • C 10,574,396.64
} Julio • 12,275,021.21
Agosto • 15,438,008.38
Total... 85,672,888.48
Esta suma es considerablemente mayor que
el total de las exportaciones durante todo el
año pasado , cuando las exportaciones llegaron
a la suma total de 82,000,000 de barriles. Si
las exportaciones por los cuatro meses que
faltan igualan a las del mes de agosto, lo que
hay razón para suponer, el total por el año
será más de 140,000,000 de barriles .
Según informaciones particulares que ha
recibido LA REVISTA MEXICANA, las exporta
13
ciones por el mes de septiembre son mayores
que las de agosto, lo que viene a establecer un
nuevo record en la industria.
"Una Concesion Imaginaria"
"Ni una sola pulgada de terreno ha sido
otorgada como concesión, ni en ninguna otra
forma, a los japoneses para la exploración o
explotación de terrenos petrolíferos en la
República Mexicana."
ON el título arriba indicado , y princi
piando con el anterior párrafo , el
CON
Excelsior de la Ciudad de México, uno de
los principales diarios capitolinos, ha publicado
declaraciones hechas por el General Jacinto B.
Treviño, Secretario de Industria y Comercio ,
a cuya Secretaría pertenece el Departamento
de Petróleo , con referencia a ciertas noticias
sensacionales que han sido publicades en
algunos periódicos de los dos paises.
Las únicas concesiones que se han dado para
la explotación de terrenos que se supone son
petrolíferos en Sonora, la Baja California, y
en la costa occidental (hasta ahora no se ha
descubierto que exista petróleo en esa región ) , 1
fueron solicitadas y concedidas a la " Maryland
Oil Corporation," una compañía americana
bien conocida. Concesiones de esta naturaleza
pueden solicitarlas los que deseen hacerlo , sin
tomar en cuenta la nacionalidad , siempre que
se sujeten a las leyes que gobiernan la materia .
Los terrenos en cuestión son zonas federales
que abarcan una faja de terreno a lo largo
de las costas marítimas, y en las riberas de los
ríos navegables y de las lagunas.
La compánia mencionada es una de las que
han sabido respetar las leyes de la república
que gobiernan la explotación del petróleo, y
siempre ha pagado al gobierno los impuestos
y regalías por ese privilegio .
El Secretario Treviño concluye sus declara
ciones diciendo enfáticamente que es completa
mente falso que se hayan dado las supuestas
concesiones a intereses ingleses y japoneses y
que las noticias que circularon a ese respecto
tienen por fundamento solo el sensasionalismo
periodístico.
Un Pozo Nuevo de Cien Mil
Barriles
E ha anunciado que la " Transcontinental
SE Petroleum Company " recientemente
terminó un pozo en el distrito de Chinampa
que produce 100,000 de barriles de petróleo
diarios. Fue necesario perforar el pozo hasta
una profundidad de 1,985 pies , profundidad
que en la región de Tampico es considerada
muy grande toda vez que allí el petróleo se
encuentra por lo regular a profundidades
menores ; pero en el Estado de Texas esta
profundidad no es del todo rara.
Se dice que el petróleo salió estrepitosa
mente en este pozo y solo después de arduas
labores hubieron los trabajadores de contro
larlo con éxito. Este descubrimiento ha
causado gran sensación entre los petroleros , y
opinan que el descubrimiento indica que el
distrito de Chinampa puede venir a ser uno
de los mejores en la Huasteca desde el punto
de vista de la producción.
 14 THE
Mexican Women Advance
Great Progress Made in Their Improvement During
MISS EULALIA HERNANDEZ
in Christian Science Monitor
HE last 10 years of political and eco
nomic disturbances in Mexico have ac
complished one great good, in the opin
ion of Miss Eulalia Hernandez, assistant di
rector of schools in Mexico City, and former
candidate for a seat in the Chamber of Dep
uties of Mexico, who is in New Orleans study
ing the Francis T. Nicholls vocational training
school for girls. That accomplishment is the
advancement of the position of women in the
southern republic.
"While the position of women in Mexico
cannot be compared with that of her sisters
in the United States," said Miss Hernandez ,
"nevertheless her cause has been advanced
more in the last 10 years than it had been in
the previous 100 years. Not since the throw
ing off the Spanish yoke by Benito Juarez, and
the establishment of the second republic by
Porfirio Diaz, has there been such a radical
change in so short a time in Mexico as during
the years since the overthrow of the dictator
ship of that same Diaz, in 1911. Most out
siders, looking at Mexico, think the upheaval
and the repeated revolutionary outbreaks in
that country have been purely political. While
it is true that the surface manifestations of
the unrest have been largely along political
lines, there have been widespread economic,
financial, commercial, and social changes. The
revolutionary movements have been caused
quite as much by the desire of the 12,000,000
or 13,000,000 Indians of the country for bet
ter working conditions, and the opportunity to
live more comfortably, to have better clothing
and food, and educational opportunities for
their children, as by any desire on their part
for a change of rulers.
"And this economic change, which is still
going on, and probably will not stop with the
coming into power of the new government,
has had a tremendous effect on women, Cortez
found woman a chattel among the Aztecs,
and, to a greater or less degree, she remained
so in Mexico throughout the Spanish domina
tion, and well on through the establishment of
the republics, and down to about 1905, when
the ideas of Great Britain and American wom
en began, in a small way, to percolate into the
country. I do not mean to say that women
were bought and sold like real chattels, but
their lives were so circumscribed and confined
to their homes, their entire contact with the
world made only through their husbands or
fathers or brothers, that their only avenues of
work lay along home-making and child-bear
ing. The unmarried woman in Mexico, while
she was well cared for by her family, had
absolutely no manner of career, open to her,
except 'school teaching, and the demand for
teachers was so limited that, in 1905, there
were only 218 female school teachers in all
Mexico, with its nearly 16,000,000 inhabitants.
MEXICAN REVIEW
the Past Ten Revolutionary Years
"From 1900 to 1910, the period of greatest
prosperity Mexico ever has had, American
and British firms took a great many girl
stenographers, clerks, bookkeepers and trans
lators to Mexico, their reason being that the
girls were more reliable, less likely to quit
their positions and wander off into ther lines
in a new country, and paid closer attention to
business amid the distractions of a foreign
capital than did the young men they had pre
viously enployed. These young and independ
ent American and British women awoke mur
murings of the same kind in the Mexican
women with whom they came in contact. A
few of them, left without close male relatives,
employed these American girls as teachers and
RED CROSS NURSES IN PARADE IN MEXICO
learned stenography. They speedily found
employment in the offices of foreign concerns,
though the native Mexican firms were slow to
employ them. Even at this, though, at the
end of 1905 there were about 300 native girls
working as stenographers, clerks and book
keepers in the commercial institutions of Mex
ico City. The field was very limited, and it
required some years of revolution and change
to alter the attitude of the Mexican business
men toward native girls who wanted to make
something out of their lives for themselves .
"The radical freedom given by the Madero
government, which followed that of Porfirio
Diaz, and the still more socialistic attitude of
the succeeding revolutionary leaders, gave
women greater freedom by four methods :
"First- The driving from the country of
some hundreds of thousands of families, who,
finding themselves in America, or Europe,
their funds running low, were compelled, both
men and women, to go to work.
November, 1920
"Second- The taking of all the attention of
the men of the country by the successive wars ,
leaving their women more free of the con
stant watchfulness which had surrounded
them for three or four centuries.
"Third- The impoverishment of a number
of the leading families, as well as thousands
of middle-class families, who had not been
far-sighted enough to leave the country, or
could not leave it, and whose daughters were
forced to go to work in order to feed and
clothe themselves.
"Fourth-The general spirit of of unrest,
which communicated itself from the men, first
to the lower class women, and then, gradually
to the upper classes. Many women, seized by
this wave of dissatisfaction, followed the revo
lutionary leaders and their armies away from
good homes, and spread the doctrine of social
and political upheaval among their sisters
throughout the country.
"So widespread and so apparent had this
feminist movement become that when the Car
ranza party drew up its constitution, in the
summer of 1914 the word ' male' was left out
of the clause covering the electoral qualifica
tion, and now women can vote throughout
Mexico, if they so desire, and there is nothing
in the law to prevent their holding office, if
they can obtain enough votes to be elected.
Thus I was enabled to be a candidate for the
Chamber of Deputies, and though I was not
elected, my candidacy was legal, and was look
ed upon seriously by government officials, poli
ticians and the general mass of the people.
"To some extent this so-called ' emancipa
tion' of the women of Mexico has been bene
ficial. It has taught several million women.
that they are not dependent upon marriage for
careers ; that they can live full lives and work
out their own destinies independent of the sup
port or control of men, and eventually, it
probably will result in the production and
rearing of a better class of citizenry, both male
and female.
Noviembre, 1920 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 15

de Porfirio Díaz, y en seguida las tendencias

socialistas del os subsiguientes líderes revolucion
Progresan Las Mujeres Mexicanas arios, dieron a la mujer mexicana mayor
libertad por cuatro distintos medios :
Han Mejorado Grandemente Durante los Diez "Primero Los millares de familias que
Años del Período Revolucionario tuvieron que salir de México al encontrarse en
Estados Unidos, o en Europa, escasas de fondos,
POR EULALIA HERNANDEZ maestras de escuela en todo el país, que cuenta se vieron obligadas, tanto los hombres como las
en el Christian Science Monitor con 16,000,000 de habitantes. mujeres, a dedicarse a trabajar.
"Entre los años de 1900 y 1910, el período de "Segundo El contínuo estado de guerra
E los diez años de disturbios político mayor prosperidad que México ha tenido, los interna reclamaba toda la atención de los
económicos ha resultado un gran negociantes ingleses y estadunidenses llevaron a hombres del país, quedando las mujeres, por lo
D ' bien para México, segun la opinión de la
México un gran número de escribientas, taqui consiguiente, más libres de la constante vigilancia
Srita. Eulalia Hernandez, Sub-directora de las grafas, traductoras y tenedoras de libros. que sobre ellas había pesado durante tres o
escuelas públicas en la Ciudad de México, y ante
Llevaban mujeres para estos empleos porque cuatro siglos.
riormente candidato para Diputado al Congreso eran menos propicias a dejar sus trabajos y "Tercero- La pobreza que invadió a algunas
de la Unión, quien se encuentra ahora en New aventurarse en otra clase de negocios en un país de las principales familias, y a millares de familias
Orleans estudiando el sistema de educación en la
nuevo, y porque se dedicaban con más empeño y de la clase media, que no tuvieron la suficiente
escuela de oficios para mujeres, que lleva el con mayor atención a sus empleos en medio de previsión para salir del país, o que no pudieron
nombre de "Francis T. Nicholl. " Ese gran
los atractivos de una capital extranjera que lo salir, obligó a las mujeres pertenecientes a esas
bien es el adelanto que ha obtenido la mujer en
que lo habian hecho los hombres jóvenes que familias a trabajar para alimentarse y vestirse.
México.
habian empleado anteriormente. Estas mujeres " Cuarto La intranquilidad general que rei
"Si bien es cierto que la posición de las mujeres
inglesas y estadunidenses, jóvenes e indepen naba entre los hombres se extendío primero a las
en México no se puede comparar con la de sus
dientes, despertaron el interes en las mujeres mujeres de las clases bajas, y después, gradual
hermanas en Estados Unidos, sin embargo,"
dice la Srita. Hernández, " la causa de la mujer
ha progresado más durante los últimos diez años
que durante los cien años anteriores a ese período.
Desde la época de Benito Juarez y del estableci
miento de la segunda república por Porfirio
Díaz, no se había visto en México un cambio tan
radical en un tiempo tan relativamente corto
como durante los años que siguieron al derroca
miento de la dictadura del mismo Díaz en 1911.
La mayor parte de los extranjeros que tienen la
vista fija en México creen que la conmoción y las
contínuas luchas revolucionarias en aquel país
han sido puramente de carácter político. Si bien
es cierto que en la superficie las manifestaciones
de esa conmoción han tenido un aspecto político
en gran parte, también es cierto que se han
registrado grandes cambios económicos, finan
cieros, comerciales y sociales. Esos movimientos
revolucionarios han originado tanto en el deseo
de los doce o trece millones de indígenas del país
de mejorar sus condiciones de trabajo y sus
condiciones de vida, de tener mejores alimentos,
vestiduras, y oportunidades para educar a sus
hijos, como en el deseo de tener un cambio en
sus gobernantes.
"Y este cambio económico, que probable
mente no parará con la entrada al poder del
nuevo gobierno, ha causado un grandísimo efecto
en la mujer. Cortez encontró que las mujeres
eran propiedad personal de los Aztecas, y MEXICAN YOUNG LADIES IN HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR COSTUMES
durante el período de la dominación española
siguieron las mujeres en más o menos igual mexicanas con quienes habian entrado en con mente fué extendiéndose a las mujeres de las
condición, continuando así durante el estable tacto, y algunas de ellas que no tenian parientes clases altas. Muchas de las mujeres, viéndose
cimiento de la república y hasta como el año 1905 cercanos, les pagaban a estas jóvenes extranjeras presas de esta ola de descontento, se fueron con
cuando los ideales de las mujeres inglesas y para que les enseñaran taquigrafía, y como los líderes revolucionarios y sus ejércitos y
estadunidenses empezaron a introducirse en el consecuencia de esto, muy pronto encontraban empezaron a propagar las doctrinas del movi
país . Con esto no quiero decir que las mujeres empleo en las casas de comercio y firmas extran miento político-social entre las demás mujeres
eran vendidas y compradas como cualquier jeras, pues las firmas nativas, de mexicanos, lo del país.
mueble, pero la vida de la mujer estaba tan hacían con más lentitud. Y aun así, para fines "Se extendió tanto este movimiento feminista
intimamente ligada y envuelta en el hogar, que del año de 1905 ya habían como 300 jóvenes que cuando el partido carrancista formuló la
el único contacto que tenian con el mundo era mexicanas olocadas como taquigrafas, escribientas nueva Constitución, en el verano de 1917 , quedó
por el conducto de sus esposos, padres y her o tenedoras de libros en las casas comerciales de eliminada la palabra ' hombre ' de la cláusula que
manos , con el consiguiente resultado que la la Ciudad de México. Las oportunidades eran cubre los requisitos necesarios para votar en las
única ocupación de la mujer consistía en los muy limitadas, y se necesitaron algunos años de elecciones, y ahora las mujeres pueden votar en
quehaceres de casa y tener familia . La mujer revolución para cambiar la actitud de los todas partes de la República Mexicana si así lo
soltera en México, aunque era bien cuidada y negociantes mexicanos hacia las jóvenes nativas desean, y pueden desempeñar puestos públicos
vista por sus padres o hermanos , no tenía ninguna que deseaban se les diera una oportunidad de si obtienen el número necesario de votos para ser
carrera que seguir, excepto la de maestra de buscarse la vida por sí solas. electas, pues no hay nada en la Constitución que
escuela, y para esto la demanda en este sentido "El cambio radical de las libertades ofrecidas las prive de ese derecho. Asi fue como pude
era tan reducida que en 1905 apenas si había 218 por el Gobierno de Madero, que siguió al gobiernol anzar mi candidatura para una curul en la
16 THE
developed among the upper
There has developed
grades of people in Mexico City, Guadalajara,
and other large centers of population a class
of independent, free-thinking women, some
what like the Hetairae of Athens and Alex
andria. These women have tremendous influ
ence among the men of the nation's capital,
and their ranks are recruited from among
what were once upper- class families.
"There are also thousands of women in Mex
ico, who have taken the proper course in this
time of turmoil and unrest. They have seized
upon every opportunity for mental advance
ment, and many of them could stand with
pride beside the women of any country in the
world. With the neglect which the men of
Mexico have shown for education during the
last ten years, women have slipped into many
prominent places in the remnants of the edu
cational system and, in several states, are vir
tually in control of the educational systems.
Still others, finding themselves with a little
money, have gone into business for themselves .
One of the leading importers of women's
clothing in Mexico City is a woman, Mrs. Cor
delia Lopez, who was left with three small
children three years ago. Mrs. Catalina Boli
is the leading photographer of Mexico City.
Miss Erminia Godoy operates the largest
translation bureau in the republic, in Mexico
City. In Guadalajara, Miss Ernestina Melen
dez is one of the leading real estate agents.
These are only a few of many of whom I
have heard, but whose names I do not now
recall.
"Doubtless, in time, the whole revolutionary
tangle, including the position of women in
Mexico, will work out for the best, and I can
see the light through the clouds there now.
Certain it is that woman's opportunity never
in the history of Mexico was so great as it is
today. The establishment of stable govern
ment probably will stabilize to a great degree
the whirlpool of feminine adventure . I hope
to have a part in the new Mexico with others
" "Next day I was called to see the official,
of my sex .
Redemption of Paper Money
N accordance with the statements published
INheretofore in The Review, the Monetary
Commission, under whose direct charge was
placed the issue of the so-called "vales " or
paper currency several months ago in order to
relieve the fractional currency stringency due
to the high price of silver bullion and the con
sequent disappearance of subsidiary coin, has
redeemed at par in gold coin all outstanding
bills that have been presented . Upward of a
quarter of a million remains unredeemed, and
this amount is believed to represent bills that
were worn out, burned or otherwise accident
ally destroyed . Every pledge made when the
paper was issued has thus been kept. The
lowering of the market value of silver bullion
and the increased activity of the mint has sup
plied all currency requirements and once more
Mexico occupies the proud position of being
the only country in the world where the sole
circulating medium is gold and silver.
MEXICAN REVIEW
THE GOSPEL OF
FRIENDLINESS
What an American Bishop Thinks of
the Proper Manner to Handle "the
Mexican Problem”
T THE recent convention of the Young
A₁ Men's Christian Association in Detroit ,
Mich., Bishop F. J. McConnell, of Denver,
Colo., delivered a very interesting address, in
the course of which he said, speaking on the
Christianization of international relationship :
"To make this more specific, suppose I
come right down to Mexico . I have been
going there every year since 1912. The con
ditions there are very, very bad. Have I an
ultimate solution for the trouble ? Not at all ,
in political terms. Do I believe the gospel will
do anything down there, the gospel of friend
liness, the gospel of the kind that the Church
and Y. M. C. A. can work out together in
helping up the people ? I think it can.
Last February, I was there presiding over
a convention of forty denominational workers
from this country, meeting to divide Mexico
into territories so there would be no duplica
tion in their Christian work, to establish a
union press and to establish a union theologi
cal school. I was there because Robert E.
Speer once said to me that a certain party of
rich men in the United States were willing to
put back of a college in Mexico the startling
sum of $2,000,000, if the government would
not put anything in the way. He said, ' Will
you go to Carranza and ask him about it ?'
The oil question was intense at that time. I
did not like to go. I thought Mr. Carranza
would say about what he said to the Red
Cross. But we went, representing these peo
ple in New York, and representing this con
vention. We began that story, but Mr. Car
ranza did not allow us to finish it. He sim
ply said : 'For works of that kind there is not
only no hostility here, but every desire on the
part of this government to cooperate.'
who occupies a place in the capital of Mexico
corresponding almost with our Secretary of
State. After the conventional form of speech
and greeting, I turned to go, but he stopped
me. He had just come from negotiations with
the commercial interests which might plunge
the two countries into war. He said, 'When
I find in Mexico two groups of people, not
talking about oil wells, not talking about
mining concessions, but talking about better
sanitation for Mexico, night schools for the
people to come off the streets, a chance for
education better than they now have, a chance
for the lifting up of these oppressed people,
I want to tell you to go back and say to the
people of the United States, whom you rep
resent, that my respect for that element in the
United States has long since ceased to be re
spect, and has risen into the realm of affec
tion.'
A few days later this official delivered as
eloquent a brief speech as I ever listened to.
"We are a feeble people," he said. "Typhus
has devastated this country time and again ;
the young men have marched off to wars and
never come back ; no one is left here, except
November, 1920
old men like myself, the women and these
children to whom you have been talking.
There is no hope for this community, except
through the doors of that church and that
schoolhouse. That is the only chance the
young people in this district get for a look
toward anything larger and better."
And then he drew himself up, and said,
witih that characteristic Spanish eloquence,
"This community is like a wall standing, tot
tering, about to fall, and the only thing that
keeps it standing is the strength put into the
arms of the teacher and the preacher here by
the good friends in the United States that
help us here."
Will Christian methods succeed in a case
like that ? I think they will, because I have
seen them measurably succeed. Anyhow, in
asmuch as it is the duty of the United States
to give Mexico Christian training and Chris
tian uplift, and better sanitation, and all the
rest of it, and inasmuch as that is an im
mediate international problem, I suggest that
you can do more along those Christian lines
before you begin to shoot them than you can
afterwards .
About the time of the Boxer uprising in
China, I heard a Methodist preacher of the
old type stand up and say, "War is God's
way to open the doors to the gospel. Break
the heathen with rods of iron." Then Alfred
Woods, a quick witted member of that con
ference, arose and said , "In view of what the
speaker has said, I move that we amend a
certain part of the gospel to read, "Go ye
into all the world and shoot the gospel into
" ""
every people.'
Americans have recently been killed in
Mexico ; Americans were killed back in the
times of Diaz, but then, because better inter
national relationships existed, not much was
said about it. So far as I can discover, the
Americans killed in the time of Porfirio Diaz
are just as dead as the Americans killed later .
The government has just completed the pur
chase of three small torpedo boat destroyers ,
$ 15,000 each, and one small gunboat, $60,000,
for service on the Pacific Coast. The boats
were delivered in San Francisco . It is re
ported that the government desires to pur
chase an equal number of boats for the At
lantic Coast service .
The manufacturers of the Federal District
and the states of Mexico, Puebla and Vera
cruz are forming an organization to protect
themselves against the growing abuses of labor
unions. For strikes they propose lockouts and
for sabotage, boycott.
The Federal government is expending 1,500
pesos weekly to restore the bathing resort of
Cuyutlan, State of Colima, destroyed some
time ago by a hurricane.
A new government decree which will be
welcomed by mining men is to the effect that
no fines will be collected on back mining taxes.
In the future, at the time of paying taxes the
department will accept a back payment, all or
in part, without " recargoes" for failure to pay.

Noviembre, 1920 LA
Cámara de Diputados, y aunque no salí electa ,
mi candidatura era legal y fue vista seriamente
por los funcionarios públicos, por los políticos, y
por el pueblo en general .
"Esta ' emancipación ' de la mujer mexicana
ha sido hasta cierto punto benéfica. Ha servido
para hacer comprender a millones de mujeres que
el matrimonio no es la única carrera que puede
seguir la mujer, y que puede vivir y labrar su
propio destino independiente del apoyo y control
de los hombres, y ello vendrá problemente a
resultar en que México producirá mejores
ciudadanos, tanto hombres como mujeres.
Entre las clases altas de la población de
la Ciudad de México, Guadalajara, y otras
ciudades de importancia, se ha desarrollado un
tipo de mujer independiente, y libre pensadora,
algo parecida a las Hetairas de Atenas y Ale
jandría. Esta clase de mujeres tienen una
influencia grande en los hombres de la Capital de
la Nación, y vienen de entre las familias que
anteriormente pertenecieron a la clase alta .
"Hay también millares de mujeres que han
aprovechado las oportunidades que se les han
presentado durante este período de revolución, y
han logrado su mejoramiento intelectual ; muchas
de estas mujeres no tienen por qué humillarse
delante de las mujeres de cualquier otro país del
mundo. Con el abandono conque los hombres de
México han visto el problema de la educación
durante los últimos diez años, las mujeres han
logrado introducirse hasta ocupar lugares promi
nentes en lo que queda del sistema educacional,
y en muchos de los Estados de la República
prácticamente tienen el control sobre la instruc
cion pública.
"Otras, encontrándose con algún dinero, han
entrado en negocios de por sí y para sí. En la
Ciudad de México, la Sra. Cordelia López,
quien quedó viuda y con tres pequeñitos de
familia tres años pasados, es hoy una de las
principales importadoras de ropa para mujeres.
La Sra. Catalina Boli tiene la principal fotografía
en la Capital. La Srita. Herminia Godoy está
al frente del más importante bureau de Traduc
ciones que existe en la República . En Guada
lajara, la Srita. Ernestina Melendez es una de las
principales agentes en bienes raíces. Estas son
solo unas cuantas de entre las muchas que tengo
conocimiento que se dedican a diferentes nego
cios, pero cuyos nombres no recuerdo por ahora.
Indudablemente que con el tiempo todo este
enredo revolucionario tendrá buenos resultados ,
incluso todo lo que se refiere a la posición de la
mujer mexicana. Ya empieza a verse con más
claridad. Y ciertamente que las oportunidades
para las mujeres nunca fueron mayores que en
la actualidad, y con el establecimiento de un
gobierno firme, probablemente se estabilizará el
remolino de nuestras aventuras femininas.
Junto con otras de mi sexo, yo espero tomar parte
en la formación del México nuevo.
EL EVANGELIO
DE LA AMISTAD
N la convención celebrada recientemente
EN
en Detroit, Michigan, por la Asociación
Cristiana de Jóvenes, el Obispo F. J. Mc
Conell, de Denver, Colorado, pronunció un
discurso interesante, en el curso del cual dijo,
hablando de la cristianización de las relaciones
internacionales :
Para hacer el caso más concreto, suponed
5
REVISTA MEXICANA
que voy a México . He estado yendo a ese
país cada año desde 1912. Las condiciones
que prevalecen allí son mucho muy malas .
¿ Conozco alguna solución para este estado de
cosas ? Ninguna , hablando en términos
politicos . ¿ Creo que el evangelio pueda
hacer algo allí, el evangelio de la amistad , el
evangelio de la índole del que la Iglesia y la
Asociación Cristiana de Jóvenes pueden pro
pagar para ayudar al pueblo ? Creo que si
puede.
En febrero último estuve allí presidiendo
una convención de cuarenta propagandistas de
diversas religiones de los Estados Unidos reu
nida para dividir a México en territorios a fin
de que no duplicaran su obra cristiana, para
establecer una prensa de unión y una escuela
unida teológica. Estuve en México porque el
señor Robert E. Speer me manifestó cierto
día que un grupo de ricos norteamericanos
deseaba dar la suma inicial de dos millones
de dólares para un colegio en México si no
se oponía a ello el Gobierno. Preguntóme :
¿ "Iría usted a entrevistar al Presidente Ca
rranza sohe el particular ? La cuestión
del petróleo estaba en su período álgido.
No quería yo ir. Creía que el señor
Carranza diría lo que dijo antes a la
Cruz Roja. Pero fuímos, sin embargo,
representando a esos caballeros de Nueva
York y a está convención. Comenzamos a
hablar ante el Presidente, pero no nos dejó
terminar. Nos dijo sencillamente : "No sólo
no existe hostilidad aquí hacia obras de la
índole de la que me proponéis, sino que todos
los deseos del Gobierno son los de cooperar
para su realización.”
Al día siguiente fuí citado para entrevistar
a un oficial que ocupa en México un alto
puesto gubernamental, casi equivalente al de
nuestro Secretario de Estado . Después de
los saludos y ceremonias convencionales, volví
a empezar mi propuesta, pero dicho fun
cionario me detuvo. Acababa de regresar de
ciertas negociaciones con los intereses mercan
tiles que pueden hundir en la guerra a Mé
xico y a los Estados Unidos. Dijome :
"Cuando vea yo en México dos grupos de
personas que no hablen de pozos de petróleo,
ni de concesiones, sino de la mejor salud de
México, de escuelas nocturnas para los obreros,
de mejores oportunidades que las que tenemos
para la instrucción, de oportunidades para
levantar a este pueblo oprimido diría a usted
que regresara y dijera al pueblo de los Estados
Unidos, al que representáis , que el respeto que
he abrigado hacia ese buen elemento de
vuestro país ha dejado de ser respeto desde
hace mucho tiempo para entrar en el · terreno
del afecto."
Después de esto escuché un discurso pe
queño y elocuente como no había yo escuchado
otro : "Somos un pueblo débil. El tifo ha
devastado nuestro país una y otra vez ; los
jóvenes han marchado al campo de batalla y
no han regresado jamás ; ninguno ha quedado
aquí, excepción hecha de los viejos como yo
y de las mujeres y los niños a quienes habéis
hablado. No hay ninguna puerta de salvación
para está comunidad si no son las de esa
iglesia y esa escuela. Esa es la única opor
tunidad de que los jóvenes de esta comarca
miren hacia algo más grande y mejor."
17
Después se irguió y añadió con la carac
terística elocuencia española : "Esta comunidad
es como un muro vacilante que está a punto
de derrumbarse, que no se mantiene en pie
sino gracias a la fuerza de los brazos def
maestro y del predicador que se encuentran
aquí por favor de los buenos amigos de los
Estados Unidos que nos protegen."
¿Tendrán buen éxito los métodos cristianos
en un caso como éste? Así lo creo , puesto
que los he visto victoriosos. De cualquier,
modo, puesto que es deber de los Estados
Unidos dar a los mexicanos instrucción y
elevación cristiana, y mejor salud, y todo lo
demás, y puesto que se trata de un problema
internacional inmediato, opino que podréis
hacer más usando los métodos cristianos antes
de comenzar a matarlos, que después.
Hacia la época de la insurrección de los
boxers en China escuché a un predicador
metodista del tipo antiguo, levantarse y decir :
"La guerra es el camino de Dios para abrir
las puertas al Evangelio. Dominad al pagano
con mano de hierro." Entonces Alfred Woods,
un miembro de esa conferencia , de ingenio
agudo, se levantó y dijo : "En vista de lo que
dice el orador propongo que reformemos un
trozo del evangelio en la forma siguiente :
'Ved a todo el mundo y disparad el evangelio
sobre cada uno de los pueblos.'} }}
Varios norteamericanos han sido muertos en
México recientemente ; ciertos norteamericanos
fueron muertos en México en los tiempos de
Díaz, pero entonces, como existían mejores
relaciones entre los dos países, no se habló
mucho de esos muertos. Por lo que he podido
saber, los norteamericanos muertos en la
época de Diaz quedaron tan bien muertos
como los últimos.
El Comercio México - Americano
Aumenta
LGUNAS veces le habrán preguntado a
A usted algo con referencia al comercio
entre los Estados Unidos y México . A con
tinuación públicamos algunas cifras que
pueden serle útiles, córtelas y guárdelas en su
cartera :
El comercio entre los Estados Unidos y
México pasará en 1920 de trecientos millones
de dólares. En los doce meses que terminaron
el 30 de junio del presente año, el comercio
entre los dos países ascendió a $312,116,152.
Durante esos doce meses México vendió a los
Estados Unidos mercancías por el valor de
$ 168,330,626, y compró al mismo país, mer
cancías por el valor de $ 143,785,526.—
"American Chamber of Commerce Journal.”
La Comisión Monetaria informa que aún
están por redimirse 75,000 pesos de los vales
de a un peso y de cincuenta centavos emitidos
por Cabrera. Estos vales serán redimidos
hasta el primero de octubre , pero se tiene la
creencia general de que esa cantidad de vales
se ha perdido o ha sido destruída, en su mayor
parte. Los vales de está emisión circularon
y fueron redimidos en monedas del valor que:
representaban .
18 THE
Facts as to Oil Taxation
Some Thoughts Upon the Large Dividends Paid by Companies
opinion doubtless holds the big
Poil interests
propaganda being for
responsible the expen
conducted to
bring about American intervention in Mexico.
Certainly they have been active, but thought
ful reading of the list of officers of the Asso
ciation for the Protection of American Rights
in Mexico suggests that back of them and
primarily responsible may be other interests
more sinister- the investment banking groups ,
American and English.
It is interesting, in this connection, to re
call that great executives responsible for the
operation of American railroads and other in
dustries have heretofore testified under oath
and in bitter terms to the hampering interfer
ence of Wall Street financiers in the efficient
conduct of their business. Unless they are
being used as a catspaw by more powerful in
terests it is hard to understand why bona-fide
oil producers should be raising such a hulla
baloo about conditions in Mexico , so far as
their interests are concerned . Read the fig
ures of our own United States Geological
Survey.
According to a statement issued by the Sur
vey January 26 of this year, Mexico produced
for the year 1918 over 63,000,000 barrels of
crude petroleum. By the same authority the
total production of crude oil in Mexico from
1857 to the close of 1917 was but a little over
285,000,000 barrels. Figures for 1919 show
that production increased over 1918 by ap
proximately 30 per cent, to over 82,000,000
barrels. There has, in fact, been an increase,
despite revolutionary activities, each year since
1910. In round numbers, production in 1917
was 55,000,000, in 1916 it was 40,000,000 ;
32,000,000 in 1915 , 26,000,000 in 1914, 25,000,000
in 1913, 16,000,000 in 1912, 14,000,000 in 1911 ,
and but a little over 3,000,000 in 1910. From
the standpoint of production it is hard to un
derstand why the oil producers should com
plain.
Of course, if the oil companies were hand
ling this larger business at a lessened profit
they still might have a kick. Let's take a
look.
The Pan-American Petroleum and Trans
port Company owns the bulk of the stock in
Petroleum Company.
the Mexican Petroleum E. L.
Doheny, of California and New York, one of
the few active oil men represented, by-the
way, on the directorate of the propaganda or
ganization named above, is president of both
companies. The Mexican Petroleum Company
appears to be a big producer both of oil and
of profits. In 1918 its net earnings were
$14.13 for each $50 share of common stock,
as compared with $10.23 per share in 1917.
Complete figures for this company in 1919 are
not yet available but, according to the Wall
Street Journal, its net earnings for the first
nine months, after deductions for depreciation
and the payment of United States income and
excess profits taxes, were $4,427,000. This
MEXICAN REVIEW
Through Their Mexican Holdings
would indicate a profit for the full year ap
proximately the same as in 1918, probably,
from the production figures of the missing
three months, a little higher.
A net earning of 28 per cent would look
pretty good to the average American business
man but some companies seem to have done
even better. Note that Aguila Company paid
a 25 per cent dividend after carrying $661,740
to reserve in 1918. This company paid divi
dends of 20 per cent in 1917, of 16 per cent in
1916 and of 8 per cent in each of the two pre
ceding years, carrying something into reserve
each year . Counting what it carried to re
serve its net earning in 1918 was approxi
mately 37 per cent. The Dutch Shell Com
pany actually paid 37 per cent on its common
stock that year and 48 per cent on its pre
ferred. Standard Oil and other companies,
So far as their Mexican interests can be
segregated, appear to have done as well and
better. What then is the complaint.
Excessive taxation ? By the consolidated
statement of the Doheny companies it ap
pears there was a deduction of $5,000,000 for
the payment of United States income and ex
cess profits taxes for 1918. For the same year
the total duties assessed against the companies
by the Mexican Government-and not then
paid-amounted to $2,203,814, or less than one
half. This would not appear to be unjustly
disproportionate for the country from which
all its profits are obtained .
It will be necessary to look further for the
real objective in promoting interventionist.
propaganda and behind the oil interests for
the prime movers in the effort to embroil this
country with its southern neighbor.
WICKWIRE.
Government Royalties on
Oil in the United States
HE United States Congress has recently
TH passed a law regulating the leasing of oil
lands belonging to the government, and cov
ering a vast area. A Washington dispatch
says :
"The oil land leasing regulations issued re
cently by the Interior Department under the
legal provisions of the new law are to un
dergo a change in the matter of royalties col
lectible by the government. Under section 18
of the law the original draft of the regula
tions stipulated that a maximum royalty of
25 per cent should accrue to the government
on oil of 30 degrees Baume or higher gravity
on wells producing 100 barrels per day per
month or more. This maximum figure, how
ever, was raised to 33 % per cent on average
daily production of 200 barrels or more, in
which form the regulations were finally ap
proved and printed . As a result of this
change oil interests have registered numerous
protests that they cannot operate under such
a high royalty tax.
November, 1920
"It is understood that the royalty paragraph
will prescribe, in substance :
"On oil exceeding 30 degrees Baume grav
ity, 25 per cent where the well averaged 100
barrels per day ; 20 per cent where the aver
age is from 50 to 100 barrels ; 16 2-3 per cent
where the average is from 25 to 50 barrels,
and 12½ per cent where the average is less
than 25 barrels .
"On oil of less than 30 degrees Baume grav
ity, 20 per cent on an average of 40 barrels
or more ; 16 2-3 per cent where the average
is from 20 to 40 barrels, and 12½ per cent
where the average is less than 20 barrels."
Forty- Six Square Miles of Oil Land
Held by a Single Foreign Company
DISPATCH from Washington contains
A the following interesting information
regarding the immense holdings of a single
foreign oil company in Mexico :
"A press report of the statutory meeting of
the Scottish-American Oil and Transport Co. ,
held recently in London, has been received
from the American consul general stationed
at that capital. From the account which ap
peared in a London daily it is apparent that
this company controls roughly 46 square miles
of oil bearing lands in the Panuco district of
Mexico with a present crude production of
10,000 barrels a ' day. The report also de
velops the fact that the crux of the oil busi
ness is tankers, and more tankers. Transpor
tation seems to be the big problem.
"The officers of the company, according to
the report, have come to an arrangement with
Tankers, Limited, for the use of all their ships
and anticipate large profits from their hold
ings and from the trading of the vessels. In
consequence of the general situation it is pro
posed that the company's capital be increased
to £10,000,000 by the creation and issue of
5,000,000 new shares of £1 each ."
New Mexican Ship Service
HE Mexican Government has just au
E
THthorized the employment of two trans
ports in the coastwise and freight and pas
senger service between Vera Cruz, Puerto
Mexico, Progreso and Xcala in Quintana Roo.
This is done to bring the southern ports of
Mexico into closer contact with the Gulf ports .
It is planned that a boat shall leave Vera
Cruz and Xcala, the two terminals of this pro
jected service every two weeks, and other ves
sels will be detailed to the commercial serv
ice as need arises ; the prevailing commercial
tariffs are to be charged. During the past few
years transportation facilities have not been
adequate for the exportation of chicle, coffee
and hennequen .
The Minister of Public Works and Com
munications projects the erection of four wire
less plants, including plants at Manzanillo and
Morelia. American companies interested in
this kind of work should communicate di
rectly with the Minister, furnishing specifica-
formation as to time required to do the work.
tions, quotations, complete catalogues, and in
 LA
Noviembre, 1920
Los Impuestos Petroleros
Algunos Opiniones Sobre los Grandes Dividendos Que Pagan las
Compañias Que Tienen Propiedades en México.
NDUDABLEMENTE la opinión pública
hace a los grandes intereses petroleros
I responsables por la costosa propaganda que
se está llevando a cabo por la intervención de los
Estados Unidos en México . Y ciertamente, los
intereses petroleros han andado muy activos,
pero una cuidadosa lectura de la lista de los
directores de la Asociación Protectora de los
Intereses Americanos en México , sugiere la idea
de que trás de ellos estan otros intereses más
siniestros que son los verdaderos responsables
los grandes intereses bancarios , americanos e
ingleses.
En esta conexión, tal vez será interesante
recordar que los grandes directores de los ferro
carriles americanos y otras industrias, hasta hoy
han venido atestiguando, bajo juramento y en
términos severos, que la intervención de los
financieros de Wall Street ha perjudicado la
operación eficiente de los ferrocarriles. Si los
legítimos productores de petróleo no están
sirviendo de instrumentos en manos de intereses
más poderosos , no hay razón para que estén
haciendo tanto ruido, por lo que toca a sus
propios intereses, sobre las condiciones que
existen en México . Léanse las cifras que a
continuación publicamos y que fueron tomadas
del " United States Geological Survey, " (Boletín
Geológico de los Estados Unidos) .
Según declaraciones del Boletín Geológico de
enero 26 de este año , México produjo durante el
año 1918 , más de 63 millones de barriles de
petróleo crudo ; dice, además, que la producción
total de petróleo crudo en México , desde 1857
hasta fines de 1917, fue poco más de 285 millones
de barriles. Las cifras correspondientes a 1919
indican que la producción aumentó treinta por
ciento, aproximadamente, sobre la de 1918 , o sea
a 82 millones de barriles. A pesar de los dis
turbios revolucionarios, la producción ha ido
aumentando cada año desde 1910. En números
redondos, la producción en 1917 fue de 55 mi
llones, en 1916 fue de 40 millones, 32 millones en
1915 , 26 millones en 1914 , 25 millones en 1913 , 16
millones en 1912 , 14 millones en 1911 , y poco
más de tres millones en 1910. Desde el punto
de vista de la producción , es difícil comprender
por qué se quejan las compañias petroleras.
Por supuesto, si las compañias estuvieran
recibiendo menos utilidades aun con un volúmen
tan grande de negocio como este, tendrían razón
de quejarse.
Pero, veamos : la " Pan-American Petroleum
and Transport Company " tiene la mayor parte
de las acciones de la " Mexican Petroleum
Company. " E. L. Doheney , de California y New
York, que, dicho sea de paso, es uno de los petro
leros más activos que tiene representación en el
directorio de la Asociación de propaganda antes
mencionada, es presidente de las dos compañias .
La " Mexican Petroleum Company " parece que
produce petróleo y utilidades en grande escala .
Sus ganancias netas en 1918 fueron de $14.13 por
cada acción ordinaria del valor de $50, com
paradas con una ganancia de $10.23 por cada
acción en 1917. Aun no se han podido obtener
las cifras completas correspondientes a 1919 , de
REVISTA MEXICANA
esta compañía, pero según el " Wall Street
Journal," las ganancias netas de la compañía por
los primeros nueve meses de 1919 , después de
rebajar el pago de los impuestos fijados por los
Estados Unidos sobre ganancias netas, fueron
de $4,427,000 . Esto indica que las ganancias
por todo el año fueron aproximadamente iguales
a las de 1918 , o tal vez mayores, si tomamos en
cuenta el aumento en la producción durante los
tres meses que faltan en los anteriores cálculos .
En lo general , los negociantes americanos se
conformarían con una ganancia neta de 28 por
ciento , pero parece que las ganancias de algunas
de las compañias petroleras han sido mayores
todavía. La " Aguila Company " después de
pasar al fondo de reserva $661,740 en 1918 , pagó
un dividendo de 25 % . Esta compañia en 1917
pago un dividendo de 20%, en 1916 de 16 % , y
de 8% en 1915 y en 1914 , pasando , siempre, algo
al fondo de reserva cada año. Agregando lo que
pasó al fondo de reserva, las ganancias netas de
esta compañia en 1918 fueron de 37 por ciento .
La " Dutch Shell Company " pagó un dividendo
de 37 por ciento sobre acciones ordinarias , y de
48 por ciento sobre acciones de preferencia . La
"Standard Oil " y otras compañias, en lo que
se refiere a sus propiedades en México, parece
que recibieron igual por ciento de ganancias y
aun mayor. ¿ Cual es, pues, la causa que tienen
para quejarse?
¿ Impuestos excesivos ? Según declaraciones
de las compañias de Doheney, parece que para
pagar a los Estados Unidos el " income tax " y los
impuestos sobre ganancias y utilidades, rebajaron
la cantidad de $5,000,000 . Durante el mismo
año las impuestos conque fueron gravadas esas
mismas compañias por el Gobierno de México
los cuales aun no han sido pagados- ascendían a
$2,203,814, o sea menos de la mitad de lo que
pagaron al Gobierno de los Estados Unidos .
No parece injusta y fuera de proporción esa
cantidad para el país donde son obtenidas todas
esas utilidades.
Por lo anterior, se necesita ir más lejos a buscar
el verdadero objeto que se persigue con esta
propaganda intervencionista , y dirigir la vista
hacia los que están detrás de los intereses petro
leros para encontrar a los verdaderos instigadores
que estan esforzándose por enredar a este país
con México .
Regalías Gubernamentales Sobre el
Petróleo en los Estados Unidos
'L CONGRESO de los Estados Unidos ha
E aprobado recientemente una ley que
reglamenta el arrendamiento de tierras petro
liferas que pertenecen al Gobierno y que repre
sentan una vasta superficie. Dice un despacho
de Washington :
"La legislación relativa al arrendamiento de
tierras petrolíferas, expedida recientemente
por el Departamento del Interior de acuerdo
con las prescripciones legales de la nueva ley,
debe sufrir un cambio en materia de regalías
recaudables por el Gobierno. Bajo le sección
19
número 18 de la ley, la forma original de la
legislación estipulaba que debería corresponder
al Gobierno una regalía máxima de 25 por
ciento sobre petróleo de treinta grados Baumé
o de una densidad superior en pozos que pro
dujeran cien barriles por día, mes, o más.
Esta cifra máxima , sin embargo, fue elevada
hasta el 33 por ciento sobre una producción
media diaria de 200 barriles o más, forma esta
última en que fueron aprobadas e impresas
las reglamentaciones. Como resultado de este
cambio han presentado numerosas protestas
los intereses petroleros manifestando que no
pueden trabajar bajo regalía tan elevada.
"Se tiene entendido que el párrafo que se
refiere a las regalías debe prescribir, en
sustancia :
"Sobre petróleo que exceda de treinta grados
Baumé de gravidad se cobrará un 25 por
ciento allí donde el pozo dé una media de cien
barriles por día ; 20 por ciento , donde la pro
ducción media fluctúe entre cincuenta y cien
barriles diarios ; 16 2/3 por ciento cuando la
media sea de 25 a 50 barriles, y de 12½ por
ciento cuando dicha media sea menor de 25
barriles.
"Sobre petróleo de menos de treinta grados
Baumé de densidad se cobrará el 20 por ciento
sobre una producción media de 40 barriles o
más ; de 16½ por ciento donde la media sea
de 20 a 40 barriles, y de 12½ por ciento donde
esa media sea menor de 20 barriles diarios."
Cuarenta y Seis Millas de Tierras
Petrolíferas Poseídas por una Sola
Compañía Extranjera
N despacho procedente de Washington.
UNcontiene la siguiente interesante infor
mación respecto a las inmensas posesiones de
una sola compañía petrolera extranjera en
México :
"Se ha recibido del cónsul general americano
en Londres un informe de la junta para la
discusión de los Estatutos celebrada reciente
mente en esa capital por la ' Scottish-American
Oil and Transport Co.' Por el informe que
apareció en las columnas del London daily es
aparente que esta compañía controla en bruto
cuarenta y seis millas cuadradas de tierras
petrolíferas en el Distrito de Pánuco , de
México, con una producción actual diaria de
diez mil barriles diarios de petróleo crudo.
El informe indica también el hecho de que la
dificultad de la industria petrolera está en la
falta de tanques y más tanques. El problema
del transporte parece ser el más importante .
"Los funcionarios de la compañía, según
reza el informe, hán llegado a un convenio
con Tankers, Limited , para el uso de todos
sus navíos, anticipándoles grandes ganancias
de sus posesiones y del tráfico de las embar
caciones. A consecuencia de la situación
general se propone que sea aumentado el
capital de la compañía a 10.000.000 de libras
esterlinas por medio de la creación y expedi
ción de 5.000.000 de nuevas acciones de una
libra cada una."
20 THE
GREETING TO THE WORLD
FROM THE LIBERAL
CONSTITUTIONAL PARTY
Speech Delivered at Clark University by
Manuel de la Pena, Acting Commercial
Agent of the Mexican Government
R. PRESIDENT, Ladies and Gentle
MR. men :
You have extended to me, as a Mexican and
as a representative of the new Government of
Mexico, a very cordial and gracious hand of
welcome.
This hand has been extended to the new
order of things that has come to my country,
the purposes of which I would that I could
explain to you with sufficient clearness to con
vey the real meaning of this revolutionary
movement, which more properly should be
termed the popular awakening of a Nation.
I have been kindly invited by Clark Univer
sity to speak the thoughts of my fellow citi
zens, of the Liberal Constitutional Govern
ment of Mexico, before this audience of in
tellectual men, cultivated, upright, looking for
the truth ; before you who are going to be in
future the representatives of the American
People.
Were I speaking to an ordinary audience I
would begin by recounting something of Mex
ican history ; I would tell you something of
the Aztec Indians and the Spanish conquer
I would describe and place before your
imagination the wonderful landscapes of the
Mexican mountains and plateaux, so as to set
a background for my speech. This is not
necessary. You are all well acquainted with
those details and this fact will save us many
a word.
You know also the Mexican psychology ;
you know that we are not fundamentally dif
ferent from other peoples, that we have quali
ties and defects ; that there are in Mexico
good honest men and bad men, just as there
are in any other country; you are not indeed
of that sort of men who, upon reading that
a crime has been committed beyond the Rio
Grande, at once brand as criminal the whole
Nation. You understand, because you have
studied history, that the mere existence of a
bad Government does not mean that the peo
ple afflicted by that misfortune is a bad peo
ple, because you know that sooner or later
that people will react and will overthrow such
obstacles as may occasionally stand in its way ;
you all know that such occurrences are apt
to take place everywhere, and we all know and
believe that at the end, whatever be the trend
of events, Justice and Righteousness will pre
vail.
Long ago, in that time when the Spanish
encomenderos, who were, some of them, prac
tically slave drivers, herded the poor Aztec
Indians, beating them in order to derive from
their suffering as much profit as possible, re
gardless of their. anguish and fatigue ; those
unfortunate Indians had but two words to
answer, two words in their wonderful lan
guage, two words full of bitterness and dig
nity, ni tlaca, which means "We are also
human."
Mexico has been for a long time made the
target of many ill-intentioned blows ; the
MEXICAN REVIEW
faults of its Presidents, the crimes of some
outlaws have been construed as though they
were the characteristics of every Mexican ;
Mexico has been for a long time at bay ; and
we believe that Mexicans are entitled to a
fair trial, that we have a right to be judged
impartially and justly by those who know us.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are also human.
Mexico is evolving from an epoch of dark
ness. Experience has opened the eyes of the
people, sufferings and hardships have shown
us the straight road toward Progress, and if
we have overthrown an objectionable regime
it was because we knew that it was moving
in the wrong direction, that it had stepped
aside from the path of Justice and the right
interpretation of the national ideals.
You Americans in the United States ask of
yourselves why it is that the elections being
so near, scheduled to take place this coming
month of July, we Mexicans could not wait
for them in order to settle our differences
through the ballot. But I desire to ask you,
should one of your Presidents manifest a
SR. MANUEL DE LA PEÑA
desire to manipulate the elections in favor of
a candidate of his own choice and quite un
known to the people only because that candi
date has offered to become a blind tool in the
hands of such a President ; if this man in
order to assure that purpose intended to send
troops to some of the States and even over
throw the legal Governor of one of them ; if
this man were to use all the power which the
people have vested in him, the moneys belong
ing to the Nation, to support his unpopular
candidate, and at the same time setting every
sort of obstacle in the way of the other can
didates ; if you saw your country provoking
the enmity of all other countries without ac
complishing anything for the welfare of your
own people ; if you understood that the com
ing election was going to be just a farce,
through which such a dishonest regime would
perpetuate itself in power ; knowing then that
you could not resort to the ballot, would you
not then resort to bullets ?
Unfortunately that was the case in Mexico.
Now you might ask. How are we going to
know that this new Government will afford
guarantees and justice ? All revolutions have
started with wonderful promises which were
never fulfilled. To a certain extent such is
November, 1920
true ; but now the case is different. This
popular movement which in so short a time.
has controlled the whole country, has been
started, has gone on, and has won its goal
without having offered any glowing promises ;
still it has fulfilled practically every hope.
Even during the period of fighting, lives and
properties have been respected, no trespasses
committed, no offenses inflicted upon anyone,
no revenges satisfied. All have been afforded
guarantees, nationals as well as foreigners. Is
it not a logical consequence that such a move
ment deserves to be relied upon ? Is it not a
thing of simple common sense to believe in
results after they have been accomplished ?
The American People have saluted with
hope and sympathy a new Mexico. We have
seen the favorable impression which the fall
of the Carranza regime has caused ; this sym
pathy is because you understand that it was
chiefly that regime which had made impossible
a real and true friendship between our two
countries. Both the American and the Mexi
can peoples wish to become friends, to work.
in cooperation ; but this has been prevented by
lack of mutual understanding. You, as well
as we, have very often intrusted the task of
settling our differences to men who know lit
tle, if anything, of the other country. I hope
that in future this will be otherwise , because
I know, I am sure, that if Mexicans who
know you and Americans who know us were
allowed to arrange those so-called conflicts,
they simply could not exist. There are no
conflicts between both peoples. There have
been many conflicts between men, Americans
and Mexicans , whose duty was to have
avoided them.
We young men of Mexico, and with us all
those who know this country, have realized
that, unless foreign capital and immigration
be encouraged to go into our country and de
velop the natural resources , those resources
are lost to the world. Those men who are
willing to come to us bringing with them the
necessary capital to help themselves by help
ing us to develop our lands, our mines, and
so forth, will not go in and settle in a coun
try in which they are not properly protected
by the laws. We know how the United States
have been developed by foreign capital and
immigration , because they found a country
which received them with open arms and just
laws. We realize that our country has im
mense treasures which are waiting for the
hands that are going to make them useful
to mankind ; we realize that we need the aid
from outside , from the whole world, since no
country has ever advanced by its own forces
when inclosed within an impassable wall, the
existence of which the world has a right to
forbid.
Therefore, the laws that we intend to up
hold will protect that foreign capital and im
migration, so far as it may be done in accord
ance with the eternal principles of Justice and
Equity.
We young men of Mexico, who have had
the benefit of observing the consequences that
past mistakes have brought to our people, in
tend, in order to accomplish a truly patriotic
work, to give especial attention to the edu

Noviembre, 1920 LA
EL PARTIDO LIBERAL
CONSTITUCIONALISTA
SALUDA AL MUNDO
Discurso Pronunciado En la Universi
dad de Clarke por Manuel de la Peña,
Representante del Gobierno Mexicano
R. PRESIDENTE, Señoras y Señores :
SR Me habeis extendido , como a Mexicano y
como a un representante del nuevo gobierno
de México, graciosamente una cordial mano
de bienvenida .
Esta mano ha sido extendida al nuevo orden
de cosas que ha venido a mi país y cuyos
propósitos quisiera poder explicar a vosotros
con claridad suficiente para que pudierais
apreciar el verdadero significado de este
movimiento revolucionario, que más propia
mente podría llamarse el despertar de un
pueblo.
He sido amablemente invitado por la Uni
versidad de Clark para explicar los pensa
mientos de mis conciudadanos, del Gobierno
Liberal Constitucionalista de México , ante esta
audiencia de hombres intelectuales, cultivados,
rectos , que buscan la verdad, ante vosotros
que estais llamados a ser en el futuro los
representantes del pueblo americano.
Si estuviera hablando ante una audiencia
comun empezaría contando algo de historia
mexicana ; narraría algo de los indios aztecas
y de los conquistadores españoles ; describiría
y pondría ante vuestra imaginación los mara
villosos paisajes de las montañas y las praderas
mexicanas asi poniendo una decoración para
mi discurso. Semejante exordio no es nece
sario ; todos vosotros conoceis bien estos
detalles y esto nos economiza muchas palabras.
Vosotros conoceis tambien la psicología
mexicana, sabeis que no somos fundamental
mente diferentes de otros pueblos, que tenemos
cualidades y defectos, que en México hay
buenos y malos, como los hay en cualquier
otro país ; vosotros no sois seguramente de
aquellos que al saber que un crímen ha sido
cometido al otro lado del Rio Grande, luego
juzgan criminal a toda la nación . Vosotros
comprendeis, porque habeis estudiado historia,
que la mera existencia de un mal gobierno
no significa que el pueblo afligido por aquella
desventura sea un mal pueblo ; porque voso
tros sabeis que aquel pueblo tarde o temprano
reaccionará y derribará los obstáculos que
pueda hallar en su camino ; vosotros sabeis
que semejantes cosas pueden ocurrir en todas
partes, y todos nosotros creemos y sabemos
que al final , cualquiera que sea el curso de los
acontecimientos , la Justicia y el Derecho
dominarán.
Mucho hace, en aquel tiempo en que los
encomenderos españoles, que eran, algunos de
ellos, prácticamente dueños de esclavos, agru
paban en manadas a los pobres indios aztecas
maltratándolos con el fin de obtener de sus
sufrimientos el mayor beneficio posible, sin
mirar su angustia y su fatiga ; aquellos in
fortunados indios no tenian sino dos palabras
para contestar, dos palabras de su maravilloso
lenguaje, llenas de amargura y dignidad : Ni
tlaca las que significan : Nosotros tambien
somos humanos.
:
REVISTA MEXICANA
México está surgiendo de una época de
blanco de muchos golpes mal intencionados ;
las faltas de sus presidentes, los crímenas de
algunos bandidos han sido vistos como si
fueran los distintivos de todo mexicano ;
México ha estado por largo tiempo acosado ,
y creemos que los mexicanos tienen derecho
a un justo juicio, creemos que tenemos derecho
a ser juzgados inparcialmente y con justicia
por aquellos que nos conocen. Señoras y
señores, nosotros tambien somos humanos.
México está surgiendo de una época de
obscuridad . La experiencia ha abierto los
ojos del pueblo ; los sufrimientos y las penali
dades nos han mostrado el camino recto hacia
el progreso y si hemos derribado un mal
régimen ello fue porque iba caminando equivo
cadamente , porque se había apartado del
sendero de la justicia y de la correcta inter
pretación de los ideales nacionales.
Vosotros en los Estados Unidos os pre
guntais porqué, estando las elecciones tan
próximas, fijadas para el próximo mes de
Julio, los mexicanos no pudimos esperarlas
para arreglar nuestras diferencias por medio
del voto. Pero yo deseo preguntaros , si alguno
de vuestros presidentes manifestara el deseo
de manipular las elecciones en favor de un
candidato elegido por él y completamente
desconocido del pueblo , solo porque ese candi
dato ha ofrecido ser un ciego instrumento en
sus manos ; si este hombre, el presidente, con
el fin de asegurar su propósito intentara enviar
tropas a algun estado y aun derribar algunos
gobernadores, si este hombre quisiera usar
todo el poder que el pueblo le ha dado , los
fondos pertenecientes a la nación , para sos
tener su impopular candidato y al mismo
tiempo poniendo toda clase de obstáculos a los
otros candidatos , si vosotros vierais vuestro
país provocando la enemistad de todos los
otros países sin hacer nada por el bienestar
de vuestro pueblo, si vosotros comprendierais
que las proximas elecciones iban a ser una
farsa por la que aquel detestable régimen iba
a ser perpetuado ; conociendo, pues, que el re
currir al voto seria inútil, no recurriríais a
las balas ?
Desgraciadamente este era el caso en
México.
Ahora vosotros preguntareis : ¿ Cómo pode
mos saber que este nuevo gobierno dará
garantias y justicia ? Todas las revoluciones
han sido iniciadas con maravillosas promesas
que nunca fueron cumplidas. Hasta cierto
punto esto es verdad ; pero ahora el caso es
diferente ; este movimiento popular que en tan
poco tiempo ha dominado todo el país, ha sido
iniciado , ha seguido su desarrollo, y ha llegado
a la meta, sin haber hecho brillantes promesas ;
empero ha satisfecho prácticamente todas las
esperanzas. Aun durante el periodo de lucha
las vidas y propiedades han sido respetadas ,
no se han cometido atropellos , no se han hecho
ofensas a nadie, no se han satisfecho ven
ganzas. Todas las garantias se han dado a
nacionales y extranjeros. ¿ No es una lógica
consecuencia que semejante movimiento merece
confianza ? ¿ No es una cosa de simple sentido
comun el creer en lo que ya se ha cumplido ?
El pueblo americano ha saludado con espe
ranza y simpatía a un nuevo México. Hemos
visto la favorable impresión que la caída del
3
21
régimen de Carranza ha causado. Esta sim
patía es porque vosotros comprendeis que fué
este régimen el que principalmente había hecho
imposible una real y verdadera amistad entre
nuestros dos países. Tanto los mexicanos
como los americanos desean ser amigos,
trabajar en cooperación ; pero esto lo ha
evitado la falta de mútuo entendimiento.
Vosotros, lo mismo que nosotros , frecuente
mente hemos encargado de arreglar nuestras
diferencias a hombres que conocen poco ,
algo conocen, del otro país. Yo espero que
en el futuro será de otra manera, porque estoy
seguro de que si mexicanos que os conocen
y americanos que nos conocen son dedicados
al arreglo de esos llamados conflictos , estos
simplemente no podrán existir. No hay con
flictos entre ambos pueblos ; muchos conflictos
ha habido entre los hombres, americanos y
mexicanos, cuyo deber era el haberlos evitado.
Nosotros, los jóvenes de México, y con
nosotros todos aquellos que conocen este país,
han conocido que, a menos que el capital
extranjero y la inmigración sean alentados,
para ir a nuestra patria y desarrollar los re
cursos naturales, estos recursos están perdidos
para el mundo . Aquellos que estan deseosos
de venir a nosotros trayendo con ellos el capi
tal necesario para ayudarse y ayudarnos a
desarrollar nuestras tierras, minas, etc., no
irán a fijarse a un país en el que no estén
propiamente protegidos por las leyes. Noso
tros sabemos como los Estados Unidos han
sido impulsados por el capital extranjero y la
inmigración, porque se encontró un país que
les recibía con los brazos abiertos y leyes
justas. Nosotros sabemos que nuestro país
tiene inmensos tesoros que esperan las manos
que los harán utiles a la humanidad , sabemos
que necesitamos la ayuda del exterior, del
mundo entero, puesto que ningun país ha
progresado nunca encerrado en una muralla
impasable cuya existencia tiene el mundo
derecho de prohibir.
Por lo tanto las leyes que intentamos
sostener protegerán ese capital extranjero y
esa inmigración hasta donde esto pueda ser
hecho de acuerdo con los eternos principios
de Justicia y Equidad .
Nosotros los jóvenes de México que hemos
alcanzado el beneficio de observar las conse
cuencias que los pasados errores han traido
a nuestro país , intentamos con el fin de llevar
a cabo un trabajo verdaderamente patriótico ,
conceder especial atención a la educación de
los indios, que forman la mayor parte de la
presente población de México .
Hasta ahora los gobiernos de México han
olvidado a los indios, algunos de estos han
surgido y se han hecho ilustres , pero la gran
mayoria está aun abajo, impedida de significar
nada por la ignorancia en que se les ha man
tenido.
Los indios han sido acusados de ser una
raza turbulenta ; no lo son. Son pacíficos ,
pero son fácilmente mal llevados por cual
quiera que les ofrece mejorar su triste con
dición ; y ahora nosotros nos proponemos
mejorarla sin darles armas ; sino libros y
escuelas.
El Gobierno Liberal Constitucionalista viene
a vosotros con los brazos abiertos ; todos los.
22 THE
cation of the Indians who form the greatest
part of the present population of Mexico.
So far the Governments of Mexico have
forgotten the Indians , some of them have
emerged and made themselves illustrious, but
the great majority is still down, prevented
from amounting to anything by the ignorance
in which they have been kept.
Indians have been accused of being a tur
bulent race ; they are not. They are peaceful ,
but they are easily misled by anyone who of
fers to better their sad condition ; and now
we mean to better it without giving them
arms, but schools and books.
The Liberal Constitutional Government
comes to you with open arms. All the lead
ers of the revolution have spoken to the
American people asking their friendship and
cooperation, which we know you are willing
to give. General Obregon, prominent among
those leaders, has said :
"My ideal for the relations between Mexico
and the United States is to make the interna
tional border like the Canadian boundary,
withdrawing troops, except customs officials."
"Carranza's interpretation of the Monroe
doctrine was a mistake, although I believe
Carranza was perfectly sincere in the belief
that his policy was best for Mexico ."
Furthermore, I will quote a message from
Mr. Adolfo de la Huerta, Provisional Presi
dent of the new Government :
"I beg to ask you to inform the Govern
ment of the United States of America that we
have given complete guarantees to natives and
foreigners not only in this State, but by all
civil and military authorities therein. The
present Government of Mexico will also main
tain the firm purpose of following the same
line of conduct by giving the necessary and
ample guarantees to the foreign capital that
may be invested in this Republic, in conform
ity with our laws.
"Our Government is also well disposed to
develop relations with the United States, in
conformity with the postulates of interna
tional law and with the criterion of absolute
Justice, Equity and Good Faith."
We mean to banish hatred, that obstacle
which stands in the way of mankind. We in
tend to create love and friendship through
mutual understanding. We want you to go
there, to know us, to become acquainted with
the real Mexican people. We want also all
Mexicans to go back to their country. We
have eliminated the word "exiles." They are
no longer exiled from Mexico. We have even
banished the word "amnesty" because it
means pardon. During our long and bitter
struggle for freedom and democracy some
Mexicans have been mistaken, some misled ;
they were honest and sincere in their opinions ;
they need no pardon ; they are guilty of no
offense. Mexico is their country and the doors
are open to all. We want the cooperation of
every honest man.
The question has been brought up as to
whether the new Government is going to up
hold the Constitution of 1917 or that of 1857.
What I can assure you and the world is that
Mexico is going to rely upon laws which will
satisfy and protect every legal right, every
legitimate enterprise, laws that will encourage
MEXICAN REVIEW
foreign capital to go into Mexico and to help
us to develop our natural resources, laws
against which no objection can be justly taken.
"We know," said General Alvarado, now
Minister of Finances, alluding to the thoughts
of the new Government, "We know that we
have to guarantee the lives and properties of
nationals and foreigners. We know that we
have to pay our debts as gentlemen. We
know that the difficulties of Mexico affect
many parts of the world.
"And because we are conscious of our sit
uation and of our responsibilities, we wish to
make gigantic efforts to comply with Our
duties, not to be run over as a hindrance, not
to be regarded as a troublesome neighbor,
but as a useful and excellent friend always
ready to cooperate in every effort to advance
civilization .
"We Mexicans of today, through our pro
gressive young men, do not ask more of the
world than a little patience and a little faith
in our ability to solve and arrange our affairs.
"Have faith in our sincerity and in our
latent forces, and you will not repent."
You have heard the words of those who are
leading this movement, words which unques
tionably inspire confidence. You have seen
how national protest has eradicated a regime.
which failed to interpret the real will of a
people anxious for peace and order. You
have observed their conduct. We have in
deed gained favor before the eyes of the
world, to which, I, in the name of the new
Government of Mexico , and through the most
distinguished conduct of this audience, offer
our very sincere greetings .
RECOGNITION OF MEXICAN
GOVERNMENT ASKED
BY TEXAS
Resolutions Adopted by the El Paso
Chamber of Commerce at a Recent
Meeting
VURSUANT to the instructions of the
P Board of Directors of the El Paso Cham
ber of Commerce, the following resolution ,
recommending the recognition of the present
Government of Mexico by the Government of
the United States , was adopted as herewith,
and is published together with an extract of
the minutes of the meeting of directors of the
said chamber at which the resolution was pre
sented.
EXTRACT OF MINUTES
Directors, El Paso Chamber of Commerce,
August 30, 1920.
W. S. Crombie, first vice-president, presiding,
with attendance of 16 directors .
Mr. H. L. Birney, chairman-director of the
Agricultural Department of the Chamber,
read the Resolution which follows, and
asked its adoption .
After discussion by Messrs. Heid, McNary,
Gardner, Warner, Norton and White, mo
tion for adoption , as read, carried unani
mously.
RESOLUTION
Whereas, the members of the El Paso
Chamber of Commerce, who are now having
November, 1920
and for many years past have had extensive
social and commercial intercourse with the
people of the Republic of Mexico, are of the
opinion that the present Government of the
Republic of Mexico has demonstrated by its
acts and deeds that it is actuated by the high
est and best motives and intentions, and by a
sincere and earnest desire to establish peace
and promote prosperity in said Republic of
Mexico, and to afford proper protection to the
lives and property of foreigners within its
borders ; and
Whereas, it is believed that said present
Government of the Republic of Mexico, by
reason of the premises and by reason of its
apparent ability to maintain law and order in
said Republic, has earned the recognition of
the Government of the United States of
America ; and,
Whereas, it is believed that such recognition
and the resulting moral support by the Gov
ernment of the United States of America of
the present Government of the Republic of
Mexico, will promote the prosperity and
happiness of the citizens of both Republics ,
and will permanently cement cordial and
friendly relations between the citizens of the
two Republics ; now, therefore
Be it resolved, by the Board of Directors of
the El Paso Chamber of Commerce, that it is
the sincere and earnest desire and wish of
the El Paso Chamber of Commerce that the
Government of the United States of America ,
at the earliest possible moment, and in ac
cordance with accepted principles of interna
tional policy, extend full recognition to the
present Government of the Republic of Mex
ico ; and,
Be it further resolved, that a copy of this
resolution be transmitted to the President of
the United States of America, to the provi
sional President of the Republic of Mexico ,
to the Secretary of State of the United States
of America, to the Secretary of Foreign Re
lations of the Republic of Mexico , to the Gov
ernors of the States of California, Arizona,
New Mexico, Texas and Louisiana, to the
American Embassy in Mexico City, to the
Mexican Embassy in Washington, to the
Chambers of Commerce and commercial or
ganizations in all of the cities in the States of
California, Arizona, New Mexico , Texas and
Louisiana, to the Chambers of Commerce and
commercial organizations in the cities of New
York, Washington, Philadelphia, Chicago, St.
Louis and Kansas City, to the United States
Chamber of Commerce, to the Texas Cham
ber of Commerce, to the West Texas Cham
ber of Commerce, and to the American
Chambers of Commerce in the cities of Mon
terey, Nuevo Leon, Tampico and Mexico City,
and to the Camara Nacional de Comercio in
the following cities in the Republic of Mexico :
Mexico City, Tampico, Monterey, Hermosillo,
Nogales, Cananea, Juarez, Chihuahua, Tor
reon, Saltillo, Nuevo Laredo, Matamoras,
Vera Cruz, Mazatlan and Culiacan.
Agwi headed the list by exporting 1,400,000
barrels of oil from Tampico during August.
International Petroleum Company second with
1,100,000 barrels.
Noviembre, 1920 LA
líders de la revolución han hablado al pueblo
americano pidiendo su amistad y cooperación ,
lo que sabemos vosotros quereis darnos . El
General Obregón, prominente entre estos
líders, ha dicho :
"Mi ideal para las relaciones entre México
y los Estados Unidos es el hacer la frontera
internacional como los limites canadienses,
retirando todas las tropas, exceptuando los
guardias aduanales. La interpretación que
Carranza dió a la doctrina Monroe es un
error, a pesar de que yo creo que Carranza
creía sinceramente que su política era la mejor
para México ."
Quiero ademas citar un mensaje del Sr.
Adolfo de la Huerta, Presidente Provisional
del nuevo gobierno :
"Suplico a vosotros informar al Gobierno de
los Estados Unidos de América que hemos dado
completas garantias a nacionales y extranjeros
por todas las autoridades civiles y militares.
El presente gobierno de México mantendrá el
firme propósito de seguir la misma línea de
conducta dando las necesarias y amplias ga
rantias al capital extranjero que quiera em
plearse en esta república de acuerdo con
nuestras leyes .”
"Nuestro gobierno está bien dispuesto ade
más a desarrollar relaciones con los Estados
Unidos, de acuerdo con los postulados de la
ley internaciónal y con un criterio de. absoluta
justicia, equidad y buena fe.”
Intentamos desterrar odios, ese obstáculo que
se opone a la marcha de la humanidad ;
queremos crear amor y amistad por el mútuo
entendimiento. Queremos que vosotros vayais
allá, nos conozcais, trateis al verdadero pueblo
mexicano. Queremos también que todos los
mexicanos vuelvan a su país. Hemos elimi
nado la palabra desterrados. Ya no hay
desterrados de México. Hemos borrado aun
la palabra amnistía porque significa perdón .
Durante nuestra larga y amarga lucha por la
libertad y la democracia, algunos mexicanos
se han equivocado , otros han sido engañados ;
eran honrados y sinceros en sus opiniones y
nada hay que perdonarles puesto que no son
culpables de ningun crímen . México es su
país y las puertas están abiertas para todos.
Queremos la cooperación de todo hombre
honrado .
Se ha preguntado si el nuevo gobierno va
a sostener la constitución de 1917 o la de 1857.
Lo que puedo asegurar a vosotros y al mundo
es que México va a sostener leyes que satis
facerán y protegerán todo derecho legal, toda
empresa legítima ; leyes que animarán al capi
tal extranjero a ir a México y ayudarnos a
desarrollar nuestros recursos naturales , leyes
contra las cuales ninguna objeción pueda
justamente ser levantada.
"Nosotros sabemos," dijo el General Alva
rado, ahora ministro de Hacienda, aludiendo
a las intenciones del nuevo Gobierno , "que
tenemos que garantizar las vidas y pro
P
piedades de nacionales y extranjeros ; sabemos
que tenemos que pagar nuestras deudas como
caballeros ; sabemos que las dificultades de
México afectan muchas partes del mundo . Y
siendo conscientes de nuestras responsabilidades
y de nuestra situación deseamos hacer gigan
tescos esfuerzos para cumplir con nuestros
deberes y no ser arrollados como un estorbo ,
REVISTA MEXICANA
no ser mirados como un molesto vecino sino
como un útil y excelente amigo siempre listo
a cooperar en todo esfuerzo para avanzar la
civilización . Los mexicanos de hoy por
nuestros progresistas jovenes solo pedimos al
mundo un poco de paciencia y un poco de fe
en nuestra habilidad para resolver y arreglar
nuestros asuntos . Tened fe en nuestra sin
ceridad y en nuestras fuerzas latentes y no os
pesará ."
Habeis oido las palabras de los directores
de este movimiento , palabras que incuestion
ablemente inspiran confianza . Habeis visto
como la protesta nacional ha borrado un
régimen que no habia sabido interpretar la
real voluntad de un pueblo ansioso de paz y
orden. Habeis observado su conducta . Sin
duda hemos ganado favor a los ojos del
mundo, al cual, yo , en nombre del nuevo
Gobierno de México y por conducto de esta
distinguida audiencia , envío nuestros más
sinceros saludos.
LOS TEJANOS PIDEN EL
RECONOCIMIENTO DEL
GOBIERNO DE MÉXICO
Resoluciones Aprobadas Reciente
mente por la Cámara de Comercio
de El Paso
E acuerdo con las instrucciones de la
D Mesa Directiva de la Cámara de Co
mercio de El Paso , la siguiente resolución,
recomendando el reconocimiento del Gobierno
actual de México por el Gobierno de los
Estados Unidos, se trasmite para información
y consideración, juntamente con un extracto
de la acta de la sesión en la cual se aprobó
la misma.
EXTRACTO DEL ACTA
De la sesión que celebró la Mesa Directiva
de la Cámara de Comercio de El Paso , Texas ,
el día 30 de Agosto de 1920.
Bajo la presidencia del Sr. W. S. Crombie,
ler vicepresidente, con la asistencia de diez y
seis miembros de la misma.
El Sr. H. L. Birney, gerente director del
Departamento de Agricultura de la Cámara,
dió lectura a la siguiente resolución , y pidió
que la misma fuese aprobada.
Después que los señores Heid, McNary,
Gardner, Warner, Norton y otros habían
hecho uso de la palabra, se aprobó la misma
por unanimidad ,
RESOLUCION
Considerando, que los miembros de la Cá
mara de Comercio de El Paso- quienes están
y han estado por muchos años en contacto
social y comercial con el pueblo de la Repú
blica Mexicana- son de opinión que el Go
bierno actual de la República de México ha
demostrado por sus actos y hechos estar
inspirado por las mejores intenciones y por
un sincero y ardiente deseo de establecer la
paz y fomentar el adelanto de dicha República
de México , y de dar la debida protección á
las vidas y propiedades de los extranjeros
dentro de su territorio ; y
Considerando , que se cree que el citado
Gobierno actual de la República de México ,
23
por razón de las aserciones anteriores y con
motivo de su aparente habilidad para mantener
la ley y el órden en dicha República, ha
merecido el reconocimiento del Gobierno de los
Estados Unidos ; y
Considerando, que se cree que tal reconoci
miento, y el resultado moral del apoyo que el
Gobierno de los Estados Unidos concediera
al actual Gobierno de la República de México,
serían altamente benéficos para el progreso y
felicidad de los ciudadanos de ambas Repú
blicas ; por tanto,
Se Resuelve, por la Mesa Directiva de la
Cámara de Comercio de El Paso, que es el
deseo ardiente y sincero de la referida Cámara
de Comercio, que lo más pronto posible y de
acuerdo con los principios aceptados de la
política internacional, el Gobierno de los
Estados Unidos de Norte América, otorgue el
reconocimiento completo al Gobierno actual de
la República de México ; y
Se Resuelve Además, que una copia de esta
resolución se envie al Presidente de los
Estados Unidos de Norte América, al Presi
dente Provisional de la República de México,
al Secretario de Estado de los Estados Unidos
de América , al Secretario de Relaciones Ex
teriores de la República de México , á los
Gobernadores de los Estados de California,
Arizona, Nuevo México , Texas y Luisiana,
á la Embajada Americana en la Ciudad de
México , á la Embajada Mexicana en Wash
ington, a las Cámaras de Comercio y organi
zaciones comerciales en todas las ciudades de
los Estados de California, Arizona , Nuevo
México , Texas y Luisiana, a las Cámaras de
Comercio y organizaciones comerciales de las
ciudades de Nueva York, Washington, Fila
delfia, Chicago , San Luis y Kansas City, a la
Cámara de Comercio de los Estados Unidos ,
a la Cámara de Comercio de Texas, a la
Cámara de Comercio del Oeste de Texas, y
a las Cámara de Comercio en las ciudades
de Monterrey, Tampico y Ciudad de México ,
y a las Cámaras Nacionales de Comercio en
las siguientes ciudades de la República de
México : Ciudad de México, Tampico , Monte
rrey, Hermosillo, Nogales, Cananea, Ciudad
Juarez, Chihuahua, Torreón , Saltillo, Nuevo
Laredo, Matamoros , Veracruz, Mazatlán y
Culiacán.
Porqué Se Debe Aprender Español
UY pocas son las personas que se
M detienen a tomar en consideración el
hecho importante de que en todo el hemisferio
occidental son prácticamente solo dos los
idiomas que se hablan en lo general -el inglés
y el español . Ciertamente , el portugués se
habla en algunas partes de Sur América , pero
como este idioma es, por decirlo asi, primo del
español y el que más se le acerca , no es tomado
en consideración en este particular . Tomando ,
pues, todo lo anterior en consideración , nos
parece que el español debería ser parte de los
cursos en todas las escuelas superiores y en los
colegios . ¿Y sin embargo , en cuantas insti
tuciones se enseña el español , y cuantos son
los discípulos que lo están estudiando ?
¿ Cuanto mejor no es que dediquen su tiempo.
y esfuerzo al estudio de un idioma "vivo " y
no al estudio inútil ( desde el punto de vista
práctico ) de un idioma muerto ?
24 THE
The Petroleum Decrees
These Have Been Misrepresented in the United States- The Propaganda
Against Them is Baseless, for the Decrees are Justified
LACK of understanding in the matter
of petroleum decrees issued by Sr. Car
ranza is responsible for the intense pro
paganda that is being carried against them
both in Mexico and the United States, accord
ing to Attorney Peña, chief of the Legal Bu
reau of the Department of Commerce and
Industry.
"The decrees attacked are three in number,"
he says, "the decree of July 31st which fixes
the taxes and royalties on the petroleum in
dustry ; that of August 8th which regulates
the issuance of titles, and lastly, the one with
reference to the "conditions under which con
cessions will be granted in the Federal zones."
The attacks against these decrees can be
summarized as follows :
It is alleged that they are extrinsically and
intrinsically unconstitutional ; extrinsically,
because it is claimed they were issued without
any authority ; intrinsically, because in impos
ing obligations, these are alleged to be con
trary to the property rights claimed by the
landowners over the subsoil.
The charges made against these decrees are
the following :
"That they were issued without any au
thority ; that inasmuch as a decree is a law,
and laws emanate from the Legislative , the
Executive cannot legislate without combining
both powers, which is in itself a violation of
Article 49 of the Constitution ; therefore, the
decrees, having emanated from the Executive,
are void. And further, that this action can
not be based on the extraordinary powers
granted to the Executive, for these extraor
dinary powers referred only to matters con
nected with the Treasury Department, and in
issuing these decrees he was legislating in
matters connected with the Industry Depart
ment. For these reasons, the petroleum de
crees are alleged to be void.
"To prove that these allegations are false,
we will say that while it is true that the legis
lative powers are lodged in Congress, the issu
ance of circulars, regulations and decrees that
have for an object the enforcement of a law is
not a legislative act. In these cases it is merely
an administrative act, and it is the duty of the
Executive to perform it according to Section 1 ,
Article 89, of the Constitution. As the object
of the petroleum decrees is to regulate the man
ner in which concessionary rights are to be ex
ercised by all individuals to whom the Consti
tution grants these rights for the exploitation
of the subsoil of the nation, it follows, then ,
that in issuing these decrees, especially that of
August 8th, the Executive was fulfilling a duty
imposed upon him by the Constitution.
"The Executive used the extraordinary pow
ers vested in him only when he issued the de
cree of July 31st, and that was when he fixed
the taxes and royalties on the oil industry, but
since taxation is a part of the functions of th
Treasury Department, the Executive was with
MEXICAN REVIEW
in the limits of his extraordinary powers when
he determined the taxes and royalties.
"The above proves that the alleged extrinsic
illegality of these decrees is without foundation.
And if we now dwell on the intrinsic legality
of the decrees, it will be found that there is
less justification for the attacks to which these
decrees have been subjected.
"These decrees are no more harmful than the
Mining Code, for they are in fact, save a few
exceptions favorable to the oil interests created
by them, a repetition of Chapter 2 of the Min
ing Code, which no one has declared confisca
tory .
"It is an easy matter to show that some dis
positions of these decrees are very favorable
to the owners of the surface, and in that direc
tion they go as far as the Constitution would
allow. The decree of July 31st recognizes the
subsoil rights of the owners and concessionaries
who acquired these rights before the promulga
tion of the new Constitution, and is a link be
tween the past and the future which instead of
being detrimental is beneficial to the surface
owners ; if they refuse to make use of the door
thus opened to them, they can blame themselves
or the Constitution, but they have no right to
blame the decree that in their benefit went as
far as permitted by the obedience due to the
supreme law, which without any discriminations
whatsoever recognizes the direct domain of the
Nation over the subsoil.
"Article 14 of the above decree accentuates
the recognition of the owners' rights, and in
stead of being harmful to them it protects them
when it stipulates as a condition for their recog
nition that they must be probated. In this man
ner the owners are given a chance to record
their titles and they will be thus protected from
falling victims to the malice or ignorance of
former owners who were wont to transfer the
same property several times. By recording the
titles these reprehensible acts will not occur
again.
"As for the decrees of August 8th and 12th,
the only difference between them and the Min
ing Code is that Articles IV and VIII of the
first, and Articles I and V of the second, safe
guard not only the rights of the concessionaries ,
but also those of the investors of capital in the
exploration and exploitation of oil.
"From all this, it can be seen that so far
from being retroactive and harmful to acquired
rights, these decrees regulate the interests of
the surface owners in accordance with the con
stitutional principle, and it is for this reason,"
concluded Mr. Peña, "that I stated at the be
ginning that the war being waged against these
decrees is originated from the fact that they
are misunderstood."
The famous González ranch of over 1,000,000
acres, near Tampico, has been added to the
Doheny assets, through a long drilling lease,
so it is reported .
November, 1920
MEXICO SURPASSES ST . LOUIS.
Cleaner, Better Lighted and Better Pro
tected- So Says a Recent Visitor to That
City from Missouri
(St. Louis Star)
F YOUR conception of Mexico is a back-
IFward country where mountain fastnesses
are inhabited • by bandits and where leading
citizens live in adobe houses , it is wrong .
The only one in Mexico who cares about
fighting is Villa and he seems tired of his
job ; and as for living conditions, Mexico
City is far ahead of St. Louis in the things
in which St. Louis prides itself.
That is the message brought by R. P. Block,
export manager for the Shapleigh Hardware
Co., who has just returned from a thirty days"
trip to Mexico as a guest of the Chamber of
Commerce of Mexico City, of which W. F.
Saunders , of St. Louis, is secretary .
St. Louisans with Block were Jose Frey,
export manager for the Hamilton-Brown
Shoe Co. , and Charles J. Bittel, of the Meyer
Brothers Drug Co. One hundred and fifty
delegates from all parts of the United States
made the trip.
Mexico City, according to Block, is more
advanced than St. Louis in its police protec
tion, its cleanliness and its lighting system. In
fact, we do not know what thorough lighting
of all streets means, he says. The city has as
good hotels as the United States and at cheap
er rates. Block occupied an excellent room
with bath at $3 a day, and dined well at about
a third of the cost in the United States.
The stores he described as magnificent.
"We were impressed with the commercial
possibilities of the country, the cordial inter
est shown in American goods by Mexican
business men, and their desire to trade with
Americans on equal terms. The Mexicans
resent the fact that they are required usually
to make deposits before they can obtain goods
in this country. They do not want or need
credit, but they would appreciate the courtesy.
Three things are essential to harmonious
trading relations between Mexico and this
country, he said. They are prompt deliveries,
careful shipments, and the extension of credit.
The Mexicans claim there is a smaller per
centage of loss on their railroads than on the
roads of this country, Block asserted . He
found the roads in good condition, but in
need of rolling stock.
"There is a general awakening, a general
activity in the country, a willingness to get
away from German influence. As for the
political situation, there is a general impres
sion that Villa is tired of fighting and that
if he doesn't fight nobody else will.
"Carranza appears to have exercised a good
influence throughout the country. In the south
where the bandit Zapata was killed the farmJ
ers now are building permanent homes and
there is peace. In Torreon, Autwhich Villa would
like to make his capital, Carranza has built
two magnificent school houses."
Block said he was in Mexico City the day
a dispatch was published in this country that
1,000 children were starving to death there.
Such an assertion was ridiculous, he said .
Noviembre, 1920 LA
Los Decretos Del Petroleo
Los Dictados por el Sr. Carranza han Sido Mal Comprendidos Hasta Hoy
Son Justificados- La Campaña que se les ha Hecho en E. Unidos y en
A intensa campaña que tanto en México
como en los Estados Unidos se ha
Ľ hecho a los decretos expedidos por el
señor Carranza, sobre cuestiones petroleras,
tiene su origen, según el jefe del Departa
mento Jurídico de Industria y Comercio ,
licenciado de la Peña, en que han sido mal
.comprendidos.
"Tres son los decretos atacados," dice el
mismo abogado . "El de 31 de julio que crea
el impuestro y fija la regalía de la industria
del petróleo ; el de 8 de agosto que señala la
-tramitación y otorgamiento de títulos, y, por
último, las "bases" para concesiones petroleras
en zonas federales.
"El ataque de los decretos puede sintetizarse
-en la siguiente forma : Júzganse extrínseca e
intrínsecamente anticonstitutionales.
Extrín
secamente porque, se dice, fueron expedidos
sin facultades ; intrínsecamente porque vuelven
sobre el pasado, modificando derechos al im
poner a los superficiarios gravámenes contra
rios al derecho de propiedad que creen los
superficiarios tener sobre el subsuelo.
"Los cargos que se hacen a los decretos son
los siguientes :
"Se expidieron sin facultades porque todo
reglamento es ley ; toda ley emana del Legis
lativo y no puede el Ejecutivo legislar sin
reunir el doble carácter de Administrativo y
Ejecutivo, lo que es violatorio del artículo 49
constitucional ; por eso esos decretos, al
emanar del Ejecutivo, son nulos."
"No se puede disculpar ese vicio con las
facultades extraordinarias del Presidente,
porque las tenía sólo en el ramo de Hacienda
y es en el de Industría en el que legisló ; por
esa razón los decretos no dan validez a esos
decretos."
"Para demostrar el falso fundamento de esos
ataques diremos que es cierto que la facultad
legislativa radica en el Congreso , pero no es
igualmente cierto que sea acto legislativo la
expedición de circulares, reglamentos y órdenes
que tienen por fin hacer que una ley se cumpla,
en cuyo caso esas disposiciones tienen carácter
mera y solamente administrativo y es deber
del Presidente emitirlos por mandato del
artículo 89, de la Constitución. Ahora
bien, los decretos petroleros tienen por fin
reglamentar la forma de ejercitar el derecho
concesional que a todo individuo otorga la
Constitución para la explotación del subsuelo
de la República, por eso tales decretos, princi
palmente el de 8 de agosto, constituyen el
Ejercicio, el cumplimiento de un deber ad
ministrativo que al Presidente impone la
Constitución.
"En un solo caso en el decreto de 31 de julio,
el señor Presidente usó de las facultades
extraordinarias, y fué al fijar el impuesto y
regalía que deben causar esos industriales, más
como la fijación de impuestos es del Ramo de
Hacienda, usó las facultades extraordinarias
dentro de sus exactos límites, al señalar el
impuesto y fijar la regalía .
REVISTA MEXICANA
México, Carece de Base
"Con lo anterior queda demonstrado que el
vicio extrínseco que se imputa a los decretos,
no puede con justicia sostenerse.
"Si del estudio de la facultad se pasa al de
los componentes intrínsecos de los decretos ,
encontraremos la acusación, aún más injustifi
cada.
"Esos decretos no dañan más que el Código
de Minería, porque son en definitiva, salvas
excepciones favorables a los petroleros que
crean los decretos, una repetición abnegada del
Capítulo II de dicho Código , al cual nadie ha
juzgado atentatorio.
"Fácil es por el contrario demostrar que
consignan disposiciones muy favorables a los
superficiarios , y en ese camino van tan lejos
como se los permite la Constitución.
"Desde luego el decreto de 31 de julio en su
artículo 1o., al reconocer derechos en el sub
suelo a dueños y últimos cesionarios que
adquirieron esos derechos antes de la expedi
ción de la Constitución novísima, forma un
lazo de unión entre el pasado y el porvenir,
respetando esos derechos, más a virtud de una
concesión para no romper el universal precepto
de la ley fundamental , beneficia, pues y no
daña a los superficiarios ; y si ellos no quieren
trasponer la puerta que se les abre, cúlpense
a si mismos o a la Constitución , si acaso, pero
nunca al decreto que en beneficio suyo va tan
lejos como lo permite la obediencia que es
debida a la suprema ley que sin distingos
reconoce ser de la Nación el dominio directo
de esos bienes.
"El artículo 14 de ese decreto acentúa más
el reconocimiento , y si se impone como condi
ción un medio de prueba especial de su derecho
con la manifestación que exige, como condi
ción del reconocimiento del derecho, lejos de
dañar, beneficia a los antiguos poseedores
dándoles un medio eficaz de registro de justifi
car su mejor derecho y manera de evitar el
que sean víctimas de la malicia e ignorancia
de los terratenientes anteriores , que suelen
enajenar diversas veces la misma propiedad y
el registro evita prosperen esos actos repro
bados.
"Igualmente los decretos de 8 y 12 de agosto,
sólo se diferencian de la ley minera en que
el primero, en sus artículos del 4o . al 8o. y
en segundo del 1o. al 5o. procuran resguardar
los derechos no sólo de los concesionarios , sino
de los que hubieren empleado capital en la
exploración o explotación petrolera.
"De todo esto resulta comprobado que esos
decretos lejos de volver sobre el pasado para
atacar derechos adquiridos , se esfuerzan en
coonestar los intereses de los superficiarios con
el principio constitucional, por lo que he
afirmado al principio "-terminó el licenciado
de la Peña-"que la guerra que a esos decretos
se hace, depende de que han sido tan mal
comprendidos como severamente juzgados."
25
Seamos Justos Con Mexico
E DICE que el Secretario de Estado ,
SEColby, ha recomendado al Presidente que
extienda el reconocimiento formal del actual
Gobierno de México . Hay varias razones en
apoyo de esa recomendación .
El Presidente Provisional, de la Huerta, y
el Presidente - electo , el General Obregón ,
quien asumirá el poder el primero de diciem
bre, además de estar deseosos de mantener
la paz y la justicia en el pais, manifiestan sen
timientos de amistad por los Estados Unidos.
Los dos conocen intimamente a este país y a
sus habitantes , y saben que la mejor manera
de que prospere el pueblo mexicano es la de
mantener relaciones amistosas con su poderoso
vecino. Como el Presidente de la Huerta por
largo tiempo ha manifestado estos sentimien
tos hacia nosotros , el reconocimiento durante
su período provisional como primer magis
trado sería un tributo personal bien merecido.
Los informes oficiales y particulares con
cuerdan en la opinión de que el nuevo régi
men cuenta con el apoyo popular ; que está
cumpliendo con la promesa de gobernar liber
almente ; que la ley y el orden tienen la supre
macía sobre el bandidaje ; que las vidas y las
propiedades están siendo protegidas, y que la
estabilidad civil ha dado nuevas oportunidades
para el desenvolvimiento de las industrias.
Todo esto lo hubiera podido hacer Carranza si
no hubiera abrigado desconfianzas fatales
contra los extranjeros , y especialmente si no
hubiera rechazado tan obstinadamente las
ofertas amistosas del gobierno de Washing
ton.
Los hombres mejor aconsejados que hoy
gobiernan en México necesitan la confianza y
el comercio del mundo entero, a la vez que el
reconocimiento oficial de la familia de las
naciones. En vista de que la Gran Bretaña,
Francia, Italia, y el Japón están esperando
que nosotros demos el primer paso en ese
sentido , es de suma importancia que lo demos
pronto. Un Gobierno en México que cuente
con el apoyo moral de las grandes potencias ,
hasta cierto punto se verá asegurado contra
los ataques de los interses codiciosos que en
la actualidad están con ansia inusitada espe
rando su presa.-Del New York World.
Suecia Busca Petróleo Mexicano
A Secretaría de Comercio de Suecia ha
L anunciado que se han organizado dos
compañias para la compra y transportación
de petróleo mexicano, una con un capital de
8,000,000 de coronas y la otra con 1,500,000.
Es grande la demanda de petróleo para com
bustible en las fábricas de Suecia , por lo que
luego se consiguió el capital necesario para la
nueva empresa. Una de estas compañias ha
obtenido un vapor tanque de 14,000 toneladas
el cual hará el servicio regular entre Tampico
y los puertos de Suecia.
El Gobierno Federal está gastando 1,500
pesos semanales para la reconstrucción de la
estación de baños de Cuyutlan, Estado de
Colima, que fué destruida por el huracán, hace
algún tiempo .
26
Tales of Fabulous
That Has Been Extracted from the Rich Mines of Guanajuato
N early days adventurous men came all
the way from Europe, cross tempestuous
I oceans, enduring untold hardships, all
for the sake of trying their luck in Guana
juato's mines, and they succeeded, too , for they
made Spain the wealthiest nation of her time.
Guanajuato's mother-lode silver deposit has
made multi-millionaires by the score, for in
every instance its development has met with
success. The mines situated on this gigantic
vein were discovered and developed during the
sixteenth century, and although they have pro
0.000.000
VALENCIANA
$00.000-000
duced approximately one-half of the world's
MARAVILLAS
000
.000.000
1.000.000
total silver supply, the public never had an
opportunity to "get in on the ground floor," so
50.000.
to speak, on any undeveloped portion of this
TEPEYAC
MINE
MINE
-EL
MING
350
MINE
P
.$
.$
5
1
1
.
.
AMPARO
BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF GUANAJUATO
deposit, for it was developed by individuals
who were invariably crowned with extraordi
nary success.
Two hundred years after the discovery of
the mines at Guanajuato a Spaniard from Va
lencia cast his lot in this district. He became
interested in mining and procured a piece of
ground situated along the mother-lode deposit
some distance from the already working
mines, and at a place where the vein had been
neglected for the reason that on its surface
it neither showed pay ores nor the then
recognized indications of them. Because of
going to work at this place he was nicknamed
"El Tonto," the " Fool of Guanajuato." After
spending all of his own money he enlisted his
friends and relatives one after another. All
met the same fate and as history tells us, after
several years of perseverance, harassed by
trials and debts, he became impoverished and
desperate, and as a last resort robbed a burro
train loaded with sacks of sugar, the proceeds
of which he used to sink the last few feet,
attaining a vertical depth of around 600 feet
from surface, and there encountered silver
THE MEXICAN
Treasure
Nothing Equals It in the World
gold ores of great extent and richness, having
produced to date according to different au
thorities all the way from the amount of $350,
000,000 upon which amount it has paid to the
government production taxes, up to a thou
sand millions, as estimates of others. This
mine made this poor Spaniard-owner the rich
est individual in the world and transformed
him from a lowly citizen of that country to
the Count of Valenciana. It is most interest
ingly claimed by the people of Guanajuato,
that upon making his fortune this Spaniard
hunted until he found the men he had robbed
.$00.000.000
.$00.000.000
of the sugar train, and to their surprise re
turned them their burros, many in number,
ORVEHI
MELLADO
with their sacks not filled with sugar but with
CATA
SECHO
-MINE
MINE
MINE
EL
1
MINE
pure virgin silver, and thereupon erected a
handsome church at the mine to atone for
his evil deed, this edifice costing more than
$1,000,000.
The romance connected with the Rayas
mine nearby was quite as interesting. It pro
duced more than $300,000,000, and its owner
was made Marquis of Rayas. The great sil
ver mines situated on this mineral deposit at
Guanajuato, were the direct cause of Spain's
ascendency to the undeniable position of the
richest and most powerful nation in the world,
and was through her greed, perhaps, equally
the cause of her downfall.
There are naturally many stories of com
mon gossip today among the Mexicans of vast ord of having produced over $350,000,000 .
fortunes taken from Guanajuato's mines,
ample evidence being found in the numerous mine, situated adjoining the famous San Jose
beautiful residences of lucky owners, built de Gracia mine, in La Luz district, during
from proceeds from their mines, and many the early part of September,
handsome and costly churches and chapels" nel one of the rich veins of the district was
most richly constructed and endowed as thank
cut and shows a width of over five feet, av
offerings. At one of Mexico's churches, the
eraging around half a kilo silver with 25
railing and staircase to the altar alone, con
sists of 27½ tons of pure silver given as a
REVIEW November, 1920
thank offering from one of these great silver
mines at Guanajuato, and above the altar is
supported a life- size angel wearing a crown
of gold claimed to contain precious jewels
valued at several millions of dollars.
One by the name of Borda, extracted $16,
000,000 from the Canada mine and again in
1862 took $40,000,000 from another property.
After spending his entire fortune in riotous
living in Europe, he returned to Guanajuato
and tried it all over again, taking out in a
comparatively short time $20,000,000 more.
These mines at Guanajuato, situated on the
great mother-lode deposit, have made multi
millionaires by the score and at a day when
very rich individuals were anything but plenti
ful. They transformed the butcher and baker
and candlemaker from lowly walks in life to
positions of affluence and great wealth, caus
.$00.000.000
ing many to be knighted to the highest po
#0.000.000
sitions possible by the Spanish crown.
PASADENA
These mining districts situated in the very
00.000E.00
SIRENA
heart and center of Mexico's farthest ad
MINE
vanced civilization, must not be confused with
ELNT
-MINE
RAYAS
far outside districts, away from constituted
MO
authority as were our own territories in days
3
not long gone by. It is not the timid that suc
5
.
ceed in this world ; but those fearless men who
are able to see conditions as they actually
exist, and who have the initiative to act and
take advantage of them.
There are opportunities in Mexico today.
perhaps even greater opportunities than there
ever have been before, in silver mining, and in
the great camps, Guanajuato and Pachuca ,
in these great treasure-houses, are hidden
riches that will be shared in by those who do
not hesitate to avail themselves of legitimate
silver opportunities that present themselves.
Guanajuato Current News
CONSIDERABLE impetus seems to be
A taking place in the mining district of
Guanajuato, Mexico . The populace seem to
have a great deal more faith in the present
government than in any that they have had
since the days of Porfirio Diaz. Both native
and foreign inhabitants apparently firmly be
lieve that permanent peace has arrived and are
opening up their old properties, many of which
have been either shut down for years or
worked in a timid manner.
A great deal of development is going on,
both in mining and in building of new mills.
and the reconstruction of old ones. One mill
having a capacity of around 300 tons daily is
about completed in the outskirts of Guana
juato, in the La Luz district, and another mill
close by was completed but a couple of months.
past of 200 tons daily capacity. The San
Mathias milling plant has been quite thorough
ly rebuilt to care for the ores of the "Espe
ranza group," a short distance north of the
world famous "Valenciana," which has a rec
In development at the Ruby- Silver-Tunnel
in driving a tun
(Continued on page 28)
 Noviembre , 1920 LA
La Riqueza Mineral de Guanajuato
Las Riquezas Que Han Sido Extraídas de las Minas
ESPUÉS del descubrimiento de las
minas de Guanajuato, muchos hom
D bres aventureros y valerosos venían
desde Europa, cruzando los tempestuosos
mares y sufriendo infinitas penalidades , tan
solo por ver lo que la suerte les deparaba en
la rica región de Guanajuato. Y tuvieron
éxito, pues hicieron de España la nación más
rica del mundo. Los depósitos de
Los depósitos plata de
de plata de
Guanajuato han hecho veintenas de multimi
llonarios, pues se ha obtenido éxito donde
quiera que la veta madre ha sido trabajada.
Las minas que están situadas sobre esta
gigantesca veta fueron descubiertas y desa
rrolladas durante el siglo dieciseis, y aunque
han producido aproximadamente una mitad de
la plata total del mundo, el público nunca tuvo
la oportunidad de participar en primera línea
en el desarrollo de las minas de esa importante
región, pues estas fueron trabajadas por indi
viduos, los cuales invariablemente vieron sus
esfuerzos coronados con un éxito extraordi
nario .
Doscientos años después del descubrimiento
de las minas de Guanajuato, un español de
Valencia se instaló en este distrito . Desde
luego se interesó en la minería y se procuró
una faja de terreno a lo largo de la veta
madre, a alguna distancia de las minas que
ya estaban siendo trabajadas, y en un lugar
donde se había descuidado trabajar la veta
madre por la razón de que los metales no
salían a flor de tierra ni había los indicios
hasta entónces reconocidos de que los hubiera
debajo de la superficie. Cuando empezó el
español a trabajar en este lugar, se le puso
el sobrenombre de "El Tonto de Guanajuato."
Después de que hubo agotado todo su dinero ,
acudió a sus parientes y amistades, y todos
sufrieron la misma suerte. La historia nos
dice que después de varios años de perseve
rancia, y viéndose acosado por todas partes
por sus acreedores, empobrecido y desesperado,
como último recurso se robó un cargamento
de sacos de azúcar que llevaba un convoy de
burros ; vendió la azúcar y el producto lo
empleó en excavar unos cuantos pies que le
faltaban para alcanzar una profundidad de
seiscientos pies desde la superficie, a cuya
profundidad encontró metales de oro y plata
muy ricos y en gran extensión. Hasta la
fecha esa mina ha producido, según los cálcu
los de algunos peritos, $350,000,000 sobre cuya
cantidad ha pagado impuestos al Gobierno, y
según otros, ha producido mil millones de
pesos. Esta mina convirtió a aquel pobre
español en el hombre más rico del mundo, y
de un humilde súbdito español lo convirtió en
Conde de Valenciana. Las gentes de Guana
juato cuentan el interesante relato de que
cuando el español descubrió su fortuna, buscó
a los hombres a quienes les había robado los
burros, y para sorpresa de ellos, les devolvió
los burros y los sacos, pero estos en lugar de
llenarlos de azúcar, los llenó de plata vírgen ;
y además hizo construir una hermosa iglesia
al pie de la mina por el valor de más de un
REVISTA MEXICANA
de Guanajuato No Tienen Igual en el Mundo
millon de pesos, como expiación del acto que
había cometido.
El romance que se cuenta en conexión con
la Mina "Rayas" en la misma región, es
también muy interesante. Está mina produjo
más de $300,000,000, y el dueño fue hecho
Marqués de Rayas. La producción inmensa
de las minas de plata situadas en está rica
región de Guanajuato, fue la causa directa de
que España asumiera la innegable posición de
haber sido la nación más rica y poderosa del
mundo, y probablemente su codicia fué igual
mente la causa de su caída.
PASADERA MINE, GUANAJUATO
Naturalmente, los mexicanos cuentan
muchos relatos en conexión con las inmensas
riquezas extraídas de las minas de Guana
juato, de cuyos relatos aun existen pruebas
evidentes en forma de un gran número de
hermosas residencias de los afortunados
dueños, construídas con el producto de las
minas. Existen también magnificas y costosas
iglesias y capillas, ricamente construídas y
ofrecidas como un voto de gracias. En una
de las iglesias de México, los barandales y la
escalera que conduce al altar consisten de
veinticiete y media toneladas de plata pura
donada como una ofrenda de una de estas
ricas minas de Guanajuato, y sobre el altar
está un angel de tamaño natural cuya frente
está adornada con una corona de oro en la
cual se dice que están incrustadas joyas precio
sas por el valor de algunos millones de pesos.
Un hombre de apellido Borda extrajo
$16,000,000 de la mina "Canada," y en 1862
extrajo $ 40,000,000 de otra mina de su propie
dad. Después de haber malgastado todo su
dinero en Europa, regresó a Guanajuato y
volvió a extraer veinte millones más en un
tiempo comparativamente corto .
Estas minas, que están situadas sobre la
veta madre de Guanajuato, han producido
muchos millonarios, y esto en una época en
27
que los hombres ricos no eran muchos. El
carnicero, el panadero, y el velero, de hombres
de la clase baja eran transformados en hom
bres de inmensas riquezas y de gran influencia,
muchos de los cuales eran condecorados con
las ordenes de mayor categoría por la Corona
Española.
Está región minera, situada en el centro
de la civilización más avanzada de México, no
debe ser confundida con los distritos mineros
que están a gran distancia de los centros de
población y alejados de toda autoridad consti
tuida, como estaban nuestros mismos territo
rios aun no hace mucho tiempo . No son los
hombres tímidos los que obtienen buen éxito
en este mundo, sino aquellos hombres intrépi
dos que son capaces de ver las condiciones tal
como existen, y que tienen la suficiente energía
para obrar y aprovecharse de esas condiciones.
Existen hoy en día probablemente mayores
oportunidades de las que han existido antes
de ahora, en las minas de plata, en los grandes
campos mineros de Guanajuato y Pachuca.
En estas casas de tesoros, yacen escondidas
riquezas en las cuales participarán todos
aquellos que no vacilen en aprovecharse legíti
mamente de las oportunidades que presentan
los minerales de plata.
Noticias De Guanajuato
ARECE que se está dando un gran im
PAR pulso a los trabajos en la región minera
de Guanajuato. El pueblo parece tener más
confianza en el actual gobierno que la que han
tenido en los demás gobiernos desde la época
de Porfirio Diaz. Tanto los nativos como los
extranjeros tienen la firme creencia de que
ha llegado la paz permanente , y empiezan a
reanudar los trabajos en sus propiedades ,
muchas de las cuales habian permanecida.
cerradas por muchos años o se trabajaban con
cierta timidez.
Se nota un gran desarrollo tanto en las
minas como en la construcción de molinos
nuevos y en la reconstrucción de los viejos.
Un molino que tiene una capacidad de trecien
tas toneladas diarias está por ser terminado
(Sigue en la pagina 29)
28 THE
Mexican Progress Continues Unabated
Enco raging Statement of Conditions as Viewed
From an American Financial Standpoint
HE favorable turn of events in Mexico
since the recent change of government
in that cou
ntry continues more and
more evident. If any important element
among the Mexican people are dissatisfied
with their new administration they have so
far failed to show it, and the successful ef
forts of President de la Huerta to conciliate
the warring elements which formerly are al
ready beginning to show excellent results .
The elimination of Villa from the northern
part of Mexico means that the principal cause
for friction between Americans living in the
Southwest and Mexico has been removed.
Reports from the oil industry along the gulf
coast of Mexico and in the Tampico region
indicate that a working basis satisfactory to
all interests has been reached, and that the
development of this industry will henceforth
proceed at a much more rapid rate than was
possible under Carranza. A month ago some
uncertainty was felt regarding the progress
being made by the Mexican sanitary authori
ties in combating the bubonic plague at the
isolated spots in which it showed itself, but
later accounts have been of a more reassur
ing character.
The Journal of the American Chamber of
Commerce of Mexico, printed in Mexico City,
reports that many American business houses
which formerly did no business in Mexico are
establishing branches in that city and are pre
paring to make an intensive drive for Mexi
can business . The same source reports all
factories and mills operating at full capacity
and with a degree of labor unrest smaller than
in many years. The cotton industry in par
ticular is being operated at high pitch. Mexico
has about 130 cotton mills, of which about 85
per cent, calculated by output, are in or near
Mexico City. The staple used for manufac
turing is the home-grown product, the output
of which is increasing steadily in the rich
Laguna district and which is highly regarded
in textile circles because of its long fiber.
Mexican cotton mills are almost without
exception operated by water or electric power
and are equipped with the most modern ma
chinery, which was formerly bought in Eng
land, but of late has largely come from the
United States . It is said that the social im
provement inaugurated by French, English and
American cotton mill owners have been more
productive of better conditions among the
Mexican working class than has resulted from
any other single factor. The foreign owners
have brought skilled workers from outside to
instruct and supervise the native workers and
have insisted upon all their employes living
in more sanitary and healthful surroundings
than most of them had formerly been accus
tomed to. The comparatively high wages
earned by native Mexicans as mill workers
has also been an important factor in increas
ing the wages and well-being of Mexican
laborers in industries completely removed
from cotton.
MEXICAN REVIEW
The cotton manufacturing industry is easily
Mexico's leading industry. In the years from
1900 to 1912, Mr. E. T. Craig, a recognized
authority on the Mexican cotton industry, cal
culates that native mills consumed from 120,Ya
000 to 160,000 bales of cotton per year, while
production in the Laguna district during the
same period averaged 130,000 bales. This
year very favorable conditions have obtained
throughout the district in which most of the
cotton is grown and it is believed that fully
Of this
200,000 bales will be harvested.
amount it is believed that half will be used
at home and half exported, netting the grow
ers more than $50,000,000 in American money.
Cotton-growing methods in Mexico are gen
erally quite different from those used in the
United States, but there is no doubt in the
minds of cotton experts who have studied the
matter that in addition to the Laguna district,
where most of the present crop is being raised,
there are at least four other districts in Mex
ico where cotton cultivation on a very large
scale is feasible. With world cotton interests
seeking for additional sources of raw cotton
supplies, Mexico stands ready to contribute
an opportunity that may be found second only
to the cotton- raising section of the United
States. From The Americas, New York.
RICHES OF GUANAJUATO
(Continu d from page 26)
grams gold or approximately $35 U. S. cy.,
per ton, in gold and silver. The tunnel is
being continued night and day, expecting to
encounter other veins of considerable value.
The Pasadena mine, which was some time
since taken over by the Pasadena El Monte
Silver Mining Corporation, has been quite
thoroughly re-equipped and is being unwatered
with anticipations of being developed on a
rather large scale. The water is now down
below the first level at the 500- foot depth and
the superintendent, Cris Bartholomai, reports
that ores at this first level assay as high as
four kilos of silver-70 grams gold and 13
per cent lead, worth around $200 per ton . This
ore containing lead coming from a cross vein,
no other veins in this property containing any
lead whatever but being as is usual in the
Guanajuato district, composed only of silver
sulphides with gold.
Wrigley's is preparing to erect a large chew
ing gum plant in Mexico. There are already
ten or twelve plants of minor importance,
mostly.
The National Railways announce a 25 per
cent advance in freight rates, effective Septem
ber 1. Exceptions are made on certain branch
lines and also on fresh fruits, corn, flour, rice,
beans, brown sugar and beef cattle, hogs and
meat on the hoof intended for consumption.
November, 1920
American Automobile and Tractor
Salesroom in Chihuahua
HE first automobile and tractor
TH
Troom and agency to be established in
Chihuahua was opened in July by American
citizens. The company, which has the agency
for several popular makes of American auto
mobiles, has established a modern repair shop,
with American mechanics, a convenience very
much needed. A complete line of accessories
for all makes of automobiles and tractors will
be carried in stock. The demonstration of
American tractors to ranch owners in this
district is contemplated. According to Vice
Consul Aguirre, such demonstrations have al
ready been carried on with marked success
by the agricultural college at Ciudad Juarez,
which obtained the loan of a tractor from an
American firm . Catalogues and other trade
literature of automobile accessories and elec
trical machinery is desired.- Consular Reports.
Why Spanish Should
Be Studied
EW people ever stop long enough to con
F!sider the fact that on the entire western
hemisphere there are practically but two lan
guages spoken with any thing like generality
-the English and the Spanish. True, Portu
guese is spoken in some portions of South
America, but as it is a cousin germane or even
closer to Spanish, it is not considered in this
connection. But with this fact to be consid
ered, it would seem that Spanish should be
made a part of the curriculum in every high
school or college. Yet in how many is it
taught, and how many pupils take such a
course ? How much better to devote time and
effort to the acquisition of a "live" language
than to the useless ( from a practical stand
point) study of a dead one ?
Large Increase of Trade
O doubt you are always being asked
N° about the trade between the United
States and Mexico . Here are some handy figG
ures. You had better cut this out and put it
in your pocketbook or card case.
The trade between the United States and
Mexico is going far beyond $300,000,000 in
1920. In fact the trade between the two
countries for the twelve months, ending June
30, 1920, has already gone to $312,116,152.
During these twelve months the United States
bought from Mexico $ 168,330,626 worth of
goods, and sold to Mexico $ 143,785,526 worth
of goods.- American Chamber of Commerce
Journal.
The Sociedad Petrolifera Español has been
organized, 25,000,000 pesetas ( $5,000,000 ) , of
which it is said 55 per cent "corresponds" to
the Royal Shell and 45 per cent to Spanish
capitalists . The Spanish government has re
duced the import petroleum tax 50 per cent.
A special fleet of tankers is under construc
tion to ply between Mexican and Spanish
ports.
The new duty on exporting hides is as fol
lows : Wet, salted, 15 cents a kilo ; dry, 26 ;
goat skins, 40 ; kid, 20 ; deer, 30.
Noviembre, 1920 LA
Mexico Continua Progresando
Declaraciones Estimulantes Desde el Punto de
Vista Financiero Sobre la Situación Mexicana
L cambio favorable que se ha registrado
en México desde que asumió el poder
Ε el nuevo gobierno se hace más evidente
a cada paso. Si hay algunos elementos de
importancia 1 entre el pueblo mexicano que no
están satisfechos con la nueva administración ,
hasta ahora no lo han manifestado, y el Presi
dente De la Huerta sigue teniendo éxito en sus
esfuerzos por conciliar a todas las facciones
militantes que anteriormente mantenian en cons
tante peligro a las personas y propiedades. Los
resultados han sido excelentes. La eliminación
de Villa de la parte norte de México significa que
ha sido removida la causa principal que había
para que los americanos del suroeste (Texas y
Arizona) y México vivieran en constante estado
de fricción.
Los informes que nos llegan de la región
petrolera a lo largo de las costas del Golfo de
México y de la región de Tampico , indican que
se ha llegado a un arreglo aparentemente satis
factorio para todos los interesados en la industria
petrolera, y que el desenvolvimiento de esa
industria seguirá adelante con más rapidez que
lo que fue posible bajo la administración carran
cista. Hace un mes había cierta incertidum
bre con referencia al progreso que habían
tenido las autoridades Sanitarias de México en
combatir la peste bubónica en los lugares aislados
donde apareció, pero los informes recientes son
de un carácter halagador.
El " JOURNAL " de la Cámara de Comercio
Americana de México , publicación que se edita
en la Ciudad de México , informa que muchas
casas de comercio americanas que nunca habían
hecho comercio con México están ahora estable
ciendo sucursales en aquella ciudad y que están
preparándose para iniciar una intensa campaña
comercial en aquel país . La misma publicación
nos informa que todas las fábricas y molinos están
siendo trabajados a su mayor capacidad , y que
las dificultades obreras son ahora menores que lo
que fueron por mucho años . La industria
algodonera, especialmente, está ahora en su
máximum de producción. Existen en México
cerca de 130 fábricas de hilados y tejidos de
algodón, de las cuales, ochenta y cinco por ciento
de la producción total viene de las fábricas
situadas en la Ciudad de México y sus inmedia
ciones. El algodón que se beneficia en estas
fábricas es nativo , y su producción está aumen
tando rápidamente en la rica región Lagunera.
Este algodón es apreciado altamente en los
círculos algodoneros por la longitud de su fibra.
Las fábricas de hilados y tejidos de México ,
casi sin excepción , son operadas por medio de
electricidad o fuerza motriz del agua, y están
provistas de la maquinaria más moderna, la cual
anteriormente era importada de Inglaterra , pero
últimamente la mayor parte de esta maquinaria
es llevada de los Estados Unidos . Se dice que
la notable mejoría entre las * clases trabajadoras
de México , más que a ninguna otra cosa, se debe
a los sistemas de mejoramiento implantados por
los propietarios de las fábricas, que son franceses,
ingleses, y americanos . Los propietarios extran
jeros han llevado a México operarios hábiles y
expertos de fuera del país para que instruyan y
REVISTA MEXICANA
vigilen a los trabajadores nativos, y siempre han
insistido en que a sus trabajadores se les pro
porcionen viviendas mejores y más higiénicas que
las que habían tenido anteriormente. El jornal
que perciben los operarios de las fábricas de
hilados y tejidos, que es comparativamente
alto , es uno de los factores que han contribuído
también al alza de los jornales que perciben los
trabajadores en las demás industrias.
La industria algodonera es la principal indus
tria de México . El Sr. E. T. Craig, experto
reconocido en materias relacionadas con la
industria algodonera en México , dice que de
1900 a 1912 las fábricas de hilados y tejidos.
beneficiaron de 120,000 a 160,000 pacas de
algodón anualmente , y que la producción de la
región lagunera fue de 130,000 pacas de algodón,
anuales, durante el mismo período . En este año
las condiciones han sido muy favorables en esa
región y se cree que se cosecharán 200,000 pacas
de algodón . De esta cantidad, se cree que la
mitad será exportada al extranjero, y la otra
mitad será para consumo doméstico, como conse
cuencia de lo cual , los algodoneros obtendrán una
ganancia neta de más de $50,000,000, moneda
americana.
Los métodos que se usan en el cultivo del
algodón son muy distintos de los que prevalecen
en los Estados Unidos, pero según el decir de los
peritos algodoneros que han estudiado la materia ,
se cree que además de la región lagunera , donde
se cosechará la mayor parte del algodón en este
año, existen en México cuando menos cuatro
distritos más donde el cultivo del algodón es
practicable en grande escala.
Como los grandes intereses algodoneros del
mundo están ahora en busca de nuevas fuentes
para abastecerce de algodón crudo , México está
listo para ofrecer esas nuevas fuentes, las cuales
se encontrará que son tan importantes como las
regiones algodoneras de los Estados Unidos.—
Del The Americas, New York.
Un Inmenso Pozo de Petróleo
E han recibido informaciones de Tampico
SE:indicando que ha sido terminado re
cientemente un pozo en aquella región que ,
arroja diariamente más de ochenta mil ba
rriles de petróleo. Si se toma en cuenta que
en las otras regiones petroleras, en Estados
Unidos y en otras partes, los pozos que
producen de cien a doscientos barriles diarios
por medio de bombas, son considerados buena
propiedad , nos podemos formar una idea del
inmenso valor del pozo a que ahora nos refe
rimos. No tenemos a la mano las cifras
exactas , pero si la memoria nos es buena, la
producción de este pozo es mucho mayor que
la producción total de todos los pozos petro
líferos de California . Y, dicho sea de paso, es
interesante tomar nota de esto : se dice que
los geólogos aconsejaron que no se perforara
este pozo de ochenta mil barriles, porque era
probable que no diera resultado .
El nuevo ferrocarril que conecta el lago
Chapala con la linea central en Capilla ha sido
abierto formalmente .
29
Contribuciones Petroleras en
Texas .
A una buena idea de la forma en que se
Dolgabuascompañías petroleras a enterar
a
sus tributos al Gobierno, el informe que acaba de
ser lanzado a la publicidad por el Estado de
Texas, que muestra que el año próximo pasado
se obtuvo un ingreso de $2,215,118 de la sola
contribución sobre la producción bruta. Los
Ingresos de las contribuciones sobre el pe
tróleo en México por el año de 1918 fueron de
$5,560,000 en tanto que en 1919 el monto
ascendió a la proximidad de $10,000,000 . Todo
comentario sería superfluo.
RIQUEZA MINERAL DE
GUANAJUATO
(Sigue de la pagina 27)
en las inmediaciones de Guanajuato, en el
distrito de La Luz. Otro molino , cerca del
anterior, fue concluído hace dos meses, y tiene
una capacidad de doscientas toneladas diarias.
La planta de San Matías ha sido reconstruída
casi por completo para beneficiar los metales
de "La Esperanza," que está situada a una
corta distancia al norte de "La Valenciana ,"
de fama mundial, que ha producido más de
$350,000,000.
En las excavaciones que se están haciendo
en la mina "Ruby Silver," cerca de la famosa
mina de San José de Gracia, al abrir un túnel
fue descubierta una de las ricas vetas del
distrito que mide más de cinco pies de ancho ,
y produce como medio kilo de plata con veinti
cinco gramos de oro por tonelada, o aproxi
madamente treinta y cinco dólares. moneda
americana. El túnel está siendo excavado de
día y de noche, y se cree que encontrarán otras
vetas de considerable valor.
La mina Pasadena , que pasó a manos de la
"Pasadena-El Monte Silver Mining Corpora
tion," hace algún tiempo , fue equipada com
pletamente y está siendo desaguada con la
intención de reanudar los trabajos en grande
escala. El agua está ahora bajo el primer
nivel, a una profundidad de 500 pies, y el
superintendente, Cris Bartholomai, informa
que los metales en el primer nivel dan una ley
de cuatro kilos de plata, setenta gramos en
oro, y trece por ciento en plomo, o sea
alrededor de $200 por tonelada. Los metales.
que contienen plomo son extraidos de una veta
atravesada, y ninguna de las otras vetas en
esta propiedad contienen plomo, pues están
compuestas, como todas las vetas de esta
región de Guanajuato , de metal de plata y oro.
Entre los proyectos de ley que serán intro
ducidos en la presente sesión del Congreso de
México, se encuentra uno que trata del pre
supuesto para el año entrante, otro para el
establecimiento de puertos libres, y posible
mente sean introducidos algunos proyectos
relativos a los bancos.
La agencia financiera del Gobierno Mexicano
en El Paso sa ha clausurado . Hay ahora un
sólo agente financiero del Gobierno de México
en los Estados Unidos, en la Ciudad de New
York, el que tiene a su cargo todos los asuntos
financieros de los consulados .

30 THE
Titles to Oil Lands in Mexico
Mr. Joseph W. Guffey, President of a Large Company,
Gives Some Interesting Facts Regarding Them
R. JOSEPH W. GUFFEY, Presi
dent of the Agwi Oil Company, one
of the largest concerns operating in
Mexico, throws some interesting light on the
matter of titles to oil lands in Mexico in a
recent statement given by him to the press.
Mr. Guffey has already spoken plainly re
garding the oil situation in that country, em
phasizing the fact that his company and
others as well have no fault to find with the
laws of Mexico regarding oil matters, do not
regard the taxes levied as excessive (indeed,
he declares them to be much lower than in
other petroleum-producing portions of the
world) , and declaring the intention of the
concerns which he represents to abide by all
regulations of the government in this and
other respects .
In his latest statement, Mr. Guffey questions
the titles to properties supposed to be owned
by a group of companies in opposition to Ar
ticle 27.
"My opinion is that the main points now
at issue between the Mexican Government and
the Oil Producers' Association , Article 27, the
present exportation taxes, aceptance and com
pliance with Mexican laws, have always been
avoided and ignored by certain oil com
panies operating and producing in the Mexican
fields," he said.
"Small land owners, like the small land
owners of other countries, are especially care
less about probating inheritances, registering
titles and paying taxes. But carelessness in
small matters is one of the first things every
large company must cure, not only in Mexico,
but in every other oil country. The same
group of companies which in Mexico neg
lected securing or perfecting their titles are
scrupulous in their attention to these condi
tions in fields in all other countries.
"The group of associated companies have
an agreement among themselves to respect
the title claims of each other, regardless of the
law. The result of these conditions is that
on May 1 , 1917, when the new Constitution
of Mexico came into effect, there was not
more than 10 per cent of title claims in the
actual producing or potentially producting
areas of the Mexican fields which were legally
completely leased or owned, according to the
civil code, or the Mexican Constitution of
1857.
"It is difficult to believe that the large com
panies, with their extensive management and
organizations, could be careless, but the ofS
ficial records will substantiate these state
ments. The manner in which the group of as
sociated companies acquired their titles was
to accept the word of the tenant or possessor
of the property that he was the only owner or
sole universal heir of the original owner .
There was no regular examination of the
civil, public or judicial records until after the
entry of the Agui Company into the fields .
'One of several heirs frequently leased or
sold a tract with no authority except his imagi
MEXICAN REVIEW
nation. No abstract was prepared or ex
amined, and very few estates were probated .
When I began to operate in Mexico I spent
large amounts of money in preparation of ab
stracts , compilation of data from the pub
lic registers to locate the original owners, and
then purchased the rights of desirable tracts.
I purchased the rights of the owners accord
ing to the laws of 1857 and denounced the
land to the Government according to the
laws of 1917.
"The associated companies are now seek
ing to cover illegal and incomplete title claims
by attacks on the new petroleum law and the
Government. The nationalization policy of oil
lands followed by Carranza practically an
nulled the famous decree granting provisional
drilling permits, a decree that was promul
gated surreptitiously without fulfilling legal
requirements , as it was not viséd by the then
Minister of Industry and Commerce, Gen
eral Plutarco Calles. This decree is null, as
are all drilling permits granted under it.
"I think it would be just as expedient for
the Government to issue an official declaration
stopping all work under this decree . Unless
this is done, and present conditions continue,
the companies which do not accept or obey
the laws, or pay just taxes, will have an un
fair advantage over the obedient companies.
If Article 27 is annulled or materially
amended, as the associated companies wish,
all interests created under it, to the value of
many millions of dollars, will be destroped .
Derrogation or substitution of a new law will
produce retroactive effects, wherein enormous
interests created in good faith according to
the existing law, will be destroyed . The new
laws are not confiscatory or retroactive, but
are fair and equitable. They remove many
burdensome restrictions operating in this
country. From these laws the producer has
nothing to fear, but everything to gain.
"I do not approve the method of levying
export taxes on petroleum, and believe that
some other method could be found . Still,
the amount levied under the last regulation is
neither burdensome nor excessive. All the
oil companies now exporting can well afford
to pay."
Emphatic Disclaimers
of Loan Reports
HE persistent reports that the Mexican
TH government's representatives in foreign
countries are seeking to negotiate loans on be
half of that country have again called forth
most emphatic disclaimers by those who are
in a position to speak with authority. Secre
tary of the Treasury Alvarado, who has been
making a prolonged visit to the United States ,
has issued a positive denial that this is one of
the purposes of his prolonged stay in that
country. He declares that Mexico has the
funds necessary to meet its expenses from day
to day and that as new obligations arise it
will be able to meet them without negotiat
'
November, 1920
ing a foreign loan. Ambassador Covarrubias,
the Mexican diplomatic representative in
Great Britain, who had been reported as treat
ing with English capitalists for the negotia
tion of a loan of large amount, has, like Sec
retary Alvarado, issued a denial of the truth
of such reports. Many fantastic and almost
entirely imaginary statements have been pub
lished from time to time in this connection,
yet the fact remains that Mexico is going
quietly about her business, pays her expenses
as she goes, is rehabilitating her railway sys
tem from the earnings of that system, and → as
Secretary Alavarado so aptly says , will find
means to meet her obligations as they arise.
When the announcement was first made dur
ing the revolution, that if let alone Mexico
could finance herself, it was received with open
incredulity and skepticism. Yet that is exact
ly what Mexico has done and is doing. All
that is needed is time-just as is the case with
any solvent business which finds itself tem
porarily embarrassed by circumstances over
which it has no control.
Guaymas Drydock to Be Rebuilt
WING to the dilapidated condition of the
O drydock in the Bay of Guaymas , the
Ministry of Marine at Mexico City is consider
ing the construction of a new dock capable of
holding vessels up to 2,500 tons. It is pre
sumed that the plans and specifications may
be obtained from the department in charge.
American Consul Yost suggests that communi
cations be addressed to Commodore Jose de la
Llave, who is commanding the Mexican fleet
on the west coast, stationed at present at
Guaymas.
It is also reported that plans to complete
terminal works at Manzanillo have been ap
proved, and that 3,000,000 Mexican dollars are
involved. The work includes the installation
of a water system, construction of piers , and
leveling of hills. Communications should be
addressed T to the Minister of Public Works
and Communications .- Consular Reports.
The Debt of Mexico
HE National City Bank publishes a
Tstatement of the debts of the nations, and
the proportion of it owed by each man, wom
an and child of the country.
The per capita debt of the United States is
$225 ; that of France is $ 1,150 ; that of Great
Britain $850 ; that of Germany, exclusive of
the debt owned by the German states, $800 .
Mexico's per capita debt is the same as that
of Brazil, $34.
Valuable For
Educational Use
TTENTION is called to the value of
A₁₁THE REVIEW for educational purposes , e
not only as regards learning the facts about
Mexico, but as an aid in studying the Spanish
language. Many schools and colleges have
testified to this value and subscriptions from
these sources are constantly being received .
Special rates are given in such cases upon
application .

Noviembre, 1920 LA
Los Titulos Petroleros
Interesantes Datos Proporcionados Por el Sr. Joseph W. Guffey,
Presidente de Una Importante Compañía
R. Joseph W. Guffey, Presidente de
la " Agwi Oil Company," una de
MⓇlas más grandes compañías que están
operando en México , hace una aclaración
interesante sobre los títulos de los terrenos
petroleros en México , en un reciente relato dado
por él a la prensa . Mr. Guffey se había ya
expresado claramente acercas de la situación
del petroleo enese país, haciendo hincapié sobre
el hecho de que su compañía, como también
otras, no tienen ninguna queja contra las leyes
de México con respecto al petróleo, y no creen
que los impuestos sean excesivos (declara en
verdad que son más bajos que en muchas otras
partes del mundo que producen petróleo) y dice
que es la intención de los intereses que repre
senta el cumplir con todas las disposiciones que
el Gobierno imponga sobre esta industria .
En su última declaración el Sr. Guffey pone
en duda los títulos de las propiedades que se
cree pertenecen a un grupo de compañías
opuestas al Artículo 27.
" la construcción de oleoductos .
' Mi opinion es que los puntos principales
que ahora se discuten entre el Gobierno Mexicano
y la Asociación de Productor es de Petróleo
el artículo 27 , la exportación actual, los impues
tos, la acceptación y cumplimiento de las leyes
mexicanas , siempre han sido evadidos e ignorados
por ciertas compañias petroleras que estan
operando y produciendo en los terrenos mexica
nos, " dijo Mr. Guffey.
"Los propietarios de terrenos pequeños, como
los propietarios de terrenos pequeños en otros
países, no han tenido cuidado de patentizar sus
propiedades, registrar sus, titulos y pagar los
impuestos. Los descuidos en estas pequeñeces
es una de las primeras cosas que las grandes
compañías debían remediar, no solamente en
México, sino en cualqiner otro país productor de
petróleo. El mismo grupo de compañías que en
México se olvidó de asegurar o perfeccionar sus
títulos manifiesta una escrupulosa atención a
estas condiciones en otros países .
"El grupo de compañias asociadas tienen un
convenio entre sí para respetar los fundos de
cada una sin necesidad de la ley. El resultado
de estas condiciones es que en Mayo 1 de 1917,
cuando la nueva Constitución de México se
puso en vigor, no había más de 10 por ciento de
los fundos en la región petrólera legalizados, ya
bajo arrendamiento o de propiedad directa, de
acuerdo con el código civil, o la Constitución
Mexicana de 1857.
" Es muy difícil creer que las compañías
grandes, con sus extensas administraciones y
organizaciones pudieran ser negligentes, pero los
registros oficiales establecerán esto . La manera
como las compañias asociadas adquirieron sus
títulos fué el de aceptar la palabra del arrenda
tario o poseedor de la propiedad de que él era
el único y solo heredero del dueño original. No
hubo examinación regular de los registros
civiles , publicos o judiciales hasta después de la
entrada de la ' Agwi Company A ' en la región
petrolera.
"Frecuentemente, uno de varios herederos
arrendaba o vendía vastos terrenos sin autoridad
REVISTA MEXICANA
en Mexico
ninguna , excepto la de su imaginación . Ningun
titulo era preparado o examinado, y muy pocas
propiedades fueron examinadas. Cuando co
menzé a trabajar en México gasté grandes canti
dades de dinero en la preparación de documentos,
compilación de datos de los registros publicos
para encontrar los propietarios originales, y
entónces compré los titulos de terrenos deseables.
Compré los derechos de los propietarios de
acuerdo con las leyes de 1857 y denuncié los
terrenos al Gobierno de acuerdo con las leyes
de 1917.
"Las compañías asociadas están tratando
ahora de ocultar los títulos ilegales e incompletos
por medio de ataques a la nueva ley del petróleo
y al Gobierno. La política de nacionalización de
los terrenos petrolíferos seguida por Carranza
anuló prácticamente el famoso decreto que
otorgaba permisos provisionales para perforar
pozos , decreto que fue promulgado fraudulenta
mente sin llenar los requisitos legales, y, sin ser
refrendado por el entónces Ministro de Industria
y Comercio, el General Plutárco Calles. Este
decreto es nulo , así como todos los permisos para
perforar concedidos bajo el .
"Yo creo que sería justo y conveniente para
el Gobierno publicar una declaración oficial
suspendiendo todo trabajo bajo este decreto.
A menos que ésto no se haga, y las condiciones
actuales continúen, las compañias que no
aceptan, ni obedecen las leyes, ni pagan im
puestos justos, tendrán una ventaja injusta
sobre las compañías obedientes . Si el Articulo
27 se anula o se enmienda, como las compañías
asociadas desean , todos los intereses creados
bajo él, por valor de muchos millones de pesos ,
serán destruídos . La derogación o substitución
de una nueva ley producirá efectos retroactivos
y los grandes intereses creados de buena fe
conforme a la ley actual seran destruidos . Las
nuevas leyes no son confiscatorias o retroactivas,
sino que son justas y equitativas . Ellas des
truyen muchas restricciones pesadas que
existían en este país. De estas leyes el productor
no tiene nada que temer y sí todo que ganar.
"Yo no apruebo el método de exigir impuestos
sobre la exportación de petróleo, y creo que se
podrían encontrar otros metodos. Y aun así, los
impuestos exigidos bajo la última reglamentación
no son pesados ni excesivos . Todas las com
pañías petroleras que exportan petróleo ahora
pueden muy bien pagar el impuesto .
La Deuda de México
L "National City Bank" ha publicado un
E informe de las deudas de las diferentes
naciones, y la proporción que corresponde por
cada hombre, mujer y niño del respectivo país.
La deuda de los Estados Unidos, per capita,
es de $225 ; la de Francia , $ 1,150 ; la de la
Gran Bretaña, $850 ; la de Alemania, sin
incluir la deuda de las provincias , $800 ; la
deuda de México, per capita, es igual que la
de Brazil, $34.
7
31
Se Proyectan Grandes Desarrollos
TRA indicación de la fe que tienen en
O las oportunidades y amistad de México
los que invierten capitales, es el anuncio
reciente de que la "Atlantic, Gulf and West
Indies Steamship Company," compañía que
está construyendo un oleoducto de La Havre
a Paris, Francia, se propone invertir de
$50,000,000 a $60,000,00 en el desarrollo de sus
propiedades petrolíferas, principalmente en
México .
Más de la mitad de esta cantidad, o como
$35,000,000, será empleada en la compra de
tanques para la transportación de petróleo
mexicano. Ya está bajo construcción una
flotilla de catorce vapores tanques. Se dice
que la compañía tiene disponibles en la actuali
dad como $50,000,000 para los fines ya
expresados. Durante la guerra esta compañía
alcanzó grandes utilidades y aumentó conside
rablemente su fondo de reserva, por lo que
no se hará necesario para la compañía hacer
nuevas transacciones financieras en conexión
con los grandes gastos que tiene proyectado
hacer.
La compañía proyecta emplear como $10,
000,000 para el desarrollo de sus propiedades
en México y de $8,000,000 a $10,000,000 para
La mayor
parte de los gastos que origine la obra que
se esta haciendo en Francia, incluyendo la
construcción de refinerías y depósitos , aparte
del oleoducto, será hecha por esta compañia .
También empleará como $2,000,000 en el
desarrollo de las propiedades que adquirió
recientemente en Inglaterra, en cuya conexión
se ha formado la "Agwi Petroleum Cor
poration , Limited," con un capital 1,000,000
de libras esterlinas, correspondiendo 65 por
ciento de las acciones a la "Atlantic,
Gulf and West Indies Company." En South
ampton, Inglaterra, la nueva compañía ad
quirió 466 acres de terreno sobre cuya propie
dad será construida la primera planta.
Los trabajos de desarrollo en sus propie
dades en México se están llevando a cabo en
grande escala.
Nuevo Servicio de Vapores
en México
L Gobierno Mexicano acaba de autorizar
E el empleo de dos transportes para servicio
de fletes y pasajeros a lo largo de la costa
entre Veracruz, Puerto México, Progreso , y
Xcala en Quintana Roo. Esto se hace para
estar en más íntimo contacto con los puertos
surianos de México . Se proyecta que un
vapor salga cada dos semanas de Veracruz y
Xcala, que son las dos terminaciones de la
proyectada línea, a los cuales se agregarán
otros vapores para el servicio comercial, según
se vayan necesitando ; se cobrarán las tarifas
comerciales que prevalecen ahora. Durante
los últimos años ΠΟ ha habido vías de
transportación adecuadas para la exportación
de goma, café, y henequén .
Se ha instalado un servicio de tren rápido
entre la Ciudad de México y Manzanillo. El
tiempo que se requiere para el trayecto es de
24 horas.
32 THE
Mexican Byways and Highways
Interesting Scenes and Experiences Away From the
BY GEO . F. WEEKS
CHAPTER XI
Down the West Coast to Tepic
T IS a day's ride by rail from Culiacan to
Mazatlan, and more than two days by
I mule. On the occasion of my taking this
journey (which was considerably later than
the one just described ) , being somewhat weary
of long-continued saddle-work, I sent the
mozo (this time he was a type of what a mozo
should be ) , by the old Camino Real with the
pack mules and camp outfit, while I took the
train. I had visited this historic and important iness are almost entirely monopolized by them,
old seaport some thirty years previous while
on a voyage up the coast from Panama to
San Francisco, and if the place had materially
changed in appearance in all that time it was
not obtrusively prominent. The town looked
exactly the same ; not more than a few months
might have passed between visits, so far as
that was concerned, and I went directly to the
same hotel where I had been accommodated
so many years previously. There was little or
no alteration in any direction.
The advent of the railroad from the north
had not affected the appearance of the town,
for it did not penetrate the old city, halting
on the outskirts two or three miles distant and tween here and Japan, via California ports .
entirely out of view of the main center. The
sight of the place brought vividly to mind a
comical experience of my former visit. Four
of us had landed from the steamer, which then
as now was obliged to lie some distance out
side and carry on all freight and passenger
business by means of lighters and small boats.
After wandering about for some time, the
wharf being at a considerable distance from
the business center, we concluded to go to a
hotel for some refreshment, but had no idea
in what direction to proceed . Seeing a darkA
complexioned and to us foreign- looking gen
tleman approaching, and naturally fancying
that he was a native, we halted and one of
the party in his very best (university ) Spanish
asked to be directed to a hostelry. The only
answer was a blank stare, coupled with a
slight shake of the head. Another of the party
then addressed him in a like variety of
French, only to meet a similar lack of response.
Still another then tried him in German, but
still without success . The stranger seemed a
bit embarrassed, but finally found speech.
"Excuse me," he said, "but I am very sorry.
The only language I speak is English !"
Right then and there we all unanimously
gave up the effort to display our lingual ac
complishments and concluded to stick to good
old United States until at least we had tested town . Mining operations have been carried
it upon strangers.
The most beautiful feature of Mazatlan is that many buildings have been affected and
the picturesque drive along the water line, con even the great church on the hill threatens to
structed by foreigners and donated to the city.
It is a magnificent sweep of cliff, beach and
surf, and is the favorite resort for the cus
tomary drive just before sunset. The entire
population, or at least that portion which can
command a wheeled vehicle or a saddle animal
MEXICAN REVIEW
Usual Paths of Travelers and Writers
of any kind, turns out and the scene is inter
esting and lively. The harbor is picturesque
in the extreme, with its rocky islets , palm trees
and other tropical verdure.
There are many cigar, clothing, shoe and
other manufactories here. Indeed, this is the
manufacturing center of the West Coast and
the variety and extent of product is large. A
notable feature, as in all the West Coast cities,
is the large number of Chinese engaged in
trade of various branches. Many lines of bus
to such an extent that they are somewhat un
popular among the natives, taking second rank
to the Spaniards in this respect . There is also
a goodly representation of Japanese in this
portion of the Republic, but they keep them
selves in the background more than do their
fellow-Mongolians, being largely engaged in
fishing and other occupations that are carried
on far from the centers of population.
Ambitious and much-needed port works are
projected here, and it is promised are soon to
be undertaken. The commerce of the city is
quite extensive, there being one line of steam
ers of Japanese ownership which operates be
If the traveler be in no haste, it is well to
halt for a day or two at Rosario, a very old
town about three hours by rail south of Mazat
lan. For some not at all apparent reason the
line was established at a distance of three or
four miles from the town, which must be
reached over a "road" (by courtesy purely) a
foot deep in fine flour-like dust, filled with
rocks and stumps, through and over which the
drivers race their coaches at the top of the
speed of their rat-like mules and with no re
gard whatever for the comfort or even safety
of their passengers. At this place, by the way,
I abandoned railway travel and again took to
the hurricane deck of my mule. Poor animal,
I can still see the reproachful look that it used
to cast at me as it turned its head and watched
me get into the saddle, and the deep groan
with which it protested when my 200 and plus
pounds of weight settled firmly into the seat !
Rosario is one of the most noted mining
towns of the West Coast, though the exact
date of its foundation was not agreed upon by
those whom I consulted . But in the outskirts
of the old Campo Santo, with a very ornate
stone entrance, over the gateway of which is
a coat-of-arms and a carved inscription "1630. ”
It is thus evident that a fair degree of age
may safely be ascribed to this interesting old
on directly beneath the place, to such an extent
fall at any time.
The Rosario river, having its source away
in the rugged mountains of the State of DuJuly
rango, about the old mining town of Pueblo
Nuevo, passes through and waters a very
fertile region, where much remunerative farm
November, 1920
ing is carried on, but which is susceptible of a
hundred fold greater development. Although
it was in the early part of March when I
visited this region, I found corn in all stages
of growth, from the just sprouting plants two
or three inches in height to that which was
being gathered for threshing. In one field it
had reached the tasseling stage, in another the
ears were beginning to form, in another they
were half grown, in another they were in the
"roasting" stage, and in yet another they were
ripe for gathering. There is no cessation of
growth in the year around, if it be desired. As
soon as one crop is harvested another may
be planted, and a good harvest is certain to
follow, particularly when irrigation is prac
ticed, although the abundant water supply is
not utilized to one-tenth the extent that it
might be.
The next stage of our journey brought us
to Acaponeta, on the banks of the river of the
same name. Here my business errand required
quite a lengthy halt, as we made this place the
center for excursions into the surrounding
region, both to the coast and also into the
recesses of the mountains . And here we also
learned some interesting things about certain
mountain tribes which are said never to have
been conquered, but still maintain their tribal
integrity, and what is better yet, as well as
more remarkable, the integrity of their tribal
lands. By now we have crossed the boundary
line from the State of Sinaloa into the Ter
ritory of Tepic, since changed to the State
of Nayarit.
It was in this region that those famous ban
dits, Heraclio Bernal and Lozado, better
known as "El Tigre de Alica," or The Tigger
of Alica, once held sway, and the people are
still fond of telling their exploits, indeed have
created a halo of romance about their blood
thirsty persons almost equal to that which has
been built up about their latter day imitator,
Villa, though with perhaps more real founda
tion. There were no publicity agents in the
days of Bernal and Lozado, and their real
deeds were their only spokesmen. I had the
good fortune in Tepic to make the acquaintance
of Governor Mariano Ruiz, a contemporary
of Juarez and close adherent of Diaz, who
was sent here after the elevation to power of
Don Porfirio, to suppress banditry and make
the country safe for travelers and all others.
as well. Don Mariano began his military
service at the age of eleven and when he was
fourteen had already reached the rank of ser
geant. He fought through the troubles of the
fifties, through the French intervention, and
when triumph was achieved he was elevated
to the rank of General. Sent to Tepic to re
store order, he did it ! And it was his proud
boast to me- not made proudly or with an air
of conceit- that never under his domination
had any foreigner ever been molested in his
Territory. One thing is sure, he made a clean
sweep of bandits.
A very interesting excursion from Acapo
neta is one due east into the foothills of the
Sierra Madre, passing several hamlets and
concluding at the American-owned mine of
Cucharas-the Spoons , though why spoons no
one explained. The camp is on a high bank
above the Acaponeta river, and just above the
 LA
Noviembre, 1920
Por Caminos y Veredas de Mexico
Escenas y Aventuras en Caminos y Parajes Poco
POR GEO . F. WEEKS
CAPITULA XI.
Por La Costa Occidental Hasta Tepic
E hace un día por ferrocarril desde Culiacán
hasta Mazatlán y más de dos en mula.
S La vez que emprendí este viaje (que
fue mucho tiempo después del que acabo de des
críbir) hallándome un poco cansado de la conti
nua permanencia en la silla , envié al mozo (que
en esta ocasión era el prototipo de lo que debe ser
un mozo) por el viejo camino real, con las mulas
de carga y el equipaje, en tanto que yo tomé el
tren. Había visitado este histórico e importante
puerto de mar unos treinta años antes, en un
viaje que hize a lo largo de la costa desde Panamá
hasta San Francisco , y si el lugar había cambiado
materialmente en apariencia en ese tiempo , el
cambio no era excesivo. La población tenía
exactamente el mismo aspecto ; podía creerse que
habrían pasado tan sólo unos cuantos meses
entre una y otra de mis visitas. Fulme directa
mente al mismo hotel donde me había hespedado
tantos años atrás. Encontré muy pocos cambios
en todo, si es que los noté.
La llegada del ferrocarril del norte no había
afectado el aspecto de la ciudad , pues no había
llegado la línea hasta la antigua población , ha
biéndose detenido en las inmediaciones, a una
distancia de unas dos o tres millas y quedando la
estación invisible desde el centro principal. La
vista de la plaza trajo a mi memoria vívidamente
una experiencia cómica de mi visita anterior.
Cuatro de los que hacíamos el viaje desembar
camos del vapor, que entonces, como ahora,
debia permanecer a cierta distancia fuera del
puerto, transportando a los pasajeros y la carga
por medio de lanchas y embarcaciones ligeras.
Después de vagar durante algún tiempo y como
el muelle encontrábase a considerable distancia
del centro de actividad, concluímos por ir al
hotel para tomar algún refresco, más no tenía
mos idea de la dirección en que debíamos echar a
andar. Viendo acercarse a un individuo de
tez morena y de fisonomia extraña a nosotros
nos detuvimos, pensando que sería un
nativo . Uno de nuestro grupo, en su mejor
español (aprendido en la Universidad) pidióle
que nos encaminara a una hostería. La única
respuesta que obtuvo fue una mirada vacía de
sentido, junto con un ligero movimiento de
cabeza . Otro del grupo dirigióse entonces a él
hablándole en el mismo género universitario de
francés , sólo para encontrarse con una respuesta
similar. Todavía trató de hacerse entender en
alemán, pero sin éxito . El extranjero parecía
estar un poco embarazado ; finalmente pudo
hablar. " Excusadme, " dijo , " pero estoy muy
apenado. El único idioma que hablo es el
inglés ! "
Inmediatamente todos abjuramos de nuestros
esfuerzos en hacer gala de nuestros conoci
mientos linguisticos y concluímos por adherirnos
al viejo idioma de los Estados Unidos cuando
menos hasta que lo hubiésemos ensayado con los
extranjeros .
El aspecto más hermoso de Mazatlán está
constituído por el pintoresco paseo que existe a
lo largo de la costa, paseo que fue construído por
los extranjeros y cedido a la población . Es una
REVISTA MEXICANA
Frecuentados por Viajeros y Escritores
magnífica calzada de riscos , playa y marejada, y
es el centro favorito de la población para tomar
el acostumbrado paseo poco antes de que se
oculte el sol. Toda la población , o a lo menos la
parte de ella que puede disponer de un vehículo
o animal de silla, sale de la ciudad para ir al paseo,
cuyo aspecto es animado e interesante. La bahía
es en extremo pintoresca con sus isletas rocosas,
sus palmas y demás verdura tropical.
Hay en la ciudad muchas factorías de cigarros ,
ropa, calzado . Ciertamente que es el centro
manufacturero de la Costa Occidental, siendo
enorme la variedad y extensión de sus productos.
Uno de sus aspectos notables, como es el caso en
todas las ciudades de la Costa Occidental,
consiste en el gran número de chinos que se
encuentran en ella dedicados a diversos ramos de*
negocios. Monopolizan muchos de ellos hasta
el punto de que son un tanto cuanto impopulares
entre los nativos, y ocupan a ese respecto, es
decir, en lo tocante a impopularidad , el primer
lugar después de los españoles . También existe
una buena representación de japoneses en esta
parte de la República, pero estos sujetos se
mantienen en segundo lugar ocultándose mejor
que sus hermanos mongoles, y se dedican en
gran escala a la pesca y a otras ocupaciones que
tienen su centro de actividad lejos de los lugares
poblados . Be
1 Están en proyecto aquí grandes trabajos de
puertos, que son muy necesitados y que revelan
una gran ambición . Se promete que se em
prenderán dentro de3 un ‫ܕܫܕ‬corto plazo. El comercio
de la ciudad es extenso y existe una línea de
vapores de propiedad japonesa que funciona
entre este puerto y el Japón , via California.
Si no tiene prisa el viajero haría bien en dete
nerse uno o dos días en Rosario, una población
bien antigua que se encuentra a unas tres horas
de ferrocarril al sur de Mazatlán . Por una
razón no muy aparente, establecióse la línea a
una distancia de tres o cuatro millas de la
población a la que debe llegarse por un " camino
(se le llama así por cortesía puramente) , con un
pie de una arena fina, lleno de rocas y cepas,
sobre las cuales llevan los conductores sus
vehículos a toda la velocidad que pueden desarro
llar las mulas de sus coches, animales parecidos
a ratas, sin miramiento alguno por la comodidad
y seguridad de los viajeros. Debo decir, - entre
paréntesis, que en este lugar abandoné el ferro
carril para volver a montar en el movible lomo
de mi mula. Pobre animal. Aun puedo ver la
mirada plena de reproche que acostumbraba
dirigirme, cuando volviendo la cabeza me miraba
trepar a la silla , y el profundo gruñido con que
protestaba cuando mi peso de doscientas libras
o más se asentaba en el asiento !
Rosario V es una de las poblaciones mineras
más notables de la Costa Occidental, aunque las
personas a quienes consulté no hubieran podido
ponerse de acuerdo respecto a la fecha de su
fundación. En las afueras, encuéntrase el viejo
Campo Santo, con una entrada de piedra pro
fusamente adornada sobre la cual existe un
escudo de armas con esta inscripción tallada
" 1630. " Es pues evidente que se puede adju
dicar a la vieja e interesante ciudad un buen
33
número de años. Se han llevado a cabo bajo la
población trabajos mineros a tal grado de
intensidad que muchos edificios se han visto
afectados por ellos y que aun la enorme iglesia
del lugar amenaza con desplomarse de un
momento a otro.
El río de Rosario, que tiene su fuente a gran
distancia, en las ásperas montañas del Estado de
Durango cerca de la vieja ciudad minera de
Pueblo Nuevo, recorre la zona y riega una región
muy fértil, donde se llevan a cabo cultivos
beneficiosos, pero que, sin embargo, es susceptible
de una explotación cien veces más intensa.
Aunque nos encontrábamos a principios de
marzo cuando visité esta región, encontré en el
campo maíz en todos los períodos del desarrollo ,
desde las plantitas recién nacidas, que tendrían
dos o tres pulgadas de alto hasta aquellas cuyas
mazorcas se estaban recogiendo para desgra
narlas. En un campo el maíz había alcanzado
el estado en que empieza a brotar la inflorecen
cia, en otro comenzaban a formarse los elotes ,
en otro, estaban a medio crecimiento , en otro
encontrábanse en un período cercano a la madu
rez y en otro estaban listos para la cosecha .
No cesa la producción en todo el año , si así se
desea. Tan pronto como se levanta una cosecha
puede sembrarse de nuevo , teniendo la seguridad
de obtener un buen producto de ella , particular
mente si se practica la irrigación , por más que la
abundante provisión de agua que existe no se
aprovecha ni en una décima parte de lo que se
podría.
La fase siguiente de nuestro viaje llevónos a
Acaponeta, que está asentada en las márgenes
del rio del mismo nombre . Como mi negocio me
exigía una estancia prolongada en este lugar ,
hicimos de él el centro para emprender nume
rosas excursiones tanto a la costa como a las
estribaciones de las montañas. Aquí supimos
cosas por demás interesantes acerca de ciertas
tribus de las montañas que se dice no han sido
conquistadas nunca , sino que conservan su
integridad de tribus, y lo que es aun mejor y más
notable, la integridad de sus tierras. Para
entonces habíamos cruzado la línea fronteriza
del Estado de Sinaloa e internádonos en el
Territorio de Tepic, que se ha trocado ahora en
el Estado de Nayarit .
Fue en esta región donde se sostuvieron los
famosos bandidos Heraclio Bernal y Lozada ,
mejor conocido bajo el nombre de " El Tigre de
Alica ." La gente de los contornos aun gusta de
relatar sus aventuras, y sin duda que ha creado
una atmósfera de novela en torno de estos indi
viduos sedientos de sangre , atmósfera casi igual
a la que se ha formado en torno de su último
imitador, Villa, aunque quizás con mejor funda
mento. En los días de Bernal y Lozada no
había agentes de publicidad , de suerte que sus
hechos fueron lo único que los dió a conocer .
Tuve en Tepic, la buena fortuna de conocer al
Gobernador Mariano Ruiz , contemporáneo de
Juárez y leal adherente de Díaz, quien , inmedia
tamente después de la exaltación de ese jefe fue
enviado a Tepic para suprimir el bandidaje y
convertir la zona en un lugar seguro de tránsito
para viajeros y otros. Don Mariano comenzó
su carrera militar a la edad de once años , ha
biendo alcanzado el grado de sargento a los
catorce. Luchó en la revolución de 1857 , en la
intervención francesa, y cuando se alcanzó el
triunfo , fue promovido al grado de general .
Enviado a Tepic a restablecer el orden , cumplió
 34 THE
mine about half a mile is a sharp elbow in the
• stream with a rocky promontory at whose
base the river flows. We were
were told not
to venture beyond that point , as the
Indians dominating the region to the east
never permitted anyone to pass farther up the
stream . Justly enough, they had a very stren
uous and ever-present fear of losing their
lands, the experience of other Indian tribes
having led them to believe that covetous eyes
were cast upon their holdings and that the
only manner in which to retain possession was
to absolutely prevent any outsider from so
much as even setting foot in their territory.
A party of government surveyors once upon
a time worked their way from the east and
began delineating the boundaries between the
States of Durango, Zacatecas, Jalisco and the
Territory of Tepic, but as soon as the free
and independent Huichole Indians detected
their presence they drove them out, tore down
the monuments that they had erected, pulled
up and burned the stakes that had been driven,
and warned the engineers and their assistants
never to return . And I was told in Tepic
that they never had returned and that the
lines in question never had been delineated, at
least through the lands of the Indiais. At
the same time these aborigines have friends on
the outside in whom they place implicit trust
(one such being an American of long resi
dence ) , and if assurance be given by them
that an intending visitor has no idea whatever
of seeking to deprive them of their rightful
ancestral property, but only desires to visit,
make friends with and study a very interesting
and curious people, he will be welcomed and
entertained most hospitably. But woe to the
"land-grabber," and a man with a "transit"
well, it would better be a machine gun !
Once upon a time the Diaz government .
granted to others all the unsurveyed lands in
this and other portions of the West Coast. A
foreigner secured one of these graits , and
sent word to the Indian possesor that he had
done this and that the lands now belonged to
him . The chief of the tribe replied :
"You say our lands now belong to you.
Good! If they belong to you, come and take
them !"
But there was something so menacing in
the laconic message that the putative owner
never tried to take possession. There was one
foreigner who tried something of the kind
with another tribe in Sinaloa, and though this
was a dozen years ago, no one has ever yet
found the grave of the would-be land grabber !
In the same region as the Cucharas mines
are ancient placer workings which were the
original cause for the establishment of a num
ber of settlements, notably Huajicori, with its
fine old church, wherein, common report has
it, were once and even now are altar vessels
and religious appliances made of solid gold
taken from the old mines. Foreigners, we are
told, were not allowed to view these , and I
accordingly dispatched the mozo, a good
church man, to ask the priest to permit him
to see the sacred relics. After awhile he re
turned with a marvelous account of what he
had seen, fully corroborating the stories I had
heard in this connection. A novel feature of
the old church is a massive statue of San
MEXICAN REVIEW
Cristobal, the patron saint of the edifice, with
uplifted sword and buckler, built out from one
corner of the main tower and reaching some
15 or 20 feet upward. It is carved from the
stones of the structure and is part of it. Un
fortunately the good saint does not appear to
have been able to protect his stone counterpart
upon earth, for a few years ago a bolt of
lightning committed * a grievous assault and
battery upon the ancient and peculiar statue,
depriving it of its beauty and more or less of
its members, but not detracting from the in
terest that attaches to it.
A novel sight at Acaponeta is the manner
in which the women perform their laundry
work. The river is for the greater part
quite shallow and is spread out over a wide
bed, partly of sand and partly of small
boulders. Instead of doing their washing
on the shore, as is customary in other
sections, they have built little platforms or
mounds of stone in the water, reaching
about a foot above the surface . Half a
dozen leafless tree limbs are fastened up
right in the platform, and the owner sits
in the water up to her waist and uses the
platform as a washboard, hanging the
clothes on the limbs overhead to dry. The
sight is picturesque in the extreme, as there
are hundreds of women thus employed up
and down the river for a mile or more. The
stream is, too , a favorite bathing place, and
this is a favorite amusement of the populace.
They are quite frank about it and one
may, if he care, see many rather odd sights,
but he soon becomes accustomed to them.
As for example, resting one day on the bank
of the Santiago river, to cat lunch , after
having just crossed on our mules, a family
party came on foot to make the same cross
ing. The water was deep and it did not
seem possible for any one to pass on foot.
But the family removed their clothing, made
it up into bundles which they carried above
their heads , the father held one little child
above his shoulder, the others being large
enough to paddle their own canoes , and
the entire party crossed in safety, though
the current was stiff and it was difficult
to keep their foothold. Arrived on the
opposite shore, they nonchalantly redressed
themselves and trudged along through the
hot sand of the banks .
Out in the deep water an enterprising
man has built a bath house entirely of palm
leaves on a bamboo framework and divided
into compartments by the same material,
for the accommodation of those, mostly
foreigners , who are not so accustomed to
some of the bathing practices as are those
to the manner born. It is connected with
the mainland by a long board walk sup
ported on stakes driven into the river bed.
For 5 cents one can utilize a compartment
for as long as he pleases, though the bather
is always warned to beware of the caimanes,
or alligators, which infest the deeper pools
and which are said to have a very decided
predilection for "white meat," though I
never heard of anyone being molested by
these saurians.
Although it was early in the spring, the
weather was very warm, and when we pre
November, 1920
pared to continue our journey south from
Acaponeta, we decided to take it in easy
stages, starting very early in the morning
and reaching some halting place before the
sun became too torrid. In the same meson
where we were staying was a liquor manu
facturer from a town in Jalisco , to the south
of Tepic, who had come to Acaponeta to
collect some accounts . His business com
pleted, after learning that we intended tak
ing the same route southward, we agreed
to start together very early in the morning
-three o'clock being the hour selected for
the start. But we were not able to keep
our engagement- the mozo being slow in
getting the mules saddled and packed, and
it was more than an hour after the liquor.
dealer had started before we took the road.
We overtook him and his mozo about two
hours after sunrise. They were waiting for
us. Their journey was ended . Both lay
dead by the side of the road, having been
shot from ambush and the body of the
master having been rifled of the very con
siderable sum of money which he was car
rying home. Evidently he had been
watched and his movements anticipated by
some one who knew of his business in
Acaponeta. And we concluded that a lazy
mozo had his uses after all.
(To Be Continued )
Discuss New Banking
Law
OME of the provisions of the proposed
SOME new banking law for Mexico have been
made public, occasioning much favorable com
ment and discussion, as the establishment of
adequate and safe banking facilities is one of
the most urgent and important duties con
fronting the new government of the Republic.
It is proposed to establish a central bank of
the Republic, as a bank of issue, through
which all other banks will be brought into
affiliation . Whether the investment of foreign
capital in this bank will be permitted is one
of the questions still under discussion. The
treasury officials and bankers of the Republic
are in practical agreement as to the major
questions involved, now differing only on de
tails which are expected easily to be taken
care of by General Alvarado, Secretary of the
Republic, when he returns from his trip to
New York.
Steps have been taken, which will in all
probability lead to favorable conclusion, for
the return after many years, of the Wells
Fargo Express Line, seized and operated by
various former Mexican governments, to the
rightful owners. President da la Huerta has
publicly expressed his approval of the action.
The National Railway management has a
plan on foot to dispatch the trains to Laredo
from Mexico City at 7:30 p. m. instead of
leaving in the early morning hours. This
change in schedule would enable passengers to
cross the Rio Grande the evening of their ar
rival on the border-a great convenience.
Noviembre, 1920 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 35

su cometido! Y era su mayor timbre de orgullo En la misma región de las minas de Cucharas mismo material, para la acomodación de aquellos ,
que no exhibía con aire de inmodestia- el que existen numerosos placeres que fueron la causa en su mayor parte extranjeros, que no esten
nunca bajo su dominación hubiera sido molestado original del establecimiento de cierto número de acostumbrados a las prácticas de baño de los
ningún extranjero en su Territorio . Una cosa poblaciones, principalmente de Huajicori , con su nativos. Los baños se comunican con tierra
era segura y cierta , que limpió la comarca de magnífica y vieja iglesia donde, según lo dice la firme por medio de un pasaje de tablas sostenido
bandidos . voz común, existieron y aun existen vasos de en estacas clavadas en el lecho del río. Por el
Una excursión muy interesante fue la que altar y objetos del culto hechos de oro macizo precio de cinco centavos puede uno utilizar un
hicimos desde Acaponeta hacia el este, enmedio sacado de las antiguas minas. Según se nos departamento tan grande como guste, por más
de las estribaciones de la Sierra Madre, pasando dijo no se permitía ver esta maravilla a los que se advierta al bañista que debe precaverse de
por varias aldeas y terminando en la mina de las extranjeros, y, por consecuencia, despaché a mi los caimanes o cocodrilos que infestan los charcos
Cucharas, de propiedad americana, por más que mozo, un buen devoto para que pidiera permiso profundos y que se dice poseen una verdadera
debo decir que no me explicaron el porqué de al sacerdote para ver las sagradas reliquias. Al predilección por la " carne blanca, " por más que
este nombre. Encuéntrase el lugar sobre una cabo de un rato regresó con un maravilloso relato es verdad que no supe jamás que hubiera sido
alta ribera en el río Acaponeta , y precisamente de lo que había corroborando así plenamente molestado alguno por estos feroces saurios.
arriba de la mina, a cosa de media milla de dis las relaciones que había yo conocido a este Aunque nos hallábamos a principios de la
tancia , hállase un ángulo agudo en la corriente, respecto . Un aspecto novedoso de la vieja primavera, la temporada era muy cálida, de
con un promontorio rocoso a cuya base corre el iglesia consiste en una maciza estatua de San manera que cuando nos decidimos a continuar
río. Se nos aconsejó que no nos aventuráramos Cristóbal, el patrón del edificio, con su espada nuestro camino al sur de Acaponeta resolvimos
más allá de ese punto pues los indios que dominan levantada y su escudo, construído en un ángulo hacerlo en jornadas pequeñas, partiendo muy
la región que se extiende al oriente no permiten de la torre principal y que llega a unos quince o temprano por la mañana y llegando a parar a
jamás que ningúno avance más río arriba . Han veinte pies más arriba. Está tallado en las un lugar antes de que se hiciera quemante el sol.
abrigado siempre, y con justicia, un gran temor piedras del edificio y forma parte integrante de En el mismo mesón donde nos hallábamos
de perder sus tierras, ya que lo que ha sucedido él . Desgraciadamente el buen santo parece que encontrábase un fabricante de licores de cierta
a otros indios los ha hecho creer que siempre hay no pudo mantener sobre tierra su imagen población de Jalisco que había venido a Acapo
miradas codiciosas fijas en sus posesiones y que pétrea pues hace unos cuantos años cierto rayo neta a cobrar algunas cuentas. Terminado su
única manera de conservarlas consiste en impedir cometió un perjudicial asalto sobre la antigua y negocio, y después de saber que tratábamos
en lo absoluto que cualquier extraño ponga los peculiar estatua , privándola de su belleza y, de ambos de tomar el mismo camino del sur, con
pies en su territorio . algunos de sus miembros , pero sin anular su vinimos en partir juntos a la mañana siguiente,
Cierta vez vino del oriente un grupo de topó interés. siendo las tres la hora elegida para la marcha .
grafos del Gobierno y empezó a delinear las Un aspecto atractivo de Acaponeta es la Pero no pudimos cumplir nuestro compromiso
fronteras entre los Estados de Durango, Zaca manera en que desempeñan las mujeres su tarea pues el mozo estuvo tardo en ensillar y cargar
tecas, Jalisco y el Territorio de Tepic, más tan del lavado de la ropa. En su mayor parte, el río las mulas y hacía una hora que había partido
pronto como descubrieron su presencia los libres es poco profundo y se extiende en un amplio el fabricante de licores cuando echamos a andar
e independientes indios Huicoles , los arrojaron, lecho, formado parte de arena , y parte de piedras por el camino. Lo alcanzamos a él y a su mozo
derribaron los monumentos que habían construi pequeñas . En lugar de lavar en la orilla , como dos horas después de que había salido el sol .
do, echaron abajo y quemaron las estacas que se acostumbra en otras regiones, han construído Nos estaban esperando . Había terminado su
se habían plantado y advirtieron a los ingenieros las lavanderas pequeñas plataformas o eminen viaje ! Ambos yacían muertos al lado del
y sus ayudantes que no regresaran jamás . cias de piedra en el agua , que se elevan cosa de camino, pues habían perecido en una emboscada .
Dijéronme en Tepic que jamás regresaron los un pie sobre la superficie libre. Se fijan , erectas El cuerpo del amo había sido despojado de la
topógrafos y que nunca se han delineado las en la plataforma , unas seis ramas de árbol , desho considerable suma de dinero que llevaba para su
líneas en cuestión, a lo menos dentro de las jadas. La mujer se introduce en el agua hasta casa . Evidentemente que había sido vigilado y
tierras de los indígenas. Al mismo tiempo estos la cintura y emplea la plataforma como lava anunciado su viaje por alguien que sabía el
aborígenes tienen amigos en el exterior, amigos dero, colgando las prendas de ropa, para que se asunto que lo había llevado a Acaponeta . Y
en quienes ellos depositan una confianza implícita sequen, en las ramas dispuestas de antemano . entonces concluímos por pensar que, después de
(siendo uno de ellos un americano que ha El conjunto es pintoresco en extremo, pues existen todo, es útil un mozo perezoso !
residido mucho tiempo en el país ) . Cuando centenares de mujeres empleadas de esa suerte, (Continuará)
ellos les aseguran que un presunto visitante no tanto río abajo como río arriba , en una extensión
tiene la menor idea de tratar de privarlos de de una milla o más . El río es tambien el baño
su legítima propiedad ancestral sino que sólo favorito y éste a su vez es la diversión preferida Aumento de la Circulación
desea visitar la comarca, hacerse amigo de ellos y por el pueblo bajo. Los nativos son bastante Monetaria
estudiar a un pueblo curioso e interesante, es despreocupados en este sentido, y puede uno, si ESDE el 19 hasta el 31 de Julio , 1,570,000
bien recibido y tratado con la mayor hospitalidad .
gusta , contemplar muchos espectáculos singu- D pesos , plata, fueron acuñadas en México ,
Pero ay del expropiador de tierras o de cual lares, aunque es verdad que pronto se acostumbra
durante el mismo período 4,220,000 tostones ,
quiera que vaya de paso-bueno, mejor sería en a ellos. Por ejemplo , descansando cierto día en
la ribera del Río de Santiago para tomar el plata, y 50,000 pesos, plata, en monedas de 20 .
tenderse con una ametralladora!
centavos, fueron acuñadas y puestas en circula
En cierta ocasión , el Gobierno de Díaz con lunch, después de haber cruzado la corriente ción. El cuño en oro fué de 800,000 " Aztecas, " o
cedió a algunos individuos todas las tierras no sobre nuestras mulas, presentóse del otro lado monedas de oro de 20 pesos , 800,000 pesos en
registradas de estas otras regiones de la Costa profunda y no parecía que pudiera nadie cruzar monedas de cinco pesos, y 200,000 pesos en
Occidental. Cierto extranjero obtuvo una de el río a pie. Pero la familia se despojó de sus monedas de dos y medio pesos. No se acuñaron
esas concesionos y envió a decir a los indios ropas, las hizo envoltorio que cargó sobre las monedas de dos pesos por la razón de que la
cabezas ; el padre cargó a un chico sobre los
propietarios que había adquirido las tierras, las moneda fraccionaria de plata es abundante ↓ la
hombros, ya que los demás eran lo suficiente
cuales le pertenecían ya.. El jefe de la tribu necesidad de la moneda fraccionaria de oro ya
mente crecidos para impulsar sus propias canoas,
replicó: no existe. Solamente 15,000 pesos en monedas
y todo el grupo cruzó la corriente sana y salva
" Dice usted que mis tierras le pertenecen . de cobre de veinte centavos fueron acuñadas en
por más que dicha corriente fuera impetuosa y
Está bien! Si son de usted venga y tómelas ! " Julio y hay 967,000 pesos de estas monedas en
que era difícil para cualquiera sostenerse en pie
Pero había algo tan amenazador en ese lacónico dentro de ella. Llegados al lado opuesto, los circulación . También hay en circulación 752 ,
mensaje que jamás trató de tomar posesión de viajeros se vistieron despreocupadamente y 000 pesos en monedas de cobre de 10 centavos, de
Hubo un echaron a andar fatigosamente sobre la cálida las cuales 47,000 fueron acuñadas en Julio. Se
las tierras el propietario putativo . está dando mucha atención al cuño , de monedas
extranjero que trató de hacer cosa parecida con arena de la orilla . de veinte , diez, cinco y dos y medio pesos, oro y
una tribu en Sinaloa , y aunque el hecho acaeció Fuera del agua profunda ha construído un plata ; y también monedas de medio peso y de
hace una docena de años, nadie ha podido hombre emprendedor una casa de baños , toda veinte centavos, con el objeto de retirar las
encontrar aún la tumba del presunto expro ella de hojas de palma , sobre un armazón de monedas de veinte y diez centavos de cobre tan
piador ! bambú, dividida en varios departamentos del pronto como sea posible.
36 THE MEXICAN REVIEW November, 1920

The Famous Alameda Three Hundred

The Desert of the Lions
Which Is Not a Desert and Which Has No Lions
A Beautiful Region Close to Mexico City
BY PROF FRANCISCO RIVAS us lighted our way with huge blazing faggots
T one, the day being now fine, we set off of resinous pine. What an interminable range
for the desert, which you must not of deep, dark vaults and dungeons ! What
A fancy is a bare and arid plain. The massive walls to divide one from another !
ruined convent, to which we directed our Some were used during the time of the monks,
steps, is situated in a beautiful and verdant we were told, as penitentiary prisons, some
wood. The walk to it is the most romantic as cellars ; and certainly for deeds of dark
you can imagine. It is along a wooded ness -for fanatical vengeance-for the impo
barranca, skirting a deep and magnificent sition of lingering human suffering-nothing
glen, which lies beneath you. The wood could be either more appropriate or more com
is composed of the finest forest trees, prin plete. The mind shuddered as fancy conjured
cipally of the pine family, and the "wood up all the terrible scenes which these dun
man's stroke" resounded in divers parts. Two geons must have witnessed, and all the groans
Years Ago
ET us quote what an old Irish monk,
LThomas Gage by name, who found his
way to Mexico , nearly 300 years ago, says of
the promenade :
"The gallants of this city show themselves
daily ; some on horseback, and most in
coaches, about four of the clock in the after
noon, in a pleasant shady field called the Ala
meda, full of trees and walks, somewhat like
unto our moorfields ; where do meet, as con
stantly as the merchants upon our exchange,
about 2,000 coaches full of gallants, ladies
and citizens, to see and to be seen- to court
and to be courted-the gentlemen having in
their train blackamoor slaves, some a dozen,
some half a dozen, waiting on them , in brave
and gallant liveries, heavy with gold and sil
ver lace, with silk stockings on their black
legs, and roses (rosettes ) on their feet ; and
swords by their sides. The ladies also carry
their train of slaves by their coaches' sides, of
such jet-like damesells, as have before been
mentioned for their light apparel ; who, with
their bravery and white mantel over them,
seem to be as the Spainard saith, ' Mosca en
leche,' a fly in milk."
Gage went from Ireland to Spain, and then
entered a convent of Dominican monks . He
was sent to the Philippines in 1625 ; made
money, got back to England, abjured the
Catholic faith, and obtained the living of
Deal in Kent.

NEWS BREVITIES
Work on dredging the bar at Frontera has
begun again after several years abandonment.

The Finance Department claims a monthly

income of $18,000,000 and expenses $17,750,000,
or $250,000 monthly to the good.

From the 8th to the 14th of July last year

the income of the National Railways of Mexico
was $ 1,146,142 as against $1,728,698 the same
period this year, an increase of over half a
HOLIDAY MAKING IN "THE DESERT OF THE LIONS" million pesos .

miles brought us to the bottom of the glen, of despair to which their walls must have lis
The Confederated Chambers of Commerce
through many a winding path ; and then once tened. It was a relief to the spirit to emerge
more ascending to the opposite height, or bar- once more into open day. At some distance of Mexico are preparing to protest against the
ranca, we had the road by which we had come, from the convent, and at the bottom of what increase of passport fees into the United States
to $10. The protestants feel they are being
just facing us, with the glen lying between. had once been extensive gardens, now tangled
fined for the privilege of buying in the United
All at once we came upon the ruins, situated with underwood and trees, stood a large al
on an open bit of tableland, but surrounded cove. Thence we walked round the convent States.
by woods. The convent was originally one of and read the tablet fixed on one of the walls,
the finest hereabouts and was finished in the which bore witness to the date of the com There has been a lively business recently in
year 1616. The walls and the corridors are pletion of the buildings. Next we contrived Mexican dye woods . The average prices being
all still standing with their roofs ; though of to get on the parapet of one of the domes, paid are from $32 to $46 a ton, New York or
Philadelphia, the latter city being the best
most of the rooms the bare walls only remain. whence we had a splendid view of the sur
So of the cloisters. Along these long corri- rounding country. Descending once more to market. Export tax is 50 cents per 100 kilos,
dors, the walls of which are covered with the chapel we found our horses ready for de or 11½ cents gold per 100 pounds.
names of visitors written with charcoal, we parture, thus bringing the scene at the desert
advanced to the chapel, which though dilapi- to a close. Jaime Gurza, one time minister of finance,
dated, with all the windows gone, maintains has been commissioned by the government to
its lofty roof unimpaired. It was once a A strong private company has been organ make a study into the conditions of the Na
splendid structure. On the walls, names, sen ized for the purpose of putting on a big ex tional Railway Lines with a view to ascertain
tences and verses abounded in thousands. We position of national and foreign products in the advisability or otherwise of returning the
next proceeded to inspect the vaults which ran this city in 1922. The government, it is un property to its owners. No decision has yet
completely round the whole quadrangular derstood, will lend financial and moral assist been reached regarding the return of the Wells
building. Three or four of the Indians with ance. Fargo Express property to its rightful owners.
Noviembre, 1920 LA
El Desierto De Los Leones
Que No es Desierto y que No Tiene Leones- Una Bella
Región Próxima a la Ciudad de México
POR EL PROFESOR FRANCISCO RIVAS
OR fin, presentándose bueno el día,
partímos para el Desierto, que no debe
P imaginarse que es una llanura árida y
desnuda. El convento arruinado hacia el que
dirigimos nuestros pasos está situado en un
bosque verde y hermoso. La senda que con
duce a él es de lo más romántico que pueda
imaginarse. Corre a lo largo de una barranca
llena de bosques, bordeando una cañada
magnífica y verde que se extiende debajo de
El bosque está compuesto de los me
jores árboles, principalmente de los de la
familia del pino. El golpe del leñador
resonaba en distintas partes. Una caminata
de dos millas llevónos al fondo del valle, a
través de senderos tortuosos ; después, ascen
diendo a la altura opuesta, o barranca, con
templamos el camino por donde habíamos
venido, con el valle intermedio. Inmediata
mente después llegamos a las ruinas, situadas
en una pequeña extensión de planicie abierta,
pero rodeada de bosques . El convento, primi
tivamente, fue uno de los mejores de la
comarca y quedó terminado en el año de 1616.
Los muros y corredores se mantienen aún en
pie, con sus techos ; aunque de la mayor parte
de los cuartos sólo quedan los muros desnudos.
Lo mismo acontece con los claustros. A lo
largo de estos extensos corredores, cuyas
paredes están cubiertas con los nombres de los
visitantes, escritos con carbón, avanzamos
hasta la capilla, que, aunque arruinada y sin
ventanas, aun conserva intacto su altísimo
techo. En un tiempo fue una magnífica
construcción. En los muros abundan a milla
res los nombres, sentencias y versos. Inme
diatamente después procedimos a examinar
las bóvedas, que se extienden al rededor
del cuadrangular edificio. Tres o cuatro de los
indios que nos acompañaban alumbraban
nuestro camino con enormes haces encendidos
de astillas de pino resinoso.¡ Qué interminable
serie de bóvedas oscuras profundas, y de
calabozos ! ¡ Qué muros tan sólidos para
separar a uno de otro ! Algunos de estos
fueron empleados en tiempo de los monjes, se
nos dijo, como prisiones penitenciarias ; otros,
como celdas ; y ciertamente que para acciones
derivadas del oscurantismo-para venganzas
fanáticas-para la imposición de un prolon
gado sufrimiento humano-no podía nada ser
más apropiado ni más completo. La mente
se sobrecogía de terror mientras la imagina
ción evocaba las terribles escenas que deben
haber presenciado esos calabozos y los rugidos
de desesperación que deben haber escuchado
sus muros. Fue un consuelo para nuestros
espíritus el salir una vez más a la luz del día.
A cierta distancia del convento y en el fondo
de lo que fue en un tiempo lugar de extensos
jardines enmarañado en la actualidad con
maleza y árboles se levanta un amplio cenador.
Después, caminamos en torno del convento y
leímos la lápida que se encuentra en uno de
sus muros, la que ofrece el testimonio de la
REVISTA MEXICANA
fecha de la terminación de los edificios . En
seguida nos ingeniamos para trepar al parapeto
de una de las cúpulas, desde donde tuvimos
el espléndido espectáculo de la comarca circun
vecina. Descendiendo una vez más a la capilla
encontramos nuestros caballos listos para la
marcha, poniendo término así al espectáculo
del Desierto .
RUINAS DE UN CONVENTS EN EL DESIERTO DE LOS LEONES
La Famosa Alameda Hace
Trescientos Años
OPIEMOS lo que dice de este paseo un
IE monje irlandés,, llamado Thomas
COPviejo
Gage, quien estuvo en México hace cerca
de trescientos años .
"Los galanes de esta ciudad se exhiben
diariamente ; algunos a caballo y la mayor
parte en coches, hacia las cuatro de la tarde,
un agradable campo sombreado llamado
la Alameda, lleno de árboles y senderos, y un
poco parecido a nuestros Moorfields ; donde
se reúnen, con tanta constancia como los
mercaderes en nuestro mercado, unos dos mil
coches llenos de galanteadores, damas q ciuda
danos que van allí para ver y ser vistos-para
cortejar y ser cortejados- llevando los cabel
leros esclavos negros en su tren, algunos una
docena, otros media docena, que les esperan,
enfundados en bravas y bizarras libreas, pesa
das por los lazos de oro y plata, con medias
de seda en sus piernas negras con moños
(rosetas) en sus pies, y espa da al cinto. Las
damas llevan también su tren de esclavas
al lado de su coche, compuesto de damiselas
negras como el azabache como los que se han
mencionado antes, las que, con su bizarra y
37
blanca mantilla parecen ser como dice el
adagio español : "Moscas en leche."
Gage machó de Irlanda a España y entró
en un convento de frailes dominicanos . Fue
enviado a las Filipinas en 1625 ; habiendo he
cho dinero, regresó a Inglaterra, abjuró de la
fe católica y obtuvo el beneficio eclesiástico
de Deal en Kent.
El Ferrocarril Noroeste de México ha
presentado al gobierno de México reclama
ciones por la cantidad de $5,000,000 por daños
causados durante las revoluciones que han
habido hasta la fecha.
Agencia Americana de Automobiles
en Chihuahua
A primera agencia de automóviles y trac
L ^ tores establecida en Chihuahua, fue
abierta en julio por ciudadanos americanos .
Esta agencia, que representa varias clases de
automóviles americanos, ha establecido un
taller moderno de reparaciones, con mecánicos
americanos. Tendrá en stock toda clase de
accesorios para toda clase de automóbiles y
tractores. Se tiene la intención de hacer
experimentos con los tractores americanos
para beneficio de los agricultores en está
región. Según dice el Vice Consul Aguirre, ya
se han hecho experimentos con buen éxito en
el Colegio de Agricultura de Ciudad Juarez,
el cual pidió a una firma americana le prestara
uno de esos tractores. Se necesitan catálogos
y literatura sobre accessorios para automóbiles
y maquinaria eléctrica.-Informes Consulares.
Un despacho de Monterrey dice que pasaron
por esa ciudad, con dirección a la Ciudad de
México, 95 carros de ferrocarril para vía
ancha, y 105 para vía angosta. Originalmente,
estos carros fueron comprados por el gobier
no de Yucatán, y se supone que son para uso
de los Ferrocarriles Nacionales.
38 THE
MEXICO SUPERA A ST. LOUIS
Es Más Limpio, Está Mejor Iluminado
y Mejor Protegido- Tal Dice un Via
jero de Missouri que Visitó Reciente
mente Esa Ciudad
vuestro concepto de México es el de un
S'país atrasado las estribaciones de cuyas
montañas están habitadas por bandidos y cuyos
principales ciudadanos viven en casas de
adobe, ese concepto es por completo erróneo .
El único que en México se preocupa por
combatir es Villa y parece que está cansado
de su penosa tarea ; y por lo que mira a las
condiciones de vida, la ciudad de México está
muy por encima de St. Louis en aquellas
mismas cosas de que se ufana St. Louis.
Tal es el mensaje traído por R. P. Block,
Gerente del Departamento de Exportación de
la "Shapleigh Hardware Co. ," quien acaba de
regresar de un viaje de treinta días a México,
donde fue huésped de la Cámara de Comercio
de la capital , de la cual es Secretario el señor
W. F. Saunders de St. Louis.
Los nativos de St. Louis que acompañaron
a Block fueron José Frey, Gerente del De
partamento de Exportación de la "Hamilton
Brown Shoe Co. ," y Charles J. Bittel, de la
"Meyer Bros. Drug Co." Hicieron el mismo
viaje ciento cincuenta delegados de todas
partes de los Estados Unidos.
La ciudad de México, según dice el señor
Block, está más adelantada que St. Louis en
su sistema de policía, en su limpieza y en su
sistema de iluminación. De hecho, dice ,
desconocemos lo que sea el alumbrado com
pleto de todas las calles. La ciudad cuenta
con buenos hoteles, como los de los Estados
Unidos, a precios más cómodos que aquí.
Block ocupó un excelente cuarto, con baño,
por la suma de $3 diarios y comía perfec
tamente a un precio equivalente a la tercera
parte de lo que gastaría en los Estados Unidos .
Describe las tiendas como magníficos esta
blecimientos.
"Fuímos profundamente impresionados por
las posibilidades comerciales del país, por el
cordial interés demostrado por los negociantes
mexicanos en las mercancías americanas y por
su deseo de traficar con los americanos en las
mismas condiciones que con los demás extran
jeros. Los mexicanos se resienten de que, de
costumbre, se les exija hacer depósitos antes
de que puedan contar con las mercancía en este
país . No quieren ni necesitan que se les abra
crédito , pero sin duda que apreciarían justa
mente la cortesía de nuestra parte."
Añadió que hay tres cosas esenciales para
que existan relaciones comerciales armoniosas
entre México y este país, a saber : entregas
rápidas , empaques cuidadosos y la extensión
de créditos.
Manifestó Mr. Block que los mexicanos
sostienen que es menor el porcentaje de
pérdidas en sus ferrocarriles que en los de los
Estados Unidos. El viajero encontró las vías
en buen estado, pero observó que necesitan los
ferrocarriles material rodante.
"Existe un despertar general, una actividad
general en este país, un deseo de librarse de
la influencia alemana: Por lo que toca a la
MEXICAN REVIEW
situación política, existe la creencia general de
que Villa está cansado de combatir y de que
si él no combate nadie querrá hacerlo.
"Parece que Carranza ha ejercido una
buena influencia en todo el país. En el sur,
donde fue muerto el bandido Zapata, reina la
paz y los agricultores están construyendo
hogares permanentes. En Torreón, donde
quería Villa asentar su capital, ha construído
Carranza dos magníficas escuelas."
Manifestó Block finalmente que encontrán
dose en la ciudad de México se publicó en la
prensa de este país un despacho anunciando
que estaban muriendo de hambre diez mil
niños mexicanos. Tal aserción es ridícula,
dijo .-Del St. Louis Star.
RESOLUCIONES DEL CLUB
FEMENINO DE CALIFORNIA
La Federación de Clubs Femeninos de
California Expresa su Simpatia Hacia
México y Urge la Cooperación con las
Mujeres Mexicanas
OR CUANTO se ha demostrado claramen
POR te que el Club Americano de mujeres no
sabe ni comprende la verdad sobre las condi
ciones económicas de México, ya sea del
pasado o en el presente, y que es difícil
obtener literatura auténtica sobre este asunto.
Por cuanto se está llevando a cabo con ma
ravilloso éxito la estupenda obra de reforma
en México, a pesar de la terrorífica e incom
prensible oposición de los que deberían en
contrarse en perfecta y simpática inteligencia
con las esperanzas , aspiraciones, ambiciones,
anhelos , deseos y caracteristicas naturales de la
República hermana,
Por cuanto la nueva mujer mexicana, en su
despertar, constituye una de las maravillas de
la época moderna, ayudando noblemente en la
batalla y en la victoria al grupo de héroes
que ha luchado con tanta constancia por el
establecimiento de los verdaderos ideales de la
Democracia en su país,
Por cuanto las mujeres de México se en
cuentran en completa inteligencia y simpatía
con sus hermanas del universo, que luchan por
el reconocimiento de iguales derechos para
los dos sexos y de todo aquello que interese
al bienestar de la humanidad,
Por cuanto las mujeres de México han for
mado una fuerte agrupación de más de mil
miembros en los últimos años y que están de
mostrando constituír un poderoso elemento
para la restauración del país,
Por cuanto es preciso que se propague en
nuestra República, con la mayor rapidez posi
ble la verdad sobre la situación Mexicana,
Resuelvase : que por todas las razones ex
puestas, nosotras, miembros del Club de Muje
res de California ofrecemos al club herma
no de mujeres de México, nuestro apoyo moral
ya que, como hemos visto, luchamos por los
mismos ideales que ellas,
Que nosotras, miembros del Club de Muje
res de California, enviamos una sincera y cor
dial invitación al Club Hermano de Mujeres
de México, para que sea nuestro huésped en
un viaje a través de los Estados Unidos de
América, debiendo ser atendidas nuestras ‫ וי‬vi
November , 1920
sitantes en cada ciudad en que arriben por el
club o los clubs que en ella existan,
Que nosotras, el Club de Mujeres de Cali
fornia, obremos immediatamente para interesar
a nuestras hermanas de los distintos clubs del
país, para que den cuanto antes los pasos nece
sarios hacia la félíz realización de este pro
yecto,
Que nosotras, que formamos el Club de Mu
jeres de California, patrocinemos tan sólo
aquello que sea equitativo y justo respecto a
la nación que es nuestra próxima vecina, 1
Que nosotras, del Club de Mujeres de Cali
fornia, estamos convencidas de que es éste el
camino más seguro y rápido para obtener una
base cooperativa más inteligente para la buena
armonía entre las dos naciones : México y los
Estados Unidos ,
Que nosotras, miembros del Club de Muje
res de California, juzgamos como nuestro de
ber patriótico el apoyar y estimular todas las
iniciativas para el progreso y mejoramiento de
ese pueblo oprimido y mal comprendido.
Aprecio de Cortesias.
LA REVISTA da sus más sinceras gracias a la
Camara de Comercio Americana de la Ciudad
de México por muchas de las noticia qur
aparecen en este número, y tambien por el
uso de los grabados de varias escenas de
México que aparecieron en el primer número.
La oportuna ayuda de las mencionados or
ganizaciones, disminuyò la labor de la publi
cación del primer número en esta cuidad.
*****
UN MENSAJE DE IMPORTANCIA
PARA LOS HOMBRES QUE SE
AYUDAN DE SI MISMOS
Si Ud. es un hombre progresista y emprendedor.
tiene un puesto que llenar en el creciente desarrollo
que viene alcanzando el progreso de la Agricultura y
con nuestra cooperación alcanzará Ud. a llenar ese
puesto.
Sea Ud . miembro suscriptor de "LA AGRICUL
TURA MODERNA” y recibirá mensualmente
mensajes excepcionalmente útiles y de incalculable
interes para approvecharse de valiosas oportunidades
modernas que la experiencia resuelve en el vasto
campo de la Agricultura , Ganadería e Industrias
Rurales. Sirvase leer el otro lado de esta carta.
"LA AGRICULTURA MODERNA es, es la única
publicación de interes Agrícola editada en Español en
el corazón de California, El Estado más hermoso, más
rico y más adelantado en el perfeccionamiento de la
Agricultura moderna en los Estados Unidos y el
mundo entero.
A nuestros suscriptores remitimos gratis el
hermoso album de interesantes escenas del progreso
de Industrias Agrícolas en California, en donde le
harán apreciar magníficas impresiones.
La suscripción añual es la insignificante suma de
$2.50 oro americano , lo cual constituye la inversión
más útil y provechosa que se le presenta.
Ud. encontrará en "LA AGRICULTURA
MODERNA" artículos de fondo sobre maquinaria
Agrícola e implementos modernos, Agricultura de
secano, Irrigación, Veterinaria práctica, Avicultura,
Abejas, Conservas de Fruta, para necesidades domés
ticas e industriales ; Arboricultura frutal, Forestal e
Industrial ; Cultivos tropicales, Ganadería, Veterinaria,
Enfermedades y modernas fórmulas para los trata
mientos curativos en todo lo concerniente a la Agri
cultura. y la Granadería, etc. , Además encontrará
Ud. artículos prácticos que lo harán experto para
edificarse sus propias construcciones económicas de
Industriales Rurales.
LA AGRICULTURA MODERNA
BACRAMENTO , CALIFORNIA, U. S. A.
Estados Unidos de Norte América
Noviembre, 1920 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 39

Se Niega Enfáticamente lo de los "Las Dos Repúblicas" inminente paso que puede humillar a México y
Empréstitos que podría ser el paso final y fatal de la caída de
AJO este título ha llegado a LA REVISTA
América. Al nombrar a Woodrow Wilson a la
OS persistentes rumores de que los repre BA MEXICANA un folleto primorosamente im
presidencia, John W. Wescott hizo sonar la nota
Lo sentantes del Gobierno Mexicano en el preso y encuadernado que contiene una perora
fundamental de advertencia a los patriotas mili
extranjero tratan de negociar empréstitos para ción de Charles Sumner Young en los Angeles, tantes que servirían bajo la bandera azul con el
su país, han vuelto a provocar negativas en 1916, y cuya publicación pareció oportuna en
águila americana : " Ayudad a México, no sea que
enfáticas por parte de personas que están en esta ocasión. Puede juzgarse del tono del dis bajo su tumba sangrienta estén esparcidos los
posición de hablar con autoridad. El Secre curso por algunas sutiles sentencias tomadas del
dientes del dragón de nuestra propia destrucción . '
tario de Hacienda, Alvarado, quién ha hecho prefacio : " Por el provecho y adelanto de toda El discurso en cuestión es digno de una cuida
una visita prolongada a los Estados Unidos, la humanidad," tal ha sido la divisa de las dosa lectura y de seria consideración por parte de
ha negado positivamente que sea ese uno de cohortes asesinas de invasores desde las primeras los verdaderos amigos de ambos países.
sus objetos durante su prolongada estancia en batallas de que se tiene noticia en los tiempos
Der
aquel país. Él declara que México tiene los bíblicos, hace cuatro mil años. Jamás existió
fondos necesarios para hacer frente a los ningún país incapaz de gobernarse a sí mismo !
México ha existido durante mil años sin necesi
gastos corrientes y que en cuanto a las nuevas
obligaciones que vayan resultando, México dad de ningún gobierno americano ; y continuará FOR SALE
viviendo otros mil sin necesitar tal gobierno.
podrá cubrirlas sin necesidad de negociar un
empréstito extranjero. El Embajador Cova -- Parafraseando el gran discurso de Lincoln en
Peoria, Illinois, en 1854, dice : Cuando los 100,000 acres of hardwood timber
rrubias , representante diplomático de México
americanos se gobiernen a sí mismos, reconoceré and OIL lands, in
en la Gran Bretaña, de quien se dijo trataba
que ese es un gobierno propio ; cuando los ameri
de negociar un empréstito considerable con
canos se gobiernen a sí mismos y a los mexicanos
capitalistas ingleses, al igual que el Secretario SAN ANDRES TUXTLA, STATE OF
además, llamaré a eso despotismo."
Alvarado, ha declarado que no son ciertos
En conclusión dice el autor que se publica su VERACRUZ, MEXICO
esos rumores. De tiempo en tiempo se han
discurso en provecho de México, en provecho de
venido publicando muchos asertos fantásticos
los Estados Unidos y en provecho de la humani Details furnished to
y casi completamente imaginarios sobre este
dad, " con la esperanza de que las verdades
particular, y, sin embargo, está patente el por sí mismas puedan ejercer alguna influencia serious buyers
hecho de que México sigue adelante con sus sobre dos históricos amigos para evitar el
asuntos, que ha ido pagando sus gastos , que
está rehabilitando su sistema ferroviario con
las utilidades del mismo, y que, como hábil PUBLIC STENOGRAPHER ADDRESS :
mente dice el Secretario Alvarado, encontrará Gante, 9.-Tel. Eric. , 21-01
la manera de hacer frente a sus obligaciones GEORGE WILSON
English -Spanish Shorthand. Typewriter,
conforme éstas vayan saliendo. Cuando por Copying and Translations done by Experts.
primera vez se anunció, durante la revolución, Open 7 A. M. to 9 P. M. and Sundays. Apartado (P. O. Box) , 1677
que si se le dejaba solo, México podría MRS. A. M. L. COLESON MEXICO, D. F.
rehabilitar sus finanzas, la declaración fue
seve sec Dee
recibida con incredulidad y escepticismo, y, sin
embargo, eso es exactamente lo que México
está haciendo. Todo lo que necesita es tiempo
-igualmente que cualquier empresa que está
solvente pero que se encuentra temporalmente
embarazada por circunstancias sobre las cuales EAGLE "MIKADO" PENCIL No.174
no tiene control.

174 EAGLE MIKADO XNº2 × EAGLE

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Regular Length, 7 inches
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DENTISTA Conceded to be the Finest Pencil made for general use.
TELEFONOS :
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AV. 16 DE SEPTIEMBRE NO. 12
MEXICO, D. F.

MERCANTILE BANKING CO. LTD.

Av. F. I. Madero No. 12. P. O. Box, 131 Bis. Mexico , D. F.

Geo. J. McCarty, K. M. Van Zant , Jr. , F. Peltier , Fco. Coudurier , G. A. Moran,

President. Vice-President and Manager. Assistant Manager. Cashier. Assistant Cashier.

GENERAL BANKING BUSINESS TRANSACTED

FOREIGN EXCHANGE BOUGHT AND SOLD
TELEGRAPH TRANSFERS. LETTERS OF CREDIT
TRAVELERS' CHECKS ISSUED

Current Checking Accounts of Merchants, Manufacturers and Individuals Invited

A. B. GRAHAM CO. 14 PRINTERS

 !

National Railways of

Mexico and Annexes

(Administered by the Government)

Direct Passenger Service Between Mexico City and

Laredo , Texas; Ciudad Juaraz (El Paso), Manzanillo ,

Morelia, etc.

The trains to Laredo , Texas, are detained in Nuevo

Laredo , Mexico, only the time indispensable for compliance

with the customs and health regulations .

Sleeping cars are run daily from Mexico City to

Laredo, Ciudad Juarez, and Guadalajara, and every third

day to Tampico , via San Luis Potosi.

FREIGHT INSURANCE SERVICE

The business public is informed of the maintenance

of a system of insurance against the risks of war of all

classes of merchandise and with all points in the Republic .

This system has been in operation more than two years,

with most satisfactory results .

J. M. CARDENAS, A. G. ROEL,
Assistant General Passenger Agent General Freight and Passenger Agent

I. S. RODRIGUEZ,
Chief of the Insurance Department

1
F
1201 MAR 2 4 1921
M62

CAN EW
MEXI REVI

REVISTA MEXICANA
A
DODGEC

VOL. IV WASHINGTON, D. C., DECEMBER, 1920 No. 5

OFFICIAL DECLARATION OF PRESIDENT OBREGON'S

ELECTION

PETROLEUM PUBLIC PROPERTY

United States Supreme Court and Those of Indiana and

Pennsylvania Have So Decided

Says Captain S. G. Hopkins

THROUGH THE EYES OF WALT WHITMAN

A Sympathetic Study of the Great American Poet's

Writings on Mexico and Civil War

By foel Quinones

BRITISH CONTROL DOHENY'S OIL

Un-American Affiliations and Misrepresentations of

Interventionist Leaders Exposed

By Wickwire

OLDEST TREES IN THE WORLD

The Bosque of Chapultepec and Its Arboreal Wonders

By "El Gringo"

Live Interpretative News Features and Editorials

D 222 の の

15c. American . The Only Periodical Giving General Mexican News in English . 30c. Oro Nal.
PRESIDENT ALVARO OBREGON
Ofthe United States ofMexico
SENATOR WARREN G. HARDING
President-Elect ofthe United States of America

The Mexican
VOL . IV WASHINGTON, D. C. , DECEMBER, 1920
The Mexican Review
Published Monthly at Washington, D. C.
GEO. F. WEEKS --- EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
Yearly subscription in the United States, Canada and
Mexico, $2 gold. Elsewhere, $2.50.
Office-Rooms 501-502, 817 Fourteenth Street
Washington, D. C.
MEXICAN NEWS BUREAU
Accurate news by wire or mail of all important matters.
Special articles on any Mexican topic prepared by com
petent writers. Photographs furnished when desired .
Questions answered . Special inquiries undertaken.
President of the Entire Country
RESIDENT-ELECT OBREGON made a
Pnonotable
table declaration when his choice by
the people as their Chief Executive was an
nounced to him by a committee from the
Chamber of Deputies. He told them that he
regarded himself as the President of the en
tire country and not of the party which had
chosen him. Too frequently have the chief
magistrates of republics seemed to take the
opposite view and to have acted as though the
interests of the party that supported them
were superior to those of the people as a
whole. President Obregon's position in this
respect is worthy of commendation and imi
tation.
Prophecies That Fail
NE by one the roses fall, as the old
ON song has it. And as with the roses, so
also with the unfriendly and uncomplimentary
prophecies regarding Mexico that have filled so
large a portion of the foreign press during the
past ten revolutionary years. Volumes could
be filled with these prophecies and their refu
tation by the sheer weight of events . Yet
the greater portion, indeed it is not too much
to say all , of the most serious ones have fallen
flat and have been disproved. The few who
prophesied in the other direction have lived to
see themselves vindicated. They have reason
able cause for satisfaction and congratulation
upon their clearness of vision.
R. E. J. DILLON, the well-known Eng
to a
D ish writer, contributed an article
recent issue of the Saturday Evening Post, in
which he gives his impressions of President
Obregon embodying the results of several
months' companionship and investigation. It is
of great interest, being in refreshing contrast to
most that has been published regarding the
new element in Mexican affairs that has
come into notice during the past dozen years.
ļ
Review
Last of the Malodorous i Petroleum Is Public Property
Benton Case
HE wisdom of the methods adopted by
Tthe Mexican Government in the elimina
tion of armed opposition and banditry, through
peaceable rather than military means, has re
ceived another exemplification in the settle
ment of the notorious Benton case in a man
ner satisfactory to all concerned and to the
Governments of Great Britain and of Mexico.
For the modest compensation of ten thousand
dollars , with a pension of less than one thou
sand dollars a year, a protocol has been signed
which most effectually ends this source of dis
pute. As those who were familiar with this
case and were in a position to know from per
sonal investigation or knowledge gained "on
the spot," there was a vast amount of mis
representation regarding this affair. Indeed,
it is to be doubted if the facts were ever dis-
closed in their detail, as, besides Benton him
self, only two men knew them, and there is
now but one survivor . It is cause for con
gratulation that this matter has been so wisely
eliminated from any possibility of controversy,
and it is an indication of the course that will
be followed in other cases where redress is
claimed or sought.
Interesting Figures
O much has been said about "impover
S° ished" Mexico, her " overwhelming debt,”
her "bankrupt condition," her "onerous taxa
tion," and so on, that a few comparative fig
ures may be of interest. For example : The
announcement has just been made that the
New York City budget for the coming year
"has been cut down to $343,894,049." This,
with a population of some six millions. The
budget for the Federal Government of Mexico
has not been announced , but the total will not
be over one-third that of New York City
alone, and with a population almost three
times as large. The entire debt of Mexico,
depicted as so overwhelming, is only about
half a billion dollars, and is the smallest per
capita of any nation of standing in the world.
A Million Population
STIMATES made by canvassers who are
E$ preparing data for a directory of Mexico
City and the Federal District (corresponding
to Washington and the District of Columbia ) ,
reach the conclusion that the population of the
city is between 800,000 and 900,000, while that
of the suburbs will bring the grand total to
over 1,000,000 . This is an increase of some
thing like fifty per cent since the last census
was taken, in 1910. Preparations are also un
der way for an official enumeration, but it is
not believed the total will vary much from the
one given.
No. 5
HAT may well be called the most im
Wportant contribution so far made to the
petroleum question as affecting Mexico is that
published in this issue of THE REVIEW and
written by Captain S. G. Hopkins, of Wash
ington, whose valuable fund of information
upon international rights, precedents, etc., has
more than once proved most enlightening as
well as valuable. Therein it is plainly and un
equivocally set forth, as based upon the deci
sions of the highest courts in the land, includ
ing the Supreme Court itself, that petroleum
deposits beneath the surface do not belong to
the owner of that surface. The owner of the
surface has the right to develop the oil, but
only that which he extracts becomes his per
sonal property. That which remains beneath
the surface is the property of the nation. The
decisions quoted by Captain Hopkins appear to
have been overlooked, remarkably enough, by
those who have so industriously inculcated the
idea that to claim public ownership of sub
surface oil deposits was confiscation by the na
tion so claiming. The embodying in Article 27
of the new Constitution of the provision in
this respect which has met with such strenuous
objection, not to say misrepresentation, is seen
to be fully justified and in strict accord with
the common law as interpreted by the highest
judicial authority. Those who have found so
much room for unfriendly comment and attack
upon Mexico have now an opportunity to re
vise their ideas and correct their utterances.
This is not the first time, by the way, that
Mexican laws and regulations which have met
with the disapproval of foreigners affected
thereby have upon examination been found to
have undoubted precedent in the laws of other
countries. In writing the statement given, its
author has rendered a distinct service to the
cause of friendship between the United States
and Mexico.
THE REVIEW trusts that this timely exposi
tion of the justice of Mexico's claims regardS
ing the ownership of sub-surface oil will find
as wide publicity as have the mistaken claims
upon the other side of the question. By all
considerations of fair play, Mexico is entitled
to this rectification .
Official Congratulations to
President- elect Harding
RESIDENT- ELECT of Mexico, Gen
PRE eral Alvaro Obregon, and Provisional
President Adolfo de la Huerta, sent a mes
sage to President-elect Warren G. Hard
ing, congratulating him on his triumph in the
Presidential election held on November 2d in the
United States.
The message is considered as the first step
toward the establishment of a good feeling
and understanding between Mexico and the
United States.
La Revista
TOMO IV
La Revista Mexicana
Publicación mensual Washington, D. C.
GEO. F. WEEKS - EDITOR Y PROPRIETARIO
• relaciona con México , es la que se publica en
Suscripciones por un Añio , en los Estados Unidos, Canada
y México, $2 oro . En cualquiera otra parte, $2.50 .
Oficinas : 501-502, 817 Fourteenth Street N. W.
Washington, D. C.
AGENCIA DE NOTICIAS DE MEXICO.
Noticias exactas por telégrafo y correo de todos los asuntos
de interés. Artículos especiales sobre cualquier tópico
mexicano , por escritores competentes. Se proporcionan
fotografías a solicitud . Se dan informaciones. Hacemos
investigaciones especiales.
Un Buen Ejemplo
L electo Presidente Obregón introdujo una
E innovación en las prácticas semi-oficiales,
inmediatamente después de su su elección en
Septiembre. Efectuó una gira a través de una
extensa región de la República , desde el sur
hasta la parte norte de la frontera , con el propó
sito de identificarse con el pueblo y conocer sus
necesidades, aunque esto último era casi inne
cesario, ya que ningún hombre conoce mejor
que él las necesidades del pueblo mexicano .
Pero él fué más allá : prolongó su viaje , a través
de la linea fronteriza , hácia los Estados Unidos ,
visitando muchas de las más salientes ciudades
del suroeste, relacionándose con las autoridades
civiles y militares, cambiando impresiones con
ellas y haciendo lo posible por realizar un mejor
entendimiento entre ambos pueblos vecinos.
Es la primera vez en la historia que se ha hecho
ésto y ello establece un ejemplo digno de imitarse
con provecho . Ciertamente , si la Revista puede
permitirse esta indicación , ¿ nó sería una buena
idea que el electo Presidente de los Estados
Unidos, imitando el ejemplo de su colega
de México , hiciera a este país una visita antes
de la toma de posesión ? Sería una lección
objetiva de inestimable valor , e indudablemente
transformaría muchas de las impresiones erróneas
que se tienen sobre México , y que son inevitables
cuando el único conocimiento que de este país
se tiene proviene de la prensa . La Revista
augura una afectuosa y entusiasta bienvenida
al electo Presidente Americano, como fué dada
al electo Presidente de México . ¿ Porqué no
hacer esta amistosa prueba?
Presidente de Todo el País
L electo Presidente Obregón hizo una
E notable declaración cuando le fué anun
ciada su elección popular como Jefe del Poder
Ejecutivo, por una comisión de la Cámara de
Diputados . Dijo a éstos que él se consideraba
desde entonces como Presidente de todo el país
y nó del partido que lo habia postulado. Con
Mexicana
WASHINGTON , DICIEMBRE , 1920
mucha frecuencia los Primeros Magistrados de
las Repúblicas han pensado y obrado de un
modo opuesto , como si los intereses del partido
que los postulara fueran superiores a los de todo
el país. El punto de vista del Presidente Obregón ,
a este respecto , es digno de encomio e imitación .
Fin del Sospechoso Caso Benton
A discreción de los métodos adoptados por
LA el gobierno de México para terminar la
oposición armada y el bandidaje por medios
pacíficos más bien que con medidas militares ,
ha recibido nueva confirmación en el arreglo
satisfactorio, en todos respectos , del sonado caso
Benton, efectuado entre el Gobierno Británico y
el de México . Por la modesta compensación
de diez mil dollars, más una pensión de menos
de cien dollars mensuales, se ha firmado un
protocolo que prácticamente cierra esta fuente
de disputa . Para quienes estuvieron familiari
zados con este caso y en posibilidad de
conocerlo por investigación personal o por
conocimiento adquirido en el lugar del suceso ,
ha habido mucho de falsía en este asunto . Con
seguridad, el caso se haría bastante sospechoso
si los hechos fueran revelados en todos sus
detalles, pues, fuera del mismo Benton , sola
mente dos personas lo presenciaron , y de ellas
sólo una vive. Hay motivo para congratularse
de que este asunto haya sido cuerdamente puesto
fuera de toda controversia, y éste es un ejemplo
del camino que habrá de seguirse con otros casos
en que se solicite o pretenda una reparación.
Otra Falsa Montaña en
Escombros
A Tesorería General del Gobierno Mexicano.
LA acaba de demoler otra de las falsas monta
ñas que fué levantada por escritores y oradores
ignorantes, durante la revolución . Hablamos
del llamado " saquéo " a los bancos extrajeros ,
atribuído al gobierno cuando necesitaba dinero
para fines revolucionarios. Recientemente se ha
anunciado que el monto total de la deuda reco
nocida por el gobierno a los bancos asciende a la
relativamente insignificante suma de $25,000,000 .
Esta fué obtenida en la forma usual en otros
países , esto es, levantando un " empréstito
forzoso , " el cual fué desde luego reconocido .
Pero México , apartándose del camino que
frecuentemente se sigue en tales casos, de
desconocer los compromisos al retorno de la paz ,
ha reconocido en todo tiempo sus adeudos . I
en la actualidad el estado de los procedimientos
normales está volviendo tan rápidamente, que
las autoridades declaran que una buena parte
de esa deuda será liquidada en el próximo año
de 1921 , y el resto lo será en 1922 .
Esta es otra de las montañas de lodo demolidas ,
y también una plena refutación de otra calumnia
más contra el prestigio de México . I éste será
el paradero final de muchas otras que con todoel
empeño han sido tramadas y propaladas por
los enemigos de México .
No. 5
Los Tribunales Americanos Declaran
el Petróleo de Propiedad Pública
NA de las que bien podemos llamar más
U importante colaboración dada hasta
aquí sobre la cuestión petrolera, en cuanto se
este número de La Revista , escrita por el
Capitán S. G. Hopkins, de Washington, cuyo
valioso contingente sobre asuntos internacionales
se ha demostrado que es tan altamente instruc
tivo como meritorio.
En dicho artículo se asienta clara e inequívo
camente, fundándose en las decisiones de altos
tribunales en materia de tierras, inclusive de la
misma Suprema Corte, " que los yacimientos de
petróleo del subsuelo , nó pertenecen al propie
tario del terreno," Este tiene el derecho de
explorar los yacimientos, pero únicamente lo
que llega a extraer es lo que constituye su
propiedad particular. Lo que permanece en
el sub-suelo es propiedad de la nación. Las
resoluciones que invoca el Capitán Hopkins
parecen haber sido desdeñadas, con deliberada
intención, por quienes tan empeñosamente
inculcaron la idea de que la pretensión de
propiedad pública sobre los yacimientos de
petróleo del sub-suelo , significaba una confisca
ción por parte de la nación que la sostuviera .
La inclusión de este derecho de propiedad
pública que consigna el artículo 27 de la
nueva Constitución mexicana, tan enérgica
mente combatido , por no decir falseado , —está
plenamente justificada y en extricta sujeción
al derecho común, tal como ha sido inter
pretado por la más alta autoridad judicial.
Quienes han encontrado suficiente pretexto para
sus rudos comentarios y ataques contra México ,
tienen hoy una buena oportunidad para reca
pacitar sus ideas y rectificar sus extremistas
afirmaciones. A porpósito ; nó es esta la primera
vez que al examinar las leyes y disposiciones
mexicanas, recibidas siempre con desagrado por
los extranjeros que afectan , se descubre que
tienen firmes precedentes en las legislaciones de
los demás países. Con las afirmaciones men
cionadas , el autor ha prestado un señalado
servicio a la causa de la amistad entre los pueblos
de Estados Unidos y México .
La Revista confía en que esta oportuna expo
sición de la justicia que a México asiste en su
pretensión de propiedad sobre el petróleo del
sub-suelo , encontrará tan amplia publicidad
como la que han tenido las erróneas pretensiones
de quienes sostienen el contra de la cuestión .
Por todas las consideraciones debidas en una
discusión honrada , México tiene el derecho de
una rectificatión.
Se ha presentado al gobierno una proposición
para el establecimiento de un servicio áéreo de
pasaje y carga entre la capital de la República
y otros puntos importantes, con los puertos
comerciales del Pacífico .
 THE MEXICAN REVIEW December, 1920

If alien corporations possessed full and

Sub - Surface Petroleum Is Not Private complete ownership to the petroleum de
posits beneath their lands, prior to the adop
tion of the Constitution of 1917, it is argued
Property that it would be the clear duty of the Mexi
can Government, should the latter assume
United States Supreme Court and Other American Tribunals to expropriate the petroleum thereon, un
So Decide-The Mexican Contention Clearly Upheld der Article XXVII, to pay the owners ade
quate compensation . This theory seems
UCH interest has been aroused in petroleum circles by reason of the recent to be fortified by the additional provision of
publication in "El Heraldo" of Mexico City of certain observations as to the Article XIV :
M
real significance of Article 27 of the Mexican Constitution, by Captain S. G. "No law shall be given retro
active effect to the prejudice of
Hopkins, of Washington, a well known authority on international law, who takes the any person whatsoever."
position that the article in question is not only not in conflict with any principle of public In other words, Article XXVII, being
law, as has been so broadly charged, but in reality is in entire harmony with the deci relieved of all retroactive effect, is said to
sions of the Supreme Court of the United States in respect to the public ownership of be inapplicable to petroleum rights ac
oil and gas beneath the surface. The main point in Captain Hopkins' argument is that quired prior to May 1 , 1917 , unless in the
exercise of the sovereign right of eminent
ownership in the petroleum located beneath the soil does not vest in the owner of that
domain the State resorts to expropriation ,
soil or in the producer until he has brought it to the surface and thereby reduced it to in which case, under the first paragraph of
possession. the same Article XXVII , compensation is
Captain Hopkins' statement follows in full : made a condition precedent to the assump
tion of public ownership.
Article XXVII- Some Brief Observations .
But to what extent did these corporations
ROM time to time, prior to 1917, acquire ownership to the petroleum beneath
the surface of the lands owned by them?
certain alien corporations purchased
F large tracts of land in Mexico for the A determination of this question is vitally
essential to an understanding of the pres
purpose of sinking wells and extracting oil
therefrom . ent inquiry.
It is to be admitted that the present own
Under authority conveyed by the Mexican
ers of the land beneath which the petroleum
Constitution of 1857, Article LXXII, Con
is said to lie, obtained title in a manner en
gress was granted the power to "promul
tirely legitimate, that their title to the sur
gate commercial and mining codes, which
face is unquestioned, and that, in acquiring
shall be binding throughout the Republic." the land, they also acquired certain rights.
Based upon this provision, Congress, in
to the petroleum located thereon, as pro
1884, declared that
vided by law ; that is to say (a), by the law
"The following substances of 1884, a proprietary right to develop the
the property of the owner of the substances beneath the surface, including
land, who may, therefore, develop
and enjoy them without the formal petroleum, subject to the police power of
ity of entry or special adjudication the State ; (b) by the law of 1892, to freely
.; petroleum and gaseous work the mineral substances beneath the
springs. In order to develop these
substances, the owner of the land soil, irrevocably and perpetually, condi
shall subject his operations to all tioned upon the payment of taxes, and (c)
rules of a police nature."
by the law of 1909, an exclusive property
Thereafter, in 1892, Congress further pro right to the deposits of mineral fuels. But
vided : is the petroleum beneath the surface an in
"The owner of the land may tegral part of the soil, rendering the one
freely work without a special fran CAPTAIN S. G. HOPKINS indivisible from the other for legal pur
chise, in any case whatsoever, the the Government expressly reserves the min poses? If it is, then it follows that the
following mineral substances : Min owner of the soil likewise holds absolute
eral fuels, mineral oils and mineral eral rights.
waters.... All mining prop On May 1, 1917, the people of Mexico title to the petroleum ; if not, then the rights
erty legally acquired in pursuance adopted a new Constitution, Article XXVII of the owner of the soil are restricted to
of this law shall be irrevocable and of which provides that: the right of developing or extracting the
perpetual so long as the Federal
property tax be paid, in pursuance "In the nation is vested legal petroleum, or the right of working the de
of the law creating such tax." ownership of ... petroleum and posits. While the right to the petroleum
all hydrocarbons- solid, liquid or
In 1909 Congress enacted the following: gaseous . contained beneath the surface admittedly
"The following substances are the As this provision, it is maintained , ope belongs to the owner of the soil, yet it only
exclusive property of the owner of rates to deprive the alien corporations of becomes his property when he brings it to
the soil : Ore bodies or deposits of their vested rights of property in oil de the surface and reduces it to physical pos
mineral fuels, of whatever form or posits, acquired under legislation enacted session. Until then it is subject to the will
variety, ore bodies or deposits of prior to May 1, 1917, the question arises of the State, and is, therefore, public prop
bituminous substances."
whether such contention is well founded in erty, as I will proceed to demonstrate.
logic or in law. There is much confusion as to the nature
The effect of this legislation was to vest
in the owner of the surface certain rights That private property cannot be taken for of the right of the surface owner to the
to mineral deposits, to an extent similar to public use without just compensation, is not petroleum located beneath his land, and
the rights, as a general rule, vested in the only a doctrine accepted by all enlightened this has resulted in much misconception as
owner of the surface in the United States nations, but is expressly recognized in the to legislative authority on the subject,
Constitution of 1917 : caused, to a great extent, by treating as
and Great Britain, in which countries title
to mineral deposits in the subsoil is in "Private property shall not be identical two things which are essentially
herent in the owner of the surface, except expropriated except for reasons of separate, namely: (1 ) the right of the owner
public utility and by means of com of the land to bore wells and extract the oil,
in the case of certain public lands, in which pensation ."
 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 7
Diciembre, 1920

retroactivo , no es aplicable a los derechos

no es de petroleros adquiridos con anterioridad al
El Petroleo del Sub - suelo no es de dia 1º de mayo de 1917, a menos que
haciendo uso del derecho soberano de
Propiedad Privada dominio eminente, el Estado proceda a la
expropriacion, en cuyo caso y de acuerdo
La Suprema Corte de los Estados Unidos y otros Tribunales Americanos con el primer párrafo del mismo Artículo
asi lo sostienen- La Controversia Mexicana claramente decidida XXVII, la indemnizacion será una condicion
precedente a la expropriacion de la pro
UCHO interés ha levantado en los círculos petroleros la reciente publicacion, piedad pública.
hecha en "El Heraldo" de ciudad México , de ciertas apreciaciones relativas al Empero, hasta qué punto adquirieron
M verdadero alcance del Articulo 27 de la Constitucion Mexicana, debidas a la esas compañías el dominio sobre el petroleo
pluma del Capitán S. G. Hopkins , de Washington, conocida autoridad en derecho in existente en el subsuelo de sus propiedades ?
La dterminacion de esta cuestion es vital
ternacional, quien establece que el referido artículo no solamente no está en pugna con
mente esencial para la comprension del
algun principio de derecho público , como abiertamente se ha impugnado, sino que, en
presente examen.
realidad, se halla en perfecta armonía con la jurisprudencia de la Suprema Corte de los Es de reconocerse que los propietarios
Estados Unidos, en punto a la pública propiedad de los aceites e hidrocarburos que yacen actuales del terreno en cuyo subsuelo se dice
en el sub-suelo. El punto principal en la argumentacion del Capitán Hopkins es el relativo que hay petroleo , obtuvieron sus títulos de
a que la propiedad del pétroleo del suelo no pertence al dueño del terreno ni al produc una manera completamente legítima, que
sus derechos sobre la superficie son indis
tor sino hasta que ha sido extraído a la superficie y, por tanto, reducido a posesion par
cutibles y que al adquirir el terreno adqui
ticular. rieron también ciertos derechos sobre el
La declaracion literal del Capitán Hopkins es como sigue : petroleo existente en él, de conformidad
con la Ley, a saber :-(a) De acuerdo con
El Articulo XXVII -Algunas cierto punto semejantes a los derechos que
como regla general asisten a los propieta lo establecido en la Ley de 1884, adquirieron
Breves Observaciones
rios de la superficie en los Estados Unidos el derecho de propiedad para explotar las
POR CAPITAN S. G. HOPKINS substancias existentes en el subsuelo, in
y en la Gran Bretaña, en donde los derechos
ON anterioridad al año de 1917, sobre los depositos minerales del subsuelo cluyendo el petroleo, sujeto a los reglamen
algunas compañías extranjeras com tos de policía ; (b ) La Ley de 1892 los
son inherentes a los del propietario de la
C praban de cuando en cuando superficie, excepto en el caso de ciertos te faculto para explotar libremente las substan
grandes extensiones de terreno en México rrenos baldíos en los que el Gobierno se cias minerales del subsuelo, de una manera
con objeto de perforar pozos y extraer reserva los derechos sobre los minerales . irrevocable y perpetua, siempre que se
petroleo de ellos. cubran los impuestos correspondientes , y
El 1° de mayo de 1917 el pueblo me
De acuerdo con lo establecido en el xicano adopto una nueva Constitucion, (c) quedaron facultados por la Ley de
Artículo 72 de la Constitucion de México 1909 para adquirir el derecho de propiedad
estableciendo en su Artículo XXVII , que :
de 1857, se faculto al Congreso de la Union exclusiva sobre los depositos de combus
para "expedir codigos obligatorios en toda "Corresponde a la Nacion la pro tibles minerales. Sin embargo, ¿ es acaso
piedad legal de el petroleo el petroleo existente en el subsuelo parte
la República sobre Minería y Comercio ."
y todos los carburos de hidrogeno,
Conforme con esta disposicion, el Congreso solidos , líquidos y gaseosos .' integral del terreno, que lo hace indivisible
en 1884 declaro que : de él para miras legales ? De ser
ser así,
Como se arguye que esta cláusula tiende
resulta que el propietario del terreno posee,
"Son de la exclusiva propiedad a despojar a las compañías extranjeras de
a la vez, el derecho absoluto sobre el
del dueño del suelo, quien, por lo sus derechos de propiedad sobre los depo
mismo, sin necesidad de denuncio petroleo . En caso negativo , los derechos
sitos de petroleo adquiridos de acuerdo con
ni de adjudicacion especial, podrá del dueño del terreno están restringidos
las leyes expedidas con anterioridad al día
explotarlos y aprovecharlos . por los derechos de explotacion o de
el petroleo y los manantiales ga 1º de mayo de 1917, se suscita la cuestion
de que si dicho razonamiento está bien extraccion del petroleo , y los derechos de
seosos. Para el aprovechamiento de
todas estas substancias, el dueño explotacion de los depositos.
fundado en la logica y en las leyes.
del terreno se sujetará, en sus tra Si bien se reconoce que los derechos
Es una doctrina aceptada no solo por
bajos, a las disposiciones y regla sobre el petroleo existente en el subsuelo
mentos de policia." todas las naciones inteligentes sino también
expresamente reconocida en la Constitu pertenecen al proprietario del terreno , el
Más tarde, en 1892, el Congreso dispuso , cion de 1917 , que la propiedad privada no petroleo viene a ser de su propiedad
además , que : solamente cuando lo extrae a la superficie
puede expropiarse para uso público sin una
"El dueño del suelo explotará justa indemnizacion. y toma posesion efectiva de él. Hasta
libremente, sin necesidad de con ese momento el petroleo está sujeto a la
"Las expropiaciones solo podrán
cesion especial, en ningún caso , las hacerse por causa de utilidad pú voluntad del Estado y es, por lo tanto, de
substancias minerales siguientes : >>
blica y mediante indemnizacion .' propiedad pública. Pasaré a domostrar
Los combustibles minerales , los mi aserto :
aceites y aguas minerales. . Si las compañias extranjeras poseían
Toda pertenencia legalmente ad títulos amplíos y completos de propiedad Hay una gran confusion en cuanto a la
quirida, de conformidad con esta de los depositos de petroleo existente en el naturaleza de los derechos que asisten a
Ley, será irrevocable y perpetua , subsuelo de sus terrenos antes de que se
siempre que se cubra el impuesto los propietarios dela superficie sobre el
sobre propiedades federales, de adoptara la Constitucion de 1917, se alega petroleo existente en el subsuelo de sus
acuerdo con la Ley que establece que es el deber del gobierno mexicano, en terrenos ; y esto ha dado por resultado un
dicho impuesto." caso de que proceda a la expropiacion del mal entendimiento acerca de la autoridad
En 1909 , el Congreso decreto lo siguiente : petroleo existente, de conformidad con el
del Ejecutivo en el asunto , mal entendi
Artículo XXVII , indemnizar adecuadamente
"Son de la propiedad exclusiva miento causado , hasta cierto punto, por
del dueño del suelo : Los criaderos a los propietarios . Este razonamiento pa
rece estar fortalecido por la cláusula adi querer considerar como semejantes los
o depositos de combustibles mine
rales, bajo todas sus formas y va cional al Artículo XIV, que dice : asuntos totalmente diferentes, a saber : ( 1 )
riedades ; los criaderos o depositos El derecho del propietario del terreno para
de materias bituminosas ." "A ninguna ley se le dará efecto
retroactivo en perjuicio de persona perforar pozos y extraer el petroleo , con
Esta legislacion tuvo por objeto otorgar alguna." objeto de tomar posesion efectiva de él, y
al propietario de la superficie ciertos de En otras palabras, se dice que una vez (2) su propiedad después de que el resultado
rechos sobre los depositos minerales, hasta relevado el Artículo XXVII de todo efecto de la perforacion haya concluido con la exM
 THE
in order to reduce the latter to personal pos
session, and (2) his ownership after the re
sult of the boring has been completed by
the extraction of the petroleum. By this I
mean there exists a difference between the
means which the owner has the right to
use in extracting the oil, and the result
which may be reached. Oil, like other min
erals, is situated beneath the surface, but
in this single respect only are they similar.
Oil has no fixed situs in the soil like metal
ores. It has the power of self-trans
mission; it is migratory. No single owner
of the surface beneath which the oil moves
can exercise an exclusive right to extract
from the common deposit in which the sup
ply is held, without, to some extent, dimin
ishing the source of supply, the right to
which all other owners of the surface
possess . Possession of the land, therefore ,
is not necessarily possession of the oil be
neath it.
In the case of Brown vs. Vandergrift (80
Pennsylvania, 142-147) the Chief Justice,
speaking for the Supreme Court of Penn
sylvania, said : ". We conclude that
the property of the owner of lands to oils
and gas is not absolute until it is actually
in his grasp and brought to the surface
In Townsend vs. State of In
diana ( 147 Indiana, 642) the Supreme Court
of the State held that the owners of the
surface of the land within a certain area,
while they had the exclusive right on their
land to sink wells for the purpose of ex
tracting oil and gas, had no right of prop
erty therein, until by the actual drawing of
the oil and gas to the surface of the earth,
they had reduced these substances to physi
cal possession. It was further held that in
consequence of the nature of the oil and gas
deposits, of their transmissibility, of their
independence, of the rights of all and of
the public, the State could lawfully regu
late the right of the surface owners to seek
possession of gas and oil . And finally the
Supreme Court of the United States, in the
case of the Ohio Oil Company vs. Indiana
( 177 U. S. 209) , in which the rights of
owners of oil deposits were involved, said :
WOL
He (the owner of the soil ) has
the exclusive right on his own land to seek
to acquire them (oil and gas) , but they do
9b of
not become his property until the effort has
resulted in dominion and control by actual
possession." In commenting on the nature
of petroleum, the court described it as "a
public thing, subject to the absolute con
trol of the State, which, although it allows
it to be reduced to possession, may, at its
will, not only regulate, but wholly forbid its
future taking.",om
100 cinu ed otsis
The reserv powers of the State in deal
29708190192 om
ing with rights of this class are clearly set
forth in the following extract from an opin
ion of the Attorney General of the United
States (229 OAG 549), which, while
dealing with a matter of international aspect,
is nevertheless applicable to the present dis
cussion :
MEXICAN REVIEW
"If in the granting of a right or
privilege the sovereign has re
tained an iota of authority which
may affect its untrammeled exer
cise and enjoyment, the right is
not of the nature of an absolute
one, but wholly of an inchoate and
imperfect quality. As to inchoate,
imperfect, incomplete and equitable
rights, the succeeding sovereign is
the absolute dictator. They cannot
be exercised against his sovereign
ty, but only by his grace.
If the line of reasoning I have suggested
is well founded, then Article XXVII is in
sense confiscatory in its nature ; it
merely affirms the dominium directum on
the part of the nation in a substance already
its property, as distinguished from the prop
erty of the individual which consists in the
right to develop that substance, acquiring
positive ownership therein when he reduces
it to possession.
MR. H. A. CUNARD CUMMINGS
British Representative Who Settled the Benson
Case
Out of motives of delicacy, I express no.
opinion as to the soundness of the decrees
of ex- President Carranza, giving effect to
Article XXVII , since their validity is now
under consideration bythe Supreme Court
of Mexico .
The Benton Case Is
Satisfactorily Settled
HE famous Benton case, in which a
TB British subject named William S. Benton,
long a resident of Mexico, was shot and killed
by either Villa or his assistant "Matador"
Fierro, in the city of Juarez in the early part
of the revolution in 1913, has at last been
satisfactorily settled. Through the efforts of
Mr. H. A. Cunard Cummins, representing the
British Government, and Dr. Cuthberto Hidal
go, Sub- Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the
Mexican Government, an agreement was
reached and confirmed by which the widow of
Mr. Benton, a native of Mexico, has received
a cash payment of $10,000 (gold) , and for the
remainder of her life will receive a pension of
$2.50 (gold) daily, provided she does not re
marry. In that case, the pension will cease.
December, 1920
The protocol which was signed by both par
ties is as follows :
"One. The Government of Mexico, while
maintaining the principle that the nation is
not and cannot be held responsible for acts of
revolutionists or riotous mobs, save in such
excepted cases as prescribed in international
law, among which the Government of Mexico
does not consider the case of the British sub
ject, William S. Benton, to be included, never
theless, the said Government is disposed volun
tarily and graciously to indemnify the widow
of the said Benton as hereinafter provided,
and on the understanding that this action does
not establish a precedent.
"Two. The Government of Mexico hereby
delivers to Mr. H. A. Cunard Cummins, in
charge of the British Legation, the sum of
20,000 pesos, Mexican currency, by way of
indemnification in favor of the widow of the
British subject, William S. Benton .
"Three. The Mexican Government further
binds itself to deliver to the widow of the said
British subject, William S. Benton, a life pen
sion of five pesos, Mexican currency, per day,
as long as she maintains her present status of
widowhood.
"Four. By virtue of the delivery of the sum
of 20,000 pesos, and of the obligation hereby
contracted to pay the life pension as provided
in the foregoing article, Mr. H. A. Cunard
Cummins hereby declares the claim of his
Government formulated against the Govern
ment of Mexico growing out of the death of
the British subject, William S. Benton, to be
satisfied, and this incident between the two
governments closed.
"Five. For purposes of record, the receipt
extended by the British Legation to the widow
of the British subject, William S. Benton, for
the sum of 20,000 pesos, Mexican currency, to
which Article Two of this agreement refers,
is attached to this agreement and made a part
of it."
Recognize Mexico !
EXICO is at peace.
M Revolt is at an end.
Mexicans are bending every effort to pre
serve peace within the borders of the Re
public, and with other nations.
Mexico has had her fill of civil wars.
Mexico has resumed her one-time habit of
working.
But Mexico cannot get along very well
without recognition by other governments.
It is much as though the doors of all your
neighbors were closed to you ; as if all your
friends refused to have anything to do with
you, despite the fact that you had set your
own house in order and were quite willing
to live peaceably and neighborly with others.
The United States thus far has refused to
recognize the present Government of Mexico.
Naturally many other nations, especially Eu
ropean, await Uncle Sam's word. They
withhold recognition .
Therefore, it is highly important that the
United States Government give the present
Mexican Government the recognition it needs.
and merits. There is no longer excuse for
delay. The period of watchful waiting is
over. Mexico has earned the right to be re
admitted into the neighborhood of nations.
Uncle Sam should be the first to realize this.
Houston (Tex.) Press.
Diciembre, 1920 LA
traccion del petroleo. De esta manera,
existe la diferencia entre los MEDIOS que
el propietario tiene derecho de usar para
extraer el petroleo y el RESULTADO que
se obtenga. El petroleo, como los demás
minerales, está situado bajo la superficie y
solamente en ese respecto es semejante a
ellos . El petroleo no tiene "situs" fijo en
el suelo como los demás metales minerales ;
tiene la facultad de translacion propia y es
migratorio . Ningún propietario de la super
ficie en cuyo subsuelo se mueve el petroleo
exclusivo para
puede ejercer un derecho
extraerlo del deposito común en que se
encuentra, sin mermar, hasta cierto punto, la se encuentra bien fundado , el Artículo
fuente de procedencia, a la cual tienen
derecho todos los demás propietarios de la fiscatorio en su naturaleza, simplemente
superficie. Por lo tanto, la propiedad del afirma el "dominium directum" por parte de
terreno no significa necesariamente la prop la Nacion sobre una substancia que es ya de
iedad de los aceites que se encuentran en su propiedad, de distinta manera que en el
el subsuelo de éste.
En el caso de Brown versus Vandergrift
(80 Penna 142, 147 ) , el Presidente de la
Suprema Corte de Justicia, al hablar en
nombre de la Suprema Corte de Pennsyl
vania, dijo : "Hemos llegado a la conclusion
de que el derecho de los propietarios de te
rrenos sobre el petroleo y gases no es
absoluto hasta que los hayan extraído y los
tengan efectivamente en sus manos ." En
el caso de Townsend versus Indiana (147
Indiana, 642 ) , la Suprema Corte de Justicia
del Estado sostuvo que si bien los propie
tarios de la superficie del terreno compren
dido en cierta extension tienen el
derecho exclusivo para perforar pozos
en sus terrenos con el objeto de extraer
petroleo y gas, en cambio no tienen derecho
sobre tales substancias ni son de su pro
piedad hasta que hayan sido extraídas a la
superficie y hayan tomado posesion efectiva
de ellas. Se sostuvo, también, que debido
a la naturaleza de los depositos de petroleo
y de gas, de su transmisibilidad, de su inter
dependencia, de los derechos de todos y del
público, el Estado puede legalmente regla
mentar los derechos de los propietarios de
la superficie para reclamar la posesion del
gas y del petroleo. Finalmente, la Suprema
Corte de Justicia de los Estados Unidos, en
el caso de la "Ohio Oil Co. versus Indiana
(177 U. S. , 219 ) , en el que se discutían los
derechos de los propietarios de depositos de
petroleo, manifesto : "que él (el dueño del
suelo) , tiene el derecho exclusivo en su
propio terreno, para pretender adquirirlos "MATADOR" FIERRO AND FRANCISCO VILLA
(el petroleo y el aceite) , pero que no llegan
a ser de su propiedad hasta que sus
esfuerzos hayan dado por resultado el TACION de esa substancia, adquiriendo
dominio y manejo de ellos por medio de su
posesion efectiva y material." Al comentar
sobre la naturaleza del petroleo, la Corte
Suprema lo considero como una "cosa
pública sujeta al dominio absoluto del Es
tado, el cual, si bien permite que se tome
posesion de él , queda a su arbitrio, no sola
mente reglamentar su explotacion, sino
también prohibir por completo que se tome
posesion de él en el futuro."
Las facultades que se reserva el Estado
para tratar los derechos de esta clase han
sido expuestos claramente en el siguiente
extracto tomado de un dictamen del Procu
rador General de Justicia de los Estados
Unidos (22 O. A. G. 549) , el cual si bien
REVISTA MEXICANA
trata de un asunto de aspecto internacional,
quede aplicarse a la presente discusion :
"Si al otorgar un derecho o
privilegio, el Soberano se ha reser
vado un ápice de autoridad que
afecte o impida su libre ejercicio y
goce, la naturaleza de ese derecho
no es absoluta, sino totalmente de
calidad incipiente e imperfecta. Con
respecto a los derechos incoados ,
imperfectos, incompletos y equita
tivos, el Soberano que le ' suceda es
el dictador absoluto. No pueden
ejercerse contra su Soberano sino
únicamente con su asentimiento."
Si el razonamiento que acabo de sugerir
XXVII no es por ningún concepto con
caso de la propiedad de un individuo que
consiste en el DERECHO DE EXPLO
Responsible for the Death of Benton
solamente la absoluta propiedad de la misma
cuando la somete a su posesion.
A parte de razones de delicadeza, yo no
expreso ninguna opinion sobre la justicia de
los decretos del ex- Presidente Carranza que
pusieron en vigor el Artículo 27, pues su
validéz está siendo juzgada hoy por la
Suprema Corte de Justicia de México .
Se Arreglo satisfactoriamente
El Caso Benton
L famoso caso Benton, referente a
ELsujeto inglés llamado Guillermo S. Benton un
-antiguo residente de México, que fué herido
y muerto por Villa o su asistente " Matador
Fierro" en ciudad Juárez, a principios de la
revolución de 1913- ha sido al fin satisfactoria
mente arreglado. Debido a los esfuerzos del
señor H. A. Cunars Cummings, representante
del gobierno británico, y el Dr. Cutberto Hi
dalgo, se ha celebrado y firmado un convenio
por el cual la viuda del señor Benton, nativo de
México, ha recibido una indemnización de $ 10,
000 oro americano, y recibirá una pensión de
$2.50 oro americano por día, durante el tiempo
que permanezca viuda . En caso contrario ,
dejará de disfrutar esa pensión .
El protocolo que ha sido firmado por ambas
partes, es como sigue:
"Primera.- El Gobierno de los Estados
Unidos Mexicanos, aunque sostiene el principio
de que la Nación no es ni puede ser responsable
por actos de revolucionarios o de turbas amoti
nadas, sino en los casos excepcionales que fija
el derecho internacional ,y entre los cuales el
Gobierno de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos no
considera comprendido el caso del súbdito
británico William S. Benton, sin embargo, el
mismo Gobierno está dispuesto a indemnizar
voluntaria y graciosamente a la viuda del
expresado señor Benton en los términos que a
continuación se expresarán, y sin que ésto
establezca precedente.
"Segunda. - El Gobierno Mexicano entrega en
este acto al señor H. A. Cunard Cummins ,
Encargado de la Legación Inglesa, la cantidad
de veinte mil pesos ora nacional por concepto
de indemnización en favor de la viuda del
súbdito británico William S. Benton.
"Tercera. - El Gobierno Mexicano se obliga,
además, a entregar a la viuda del subdito britá
nico William S. Benton, una pensión vitalicia
de cinco pesos oro nacional, diarios, a no ser que
contrajera nuevas nupcias, en cuyo caso cesará
esta obligación del Gobierno de México .
"Cuarta.- Como consecuencia de la entrega
de la cantidad de veinte mil pesos y de la obliga
ción de cubrir la pensión vitalicia, en los términos
indicados en la cláusula anterior, el señor H. A.
Cunard Cummins declara satisfecho el interés
de su Gobierno con motivo de la reclamación que
se había formulado contra el de México, a causa
de la muerte del súbdito británico William S.
Benton, dando por terminado este incidente
entre ambos gobiernos.
"Quinta.-Para constancia se agrega a este
convenio el recibo que otorga a la Legación
inglesa la señora viuda del súbdito británico
William S. Benton por la cantidad de veinte
mil pesos oro nacional, a que se fiiere la cláusula
segunda del mismo convenio. "
Cifras Interesantes
ANTO se ha hablado acerca del " empobre
TAN cido México, " de su " aplastante deuda ,'
de su " estado de bancarrota," de sus " crecidos
impuestos," etc., etc., que unas cuantes cifras
comparativas pueden ser bastante interesantes.
Por ejemplo: se acaba de publicar que el pre
supuesto de la ciudad de Nueva York para el
próximo año, "ha sido elevado hasta 343,894,049
dollars." Esto, con una población de casi seis
millones. El presupuesto para el Gobierno
Federal de México no ha sido publicado aún,
pero su monto no excederá de la tercera parte
del de la ciudad de Nueva York solamente, y
eso con una población casi tres veces mayor.
La deuda total de México , pintada como abruma
dora, es solamente al rededor de 500,000,000
de dollars, la que viene a resultar la deuda
nacional más pequeña, por cabeza, que existe
en todo el mundo.
 10 THE MEXICAN REVIEW December, 1920

that the petition for nullification, based on

Election of President Obregon these two alleged crimes, should not be granted .
"As to the term ' military coup,' as used in
the already cited constitutional clause, and
Official Announcement by the Chamber of Deputies Declaring which the petitioners would apply to the acts
His Choice as Constitutional President
of Citizen Obregon because of the part he took
in the overthrow of the government presided
N October 26 the National Chamber "On September 2, there was presented to by Señor Carranza, the committee is of the
of Deputies canvassed the returns of Your Sovereignty a petition signed by Citizen opinion that although the term is not defined
O the Presidential election held on Sep Rafael Cisneros y Villarreal and eleven more by any of our laws, nor catalogued by the dic
tember 5, and as a result solemnly declared citizens, which was supported by another docu tionary nor by the expert jurists , the legislator
in the name of the people of Mexico, that ment by the same authors presented on the had in mind the acts that have taken place in
Citizen Alvaro Obregon had been chosen as 13th of the same month, and by the additional our history and which originated that term ,
the Constitutional President of the Republic signatures of sixteen citizens of the State of that is, the violent use made by the military
of Mexico for the term commencing Decem Jalisco in a document sent from Guadalajara of the forces and elements placed at their com
ber 1 , 1920, and ending November 30, 1924. on the 8th, and by Citizen Alfredo Robles mand by the government, against the very
The text of the announcement follows : Dominguez in a communication of the 17th . same government and in the place of its resi
"The returns of the elections for President In the said petition it is claimed that the can dence. The petitioners, on their part, declare
of the Republic, held Sunday, September 5, didacy of Citizen Alvaro Obregon is illegal, that a military coup is the same as a riot, with
1920, were submitted by Your Sovereignty and, therefore, the votes cast in his favor the only difference that violence and the
(the Chamber of Deputies ) to this committee should be nullified . The said claim is based tumult are made by the soldiers.'
for revision and decision. The revision and on Section VII of Article 82 of the Constitu "Admitting either of the two interpretations,
computation of the returns from each of the tion which declares that no one can be Presi this committee cannot admit of the term
Federal States were made by their respective dent of the United States of Mexico who 'has
'military coup' being applied to a movement
representatives in this committee. After hear taken part, directly or indirectly, in an upris of national character, which is subject to a
ing and taking into account the protests filed, ing, riot or military coup .' well-defined political plan and sanctioned,
and discounting the votes that according to "In support of the said petition , after enter moreover, by public opinion and justified by
the law are nullified, and after taking into ing into a series of grammatical explanations posterior events ; furthermore, the committee
account the irregularities which are incident in with the visible purpose of confusing public cannot hold Citizen Obregon responsible or
all elections held in our democratic atmosphere, opinion, the authors adduce that a revolutionary participant in a military coup when without
this committee has arrived to the following movement is a riot or uprising in large scale, any military grade whatsoever-as evidenced
results : the same applying to a military coup, with the by a resolution adopted by the Senate of the
The total number of votes cast in the several difference that the latter is organized by mili Republic in its session of November 27, 1919—
Federal Entities is as follows : tary men. and without official elements at his disposal, he
Votes for Votes for Votes was compelled to look for safety from an un
States Robles Dominguez Scattered justified aggression by the government, later
Obregon
joining the revolutionary movement initiated
Aguascalientes · 3,990 38 44
128 62 in Sonora, in April last, which, on the one
Baja California 5,099
3 4 hand, prevented the consummation of the at
Campeche · 8,903
Coahuila • 31,380 84 61 tempt against the sovereignty of the States,
Colima • 5,863 2,010 7 and on the other, protected the right to free
Chiapas • 23,190 153 248
suffrage.
Chihuahua • 28,250 58 38
Distrito Federal 55,069 2,195 113 "There also figure in this case two docu
Durango • 19,134 268 168 ments, one signed by six citizens of the State
Guanajuato 111,040 4,507 121 of San Luis Potosi, and the other signed by
Guerrero 57,239 71 4
89 Citizen Salvador Brambila y Sanchez, of this
Hidalgo 60,904 68
Jalisco M 51,394 18,794 0 city, in both of which it is requested that the
Mexico · • 93,801 1,262 129 petition of Citizens Cisneros y Villarreal et al.
Michoacan • 68,627 1,602 242 be not granted. In accordance with these two
Morelos • 15,158 1,378 0 documents, and in view of the considerations
Nayarit 8,106 1,173 0
briefly presented herein by this committee, the
Ban

662 0
gga

Nuevo Leon 20,278

og
om

Oaxaca • 115,634 3,664 committee is of the opinion that the repeatedly

n

Puebla > 81,020 5,385 mentioned petition should not be granted.

Queretaro 22,074 793 "This committee also received a document
Quintana Roo * 545 0
San Luis Potosi • 44,543 290 on the 6th of the current month, signed by the
Sinaloa • • 26,816 16 officers of the ' Republican Party,' in which
Sonora 23,644 221 710 they petition that all the votes cast in favor
Tabasco • 7,293 0
0 of Citizens Obregon and Robles Dominguez
Tamaulipas · 19,029
21,975 79 be declared void, and the election declared in
Tlaxcala ·
Vera Cruz 44,470 676 favor of Citizen Nicolas Zuñiga y Miranda .
Yucatan • * 37,231 10 They base their petition, with reference to the
Zacatecas 18,043 1,830 votes received by Citizen Obregon, on the same
.1,131,751 47,442 2,357 reasons alleged by the signers of the first peti
Totals ♪
tion herein discussed, and with reference to the
"The great difference between the number "This committee believes that the words used votes received by Citizen Robles Dominguez,
of votes cast for each of the two candidates by the legislator cannot and should not be sub on the fact that the latter has, according to
would appear to render superfluous any fur jected to an arbitary interpretation when they the petitioners , repudiated the Constitution of
ther considerations by this committee , for it are defined by our own laws ; therefore, by the Republic, this act alone preventing the said
can be seen at a glance that the will of the taking into account the definition in the Penal candidate from exercising his rights as a citi
majority has manifested itself in unmistaken Code of the words uprising or riot, wherein it zen, according to Section III, Article 37, of
terms. But the fact that there have been pre says in Article 919 that they are ' a tumultuous the Constitution.
sented to this committee several documents assembly of ten or more persons on the streets , "This committee is of the opinion that the
seeking to alter the result, with arguments bear parks or other public places, with the object of said petition should not be granted in so far
ing an apparent legality, compels the com committing a crime other than that of treason, as its reference to the votes cast in favor of
mittee to discuss them. rebellion or sedition,' the committee believes Citizen Obregon, for the reasons already men
 &
LA
Diciembre, 1920
La Eleccion del Presidente Obregon
Dictámen Oficial de la Cámara de Diputados
LI
L 26 de Octubre la Cámara Nacional
de Diputados conoció del informe de
E la Comisión Dictaminadora sobre las
elecciones Presidenciales, verificadas el Do
mingo 5 de septiembre, declarando solemne
mente, en el nombre del pueblo de México, que
el C. Alvaro Obregón fue electo Presidente
Constitucional de la República de México por
el período que comienza el primero de diciem
bre de 1920 y termina el 30 de noviembre de
1924.
El texto oficial del dictámen es como sigue :
Para su estudio y dictamen Vuestra So
beranía turnó a esta Gran Comisión el exJ
pediente formado con motiyo de las elecciones
de Presidente de la República , efectuadas el
domingo 5 de septiembre último. La revisión
y cómputo de cada uno de los expedientes de
las distintas Entidades Federativas, fueron
hechos por su respectivo representante en la
Gran Comisión, y ésta, después de tomar en
cuenta todas las protestas presentadas , de
descontar los votos que conforme a la ley
debieron nulificarse y de considerar la fuerza
de las irregularidades propias de toda elección
en nuestro medio democrático , llegó al siguiente
resultado :
"El computo general de los votos emitidos
en las diferentes Entidades Federativas, es el
siguiente :
(Véase en la página del frente la
información sobre la votación en los
Estados.)
"La diferencia numérica entre las votaciones
que favorecieron a cada uno de los candidatos,
dispensaría a esta Gran Comisión de entrar en
más consideraciones, ya que, de manera pal
pable, se manifiesta la voluntad de la mayoría
de la nación ; pero el hecho de haberse dirigido
a esta H. Cámara diversos escritos, en que se
pretende alterar con argumentos de apariencia
legal ese resultado, obliga a la Gran Comisión
a estudiarlos.
"Con fecha 2 del pasado septiembre fué
elevado ante Vuestra Soberanía un ocurso del
C. Rafael Cisneros y Villarreal y once fir
mantes más , ratificado por sus autores en
escrito del 13 del propio mes, y sostenido
con la firma de 16 ciudadanos jaliscienses, en
escrito de fecha 8, enviado de Guadalajara
y la adhesión del C. Alfredo Robles Do
mínguez fechada el 17. Tal ocurso pide se
declare la ilegalidad del registro de la can
didatura del C. Alvaro Obregón, y la con
siguiente nulidad de los votos emitidos a su
favor, fundando la solicitud en la prescripción
del art. 82 constitucional, fracción VII, según
la cual para ser Presidente de los Estados
Unidos Mexicanos se requiere "no haber
figurado, directa o indirectamente, en alguna
asonada, motín o cuartelazo."
"En apoyo de dicha solicitud, sus autores
aducen, después de algunas consideraciones
gramaticales, y con el visible propósito de ex
traviar el criterio público, que un movimiento
revolucionario es un motín o asonada grande,
y que lo mismo es un cuartelazo , con la dife
rencia de ser organizado por militares.
REVISTA MEXICANA
Declarándolo Presidente Constitucional
"La Gran Comisión estima que las palabras
empleadas por el legislador no pueden ni deben
estar sujetas a interpretaciones arbitrarias,
cuando nuestras mismas leyes las definen, y
así, teniendo en cuenta la definición que el
Código Penal hace de asonada o motín, en su
art. 919, como "la reunión tumultuaria de diez
o más personas, formada en calles, plazas u
otros lugares públicos, con el fin de cometer
un delito que no sea el de traición, el de
rebelión, ni el de sedición," estima que no es
de tomarse en cuenta la petición de nulidad por
lo que se refiere a esos dos supuestos delitos.
"En cuanto al término "cuartelazo ," em
pleado en la citada prescripción constitucional ,,
y que los peticionarios pretenden se aplique a
los actos del C. Obregón por la parte que
tomó en el derrocamiento del Gobierno que
presidía el señor Carranza , opina la Gran
Comisión que, aunque no definido por ninguna
ley, ni catalogado en el diccionario de la lengua
ni por los especialistas de jurisprudencia, el
legislador quiso darle la interpretación a que
dan lugar los hechos que en nuestra historia
originaron la formación de dicho vocablo, es
decir, el empleo por militares de las fuerzas
y elementos puestos a su disposición por el
Gobierno, en contra de éste, en forma violenta
y en el mismo lugar de su residencia. Por
su parte, los firmantes de la petición de nulidad
declaran que "cuartelazo es lo mismo que
motín, con la sola diferencia de que el tu
multo y la violencia son hechos por soldados ."
"Aceptando cualquiera de las dos interpreta
ciones, esta Gran Comisión no puede aceptar
como cuartelazo un movimiento de carácter
nacional, sujeto a un plan político definido y
sancionado además por la opinión general y
los hechos posteriores, y menos pueden juzgar
responsable o partícipe de un cuartelazo al C.
Obregon, que, sin grado militar alguno-como
lo comprueba la resolución del Senado de la
República en su sesión del 27 de noviembre de
1919-y sin elementos oficiales a su disposición
se juso a salvo de una agresión injustificada
del Gobierno, adhiriéndose después al movi
miento revolucionario iniciado en Sonora an
abril último, que vino, por una parte, a evitar
la consumación de un atentado contra la
soberanía de los Estados, y por otra, a proteger
la libre emisión del voto público.
“Agregado al expediente figuran dos escritos,
el uno de seis ciudadanos de San Luis Potosí
y el otro del C. Salvador Brambila y Sánchez,
de esta ciudad, pidiendo se declare improce
dente la solicitud de los ciudadanos Cisneros
y Villarreal y socios . De acuerdo con estos
últimos escritos , y por las consideraciones
brevemente apuntadas, la Gran Gran Comisión
opina que la tantas veces citada solicitud de
nulidad no es de tomarse en considerción.
"Esta Gran Comisión tuvo asímismo a la
vista un escrito presentado con fecha 6 de los
corrientes por los ciudadanos que forman la
mesa directiva del "Partido Republicano ," en
el que piden sean declarados nulos todos los
votos emitidos en favor de los ciudadanos
Obregón y Robles Dominguez y declarada la
11
elección en favor del C. Nicolás Zúñiga y
Miranda. Fundan dicha solicitud, por lo que
hace a los votos que obtuvo el C. Obregón, en
las mismas razones alegadas por los firmantes
del ocurso ya estudiado, y por lo que se refiere
a Robles Domínguez, en el hecho de haber
desconocido, según asíentan los firmantes, la
Constitución de la República, quedando así
privado dicho candidato de su calidad de
ciudadano, confrome a la fracción III del
art. 37 constitutcional.
"Esta Gran Comisión cree que no es de
tomarse en cuenta la solicitud aludida, por lo
que hace a los votos emitidos en favor del C.
Obregón, por las razones ya expuestas ; y por
lo que respecta a los emitidos a favor del
candidato Robles Domínguez, porque en nada
afecta el resultado de la elección la supuesta
nulidad, ni cree esta comisión que sea de su
competencia proponer la declaratoria de pér
dida de ciudadanía que se pide.
"Ante Vuestra Soberanía fué dado a conocer
igualmente un escrito de fecha 16 del presente
mes, en que el C. Ramón Martínez del Río pide
que sean declarados nulos los votos emitidos
a favor del C. Alvaro Obregón, y que por no
existir otro candidato dentro de los preceptos
legales se designe un Presidente Provisional
que convoque a elecciones. Este escrito, como
los anteriormente estudiados, se funda en la
pretendida inconstitucionalidad del C. Obregón
como candidato , según el artículo y fracción
ya referidos, argumento sobre el que ya está
expuesta la opinión de esta Gran Comisión .
Sostiene además, aunque declarando que de
ello hace punto omiso , que el pueblo se abstuvo
casi absolutamente de tomar parte en las
elecciones, argumento que los hechos revelados
por el cómputo expuesto, anulan .
"En esta virtud, y sin que esta Gran
Comisión pueda conceder importancia al resto
del escrito , formado sólo por afán inmoderado
de exhibición, no ha podido alterar su criterio
anteriormente declarado .
"Por lo expuesto, esta Gran Comisión se
permite proponer ante Vuestra Soberanía, para
su aprobación, los siguientes putos resolutivos.
"Primero.- Son legales las elecciones de
Presidente de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos
efectuadas el domingo 5 de septiembre del
presente año.
"Segundo.- Es Presidente Constitucional de
los Estados Unidos Mexicanos , para el período
que comienza el 10 de diciembre de 1920 y
termina el 30 de noviembre de 1924, el C. Al
varo Obregón.
"Tercero .- El C. Alvaro Obregón se presen
tará a otorgar la protesta de ley el 30 de
noviembre del corriente año, a las doce de la
noche.
"Sala de Comisiones de la Cámara de
Diputados del Congreso de la Union.— Mé
xico, D. F., a 25 octubre de 1920.-E. Bordes
Mangel, por Guaranjuato. M. Garcia Vigil,
por Oaxaca. Salvador Saucedo, por Colima.
Aurelio . Manrique, Jr,. por San Luis Potosí.
E. L. Céspedes, por Tamaulipas. V. Alessio
Robes, por el Distrito Federal. J. M. Soto,
por Michoacán. Andrés Gutiérrez Castro, por
Coahuila. S. Garcia G., por Chihuahua.
·
Rodrigo Palacio, por Aguascalientes . Maca
rio Hernández, por Tlaxcala. Enrique von
Borstel, por la Baja Caliornia. F. B. Mar=
tínez , por Sinaloa. M. F. Ortega , por
(Concluido en Pagina 33)
12 THE MEXICAN REVIEW December, 1920

tioned ; and as for its reference to the votes Campeche ; A. Valadez Ramirez, for the State An American Authority
cast in favor of Citizen Robles Dominguez, be of Jalisco ; Francisco Trejo, for the State of On Mexico's Debt
cause the act of nullifying these votes would Nayarit ; Edmundo G. Canton, for the State of ROPAGANDISTS have tried hard to
in no way alter the result of the election . Yucatan. P spread the idea that Mexico is on the
Moreover, the committee does not deem it
verge of bankruptcy and, without giving fig
within its province to declare the loss of citizenBAR
A Good Example ures, have enlarged on the enormity of Mexi
ship rights which is requested.
RESIDENT-ELECT OBREGON intro co's national debt. Here are the figures as
"There was also presented to Your Sover
recently developed in a survey by the Mercan
eignty a document dated the 16th of this P duced a novelty in semi-official procedure
month, in which Citizen Ramon Martinez del immediately after his election in September. tile Trust Company of San Francisco and pub
lished in no less a financial authority than the
Rio petitions that the votes cast in favor of He made a tour throughout a large portion of
the Republic, from the southern to the north Wall Street Journal, the first column denoting
Citizen Alvaro Obregon be nullified, and that
principal and the second column the interests
as there is no other legal candidate, that a ernmost borders, for the purpose of meeting
in arrears during the years of revolution and
Provisional President be appointed who will the people and learning their needs-though
in turn convoke to a new election. This docu reconstruction :
the latter was scarcely necessary, since no
Principal. Interest.
ment, like the former ones already discussed, man better knows what the Mexican people Direct exterior . " • $ 173,469,067 $ 51,475,133
is based on the alleged illegality of the can need than he. But he went further. He ex Direct interior . · C •• • 66,611,012 19,132,747
Guaranteed (except railways) 32,222,690 10,133,342
didacy of Citizen Obregon according to the tended his journey across the boundary line Guaranteed railway bonds .. 57,748,575 14,342,679
section of the article of the Constitution al into the United States, visiting many of the $330,051,344 $95,083,791
ready mentioned, to which allegation this com leading cities of the southwest, meeting civil
The total, then, of governmental indebted
mittee has, likewise, already expressed its and military officials, exchanging views with
ness, not all of it by any means to foreigners,
opinion. The petitioner alleges, although he them , and accomplishing a vast amount of
is $425,135,135. In addition to this regularly
himself declares it is not his intention to stress good in bringing about a better understanding
bonded debt, the Government is held liable for
the point, that the people abstained almost between the neighboring peoples. This is the
an amount variously estimated from $27,000,
completely from going to the polls. This argu first time in history that such a thing has been
000 to $135,000,000-as a matter of fact known
ment is nullified by the number of votes cast, done, and it sets an example that might be to be between 30 and 40 millions- seized when
as herein shown. followed with profit. Indeed, if THE REVIEW the banks were taken over by the Carranza
"For this reason, and without giving any may be pardoned for the suggestion , might it
Government. The Government also, as ma
importance whatsoever to the rest of the docu not be a good idea if the President-elect of the
ment which was written as a result of an ex jority stockholder, would be responsible for 51
United States were to imitate the example of per cent of the indebtedness of the National
aggerated desire of self-exhibition , the com his confrere of Mexico and pay that country Railways in the unlikely event of their bank
mittee has not altered in the least the opinions a visit before the time for his own inaugura
herein already expressed . tion. It would be an object lesson of the ruptcy. This would be $ 118,015,678 . This
"In view of the above considerations, this last might rather be counted as an asset as by
utmost value, and undoubtedly would remove its payment the Government would come into
committee begs leave to place before Your some of the erroneous impressions regarding sole possession of railroad properties worth
Sovereignty, for its approbation, the following Mexico that are inevitable where one's only five times the sum.
resolution : knowledge is derived from print. THE REVIEW
"First-The elections for President of the will prophesy as warm and enthusiastic a wel Add to all the above claims for property
United States of Mexico, held on Sunday, Sep come for an American President-elect as was damage of 50 millions due to war activities
tember 5 , 1920, are legal. and we have $633,150,813 as the maximum
given the President-elect of Mexico. Why not
"Second- Citizen Alvaro Obregon is the total indebtedness for which the Mexican Gov
try the friendly experiment ?
duly elected President of the United States of ernment might in any way be held responsi
Mexico for the term beginning December 1 , ble. For a rich territory one-quarter the area
1920, and ending November 30, 1924. Another Mountainous Molehill and with a population one-seventh that of the
"Third- Citizen Alvaro Obregon will take United States such an indebtedness can scarce
Eliminated
the oath of office on twelve o'clock midnight, ly be considered burdensome ; especially when
HE Treasury Department of the Mexican compared with the debt of other countries.
November 30, 1920 . THGovernE ment has just razed another
"Hall of Sessions of the Chamber of Belgium, for instance, with a population less
mountainous molehill that was erected and
Deputies of the National Congress- Mexico , than half that of Mexico and with an area
added to by ignorant writers and speakers less than some of the smaller Mexican States,
D. F., October 25, 1920 : E. Bordes Mangel,
during the revolution. This is the alleged has a direct public debt of four billion dollars. D
for the State of Guanajuato ; M. Garcia Virgil,
"looting" of foreign banks by the administra
for the State of Oaxaca ; Salvador Saucedo, No one challenges her solvency.
tion at a time when money was needed for
for the State of Colima ; Aurelio Manrique, Jr.,
revolutionary purposes . It is now announced
for the State of San Luis Potosi ; E. L. Ces "Mexican Writers"
that the entire total of the acknowledged in
pedes, for the State of Tamaulipas ; V. Alessio to the banks is
Robles, for the Federal District ; J. M. Soto , debtedness of NDER
debtcomparatively insignificant sum of $25,- UNDER the
Uversity of Arizona issued ,an interest
has caption
foregoing
for the State of Michoacan ; Andres Guiterrez
000,000. This was obtained in the usual man ing volume dealing with Mexican authors,
Castro, for the State of Coahuila ; S. Garcia G.,
for the State of Chihuahua ; Rodrigo Palacio, ner in many countries, by the levying of a mostly of modern times. Novelists, dramatists,
for the State of Aguascalientes ; Macario "forced loan," for which due acknowledg poets, newspaper and magazine writers, etc.,
Hernandez, for the State of Tlaxcala ; Enrique ment was given. But Mexico, not following are given, with brief biographical sketches
Von Borntel, for Lower California ; F. B. Mar the course too often adopted in such cases, of and notes of their important works. The com
tinez, for the State Sinaloa ; M. F. Ortega , for ignoring the obligation after the return of pilation is most interesting and is one of which
the State of Guerrero ; Luis Espinoza, for the peace, has at all times recognized this indebt Mexico has a right to be proud, as the ac
State of Chiapas ; Marco Aurelio Gonzales , for edness. And now that a condition of normal complishments of that country in the direc
the State of Nuevo Leon ; M. Barragan, for procedure is returning with such rapidity, the tion noted are not at all so widely known as
Quintana Rio ; Erasmo Trejo , for the State of their merit deserves. The work in question
officials announce that a good portion of this was prepared by Miss Estelle Lutrell, librarian
Hidalgo ; F. M. de Escobar, for the State of
indebtedness will be liquidated in the coming of the University of Arizona, and is a most
Tabasco ; Leopoldo Vicencio , for the State of
year of 1921 and the entire balance in 1922. commendable accomplishment .
Mexico ; M. Monter o Villar, for the State of
Morelos ; S. Franco Urias, for the State of Thus is another mountainous molehill removed
Durango ; J. D. Bojorquez, for the State of and another libel on Mexico's good name re Latest reports show a sharp improvement
Sonora ; J. B. Gonzalez, for the State of futed . And this will be the fate of many an in the railway service of the National Lines,
Zacatecas ; M. F. Altamirano, for the State of other that has been assiduously constructed in spite of many drawbacks in the way of
Vera Cruz ; Juan Zubaran, for the State of and promulgated by Mexico's enemies. rolling stock and other equipment.
Diciembre, 1920
WITH
LA CENA DE NOCHE BUENA
Acercaos a la mesa,
mis recuerdos , porque os llamo.
Id saliendo de la huesa,
muertecitos que yo amo !
Cosas idas, cosas muertas,
ilusiones ya perdidas,
. O bygone things, dead things,
acercaos a mis puertas,
cosas muertas, cosas idas !
De la cena preparada
el salón esta vacio,
cae muy triste la nevada,
tengo miedo, tengo frío !
Convidados a mi cena,
muertecitos que yo amo,
acudid a mi reclamo
que esta noche es Noche Buena,
Está abierta mi ventana
y la lluvia la salpica ,
mientras oigo la campana
que repica.
Buen amigo, pobre hermana,
de mi casa los ausentes,
venid todos tan aprisa
como a esta hora van a misa
los creyentes.
Pobre hermana que te fuiste,
si vivieras todavía,
cuando siento mi alma triste,
cuántas cosas te diría !
¡ Vén, y pronto, vén ahora !
Cuando llegue la mañana
y a la misa de la aurora
llame lenta la campana ,
terminada ya la cena,
podrás irte, podrás irte,
y tendremos que decirte :
Hasta la otra Noche Buena !
Pero ahora, mi hermanita,
reina aún la noche oscura,
deja, pues , oh muertecita !
tu callada sepultura.
$ I dejad pronto sobre el raso
Son las doce. Jesús nace ;
vuelvo el rostro al nacimiento
y la cera se deshace
combatida por el viento.
Nadie cuida a los pastores,
nadie canta villancicos,
ni a la virgen llevan flores
los ancianos y los chicos.
En el heno blanco y yerto
está el Dios recién nacido,
y al mirarlo allí dormido ,
me parece que está muerto.
Fe de niño, vén al punto !
Que tu voz me purifique.. 0
y no viene, y me pregunto :
¿ por qué dobla ese repique ?
Del árbol en las ramas
mil velas arden ;
I que no tarden los niños ,
que no se tarden !
¿ Por qué prestos no acuden?
ટ Por qué no vienen
si aqui tantos juguetes
y dulces tienen ?
Esta espada de acero
para el más grande,
y soldados de plomo
a quienes mande.
Y esta muñeca rubia
tan bien vestida
LA REVISTA
THE MEXICAN
Version by Alice Stone Blackwell
para la niña blanca,
bien de mi vida.
Ya veréis cómo gritan
los muy traviesos ,
y cómo los devora
su madre a besos.
Pero el árbol se apaga,
ninguno llega,
y en la desierta alcoba
ni un niño juega !
Seres que venís tan lejos,
I cómo ansian vuestros cariños
los que tienen padres viejos.
y no tienen hijos niños !
¡ Con qué paciencia os imploro
para mezclar con mis manos
vuestros ricitos de oro
entre sus cabellos canos !
¡ Amor que ennoblece y salva,
vén pronto a mi hogar estrecho ,
que ya a la misa del alba
están tocando en mi pecho !
Mis viajeros pequeñitos,
mis ausentes adorados ,
los humildes muertecitos
a mi cena convidados ;
ya regresan de la misa
los devotos , los creyentes.
¡ mis amigos, mis ausentes,
daos prisa, daos prisa !
Dejad ya con planta breve
vuestro místico palacio ;
caminando tan despacio
vendréis yertos por la nieve !
Mi esperanza que os desea
como niña pobrecilla,
en la blanca chimenea
puso ya la zapatilla .
Oir pienso vuestro paso,
quiero ver, y no me atrevo ,
mi regalo de año nuevo !
¡ No doblan las campanas,
no, que repican !
Plumas de alondra llueven,
no nieve fría !
Dios ha nacido :
Jesús no yace muerto,
que está dormido !
| Casta ilusión que me alientas !
¡ Sueño de dicha sereno,
si a mi cena te presentas ,
seré bueno , seré bueno !
Ya no vacilo ni dudo,
no miro ni hogar desierto ,
ni viendo al niño desnudo
me imagino que está muerto.
Vive; con dulce sonrisa,
entre sencillos pastores,
ve a los que vuelven de misa,
trayéndole muchas flores.
No pienso con desconsuelo
en los seres ya perdidos. .
Mis muertecitos queridos
están cantando en el cielo !
El alba tibia clarea,
Venus en Oriente brilla !
Dejemos la zapatilla
en la blanca chimenea !
M. GUTIERREZ NAJERA.
MEXICANA
THE CHRISTMAS SUPPER
Draw near to the table,
My memories, come !
My dead, my beloved ,
Come forth from the tomb !
Dreams vanished and perished,
So precious of yore,
Come now to my door!
The supper is spread,
But still empty the room.
I am cold, I am frightened !
The snow falls in gloom.
Dear little dead people,
Ye guests I invite,
Make haste at my summons !
'Tis now Christmas night.
My window stands open,
'Tis sprinkled with rain ;
The church bell is chiming
A blithe, merry strain.
Good friend, my poor sister,
Come, do not delay !
All those of my house
Who are absent today,
Come fast, as the faithful
To mass take their way !
Wert thou living, poor sister,
As dead now thou art,
How much I should tell thee
When grief fills my heart !
Come soon ! When tomorrow
The bell notes ring slow
To the early mass calling,
Thou canst go, thou canst go.
When the supper is ended ,
Ah, then we must say,
- Butnext
"Till the Christmas night !"
be with me today !
For now , little sister,
Still reigns the night's gloom.
My dead, my beloved,
Come forth from the tomb !
Twelve strikes . Christ is born !
Toward the Birth Scene I
gaze ;
The wind beats the taper,
It melts in its place.
No one cares for the shepherds ;
No carols men sing ;
Young and old , to the Virgin
No blossoms they bring.
The New Born reclines
With the straw for his bed.
I see him asleep ,
And methinks he is dead .
O faith of my childhood,
Come, make my heart well!
It comes not. I ask myself,
"Why chimes that bell ?"
A myriad lights
Mid the branches gleam
starry.
Let the children delay not,
Oh, let them not tarry !
Ah, why do they come not,
The children so dear ,
When so many sweet meats
And playthings are here?
That sword for the eldest,
And soldiers of lead
For all who desire them
Profusely outspread ;
That golden-haired doll,
In a dress rich and bright,
For the fair little maiden ,
My joy and delight.
13
POETS
You will hear how they shriek
When wild mischief o'er
powers them ;
You will see how their mother
With kisses devours them.
But the tree's lights go out,
And still no one has come ;
Not a child frolics here
In the hushed, empty room !
How we yearn for your love,
Oye far-distant ones,
We who have aged fathers
And have no young sons !
How we long with our fingers
To mingle the flow
Of your ringlet's of gold
With their locks white as
snow !
Love that saves and ennobles ,
Come swift, and be blest ,
For now, with the dawn mass ,
They knock at my breast !
My dear little travelers,
Ye guests at my feast,
My loved ones, my lost ones,
The humblest and least!
Behold , the believers
From mass now return .
Make haste , my lost friends !
For your presence I yearn.
Leave your mystical palace ,
And, journeying slow,
Your light feet will come to me
Straight through he snow.
As a poor little girl
With a hope ever new
On the white hearthstone places
Her small empty shoe,
My hope, O my dear ones !
Is wishing for you.
It seems to me now
That your footsteps I hear;
I am longing to look,
But I dare not, for fear.
Place quick on the bedside
My gift for New Year!
The bells are not tolling,
No, let them peal out !
Not snow, but lark's feathers,
Rain down all about.
The Lord has been born
In the cows' lowly shed,
And Jesus is sleeping.
He does not lie dead !
O pure, blissful dream ,
Where no sorrows intrude !
If you come to my feast
I will surely be good!
Now I doubt not, nor think
From my home all have fled,
Nor, seeing the Christ Child,
Imagine him dead.
He lives ; he smiles sweetly !
The candles are burning.
See, the people, flower laden ,
From mass are returning.
No more for my lost ones
My heart is grief-riven :
My dead, my beloved,
Are singing in heaven.
The mild dawn grows clear,
And the star glitters bright,
Let us leave the small shoe
In the chimney -place white !
14 THE
Doheny's British
Oil Deal
English Company With $30,000,000 Capital Organized to
Take Over Doheny Interests in Mexico
"Control of the Mexican Petroleum Company with all of its facilities on the American
continents by the British-Mexican Petroleum Company, a $30,000,000 corporation, is announced
in advices received here from Mexico City. Among the stockholders of the new company
are E. L. Doheny, Jr., and L. P. Sheldon, both American citizens, the latter located in London.
"The company further acquires the business of the Union Petroleum Products Company,
Ltd., dealing in motor spirits and other petroleum products. Fuel oil stations are being
erected at the principal shipping ports in Europe and at St. Vincent, and the erection of re
fineries in the United Kingdom is under consideration."-From The Washington Herald.
BY WICKWIRE
N the very day Herbert C. Hoover's
Washington newspaper made the
O above disclosure of Edward L. Do
heny's successful trafficking with British in
terests, giving them control of his Mexican
oil properties , there appeared in the Novem
ber issue of Nation's Business , official organ
of the United States Chamber of Commerce,
an extended article by Frederick R. Kellogg,
general counsel for the Doheny companies,
blatantly proclaiming the Americanism of
these companies and clamoring for protec
tion by the Government of the United States
against the alleged malicious persecution of
the Mexican Government.
"How does the Mexican oil situation affect
the United States at large ?" asks Mr. Kellogg,
and answers it : "First and foremost because
of the moral principle involved.
"Second, because of the necessity of Mexi
can oil produced by American companies to
the industries and consumers of America.
Our navy is largely dependent •
Over five hundred leading industries
Our merchant marine 8,600,000
motor vehicles motor cycles, aero
19
planes, motor boats , stationary engines •
Thus does Mr. Doheny's eminent counsel
list the American interests to suffer for lack
of the very oil which his principal, even at
the time of his writing, was bargaining into
foreign hands ; the hands of the American
business men's keenest rivals, the American
merchant marine's only serious competitors,
the only navy in the world superior-if it be
superior to the American navy. If one be
inclined to doubt that honest information on
the Mexican-American oil situation from such
a source is to be had by the American busi
ness man, such doubt is well justified, for the
balance of Mr. Kellogg's article is filled with
misstatements and misrepresentations not to
be excused, unfortunately, on the grounds of
the author's ignorance.
As an example of special pleading- one
might say specious pleading -note Mr. Kel
logg's contention that the Mexican Govern
ment under Gonzalez and Diaz was not in
fluenced by any oil interests in the passage of
the mining decrees of 1884, 1892 and 1909,
under which his companies now claim title
to all their properties . He is either inex
cusably ignorant of the history of his in
dustry or intentionally misleading when, deal
ing with the basic decree of 1884, he declares :
"No oil operator dictated or intrigued for
the adoption of this law because the oil
industry did not commence in Mexico until
MEXICAN REVIEW
sixteen years after the date when the law
of 1884 went into force."
Contrast this statement with the facts as
taken from so unbiased a source as the
United States Commerce Reports, as follows :
"The earliest reference to oil as an industry
in Mexico occurs in pamphlets issued in 1857,
which record the agreement of a group of
merchants in the village of Macuspana, Ta
basco, to furnish cacao in exchange for "sheets
of forged iron' to be used in storing illumi
nating oil' which flowed from a spring near
the village . In 1865 the Government issued a
permit authorizing a certain Spaniard to ex
ploit the deposits of bituminous and oleous sub
stances near San Jose de las Rusias, Tamauli
pas. The favorable results obtained by this
Spaniard led to the organization of the De
velopment Co. of the Gulf of Mexico in 1868
by a group of Mexican planters for the pur
pose of exploiting the petroleum seepages and
springs located near Furbero, Papantla, Vera
Cruz. This company failed because of finan
cial difficulties. An attempt by Dr. Autrey to
continue the development of this field in 1878
was unsuccessful also."
Manifestly, petroleum had become a rather
live issue long before the passage of the Min
ing Decree of 1884. And there were many at
tempts at development between the time of
issuance of that decree and 1901 , when Do
heny and his partner, C. A. Canfield, made the
first successful "strike" near the Vera Cruz
San Luis Potosi boundary. These prospectors
had increased their holdings to hundreds of
thousands of acres and many other companies
had entered the field before the issuance of the
Diaz decree of 1909, the last Mexican law to
which the bulk of the American operators have
seen fit to subscribe.
But whether or not Diaz was misled in pro
mulgating these decrees is of little other than
academic interest now. Mr. Kellogg is correct
in one thing, that all claims of his companies
to ownership of petroleum in the subsoils of
Mexico are dependent on the decrees of 1884,
1892 and 1909 for their validity. He makes
much of the fact that Mexican lawyers have
construed these decrees as surrendering the
ownership of the underground petroleum bear
ings to the owners of the surface ; he gives no
hint of the fact that these same lawyers ques
tioned seriously the constitutionality of the de
crees themselves, thereby impugning the valid
ity of titles acquired thereunder.
Yet this was and is a matter of common
knowledge to foreigners and nationals alike in
Mexico . Remembering the ancient legal
maxim of caveat emptor ( let the buyer be
ware), most investors, Mexican , British ,
December , 1920
French, even many Americans, have protected
their interests when making purchases, either
in the purchase price or by filing mineral
claims and recording their titles . The Doheny
and some other American companies from the
beginning have refused to record the bulk of
their titles, thereby flouting the very laws upon
which they place their only dependence and
under which alone their "rights" have any
legal standing.
Even though the Diaz decrees be constitu
tional, those who have refused to conform to
them can scarcely claim their protection.
They have chosen rather to appeal to the
American State Department, where the facts
are less well known, and place their depend
ence on appeals to patriotism coupled with a
campaign of misrepresentation and villification
of a neighbor people to arouse the American
public to come with force to their rescue. The
American people will with difficulty now be
induced to fight for Doheny's partnership with
Great Britain.
But there are other counts in Mr. Kellogg's
indictment of Mexico's handling of the Do
heny oil interests. "In the first place," he says,
"many regulations of a harassing nature were
adopted and a maze of red tape was estab
lished in respect to almost every necessary ac
tivity of a petroleum developing concern."
In reply to this it is only necessary to say
that the MEXICAN REVIEW will gladly send
to anyone interested copies of the respec
tive regulations of Mexico and Texas
whereby it may be seen that Mexico is lenient
compared with the Lone Star State in the
treatment of oil producers .
"In the next place, " says Mr. Kellogg, "gov
ernmental officers allowed the filing of claims
against our properties by others who claimed
to be entitled to acquire them under the Car
ranza decrees."
In answer to this, it may be said that any
American citizen may go into any recorder's
office anywhere in the United States and file
claim to any property that takes his fancy. If
the rightful owner of the property has prop
erly recorded his title, such filing would have
no effect. The same is true in Mexico. The
officials would have no discretion as to per
mitting the filing. As a matter of fact, not
one square foot of land claimed to be owned
by Doheny or any other American oil company
has actually been taken from them.
"In the third place," continues Mr. Kellogg,
"concessions began to be granted to Carranza
favorites permitting drilling upon certain lands
comprised within the titles held by the petro
leum companies."
Presumably this refers to the "federal zones"
which comprise the beds of navigable rivers
and lakes . In Mexico, as in the United States,
the navigable waters of the country with their
beds have always been the property of the
nation. The Doheny companies have set up a
claim to ownership of all such properties where
their own holdings are abutting. Any such
claim offered in the United States would be
laughed to death .
"In the next place," declares Mr. Kellogg,
"provision was made that no company was al
lowed to drill on its own land unless it had a
drilling permit, and that no permit would be
granted unless in the applications therefor the
Diciembre, 1920 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 15

prador) la mayoría de los " inversionistas"

terra mexicanos , ingleses , franceses , y aun muchos
El Negocio Petrolero de Doheny en Inglaterra americanos, han protegido sus intereses al hacer
sus adquisiciones , ya sea en el precio de compro,
Se organiza una Cia. Inglesa con $30,000,000 de capital para hacerse o elevando denuncios mineros y registrando sus
cargo de los intereses de Doheny en México títulos. Las compañías de Dogeny y algunas otras
" compañías americanas , desde un principio se
Por despachos recibidos de la ciudad de México se anuncia que la British - Mexican Petroleum
Co. , una corporación con $ 30,000,000 de capital , controlará la Mexican Petroleum Co. , con todas negaron a registrar la mayor parte de sus
sus facilidades en el Continente Americano . Entre los accionistas de la nueva Cía están los Sres . títulos, burlando con ello las mismas leyes, que
E. L. Doheny, Jr. , y L. P. Sheldon, ambos ciudadanos americanos, el último con domicilio en Londres. son las únicas que ellos han considerado acata
La Compañía adquiere además los negocios de la Union Petroleum Products Co. , Ltd. , que bles, y bajo las cuales sus " derechos " pueden te
trafica en gasolina y otros productos de petróleo . Se están erigiendo estaciones de petróleo com
bustible en los principales puertos de embarque de Europa y en San Vicente, y está en estudio la ner fuerza legal.
erección de refinerías en el Reino Unido. -The . Washington Herald. Aunque los decretos de Díaz fuesen constitu
cionales, aquellos que se han rehusado a acatarlos
L mismo día que el periódico de Washing años después de la fecha de 1884 en que fué
malamente pueden pedir su protección . Mas
ton que dirige Herbert C. Hoover daba expedida ."
bien han preferido apelar al Departamento de
E a la publicidad la feliz transacción Contrasta esta declaración con los siguientes
Estado americano , donde son menos conocidas
llevada a cabo entre Doheny e intereses britán hechos, tomados de fuente tan imparcial como los
las circunstancias del caso , ateniéndose a las
icos, dando a éstos el control de sus propiedades "Informes Comerciales de los Estados Unidos :
invocaciones al patriotismo americano , al par
petroleras en México , apareció en la edición de "La primera referencia al petróleo como
industria en México se hizo en folletos editados que desarrollan una campaña de engaño y
Noviembre del Nation's Business, órgano
difamación de un país vecino a fin de excitar al
oficial de la Cámara de Comercio de Estados en 1857, donde se habla del convenio hecho por
público americano a venir a rescatarlos por la
Unidos, un extenso artículo firmado por Fred un grupo de comerciantes del pueblo de Macus
fuerza. Ahora, el pueblo americano difícilmente
erick R. Kellogg, consejero general de las Cías pana, Tabasco, por el cual se comprometían a
se dejará inducir a luchar en pro de la sociedad
de Doheny, proclamando ruidosamente el entregar cacao a cambio de ' láminas de hierro
existente entre Doheny y la Gran Bretaña.
americanismo de dichas Cías, e implorando la forjado ' que servirían para almacenar ‘ gas
Pero contiene otros cargos la acusación que
protección del Gobierno de Estados Unidos iluminante ' que fluía de una fuente cerca del
en contra de México formula el Sr. Kellogg, en
contra la supuesta persecución maliciosa del pueblo. En 1865 el Gobierno expidió un decreto
relación con los intereses petroleros de Doheny.
Gobierno Mexicano . autorizando a cierto español para explotar los
"En primer lugar-dice-se instituyeron muchos
Cómo afecta a la larga a los Estados Unidos depósitos de substancias oleosas y bituminosas
reglamentos de índole vejatoria , y se estableció
la cuestión petrolera mexicana ? pregunta el cerca de San José de las Rusias, Tamaulipas. una malla de formulismos en torno a todo
Sr. Kellogg, y él mismo contesta : primera y Los resultados favorables que obtuvo este
detalle indispensable para llevar a cabo el
principalmente , por el principio que envuelve. español condujeron a la organización de la desarrollo de la industria petrolera .
Segundo , por la necesidad que existe del Cía . Explotadora del Golfo de México en
Como respuesta a esto sólo diremos que La
petróleo mexicano producido por Cías Ameri 1868 por un grupo de cultivadores mexicanos,
canas, experimentada por todas las industrias Revista Mexicana enviará con gusto a cual
con objeto de explotar las fuentes y chapopoteras
y consumidores de Estados Unidos • de petróleo cerca de Furbero, Papantla , Vera quiera persona interesada , copias de los regla
cruz. Esta Cía. quebró debido a dificultades mentos respectivos de México y Texas, por los
Más de quinientas industrias principales .
cuales puede verse que México es indulgente si
Nuestra marina mercante. . . . 8,600,000 ve económicas. Tampoco tuvo éxito un esfuerzo
hículos . . .motociclos , aeroplanos, botes auto del Dr. Autrey para continuar la explotación se le compara con Texas, por lo que se refiere al
tratatamiento que se dispensa a los productores
moviles, máquinas fijas. . . en 1878."
Así hace aparecer el eminente consejero de del petróleo .
Por lo visto, el petróleo era ya una cuestión
Además dice el Sr. Kellogg-los funcionarios
Doheny a los intereses americanos como per palpitante antes de la promulgación del Decreto
judicados por la falta del mismo petróleo que Minero de 1884. Y hubo muchos intentos de del gobierno permitieron la elevación de denun
cios contra nuestras propiedades por parte de
su jefe traspasaba a manos extranjeras, en el explotación entre la fecha de la promulgación
momento mismo en que él escribía su artículo ; de dicho decreto , y el año de 1901 , cuando personas que se decían autorizadas para adqui
a manos de los rivales más peligrosos de los rirlas según los decretos de Carranza . Esto se
Doheny y su socio C. A. Canfield, dieron el
hombres de negocios americanos , de los únicos puede rebatir diciendo que cualquier ciudadano
primer " golpe " cerca de la frontera entre
americano puede entrar a una oficina de registro
competidores de la marina mercante americana , Vera-Cruz y San Luis Potosí. Estos explora
de la única marina de guerra en el mundo dores habían aumentado sus tenencias a miles y en cualquier parte de los Estados Unidos, y
superior-si acaso lo es—a la marina Americana . miles de acres, y muchas otras Compañías presentar denuncio sobre cualquier propiedad
Si se inclina uno a dudar que el hombre de habían entrado al campo de actividades antes que guste. Si el propietario legal tiene debida
negocios americano pueda recibir información de la promulgación del decreto de Díaz de 1909 , mente registrado su título, tal denuncio no
honrada de tal fuente, relativa a la situación tendrá efecto . Lo mismo acontece en México.
última ley mexicana a la cual la mayoría de los
petrolera entre México y Estados Unidos , tal petroleros americanos han querido sujetarse. Los funcionarios no están facultados para
duda está perfectamente justificada , porque el Pero el averiguar si Díaz fué o nó desviado en admitir o negar un denuncio . De hecho, no se
resto del artículo del Sr. Kellogg está lleno de su criterio al promulgar esos decretos , no tiene ha despojado a Doheny ni a ninguna otra
errores y desfiguraciones que no se pueden por ahora otro interés que el académico . El compañía americana en un sólo pie cuadrado de
disculpar, por desgracia , con la ignorancia del Sr. Kellog tiene razón en una cosa : que todas tierra del que se consideren propietarios.
autor. las pretensiones de sus compañías a la propiedad En tercer lugar-continúa diciendo Mr.
Como un ejemplo de argumentación especial, del petróleo en los subsuelos de México se basan , Kellogg-se principió a otorgar concesiones a
podríamos decir argumentación especiosa-es de para su validez , en los decretos de 1884 , 1892 y ciertos favoritos de Carranza, permitiéndoles
notarse la aseveración del Sr. Kellogg de que el 1909. Hace hincapié en el hecho de que
perforar en ciertos terrenos comprendidos dentro
Gobierno Mexicano, bajo González y Díaz, no abogados mexicanos han interpretado estos de los títulos bajo el dominio de las compañías
pudo estar influenciado por intereses petroleros decretos en el sentido de adjudicar la propiedad
petroleras.
cuando promulgó los decretos de 1884, 1892 y de los yacimientos petrolíferos en el subsuelo a Probablemente esto se refiere a las " zonas
1909 , bajo los cuales sus compañías alegan los dueños de la supericie ; pero no menciona
federales " que abarcan los lechos de los ríos
derecho a todas sus propiedades. O bien su el hecho de que estos mismos abogados pusieron
ignorancia de la historia de su propia industria en tela de juicio la constitucionalidad de los navegables y lagos . En México , como en los
es imperdonable, o su mala fé es intencional decretos en sí, impugnando con ellos la validez Estados Unidos, las aguas navegables de un
cuando , al hablar de los decretos básicos de de los títulos adquiridos bajo los mismos. país así como sus lechos, han sido siempre de la
1884, declara : Sin embargo, esto ha sido y es del perfecto propiedad de la nación . Las compañías de
"Ningún petrolero dictó o intrigó para la conocimiento tanto de extranjeros como nacio Doheny alegan derecho de propiedad sobre toda
adopción de esta ley, porque la industria petro nales en México. Recordando el antiguo aforismo propiedad de esta naturaleza colindantes con
lera no comenzó en México sino hasta dieciseis legal de " Caveat emptor " (precávase el com sus propias tenencias . Cualquiera pretensión
16 THE MEXICAN REVIEW December, 1920

Del "Excelsior, " México , 30 de Octubre

No Crime Committed in This Ningun Crimen se ha Co

metido en Mexico Durante

City in the Last 24 Hours
As Several Swiss Cities do, Mexico City Could Hoist
up "White Banner," Thus Standing as a Civilized
City of High Moral Standard
From Excelsior, Mexico City, October 30
No crime was committed in the City of Mexico
within the last twenty-four hours. Not a single ar
rest was made for an infraction of the law.
It speaks well for the high moral standard of our
City. Not unlike the Swiss cities on similar occa
sions, Mexico City might hoist the "White Banner"
to celebrate the occasion . The authorities take a
rightful pride in the moral conduct of the law-abid
ing inhabitants of the wonderful City of Mexico .
The foregoing is more or less respectfully referred
to the attention of those who have an idea that Mexico
< xico es la tierra delcrimen y del desorden , de la in
is a land of crime and disorder, of unrest and blood
shed. Especially is it referred to those responsible re
cently for the concoction and circulation of the en
tirely untruthful statement that there is at this time
prevalent an alleged " terrible increase of crime" in the
capital city of that country, as also to those who pre
tend to wonder whether "Mexico is worth saving."
The opening clear-cut paragraph is especially notable
and timely as affording a refreshing contrast to the re
port of Raymond B. Fosdick , just made public, regard
ing the prevalence of crime in various portions of the
world, and which declares unequivocally that "Amer
ica leads the world in that respect ."
Mexico City has upward of one million population ,
and it may well challenge comparison with any like
number of people anywhere in the world!
Las Ultimas 24 Horas
Al Igual que Muchas Ciudades Suizas , la Ciudad de Me
xico Podria Izar " Bandera Blanca," Como Simbolo
de Ciudad Civilizada, de Elevado Tipo Moral
"Ningún crimen se cometió en la ciudad de Mé
xico dentro de las últimas veinte y cuatro horas.
No se ha hecho ni un simple arresto por infracción
a la ley. Esto habla muy alto del elevado tipo
moral de nuestra ciudad. Muy semejante a las ciu
dades suizas en ocasiones análogas, la ciudad de
México podría izar "bandera blanca" en celebración
de este hecho. Las autoridades tienen legítimo mo
tivo de orgullo por la conducta moral de perma
nente respeto a la ley, de los habitantes de esta
maravillosa ciudad de México . "
La noticia que antecede la sometemos atentamente a
la consideración de quienes tienen la idea de que Mé
quietud y la matanza . La trasladamos con especialidad
a los recientemente responsables de la trama y publici
dad de la especie, completamente falsa, relativa a que
existe en la ciudad de México "un terrible incremento
de criminalidad," asi como a quienes pretenden asom
brarse de que la civilizacion mexicana "sea digna de
ser conservada."
El párrafo que arriba insertamos es especialmente
notable y oportuno porque ofrece un reciente contraste
con el informe de Raymond B. Fosdick, acabado de
publicar, relativo a la permanencia del crimen en varios
lugares del mundo, y en el cual enfáticamente declara
que "América guía al mundo a este respecto ."
La ciudad de México tiene una poblacion de un mi
llón de habitantes, y puede muy bien admitir compara
ción con cualquier población de densidad semejante, de
cualquier parte del mundo !

petroleum companies agreed to abide by the
terms of any petroleum law that might be
enacted in the future."
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Texas , Louisi
ana, California and, the writer believes ,
every one of the United States having pro
ducing oil fields, have similar laws. Before a
man can drill on his own land in Texas he
must obtain a permit. He must report regu
larly to the State the progress of his drilling.
He must submit to inspection at any time . He
must, under heavy penalty, provide storage or
transportation for his oil before he "brings
in" his well ; and he must make monthly re
ports of all production and pay taxes based
thereon.
Finally Mr. Kellogg erupts the following
gem :
"Lastly, and this was the most serious of
all, he ( Carranza ) sent his armed forces into
the oil region . Up to that time these proper
ties had been in control of Manuel Palaez ,
himself a petroleum landowner and supported
by many other Mexicans in the same position
who had arisen in revolt against the confisca
tory (sic ) plan of which I have spoken."
Well, some have charged that Palaez was
in control of the oil companies . Certainly
they had pretty thoroughly propagandized
Americans into the belief that Palaez was a
naughty, naughty bandit who was robbing them
regularly for tribute. At any rate it appears
from the above quotation that Palaez was in
revolt. It would seem that the Mexican Gov
ernment might then have been justified in
sending troops even though Mr. Doheny and
his associates disapproved of it.
The Nation's Business should have its own
correspondent in Mexico or get its informa
tion from the American Chamber of Com
merce there.
In the United States or any other powerful
country it is not considered necessary to ask any
citizen or alien to pledge himself in advance to abide
by the present or future laws of the country. He
does it as a matter of course, subject to appeal
to the courts by due process. But in Mexico and
other weaker nations aliens frequently seem to con
sider that they have a right to appeal through
diplomatic sources against any law that does not
suit them. They have this right, it is true , when
the courts of the country concerned refuse them
justice, but not until that is done. And it must
be remembered that in all concessions granted to
foreign oil companies in Mexico there is an express
disclaimer of any "right" to appeal to their home
government by aiens as against the laws of Mexi
co. This was done under the Diaz regime and no
objection was ever raised thereto. The companies
that have been making the loudest protests freely
signed such disclaimers , and acquired their proper
ties under them.
Saloons Closed Saturday and Sunday
HE authorities of the Federal District,
Twhich includes the City of Mexico and
various outlying suburbs, are taking energetic
steps to enforce the decree closing all saloons
and places where liquor is sold on Saturdays
and Sundays. Hitherto the maximum punish
ment has been a fine of $20, but it is now an
nounced that this will be increased to $ 100 , and
if that should not prove effective, the fine will
be placed at $500 .
Rice raisers are complaining because the
country is being flooded with cheap rice from
China. The Mexican crop has been very
abundant this year.
 LA
Diciembre, 1920
de esta clase quedaría en ridículo en Estados
Unidos.
Hay aun más-declara Mr. Kellogg-se
previno que ninguna compañía estaba autorizada
para perforar sus propios terrenos sin el respec
tivo permiso de perforación , y que ningún
permiso sería concedido , a menos que en la
solicitud correspondiente , las compañías petro
leras conviniesen en acatar los términos de toda
ley sobre petróleo que se decretase en el futuro .
En Pennsylvania , Ohio, Indiana, Texas,
Louisiana, California , y, según la opinión del que
esto escribe , en cada uno de los Estados Unidos
que tienen terrenos petroleros, existen leyes
semejantes. Para que alguien pueda perforar
en su propio terreno en Texas, debe obtener al
permiso respectivo . Debe informar con regula
ridad al Estado del progreso de su perforación.
Debe someterse a la inspección en cualquier
tiempo . Debe, bajo penas muy severas, proveer
almacenaje y medios de transporte para su
petróleo antes de extraerlo del pozo ; y debe
rendir un informe mensual de toda su produc
ción, y pagar las contribuciones de acuerdo
con él.
En los Estados Unidos , y en cualquier otro
país poderoso, no se considera necesario exigir
a cualquier ciudadano o extranjero que se
comprometa de antemano a acatar las leyes
actuales o futuras del país. Esto queda sobre
entendido , sin perjuicio de las apelaciones a la
ley por el debido conducto . Pero en México y
en otras naciones débiles, parece que los extran
jeros a menudo se creen con derecho a apelar
por conductos diplomáticos , contra los efectos
de cualquier ley que no les acomode. Es
cierto que tienen este derecho, cuando los tribu
nales del país en cuestión les niegan justicia , pero
no antes. Y debe hacerse notar que en todas
las concesiones otorgadas a compañías petroleras
extranjeras en México , existe una cláusula
expresa por la que renuncian a pedir el apoyo de
su gobierno en su calidad de extranjeros contra
las leyes de México . Esto se viene haciendo
desde la época de Díaz y nunca se tomó a mal .
Las compañías que han venido haciendo las
protestas más ruidosas firmaron voluntariamente
tales cláusulas , y bajo las mismas adquirieron
sus propiedades.
Después el Sr. Kellogg espeta la siguiente joya
sofística :
"Finalmente, y esto fué lo más grave, él
(Carranza) envió sus soldados a la región petro
lera. Hasta entonces, esas propiedades habían
estado bajo el dominio de Manuel Peláez , tam
bién petrolero , apoyado por otros muchos
mexicanos que se encontraban en idéntica
situación y que se habían alzado en rebelión
contra el plan confiscatorio (sic) de que ya he
hablado ."
Pues bien, algunos han aseverado que las
compañías petroleras se hallaban bajo el control
de Peláez. Ciertamente habían logrado mucho
éxito en hacer creer a los americanos que Peláez
era un bandido de siete zuelas que sistemática
mente les robaba exigiéndoles tributo. No
parece sino que el Gobierno Mexicano obraba
con plena justificación al enviar sus tropas
aun cuando no les pareciese bien a Doheny y
comparsa .
De lo anterior se desprende que Nation's
Business debería tener su corresponsal en
México u obtener sus informes de la Cámara de
Comercio Americana en aquella Capital .
REVISTA MEXICANA
Jamas Han Existido Preferencias
Sobre Nacionalidad Para Extender
Concesiones
L público ha sido inducido en la creencia
E de que el gobierno mexicano establece
preferencias sobre nacionalidad alotorgar las
diversas concesiones, particularmente para la
explotacion de petróleo y otros depósitos minera
les, y se asegura que individuos de esta u otra
nacionalidad han sido favorecidos con perjuicio
de otros de nacionalidad distinta . Debe esta
blecerse , desde luego , que existe una falsa inteli
gencia en el uso que se hace del término " con
cesión " pues en el concepto general dicho
término connota la idea de algun privilegio
especial, obtenido , tambien , de una manera
especial. La verdad es que ese término se
refiere solamente al idéntico procedimiento que
se observa en otros países , relativo a la obtención
de un título o a dirigir una solicitud en forma.
Esto se hace al amparo de las leyes generales ,
que protegen a todo el mundo , sin distinción
de raza ni nacionalidad . I si , como se ha dicho
sin fundamento, una gran porción de las tierras
petrolíferas han sido obtenidas por ciudadanos
de Marte y nó por los de la Luna , ésto es com
pletamente imputable a los últimos, por haber
dejado de aprovechar las oportunidades que
están abiertas para todos , y no deben permitirse
protestas sobre hechos de los que solamente ellos
son culpables. El obtener en México un per
miso para explotar minerales u otras riquezas de
esta o la otra clase, es sólo un caso de " quien
primero llega primero se le atiende, " del mismo
modo que se hace en los Estados Unidos y en
algunos otros países, aunque hay algunos en
donde los nacionales son admitidos preferente
mente a los extranjeros. En los Estados Unidos
la sóla declaración de pretender hacerse ciuda
dano de este país es suficiente para colocar al
extranjero en las mismas condiciones que los
nacionales. I en México , los conductos legales
del gobierno están abiertos y libres para todos ,
no obstante la nacionalidad , color, etc. , siempre
que llenen los sencillos requisitos que rigen estos
asuntos.
Profesias Que Fallan
ΓΝΑ
NA por una las rosas van cayendo "
reza una vieja canción , y como las
rosas, así han ido cayendo las nada amistosas
ni galantes profesías acerca de México, que han
llenado una extensa porción de la prensa extran
jera durante los pasados diez años de revolución .
Podrían llenarse volúmenes enteros con estas
profesías y su respectiva refutación , dada por la
lógica decisiva de los acontecimientos. La
mayor parte de las principales, seguramente no
sería demasiado decir todas , se han venido de
bruces y quedado desmentidas. Los pocos que
profetizaron en sentido contrario , aún viven
para verse confirmados y tienen, en verdad ,
justo motivo de satisfacción para felicitarse
por la claridad de su visión .
"Compañía General de Credito," Capuchinas
40, is the latest banking institution incor
porated in Mexico City. The officers are
Rafael Nieto, president ; R. P. Jennings , vice
president ; Baltazar Marquez, B. E. Holloway,
Adolfo Prieto , Max von Drateln, Antonio
Letayf, directors . All are prominent finan
cially. The manager is Eduardo del Raso.
17
Nuevo Incremento del Petróleo
A Compañía Explotadora y Petrolera
L Peninsular S. A, ha obtenido una amplia
concesión para hacer exploraciones a lo largo
de las costas dela Baja California , las del Golfo
y del Pacifico , así como tambien en los ríos y
ensenadas .
Teodoro Montague obtuvo otra concesión
para explorar petróleo entre los puntos Boca del
Río y Barra del Canas, Veracruz, lo mismo que
en Tula, distrito de Tamaulipas.
Manuel Padrés y Rafael Manso obtuvieron
concesiones en el Estado de Tabasco , en los
alrededores de Frontera, Macuspana , Centro ,
Tacoyalta, Huimanguillo y Cárdenas.
El General Benjamín Hill e Indalecio Flores
han adquirido derechos entre los paralelos
17 y 18, 30° grados de latitud norte, esto es,
extensos distritos del Estado de Guerrero .
Hilario Millan (hijo) amplias concesiones en
el territorio de Nayarit .
Descubrimiento de Nuevos Pozos
NFORMA la Secretaria de Industria y
I Comercio que un nuevo pozo de petróleo
ha sido descubierto recientemente en el distrito
de Amatlán, denominado Naranjos No. 14,
con una capacidad de 50,000 barriles diarios.
En la misma sección se acaba de descubrir
otro, nombrado Cardenas 1 , con una producción
de 60,000 barriles diarios .
La Compañía Husteca descubrió un pozo a
principios de Octubre en el distrito de Zaca
mixtle, con capacidad de 10,000 barriles diarios .
Se resolvió profundirlo más, y a diez pies se
produjo un chorro de 75,000 barriles, detenién
dose allí la perforación .
Se están perforando dos pozos más en difer
entes secciones de la misma región, que adquiere
hoy gran desarrollo , con grandes perspectivas
de buen éxito .
El Agua Salada Anruina los Pozos
En el Distrito de Chinampa .
NFORMES procedentes del distrito de
I Chinampa refieren que el agua salada está
invadiendo aquella región tan rápidamente , que
amenaza arruinarla por completo , como pro
ductora de petróleo . Algunos pozos que estaban
trabajando hace pocos meses y producian
abundantemente, están ahora manado agua
salada. Otras perforaciones han sido abandó
nadas y se cree que todos los pozos que han
estado en producción , se acabaràn . Intencio
nalmente se ha restringido la producción de al
gunos pozos, a fin de retardar su completa ruina
tanto como sea posible.
El Popocatepetl se manifiesta turbulento en
México . Es un rebelde que no es posible
deportar.
Por disposición del Presidente Provisional de
la Huerta, " ejidos " o tierras comunales, que
ascienden a la extensión de cien mil acres de tierra,
han sido distribuidos entre la gente pobre, en los
Estados de Puebla, Tabasco , Veracruz, Tlaxcala
Jalisco, Zacatecas, Baja California , Sinaloa ,
Hidalgo, Sonora y Yucatán. Muchas solici
tades están aún pendientes y serán resueltas
tan rápidamente como sea posible .
18 THE
Recognition of Mexico Assured
Letter of Special Representative R. V. Pesqueira
and the Response of Secretary of State Colby
HE question of the recognition of the
present Mexican Government has for
T the Mexican Government desires to cooperate
time been under negotiation with
the representatives in this city of that admin
istration. These negotiations culminated in the
address of the following letter by Special
Representative Roberto V. Pesqueira to Sec
retary of State Colby :
Mexican Representative's Letter
Mr. Pesqueira's letter to the Secretary fol
lows :
October 26, 1920 .
"Dear Mr. Secretary-While the informal
and frank conversations I have had with Mr.
Norman Davis, the Under Secretary of State,
have resulted in a cordial and thorough under
standing, I beg the liberty of putting on paper
the exact position and definite desires of my
Government.
"As you know, and as the United States
must see, it is a new Mexico that faces the
world in pride and confidence. From border
to border there is peace. Not a single rebel
remains in arms against the Federal Govern
ment and a whole nation thinks in terms of
law and order and reconstruction. On Septem
ber 5 our citizens cast their votes in due accord
with democratic procedure and Alvaro Obre
gon, the great soldier-statesman chosen to be
President, is supported not only by a coalition
of parties, but by a union of faith and patri
otism .
"What you may not know, however, is the
new spirit that animates my country. It is not
only the case that our men and women have
come to a deep and lasting realization of what
Mexico owes to the idealism of President Wil
son so nobly and patiently exhibited in the
unhappy years during which our oppressed
millions fought against the injustices which
weighed them down for centuries. It is equally
true that they have thrilled to the world vision.
of the President-his tremendous ideal of uni
versal fraternity.
"Mexico today is not merely planning a fu
ture of happiness and justice for all within
her borders.
"Out of our new strength we are willing
and eager to play our proper part in the crea
tion of a new and better order that will lift
ancient burdens from the back of humanity.
"A first task, of course, is firm and endur
ing friendship between Mexico and the United
States. Not only are we neighbors, but every
other consideration points to the wisdom of
an understanding that goes beyond mere treat
ies and sinks its roots into the heart of each.
nation. We have the same political institu
tions, the same aspirations, the same ideals,
the same goals.
"Such a friendship is fast forming. The
Governors of Texas, New Mexico and
Arizona-your border States- have already
stretched out the hand of friendship, volun
tarily telegraphing the President as to their
faith in the stability, honesty and sincerity of
my Government.
MEXICAN REVIEW
"Our business is to set this friendship on
foundations so firm that it cannot be shaken
by the attack of reaction. Permit me, there
fore, to deal in detail with certain slanders
that have not only prejudiced the people of
the United States, but which have aroused
much bitterness in my own country.
"Mexico cannot but feel deeply aggrieved
over the charge that she intends or has ever
intended to disavow her obligations. Presi
dent de la Huerta as well as President- elect
Obregon have on repeated occasions publicly
SR. ROBERTO V. PESQUEIRA
Special Representative of Mexico to the United States
declared that Mexico will respect all rightful
claims duly proved as such, submitting herself
to the recognized principles of international
law.
Will Arbitrate Claims
"The Mexican Government is prepared to
establish a joint arbitration commission to
pass upon and adjudicate the claims presented
by foreigners on account of damages occa
sioned during the revolution . Any claim that
cannot be adjusted by means of direct nego
tiations between the claimant and the Mexican
Government will be submitted to the consid
eration of this commission, whose decision will
be deemed final and binding.
"Mexico has likewise held that, in order to
place international relations on a solid foun
dation , the existence of a permanent machinery
of arbitration is essential for the purpose of
deciding any difference. As regard the United
States specifically, Mexico has already ex
pressed her intention in Article XXI of the
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and is prepared
to enlarge and strengthen this machinery.
"Our plan is to establish a national pro
gram based on order and justice. It is our
firm belief that the people of North America.
December , 1920
are just as faithful to their own high ideals.
Hence nothing could better shield the dignity
of both republics, as nothing could be more
efficacious for the continuance of peaceful re
lations, than the operation of a commission of
this nature, organized in accordance with rec
ognized international practices .
"This policy should be made permanent, and
in so far as may be needful toward this end.
"Another cause of deep national resentment
for the Mexican Government is the oft- re
peated assertion that our laws are of a retro
active and confiscatory nature, and that our
national program is based on a policy of con
fiscation. This is entirely groundless. Not
one square yard of land has been confiscated
in Mexico, not a single legitimate right of
property has been annulled .
"Nor do we intend to deviate from this
policy. President de la Huerta and President
elect Obregon have also made public declara
tions to the effect that Article XXVII of the
Mexican Federal Constitution is not and must
not be interpreted as retroactive or violative
of valid property rights .
"We are a proud people and the source of
our pride is as high a conception of national
honor as was ever erected by any nation.
Therefore, Sir, when the Mexican Govern
ment declares that it is willing and ready to as
sume full responsibility for all of its inter
national obligations, it is a solemn pledge that
will be kept to the letter.
"Present conditions in Mexico-the stability
of the Government, the spirit of the people
together with the plain statement of a sov
ereign people's purposes, all combine, it seems
to me, to end misunderstanding, and I have
the hope that your Government will feel jus
tified in recognizing the present Government of
Mexico and in resuming official relations in
order that with a spirit of true friendship and
cooperation we may look forward to the neces
sary rehabilitation of Mexico.
"Please permit me to thank you for your
courtesies and never failing understanding. In
the spirit of your great President you have not
lacked in the appreciation of our struggle for
liberty, nor have you ever lost sight of the
fact that the sovereignty of Mexico is the
most sacred possession of our people. It is
because of this attitude that I am able to
write to you in such frankness and such sure
ness that you will understand this letter to be
no mere political overture, but the honest ex
pression of an honest friendship ."
Respectfully yours,
R. V. PESQUEIRA.
Secretary of State Colby's Reply
N OCTOBER 29 Secretary of State
Ο Colby made the following public an
nouncement in response to the communication
of Mr. R. V. Pesqueira, in which he declared
it to be the intention of the American govern
ment to recognize that of Mexico :
"The discussions which have for some time
(Continued on page 20)
 LA
Diciembre, 1920
El Reconocimiento de México Asegurado
Carta del Representate Especial, Señor Roberto V. Pesqueira,
y respuesta del Secretario de Estado Mr. Colby Unidos no es menos fiel a sus altos ideales.
A cuestión del reconocimiento del actual voluntariamente al Presidente su fé en la es
Gobierno de México viene siendo
L tratada hace algún tiempo con los
representantes de aquella administración en
esta ciudad. Las negociaciones han culminado
con la siguiente carta que el Representante
Especial, señor Roberto V. Pesqueira dirigió
al Secretario de Estado Mr. Colby :
26 de octubre de 1920.
Mi estimado Sr. Secretario :
Aun cuando las conversacione s de carácter
informal y franco que he tenido con el sub
secretario de Estado, Sr. Norman Davis, han
tenido como resultado el más cordial y com que trata o ha tratado de desconocer sus son de carácter confiscatorio y retroactivas, y
pleto acuerdo, me tomo la libertad de expresar
de esta manera la posición exacta y los deseos
definidos de mi Gobierno.
Como usted sabe y como los Estados Unidos
deben observarlo, es un México nuevo el que
actualmente se presenta ante el mundo, or
gulloso y confiado. Desde una hasta la otra
de sus fronteras reina la paz : ni un solo
rebelde contra el Gobierno Federal permanece
levantado en armas y la Nación entera pre
ocúpase tan solo por le ley, el órden y la
reconstrucción del país. El día 5 de septiembre
nuestros ciudadanos depositaron sus votos de
acuerdo con las práctical democráticas y
Alvaro Obregón, el gran soldado-estadista ,
electo para ser Presidente, cuenta no solo con
el apoyo de una coalición de partidos, sino
también con el de las fé y el patriotismo unidos .
Pero lo que usted puede no conocer es el
nuevo espiritu que anima a mi país. Nuestros
hombres y nuestras mujeres no solamente han
llegado a estimar de manera profunda y dura
dera lo que México debe al idealismo del
Presidente Wilson, manifestado de manera
tan noble y paciente en los penosos años
durante los cuales los millones opresos de
nuestra población lucharon contra las in
justicias que los tuvieron oprimidos por siglos,
sino que tambien se han conmovido ante la
visión mundial del Presidente : su inmenso
ideal de confraternidad universal.
México actualmente no solo se presupa
en preparar un porvenir de felicidad y de
justicia para todos los que habiten dentro
de sus fronteras . Impulsados por nuestras principios reconocidos
nuevas energías, nos nos sentimos prontos y
deseosos de colaborar en la creación de un
nuevo y mejor estado de cosas que alivie a la
humanidad del peso de antiguas cargas.
Uno de sus primeros trabajos es, natural
mente, entablar una amistad firme y duradera
entre México y los Estados Unidos, no solo
por ser vecinos sino porque razones de toda
naturaleza muestran la conveniencia de que
exista entre ambos una buena inteligencia que
sobrepase a la de los tratados y enraíce en los
corazones de ambas naciones : tenemos las
mismas instituciones políticas, las mismas que, para dar una base sólida a las relaciones,
aspiraciones, idénticos ideales é idénticos fines
por alcanzar.
Tal amistad vase entablando rápidamente. resolverse cualquiera diferencia, y por lo que
Los Gobernadores de Texas, de Nuevo Mé se refiere especialmente a los Estados Unidos,
xico y de Arizona,-sus estados australes,
han tendido ya su mano amistosa, telegrafiando.
REVISTA MEXICANA 19
Hidalgo, encontrándose dispuesto a ensanchar
y hacer mas eficaz este recurso.
Proyectamos establescer una política nacional
besada en el órden y en la justicia. Abrigamos
la firme creencia de que el pueblo de Estados
Nada impartiría, por lo tanto, mayor protec
ción a la dignidad de ambas Repúblicas, y
tabilidad, honradez y sinceridad de mi ninguna otra cosa sería mas eficaz para la
Gobierno. continuacion de relaciones pacíficas, que el
Nuestro objetivo es establecer esta amistad funcionamiento de una comisión de esta
en cimientos tan firmes que el ataque de la indole, constituída conforme a las prácticas
reacción no logre conmoverla. Permítame internacionales reconocidas .
used pues, que, por consiguiente, me ocupe en Esta política debería establecerse perma
detalle de ciertas calumnias que no solamente nentemente, y el Gobierno Mexicano desea
han creado prejuicios en el pueblo de los colaborar en cuanto sea necesario para lograr
Estados Unidos sino que tambien han des este fín.
pertado resentimientos en mi propio país. Otro motivo de hondo resentimiento na
México no puede dejar de sentirse pro sional para
para el Gobierno Mexicano es la
fundamente agraviado ante la acusación de reiterada aseveración de que nuestras leyes
de que nuestro programa nacional está basado
en una política de confiscación. Esto es com
pletamente infundado. No se ha confiscado un
solo metro cuadrado de tierra en México, ni
se ha nulificado un solo derecho legítimo de
propiedad particular. Y no nos proponemos
desviarnos de esta política fundamental. El
señor Presidente de la Huerta y el Presidente
electo señor Obregón, han hecho tambien
repetidas declaraciones públicas en ele sentido
de que el artículo 27 de la Constitición Fe
deral mexicana no es, no debe ser interpretado
como retroactivo o violatorio de derechos
válidos.
Somos un pueblo orgulloso, siendo el orígen
de nuestro orgullo un concepto de de honor
nacional tan elevado como cualquiera que
jamás haya instituído nación alguna. Por con
siguente, señor Secretario, al manifestar a
usted que el Gobierno Mexicano manifesta
que está dispuesto y pronto a asumir la res
ponsabilidad plena que implican sus com
promisos internacionales, ello constituye una
promesa solemne que será cumplida al pié de
la letra..
Las condiciones actuales existentes en Mé
MR. BAINBRIDGE COLBY xico-la estabilidad del Cobierno, el espiritu
Secretary of State of the United States del pueblo así como la declaración llana de
compromisos. El Sr. Presidente de la Huerta, los propósitos de un pueblo soberano, estimo
así como el Presidente electo Señor Obregón, contribuyen a poner fin a toda mala inteligencia
públicamente han declarado en repetidas y abrigo la esperanza de que el Gobierno de
ocasiones que México respetará todas las usted encuentre procedente reconocer al actual
reclamaciones legítimas, sometiéndose a los Gobierno de México y al reanudarse las
del derecho inter
relaciones oficiales animados de un espiritu de
nacional. verdadera amistad y cooperación, podamos
El Gobierno Mexicano ha mantenido la idea
confiar en la necesaria rehabilitación de Mé
de establecer una comisión arbitral mixta para xico.
resolver y adjudicar sobre las reclamaciones
Permítame dar a usted las gracias más
presentadas por extranjeros por daños cau
expresivas por sus muchas atenciones y por
sados durante la revolución. Cualesquiera
el entendimiento que nunca nos faltó. Poseido
reclamacion que no pueda arreglarse por
del mismo espiritu que su gran Presidente,
medio de negociaciones directas entre el
no ha dejado usted de comprender nuestra
reclamante y el Gobierno Mexicano, será
lucha por la libertad, ni ha perdido de vista
sometida al juicio de esa comision, cuyas
resoluciones serán definitivas y obligatorias. el hecho de que la soberanía de México cons
México ha sostenido siempre, igualmente tituye la pertenencia más sagrada de nuestro
pueblo. A está actitud de usted debo poder
es esencial la existencia de un sistema perma escribirle con tanta franqueza y que usted
nente de arbitraje por medio del cual pueda comprenda que esta carta no es simplemente
una tentativa política, sino la expresión hon
rada de una amistad honorable.
México dejó expresadas ya sus intenciones en De usted, respetuosamente,
el Artículo XXXI del Tratado de Guadalupé R. V. PESQUEIRA.
 20 THE
Field of Petroleum
Salt Water Ruining Wells
In the Chinampa District
EPORTS from the Chinampa district
R are to the effect that salt water is com
ing in so rapidly as to threaten to ruin the en
tire section as a producer. Some wells that
had been running only a few months and were
producing heavily are now throwing salt
water. Further boring has been abandoned,
and it is believed that all the wells that have
been producing will be exhausted. A number
of wells have had their production purposely
curtailed in order to postpone the complete
ruin so long as possible.
More Wells Brought In
HE Department of Industry and Com
THE merce gives the information that a new
well has just been "brought in" in the Amat
lan district, and known as Naranjos No. 14,
with a capacity of more than 50,000 barrels
daily.
In the same section another well known
as Cardenas No. 1 has just been brought in
with a production of 60,000 barrels daily.
Theh Huasteca Company brought in a well
early in October in the Zacamixtle district
with a production of 10,000 barrels daily.
It was decided to deepen this well, and at ten
feet further a flow of 75,000 barrels was
produced and has been closed in.
Two other wells are being bored by dif
ferent parties in the same field, which is a
new development, with good prospects of
success.
New Oil Development
HE Compania Explotadora y Petrolera
TH Peninsular, S. A., has been granted an
ample exploration concession along the Pacific
and Gulf shores of Lower California, also
rivers and creeks.
Theodore Montague has been granted a
concession to hunt for oil between Boca del
Río and Barra del Canas, Veracruz, and also
in the Tula district of Tamaulipas.
Manuel Padres and Rafael Manso, conces
sions in the State of Tabasco, around Fron
Secretary of State Colby's Reply
(Continued from page 18)
been in progress with Mr. Pesqueira, repre
senting the Mexican Government, give prom
ise of a speedy and happy outcome. The let
ter which he has addressed to me, and which
I am today giving out for publication, is a
very gratifying and reassuring statement of
the attitude and purposes of the new govern
ment of Mexico. Mr. Pesqueira came to
Washington bearing the fullest powers to
speak and act on behalf of his government,
and has exhibited throughout the course of
the discussions a complete realization of Mex
ico's international obligations, just as his let
ter reflects clearly the firm resolve of his gov
ernment to discharge them.
"I think I am warranted in saying that the
Mexican question will soon cease to be a ques
tion at all, inasmuch as it is about to be an
MEXICAN REVIEW
tera, Macuspana, Centro, Tacotalya, Huiman
guillo and Cárdenas.
General Benjamín Hill and Indalecio Flores
have acquired rights between parallels 17
and 18 30 deg. N. Lat., that is, large dis
tricts of the State of Guerrero.
Hilario Millan, Jr., extensive concessions
in the Territory of Nayarit.
New Wells of Large Production
ITHIN the space of one month re
W ports were were received from Tampico of
the completion of four new wells, one with a
capacity of 100,000 barrels daily, another of
80,000 barrels, another of 60,000 barrels, and
still another of 50,000 barrels' capacity. As the
OIL WELL RUNNING WILD AND WASTING
60,000 BARRELS DAILY
This well is located in the Chinampa District and
was only recently struck. Although it was provided
with an eight-inch gate valve equal to 2,000 pounds
pressure, the force of the gas blew it off and for
two weeks the oil flowed wild and was lost before
it could be controlled. Other wells nearby are turn
ing into salt water and it is feared this will also.
swered, not only as it concerns the United
States, but, indeed, the whole world as well.
"The new government of Mexico has given
indication of stability, sincerity and a credit
able sensitiveness to its duties and their just
performance. While the full protection of
valid American interests, which is clearly en
joined upon us as a duty, has at all times been
a matter of primary concern to us, I may say
that on the part of this country, there has been
no attempt to prescribe rigid and definite terms
upon which a recognition of the Mexican
Government would be expressly conditioned.
"This we have deemed wholly unnecessary,
and the disavowal of the Mexican representa
tive of any policy of repudiation of obligations
or confiscation of property or vested rights,
either through retroactive legislation or future
regulations, has the added value of being spon
taneous and unprompted.
December, 1920
potential production of the wells completed
prior to the commencement of the present year
was nearly ten times the possible export facil
ities then available, it follows that new dis
coveries such as those noted, are capped after
having been tested and will remain in abey
ance until such time as adequate shipping
facilities shall have been provided.
Taxes Payable on Mineral Oil
NDER date of October 30, the De
UNDER partment of Finance issued a circular to
all industrial concerns advising them regard
ing the tax to be collected on petroleum to be
exported during the months of September and
October, 1920.
To this end the following amounts have
been fixed :
Crude oil with a specific gravity not over 0.965
per ton, $ 11.00 ; crude oil with a specific gravity not
over 0.91 per ton, $25.00 ; fuel oil with a specific grav
ity not over 0.97 per ton, $ 11.00 ; fuel oil with a spe
cific gravity not over $0.91 per ton, $ 10.00 ; gas oil
with a specific gravity not over 0.91 per ton, $ 35.00 ;
refined gasoline, loose or canned, per liter, $0.15 ;
crude gasoline, loose or canned, per liter, $0.144 ;
crude or refined gasoline, loose or canned, per liter,
$0.08.
In the circular in question, the Department
of Finance advises that the prices of crude
and fuel oil as well as gas oil, increase or de
crease according to the specific gravity, as pro
vided for in Paragraph A of Article 1 of the
Law of April 13, 1917, and as also provided
for along these lines in the decisions rendered.
by the Department thereafter.
Oil companies have on various occasions.
raised objections to the price fixed by the De
partment of Finance and Public Credit, on
crude and refined oil, in determining import
taxes . In this instance, however, such objec
tions have been taken into consideration , and
everything has been done to fix the values on
mineral oil as reasonable as possible so that
the companies may be satisfied on this score.
The Heraldo de Mexico, one of the foremost
daily newspapers of the capital city, now pub
lishes two of its pages in the English lan
guage. Mr. Theodore Lowe, a well-known
American newspaper man, has this department
under his supervision, and it has met with
great favor among the foreign population.
"There are certain pending matters in con
troversy between the two governments and our
respective nationals, but these will be deter
mined either by agreement or by the process
of arbitration, to which Mexico is prepared to
yield complete assent.
"The letter of Mr. Pesqueira offers a basis
upon which the preliminaries to recognition
can confidently proceed, and I am hopeful that
within a short time the sympathetic friendship
and the patient forbearance which President
Wilson has manifested toward the Mexican
people during the long period of their internal
disorders will be fully vindicated . The desire
reflected in Mr. Pesqueira's letter for the con
fidence and amicable regard of the United
States is fully reciprocated, and I am happy
to believe that the last cloud upon the ancient
friendship of the two peoples is soon to dis
appear."
Diciembre , 1920 LA
La respuesta del Secretario de
Estado Mr. Colby
L Secretario de Estado Mr. Colby dió a
E¹la publicidad, el 29 de octubre último ,
las siguientes declaraciones , en contestación a
la carta del señor R. V. Pesqueira , mani
festando en ellas la firme intención del Gobier
no americano de reconocer al Gobierno de
México :
"Las discusiones que desde hace algún tiem
po vienen mejorando con el Sr. Pesqueira,
representante del Gobierno Mexicano, prometen
llegar a pronto y feliz término. La carta
que me dirigió, y que hoy entrego a la
publicidad, es una muy grata y nueva con
firmación de la actitud y propósitos del nuevo
gobierno de México . El Sr. Pesqueira vino
a Washington trayendo las más amplias
facultades para hablar y obrar en repre
sentación de su gobierno, y ha demostrado en
la transcurso de las conferencias una amplia
penetración de las obligaciones internacionales
de México ; su propia carta refleja claramente
el firme propósito de su gobierno de cumplir
con ellas.
"Creo estar bien seguro al afimar que la
cuestión mexicana muy pronto dejará de ser
tal, absolutamente, en vista de que está ya
para resolverse, no sólo en lo que concierne a
los Estados Unidos sino, en verdad, a todo el
mundo.
"El nuevo gobierno de México ha dado
pruebas de estabilidad, sinceridad y de una
plena conciencia de sus deberes y de su
estricto cumplimiento. No obstante que la
completa protección de los legítimos intereses
americanos , que claramente se impone a
nosotros como un deber, ha sido en todo
tiempo un asunto de primordial interés para
nosotros, puedo asegurar que por parte de este
país jamás ha existido el propósito de imponer
rígidos y categóricos términos que tornaran
condicional el reconocimiento del Gobierno
Mexicano . Esto lo hemos juzgado totalmente
innecesario, y la desaprobación, por parte del
representante de México, de una política de
repudiamiento de obligaciones o confiscación
de propiedades o derechos legítimamente adqui
ridos, bien por medio de una legislación retro
activa o por futuras leyes, tiene el gran mérito
de ser expontánea y libre.
"Existen algunos asuntos pendientes de con
troversia entre ambos gobiernos y nuestros
respectivos nacionales, pero éstos serán solu
cionados ya sea por convenio mútuo o por
el sistema de arbitraje, al cual México está
dispuesto a dar su completo asentimiento .
"La carta del Sr. Pesqueira propone una
base sobre la cual los preliminares del recono
cimiento pueden con toda confianza con
tinuarse, y tengo plena esperanza de que ,
dentro de corto tiempo, la buena amistad y la
paciente indulgencia que el presidente Wilson
ha manifestado hacia el pueblo mexicano en
todo el largo período de sus desórdenes in
ternos, serán plenamente comprendidas y apre
ciadas.
"El deseo que se refleja en la carta del Sr.
Pesqueira sobre la confianza y amigabilidad
hácia los Estados Unidos, es ampliamente
correspondido , y siento gran satisfacción al
creer que la última nube que flota sobre la
vieja amistad de los dos pueblos, será pronta
mente disipada."
REVISTA MEXICANA
NOTAS BREVES
" C Hacienda dió a conocer a todos los in
El gobierno se propone establecer una zona
libre " a lo largo de la frontera norte de la
República, como existió anteriormente. El
Presidente Provisional de la Huerta ha lanzado
un decreto sobre el particular.
Un amplio plan para la federalización de la
enseñanza en toda la República se ha preparado
y aprobado ya por el Presidente . Es manifiesto
deseo de éste que el mayor número posible de
escuelas sean establecidas en el menor tiempo
posible.
El " The New York World " hace tanto alboro
to por el hecho de que ha habido 104 asesinatos
impunes en aquella ciudad , durante los últimos
diez meses, como lo hacen algunos de sus colegas
por el hecho de que un bandido mexicano algunas
veces evada el castigo .
El Heraldo de México , uno de los más avan
zados diarios de la metrópoli , publica ahora dos
de sus páginas en inglés. El señor Teodoro
Lowe, bien conocido periodista, tiene este
departamento bajo su dirección , y ésto ha sido
acogido con gran beneplácito entre el elemento
extranjero .
Se anuncia que, como resultado de negocia
ciones efectuadas entre ambos gobiernos, los
carros de ferrocarril de los dos países cruzarán
en adelante la frontera, de una y otra parte,
hacia diversos puntos, sin abstáculos ni dila
ciones de ninguna clase . Nunca se ha efectuado
ésto por muchos años, habiendo sido necesario
trasbordar toda la carga que venía de o iba para
ambos países .
Se afirma que muchos trabajadores mexicanos
de los Estados Unidos han sido retornados a
sus hogares. Algunos de los que fueron con
quistados para trabajar en Alaska, en las
fábricas de pescado en conserva, se quejan de
malos tratamientos y declaran que han ocurrido
muchas muertes entre ellos por causas evitables.
Se han publicado avisos previniendo a los demás
trabajadores que no firmen contratos para esa
clase de trabajos.
Si el Presidente electo Harding hubiera lefdo
los informes del Senador Fall sobre las relaciones
mexicanas, ¿ se habría aventurado tan despre
ocupadamente en su gira por el distrito donde
se fabrican las escenas de casi la mitad de las
"atrocidades de la frontera ," descubiertas por
tan distinguido Senador, para no mencionar
cientos de otras declaradas ante un reciente
comité de investigación legislativa de Texas ?
La Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Obras
Públicas tiene en estudio un plan para la cons
trucción de un ferrocarril que una el interior
de la República con la costa del oeste , vía
Chihuahua. La nueva línea correrá de Casas
Grandes, Chihuahua, a Nacozari, Sonora , donde
se comunicará con el ferrocarril que allí existe
hace mucho tiempo. Casa Grandes ha sido
dotado tambien de un ferrocarril que lo comunica
con todas las demás partes del país.
21
Impuestos que se Corbraran al
Aceite Mineral
ON fecha de octubre 30, la Secretaria de
dustriales, por medio de una circular, el im
puesto que se cobrará sobre el petróleo de ex
portación durante el bimestre de septiembre y
octubre que cursa.
Para el efecto se han fijado las siguientes
cantidades :
Petróleo crudo, cuya densidad sea mayor de 0.965,
tonelada $ 11.00 ; petróleo crudo, cuya densidad sea de
0.91 , tonelada $25.00 ; petróleo combustible, cuya
densidad sea mayor de 0.97 , tonelada $ 11.00 ; pe
tróleo combustible, cuya densidad sea de 0.91 , to
nelada $ 18.00 ; gas oil, cuya densidad sea de 0.91 ,
tonelada $35,00 ; gasolina refinada, suelta o en
vases, litro $0.15 ; gasolina cruda, suelta o en envases,
litro $ 0.14 14 ; kerosena cruda o refinada, suelta o en
envases, litro $0.08.
En la mencionada cricular, la Secretaria de
Hacienda hace constar que los precios del
petróleo crudo, combustible y gas oil, se
aumentan o disminuyen según la densidad, y
conforme al inciso A. del artículo 10. de la
Ley de 13 de abril de 1917, y a los acuerdos
dictados en el mismo sentido por el propio
Ministerio posteriormente.
Las empresas petroleras en muchas
ocasiones han protestado por el precio que la
Secretaria de Hacienda y Crédito Público
fija al petróleo crudo y refinado , para calcular
los derechos de importación . Esta vez se han
tenido en cuenta esas protestas, y se ha pro
curado que los valores fijados al aceite mineral
sean los más equitativos , a fin de que las com
pañías queden satisfechas .
Un detenido estudio ha efectuado el mismo
Ministerio de Agricultura relativo al reparti
miento de tierras para el establecimiento de
colonias militares en varios puntos de la Repú
blica. Tan pronto como este estudio quede
terminado , se darán al público los detalles del
proyecto.
Para disfrutar del esplendente optimismo,
léa " La Revista Mexicana . " Su editor está
francamente dispuesto a decirnos las cosas
buenas de todas las Américas. Se encuentran
demasiado malas noticias en los escandalosos
títulos de la prensa diaria, en todos los países !
Recientemente se ha manifestado o registrado
una mina de diamantes, ubicada en cierta
propiedad del Estado de Guerrero . Existe la
vieja versión relativa a que el libertador
General Guerrero descubrió un depósito de
diamantes en aquella región, así como que un
valioso modelo de joyas preciosas fué donado
al Emperador Iturbide .
Si los intereses pretroleros pudieran inducir
a los Estados Unidos-o a algunos de ellos—a que
los abogados de aquellos redactaran su legislación.
petrolera, acaso podrían persuadir también a
México para que siguiera el ejemplo . Un
precedente tiene una influencia excesivamente
poderosa, como las cortes y los estadistas co
rroborah - Wickwire.
Una agencia esta preparandose para traer
una colonia alemana de mas de 100 familias
para colocarlas en el Estado de Michoacan.
Se estr poniendo mucho cuidado para la
eleccion de los colones que tienen que ser agri
cultores, personas de buena conducta, y de
medios financiaros. Esta nueva colonia
necesitara comparar en el mercado americano
una gran cantidad de maquinaria agricola de
todas clases.
22
THE
Opportunities for Mining Development
The Governors of the States of Durango and Zacatecas Make
Interesting Statements to THE REVIEW Correspondent
HE correspondent of THE MEXICAN
REVIEW in the States of Durango and
Zacatecas, Lic. Alberto Terrones Beni
tez, has recently interviewed the Governor of
Durango, General Jesus Augustin Castro, as
also Dr. D. Moreno, Governor of the State
of Zacatecas, upon the question set forth in
the following, with most interesting results.
To the questions submitted to Governor
Castro, the following answers were returned :
"What is your idea of the State of Durango
GENERAL JESUS AUGUSTIN CASTRO
Governor of the State of Durango
in the way of mining?" asked the corre
spondent.
"The mineralized part of the State already
under development- not counting the unex
plored country-could not be worked out by
500,000 laborers working continuously during
100 years," replied the Governor.
"When taking possession of your office as
Governor of the State, what policy would you
follow in order to encourage mining opera
tions ?"
"My policy will be to facilitate the installa
tion of as many smelters in the State as may
be necessary for the miners to sell their prod
ucts under non-prohibitive terms ."
"Have you any special program to carry
out in order to intensify mining production
in the State ?"
"This question has the same answer as the
former."
"As the country really lacks national capital
to go into the large mining ventures, are you
of the opinion of calling on the foreign inves
tors, with the understanding, of course, that
all the investments made here shall be subject.
to the laws of this country.
MEXI
REVI Decembe , 1920
CAN EW r
States via the old International Railroad, thus
getting through communication from here to
San Antonio, if necessary, without the long
and tiresome detour by Saltillo and Monterey."
"Do you think that conditions in the State
are such that no further delay in resuming
"I believe that an active propaganda should mining operations is justified ?"
be started in order to evidence the unlimited "All the State of Durango is in perfect con
mineral resources of the State of Durango, dition of safety, and therefore any delay in
practically undeveloped up to the present time. operating the mines is not justified."
My idea is to establish a Statistical Mining
Interview With the Governor, Dr. Donato
Department in the State, to work either alone
Moreno, of the State of Zacatecas
or in conjunction with the Industry Depart
ment of Mexico City ; mining and geological The following statements of Dr. Donato
explorations will be thus conducted all over Moreno, Governor -elect of the State of Zaca
the State, the results to be published for the tecas, will surely be of interest to those en
sake of information to all mining investors.", gaged in mining in said State :
"In case of calling on the foreign investor,
would you be willing to use THE MEXICAN
REVIEW as a means of communication, so that
those already operating in the State would re
sume work in the mines, and so that pros
pective investors should take an interest in
Durango?"
"I think it advisable to use the paper men
tioned by you as a means of communication
to foreign investors, and to this effect I might
as well say that the Government of the State
of Durango is entirely disposed to grant all
necessary protection and facilities for mining
exploration and exploitation within the statu
tory provisions."
"Is your program to encourage and support
all the projects for the construction of rail
roads to mining camps ?"
"The Government of the State should never
hesitate to cooperate in the reorganization of
all railroad schemes already existing or that
may be proposed in the future."
"What do you intend to do in regard to
mining taxes corresponding to the State?"
"I have no definite plan as regards the tax
on mineral extraction ; but referring to taxa
DR. DONATO MORENO
tion in general, my idea is to try a better Governor of the State of Zacatecas
distribution of the burden among the tax
payers, so as to be able to diminish the taxes
"What is your idea of the State of Zaca
to a just amount."
tecas in the way of mining ?" was asked.
"Are you disposed to encourage and support
The Governor replied : "Zacatecas is one of
the organization of a Mining Chamber in the
State ?" the richest mining States in the Republic, de
"As I understand that a Mining Chamber veloped for years only in its northern part,
would have for its object to promote, safe and operations were carried to a maximum
scale at a time when old treatment processes
guard and harmonize all mining interests, it
would thus cooperate with the Government, were still in use ; the low silver price made
and, of course, I should support it." possible the extraction of only high-grade ores,
"Do you think advisable the establishment and as these were not found in depth, opera
of a practical mining school in the State of tions had to be shut down. Lack of transpor
Durango?" tation facilities and high freight rates also
"As the Durango is essentially a mining contributed to the suspension of works in the
State, I would certainly advocate for the mines ; but now that mining and treatment
establishment of one technical and several processes have evolved to a great extent, some
practical mining schools in the State." plans have been outlined for the resumption.
"Have you decided to use all your influence of operations in properties where enormous
to facilitate the railroad transportation of ma
tonnage of low-grade ores is found. Under
chinery, materials and supplies to the mining
this scheme, the old dumps could be worked.
camps ?" and treated. Following this general plan,
"I have decided it, and for such a purpose
operations have been already started in Fres
I have already taken this matter under my nillo, Ojocaliente, Zacatecas, Sombrerete,
care. I have called the attention of the Fed
Pinos, Nieves and Mazapil. Zacatecas will
eral Government to the resumption of traffic thus become one of the first mining States in
between the State of Durango and the United the Republic, as its resources are unlimited."
 Diciembre , 1920 LA
Oportunidades Para el Desarrollo de la Mente
Los Gobernadores de los Estados de Durango y Zacatecas Hacen
Importantes Declaraciones al Corresponsal de la Revista
L Corresponsal de La Revista Mexi
cana en los Estados de Durango y
E ' Zacatecas, Lic. Alberta Terrones
Benitez, entrevisto recientemente a los
Señores Gral Jesus Agustín Castro y Dr.
Donato Moreno, Gobernadores de los men
cionados Estados , respectivamente, sobre la
cuestión que enseguida se expresa, con los
mas hala gadores resultados. A las pre
guntas formuladas al Gobernador Castro ,
contesto como sigue :
10.-¿Qué opina de Ud . del Estado de
Durango en materia de minería ? ... Lo
explorado en esta Entidad es suficiente para que
la población del Estado o sean unos 500,000
habitantes pudieran trabajar durante cien años
20.-Al tomar Ud. posesión de su puesto de
Gobernador del Estado ¿ qué programa general
piensa Ud . delinear para levantar la industria
minera en el Estado? . . . Mi programa es
alentar el establecimiento de fundiciones para
que todos los mineros puedan fácilmente realizar
sus productos en condiciones ventajosas para la
minería en general .
30.-¿Qué medidas concretas piensa Ud.
poner en práctica para intensificar las operaciones
mineras en el Estado de Durango? . . . Queda
esta pregunta contestada con la anterior.
40.-Faltando , como en efecto falta, capital
nacional para llevar adelante las grandes em
presas mineras ¿ es Ud. de opinión hacer un
llamamiento a los hombres de empresa extran
jeros, bien entendido de que todas las inversiones.
deberán sujetarse a las leyes mexicanas? •
Mi opinión es hacer una activa propaganda que
ponga de manifiesto los recursos mineros incal
culables con que cuenta el Estado de Durango y
que hasta la fecha yacen inexplotados . Mi idea
es establecer un Departamento de Estadística
Minera en el Estado que, ya sea aisladamente o de
acuerdo con la Secretaría de Industria y Comercio,
leve a cabo exploraciones mineras y geológicas
In el Estado, publicando los resultados para
conocimiento de los hombres de empresa.
50.- Caso de contestación afirmativa a la
anterior pregunta ¿ No desearía Ud . , señor
General, hacer un llamamiento a todos los mine
ros, por conducto del Engineering & Mining
Journal, del Mining & Scientific Press y del
MEXICAN REVIEW, para que si ya tienen aquí
intereses se apresten a venir a ponerlos en
movimiento; y si no los tienen , hacerles ver las
facilidades que tendrían al invertir en el Estado
de Durango? . . . Sí creo conveniente hacer un
llamamiento a las gentes de empresa porlos
conductos a que Ud. se refiere , y el Ejecutivo de
mi cargo está dispuesto a esforzarse por dar
todas las garantías y franquicias que sean
indispensables para la explotación y exploración
mineras, dentro de la esfera de la Ley.
60.-Está Ud. dispuesto, Señor General, a
prestar todo su apoyo e influencia para desa
rrollar todos los proyectos ferrocarrileros que
impliquen una intensificación de las operaciones
mineras en el Estado ? . . . El Gobierno del
Estado influirá de una manera decisiva en la
reorganización de todos los proyectos ferro
REVISTA MEXICANA
carrileros ya iniciados o que en lo futuro se
inicien.
70.-¿Qué proyectos tiene Ud . en materia de
impuestos a la minería en la parte que corresponde
al Estado? . . . El Gobierno del Estado por de
pronto , no tiene ningún proyecto definido para
los impuestos de extracción minera ; pero ,
tratándose de impuestos en general, la idea es
procurar una mayor ditribución entre los
causantes, a efecto de poder disminuirlos.
80.-¿Esta Ud . dispuesto a favorecer, fo
mentar y apoyar el establecimiento de una
Cámara Minera en el Estado de Durango, a
efecto de que esta sea reconocida por el Gobierno
Federal? . . . Siendo la Cámara Minera una
institución destinada a fomentar, salvaguardar y
armonizar los intereses mineros, colaboraría con
el Gobierno y éste, en tal caso, la apoyaría.
90. —¿ Es Ud . opinión de que se estableciera
una Escuela de Minería- Práctica en el Estado
de Durango? . . . Siendo el Estado de Duran
go esencialmente minero, el Ejecutivo de mi
cargo apoyará el establecimiento de una Escuela
Técnica de Minería y de varias-Escuelas prác
ticas.
100.-¿Está Ud. dispuesto a interponer su
influencia para que el trasporte de maquinaria
y materiales de todas clases a las regiones
mineras del Estado sea facilitado y activado por
los Ferrocarriles ? . . . Sí, estoy dispuesto, y a
tal fin se dirigen ya las gestiones del Ejecutivo de
mi cargo. Desde luego promuevo ante el
Gobierno Federal que el tráfico del antiguo
Internacional sea reanudado cuanto antes, pues
así tendremos comunicación directa con la
frontera, sin trasbordes, y evitaremos el rodeo
por Monterrey y Saltillo .
110.-¿ Es Ud . de opinión , Señor General,
que las condiciones del Estado son tales que no
se justifica la demora en reanudar y en intensi
ficar los trabajos mineros? . . . Todo el Estado
de Durango está en perfectas condiciones de
seguridad, y por lo tanto no se justifica la demora
en la reapertura de los trabajos y-exploraciones
de minería .
Entrevista con el Gobernador Dr. Donato
Moreno, del Estado de Zacatecas
Las siguientes declaraciones del Dr.
Donato Moreno, Gobernador del Estado de
Zacatecas , serán seguramente de interes
para los que tienen negocios mineros en el
referido Estado :
la. Pregunta :-¿Cual es la idea que Ud.
tiene del Estado de-Zacatecas, en materia de
minería?
Respuesta :-El Estado de Zacatecas es uno de
los principales minerales de la República que
durante años fué explotado solamente en la parte
Norte del mismo , explotación que tuvo auge con
los procedimientos antiguos de beneficio , pero
que, naturalmente, con la baja del valor de la
plata solamente minerales de alta Ley podrían ser
explotados y por ésto, como no se encontraban
ya a la profundidad de las minas, tuvieron que
paralizarse los trabajos, casi totalmente , por no
ser costeables. Otra razón fué la de la escasez
23
de vías fáciles de comunicación, pues resultaban
excesivamente caros los fletes, por toneladas , de
mineral. Actualmente, que se inicia la fase
netamente industrial de la minería , existen
proyectos en grande escala para la explotación
con los nuevos métodos de beneficio, que no
requieren altas leyes para los minerales , sino
simplemente gran rendimiento de carga y en
estas condiciones no solamente las minas son
explotables, sino aún los terreros, desperdicios
de su época pasada . Bajo esta base se explota
rán los Minerales de Fresnillo, Ojocaliente,
Zacatecas, Sombrerete, Pinos, Nieves y Mazapil .
La explotación , en estas condiciones, muy pronto
hará de Zacatecas un mineral de primera cate
goría-porque su abundancia de minerales es
incalculable.
2a. Pregunta :-¿Qué medidas está Ud . dis
puesto a tomar con el fin de fomentar la minería
en el Estado?
Respuesta :-Primera, darles a las Compañías
el máximo de facilidades , no solamente por lo que
se refiere al Gobierno del Estado, sino que este
propio Gobierno tomará todo el empeño posible a
fin de que el Gobierno Federal dé estas mismas
facilidades, lo cual se sonseguirá por la solidari
dad política que existe actualmente y que
indudablemente perdurará entre todas las
autoridades del País, animadas del mismo deseo.
Además, estamos gestionando en estos momentos
ante el Instituto Geológico de la Ciudad de
México y ante la Secretaría de Industria y
Comercio la formación de una Comisión Perma
nente Exploradora , para tener mayor abunda
ncia de datos oficiales que ofrecer gratuita
mente a todas las Compañías que deseen invertir
sus capitales en este Mineral . Esta Comisión
Permanente Exploradora es tanto más necesaria
cuanto que todo el Sur del Estado está inexp o
rado y no cabe duda que su mineralización es un
hecho.
3a. Pregunta:-¿Están trabajando actual
mente todas las negociaciones mineras en esta
Entidad?
Respuesta : No, hay pocas ; pero de mucha
mportancia , y ésto se explica facilmente porque
a penas empezamos una era de paz, que es
absolutamente indispensable para la prosperidad
en todas las formas de actividad ; pero sí, no
falta entusiasmo en todos los centros mineros ya
conocidos en el Estado por reanudar los trabajos, y
este Gobierno tiene esperanzas muy fundadas en
que no pasará un año sin que la mayor parte de
los Minerales ya conocidos estén en explotación .
4a. Pregunta :—¿Qué actitud tomará el Go
bierno del Estado -por lo que respecta a los
impuestos de extracción de minerales?
Respuesta :-El Gobierno no solamente en lo
que se refiere a extracción de minerales , sino
en todas las otras fuentes de producción , se
propone implantar y tiene en estudio la Ley
Fiscal respectiva , a fin de implantar el impuesto
progresivo, para que de este modo la pequeña
producción tenga el mínimo de impuesto y la
producción grande el máximo y los negocios que
sean realmente de exploración y que en realidad
no estén en explotación , queden exentos de
impuestos.
5a. Pregunta :-¿Está el Ejecutivo del Estado
dispuesto a procurar facilidades para el estudio,
proyecto y construcción de ferrocarriles que
favorezcan el fomento de la Minería?
Respuesta :-Indudablemente que sí, y además
de la influencia que el propio Ejecutivo tenga
 24 THE
"What steps are you disposed to take in
order to encourage mining operations in the
State?"
"First, I will grant the mining companies
the maximum facilities falling within the juris
diction of the State, and at the same time I
will take up with the Federal Government all
matters bringing a benefit to the mining in
dustry. This would be easy to accomplish in
view of the political solidarity already existing
between the States and the Federal Govern
Furthermore, I am discussing right
now with the Geological Institute of Mexico
City and with the Department of Industry and
Commerce, the creation of a permanent Geo
logical Survey Commission in the State, which
ARIAN
1444
Courtesy Pan- American Union
GRAND STAIRWAY OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, MEXICO CITY
will supply both the mining companies already
operating and the prospective mining investors
with important information at no cost. This
commission shall start working on the explo
ration of southern Zacatecas."
"Are all the mining companies operating in
the State right now?"
"Few of them are working now, but they
are all of importance. The reason is that the
country has just gone into a period of peace
so indispensable for the prosperity of the Re
public. I can see that some well-known min
ing investors in the State are feeling enthusi
astic about the situation, and this Government
has reasons to hope that within a year mining
operations will reach their maximum activity."
MEXICAN REVIEW
"What will be the policy of the State Gov
ernment in regard to taxes on mineral ex
traction ?"
"This Government, not only in regard to
taxes on mineral extraction , but also referring
to taxation in general, intends to follow a
scheme of proportionate rates. In this manner
the small and large producers will bear taxes
in just proportion to their output, and the
exploring outfits would not have to pay any
taxes until they enter into a stage of produc
tion."
"Is the Executive of the State disposed to
facilitate the study, location and construction
of mining railroads ?"
"Certainly I will, and furthermore, necessary
influence will be exercised before the Federal
Government for such a purpose. Something
about it is already discussed by the Repre
sentatives of Zacatecas in the Congress, who
support our projects and who are assisted by
the attorneys for the State in Mexico City.
Both in regard to this matter and to mining
operations, this Government intends to give a
fair assistance to all concerned, with a view to
securing the general prosperity of the State
and nothing else."
"What is the program of the Government
in order to intensify mining operations, prin
cipally in cases where the paralization of
works is due to internal difficulties of the
corporations ?"
December, 1920
"If I understand this question well, I might
say that referring to shut-downs caused by
troubles between capital and labor, this Gov
ernment has just enacted provisions creating
the Labor Department, with delegations in all
the mining camps of the State. This depart
will conduct an intense propaganda
against the nefarious activity of agitators, and
at the same time will harmonize the tendencies
of all parties following a program outlined by
this Government. So far, we have been suc
cessful, and I am sure that mining operations
will not be hindered by conflicts between labor
and capital. Due to the importance of this
matter it has deserved our preferred attention."
"Is the State Government disposed to use all
its influence so that the railroad companies
would grant all necessary transportation facili
ties to the Zacatecas miners ?"
"Yes, and this matter is of such a capital
importance that it has already been taken up
with the President of the Republic. Also, the
President-elect, Mr. Alvaro Obregón, knows
about it, and I presume that all effort is being
made in order to supply the National Rail
roads with necessary rolling stock, the lack of
which is causing a crisis in the country and
has been a decisive factor in the increasing
high cost of living."
"Would the State Government encourage the
organization of a Mining Chamber in Zaca
tecas ?"
"The organization of chambers, either of
commerce, of agriculture or mining, is con
sidered by us as of essential significance, pro
vided they accomplish their end, namely, the
regulation of production, of imports and ex
ports, the supply of working capital and
implements, and even the regulation of mini
mum salaries in all centers of production."
"Would you be disposed to advise the for
eign corporations through THE MEXICAN
REVIEW to resume mining operations in Zaca
tecas at the earliest possible date ?"
"As already stated, this Government could
not be more liberal, nor could there be any
better intention on the part of the Executive
of the State to facilitate all promoting business
men the necessary assistance for mining oper
ations, and THE MEXICAN REVIEW should play
an important rôle by initiating a well-inten
tioned propaganda with a view toward making
American miners acquainted with our true
situation. Should THE MEXICAN REVIEW need
any more data or statistical information in
regard to mining in the State of Zacatecas, I
will gladly furnish it upon application."
The Minister of Fomento and Agriculture is
making a careful revision of the concessions
granted under the Carranza government with
a view to ascertaining their condition.
A dispatch from Ottawa, Canada, states
that the Prince Rupert Dry Docks Company
has received an order from the Mexican
Government for the construction of thirty
seven boats, mostly tankers. Evidently
Mexico is working toward a merchant marine
of her own.
Diciembre, 1920 LA
ante el Gobierno Federal , están siendo apoyadas
sus iniciativas en este sentido por la Diputación
de Zacatecas en el Congreso de la Unión y por
los Abogados Representantes del propio Gobierno
en la Ciudad de México. En este asunto, como
en lo que se refiere al fomento de la explotación
minera, el Gobierno dará toda clase de facilidades,
sin querer sacar un beneficio directo de ellas,
sino del movimiento que provoquen.
6a. Pregunta :-¿Qué medida piensa el
Gobierno del Estado para intensificar la pro
ducción minera, principalmente en los casos de
paralización por causa de dificultades interiores
de las-negociaciones?
Respuesta :-Aunque no comprendo bien esta
pregunta, me parece que se refiere a las dificul
tades que surjan entre el Capital-y el Trabajo ;
para el caso de una paralización por estos
motivos, el Gobierno acaba de expedir y pro
mulgar un decreto por medio del cual se crea
el Departamento de Trabajo y Previsión Social ,
y actualmente tiene delegaciones en todos los
centros mineros para hacer labor contra la
agitación inmotivada e injusta y al mismo
tiempo buscando el mejoramiento por acuerdos
previós entre los Gerentes de las Negociaciones y
el Ejecutivo del Estado. Dada la marcha con
que se ha iniciado este trabajo, casi puedo
asegurar-que no habrá en el Estado paraliza
ciones por conflictos de obreros, porque ya
damos preferente atención a la trascendencia
que tienen y al perjuicio que en estas circunstan
cias reportan al Estado.
7a. Pregunta :-¿Está el Ejecutivo del Estado
dispuesto a interponer toda su influencia con
el fin de que los Ferrocarriles- Nacionales presten
todas las facilidades de comunicaciaon y tráfico
al elemento minero de Zacatecas?
Respuesta :-Sí . Este asunto es de tan vital
importancia para el éxito de los propósitos del
Ejecutivo, que ya lo ha tratado con el actual
Presidente Substituto de la República y áun
iniciado con el Presidente electo, Sr. Alvaro
Obregón, de manera que penetrados-los referidos
ciudadanos de la necesidad de esto , entiendo que
se hacen gestiones extremas para proveer a los
Ferrocarriles de todo el material rodante que
necesiten, porque la falta de éste está produciendo
una verdadera crisis en el País, por el aumento
del valor del costo de la vida.
8a. Pregunta :-¿Alentaría el Ejecutivo del
Estado la creación-y el funcionamiento de una
Cámara Minera de Zacatecas?
Respuesta :-La creación de Cámaras, ya
sean de Comercio, de Agricultura o de Minería
la considera el Ejecutivo como una cosa esencial ,
siempre que éstas tengan que cumplir con su
verdadero cometido de reguladoras, que fijen
sus exportaciones, que faciliten la importación
de elementos de trabajo y aún regularizen los
salarios mínimos en todos los Centros de pro
ducción.
9a. Pregunta : ¿Estaría Ud. dispuesto a
utilizar el conducto de los periódicos arriba
citados, con el fin de hacer un llamamiento a
las Negociaciones extranjeras que tienen parali
zados sus trabajos , a efecto de que los reanuden
cuanto antes?
Respuesta :-Pues tal como lo manifiesto en
las contestaciones-anteriores, no puede haber
mayor liberalidad, mayor buena intención de
parte del Ejecutivo para dar facilidades a todos
lo hombres de negocios y de empuje, y a propó
sito de la prensa especialmente minera de los
periódicos Mining & Scientific Press de San
REVISTA MEXICANA
Francisco, California, Engineering & Mining
Journal " de Nueva York y MEXICAN REVIEW
de Washington, creo que desempeñarían un
papel importante haciendo propaganda verídica
y exacta de cuál es nuestra verdadera situación
en la actualidad . Si desean algunos datos pre
cisos y aún numéricos, sobre asuntos mineros ,
el Ejecutivo de Este estado seos puede propor
cionar.
MEXICO REBOSA DE
RIQUEZAS
Vasta Colección de Productos Naturales
Empresas Manufactureras y Proyectos
para el Futuro.-Noticias Valiosas.
N la época de los Aztecas, era México
E industrioso, pintoresco y sorprendente por
la obra de los hombres.
Como país, no es el menos pintoresco y mara
villoso, no obstahte que sus actividades sociales,
LIC. ALBERTO TERRONES BENITEZ
Of Durango City, Mexico
The Mexican Review's Representative
económicas e industriales han sido desorgani
zadas en alto grado por la revolución.
La tierra mexicana, a pesar de sufrir los
dolores producidos por el bandidaje, es ahora
el lugar más importante y menos explotado del
mundo.
Desde las revoluciones de 1821 y 1867 , las
minas de México, las de las llanunas y cordill
eras, han producido una cuarta parte de la
plata de todo el mundo, y una quinta del oro.
Contiene cobre, bismuto, plomo, zinc, manga
neso, sales, sulfuros, mineral de oro, mercurio e
incontables piedras preciosas y finas .
Los bosques de la cordillera de la Sierra Madre
producen millones de pies de madera diariamente,
incluyendo madera para ebanistería y de cons
trucción, palos de tinte, caoba, ébano, palo del
Brasil y cedro..
La producción de plantas medicinales es
enorme. Se producen fibras en abundancia.
Los esfuerzos hechos en el ramo de agricultura,
aunque primitivos, han sido recompensados por
la Naturaleza en la tierra en que ella pratege más .
Existe trigo, maíz, frijol, arroz, café, tabaco,
25
algodón, azúcar de caña , cochinilla , cacao,
vainilla y maguey.
El ganado comprende 5,142,457 cabezas ,
3,424,430 ovejas ; 616,139 cerdos ; 4,206,041
cabras, 9,996 burros . Estos datos fueron
tomados de las últimas estadísticas oficiales.
Manufacturas
Antes de la Independencia, las industrias
manufactureras eran enteramente rudimentarias.
La política colonial no favoreció el estableci
miento de fábricas, pues el " mercado de la
metrópoli " se reservaba a sí mismo el derecho
de proveer a los Estados dominados .
Las leyes de 1887-90-96 y de 1903, promo
vieron en grado inusitado las actividades indus
triales .
Las fábricas productoras de artículos alimen
ticios, naturalmente, fueron las primeras en
entrar de lleno en actividad, produciendo
bebidas, azúcar, chocolate, alimentos, prepa
rando cereales, etc.
El desarrollo general de la energía hidráulica
en el país ha alcanzado una capacidad productora
de más de 18,000,000 de kilowatts, poniendo en
movimiento 170 plantas de algodón, fábricas de
telas de lana y seda , que suman unos 479 estab
lecimientos .
Hay fábricas que producen cordelería, fibra ,
carpetas, frazadas, papel, loza , jabón.
Para el Futuro
En el horóscopo del mundo, hay para México
un período de incertidumbre, no de desespera
ción, puesto que sus 15,000,000 de habitantes ,
sin duda ninguna, están purificándose para una
nueva era de progreso social, económico y
político.
En un breve ciclo de años , de meses probable
mente, habrá arreglado sus luchas por la necesi
dad de una amplia civilización . El mundo
ganará con ello ; sus actuales y no explotados
recursos, que son ahora un factor pasivo ,
constituirán uno de los más grandes elementos
del comercio mundial.
Seguros Contra Pérdidas de Carga en los
Ferrocarriles Mexicanos
Los Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México han
fundado un Departamento de Seguros para ga
rantizar al público contra la pérdida y deterioros
de mercancías causados por los ataques de los
bandidos a los trenes. Las pólizas tienen un
valor mínimo de 7,000 pesos, (3,500 en oro
americano, aproximadamente) siendo el máximo
de 20,000 pesos (unos 10,000 en oro americano) .
Las primas se calculan por la distancia
recorrida, según la siguiente tarifa :
De 100 a 300 kilómetros (de 76 a 186 millas
aproximadamente) -2 por ciento.
De 301 a 500 kilómetros ( 187 a 310 millas,
aproximadamente)-tres por ciento.
De 501 a 800 kilómetros (de 311 a 497 millas)
3½ por ciento.
De 801 uno para arriba )de 479.7 millas
enadelante)-4 por ciento.
Las reclamaciones no serán pagadas pasados
treinta días de la fecha de la pérdida que las
motiva. Para mayores informes deben dirigirşe
los interesados al señor J. D. Villarreal, Depart
amento de Justicia, ciudad de México .
Se propone establecer 31 estaciones inalám
bricas en las capitales de los Estados de la
República y en los principales puertos. El
costo se ha calculado en cerca de tres cuartos
de millon de pesos.
26 THE MEXICAN REVIEW December, 1920

tree-embowered monument erected to the

Oldest Trees in the World
The Romantic Pathways in the Famous Bosque of
Chapultepec-Antedate the Time of Christ
BY "EL GRINGO " the Montezumas and of the rulers of Mexico
as much further back as the imagination can
ANDERING leisurely through the take one-but certainly since the earliest his
Bosque of Chapultepec this bright, torical times. If one elect to follow the ex
Wsunny Sunday morning-although al ample of nine-tenths of those who visit Cha
most any morning will do of the fifty-two pultepec, he will pass along the broad avenue
Sundays and 313 week days in the year, since of the same name, along which the American
the greater portion of them are of this char troops fought their way in 1847 from the
acter-the idea suggested itself that the readers castle to the citadel of Belen, passing en route
of THE REVIEW might like to know a little a section of the old masonry aqueduct first
about this ancient garden, probably contem built by Montezuma and afterwards enlarged
porary with the famous Garden of Daphne, or rather reconstructed under Cortez and his
even if not with the Hanging Gardens of successors, and which until a comparatively re
Babylon, since the mute testimony of the cent date was the sole source of the city's
hoary cypress trees hundreds on hundreds, per water supply. One of the oddly carved and
haps thousands of years of age, standing there most interesting "saltos de agua," or fountain,
memory of the gallant young military cadets
who defended the Castle above it against the
assault of the American forces in 1847. This
monument stands almost exactly upon the spot
where one of the cadets, Mexican flag in hand,
when he saw that further resistance was hope
less, leaped from the summit of the cliff and
perished on the rocks at its base, his blood
dyeing the banner which he still held in his
lifeless hands. Every year the anniversary of
the fall of the Castle is commemorated by a
solemn ceremony and the monument is deco
rated with floral offerings, deluged with them
in fact, accompanied by appropriate cere
monies.
Just a few yards beyond this monument one
can decipher certain ancient and weather
worn carvings on the native rocks of the cliff,
of an intensely interesting character. A great
statue, perhaps that of a god, indeed probably
so from its fate, stood here in the time of

22 CHAPULTEPEC, W

CHANGEABLE FOUNTAIN IN THE CHAPULTEPEC LAKE-THE CASTLE TO THE LEFT

in regular order as the prehistoric gardeners
planted them, attests the fact of its remote
origin as a pleasure resort. That it is today
in many respects without an equal in the
world is not an exaggeration. True, the red
wood forests of California present trees as old
and as large as these, but they were planted
by Nature, while these owe their present posi
tion to the hand of man. The Bosque of Cha
pultepec is believed to be unique in this re
spect in all the world.
The accepted method of seeing Chapultepec,
especially by visiting foreigners, is, of course,
from a rapidly moving automobile-the more
rapid the better ! And the one who thus
"does" the Bosque, goes home with but a faint
idea of its wonderful beauty and picturesque
ness. The only real way to see it is the good
old-fashioned style which was the custom
when the park was first commenced-on foot.
And since the climate of Mexico City is at
all times conducive to the enjoyment of pe
destrianism, this is the best method to adopt
in the present case.
The visitor will as a rule reach the Bosque
from the heart of the city by auto, camion or
jitney, or the more prosaic electric street car.
Either one of half a dozen lines of the latter
character will deposit him after a short and
enjoyable ride at that gateway of the park
which is only a few hundred feet from the
foot of the cliff upon which stands the pic
turesque castle, once the site of the home of
by means of which the people were supplied
with water from the aqueduct high above their
heads, was also left standing when the ancient
structure went out of use and was for the
greater part demolished. This and another at
the end of the aqueduct in the heart of the
city are to be preserved as typical of the an
cient architecture and stone carvings of cen
turies ago .
Alighting then close to the foot of the Cha
pultepec cliff, and approaching the ornamental
iron gateway that affords entrance to the park,
one halts involuntarily to study the view that
comes suddenly to his vision. The first notable
impression is the heavy forestation seen on
every hand and the resultant dense shade.
through which the sunlight shoots here and
there, only accentuating the contrast. In the
distance are flower beds and lawns, with a
building or two peeping modestly into sight.
A couple of picturesquely clad and caparisoned
mounted policemen pass by, keeping wary eye
on the rushing automobiles. A sign conveys
the information that a maximum speed of
fifteen miles an hour is all that is allowed,
but since when did chauffeur heed such sign
in this or any other country what time the near
presence of some representative of authority
did not deter him ? Then, carefully "watch
ing one's step," the visitor awaits a favorable.
opportunity and hastens to the opposite side
of the thoroughfare, as his way lies in that
direction. The first point of interest is the
Cortez, but its massive fragments and the drill
holes where the explosive was planted that
destroyed it, still offer mute testimony to the
iconoclasm of the priestly counselors of the
Spanish soldiers, who could see only idolatry
and heathenism in the magnificent stone
images and carvings, as well as in the pic
tured records of the Aztecs, and ruthlessly de
stroyed them whenever found, thereby render
ing it impossible for the scholars of later gen
erations to do more than hazard a guess at the
history of the races that once so thickly popu
lated this valley.
Farther along the base of the cliff, though
at some little distance from it, are the his
torical "Baths of Montezuma." A high stone
wall surrounds the pool, and on entering the
gateway one finds himself facing a great
spring of pellucid water surrounded by flower
gardens, the walls draped with vines, all in
perpetual bloom, for there is no day in the
entire year when geraniums, heliotrope, roses,
lilies and many another delicate growth, are
not in bloom. The water is deep and clear, of
a beautiful opalescent tint, while swimming
lazily about are gold and silver fish which
seem very much at home in the pool, warm
and mineralized though the water be. The
boiling sands at several places in the bottom
denote the origin of the water, coming from
the depths of the earth, and perhaps like the
great springs at Xochimilco which now sup
ply the city with an abundance of water, hav
 LA
Diciembre, 1920
Los Arboles mas Antiguos del Mundo
Las Románticas Calzadas del Famoso Bosque. de Chapultepec.
POR "EL GRINGO"
AGANDO pausadamente por el Bosque
de Chapultepec en esta clara, resplan
V deciente mañana dominical-aunque casi
todas lo son, de los 52 domingos de los 365 dias
de las semanas del año, pues la mayor parte de
ellas son idénticas, -se me antoja que a los
lectores de la Revista les agradaría saber algo
acerca de este legendario jardin, contemporáneo
probablemente del famoso Jardin de Defne , si no
de los Jardines Colgantes de Babilonia, ya que
el mudo testimonio de sus musgosos cipreces,
centenarios y acaso milenarios, distribuidos
simétricamente como sus pre-históricos jardineros
los plantaran , confirma su remoto origen como
THE LAKE IN CHAPULTEPEC PARK-WIRELESS MAST IN THE DISTANCE
agradable sitio de recreo. Afirmar que hoy en
dia, por muchos respectos, es inigualado en el
mundo, nó es una exageración. Es cierto que
las rojas selvas de California ofrecen árboles tan
antiguos y grandes como éstos ; pero aquellos
fueron plantados por la Naturaleza, mientras
que éstos lo han sido por la mano del hombre.
Desde este aspecto, el Bosque de Chapultepec
es considerado como único en todo el mundo.
El modo general de conocer Chapultepec,
especialmente porlos visitantes estranjeros, es
por medio de una rápida carrera en automovil,
mientras más rápida mejor; y los que asi ven el
Bosque, retornan a sus hogares con una idea
muy superficial de su pintoresca y encantadora
belleza . La vertadera y única menera de cono
cerlo es paseándolo a pié, a la antigua y acertada
moda que se observó desde los comienzos del
parque. I puesto que el clima de la ciudad de
México favorece en todo tiempo el agradable
paseo pedestre, este es el mejor medio que debe
adoptarse en el presente caso.
Por lo general , el visitante llega al Bosque,
partiendo del corazón de la ciudad, en auto
movil, camión, o el corriente-tranvia eléctrico .
Una, por lo menos, de cada seis lineas de tran
vias que por alli pasan, despues de un breve y
agradable recorrido , lo deja hasta la entrada del
parque, la cual está a corta distancia del rocoso
basamento en que descansa el pintoresco Cas
tillo, residencia que fué de los Moctezumas y
gobernantes de México desde tiempos tan
REVISTA MEXICANA
Son Anteriores a la Era Cristiana
pretéritos que la imaginación no puede precisar,
aunque, sin duda, desde los tiempos pre
históricos.
Si se decide uno seguir el ejemplo de la gran
mayoria de los que visitan Chapultepec, se
penetra por la ancha avenida del mismo nombre,
a cuyo largo las tropas de Norte-América se
abrieron paso en 1847 , del Castillo hacia la
Ciudadela de Belén, atravesando una sección
del viejo acueducto de albañileria construido por
Moctezuma, y más adelante amplificado o casi
reconstruido por Cortéz y sus sucesores, acue
ducto que hasta fecha relativamente reciente fué
la fuente única que abastecía de agua la ciudad .
Uno de los más raramente tallados y más intere
santes " saltos de agua " o fuentes, que abasteció
al pueblo de agua traida de un elevado acue
ducto, fué tambien conservado intacto, cuando
la antigua construcción quedó en desuso y en
gran parte demolida . Esta fuente, así como
otra que se halla al extremo del acueducto, en
el corazón de la ciudad, ser án conservadas como
modelos de arquitectura antigua y de grabado
en piedra de pasadas centurias.
Descendiendo luego muy cerca de la base
rocosa del Castillo y en dirección al enverjado
de hierro que guarda la entrada del parque, uno
se detiene involuntariamente a contemplar el
paisaje que súbitamente surge a la vista. La
primera impresión más notable la ofrece la recia
vegetación que se destaca por todas partes, con
la densa sombra que proyecta, aquí y allá pene
trada por los rayos del sol, que acentúan así el
marcado constraste. A lo lejos se divisan
alfombras de flores y prados, que rodean uno que
otro edificio modestamente asomados. Un par
de guardianes, pintorescamente trajeados y
enjaezados en sus caballos, rondan por ahí,
vigilando con mirada atenta la carrera velóz
de los vehiculos. Un rótulo hace saber que sólo
es permitida una velocidad máxima de quince
millas por hora; pero aquí, como en cualquiera
otropaís, ¿cuándo el chauffeur ha acatado esa
señal, desde que se siente fuera del alcance de la
autoridad que lo intimida? Pues bien, vigilando
atentamente su camino, el visitante espera una
27
ocasión favorable y precipitadamente atraviesa
hacia el otro lado de la calle, para seguir la
dirección de su camino .
El primer sitio de interés es el monumento
erigido en memoria delos bizarros cadetes- niños
que defendieron el Castillo contra el asalto delas
fuerzas norte-americanas en el 47. Este monu
mento fué levantado en el lugar mismo donde
uno de los cadetes, con la bandera mexicana en
la diestra, y considerando ya que toda resistencia
era inútil, se arrojó desde la cima del edificio ,
pereciendo sobre las rocas del basamento y
bañando en sangre su bandera, que aún sostenía
entre las manos moribundas.
El aniversario de la toma del Castillo es
conmemorado todos los años con una solemne
ceremonia oficial, y ante el monumento se
efectúa una rofenda floral , q lo cubre literalu -e
mente con un diluvio de flores.
Algunos pasos adelante de este monumento ,
se pueden aún descifrar ciertas esculturas
3-1AGO DE CHAPUTEPEC
antiguas, casi borradas por el tiempo, grabadas
en las mismas rocas del basamento, que revisten
un carácter sumamente interesante. Una gran
estatua, acaso de algun dios, sin duda alguna por
su nefasta suerte, yacía aquí en tiempo de Cortéz ;
pero sus sólidos fragmentos y las perforaciones
de taladro que presenta, que sirvieron para
destruirla con explosivos, aún ofrecen mudo
testimonio del iconoclasmo de los consejeros
sacerdotales de los soldados españoles, quienes
solamente veían idolatría y paganismo en las
magníficas imágenes de piedra y esculturas , asi
como en las geroglificas leyendas de los aztecas ,
y cruelmente las destruyeron donde quiera los
encontraron. Esto ha hecho imposible su
conocimiento a los estudiantes de las genera
ciones posteriores, quienes no pueden ahora sino
aventurarse en hipótesis sobre la historia de las
razas que en un tiempo poblaron con frecuencia
este valle .
Más adelante, a lo largo del basamento del
Castillo y a corta distancia de él, están los his
tóricos Baños de Moctezuma . Una alta pared
de piedra rodea el estanque, y penetrando por
la reja principal se contempla una gran fuente
de finísimas gotas, rodeada de jardines de flores,
las paredes cubiertas de viñas, todo matizado
de flores, pues no hay un sólo dia del año en
que los geranios, heliotropos, rosas, lirios y
muchas más delicadas plantas no estén siempre
en perpetua floración. El agua es profunda y
clara, de un bello tinte opalescente, y en ella
apaciblemente se deslizan blancos y dorados
28 THE
ing communication with some of the quiescent
volcanoes that encircle the valley. Tradition
has it that sunk deep in these springs the his
torical (though by some claimed to be mythi
cal) lost treasure is hidden which caused the
torture of Montezuma and one of his trusted
associates by the pleasant process of roasting
their feet over a charcoal fire, the while bast
ing them with oil to render the process more
perfect, but which did not suffice to make
either victim of Spanish civilization disclose
the secret, which is undisclosed to this day.
There are various traditions as to the final
disposition of the treasure, Lake Texcoco be
ing one of the places selected for its hiding.
But the Chapultepec springs were the nearest
at hand and afforded the readiest means of
preventing Cortez and his adherents from se
curing that portion of Montezuma's wealth
which had escaped
escaped their cupidity. But
25. CHAPULTERIO
ONE WANDERS AT WILL IN CHAPULTEPEC PARK- NO " KEEP OFF THE GRASS" SIGNS
whether there really was any treasure,
whether it was buried in these springs, at
Texcoco, or in the bottom of the lake that
then surrounded the city, is of no moment at
this date. The tradition merely lends addi
tional interest to a most lovely, interesting and
romantic spot.
From the baths two routes invite, each
equally interesting and both leading entirely
around the base of the castle-crowned hill
the Hill of the Grasshopper, though why grass
hopper is not apparent. It is to the south that
the most interesting features are to be found,
for it is there that the main portion of the
garden of the ancients was laid out by the
planting of cypress trees in more or less regu
lar order, bordering the walks provided for
pedestrians- wheeled vehicles being, of course,
something unknown at that time on this conti
nent. And these walks are today exactly as
they were designed and used how many cen
turies ago is only a matter of guesswork.
Whether they had individual designations at
that time is also unknown, but more modern
admirers of nature have bestowed upon them
appellations appropriate enough-in fact, far
more so than is sometimes to be seen in like
cases in other countries. Here, for example,
is "The Calzada de los Poetas," or Highway
of the Poets. And it is well named. It
stretches away straight as an arrow for a
great distance-half or three-quarters of a
mile-and is bordered by giant cypress trees
of unknown age. Just as a test, the writer
paced around one of them and counted eigh
MEXICAN REVIEW
teen full-length strides of a six-foot man, or
close to 50 feet in circumference . This is not
the circumference of the trunk, but at the
point where the roots enter the earth, the
actual trunk being perhaps 10 feet less in ex
tent. Some of the trees are so situated, how
ever, that their trunks rise almost directly
from the earth and fully as many steps are re
quired to encircle them. While these trees
equal the famous redwoods of California so
far as size of trunk goes, they are far enough
from resembling them in height. Towering
aloft from 300 to 400 feet as the former do, in
the coast belt as well as in the Sierra, it is a
distinct effort to cast one's view from root to
topmost branch. But the cypress trees, an
cient and immense as they are, seem stunted
when it comes to height, and from 50 to 75
feet will cover most of them. Some that stand
singly and without a heavy surrounding
growth are taller. Mingled with the cypresses
are great ash trees, which as a rule are tall
and slender by comparison, though there are
many specimens which are contorted with age
and seem vying with their companions in this
respect. Great masses of gray moss hang
from the limbs of the cypress trees, swaying to
and fro in the wind and adding to the ap
pearance of old age.
The Walk of the Poets is completely em
bowered in verdure, the limbs of the border
ing trees intermingling overhead, shutting out
the sun's rays and even the downpour of a
heavy shower on occasion. An occasional
gleam of sunshine like a lance darts athwart
the pathway, but for the most part the shade
is dense and in sharpest contrast to the bright
sunshine outside. Truly, a poet ought to find
inspiration here.
Crossing the Highway of the Poets at right.
angles, and commencing on the bank of a wind
ing creek, is the Avenue of the Artists, and it
is well named. This avenue, too, is bordered
by ancient cypresses, long garlands of gray
mosses hanging from their limbs. It is not
so long as the Avenue of the Poets, while at
one end there is a vista of flower garden, grass
and blooming shrubbery which is most en
trancing, presenting a picture worthy of the
brush of any artist.
Close by and running in the same direction
as the Avenue of the Poets, is the Highway
of the Philosophers- though why so named is
a puzzle. Oh, by the way, the Avenue of the
Poets is much favored by young couples, and
December, 1920
they may be seen sitting on the rustic stone
benches engaged in that ancient occupation
which has come down to us from the time of
the Garden of Eden, and which is carried on
best in shady nooks like these. The Avenue
of the Philosophers is even more densely cov
ered with the branches of the bordering trees,
ash and cypress, and though the sun be shin
ing brightly in the sky outside, there is little
enough hint of it here. Looking down its
length is like looking into a tunnel of green.
All about under the trees violets grow and
blossom in profusion, not planted in regular
order, and watered by streamlets led from
the parent springs that once were the city's
only supply.
"The Calzada of the Rey," the Avenue of
the King, supposed to have been the favorite
resting place of Montezuma, has been changed
from its original form and is no longer nar
O
now like the Avenues of the Poets, the Artists
and the Philosophers- also the Lovers ! It has
been widened so as to accommodate vehicles ,
but on one side there are still many of the
giants of the forest planted so many hundreds
of years ago and beneath which the Aztec
ruler and his predecessors are said to have
loitered as other rulers and their subjects have
done since their time. On one side of this
Avenue of the King is a grove of lofty eucalyp
tus trees of the present century, waving and
nodding familiarly in their youthful pride and
exuberance to their hoary-headed great-grand
fathers on the opposite side of the avenue.
(To be continued)
Peaceful Operations of
Francisco Villa
HE news has been received from Durango
Th that Francisco Villa, who recently decided
to abandon open rebellion for the peaceful avo
cations of agriculture and mining, is actively
engaged in both pursuits. He has secured ten
autos and tractors for his extensive ranch and
personally conducts operations with them. He
has also discovered a deposit of silver on the
land given him by the Government and has filed
twenty "denunciations" or claims for the pur
pose of working the ore. A large number of
are employed by him, and one of the
regulations enforced is absolute inhibition of
the sale or use of intoxicating liquors.
 LA
Diciembre, 1920
pececillos, quienes revelan sentirse satisfechos en
esa agua, no obstante ser caliente y mineralizada .
La arena calcinada que yace en algunos lugares
del fondo denota la procedencia del agua, la cual
viene de las profundidades de la tierra y acaso,
al igual de los grandes manantiales de Xochimilco
que ahora abastecen de abundante agua la
ciudad, tiene comunicación con alguno de los
adormidos volcanes que rodean el valle. Cuenta
la tradición que muy en el fondo de esta fuente
se encuentra hundido el histórico tesoro azteca
(por algunos tenido como fábula) , ocultado por
Moctezuma, por lo que fué sujetado a tormento ,
en unión de otros compañeros suyos, por medio
del bárbaro procedimiento de quemarles los pies
en una hoguera de carbón, y bañados a inter
valos con aceite para tornar el castigo más
perfecto ; pero esto no fué suficiente para que los
mártires de la civilización española revelaran su
secreto, el cual permanece hasta hoy en el
6 CHAPUTEREC
CONVERGENCE OF PRINCIPAL DRIVEWAYS IN CHAPULTEPEC PARK- THE CASINO TO THE RIGHT
misterio. Existen varias conjeturas sobre el
posible paradero de dicho tesoro, suponiéndose
que el lago de Texcoco haya sido el elegido
para ocultarlo ; sin embargo, estando más a mano
los manantiales de Chapultepec y en vista de
la urgencia de proteger a toda costa dicho tesoro
de la codicia de Cortéz y sus adláteres, aquello
no es probable. Pero bien sea que haya existido
ese tesoro, que fuera enterrado en estos manan
tiales, en Texcoco, o en el fondo del lago que
entonces circundaba la ciudad, no es oportuno
investigar aquí ese hecho . La tradición simple
mente presta mayor interés a este muy querido,
atractivo y romántico lugar.
De los baños parten dos rutas, igualmente
interesantes, y que circundan completamente la
base del Castillo coronado de colinas- la Colina
dela langosta, si bien el porque de este nombre
no es aparente. Es hacia el sur donde se
encuentran los más interesantes mirajes, pues
es allí donde la porción más importante del
jardin fué cultivada, plantándose cipreces en
proporción simétrica, que bordean los caminos
hechos para peatones, pues los vehículos de
ruedas eran entonces casi desconocidos en este
continente. I esos caminos se conservan exacta
mente igual como fueron trazados en tan remotas
centurias, que hoy no sería posible determinarlas.
No se sabe tampoco si estos caminos tenían
entonces designaciones especiales ; pero muchos
modernos admiradores de la Naturaleza con
sideran bastante apropiadas sus actuales deno
minaciones, mucho más, en verdad, de las que
suelen usarse para casos semejantes en otros
REVISTA MEXICANA
países . Aquí tenemos, por ejemplo, la Calzada
de los Poetas, y está perfectamente designada .
Ella se extiende derechamente como una flecha
por una gran distancia-media o tres cuartos de
milla y está rodeada po rgigantescos cipreces, de
edad desconocida . Solamente como una prueba,
el que esto escribe midió uno de esos árboles, y
llegó a contar 18 largos pasos (de un hombre
de seis pies) , o sean unos 50 pies en circunferen
cia . Esta no es la circunferencia del tronco ,
sino de la parte en que las raíces penetran la
tierra, siendo acaso la medida del tronco de unos
diez pies menos, en proporción . Algunos de
estos árboles están asi plantados, no obstante
que sus troncos se levantan casi a flor de tierra,
y de tal modo, que muchos pasos se requieren
para llegar a circundarlos. Si bien estos árboles
pueden compararse en la medida del tronco a
los famosos árboles rojos de California, distan
mucho de semejarse, sin embargo, por su altura .
Elevándose a una altura de 300 a 400 pies, como
el ya mencionado, asi en las regiones de la costa
como en la Sierra, se requiere un verdadero
esfuerzo para dirigir la vista desde la raíz a la
rama más alta. Pero los cipreces, antiguos e
inmensos como son, parecen poco afortunados
en cuanto altura , pues de 50 a 75 pies es la mayor
elevación que alcanzan. Algunos que se en
cuentran aislados y no circundados de mucha
vegetación, logran un desarrollo mayor. Entre
mezclados con los cipreces se hallan grandes
fresnos, los que por lo general son altos y delga
dos, relativamente ; sin embargo, hay algunos
ejemplares que están retorcidos por la edad y
que parecen rivalizar con sus compañeros a este
respecto. Grandes masas de oscuro musgo
penden de las ramas de los cipreces, meciéndose
al impulso del viento y contribuyendo así a
darles mayor aspecto de antiguedad.
La Calzada de los Poetas está completamente
cubierta de verdura, y las ramas de los árboles
laterales se enlazan entre sí, impidiendo la
entrada de los rayos solares y aún a veces la
caida de la lluvia. En ocasiones, algun rayo
solar penetra como una lanza e ilumina la
calzada, pero en su mayor parte la sombra es
densa y en marcado contraste con el franco
resplandor del exterior . En verdad, un poeta
encuentra amplia inspiración en este sitio .
Cruzando la Calzada de los Poetas en ángulo
recto, y comenzando por un banco de tortuosa
vuelta, está la Calzada de los Artistas, y está
bien designada. Esta calzada se halla cir
cundada tambien por cipreces seculares, con
29
grandes girnaldas de oscuro musgo pendiendo de
sus ramas. No es tan larga como la Calzada de
los Poetas, y desde uno de sus extremos se devisa
un conjunto de flores, verdura y arbustos en
plena floración, que hondamente extasía, pre
sentando un bello miraje, digno del pincel de
un artista .
Muy cerca de allí y caminando en la misma
dirección de la Calzada de los Poetas, está la Cal
zada de los Filósofos, si bien este nombre contiene
algo de enigmático . Oh ! a propósito : la Calzada
de los Poetas es muy favorecida por las parejas
jóvenes, a quienes puede sorprendérseles senta
das sobre rústicos bancos de piedra , empeñadas en
la misma antigua ocupación que nos viene desde
los tiempos del Paraíso , la cual se realiza a
plenitud en sombríos retiros como éste. La
Calzada de los Filósofos está aún más densa
mente cubierta por las ramas de los árboles
laterales, fresnos y cipreces, y a pesar de que el
sol brilla en toda su plenitud hacia fuera, apenas
se vislumbra una leve claridad aquí. Mirándola
a lo largo es como si viéramos a través de un
tunel de verdura . Por todas partes, bajo los
árboles, crecen y brotan violetas en profusión,
sembradas al acaso , y regadas por arroyuelos
que vienen de los manantiales matrices, en vez
pasada los únicos que dotaron de agua la ciudad .
La Calzada del Rey, que se considera haber
sido el lugar favorito de recreo de Moctezuma ,
ha sido cambiada de su primitiva forma y no
es ya angosta como las Avenidas de los Poetas ,
Artistas y Filósofos, tambien de los amantes !
Se ha ampliado con el objeto de darle capacidad
para vehículos, pero a un lado todavía existen
muchos de los gigantes de la selva, plantados
hace cientos de años, y a cuya sombra se dice
el monarca azteca y sus predecesores mataban
el tiempo, al igual que muchos otros goberbantes,
y esto parace imitarse desde entonces.
ladó de la Calzada del Rey se halla una arboleda
de empinados eucapiltus , árboles de la centuria
actual, que ondulan y se adormecen amigable
mente, en medio de su exhuberancia y orgullo
juvenil hacia sus ya canosos abuelos del otro
lado de la avenida. (Continuara)
La ciudad de México, con una población
de más de un millon de habitantes , registró
un dia del mes de Octubre en que "ningún crimen
se había cometido ni hecho un simple arresto. "
¿Pero quién podría pensar, por un momento,
en comparar las condiciones de civilización en
México con las de Nueva York?-(Del New
York World).
 30 THE
Mexico's Side of the
Special Representative Roberto V. Pesqueira Pledges His Government to
Nothing but Fair Play and Honest Dealing in the Matier in All Respects
URING the recent session of the
American Petroleum Institute in
D Washington the attorney for cer
tain of the American oil companies operat
ing in Mexico made some statements which
were regarded as so unfair to the Govern
ment and the people of that country that
Mr. Roberto V. Pesqueira, the Special Rep
resentative of Mexico in the United States,
asked permission to refute them. He was
granted the privilege, and on Friday even
ing, November 19, spoke as follows to the
gathering :
"Permit me at the outset to express my
appreciation to your honorable president for
the very gracious manner in which he ac
corded me the privilege of addressing you
on a subject so near to the heart of every
Mexican. My long acquaintance with this
country has taught me that the square deal
is a characteristic of the American people ;
that they never refuse the other fellow a
chance to tell his story. So serious were
the charges made the other evening before
this honorable gathering by the legal rep
resentative of Mr. Doheny, and so bitter
was his sarcasm , that I felt impelled, not
even as the Mexican Representative , but as
a Mexican citizen, to request the privilege of
addressing you with the hope of giving an
imperfect though truthful account of the
Mexican side of the petroleum question. I
regret that owing to my unpreparedness ,
both as to lack of time and poor knowledge
of your language , I shall not be able to do
full justice to my subject.
"I am not a lawyer. It is beyond my
power to present the case from the Mexi
can point of view in the same masterly
fashion brought into play by the other
speaker in presenting the viewpoint of his
chief.
"You might have gained the impression
that Mr. Kellogg was voicing the opinion of
all the American companies operating in the
Mexican oil fields, but the fact remains
that not all companies belong to the asso
ciation, that there are very important com
panies which do not belong to the associa
tion and do not share the radical views ex
pressed by his legal representative and
graphically described in Mexico as ' Doheny
ism .'
"In trying to make a case, the speaker
alluded to mentioned robberies suffered by
paymasters of the companies, blaming Mexi
can officials for their acts ; couldn't we in
turn blame companies' employees for being in
league with the robbers ? There have been un
fortunate losses of life in Mexico during the
many years of civil war. Believe me or not,
the fact remains that Americans were safer
during these years than any native or other
foreigners in Mexico. We are the first to
regret these unfortunate happenings- they are
unavoidable even in countries fully at peace.
But you should not lose sight of the fact
MEXICAN REVIEW
Oil Controversy
that the Mexican situation has improved
radically during the very short period under
the leadership of the new Government
headed by President de la Huerta and a
group of young and trained men of high
ideals. The entire border can vouch for
this assertion .
"The Chambers of Commerce from Los
Angeles to San Antonio have shown their
faith in the Mexican Government and have
joined the governors of Arizona, New
Mexico and Texas in requesting the Presi
dent of this Republic that he extend recog
nition to the Government of Mr. de la
Huerta. And this movement is well found
ed and justified. We have suppressed gam
bling along the Mexican border and we
have pacified the entire region ; we accord
all manner of facilities to and welcome the
Americans who may wish to go to Mexico
to work honestly ; our officials along the
boundary line are courteous, affable and
friendly, and the people of that section have
become fully aware of the change which
has been operated, as well as of our wise
intentions, and of the necessity of avoiding
all hindrance to the conclusion of a work
so well begun.
"General Obregon, who will take over the
Presidency of Mexico on the first of De
cember, is considered even by Mr. Kellogg
as a real man, so no apologies are needed
for him. As no real reason could be un
earthed to place Obregon in a questionable
light, the spectre of Bolshevism had to be
ushered forth by the ever-resourceful
speaker.
"I beg to inform you that Mexican capital,
as well as French and Italian, is now taking
a serious interest in Mexican oil ; that some
corporations already organized are work
ing unceasingly to insure for themselves a
share of the production, just as American
capital has done so successfully, and who,
it seems, do not find the situation so despe
rate nor Mexican laws so arbitrary as some
claim to think.
"A spirit of real friendship, the desire to
settle old controversies wanting real founda
tion, inspired me upon reaching this coun
try . A number of those present here are
well aware that I have honestly and in good
faith offered the associated companies to
work for the adjustment of their difficul
ties, and invited their executives to Mexico
City for personal conference between them
and my Government. I have the absolute
certainty that, once my proposition is ac
cepted, when we may be able to discuss
with the heads of the oil companies, with
men able to honestly understand the limits
of their own rights and of the duty of my
Government to safeguard the future in
terests of Mexico , the petroleum question
will be definitely arranged . But, so long as
the petroleum companies treat with the
Mexican Government, as has happened thus
far, through the only medium of subordinate
December, 1920
and interested lawyers, whose main aim is to
prolong the duration of the difficulties which
constitute the basis for their employment, it
will be impossible to reach any understanding .
And notwithstanding this is evidently and
logically true, my former efforts to approach
the executives were answered with the
statement that I should confer with Mr.
Kellogg or some equally well qualified at
torney. After listening to the other speech,
you will readily understand what my chances
or those of any Mexican would be, to make
him see reason when it conflicted with his own
understanding of things.
"Some interests, through their representa
tive, directed offensive attacks against the
Government of the late President Carranza,
portraying him personally as a despoiler.
This is not the place where I may discuss
the policies of a President of my country,
and moreover, I can assert that Mr. Car
ranza's petroleum policy, from the framing
of Our Constitutional Article 27 right
through to his last decrees, was not, as Mr.
Kellogg would have you believe, the work
of a despoiler, but on the contrary was the
result of a conscientious conviction . How
ever, I do wish to state that the last revo
lution and the rapidity with which it suc
ceeded, furnish conclusive proof that the
people of Mexico were not in full accord
with the policies of the preceding Govern
ment.
"My distinguished audience has heard an
exhaustive series of arguments against
Mexico . Here you have part first of the
arguments advanced by my Government in
support of its interpretation of a single face
of Article 27 of the Constitution. I could
read them, but I suspect the upshot of it all
would be to weary you unnecessarily there
by. Furthermore, my mission in this coun
try is not to argue but to adjust this matter,
putting aside sophisms as well as plays of
words in the jargon of lawyers. I will
simply reiterate what I have already stated
on different occasions : Article 27, in so far
as it refers to the petroleum question, is not·
retroactive, nor can it be considered as such.
"Although it is but a minor detail I wish
to give you a few figures, really authentic,
regarding Mexican taxation on oil exports,
which will answer for themselves the oft
repeated assertion about one exorbitant
taxation :
"The average stamp tax in United States
cents per barrel from 1917, when the tax
was first applied, to date is as follows :
Light crude ... .II cents a barrel
Fuel oil .. 87/10 cents a barrel
Heavy crude • # .5 7/10 cents a barrel
The present taxes will run about as fol
lows :
Light crude . • • 18 cents
Fuel oil.. • • 15 cents
Heavy crude .. .8 1/2 cents
"And yet in the last few weeks you prob
ably have read statements to the effect that
we are collecting a dollar for every barrel
of oil exported .
"We have no income taxes, no excess
profit taxes, and the taxes just quoted rep
resent practically our entire revenue from
the petroleum industry, which is second
 LA
Diciembre, 1920
En el Campo Del Petroleo
Abundantes Chorros Obtenidos en Nuevas Perforaciones
El Problema del Petróleo Crudo y Nuestras Industrias
Nuevos Pozos de Produccion
Abundante
N el transcurso del mes se recibieron
END informaciones de Tampio relativas a la,
terminación de cuatro nuevos pozos de petróleo,
uno con capacidad de 100,000 barriles diarios,
otro de 80,000 barriles, otro de 60,000 barriles y
uno más de 50,000 . Como la producción poten
cial de los pozos abiertos con anterioridad, a
principios del presente año, era diez veces mayor
en relación con los medios de exportación dis
ponibles, se deduce que los nuevos que se
descubran, tales como los recientes, ya listos y
probados, tendrán qué permanecer en espera de
que se provean las facilidades de embarque
necesarias.
Nuevo Petróleo Descubierto que
Beneficiará al Gobierno
N la Secretaría de Industria y Comercio,
EN se recibío la grata nueva de que en el lote
otorgado a una Compañía de Petróleo en la zona
federal del río Tancochin, acaba de brotar un
pozo de portentosa producción, que se calcula
en no menos de cien mil barriles diarios, y que
seguramente podrá producir, efectivamente,
ochenta mil.
Se trata de una de las últimas concesiones
otorgadas por la Secretaría de Industria y
Comerico en las zonas de propiedad nacional, en
las cuales ha exigido que se le reserve un con
siderable porcentaje del petróleo que se obtenga,
que en el presente caso es de treinta y cinco por
ciento .
En el supuesto de que el pozo en cuestión
solamente produjera ochenta mil barriles diarios,
el gobierno tendría derecho a veintiocho mil
barriles diarios, cantidad que será bastante
para cubrir íntegramente las necesidades de
toda la red ferroviaria y para la incipiente
marina.
Quizá no sea posible, de momento, comenzar
la explotación del portentoso pozo, puesto que
no se cuenta con los medios de transporte para
poner el petróleo en los lugares donde los carros
tanques del ferrocarril puedan tomarlo ; pero
seguramente la importancia del pozo amerita
que el gobierno construya un oleoducto o con
tribuya a su construcción, con lo cual podrán
abastecerse desde luego los ferrocarriles.
La zona en que brotó el maravilloso pozo,
apenas está comenzando a ser explotada , y, en
tal virtud, el pozo de Tancochin tendrá larga
vida y vendrá a remediar la escasez de petróleo
que venía notándose en México, y hará que
pueda el gobierno contrarrestar, siquiera sea en
parte, las maniobras acaparadoras de las
empresas petróleras.
Por estar ausente el Ministro de Industria,
no pudimos saber cuáles son las miras del
gobierno con el nuevo pozo , en el que tan grande
participación tiene ; pero, en todo caso, cons
tituye ese pozo un magnífico pié de reserva
para el evento, nada improbable, de que, debido
a la inicua explotación de nuestros mantos pe
trolíferos, se lleguen a agotar muchos de los
principales pozos.
REVISTA MEXICANA
Gigantesco Oleoducto en Proyecto,
a Través del Istmo de Tehuantepec
L Departamento de Petróleo, dependi
ELente de la Secretaría de Industria y y puertos libres , por último decreto del Presidente
Comercio de México, tiene en estudio una
solicitud de concesión para la construcción de un
gigantesco oleoducto a través del Istmo de
Tehuantepec, que ponga en comunicación Puerto
México, del Golfo Mexicano, con el puerto de
Salina Cruz , sobre el Pacífico.
Aunque los peticionarios de la concesión son
ciudadanos mexicanos, se supone que estén
financiados con capital americano, suministrado
por intereses íntimamente identificados con la
CHINAMPA OIL FIELDS , LARGEST PRODUCER IN THE WORLD
Junta de Embarques de los Estados Unidos,
quien está directamente interesada en conseguir
un punto adecuado-para proveer de aceite com
bustible los barcos de la reciente marina mercante
americana destinada a las rutas comerciales del
Pacífico. Se dice, tambien, que el capital inglés,
suministrado por conducto de la Compañía de
Petróleo "El Aguila , " está tambien disponible
para ser invertido en esta importante empresa.
En México se ha suscitado la cuestión relativa
a la forma enque podrían intervenir en esta
empresa los intereses de dicha Junta de Embar
ques, atentas las disposiciones de la Constitución
Mexicana que prohibe a los gobiernos extran
jeros la adquisición de propiedades en México,
salvo el caso, por convenio especial , de aquellas
que sean indispensables a las necesidades de los
asuntos diplomáticos y de residencia. Los esta
tutos de la Junta de Embarques mencionada
y el origen de sus recursos no han sido hasta hoy
determinados ; pero es bien sabido que, por lo
menos, tiene un caracter semi-oficial en sus
funciones. Sin embargo, hay muchas probabili
dades de que todos los impedimentos o tropiezos
que ocurran serán allanados de acuerdo con las
disposiciones legales mexicanas y que, al fin,
laproyectada construcción de dicho oleoducto
será una realidad.
Nadie pone en duda las inmensas ventajas que
esta comunicación reportaría, no tan solo a los
31
intereses mercantes de los Estados Unidos, sino
a los de todo el mundo , sin exceptuar al mismo
México, quien, además delenorme desarrollo de
sus puertos, que indudablemente sería acrecen
tado , necesitará esas facilidades para los trabajos
económicos de su flota mercante, recientemente
contratada en los Estados Unidos por el Secre
tario de Hacienda don Salvador Alvarado .
como se recordará, Puerto México, Salina Cruz
y Guaymas fueron declarados recientemente
de la Huerta.
Ley Petrolera en el Peru .
AS compañías americanas y otras extranjeras
L que están en busca de concesiones en elPerú
an encontrado allí con una nueva ley petró
lera en perspectiva, cuyos pormenores se acaban
de recibir por la vía oficial.
En esta nueva ley, que aún no se asegura
haya sido aprobada por el Congreso peruano, el
gobierno dividirá la zona petrolífera en lotes,
de 100 kilómetros cuadrados, la situada en la
costa o en la región serrana, y en lotes de 1,000
kilómetros cuadrados, la de la región montañosa .
Se otorgarán concesiones por uno o más lotes,
por los que el solicitante deberá depositar 500
libras peruanas, por cada lote de la región
costeña, y 1,000 por cada lote de la otra
región. Las exploraciones deberán terminarse
en tres y cinco anos, respectivamente.
De los productos que se obtengan, el 10 y el 5
por ciento, respectivamente, serán entregados
al gobierno. Mientras dura la exploración, se
pagará un impuesto al gobierno de 50 libras
peruanas cada seis meses, por cada lote. Si
se suspende el pago de los impuestos o se parali
zan los trabajos por un año, los de la costa, o
dos, en la montaña, ésto originará el cancela
miento de la concesión. Si la concesión resulta
improductiva, el depósito se devolverá a los
interesados.
Nuevos Terrenos En Exploración
A "Marland Refining Company," de Okla
L^ homa, ha adquirido los primeros derechos
sobre una gran area de terreno en las
inmediaciones de Linares, Tamaulipas, al pie
de los montes que están al sur de Monterrey,
y se propone hacer exploraciones en busca de
petróleo. La opinión del geólogo de la
compañía es favorable.
32 THE
۲۴۰
only to that of the United States . Do well
managed American oil companies lose
money by operating in Mexican oil fields ?
Ask Mr. Doheny, the Standard Oil , The
Texas , Gulf, Sinclair, Island, to mention
only a few.
"Ask conservative companies like the
Tidewater,42 who, notwithstanding chaotic
conditions , are nevertheless at this time get
ting into the Mexican oil fields . It is un
fortunate that other American oil interests
are not represented as they should be in
Mexico, wrongly influenced by this type of
publicity.
"And do not think that the petroleum in
dustry is the only important commercial
link between the Mexican and the Ameri
can people. Do you realize that the cotton
industry of some of your Southern States is
almost wholly dependent on Mexican labor
for existence ; do you realize the equally im
portant role our laborers play in the con
struction and maintenance of your railroads ?
Don't you believe that the interests of these
enterprises who have been friendly to our
cause and the mining interest which believe
in and trusts us should be considered ? As
I before stated, we count, even among
American oil operators , people who believe
with us in the brilliant future of Mexico .
"The conditions for the exploitation of
petroleum in Mexico are incomparably
cheaper and more profitable than those of
any other country in the world . While the
average prdouction of American fields per
well is a little over five barrels, according to
the United States Geoolgical Survey, the
average daily production of each Mexican
well is 1,119 barrels.
"I beg to remind my audience that only
two days ago it was stated right here that
no Mexican well had been profaned by a
pump, and I beg to call attention to the
well-known fact that such profanation en
tails an additional cost of about 40 cents
per barrel in California.
"Our production this year will be about
140,000,000 barrels and we hope it will con
tinue to increase , for, notwithstanding the
desolate picture and the terrible predictions
offered by Mr. Kellogg to the American
public in connection with present condi
tions and regarding Mexico's future , every
day sees increased investment in Mexican
fields.
"Mr. Doheny, it is true, is and should be
considered as one of the successful pioneers
in the petroleum industry in Mexico. He
is not exactly what one would class as a
friend of Mexico , but he is undoubtedly a
brilliant business man. He has spent large
sums of money in the Mexican oil field .
But has Mexico not repaid Mr. Kellogg's
employer many times over for all his efforts
and risks ? Anyone of you can easily an
swer this question. The Stock Exchange
and the income tax returns offer additional
proof. With this in mind, Mexico is at a
loss to understand the unfriendly attitude
of Mr. Kellogg and those who share his
views. Mr. Kellogg spoke of the Eighth
Commandment. I would remind him that
there is also a Commandment which regards
ethics amongst neighbors.
MEXICAN REVIEW
"The policy of defaming my country and
. obstructing its step toward its betterment
calls to mind an adequate melodrama- for
I have my melodrama also-which I will
relate to you in a few words :
"Act first : The villain, a member of an
honorable family, invites himself to the
house of the heroine.
"Act second : The villain makes himself at
home in the heroine's house and grows fat
and prospers .
"Act third : Villain cashes in on heroine's
inheritance, and when he finds heroine in
sists on retaining what heroine cannot af
ford to lose, villain runs to father and
family to complain of heroine's harsh treat
ment and bad faith .
"Act fourth : It is not yet known, but as
it is usual for melodrama to end well, poor
heroine and audience are wondering what
the father and brothers will think and do .
"And so the matter stands , gentlemen .
We are, with the heroine, waiting to see
what the father and brothers will do or
think.
"My mission in this country at this time,
however, is not that of arguing, but that
of arranging all those questions which
might prove to be an obstacle to the carry
ing out of the plan of improvement and
progress which my Government has un-
dertaken, and which they have begun to
perform with unquestionable success .
"Just as I am not a lawyer, neither am I
a diplomat. From the time of my arrival
my speech has been plain . With all my
strength I have tried to break through what
you call the red tape , hoping for a man- to
man talk. In my letter to your Secretary
of State, given to the press on October 29,
Mexico indignantly denied any thought of
repudiation or confiscation . We stand ready
and willing to adjust and pay every obliga
tion in due accord with international law.
We declare to the world that not one of
our laws shall ever be given retroactive
effect, or that we shall ever shame our
sovereignty by confiscation of legitimate
rights in private property . What more can
you justly ask ?
. "We declare that Mexico is ready and
willing to submit every difference of every
kind, character or nature whatsoever that
may possibly arise between the sovereign
Government of the United States and its
people, and the sovereign Government of
Mexico and its people, to an arbitration
tribunal, and its decision shall be conclu
sive and effective .
"Thus we reach forth the hand of honest
and honorable friendship . And I say to you
that if it is not accepted, the reason for re
prisal will not be found in the ill faith of the
Mexican Government.
"Hundreds of thousands of dollars have
been spent in poisoning public opinion both
in the United States and in Mexico .
"My people look forward in friendship to
great peaceful development in our country
in conjunction with the capital, genius and
brains of this great country.
"We want your good will . You must
want our good will. My people are a proud
people and an honorable people. There is
December, 1920
no end to which we will not go in dignity,
in honor and in upright self-respect to meet
the principles and ideals of this country.
But I know my people well, and I promise
you that the sovereign Government of Mex
ico , representing the people of Mexico, will
never accede to a condition or a situation
where a small group of especially privi
leged gentlemen who know exactly what
they want shall dictate terms and conditions
upon which relations between the two coun
tries shall be resumed ."
Proposed Great Pipe Line Across
Isthmus of Tehuantepec
HERE is under consideration by the Pe
TH troleum Commission of the Mexican De
partment of Industry and Commerce an ap
plication for a franchise for the construction
of a great pipe line across the Isthmus of
Tehuantepec to connect Puerto Mexico on the
Gulf of Mexico with the port of Salina Cruz
on the Pacific. While the applicants for this
franchise are citizens of Mexico it is under
stood that behind them is American capital to
be supplied by interests closely identified with
the United States Shipping Board which is
deeply interested in securing an adequate sup
ply of fuel oil for those ships of the new
American merchant marine assigned to the
Pacific trade routes . It is said also that Brit
ish capital supplied through El Aguila oil com
pany is also ready for investment in this great
enterprise.
There has arisen some question in Mexico
as to exactly what form the interest of the
Shipping Board will take in this organization,
it being pointed out that the Mexican consti
tution prohibits the acquirement by foreign
governments of any property in Mexico , ex
cept by treaty, of property other than that
needed for diplomatic business and residence.
The exact status of the Shipping Board and
its subsidiaries has never been determined but
it is generally acknowledged that it is at least
semi-governmental in its functions. There is
every probability that all objections will be
overcome in conformity with Mexican legal
requirements and that the pipe line will ulti
mately be built.
There is no question as to the immense ad
vantage such a line will be, not alone to the
shipping interests of the United States but to
those of all the world ; not least to Mexico
itself, which, besides the enormous develop
ment of her ports sure to accrue, will need
such facilities for the economical operation of
her own merchant fleet recently contracted for
in the United States by Secretary of the
Treasury Salvador Alvarado. Puerto Mex
ico, Salina Cruz, with Guaymas , recently were
designated as free ports by a decree of Presi
dent de la Huerta.
The Confederated Chambers of Commerce
have protested against the recent orders of
the Governor of the Federal District in clos
ing saloons from Saturday noon to Mon
day morning in the Federal District . The
order is supposed to include clubs and drink
ables in cafes and restaurants as well as
saloons.
 LA
Diciembre , 1920
PETROLEO EN SUDAMERICA
Se Está Produciendo Petróleo en la
la República Argentina- Encuéntranse
los Depósitos Cerca de la costa y Están
Siendo Explotados Rápidamente.
Α explotación de los yacimientos petrolíferos
LA de la zona de Comodoro Rivadavia, en la
República Argentina , está resumida en el
siguiente extracto tomado de la edición de
diciembre de la " Revista del Banco de Londres
y del Río Plata, " de Londres :
'Una entrevista autorizada, celebrada con el
ingeniero Alvarez de Toledo, Ministro de Argen
tina en Londres, y que se encuentra actualmente
en el puerto de Buenos Aires disfrutando de una
licencia especial, ha llamado la atención del
público nuevamente sobre las perspectivas de los
depósitos de petróleo de los territorios del sur.
Declaró el señor Toledo que estaba en pláticas
con el Presidente Irigoyen respecto a una
proposición hecha por Lord Cowdray, quien
sugería la inversión de 5,000,000 de libras
esterlinas (unos $25,000,000 de dólares , aproxi
madamente) de capital británico para explotar
y extender las perforaciones en la zona de
Comodoro Rivadavia. Agregó el señor Toledo
que había visto varias veces a Lord Cowdray, que
estaba bien informado de sus ideas y que las
había transmitido al Presidente Irigoyen, ha
ciendo hincapié en el hecho de que tal desarrollo
podría realizarse de acuerdo con los términos y
condiciones especiales del Gobierno Argentino
respecto a explotación .
"Los campos de Comodoro Rivadavia están
situados a unas mil millas de distancia de Buenos
Aires , por la vía marítima , en el extremo meri
dional del Territorio de Chubut y cerca del
litoral. A la fecha, la producción ha variado
considerablemente, pero puede ser calculada , en
bruto, en cien mil toneladas por año , aunque los
informes oficiales publicados recientemente la
fijan en cuatro mil toneladas por semana . Esta
producción es obtenida de pocos pozos relativa
mente, situados en una extensión de 203 hec
táreas (500 acres) que forman parte de las 5,000
(12,350 acres) declaradas como tierras petrolíferas
Obregón y De la Huerta Felicitan al
Presidente-Electo Harding
OS señores Adolfo de la Huerta y general
L Alvaro Obregón , Presidentes Substituto y
Electo de la República, respectivamente, envia
ron por la vía cablegrafica su felicitación al
senador Warren G. Harding, que acaba de
ganar la elección presidencial en los Estados
Unidos.
Al felicitar los señores Presidente Substituto
y Electo a Mr. Harding por su triunfo en los
comicios americanos , hacen votos por la prosperi
dad de su futuro Gobierno y por la prosperidad
del pueblo de Norteamérica.
La noticia anterior nos fué comunicada en la
Presidencia de la República, esperándose que
los anteriores cablegramas sean el principio de
las cordiales relaciones que ligarán al nuevo
huésped de la Casa Blanca con el Gobierno de
México , desmintiendo así todas las versiones
que han circulado desde hace tiempo acerca de
la política intervencionista que dicen algunos
rotativos seguirán los republicanos para con
nosotros .
REVISTA MEXICANA
reservadas al Estado . La explotación oficial
ha sido dificultada por la guerra y por la dificul
tad consiguiente para conseguir maquinaria
perforadora para la apertura de nuevos pozos y
el tonelaje necesario para el transporte del
petróleo por mar. La opinión general de los
expertos parece ser la de que la zona petrolera
es muy amplia y que contiene una provisión de
aceite mineral capaz de ser explotada durante
muchos años en una escala mucho más amplia
que la que hasta aquí se ha ensayado . El efecto
que se produciría en el desarrollo industrial
argentino y en los medios de comunicación si se
obtuviera el petreleo combustible a precios
comparables con los del carbón y la leña , sería
incalculable, pudiendo reducir los productos de
destilación con su precio , las fuertes sumas que
se pagan actualmente al extranjero por la nafta
y los lubricantes importados. Por estos motivos
y por muchos más que no es preciso especificar
en las presentes lineas, se seguirá observando
con interés el curso este ramo de negocios tanto
en Buenos Aires como en Londres."
La explotación de esos campos petroleros
abriría un mercado para la venta de máquinas
de petróleo de baja potencia, según dice el
siguiente párrafo , publicado por el mismo
periódico :
" Puede repetirse la afirmación de que la
demanda de Argentina de toda clase de máquinas
es constante, demanda hecha, con particular
interés, para la adquisición de una máquina de
petróleo de baja potencia, barata, para pro
porcionar fuerza a motores, luz, o para las
fábricas pequeñas. Grandes establecimientos
del campo se están adaptando en la actualidad
para emplear tal accesorio y los pequeños
intereses industrials de todas aquellas partes del
país donde no existe energía eléctrica están
ansiosos de estudiar la conveniencia que ofrecería
el petróleo como sustituto de la leña y del
carbón. Si se hace producir en grande escala
a los campos locales , el efecto inmediato que esto
tendrá en la industria de maquinaria será
mucho mayor, sin género de duda -una posibili
dad que no deben perder de vista los que se
interesan en este mercado . "
Elección del Presidente Obregón
(Viene de la pagina 11)
Guerrero. Luis Espinosa, por Chiapas . Marco
Aurelio Gonzáles , por Nuevo León . M. Ba
rrragán, por Quintana Roo. Erasmo Trejo,
por Hidalgo. F. M. de Eseobar, por Tabasco .
Leopoldo Vicencio, por el Estado de Mé
xico. M. Montero Villar, por Morelos. S.
Franco Urías, por Durango. J. de D. Bojór
quez, por Sonora. J. B. Gonzáles, por Zaca
tecas . M. F. Altamirano, por Veracruz. Juan
Zubaran, por Campeche. A. Valadez Ramírez,
por Jalisco. Franco Trejo, por Nayarit.
Edmundo G. Cantón, por Yucatán.
NOTAS BREVES
Las Cámaras de Comercio de Juárez y El
Paso han reunido la suma de $ 150,000.00 para
la construcción de un nuevo puente internacional
entreambas ciudades, y solamente esperan la
aprobación oficial para comenzar sus trabajos.
33
La compañia "Agwi" aparece a la cabeza
de la lista con 1,400,000 barriles que exportó
de Tampico en el mes de agosto. En segundo
lugar está la "International Petroleum Com
pany," con 1,100,000 barriles .
Recientes informes demuestran un franco
mejoramiento en el servicio de los Ferrocarriles
de las Lineas Nacionales , a pesar del gran
número de pérdidas habidas en el material
rodante y otros elementos.
Un despacho de Tampico , de fecha 20 de
septiembre, asegura que los trabajadores de El
Aguila han descubierto un nuevo pozo de cien
mil barriles diarios, en el Lote III , Amatlán .
El pozo es de 1,800 pies de profundidad .
Un despacho de Ottawa, Canadá , asegura que
la Compañía Astillera Príncipe Ruperto ha
recibido orden del gobierno mexicano para la
construcción de treinta y seis barcos, en su
mayoría barcos-tanques. No. hay duda que
México está trabajando activamente hacia e
engrandecimiento de su marina mercante .
La Confederación de Cámaras de Comercio ha
pretestado contra las recientes disposiciones del
Gobernador del Distrito Federal relativas al
cierra de cantinas desde el sábado a las doce del
día hasta el lunes en la mañana . La orden
parece incluir tambien los clubs y las cantinas
de los cafés y restaurants .
"Compañía General de Crédito," Capuchinas
40, es la última institución bancaria imcorpo
dara en la Ciudad de México . Los oficiales
son Rafael Nieto, presidente ; R. P. Jennings,
vicepresidente ; Baltazar Marquez, B. E. Hol
loway, Adolfo Prieto , Max von Drateln,
Antonio Letayf, directores. Tods son finan
cieros notables. El jefe es Eduardo del Raso.
Azúcar, pilón 88, granulado, primer grado,
98 ; segundo grado , 92, y no hay pedidos prin
cipalmente por que es imposible conseguir
transportación. El Departamento del Tesoro
ha puesto un impuesto de exportación de 20
centavos al kilo . Este impuesto equivale a
4.60 centavos oro Americano por libra. Los
precios cotizados son 20.24 21.16 centavos, re
spectivamente, por libra, en moneda americana .
El Ministro de Obras Públicas y Comuni
caciones tiene en proyecto la construcción de
cuatro estaciones inalámbricas, incluyendo dos
estaciones para Manzanillo y Morelia. Las
compañías americanas que se interesen en este
sentido pueden ponerse en comunicación directa
con el Ministro, suministrado descripciones y
precios, catálogos completos , e informaciones
con referencia al tiempo que se requiere para
hacer el trabajo .
Una agencia está preparandose para traer
una colonia alemana de más de 100 familias
para establecerlas en el Estado de Michoacan,
Se está poniendo mucho cuidado para la
eleción de los colonos, pues tienen que ser agri
cultores, personas de buena conducta, y de
medios financiaros. Esta nueva colonia
necesitará comprar en el mercado americano
una gran cantidad de maquinaria agrícola de
todas clases .
 34 THE
Walt Whitman's Tribute to
Comparisons Drawn by the "Good Gray Poet" From His
CONTRIBUTED BY JOEL QUINONES
TOW that we Mexicans have emerged
(and we hope for good) from a dis
astrous state of civil war, it may not
be amiss to quote a noted American poet and
writer, Walt Whitman, on the civil war of his
own country. We find in this author some
interesting and lifelike bits of description
sidelights on the great struggle of the United
States, as seen by his own observing and care
fully discriminating eye-which show as con
clusively as anything else could show, that war
has ever been, is, and will be, the same the
world over.
Granted that war has "evolutionized" im
mensely, as its exponents are wont to say, by
the introduction of new arms and methods in
the course of time, still its underlying spirit
of hatred and cruelty remains unaltered. And
it seems a crowning irony of fate that civil or
fratricidal wars, which should not exist at all,
involving, as they do, brothers in speech, cus
toms and kin-the offspring of the same
mother country-should be positively the most
unrelenting and cruel of all.
Civil war was aptly compared by Lord Bacon
-as regards its effect on the body politic-to
the consequences of a consuming fever in the
human body ; but it remained for the greatest
of civil wars to evolve, in the words of Gen
eral Sherman, the pithiest definition of all
war by comparing it to the worst thing and
place conceivable by human mind, namely :
"War is hell."
However, we are rambling away from our
purpose of giving good old Walt Whitman a
hearing on this subject. So here is a brief
excerpt taken from his "Specimen Days" :
"A Glimpse of War's Hell -Scenes
"In one of the late movements of our troops
in the valley (near Upperville, I think) , a
strong force of Mosby's mounted guerillas
attack'd a train of wounded, and the guard of
cavalry convoying them. The ambulances con
tain'd about 60 wounded, quite a number of
them officers of rank. The rebels were in
strength, and the capture of the train and
its partial guard after a short snap was effec
tually accomplish'd. No sooner had our men
surrender'd, the rebels instantly commenced
robbing the train and murdering their prison
ers, even the wounded. Here is the scene, or
a sample of it, ten minutes after. Among the
wounded officers in the ambulance were one,
a lieutenant of regulars, and another of higher
rank. These two were dragg'd out on the
ground on their backs, and were now sur
rounded by the guerrilas, a demoniac crowd,
each member of which was stabbing them in
different parts of their bodies. One of the
officers had his feet pinn'd firmly to the ground
by bayonets stuck through them and thrust
into the ground. These two officers, as after
wards found on examination, had receiv'd
MEXI REVIE
CAN
Mexico
Personal Experience in the Civil War
about twenty such thrusts, some of them
through the mouth, face, etc. The wounded
had all been dragg'd (to give a better chance
also for plunder ) out of their wagons ; some
had been effectually dispatch'd, and their bodies
were lying there lifeless and bloody. Others,
not yet dead, but horribly mutilated, were
moaning or groaning. Of our men who sur
render'd, most had been thus maim'd or
slaughter'd .
"At this instant a force of our cavalry, who
had been following the train at some interval,
charged suddenly upon the secesh captors, who
proceeded at once to make the best escape
WALT WHITMAN , THE " GOOD GRAY POET"
they could. Most of them got away, but we
gobbled two officers and seventeen men, in the
very acts just described. The sight was one
which admitted of little discussion, as may be
imagined. The seventeen captur'd men and
two officers were put under guard for the
night, but it was decided there and then that
they should die. The next morning the two
officers were taken in the town, separate places,
put in the center of the street, and shot. The
seventeen captur'd men were taken to an open
ground, a little one side. They were placed
in a hollow square, half-encompass'd by two
of our cavalry regiments, one of which regi
ments had three days before found the bloody
corpses of three of their men hamstrung and
hung up by the heels to limbs of trees by
Mosby's guerillas, and the other had not long
before had twelve men, after surrendering,
shot and then hung by the neck to limbs of
trees, and jeering inscriptions pinn'd to the
breast of one of the corpses, who had been
a sergeant. Those three, and those twelve,
had been found, I say, by these environing
regiments. Now, with revolvers, they form'd
W December , 1920
the grim cordon of the seventeen prisoners.
The latter were placed in the midst of the
hollow square, unfasten'd, and the ironical re
mark made to them that they were now to
be given a chance for themselves.' (Ley
Fuga?) A few ran for it.. But what use?
From every side the deadly pills came. In a
few minutes the seventeen corpses strew'd the
hollow square. I was curious to know whether
some of the Union soldiers, some few (some
one or two at least of the youngsters ) , did
not abstain from shooting on the helpless
men. Not one. There was no exultation, very
little said, almost nothing, yet every man there
contributed his shot.
"Multiply the above by scores, aye hundreds
-verify it in all the forms that different cir
cumstances, individuals, places, could afford
light it with every lurid passion, the wolf's,
the lion's lapping thirst for blood-the pas
sionate, boiling volcanoes of human revenge
for comrades, brothers slain- with the light of
burning farms, and heaps of smutting, smoul
dering black embers-and in the human heart
everywhere black, worse embers-and you
have an inkling of this war."
Is the above, as reported by so reliable and
conscientious a witness, any better or any
worse than the hold-ups and blow-ups of trains
and reprisals of every kind which have oc
curred altogether too often (as in all wars )
in our revolution ? This will remind readers
who are apt to see in our faction wars un
precedented horrors- simply because war on
each new occasion seems to surpass and ex
ceed itself- that the conflicts of mankind have
always exhibited the same terrible mien.
Now we wish to insert another interesting
paragraph by the great poet, in which he pays.
a splendid tribute of recognition to Mexican
friendship towards his great country during a
period of trial and tribulation unparalleled in
its history :
Attitude of Foreign Governments During the
Civil War
"Looking over my scraps, I find I wrote
the following during 1864. The happening to
our America, abroad as well as at home, these
years, is indeed most strange. The democratic
republic has paid her today the terrible and
resplendent compliment of the united wish of.
all the nations of the world that her union
should be broken, her future cut off, and that
she should be compell'd to descend to the level
of kingdoms and empires ordinarily great.
There is certainly not one government in Eu
rope but is now watching the war in this
country, with the ardent prayer that the United
States may be effectually split, crippled, and
dismember'd by it. There is not one but would
help toward that dismemberment, if it dared.
I say such is the ardent wish today of Eng
land and of France, as governments, and of
all the nations of Europe, as governments. I
think indeed it is today the real, heartfelt
wish of all the nations of the world, with the
single exception of Mexico-Mexico, the only
one to whom we have ever really done wrong,
and now the only one who prays for us and
(Concluded on page 38)
Diciembre, 1920 LA
El Tributo de Walt
Recuerdos del "Dulce Poeta Gris ," tomados dexsus experiencias
· COLABORACIÓN DE JOEL QUIÑONES
HORA que los mexicanos hemos sali
do de un estado de guerra civil (y es de
A esperarse que esto sea permanente)
acaso no estaría fuera de lugar citar a un notable
poeta y escritor americano, Walt Whitman, en
lo referente a la guerra civil de su propio país.
Encontramos en este autor algunos trozos de
descripción interesante y vívida , ciertos aspectos
de la gran lucha de los Estados Unidos , tal como
los viera con su propia vista escrutadora y pene
trante, que demuestran mejor que ninguna otra
prueba, que la guerra siempre ha sido , es y será,
la misma en todas partes de la tierra.
Aun suponiendo que la guerra haya " evolu
cionado " en grado sumo (como suelen afirmar
sus apologistas) , mediante la introducción de
nuevas armas y métodos en el transcurso del
tiempo, con todo eso , su espíritu subyaciente de
odio y crueldad permanece inalterado. Yno
parece sino una ironía del destino que las guerras
civiles o fratricidas, que ni debieran existir, ya
que comprenden hermanos en idioma, costum
bres y origen-los vástagos de una misma madre
patria-sean de hecho las más inplacables y
crueles.
La guerra civil fué idóneamente comparada
por Lord Bacon, por lo que respecta a sus efectos
sobre el estado , con los resultados de una fiebre
abrasadora en el cuerpo humano . Mas estaba
reservado a la mayor de las guerras civiles
emitir, en las palabras del General Sherman , la
definición más enérgica de toda guerra , a saber:
"La guerra es el infierno. "
Sin embargo nos hemos desviado un poco de
nuestro propósito de citar al bueno de Walt
Whitman en tratándose de tan interesante
tópico . Transcribiremos, pues, un pequeño
extracto de sus " Días Ejemplares " :
"Un Vistazo a Las Escenas Infernales de
La Guerra
" En uno de los últimos movimientos de nues
tras tropas en el valle (cerca de Upperville,
según creo) un fuerte grupo de los guerrilleros
montados de Moseby, atacaron un tren de
heridos y la escolta de caballería que lo res
guardaba. Las ambulancias conducían como 60
heridos, muchos de ellos oficiales y jefes. Como
los rebeldes eran muchos, se efectuó la captura
del tren y de su escolta parcial tras de breve
combate. Pero tan pronto como los nuestros se
rindieron , los rebeldes comenzaron a robar el tren
y a asesinar a los prisioneros, aun a los heridos.
He aquí una escena o mejor dicho una muestra
de ella diez minutos después. Entre los oficiales
heridos de las ambulancias había uno, teniente
de línea, y otro de mayor categoría . Estos
dos fueron arrastrados de espalda sobre el suelo,
y luego les rodearon los guerrilleros, una turba
endemoniada , dedicándose cada uno de ellos a
apuñalear a los heridos en distintas partes del
cuerpo . Uno de los oficiales tenía los pies
firmemente clavados al suelo por las bayonetas
que los atravesaban y cuyas puntas se hundían
en la tierra . Estos dos oficiales, según se com
probó después por un examen, recibieron como
veinte estocadas de esta índole, unas en la boca
REVISTA MEXICANA
Whitman a Mexico
personales en la Guerra Civil
y en otras partes del cuerpo , etc. Los heridos
habían sido arrastrados fuera de la ambulancia
para facilitar el saqueo ; algunos habían sido
muertos, quedando sus cuerpos exangües y
sangrientos. Todavía otros, no muertos aun
pero horriblemente mutilados , gemían o exhal
aban quejidos. La mayoría de nuestros hombres
rendidos habían sido mutilados o sacrificados en
esta forma .
"En esto, un destacamento de nuestra caba
lleria, que venía siguiendo el tren a cierta dis
tancia, cargó súbitamente contra los apresadores
secesionistas, y éstos en el acto emprendieron la
fuga como mejor pudieron. Los más escaparon,
pero cogimos a dos oficiales y diez y siete hom
bres en tanto que se ocupaban de los actos ya
descritos. El espectáculo era uno que no dejaba
lugar a discusión , como se puede muy bien
imaginar. Los diez y siete hombres capturados
los dos oficiales fueron puestos bajo resguardo
por esa noche, pero allí mismo se tomó la
resolución de que habrían de morir. A la
mañana siguiente fueron conducidos los dos
oficiales a la ciudad a lugares distintos, y una
vez colocados en el centro de la calle, se les
fusiló. Los diez y siete restantes fueron
llevados a un campo abierto hacia un lado. Se
les colocó en un solar despejado , medio rodeado
por dos de nuestros regimientos de caballería ,
uno de los cuales había encontrado tres días
antes los cuerpos sangrientos de tres de sus
camaradas, desjarretados y colgados por los
talones en los árboles, todo ello hechura de los
guerrilleros de Moseby, al paso que doce hombres
del otro, no mucho tiempo antes, habían sido
fusilados tras de su rendición , y después, los
cuerpos habían sido colgados del cuello en los
árboles, con inscripciones de escarnio prendidas
en el pecho de uno de los cadáveres, que era el
de un sargento. Aquellos tres y los otros doce,
digo, fueron encontrados por estos regimientos
exploradores. Ahora con sus pistolas formaban
el fatídico cordón que rodeaba los diez y siete
prisioneros. Estos últimos fueron colocados en
el centro del solar, donde se les soltó, con la
advertencia irónica de que se les daría " una
oportunidad para que escaparan" (¿ ley Fuga?) .
Unos cuantos corrieron, pero todo en vano .
De todas partes llovieron los fatales proyectiles.
En pocos minutos los diez y siete cuerpos
cubrían el solar. Sentí curiosidad por saber si
algunos de los soldados unionistas, unos cuantos
(uno o dos de los más jóvenes) se habían ab
stenido de hacer fuego sobre los hombres inde
fensos. Ni uno sólo. No hubo alborozo, se
dijo poco , casi nada , pero cada hombre de los
que allí se encontraban contribuyó con su tiro .
"Multiplicad lo anterior por veintenas o más
bien por centenares-reconstruídlo en todas las
formas a que diversas circunstancias, individuos
y sitios darían lugar-iluminadlo con toda roja
pasíón , con la sed de sangre del lobo , del león
los apasionadas a hirvientes volcanes de ven
ganza humana por camaradas o hermanos
inmolados-al resplandor de las haciendas incen
diadas y de montones de humeantes y negros
tizones y rescoldos- y en el corazón humano por
35
doquier rescoldos negros y peores aún-y ten
dréis un vislumbre de esta guerra . "
¿Qué tiene lo anterior, tal como lo consigna un
testigo tan honorable y concienzudo, de mejor o
de peor que nuestros asaltos y voladuras de
trenes y las represalias de todas clases que han
ocurrido con lamentable frecuencia (como en
todas las guerras) en nuestras revoluciones ?
Esto servirá para recordar a los lectores que
suelen ver en nuestras contiendas de facción
horrores sin precedente - tan sólo porque la
guerra en cada nueva ocasión parece sobrepujarse
y excederse a sí misma que los conflictos de la
humanidad siempre han ostentado la misma faz
terrible.
Ahora deseamos insertar otro interesante
párrafo del gran poeta , en que rinde un precioso
tributo de reconocimiento a la amistad mexicana
hacia su país durante una época de prueba y
tribulación sin igual en su historia :
"Actitud de los Gobiernos Extranjeros
Durante la Guerra Civil
"Al revisar mis apuntes, encuentro lo siguiente
escrito en 1864. Lo que acontece a nuestra
América en el exterior tanto como en el mismo
país en estos años , es sobremanera extraño. La
democrática república le ha hecho el terrible y
esplendente cumplido que consiste en el deseo
unido de todas las naciones del mundo de que su
unión sea quebrantada , que se trunque su por
venir, y que se vea obligada a descender al nivel
de reinos e imperios comunmente grandes. A
buen seguro que no hay un sólo gobierno en
Europa que no esté observando la guerra en este
país, y que no acompañe tal contemplación con
una ferviente plegaria en el sentido de que los
Estados Unidos queden materialmente divididos,
baldados y desmembrados a resultas de ella .
Acaso no haya uno que no fomentaría tal
desmembramiento si sólo se atreviese a ello .
Digo que tal es hoy día el deseo vehemente de
Inglaterra y de Francia como gobiernos, al igual
que de todas las naciones de Europa en su calidad
de gobiernos. Y creo que en el día de hoy este
es el anhelo íntimo de todas las naciones del
mundo, con la única excepción de México—
México, única nación a la que realmente hemos
hecho positivo mal , y la única que ora por nosotros
y por nuestro triunfo, con oración sincera . ¿ No
es esto a la verdad extraño ? ”
Pudiera alegarse que la simpatía mexicana
hacia los Estados Unidos durante su guerra de
secesión se debió a que México se encontraba a
la sazón en un trance semejante o peor, toda vez
que la intervención extranjera en su suelo era un
hecho realizado ; o acaso pudiera decirse que los
patriotas mexicanos veían en la conservación de
la Unión americana la esperanza de México para
sacudir efectivamente un yugo extranjero . Sea
como fuere, y aun descontando el hecho de
cuantas maneras sea posible, las muestras de
amistad que México profesó hacia su poderoso
vecino, constituyen una demostración más de
la verdad innegable de que no existe cosa que
más obligue a los hombres y a los pueblos a
volver al sendero del compañerismo fraternal ,
que un terrible y común sufrimiento. Fué un
ejemplo admirable de solidaridad Pan-americana
ante un peligro ultramarino, y Walt Whitman
reveló una sagacidad penetrante al advertir esta
muestra singular de amistad generosa hacia su
patria en época de apremio y tormenta .
36 THE
The Mexican Cornucopia
By R. G. HERSHBERGER
HAT is a cornucopia ? Mythology
tells us that the ' horn of Amalthea"
W as endowed with the virtue of be
coming filled with whatever its possessor
wished for, and from this originated the horn
of plenty or cornucopia as an emblem of over
flowing abundance . Now, let the reader but
glance for a moment at the map of North
America and see if the outlines of a cornu
copia do not appear thereon at the lower end
on the left. Yes, the similitude exists, clear
and distinct, and this is the Republic of
Mexico .
And the comparison could hardly be illus
trated with greater effect, for here indeed is a
vast territory in the form of a cornucopia
which extends from the southwestern border
of the United States to a point projecting into
the Caribbean Sea ; a land which the reality
will prove as one being endowed by the Cre
ator with inconceivable richness, because from
one end of this "horn" to the other there is
found every vegetable or agricultural product
grown between the equator and the arctic cir
cle, besides the fabulous mineral deposits con
tained in the vaults of its mountains and in
the sands of its rivers. A common figure of
speech frequently employed by people in gen
eral when speaking in the superlative sense, is
to say that it is one of the richest, but in this
instance the writer takes the liberty of affirm
ing that the Republic of Mexico is not one of,
but comprises THE RICHEST PORTION OF TERRI
TORY ON THIS PLANET, which will be amply
demonstrated to the entire satisfaction of the
world within another decade or two .
From the date of the landing of the Spanish
legions on the shores of what was called by
them the New Spain, the wonderful mineral
wealth of this country has been known and
become famous ; and it well merits this be
cause it is second to none as duly attested to
by the late Cecil Rhodes , of South African
fame, when he declared that Mexico was the
most highly mineralized zone in the whole
world, with South Africa and Peru following
in the order named. Furthermore, in this con
nection one of the important conditions which
cannot be overlooked is that owing to the
charm of its climate, it becomes a veritable
miner's paradise in view of the fact that there
is no such thing as a closing down or para
lization of operations due to blizzards and
snowstorms, for the precious metals can be
mined , milled and marketed the whole year
round.
But rich as Mexico is in mineral wealth , it
will no doubt seem paradoxical to many when
the affirmation is again made that this is small
compared with its agricultural possibilities and
the corresponding phenomenal wealth to be de
rived from same. The writer has resided in
this Republic for a little over a quarter of a
century, and during which time he has tray
eled over every State and Territory in it—not
only visiting the principal towns therein but
MEXICAN REVIEW
Geographically and Literally Mexico is a
Veritable "Horn of Plenty"
even the interior villages and remote districts.
wherever a sewing machine or a can of kero
sene could be sold ; so consequently he feels
that he knows whereof he speaks and with
confidence that hundreds of readers perusing
these lines can conscientiously certify to the
veracity of his statements.
The agricultural supremacy of Mexico will
soon be demonstrated ; here is absolutely every
range of climate from the tropical to the cold,
growing every plant and agricultural product
known from the Equator northward. Just
think of what this means ! As a faint idea in
this connection, mention should be made of the
fact that two crops of corn can be raised in
many parts of the Republic and even three
crops by adding a little bit more elbow-grease,
in one year ; and also alfalfa, the great forage
plant, is a monthly crop in many parts—it
being out every twenty-two days during the
summer season and in the winter season every •
forty days, or say fourteen crops during the
year ; this occurs especially in the States of *
Jalisco, Colima and Michoacan. Can any
other one country claim equality along these
lines ?
Never in the history of Mexico have the
mining and manufacturing industries been able
to compete with the agricultural yield together
with its allies, stock raising, timber exploita
tion, sugar manufacture, etc. , and, of course,
everybody knows that the mineral resources
have always been exploited on a much larger
scale than the agricultural lands, because
owing to various reasons the majority of the
native population have been unable to acquire
property of this nature and thus contribute
their energies to the general national welfare ;
but it can be readily realized that once these
conditions can be reversed so as to enable this
majority to come into possession of a little
farming tract, then the agricultural returns of
the country will assume the most extraordi
nary proportions.
Of course, they will require some financial
assistance at the start and even must be edu
cated somewhat in agricultural pursuits along
modern lines- perhaps a printing press will
be necessary in unison with the plow- but it
can be done, and the present and future con
structive statesmen of the nation now propose
to see that it is done, for herein lies the secret
of Mexican peace and the best and surest way
to banish forever the revolutions of the past.
Up to the present time fully 90 per cent of
the country's population have been the posses
sors of nothing but rags and the contempt of
the upper classes. Contrary to what many a
gratuitous critic may say or think on this sub
ject, the fact remains that the native rural
population is composed of far better people
than is generally considered ; in fact, the Mex
ican Indian of the rural districts is by no
means the bad man that he has been painted,
but rather the passive victim of several hun
dred years of unjust treatment. When the
agrarian problem has been justly and definitely
December, 1920
solved as it will be very soon- it will then
be seen that the masses are generally of a
quiet, peace-loving nature and absolutely law-
abiding under anything like humanitarian
methods. With a small piece of land for each
head of a family, they will soon prove them
selves successful, independent farmers, with no
thoughts or time for internal warfare and
fratricidal strife.
Never again shall the world then contem
plate the sorry spectacle of Mexico import
ing cereals and foodstuffs from foreign coun
tries in order to replenish the exhausted con
tents of the Mexican cornucopia, which of
itself exists in overflowing abundance ; and
thus Mexico with her vast tablelands, valleys
and slopes yielding in profusion every plant
and vegetable production known to the world
-her mountains stored with enormous de
posits of precious metals , and the big oil gey
sers spouting the black liquid gold throughout
the length and breadth of this marvelous
land, will then rapidly forge her way to a
front rank among the nations of the world
and without doubt be one of its greatest sup
ply depots . It is true that since the period of
President Porfirio Diaz, there has been a ten
year hiatus that has been replete with many
unsavory happenings, but they could not be
avoided precisely in view of the fact that 90
per cent of the Mexican people-as before
mentioned-were bereft of all that makes for
"life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness " ;
and although this last decade has been dis
tressing in many ways, I there can be no doubt
that the end has at last been reached, because
the fundamental ideals for which the revo
lutionists have striven have been achieved and
they are now ready to go to work as never
before.
Mexico, of course , at the present time is
indebted to foreign governments to the extent
of many millions of dollars due for loans, in
terest, losses and damages suffered by the
subjects of many countries . It is also in
urgent need of millions more for purposes of
internal organization, transportation , and the
development of the natural resources, etc., but
whatever may be the seemingly large sum
total of all this, it represents but a mere baga
telle in relation to the nation's power for
liquidating same, an event which will take
place at a no distant day. Now that permanent
peace is practically assured, the rehabilitation
of the railroads will come next, and the
writer ventures to predict that on or before
June 30, 1921 , they will all have been returned
to Meir original owners ; the transportation
question as it stands today will thereupon be
automatically adjusted and new railroad lines.
will be built into all the more distant States
and isolated districts so as to stimulate pro
duction and effect the necessary exchange of
commodities which means everything to Mex20
ico and her interior commerce ; manufacturG
ing enterprises will also then flourish as never
before as a consequence of the unlimited sup
ply of raw materials abounding everywhere,
and the "Made in Mexico " articles will be
sought for in the principal markets of the
world.
General Alvaro Obregon is the man who is
(Continued on page 38)
Diciembre, 1920 LA
La Cornucopia Mexicana
Geográficamente México es Literalmente un
POR R. G. HERSHBERGER
UÉ cosa es una cornucopia ? La mito
logía nos cuenta que el "cuerno de
Q Amaltea" fué dotado con la virtud de
llenarse con todo cuanto fuese deseado por su
poseedor , y así se originó el cuerno de la
abundancia o cornucopia como emblema de
una plenitud rebosante . Ahora, si el amable
lector se sirve contemplar por un momento
el mapa de Norteamérica , indudablemente ha
llará luego los contornos de una cornucopia
que queda por la mano izquierda . Sí, ahí
existe la similitud, clara y bien trazada, y
ésta es la República de México .
Y dificilmente se podría ilustrar la compara
ción con mayor efecto, pues verdaderamente
aquí está un vasto territorio asemejando la
forma de una cornucopia que se extiende desde
las fronteras sudoestes de los Estados Unidos
hasta su punta que se arroja en las aguas del
Mar Caríbe ; una tierra que la realidad de
mostrará como dotada por el Ser Supremo con
riquezas inconcebibles, porque desde una
punta de este "cuerno" hasta la otra, se en
cuentran todos los productos vegetales y agrí
colas conocidos entre el ecuador y las regiones
polares, además de los depósitos minerales de
valor incalculable que están almacenados en
las bóvedas de sus inmensas montañas y en
las arenas de sus corrientes. Un modo de exG
presarse que es frecuentemente empleado por
las gentes en general al hablar en grado su
perlativo, es el decir que es uno de los más
ricos, pero en este caso el autor toma la
libertad de afirmar que México no es uno de
tantos, sino EL PEDAZO DE TERRITORIO MAS RICO
DE GSTE PLANETA, ya que esta verdad quedará
ampliamente demostrada a le entera satisfac
ción del mundo exterior dentro del transcurso
de una década de años, más o menos.
Desde la fecha en que las legiones españolas
de la conquista pisaron las playas de la tierra
que nombraron la Nueva España , la riqueza
fabulosa de las minas de este país era cono
cida y las noticias se extendían por todas
partes ; y bien lo merecía, porque en efecto
no tiene rival y este hecho fué públicamente
atestiguado por el finado Cecil Rhodes de fama
sudafricana al declarar que México comprende
la zona más profundamente mineralizada del
mundo entero, y que la Africa del Sur y el
Perú seguían después en el orden mencionado.
Además , sobre este mismo tema una condi(
ción que no debe olvidarse es que debido a su
clima encantador resulta un verdadero pa
raíso para el minero, porque aqui las nevadas
y terribles tempestades invernales no se co
nocen, y por consiguiente nunca hay paro o
paralización de operaciones a consecuencia de
las inclemencias del tiempo, de modo que los
metales preciosos pueden ser extraídos, bene
ficiados, y transportados a los mercados du
rante todos los días del año.
Pero aun siendo tan rico como México es
en minas, indudablemente parecerá para
dójico para muchos lectores el afirmar nue
vamente que esa riqueza es poco comparado
REVISTA MEXICANA
"Cuerno de la Abundancia”
con sus posibilidades agrícolas y los rendi
mientos fenomenales que pueden obtenerse en
este ramo. El autor ha residido en esta Re
pública durante un poco más de un cuarto de
siglo y a través de estos años ha viajado en
todos sus Estados y Territorios- no sólo
visitando las principales poblaciones de los
mismos, sino también llegando hasta los pe
queños poblados y lugares más apartados por
donde quiera que pudiera venderse una má
quina de coser o una lata de petróleo ; y así
es que él se considera algo autorizado para
escribir sobre tan interesante asunto y con la
confianza de que millares de los lectores que
lean estas líneas pueden concienzudamente
certificar la veracidad de sus declaraciones.
La supremacía agrícola de México pronto
quedará ampliamente demostrada ; aquí exis
ten absolutamente todos los climas que se
encuentran entre las regiones tropicales y las
del norte, y aquí crecen todas las plantas y
productos agrícolas conocidas en esa inmensa
zona que se extiende desde el ecuador hasta
el círculo polar. Medítese no más por un
momento sobre lo que esto significa ! Para
dar una pálida idea de lo que significa, se
puede hacer mención del hecho de que dos
cosechas de maíz pueden ser levantadas en
muchas partes de la Republica y aun tres
cosechas si se apura un poco más, en un sólo
año ; también la alfalfa, esa gran planta para
forraje se corta mensualmente en varias partes,
pues se recoge cada veintidos días durante el
verano, y cada cuarenta días en el invierno,
o en otras palabras da catorce rendimientos
durante un sólo año ; esto ocurre principal
mente en los Estados de Jalisco , Colima y
Michoacan. ¿ Donde se encuentra otro país
que puede igualar a México en este sentido ?
Nunca en la historia de México han podido
las industrias mineras y manufactureras com
petir con los rendimientos agrícolas junta
mente con sus aliados como son, la cría de
ganado, explotación de maderas, fabricación
de azucar, etc., y por supuesto , casi todo el
mundo sabe que las minas mexicanas siempre
han sido explotadas en mucha mayor escala
que las tierras agrícolas, porque debido a va
rias circumstancias le mayoría de la población
indígena nunca ha podido adquirir propie
dades de esta naturaleza para así contribuir
con sus energías al bienestar general de la
nación ; pero puede comprenderse fácilmente
que una vez que estas condiciones sean
sustituídas por otras justicieras a fin de
permitir que la citada mayoría adquiera sus
parcelas de tierra para la agricultura, sucederá
que los rendimientos agrícolas en el país
alcanzarán proporciones extraordinarias. No
cabe duda que al principio han de necesitar
alguna ayuda financiera, y aun ser educados
un poco en este ramo de acuerdo con los
procedimientos modernos-y quizás sea nece
sario hacer funcionar una pequeña prensa de
imprenta en unisono con el arado-pero todo
esto puede ser llevado a cabo, y los actuales
y los futuros estadistas constructivos de la
37
nación se proponen realizarlo cuanto antes,
porque ahí está el secreto de la paz en México,
y es el camino mejor y el más seguro para
desterrar para siempre las revoluciones del
pasado. Hasta ahora 90 por ciento de la
población de este país no ha poseído más que
la miseria y el desprecio de las altas clases
sociales. Al contrario de lo que muchos
críticos pudieran gratuitamente pensar o decir
sobre este asunto , queda el hecho de que la
población indígena de los distritos rurales se
compone de gentes mucho más buenas de lo
que se cree en el mundo exterior ; y en verdad,
el indio mexicano de los distritos rurales no
es nada malo, como ha sido pintado , sino es
más bien la victima pasiva de varios siglos de
tratamiento inhumano. Cuando el problema
agrario haya sido equitativa y definitivamente
resuelto como será muy pronto -se verá
claramente que las masas populares son
generalmente quietas, de carácter pacífico ,
y absolutamente obedientes a la autoridad ,
siempre que reciban un tratamiento mediana
mente humanitario ―y con un pequeño lote
siquiera de terreno fértil para cada padre de
familia , quedará demostrado muy pronto que
sí pueden convertirse en pequeños agricultores
con buen éxito , sin pensamientos ni tiempo
para tomar parte en nuevas guerras internas
0 discordias fratricidas . Entonces jamás
volverá el mundo a contemplar el triste espec
táculo presentado por México importando
cereales y productos alimenticios de los paises
extranjeros a fin de reponer el contenido
agotado de la cornucopia mexicana , que por
sí sola existe en abundancia rebosante ; y así
México con sus inmensas planicies , valles y
vertientes que rinden en profusión exuberante
todas las plantas y productos vegetales cono
cidos en el mundo ; sus montañas almacenando
los depósitos enormes de metales preciosos , y
con los grandes geyseres arrojando oro líquido
negro a través de toda la extensión de esta
maravillosa tierra -muy rápidamente se irá
abriendo paso para colocarse en la primera
fila entre las naciones del mundo y quedar allí
sin duda como uno de las fuentes mayores de
abastecimiento . Es verdad que desde el
período del Presidente Porfirio Díaz, ha habido
una pausa de diez años en su progreso que ha
sido repleta de sucesos lamentables , pero por
otra parte no era posible evitarlos precisa
mente porque 90 por ciento del pueblo me
xicano carecía de todo lo que pudiera darles
“vida, libertad , y garantías para su felicidad " ;
y aunque esta última década ha sido terrible
de distintas maneras , ya no cabe duda que
hemos llegado al final, porque los ideales
fundamentales para los cuales los revoluciona
rios han luchado , han sido conquistados , de
modo que ahora están listos y deseosos como
nunca para ponerse a trabajar.
En la actualidad México debe a varios
gobiernos extranjeros muchos millones de
dólares por cuenta de préstamos , réditos ,
pérdidas y daños sufridos por los súbditos de
todas las naciones, y también necesita millones
más para su organización interna, para las
vías de transporte, y el desarrollo de sus
grandes recursos naturales, etc., pero sea lo
que fuere la fabulosa suma total que se dice,
(Sigue en la pagina 387
38 THE
WALT WHITMAN'S TRIBUTE
(Concluded from page 34)
for our triumph, with genuine prayer. Is it
not indeed strange ?"
It might be argued that Mexican sympathy
for the United States during its war of seces
sion was owing to Mexico's being at the time
in a similar or rather worse plight, inasmuch
as foreign intervention was an accomplished
fact within its territory ; or it could perhaps
be said that Mexican patriots saw in the
preservation of the American Union, Mexico's
hope for effectually shaking off a foreign yoke.
Be that as it may, and even if discounted in
every possible way, Mexico's tokens of friend
ship towards its great neighbor are another
demonstration of the truism that nothing com
pels human beings or nations to revert to the
bonds of fraternal comradeship so much as a
terrible common suffering. It was a wonderful
example of Pan-American solidarity in the
face of peril coming from overseas , and Walt
Whitman displayed a discerning sagacity in
perceiving this singular and unstinted friend
ship for his country during a time of stress
and storm .
Viva Walt Whitman, "the good grey poet"!
It is such as thou that will keep the sacred
fires of human friendship from extinguishing
even in the darkest hour of doubt, fear and
misunderstanding.
THE MEXICAN CORNUCOPIA
(Concluded from page 36)
going to inaugurate in the near future an era
of peace and prosperity such as his country
has never had ; he stands strictly for law
and order, and, like Diaz, he will be found
to be a constructive statesman after having
sheathed the sword which has secured for his
people at least the fundamental ideals for
which it was drawn. His collaborators will
all be men on whom he can depend and who
are thoroughly imbued with the same progres
sive principles ; his administration will be a
business one such as is needed to enhance the
prestige and prosperity of the nation , eliminat
ing the erstwhile causes of intestinal strife
and clearing the political atmosphere of in
trigues and overt acts .
Many of the Mexicans of the present gen
eration have been educated in American uni
versities and technical institutions, and al
though they as Mexicans naturally stand for
all that is dear to Mexico, they have imbibed
a sufficient amount of American push and en-
terprise to show the effects of this happy
blending in everything they undertake for the
aggrandizement of their country. The Mex
ican people under the able leadership of such
men as Alvaro Obregon are now ready to
begin the great work of reconstruction which
will soon make Mexico the cynosure of all
eyes throughout the world- not as the theater
of bloody battles and devastations wrought by
the hands of lawless elements, but as a rich
and civilized nation conscious of the glorious
destiny toward which she is rapidly advancing
and with an overflowing abundance which is
not only a blessing to her own people, but to
all the world.
MEXICAN REVIEW December, 1920
EL TRIBUTO DE WALT WHITMAN
(Viene de la pagina 35)
Un Mensaje De Impor
¡Viva Walt Whitman , " el buen poeta gris "!
Sois de aquellos que no dejarán apagar los fuegos tancia Para Los Hom
sacros de la amistad humana aun en la hora más
obscura de duda , de temor o de mala inteligencia.
bres Que Se Ayudan A
Si Mismos
CORNUCOPIA MEXICANA L'
(Viene de la pagina 37) Si usted es un hombre progresista y
representará una bagatela en relación con el emprendedor, tiene un puesto que llenar
poder de la nación para liquidarla, y que se en el creciente desarrollo que viene al
canzando el progreso de la Agricultura
verificará en fecha no tan lejana. Ahora que una y con nuestra cooperación alcanzará
paz duradera queda prácticamente asegurada, usted a llenar ese puesto .
la rehabilitación de los ferrocarriles no se Sea usted miembro subscriptor de
hará esperar mucho, y no es difícil que para "LA AGRICULTURA MODERNA"
el 30 de junio de 1921 , todas las líneas hayan Y recibirá mensualmente mensajes
sido devueltas a sus propietarios ; la cuestión excepcionalmente útiles y de incalculable
de transportes quedará arreglada automática interés para aprovecharse de valiósas
mente y nuevas vías , férreas serán construidas oportunidades modernas que la experi
encia resueive en el vasto campo de la
en todos los Estados más lejanos y distritos. Agricultura, Ganadería e Industrias
aislados , con el fin de estimular la producción Rurales.
y efectuar el cambio necesario de productos,
que tanto significa para México y su comercio
La Agricultural Moderna
interior ; empresas manufactureras también SACRAMENTO , CALIFORNIA , U.S.A.
tendrán nueva vida y se establecerán como Estados Unidos de Norte America
nunca en los tiempos pasados , como conse
cuencia natural de las grandes cantidades de
materias primas que abundan por todas parles,
y los articulos "Hechos en México" serán
Fertile Land
solicitados en los mercados principales del
mundo. Free Water
Y el general Alvaro Obregón es el hombre
que va a inaugurar en un futuro cercano una Cleared Fenced
era de paz y prosperidad tal como nunca ha
sido vista en su país ; él es estrictamente un Irrigation Ditches Built
sostenedor de la ley y el orden, y como
All Ready For The Plow
Díaz, se hará conocer como estadista con
structivo después de haber envainado la Ten Miles from
espada que ha conseguido para su pueblo, Overland Railroad
cuando menos, los ideales fundamentales para
los cuales fué desenvainada. Su administra
ción efectuara grandes empresas, tal como se $50 per acre
necesita actualmente para arecentar el prestigio Soil, climate, etc., the equal of
y prosperidad de la nación. Muchos mexicanos
anything in California or other
de la generación actual han sido educados en irrigated sections.
las universidades americanas e instituciones
técnicas , y aunque ellos como mexicanos For full details address
naturalmente no olvidan todo lo que más se
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
quiere en México, sin embargo, se han conta
giado bastante con el espíritu de empresa y 817 14th St. N. W. Washington, D. C.
energia americana, al grado de exhibirla en
todo lo que emprenden para el engrandeci
miento de su patria. El pueblo mexicano,
guiado por hombres del calibre de Alvaro GAME FIGHTING FOWLS
Obregón, está listo para comenzar la gran
that are swift, sure cut
obra de reconstrucción que muy pronto hará ters, bred for business in
de México la cinosura de todos los ojos- no the pit, and as near sure
winners as the world af
como el teatro de sangrientas batallas y fords. Several noted
devastaciones cometidas por las manos de strains, all as game as
death. Illustrated cir
elementos criminales, sino como una nación cular free, in Spanish and
rica y civilizada y consciente de su glorioso English, showing noted
cocks and prices.
destino, hacia donde va caminando rápida
mente, con tel abundancia en su cornucopia, ALFRED F. GRAHAM
que es una bendición no sólo para su propio CAMERON NORTH CAROLINA
pueblo, sino para el mundo entero .
OIL LAND WANTED
Various labor organizations are working in
Ten acres or more, offsetting large well in
conjunction with the American Federation of Mexico . I will pay the price for the right
Labor to bring about a successful meeting of kind of stuff. Submit your offers in full
a Latin-American workingmen's congress in detail . P. O. box 450, Kansas City, Mo.
Mexico City January 11 , 1921 .
Diciembre, 1920 LA
Absolutely No Discrimination as to
Nationality in Granting Concessions
HE public has been led to believe that
THE
discrimination on national lines has been
practiced by the Mexican Government in
granting concessions of various kinds, notably
for the exploitation of oil and other mineral
deposits, and it has been stated that people of
this or that nationality have been favored at
the expense of those of other nationalities .
To premise, there is a general misapprehen
sion regarding the use of the term "conces
sion"-the popular idea being that it involves
some special privilege gained in some special
manner. The fact is , that the term refers to
the same process that is described in other
countries as the securing of a charter or the
filing of a mineral claim. This is done under
general laws which are open to all the world
and are not confined to any race or nation.
If, as has been stated with little foundation , a
larger area of oil lands has been secured by
citizens of, say, Mars than by those of the
Moon, that is entirely the fault of the latter for
neglecting to improve the opportunities that are
open to all, and they should not allow them
selves to go on record as objecting to some
thing for which they alone are to blame. In
securing permission to exploit mineral or other
resources of one kind or another in Mexico , it
is a case of "first come first served," just ex
actly as it is in the United States and in some
other countries, though there are some in
which citizens are favored to the exclusion of
foreigners. In the United States a mere dec
laration of intention to become a citizen is
sufficient to place a foreigner on a par with a
citizen of the country. And in Mexico the
legal channels of the Government are open
Lea
FOR SALE
100,000 acres of hardwood timber
and OIL. lands, in
SAN ANDRES TUXTLA, STATE OF
VERA CRUZ , MEXICO
Details furnished to
serious buyers
ADDRESS :
GEORGE WILSON
Apartado (P. O. Box) , 1677
MEXICO , D. F.
.......
DR. H. W. STAHL
DENTISTA
TELEFONOS :
ERIC . 7679 MEX. 7679 NEGRO
AV. 16 DE SEPTIEMBRE NO. 12
MEXICO, D. F.
REVISTA MEXICANA
and free to all, regardless of nationality, color
or what not, who comply with the not onerous
provisions governing such matters .
Bandits Going to Work!
HE LAST few months have seen a
THE marked increase in the number of bandits
who have become weary of their outlawry and
ave either gone back to a peaceable life or have
expressed a willingness to do so . The de
served fate of a number of the bandit leaders
during the past year has acted as a great en
couragement in this direction . One notable
case is reported from Michoacan, where an
American company is opening some extensive
iron deposits . Needing help, some two hun
dred and fifty of a band of 300 former
bandits were easily persuaded to lay down
their arms and accept the steady work, good
wages and abundant food at low prices offered
NOVEDADES
La mejor revista ilustrada i de
variedades que se publica actual
mente en el Ecuador, será
GRATIS para Ud.
Suscriba CINCO AMIGOS suyos
a nuestrà revista i recibirá en
cambio SU suscripción sin más
gasto .
Precio de cada ejemplar cincuenta
centavos ( moneda ecuatoriana ) —
Si Ud . desea, solicite un número
de muestra ; que le enviaremos
inmediatamente .
Administración : Luque 508, ba
jos-Casilla de correo , letra A.
Guayaquil Ecuador.
PUBLIC STENOGRAPHER
Gante, 9. —Tel . Eric. , 21-01
English-Spanish Shorthand . Typewriter,
Copying and Translations done by Experts.
Open 7 A. M. to 9 P. M. and Sundays.
MRS . A. M. L. COLESON
EAGLE "MIKADO"
174
Regular Length, 7 inches
For Sale at your Dealer.
Conceded to be the Finest Pencil made for general use.
EAGLE PENCIL COMPANY, NEW YORK
}
39
by the company noted. Fifty, however, re
mained in the hills engaged in "outlawry."
Being hungry, they came down to the mining
camp and asked for food, which was supplied
them without price and without question . The
manager being absent at the time, the bandits
then began to act a little obstreperously,
whereupon their one-time associates proceeded
to "read the riot act" to them, and ordered
them to desist and to lay down their arms
under a hint of unpleasant results . Being
told that they also could be put to work with
the same wages , the same good food and the
same kin dtreatment as their former associates
enjoyed, they hesitated not at all, but gave up
their rifles and cartridge belts for the pick, the
shovel, the crowbar and the drill. And that is
what has happened and is happening all over
the Republic. And it affords an interesting
commentary upon the oft-repeated slander that
the average Mexican would rather "bandit"
than work for a living !
Optimistic Views Regarding Mexico
OHN R. HALL , of Knauth, Nachod &
JOHNKuhne, says the conditions in Mexico ap
pear to be greatly improved . He is im
pressed with the serious desire which ap
pears to prevail in the minds of members of
the administration for quiet and effective
action.
John F. Barry, of the New York Com
mercial, told the American Manufacturers'
Association that there will surely be a big
influx of American capital into Mexico and
a corresponding boom .
In his annual report, President Simon
Guggenheim, of the American Smelting and
Refining Company, expresses confidence in
the present Mexican Government and hope
for the future. The A. S. and R. are laying
their plans accordingly and continue to make
money in Mexico .
Certain more or less well-known patriots
apparently are more scandalized at news of
quiet and good order in Mexico than they are
by tales of crime and violence on the American
side of the border.
EDWARD M. WILSON, M. E.
TECHNICAL PETROLEUM EXPERT
Geological Reports, Plans & Estimates
of Mexican Oil Regions
P. O. Box 844 Mexico City
PENCIL No.174
EAGLE MIKADOX N °2X CAGE ང་
Made in five grades
 National Railways of

Mexico and Annexes

(Administered by the Government)

Direct Passenger Service Between Mexico City and

Laredo, Texas; Ciudad Juaraz (El Paso) , Manzanillo ,
Morelia, etc.

The trains to Laredo, Texas, are detained in Nuevo

Laredo , Mexico, only the time indispensable for compliance
with the customs and health regulations .

Sleeping cars are run daily from Mexico City to

Laredo, Ciudad Juarez, and Guadalajara , and every third
day to Tampico , via San Luis Potosi.

FREIGHT INSURANCE SERVICE

The business public is informed of the maintenance

of a system of insurance against the risks of war of all
classes of merchandise and with all points in the Republic .
This system has been in operation more than two years,
with most satisfactory results .

J. M. CARDENAS, A. G. ROEL,
Assistant General Passenger Agent General Freight and Passenger Agent

I. S. RODRIGUEZ,
Chief of the Insurance Department

MERCANTILE BANKING CO . LTD .

Av. F. I. Madero No. 12. P. O. Box, 131 Bis . Mexico , D. F.

Geo. J. McCarty, K. M. Van Zant, Jr. , F. Peltier , Fco. Coudurier, G. A. Moran,

President. Vice-President and Manager. Assistant Manager. Cashier. Assistant Cashier.

GENERAL BANKING BUSINESS TRANSACTED

FOREIGN EXCHANGE BOUGHT AND SOLD
TELEGRAPH TRANSFERS . LETTERS OF CREDIT
TRAVELERS' CHECKS ISSUED

Current Checking Accounts of Merchants, Manufacturers and Individuals Invited

A. B. GRAHAM CO. »14 PRINTERS

 THE

01 MAR 2 4 1921
32

N W
MEXICA REVIE

th
P

HIG

REVISTA 21.8MEXICANA
Y
R
A
R
L

B
A

No. 7
R

VOL WASHINGTON, D. C., FEBRUARY, 1921

L
E

V H
I 1 C
N . 9F8MI
U O .
R 1
A 4 LABOR LEADERS CONFER
M 2

Representatives from Half the Americas Discuss Problems

at Mexico City Congress

LINES TO ABRAHAM LINCOLN

6

A Poem for Red Blooded Americans of All Nationalities

By John A. Avirette

THE AMERICAN PRESS

66

Its Changed Tone Toward Mexico as Shown by Friendly

Editorial Comment

THE PETROLEUM FIELD

An Up-to-date Survey of Conditions , with the Text of the Much

Disputed Federal Zone Law

THE MEXICAN STEEL INDUSTRY

Editorials and Live Interpretative News Features

666
166666666666

20c. American . The Only Periodical Giving General Mexican News in English . 40c. Oro Nal.
 SR. ALBERTO J. PANI
Newly Appointed Secretary of the Department of Foreign Relations
 BEAUTIFUL MEMORIAL TO MARTYRED PRESIDENT

Washington , D. C.

137

Photo by Ackerman

LINES TO ABRAHAM LINCOLN

By JOHN A. AVIRETTE

I stood within the shadow of thy tomb
And mused upon thy strangely fateful life ;
How, when our Country's skies were black with doom,
Thine was the Soul that lit her through the strife.
Like our Great George, who sleeps in Vernon's wild,
Thou wert as well her "father and her son";
And fame, eternal as old Cheops' pile,
Hast thou till all the sands of Time are run:
For courage, truth and vision, all were thine
As made thee, while yet mortal, half divine!
Sleep, Martyr, sleep in peace within thy tomb:
The Banner that thou lovedst still does wave
From sea to sea ! Still from thy Country's womb
Are brave men sprung, again to fight and save.
Well may our maidens , weeping at thy grave,
Their saddest threnode sing to vibrant lyres :
Thou wert the bravest of a Nation's brave!
And lives like thine, her humblest son inspires,
To keep thy Country great and glorious ;
A fitting Temple for thy hallowed dust .

The Mexican
VOL . IV WASHINGTON , D. C. , FEBRUARY , 1921
The Mexican Review
Published Monthly at Washington, D. C.
GEO. F. WEEKS - EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
Yearly subscription in the United States, Canada and
Mexico , $2 gold . Elsewhere , $2.50.
Office-Rooms 501-502, 817 Fourteenth Street
Washington, D. C.
Withdrawing Their Opposition to
Mexico's Petroleum Laws
EWS comes from Mexico City to the
NEeffect that the Aguila and the Corona
Petroleum Companies, two of the most power
ful oil concerns in Mexico, both English, have
announced that they have resigned their mem
bership in the American Petroleum Associa
tion, and that henceforth they will submit to
*
all the laws and regulations of Mexico as re
gards petroleum and everything else. That is
to say, they have declared their willingness to
do exactly what every foreigner does in every
other country on the globe-comply with that
country's laws, or, if not so content, then to
go where the laws are better suited to his in
clinations. It should be remembered that two
of the largest American oil companies oper
ating in Mexico have at all times complied
with the laws, and have publicly and repeat
edly declared that they had found nothing
onerous, confiscatory or unfair in their opera
tion. The manager of one such company, after
a careful examination of Mexican oil legisla
tion and decrees, assured the editor of THE RE
VIEW that he had , before engaging in the busi
ness in that country, been led to suppose that
the laws in this respect were of a most objec
tionable character, but that as a matter of fact
they were a " joke" by comparison with the
laws upon the subject in some of the United
States.
RESIDENT OBREGON proposes some
P stringent legislation looking to the pro
tection of Mexican laborers in foreign coun
tries. If only a small portion of the com
plaints of such laborers is true, there is good
ground for some determined action in this
direction.
LSEWHERE will be found the law gov
erning the exploitation of petroleum de
posits upon public lands and the Federal zone
bordering upon water courses , bays, oceans,
etc. It is well worth study, in view of what
has been said upon the subject that is very
wide of the truth.
ĭ *-4
5
Review
No. 7
$
"Poetic License" Versus Facts }
As to Revolutionary Damage Claims
Na recent THE REVIEW a ERIODICALLY and with regular
I tributor
bent sought
numberto illustrate
of Tratethe undoubted PE ity and similarity statements find their 1
fact that the worst of all wars is civil war, way into print regarding the vast amount of
and that atrocities are committed in such cases revolutionary damage claims filed against Mex
that are almost if not quite unheard of in wars ico, running into the hundreds of millions of
betweeen nations- or at all events were un dollars. But with entire unanimity those re
heard of until the recent European war dis sponsible for such lurid statements fail to
closed a depth of hellishness never before make mention that once upon a time, some
reached . As an illustration the contributor sixty years or so ago, there was a similar
quoted from Walt Whitman's account of cer presentation of similar claims, and that the
tain alleged affairs of bloodshed in which the total finally reached upward of half a bil
forces of Colonel Mosby were said to have lion dollars, at that time equaling several
played a prominent part in the Civil War. times as much as now. Yet an arbitration
THE REVIEW has never seen the statements of commission of an international and unpreju
the "Good Grey Poet" challenged, but since diced character, after due and close examina
the publication in its columns it has been fur tion and taking of testimony, decided that
nished with what seems to be conclusive proof less than one per cent of the vast total was
of the erroneous character of the statements well founded ! And later on, it was proved
referred to . The lesson to be drawn from this that a large share of even this small per
occurrence is that one should not accept with centage was based upon fraud and was never
out close investigation printed accounts of paid ! It is well to bear these facts in mind
atrocities that seem almost beyond belief. in expatiating upon Mexico's alleged revolu
During the recent revolutionary years Mexico tionary damage bill. To mention this his
was a sufferer from this sort of writing, the torical fact in connection with the accounts
press being surfeited with stories of cruelties referred to would, of course, take the "pep ”
that had no more foundation than the one of out of such stories, and hence it is never re
Whitman. It is an undoubted fact that when ferred to. But it is a fact, nevertheless.
men, no matter how civilized, are once given
power to take life under the license of legality, Alleged Discrimination Against
they quickly become so inured to human suf
Americans 1
fering that they commit deeds of which they
NEW phase of the International contest
would never have deemed themselves capable . ANfor the control of the world's oil supply is
There has never been any monopoly of barbar
presented in the reported concessions made to
ism or of humanity upon any one side during British interests in Mexico under the pro
any civil war. There seems to be no good visions of discriminatory Carranza decrees.
reason to doubt that Whitman allowed himself Baltimore Sun.
to be deceived, as indeed were many others in
the same direction. "Americans own more than 80 per cent of
the oil properties in Mexico and fully as much
of the mining properties, and they also have
International Collegiate Debates large holdings of the forests."-W. L. SAUN
DERS, Secretary, American Chamber of Com
GROUP of Stanford alumnæ who have merce, Mexico City.
Α had business experience in Mexico have,
in cooperation with Stanford University and The REVIEW challenges the Baltimore Sun
the National University of Mexico, established or any other newspaper to point out one single
an annual intercollegiate debate in Mexico for word or one sentence in any decree issued by
the "Medal of Stanford University." any Mexican administration which is of a dis
The debate, which is open to students of the criminatory character as against any foreigner. 1
schools of jurisprudence of the Mexican Re Every foreigner in the Republic stands and
public, will be held each year in the City always has stood upon an equal and exact foot
of Mexico during the month of July. It is to ing. If those of any one nationality have se
be an extempore discussion modeled on the cured a greater foothold in any direction than
annual Joffre debate between Stanford and the those of any other nationality, the latter class
University of California. The subject to be have only themselves to blame. And when
debated each year must relate to Hispanic Secretary Saunders, as quoted, declares that
American countries and to the relation between 80 per cent of the oil, mining and other prop
these countries and the United States, the pur erties in Mexico are in the hands of Americans
pose of the debates being "to encourage the he speaks by the card, knowing whereof he is
study of problems of Hispanic-American coun speaking.
tries and of the relation of those countries to In this case, as in many others, when the
each other and to the United States, and to facts are once known, the manner in which
bring about a better understanding between the public has been misled becomes apparent, as
them ." well as the motive for such misrepresentation..
 26
登 1
La Revista
TOMO IV
La Revista Mexicana
Publicación mensual Washington , D. C.
GEO. F. WEEKS - W EDITOR Y PROPRIETARIO
Suscripciones por un Año, en los Estados Unidos, Canada
y México , $2 oro. En cualquiera otra parte, $2.50.
Oficinas : 501-502, 817 Fourteenth Street N. W
Washington, D. C.
Abandonan su Oposición a lás Leyes
Petroleras de México
NFORMES recibidos de la capital de Mé
I xico afirman que las Compañías petroleras
El Aguila y Corona, dos de las más poderosas
petroleras de México, las dos
empresas petrolėras
inglesas, declararon que han renunciado ya
a. la sociedad con la Asociación Americana
de Petróleo y que, en adelante, se someterán
a las leyes y demas disposiciones petroleras,
así como en todo lo demás. Esto es, han de
t clarado su firme voluntad de obrar exactamen
te igual como todo extranjero sensato se porta
en todos los países del globo : acatar y cumplir
con las leyes del país, y si no le satisfacen ,
marcharse a donde encuentre leyes que mejor
le cuadren. Debe recordarse que dos de las
más grandes compañías petroleras norteame
ricanas que funcionan en México han acatado
en todo tiempo dichas leyes, y pública y repe
tidas veces han declarado que no encuentran
en ellas nada de oneroso, confiscatorio ni
deshonesto en su aplicación. El Gerente de
una de esas compañías, a raíz de un cuidadoso
examen de la legislación petrolera y decretos
relativos, confesó al Editor de LA REVISTA
que, antes de dedicarse al negocio de petróleo
en México, se había permitido creer que las
leyes relativas al asunto eran realmente obje
tables, pero que, en realidad, podían conside
rarse como una simple "broma" en compara
ción con las leyes que rigen la materia en los
Estados Unidos. Tableaux !
Al comparar las disposiciones que rigen el
desarrollo del petróleo en México y en los Esta
dos Unidos , debe recordarse que en el primer
país los Estados, individualmente considerados,
no tienen ninguna atribución ni ingerencia en la
3 materia, pues ella está bajo el control exclusivo
del Gobierno Federal. En los Estados Unidos,
por el contrario, cada Estado decreta sus
propias leyes en el asunto, las cuales difieren
extensamente según las distintas localidades .
En otro lugar de LA REVISTA se encontrará
la ley que rige la explotación de los yacimien
tos petrolíferos en terrenos nacionales y zonas
federales al margen de los ríos, bahías,
oceános, etc. Es digna de ser estudiada , en
vista de lo que tanto se ha dicho de este
asunto, tan apartado de la verdad.
T 2
3
Mexicana
WASHINGTON , FEBRERO , 1921
La " Licencia Poética”
Sacrifica los Hechos
N reciente edición de LA REVISTA un1
EN colaborador trató de ilustrar el hecho
indubitable de que la peor de todas las guerras
es la guerra civil, y que las atrocidades cometi
das en tales casos son casi, si nó completa
mente desconocidas en las guerras internacio
nales o, por lo menos, lo fueron hasta que la
reciente guerra europea reveló un fondo de
maldad jamás alcanzado hasta entonces . Como
medio ilustrativo, el articulista trajo a la
memoria, tomándolas de Walt Whitman,
ciertas afirmaciones relativas a derramamien
tos de sangre, en los que se dice tomaron parte
prominente las fuerzas
durante la guerra civil. del
LA Coronel
REVISTA Mosby,
no ha
visto impugnadas hasta aquí las afirmaciones
del "Dulce Poeta Gris" ; pero desde la publi
cación en sus columnas, se ha proporcionado
lo que parece ser la prueba concluyente de la
inexactitud de dichas afirmaciones. La lección
que se desprende de este incidente es que no
debe aceptarse, sin previa y cuidadosa investi
gación , referencias impresas de atrocidades que
parecen casi fuera de toda creencia. México ,
durante sus recientes años de revolución , fué
víctima de esta clase de impresos , pues la
prensa llegó a congestionarse con narraciones
de crueldad que no tenían mayor fundamento
que la expresada de Walt Whitman. Es un
hecho fuera de toda duda , sin embargo, que
cuando los hombres, no importa su grado de
cultura, se ven revestidos del poder suficiente
para abusar de la vida, se tornan pronto tan in
sensibles al sufrimiento humano, que llegan a
cometer acciones de las que jamás se hubieran
creído capaces . Jamás se ha llegado al control
del barbarismo o de humanidad en ninguno de
los bandos contendientes de una guerra civil,
por lo que no parece que exista una razón para
dudar que Whitman se haya dejado engañar,
como muchos otros, en este sentido .
Pretendidas Distinciones Contra
Los Norteamericanos
NA nueva faz en la contienda por el
UNA control de las reserves petrolíferas del
mundo, la presenta la información sobre las
concesiones hechas a los intereses britânicos
en México por las disposiciones de los parcia
les decretos de Carranza.- Baltimore Sun.
Los americanos son dueños de más del 80
por ciento de las propiedades petroleras de
México y otro tanto de las propiedades mine
ras , poseyendo tambien grandes posesiones en
los campos.- W. F. SAUNDERS , Secretario de la
Cámara Americana de Comercio en la Ciudad
de México.
LA REVISTA MEXICANA reta al Baltimore
Sun o a cualquiera otro periódico, a que
señale una sóla palabra o frase de cualquiera
de los decretos expedidos por cualquiera de
las administraciones mexicanas, que denote
No. 7
distinción o parcialidad alguna contra cual
quier extranjero. Todo extranjero está y
siempre ha estado en el mismo y exacto nivel
legal. Si algunos de determinada nacionali
dad han obtenido mayores adquisiciones que
otros, éstos son los únicos que deben culparse
así mismos. I cuando el Secretario , Mr.
Saunders, como se ha citado , declara que el
80 por ciento de las propiedades petroleras y
mineras de México están en poder de los
norteamericanos, habla sobre bases ciertas ,
sabiendo, por tanto, lo que dice.
Las Reclamaciones por Daños de
la Revolución
NVARIABLEMENTE y con marcada
I regularidad aparecen por la prensa afirma
ciones, siempre semejantes, (como si fueran
de una misma mano oculta ) relativas al ex
cesivo monto de las reclamaciones por daños
revolucionarios formuladas contra México .
que giran siempre al rededor de cientos de mi
llones de dollars. Pero con igual uniformidad,
tambien, los autores de tan tétricas afirmacio
nes omiten mencionar el hecho de que una vez,
como sesenta años atrás o algo más, se presen
taron así mismo semejantes reclamaciones , las
que en suma montaron a un total de medio
billón de dollars, equivalentes entonces a las
sumas actuales. Sin embargo, una comisión
arbitral, de carácter internacional y neutral,
resolvió, como resultado de un detenido y
cuidadoso examen del asunto e información
testimonial, que menos del uno por ciento de
ese inmenso total se hallaba bien fundado ! I
aún más, llegó a probarse que aún una buena.
porción de este escaso percentaje reconocía:
un origen fraudulento y nunca fué pagado !
Vale la pena traer a la memoria estos hechos
antes de entrar en digresiones sobre el pre
tendido monto de las daños revolucionarios
que se afirman. Con sólo mencionar este
hecho histórico en relación con las fabulosas
sumas atribuídas, se descubriría facilmente el
"espíritu" de tales historietas, y en adelante
jamás se acudiría a ellas. Sin embargo, es
todo un hecho.
El Presidente Obregón a propuesto una
legislación bien estricta para proteger a los
trabajadores mexicanos en el extranjero. Aun
cuando una pequeña parte de las quejas de
tales trabajadores fuera verdadera, siempre
hay bastante campo para desarrollar una
buena acción protectora en este sentido.
Los líders obreros del proletariado mexicano
hacen activos preparativos para la celebración
de un "Congreso del Proletariado Mexicano,"***
al que concurrirán delegados de las organiza
ciones obreras de toda la República , para tratar
y resolver asuntos importantes relacionados.
con el mejoramiento de los obreros nacionales..
4 THE
Pan - American Workers Confer
Labor Leaders from the United States and Many Central and
South American Republics Meet in City of Mexico
S THE REVIEW goes to press the city of
Mexico is the scene of an intensely
A interesting meeting of labor leaders
representing the workers of most of the na
tions of the North and South American con
tinents, in attendance upon the third annual
session of the Pan-American Federation of
Labor. Matters of vital import to the indus
trial workers of all the American countries
SAMUEL GOMPERS , President
are set for discussion and reports of the early
sessions indicate that lively differences of
opinion on policy exist among the different
delegations , for which compromises are being
found only after thorough threshing out of the
contested questions.
That they are being found seems to be indi
cated by the announcement that all other can
didates for the presidency have withdrawn and
that Samuel Gompers, of the American Feder
ation of Labor, has been re-elected to lead the
international organization . Canuto A. Vargas
has been re-elected secretary. Luis N.
Morones , President of the Mexican Con
federacion Regional Obreros, is first Vice
President of the Pan-American Federation,
and James Lord, President of the United
Mine Workers, is its Treasurer. Chester M.
Wright was elected English Secretary,
Amongst the important business of the Con
gress so far completed is the passage of a
resolution calling upon the Government of the
United States to hasten its proposed evacua
tion of Santo Domingo , and another petition
ing for the release of all political prisoners.
Immigration agencies in all Latin-American
MEXIC REVIE February , 1921
AN W
The British Government Accepts
Article 27
HE British Government, convinced that
THMexican legislation on oil matters is not
unjust to its citizens who are exploring or in
tending to exploit the main natural resource
of Mexico, has promised not to oppose the
countries for the collection and dissemination nationalization of Mexican petroleum, as stated
of information regarding labor conditions will in a late report.
be established under the terms of a resolution It seems that the British Government has
adopted. Delegates from the United States
made a close study not only of Article 27 of
and Porto Rico opposed the idea, but were the Mexican Constitution, but of all the laws
voted down in the first divided vote of the
on the subject, and has come to the conclusion
Congress.
this legislation does not really injure the in
The resolution, which was introduced by the
terests of foreigners who want to utilize the
Mexican delegation, gave rise to a protracted oil without monopolizing it.
debate, at the conclusion of which the confer
Although severe and mercenary criticism has
ence adjourned to partake of a luncheon ten been made by members of the Petroleum As
dered the delegates by E. Plutarco Calles ,
Secretary of the Interior in the Mexican
Government.
At the opening session of the Congress on
Monday, January 10, President Gompers, who
presided, welcomed the delegates present and
announced that the assembly would proceed
with its work as rapidly as possible pending
the arrival of several delegations who were
reported on their way but delayed at various
points owing to difficulties encountered in
travel. He called attention to the importance
of fraternal understanding of the problems
confronting the workers of each country by
those of all the others if a solid front is to
be maintained against the encroachments of
employers and legislation for the betterment
of labor obtained.
Responding to Mr. Gompers' address , Luis
N. Morones, President of the Confederacion
Regional Obreros, speaking for Mexican la
bor, welcomed the delegates from all countries
represented. He called the attention of the
delegation from the United States to the fact
that representatives of his organization had
gone to the Texas border to welcome the
LUIS N. MORONES, Vice - President
Americans to Mexico and escort them to the
capital, but had been prevented from crossing sociation, the Mexican oil legislation is quite
into the United States by the American immi liberal, as it opens the door to all individuals
gration officers at Laredo. and companies who wish to exploit the sub
Secretary Canuto A. Vargas presented a soil for extracting the oil.
comprehensive report of the work of the Pan Only one- seventh of the immense zones char
American Federation of Labor since the last acterized as oil producing have been exploited,
meeting, which was held at New York. Be millions of acres awaiting concessions . If the
sides going at length into the relations that Mexican legislation were modified, these vast
have existed between the American and Mex lands would be immediately monopolized, such
ican labor organizations, the secretary's report complete international exploitation thereby im
also touched upon domestic problems in Chili, periling the important Mexican railroad and
Peru, Mexico , Nicaragua and San Domingo . marine industries.
It was in effect a report by the entire Execu If Mexico should adopt the policy of pre
tive Committee, which is made up of President ferring some one nation in the exploitation of
Samuel Gompers, Secretary Canuto Vargas. her petroleum, she would take the dangerous
and Treasurer James Lord. chance of having her territory disputed by all
Among the noted speakers to appear before nations. By holding to her policy of the open
the Congress was "Mother" Jones, noted in door, the dispute will be limited to plain in
two hemispheres for her "pep" and radical dustrial competition that will promote the com
beliefs . Guatemala City was chosen for the mercial development of Mexico instead of in
next meeting of the Congress, the sessions of juring her vital interests .
which this year continued over a period of
nearly two weeks. Mexican labor leaders are busy arranging
for the "Congress of the Mexican Proletariat,"
at which meeting it is expected delegates from
The oil magnate, Joseph Guffey, is arranging most of the country's workingmen's organiza
to enlarge his already large properties by the tions will discuss what position they shall take
investment of much additional capital in new in the various propositions pressing for solu
petroleum developments . tion in the Republic .
Febrero, 1921 LA
Conferencia Obrera Pan Americana
Se Reúnen en Ciudad México los Liders Obreros de Estados Unidos
y de Muchas Otras Repúblicas Latinoamericanas
N momentos en que LA REVISTA entra
en prensa, se efectúa en la ciudad de
E México una extremadamente intere
sante asamblea de líders obreros que rep
resentan a los trabajadores de la mayor parte
de las naciones del Continente Americano,
quienes concurren a la tercera sesión anual de
la Federación Obrera Panamericana. Se están
discutiendo todos los asuntos de vital impor
tancia para los trabajadores del Continente, y
los informes de las primeras sesiones revelan
que existen radicales diferencias de opinión
sobre la política del Congreso, entre los
distintos delegados, por lo que sólo se aceptan
las conclusiones que han sido debatidas cuida
dosa y detenidamente. Según los últimos in
formes, parece que todos los candidatos para
la Presidencia del Congreso han sido descar
tados y que Samuel Gompers, de la Confede
ración Americana del Trabajo, ha sido reelec
to para la dirección de esta organización
internacional. Canuto A. Vargas fué reelecto
Secretario. Luis N. Morones, Presidente
de la Confederación Regional Obrera de
México, es primer Vicepresidente de la Fede
ración Panamericana ; James Lord, Presi
dente de la Unión de Mineros, es el Tesorero
y Chester M. Wright fue electo Secretario de
lengua inglesa.
Estre los asuntos más importantes del Con
greso hasta aquí tratados, se encuentra el
acuerdo de dirigirse al Gobierno de los
Estados Unidos urgiéndole la prometida eva
cuación de Santo Domingo y pidiéndole la
libertad de todos los prisioneros políticos. Se
establecerán en todos los países latinoameri
canos Agencias de Inmigración para la reunión
y diseminación de la información relativa a
las condiciones del trabajo en dichos países.
Los delegados de Estados Unidos y Puerto
Rico se opusieron a la idea, pero fué aprobada
de plano desde la primera votación. Este
acuerdo, que fué propuesto por la Delegación
Mexicana, fué motivo de un prolongado de
bate, terminado el cual la Asamblea suspendió
sus labores para asistir al almuerzo que ofreció
a los Delegados el General don Plutarco Elías
Calles, Secretario de Gobernación en el nuevo
Gobierno de México.
En la sesión inaugural del Congreso , lunes
10 de Enero, el Presidente Gompers dió la
bienvenida a los Delegados presentes, manifes
tando que la Asamblea emprendería sus traba
jos tan pronto como fuera posible, en espera
de varias Delegaciones que estaban en camino,
detenidas en varios lugares a causa de las
dificultades de la travesía. Hizo notar la gran
importancia de un fraternal entendimiento de
los problemas que atañen a los obreros de cada
país, por parte de los obreros de los demás
países, si se quiere establecer un fuerte dique
a los abusos de los patronos y obtener un
mejoramiento en la legislación obrera.
En respuesta al discurso del señor Gompers,
Luis N. Morones, Presidente de la Confede
ración Regional Obrera , hablando en nombre
del obrero mexicano, saludó afectuosamente a
REVISTA MEXICANA
los Delegados de todas los países allí represen
tados. Llamó la atención de la Delegación
Norteamericana sobre el hecho de que los
representantes de la Confederación Mexicana
habían ido a la frontera de Texas a dar la
bienvenida a los norteamericanos que iban para
México y acompañarlos hasta la Capital ; pero
que las autoridades de inmigración en Laredo
no les permitieron penetrar a los Estados
Unidos.
El Secretario Canuto A. Vargas presentó un
amplio informe de los trabajos de la Federa
ción Obrera Panamericana, a partir de la
última reunión celebrada en la ciudad de New
York. En dicho informe, además de referirse
a las relaciones que se han cultivado entre las
organizaciones obreras de México y Estados
Unidos, el Secretario trató de los problemas
interiores del trabajo en Chile, Perú, México ,
CANUTO A. VARGAS, Secretary
Nicaragua y Santo Domingo. Fué, en realireali
dad, un informe completo de todo el Comité
Ejecutivo, integrado por Samuel Gompers ,
como Presidente, Canuto A. Vargas, como
Secretario, y James Lord, como Tesorero.
Entre los más importantes oradores del
Congreso se destaca la " Madre" Juanita, bien
conocida en los dos hemisferios por su "em
puje" e ideas radicales. La ciudad de Guate
mala fué elegida para la próxima reunión del
Congreso, cuyas sesiones actuales durarán al
rededor de dos semanas.
Material Rodante Contratado
L Director General de los Ferrocarriles
E Nacionales, señor Pérez, ha proporciona
do la siguiente información relativa a los
contratos para equipos ferroviarios efectuados
recientemente :
5
Con la Baldwin Locomotive, 5 locomotoras,
por $457,500.
Con la American Car Foundry Company,
100 carros-tanques con 100,000 galones de
capacidad, por $694,000.
Con la Pullman Company, 40 carros dormi
torios para turistas, por $120,000.
Con la General Equipment Company, 5
coches para pasajeros, 6 locomotoras y otros
equipos, por $964.000 .
Se ha ordenado además un equipo adicional
por $2,255,500, incluyendo material de construc
ción, alcanzando una suma total de $8,198,
633.44.
Los contratos celebrados por el anterior
Secretario de Hacienda, General Alvarado,
ascendentes a $6,148,250, han sido ratificados.
Existen en los talleres del gobierno, listos
para su uso, 1,456 carros de via ancha y 1,487
carros de vía angosta.
Se asegura que se hallan en servicio actual
mente unos 9,995 carros standar y 768 de vía
angosta, contra 16,601 carros standar que
existían en 1913 y 183 de vía angosta. Existen
tambien 571 locomotoras en servicio, contra
1,018 habidas en 1913. Durante la revolución
fueron destruidos 6,742 carros standar, 768
de vía angosta, y 447 locomotoras.
La Nacionalización de los Yacimientos
Petrolíferos
ONTRASTANDO con la oposición
Che hecha y difundida contra México por la
nacionalización de sus yacimientos de petróleo,
es muy interesante observar cómo tan alto
funcionario público , el Secretario del Departa
mento de Marina de los Estados Unidos, Mr.
Daniels, se ha declarado categóricamente en
favor de la adopción de semejante medida por
parte de los Estados Unidos. El ha dicho
estas elocuentes palabras :
"El primer deber de nuestro país es recono
cer que el carbón mineral y la fuerza hidráu
lica se utilizarán cada vez más en las plantas
industriales y los ferrocarriles, y que el petró
leo sostiene nuestro comercio marítimo y
nuestra marina. Hemos sido poco cuidadosos
con nuestras riquezas naturales.
"El petróleo y la fuerza hidráulica consti
tuyen la base de la prosperidad nacional , de
nuestro comercio internacional y de la más
eficiente actividad naval. Nó es tiempo, pues,
de que el petróleo,. el carbón y la energía
hidráulica deban ser nacionalizadas, y que su
posesión y distribución sean reguladas en
beneficio de todos, sin permitir que sean con
trolados por quienes jamás se han sentido
libres del sórdido lucro?
"Yo creo que la propiedad de los elementos
esenciales creados por Dios pertenecen a todo.
el pueblo ; que deben ser destinados a las nece
sidades nacionales ; que los propietarios priva
dos deben ser indemnizados, pero que la dicha
nacionalización debe ser adoptada, a fin de que
el Gobierno obtenga el control de las reservas
petrolíferas de la nación."
El más ardiente sostenedor de la Constitu
ción Mexicana de 1917 nó podría pretender
más. Debe hacerse notar, sin embargo, que a
este respecto , el Secretario Mr. Daniels sólo
pretende que su país haga lo que la gran
mayoría de las naciones del mundo han hecho
ya, inclusive la misma Inglaterra.
6 THE
Boston Learns Facts About
Manufacturers and Business Men Hear Pithy Address by Secretary
Saunders of American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico
N INTIMATE description of commer
cial conditions in Mexico was given by
A William Llewellyn Saunders, head of
the American Chamber of Commerce of Mex
ico, at a meeting of Boston manufacturers and
exporters held under the auspices of the Bos
ton Chamber of Commerce at the Parker
House. Robert Amory, vice president of the
Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the
chamber's committee on foreign trade, pre
sided.
In his address Mr. Saunders said in part :
"The business men of Mexico City believe
that President Obregon sincerely wishes to
protect and to develop foreign business inter
JOSE MARIA 11UNDI
VICENTE
MORELOS
CUERRERO
MARIANO
MATAMOROS IGNACIO
LOPEZ RAYON
LEONARDO UPE
BRAVO CUADAL
MIGUEL VICTORI .
MIGUE L
BRAVO
HERMENE 00 BARRACAN
GALE NA
978
President Obregon Taking Oath of Office Before the National Chamber of Deputies
ests in Mexico, believing that this is essential
to the growth of Mexico and the success of
his administration . Shortly before his inau
guration the foreign chambers of commerce
gave President Obregon a banquet and ex
pressed to him their willingness to cooperate
with him heartily in his plans. President
Obregon in his address at the banquet said that
he would exert himself to put the finances of
the country on a stable footing and to make
investments and the operation of the mines and
ranches safe.
"Obregon has, since the downfall of the
Carranza administration , tranquillized the en
tire country, pacified all the rebels and the ban
dits, stopped the train-wrecking and the kid
napping and has re-established service on all
the railways. Villa is so quiet that the other
day he telegraphed frantically to President
Obregon, telling him that thieves have run off
200 head of his cattle and asking him for pro
tection. One line of railways in Mexico has
already been returned to its English owners,
MEXICAN REVIEW
Mexico
and the other railways with the Wells Fargo
Express Company will shortly be returned.
"The debt of Mexico is about $900,000,000,
only $54 per capita. The accumulated interest
on this debt, as well as the interest on the
railway bonds, all of which is unpaid, amount
to less than $200,000,000, the total debt of
Mexico thus being less than $ 1,100,000,000, a
mere bagatelle for a country with 16,000,000
people and Mexico's enormous resources.
James Soeyer, the international banker, who,
when Porfirio Diaz was president of Mexico,
floated one issue of the Mexican bonds, talked
with Mr. Harding on this point of the Mex
ican debt, and expressed the hope that the pres
A American houses came to it and discussed with
00
ent disposition of the two Governments would
offer a favorable outlook as to future relations
between the two countries.
"There are in Mexico now 14,000 Americans,
about the same number of Spaniards, about
4,000 each of Germans, English and French,
about 5,000 Chinese and 3,300 Japanese. The
Americans own more than 80 per cent of the
oil properties and fully as much of the mining
properties, and they have also large holdings
of the forests and of the haciendas. They are
also manufacturing many things in the City of
Mexico and elsewhere- shoes, furniture, pipe,
steel and iron, railway equipment, etc.
" I regard Mexico as the best buying and
selling market in the world today for Amer
ican manufacturers. Mexico and the United
States will exchange products this year
amounting to $350,000,000, about 85 per cent
of the whole trade of Mexico, Mexico will
buy from the United States about $ 150,000,000
worth of goods. Machinery of all kinds, hard
ware, furniture, clothing- from hats to shoes
February, 1921
-foodstuffs of all kinds, and building mate
rial and railway equipment. Mexico sells to
the world its oil, gold, silver, copper and other
minerals, coffee, sugar, cotton, hemp, products
of the farm ranch.
"The credit situation in Mexico has always
been intrinsically good, and the American
houses which have built up volume business in
Mexico have done so by giving open account
to the large houses and 120 and 90 days. The
English, French, Spanish and German houses
give those terms. No American house can
hope to build up a permanent and deep-rooted
business in Mexico that insists on cash with
the order. This is entirely unreasonable be
cause the American house can always get ac
curate credit information by using the instru
ments provided through the American Cham
ber of Commerce in Mexico City, Dun's Com
mercial Agency and the banks, as well as its
own agents.
"The American Chamber of Commerce has
called a trade conference to be held in the City
of Mexico April 11-16 at which all American
manufacturers, exporters and importers are
asked to attend.
"We held one conference of this sort last
February and about 150 representatives of
Mexican houses the vital questions of trade
between the two countries ; credits, representa
tions and agencies, advertising, packing, bill
ing and shipping. The transportation now is
so much better and the condition of the coun
try so much improved that we hope to have
more than 1,000 American houses interested in
the Mexican trade at this April conference.
"The American Chamber of Commerce is
also arranging for an exchange of scholarships
between American and Mexican universities ,
and we have begun by sending several Mexican
students to the University of Texas which of
fers us its scholarship with $600 attached to
each . We have more than 100 tuition scholar
ships offered us already from universities in
thirty different States. We want to get rotary
clubs and other organizations in the United
States to take an interest in this matter and
help us by offering to assume the guardian
ship in their respective cities of Mexican stu
dents whom we send to universities there. The
American Chamber of Commerce will advise
all American manufacturers who want to go
into Mexican trade."
It is said that many of the Americans who
visited Mexico for the inauguration of Presi
dent Obregon are investing considerable
amounts in the development of the country's
industries, having made many side-trips to
various points, especially in the States of
Morelos and Vera Cruz where, besides mining,
they have become largely interested in coffee,
rice and sugar plantations.
The Department of Agriculture is encourag
ing the development of irrigation throughout
Mexico, aiding in the drilling of artesian wells.
and the installation of hydraulic machinery for
the active farm colonies ; also is building fish
hatcheries in Monterrey, Durango, Zacatecas,
Aguascalientes and Lower California.
 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 7
Febrero, 1921

con una exacta información de crédito usando

los medios que les ofrecen la Cámara Ameri
Boston Aprende Hechos Acerca de Mexico
cana de Comercio en México, la Agencia Co
mercial Dunn y los bancos, tanto como sus
Los Manufactureros y Hombres de Negocios Escuchan una
propios agentes.
Conceptuosa Peroración del Sr. Saunders, Secretario de la "La Cámara Americana de Comercio ha
Càmara Americana de Comercio en México . invitado a una conferencia comercial para la
ciudad de México, en Abril 11 al 16, y se ha
L señor don Guillermo Llewellyn franceses, como 5,000 chinos y 3,300 japoneses . solicitado la presencia de los manufactureros e
Saunders, uno de los principales di Los americanos poseen más del 80 por ciento importadores y exportadores norteamericanos.
rectores de la Cámara Americana de de las propiedades petrolíferas y otro tanto de "Hemos celebrado una conferencia de este
Comercia en México, expuso una fiel descrip las propiedades mineras, y tambien tienen género en Febrero último, a la que concurrie
ción de las actuales condiciones comerciales grandes posesiones de campos y haciendas.
ron unos 150 representantes de casas norteame
de México, en una reunión celebrada por los Manufacturan, asi mismo, muchos artículos ricanas, discutiendo con las mexicanas las
manufactureros y exportadores de Boston, tanto en ciudad México como en todas partes,
cuestiones vitales relativas al comercio entre
efectuada bajo los auspicios de la Cámara de tales como zapatos , muebles, cañería, hierro y
acero, equipos de ferrocarriles, etc. ambos países ; los créditos, representaciones y
Comercio de Boston, en la Casa Parker.
"Yo considero que en la actualidad México agencias ; los anuncios, empaque, facturas y
Roberto Amory, Vice- Presidente de la Cámara
es el mejor mercado del mundo para los manu embarques. Los transportes son hoy mucho
de Comercio y Director del Comité de Co
factureros norteamericanos. México y los mejores y las condiciones del país tan mejora
mercio Extranjero de la Cámera, presidió la
reunión. Estados Unidos cambiarán productos este año das, que esperamos que más de 1,000 casas
por valor de $350,000,000, o sea, como el 85 por norteamericanas interesadas en el comercio con
En su discurso, Mr. Saunders dijo, entre
otras cosas :
"Los hombres de negocios de la ciudad de
México creen que el Presidente Obregón sin
ceramente desea proteger y desarrollar la
inversión de negocios extranjeros en México,
en la creencia de que ésto es esencial para el
mejor desarrollo de México y el éxito de su
administración. Poco . antes de la toma de
posesión, las Cámaras extrajeras de Comercio
ofrecieron al Presidente Obregón un banquete,
expresándo le su buena voluntad de cooperar
sinceramente con él en sus proyectos. El Presi
dente Obregón manifestó, en su discurso de
aceptación, que él pondría todos sus esfuerzos
para colocar las finanzas del país en firmes
condiciones de estabilidad, asi como daría segu
ridades para las inversiones y trabajos de las
minas y haciendas.
"A partir de la caída de la administración
de Carranza, Obregón ha pacificado totalmente
el país, sometiendo a los rebeldes y bandidos ,
terminando los asaltos y voladuras de trenes y
restableciendo el servicio en todos los ferroca
rriles. Villa se encuentra tan pacífico, que
recientemente telegrafió muy contrariado al
Presidente Obregón, manifestándole que los
ladrones le habían desaparecido 200 cabezas de
ganado y pidiéndole protección . President Obregon Receiving the Congratulations of the Members of the National Supreme Court
"Una de las líneas de los ferrocarriles ha
sido devuelta ya a sus propietarios ingleses , y ciento del comercio mexicano. México com México , concurrirán a la conferencia del
las otras líneas, incluyendo la Compañía de prará a los Estados Unidos artículos por valor próximo Abril.
Express Wells Fargo, pronto será devuelta. de $150,000,000 - maquinaria de todas clases, "La Cámara Americana de Comercio hace
"La deuda mexicana gira al rededor de ferretería, mueblería, ropas - desde sombreros tambien arreglos para un cambio recíproco de
$900,000,000, o sea, sólo unos $34 por cabeza. hasta zapatos- materias alimenticias en gene becas entre las universidades norteamericanas
Los intereses vencidos de esta deuda, a la par ral, materiales de construcción y equipos y mexicanas, y hemos comenzado con el envío
que los de los bonos del ferrocarril, hoy in ferrocarrileros. México vende al mundo su de varios estudiantes mexicanos a la Universi
solutos, ascienden a menos de $200,000,000, petróleo, oro, plata, cobre y otros minerales, dad de Texas, que nos ofrece sus becas dota
siendo la deuda total de México de menos de café, azúcar, algodón, henequén y productos das con $600 cada una. Contamos con más
$ 1,100,000,000, una simple bagatela para un de sus haciendas y rancherías. de 100 becas escolares ofrecidas ya por las
país con 16,000,000 de almas y con los enormes. "La situación por lo que respecta al crédito, universidades de treinta diversos Estados .
recursos naturales que posee. James Soeyer, siempre ha sido intrínsecamente buena, y las Deseamos establecer tambien ' rotary clubs'
banquero internacional, que en tiempo de firmas norteamericanas que han desarrollado
(juntas renovables ) y otras organizaciones en
Porfirio Díaz colocó en el mercado extranjero grandes negocios en México lo deben al
los Estados Unidos que se interesen en el
una de las series de los bonos mexicanos , crédito liberal de 90 y 120 días plazo que han
asunto y nos ayuden tomando a su cargo la
habló con Mr. Harding sobre el asunto de la concedido a las casas de importancia. Las
vigilancia, en sus respectivas ciudades, de los
deuda mexicana, expresando la creencia de que cases inglesas, francesas, españolas y alemanas
estudiantes mexicanos que enviemos a las
la actual buena disposición de ambos gobiernos concedan tales términos. Ninguna casa norte
americana puede aspirar establecer un perma universidades de esos lugares. La Cámara
ofrecerá favorable perspectiva en cuanto a las
futuras relaciones entre los dos países. nente y bien cimentado negocio en México si Americana de Comercio presta, asi mismo,
"Se encuentran en México actualmente unos insiste en pedir un pago de contado para cada valiosos informes y orientaciones a los manu
14,000 norteamericanos, como el mismo número orden ; ello es completamente irrazonable, ya factureros americanos que se interesen en el
de españoles , como 4,000 alemanes, ingleses y que las negociaciones norteamericanas cuentan comercio extranjero de México . "
 F
}
I

8 THE MEXICAN REVIEW February , 1921 порой в

The value of the reserves so formed
In the Field of Petroleum would be of great importance to the gov
ernment, which would confine T its drilling
operations to proved territory. 4 In the
Exports Limited Solely by Transportation Facilities from the
petroleum industry the opportunity for de
Seaboard- Nearly Two Hundred New Wells velopment is a prime essential ; but vast
Begun in a Single Month quantities of oil exist under lands which
purposely are not drilled or exploited.
NOFFICIAL reports of the exportation 1920 there were constructed 117 additional
Those nearby can extract all the petroleum
of petroleum for the month of Novem tanks of steel, making the total storage capac
ber gave a total of 16,151,394.91 bar ity 8,694,321 cubic meters. which is known to exist.
Under such conditions the government
rels , a decrease of nearly nine hundred thou The Mexican Gulf Company has brought in
compared previous can obtain its share by drilling its own
sand barrels as with the a new well in the Amatlan district, with a flow
wells or having them drilled by subsidiary ↓
month, and of over one million barrels as com of 20,000 barrels daily, the depth of the well
companies which will furnish the necessary.
pared with September. This decrease is due being 1938 feet. The Aguila Company has
capital with the nation receiving in each
entirely to the lack of transportation facilities. brought in a new well in the same district at a
case a reasonable share of the oil produced.
by sea , as the production of the wells is ample depth of 2110 feet and with a flow of 35,000 Thus the national reserves will be com
to supply such facilities to the extent of many barrels daily. Ernest Nicklos brought in a
posed ( 1 ) of such national lands as it shall
times the actuality. The shipments for Decem well in the Chinampa district recently which
ber were 1,500,000 barrels greater than in at 1951 feet flows about 80,000 barrels daily. reserve entirely ; ( 2 ) of one -fourth of such
I lands as it shall authorize under conces
November. For the year they were as fol The Boston Oil Company is reported to have
lows : sions, and (3 ) of the federal zones along
completed a well at Tuxpam with a capacity of
Barrels 25,000 barrels daily. The Petroleum Invest the courses of streams , in the beds of lakes
January. 8,061,281.27 ment Company has brought in a well at Chi and elsewhere that the government in its
February • 7,687,943.83 nampa with a capacity of more than 50,000 bar concessions has reserved certain percent
March . 10,288,385.92
10,092,312.90 rels daily. In the same locality this company ages of the production.
April . • •
May .. • • 10,421,244.98 has a well of 40,000 barrels daily production .
June . 4 11,255,531.93 The last well is the seventh belonging to the Late news is to the effect that promising oil
July . · 10,576,280.64 same company. formations have been discovered in the State.
August . 12,275,021.21 of Hidalgo . Both the local and Federal gov
September. • # .15,438,008.38 Activities in the development of potential
October . " • • 17,311,217.65 petroleum deposits are reported to be under ernments are offering exploration companies L
November . 16,151,394.91 way in the States of Tabasco and Chiapas. every facility for investigation and develop
December 17,608,036.42 An oil boom is on in the Ojinaga country in ment.
Total .. M 153,797,036.42 northeastern Chihuahua. Reports from Chi
huahua City are that a number of filings have Latest Statistics of Oil Production
The shipments by companies were as fol
lows for November : been made on oil land in that region by Amer CCORDING to figures given by the De-. 1
Barrels icans and natives, and that Gov. Ignacio En A partment of Industry and Commerce and
Aguila . 2,456,859.00 riquez has sent two engineers out to make an several oil companies, the total oil exportation
Huasteca . 2,427,974.29 investigation. for the past year is 155,000,000 barrels, repre
Transcontinental.• • • + 2,341,628.34 The chief of the Petroleum section of the
Island .. senting a value of about 600,000,000 pesos.
• 1,346,790.24 The tax revenue to the Government was
Texas . · . • 1,281,623.40 Department of Commerce and Industry figures
Mexican Gulf . 1,193,502.89 that the potential production of petroleum in 70,000,000 pesos . These quotations are in
Cortez-Atlantica . 1,152,415.00 Mexico at this time passes one billion barrels round numbers, the detailed figures being cal 5 *
Cias. del Agwi . 霜 • * 1,066,332.67 a year. He also calculates that the transporta culated till October only.
Freeport .. • 801,456.28 tion facilities will be doubled during the com
Corona . 611,117.01 Mexico's exportation during the year 1919
East Coast . ▸ 436,104.17 ing year and that from January 1 , 1921 , the was 87,359,533 barrels, therefore she doubled
Penn.-Mex. A 383,718.21 government will receive something over 15,000, her exportation in the last year. Below is
National Oil .. • • 239,691.62 000 pesos monthly in taxes from oil alone. shown the oil exportation of Mexico, the
New England . 150,524.03
Pierce Navigation . 106,771.82 United States and other countries since 1913 :
National Petroleum . • 82,336.13 Mexico United States In theWorld
Cochrane & Harper . • 72.549.81 Petroleum Reserves of the State ¿
1913 .... 25,902,439 248,446,230 384,667,550
Two large companies which are usually HE Department of Industry, Com 1914 .. · . 21,188,427 265,762,535 ′ 399,667,168
shippers of considerable amounts do not ap THE merce and Labor has taken a firm 1915 .. 32,910,508 281,104,104 426,370,894
1916. · • • 39,817,402 300,767,158 459,433,319
pear in this list-the Tal Vez and the Inter stand in favor of the formation of State 1917 . • 55,292,770 335,315,303 505,362,367
ocean. For the months of November and De petroleum reserves . This problem in 1918 .. 63,828,327 355,927,716 514,729,354
cember the receipts of the government for Mexico's economic policy, which has in 1919 . · · 87,359,533 377,719,000
taxes upon the exportation of petroleum ap cited the interest of capitalists , was com The exportation of the oil companies from ‫لمی‬2
proximated five millions of dollars gold, while prehensively discussed during the past ad January to June, 1920, amounted to 75,453,869
it is estimated that for January and February ministration and results largely from a barrels, as follow:
the total will be nearly fifteen million dollars. measure adopted by former Secretary Standard Oil Co. of New York . 11,048
The rapid increase of development in the Trevino and confirmed by Provisional Pres Pánuco-Boston .. 166,572
petroleum fields is seen from the fact that dur ident De la Huerta. New England Fuel Oil Co. 2 " • • · 217,972
Cía. Terminal Unión , S. A.. · * • • 309,314
ing the month of November alone upward of The proposal is that the chief of the National Petroleum Corporation · · 460,504
two hundred permissions were granted for petroleum bureau in all future concessions La Corona, S. A.. 572,810 1
占 sinking new wells upon specified locations. of lands for the exploitation of petroleum Interocean Oil Co .. 2 638,729
The new wells are situated as a rule in close Cía. Petroleum Tal Vez, S. A.. 7 · · 756,005
shall reserve to the State the right to select Pierce Oil Corporation . + · · 4 * ⇓ • 7,025,341
९
proximity to rivers, railroads and highways, from any land grant one - fourth of its area East Coast Oil . * · 4,537,159
little having been done upon lands not so sit should oil be discovered thereon. It is Freeport & Mex . Fuel Oil .. • " → 2 A 4,595,094 3
uated. thought this method will afford a satisfac Mexican Gulf Oil Co.. · 4,641,745
Still further proof of the enlargement of the tory solution of the problem for the gov Metropolitan de Oleoductos . • • • • • J * 5,821,331
The Texas Co. of Mexico . ► 6,820,443
industry is given by the fact that up to Sep ernment, as thereby it would be relieved of Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey . → 8,234,213
tember, 1919, there was a total of 1138 steel all expenses for exploration . The govern Penn.-Mex. Fuel Co ... · 8,451,394
storage tanks, four of concrete and fifteen of ment need exercise its right of selection Cortez Oil Corporation . • 2 • • • 9,032,759
Huasteca Petroleum Co.. ❤ •4 • • .11,213,446
earth, with an aggregate storage capacity of only when the concessionnaire had proved
7,876,441 cubic meters of oil. During the year the existence of oil. Total .. ..75,453,869
{
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 ‫علم‬
?

- Febrero, 1921 REVISTA MEXICANA 9

LA

Las Reservas Petrolíferas

En El Campo Del Petroleo del Estado
A Secretaría de Industria , Comercio y
Las exportaciones limitadas únicamente por falta de facilidades . Trabajo ha dado un paso en firme para
de trasporte en las costas- Cerca de docientos nuevos la formación de las reservas petrolíferas.
Ese problema que encierra un capitalísimo
pozos en perforación en un solo mes
interés en la economía de nuestro país y que
OS informes particulares que se tienen 1138 tanques-depósitos de acero, 4 de concreto había sido descuidado e incomprendido por
sobre la exportación de petróleo en el v 15 de mampostería, que dan una capacidad las administraciones pasadas, está resuelto en
mes de Noviembre de 1920 arrojan un total de 7,876,441 metros cúbicos de petróleo. gran parte con la última medida adoptada por
total de 16,151,394.91 barriles, esto es, cerca de En el año de 1920 se construyeron 117 tanques el señor general Treviño , ex- Secretario de
novecientos mil barriles menos que en el mes
más de acero, ampliándose la capacidad total Industria, Comercio y Trabajo y acordada de
MOG anterior, y casi de un millón, respecto del mes de los depósitos a 8.694,321 metros cúbicos. conformidad por el entonces ciudadano Presi
de Septiembre. Esta disminución fué debida ¿ dente de la República , don Adolfo de la Huerta.
La Compañía del Golfo Mexicano ha descu
enteramente a la falta de facilidades de bierto un nuevo pozo en el distrito de Amatlan, El proyecto de que se trata , estudiado por el
trasportes por mar, pues la producción de los con un chorro de 20,000 barriles diarios y una actual Jefe del Departamento de Petróleo y
pozos es capaz de cubrir muchas veces más el profundidad de 1938 pies . La Compañía El que consiste en estipular en todas las con
monto de los actuales trasportes. Los Aguila descubrió otro nuevo pozo en el mismo cesiones que se otorguen, el derecho del Go
embargues de Diciembre fueron de 1,500,000 distrito, a una profundidad de 2110 pies y con bierno para seleccionar la cuarta parte de los
más que en Noviembre . un chorro de 35,000 diarios. Ernesto Nicklos terrenos que se concedan para su explotación ,
La exportación para el año de 1920 descubrió últimamente otro en el distrito de constituye la solución del problema.
fué como sigue : Chinampa a 1951 de profundidad y con pro En esa forma el Gobierno no tendrá necesi
Barriles ducción de 80,000 barriles diarios. La Com dad de erogar la fabulosa suma que se requiere
Enero J · • • 8,061,281.27 pañía Petrolera Boston ha terminado la para la exploración de terrenos desconocidos ,
Febrero 7,687,943.83
Marzo .. ❤• ་ * • 10,288,385.92 horadación de un pozo en Tuxpan con una puesto que los concesionarios se encargarán
Abril . Z • > · • 10,092,312.90 capacidad de 25,000 barriles diarios. La Com de efectuar dichas exploraciones y, en el caso
#ad
Mayo . • • 3 • 10,421,244.98 pañía Petrolera de Inversión halló otro pozo de que se descubra petróleo, el Gobierno
Junio " 11,255,531.93
Julio 10,576,280.64 en Chinampa con capacidad mayor de 50,000 tendrá el derecho de elegir la cuarta parte del
Agosto . • • • · 12,275,021.21 barriles diarios. Esta Compañía tiene en la terreno probado como petrolífero .
Septiembre · A • O• 15,438,008.38 misma localidad otro pozo de 40,000 barriles El valor de tales reservas asi formadas , sí
Octubre • 17,311,217.65 de producción diaria . El último descubierto tienen gran importancia comercial, de modo
Noviembre → · + · 16,151,394.91
Diciembre . D · 17,608,036.42 es el séptimo que pertenece a dicha Compañía . que al Gobierno sólo lo resta porforar en el
Se informa que se desarrollan grandes acti terreno probado , lo que constituye la segunda
Total ... .153,797,036.42 vidades en los Estados de Tabasco y Chiapas parte del problema.
* Los embarques de Noviembre, por orden de para el desarrollo de depósitos petroleros de En la industria del petróleo , la oportunidad
Compañías, fueron : alta producción . en la explotación es un factor esencial ; ¿ de
Barriles Un auge petrolero se observa tambien en la
* 2,456,859.00 qué sirve tener un terreno en cuyo subsuelo
Aguila ..
Huasteca . 2,427,974.29 región de Ojinaga, al noreste de Chihuahua. se encuentre un enorme manto petrolífero si
Transcontinental . · - 2,341,628.34 Los informes que se reciben de la ciudad de no se perfora y explota ? Los vecinos se en
Island .. · · • • • 1,346,790.24 Chihuahua dicen que se ha hecho un buen cargarán de extraer todo el petróleo yacente .
Texas . - ■• • • 1,281,623.40 número de denuncios de tierras petrolíferas en En estas condiciones el Gobierno estará ca
Mexican Gulf . • 1,193,502.89
Cortez-Atlántica . 1,152,415.00 esa región por ciudadanos americanos y gente pacitado para obtener una gran producción de
Cias. del Agwi .. 1,066,332.67 nativa, y que el Gobernador don Ignacio petróleo, ya sea perforando por su cuenta en
Freeport .. •• 1 •• • • 801,456.28 Enríquez ha enviado allí a varios ingenieros los terrenos probados que le correspondan , o
Corona . · 4 • • A " • . 1 • 611,117.01
East Coast . · · para hacer las investigaciones correspondientes . formando compañías subsidiarias que aportan
436,104.17
Penn.-Mex.. 383,718.21 El Presidente de la Sección Petrolera de la do el capital necesario, le participen a la Na
National Oil . " 239,691.62 Secretaría de Comercio e Industria estima que ción un por ciento considerable de la produc
New England . · •·· "T" •2 · 150,524.03 la actual capacidad productora de petróleo en ción, que se estudiará en cada caso.
Pierce Navigation. · . · · 106,771.82
I National Petroleum . • A México pasa de un billón de barriles por año. Así pues, las reservas de la Nación se com
82,336.13
Cochrane & Harper . • J 72,549.81 Tambien calcula que las facilidades de tras pondrán :
Dos grandes compañías que ordinariamente portes serán duplicadas este año y que a partir I. De los terrenos nacionales que para el
embarcan grandes cantidades no aparecen en la del primero de Enero el gobierno recibirá al caso se seleccionen .
lista anterior- la Tal Vez y la Interoceánica , rededor de 15,000,000 de pesos mensuales en
II. De la cuarta parte de los terrenos que
Las entradas del gobierno por impuestos a concepto de impuestos petroleros solamente. se otorguen en concesión .
la exportación petrolera en los meses de No La Compañía de Petróleo Kansas & Gulf ha
III. De las zonas federales de los ríos,
* viembre y Diciembre ascendieron aproximadaM adquirido en arriendo un millón de acres de
ricas tierras petroliferas, situadas a lo largo arroyos, esteros, lagos , etc., que atraviesen las
mente a cinco millones de dollars y se estima
de la costa del Golfo , entre Matamoros y zonas petrolíferas , en donde la Nación se ha
que para los meses de Enero y Febrero de
este año alcanzarán un total de cerca de quince Tampico, México . El extremo norte de dicha reservado un importante por ciento de la
millones de dollars . extensión de tierras se halla a 45 millas de producción .
El rápido incremento en el desarrollo de los Matamoros, y se ha instalado ya una torre
campos petrolíferos de México lo demuestra perforadora para comenzar las exploraciones Los Últimos Datos Estadísticos de
el hecho de que solamente durante el mes de del petróleo. Prácticamente todo el intervalo la Producción Petrolera
Noviembre se concedieron más de doscientos de 325 millas comprendido entre Matamoros
EGÚN datos tomados en la Secretaría de
permisos para perforar nuevos pozos en cono y Tampico ha sido arrendado por los ope Industria y Comercio y en varias Com
{ cidas regiones. Estos nuevos pozos están radores americanos e ingleses, y algunos de
pañías petroleras , la exportación de petróleo
situados por lo general muy cerca de los ríos . ellos se preparan ya para la perforación de
en el año que acaba de terminar ascendió a
caminos ferroviarios y carreteras , pues muy grandes pozos en la región costeña.
ciento cincuenta y cinco millones de barriles
pocos son los que no tienen tan excelente de petróleo , con un valor aproximado de
1
situación. El magnate petrolero . Mr. Guffey, está en seiscientos millones de pesos .
1
Una prueba más del incremento de esta tratos para realizar los amplios proyectos Esta exportación produjo al Gobierno, por
industria la ofrece el hecho de que, a partir que tiene de invertir fuertes capitales en nuevas concepto de derechos aduaneros , sobre setenta
* de Septiembre de 1919 , se han instalado unos empresas petroleras en México . millones de pesos .
i
F 1
酱
+ **

10 THE MEXICAN REVIEW
Of this exportation 48,765,764 barrels were terminal at Tampico. The cost of this road wells, though it is true that these wells are
from the American companies and 9,131,947 will approximate $ 10,000,000 and, in addition
from the British, as follow : to an enormous amount of petroleum , will
handle large numbers of passengers and con
Months American English
January . · 7,049,515 1,013,314 siderable quantities of general freight.
February 6,229,604 1,458,339 The lines already entering Tampico do an
March 8,793,599 1,494,784 enormous business and it is expected that the
April 8,709,293 1,382,959 new road, because of its direct route to im
May 9,300,121 1,900,002
June 8,683,632 1,882,549 mensely productive fields, shortening by many thus being burned because they prefer to in
hours the time now necessary for the trans
Totales . 18,765,764 9,131,947 portation of goods to and from that section,
will prove equally as profitable, at the same
The total drilling of wells in Mexico to last
November was 1,056, of which the more pro time facilitating intensive development of the
work already in hand.
ductive were the following, giving the names
As a matter of fact, the bigger petroleum
of the companies :
companies now exploit only those lands near
Aguila Co. (Lord Cowdray) . 55 est to lakes and streams where they can ob
Mexican Petroleum Co.. 34
tain the pure water necessary for their drill
Corona Co ... 10
17 ing operations. With the construction of the
Unión Petroleum Co. (Hispano-Americana)
Texas Co. of Mexico . 14 new road, making possible the easy delivery
Mexican Gulf Oil Co .. 8 of equipment and supplies, there will be pos
Chicholes Oil Co. (Ltd. ) . 7 less than five millions of dollars yearly. 1
9 sible an immense extension of production
Mexican Combustible Co.
Penn.-Mex. Fuel Oil Co... 7 through the exploitation of lands hitherto im
Freeport and Mexican F. O. Co. 7 possible of operation .
Transcontinental Petroleum Co.. • 14
Oil Fields of Mexico ... 12
Atlantic Gulf Oil Corporation . 4 one year . Even in the case that one well.
Oil Companies Waste Fifty Million
Regarding the extension of lands in ex Dollars Worth of Gas Yearly
ploitation and exploration, it was on the same
OT less than fifty million dollars worth
date, 5,436,271 acres, as shown by the next
N°of oil are intentionally wasted by the oil
quotation, including the names of the owners :
companies which are exploiting the oil lands .
Acres This is not a mere tale, nor are the figures, here Railway Material Contracted
Franco-Spanish Co.. 364,165 given based on a desire for sensationalism ; it
Pearson (Lord Cowdray) group ▼ • 1,410,327 is something that is real and true and of which
Corona group .
1,020,963 the Department of Industry is fully aware.
7 Doheny groups .→ 568,692
Mestres group . * · J f The Department of Industry has tried to put
170,555
Penn.-Mex. Fuel Co... 167,775 a stop to this waste but it has not been suc
Petroleum Exportation Co .. A 159,782 cessful so far. The law in regard to this mat
J. C. Rees . • 162,359 ter has been ignored.
Frías & Amor . • * € ·A + 152,500 Any person who has paid a visit to the oil
291 smaller concerns . M 1,259,207
fields will have seen at the sides of the hills
Total .. 5,436,271 close to the oil wells under operation, enormous
fires that illuminate the surrounding country.
The oil pipe lines built in 1919 had a total
It is the burning of the natural gas from the
extension of 1,420,920 meters, with a daily oil wells which is destroyed by the companies
capacity of 377,216 cubic meters of oil . The
because, in their opinion, they do not profit
potential production is about 1,000,000,000 bar from the exploitation of that product.
rels, or, in other words, since 1920 Mexico
The oil as it comes from the subsoil is mixed
ranks first in prospects among the oil produc
with a certain quantity of gas which is sepa
ing countries in the world. If of this poten rated from the liquid by means of special ap
tial production were exported only 155 mil
3 paratuses . before the oil is sent through the
lions of barrels, it was because of inadequate pipelines . And it is the gas that is taken to a
shipping facilities. considerable distance from the wells in all the
At the end of the year the oil fleet was al oil fields and burned.
most doubled and it is expected that in the If submitted to easy processes, for every one
present year the total exportation will be up thousand cubic meters of gas 137 liters of gas
to 400 million barrels, giving to the Govern olene can be obtained . Now, let us see how
ment an oil tax revenue not less than 150 mil much is wasted in the burning of the gas ob
✓ lion pesos . This estimate is not far wrong, tained from a few oil wells, bearing in mind
for, throughout the present world crisis, while that the figures here given are taken from a
most commodities came down in price, oil has
report submitted to the Department of Indus
increased in value.
try by Mr. Luna, engineer.
Mr. Luna made a special study, taking the
production of the following wells as a basis
Propose New Railroad For
for comparison : Alamo No. 2 ; Potrero de
Petroleum Fields Llano No. 4 ; Juan Casiano No. 7 ; Cerro Azul
NFORMATION from the Department of No. 4, and Chinampa No. 1. At the time of
INIndustry is to the effect that various of the the investigation these wells were producing
larger petroleum companies having lands in 1,183,400 cubic meters of gas daily, or 431 ,W
the vicinity of Ozluama, Tantayuca and Tux
941,000 cubic meters a year, from which there.
pam, in the State of Vera Cruz, propose to could be obtained 59,175,917 liters of, gasolene
form a company for the construction of a
which at the low price of ten cents per liter
railroad traversing all this territory and part would produce a total of $ 5,917,580 . Nearly
of the State of Hidalgo, with a deep - water six millions thrown to waste and only from six
な
OF File
3
February, 1921
among the best producers !
Now, then, making an estimate on six hun
dred wells in full production, it is not idle to
assert that the gas burned has a value of fifty
millions of dollars yearly, and still we believe
these figures are rather low.
The oil companies do not care for the riches
vest their capital in steamships , pipelines, new
wells, etc., for they know that from every bar
rel of oil they receive a minimum profit of one
dollar.
When the Department of Industry was t
aware for the first time of these fabulous .
riches going to waste, a contribution of ten per
cent of their commercial value was placed on
the products wasted in this manner. But 戳 to
date this contribution, decreed by Carranza
under date of April 15, 1917, has not been
made effective and the nation is losing not
A plant for the utilization of the natural
gas, with a daily capacity of 170,000 cubic
meters, would cost about $85,000, and the profits
derived would pay for the plant in less than
ceased producing, it would be an easy mätter
to use the plant for the gas from other wells.
-El Heraldo de Mexico.
IRECTOR GENERAL OF THE NA
D TIONAL RAILWAYS PEREZ has
given out the following information regarding
contracts for railway equipment made recently :
With the Baldwin Locomotive Works- 5
locomotives, 457,500 pesos.
American Car Foundry Company- 100 tank
cars, 100,000 -gallon capacity, 694,000 pesos .
Pullman Company-40 tourist sleepers, 120,
000 pesos .
General Equipment Company-5 passenger
coaches, 6 locomotives and other equipment,
964,000 pesos .
A total of 2,255,500 pesos additional equip
- ment not specified has been ordered, including
material for construction, reaching a sum total
of 8,198,633.44 pesos .
Contracts formulated by the late secretary
of the treasury, Gen, Alvarado, in the amount
of 6,148,250, have been held up.
In the government shops there are 110W
ready for service 1,456 standard gauge cars
and 1,487 narrow gauge cars.
It is stated that there are now in service
9,995 standard cars and 768 narrow gauge, as ·
against 16,601 standards in 1913 and 183 nar
row gauge. There are also 571 locomotives in
{
service against 1,018 in 1913. During the
revolution there were destroyed 6,742 standard - }
cars, 768 narrow gauge and 447 locomotives.
At
EDWARD M. WILSON, M. E.
TECHNICAL PETROLEUM EXPERT ‫کے‬
Geological Reports, Plans & Estimates
of Mexican Oil Regions I
P. O. Box 844 ን Mexico City
糞
 Febrero, ✩ 1921 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 11

Los datos anteriores los damos en cifras nombres de las compañías poseedoras de dicha tomados de un informe rendido a la Secretaría
redondas, porque datos en detalle existen sola extensión territorial : de Industria, por el ingeniero Luna.
裊 Acres El señor Luna hizo un estudio especial,
mente hasta octubre ; de los dos restantes
Franco-Spanish Co... 364,165 tomando como término de comparación los
meses del año, solamente en globo. Pearson (Lord Cowdray) group .· > 4 1,410,327
Corona group . · • 1,020,963 pozos siguientes : Alamo número 2 ; Potrero
México exportó el año antepasado , 87,359,533
Doheny groups . • • 568,692 de Llano 4 ; Juan Casiano 6 ; Juan Casiano 7 ;
1 barriles, 1 de modo que en el año de 1920 casi Mestres group . ■ 170,555 Cerro Azul 4, y Chinampa 1 .
duplicó su exportación. Pen.-Mex. Fuel Co.. • 167,775 Estos pozos , al hacerse el estudio, producían
Así se desprende de la siguiente estadística, Petroleum Exportation Co. 4 • 159,782
diariamente 1,183,400 metros cúbicos de gas, o
J. C. Rees .. W • 162,359
que demuestra ‫ دو‬cuál ha sido la exportación pe Frías & Amor . · 152,500 sea, al año, 431,941,000 metros cúbicos, de los
trolera de México, Estados Unidos y otros 291 smaller concerns . V 1,259,207 cuales podrían obtenerse 59,175,917 litros de
países, a contar de 1913 : gasolina, que calculada al precio muy bajo
Total ... 5,436,271
Estados En el de diez centavos litro, da un total de $5,917.589.
ཀ México : Unidos : mundo : Los oleoductos construidos hasta 1919, tenían ¡Seis millones ! de pesos tirados a la calle
1913 .... 25,902,439 248,446,230 384,667,550 una extensión total de 1,420,920 metros, y por y cuenta que sólo se trata de seis pozos ,
1914 .. 21,188,427 265,762,535 399,667,168 donde diariamente podía pasar petróleo en aunque si bien es cierto de los mejores.
I 1915 . 32,910,508 281,104,104 426,370,894 cantidad de 377,216 metros cúbicos . Ahora bien, calculando sobre seiscientos
1916 .. • 39,817,402 300,767,158 459,433,319
1917 . • Llega la producción potencial, a la fecha, a pozos en plena producción , no es remoto
55,292,770 335,315,303 505,362,367
1918 . · 63,828,327 355,927,716 514,729,354 unos mil millones de barriles, o lo que es lo asegurar que el gas incinerado tiene un valor
1919. - = 87,359,533 377,719,000 mismo, México desde 1920 ocupa el primer de cincuenta millones de pesos al año y todavía
puesto entre los países productores de petróleo . creemos que nos hemos quedado cortos.
De enero a junio de 1920, las Compañías
Pero si de esta producción apenas salieron Las empresas petroleras desdeñan la riqueza
petroleras exportaron 75,453,869 barriles , se
155 millones de barriles, se debe a que la flota que están incendiando , porque el capital que
gún detalle : petrolera del mundo es tan reducida, que en
ፈ tienen, prefieren destinarlo a la adquisición de
Standard Oil Co. of New York ... 11,048 un año apenas puede toda ella llevar lo que barcos , tendido de oleoductos , perforación de
& Panuco-Boston ... • · • 166,572 producen los pozos mexicanos en un mes. nuevos pozos , etc. , pues saben que por cada
New England Fuel Oil Co.. 217,972
Cia. Terminal Union , S. A.. 309,314
Al concluir el año la flota petrolera quedó barril de petróleo que obtengan, tienen un
t National Petroleum Corporation† - 460,504 aumentada casi al doble, de modo que en dólar, como minimum.
.
La Corona, S. A... • 572,810 el año actual seguramente que la exportación Cuando por primera vez la Secretaría de
Interocean Oil Co.. ▼ · 638,729 alcanzará sobre 400 millones de barriles, los Industria se dió cuenta de tan fabuloso
Cía. Petroleum Tal Vez, S. A……. 756,005
que rendirán al Gobierno, por derechos de ex desperdicio , gravó los productos no aprovecha
Pierce Oil Corporation . · 7,025,341
I ‫ مام‬East Coast Oil .. 4,537,159 portación, no menos de 150 millones de pesos. dos con el diez por ciento de su valor comer
t
Freepor & Mex, Fuel Oil... • 4,595,0 94 Este cálculo no es erróneo, porque a través cial ; pero hasta ahora el impuesto en cuestión .
Mexican Gulf Oil Co ... J • · + ■ • • 4,641,745 de la crisis mundial actual, se ha podido que Carranza decretó con fecha 13 de abril de
Metropolitan de Oleoductos . 5,821,331 observar que mientras todas las mercancías,
The Texas Co. of Mexico . " 6,820,443 1917, no se ha hecho efectivo y la Nación
• · • sin excepción, bajaron de precio, el petróleo , pierde no menos de cincuenta millones de pesos
✓ Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey. 8,234,213
Penn.-Mex. Fuel Co ... 8,451,394 en cambio, aumentó de valor. cada año.
** Cortez Oil Corporation . . • 9,032,751
Huasteca Petroleum Co .. .11,213,443 Para una planta de aprovechamiento de gas ,
con capacidad de 170,000 metros cúbicos dia
Cincuenta Millones de Pesos Queman
◄ Total .. 75,453,869 rios, sólo sería necesario invertir un capital
en un Año las Empresas Petroleras
de $85,000 y las utilidades obtenidas pagarían
+ De la anterior exportación, la siguiente, o O menos de cincuenta millones de pesos integramente la planta en menos de un año .
sean 48,765,764 barriles correspondieron a las No desperdician a sabiendas , cada año , las y aun en el caso de que un pozo se agotara ,
Compañías americanas y 9,131,947 a las in empresas petroleras que explotan nuestro aceite siempre habría modo de aprovechar los gases
glesas, según detalle :" mineral. No se trata de un vano lirismo ni desperdiciados en otro.-De El Heraldo de
‫ ܬ‬3:
de cálculos más o menos basados en el deseo México.
Meses Americanas' Inglesas
} de sensacionalismo, sino de un hecho real y
Enero .. 7,049,515 1,013,314
Febrero ..· 6,229,604 1,458,339 efectivo del cual ha podido darse cuenta la
$ 8,793,599 1,494,784 Ultimos informes aseguran que se acaba de
Marzo . · ■ Secretaría de Industria y hasta trató de
} Abril . • • + 髂* K 8,709,293 1,382,959 descubrir en el Estado de Hidalgo una im
ponerle coto, aunque hasta ahora no lo ha
Mayo . ་ • 9,300,121 1,900,002 portante zona de yacimientos petrolíferos , y
conseguido .
Junio . • 8,683,632 1,882,549 tanto el gobierno local como el federal están
Cualquier persona que haya visitado la re
1 48,765,764 dando toda clase de facilidades a las com
Totales ... 9,131,947 gión petrolera , habrá podido ver en las faldas
de los montes cercanos a los grandes pozos de pañías para la explotación de dicho aceite
23 Hasta y noviembre del pasado año existían en mineral.
petróleo en explotación, enormes fogatas que
2 México perforados 1,056 pozos , de los cuales, iluminan los campos con cladidad meridiana.
los 1 que rendían mayor cantidad de petróleo
Se trata de la incineración del gas natural La Dirección General de los Ferrocarriles
eran los siguientes, con los nombres de las
/ Compañías propietarias de ellos : proveniente de los pozos, que las empresas Nacionales ha acordado un gasto de $55,000 ,
destruyen porque en su concepto es una
000 de pesos para la adquisición del material
1 * 55
Aguila Co. (Lord Cowdray) · * 1 riqueza que no les conviene explotar. rodante necesario para hacer frente al creciente
6 Mexican Petroleum Co .. 34 El petróleo, tal como sale del subsuelo, está
••A 10 auge que han alcanzado en los últimos meses
Corona Co... mezclado con cierta cantidad de gas, que es
Unión Petroleum Co. (Hispano-American a) 17 las líneas nacionales. Se calcula que se necesi
A Texas Co. of Mexico . · 14 separado del líquido en aparatos especiales . tan cinco mil carros de carga y doscientas
n
Mexica Gulf Oil Co ... 8 antes de que el petróleo sea enviado por los cincuenta locomotoras más para llenar las
1 7
Chicholes Oil Co. (Ltd. ) . oleoductos. Y ese gas, llevado a una distancia necesidades del servicio .
> Mexican Combustible Co .. • A 9
Penn.-Mex. Fuel Oil Co .. D 7 considerable de los pozos , es incinerado en
Freeport and Mexican F. O. Co ... • 7 todos los campos petrolíferos.
Transcontinental Petroleum Co .. • 14 Por cada mil metros cúbicos de gas some Se están continuando con toda actividad los
1 粒 Oil Fields of Mexico ... R • 12
tido a manipulaciones fáciles, se obtienen 137 trabajos para la terminación del Ferrocarril
Atlantic Gulf Oil Corporation . • • · • 4
litros de gasolina. que comuniará directamente los Estados de
En cuanto a la extensión territorial en ex Véamos ahora lo que se desperdicia con la Chihuahua y Sinaloa, hasta la costa del Océano
plotación y exploración, ascendía, hasta esa incineración del gas que se obtiene de unos Pacífico, con cuya importante mejora se acre
misma fecha, a 5,436,271 acres, según el si cuantos pozos petrolíferos, y conste que los centará el movimiento agrícola, minero y
·
guiente detalle, que muestra, además, los datos que en seguida insertamos han sido comercial de esas ricas regiones.
C }
}
12 THE
THE STEEL INDUSTRY
IN MEXICO
An Up-to-Date Plant in the Capital City
-Modern Equipment in Every Detail.
EXICO is the only country south of the
MERio Grande River that has steel in
dustries of sufficient size to roll rails, notwith
standing there are several larger countries.
Mexico has two such industries, one of which
is located at Monterrey, in the State of Nuevo
Leon, and has been in successful operation for
a period of years. The other one is the
Consolidated Rolling Mills and Foundries
Company, S. A. , located in Mexico City. This
company is the successor of several firms, the
original of which was started in Mexico in
1900, and to those who are familiar with the
company the large variety of products manu
factured by them is indeed surprising.
The plant consists of 82 acres of land ; hun
CONSOLIDATED
ROLLI NG MILLS AND FOUNDRIES COMPANY.
S.A.
Office and Headquarters Steel Plant in Mexico City
dreds of thousands square feet of buildings,
most of which are of steel construction and
equipped with automatic electric cranes.
The principal department of this business is
an open hearth steel foundry, consisting of a
20- ton open hearth furnace fired with Mexican
crude oil, in which all kinds of steel castings
for mining, sugar, and railway companies are
manufactured and in which billets are made.
for the rolling mill of this same company. This
is the only steel foundry in Mexico specializing
in steel castings.
The company has on order and will shortly
install an electric steel furnace which will
enable them to make the highest quality of
steel. It will consume electrical power from
the Necaxa plant, making the continuous opera
tion of the works more certain, as it will not
be dependent upon the inadequate supply of oil.
The rolling mill plant consists of an 18- inch,
16-inch and 10-inch Merchant mill, driven
MEXICAN REVIEW
by steam engines. In this department steel
rails with fastenings and ties are rolled up
to 25 pounds per yard in weight. All kinds
of round, square, flat, angle, channel, and beam
steel, are made, including deformed and twisted
steel bars for concrete construction.
In the bolt and nut department they manu
facture from the steel which they roll in their
mills, bolts, nuts, rivets, washers, track spikes
and similar material in very large quantities.
A mill has just been completed for the
drawing of iron and steel wire which can
be used by the telegraph and telephone com
panies, made into wire nails and used for the
manufacture of barbed wire.
The tank and culvert department is making
tanks and culverts of all sizes of special rust
resisting steel specially made for this purpose.
A very interesting department of the busi
ness is the manufacture of oxygen and hydro
gen gas which are piped through the plant and
ww
the gas used for the cutting of iron and steel.
The oxygen is also produced for technical pur
poses and is shipped to all parts of the Re
public.
The non- ferrous metal department of this
company is far superior to any similar plant
ever visited by the writer and is claimed by
the company to be as good as the best. In this
department all kinds of brass, copper, alumi
num, zinc castings are made. Tin and anti
mony ores are smelted and brass and copper
bearing metals of all kind refined. Castings
of this nature can be secured of as good qual
ity and cheaper from this department than
they can be imported . Included in this de
partment are rolling mills for the rolling of
sheet lead ; machines for the manufacture of
lead pipe and wire solder, and a large de
partment is the manufacture of brass globe
and check valves. Battery zincs, solders, type
metal and babbitt are manufactured.
February, 1921
There is a modern laboratory with an 80,000
pounds capacity Riehle testing machine. There
metallurgical chemists are employed and all
materials are analyzed and tested before ship
ping. The company operates two electric weld
ing machines of the very latest type.
In the State of Guerrero the company owns
a large iron mine which they are now exploit
ing and will shortly install a blast furnace at
the mine for their own pig iron.
This company has recently engineered and
built a similar mill in Buenos Aires, Argen
tine, for the Argentine Iron and Steel Com
pany, and at present has a large contract in
Santiago, Chile, for the construction of mills
and shops for the Chilean Government, where
they have an office. An office at 30 Church
street, New York, has been established for
years.
The company is capitalized at 8,000,000 pesos
($4,000,000 gold) , and the officers are : Presi
dent, Harry Wright ; Vice-President and Gen
eral Manager, S. B. Wright ; Treasurer, Chas.
G. Seifert ; Secretary, Dr. P. M. Monroe ; As
sistant Secretary, A. Guzman Tovar ; General
Sales Manager, Max Wright.
Acquisition of Real Estate
by Foreigners
HERE is no obstacle to foreigners ac
Tur quiring and owning real property in Mex
ico outside the prescribed frontier and more
recently established coastal zones. That is to
say, 100 kilometers from a national boundary
or 50 kilometers from a coast line.
Although it is generally believed that the
new Mexican Constitution imposes special in
hibitions upon foreigners, the clauses in which
they are directly required to waive their rights
to such in so far as relates to the property
which they may acquire dates as far back at
least as 1856, in a decree of President Comon
fort. At that time also foreign property own
ers were liable to military service if needed
for the protection of the town or district in
which they resided . This is not at present
true, as they are not allowed to bear arms in
any military strife.
Foreigners, then, may acquire land and own
the following :
First -Property acquired from private
owners.
Second - Government land open to denounce
ment and purchased direct from the Depart
ment of Fomento and Colonization.
Third.-Properties sold at auction for non
payment of taxes in which the competent au
thority directly authorizes the issuance of the
deed .
In each and every instance, however, the
title must be drawn up and issued through a
notary, for although modified from time to
time in practice, but not in principle, the early
Spanish Notarial System for the transfer of
real property exists today in full force, and
while slow and voluminous, it is in its opera
tion eminently satisfactory and secure.
If the petroleum interests could induce the
United States or one of them-to let their
lawyers write its oil legislation, maybe they
could persuade Mexico to follow the example.
A precedent is an awfully powerful influence,
as courts and statesmen testify.
 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 13
Febrero, 1921

LA INDUSTRIA DEL ACERO con fines técnicos y se embarca para todos los gobierno chileno, donde tiene instalada una
EN MEXICO puntos de la República. oficina .
El departamento de metal no ferruginoso de La oficina de 30 Church Street, New York,
Una Moderna Planta en la Metrópol esta compañía es muy superior a cualquiera de fué establecida hace varios años . La compañía
con Modernos Equipos los similares que ha visitado el que esto tiene un capital de $8,000,000 de pesos ($4,000 ,
escribe y la compañía pretende es tan bueno 000 de dollars) y sus directores son : Presi
ÉXICO es el único país al Sur del Río
como el mejor. En este departamento se hacen dente, Enrique Wright ; Vicepresidente y Ge
M Grande que posee industrias de acero
toda clase de fundiciones de bronce, cobre, rente General, S. B. Wright ; Tesorero , Carlos
de capacidad suficiente para producir vías
férreas, no obstante que existen otros países aluminio y zinc. Los quijos de estaño y anti G. Selfert ; Secretario, Dr. P. M. Monroe ;
mucho mayores. México tiene dos industrias monio son fundidos, así como refinados el Secretario Ayudante, A. Guzman Tovar ; Ge
de esa clase ; una situada en Monterrey, Estado bronce y los metales de todas clases que con rente General de Ventas , Max. Wright.
de Nuevo León, que ha estado trabajando con tienen cobre. Las fundiciones de esta natu
éxito hace varios años, y otra en la capital de raleza pueden obtenerse de tan buena calidad
Nueva Entrada Internacional
México, que es la Consolidated Rolling Mills y tan baratas en este departamento como las
and Foundries Company, S. A. Esta Com en la Frontera
que puedieran importarse. Agregado a este
pañía es la sucesora de varias firmas, la pri departamento existen talleres laminadores para STA para abrirse una nueva entrada
mera de ellas comenzó sus trabajos en México la fabricación de láminas de plomo ; maqui Esinternacional en la frontera norte, de
en el año de 1900, y quienes conocen bien a naria para la manufactura de tubería de plomo acuerdo con los planes en proyecto. El
dicha compañía se sorprenden de la extensa y soldadores de alambre, y una gran departa Rio, Texas, será la nueva vía, en cuanto
variedad de productos que manufactura. mento para la manufactura de válvulas de queden terminadas las prolongaciones del
La planta cuenta con 8½ acres de tierra con
cientos de miles de pies cuadrados de edificios,
construidos en su mayor parte de acero y
equipados con grúas eléctricas automáticas .
El departamento principal de esta industria
lo constituye una abierta fragua-fundición de
acero, formada de un horno- fragua de 20
toneladas, alimentado con petróleo crudo me
xicano, en el que se manufacturan toda clase
de fundiciones para las compañías mineras,
azucareras y ferrocarrileras, y se fabrican las
plantas de metal que usan los molinos lamina
dores de la misma compañía..
Esta es la única fundición en México que
se especializa en el modelado de acero. La
compañía está construyendo y pronto quedará
instalada una fundición eléctrica de acero que
la pondrá en aptitud de producir la más alta
calidad de acero . Será abastecida por la planta
eléctrica de Necaxa, contando así para sus
trabajos con fuerza motriz que garantizará la
continua operación de éstos, ya que no estará
sujeta a la no siempre adecuada provisión de
petróleo.
La planta laminadora consiste en un molino
de laminadora de 18, 16 y 10 pulgadas, movido
a maquinaria de vapor. En este departa
mento los rieles de acero con sus sujetadores
y traviesas son laminados a 25 libras de peso
por yarda. Se hacen tambien toda clase de
vigas de acero, ya redondas, cuadradas, planas ,
angulosas, acanaladas, incluyendo desfiguradas
Open Hearth Steel Plant of Consolidated Rolling Mills and Foundries Company, Mexico City
y torcidas barras de acero para construcciones
bronce, esféricas y de freno . Tambien se Ferrocarril Oriental en Texas y del Interna
de concreto.
hacen baterías de zinc, soldadores, tipos de cional Mexicano.
En el departamento de perno y tuerca, se
metal y babbitt. Esta nueva línea reducirá a veinte y cuatro
manufacturan del acero que laminan en sus
Existe allí un moderno laboratorio con horas el trayecto para pasajeros y correo de
talleres, pernos , tuercas, remaches, volanderas ,
espigones para vías y material semejante, todo máquina de prueba Rishle de 80,000 libras de los puntos de California. Tambien reducirá
en gran escala. capacidad. Allí se emplean químicos meta diez y seis horas el tiempo actual empleado
Se acaba de terminar un taller para el esti lúrgicos y se analizan y prueban todos los entre la ciudad de México y Kansas, Missouri.
rado de alambre de hierro y acero, que puede productos antes de su embarque.
ser empleado por las compañías telefónicas y La compañía emplea dos máquinas solda
telegráficas, hecho para clavos de alambre y doras eléctricas del tipo más reciente. Se dice que gran número de los capitalistas
usado en la manufactura de alambre de púas . Tambien posee en el Estado de Guerrero una norteamericanos que visitaron México con
El departamento de tanque y alcantarilla extensa mina de hierro en explotación y pronto motivo de la inauguración de su nuevo go
hace tanques y acueductos de todos tamaños, quedará instalado en ella un horno de soplillo bierno, invertirán grandes capitales para activar
de acero especial contra óxido, preparado para para sus propios lingotes de hierro. el desarrollo de las industrias del país , y, al
ese objeto. Esta compañía recientemente diseñó y cons efecto, han estado efectuando viajas a diversos
Uno de los departamentos muy interesantes truyó un molino semejante en Buenos Aires , puntos de la República, especialmente a los
de esta negociación es el de la fabricación de Argentina, para la Compañía Argentina de Estados de Morelos y Veracruz, y demuestran
oxígeno e hidrógeno, que se conduce a traves Hierro y Acero, y en la actualidad sostiene gran interés en las plantaciones de café, arroz,
de la planta, y el gas utilizado en el corte del un extenso contrato en Santiago, Chile, para caña de azúcar y otros artículos agricolas y
hierro y el acero. Tambien se produce oxígeno la construcción de molinos y talleres para el tambien mineros .
 14 THE
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
FOR RECOGNITION
Requirements Held to Be Sufficient for
One Country to Recognize Another
N response to many inquiries about "recog
I nition" by the government of one country
of that of another, especially when there has
been a change of administration, sometimes as
the result of a revolution, THE REVIEW presents
the following authoritative opinions by promi
nent officials and statesmen upon the question :
"It accords with our principles to acknowl
edge any government to be rightful which is
formed by the will of the nation, substantially
declared .” —Jefferson, Secretary of State, No
vember 7, 1792.
"There is a stage in such (revolutionary )
contests when the party struggling for inde
pendence has, as I conceive, a right to demand
its acknowledgment by neutral parties, and
when the acknowledgment may be granted
without departure from the obligations of neu
мерн trality. It is the stage when the independence
is established as matter of fact, so as to leave
the chance of the opposite party to recover
their dominion utterly desperate. The neutral
nation must, of course, judge for itself when
this period has arrived ."-Adams, Secretary
****
of State to President Monroe, Aug. 24, 1816 .
"In every question relating to the independ
ence of a nation two principles are involved ,
one of right and the other of fact; the former
exclusively depending upon the determination
of the nation itself, and the latter resulting
from the successful execution of the determi
nation. ”—Adams, Secretary of State, Apr. 6,
1822.
"The policy which has hitherto guided the
Government of the United States in respect to
#1 new powers, has been to act on the fact of
their existence, without regard to their origin,
whether that has been by the subversion of a
pre-existing government, or by the violent or
T ico meets every requirement for recognition .
voluntary separation of one from another part
of a common nation • have not stopped
to inquire whether the new Government has
been rightfully adopted or not. It has been
sufficient for them (the United States ) that
it is, in fact, the government of the country,
in practical operation.”—Senator Clay in Re
port of Committee on Foreign Relations, June
18, 1836.
"In its intercourse with foreign nations the
Government of the United States has, from
3 Deposits
its origin, always recognized de facto Govern
ments. We recognize the right of nations to
create and reform their political institutions
according to their own will and pleasure. We
do not go behind existing Government to in
volve ourselves in the question of legitimacy.
It is sufficient for us to know that a Govern
ment exists capable of maintaining itself ; and
then its recognition on our part inevitably fol
lows."-Buchanan, Secretary of State, to Mr.
Rush, Ambassador to France, March 31 , 1848.
"To sustain the recognition by the United
States of a Mexican Government after civil
war, it is not necessary that such Government
be in possession of the City of Mexico. It is
enough if it be obeyed by a large majority of
the country, and is likely to continue."-Cass,
MEXICAN REVIEW
Secretary of State, to Mr. McLane , March 7,
1859.
"As a general rule of foreign policy, obtain
ing since the foundation of our Government,
the recognition of a foreign Government by
this is not dependent on right, but on fact."
Hunter, Acting Secretary of State, to Mr.
Baker, Oct. 3, 1879- re Venezuela.
"The question of recognition of foreign rev
olutionary or reactionary Governments is one
exclusively for the Executive, and cannot be
determined internationally by Congressional
action.” — Seward, Secretary of State, to Mr.
Dayton, April 7, 1864-re France.
"The judiciary follows the Executive on the
question of recognition of belligerent rights."
-U. S. v. Palmer, 3 Wheat., 610.
"The recognition of Texas as an independ
ent power may be made by the United States.
in various ways : First, by treaty ; second, by
the passage of a law regulating commercial
intercourse between the two powers ; third, by
sending a diplomatic agent to Texas with the
usual credentials ; or, lastly, by the Executive
receiving and accrediting a diplomatic repre
sentative from Texas, which would be a rec
ognition so far as the Executive only is com
petent to make it. In the first and third modes
the concurrence of the Senate in its executive
character would be necessary, and in the sec
ond in its legislative character.
"The Senate alone, without the cooperation
of some other branch of the Government, is
not competent to recognize the existence of
any power." - Clay, in report to Senate, June
18, 1836.
NOTE-It was through the second of the modes
above mentioned that recognition of Germany by the
Knox resolution was attempted. Even here the
President's power is potent through the veto to
thwart attempts to recognize any foreign power
without his consent, two-thirds majority to override
his veto being ordinarily impossible to obtain.
NOTE- For full reference, see Wharburton's Digest
of International Law, Vol. 1 , Chap. 3, VI No. 70.
Conclusion.- From the foregoing it will be
gathered that the present Government of Mex
The declaration of Thomas Jefferson, given at
the outset, seems to cover the entire ground in
a brief sentence. The present Government of
Mexico has most assuredly "been formed by
the will of the nation, substantially declared ."
There can be and is no ground for argument
or dissent in this matter.
Nationalization of Petroleum
N the face of the opposition that has
IN been propagated against Mexico for the
nationalization of her oil deposits, it is in
teresting to note that so high an official as
Secretary Daniels of the United States
Navy Department has declared himself
unequivocally in favor of such a step on
the part of the United States . Here is
what he says :
"The first duty of our country is to rec
ognize that coal and water power should
be more and more utilized in industrial
plants ashore and on railroads, and the oil
held for ocean commerce and the navy. We
have been wasteful of our resources.
"Oil and water power constitute the basis
of national prosperity, international com
merce and the best naval operation. Has
not the time come when oil and coal and
• February, 1921
water power shall be nationalized , and their
ownership and distribution be regulated for
the good of all and not permitted to be
controlled by those who have not been
free from profiteering ?"
"I believe that the ownership of God
created essentials should belong to all the
people ; that they should be used for na
tional needs ; that private owners should be
justly compensated, but that steps should
be taken by government control the oil
supply of the nation."
The most ardent supporter of the Mexi
can Constitution of 1917 could go no fur
ther than this. It is well to note that in
this respect Secretary Daniels only desires
that his own country shall do what most
of the nations of the world have already
done, including Great Britain itself.
Another Trade Conference in
Mexico City
NNOUNCEMENT has been made by the
A American Chamber of Commerce of the
City of Mexico that the second trade confer
ence in that country between American com
mercial interests will be held in the City of
Mexico in July next. It is stated that the
chambers of commerce and like organizations,
as well as manufacturers and American ex
porters generally in all of the principal cities
of the United States, have received invitations
to send representatives to the meeting. The
first of these international trade conferences
was held in the capital of Mexico last Feb
ruary, the attendance being about 150 repre
sentative business men. This meeting was so
successful that it was determined by the men
who are interested in promoting the trade rela
tions between the two countries to call the
second conference .
It is pointed out by the American Chamber
of Commerce that, in order that American
houses shall continue in trade supremacy with
Mexico, it is necessary for defensive measures
to be discussed and adopted. The explanation
is that the United States has established itself
as the foremost importer to Mexico, and its
problem will be to retain that position. Com
petition will be the key to Mexican trade in
the future, and the American firms entrenched
securely in their relationship with Mexican
buyers will have to be alert in order to prevent
their competitors from introducing tactics and
buying inducements superior to those they are
capable of giving, it is explained .
One of the principal changes to be noted in
the trade policies of American houses is the
substitution of a credit basis for a cash basis.
The credit question has been probably the fore
most problem with this international trade,
and, due to the practical withdrawal of all
competition in Mexico by European merchants
during the war, American houses have dealt
practically without exception only on a cash
basis with their Mexican customers. But now,
with the reappearance of European competi
tors in the field who are eager to give liberal
credit, it is necessary for American merchants
to moderate their policies in this regard. Also,
business conditions in Mexico have become so
stabilized that the extension of liberal credit
to responsible houses may be made without
risk.
 Febrero , 1921 LA
7 } í
LOS PRECEDENTES SOBRE
EL RECONOCIMIENTO
Requisitos que se han juzgado bastantes
para el reconocimiento de un país
N respuesta a las muchas investigaciones
EN relativas al "reconocimiento " del go
bierno de un país hacia otro, especialmente
cuando ha ocurrido un cambio en la admi
nistración, a veces como resultado de un
movimiento revolucionario, LA REVISTA ofrece
hoy las siguientes autorizadas opiniones de
prominentes funcionarios y estadistas sobre
dicho asunto , a saber :
"Se halla de acuerdo con nuestros principio:
reconocer cualquier gobierno legítimo, cons
tituído por la voluntad nacional plenamente
expresada.”—Jefferson , Sección de Estado ,
Noviembre 7 de 1792.
"Hay un período en las contiendas revo
lucionarias, en el que el partido que lucha por
la independencia tiene, en mi concepto, derecho
de pedir su reconocimiento por parte de las
naciones naturales, y en el que éste puede
concederse sin menoscabo de las obligaciones
< de neutralidad. Es el estado en que la inde
pendencia ha quedado establecida de hecho, en
forma que pueda permitir al partido contrario
la oportunidad para recobrar el dominio to
talmente perdido. La nación neutral debe,
desde luego, juzgar por sí misma si semejante
estado ha sido alcanzado."-Adams , Sección
de Estado, al Presidente Monroe, Agosto 24
de 1816.
"En las cuestiones relativas a la independen
cia de una nación se encierran dos principios,
uno de derecho y otro de hecho . El primero
queda exclusivamente sujeto a la resolución
nacional, en sí misma, y el segundo pende de
la acertada realización de dicha resolución.”
Adams, Sección de Estado, Abril 6 de 1822.
"La política que ha normado hasta aquí al
gobierno de los Estados Unidos con respecto
a los nuevos poderes, ha sido la de acatar el
hecho de su existencia, sin miramiento al
origen, bien que éste se deba a la destrucción
del anterior gobierno, a medios violentos, o a
la segregación voluntaria de una porción na
✨cional del resto del país. Nunca se ha detenido
a considerar si el nuevo gobierno se constitutó
legítimamente o nó. Ha bastado a los Estados
Unidos que sea, de hecho, el gobierno del país
en práctico funcionamiento."- Senador Clay, en
el Informe del Comité de Relaciones Exte
{ riores, Enero 18 de 1836.
"En sus relaciones internacionales el go
bierno de los Estados Unidos siempre ha
reconocido, desde sus comienzos, a los go
biernos de facto. Reconocemos el derecho de
las naciones para crear y reformar sus institu
ciones políticas de acuerdo con su propia
voluntad y conveniencia. } No nos metemos a
! averiguar si el gobierno existente es o no
legítimo. Nos basta saber que el gobierno
existente es capaz de sostenerse por sí mismo.
Es entonces que el reconocimiento por nuestra
parte, surge inevitablemente." -Buchanan, Sec
ción de Estado, a Mr. Rush, Embajador de
} Francia, Marzo 31 de 1848. '
REVISTA MEXICANA
"Para pretender el reconocimiento de los
Estados Unidos hacia un gobierno mexicano
posterior a una guerra civil, no es necesario
que dicho gobierno se halle en posesión de la
ciudad de México . Basta que sea acatado por
la gran mayoría del país y muestre incidicios
de consolidarse."- Cass, Sección de Estado, a
Mr. McLane, Marzo 7 de 1859.
"Como regla general de política extranjera ,
establecida desde la constitución de nuestro
gobierno, el reconocimiento de un gobierno
extranjero por aquel no descansa en el derecho,
sino en el hecho."-Hunter, Sección de Rep
resentación, a Mr. Baker, Octubre 3 de 1879 ,
re Venezuela.
"La cuestión del reconocimiento de los go
biernos extranjeros, revolucionarios o reaccio
narios, es del exclusivo resorte del Ejecutivo,
y no puede ser resuelto internacionalmente por
la acción del Congreso . ” — Seward , Sección de
Estado, a Mr. Dayton, Abril 7 de 1864, re
Francia.
"El cuerpo judicial sigue al Ejecutivo en la
cuestión del reconocimiento de los derechos
beligerantes." -U. S. v. Palmer, 3 Wheat. , 610.
"El reconocimiento de Texas como poder
independiente pueden efectuarlo los Estados
Unidos de varios modos : Primero, por trata
do ; segundo , decretando una ley que regule
las relaciones comerciales entre ambos poderes ;
tercero, con el envío de un agente diplomático
a Texas, con las credenciales de estilo ; y, por
último, por conducto del Ejecutivo , recibiendo
y acreditando un representante diplomático de
Texas, lo que equivaldría a un reconocimiento,
ya que el Ejecutivo es el único facultado para
ésto . En la primera y tercera forma se ne
cesitaría el concurso del Senado , en su carácter.
ejecutivo, y como legislativo en la segunda
forma.
"El Senado por sí sólo, sin la concurrencia
de alguna otra rama del gobierno, no tiene
competencia para reconocer la existencia de
poder alguno."-Clay, en el informe al Senado ,
Junio 18 de 1836.
NOTA- Por el segundo modo de los antes menciona
dos fué intentado por la resolucón Knox el recono
cimiento de Alemania. Aún en este caso, el poder
del Presidente es capaz, por medio del veto, para
oponerse a la tentativa del reconocimiento de un
poder extranjero sin su consentimiento, pues es casi
imposible obtener una mayoría de las dos terceras
partes requerida para contrarresta ese veto. Para
mayores informes, véase el Digesto Wharburton de
Ley internacional, Vol. 1 , cap. 3, VI No. 70,
Conclusión : De lo expuesto se inferie legíti
mamente que el actual gobierno de México
satisface todos los requisitos para ser recono
cido. La declaración de Tomás Jefferson dada
al principio, parece abarcar el asunto en una
breve frase. El actual gobierno mexicano,
indubitablemente, "ha sido constituído por la
voluntad nacional, plenamente declarada." No
hay ni puede haber ya pretexto para arguir o
disentir sobre este punto.
La gente humilde del Estado de Nayarit
está de plácemes con motivo de un acuerdo
reciente del Presidente de la República, por el
que dispone la dotación de "ejidos" entre la
población indígena.
15
Nueva Conferencia Comercial en
Ciudad México
A Cámara Americana de Comercio de
L ^ Ciudad México ha anunciado la segunda
conferencia comercial en dicho país, entre los
intereses comerciales norteamericanos y mexi
canos, la que se efectuará en el mesde
Julio del presente año. Se informa que las
Cámaras de Comercio y organizaciones seme
jantes, asi como los manufactureros y exporta
dores norteamericanos de las principales ciu
dades de los Estados Unidos han sido invi
tados para enviar sus representantes a dicha
asamblea. La primera de estas conferencias
internacionales de comercio se efectuó en la
capital de México en febrero último, a la que
concurrieron 150 delegados de firmas comercia
les. La conferencia obtuvo resultados tan
satisfactorios, que los interesados en el fomen
to de relaciones comerciales entre ambos países
resolvieron invitar a una segunda conferencia.
La Cámara Americana de Comercio hace
observar que, a fin de que las casas norteame
ricanas puedan conservar la supremacía co
mercial en dicho país . se hace necesario
discutir y adoptar las medidas defensivas
correspondientes. La ་ razón estriba en que
siendo los Estados Unidos los que se han
constituído como primeros importadores
respecto de México , su problema actual
consiste en conservar ese puesto. La compe
tencia será la clave en el futuro comercial de
México-se dice y las firmas norteamericanas
hoy bien aseguradas en sus relaciones con los
compradores mexicanos, tendrán que estar
alerta, a fin de evitar que sus competidores
introduzcan métodos y proposiciones de
venta superiores a los que en realidad puedan
ofrecerse.
Uno de los principales cambios que deben
adoptarse en la política comercial de las casas
norteamericanas es la sustitución de la base de
contado por la base al crédito. La cuestión
del crédito ha sido probablemente el principal
problema en este comercio internacional, y a
causa de que los comerciantes europeos aban
donaron prácticamente toda competencia du
rante la guerra, las casas norteamericanas pu
dieron vender, casi sin excepción, a base de
contado a sus clientes mexicanos . Mas ahora,
con el resurgimiento de los competidores euro
peos en el mercado, deseosos de conceder
créditos liberales, los comerciantes norteame
ricanos necesitan moderar su política a este
respecto. Además, las condiciones comerciales
en México han alcanzado tal grado de estabili
dad, que la concesión de creditos liberales a
casas responsables puede hacerse sin riezgo
alguno.
Recientemente se ha instalado en ciudad
México y ha comenzado ya sus trabajos, el
Comité Permanente del Congreso Nacional de
Ayuntamientos de la República, cuyo objeto
es velar y resolver las cuestiones que se rela
cionan con el funcionamiento y progreso del
Municipio Libre, institución esta última creada
como uno de los grandes frutos sociales de la
revolución mexicana. Se auguran grandes
progresos a esta básica institución , que consti
tuye una firme garantía de las libertades ,
públicas.
16 THE MEXICAN REVIEW
February , 1921

available plenty of funds for any emergency.

Guanajuato State Is Prosperous This satisfactory work in the Treasury De
partment is also due in part to the reorganizer,
Jurisconsult Mr. Enrique Colunga and his
On the Eve of Occupying a Prominent Place in the Provisional Government, which left practicable
Progress of the Mexican Confederation and proper plans for the public rents well
under way, in order to obtain these above
HE REVIEW has been following step by Mr. Madrazo, full of enthusiasm and in mentioned results.
step the progressive march which in spiration to serve his native State, as well as Mr. Madrazo is working at this time to
Tthese times of general reconstruction is with the laudable purpose of enabling the establish properly the public instruction in ac
developing the historic, rich and cultured State people to have their aspirations realized, has cordance with the modern methods of the
of Guanajuato, which is the cradle of the devoted hours of study and work, silent and epoch and the progress of modern pedagogy.
Mexican Independence and the most privileged without ostentation in his office, to solve all the The school will be the basis of our prosperity
territory of that Great Republic, which at the problems which come up before the new func because the "bread of intelligence" will be sup
present time is looked upon by all the business tionaries of Mexico, being able to solve them plied to the farthest point of the territory of
men of the world, because Guanajuato consti with judgment and intelligence, especially the Guanajuato during the year 1921 , furnishing
tutes the heart of Mexico where the tremend problem of Labor through the meetings of the the schools with all of the indispensable
ous success of its mines has astonished the Brotherhoods of Conciliation and Arbitration elements for instruction.
entire world ; the products of its very rich soil which harmonize the Capitalists and the La The facilities which will be furnished the
are incomparable, especially those of the borers in their rights and prerogatives, and industries, arts, and labor in general, are the
Bajio, the land of promise, where the soil is solve all conflicts that may arise through the characteristics of the Government of the afore
mentioned State, as Mr. Madrazo has brought
it about, so that the great foreign companies
which exploit the mines of Guanajuato do not
stop their work in spite of the drop in the
price of silver, and this official has asked the
President of the Republic for various conces
sions which favor the miners, with which he
was able to remedy that world-wide condition
which put obstacles in the way of the ex
ploitation of metals.
Mr. Madrazo has been distinguished in his
public work for the prudence and judgment
with which he attends official matters, and
to all the people of Guanajuato he offers all
kinds of guarantees , without persecuting any
body or permitting damage being done to his
own political enemies, to whom he has shown
that he is a civilized and honest Governor who
forgets all the unpleasantnesses of the political
campaign and shakes hands with friends and
strangers equally.
-5
1-2-3-4 The purification of all the administrative
departments has biven magnificent results, as
with that has been secured the progress of
the State, and in his policy which he is ful
filling at the present time, he has this motto :
Justice, Honesty, and Labor.
Prominent Citizens of the State of Guanajuato (1 ) Governor Antonio Madrazo ; ( 2 ) Enrique
Colunga, ex-Governor; (3 ) Lic. Norberto de la Rosa, Secretary of State ; (4) Professor This is why Guanajuato, with its intense and
Rodolfo R. Ramirez ; (5) Mauro Nisosa, Tax Administrator. Others are members of the State energetic labor in agriculture, mining, industry,
20 Congress , Magistrates of the Supreme Tribunal, Eucators, etc.
es estoppagand arts, and the public education in general, soon
extremely fertile and produces three crops regulations of the Agricultural Labor, which will secure success and will march at the van
yearly, it surprises the industrial centers of indicates the duties and rights of the farmers guard of the rest of the entities which form
America by its goods and manufactured prod as well as the obligations of the owners of the Mexican Confederation. E. S. S.
ucts. The railroads cross all the towns in dif land. This legislation has been very interest
ferent directions and the telephones and tele ing on account of its just and elevating prin PROGRAMME OF THE
graphs in a network of thousands of kilom ciples, which will not permit the combination GOVERNMENT
eters put into connection all the peopled centers of bolshevism and anarchy on account of the
with the country farms, and the safety which fairness which merges the well-being of both Governor Madrazo Makes Important
one can enjoy, together with its enviable factors into one. It is due to this that all the Declarations Regarding His Policy
climate, form a combination of facilities for strikes which we have had lately in the mines, HE readers of the REVIEW are informed
living, and the progress of that laborious people in the factories and in the fields, have been THE of the inauguration of Mr. Antonio
who, as in the war were the first, are eagerly solved amicably and peacefully. These regu Madrazo as Governor of the rich mineral
ready in peace and labor for the struggle which lations alone would be the best sign of pride State of Guanajuato, and his administration,
at this moment is taking place, towards the to the meritorious and thorough work of the it is believed will be one of the most modern
progress of that heroic country which is at Governor of Guanajuato, but his careful at and beneficial for that State. On that solemn
taining its glorious future through the supreme tention has touched all branches of the active occasion, Mr. Madrazo made public very im
efforts of her sons. administration ; he reorganized the finances of portant declarations relating to the policies
Guanajuato has entered, therefore, into a the State, which were in bankruptcy, succeed which his administration will adopt. The ex
period of prosperity and real progress, due ing in balancing the estimate of the incoming treme length of his speech does not permit its
to the efforts of its Governor, Mr. Antonio and outgoing expenses, and with economic insertion in this number, but in order to
Madrazo, it being safe to say that this is the measures, has obtained the greatest success in give an idea of its contents, we publish be
only State which did not have controversies paying up to date the salaries of the employes, low some of the most important excerpts
during the election campaign just past. and the expenses of the Government, having from it:
 Febrero , 1921 LA
La Prosperidad de Guanajuato
Está en Vías de Ocupar un Lugar Prominente en el Progreso
EMOS seguido paso a paso la marcha
progresiva que en estos momentos de
Η reconstrucción general está desarro
llando el histórico, rico y culto Estado de
Guanajuato, que es la cuna de la Independen
cia mexicana y el territorio más priviligiado
de esa Gran República que hoy ocupa la aten
ción de todos los hombres de negocios del
mundo, porque Guanajuato constituye el co
razón de México, en donde las formidables
bonanzas de sus minas han asombrado al
universo ; las producciones de sus tierras
riquísimas son incomparables, muy espe
cialmente las del Bajío, la zona de promisión ,
en donde los terrenos son jugosos y producen
tres cosechas anuales ; maravillando a los
centros industriales de América, por sus arte
factos y sus productos fabriles. Los ferroca
rriles cruzan todos los poblados en diferentes.
direcciones y los telégrafos y teléfonos , en
redes de millares de kilómetros, ponen
comunicación todos los centros poblados con
las fincas de campo ; y las seguridades que se
disfrutan, unidas a su clima envidiable, forman
el conjunto de facilidades para la vida y el
progreso de ese laborioso pueblo que, así como
en la guerra fué el primero, en la paz y el
trabajo con ahínco se apresta a la lucha que
en estos instantes se libra para el engrandeci
miento de esa Patria heroica, que está con
quistando su futuro glorioso, por el esfuerzo
supremo de sus hijos.
Guanajuato ha entrado, pues, en una etapa
de adelanto y de verdadero progreso, gracias
a los afanes de su mandatario, Ingeniero Don
Antonio Madrazo, pudiendo decir que es el
único Estado que no ha tenido controversias
por la campaña electoral que acaba de pasar.
El Ingeniero Madrazo, con entusiasmo y
animado de servír a su Estado natal, así como
con el propósito loable de que el pueblo vea
realizadas sus aspiraciones , ha dedicado largas
horas de estudio y de trabajo, silencioso y sin
alarde, en su gabinete, para resolver todos los
problemas que se presentan a los nuevos
funcionarios de México, habiendo procurado
resolver los con tino y clarividencia , muy
especialmente el problema del Trabajo , por
medio de las Juntas de Conciliación y Arbi
traje, que armonizan al capital y a los obreros
en sus derechos y prerrogativas, para solucio
nar todos los conflictos que se susciten por
medio de la Ley del Trabajo Argícola, que
indica cuáles son los deberes de . los campesi
nos y sus derechos, así como las obligaciones
de los terratenientes . Esta legislación ha sido
muy interesante, por su fondo justiciero y
levantado, que no permitirá la intromisión del
bolchevismo y la anarquía, por el equilibrio
que consolida el bienestar de ambos factores.
A esto se debe que se hayan solucionado paci
ficamente, cordialmente, todas las huelgas que
se han presentado últimamente en las minas,
en las fábricas y en los campos. Estas leyes
serian por si solas el mejor timbre de orgullo
a la labor meritoria e intensa del mandatario
guanajuatense, pero su cuidadosa atención ha
REVISTA MEXICANA
de la Confederación Mexicana
tocado todos los ramos de la actividad admi
nistrativa ; reorganizó las finanzas del Estado ,
que estaban en bancarrota, logrando nivelar
los presupuestos de ingresos y egresos, y con
medidas económicas ha obtenido el mayor
triunfo de tener cubiertos al día los sueldos de
los servidores y gastos del Gobierno, habiendo
en existencia fuertes sumas de dinero, para
toda emergencia. Esta obra satisfactoria en
el ramo de Hacienda , se debe en parte, tambien,
al Gobierno reorganizador y Provisional, del
jurisconsulto, Don Enrique Colunga, que dejó
orientados las rentas públicas, por un sendero
factible y propicio, para obtener esta finalidad.
EL NIÑO PIPITO SANCHEZ
Hijo de Nuestro Representante Don Eusebio
Sanchez Saucedo
El Sr. Madrazo, lucha en estos momentos
por implantar debidamente la instrucción
pública, conforme los adelantos de la época y
los progresos de la pedagogia moderna. La
escuela será la base de nuestro engrandeci
miento, porque se llevará el pan de la inte
ligencia hasta los más apartados lugares del
territorio guanajuatense, en el año de 1921 ,
dotando a los planteles de todos los elementos
indispensables para la enseñanza.
Las facilidades para las industrias, las artes
y el trabajo en general son las cualidades del
Gobierno de dicho Estado, pues ha logrado el
ingeniero Madrazo que las grandes Compañías
extranjeras que explotan las minas de Guana
juato, no suspendieran sus trabajos a pesar de
la baja de la plata, y gestionó del C. Presidente
de la República varias concesiones que favore
cieran a los mineros, con lo que pudo conjurar
ese fenómeno mundial que ponía obstáculos
para la explotación de los metales.
17
El Sr. Ingeniero Madrazo se ha distinguido
en su gestión pública, por la prudencia y tacto
para atender los asuntos oficiales, y a todos los
guanajuatenses les presta toda clase de ga
rantías , no persiguiendo a nadie, ni permitiendo
que se causo daño, ni a sus propios enemigos
políticos, a quienes ha demostrado que es el
gobernante culto y honrado, que olvida todos
los sinsabores de la campaña y de la lucha
política, que por igual estrecha la mano de
propios y extraños.
La moralización de todos los ramos admi
nistrativos ha dado magnificos resultados,
pues con ello se ha obtenido el progreso del
Estado y en su programa que hoy realiza, lleva
este lema : Justicia, Honradés, Trabajo.
Por ello, Guanajuato, con su intensa labor
actual, en la agricultura, la minería, las in
dustria, las artes y la educación general del
pueblo, pronto logrará culminar e ir a la van
guardia de las demás Entidades que forman
la Confederación Mexicana. E. S. S.
PROGRAMA DE GOBIERNO
El Ing. Madrazo Hizo Importantes
Declaraciones Acerca de sus Principies
de Gobierno
OS lectores de LA REVISTA están enterados
Los de la toma de posesión del Ingeniero
don Antonio Madrazo como Gobernador
del rico Estado minero de Guanajuato, cuya
administración se confía será una de las
más modernas y beneficiosas para esa región.
En esa solemne ocasión, el Ing. Madrazo hizo
muy importantes declaraciones relativas al
programa de gobierno que adoptará su admi
nistración, cuya larga extensión nos priva del
placer de insertarlo en este número ; mas a fin
de dar siquiera una idea de él, insertamos a
continuación algunos de sus conceptos más
salientes :
"Terminantemente declaro que seré celoso
de la completa autonomía del Poder Legis
lativo, para que sus responsabilidades sean
efectivas y disfruten legitimamente de las
satisfacciones íntimas que les proporcionará el
haber correspondido a la confianza depositada
por el pueblo en sus personas. Espero, por lo
tanto, que el funcionamiento armónico entre el
Poder Ejecutivo y el Legislativo se halle
firmemente establecido, sin las bajezas ni las
complicidades inmorales de las pasadas admi
nistraciones.
"Los principales problemas de cuya acertada
resolución depende la vida de nuestro Estado
son la recta y eficáz administración de justicia,
el desarrollo y propagación de la instrucción
pública y las relaciones de esas dos fuerzas
que se debaten en el mundo contemporáneo :
el capital y el trabajo.
"En cada uno de esos problemas se destaca
un factor de primer orden, de cuya determina
ción depende el acierto con que seamos capaces
de resolverlos. Yo sabré imprimir a todos los
actos de la administración el sello de la más
extricta honorabilidad. Si antes la justicia
era un sarcasmo en nuestro medio, porque los
encargados de administrarla estuvieron supe-
ditados al favoritismo del Encargado del
Poder Ejecutivo y al precio del mejor postor,.
es mi más sana intención poner a su servici
18 THE
"I solemnly declare that I will be atten
tively mindful of the complete autonomy of
the Legislative Power, so that its respon
sibilities will be effective and will legiti
mately enjoy its intimate trust, in order to
reciprocate the confidence reposed in this body
by the people. I hope, therefore, that the har
monious functioning between the Executive
Power and the Legislative Power will be
firmly established without either the baseness
or the immoral complications of past adminis
trations.
"The principal problems, on the proper solu
tion of which depends the life of our State,
are the straight and efficient administration of
justice, the development and propagation of
public instruction and the relationship of those
two forces which must exist in the contempo
rary world- Capital and Labor.
"On each of those problems, there is seen a
factor of first importance, on the determina
tion of which depends the ability with which
we are able to solve them. I shall know how
to stamp in all the acts of the administration,
the seal of the strictest honesty. Although if
in past times, justice was an irony in our life,
because the ones who were in charge of its
administration were subdued by the favoritism
of the President of the Republic and by the
buyer's best price, it is my earnest intention to
put at its services my absolute respect for the
independence of the Judicial Power, and, mak
ing use of the power which the laws grant me,
I will watch very carefully in order that jus
tice will be dealt equally to all the inhabitants
of the State, whatever the social status of the
individual may be, and I will be inflexible with
those who do not know how to fulfill the sa
cred mission which they have recommended.
On account of the above, the necessity is im
posed that one of the first steps of the new
Government is the passing of a law placing the
responsibility on the functionaries and em
ployes of the State, including the Governor,
whenever one of them does not keep within
the path which his duties direct him.
"I desire that in Guanajuato, our wealth not
yet exploited, will be developed, and that can
be accomplished only with the powerful aid
of enterprising men. The Government will
see, therefore, with great satisfaction, that the
capitalists, native or foreign, will invest their
money in the State, and will give them all the
aid they may require for the development of
their interests ; and while I am speaking about
guarantees, I might say that the Government
will grant to religious corporations all guar
antees within the law.
"I could say a great deal regarding the prob
lem of public education, but I think it is suffi
cient for me to state that I shall dedicate to
it all the interest and enthusiasm with which
I have always been inspired for it."
Mr. Madrazo ended his speech as follows :
"Fellow-citizens : Never forget these plain
and sincere words ; they come from a heart
which is all for Guanajuato, and as it is closely
united to me, remember also that in accepting
the office with which you have graced me,
without illegitimate interests, I feel only too
happy that this occasion which the history of
Guanajuato offers to us, is a glorious one for
me, since I am able to be of use to my be
loved country."
MEXICAN REVIEW
The Slump in Silver as Affecting
the Mining Industry of Mexico
IS an ill wind that blows no one good,"
T and it is not certain but that the slump
in the market price of this white metal may
in the end be of a great and far- reaching
benefit to Mexico in general as we know that
it will be to certain mining districts in this
country. From experience we know that every
great industrial readjustment, every financial.
crisis, so to speak, with its subsequent drop in
prices of supplies, wages, etc., as pertaining
thereto, has carried with it temporarily a
slump in the prices of the metals, silver in
cluded, even though this metal was by the
fall in prices really made more valuable, hav
ing an increased purchasing power, and al
though the prices of commodities thus forced
to that of normal worth remained, the price
d mand
W a
e fma
e i
k ue
s Mg ro
d m & rid
Pe i
a g a
t railroads of the United States and Mex
Eu ri S
c a an
Sa chi ch
ez,
uc o
ed
o.
1
9 1918, are to be considered as sold to the Mex
SENOR EUSEBIO SANCHEZ SAUCEDO
Representative of the Mexican Review in
Guanajuato, Mexico
of the white metal soon recuperated more or
less, and thus, costing less to produce the sil
ver and being able to purchase more with it
after it was produced, the mining booms cor
responding took place.
Mexico has produced the bulk of the world's
silver, along with enormous quantities of gold,
one great mining camp alone, Guanajuato, with
a radius of six by twelve miles, having pro
duced over three-fifths the entire world's out
put of this white metal. Perhaps this camp
will be an example of one that may be bene
fited by the silver slump. Here the greatest
mines on earth were developed by the Spanish,
who were in turn driven from the country a
century past. Even with this enormous pro
duction this district has been but scratched in
a few places with equally promising zones
still undeveloped, but the oncoming of the for
eigner of recent years, along with modern
methods of ore reduction and cheap electric
February, 1921
power, caused the overlooking of the many
opportunities to develop, as did their prede
cessors, virgin ground into great producing
mines of exceedingly high grade gold-silver
ores, and these new-comers have to date been
satisfied with working over the refuse that the
Spanish miners left behind, then too poor to
pay, in old, apparently worthless, dumps of al
ready mined ores, and equally too poor to pay
to work with normal prices of silver. The
corporations working over these low grade
piles of refuse with high priced silver were
able to make substantial returns and, ever
jealous of competition , did all in their power
to discourage individuals from coming into
Guanajuato and developing new mines, neces
sarily erecting great milling plants. Thus, this
wonderful and high grade district became to
the uninformed a low grade ore producing
district. What they need here is not the timid
but those fearless men who are able to see op
portunities and capable of developing them ;
men who have the initiative to act and take
advantage of opportunities that present them
selves. This silver slump will cause many cor
porations operating on low grade refuse ores
to either develop their old mines or new ones,
and find ores of commercial values, just as
the Spanish did in days gone by, making fifty
or a hundred dollars per ton of ore instead of
one or two of a few at most, as customary
with many corporations today, thus needless to
say a far-reaching and lasting benefit to the
mining industry of Mexico.
International Traffic Agreement
REE interchange of traffic between the
FRE
ico was resumed on January 1 , the American
Railway Association having announced that
under the agreement negotiated with Francisco
Perez, general director of the Mexican Na
tional Railways, the cars belonging to the
American-Canadian roads which were deliv
ered to Mexico's railways prior to January 1 ,
ican Railways at cost, less the depreciation
suffered.
All the Mexican cars upon the United
States roads will be returned to Mexico as
soon as possible.
No transportation charge will be made dur
ing this movement. The Mexican railroads ,
however, will pay without interest the repair
bills due to the American-Canadian roads for
necessary repairs to enable the cars to return
to Mexico.
The Mexican cars destroyed on American
railways prior to July 1 will be mutually can
celled.
An initial payment of 25 per cent, with
in 30 days after the execution of the contract,
will be made by the Mexican railroads and the
balance to be forthcoming in three equal in
stalments, six months apart.
A decree has been issued by the President
permitting the free exportation of copper in all
forms. Also decrees have been issued covering
the free export of other metals in view of the
disastrous conditions of the metal markets.
Febrero, 1921 LA
mi absoluto respeto por la independencia del
Poder Judicial, y haciendo uso de las faculta
des que me concedan las leyes , vigilaré
estrechamente porque la justicia sea impartida
por igual a todos los habitantes del Estado,
sea cual fuere su condición social, siendo in
flexible con aquellos que no sepan cumplir con
la sagrada misión que tienen encomendada.
De donde se impone la necesidad de que uno
de los primeros pasos del nuevo Gobierno, sea
la expedición de una ley de responsabilidades
que las haga efectivas a todos los funciona
rios y empleados del Estado, el Gobernador
inclusive, cuando alguno de ellos se separe de
la senda que le marcan sus deberes .
MAFAL
Courtesy Pan- American Union
HOUSE OF HIDALGO, DOLORES HIDALGO, STATE OF GUANAJUATO
This house was occupied by Hidalgo when the Independence of Mexico was declared by him
"Yo anhelo que en Guanajuato se desarro
llen nuestras riquezas, aun no explotadas , y
ello se logrará solamente con el auxilio pode
roso de los hombres de empresa. El Gobierno
verá, por lo tanto, con suma complacencia, que
los hombres de capital, nacionales o extranje
ros, lo inviertan en el Estado, el que les im
partirá toda la ayuda que necesiten para el
desarrollo de sus intereses. I ya que de ga
rantías trato, el mismo Gobierno las dará
tambien, dentro de la ley, a las corporaciones
religiosas.
"Mucho tendría qué decir del problema de
la educación pública ; bástame sólo hacer la
declaración más solemne de que dedicaré a
ella todo el interés y todo el entusiasmo que
siempre me ha inspirado."
El Ing. Madrazo terminó su elocuente dis
curso con las sinceras frases siguientes :
"Concludadanos : No olvideís nunca estas
sencillas y sinceras frases ; son nacidas de un
corazón que es todo para Guanajuato , y al
estar estrictamente ligado conmigo, recordad
REVISTA MEXICANA
tambien que al desempeñar el puesto que me
habeís conferido, sin intereses bastardos, sólo
anhelo que esta oportunidad que nos brinda la
historia de Guanajuato, sea para mí grandiosa,
ya que puedo serle útil a mi querida Patria."
La Baja de la Plata y sus Efectos
Sobre la Industria Minera de México
O hay viento malo que sople bien a
"N nadie," dice el refrán, pero esto no es
aplicable a la actual baja de la plata, pues ella
resultará, a la larga, de grande y extenso bene
ficio para México, en general, pues sabemos
que redundará en beneficio de ciertos distritos
ELENIC
DALCI
mineros de este país. Sabemos por propia
experiencia que todo profundo nivelamiento
industrial, el final de cada crisis, con la
consiguiente baja en los precios, salarios , etc. ,
ha ocasionado siempre una baja temporal en
los precios de los metales, incluso la plata,
sin embargo de que este metal, con motivo de
la baja de precios, adquiere mayor valor in
trínseco, ya que aumenta su poder adquisitivo .
No obstante, pues, que los precios de los
artículos se ven obligados a volver a su valer
primitivo o normal, el precio del metal blanco
pronto se recupera, mas o menos, y asi,
costando menos producir la plata y alcanzando
ésta mayor poder adquisito luego de producida,
el auge de las minas no tarda en resurgir.
México ha producido la mayor parte del
"stock" de plata del mundo, con enormes canti
dades de oro, pues uno de los grandes campos
mineros de Guanajuato, con un radio de seis
por doce millas, produjo más de las tres
quintas partes de la producción mundial de
metal blanco. Acaso este campo minero será
19
un buen ejemplo de uno de los que se bene
ficiarán con la baja de la plata. Aquí las
más grandes minas de la tierra fueron explota
das por los españoles, arrojados del país hace
ya una centuria. Apesar de la enorme produc
ción que rinde este distrito, a panas si ha sido
explorado en pequeñas regiones, pues ricas
zonas están aún inexploradas ; pero el arribo
del capitalista extranjero en los últimos años,
con sus métodos modernos de reducción de los
ores y su energía eléctrica barata, ha determi
nado una gran perspectiva de las muchas
oportunidades que existen para el desarrollo
de esa región, como el efectuado por sus prede
cesores, tornando los vírgenes campos en minas
DOL SEGE
MODE
de producción en gran escala, con ores de oro
y plata de altísimo grado. Sin embargo, esos
recientes capitalistas extranjeros se han con
formado hasta aquí con seguir trabajando los
desechos abandonados por los españoles por su
pobre rendimiento , dejados como antiguos
desperdicios de ores ya explotados, sin valor
alguno apreciable, y, naturalmente, incapaces
de ser trabajados con ventaja con los precios
normales de la plata. Las compañías, traba
jado estas abandonadas vetas de baja ley
cuando regían altos precios para la plata ,
pudieron obtener apreciables beneficios y aún,
celosos de la competencia, hicieron todo lo
posible por desanimar a las personas que iban
a Guanajuato con el propósito de desarrollar
nuevas minas y establecer necesariamente
grandes plantas y talleres. Fué por eso que
este maravilloso y excelente distrito ha sido
considerado como distrito productor de baja
ley por las gentes que desconocen la verdad.
Lo que allí se necesitan son hombres resueltos
(Sigue en la pagina 48)

20 THE
Oil Deposits In the Federal Zones
Law Under Which Such Deposits May be Exploited
O MUCH has been published regarding
the granting of permission by the Gov
S ernment to exploit the petroleum de
posits upon Federal lands, and there seems to
be so much misapprehension regarding this
matter, that THE REVIEW gives herewith the
provisions of the law governing such develop
ment. This law is contained in a decree issued
by President Carranza on March 12, 1920, and
is still in force pending the enactment of leg
islation by the National Congress covering the
entire petroleum question. It is as follows :
Considering :
One. That according to the principles set
forth in Article 27 of the Political Constitution
now in force, the direct control of petroleum
and other hydrocarbons, solid, liquid or gas
eous, to be found on the surface or subsurface
of the national territory, is vested in the Na
tion ;
Two. That in the Federal zones, beaches
and ocean beds, rivers, creeks, lagoons , estu
aries and marshes, the direct control of the
surface as well as the subsurface is vested in eral
the Nation ;
Three. That the districts at present recog
nized as oil producing are crossed by numerous
rivers, creeks , estuaries, lagoons and marshes
of Federal jurisdiction , the petroleum ex
ploitation of which if granted to private indi
viduals or companies organized in accordance
with the Mexican laws, may yield abundant
revenue to the National Treasury, from rental
and the just and equitable share stipulated in
the concession ;
Four. That such petroleum regions are be five years from the date of their concessions,
ing intensely exploited and to such extent that 1 at least one well for each kilometer of zone
the rapid exhaustion of the oil deposits is cer
tain to come about, as, for instance, is already
occurring in the region known by the name of the
"Chinampa" and this without affording the na
tion the just profits which it would have de
rived if the perforation of wells had been per
mitted in the Federal zones of rivers, creeks,
estuaries, etc., of Federal jurisdiction which
cross them in all directions ;
Five . That furthermore, according to the
6th paragraph of Article 27 of the Political
Constitution now in force, the Federal Gov
ernment has a right to grant concessions of oil will be subject to the approval
deposits and other hydrocarbons, solid, liquid
or gaseous, on condition that regular work of installations will be considered as temporary,
exploitation be established ; and
Six -That the application filed for making
perforation in the Federal zones of rivers ,
creeks, etc., are already very numerous in the
region now known as oil producing, which
applications it is deemed necessary to consider,
it being to the best interest of the public finance
as well as the petitioners to give them the nec
essary attention ;
The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and
Labor is hereby authorized to grant, in the production, 5 per cent ; from 1,000 to 2,000
name of the Executive, such concessions, sub
ject, however, until such times as the Congress
of the Union issues the Petroleum Law, to the duction and up, 20 per cent. In liquidating
following :
General conditions which will govern the age daily production in said month will be used
concessions that may be granted by this Min
istry of Industry, Commerce and Labor, to ex
ploit petroleum and other hydrocarbons exist
ing in the subsurface of the Federal zones,
beaches, and beds of rivers, creeks, lagoons,
estuaries, etc., of national territory.
I. phb The concessions for the exploitation of grantees will only be obliged to keep it stored
petroleum and other hydrocarbons in the Fed
eral zones, beaches and beds of rivers, creeks ,
estuaries, lagoons , etc., may only be granted
to Mexicans by birth or naturalization, or to
corporations organized according to the Mex
ican laws.
¦
ļ
MEXICAN REVIEW
by Private Parties and Companies
II. Upon fulfillment of the foregoing re
quirement, the order of preference for obtain
ing such concession will be as follows :
First.-Those authorized legally to exploit
oil lands bordering on the Federal zones.
Second - The properties of the bordering
lands, whenever the concession to exploit the
subsurface of such lands has not been granted.
Third. The exploiters or proprietors of
lands situated less than two kilometers from
the Federal zone, who show that they own a
sufficient area to establish storage tanks and
the other necessary accessories for the ex
ploitation of the subscription of the subsurface
comprised in the stretch of Federal zone which
may be granted them.
III. The duration of the concessions will be
ten years .
IV. The applications to obtain these con
cessions will be published and carried through
in the form established for the denouncement
of oil lands.
V.-Regarding concessions applied for by
corporations or individuals having the right of
preference in accordance with the foregoing
articles, the maximum extension of that Fed
zone which they will be granted for ex
ploitation will not exceed ten kilometers.
VI. The parcels of Federal zone in connec
tion with which some other contract is in force,
or permission or concessions has been granted
for temporary occupation cannot be granted
for exploitation.
VII. The grantees will furnish, within a
term of six months from the date of their con
cessions, a map of the zone granted, in strict
accordance with the boundaries provided for
in the concession.
VIII. cd The grantees must perforate within
granted or faction greater than one kilometer,
the first of such wells to be completed during
first year the concession is in force. The
obligation of the grantees in connection with
each one of the wells mentioned will be .con
sidered fulfilled with the completion of one
productive well, or with the perforation of a
well which reaches the average depth of the
productive wells in the adjacent region .
IX. The localization of the wells and the
necessary installations for their perforation
of the Ministry
of Industry, Commerce and Labor. All the
they to be drawn as soon as possible without
hindering the progress of the work.
X.-The grantees will pay :
First.-An annual rent of one hundred pesos
per kilometer or fraction of Federal zone es
tablished.
Second. A share of the daily production of
petroleum secured from the wells perforated
in the zone granted, which will vary as fol
lows : For the first 1,000 cubic meters of daily
cubic meters of daily production, 10 per cent ;
from 2,000 to 5,000 cubic meters of daily pro
the share on each month's productin, the aver
as a basis.
XI.-The Government will have the right to
exact its share in cash or species. For pay
ment in cash, the oil will be valued at the place
of production. If the Government should
choose to receive its share in species , the
in their tanks during the fifteen days following
the date of settlement.
XII -If the grantees should fail to deliver,
within one month, a quantity of petroleum
equivalent to 50 per cent of the productive ca
pacity of their wells, the Government may draw
February, 1921
at its expense the share belonging to it, based ,
on the productive capacity.
XIII . For the foregoing effects, the Gov
ernment inspectors will measure each month,
in the presence of the employes of the grantees,
the productive capacity of the wells.
XIV. The grantees will guarantee the ful
fillment of their obligation by making a de
posit of one thousand pesos for each kilometer
or fraction greater than five hundred meters,
of Federal zone granted . This deposit will be
returned to them as soon as they obtain the
first productive well, which will serve, as well
as others which they may drill thereafter, as
a guarantee of the fulfillment of their obliga
tions.
XV. The terms provided for in this con
cession will be suspended in the event of cir
cumstances of "force majeur" absolutely and
directly preventing the fulfillment of the obli
gations stipulated , the Ministry of Industry,
Commerce and Labor to extend such terms for
as long as may be deemed necessary. In order
that the grantees may be able to use this grace,
they must demonstrate before said . Ministry,
with the necessary proofs, the circumstances
of "force majeur" which prevented or might
continue to prevent them from fulfilling their
obligations . The advice and demonstration be
fore the Ministry of such " force majeur" must
be filed within one month from the day such
circumstances are extant.
XVI. The grantees will have the right to
establish pipe lines to carry the oil from the
wells to the storing station, as well as to estab
lish in the fluvial routes to which the zone
granted belongs, the piers necessary for ex
ploitation, subject to the conditions that may
be imposed 1 by the Ministries of Communica
tions and Public Works ,, Finance and Public
Credit, and War and Marine.
XVII.- The Ministry of Industry, Com
merce and Labor will have the right to exam
ine, through its inspectors, the accounting in
connection with the exploitation which consti
tute the basis of these concessions, each time
it may deem it convenient.
XVIII. In the case of an impervious pub
lic necessity demanding it, the grantees will
agree to sell the production of their wells to
the Government at the price fixed in the same
form stipulated in the eleventh paragraph.
XIX . In all things not especially { provided
for in these conditions, the grantees will be
subject to all the laws, regulations and admin
istrative dispositions which govern the petro
leum industry.
XX. The grantees must carry out the ex
ploitation of the Federal zones, without preju
dice to navigation and the common use to
which they are devoted . They must indem
nify the damage occasioned ; in accordance
with the Federal laws governing the subject.
XXI.- In no case will the grantees pledge,
transfer or in any way alienate the concessions
or any of the rights and franchises continued
in them to any society, government or foreign
State, nor will admit them as partners, any
such transaction which may be carried out to
be declared null and void. Nor will they trans
fer the concessions to any private individual or
corporation, without due permission, in writ
ing, from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce
and Labor, this obligation being permanent for
all such corporations as may thereafter acquire
the rights granted by the concessions.
XXII. The grantees will have the preferred
right, upon the expiration of the period of
their concession, to renew it for the time and
under the conditions which the Federal Ex
ecutive may deem necessary.
XXIII. The Ministry of Industry, Com
merce and Labor, will punish the faults of the
grantees which do not call for the cancellation -
of their concessions, with fines fluctuating be
tween one hundred and one thousand pesos,приме in
accordance with the seriousness and frequency
of the faults,
XXIV.-The ་ Ministry of Industry, Com
merce and Labor may administratively declare
(Concluded on page 48)
*
•
 Febrero, 1921 LA
Los Depositos de Petroleo en Zonas Federales
$ ducción.
Ley que Regula la Explotación de tales Depósitos por
ANTO se ha publicado sobre la con
cesión de permisos del Gobierno para
la explotación de los depósitos petro
líferos en zonas federales y parece dominar
tanto -falso concepto sobre esta materia, que
LA REVISTA MEXICANA cree conveniente dar a
continuación los postulados de la ley que rige
dicha explotación . Esta ley está contenida
en un decreto del Presidente Carranza de 12
de Marzo de 1920, el cual está aún vigente, en
tanto el Congreso Nacional decreta la legisla
ción general que comprenda toda la cuestión
petrolera. Dice así :
"Considerando :
Uno.-Que según los postulados del artículo
27 de la Constitución Política vigente, co
rresponde a la Nación el dominio directo del
petróleo y demás ( carburos de hidrógeno ,
sólidos, líquidos o gaseosos, que se encuentren
en la superficie o en el subsuelo del Territorio
Nacional ;
Dos -Que en las zonas federales, playas y
fondos de los mares, ríos , arroyos, lagunas,
esteros y marismas, corresponde a la Nación
el dominio directo, tanto sobre la superficie
como sobre el subsuelo ;
Tres. Que las regiones reconocidas actual
mente como petrolíferas, están cruzadas por
numerosos ríos, arroyos, esteros , lagos y maris
mas de jurisdicción federal, cuya explotación
petrolera puede dar origen, al concederla a
particulares o a sociedades organizadas con
forme a las leyes mexicanas, a fuertes ingresos
al tesoro nacional, provenientes de las rentas
y de la participación justa y equitativa que se
señale por la concesión ;
Cuatro .-Que esas regiones petrolíferas es
tán siendo intensamente explotadas, • en tal
grado , que es seguro el rápido agotamiento
de sus yacimientos de aceite, como está pasando
en la región conocida con el nombre de
"Chinampa," sin dejar a la Nación la justa
utilidad que le habría correspondido si se
hubiera permitido la perforación de pozos en
las zonas federales de los ríos , arroyos, esteros ,
etc., de jurisdicción federal que la cruzan en
todos sentidos ;
Cinco . P Que a mayor abundamiento, según
el párrafo sexto del artículo 27 de la Cons
titución Política vigente, el Gobierno Federal
cstá facultado para otorgar concesiones de
yacimientos de petróleo y demás carburos de
Ĉ ración de un pozo que alcance la profundidad
hidrógeno, sólidos , líquidos o gascosos, con la
condición de que se establezcan trabajos regu
lares para su explotación ; y
Seis -Que son ya muy numerosas las solici
tudes que se han presentado para hacer
perforaciones en las zonas federales de ríos ,
arroyo's , etc., de la región actualmente recono
sida como petrolífera, peticiones que se juzga
necesario atender por convenir así a los inte
reses tanto de la Hacienda Pública, como de
los peticionarios ;
Queda autorizada la Secretaría de Industria.
Comercio y Trabajo para otorgar, en nombre
dėl Ejecutivo, esas concesiones, sujetándolas
provisionalmente y mientras el Congreso de la
Unión expide { la Ley del Petróleo , a las
siguientes :
Bases generales a las que deberán sujetarse
las concesiones que otorgue esta Secretaría de
Industria, Comercio y Trabajo para explotar
el petróleo y demás hidrocarburos que existan
en el subsuelo de las zonas federales, playas
y cauces de los ríos, arroyos , lagunas, esteros,
etc., del Territorio Nacional:
I. Las concesiones para la explotación de
petróleo y demás carburos de hidrógeno en las
zonas federales, playas y cauces de ríos,
arroyos, esteros, lagunas, etc., sólo podrán
REVISTA MEXICANA
Particulares y Compañías
otorgarse a mexicanos por nacimiento o natu
ralización o a sociedades organizadas con
forme a las leyes mexicanas.
II.KE Llenando el requisito anterior, tendrán
preferencia, en el orden siguiente, para obtener
estas concesiones :
Primera.- Los autorizados legalmente para
explotar los fundos petrolíferos colindantes
con las zonas federales.
Segunda . Los propietarios del terreno colin
dante, cuando no haya sido otorgada la con
cesión para explotar el subsuelo de dicho
terreno .
Tercera . Los explotadores propietarios de
los terrenos situados a menos de dos kilóme
tros de la zona federal, que justifiquen dispo
ner de la extensión suficiente para establecer
los tanques de almacenamiento y las demás
instalaciones necesarias para la explotación del
subsuelo del tramo de zona federal que se les
conceda.
III. La duración de las concesiones será
de diez años .
IV. Las solicitudes para obtener estas con
cesiones, se publicarán y tramitarán en la
misma forma que la establecida para el denun
cio de los terrenos petrolíferos.
V. Tratándose de concesiones solicitadas
por empresas o particulares, que no tengan el
derecho de preferencia conforme a los artícu
los anteriores, la longitud máxima de zona
federal que se les concederá para su explota
ción, no excederá de diez kilómetros.
VI.- No podrán concederse para su explota
ción los tramos de zona federal respecto a los
cuales esté en vigor algún contrato, concesión
o permiso legítimo para su ocupación transi
toria.
VII. Los concesionarios presentarán , dentro
de un plazo de seis meses, contados desde la
fecha de la concesión , un plano de la zona
concedida, de acuerdo con los límites fijados
en la concesión.
VIII. Los concesionarios deberán perforar,
dentro de los cinco años siguientes a la fecha
de su concesión , cuando menos un pozo por
cada dos kilómetros de zona concedida O
fracción mayor de un kilómetro . El primero
de esos pozos lo terminarán en el primer año
de la vigencia de la concesión.
La obligación de los concesionarios , por lo
que se refiere a cada uno de los pozos men
cionados , quedará satisfecha con la termina
ción de un pozo productivo, o con la perfo
media de los productivos en la región inme
diata.
IX.-La localización de los pozos y de las
instalaciones indispensables para su perfora
ción, estará sujeta a la aprobación de la Secre
taría de Industria, Comercio y Trabajo. Todas
las instalaciones tendrán el carácter de tempo
rales, debiéndose retirarlas tan pronto como
sea posible, sin perjuicio de la marcha de los
trabajos.
X.-Los concesionarios pagarán :
Primera.-Una renta anual de cien pesos por
kilómetro o fracción de zona federal concedida.
Segunda - Una participación sobre la pro
ducción diaria del petróleo que se extraiga de
los pozos perforados en la zona concedida, que
variará de la manera siguiente :
Por los primeros 1,000 metros cúbicos o
menos de producción diaria, 5 por ciento ; el
excedente de 1,000 hasta 2,000 metros cúbicos
de producción diaria, 10 por ciento ; el exce
dente de 2,000 hasta 5,000 metros cúbicos de
producción diaria, 15 por ciento ; el excedente
de 5,000 metros, 20 por ciento.
Para liquidar la participación correspon
diente a cada mes, se calculará la producción
diaria media del mismo mes.
21
XI.-El Gobierno tendrá derecho de exigir
la participación que le corresponde, bien en
efectivo o en especie. Para el pago efectivo ,
se valuará el petróleo en el lugar de la pro
Si el Gobierno optare por recibir su partici
pación en especie, los concesionarios solamente
tendrán obligación de conservarla almacenada
en sus tanques, durante los quince días si
guientes al de la liquidación.
XII. Si los concesionarios no extrajeren ,
durante un mes, una cantidad de petróleo
equivalente al 50 por ciento de la capacidad
productora de sus pozos , el Gobierno podrá
extraer, por su cuenta, la participación que le
corresponde, basada en la misma capacidad
productora.
XIII. Para el objeto anterior, los inspecto
res del Gobierno medirán cada mes, en presen
cia de los empleados de los concesionarios, la
capacidad_productora de los pozos.
XIV. Los concesionarios garantizarán el
cumplimiento de sus obligaciones, con un de
pósito de mil pesos por cada kilómetro o
fracción mayor de quinientos metros de zona
federal concedida. Este depósito se les de
volverá una vez que obtengan el primer pozo
productivo, el cual servirá, como los demás
que perforen en lo sucesivo , como garantía del
cumplimiento de sus obligaciones.
XV.- Los plazos señalados en esta con
cesión, se suspenderán en caso fortuito o de
fuerza mayor que impida directamente y en
lo absoluto el cumplimiento de las obligaciones
estipuladas, pudiendo en tal caso la Secretaría
de Industria, Comercio y Trabajo prorrogar
dichos plazos por el tiempo que considere
necesario.
Para que los concesionarios puedan usar de
esta gracia, deberán justificar ante dicha Sec
retaría, presentando las pruebas respectivas , el
caso fortuito o de fuerza mayor que les haya
impedido o les impida el cumplimiento de sus
obligaciones. El aviso y la justificación ante
la Secretaría, del caso de fuerza mayor, deberá
hacerse dentro del plazo de un mes, contado
desde el día en que se presente dicho caso
fortuito.
XVI.- Los concesionarios tendrán derecho
para establecer tuberías que conduzcan el
petróleo de los pozos a las estaciones de alma
cenamiento, así como para establecer en las
vías fluviales a que corresponda la zona con
cedida, los muelles necesarios para la explo
tación, de acuerdo con las condiciones que
impongan las Secretarías de Comunicaciones y
Obras Públicas, de Hacienda y Crédito Público
y de Guerra y Marina.
XVII.- La Secretaría de Industria, Comer
cio y Trabajo, por medio de sus inspectores,
podrá examinar la contabilidad relacionada
con la explotación de los pozos motivo de estas
concesiones, cada vez que lo estime conve
niente.
XVIII.-En caso de que una necesidad
pública imperiosa lo exija, los concesionarios
se obligan a vender al Gobierno Federal la
producción de sus pozos, al precio que se
fijará en la misma forma estipulada en la
fracción undécima.
XIX. Para todo lo que no esté especial
mente prevenido en estas bases, los concesiona
rios estarán sujetos a todas las leyes, regla
mentos y disposiciones administrativas que
rijan la industria petrolera.
XX.- Los concesionarios deberán efectuar
la explotación de las zonas federales, sin
perjuicio de la navegación y del uso común a
que están destinadas. Estarán obligados a
indemnizar por los perjuicios ocasionados, de
acuerdo con las leyes federales que rijan en
la materia.
XXI.-En ningún caso podrán los conce
sionarios hipotecar, traspasar, ni en manera
alguna enajenar las concesiones o algunos de
los derechos y franquicias contenidos en ellas
a alguna sociedad , Gobierno o Estado extran
jeros, ni admitirlos como socios , declarándose
nula y sin valor alguno cualquiera operación
que se hiciere en ese sentido . Tampoco podrán
(Sigue en la pagina 48)
 *
22 THE
American Viewpoint Changes
Editors of Newspapers Show Greater Appreciation of Mexican
Friendship and Most Are Sympathetic Toward Recognition
MERICAN editorial comment on Mex
ico during the past three months, in
Α general, has been notably more opti
mistic as to that country's future, and some
what more sympathetic in appreciation of her
difficulties in effecting reconstruction than
heretofore during the many troubled years of
revolution ; though, there is not wanting a con
siderable and influential minority of news
paper editors who refuse to concede the pos
sibility that "Any good can come from Naz
areth." Of these, the Hearst newspapers , as
usual, are the leaders, their editor-in-chief,
Arthur Brisbane, asking frankly, "Will Hard
ing extend the territory of the United States.
south as far as the other side of the Panama
Canal, thus conferring a great blessing on
every foot of Mexico ? What a wonderful op
portunity for a man who has the richest coun
try in the world and one hundred and five mil
lions of people to work with !"
Possibly it was the sheer brutality of such
a plea that brought upon this writer the prompt
condemnation of other editors throughout the
country, especially from those of the smaller
dailies whose publishers are in close personal
touch with the rank and file of American citi
zenship. "Hearst's Private War," is the head
ing over the Bridgeport ( Conn . ) Post's de
nunciation of the proposal . "As for going
down there with the sword and cleaning up
Mexico-let Willie do it if he wants to. He
can have a war, but it must be private," de
clares the Connecticut editor. "One of the
most astoundingly un-American comments
which have followed the election," is the Au
gusta Herald's characterization of the Brisbane
pronunciamento. Scores of papers echo the
Herald's sentiments .
The Mexican government's stand in refus
ing to compromise its dignity or promise the
ads
Gr
surrender of national interests in order to se
cure recognition of other nations is widely
commended by editors of diverse political af
filiations . The Dallas ( Tex. ) News, one of
the most powerful dailies of the Southwest,
characterizes as "presumptuous" Senator Al
bert B. Fall's attempt, in an interview given a
correspondent of a Mexico City newspaper, to
prescribe conditions upon which the United
States might accord recognition . "President
de la Huerta's announcement that the Mexican
government will not exchange diplomatic rep
resentatives with any country under conditions
which will lessen respect for Mexico, defines a
position which any nation would take in any
emergency which left it free to act as it
pleased," comments the Detroit ( Mich. ) Free
Press, representative of opinion in the great
Middle West. In the East, the conservative
Boston (Mass . ) Transcript declares, "No na
tion, and especially no American republic, can
fail to sympathize with the spirit of Provi
sional President de la Huerta's announcement
of his attitude toward the recognition of Mex
ico by foreign powers ."
Something of novelty is introduced into the
discussion by the Anaconda ( Mont. ) Standard
MEXICAN REVIEW
in an editorial captioned "Canada's Bad Side,"
wherein it is suggested that conditions along
the Northern border of the United States are
becoming more troublous than the Southern
border ever was. "Whether Mexico and Can
ada are good neighbors depends on the point
of view,” says this editor. "The drys protest
that it is far from neighborly for them to
smuggle whiskey into the United States, an
opinion that of course is controverted by the
wets. Not so much is heard from Mexico
these days, but complaints are increasing in
number and emphasis that the Canadians are
putting across the border worse things than
the murderous old Villa raids ever were." The
editorial cites some flagrant instances of drug
smuggling and notes other facts in support of
its position .
In an editorial digest on the geral subject
of Mexican recognition the Nashville ( Tenn . )
Banner finds hope as the keynote and opinion
in general agreement with that of the New
Orleans ( La. ) Daily States, quoting as fol
lows :
"Secretary Colby's statement foreshadowing
early recognition of the New Mexican govern
ment and asserting that the Mexican question
will soon cease to be a question will be wel
comed by the whole country."
The San Antonio Light (Ind . ) recalls that
"in defining the policy of the United States
toward the new regime over the river the state
department said that not only willingness, but
ability to cope with domestic problems affect
ing this country must be demonstrated by the
officials of the Mexican government." In the
opinion of the Light, "Mexico has gone as far
as she can in her present status toward the
end the state department had in view. That
she cannot go much farther without the recog
nition she craves must be obvious to all who
realize Mexico's dependence upon her northern
neighbor."
An interesting picture of present conditions
in Mexico is given by a border paper, the El
Paso Times (Dem. ) :
"Everywhere in the southern republic mines
are being reopened , factories and other institu
tions owned by Americans and foreigners of
other nationalities are resuming operations and
business is booming. * * * On all sides
there are signs of a general confidence that the
period of strife and turmoil is at an end.
Everywhere there is the utmost confidence that
the new government is permanent, but it is
universally recognized that the one thing
needed to assure its permanence is the recog
nition of the United States, which is sure to
be followed by that of the nations of Europe.
*
* * Without recognition business is boom
ing in Mexico and little difficulty is found in
obtaining the necessary capital to finance al
most any legitimate private enterprise ; but the
government is cut off from the foreign money
market, and is therefore helpless to under
take the work of caring for its external debts."
For this reason, the Times concludes, recog
nition "should not be delayed a day longer than
t
I
February, 1921
necessary." Other papers whose familiarity
with Mexican conditions comes of close con
tact also contend that the new government de
serves recognition . The San Francisco Chron
icle (Ind. ) believes that Obregon "realizes that
Mexico cannot develop without the friendly aid
of the United States, and has given abundant
evidence of sincere intent to win that aid by
creating the essential conditions in stability at
home and good feeling abroad ." And to the
Dallas News (Ind. Dem. ) "there seems to
no real reason why recognition should be
longer withheld."
The new government, as the New York
World (Dem. ) sees it, is one "which reflects
the country's weariness of internal disorder
and of organized enmities toward friendly
neighbors. * * And it is a government
which is not only willing and anxious to prove
its friendly attitude, but which is in a position
to give guarantees with regard to its inter
national obligations." While not sharing comFJ
pletely the world's estimate of the new regime,
the Philadelphia Bulletin ( Ind . Rep. ) holds
that "any honest attempt at decent government
in Mexico deserves recognition and coopera
tion on the part of the United States." Mr.
Colby's move "toward recognition," the New
York Globe ( Ind. ) thinks, "simply registers
the confidence which half a year of surprising
tranquillity has engendered," and the Pittsburgh
Dispatch (Ind . ) adds that "the United States
and the world outside will be glad if Colby's
appraisal of the new Mexican regime comes
anywhere near fulfillment."
Recognition by the United States will mean,
the Fort Wayne (Ind. ) Journal Gazette
(Dem.) believes, "that for the first time in al
most a decade the republic to the south is to
be placed in a position internationally where
she may rehabilitate herself politically, com
mercially and financially. * * * With the
new regime recognized, the jingoes will be
handicapped and the once friendly feeling, with
all that it means of legitimate profit to both
countries, will be restored." The Indianapolis
News (Ind. ) also believes that "it will be a'
great thing for the two nations and for the
world to be rid of the Mexican problem," and
expresses confidence that "the re-establishment
of diplomatic relations with the United States
will strengthen the forces for law and order
and will also open the way for our people to
help in the work of rebuilding the country."
In the rehabilitation and stability of Mexico,
and the promise of recognition, some writers
see the triumph of the Wilson policy toward
the turbulent republic. The Richmond (Va.)
Times-Dispatch ( Dem. ) is one of these. It
notes the "evidences of friendship " which is
growing up in Texas, "which has suffered most
from the lawlessness heretofore prevailing,"
and "assurances as to improved conditions,"
and asserts :
"Thus the policy of ' watchful waiting' has
been vindicated under a test that sorely tried
the patience of the American people. And the
supporters of that policy will not be lacking in
appreciation of the statement of Mr. Pesquiera
that the Mexican people have come to a ' deep
and lasting appreciation of what Mexico owes
to the idealism of President Wilson, so nobly
and patiently exhibited in the unhappy years
during which our oppressed millions fought
 {
Le
Febrero , 1921 LA REVISTA MEXICANA
Cambia de Criterio la Prensa Norteamericana
Los Editores Norteamericanos se Muestran Más Inclinados Hacia
la Amistad de México y en su Mayor Parte Simpatizan con el
Reconocimiento del Gobierno .
OS comentarios de la prensa norteamericana que cualquier nación digna adoptaría en una
respecto de México en los tres últimos situación que le permitiera obrar con libertad,"
L meses ha sido, en general, mucho más comenta La Prensa Libre de Detroit, Michigán,
optimista en lo que se refiere al futuro de porta-voz de la opinión pública del gran terri
dicho país y, en cierto modo, estiman hoy con torio que se extiende hacia la parte media del
más simpatía sus dificultades para llevar a Oeste. En el Este, el periódico conservador
cabo la obra de reconstrucción que antes, Reproducción, de Boston, Massachusetts, de
►
cuando los prolongados y calamitosos años de clara : "Ningun país y especialmente ninguna
revolución, sin embargo de que no falta una república americana puede dejar de simpatizar
buena e influyente minoría de editorialistas con el alto espíritu de dignidad que encierra
que´rehusan admitir la posibilidad de que “algo la declaración del Presidente Provisional de
bueno pueda venir de Nazareth." Entre éstos , la Huerta con su actitud respecto al recono
los periódicos de Hearst marchan como siem cimiento de México por las naciones extran
pre a la cabeza ; su editor en jefe, Arturo jeras."
Brisbane, pregunta aún con todo descaro : El periódico El Estandarte de Anaconda
"¿ Extenderá Harding las fronteras Sur de (Montana ) ha aportado alguna novedad a la
los Estados Unidos hasta el otro lado del discusión con su editorial intitulado "El lado
Canal de Panamá, confiriendo de esta suerte malo del Canadá, " en el cual sugiere que las
una gran bendición sobre cada pié de terreno condiciones que prevalecen en la frontera
mexicano? ¡ Cuán maravillosa oportunidad Norte de los Estados Unidos se hacen más
para un hombre que posee el país más rico dificultosas de lo que fueron las de la frontera
de la tierra y ciento cinco millones de habitan del Sur. "Que México y el Canadá sean
tes para explotarla !" buenos vecinos, depende del punto de vista
Probablemente la abrupta rudeza de seme desde que se considere el asunto," dice el edi
jante barbaridad fué la que acarreó a seme tor. "Los partidarios del ' estado seco' sostie
jante escribidor la inmediata condenación de nen que está muy lejos de una buena
muchos editores y escritores de todas partes del vecindad el permitir la introducción clandes
país, especialmente de los más pequeños diarios, tina de bebidas alcohólicas (whiskey ) en
cuyos editores se hallan en personal contacto territorio de los Estados Unidos, opinión que
con la gente de tropa de la ciudadanía ame desde luego la combaten los del estado
ricana. "La guerra privada de Hearst," así mojado.' Ya no se oye hablar tanto de México
la titula El Correo de Bridgeport, diario de en estos días, pero, en cambio, las quejas
Connecticut, al denunciar semejante despro aumentan en cantidad e intensidad sobre los
pósito. "En cuanto a dar una limpieza general desórdenes que los canadenses están realizando
en México con la espada desenvainada, deje de una a otra parte de la frontera, cosas
mos a Guillermito que lo haga por sí sólo, mucho peores que las pasadas correrías de
si es que asi lo quiere. Nadie le impide hacer Francisco Villa." El editorialista cita algunos
esa guerra ; pero debe ir a hacerla por su escandalosos ejemplos de contrabando de
propia cuenta," declara el editor de Connecti drogas y señala otros hechos en apoyo de sus
cut. aseveraciones.
"Es uno de los más escandalosos artículos, En un razonado editorial que trata del
del todo opuesto al sentimiento americano tópico general del reconocimiento de México,
surgido después de las elecciones," así califica el periódico Bandera de Nashville, de Nash
El Heraldo de Augusta ( Gálveston ) el "pro ville, Tennessee, encuentra en la esperanza la
nunciamiento" de Brisbane. Otros muchos clave del asunto y juzga la opinión pública de
periódicos se han hecho cco de los sentimien entero acuerdo con el periódico Diario de los
tos de El Heraldo . Estados, de New Orleans, Luisiana, del que
La firme actitud del Gobierno Mexicano de cita los siguientes conceptos :
rehusar comprometer su dignidad o de sub "Las declaraciones del Secretario de Estado
ordinar los intereses nacionales para obtener Mr. Colby serán muy bien acogidas por todo
el reconocimiento de las demás naciones , ha el país, pues sintetizan un pronto reconoci
sido comentada extensa y laudatoriamente por miento del nuevo gobierno de México y
los editores de diversas filiaciones políticas. aseguran que la cuestión mexicana muy pronto
El periódico Noticias de Dallas (Texas ) , cesará de ser una "cuestión."
uno de los más poderosos diarios del Suroeste, La Luz de San Antonio, periódico indepen
califica de "presuntuosa" la tentativa del sena diente, hace constar "que al definir la política
dor Alberto B. Fall, expresada en una entre de los Estados Unidos en favor del nuevo
vista que concedió a un corresponsal de un régimen que existe al otro lado del río Bravo,
periódico de la ciudad de México, de prescribir el Departamento de Estado declaró que se
condiciones bajo las que el gobierno de los necesita no solo buena voluntad sino tambien
Estados Unidos otorgaría el reconocimiento . gran habilidad para hacer frente a los proble
"La declaración del ex- Presidente de la mas domésticos que afectan a México , por
Huerta, relativa a que el Gobierno Mexicano parte de los representantes de su gobierno."
no cambiará representantes con ninguna nación En opinión de este periódico de San Antonio,
bajo condiciones que degradaran el respeto "México , dentro de lo posible, ha alcanzado
debido a México, determina el punto de vista en su estado legal actual la finalidad que ha
23
venido persiguiendo el Departamento de Esta
do. "Que nó puede hacer ya más sin el
reconocimiento que pretende, es asunto que
debe ser evidente para todos cuantos compren
dan la interdependencia de México con su
vecina república del Norte."
Un periódico democrático de la frontera, El
Tiempo de El Paso , ofrece una interesante
descripción de las condiciones actuales de Mé
xico cuando dice :
"Por todas partes en la república del Sur
las minas abren de nuevo sus labores ; las
fábricas y otras instituciones de propiedad
norteamericana y extranjera están reanudando
sus operaciones , y todos los negocios prosperan
notablemente. En toda la república existe la
confianza general de que el período de con
tienda y disturbios ha tocado a su fin . En
todas partes , en fin, se tiene la mayor con
fianza en que el nuevo gobierno es fuerte y
estable ; pero todo el mundo reconoce tambien
que el reconocimiento de los Estados Unidos
sería un buen factor para asegurar la estabili
dad de dicho gobierno, reconocimiento que sería
seguido por el de todas las naciones europeas .
Aún sin el reconocimiento , el comercio está
prosperando en México y casi no existen difi
cultades para obtener el capital necesario para
financiar cualquier empresa particular legíti
ma ; mas el gobierno prácticamente se encuen
tra segregado del mercado de las finanzas
extranjeras y, consecuentemente, imposibilitado
para hacer frente al servicio de su deuda ex
terior."
"Por esta razón , infiere El Tiempo, el
reconocimiento no debe demorarse un solo día
más del necesario." Otros periódicos , cuya
familiaridad con las condiciones mexicanas
viene del estrecho contacto que con ellas
tienen, tambien sostienen que "el gobierno de
México merece el reconocimiento." El perió
dico La Crónica de San Francisco, indepen
diente, cree que "Obregón ha comprendido que
México no podría desarrollarse plenamente
sin la amigable ayuda de los Estados Unidos
y ha dado completa evidencia de un sincero
deseo de esa ayuda, creando las condiciones
esenciales de estabilidad interior del país y
dando una buena impresión en el extranjero ."
Y para Noticias de Dallas, diario indepen
diente democrático, "no se ve que exista razón
alguna para que el reconocimiento sea demo
rado por más tiempo ."
El nuevo gobierno , a juicio del periódico
democrático El Mundo de New York "refleja
el cansancio del país de sus desórdenes inte
riores y de la política de oposición sistemada
hacia una vecindad amigable. Y es un go
bierno que no solo está inspirado de la mejor
buena voluntad y ansioso de demostrar su
actitud amistosa, sino que se halla en condi
ciones de prestar garantías respecto de sus
obligaciones internacionales."
Aún cuando no está completamente esparcida
por el mundo la bondad del nuevo gobierno,
el periódico Boletín de Filadelfia ( indepen
diente republicano ) , sostiene que "cualquier
intento honrado por establecer un gobierno
serio en México , merece el reconocimiento y
la cooperación de los Estados Unidos. "
Respecto de la inclinación de Mr. Colby
"hacia el reconocimiento," El Globo de New
York piensa que "simplemente indica la con
fianza que medio año de sorprendente tranC
24 THE
against the injustices that weighed them down
for centuries."
Disclaiming that any credit for improved
conditions in Mexico belongs to the "Wilson
policy," the Providence Journal ( Ind. ) be
lieves that "the order that is reappearing is a
consequence of Mexico's utter exhaustion from
strife. * * * Anarchy has burned itself
out."
Connecting Secretary Colby's announcement
with George Creel's recent trip to Mexico, as
do a number of other writers, the Worcester
Gazette ( Ind. ) feels that while "perhaps the
new Mexican government should be recognized
forthwith * * * we must admit that we never
could be convinced" that such recognition
should follow "just because Mr. Creel has
taken a flying trip down there, held a six-hour
chat with President de la Huerta, and, presto,
finds Mexico is all right and America all
wrong."
Further Interesting Comment
ENERAL ALVARO OBREGON be
GEcomes President of Mexico amid ac
clamations that seem to spring from deeper
sources than the crowd's proverbial fancy for
the new. Keen observers on both sides of the
Rio Grande report a business-minded as well
as popular confidence in his serving the country
with efficient patriotism. Certainly nothing of
the doctrinaire or the adventurer that all too
often bedevils a disquieted nation's leadership
has appeared in this frank-eyed soldier and
man of affairs. He professes no magic power
to cure political and economic ills, thunders
no promise of overnight reforms, plays to no
factional or chauvinistic gallery. He simply
promises honesty, justice and devotion to the
common weal .-Atlanta Journal. 1 been at work, it is of minor importance, re
Notwithstanding the rumors of factions try
ing to oust President Obregon of Mexico, there
is every sound reason for believing that his
government will be stable. All the "opposition
leaders" who are mentioned are demonstrated
failures.- St. Louis Times.
A great many Americans have a high opinion
of General Obregon. This fact is reflected in
M progress.
· a recent utterance of the Marion Star, which
refers to Obregon as primarily a business man,
a substantial man of affairs in private life and
"not a grafting politician or political adven
turer." The hope is expressed that President
Obregon will command the support of the bet
ter element in Mexico, in which event good
order will be restored and commercial relations
with Mexicans will be resumed by the people
of the United States.-Scranton (Pa.) Repub
lican.
President Obregon of Mexico takes a most
sensible course when he says that he intends
to let his administration speak for itself. · In
other words, its record will be his appeal for
recognition. If he makes good, as we all
earnestly hope he will, the desired recognition
will be gladly extended and all other favors
that go to governments that deserve them.
Bristol (Conn. ) Press.
MEXICAN REVIEW
President Obregon says Mexico must get in
tune with the world. But we thought Mexico
wanted peace.-Raleigh ( N. C. ) Times.
There can be no doubt that the feeling in
the United States today is friendly toward
President Alvaro Obregon and his new Mexi
can government. The permanent establishment
and recognition in both countries alike of this
friendship is earnestly to be desired . There
is nothing in the mailed fist for either of them.
There are wonderful business, remarkable ex
ploitations, desirable exchange of commodities
for both in a real peace-such a one as today
prevails between Canada and the United States
for instance.-Boston Post.
Not in years has the Mexican situation ap
peared so hopeful . If General Obregon realizes
the best possibilities of the next few months,
he will win esteem for himself at home and
abroad . His task is twofold : To preserve
order at home, and to meet his obligations
abroad. In both undertakings he needs con
structive support. That such good cheer
marked his inauguration seems to promise that
he will be able to command the help that he
will need- Covington (Va. ) Virginian .
While "watchful waiting" with regard to
Mexico has been the butt of many ironic jests,
the policy, in the opinion of the St. Louis Post
Dispatch, has worked out well.
"We, as well as our neighbors," says the
Post-Dispatch, "have learned a valuable lesson
from the Mexican situation. The beginning
of the new order in Mexico is in harmony
with the new order of justice, liberty and
peaceful cooperation in the world."
Commenting on the new Mexican situation,
the New York World reminds its readers that
one of President Wilson's earliest communica
tions relative to Mexico, in which he em<d
phasized the justice and wisdom of a policy
of forbearance, expressed his faith that in
better days to come the people of that dis
tracted country would themselves know and
appreciate the truth that the attitude of their
northern neighbors was inspired not by enmity,
but by an honest devotion to peace and
"In spite of usurpers and reactionaries on
one side and of demagogy and aggression by
greedy interests on the other," says the World,
"those days scemingly have arrived, and a
course of action often reviled is on the point
of splendid vindication ."
The Memphis Commercial-Appeal likewise
takes the ground that "watchful waiting" has
been vindicated, and asks, "What say the
enemies of Wilson now about that policy ?"
"The new regime in Mexico, " in the judg
ment of the Commercial- Appeal, "has given
promises that Americans will in the future be
protected in all their rights. No valid interest
will suffer. The United States in fairness and
justice can do no more than join hands with
the new Mexican Government in its determina
tion to protect the resources of its country
from improvidence, waste and exploitation.
American capital in legitimate ways will be
February, 1921
welcomed, and it can do much to restoring
Mexico back to health and strength and vigor."
While American recognition of the new
regime in Mexico has not come in time to
make it an incident of Obregon's inauguration,
as the Galveston News hoped it would, in lieu
of that has come what in the opinion' of that
paper is next best-the authoritative assurance
that all of the disagreements which stood in
the way of recognition have been composed
during the conferences that Secretary Colby
and Senor Pasqueira have been holding in
Washington.
T
The Cleveland Plain Dealer is hopeful of
Obregon, whom it describes as a hard-fisted,
clear-eyed fighting man who has always fought
on the right side, who is incorruptible and who
has no ax to grind and no rewards to hand out.
"He may fail," concedes the Plain Dealer,
"but there is every indication that he is going
to endeavor to do his best. And hitherto his
best has been distinctly good."
Referring to the statement of Obregon that
"Mexico will not ask admission to the League
of Nations, but should an invitation to mem
bership be extended by the League, it would
be given consideration, the Charleston News
and Courier says it is another indication that
Obregon is going to make a good executive
as executives go in Mexico . The attitude he
takes is considered an intelligent one by the
News and Courier.
"In view of the long-range forces that have.
marks the New York Post, whether recognition
of the Obregon regime comes from Mr. Wilson
or from Mr. Harding. The essential thing is
that on both sides there is the desire to have
Mexico at peace and at work, and that on both
sides there is the desire to make the necessary
concessions toward that end. Clearly, Obregon
wants the friendship of the United States.
Just as clearly the American people are still
determined to let Mexico have her chance."
Rehabilitating the State of Morelos
HE Mexican Government is taking prac
Tica tical steps for the agricultural rehabilita
tion of the State of Morelos, which suffered
greatly under its long occupation by the Za
patistas. Five thousand American plows have
been furnished by the Department of Agricul
ture for this purpose, and soon other imple
ments, such as rakes, seeders, harvesters , etc.,
will be provided . The highway from Mexico
City, which in former times was in common
use for automobiles making trips from the
capital to Cuernavaca, is to be reconstructed,
and the shade trees which bordered the way
are to be replanted. Ornamental trees are
being obtained from Government nurseries for
this purpose and also for the restoration of
the gardens and parks, which formerly con
tributed so much to the beauty of Cuernavaca.
An advisory local commission have been ap
pointed to give direction to the work.

Febrero , 1921 LA
quilidad ha producido" ; y el Despacho de
Pitsburg ( independente ) agrega "que los
I Estados y todo el mundo quedarían muy
agradecidos si la estimación de Mr. Colby
respecto 典 del nuevo régimen mexicano llegara
a traducirse en un pronto resultado práctico."
El reconocimiento de los Estados Unidos
significará, al sentir de los diarios El Fuerte
de Wayne ( independiente ) y La Gaceta Diaria
( democrático ) que "por primera vez, en casi
una década, la república del Sur se colocaría
en situación internacional que la permita reha
bilitarse política , financiera y comercialmente.
Con el reconocimiento del nuevo régimen, los
'jingoes' ( intervencionistas ) serían descarta
dos, quedando restaurados los sentimientos
amistosos de otros tiempos, con todo el cortejo
de legítimas ganancias para ambos países ."
El Noticiero de Indianápolis, Indiana, tam
bién es de opinión que "sería un positivo
beneficio para ambas naciones y para todo el
mundo dar solución a lo que se llama 'problema
de México " " y expresa su confianza de que
"el restablecimiento de las relaciones diplo
máticas con los Estados Unidos, fortalecerá
las tendencias hacia la ley y el orden, y tam
bien ofrecería a nuestro pueblo la oportunidad
de ayudar en la reconstrucción de ese país ."
En la rehabilitación y estabilidad de México
y la promesa del reconocimiento, algunos
escritores ven el triunfo de la política de Mr.
Wilson con la agitada república . El Despacho
del Tiempo, periódico democrático de Rich
mond, Virginia, es uno de tantos . Hace
notar "la evidencia de esa amistad," amistad
que adquiere hoy gran desarrollo en Texas,
"territorio que más ha sufrido con los des
órdenes que reinaron en otros tiempos" y
"demuestra un mejoramiento evidente de las
condiciones," agregando : "Así, la política de
'vigilante espera' ha sido vindicada bajo una
prueba que exasperó suficientemente la paciencia
del pueblo norteamericano. Y los sostenedores
de esa política no dejarán de apreciar debida
mente las declaraciones del señor Pesqueira
relativas a que "el pueblo mexicano ha alcan
zado una profunda e imperecedera compren
sión de lo que México debe al gran idealismo
del Presidente Wilson, amistad tan noble y
pacientemente demostrada durante los amargos
años en que nuestras oprimidas masas pelearon
contra las injusticias que las agobiaran por
centurias."
Desconociendo que alguna influencia en las
mejoradas condiciones de México se deba a
{ la "política Wilsoniana," El Diario de la Provi
dencia, periódico independiente, juzga que "el
orden que está resurgiendo es una conse
cuencia del agotamiento extremo de México ,
derivado de una larga contienda. La
anarquía se ha consumido por sí sola."
Relacionando la declaración del Secretario
de Estado Mr. Colby con el reciente viaje a
México del señor Jorge Creel, como buen
f número de periodista ha hecho, La Gaceta de
Worcester
r manifiesta que "aun cuando tal vez
el nuevo gobierno de México tenga qué recono
cerse sin más dilación ... debemos admitir
que nunca podremos convencernos de que tal
reconocimiento debe efectuarse "solamente
porque el señor Creel llevó a cabo un cortísi
ma visita a México, sostuvo una charla de
seis horas con el Presidente Provisional de la
} <~
2
I
REVISTA MEXICANA
Huerta y presto encontrara que México está
en lo justo y los Estados Unidos completa
mente equivocados ."
Más Comentarios Interesantes
L General don Alvaro Obregón ha llegado
Ε a la Presidencia de la República Mexi
cana en medio de aclamaciones que parecen
surgir de fuentes más profundas que la pro
verbial fantasía de las multitudes por lo nuevo.
Perpicaces observadores de ambos lados de la
ribera del Río Grande ven en él una mente de
empresa , tanto como participan de general
confianza sobre su capacidad para servir a su
país con eficiente patriotismo. Decidiamente
nada de doctrinario o del espíritu aventurero
que tan a menudo maleficia a los caudillos de
las naciones agitadas, se revela en su franca
mirada de soldado y hombre de acción. Nó
profesa el mágico poder de curar todos los
males políticos y económicos , nó clama por
trasnochadas reformas, ni representa papeles
de galería chauvinista . El simplemente pro
mete honestidad, justicia y consagramiento al
bienestar público .-Atlanta Journal.
No obstante los rumores acerca de nuevas
facciones que tratan de derrocar al Presidente
Obregón, existen indudables razones para creer
que su gobierno será estable. Todo los "liders
de la oposición" que se mencionan han de
mostrado ser unos fracasados.- St. Louis
Times.
Un gran número de americanos tiene la más
alta opinión del General Obregón. Este hecho
se refleja en los recientes conceptos del Marion
Star, quien considera a Obregón, ante todo ,
como hombre de empresa , como hombre de
valer en su vida privada , y "nunca como
político oportunista o aventurero." Se expresa
la creencia de que el Presidente Obregón con
tará con el apoyo del elemento más valiso de
México, logrando establecer el buen orden
y las relaciones comerciales de México con los
Estados Unidos.-Scranton (Pensilvania ) Rc
publican.
El Presidente de México , Obregón, se cx
presa de la manera más significativa al decir
que sólo pretende que su administración hable
por ella misma, esto es, que sus propios hechos.
se encargarán de resolver el reconocimiento de
su gobierno. Si obra bien, como ansiosamente
esperamos todos que lo hará, el deseado re
conocimiento se otorgará gustosamente , así
como todas las demás ventajas que se conceden
a los gobiernos que las merecen.-Bristol
(Connecticut) Press.
No puede existir la menor duda que el scnti
miento actual de los Estados Unidos hacia el
Presidente don Alvaro Obregón y su nuevo
gobierno mexicano es completamente amistoso.
El permanente establecimiento y reconocimien
to de esta amistad en ambos países es de
desearse ansiosamente, pues no existe nada
digno que deba enemistarlos. Realizamos allí
maravillosos negocios, notables expotaciones
industriales, deseable intercambio de ventajas
mútuas en verdadera paz, tal como acontece
ahora entre el Canadá y los Estados Unidos,
por ejemplo.- Boston Post.
25
Por muchos años no había surgido en Mé
xico una situación actual tan llena de espe
ranzas. Si el General Obregón realiza las
mejores oportunidades de los pocos meses
venideros, se conquistará la estimación personal
tanto en su país como en el exterior. Su tarea
es doble : conservar el orden en el interior y
dar cumplimiento a sus obligaciones en el
extranjero. En ambas empresas necesita
contar con apoyo constructivo . La franca
alegría que presidió el comienzo de su gobierno
parece prometer que será capáz de conquistarse
la ayuda que necesita.- Covington (Virginia)
Virginian.
Sin embargo de que la "vigilante espera"
respecto a México ha sido el blanco de fre
cuentes irónicas burlas, tal política, en concepto
del St. Louis Post-Dispatch, ha dado buenos
resultados.
"Nosotros, al igual que nuestros vecinos
dice el Post-Dispatch-hemos aprendido una
buena lección de la situación mexicana. El
comienzo del nuevo orden de cosas en México
está en armonía con el nuevo orden de justicia,
libertad y cooperación pacífica del mundo. ”
Comentando sobre la nueva situación mexi
cana, el New York World recuerda a sus
lectores que en una de las últimas comunica
ciones del Presidente Wilson relativas a Mé
xico, donde hace notar la justicia y sabiduría
de una política de tolerancia, expresa su
confianza de que en mejores días venideros el
pueblo de ese perturbado país conocerá y
apreciará la verdad acerca de la actitud de
sus vecinos del Norte, inspirada nó en la
malevolencia sino en una honesta devoción
hacia la paz y el progreso .
"A despecho de los usurpadores y reacciona
rios , por un lado , y de la demagogia y agresión
por mesquinos intereses, por el otro,-dice el
IVorld- esos días parece que han llegado, y
una conducta a menudo escarnecida, alcanza
hoy una vindicación esplendente."
The Memphis Commercial-Appeal convienc ,
asi mismo , en que la “vigilante espera” ha sido
tambien vindicada, y pregunta : "¿ Qué dicen
ahora los enemigos de Wilson acerca de dicha
política ?"
"El nuevo régimen en México- a juicio del
Commercial-Appeal-ha prometido que en ade
lante los norteamericanos serán mejor protegi
dos en sus derechos. Ningun interés legítimo
será molestado . Los Estados Unidos , en equi
dad y justicia, no pueden menos de asentir la
determinación del Gobierno Mexicano de pro
teger los recursos naturales del país contra
derroches, desperdicios o explotación imprevi
sora. El capital americano con propósitos
lícitos, será bien recibido y puede contribuir
bastante a la reconstrucción integral de Mé
xico."
Refiriéndose a la declaración de Obregón
relativa a que "México no pedirá ser admitido
en la Liga de Naciones, aunque tomaría en
consideración la invitación que para su ingreso
le extendiera la Liga," ella indica-en concepto
del Charleston News and Courier-que Obre
gón obra con el tacto de un buen gobernante.
La actitud yue ha adoptado es considerada
como inteligente por el News and Courier.

26 THE
1 Company for a minimum of 20 years.'
Light on Doheny's British Oil
What the Records Disclose as to the Organization of a
N article published in the December
MEXICAN REVIEW under the same
A caption as above-"Doheny's British
Oil Deal" -was the cause of a very em
phatic denial that "Doheny had sold out to
the British." Something, by the way, that THE
REVIEW had not charged. The editor of THE
REVIEW at once communicated with the author
of the article in question , with a request for
further elucidation , which brought forth a
reply, in part, as follows :
"In his denial Mr. Doheny probably was per
fectly justified by the facts. At least, he was
perfectly safe, as nothing short of a Congres
sional investigation- if that-could determine
what proportion of the oil production of the
Doheny companies was sold directly to Eng
land ; what proportion went there after being
sent to the United States for processing, and
what small proportion remained for American
consumers . That Mr. Doheny has denied the
formation of the British Mexican Petroleum
Company for the marketing of his Mexican
oil appears ridiculously improbable . Down
right lying, as such a denial would require,
Mr. Doheny leaves to venal publicists.
* * * * * * * Weir & Co., and is a large owner and oper 4 cial sources a more complete history of the
"The Washington Herald of December 3d con
tains a front page article by Frederic William
Wile, good-naturedly "ragging" Doheny for
his recent hobnobbing with certain British
lords, which insiders will interpret as a gentle
slap on the wrist for someone who "butted in"
with too little discretion. Why the Doheny
following should have been so excited over the
first Herald article is not exactly clear , since
it is essentially incorrect only in that it repre
sents as the organization of a new company
what was, in fact, the doubling of the capital
of a comparatively old one, legally chartered
in July, 1919, and resulting from the profitable
association of interests having root in pre-war
days.
"My first thought on receiving your note was
to go through my files and compile something
of an exhaustive history of the Doheny com
panies, especially of the British interests there
in . But what's the use, even if you would per
mit it, of monopolizing your valuable space
for an indefinite number of issues ? But the
denial reported by you, it seems to me, merits
some further recognition , which, by your
grace, may be accorded briefly, first by a quo
tation from the New York Times of July 22,
1919, as follows :
TO MARKET OIL ABROAD
Papers for British Mexican Petroleum
Company Filed
" Following the receipt of cable messages
from London, it was announced in the finan
cial district yesterday that articles of incorht
poration of the British Mexican Petroleum
Company, which came into being following a
prolonged visit of E. L. Doheny, head of the
Pan-American Petroleum Company, in Eng
land recently, were filed July 15. The new
$
MEXICAN REVIEW February, 1921
Has contract with the Mexican Petroleum
Deal
"Now let me quote from The Stock Ex
change Year-Book, for nearly half century
Britain's standard financial and investment an
Mixed English and American Company nual :
" BRITISH MEXICAN PETROLEUM COMPANY,
company will have an initial paid-up capital LIMITED.- Directors : Lord Pirrie, K. P., P. C.
of £2,000,000 and will function as the market (chairman) ; W. Weir, Sir T. Royden, Bart.;
ing company for Mexican petroleum products Sir P. H. McClelland, K. B. E.; J. B. R. Mor
in the Eastern Hemisphere . ton (joint managing director ) ; Sir J. T. Cur
" It is planned for the new company to own rie, K. C. B.; E. L. Doheny ( Los Angeles ) ;
a fleet of tank steamers and to have large tank E. L. Doheny, Jr. ( Los Angeles ) ; E. Walker
farms at the important European shipping (New York) ; J. M. Danzinger (Los Angeles ) ;
ports, for the bunkering of vessels with fuel L. P. Sheldon and H. G. Wylie (joint man
oil. It is also planned to construct refineries aging director ) ; executive director and secre
for the handling of crude oil from the Mex tary, Sir J. T. Currie, K. C. B.; assistant sec
ican Petroleum Company. Half of the capital retary, E. H. Davenport. Registered office :
has been subscribed by British interests and 21 Bury street, E. C. 3. The company was reg
the remainder by the Pan-American Petro istered July 15, 1919, to refine, transport and
leum Company. The contract with the Mex deal in petroleum, petroleum products and by
ican Petroleum Company runs for a period of products, and, in particular, to market in the
20 years and requires an annual purchase from Eastern Hemisphere the petroleum and petro
the Mexican company of several millions of leum products of the Mexican Petroleum Com
barrels of oil and gasoline. pany of Delaware, U. S. A., and its subsidi
""The organizers and directors of the new aries. The authorized capital is £3,000,000 in
company are Lord Pirrie, William Weir, Sir shares of £1 , £2,000,000 being A and £1,000,000
Thomas Royden, Sir Peter McClelland, Sir B, and £1,202 of the A shares and £1,000,000
James T. Currie, J. R. Morton, E. L. Doheny, of the B have been subscribed, and £200,240 8s,
H. G. Wylie, E. L. Doheny, Jr., J. M. Dan or 4s per share, called up. The company be
zinger, Elisha Walker, and L. P. Sheldon. ing a private one, further information is not
Sir Alexander McGuire and W. A. White will obtainable, but this is official .'
act as alternates for the American directors
residing away from Great Britain. "Some day it may be interesting to compile
*(
'Lord Pirrie, who is chairman of the new from the columns of the financial and trade
company, is the head of the shipbuilding firm press, British Orders in Council, American
of Harland and Wolff and a director of the
International Mercantile Marine Company. War Industries Board rulings, records of the
William Weir is head of the firm of Andrew United States Shipping Board and other offi
ator of ships . E. L. Doheny is president and Doheny companies, but this seems sufficient
H. G. Wylie a vice president of the Mexican for the present ."
oil supplying companies. The former is vice
chairman and the latter managing director of
the British Mexican Petroleum Co. Sir
Further Light on the Matter
Thomas Royden is deputy chairman of the
Cunard Steamship Company. Sir Peter Mc As casting some additional light on the sub
Clelland is the senior partner of Duncan, Fox ject, the Editor of THE REVIEW quotes from
& Co. Sir James Currie is a director of the the Wall Street Journal, which is sponsor for
United Baltic Company and will be executive an article on the matter from which the fol
director of the new company. Elisha Walker lowing is taken :
is a partner of William Salomon & Co., New
York, and L. P. Sheldon is a partner of Salo "An important meeting of the directors and
mon & Co., London, which firms have acted executive heads of the British Mexican Petro
Petroleum
as bankers for both the Mexican leum Co., the English subsidiary of the Pan
and Pan-American Companies.' American Petroleum and Transport Co. which
supplies the White Star and Cunard lines with
"Some list of titled dignitaries, eh ! And,
fuel oil was held at the Hotel Plaza Saturday.
what is more to the point, representative of "The representatives from Great Britain who
scads of filthy lucre, believe me ! Well worthy attended were : Lord Pirrie, chairman of the
of the Times' lavish expenditure of capitals board of directors of the British Mexican
company ; Lord Inverforth, Sir James Currie,
in designating their official positions, don't you
Sir Alexander Maguire and L. P. Sheldon,
think ? And the humble W. Weir, above men
directors ; and E. H. Davenport, assistant sec
tioned, since has become Lord Inverforth . retary.
Published in so conservative and authoritative "The American representatives who met with
a newspaper as the New York Times eighteen them were E. L. Doheny, Herbert G. Wylie,
months ago and never refuted, the above J. M. Danzinger, Elisha Walker, Dean Emory
and E. L. Doheny, Jr.
quoted item would seem sufficient to establish
"Much importance is attached to this meet
the facts satisfactorily for the average reader. ing, from the fact that Lord Pirrie is head of
But it has been mooted that a large portion of Harlan & Wolff of Belfast, who built the
the public has come to be distrustful of the Olympic and Titanic, as well as of another
shipbuilding company of Glasgow, both of
daily newspapers, wherefore let me quote from which employ 45,000 men, He is also chair
a standard American authority, Moody's man of the White Star Line and of many of
Analysis of Investments, 1920, which, relating the steamship companies doing trans-Atlantic
to the British Mexican Petroleum Company, business.
"The British Mexican Petroleum Co. now
says :
has eight tankers in service and is building 12
" Incorporated in England in July, 1919, ships for the transportation of oil. Its busi
with an authorized capital of £2,000,000 (pros ness will be confined principally to the supply
pectively £4,000,000 ) , one-half subscribed by of petroleum for shipping between Great Brit
British interests and the other half by the Pan ain and the United States. The oil comes from
American Petrolcum Co. to market Mexican the wells of the Mexican Petroleum Co. (a
petroleum . Oil and gasoline in the Eastern Doheny Company) , and will be furnished to
Hemisphere from tankers and tank farms, par the British company at North United States.
ticularly the bunkering of ships with fuel oil. Atlantic ports ."
 LA
Febrero, 1921
Luz en el Caso Doheny
Lo que las Pruebas Revelan Como la Organización de una
Compañía Mixta de Intereses Ingleses y Norte Americanos
[
L artículo publicado en el número de
I
]
Diciembre de LA REVISTA MEXICANA
Ε bajo el título que antecede- "El nego
cio petrolero de Doheny en Inglaterra"
provocó la enfática negativa de que "Doheny
no había vendido a los ingleses" cosa que, a
propósito , LA REVISTA no ha imputado. El
editor de LA REVISTA Comunicó desde luego
esa negativa al autor del artículo en cuestión,
pidiéndole aún mas aclaraciones del caso, y
éste produjo la siguiente respuesta :
"La negativa del señor Doheny probable
mente está bastante de acuerdo con las
circunstancias. Por lo menos, estaba bien
seguro al hacerla, ya que ninguna próxima
investigación del Congreso si ún eso
podría determinar qué proporción de
la producción petrolera de las compañías de
Doheny fué vendida directamente a Inglaterra ,
qué proporción paró allí luego de enviarse a
los Estados Unidos para su refinamiento, y
cuál escasa porción se dejó para el consumo
de los clientes norteamericanos. Parece ridí
culo e increíble que Mr. Doheny se haya
atrevido a negar la formación de la Compañía
Petrolera México -Británica para la venta de
su aceite mexicano. Mintiendo manifiesta
mente, como semejante negativa requiere, Mr.
Doheny la entrega a los periodistas venales.
1 H. G. Wylie, E. L. Doheny (hijo) , J. M.
"El Washington Herald del 3 de Diciembre
publica en su primera página un artículo de
Federico William Wile, en el que cordialmente
1 "raja" contra Doheny por su reciente miste
rioso contacto con ciertos lores ingleses, lo
que sus paisanos calificarán como una mode
rada "caricia" para quien se "entromete" con
tan escasa discreción. Por qué habrían de
exhaltarse tanto los partidiarios de Doheny por
el primer artículo del Herald, es cosa que no se
explica claramente, ya que éste tan sólo difiere
en que presenta como la organización de una
nueva compañía, lo que de hecho es sólo una
ampliación de capital de otra comparativa
mente antigua, constituída legalmente en Julio
de 1919, y que es el resultado de una lucrativa
asociación de intereses, que se remonta desde
los precursores días de la guerra.
"Mi primera intención al recibir su nota fué
revisar mis legajos y compilar algo de la de
tallada historia de las compañías de Doheny,
especialmente de los intereses británicos con
ellas relacionados. ¿ Pero qué beneficio re
portaría en el supuesto caso de que Ud
I Muy dignos del derroche de dinero invertido
accediera- el llenar exclusivamente con ella
las importantes y necesarias páginas de su
REVISTA, por un indefinido número de edi
ciones ? Sin embargo, la negativa a que se
refiere me parece que puede reconsiderarse en
> algo, lo que, en obsequio a Ud , concederemos
brevemente, comenzando por una cita del New
York Times del 22 de Julio de 1919, a saber :
}
REVISTA MEXICANA
"VENTA DE ACEITE EN EL
EXTERIOR
"Se han Formalizado los Títulos de la
Compañía Petrolera México - Británica
"De acuerdo con los mensajes del cable veni
dos de Londres, se anunció ayer en el distrito
financiero que el 15 de Julio se extendieron
los títulos para la incorporación legal de la
Compañía Petrolera México-Británica, que
surgió con motivo de la prolongada reciente
visita de Eduardo L. Doheny a Inglaterra,
Jefe de la Compañía Petrolera Pan-Ameri
cana. La nueva compañía contrará con un
capital inicial, ya cubierto, de 2,000,000 de
libras esterlinas y actuará como la compañía
negociante de los productos petroleros mexi
canos en el hemisferio oriental.
"La nueva compañía tiene en proyecto la
posesión de una flota de buques-tanques, asi
como la creación de grandes estaciones de
tanques-depósitos en los más importantes
puertos de embarque europeos, para alimentar
de aceite combustible los barcos. Tambien se
pretende la construcción de refinerías para la
transformación del aceite crudo de la Com
pañía Petrolera Mexicana. La mitad del capi
tal ha sido suscrito por intereses británicos y
el resto por la Compañía Petrolera Pan
Americana . El contrato con la Compañía
Petrolera Mexicana regirá por un período de
20 años y establece la compra anual a la Com
pañía mexicana de varios millones de barriles
de petróleo y gasolina.
"Los organizadores y directores de la nueva
compañía son : Lord Pirrie, William Weir, Sir
Thomas Royden, Sir Peter McClelland . Sir
James T. Currie, J. R. Morton, E. L. Doheny,
Danzinger, Elisha Walker y L. P. Sheldon .
Sir Alejandro McGuire y W. A. White fungi
rán como suplentes de los directores norteame
ricanos residentes fuera de Inglaterra.
"Lord Pirrie, Jefe de la nueva compañía, es
tambien Jefe de la firma constructora de
buques Harland y Wolff y Director de la
Compañía Marinera Mercantil Internacional.
William Weir es Jefe de la firma Andrew
Weir y Cía. y gran propietario y agente de
.buques. Eduardo L. Doheny y H. G. Wylie
son el Presidente y Vicepresidente, respectiva
mente, de las compañías abastecedoras del
petróleo mexicano. El primero nombrado es
segundo Jefe y el segundo Director-Gerente
de la Compañía Petrolera México -Británica.
Sir Thomas Royden es Jefe-Comisario de la
Compañía de Vapores Cunard. Sir Peter
McClelland es socio fundador de la Duncan,
Fox & Cía. Sir James Currie es Director de
la Compañía Unida del Báltico y será el Di
rector Ejecutivo de la nueva compañía. Elisha
Walker es socio de la firma William Salomon
& Cía., de New York, y L. P. Sheldon es socio
de la Salomon y Cía. , de Londres, cuyas firmas
actuán como banqueras de las compañias
Petrolera Mexicana y Pan-Americana."
Buena lista de tituladas dignidades, eh ? I
lo que es más, representantes genuinos de los
grandes acaparadores del inmundo lucro !
por el Times para conseguir esas oficiales
dignidades, verdad ? I el oscuro W. Weir, ya
referido, desde entonces llegó a Lord In
verforth. La anterior información , publicada
en periódico tan conservador y autorizado
como El Times , hace diez y ocho meses, y
jamás refutada, parece suficiente para dejar
establecidos satisfactoriamente los hechos para
27
la mayoría de los lectores. Mas como buena
parte del público ha llegado a dudar de las
informaciones de la prensa diaria, me permitiré
citar a una reconocida autoridad norteameri
cana, el "Moody's Analysis of Investments,"
de 1920, que con referencia a la Compañía
Petrolera México-Británica, dice :
"Fué incorporada en Inglaterra en Julio de
1919, con un capital autorizado de 2,000,000 de
libras esterlinas ( extensivo a 4,000,000 ) , la
mitad suscrito por los intereses británicos y
la otra por la Compañía Petrolera Pan
Americana, a fin de vender el petróleo y gaso
lina mexicanos en el hemisferio oriental por
medio de tanques y estaciones de tanques
depósitos , y particularmente para alimentar de
petróleo combustible los buques. Tiene un
contrato con la Compañía Mexicana de Petró
leo por un plazo mínimo de 20 años .
Ahora citaremos al "The Stock Exchange
Year-Book," por mas de media centuria el
principal representante de las finanzas e in
versiones inglesas :
"Compañía Petrolera México - Británica, limi
tada.- Directores : Lord Pirrie, K. P., P. C.
(Jefe ) ; W. Weir, Sir T. Royden, Sir P. H.
McClelland, K. B. E.; J. B. R. Morton (Di
rector-Gerente ) , Sir J. T. Currie, K. C. B .;
E. L. Doheny (Los Angeles ) . E. L. Doheny
(hijo ) , ( Los Angeles ) ; L. P. Sheldon y H. G.
Wylie (Director- Gerente ) , Director Ejecutivo
y Secretario, Sir L. T. Currie, K. C. B.;
Secretario ayudante, E. H. Davenport. Domi
cilio legal : 21 Bury Street, E. C. 3. La com
pañía fué registrada el 15 de Julio de 1919
para el refinamiento, transporte y comercio de
petróleo, sus productos y, en particular, para
la venta en el hemisferio oriental de petróleo
y productos derivados , de la Compañía Petro
lera Mexicana de Delaware, Estados Unidos,
y sus subsidiarias. El capital autorizado es de
3,000,000 de libras esterlinas, en acciones de a
una libra esterlina, siendo 2,000,000 de la serie
A y 1,000,000 de la serie B ; de éstas 1,202 de
la serie A y 1,000,000 de la serie B han sido
suscritas, y 200,240 de 4 y 8 libras por acción,
deberán suscribirse. Como la compañía es de
carácter privado, no han podido obtener se
mayores informes, pero los anteriores datos
son oficiales."
Sería interesante compilar algun día de la
prensa comercial y financiera, asi como de los
datos oficiales del Consejo de Ordenes Bri
tánico, Junta Norteamericana de Industrias de
la Guerra, Junta de Embarques de los Estados
Unidos y otras fuentes oficiales, una historia
más completa de las compañías de Doheny.
Creo, sin embargo, que lo expuesto será sufi
ciente por ahora ."
Más luz Sobre el Asunto
El Wall Street Journal respalda un artículo
sobre el mismo asunto, del que copiamos los
siguientes párrafos :
"El sábado tuvo lugar en el Hotel Plaza una
importante reunión de los directores y jeles
de la Compañía Petrolera México-Británica,
compañía inglesa subsidiaria de la Compañía
Panamericana de Petróleo y Transportes, que
provee de aceite combustible a las líneas de
vapores Estrella Blanca y Cunard.
"Los representantes de Inglaterra que con
currieron a dicha reunión, fueron : Lord Pirric .
jefe de la Junta Directiva de la Compañía
México -Británica ; Lord Inverforth, Sir James
Currie, Sir Alejandro Maguire y L. P.
Sheldon, como directores, y E. H. Davenport,
como secretario ayudante.
"Los representantes norteamericanos que se
reunieron con ellos fueron : E. L. Doheny,
28 THE
Still Further Light
Mr. A. E. Burgess, of London , England, an
authority on petroleum matters , casts some
further light upon the matter in an article in
the Mexico City Financier and Petroleo , from
which the following excerpts are taken :
"The principal event on the London oil
share market during the past months was
the report that the British Mexican Pe
troleum Co. which was floated last July as
a private concern with a capital of £2,000,000,
will shortly be brought out as a public com
pany with a capital of £6,000,000. Among the
first directors are Lord Pirrie, chairman of
Harland & Wolff ; Sir Thomas Royden, direc
tor of the Anchor, Commonwealth and Do
minion and Cunard Steamship companies ; Sir
Peter McClelland, director of the British
Union Oil Co.; Sir James T. Currie ; E. L.
Doheny, president of the Mexican Petroleum
Co.; Herbert G. Wylie, vice president of the
Mexican Petroleum and Pan-American com
panies. The capital of the private company
was divided into A and B shares, the A shares,
being held by the British shipping interests,
and the B's by the Pan-American Petroleum
Co., and the British Union Oil Company. On
inquiry in circles associated with the concern
I was informed that the statement that the
company would be floated in the near future
as a public concern was at least premature ,
but it is generally understood that Mr. Do
heny's intention is to increase the capital to
at least £10,000,000 .
"When the head on the Mexican Petroleum
Co. formulated his plan five years ago he
said that he was not at liberty to disclose the
full terms of the agreement entered into in
England, but he said that the British interests
involved embraced virtually all the large steam
ship companies and that a revolution in the
use of marine fuel is contemplated.
* * * * * government offices took place. Now again
"The agreement with the English interests
made by Mr. Doheny involves a contract to
furnish British-Mexican Petroleum Co. with
its requirements of oil at a fixed price for a
period of 25 years. A clause in the contract
gives the right to cancel the arrangement five
years after this period. Thus, in fact, it is a
25-year contract, the first ever made in the oil
business. No information as to the exact
price has been made public but it has been de
scribed as one entirely satisfactory to the Mex
ican Petroleum Co., assuring good profits on
both oil and transportation .
* * * * * *
"While there is nothing in the legislation of
the British Mexican Petroleum to show that
it is linked up with the Shell group, it is evi
dent that at least a very close working agree
ment exists between the British Mexican and
the Shell . It will be remembered that rumor
was rife on Wall street that the combine was
buying for control. On Mr. Doheny stating
that he did not believe this to be the case it
was bluntly said by the editor of a Wall street
publication that he had positive information
quite to the contrary, while Sir Marcus Samuel
stated that the Shell combine had joined forces
with the Mexican Eagle Oil Co. and "other
large producers" in order to be able to give
security of contract to their customers through
out the world, in a manner which is not pos
sible to any other petroleum concern. It was
then inferred that the reference to the "other
large producers" was to the Doheny interests
which control the Mexican Petroleum and
Pan-American companies."
The common people of the State of Nayarit
are pleased because of the recent order of the
President of the Republic for the distribution
of communal lands among the population of
native races.
MEXICAN REVIEW
NO PARTIALITY TO INVESTORS
OF ANY NATIONALITY
Official Statement Giving Facts That
Disprove Some Widely Made Asser
tions
IC. RAFAEL ZUBARAN CAPMANY,
Secretary of the Department of In
dustry, Commerce and Labor, was recently
interviewed regarding the statement pub
lished in the foreign press that partiality
was being exhibited toward certain nation
alities as against others- specifically Amer
icans regarding oil development privileges
and concessions. He declared that such
statements were without foundation, and in
the course of the interview said :
"In the last days of the Carranza govern
ment the petroleum question had ceased to
be a practical issue. After the war every
one was willing to accept legislation such
as had been sanctioned by the many coun
tries in which petroleum had been nation
alized. Companies, large and small, had
been compelled to accept the new arrange
ments. so no one here mentioned further
the much maligned Article 27.
"But a change occurred in the adminis
tration of the country. De la Huerta was
given command and intrigues again sprung
up. These continued several months until
the intrigants discovered that the Provi
sional President intended to respect the
laws and execute them faithfully. The in
trigues again ceased and no campaign was
renewed until the last change in the high
the eternal enemies of Mexico would te
vive the old and obsolete question , trying
to overcome the President of the Republic
by means of a mercenary war carried on
through those who for pay are willing to
attack the nation .
"As to the statements alleging that the
government shows favoritism to British inJ
terests, they are as false as others fathered
by the Petroleum Association. General
Treviño when Secretary of Commerce de
clared repeatedly that in Mexico there
would be given no preference to any
nationality and that to strong companies
able to carry out their obligations, whether
English or American , every facility for
carrying on their business would be given,
conditional only on their compliance with
the just laws and regulations of the coun
try. The facts in the case can be shown
no better than by the citation of statistics
which show conclusively whether Ameri
cans have been discriminated against as
compared with the British. Take the first
two months of the year, when a total of
43 permits to drill wells were issued. Four
of these were British, only three Mexican,
while thirty-six were issued to American
companies , as below indicated :
Agwi Petroleum and Refining Company,
American, three wells ; three to the Union
Oil Company, American ; one to the Topila
Petroleum Company, American ; one to the
New York and Mahuavas Petroleum Com
pany, American ; one to the English Petro
leum Company, British ; one to the Boston
Panuco Oil Company, American ; one to
February, 1921
Otontepec Petroleum Company , American ;
two to the Mexican Gulf Oil Company,
American ; two to the International Petro
leum Company, American ; Compañía Petro
Mexican,, one well ;
lero "El Nayarit," Mexican
Compañia Petrolero " La Libertad," Mexi
can, one well ; El Aguila Company, British,
three wells ; Transcontinental Petroleum
Company, American , six wells ; Mexican
Sinclair Company, American, three wells ;
Continental Petroleum Company, Ameri
can, two wells ; A. J. Disher, one well ;
Texas Oil Company, American, four wells ;
Penn Mexico Fuel Company, American, one
well ; Tamiahua Petroleum Company, Amer
ican, one well ; Cortez Oil Corporation ,
American, two wells ; La Atlantica, one
well, and Cia. Financiero de Petroleo , ` one
well.
Message of Mexican President
ENERAL ALVARO OBREGON, Presi
G dent-elect of Mexico, wants the friend
ship and the trade of the United States. He
has sent a personal message to this effect to
the people and the merchants of this country
through a consul-general of his own selection,
who has arrived in San Francisco as repre
sentative of the new administration. Enrique
Lieken, faithful follower and personal friend
of the President-elect, is the bearer of the mes
sage which he gave jointly to Pan Pacific
Magazine and the San Francisco Bulletin in
the following statement on the day he entered
upon his new duties as chief of the consulate
general in San Francisco :
"I wish to assure the business men, bankers
and citizens of San Francisco and California
that General Obregon entertains the greatest .
possible friendship for the United States , and
particularly for California and San Francisco.
General Obregon is essentially a business man,
and the greatest desire of his heart is to turn
Mexico forever from war and to the pursuits
of peace. Mexico is a country of tremendous
undeveloped and unknown resources, and the
President-elect is eager to encourage American
capital and enterprise in the development of
the natural wealth of his country. He will be
prepared to guarantee that investments in MexTown
ico will be honored and protected to the same
extent that investments in this country would
be. He will do everything within reason to
encourage a free interchange of trade across
the border and he looks to San Francisco and
California to take the leadership in that trade.
The San Francisco consulate henceforth will
be less of a political office and more of a cen
ter for facilitating industry and trade between
the two republics. I will personally welcome
inquiries at this office concerning Mexican con
ditions, requirements and opportunities ."
General Obregon will be the first business
President in the history of Mexico, and En
rique Lieken is the first business consul of
Mexico in San Francisco- for that matter, he
is the first in the United States.
Mining in the State of Durango is entering
upon a period of great activity and prosperity.
A great iron and steel company has purchased
the famous Cerro del Mercado mountain, pur
ported to be the largest single deposit of
hematite ore in the world.
}
V
 }
Febrero, 1921 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 29

Herber G. Wylie, J. M. Danzinger, Elisha los intereses ingleses comprende un contrato dente substituto se propuso respetar fielmente
Walker, Dean Emory y 1 E. L. Doheny (hijo) . ´para proveer a la Compañía Petrolera México nuestras leyes. Cesaron entonces las intrigas
"Se concede mucha importancia a esta Británica en todas sus necesidades de petróleo , y no volvió a emprenderse la campaña hasta
reunión, por el hecho de que Lord Pirrie es a un precio fijo, por el término de 25 años. que no hubo otro cambio de los altos funcio
x narios de la Federación. Ahora los eternos
el Jefe de la firma Harlan & Wolff, de Belfast, Una cláusula del contrato permite la cancela
constructura de los vapores Olympic y Titanic, ción del convenio 5 años después del venci enemigos de México vuelven a resuscitar la
asi como de otras compañías constructoras de miento de dicho plazo . Este es, de hecho , el vieja y olvidada cuestión , tratando de sorpren
vapores de Glasgow, que emplean 45,000 obre primer contrato por 25 años que se registra en der al Presidente de la República por medio
ros. Tambien es Jefe de la Línea ' Estrella el negocio petrolero. Aun no se hace público de una guerra mercenaria que no tardará en
> Blanca' y Jde muchas otras compañías de va el precio exacto fijado en ese convenio, pero ponerse perfectamente en claro y entonces se
pores que se ocupan de negocios trasatlánticos. se estima que es ampliamente satisfactorio sabrá quién paga y quién recibe el dinero para
"La Compañía Petrolera México -Británica para la Compañía Petrolera Mexicana, asegu atacar a la Nación.
tiene en la actualidad ocho tanques en servicio rándole buenos rendimientos así en el petróleo "Los datos referentes a la preponderancia
y está construyendo 12 barcos para el trasporte como en los transportes. y favoritismo a las empresas británicas son
del petróleo . Sus actividades se dedicarán "Aunque los estatutos de la Compañía Petro tan falsos como todos los que esgrimen los
principalmente al abastecimiento de petróleo lera México-Británica no hagan sospechar que miembros de la Asociación de Petroleros . El
para los embarques entre la Gran Bretaña y ésta está vinculada con el grupo Shell, es evi general Treviño, como Secretario de Industria,
los Estados Unidos, y se surte del petróleo de dente, sin embargo, que, por lo menos, existe ya lo declaró una vez y habré de repetirlo
la Compañía Petrolera Mexicana (compañía un estrecho convenio industrial entre la Mé siempre que sea necesario : 'En México no se
de Doheny ) , el que suministrará a la compa xico-Británica y el grupo Shell. Se recordará han tenido preferencias por nadie, sea de la
ñía británica en los puertos del Atlántico del el muy esparcido rumor en Wall Street de que nacionalidad que fuere, y si acaso algunas
Norte de los Estados Unidos." esta ' combinación' estaba trabajando por ad empresas extranjeras tanto norteamericanas
quirir el control. Sobre la manifestación del como inglesas han encontrado facilidad para
Más luz Todavía señor Doheny de que no creía que ésto llegara tramitar sus negocios, ha sido porque han
a ocurrir, el editor del periódico de Wall cumplido con nuestras leyes, porque no han
Mr. A. E. Burgess, de Londres, Inglaterra, Street claramente declaró que poseía positivas sido rebeldes , porque no cayeron bajo la
reconocida autoridad en asuntos petroleros, informaciones
que aseguraban totalmente lo sanción de los decretos expedidos por el Go
arroja aún más luz sobre el asunto, en un contrario, en tanto que Sir Marcus Samuel bierno."
artículo publicado en el Mexico City Financier aseguró que la combinación Shell había unido Como indicamos al principio de esta in
and # Petróleo, del que tomamos los siguientes sus fuerzas con la Compañia Mexicana de formación, para documentárnos sobre la
párrafos : Petróleo El Aguila y otros grandes producto cuestión de los negocios de británicos y norte
"El acontecimiento principal de los últimos res' a fin de poder asegurar contrato a todos americanos en materia de petróleo , se tomó al
meses en el mercado londinés de acciones pe sus clientes del mundo, en condicoines que no acaso una estadística cualquiera, ya que la
troleras fué el anuncio de que la Compañía serían factibles a nunguna otra empresa petro relación entre unos y otros negocios es siempre
Petrolera México - Británica-que entró al mer
lera. Se infirió, pues, que la alusión de ' otros semejante y, por lo mismo , para el caso lo
cado en Julio último como una empresa pri
grandes productores' se refería a los intereses mismo nos servían las estadísticas de septiem
vada, con un capital de 2,000,000 de libras de Doheny, que controlan las compañías Me
bre que las de enero.
esterlinas-muy pronto se constituirá en com xicana-Petrolera y Pan Americana.”
Tomamos las del primer bimestre del año
pañía pública, con un capital de 6,000,000 de
en curso y encontramos que fueron otorgados
libras esterlinas. Entre los principales direc
43 permisos para perforaciones de pozos, de
tores están Lord Pirrie, Jefe de la firma NINGUNA PARCIALIDAD los cuales cuatro únicamente corresponden a
Harlan & Wolff ; Sir Thomas Royden, Di EXISTE CONTRA LOS
empresas británicas, treinta y seis a norteame
rector de las Compañías de Vapores Anchor, CAPITALISTAS , SEA CUAL ricanas y tres a mexicanas, a saber :
Comonwealth y Dominion, y Cunard ; Sir FUERE SU NACIONALIDAD
Compañía Refinadora del Agwi, americana,
Peter McClelland, Director de la British Union
Declaraciones oficiales que Ofrenen tres pozos ; Union Oil Co., americana, tres
Oil Co .; Sir James T. Currie ; E. L. Doheny,
Hechos Contra Semejantes Asertos pozos ; Topila Petroleum Co. , americana, un
Presidente de la Compañía Petrolera Mexi
pozo ; Cía. Petr. New York y Mahuavas,
cana ; Herbert G. Wylie, Vicepresidente de las L Lic. don Rafel Zubarán Capmany, americana, un pozo ; English Oil Co., inglesa,
Compañía Petrolera Mexicana ; Herbert G. EsSecretario de Industria, Comercio y un pozo ; Pánuco Boston Oil Co., americana,
Wylie, Vicepresidente de las compañías Mexi Trabajo fué recientemente entrevistado con un pozo ; Petrolera Otontepec, americana, un
cana Petrolera y Pan Amerciana. El capital motivo de la afirmación publicada en la prensa pozo ; -Mexican Gulf Oil Co., americana, dos
de la compañía privada se dividió en acciones extranjera relativa a una pretendida parciali pozos ; International Pet. Co., americana, dos
de las series A y B ; las de la serie A fueron dad en favor de ciertas nacionalidades en
suscritas por los intereses embarcadores pozos ; Compañía Petrolera "El Nayarit," un
perjuicio de otras- se mencionan los norte pozo ; Compañía Petrolera "La Libertad,"
ingleses y las de la serie B por la Compañía americanos- sobre el otorgamiento de privile mexicana, dos pozos ; Compañía Mexicana de
Petrolera Pan Americana y la Compañía Compañía
gios y concesiones para la explotación del Petróleo "El Aguila," inglesa, tres pozos ;
Petrolera Británica 'Union .' En los círculos petróleo. Dicho Secretario declaró que tales Trascontinental de Petróleo, americana, seis
asociados a esa empresa se me informó que aseveraciones eran completamente infundadas,
la declaración relativa a que dicha compañía pozos ; Mexican Sinclair Pet. Co., americana ,
y en el curso de la entrevista , dijo : tres pozos ; Continental Mexican Petroleum
se lanzaría pronto al mercado como negocia "Desde las postrimerías del gobierno del
ción pública ha sido, por lo menos, prematura, Co., americana, dos pozos ; A. J. Discher, un
señor Carranza, el problema petrolero había
pero se acepta generalmente que la intención dejado de ser tal. Ya nadie pensaba en otra pozo ; The Texas Oil Co. of Mexico, ameri
del señor Doheny es aumentar el } capital cosa que en aceptar una legislación que ha sido cana, cuatro pozos ; La Atlántica, un pozo ;
cuando menos a 10,000,000 de libras esterlinas. sancionada después de la guerra por todos los Penn Mex Fuel Co., americana, un pozo ;
"Cuando el iniciador de la Compañía Petro países del globo , que sabiamente han nacionali Tamiahua Petr. Co., americana, un pozo ;
lera Mexicana formuló su plan, hace cinco zado su petróleo. Las compañías grandes y Cortez Oil Corp., americana, dos pozos, y Cía.
años, dijo que no estaba autorizado para pequeñas habían tenido que aceptar el nuevo Financiera de Petróleo , un pozo.
revelar todos los términos del convenio tenido estado de cosas y nadie volvió a hablar sobre
en Inglaterra, pero admitió que los intereses el calumniado artículo 27 de la Constitución.
británicos envueltos comprendían virtualmente "Pero vino el cambio del personal admini Según noticias recibidas, existen establecidos
todas las grandes compañías de vapores, y que strativo en el país ; el señor de la Huerta ciento cincuenta sindicatos católicos en la Re
se esperaba una verdadera revolución en el subió al poder y nuevamente comenzaron las pública . Esta es la prueba más elocuente de
empleo del combustible marino. la plena libertad religiosa y política que se
intrigas, que duraron sólo unos cuantos meses,
"El arreglo hecho por el señor Doheny con cuando se convencieron de que el Presi concede en México !

3
A watch '
 **

30 THE MEXICAN REVIEW February, 19211

MEXICO , ONE OF THE
STRONGEST COUNTRIES ,
FINANCIALLY
Per Capita Dcbt of $34 Compared
With $225 in this Country and $850
In Great Britain- Total National Debt,
$377,330,000.
HE budget of the Treasury Department
TH of the Republic of Mexico for the present
year includes an appropriation for the resump
tion of interest on the public debt. This mani
festation of willingness to meet its obligations
is certain to restore confidence in the actual
government and this in turn is certain to be
reflected in appreciated price quotations of
Mexican securities. Interest payments have
been suspended since 1914, so that arrears have
mounted to formidable proportions. Many
issues possess elements of unusual attractive
ness from the investment viewpoint.
Mexico stands today as one of the strongest
Mexico holds second place in crude oil pro
duction, being exceeded only by the U. S. A.
Its 1919 total of 87,400,000 barrels is expected
to fall but little short of 150,000,000 barrels in
1920 ; for the first 9 months it amounted to 103,
000,000 barrels. Export taxes amounting to
from 10.8 to 15.8 cents a barrel are collected on
these shipments .
One of the most attractive of the Mexican
Government bond issues is the Series A, Treas
urp 6's of 1913, which mature July 1 , 1923.
These bonds are secured by hypothecation of
38 per cent of the total import and export
duties of the country. The Government has
undertaken not to contract any new loan se
cured in any way upon the customs until the
bonds of the present loan are repaid. There
is therefore a strong likelihood that these bond
holders will receive an early settlement in order
MEXICAN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS
Issue Maturity Amount Issued Interest Interest Price Interest
THE RAILWAY SITUATION
EXPLAINED
President of the Board of Directors
Makes Some Interesting Statements
as to the Condition of Operation
JOAQUIN PEDRERO COR
M DOVA, President of the Board of
Directors of the National Railway lines, re
cently made an explanatory statement of
the mode of operation of the National Rail
way lines under governmental control. The
statement throws light upon many little
understood points and is full of matter of
interest. It is as follows : }
"The National Railways Company of
Mexico is organized as a limited liability
Maturity
Rate Arrears About Yield Yield

wwwww
nations of the world, financially. The burdens
Cons. Int. Silver of 1886

E554 «**
of tremendous paper money issues by the vari Perpetual $42,915,825 3 21 10 33 33 -
Int. Redeemable Bonds of 1894 . 4 % s. f. $96,615,100 35 16 31 32
ous rebel factions have been disposed of in the *Ext. Cons. Gold Loan of 1899 1945 £22,700,000 32 45 11.1 20

...
·
Ext. Gold Loan of 1904. · ·

3200000
simplest way possible ; repudiation . Europe is 1954 $7,620,773 28 30 13.3 · 13.7
*Ext. Gold Loan of 1910 1945 £10,563,780 26 36 11.1 12
now in the same stage Mexico was in two or Treasury Bonds of 1913 , Ser. A. 1923 £6,000,000 6 36 40 15 48
three years ago ; whether its recovery will fol GUARANTEED BY MEXICAN GOVERNMENT
low along similar lines remains to be seen. *Vera Cruz & Pac. 1st mtge. Gold Bonds.. 1934 $7,000,000 4 294 28 16 20.5
City of Mexico Sterling Loan of 1889 ... 1997 £ 1,385,500 5 35 35 14.3 14.3
Mexico is now the only country in the whole Mex. Govt. Irrigation s. f. Gold Bonds . 1943 £5,143,958 4½ 31½ 28 16.1 17.4

223330
Mexican Nat. Packing Co., 1st mtge.. • 1931 $3,000,000 6 42 20 30 36.8

world whose financial business is transacted
upon a strictly metallic basis. Several months
ago the Republic found it necessary to issue
paper currency or "vales," in order to relieve
the financial currency stringency due to the
disappearance of the silver money when bullion
prices exceeded the face value of the coins.
These "vales" have all been called for redemp
tion at par in gold coin. Upward of a quarter
of a million pesos still remain unredeemed, but
this is considered to represent bills destroyed .
The country is again coining silver currency,
paying a premium of some 4 cents above the
quoted market prices for "foreign" silver. The
New York Times Annalist declares that 180,000
fine ounces a day, equivalent to 24,000,000 fine
ounces a year, are being utilized in this way.
The per capita debt of Mexico amounts to
only $34, against $225 for the United States,
$800 for Germany, $850 for Great Britain, and
$1,150 for France, according to figures com
piled by the National City Bank. Other com
pilations are even more favorable, and indicate
that the per capita debt is but little more than
$23. As closely as can be determined, the
population of the country is 16,000,000 . The
[ national debt totals but $377,333,000 and the
annual debt charge $ 15,531,000 . Direct indebt
ness, inclusive of accrued interest, is officially
stated to be 546,000,000 pesos. Contingent lia
bilities, consisting of claims by sufferers during
the ten years of revolutionary activities, are
not included in this total. These may be
settled largely by grants other than mone
tary ones.
The national wealth of Mexico resides in its
inestimable resources of oil, mining and agri
culture ; it is essentially a producer of raw
materials rather than a manufacturing nation .
Intensive development of the country's petro
leum resources have proceeded steadily during
the past several years, although mining and
agriculture have languished to a great extent.
Mexican Nat. Packing Co. , 2d mtge * • .No. provision $ 1,500,000 6
*National Rys. of Mexico of 1907 .. 1977
* Listed on New York Stock Exchange.
that new bond issues may be made against cus
toms recepits.
The Treasury 6's were authorized in the
amount of £16,000,000, but only £6,000,000 have
been issued . (Sterling exchange fixed at
$4.85 . ) Part of the unissued balance has been
utilized as security for notes issued by Mexican
National Railways Co., in lieu of interest pay
ments. Interest on the Treasury 6's has been
defaulted since January 1 , 1915. On the basis
of present price quotations around 40 the yield
to maturity figures out at an unusually high
rate, 48 per cent.
The Consolidated Gold Loan of 1899, bear
ing 5 per cent interest, is secured by hypothe
cation of the 62 per cent balance of customs
revenues. There are £22,700,000 of these bonds
issued on which interest has been defaulted
since July 1 , 1914. This issue is listed on the
New York Stock Exchange. Maturity, how
ever, is somewhat distant, serially to January 1 ,
1945.
Calculation of export and import receipts of
the Republic of Mexico is à difficult underG
taking on account of the diversity of the coun
try's commerce. For the first 9 months of
1920 exports were valued at $131,977,997 and
imports at $135,971,565 . Exports for the entire
year 1919 amounted to $131,451,901 and im
ports to $148,926,376 . Exports of crude oil
during the first 9 months of 1920 have aggreJ
gated 103,000,000 barrels. This material pays
an export tax of from 10.8 to 15.8 cents a
barrel ( U. S. currency ) , so that revenues from
this source approximated $ 12,500,000 during
three quarters of the mentioned year.-From
the Financial Review .
NOTE-The figures given are in American gold.
2200040
30 30
$50,748,575 4 28 17.4 17.5
association in which the Mexican Govern
ment holds 51 per cent of the stock, the
balance being held almost entirely by for
eigners. Through its possession of the
majority of the stock the government is
enabled to determine the policy to be fol
lowed in the management of the railways.
"By this form of independent association
the advantages of official possession are en
joyed without the dangers and inconven
iences almost universally experienced under
direct governmental operation. Up to a
very few months before the taking over of
the operations the company was given great
liberty by the government, which, in turn ,
held the company responsible for good
service, the stockholders and creditors in
teresting themselves in the attainment of
those efficiencies and economies necessary
for the fulfillment of their obligations.
"How to provide for the payment of the
company's indebtedness is being carefully
studied. There is a large bonded indebted
ness on which the payment of interest has
been suspended since 1914. The interest
due and unpaid, together with the floating
debt, which is increasing from day to day,
amounts now to over two hundred million
pesos and constitutes a grave problem con
fronting the company for solution, this
without taking into consideration that there
has been much destruction of company
property.
"The Interoceanic Railway is an enter
prise organized independently of the
National Railways, which , however, holds
56 per cent of the Interoceanic Railways'
stock. This road, in turn, controls the
Mexican Oriental and Southern Mexican
 >
LA
Febrero , 1921
MÉXICO, UNO DE LOS
PAÍSES MÁS FUERTES ,
FINANCIERAMENTE
Su deuda es de $34 por cabeza, contra
$225 en Estados Unidos y $850 en
Inglaterra - Su deuda nacional es de
I $377,330,000:
L presupuesto de la Secretaría de Ha
E'cienda de la República Mexicana para
el presente año destina una importante partida
para la redención de los intereses de la deuda
pública. Esta manifiesta disposición de cum
plir con sus obligaciones pecuniarias aportará
seguramente mayor confianza al gobierno
actual, y ésta, a su vez, se reflejará sin duda
en mejores cotizaciones de las emisiones me
xicanas. El pago de intereses fué suspendido
desde 1914, de modo que los intereses caídos
han alcanzado grandes proporciones ; no
វ Tesorería 6, de 1913, que vence el 1 ° de julio
obstante , muchas emisiones de bonos oficiales
poseen elementos atractivos poco comunes , por
lo que hace a las inversiones de capital.
México es hoy una de las naciones más
fuertes del mundo, en el sentido económico.
Lo gravoso de las excesivas emisiones de
papel moneda lanzadas por varias facciones
rebeldes ha sido eliminado de la manera más
sencilla : por su repudiamiento. Europa se
1 encuentra en la actualidad en la misma situa
ción que México tuvo hace dos o tres años ,
aunque, por lo visto, nó tendrá más solución
que esa. México es el único país en el mundo
cuyas transacciones financieras se realizan
sobre estricta base metálica. Algunos meses
atrás la República juzgó necesaria la emisión
de papel moneda o "vales," a fin de aliviar
la escaséz de circulación monetaria que se dejó
sentir con la desaparición de la moneda de
plata, cuando los precios del metal en barras
excedieron al valor nominal de la moneda
acuñada. Ha sido acordada ya la redención
total de esos "vales" en monedas de oro , a la
par. Al rededor de un cuarto de millón de
pesos se halla irredimido ; mas se calcula que
esta suma representa el monto de los billetes
destruidos. El país ha reanudado la acuñación
de monedas de plata, pagando un premio como
de cuatro centavos sobre las cotizaciones del
mercado para la plata " extranjera." El New
York Times Annalist declara que se utilizan
de este modo unas 180,000 onzas puras diaria
} mente, que equivalen a 24,000,000 al año .
La deuda pública de México asciende sola
mente a $34 por cabeza, contra $225 para los
Estados Unidos, $800 para Alemania, $850 para
Inglaterra y $1,150 para Francia, según las
cifras compiladas por el Nacional City Bank.
Otras compilaciones son aún más favorables ,
e indican que dicha deuda es sólo de algo más
de $23 por persona. La población del país
asciende aproximadamente a 16,000,000 de
almas. El total de la deuda nacional es sólo
de $377,333,000 y el cargo anual de ella de
$15,531,000 . La deuda directa, incluyendo los
intereses acumulados, asciende a $546,000,000,
según declaraciones oficiales , la que no com
prende el monto de las reclamaciones por
daños sufridos durante los diez años del pe
ríodo revolucionario. Estas pueden arreglarse,
en su mayor parte, por donaciones o concesio
nes mas bien que con pagos monetarios.
>
REVISTA MEXICANA
La riqueza nacional de México descansa
principalmente en sus inestimables fuentes
petrolíferas, mineras y agrícolas, siendo un
país esencialmente productor de materias
primas más que manufacturero . La explota
ción intensiva de las riquezas petrolíferas del
país se ha continuado permanentemente en los
varios años anteriores, aunque la minería y
la agricultura languidecieron bastante. México
conserva el segundo lugar en la producción de
petróleo crudo , pues solamente la sobrepasa la
de Estados Unidos. Su producción total de
87,400,000 barriles en 1919, se cree alcanzará
al rededor de 150,000,000 barriles en 1920 , pues
la producción de los 9 primeros meses alcanzó
la cifra de 103,000,000 de barriles. Los im
puestos de exportación cobrados en estos em
barques varían de 10.8 a 15.8 centavos por ba
rril. Una de las más atractivas series de
bonos del Gobierno Mexicano es la serie A,
de 1923. Estos bonos están garantizados con
hipoteca del 38 por ciento sobre el total de
los derechos de importación y exportación del
país. El Gobierno responde de que no se
contratará ningún nuevo empréstito garanti
zado en modo alguno con las entradas adua
neras hasta que no se hayan cubierto los bonos
del actual. Existen, por tanto, grandes proba
bilidades de que los tenedores de estos bonos
recibirán un pronto pago, a fin de que nuevas
emisiones de bonos puedan lanzarse con las
mencionada garantía de las entradas adua
neras.
La serie Tesorería 6 fué garantizada en un
total de 16,000,000 de libras esterlinas, pero
solamente 6,000,000 han sido emitidas. ( El
cambio esterlino fijado a $4.85. ) Parte de esa
serie no emitida ha sido aplicada en garantía
de obligaciones lanzadas por la Compañía de
Ferrocarriles Nacionales, en sustitución de
pago de intereses. El pago de los intereses de
la serie Tesorería 6 ha sido suspendido desde
el primero de Enero de 1915. Conforme a las
cotizaciones actuales que giran alrededor de
40, los interéses vencidos alcanzan el alto
premio del 48 por ciento. El empréstito
consolidado en oro de 1899, que rinde el 5
por ciento de interés, está garantizado con
hipoteca del 62 por ciento sobre el saldo de
las entradas aduaneras. La emisión de estos
bonos asciende a 22,700,000 de libras esterlinas
y sus intereses fueron suspendidos de pago
desde el primero de Julio de 1914. Esta emi
sión está registrada en el New York Stock
Exchange. Su vencimiento, sin embargo, está
bastante lejano, pues son de la serie que vence
el primero de Enero de 1945.
El cálculo de las importaciones y exporta
ciones de la República Mexicana es algo dificil,
a causa de la diversidad del comercio de ese
país. Las exportaciones para los primeros
nueve meses de 1920 montaron a $131,977,997
y las importaciones a $ 135,971,565. Las ex
portaciones para el total del año de 1919 ascen
dieron a $ 131,451,901 y las importaciones a
$148,926,376. Las exportaciones de petróleo
crudo para los primeros nueve meses de 1920
sumaron 103,000,000 barriles . Este artículo
pagó un impuesto de exportación de 10.8 a
15.8 centavos por barril, en moneda americana,
de modo que las entradas por este concepto
31
SE EXPLICA LA SITUACIÓN
DE LOS FERROCARRILES
El Presidente de la Junta Directiva
hace importantes declaraciones sobre
el manejo de aquellos
L señor don Joaquin Pedrero Córdova ,
Presidente de la Junta Directiva de las
Ε
líneas del Ferrocarril Nacional, hizo reciente
mente las siguientes declaraciones explicando
el manejo de las líneas del Ferrocarril Na
cional durante el tiempo que se hallaron bajo
el control del gobierno. Estas declaraciones
hacen buena luz en puntos bien poco compren
didos y encierran el mayor interés , a saber :
"La Compañía de los Ferrocarriles Nacio
nales de México está organizada en forma de
Sociedad Anónima, en la cual el Gobierno
Mexicano tiene el 51 por ciento de las acciones.
El resto de las acciones está colocado prác
ticamente en su totalidad, en el extranjero.
Poseyendo el Gobierno la mayoría de las
acciones, puede imponer en la Compañía la
política que estime más pertinente, y por lo
tanto, no necesita del resto de las acciones.
"Por la forma de una sociedad independiente
se pueden disfrutar las ventajas de la posesión
oficial, sin los graves inconvenientes de la
Administración Oficial directa, que la expe
riencia universal revela como un fracaso.
Hasta muy pocos meses antes de que se hiciera
la incautación, el Gobierno dejó a la Compañía
plena libertad en sus actividades administra
tivas . Así, la Compañía se hace responsable
ante el Gobierno del buen servicio de los Fe
rrocarriles, y ante los accionistas y acreedores .
de la eficiencia y economía necesarias para que
se pueden cumplir los compromisos y produ
cirse utilidades.
"Sobre la Compañía gravita una deuda
hipotecaria, cuyo servicio de intereses se ha
suspendido desde el año de 1914. Los intereses
vencidos y no pagados , así como los docu
mentos de la deuda flotante ya vencidos ,
representan una deuda de más de doscientos
millones de pesos que va creciendo de día en
día, y que representa el problema más grave
con que tiene que enfrentarse la Compañía.
Esto, sin tomar en consideración todo lo
destruido.
"El Ferrocarril Interoceénico de México con
stituye una empresa independiente de la Com
pañía de los Ferrocarriles Nacionales , pero
ésta domina en dicha empresa con el 56 por
ciento de los votos en las Asambleas Generales
de Accionaistas. Por su parte el Ferrocarril
Interoceánico tiene arrendadas las líneas de
los Ferrocarriles Oriental Mexicano y Mexi
cano del Sur ; de manera que, indirectamente.
el Gobierno Mexicano tiene el dominio en
todas esas líneas.
"La Ley de Ferrocarriles proporciona al
Gobierno todos los derechos necesarios para
garantizar los intereses del público y de
la Nación en la explotación de todos los
Ferrocarriles mexicanos, sin necesidad de
poseer una sola ación en ellos. El objeto
de la formación de la Compañía de los
ascendieron aproximadamente a $12,500,000 en
los nueve meses de dicho año.-Del Financial
Review.
NOTA- Véase al frente el cuadro sinóptico de las
emisiones de bonos y sus garantias oficiales.
32 THE
railways in the same way that the govern
ment holds the balance of power in all the
railways. The railway legislation gives the
government such control over all the rail
roads of the country as is necessary for
the protection of the public interests
whether or not it possessed a single share
of stock.
"The object in the organization of the
with a
National Railways Companies with
majority stock interest held by the govern
ment was to prevent a prospective consoli
dation of the principal railways of the counAging
try into an organization so powerful as to
constitute a menace not only in the matter
of transportation, but to the economic and
political interests of the country.
"From the date of their taking over the
National Railways Company was entirely
quit of the use or administration of its
properties and without any supervision over
their development, new construction, in
creases of wages, purchases, contracts , etc. ,
and for this reason is entitled to no credit
or discredit resulting from the administra
tion of the railways during the past six
years, and will have no responsibility for
consequences that may result later from
their operation during that period.
"The National Railways Company has
authorized no foreign person or corpora
tion to make any kind of investigation
relative to the conditions under which the
railways shall be restored to private opera
tion, either as to its own properties or those
of the Interoceanic Company. This will be
a question entirely to be determined by study while making the itinerary. The Laredo
negotiation between the government and
the representatives of the companies con
cerned, together with the bondholders.
"The Directorate of the National Rail
ways Company as actually constituted has
consistently endeavored to preserve sub
stantially as created the legal status of the
company, and incidentally of all of its sub
sidiaries, and this, with the provision of
necessary service, has been achieved by the which the Republic of Mexico has in the way
government. The members of this com of agricultural production. With the mild
mission receive no salaries and neither in winter seasons and practically a continuous
dividually or collectively exercise any in program of production, it is easy for me to
fluence or control over the official adminis understand why Mexico will become one of
tration of the railways.
"Mexico, December 20, 1920.”
Many Foreign Colonists Coming
HE first contingent of 3,000 Canadian
THE colonists to be located on lands in Durango the proper interpretation of local conditions
was expected in Mexico during January. Other
parties are expected to follow at short intervals.
Representatives of 8,000 Austrian colonists
胄 vegetables. I am especially impressed with the
are now in Chihuahua searching for suitable
locations.
A Department of Colonization is being or
ganized under the Department of Agriculture,
Minister Villarreal in charge. It is intended to
regulate the colonization business in Mexico
and protect the public from unscrupulous pro
tion.
According to recent statistics there are in
Mexico 150 Catholic societies, a fact cited as
eloquent proof of the religious and political
liberty enjoyed in the Republic.
MEXICAN REVIEW
Prominent Laredan Speaks
Well of Mexico
ROFESSOR FRED W. MALLY, Secre
PRO tary of the Laredo Chamber of Com
merce and Director of the Agricultural Branch
of that organization, recently made the follow
ing interesting statement regarding agricul
tural and other conditions in Mexico :
"As Agricultural Director of the Laredo
Chamber of Commerce I have been asked for
a very brief statement of my impression of
the agricultural possibilities of that portion
of the Republic of Mexico through which we
traveled. That includes studies of lands under
cultivation within the vicinity of Mexico City,
Guadalajara, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Tam
pico, Monterrey and Saltillo .
"Without going into details at this time, it
is fair to say that both myself as well as the
other members of the Laredo delegation have
been wonderfully impressed with the vast
amount of highly fertile productive lands in
the districts above mentioned .
"We can readily understand that when once
sufficient credit and money is available to put
more of this rich agricultural land under culti
vation, that these immense districts of the Re
public will become the great sources of food
supply, not only of the Republic of Mexico, but
many thousands of carloads of surplus fruits
and vegetables will be shipped into the United
States.
"There are some restrictions now with ref
erence to the importation of fruits, as well
as cotton, which it was my special purpose to
Chamber of Commerce is making a special
study of methods and regulations which will
make it possible to find a wide market for
many of the fruits and agricultural products
of Mexico. For that reason they have com
bined the position of Secretary of the Chamber
of Commerce with that of Director of Agri
culture of the Laredo District.
"I can see no limitations to the possibilities
the leading sources of agricultural products
of the entire western hemisphere.
"I am greatly impressed with the lessons
which have been taught by Mexico's agricul
tural colleges . It is evident to me that the
leaders of agricultural thought south of the
Rio Grande have given careful attention to
which would be important in the production of
various farm crops, as well as fruits and
value to the different agricultural districts in
Mexico of developing varieties of seeds es-
pecially suited to each locality. I had thought
before that many of our varieties might be
suited in Mexico ; but my impression now is,
that it is far better that we should cooperate
-
with you in solving Mexico's problems by en
couragement in the proper selection and breed
ing of different varieties. I am greatly im
pressed with the advanced thought which I
find among the intelligent proprietors of farm
lands in Mexico. No lesson has impressed
7
February, 1921
itself on my mind to a greater extent than the
fact that alfalfa has been grown in the vicinity
of Mexico City for such a great period of
time. I find that the greatest success with
alfalfa under irrigation is in rows or narrow
beds. The same is true in the Laredo District.
"My impressions of Mexico from an agricul
tural standpoint lead me to have great hopes
for the future. It will be my purpose and, that
of the Chamber of Commerce of Laredo to
cooperate with the agricultural classes in
every way, to secure the great amounts of
capital required to develop the great stretches
of rich agricultural land found in Mexico ."
International Gateway to be
Opened at the Border }
NOTHER international gateway is to be
Α opened at the border, according to plans
A
under way. Del Rio, Texas, is to be this new
gateway, when the extensions of the Orient
railroad in Texas and the International in
Mexico are completed.
This new line, it is said, will reduce the pas
senger and mail time from California points
twenty-four hours. It will reduce the time be
tween Mexico City and Kansas City, Mo., six
teen hours.
Mexico's Prosperity Shown in
Increase in Railroad Traffic
EXICO'S prosperity is shown in the tre
M mendous increase in the movement of
freight by the railroads of the country. A
vast amount of goods is being moved to and
from the commercial centers and this has
swelled the railroad earnings beyond expecta
tions of only a few months ago.
Increased passenger traffic has also added to
the substantial earnings of the railroads.
Energetic efforts are being made to meet the
pressing need for additional rolling stock.
Kansas and Gulf Leases
Huge Tract
HE Kansas & Gulf Oil Co. has acquired
Tleases to approximately one million acres
of potential oil lands situated along the Gulf
Coast between Matamoras and Tampico, Mex
ico. The northern boundary of the tracts ex
tends to within 45 miles of Matamoras. A
drilling rig is already on the way to make a
test for oil. Practically the entire interval of
325 miles from Matamoras to Tampico has
been leased by American and British operators,
some of whom are preparing for drilling wildw
cat wells in the coastal region.
The industries of the State of San Luis
Potosi report continuing prosperity, with new
ventures being started and great expansion of
those already established. The biggest textile
manufactory in the country is now in operation
there, resulting in a notable change in the
economic stability of the neighboring popula
moters.
The third Congress of School Teachers was
held during December at Tuxtla Guitierrez,
Capital of the State of Chiapas, during the
month of December. Educators from through
out the Republic gathered for the discussion
of means and methods for bettering the public
school system of the country.
(
 F
↓
=;

Febrero , 1921 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 33

Ferrocarriles Nacionales , con mayoría de ac Los extranjeros, por tanto, pueden adquirir dental en cuanto a sus fuentes de producción
ciones para el Gobierno , fué el de prevenir tierras y ser propietarios : agrícola.
$ una consolidación que ya amenazaba, y que Primero.- De propiedad adquirida de pro "Tengo la mejor impresión de las enseñanzas
podía llevar a los principales ferrocarriles pietarios privados ; propagadas por los Colegios de Agricultura
mexicanos , a manos de un poderoso sindicato Segundo.- De tierras del Gobierno sujetas a de México . Es evidente que los directores del
que, dotado de arma tan formirable, se en denuncio y compradas directamente de la pensamiento agrícola al Sur del Río Grande
‫ ¿ مصر‬contraría en situación de pesar poderosamente, Secretaría de Fomento y Colonización ; han prestado cuidadosa atención a la propia
→ no sólo en materia de trasporte, sino aún en Tercero.- De propiedades vendidas en sub interpretación de las condiciones locales , que
las otras actividades de la vida económica del asta pública por falta de pago de los impues tan importantes son en la producción de varias
país, y hasta acaso enfrentarse con el Gobierno tos respectivos, en la que la autoridad compe cosechas, tanto en frutas como vegetales . Me
en el terreno mismo de la política. tente autoriza el título de venta. ha impresionado especialmente el valor que
"Desde la fecha de la incautación, la Com En todos estos casos, sin embargo , el título para los distintos distritos agrícolas de México
pañía de los Ferrocarriles Nacionales ha que debe ser extendido y firmado ante Notario tiene el desarrollo de diversas variedades de
dado desprendida en lo absoluto del uso y Público, pues con ligeras modificaciones en la semillas , adaptadas a cada localidad . Pensaba
administración de sus propiedades, no habiendo forma, que no afectan al fondo o principios, antes que muchas de nuestras variedades po
intervenido para nada en la explotación , todavía se halla en vigor el primitivo sistema drían adaptarse en México ; mas hoy tengo la
construcciones nuevas, aumento de sueldos , español notarial para la transmisión de la impresión de que sería mucho mejor que noso
compras, contratos , etc. , etc. Por lo mismo , propiedad, que aunque lento y voluminoso, tros cooperáramos en la resolución de los
{
la Compañía es por completo ajena al crédito , resulta eminentemente satisfactorio en su problemas agrícolos mexicanos, estimulando la
o descrédito que puedan reflejarse en la funcionamiento y muy seguro . adecuada selección y cultivo de diferentes
Administración de los Ferrocarriles, durante variedades. Fuí grandemente impresionado
los últimos seis años, y ninguna responsabili tambien con los grandes conocimientos que
dad tendrá en las consecuencias que pudieran Prominente Ciudadano de Laredo que encontré entre los inteligentes propietarios de
Cresultar más tarde en los actos de la Adminis se Expresa Favorablemente de México
haciendas en México . Nunguna lección me ha
tración durante dicho período de seis años. impresionado más que el hecho de que la
L Profesor Fred W. Mally, Secretario de
"La Compañía de los Ferrocarriles Nacio alfalfa ha crecido en los alrededores de ciudad
Ε la Cámara de Comercio de Laredo y
#L nales > no ha comisionado a ninguna persona Director de la Sección de Agricultura de dicha México por tan largo período de tiempo.
o corporación extraña a ella para que em organización, hizo recientemente las siguientes Considero que el éxito más grande con la
prenda cualquier clase de estudios o gestiones alfalfa irrigada, se obtiene en hileras o angos
interesantes declaraciones sobre la agricultura
दे rélativas a la devolución de los Ferrocarriles y otras condiciones de México : tas plantaciones , al igual que ocurre en el
Nacionales o del Ferrocarril Interoceánico . Distrito de Laredo .
7 "Como Director de Agricultura de la Cá
Este { será un asunto que, llegado el caso, se mara de Comercio de Laredo se ha solicitado "Mis impresiones de México, bajo el aspecto
tratará directamente entre el Gobierno, la agrícola, me revelan grandes esperanzas para
de mí hacer algunas breves declaraciones sobre
Compañía y los Representantes de los acreedo el futuro. Será mi propósito, y tambien el de
mi impresión acerca de las posibilidades agríco
res de dichos Ferrocarriles. la Cámara de Comercio de Laredo , el cooperar
las de la porción de la República Mexicana que
"La Junta Directiva de la Compañía de los he visitado, incluyendo el estudio de las tierras con las clases agricultoras en todos sentidos.
· Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México , que tengo en cultivo en los alrededores de las ciudades para conseguir la fuerte suma de capital que
la honra de presidir actualmente, ha venido de México, Guadalajara, Querétaro , San Luis requiere el desarrollo de las grandes ex
subsistiendo y renovándose únicamente para Potosí, Tampico , Monterrey y Saltillo . tensiones de las ricas tierras agrícolas de
conservar la personalidad legal de la Com México."
સ "Sin entrar en detalles por ahora, es honrado
pañía, o incidentalmente para cuidar de la
decir que tanto yo como los demás miembros Llegan Muchos Colonos Extranjeros
Administración de algunas propiedades secun de la Delegación de Laredo hemos quedado
darias de la misma Compañía, y que por ser esperaba para el mes de Enero el primer
maravillosamente impresionados de la gran SEcontingente de 3,000 colonos canadenses
ajenas al servicio ferroviario, han sido ya extensión de tierras productivas de la más
S devueltas por el Gobierno. Los miembros de para establecerlos en tierras de Durango. Se
4 dicha Junta no tienen sueldo, y ni personal alta calidad, que poseen los distritos antes espera que lleguen otras gruesas partidas
mencionados.
ni colectivamente tienen ninguna relación e dentro de cortos intervalos de tiempo .
"Podemos facilmente comprender que una
influencia con la Administración Oficial de los Los representantes de 8,000 colonos austria
7 vez que el necesario crédito y recursos pongan cos se hallan buscando lugares apropiados en
Ferrocarriles."
estas ricas tierras agrícolas en cultivo , estos el Estado de Chihuahua para su gente. Se está
inmensos distritos de la República se tornarán
organizando un Departamento de Colonización,
La Adquisición de Propiedades en grandes fuentes productoras de alimentos
dependiente de la Secretaría de Agricultura,
Raíces por Extranjeros no sólo para la República Mexicana , pues
hoy a cargo del Ministro Villareal : Se tiene
O existe ningun obstáculo para que los muchos miles de furgones de frutas y vege
el propósito de regularizar la colonización en
‫ گی‬N°extranjeros adquieran y posean propie tales de la sobreproducción serían vendidos México, protegiendo tambien al público de los
dades raíces en México, aparte de lo relativo en los Estados Unidos. agentes (capataces ) poco escrupulosos.
"Actualmente existen algunas restricciones
朵 a las fronteras y regiones de la costa, es decir,
dentro de 100 kilómetros de los límites fronte para la importación de frutas, tanto como para Los inventores mexicanos Simón Anduaga y
el algodón, que fué objeto especial de mi Juan Luévano han ideado un aparato salvavi
rizos y 50 kilómetros del litoral de la costa.
estudio durante el viaje. La Cámara de Co
Frecuentemente se ha creído que la nueva mercio de Laredo está haciendo estudios das para el uso de los obreros de las minas ,
3 Constitución Mexicana impone especiales pro habiéndose efectuado pruebas con magnífico $
especiales de los métodos y medidas que hagan resultado en el Estado de Hidalgo, ante la
hibiciones a los extranjeros, sin embargo de posible encontrar un extenso mercado para
que las cláusulas que les exijían ceder sus muchas de las frutas y productos agrícolas representación oficial nombrada para examinar
1 1 la viabilidad de este nuevo invento . El Go
derechos respecto de las propiedades que hayan mexicanos. Es por ello que han puesto a
bierno, en vista del éxito obtenido , datará con
podido adquirir datan por lo menos del año cargo de la Secretaría de la Cámara la Direc
1856, de un decreto del Presidente Conmonfort. ción Agrícola del distrito de Laredo. esos salvavidas a todas las compañías mineras,
velando así por la seguridad y protección de
En esa época los dueños de propiedades ex "No veo limites a las posibilidades que la
los trabajadores.
tranjeras , tambien estaban sujetos al servicio República de México tiene con respecto a la
कह militar, cuando era necesario para la pro producción agrícola. Con sus estaciones de El Presidente ha expedido decretos permi
1 tección de las ciudades o distritos en que invierno templado. y prácticamente un perma tiendo la libre exportación del cobre, en todas
residían. Esto no es exacto al presente, pues nente programa de producción , es para mí muy sus formas, así como la de otros varios me
no se les permite tomar las armas en ninguna facil comprender cómo México podrá alcanzar tales , en vista de las desastrosas condiciones
> contienda militar. 1 el primer puesto en todo el hemisferio occi actuales del mercado de los metales.

4

34 THE
Oil Concessions Recently Granted
Detailed Report of Those Issued During the Latter Portion
N official statement has been made of the
various concessions granted for the ex
A ploitation of petroleum deposits during
six months, beginning with July, 1920, in the
different States, as follows :
Territory of Lower California
Concession of July 15, 1920 ; granted to Mar
land Oil Co., to conduct oil explorations for
four years in two zones : The first one, limited
by the parallel 27, which passes through the
Cancas point, the coast and zone of 35 kilom
eters granted to A. Mendez ; and the second,
limited by the parallel which passes through
Santo Tomas point and also through Colo
rado ; the International border, and the coast ;
and for exploitation for a period of twenty
years, in the fields that this company may se
lect in the aforementioned zones.
Concession of August 11 , 1920 ; granted to
Jose N. Acosta, to conduct oil explorations for
four years in a zone situated between the par
allels 30 and 32, bounded by the coast of the
Gulf and the concessions granted to Alfred
Mackensie and to Marland Oil Co., and for
exploitation for a period of twenty years, in
the fields that he may select in the aforemen
tioned zone .
Concession of September 13, 1920 ; to con
duct oil explorations for four years in a zone
situated between the parallels 24 and 27, the
Gulf of California and the zone of 30 kilom
eters, granted to Ramon F. Iturbe, and for the
exploitation for a period of twenty years, in
the fields that he may select in the aforemen
tioned zone .
Concession of September 14 ; granted to
·1 Compañia Explotadora y Petrolera Peninsular,
S. A., to conduct oil explorations during one
year, in a zone of the oriental coast, bounded
$
by the southeast of Las Animas Bay and a
rivulet which flows into the waters of the Los
Angeles Bay.
Concession of September 17, 1920 ; granted
to Emilio Cuen, to conduct oil explorations for
three years in a zone bounded by the parallels
24 and 27, from the zone granted to Ramon F.
Iturbe, South District, and for the exploita
tion for a period of fifteen years, in the fields
that he may select in the aforementioned zone.
The aforementioned grantees, excepting the
Compañia Explotadora Peninsular, have guar
anteed the fulfillment of the obligations for
} State of Tabasco
which they have contracted, with a deposit of
5,000 pesos ($2,500 gold ) . They will pay to
the Government a rent of 5 pesos per hectare
($2.50 gold on each 22 acres ) on the selected
fields and will also give to the Government a
share of ten per cent of the total production.
State of Tamaulipas
Concession of July 24, 1920 ; granted to
Alberto Murphy, to conduct oil explorations
for three years, in an approximate extension
of 70,000 hectares in the fields of the munici
palities of Soto la Marina, Abasolo and Casas,
Center District (fields known to the grantee
as "Sierra Tamaulipas la Vieja" ) , and for ex
ploitation for a period of twenty years of the
MEXICAN REVIEW
of the Year 1920 in Each State
fields that he may select, for which he will
pay a yearly rent of 5 pesos per hectare.
Concession of August 14, 1920 ; granted to
Benjamin G. Hill, to conduct oil explorations
for three years, in a portion bounded by the
Laguna Madre and the Federal zone which
encircles it (portion situated in the north dis
trict between the Las Flores and San Enrique
points ) , and for exploitation for a period of
twenty years in the fields that he may select
for which he will pay a rent that will be fixed
in due time.
Concession of August 14, 1920 ; granted to
Rodolfo Cruz, to conduct oil explorations for
six years in the grounds known as Garateño
and Lonareño with an approximate surface of
30,000 hectares, municipality of San Fernando,
north part of the State, and for exploitation
for a period of twenty years in the fields that
he may select, for which he will pay a yearly
rent of 5 pesos per hectare.
The aforementioned grantees have guaran
teed the fulfillment of the obligations for
which they have contracted, with a deposit of
5,000 pesos, and will give to the Government
a share of ten per cent of the total produc
tion.
Concession of October 7, 1920 ; granted to
Theodore Montague, to conduct oil explora
tions for four years in a zone situated between
the point known as "Boca de Rio" and the
"Barra de Cañas," 50 kilometers inland, par
allel to the coast of the State of Vera Cruz and
in national grounds of the district of Tula, of
the State of Tamaulipas ; and for the ex
ploitation for a period of twenty years of the
fields that he may select, for which he will
pay a yearly rent of 5 pesos per hectare.
(This concession is granted upon a deposit
of 5,000 pesos to be put up as a guarantee of
the payment to the Government of its share,
as follows : For 1,000 M3 or less of the total
production, 5 per cent ; 1,000 up to 2,000, 10
per cent ; 2,000 up to 5,000, 15 per cent ; and
exceeding 5,000, 20 per cent. )
State of Michoacan
Concession of August 23, 1920 ; granted to
Elena Lagunas, to conduct oil explorations for
three years in the districts of Coalcoman and
Salazar and for the exploitation for a period
of twenty years in the fields that she. may se
lect for which she will pay a yearly rent of
5 pesos per hectare. This concession is guar
anteed by a deposit of 3,000 pesos, correspond
ing to the Government share, 10 per cent of
the production.
Territory of Quintana Roo
Concession of August 23, 1920 ; granted to
Andrew McKenzie, to conduct oil explorations
for four years in the said territory and for
exploitation for a period of twenty years in
the fields that he may select for which he will
pay a yearly rent of 5 pesos per hectare. ( The
deposit which guarantees this concession is of
5,000 pesos, and the amount which corresponds
to the Government allowance is of 10 per cent
of the production. )
¿
2
t
February, 1921
State of Campeche I
th
Concession of August 23, 1920, granted to
Andrew McKenzie, to conduct oil explorations
for four years in all the State, excepting the
County of Champoton, and for exploitation for
a period of twenty years. ( These lands are in
cluded in the concession cited before, and
therefore, the grantee is subject to the con
ditions enumerated in the first concession
aforementioned. )
Concession of August 27, 1920, granted to
Maria D. Viuda de Delgado, to conduct oil
explorations for four years in the County of
Champoton and for the exploitation for a
period of twenty years in the fields that she
may select for which she will pay a yearly
rent of 5 pesos per hectare. (The deposit
which guarantees this concession is of 5,000
pesos and the share which corresponds to the
Government is of 10 per cent of the pro
duction . )
State of Guerrero
Concession of July 30, 1920, granted to Ger
man Gay Banos, to conduct oil explorations
for four years in the district of Abasolo and
for exploitation for a period of twenty years
of the fields that he may select.
Concession of October 7, 1920, granted to
Benjamin G. Hill and Indalecio Flores, to con 1
duct oil explorations for four years, in a zone
situated between the parallels 17 and 18 30° to
the east of the meridian of Mexico, excepting
the districts of Alvarez and Abasolo of the
State of Guerrero, and for the exploitation for
a period of twenty years in the fields that they
may select.
(The above-mentioned grantees have guaran
teed the fulfillment with a deposit of 5,000
pesos. They will pay to the Government an
annual rent of 5 pesos per hectare of the fields
that they may select, and will pay to the Gov- .
ernment a premium as follows : The first
party will pay 10 per cent of the production
and the second 5 per cent per 1,000 cubic
meters of petroleum or less ; 10 per cent from
1,000 up to 2,000 ; 15 per cent from 2,000 up to
5,000 and 20 per cent exceeding 5,000 . )
Y
State of Oaxaca
Concession of July 30, 1920, granted to Ger
man Gay Banos, to conduct oil explorations
for four years, in the districts of Jamintepec
and Juquila and for exploitation for a period
of twenty years. ( Those lands are included
in the concession granted for lands in the
State of Guerrero, and therefore, the grantee
is subject to the conditions therein enumerated .)
Concession of September 3, 1920, granted to
Jose L. Navarro, to conduct oil explorations
for one year in the municipalities of Huiman
guillo and Cardenas and for exploitation for
a period of twenty years of the fields that
he may select.
Concession of October 7, 1920, granted to
Manuel Padres and Rafael Manzo, to conduct
oil explorations for four years in the State,
excepting the municipalities of Frontera,
Macupana, Centro, Tacotalpa, Huimanguillo
and Cardenas, and for exploitation for a period,*
of twenty years of the fields that they may
select.
Concession of November 22, 1920, granted to
 Febrero , 1921 LA
Las Ultimas Concesiones
{ Detalle de las otorgadas para cada Estado durante
E han dado a conocer oficialmente las
diversas concesiones otorgadas para la
S&F explotación de los depósitos petrolíferos ,
durante seis meses, a partir de Julio de 1920,
en los diferentes Estados, como sigue :
Territorio de la Baja California
Concesión de 15 de Julio de 1920, otorgada
a la Marland Oil Company para efectuar ex
ploraciones petroleras durante cuatro años en
dos zonas : la primera limitada por el paralelo
27, el que pasa por la punta Cancas, la costa
y la faja de 35 kms. concedida a A. Méndez ;
y la segunda limitada por el paralelo que pasa
por la punta de Santo Tomás, el que pasa por
Colorado, la Frontera Internacional y la costa ;
y para explotación durante veinte años en los
terrenos que elija en las zonas mencionadas.
Concesión de 11 de agosto de 1920, otorgada
a José N. Acosta , para efectuar exploraciones
petroleras durante cuatro años en una zona
comprendida entre los paralelos 30, 32 , la costa
del Golfo y las concesiones Alfred Mackensie
y Marland Oil Company y para explotación
durante veinte años en los terrenos que elija
> en la zona mencionada.
Concesión de 13 de septiembre de 1920 para
efectuar exploraciones petroleras durante
cuatro años en una zona comprendida entre
los paralelos 24, 27, el Golfo de California y
la faja de 30 kilómetros concedida a Ramón
F. Iturbe, y para la explotación durante veinte
años en los terrenos que elija en dicha zona.
Concesión de 14 de septiembre, otorgada a
la Compañía Explotadora y Petrolera Peninsu
lar, S. A. , para efectuar exploraciones petro
leras durante un año en una faja de la costa
2 oriental comprendida entre el Sureste de la
Bahía de las Animas y un arroyo que vierte
sus aguas en la bahía de los Angeles .
Concesión de 17 de septiembre de 1920, otor
gada a Emilio. Cuén, para efectuar explora
ciones petroleras durante tres años en una zona
comprendida entre los paralelos 24 y 27, a
partir de la zona concedida a Ramón F. Iturbe.
Distrito Sur y para la explotación durante
quince años en los terrenos que elija en dicha
zona.
Los anteriores concesionarios , con excepción
de la Compañía Explotadora Peninsular, han
garantizado el cumplimiento de las obligacio
} por los que pagará cinco pesos anuales por
nes que contrajeron con un depósito de cinco
mil pesos. Pagarán al gobierno una renta de
cinco pesos por hectara de los terrenos elejidos
y le darán una participación de diez por ciento
de la producción.
Estado de Tamaulipas
Concesión de 24 de julio de 1920, otorgada a
he he Alberto Murphy, para efectuar exploraciones
petroleras durante tres años en una extensión
aproximada de 70,000 hectares en terrenos de
las municipalidades de Soto la Marina, Abaso
lo y Casas, Distrito del Centro ( terrenos
conocidos según el concesionario por Sierra
Tamaulipas la Vieja ) y para exploración que
elija, por los que pagará una renta de cinco
pesos por hectara, anualmente.
REVISTA MEXICANA
Petroleras
los seis últimos meses de 1920
Concesión de 14 de agosto de 1920, otorgada
a Benjamín G. Hill, para exploración petrolera
durante tres años en una porción comprendida
dentro de la Laguna Madre y zona federal que
la circunda (porción situada en el Distrito
Norte, entre los puntos Las Flores y San
Enrique) y para explotación durante veinte
años en los terrenos que elija, por los que
pagará una renta que se fijará en su oportu
nidad.
Concesión de 14 de agosto de 1920, otorgada
a Rodolfo Cruz, para efectuar exploraciones
petroleras durante seis años en los predios
Garateño y Lonareño, con una superficie apro
ximada de 30,000 hectaras, municipalidad de
San Fernando, parte Norte del Estado, y para
explotación durante veinte años , en los terre
nos que elija, por los que pagará una renta
de cinco pesos por hectara , anualmente.
(Los anteriores concesionarios han garanti
zado el cumplimiento de las obligaciones con
traídas con un depósito de cinco mil pesos, y
darán al gobierno una participación de diez
por ciento sobre la producción. )
Concesión de 7 de octubre de 1920, otorgada
a Theodore Montague, para efectuar explo
raciones petroleras durante cuatro años en una
zona comprendida entre el punto llamado Bo
ca de Río y la Barra de Cañas , 50 kilómetros
tierra adentro, paralelo a la costa del Estado de
Veracruz y en terrenos nacionales del distrito
de Tula, del Estado de Tamaulipas ; y para la
explotación durante veinte años de los terrenos
que elija por los que pagará una renta de
cinco pesos por hectara anualmente.
( Esta concesión está garantizada por un
depósito de cinco mil pesos ; siendo la partici
pación que corresponde al gobierno como
sigue : Por 1,000 Mc o menos de producción ,
5 por ciento ; excedente de 1,000 hasta 2,000,
10 por ciento ; excedente de 2,000 hasta 5,000 , 15
por ciento ; excedente de 5,000 , 20 por ciento. )
Estado de Michoacán
Concesión de 23 de agosto, otorgada a Elena
Lagunas, para efectuar exploraciones petrole
ras durante tres años en los distritos de
Coalcoman y Salazar, y para la explotación
durante veinte años en los terrenos que elija,
hectara. Esta concesión está garantizada por
un depósito de tres mil pesos ; correspondiendo
al gobierno un diez por ciento de la produc
ción.
Terriotrio de Quintana Roo
Concesión de 23 de agosto de 1920, otorgada
a Andrew McKenzie, para efectuar exploracio
nes petroleras durante cuatro años en el te
rritorio mencionado , y para explotación du
rante veinte años en los terrenos que elija, por
los que pagará una renta anual de cinco pesos
por hectara (el depósito que garantiza esta
concesión es de cinco mil pesos y la partici
pación que corresponde al gobierno es de diez
por ciento sobre la producción ) .
1
35
Estado de Campeche
Concesión de 23 de agosto de 1920 , otorgada
a Andrew McKenzie , para efectuar exploracio
nes petroleras durante cuatro años en todo el
Estado, con excepción del partido de Cham
potón, y para explotación durante veinte años .
(Estos terrenos están incluídos en la anterior
concesión y por tanto el concesionario sujeto
a las condiciones allí establecidas , )
Concesión de 27 de agosto de 1920, otorgada
a Maria D. viuda de Delgado para efectuar
exploraciones petroleras durante cuatro años ,
en el partido de Champotón y para explotación
durante veinte años en los terrenos que elija ,
por los que pagará una renta anual de cinco
pesos por hectara. ( El depósito que garantiza
esta concesión es de cinco mil pesos y la
participación al gobierno el diez por ciento
sobre la producción . )
Estado de Guerrero
Concesión de 30 de julio de 1920, otorgada
a German Gay Banos, para efectuar explora
ciones petroleras durante cuatro años , en el
distrito de Abasolo, y para explotación durante
veinte años de los terrenos que elija.
Concesión de 7 de octubre de 1920, otorgada
a Benjamín G. Hill e Indalecio Flores , para
efectuar exploraciones petroleras durante ‫ها‬
cuatro años en una zona comprendida entre
los paralelos 17 y 18 30' al Oriente del Meri
diano de México , con exclusión de los distritos
de Alvarez y Abasolo del Estado de Guerrero :
y para la explotación durante veinte años en
los terrenos que elija.
( Los anteriores concesionarios han garanti
zado el cumplimiento con un depósito de cinco
mil pesos . Pagarán al gobierno una renta
anual de cinco pesos por hectara de los terre
nos que elijan y darán al gobierno una partici
pación como sigue : El primero 10 por ciento
sobre la producción y el segundo 5 por ciento
por mil metros cúbicos de petróleo o menos
de producción, 10 por ciento sobre el excedente
de mil hasta dos mil, 15 por ciento sobre
el excedente de dos mil hasta cinco mil y
20 por ciento sobre el excedente de cinco mil . )
Estado de Oaxaca
Concesión de 30 de julio de 1920, otorgada
a German Gay Banos, para efectuar explo
raciones petroleras durante cuatro años, en los
distritos de Jamintepec y Juquila y para ex
plotación durante veinte años ( esos terrenos
están incluídos en la concesión otorgada para
terrenos en el Estado de Guerrero , y por tanto
el concesionario está sujeto a las condiciones
allí establecidas ) .
Estado de Tabasco
Concesión de 3 de septiembre de 1920,
otorgada a José L. Navarro, para efectuar
exploraciones petroleras durante un año en las
municipalidades de Huimanguillo y Cárdenas
y para explotación durante veinte años en los
terrenos que elija.
Concesión de 7 de octubre de 1920, otorgada
a Manuel Padrés y Rafael Manzo, para efec
tuar exploraciones petroleras durante cuatro
años en el Estado, con excepción de las muni
cipalidades de Frontera, Macupana, Centro .
Tacotalpa, Huimanguillo y Cárdenas ; y para
1
explotación durante veinte años en los terrenos
que elijan.

36 THE
Carlos Lodigiano, to conduct oil explorations
for four years in the municipalities of Centro
and Tacotalpa and for exploitation for a period
of twenty years . of the fields that he may
select.
Concession of November 22, 1920. granted
to Carlos Trejo Lerdo de Tejada, to conduct
oil explorations for four years in the munici
palities of Frontera and Macuspana, and for
exploitation for a period of twenty years, of
the fields that he may select.
(The aforementioned grantees have guar
anteed the fulfillment of the obligations for
which they have contracted, with a deposit of
5,000 pesos . They will pay to the Government
an annual rent of five pesos per hectare of
the lands selected, and Mr. Jose L. Navarro
and the others will pay to the Government a
share of 10 per cent of the total production as
follows : For 1,000 cubic meters or less, 5 per
cent, from 1,000 up to 2,000 10 per cent, from
2,000 up to 5,000 15 per cent, and exceeding
5,000 20 per cent.
State of Chiapas
Concession of September 27, 1920, granted to
Fernando Gonzalez Roa, to conduct oil explora
tions for three years in the district of Chilan
and for exploitation for a period of fifteen
years. (The deposit which guarantees this
concession is of 5,000 pesos, the rent for the
fields selected is of 5 pesos per annum per
hectare, and the share to the Government 10
per cent of the production. )
Concession of November 19, 1920, granted
to Antonio H. Houfy, to conduct oil explora
tions for three years in the district of Comitan
and for exploitation for a period of twenty
years of the fields that he may select. ( The
deposit of guarantee is of 3.000 pesos. The
annual rent is of 5 pesos per hectare and the
share for the Government as follows : For
1,000 cubic meters or less of production , 5 per
cent ; from 1,000 up to 2,000, 10 per cent ; from
2,000 up to 5,000. 15 per cent, and exceeding
5,000, 20 per cent.
(There are two concessions pending for the
Soconusco division, which will be granted
to Messrs . Eulogio Ortiz and Heliodoro
Duendes. )
State of Nayarit
Concession of October 4, 1920, granted to
Hilario Millan, Jr., to conduct oil explorations
for four years in a zone limited by the river
Lerma, the State of Jalisco, the Pacific Ocean
and the States of Sinaloa and Durango, and
for exploitation for a period of twenty years
of the fields that may be selected . ( The
deposit of guarantee is of 5,000 pesos ; the
annual rent of the lands is of 5 pesos per
hectare, and the share for the Government as
follows : For 1,000 cubic meters of production
or less, 5 per cent ; from 1,000 up to 2,000, 10
per cent ; from 2,000 up to 5,000 , 15 per cent ;
and exceeding 5,000, 20 per cent.)
State of Nuevo Leon
Concession of November 5, 1920, granted to
Francisco Rodriguez, to conduct oil explora
tions for three years in the municipalities of
Linares, General Teran, Allende, Montemorelos ,
Hualahuices and China, of the District of
Linares, and for exploitation for a period of
twenty years of the fields that he may select.
#
MEXICAN REVIEW
( The deposit which guarantees this concession
is of 3,000 pesos ; the annual rent of the
lands selected is of 5 pesos per hectare and
the share for the Government as follows :
For 1,000 cubic meters of production or less,
5 per cent ; from 1,000 up to 2,000, 10 per cent ;
from 2,000 up to 5,000 , 15 per cent, and ex
ceeding 5,000, 20 per cent. )
State of Chihuahua
Permission dated October 27, 1920, granted
to Mr. Luis Footte, to conduct petroleum
explorations for one year in private lands with
an extension of 5,000 hectares, in the section of
San Marcos, municipality of Ojinaga.
(There is pending a concession, part of
which is in the State of Chihuahua, and which
will be granted to the Government of that
State.)
State of Coahuila
(There is pending a concession, part of
which is in the lands of this State, and which
will be granted to "Compañia Petrolera de
Sonora ." )
State of Vera Cruz
Concession of October 7, 1920, granted to
Theodore Montague . (Has been mentioned
heretofore in the paragraph of the State of
Tamsulipas. )
Concession of November 8, 1920, granted to
Candor Guajardo and Antonio Diaz de Leon,
for exploitation for a period of twenty years
in the lots No. 27 and 36 of the divided divi
sion of the land "Zapotal de Solis," known
as "San Jose de Solis," municipality of Teme
pache, county of Tuxpan, State of Vera Cruz.
The annual rent is of 10 pesos per hectare
and the share for the Government as folows :
For 1,000 cubic meters of production or less,
5 per cent ; from 1,000 up to 2,000, 10 per cent ;
from 2,000 up to 5,000, 15 per cent, and ex
ceeding 5,000, 20 per cent. )
Lot No. 173 of Tancoco, county of Tuxpan.
This lot was divided into seven sections of
four hectares each ; these hectares having been
granted as follows :
For Messrs. Jose Garcia, Jose Velasco U.,
and Margarito Velasquez, one section.
For Federico Cardenas, one section.
For Jose Lorenzo Sepulveda, one section .
For Angel Batiz, one section.
For Jesus de la Fuente, one section.
For Manuel Gonzales Velez, one section.
For Miguel R. Cardenas, one section .
Concession of September 21 , 1920, granted
to "Corporacion Petrolera Mexicana," to con
duct oil explorations for the purpose of ex
ploring twenty lots of up to 2,000 hectares
each, which this company may select in lands.
of the Mexican Republic. This concession is
for a period of twenty years . The deposit of
guarantee is of 10,000 pesos ; the annual rent
which will be paid for the lands selected will
be of 5 pesos per hectare, and the share for
the Government will be of 15 per cent of the
production.
The concessions granted during the month
of July had been dealt with and agreed upon
during the administration of President
Carranza.
NOTE- During the period of time in which this
matter was considered, two or three concessions
which were granted at a previous time, * have been
amended .
Y
February, 1921 /
Dallas Chamber of Commerce Works
For Better Relations With Mexico
HERE has been started in Dallas, Tex,,
TH by the Chamber of Commerce and Manu
facturers' Association, a movement to supply
business men generally throughout the United
States with reliable information on trade con
ditions in Mexico, and especially on the pos
sibilities for the expansion of this trade by
the granting of reasonable credits to Mexican
business houses of known responsibility. The
principal jobbers and exporters of Dallas have
abandoned the custom of demanding cash for
goods shipped to Mexican customers, adopted
during the revolutions, and are now extend $
ing them liberal lines of credit. доменим
In its report the Dallas Chamber of Com
merce lays special stress on the general sta
bility of conditions in Mexico and the finan
cial responsibility of established firms there.
It says :
"The greatest present obstacle to American
trade with Mexico is lack of knowledge on
the part of American manufacturers regarding
the financial responsibility of their Mexican
clients.
"If a hundred American manufacturers
would visit the City of Mexico, stay there a
week or so and study carefully the business
and political condition of the country, there
would follow immediately a great change in
our methods of doing business. American
manufacturers would abandon their present
general requirements of cash on the nail and
extend in absolute confidence their credit for
ninety days or more.
"American houses with long - established
trade in Mexico and which have built up a
large volume of business always sell on open
account to their Mexican customers, on ninety
days' time. Those companies, however, which
are just starting to do business in Mexico are
erroneously inclined to restrict rigorously their
business to those concerns which are willing
to pay cash upon receipt of bill of lading.
English, French and Spanish exporters are
liberal in their extension of credits to Mexican
business houses and German concerns are
making great efforts to extend their business
by the extension of extraordinary credit facil
ities.
"No American business house will lose
money in Mexico if it follows the same meth
ods in conducting its business as it follows in
the United States, obtaining information as to
its patrons by consulting the commercial
agencies and basing their extensions of credit
on the information so gained."
The Dallas Chamber of Commerce quotes
from a letter from the United States Commer
cial Agent in Mexico City, as follows :
"Business houses that have been doing busi
ness here for any considerable length of time
have excellent financial reputations and merit
the same treatment in the matter of credit and 1
other conditions as similar concerns in other
countries. It is untrue and ridiculous to be
lieve that business here is experimental and
requires greater caution in its transaction than
is common in other countries."
The Dallas Chamber of Commerce proposes
to give constant publicity, to information of this
character.
$
 ૨ 1 1
Febrero, 1921 LA
Concesión de 22 de noviembre de 1920 ,
otorgada a Carlos Lodigiano, para efectuar
exploraciones petroleras durante cuatro años
en las municipalidades de Centro y Tacotalpa,
y para explotación durante veinte años , en los
terrenos que elija.
Concesión de 22 de noviembre de 1920 ,
otorgada a Carlos Trejo Lerdo de Tejada,
para efectuar exploraciones petroleras durante
cuatro años en las municipalidades de Frontera
y Mascupana ; y para explotación durante
veinte años, en los terrenos que elija.
(Los anteriores concesionarios han garanti
zado el cumplimiento de las obligaciones con
f traídas con un depósito de cinco mil pesos .
Pagarán al gobierno una renta anual de cinco
pesos por hectara de los terrenos elejidos y
darán al gobierno una parcicipación de 10 por
1 ciento sobre la producción el señor José L.
Navarro, y los demás como sigue : Por 1,000
Mc o menos de producción, 5 por ciento ; ex
cedente de 1,000 hasta 2,000 , 10 por ciento ;
excedente de 2,000 hasta 5,000 , 15 por ciento ;
excedente de 5,000, 20 por ciento . )
Estado de Chiapas
Concesión de 27 de septiembre de 1920 .
otorgada a Fernando González Roa , para
efectuar exploraciones petroleras durante tres
años en el departamento de Chilán, y para
explotación quince años. (El depósito que
garantiza esta concesión es de cinco mil pesos ;
la renta por los terrenos elejidos es de cinco
pesos anuales por hectara y la participación al
gobierno de 10 por $ ciento de la producción. )
Estado de Nayarit
{ Zapotal de Solís , conocido por San José de
Concesión de 19 de noviembre de 1920,
otorgada a Antonio H. Houfy, para efectuar
exploraciones petroleras durante tres años en
el departamento de Comitán y para explota
ción durante veinte años en los terrenos
elejidos. ( El depósito de garantía es de tres
mil pesos . La renta de cinco pesos anuales
por hectara y la participación como sigue : Por
1,000 Mc o menos de producción , 5 por ciento ;
excedente de 1,000 hasta 2,000 , 10 por ciento ;
excedente de 2,000 hasta 5,000 , 15 por ciento ;
excedente de 5,000 , 20 por ciento. )
(Se encuentran pendientes dos concesiones
para el departamento de Soconusco , que se
darán a los señores Eulogio Ortiz y Heliodoro
} Duenes. )
Estado de Nayarit
Concesión del 4 de octubre de 1920, otorgada
a Hilaro Millán, jr., para efectuar exploraci
ones petroleras durante cuatro años en una
zona limitada por el Río Lerma , el Estado de
Jalisco, el Océano Pacífico y los Estados de
Sinaloa y Durango ; y para explotación du
rante veinte años en los terrenos que se elijan .
( El depósito de garantía es de cinco mil pesos,
la renta por los terrenos de cinco pesos anuales
por hectara y la participación como sigue : Por
1,000 metros cúbicos o menos, de producción,
} 5 por ciento ; excedente de 1,000 hasta 2,000 ,
10 por ciento ; excedente de 2,000 hasta 5,000,
15 por ciento ; excedente de 5,000 , 20 por
ciento. )
Estado de Nuevo Leon
* Concesión de 5 de noviembre , de 1920 ,
otorgada a Francisco Rodríguez, para efectuar
exploraciones petroleras durante tres años en
REVISTA MEXICANA
las municipalidades de Linares, General Terán,
Allende, Montemorelos, Hualahuices y China ,
del distrito de Linares ; y para explotación
durante veinte años en los terrenos que elija .
( El depósito que garantiza està concesión es
de tres mil + pesos , la renta por los terrenos
elegidos de cinco pesos anuales por hectara y
la participación al gobierno como sigue : por
1,000 metros cúbicos de producción o menos ,
5 por ciento ; excedente de 1,000 hasta 2,000 ,
10 por ciento ; excedente de 2,000 hasta 5,000 ,
15 por ciento ; excedente de 5,000, 20 por
ciento. )
Estado de Chihuahua
Permiso de 27 de octubre de 1920, al señor
Luis Footte, para efectuar exploraciones petro
leras durante un año en terrenos particulares
con una extensión de cinco mil hectaras; sec
ción de San Marcos municipalidad de Ojinaga.
( Está pendiente una concesión que abarca
el Estado de Chihuahua y que se dará al go
bierno de ese Estado . )
Estado de Coahuila
( Está pendiente una concesión que abarca
parte de los terrenos de este Estado y que se
dará a la Compañía Petrolera de Sonora. )
Estado de Veracruz
Concesión de 7 de octubre de 1920 , otorgada
a Theodore Montague ( ya se especificó en las
del Estado de Tamaulipas ) .
Concesión de noviembre 8 de 1920, otorgada
a Candor Guajardo y Antonio Diaz de León ,
para explotación durante veinte años en los
lotes 27 y 36 del fraccionamiento del predio
Solís, municipalidad de Temapache, cantón de
Túxpam, Estado de Veracruz. Renta de diez
pesos anuales por hectara de los terrenos y
participación como sigue : por mil metros
cúbicos o menos de producción, 5 por ciento ;
excedente de mil hasta dos mil, 10 por ciento ;
excedente de dos mil hasta cinco mil , 15 por
ciento ; excedente de cinco mil , 20 por ciento.
Lote ciento setenta y tres de Tancoco, cantón
de Túxpam . Este lote fué dividido en siete
fracciones de cuatro hectaras cada una, habién
dose otorgada estas hectaras como sigue :
Jonás García, José Velasco U. y Margarito
Velásquez, una fracción.
Federico Cárdenas, una fracción.
José Lorenzo Sepúlveda, una fracción .
Angel Batiz, una fracción.
Jesús de la Fuente , una fracción .
Manuel González Vélez, una fracción.
Miguel R. Cárdenas , una fracción .
Concesión de 21 de septiembre de 1920.
otorgada a la Corporación Petrolera Mexicana.
para efectuar exploraciones petroleras con ob
jeto de explorar veinte lotes hasta de 2,000
hectaras cada uno, lotes que elegirán en te
rrenos de la República Mexicana. Esta con
cesión tiene una duración de veinte años . El
depósito de garantía es de diez mil pesos, la
renta que se pagará por los terrenos que se
elijan será de cinco pesos anuales por hectara
y la participación al gobierno de 15 por ciento
sobre la producción.
NOTAS- Se han reformado durante el periodo de
tiempo que se considera, dos o tres concesiones otor
gadas con anterioridad .
Las concesiones otorgadas durante el mes de
julio habian sido tramitadas y accordadas durante el
gobierno del Señor Carranza.
37
La Cámara de Comercio de Dallas
Está Laborando en pró de México
A Cámara de Comercio y Asociación de
Manufactureros de Dallas, ha incitado
enérgicamente a los manufactureros y comer
ciantes al por mayor de todos los Estados
Unidos de América, a que den una cuidadosa
consideración a la extensión de crédito a casas
comerciales de importancia en México , y a
cuya noticia se le ha dado amplia publicidad
en este país. Esta noticia ha sido demostrada
por la circunstancia de que las principales ca
sas exportadoras de Dallas. han abandonado
su costumbre de exigir pago al contado de
los comerciantes mexicanos , estableciendo en
cambio condiciones muy liberales de crédito, a
aquellas casas cuya reputación financiera les
es conocida.
En su informe , la Cámara de Comercio hace
especial mención de la estabilidad general de la
situación en México , así como de la responsa
bilidad financiera de casas establecidas en
nuestro país, declarando que estas casas
merecen la misma consideración de que se les
extienda crédito , en idéntica forma que se les
otorga a las casas de los Estados Unidos .
Corroborando lo anterior, la Cámara de Co
mercio inserta la siguiente declaración de la
Cámara Americana en esta ciudad :
"El principal obstáculo que existe ahora
entre el comercio de los Estados Unidos y
México, es la falta de conocimiento por parte
del manufacturero americano , de la estabilidad
del comerciante mexicano, que es su cliente.
4
"Si cien manufactureros americanos vinieran
a la ciudad de México , permanecieran una
semana y estudiaran los negocios de esta
capital , que es el centro mercantil y político
de este país, habría un enorme cambio en el
sistema seguido hasta ahora para dar crédito
a los comerciantes mexicanos , e indudablemen
te resultaría que el comerciante o manufactu
rero americano , en vez de exigir riguroso
pago al contado, inmediatamente permitiría la
apertura de cuentas, y con absoluta confianza
otorgaría crédito de noventa o más días.
"Las casas americanas que tienen largo
tiempo de estar establecidas en México , y que
ya han construído un voluminoso comercio en
este país , siempre abren cuentas y permiten
créditos de noventa días a las casas mexica
nas : pero las casas americanas que apenas se
inician en su comercio con México, creen
erróneamente que el comerciante mexicano es
débil, y le exigen, ya sea, riguroso pago ade
lantado, o bien, pago al contado contra entrega
de documentos de embarque. El exportador
inglés , francés y español , extiende mejores
condiciones de crédito, y Alemania está ha
ciendo inauditos esfuerzos por recobrar su
comercio en este país, por medio de extraordi
narias condiciones de crédito .
"Ninguna casa americana perderá dinero en
México , si sigue el mismo sistema en sus neA
gocios que sigue en los Estados Unidos , obte
niendo informes de sus clientes por conducto
de agencias mercantiles o agentes, y así , decidir
sus condiciones de crédito.”
La Cámara de Comercio de Dallas, también
transcribe el siguiente párrafo de carta reci
bida del Agente Comercial Americano en
México :
(Sigue en la pagina 48)
 Xy
38 THE
Mexican Byways and Highways
Interesting Scenes and Experiences Away From the
BY GEO. F. WEEKS
CHAPTER XI- (Concluded )
Down the West Coast to Tepic
ROM Acaponeta we took the journey by
easy stages , making Rosa Morada in a
F night's ride, and Santiago Ixcuintla (a
combined Spanish and Aztec name meaning St.
James the Place of the Dogs ) in another.
The roads were very dusty and for the
most part of the distance the scenery is
flat and of an uninteresting character,
though some extensive groves of palms are
traversed that add a picturesque touch to
the surroundings. We did not miss much
except the extreme heat of the sun by
traveling at night, though that is a decidedly
sleepy method . Owing to geographical
limitations the railroad builders were
obliged to leave Santiago ( as it is always
called for short) to one side. It is, however,
the leading town in this portion of the
Territory and a large amount of business
is transacted in many lines . It is on the
banks of the Santiago river, which is
crossed by the railway eighteen kilometers
farther up stream and in the edge of the
foothills. This river by the way is one of
the largest in the Republic . It has its
source in Lake Chapala, on the other side
of the Sierra Madre in the State of Jalisco ,
many miles distant from its mouth. The
canyon which it has cut through the
mountain range is replete with magnificent
5 scenery, which but few travelers ever enjoy ,
and if any one has written of or pictured
it, the fact has escaped the writer's notice .
But it is well worth a visit, as those who
have passed through the range in this man
ner have assured me. Unfortunately I did
not have the time to devote to such a
journey.
At Santiago Ixcuintla the river is broad
ን fortable and quite ancient house of half a
and even in the dry season when the water
is at the lowest it is quite deep and can
1 only be forded in certain selected spots .
Immense canoes are used in navigation ,
some hollowed out from single logs being
seen that measured sixty feet in length by
seven or eight in width. The "guanacasta "
tree is used for this purpose , the wood
being soft and easily cut out, while thwarts
at intervals serve to keep the craft in
shape . Heavy loads of machinery and
other freight are brought up from San Blas ,
the seaport at the mouth of the river, by
constructing a platform of large bamboo
lashing them so that a space of about ten
poles across the gunwales of two canoes ,
feet intervenes between the two . Several
tons of machinery or goods are thus accom
modated . These novel craft are propelled
by poling, and as the current of the stream
for many miles is sluggish , there is little
difficulty in moving large quantities of
freight by hand power. On the middle
reaches of the stream far above Santiago
MEXICAN REVIEW
Usual Paths of Travelers and Writers
are mines, all of the heavy machinery for
which was brought from the seaport in
this manner. Shallow draft stern-wheel
steamers could readily navigate the Santiago
river for many miles, except perhaps in the
times of lowest water, but so far no one
appears to have attempted the innovation .
With canoes to be had for the simple
making, only the crudest tools being neces
sary, and with labor at 25 cents gold per
day, and even less ( formerly) , there is
slight inducement to introduce methods of
transportation that require expense for
machinery, fuel, etc.
It is part of the plan of railway develop
ment in the Territory of Tepic to connect
the present single line crossing the Santiago
river at Yago , with the port of San Blas
by a branch . Indeed, such a line was
graded for a considerable distance years
ago. The country is level, roads are easily
constructed, while it is so fertile and pro
ductive that a large business could readily
be built up in the transportation of sugar,
corn, fruit and other products to San Blas,
which is a regular port of call for several
lines of Pacific coast steamers.
CHAPTER XII
Life in Tepic City- An Enjoyable But Inex
pensive Experience
INDING that it would be necessary for
me to remain for an indefinite period in
Fthe city of Tepic, in order to prosecute
the research I had undertaken with the thor
oughness that was essential, I foregathered
with three other Americans in like circum
stance, each being provided with a complete
camping outfit, and we decided as a measure
of comfort as well as economy to engage in a
sort of cooperative housekeeping. A comP
dozen rooms, patio filled with fruit trees and
flowers, corral for our mules, well, and other
anything but modern conveniences, was found,
the rent for which was fixed at $12 Mex . ($6
gold) per month . While we were investigat
ing and discussing the matter, some of the
curious neighbors cautioned us against taking
the place. No Mexican could be induced to
live there and it had been idle for many
months. The fact was, they declared, the
house was haunted, and there was also a
buried treasure story connected therewith .
Upon mentioning the ghostly rumors we had
heard, the owner begged us to take the place
and offered to accept a reduction from the
amount first stated. So we rented it for $8
per month, or $4 in American currency-the
four-dollar discount being the damage done
by the ghostly reputation.
We secured a cook in the person of a neat
looking woman of the better peon class, and
arranged with her to come to the house
daily, prepare our food, keep the place in
order, and, in fact, act as housekeeper. The
February, 1921
daily program as arranged and carried out
to mutual satisfaction was this :
The woman came about sunrise and rapped
at the great outer door, a massive, heavily
carved double-leaved affair almost as high as
the house, wide enough to drive a team and
coach through (indeed, the doors of most
houses are often usesd for that purpose) , and
thick enough to stop a bullet from anything
except the modern high-power weapon. A
smaller door cut in one of the leaves of the -
parent was used by us as a rule, while the
keys to both- well, the ordinary pocket would
not accommodate either of them. They seem
to have been made on the principle of the
most metal for the least money. Each morn
ing when the cook arrived we contributed }
fifty cents apiece, twenty-five cents American,
and with this money, one dollar in our cur
rency, she took a large basket and went to
market, returning with it overflowing with all
manner of fruit, vegetables, eggs, etc. Just
as an example : Eggs, real eggs, fresh eggs,
from the country, cost ( my memory does not
exactly serve ) either two cents for three or
three cents for two- that is to say, they
either cost one-third of a cent gold each or
three-quarters of a cent each, but that is not
important. It is interesting, however, for
purposes of comparison. The main fact is
that for one dollar she purchased all the food
that five adults ate during the day- for the
cook ate of the same food that we enjoyed,
and we did not stint ourselves in any way,
either, though it is true we used little meat,
the climate and our occupations not requiring
it . But we reveled in fresh eggs, milk, fruit
and vegetables. At night, in accordance with
the custom of the country, the cook took home
with her all the food remaining in the house,
and it was no small quantity either that she
was thus able to supply her family. It is
safe to say that the dollar in gold which we
contributed daily sufficed to cover the cost
of the food for at least seven persons.
The cook was a tireless worker, kept the
house neat and clean, and at the end of each .
month was very glad indeed to receive thrée
pesos, one dollar and a half gold, for her
services. And that this was regarded as
ample compensation was demonstrated by the
fact that we were constantly pestered by 1
other and envious women who wanted the
job for themselves . Doubtless the left-over
food was as much of an inducement as the
honorarium of three pesos monthly. At all
events, she was regarded by her friends as
in the enjoyment of rare good fortune !
It was while keeping house here that we
encountered perhaps the most novel method
of time keeping that can be imagined. In
deed, one would never imagine it. The first
morning of our experience in our haunted
castle, while waiting for breakfast, the cook
came to me and asked how we wished our
eggs cooked. We all wanted them boiled
my companions wishing theirs soft, while I
wanted mine hard. So I told Maria to cook
nine of them three minutes and three of
them six minutes.
She seemed to understand well enough, and
after awhile came from the kitchen with the
后
nine soft-boiled eggs. After another wait
she again returned with mine, but when >> I
cracked one I found it was > not at all as I
<
 {
Febrero , 1921 LA
#
Por Caminos y Veredas
Escenas y Aventuras en Caminos y Parajes Poco
PÓR GEO. F. WEEKS
CAPITULO XI- ( Concluye)
¿
Por la Costa Occidental Hasta Tepic
ESDE Acaponeta emprendimos el viaje
enjornadas cortas, haciendo parada en
Rosa Morada en una noche de camino y
en Santiago Ixcuintla en otra. (Este nombre es
compuesto de español y azteca y significa San
Jaime, el Lugar de los Perros.) Los caminos son
muy polvosos y en la mayor parte de la distancia,
es cansada la perspectiva y carente de interés,
aunque es verdad que existen a trechos sotos de
palmas que dan un toque pintoresco a los alre
dedores. No perdimos nada viajando en la
noche, excepto el extremado calor del sol,
aunque es verdad que ese método de viaje pro
duce mucho sueño . Debido a los accidentes
geográficos, los constructores de la línea del
ferrocarril se vieron obligados a dejar a un lado
a Santiago (como se llama al lugar por abreviar) .
Sin embargo, es esta una de las principales po
blaciones del Territorio y se transa en ella una
gran cantidad de negocios de todas clases .
Encuéntrase sobre las orillas del Río Santiago ,
que se ve cruzado por el ferrocarril a dieciocho
kilómetros más arriba, en las estribaciones de
las montañas. Entre paréntesis, debe decirse
que este río es uno de los más grandes de la
República. Tiene su orígen en el Lago de
Chapala del otro lado de la Sierra Madre, en el
*
Estado de Jalisco , a muchas millas de distancia de
su desembocadura. El cañón que halla labrado
en la cordillera está lleno de escenas magníficas
que han observado muy pocos viajeros. Si lo ha
descrito alguien, este hecho ha escapado al que
esto escribe. Pero ciertamente que es digno de
ser visitado, como me lo han asegurado los que
han cruzado la cordillera. Desgraciadamente , no
tuve el tiempo suficiente para dedicarlo a este
interesante viaje.
En Santiago Ixcuintla es muy ancho el río,
aun en la estación de secas, cuando el agua ha
alcanzado su nivel mínimo, es demasiado pro-
fundo para ser cruzado, excepto en algunos
lugares escogidos. Se emplean para su navega--
ción inmensas canoas, habiendo algunas talladas
en un solo tronco que miden sesenta pies de largo
por siete u ocho de ancho. Se emplea con este
fin el " guanacasta, " pues su madera es bastante
suave para poder ser trabajada . Varios tra
vesaños sirven para hacer que la embarcación
*+ conserve
su forma. Se traen grandes carga
mentos de maquinaria y otros artículos desde
San Blas, el puerto de mar de la boca del río ,
construyendo al efecto una gran plataforma de
grandes varas de bambú atravesadas en los
montantes de los remos de dos canoas, separadas
entre si, de manera que haya entre ellas un
intervalo de unos diez pies. Se acomodan así
varias toneladas de maquinaria. Esta novedosa
embarcación es impulsada por medio de remos y
varas y como en una extensión de muchas millas
es lenta la corriente, existe poca dificultad para
mover grandes cantidades de carga de este
suerte. A inmediaciones de la corriente , más
arriba de Santiago se encuentran minas cuya
pesada maquinaria fue trafda desde el puerto de
REVISTA MEXICANA
de Mexico
Frecuentados por Viajeros y Escritores
mar en la forma relatada . Pequeños vapores de
ruedas pueden navegar fácilmente el rìo San
tiago en una extensión de muchas millas excepto
quizás en la época del agua baja, pero hasta
aquí, parece que nadie ha pensado en intentar
esta innovación. Contando con canoas, para
cuya fabricación se requieren tan sólo las herra
mientas más burdas, y contando con trabajo a
razón de veinticinco centavos oro por día y aun
menos (anteriormente) existen pocos motivos
que induzcan a introducir métodos de transporte
que requieren gasto de maquinaria , combus
tible, etc.
Una parte del plan del desarrollo ferrocarrilero
en el Territorio de Tepic consiste en conectar la
línea única que cruza actualmente el Río San
tiago en Yago con el puerto de San Blas, por
medio de un ramal. Ciertamente que se ha
construído el terraplén para tal línea en una
distancia considerable, desde hace muchos años.
El lugar es plano, las vías se construyen fácilmen
te, en tanto que es la zona tan fértil y productiva
que puede hacerse un buen negocio del transporte
de azúcar, maíz, fruta y otros productos de San
Blas, que es un puerto que tocan regularmente
las líneas de varias empresas navieras del
Pacífico.
CAPITULO XII
Agradables Experiencias en la Ciudad
de Tepic
ONSIDERANDO que sería necesario
para mí permanecer por un período
C indefinido de tiempo en la ciudad de
Tepic con el objeto de continuar las investiga
ciones que me había propuesto seguir con toda
la perfección debida, me reuní con otros tres
americanos en iguales circunstancias, cada uno de
ellos provisto de un completo equipo de campo,
y decidimos, como una medida de comodidad
a la vez que de economía, proporcionarnos un
servicio doméstico cooperativo . Una cómoda y
bastante antigua casa de una media docena de
cuartos, con patio lleno de árboles frutales y
flores, corral para nuestras mulas, pozo y otras
varias comodidades medernas, fué encontrada ,
cuya renta se fijó por $12,00 Pesos Mexicanos
($6.00 U. S. Gold) mensuales. Mientras nos
ocupábamos en investigar y discutir el asunto ,
uno de nuestros vecinos curiosos nos emitió su
opinión en contra de que ocupáramos la casa .
Ningún mexicano podía ser inducido a habitar
allí y aquella casa había estado desocupada por
muchos meses . El hecho era, según ellos, que
la casa estaba encantada y existía tambien un
cuento de un tesoro enterrado , relacionado con
aquella creencia. Al mencionar los rumores de
espectros que habían llegado a nuestros oídos ,
el dueño de la casa nos rogó que la ocupáramos ,
ofreciéndonos aceptar una reducción a la
primera renta fijada . De modo que rentamos
la casa por $8.00 pesos al mes o sean $4.00 en
moneda de los Estados Unidos , siendo esta
reducción de $4.00 pesos la representación del
daño causado por la reputación de los espíritus .
Nos proporcionamos una cocinera en la
persona de una mujer de apariencia limpia y
39
aseada y de la mejor clase de la gente del pueblo ,
y arreglamos con ella que viniera a la casa
dariamente, preparara nuestros alimentos, con
servara el lugar en buen orden y, en una palabra,
hiciera las veces de una ama de llaves o señora
de casa. El programa diario, según lo arreglamos
y lo llevamos a efecto de mútua satisfacción,
era el siguiente :—
La mujer venía a la casa como a la hora de la
salida del sol y tocaba fuertemente a la gran
puerta de la calle ; un sólido y pesadamente
entallado zaguán de doble- puerta , casi tan alto
como la casa ; suficientemente ancho para que
diera paso a un carruaje con su tronco o pareja
(realmente , las puertas de la mayor parte de las
casas, se usan con frecuencia para este objeto)
y suficientemente gruesa para poder detener una
bala de cualquier arma de fuego, excepto de las
armas modernas de gran potencia . Una puerta
más pequeña , ajustada a una de las hojas de
la puerta-principal o matriz, era la que nosotros
usábamos comunmente , en tanto que las llaves
de las dos puertas , diríamos que el bolsillo común
y corriente no podría ser lo suficientemente
grande para acomodar ninguna de ellas . Parecía
que habían sido hechas basadas en el principio
de la mayor cantidad de metal por la menor
suma de dinero. Todas las mañanas, cuando
la cocinera llegaba, contribuíamos con la cantidad
de 50 centavos cada uno (25 centavos en moneda
americana) y con este dinero , un dollar en
nuestra moneda , ella tomaba un hermoso canasto
e iba al mercado , volviendo con él rebozando
con toda clase de frutas, legumbres, huevos, etc.
Solamente como un ejemplo diré : Huevos,
verdaderos huevos, huevos frescos del campo,
costaban (mi memoria no me ayuda exacta
mente) ya sean 2 centavos por 3 o tres centavos
por dos ; es decir, costaban ya sea una tercera
parte de un centavo oro cada uno o tres cuartas
partes de un centavo, pero no merece gran
importancia . Es interesante , de todos modos,
como materia de comparación . Lo principal
de todo, es que por un dollar nuestra cocinera
compraba todo el alimento que cinco personas
adultas comían durante el dia, porque la cocinera
comía de la misma comida que nosotros dis
frutábamos y hay qué confesar que no nos
restringíamos de ningún modo, aunque es verdad
que comíamos poca carne, porque el clima y
nuestras ocupaciones no nos la exigían. Pero
nos gozábamos en cambio, con huevos frescos,
leche, frutas y legumbres. Por las noches, de
acuerdo con las costumbres del lugar, la cocinera
llevaba consigo a su domicilio las comidas que
sobraban en nuestra casa, y no era poco esto
que se diga, porque ella lo consideraba suficiente
para abastecer a su familia. Bastante seguro es
afirmar que el dollar en oro con el cual contri
buíamos diariamente , bastaba para cubrir el
costo del alimento para siete personas cuando
menos.
La cocinera era una trabajadora incansable ;
conservaba la casa bien arreglada y limpia y al
final de cada mes estaba sin duda contentísima
de recibir tres pesos (un dollar y medio) por sus
servicios. Y esto se suponía ser un magnífico
sueldo, pues lo demostraba el hecho de que
estábamos constantemente importunados por
otras mujeres envidiosas que deseaban obtener
el empleo. Sin duda la cuestión del sobrante
de las comidas era un aliciente tan grande como
la retribución de tres pesos mensuales ! Como
consecuencia, ella era considerada por sus

40 THE
wanted it. Knowing that there was no clock
in the house and that I had the only watch,
while the cook had not asked me to time the
cooking, I wondered how she had determined
the length of time for boiling the eggs , so I
asked her about it.
"Oh, Señor," she said. "for the other gen
tlemen who wanted their eggs soft I boiled
them as my people always do- un credo (one
creed ) . For yours, which you said you
wanted cooked very hard, I thought dos
credos (two creeds ) would be enough, and
did so."
"Credos ! What do you mean ?"
And then she explained to me that having
neither clocks nor watches, it was the custom
of cooks when boiling eggs to recite the
Apostles' Creed in a slow manner, and when
completed and the "Amen" said, the eggs
were sure to be cooked sufficiently. And she
naturally thought that if one recital sufficed
to cook eggs soft, two recitals ought surely
to suffice for me ! Whereupon I explained to
her that in the future she would have to be
still more religious and recite the creed three
times, which, in fact, proved to be the proper
method and thereafter my eggs were served
as I wanted them.
Another queer idea also developed in this
connection. I found that Maria always boiled
the eggs for my companions before putting
mine into the water, and asked her why she
did this-why she did not put mine in simul
taneously, thus saving time, but letting them
cook double the period allotted.
"Oh, Señor," she replied, "if I did that I
would get them mixed up and could not tell
them apart !"
Tepic, like all places in Mexico which, to
use a common phrase, has not been "spoiled
by foreigners," was one of the most economi
cal places in which to live that can be
imagined. After keeping house for several
months, my companions saddled up one day
and went their respective ways. I there
upon sought a boarding house, not caring to
maintain a separate establishment . This I
found with little trouble. I secured a large
and comfortable room on the ground floor,
neatly furnished and clean, and enjoyed three
good meals daily, largely composed of fruit,
eggs, vegetables, milk, bread, etc. The land
lady was very solicitous for my comfort and
hovered over my table to see that I lacked
for nothing. Constantly she told me : "Señor,
if you see anything in the market place that
you would like, and which I do not have on
the table, tell me and I will get it for you."
And for room and board I paid the munifi
cent sum of $ 15 per month gold ! In the case
of boarders occupying rooms in company, the
charge was $11 each ! Can you beat it ?
I made the interesting acquaintance of a
"remittance man" who had lived in this city
for many years, and whose means were any
thing but liberal. He was obliged to make
every cent count. Part of the time he kept
"bachelor's hall" in a house that cost him one
dollar monthly rental. When he wearied of
food cooked by himself, he was wont to
patronize some of the market place or street
restaurants, of which there were scores, and
here he was accustomed to obtain a very
good, appetizing and satisfactory meal for a
MEXICAN REVIEW
total expenditure of six to eight centavos—
three to four cents gold ! An American
prisoner in the jail at Acaponeta (he was
locked up for several months for thrashing
a soldier in public ) , assured me that for $5
Mex. he had good meals brought to him
from a street restaurant for fifteen days !
The sidewalk and market place restaurants
are a notable feature in all except the largest
cities. Certain spaces in the markets and
certain blocks in the streets are allotted to
restaurant uses. Women are almost invari
ably the cooks and the furniture and dishes
are, of course, of the crudest. But with a
handful of charcoal, an earthen brasero and
a few other utensils of the same material, the
cook will prepare dishes of meat, vegetables,
eggs, etc., that are not to be despised by a
hungry man- more especially if he be a little
cramped in the region of the exchequer and
must make every centavo do its utmost
until the next remittance shall arrive.
Not always, however, does a foreigner get
off so easily. He finds himself at times dis
criminated against. As for example : One
very hot day a friend and myself went into
an ice cream tent on the plaza and called
for some of the appetizing refreshment. I
noticed some natives who were also enjoy
ing the same seasonable luxury, and also
noticed when they left that they paid ten
cents each. The dishes of cream we had
were of the same size as theirs, yet when
we came to pay for ours the price demanded
was just double-twenty cents each. "How
is that," I asked the proprietor . "Those
men who just went out paid only ten cents
each, while you ask twenty from me ?"
"That is true," he replied calmly. "But
they were natives, while you are foreigners !"
And I paid the twenty cents, for I had seen
something of the folly of resisting such petty
overcharges , and long since concluded that
the wiser course was to submit, but to re
member.
Nowhere in all the time that I passed in
Mexico and in all my travels in that country
did I ever see a place where fruit was so
varied, so abundant, so cheap and so deli
cious as in Tepic. Bananas were two cen
tavos the dozen at retail, 25 cents for an en
tire "racimo," or cluster ; pineapples two or
three centavos each ; mangoes five or six for
one centavo ; zapotes, one centavo ; oranges
three centavos per dozen ; aguacates three or
four for one centavo ; cocoanuts, green and
ripe, mameys, zapote melons, cherimoyas, and
many other unfamiliar products of the hot
country were also abundant and cheap. There
is a species of the pineapple grown in the
hot country on both coasts that is never seen
in the United States, as it, is too delicate to
stand shipment, but which is found here in
all its glory, The flesh, instead of being
solid and white, is of a golden translucent
appearance, and is so juicy that it literally
drips with sweetness. One who has never
eaten this fruit does not know what a pine
apple really is.
(To be continued )
Popocatepetl is on the rampage in Mexico .
There's one insurgent they can't deport. A
Seattle Star.
f
February, 1921
NEWS BREVITIES
Now that General Tiburcio Fernandez has
been declared the legally elected governor of
the State of Chiapas it is hoped that this won
derfully fertile region, under the new adminis
tration, will be given new impetus in the de
velopment of its agricultural resources. This
State and that of Tabasco are popularly
called "the granary of the Republic " be
cause of the productiveness of their soils
when properly cultivated.
The general management of the National
Railways has set aside a credit of 35,000,000
pesos for the purchase of equipment made nec
essary by the great increase of business during
the past few months. It is calculated that 250
locomotives and 5,000 cars will be needed to
provide for the service required to handle the
business.
A diamond mining claim has been filed on
certain property in the State of Guerrero.
There is an old tradition to the effect that the
liberator, General Guerrero, discovered a de
posit of diamonds in that region and that a
valuable specimen of the precious gems was
presented to the Emperor Iturbide.
!
Active work is continuing on the construc
tion of the railroad to connect directly the
States of Chihuahua and Sinaloa with the
Pacific coast, with the completion of which
there will be opened up a new territory, im>
portant for its rich mineral, agricultural and
commercial possibilities .
1
A company composed of Americans has un-
der active preparation the establishment of an
aeroplane service between Mexico and the
United States for both passengers and freight.
It is proposed to maintain a chain of aero
planes for the entire distance between Mexico
City and Washington .
A comprehensive plan for the federalization
of education throughout the Republic has been
prepared and has received the sanction of the
President. It is his declared wish that the
greatest possible number of new schools shall
be established with as little delay as possible.
Frequent excursions of New Mexican capi
talists are being run to the frontier states of
Mexico, especially into the rich State of Chi
huahua, looking for opportunities for invest
ment of large sums in various industries.
A number of manufacturers and business
men of the State of Jalisco have formed an
association for the promotion of their interests,
believing if they are organized as are the
workers a better and more practical under
!
standing with them may be obtained . !
The Howeth & Smith concession for pearl
fishing in the Gulf of California has beeri
cancelled by the Secretary of Agriculture and
Fomento because of alleged failure of con
cessionaires to comply with the provisions of
their contract.
{ } 31
 *
$
Febrero, 1921 LA
amigas como disfrutando de una extraordinaria
mente rara y buena fortuna !
Aquí fué en donde mientras vivíamos en esta
casa, nos enteramos tal vez del más novelesco
1 método para graduar la hora que imaginarse
pueda. Sin duda nadie se lo podría imaginar.
La primera mañana de nuestro lance en nuestro
palacio encantado. mientras esperábamos por el
almuerzo (o desayuno) la cocinera se dirigió a
mí preguntándome cómo deseábamos que se
cocinaran los huevos. Todos nosotros los deseá
bamos hervidos (pasados por agua) ; mis com
pañeros deseaban los suyos ligeramente cocidos
en tanto que yo los quería para mi, duros . De
modo que dije a María que cociera 9 huevos por
espacio de 3 minutos y 3 huevos por 6 minutos.
Ella pareció que entendió bastante bien y
después de un momento de espera, vino de la
cocina con los 9 huevos ligeramente hervidos.
Despues de un rato más de espera, volvió de
nuevo con los míos, pero al abrír uno de ellos ,
encontré que no estaba de ningún modo como
yo lo deseaba . Sabiendo que no había ningún
reloj en la casa y que yo era el único que tenía
reloj , a la vez que la cocinera no me había
indicado que yo graduara el tiempo para el cocido
de los huevos, me llamó la atención cómo ella
se las había arreglado para calcular el tiempo
para hervir los huevos y le pregunté sobre el
particular.
"Oh, Señor, me dijo : para los otros señores que
querían los huevos ligeramente cocidos, los
herví como mi familia siempre lo hace: un Credo.
Para los de Vd. , que los deseaba cocidos bastante
duros , creí que dos Credos serían lo suficiente,
+
y así lo hice."
"Credos ! " Qué quieres decir con eso? "
Y entonces ella me explicó que no teniendo
ni relojes de pared ni de bolsillo, era costumbre
entre las cocineras, cuando hervían huevos,
rezar el Credo de los Apóstoles de una manera
pausada, y al tiempo de terminarlo con su
respectivo " Amén, " seguro que los huevos ya
estaban cocidos suficientemente. Y natural
mente, ella pensó que si un rezo era lo sufi
ciente para hervir los huevos ligeramente
cocidos, dos rezos deberían ser con seguridad lo
bastante para los míos ! De modo que le
expliqué ? que en lo futuro debía ser más
religiosa y debería repetir el Credo tres veces ,
lo que en efecto comprobó ser el método ade
+ carbón vejetal, un brasero de barro y algunos otros puntos importantes, con los puertos
cuado, y en adelante los huevos me fueron
servidos siempre como yo los deseaba.
Otra cosa extraordinaria se desarrolló en conec
ción con ésto . > Me fijé que María siempre
servía los huevos para mis compañeros antes de
poner los destinados para mí dentro del agua, y le
pregunté por qué razón hacía ésto, es decir, por qué
no ponía tambien los huevos para mí simultánea
mente, ahorrando tiempo de este modo, y deján
dolos cocer por doble del tiempo designado.
" Oh, Señor, me contestó : si yo lo hiciera así,
se me revolverían y ya no sabría saber cómo
separarlos !"
Tepic, como todos los demás lugares de México
que, usando una frase corriente , " no han sido
maleados por los extrangeros " era uno de los
lugares más económicos para vivir que pueda
imaginarse. Después de vivir así en nuestra
を研
casa por varios meses, mis compañeros ensillaron
un dia sus caballos y cada uno tomó su
T
respectivo camino. Por consiguiente, me pro
porcioné una casa de huéspedes, no teniendo
oterés de tener una casa por separado .
REVISTA MEXICANA 41
Esta la encontré con poco trabajo. Me precio que se nos exigió fué precisamente el
consegui una amplia y cómoda habitación en doble. "Como es eso? " pregunté al propietario.
el primer piso, bien amueblada y limpia, y dis "Aquellos hombres que acaban de salir sola
frutaba yo de tres comidas al dia, mayormente mente pagaron diez centavos cada uno , en
compuestas de frutas, huevos, legumbres, leche, cambio que Vd . me cobra 20 centavos por mi
pan, etc. La señora de la casa se mostraba sólo? "
muy solícita por mi comodidad y rondaba siem "Es verdad , contestó con calma, pero ellos
pre por mi mesa para ver que no me hiciera son del país, en tanto que l'ds. son extranjeros.''
falta nada. Constantemente me decía : " Señor , Entonces pagué los 20 centavos, porque a la
si Vd . ve alguna cosa en el mercado que le vez noté algo de la tontería de hacer resistencia
agradara comer y que no la pongo en la mesa , a tan insignificante aumento de precio y mucho
dígamelo y con gusto se la traeré." Y por antes de ésto vine a la conclusión que lo más
el cuarto y comidas yo pagaba la módica prudente y aconsejable era someterse , pero
suma de $ 15.00 oro al mes ! En el caso de recordando la historieta.
huéspedes que ocuparan cuartos en compañía (Continuará)
(es decir, dos o tres personas en cada uno) el
precio entonces era de $ 11.00 por cada uno !
Un Millón de Almas
Podría imaginarse semejante cosa ?
Hice la interesante amistad de un " cobratario OS cálculos hechos por los encargados de
de cuentas viejas e impagables " que había Los recoger los datos para un directorio de la
vivido en la ciudad por muchos años y cuyos ciudad de México y del Distrito Federal (desig
recursos no eran nada abundantes. Estaba nación equivalente a Washington y el Distrito
obligado a hacer que cada centavo hiciera de Columbia ) llegan a la conclusión de que la
número. Parte del tiempo se lo pasaba en su poblaciòn de la ciudad es de 800,000 a 900,000
cuarto de solterón, en una casa que le costaba almas, y con la de los suburbios se llega al gran
un dollar mensual por renta. Cuando se total de de un millón. Esto representa un
aburría de las comidas hechas por él mismo, aumento de algo asi como del cincuenta por
solía entonces hacerse parroquiano de uno de ciento , a partir del último censo hecho en 1910.
los puestos del mercado o restaurants callejeros, Tambien se están haciendo trabajos prelimi
de los cuales se hacían censuras, y en estos nares para un cómputo oficial, pero nó es de
lugares él estaba acostumbrado a propor • creerse que el total que se obtenga difiera mucho
cionarse una muy buena , apetitosa y satis del antes mencionado.
factòria comida por un costo total de 6 á 8
centavos (de tres a cuarto centavos oro) . Un
preso americano que se encontraba en la Informes recibidos por el Ministerio de
cárcel de Acaponeta (se le tenía preso por varios Agricultura, procedentes de todas las regiones
meses por maltratar a un soldado en público) del país , acusan que las cosechas de todas clases
me aseguró que por $5.00 Pesos Mexicanos han sido inusitadamente abundantes y que se
había tenido buenas comidas traídas hasta él han logrado cereales en cantidad suficiente para
llenar todas las necesidades nacionales . A causa
de un restaurant callejero, durante quince dias!
Los restaurants de las aceras y los instalados de que en tiempos anteriores se hicieron exporta
en los mercados son la cosa más notable en todas ciones de productos que abundaron en ciertas
las ciudades, con excepción de las más impor regiones, pero que en otras escaseaban, se ha
tantes. estimado necesario prohibir su exportación, a
Ciertos espacios en los mercados y ciertas fin de prevenir la imposición de altos precios.
cuadras en las calles, están permitidas para el a los consumidores.
uso de restaurants. Mujeres son casi invaria
blemente las cocineras y el mueblario y los
Se ha presentado al gobierno una proposición.
utensilios de cocina son, indudablemente, de la
para el establecimiento de un servicio aéreo de
calidad más tosca. Pero con un puñado de
pasaje y carga entre la capital de la República y
otros utensilios del mismo material, la cocinera comerciales del Pacífico , con los cuales la
puede preparar platillos de carnes, legumbres , com unicación ferrocarrilera es aún difícil y
huevos, etc. , cosas todas que no serían desprecia sujeta a demoras.
bles por ninguna persona hambrienta , más
especialmente si la persona de que se trata
se encuentra un poco apartada de la región Se propone establecer 31 estaciones inalám
del erario y se ye obligada a hacer que cada bricas en las capitales de los Estados de la
centavo haga todo lo que pueda, cuando menos República y en los principales puertos. El
hasta que llegue la próxima remesa de fondos. costo se ha calculado en cerca de tres cuartos
No siempre, sin embargo, un extrangero se de millon de pesos .
aprovecha de ésto fácilmente . A veces se
encuentra exceptuado de esta regla . Por ejem
plo : Un dia muy caluroso, un amigo mío y El Ministro de Fomento y Agricultura está
yo fuimos a un puesto callejero de lonas en haciendo una revisión cuidadosa de todas las
donde servían sorbetes, situado en la plaza concesiones hechas por el gobierno de Ca
de la población, y pedimos algunos de los más rranza con el objeto de establecer sus ante
cedentes.
apetitosos refrescos . Fijé mi atención en algunos
nativos del lugar que estaban saboreando el
mismo delicioso y agradable manjar, y noté Se ha firmado un convenio entre las autori
que cuando ellos se fueron, pagaron diez dades postales de México y Estados Unidos
centavos por persona. Los platillos de sorbetes por el cual se permite el paso de la corres
que nos sirvieron, eran del mismo tamaño que pondencia y demás asuntos postales a través
el de ellos, mas al pagar por los nuestros, el de la frontera , sin necesidad de trasbordo.
42
Plan Training Young Mexicans
Education of Youths for United States Business Agents
MERICAN business men and manufac
turers, who wish to develop their busi
A ness in Mexico, and also to aid Mexico
and promote good relations between the two
countries, are urged by the American Chamber
of Commerce of Mexico to provide work for
young Mexicans and help them through Amer
ican schools or colleges.
The Chamber has worked out a plan by
which an American who wishes to develop a
Mexican or Latin-American representative
may obtain a promising young Mexican for
training by guaranteeing to pay his tuition in
a good American business school, technical
school, college or university. The Chamber
"Break-Down Rolls" in Plant of the Consolidated Rolling Mills, Mexico City
does not ask that the business man pay his
traveling expenses or support him, or incur
any expenses beyond that of the tuition. As
far as possible, however, it is desired that the
man providing the tuition should give part
time employment to the young Mexican, or
otherwise aid him to work his way through.
school.
"The business man, who needs a Mexican
or Latin-American representative, or who real
izes the great opportunity in Mexico, is invited
under this plan to train a young Mexican, al
ready possessing a fair education, both in his
own business or factory and in an American
school at the same time," said Will A. Peairs
of Des Moines, Iowa, the originator of the
plan.
Twenty-one schools, colleges and universities
in the United States have already provided
scholarships for Mexican youths in pursuance
of this plan. Most of these are in the Middle
THE MEXICAN REVIEW
There Urged to Insure Good Relations
West, South and West. The appeal of Mr.
Peairs is the first made so far in the East.
"The richest country in the world today, in
my opinion, is Mexico," said Mr. Peairs, "and
American foreign trade has its greatest future
there. The best way to develop it that I know
of is to teach Mexican boys our ways and
methods of business and to make them ad
mirers of our country and institutions.
"The Mexican boy who takes advantage of
this plan must pay his own way to and from
the school and support himself after he gets
there. It is preferable that he should work
his way through school. Education in Mexico
has been generally confined to classes with
money. This opportunity is intended mainly
for the poor boy. They are bright, ambitious
and adaptable and will soon pick up American
ways. The hunger for education is noticeable
in every part of Mexico. The boys brought
into the United States under this plan will
make willing and apt pupils. They will see
American boys doing any kind of honest labor
to work their way through school and learn
something of our school democracy.
"The boys who receive higher education or
technical education here will return to Mexico
and start a constantly growing stream of Mex
ican students to this country. There are more
than 3,000 Chinese students in this country to
day. The Pan-American Union has a record
of only nine Mexicans attending colleges and
schools in this country.
"The best opportunity for foreign trade for
Americans lies in Mexico today, in my opinion.
It is a better field, in spite of all it has been
February, 1921
through, for the exporter to do business in,
than any of the other Latin-American coun
tries. It is on a gold basis. It is so rich that
a brief spell of peace puts it on its feet. From
now on, it is going to have an era of peace.
The people are absolutely through with revo
lution and war.
"Oil is the leading product, but I believe that
agriculture in Mexico presents an even more
attractive prospect for the investor. In time,
Mexico will buy more American goods than
any country. This is the time for an alert
business man to study his opportunities there.
"We hope also that men and women inter
ested in the welfare of Mexico and in keeping
the two countries on a peaceful and friendly
footing should take part in this movement to
provide scholarships for Mexican boys."
The following schools have provided one or
more scholarships for Mexican youths ; Mu
nicipal University of Akron, Ohio ; University
of Nebraska, University of Alabama, Univer
sity of Texas, Iowa State Teachers' College,
Miami University, Oxford, Ohio ; Northwest
ern College, Napierville, Ill.; Drake Univer
sity, Des Moines, Iowa ; Haverford College,
Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa.; Lexing
ton University, Lexington, Ky.; College of
Wooster, Wooster, Ohio ; University of Min
nesota, Hamline University, De Pauw Univer
sity, Beloit College, Ellsworth College, Iowa
Falls, Iowa ; Bowdoin College, New York Uni
versity, University of Nevada, Illinois State
Normal University.
Among the firms which have undertaken to
provide tuition and employment for Mexican
boys selected by competitive test are the Cum
berland Medicine Company and the Waterbury
Chemical Company of Des Moines and the
Dy- O-La Drug Company of Burlington, Vt.
A statement by the American Chamber of
Commerce on Mexico of its plan says in part :
"Education will be the salvation of Mexico
and will solve its problems. That will bring
progress, prosperity and contentment for the
people and will in time make possible actual
democracy in Government.
"Many well-to-do families among the Mex
icans send their boys and girls to the United
States and Europe for education . This, how
ever, is entirely beyond the reach of the great
majority of the people, and the increase of
educational facilities in this country is an urg
ent need. The contact of the native element
with the outside world would be of lasting
benefit.
The committee will have the cooperation of
a number of Mexican educators, who are in
touch with students and applicants throughout
Mexico. They will help to select the candi
dates for scholarships and apprenticeships
among the Mexicans who wish to go to the
United States.
"Through cooperation and contact with the
United States, Cuba's foreign trade has in
creased threefold in ten years, and the people
are enjoying a prosperity undreamed of a few
years ago. That prosperity began in closer re
lations with the United States . Mexico is
seventeen and a half times the size of Cuba.
"Institutions, companies, societies and indi
viduals taking an interest in the subject are
requested to communicate with the Committee
on Mexican-American Scholarships, Ameri
can Chamber of Commerce of Mexico City."
Febrero, 1921 LA REVISTA MEXICANA 43

y los comerciantes estudien las oportunidades

que México les ofrece.
Plan Para Educar Jovenes Mexicanos
"Esperamos tambien que los hombres y
mujeres que se interesan por el bienestar de
Urge que los Hombres de Empresa de los Estados Unidos
México y por mantener la paz y la amistad
Procuren la Educación de Aquellos Como Medio de Asegurar las entre los dos países, tomarán parte en este
Buenas Relaciones en el Futuro. movimiento que tiende a proporcionar becas
a los jóvenes mexicanos."
OS comerciantes y fabricantes norteameri muchachos norteamericanos realizar cualquier Las siguientes son las escuelas que hasta
canos que deseen desarrollar su comercio clase de trabajo honrado para costearse sus hoy han proporcionado una o varias becas para
con México, asi como ayudar a este
estudios, y aprenderían a conocer nuestra ese objeto :
país y fomentar las relaciones de amistad entre democracia escolar. Universidad Municipal de Akron, Ohio ;
ambos países, son solicitados urgentemente por "Los jóvenes que perfeccionaran aquí su Universidad de Nebraska ; Universidad de
la Cámara Americana de Comercio en México , educación o adquirieran conocimientos técnicos Alabama ; Universidad de Texas ; Colegio
a fin de proporcionar trabajo a jóvenes mexi
retornarían a México, y comenzaría así una para Maestros del Estado de Iowa ; Univer
canos y ayudarlos a hacer sus estudios en las
constante y creciente corriente de estudiantes sidad de Miami ; Universidad de Orfox, Ohio ;
escuelas y colegios norteamericanos.
La Cámara ha ideado un plan por cuyo mexicanos hacia este país . Existen hoy más Colegio del Noroeste, Napierville, Illinois ;
de 3,000 estudiantes mexicanos en los Estados Universidad de Drake, Iowa ; Colegio de
medio todo norteamericano que desee formar
un representante mexicano o latino-americano, Unidos. La Unión Pan-Americana apenas ha Haverford ; Universidad Templo, Filadelfia ,
puede obtener un joven mexicano para su alcanzado un máximo de nueve estudiantes Pensilvania ; Universidad de Lexington, Lex
preparación, bajo condición de costearle la
enseñanza en una buena escuela de comercio,
técnica, profesional o universidad norteameri
cana. La Cámara no exige que el comerciante
erogue los gastos de viaje del educando ni
tampoco que lo sostenga o costee en sus demás
gastos, a parte de la enseñanza. Sin embargo,
es de desearse que quien tome a su cargo
dicha enseñanza hiciera todo lo posible por
proporcionar trabajo al escolar o lo ayudara a
conseguirlo, a fin de hacer frente a sus gastos
durante sus estudios.
El señor Guillermo A. Peairs, de Des
Moines, Iowa, iniciador de la idea, dice :
"El comerciante que necesite un representante TIDEN
mexicano o latino-americano, o quien pueda
darse cuenta de las grandes oportunidades que
México ofrece, es invitado , de acuerdo con
este plan, a preparar a un joven mexicano,
con una educación necesaria, tanto para sus
propios negocios o factorías como en su
educación en alguna escuela norteamericana,
simultáneamente. Veinte y un escuelas, cole
gios y universidades de los Estados Unidos
han proporcionado ya becas para dichos jó
venes mexicanos, bajo las bases de este plan.
En su mayor parte son de la región media
del Oeste, del Sur y del Oeste. Es la primera
vez que el llamamiento de Mr. Peairs se hace
en el Este.
Mr. Peairs dice : "El país más rico del Non- Ferrous Metal Foundry in Pant of Consolidated Rolling Mills, Mexico City
mundo es, en mi concepto, México, y es alli
donde está el gran futuro para el comercio mexicanos que concurren a las escuelas y ington, Kentuky ; Colegio de Wooster, Woo
de exportación de los Estados Unidos. El colegios norteamericanos. ster, Ohio ; Universidad de Minnesota ; Uni
medio más práctico que yo concibo para desa "Opino que la más ventajosa oportunidad para versidad de Hamline ; Universidad de Pauw ;
rrollar ese comercio es enseñando a los jóvenes el comercio de exportación de los norteameri Colegio de Beloit ; Colegio de Ellsworth,
mexicanos nuestras costumbres y métodos canos está hoy en México. A pesar de las Cataratas de Iowa, Iowa ; Colegio de Bow
mercantiles, haciéndoles apreciar nuestro país circunstancias porque ha atravesado, es aún un doin ; Universidad de New York ; Universidad
y sus instituciones. campo mucho más vasto para los exportadores de Nevada ; Universidad Normal del Estado
"El jóven mexicano que goce de las ventajas que cualquiera otro de los países latino-ameri de Illinois.
de este plan deberá costear su viaje así como canos. El mercado se rige a base de oro, y Entre las firmas comerciales que han tomado.
sostenerse en la escuela. Es preferible que él el país es tan rico, que el más breve lapso de a su cargo la enseñanza y empleo de mucha
mismo se abra paso durante sus estudios . En paz basta para que pueda brindar de nuevo sus chos mexicanos, seleccionados por examen de
México la educación ha estado reservada, tesoros. En adelante, habrá allí toda una era competencia, están la Compañía de Medicina
generalmente, a la gente de recursos. Esta de paz. La gente está cansada ya de guerras Cumberland y la Compañía Química de Water
oportunidad, pues, se ofrece principalmente a y de revoluciones. bury, la Compañía de Des Moines y la Com
los estudiantes pobres. Estos son inteligentes , "El petróleo es la principal fuente de pañía Droguera de Dy-O-La, de Burlington ,
ambiciosos y muy pronto se harían a las riqueza ; pero yo creo que la agricultura pre Vermont.
costumbres norteamericanas. Las ansias de senta aún más atrayentes perspectivas a los La Cámara Americana de Comercio en Mé
educación son manifiestas en cada región de capitalistas. Dentro de muy poco tiempo, Mé xico, hablando de este plan, dice :
México . Los jóvenes traídos a los Estados xico será el país que consuma más artículos "La instrucción será la salvación de México
Unidos bajo este plan serían muy aptos y norteamericanos que ninguno otro. Ahora es y lo que resolverá sus problemas. Esto traerá
aprovechados discípulos. Observarían a los tiempo, pues, de que los hombres de empresa (Sigue en la pagina 48)
44 THE
The Pacification of the Yaquis
How Governor Borquez of Sonora Has Settled One of
the Most Perplexing Problems in the Country
BY HONORATO BELTRAN
Private Stenographer of the Governor of Sonora
EACE, the symbol of union and
progress among the civilized peoples, is
expanding more and more every day
with a lightning-like rapidity, throughout the
Mexican land ; and wisely conducted by the
prudent policy and patriotic efforts of Presi
dent Adolfo de la Huerta and of the governor
07
Courtesy of La Naceta de los Estados Unidos
Gen. Luis Matus
GOV. FLAVIO A. BORQUEZ OF SONORA AND THE YAQUI CHIEFS AFTER SIGNING THE TREATY
of Sonora, Flavio A. Borquez, has surmounted
barriers, in olden days thought impassable. It
has reached the Indian tribes, the never-con
quered rebels, the Yaqui tribes ; this Indian
tribe that so deeply worried the administration
of General Porfirio Diaz and of each Govern
ment that followed. And it is a well-known
fact that all those governments tried by every
possible way and means to establish friendly
relations with the Indians, with the view of
ending thus the perpetual state of war in
Sonora. But the victory was reserved for
President de la Huerta.
Everybody knows that at the present time
all the Yaqui tribes are peaceful . Everybody
knows also, that the most friendly and cordial
relations exist between the chief of the tribe,
General Ignacio Mori, and the Federal and
State Governments. And it is also a well
known fact that the said Indian chief is ac
tually in the City of Mexico, at the head of
the hodyguard of the President . The uncon
MEXICAN REVIEW
querable chief of the tribe, the most enraged
rebel, has come down from the recesses of the
mountains of Sonora to shake hands with the
governor of the State. And this chief, Luis
Espinosa, proud of his courageous race, with
great pleasure allowed his picture to be taken
in the company of Governor Flavio A. Bor
quez, General Luis Matus (a Yaqui Indian
also ) , and many other perosns.
All these incidents reveal that the old prob
Gov. Flavio A. Bórquez
lem of pacification is approaching a happy end
and it has been mostly due to the patriotic
faith and enthusiasm of President de la Huerta.
and of the governor of Sonora.
We can firmly say that there is no danger
of new revolts. All the Indians that inhabit
the vast region known as the Rio Yaqui, those
lands which have witnessed so many scenes of
honnor and butchery, are now busily engaged
in plowing the fertile soil . They have changed
the rifle for the plow, and they all are happy
and enjoy their work-from General Espinosa
and General Matus to the last of their men.
The Indians are acquiring properties in that
region, they are building houses, and in the
picturesque village of Vicam, they are con
structing a beautiful church with a comfortable.
house for the priest.
They not only have requested tools and agri
cultural implements from the Government, but
they have asked also, through their representa
February , 1921
tive, General Matus, for books, blackboards and
teachers . The Angel of Peace has come down.
with his blessings, to the Yaqui region !
Blessed be the Peace ; symbol of Union and
Progress !
Education for Sonora Indians
Governor Flavio A. Borquez, of Sonora, has
purchased three hundred school desks for the
use of Yaqui Indian children in the State.
This is but one of many expenses which Sonora
is assuming in order to prepare the recently
pacified Indians for useful citizenship and edu
cate them up to the high standards being set
for Mexico's future manhood and woman
hood.
Gen. Luis Espinoza
The plans for the education of Sonora's chil
dren generally are broad and comprehensive.
More schools are being constructed, and those
already in use are being improved . More and
better teachers are being employed. The field
of education will be gradually but thoroughly
broadened and designed to instruct along prac
tical as well as academic lines, with special at
tention to industrial training.-From The
Gazette of the United States, Los Angeles .
Notice has been issued that as a result of
negotiations between the two governments, cars
of the railroads of both countries will in the
future be passed back and forth across the
border at various points without hindrance or
delay of any kind.. For several years this
has not been done, and it has been necessary
to reship all freights going into or coming
from either country.
 LA
Febrero, 1921
La Pacificacion de los Indios Yaquis
!
Cómo el Gobernador de Sonora ha Solucionado Uno de los
Más Escabrosos Problemas del País
POR HONORATO BELTRAN
Taquígrafo Particular del Gobernador de Sonora
A SACROSANTA Paz, símbolo de la
unión y progreso entre los pueblos
civilizados , se extiende, día a día, con
la rapidéz vertiginosa de la luz, hasta por los
lugares más recónditos del suelo mexicano, y
guiada sabiamente por la política sensata y las
acertadas y patrióticas gestiones del Presidente
don Adolfo de la Huerta, y del Gobernante de
Sonora, don Flavio A. Bórquez, por fin ha
traspuesto los límites en otro tiempo de aparien
cia infranqueables , donde viven las tribus
rébeldes de antaño : las tribus yaquis ; las tribus
de los mismos que preocuparon hondamente al
Gobierno del General Porfirio Díaz como a cada
uno de los que hubo después. Y bien sabido
es que todos trabajaron , hasta donde su esfuerzo
se los permitió, por entrar en relaciones amistosas
con ellas y terminar así con la constante rebeldía
en Sonora ; pero no era el triunfo para ellos
$ (que al fin y al cabo triunfo debe llamarse a lo
que se ha logrado , a este respecto, hasta la fecha) ;
le estaba reservado al' Sr. de la Huerta.
Efectivamente , ¿ quién no sabe ya lo pacíficas
que están ahora las tribus de la región del
Yaqui? ¿ quién no sabe las cordiales relaciones
que existen entre su General en Jefe, Ignacio
Mori, y el Gobierno del Centro y del Estado , y
que dicho Jefe Yaqui se encuentra actualmente
en México, con parte de su gente, prestando sus
servicios en la Guardia Presidencial ? ¿ quién no
sabe que hasta el General más rebelde entre
ellos, el más sañudo , el más irreducible, ha bajado
a Hermosillo de las abruptas sierras sonorenses ,
por primera vez en son de paz, a estrechar la mano
del Primer Mandatario de Sonora , de su parte y
de las tribus que comanda ? ¿ quién no sabe que
este General, Luis Espinosa , que revela en su
' mirar toda la altivez y el orgullo de su raza , dejó
gustoso tomarse una fotografía, recientemente ,
en compañía del Gobernador don Flavio A.
Bórquez, el General Luis Matus (yaqui tambíen)
y de otras personas más? Con seguridad que
nadie ignora tan trascendentales acontecimientos,
y estos que hasta hoy solo son una pequeña
parte de sus actos manifiestos de sumisión , son
las pruebas mejores, las primeras pruebas
palpables, que demuestran que el viejo problema
yaqui se encamina al fin, directamente, rumbo
a la solución . ¡ Ojalá se llegue pronto a ella y
quede descansando sobre los firmes cimientos
de seguridad que poco a poco , pero con constancia
y acierto efectivos, le han venido construyendo ,
con fé y patriotismo , el Presidente de la Huerta
y el Gobernador de Sonora !
Estamos en condiciones de poder asegurar
que, a la fecha, no existe peligro de levanta
miento, pues todos los indios , en los vastos cam
pos de la región que baña el Río Yaqui y que
tantas escenas de horror contemplaron y que
tantas veces fueron de batalla , hoy están siendo
Y""EAR
โ sembrados: van a fecundar la semilla que regará
el indio, que abandona el fusil para tomar, con
una mano el arado , y con la otra la pica o las
$ riendas de su yunta. Todos están contentos
aunque pobres y todos trabajan : el General
I
REVISTA MEXICANA
Espinosa, el General Matus, el último soldado
Es posible que no se levante más el yaqui con la
fría sonrisa de la amenaza ni con el labio trémulo
ni la actitud bélica . Está creando posesiones en
su región , construyendo casas , y en el pintoresco
pueblecillo de Vícam, están levantando una
iglesia de regulares dimensiones, y la casa que
hicieron para que la habite el cura , está per
fectamente acondicionada .
Y no han solicitado del Gobierno de Sonora
solamente útiles de labranza, bestias de tiro y
semillas, sino que también han pedido, por
conducto del General Luis Matus, pizarrones ,
libros, un maestro . ¡ El Angel de la Paz
ha aparecido de súbito en la región del Yaqui
cambiando los semblantes austeros en bonda
dosos ; la Diosa Civilización entra en la región
del Yaqui iluminándole con sus rayos de luz
y de sapiencia !
¡ Salve á Tí, oh sacrosanta Paz, símbolo de la
Unión y del Progreso!
Educacion Para Los Indios de Sonora
El Gobernador de Sonora , Flavio A. Bórquez,
ha comprado trescientos escritorios para escuela
para el uso de los niños indios yaquis en el Estado .
Este no es sino uno de los muchos gastos que
Sonora está verificando · para preparar a los
indios recientemente pacificados a la ciudadanía
y para educarlos al grado de perfección que
requiera la futura generación de México , tanto
hombres como mujeres.
Los programas de educación de los niños de
Sonora son generalmente amplios e inteligibles.
Se están construyendo más escuelas, y las ya
existentes se están mejorando . Se están emple
ando maestros mejores y en mayor número . El
campo de educación será ensanchado poco a poco
pero de un modo seguro , y abarcará la instrucción
práctica así como la académica , atendiendo de
un modo especial a al enseñanza industrial.
Se están estudiando los sistemas de educación
extranjeros con el fin de elegir las mejores ideas.
que hayan dado mejores resultados y que están
en práctica en los Estados Unidos y en donde
quiera que las escuelas públicas se hallan desar
rolladas en alto grado , con las debidas considera
ciones por la diferencia de las condiciones en
México .- De La Gaceta de los Estados Unidos, de
Los Angeles .
"Escritores Mexicanos"
AJO el título que precede, la Universidad
de Arizona ha editado un interesante
Β
volúmen acerca de los autores mexicanos, en su
mayor parte de la época actual. Novelistas ,
dramaturgos, poetas, periodistas, etc. , son dados
a conocer, con breves bosquejos biográficos
y la relación de sus trabajos importantes . La
compilación es muy interesante y es una de las
que México puede sentirse orgulloso , ya que lo
que este país ha progresado en ese sentido
no es tan ampliamente conocido como corres
ponde a sus méritos. La obra de que hablamos
fué preparada por la señorita Estela Lutrell ,
bibliotecaria de la Universidad de Arizona, y
e c rmie ucyónsiqsudasucomendable .
45
Una Autoridad Americana en Asuntos
de la Deuda de México
OS alarmista se han empeñado en propalar
Los la especie de que México está al borde de
la bancarrota, y, sin mencionar cifras, han
exagerado hasta la enormidad la deuda nacional
mexicana. Presentamos a continuación las
cifras relativas, tal como aparecen en un examen
hecho por la Compañía de Crédito Mercantil de
San Francisco, y publicada en la no menos presti
giada autoridad financiera , " El Diario de la
Calle Wall. " La primera columna representa
el capital y la segunda los intereses vencidos
durante los años de revolución y de reconstruc
ción :
Capital Intereses
Deuda directa
exterior ..... $ 173,469,067 $51,475,133
Deuda interior.. 66,611,012 19,132,747
Deuda garanti
zada (excepto
ferrocarriles).. 32,222,690 10,133,342
Deuda garanti
zada en bonos
de los ferro
carriles . . . . . $ 57,748,575 14,342,679
$330,051,34 $95,083,791
El total, pues, de la deuda insoluta del gobierno,
nó toda , bajo ningún concepto , a favor de los
extranjeros, es de $425,135,135 . Además de
esta deuda garantizada regularmente , se con
sidera responsable al gobierno por una suma
diversamente estimada en $27,000,000 a—
$135,000,000— de hecho , se sabe fluctúa entre
30 a 40 millones-embargada cuando los bancos
fueron intervenidos por el gobierno de Carranza .
El gobierno también, como principal accionista ,
podría ser responsable del 51 por ciento de la
deuda de los Ferrocarriles Nacionales, en el
inverosímil evento de que vinieran en quiebra.
Ella sería unos-$ 118,015,678. Esta suma de
bería ser considerada más bien como activo , pues
de pagarla el gobierno, entraría en posesión
única de las . propiedades ferrocarrileras , que
valen cinco veces más aquella suma.
Agregando a todo lo anterior el monto de las
reclamaciones por daños a la propiedad ocasio
nados durante las actividades de campaña, unos
50 millones, tendríamos $633,150,813 como el
total máximo de la deuda , por el cual el gobierno
mexicano podría ser considerado en todo caso
como responsable. Para un rico territorio, un
cuarto del área de los Estados Unidos, y con una
poblacion igual a la séptima parte de la de este
país , semejante adeuda apenas podría ser con
siderada como opresiva , especialmente si de le
compara con la deuda de otros países. Bélgica ,
por ejemplo, con una población menos de la
mitad que México y con una área menor que
algunos de los más pequeños Estados mexicanos,
tiene una deuda pública directa de cuatro mil
millones de dollars. I nadie ha pensado poner
en tela de juicio su solvencia !
Wrigley esta haciendo preparaciones para la
construcción de un edificio para la manufac
tura de chicle. Hay ya como diez o doce
fábricas, las más de menor importancia.
Durante los primeros cinco meses de este
año 11,407 pasaportes fueron visados por con
sules mexicanos en el extranjero, permitiendo
que los viajeros entren a México.
 46 THE
Defense for Citizens of Mexico
Representatives of the Mexican People Ask for Pardon or
IGH officials of the Mexican Govern
ment made urgent appeals for the
Hcommutation of death sentences of two
citizens of the Republic of Mexico who were
executed by the authorities of New York.
Some of the representations made to the
State Department by the Mexican Embassy
and by the Mexican Consul General in New
York to the Governor of that State are as fol
lows :
"The Department of Foreign Affairs has
just informed the Mexican Embassy, by tele
graph, that the Honorable House of Repre
sentatives of the United States of Mexico , in
its session of November 29 ultimo, and at the
request of the Honorable Representative from
the Third Electorai District of the State of
Jalisco , deemed it advisable to address to the
proper authorities of the Government of the
United States of America a request for the
pardon or commutation of the death sentence
pronounced by the judicial authorities of the
State of New York against the Mexican citi
zens Genaro García and Agustin L. Sánchez,
now being held in the Penitentiary of Sing
Sing, Ossining, New York, awaiting the execu
tion of the terrible sentence dictated against
them. At the same time, the Department of
Foreign Affairs has instructed the Mexican
Embassy to address, through the proper chan
nels, an appeal to the Government of the
United States in behalf of the Honorable
House of Representatives, thus fulfilling its
request.
"Pursuant to these instructions, the Mexican
Embassy has the honor of asking the Depart
ment of State to kindly submit to the Execu
tive clemency, with the urgency which the
seriousness of the case demands, the appeal
of said high body, genuine representative of
the Mexican nation, which in this distressing
circumstances, confidently hopes to find rea
sons that may strengthen its admiration, its
respect and its friendship for the Government
and for the great people of the United States.
"The Mexican Embassy gladly avails itself
of this opportunity to express its appreciation
to the Department of State for its kind media
tion in this case, and to renew the assurances
20}~{
of its highest and most distinguished consid
eration ."
Washington, D. C., January 14, 1921 .
7 mation of the crime for which he was sen
To His Excellency the Governor of New York :
"I have learned . from today's press of the
decision you deemed it convenient to utter not
deigning to grant clemency to Agustín L. Sán
chez and Enrique García, two Mexican citizens
sentenced to be electrocuted on the 24th of this
month. I very respectfully beg to write anew,
appealing to your Excellency on behalf of the
people and Government of Mexico and on my
own behalf as well for a reconsideration of
your decision. Allow me, sir, to express the
thought that if man has been invested by law
} with power to extinguish a human life, it is
also true that such a measure is greatly op
posed by conscience, and it is purely a matter
of conscience which is at issue. I understand
that thousands of petitions have reached you
from prominent men and institutions of im
portance both in this country and abroad ;
from Mexican and Latin-American colonies
and consulates in the United States, educa
tional and charitable associations, Governors
of the States of New Mexico, Texas and Ari
zona, and President of the Republic of Pan
ama, all of them entreating your clemency
toward these two Mexican citizens. I very
༑
}
MEXICAN REVIE
EVIE W
Commutation of Death Sentence
respectfully request Your Excellency to accept
this additional appeal from me as an earnest
petition for a reconsideration of your decision
which I hope will finally be in accordance with
justice and clemency.
"Respectfully,
"RAMON P. DE NEGRI,
"Consul General of Mexico in New York.
"January 13, 1921."
On the 10th of December ultimo, the Mexi
can Embassy had the honor of addressing a
communication to the Department of State,
repeating an appeal presented on April 20,
1920, entreating the Department to kindly lend
its mediation before His Excellency the Gov
ernor of the State of New York, in order to
obtain the commutation of the death sentence
pronounced upon the Mexican citizen Genaro
García, for that of extraordinary imprison
ment, in accordance with the laws applicable
to the case.
Under the same date, December 10th ultimo,
the Mexican Embassy also took the liberty to
respectfully request the State Department's
kind cooperation before the Executive of the
State of New York, in . obtaining his clemency
in favor of the Mexican citizen Augustin L.
García and the commutation of the death sen
tence pronounced against him.
The Mexican Embassy has not had the honor
of receiving a reply to these communications.
However, the Mexican Consulate General in
New York has just informed the Embassy
that, unfortunately, His Excellency Governor
Miller, not heeding the thousands of appeals
addressed to him in behalf of the Mexicans ,
García and Sánchez, by humanitarian and
educational societies, by labor unions, by sev
eral Governors of this great Union, by His
Excellency the President of the Republic of
Panama and by the employers with whom
Sánchez worked, who do not hesitate to indorse
the good behavior of the latter, refused to in
tervene in the case and to grant the pardon
to these Mexicans.
In view of such deplorable and distressing
determination of His Excellency Governor
Miller, the Mexican Embassy, which can not
but exhaust all the efforts in favor of its
nationals, and which day by day has been as
suring itself of the weighty circumstances as
sisting García and Sánchez, communicated to
the Department of State, to wit : that García
is and was insane at the time of the consum
tenced, and that there are sufficient grounds
to believe in Sánchez's innocence, again took
the liberty of addressing the Department of
State requesting in the most courteous and
entreating manner, to kindly lend once more
its efficacious and kind cooperation, and to sub
mit the case of these two unfortunate Mexi
cans, for whom the Embassy pleads, to the
high and humanitarian consideration of His
Excellency President Wilson, also requesting
not only in the Embassy's name, bespeaking
the feelings of the people and Government of
Mexico, but also in the name of the humani
tarian feelings of morality, of which the
civilized peoples of the earth are so proud, and
of which His Excellency President Wilson is
such distinguished exponent, to kindly grant
the benefit of his clemency to these unfor
tunate Mexicans.
The Mexican Embassy gladly avails itself of
this opportunity to express its appreciation
to the Department of State for its kind media
tion in this case, and to renew the assurances
of its highest and most distinguished considera
tion.
January 14, 1921 .
February, 1921
"STATE OF NEW YORK
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER
"Albany, N. Y., January 14, 1921 :1
"HONORABLE RAMON P. DE Negri,
Consul General of Mexico, ‫کے‬
New York City.
"My dear Mr. De Negri :
"I have not as you supposed announced a
decision in the appeal of Agustin L. Sanchez
and Enrique Garcia, citizens of your country,
for executive clemency. What you have seen
in the press is evidently the statement which
I made in your hearing at the close of the
hearing before me. That statement was that
I had heard nothing to justify the exercise of
executive clemency, but that I would look into
the cases to see if there was any ground there
for. That I shall do . Permit me to say,
however, that the ground which you present
in your telegram cannot be considered. The
law fixes the penalty for the crime of murder.
I cannot, by granting executive clemency,
change that penalty on account of my con
science. Indeed, it would disturb my con
science thus to put the executive power above,
the law ; nor can I grant executive clemency $
merely because a great many people have peti
tioned me to do so.
"Very sincerely yours,
"(Signed) NATHAN L. MILLER.”
January 19 , 1920.
HONORABLE NATHAN L. MILLER,
Governor of the State of New York,
+
Albany, N. Y.
I have the honor to refer to your letter of
January 14 answering my petition for clem
ency or for revision of the cases of the Mexi
can citizens, Agustin L. Sanchez and Enrique
Garcia, sentenced to death. Only four days
are left before the execution and I beg again
to call your attention to the fact that Sanchez
assuredly is innocent of the crime with which
he is charged, and Garcia committed the crime
in self- defense and prompted by dementia. If
you deign to take the trouble to read the
hundreds of petitions you have received in ¡
behalf of Sanchez you will find that he is a
man of excellent habits and his employers
recommended him as a worthy laborer who
rendered at the Ferguson shipyards, as de
clared by the vice-president and treasurer of
the enterprise themselves, great services to the
allied cause by saving the shipyards from de-,
struction. I am just in receipt of the follow
ing telegram from Jamestown , N. Y.:
"Have heard that Juror Whelan said he
voted for conviction in one of the Mexican .
cases now before the Governor, not because
he thought the man guilty, but because he said
the other jurors thought so . Do not know
which Mexican it was. Whelan told this to .
Wm. P. Doyle, of Salamanca, Cattaraugus
County, New York. Call this to Governor .
Miller's attention and he will investigate.
"(Signed ) JUSTICE."
Honorable Governor, you tell me, "I cannot
by granting executive clemency change that
penalty on account of my conscience. Indeed,
it would disturb my conscience thus to put
the executive power above the law ; nor can I
grant executive clemency merely because a
great many people have petitioned me to
do so ."
I entreat your pardon, but I firmly believe
that the law authorizes you to use clemency,
grant pardon or commute the death penalty
to imprisonment. I repeat that only four days '
separate us from the fulfilment of the terrible
penalty, and before public conscience, that of
the attorneys for the defense, of some mem
bers of the jury which convicted Sanchez, of
some labor organizations, and of my own, the
penalty imposed on these Mexican citizens
is excessive and I beg to appeal most warmly
and earnestly to the conscience, sentiments of
justice and humanity of the Honorable Gover
(Concluded on page 48)` 1
 H AK
숯방
Febrero , 1921. LA
/ /
1 este caso, no sólo en nombre de la Embajada,
La Defema de Ciudadanos
Los Representatnes del Pueblo Mexicano Solicitan el Indulto
o la Conmutación de la Pena de y Muerte
AS urgentes y perentorias gestiones que
desde hace algun tiempo vienen reali
L
} zando altas autoridades mexicanas, en
representación del pueblo de México, para
salvar la vida a dos infortunados compatriotas
condenados a la pena capital por las autori
dades judiciales del Estado de New York, han
llegadron a su período álgido.
Sin embargo, las esperanzas fracasaron, y
los dos infelices fueron ejecutados el día
señalado .
3 mexicanos.
Damos a conocer a continuación algunas de
las gestiones hechas por la Embajada Mexi
Washington cerca del Departamento
' cana en
de Estado, y del Cónsul General de México en
New York ante el Gobernador de dicho
Estado, a } saber :
"La Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores
acaba de comunicar a la Embajada de México ,
‫شه‬
por la vía telegráfica, que la Honorable Cá
**mara de Diputados de los Estados Unidos.
Mexicanos, en sesión del 29 de noviembre
último y a moción del Honorable Diputado
** ‫ یم‬por el Tercer Distrito Electoral del Estado de
Jalisco, tuvo a bien aprobar dirigirse a las
autoridades competentes del Gobierno de los
* X Estados Unidos en solicitud del indulto o de
$ la conmutación de
la pena de muerte a que
fueron sentenciados por las autoridades judi
ciales del Estado de Nueva York los mexi
canos Genaro García y Agustín L. Sánchez,
> quienes se encuentran actualmente detenidos
en la penitenciaría de Sing Sing, Ossining,
New York, en espera de que la terrible
sentencia dictada en su contra cause ejecuto
ria. A la vez, la Secretaría de Relaciones ha
dado instrucciones a la Embajada de México
de dirigirse por el debido conducto al Gobierno
de los Estados Unidos, en representación de la
Honorable Cámara de Diputados , dando cum
plimiento al acuerdo aludido.
"En vista de estas instrucciones, la Embajada
de México tiene la honra de suplicar al De
partamento de Estado se sirva dar curso, con
la urgencia que la gravedad del caso demanda,
t a este llamamiento que a la clemencia ejecutiva
hace el Cuerpo que es genuino representante
de la nación mexicana, la que en esta angustio
sa circunstancia confiadamente espera encon
h dades humanitarias y educativas , por agrupa
trar motivos que de manera singular aquilaten
su admiración, su respeto y su amistad por el
Gobierno y por el gran pueblo de los Estados
Unidos.
""
"La Embajada de México se anticipa gusto
sa a expresar su agradecimiento al DepartaS
mento de Estado por su bondadosa mediación
en este caso y le renueva las seguridades de
su consideración más distinguida. 14 de enero
de 1921."
2
NEW YORK, 13 de Enero de 1921.
' venido cerciorándose más y más del peso de
Excelentísimo Señor Gobernador :
"He tenido conocimiento por la prensa de
hoy de la decisión que V. E. creyó conveniente
* pronunciar, no dignándose otorgar su cle
mencia a Agustín L. Sánchez y a Genaro
García, dos ciudadanos mexicanos sentenciados
a ser electroejecutados el día 24 del corriente
mes. En nombre del Pueblo y del Gobierno
19 de México y en el mío propio, muy respetuosaP
‫ܢ‬
mente dirijo a V. E. esta nueva instancia,
suplicándole se sirva considerar nuevamento
su determinación . Permitidme que exprese la
opinión de que, si bien es cierto que el hombre
ha conferido a la Ley fuerza suficiente para
extinguir la vida de un hombre, también es
}
$
REVISTA MEXICANA
Mexicanos
verdad que la conciencia se opone enérgica
mente a ello cuando el asunto de que se trata
es puramente de conciencia. Entiendo que V.
E. ha recibido millares de instancias de perso
nas prominentes y de instituciones de im
portancia, tanto de este país como extranjeras ,
de las colonias mexicana y latinoamericana
residentes en los Estados Unidos, de socie
dades educativas y humanitarias, de los Go
bernadores de Arizona, Texas y Nuevo Mexico
y de Su Excelencia el Presidente de la Repú
blica de Panamá, todos ellos solicitando la
clemencia de V. E. para esos dos ciudadanos
"Suplico muy respetuosamente a V. E. se
sirva acoger esta reiterada instancia mía como
una petición encarecida, a fin de que se sirva
considerar nuevamente su determinación , la
que espero será pronunciada finalmente de
acuerdo con los dictados de la Clemencia y de
la Justicia.
Muy respetuosamente,
( Fdo . ) RAMÓN P. DE NEGRI, ·
Consul General de México en Nueva York."
"El 10 de diciembre próximo anterior, la
Embajada de México tuvo la honra de diri
girse al Departamento de Estado reiterando
una instancia hecha el 21 de abril de 1920, y
suplicándole tuviera a bien prestarle su media
ción cerca de Su Excelencia el Gobernador del
Estado de Nueva York para obtener la conmu
tación de la sentencia de muerte dictada en
contra del mexicano Genaro García, por la de
prisión extraordinaria, de conformidad con las
leyes aplicable al caso.
"Con la misma fecha, 10 de diciembre , la
Embajada de México se permitió solicitar
igualmente la bondadosa cooperación del De
partamento de Estado cerca de la mencionada
alta autoridad de Nueva York, a fin de conse
guir su clemencia en favor del mexicano
Agustín L. Sánchez y la conmutación de la
sentencia de muerte dictada en contra de éste.
"La Embajada de México no ha tenido la
honra de recibir respuesta a estas dos notas ;
pero el Consulado General de México en
Nueva York acaba de comunicarle que,
desgraciadamente, Su_Excelencia el Goberna
dor Miller, de aquel Estado , desoyendo miles
de peticiones que le fueron dirigidas en favor
de los mexicanos García y Sánchez por socie
ciones obreras, por algunos Gobernadores de
esta Gran Unión, por Su Excelencia el Presi
dente de la República de Panamá y por los
mismos patronos con quienes Sánchez trabajó,
quienes no vacilan en abonar la conducta de
éste , se rehusó a intervenir en el caso y a
conceder el indulto de dichos mexicanos.
"Ante esta lamentable y penosísima determi
nación de Su Excelencia el Gobernador Miller,
la Embajada de México , que no puede menos
de apurar todos los recursos existentes en
favor de sus nacionales, y que cada día ha
las circunstancias que median en favor de
García y de Sánchez y las cuales comunicó
oportunamente al Departamento de Estado :
que García se encuentra actualmente y SC
encontraba demente al cometer el crimen por
el que fué sentenciado y que existen muy
fundadas presunciones sobre la inocencia de
Sánchez, nuevamente se permite acudir al
Departamento de Estado, rogándole de la
manera más atenta y encarecida, se sirva
prestarle una vez más su eficaz y bondadosa
cooperación y someter el caso de los desven
turados mexicanos por quienes aboga, a la alta
y humanitaria consideración de Su Excelencia
el Presidente Wilson, suplicándole también en
47
que interpreta el sentir del pueblo y del Go
bierno de México , sino también en nombre de
los sentimientos humanitarios que son base de
la moral de que se enorgullece el mundo civi
lizado y de la cual Su Excelencia el Presi
dente Wilson es distinguidísimo exponente , se
sirva otorgar el beneficio de su clemencia a
los repetidos mexicanos.
"La Embajada de México se anticipa a
expresar al Departamento de Estado su
agradecimiento por su mediación en este caso,
y le renueva las seguridades de su conside
ración muy distinguida. 13 de Enero de 1921."
"Estado de New York
Cámara Ejecutiva
"Albany, N. Y., Enero 14 de 1921.
"Honorable Ramón P. De Negri,
Cónsul General de México ,
Ciudad de New York.
"Mi estimado señor De Negri :
"No he anunciado, como Ud supone, la reso
lución en la solicitud de clemencia a favor de
Agustín L. Sánchez y Enrique García, ciuda
danos de su país. Lo que la prensa publica es
sencillamente la declaración que hice a Ud en
lo privado, esto es, que yo no sé de nada que
justifique esa concesión de clemencia, pero que
examinaría los casos para ver si realmente
puede concederse. Eso es lo que haré. Per
mítame decirle , sin embargo, que el funda
mento que Ud invoca en sutelegrama no puede
ser tomado en cuenta. Las leyes fijan la pena
para el homicidio , y yo no puedo, por medio de
la clemencia, cambiar esa pena basándome sólo
en mi conciencia. Es indudable que ator
mentaría mi conciencia si pusiera el poder
ejecutivo sobre la ley, ni podría conceder
clemencia sólo porque gran número de per
sonas me la hayan pedido.
"De Ud, sinceramente,
NATHAN L. MILLER (Firmado ) ."
Enero 19 de 1921 .
Honorable Nathan L. Miller,
Governador del Estado de New York,
Albany, N. Y.
Tengo el honor de referirme a su carta de
14 de Enero que contesta mi petición de clem
encia o revisión de los procesos de los ciudad
anos mexicanos Agustín L. Sánchez y Enrique
García, condenados a muerte. Sólo quedan
cuatro díaspara le ejecución y me permito
llamar nuevamente su atención sobre el hecho
de que Sánchez es sin duda inocente del
crimen que se le imputa, y que García cometió
el crimen en defensa legítima y en un impulso
de demencia . Si Ud se dignatomarse la mo
lestia de leer los cientos de peticiones que ha
recibido en favor de Sánchez , verá que es un
hombre de excelentes costumbres y sus patronos
loabonan como un obrero digno, quien, como
declaran el Vice-presidente y Tesorero de la
Compañía, prestó importantes servicios en los
astilleros de Ferguson a la causa de los aliados,
evitando la destrucción de dichos astilleros.
Acabo de recibir el siguiente telegrama de
Jamestown, New York :
"Se sabe que Juror Whelan dijo votó por
'convicto' en uno de los casos de los
mexicanos, ahora ante el Gobernador, no
porque pensara que el hombre era culpable,
sino porque dice que los otros miembros del
jurado pensaron eso. No sé de cuál mexicano

48 THE
se trata. Whelan declaró ésto a Wm. P. Doyle,
de Salamanca, Cattaraugus , New York. Llame
la atención del Gobernador Miller sobre ésto
y el investígará. JUSTICIA (Firmado. ) "
Usted me dice . Honorable Gobernador, " no
puedo cambiar, por medio de la clemencia, esa
pena, basándome sólo en mi conciencia. Es
indudable que atormentaría mi conciencia si
pusiera el poder ejecutivo sobre la ley, ni
podría conceder clemencia sólo porque un gran
número de personas me la hayan pedido ."
Le ruego me dispense, pero yo creo firme
mente que la ley autoriza a Ud a conceder
clemencia, perdón o a conmutar la pena de
muerte por prisión . Le repito que sólo quedan
cuatro días para que esa terrible pena se
ejecute, y ante laconciencía pública, la de los
abegados de la defensa , la de algunos miembros
del jurado que declaró convicto a Sánchez, la de
algunas organizaciones obreras y la mía propia,
la pena impuesta a esos ciudadanos mexicanos
es excesiva, por lo que me permito apelar, del
modo más ardiente y encarecido, a la conciencia
y sentimientos de justicia y humanidad del
Honorable Gobernador del Estado de New
York para que se sirva otorgar gracia a esos
infortunados .
No dudo que el Gobernador escuchará mi
petición como Cónsul General de México , y la
de cientos de solicitudes semejantes que ha
recibido de todas partes de los Estados Unidos.
Confiando en que sabremos corresponder
oportunamente la gracia que se otorgue, quedo
de Ud, muy respetuosamente.
R. P. DE NEGRI ( Firmado ) ,
Cónsul General de México.
> merecen las mismas condiciones de crédito de
Oil Deposits in Federal Zone
(Concluded from page 20)
the cancellation of the concessions for any of
the following causes :
First.- For the non-renewal of a concession
upon the expiration of a concession ;
Second.- For failure to make the payments
stipulated in Clause ten of these conditions ;
Third. For failure to perforate within the
term and conditions stipulated by clause eight ;
Fourth - For seeking protection from a for
eign government, or transferring the conces
sion to it, or admitting it as a partner. In any
of these events, the grantees will forfeit in
favor of the nation all their installations ;
Fifth. For defrauding the fiscal interests in
any manner in connection with the exploita
tion of the zone granted.
In case of cancellation , the grantees will for
feit the deposit of guarantee, if not previously
returned, as well as the wells in process of per
foration or those already productive, which
will be turned over to the Government in a
state of immediate utilization .
The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and
Labor, before declaring the cancellation, will
allow the interested parties a period of not
less than sixty days for their defense.
XXV. The stamps which must be adhered
to the concessions must be paid by the grantees.
Constitution and Reforms. Mexico, March
12, 1920. V. Carranza.
Defense for Citizens of Mexico
(Concluded from page 46)
nor of the State of New York to bestow grace
upon these unfortunates. I do not venture to
doubt that the Governor will listen to my
petition as Consul General of Mexico, and to
the hundreds of similar documents received
by him from all over the United States .
I
{
MEXICAN ht REVIEW
February , 1921
Trusting that upon receiving grace we will el pueblo goza de una prosperidad que jamás
know how to reciprocate at the opportune
soñaron hasta hace pocos años. Està prosperi
time, I beg to remain,
"Very respectfully yours , dad comenzó con el estrechamiento de sus
( Signed ) R. P. DE NEGRI, relaciones con los Estados Unidos. I México
"Consul General of Mexico ." es diez y siete y media veces más grande que
Cuba.
"Las instituciones, compañías, sociedades o
La Baja de la Plata individuos que se interesen sobre este particu‫مجھے‬
lar, deben dirigirse al Comité de Becas México
(Sigue de la pagina 19)
Americanas, de la Cámara Americana de
y de empresa que sean capaces de percibir las Comercio en México, ciudad de México."
grandes oportunidades y que estén decididos
a aprovecharlas, hombres que tengan la inicia
tiva necesaria para enfrentarse y sacar partido Los Depósitos de Petróleo
de las oportunidades que tienen ante sí . Este (Sigue de la pagina 21 )
descenso de la plata hará que muchas com
traspasar las concesiones a ningún particular
pañías que se hallan trabajando esos abando o corporación, si no es con previo permiso,
nados metales de baja ley, se dediquen al por escrito, de la Secretaría de Industria ,
Comercio y Trabajo, siendo esta obligación
desarrollo de las antiguas minas o de otras permanente para todas las empresas que en lo
nuevas, para obtener metales de valor comer sucesivo adquieran los derechos que las con
cesiones otorguen .
cial, como hicieron los españoles en épocas
XXII -Los concesionarios tendrán derecho
pasadas, obteniendo cincuenta o cien dollars
preferente, al terminar el plazo de su con
por tono de ore en vez de uno o dos , cuando }
cesión , para renovarla por el tiempo y en las
mucho, como acostumbran muchas compañías condiciones que estime conveniente el Ejecu
actualmente, con lo que, es indubable, se ex tivo Federal .
XXIII .- La Secretaría de Indistria , Comer
tenderá mucho más y beneficiará en alto grado
cio y Trabajo castigará las faltas de los con
la industria minera de México . cesionarios que no ameriten la caducidad de
sus concesiones, con multas variables entre ?
cien y mil pesos , según la gravedad y frecuen
cia de las faltas.
La Cámara de Comercio de Dallas XXIV. La Secretaría de Industria, Comer
cio y Trabajo podrá declarar administrativa
(Sigue de la pagina 37) mente la caducidad de las concesiones , por
"Las casas que en este país tengan algún alguna de las causas siguientes :
tiempo de establecidas y gocen de buena repu Primera -Porque al expirar el plazo de uña $
concesión, ésta no sea renovada ;
tación financiera, tienen el mismo derecho y
Segunda. Porque los concesionarios no ha
gan los pagos que prescribe la cláusula décima
casas análogas establecidas en otros países. Es de estas bases ;
inverosímil e inexacto que se haga necesario Tercera. Porque no perforen en los plazos
experimentar minuciosamente todo crédito que y condiciones que exige la cláusula octava ;
se otorgue en este país." Cuarta.- Porque pidan protección a un Go
La Cámara de Comercio de Dallas estå bierno extranjero , le traspasen la concesión o
dando publicidad constantemente a informes le admitan como socio. En cualquiera de esos
casos , los concesionarios perderán a favor de
de este carácter, de acuerdo con el programa la Nación todas sus instalaciones ; 1 ✩
que se ha trazado, sin escatimar esfuerzo Quinta. Porque con motivo de la explota
alguno para lograr un mejor y mútuo enten ción de la zona concedida, defrauden de al
dimiento comercial entre México y los Estados guna manera los intereses fiscales .
Unidos. En caso de caducidad, los concesionarios
perderán el depósito de garantía, si no hubiere
sido devuelto, así como los pozos en perfora
ción y los productivos, que entregarán al Go
Plan Para Educar Jóvenes Mexicanos bierno en condiciones de inmediata utilización.
(Sigue de la pagina 42) La Secretaría de Industria, Comercio y
Trabajo, antes de hacer la declaración de ♡
el progreso, la prosperidad y el bienestar a su caducidad, concederá a los interesados un
pueblo y hará posible la estabilidad de su plazo no menor de sesenta días para su
actual gobierno democrático . defensa. {
"Muchas familias mexicanas de recursos XXV.Glamping Las estampillas que deban adherirse
a las concesiones, serán pagadas por los con
mandan a sus hijos a educarse en los Estados - cesionarios.
Unidos o Europa . Esto, sin embargo, se
Constitución y Reformas. México, D. F.;
halla fuera del alcance de la mayoría de la 12 de marzo de 1920. V. Carranza . Rúbrica.
gente, y el incremento de las facilidades edu 1
cativas en este país es de una necesidad 藏
urgente. El contracto del elemento nativo con Aunque el reconocimiento norteamericano del 1
el mundo exterior aportaría permanentes bene nuevo régimen de México no llegó a efectuarse,
ficios. El Comité cuenta con la cooperación de modo que constituyera uno de los sucesos
de un buen número de maestros mexicanos , de la toma de posesión del Presidente Obregón >
quienes están en directo contacto con los -como el Galveston News esperaba- en su.
estudiantes y aspirantes de todo México. Ellos lugar ha venido lo que en concepto de dicho +
ayudarán a escoger los candidatos para las periódico es lo mejor en turno : la declaración 1
}
becas y los aprendizajes, entre los mexicanos oficial de que todas diferencias que embaraza if
7
que deseen ir a los Estados Unidos. ban el reconocimiento han sido allanadas en 13 t $
$
"Con la cooperación y tráfico comercial de el curso de las conferencias que el Secretario
los Estados Unidos el comercio de exportación Mr. Colby y el señor Pesqueira celebraron en
de Cuba se ha triplicado en sólo diez años, y Washington,
+ I
?
I
+
}
 1

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ਰਣਵਣ ਰਣਰਣ ਹਰਰਰਰਰਰਰ VET
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GAME FIGHTING FOWLS
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National Railways of

Mexico and Annexes

(Administered by the Government)

Direct Passenger Service Between Mexico City and

Laredo, Texas; Ciudad Juaraz (El Paso), Manzanillo ,
Morelia, etc.
The trains to Laredo, Texas, are detained in Nuevo
Laredo, Mexico , only the time indispensable for compliance
with the customs and health regulations .

Sleeping cars are run daily from Mexico City to

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day to Tampico , via San Luis Potosi.

FREIGHT INSURANCE SERVICE

The business public is informed of the maintenance

of a system of insurance against the risks of war of all f

classes of merchandise and with all points in the Republic .

This system has been in operation more than two years,
with most satisfactory results .

J. M. CARDENAS, A. G. ROEL,
Assistant General Passenger Agent General Freight and Passenger Agent

I. S. RODRIGUEZ,
Chief of the Insurance Department

The West Coast of Mexico Climatically Is a Southern Extension of California

with more water , more tillable land , and a longer growing season . Particularly is this true of the states of

Sonora - Sinaloa - Tepic - Jalisco

SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD

OF MEXICO
*
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algunos de los mejores terrenos de riego en el mundo , todavia sin desarrollarse, Daremos informes que solliciten. 4

A. B. GRAHAM CO. 14 PRINTERS

}
{
ド
APR 2 1921
1201
M62

MEXICAN REVIEW

Ma

HA O

REVISTA MEXICANA
DECE

VOL. IV WASHINGTON, D. C., MARCH , 1921 No. 8

LABOR WINNING NEW VICTORY

Samuel Gompers and William H. Johnston Find Workers in

Mexico Freest on Western Continent

OBREGON PLANS FOR PEACE

Tells Congress of Measures Necessary for Progress at Home

and Friendship Abroad

NO PLACE FOR PROFITEERS

Old-Timer Tells How H-C-L Has Been Ostracized in the

Land of the Aztecs

THE PETROLEUM LAWS

The Latest Proposals Look ' em Over and See if You Think

the Producers Have a Kick Coming

Live Features, Late Photographs, Editorials and Poetry

20c. American. The Only Periodical Giving General Mexican News in English.
40c. Oro Nal .
 THE MEXICAN REVIEW March, 1921

KOT

A
TAT
PAG

Photo from Underwood & Underwood, New York.

President Obregon and His New Cabinet-To the Right of the President, Secretaries
Pani and Rubio. To the left- Secretaries Calles, Estrada and De la Huerta. Behind
the President-(in citizens' dress) Secretaries Villareal and Zubaran. In uniform
are members of the staff.
-Photo by Ackerman.

Statue of President Lincoln in the Memorial Building

in Washington, D. C.
 The Mexican
VOL. IV
The Mexican Review
Published Monthly at Washington , D. C.
GEO, F. WEEKS - EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
Yearly subscription in the United States, Canada
and Mexico , $2 gold . Elsewhere , $2.50 .
Office : Rooms 501-502 , 817 Fourteenth Street
Washington , D. C.
An Explanation and Reaffirmation
N our December issue we published an
I article over the signature of Capt. S. G.
Hopkins, of this city, on certain of the
legal aspects of the oil situation in Mexico ,
including the significance of Article XXVII
of the Mexican Constitution, which has
been made the subject of some criticism .
It is proper to explain that upon Capt.
Hopkins ' recent return from Mexico he
called our attention to the fact that the
article in question, due to errors, placed
him in the position of advocating certain
principles that he did not endorse. It ap
pears that the original manuscript was,
some time ago, translated into Spanish ,
and when a copy in English was requested
for this magazine , two pages of the text in
that language could not be found. In the
author's absence these were translated back
into English and when improperly pieced
together, contained certain confusion in
quotations from authorities, and expres
sions of opinion at variance with the
language originally employed . In this
form the article was unfortunately pub
lished . The original which has since come
to light, thus sums up the author's view of
Article XXVII which, we trust will prove
sufficiently consistent and sound to satisfy
the most exacting :
If the line of reasoning I have sug
gested is well founded, then Article XXVII
is in no sense confiscatory in its nature ; it
merely affirms dominum directum on the
part of the nation to the extent of its
ownership in the common deposit, subject,
always, to those rights previously acquired
by private individuals under Article LXXII
of the Constitution of 1857, by which I
mean the exclusive right of the surface
owners (of which the nation is one) , on
their own lands, to extract the oil from the
common supply beneath, and to reduce it
to possession, under such restrictions and
control as the state, as sovereign, may see
fit to impose in the public interest.
Natural Gas Is Public Property
N connection with the oil question in
I general, it is interesting to onote that the
Supreme Court of the United States has re
cently decided that a state has the consti
tutional right to enact laws to control and
regulate the use of natural gas flowing from
wells owned by private parties, even to the
←
Review
WASHINGTON, D. C., MARCH , 1921
extent of forbidding the use of such gas
unless employed for purposes considered in
the interest of the public welfare. In the
case of Walls vs. Midland (advanced opin
ions, U. S. S. C. , Jan. 15, 1921 ) , the court
held constitutional a statute of the State of
Wyoming prohibiting the use of natural gas
in the manufacture of carbon black for
printers' ink, unless the heat consumed in
burning the gas was applied in some other
industry. In this case the manufacturers
had, prior to the enactment of the statute,
erected a plant costing more than $300,000 ,
which is now rendered almost valueless.
One wonders what form of outburst we
might witness among certain of the Ameri
can oil interests in Mexico, were this doc
trine to be applied to gas and oil by the
Mexican government .
As to "Manifesting Titles"
DISPATCH from Mexico City states
A that President Obregon has issued in
structions to the Secretary of Industry,
Commerce and Labor to issue no
more petroleum drilling permits to any
person or company who shall not have
first "manifested" his ΟΙ their titles
to the property upon which it is
sought to drill. And it is stated in the
press of this country that the only com
pany which has so "manifested " its titles
and is able to secure permits is an Eng
lish concern . This latter statement is in
correct, since at least two large American
concerns have followed or perhaps ante
dated the English one in this respect.
"Manifesting" one's title to real property
is exactly the same procedure in Mexico as
it is in the United States the filing of the
deed, lease or other evidence of ownership
or control. And when one seeks to enter
upon any property and secure permission
of the authorities to prosecute work of any
kind thereon without first having filed his
evidences of title, he has no standing in the
eye of the law. This is true of every coun
try in the world that has an organized
government.
Quite recently complaint was made by
some of the foreign companies that the
Mexican Government had granted permits
to drill wells on their lands to persons who
had no title to such lands. In order ,
doubtless, to obviate further complaint on
this score, the government has now issued
a decree that before any permit can be
issued to drill, the parties applying there
for must first present their evidences of
title to the land upon which it is proposed
to operate. And now the very same parties
who made the complaint in the first in
stance make loud protest against complying
No. 7
with the requirement which is the only
possible method for removing any ground
for their original grievance . Consistency
seems to be something unknown to these
trouble makers .
Stipulation Agreed to By
Every Petroleum Company
N this connection it is interesting to note
I that every petroleum company, without
exception, has the following stipulation in
its articles of "concession , " or charter, from
the Mexican Government . It was orginally
inserted in such concessions under the gov
ernment of Diaz and the same course has
been and still is pursued . As long ago as
1908 the Huasteca Petroleum Company en
tered into an agreement which contained
this specification , and which was published
in full in The Review in September, 1919 .
The text is as follows :
"The concessionaire company shall be
considered as Mexican, being subject, both
as to the company itself and as to the for
eigners who have part in its business in
the character of stockholders , employes, or
in whatever other character, to the laws
and courts of the Republic. Never can it
allege in respect of the property and busi
ness of the enterprise any right of extra
territoriality, under whatever pretext, and
it shall have solely the right and means of
making them valid which the laws of the
Republic concede to Mexicans. It shall con
sequently not be able to make any appeal
under the said business to foreign diplo
matic agents."
TTENTION is called to the article by
A Mr. Samuel Gompers, published in this
issue, and giving his ideas after participa
tion in the recent labor convention in
Mexico City. In connection therewith is an
article by William H. Johnston , Presi
dent of the International Machinists'
Union, both together making a decidedly
interesting feature for this month's Re
view .
THE published statement that Villa has
been working with the Government in
active hostilities against his "old friends"
the Arrieta brothers of Durango causes a
smile to those who knew just how "friend
ly" these bitterest of bitter enemies were
throughout the revolution .
The French Government has recognized
the Mexican Government and it is said Mr.
Cliohant will be appointed Minister. It is
supposed this recognition will be followed
by others of the nations of Europe.
La Revista
TOMO IV
La Revista Mexicana
Publicación mensual Washington , D. C.
GEO . F. WEEKS - EDITOR Y PROPRIETARIO
Suscripciones por un Año , en los Estados
Unidos, Canada y México , $ 2 oro . En
cualquiera otra parte, $2.50.
Officinas : 501-502, 817 Fourteenth Street N. W.
Washington , D. C.
Una Explicación Y Ratificacion
N el número de Diciembre retroprax
E imo publicamos un artículo del Capitán
S. G. Hopkins , de Washington, sobre
algunos de los aspectos legales de la situ
atión petrolera en México, comprendiendo
el alcance del tan discutido Artículo 27 de
la Constitucion Mexicana . Cabe explicar ,
sin embargo, que a su regreso de México
el Capitán Hopkins nos hizo notar el hecho
de que el artículo en cuestión, con motivo de
ciertos errores, lo hace sostener ciertos prin
cipios que él no autoriza. Parece que el
manuscrito original fué traducido al español
hace largo tiempo , y cuando se necesitó una
copia en inglés para el magazin no se en
contraron dos páginas del texto español. Es
tando ausente el autor, dicho texto fué ver
tido asi al inglés, produciendo este error
cierta confusión en las citas de autoridades
y expresando una opinión que varía de la
expresada en el manuscrito original, pub
licándose desgraciadamente en esta forma.
El siguiente es el texto original, tal como
fue escrito, que resume la opinión del autor
sobre el Artículo 27 , y que confiamos es
bastante consistente y completo para satis
facer al más exigente :
Si el razonamiento sugerido se encuentra
bien fundado, el Articulo 27 no es por nin
gún concepto confiscatorio en su naturaleza,
pues simplemente afirma el dominium direc
tum por parte de la Nación en cuanto a su
propiedad sobre el yacimiento común, su
jeto siempre a aquellos derechos previa
mente adquiridos por particulares al am
paro del Artículo 72 de la Constitucion de
1857 , es decir, el derecho exclusivo de los
propietarios de la superfice ( uno de ellos la
Nación ) sobre sus tierras propias, para ex
traer el petróleo del deposito común del
subsuelo y reducirlo a posesión privada,
bajo las restricciones y control que el
Estado, como soberano, crea conveniente
imponer en interés público .
El Gas Natural Sujeto Al
Dominio Público
N relación con la cuestion petrolera en
E general, es interesante observer que la
Suprema Corte de los Estados Unidos ha
decidido recientemente que un Estado de la
Mexicana
WASHINGTON, D. C. , MARZO , 1921
Unión tiene el derecho constitucional de
expedir leyes para controlar y regular el
uso del gas natural que sale de los pozos
de propiedad particular, y aún hasta para
prohibir el uso de dicho gas, a no ser que
se emplee en asuntos que interesen al
bienestar público . En el caso de Walls
contra Midland (opiniones U. S. S. C. ,
Enero 15 de 1921 ) la Corte juzgó con
stitucional una ley del Estado de Wyom
ing que prohibe el uso del gas natural en
la manufactura del carbón para impresos
de tinta, a menos que el calor que se con
suma al quemar el gas fuera aprovechado
en cualquiera otra industria. En dicho caso
los manufactureros habían construido ,
antes de la expedición de esa ley , una planta
por valor de más de $300,000 , que hoy ha
sido reducida casi a la nada.
Sería de admirarse la gran explosión que
produciría entre ciertos intereses petro
leros de México si esta doctrina fuera ap
licada allí al gas y petróleo por el Gobierno
Mexicano !
Sobre la "Manifestación de Títulos"
N un despacho procedente de ciudad
E México se asegura que el Presidente
Obregón ha dado instrucciones al Secretario
de Industria, Comercio y Trabajo para no
conceder permisos para perforaciones de po
zos petroleros a cualquiera persona o cam
pañía que no haya "manifestado " previa
mente el o los títulos de la propiedad en la
que se pretenda operar. I la prensa de dicho
país asienta que la única compañía que ha
manifestado sus títulos y que, por consig
niente , podrá conseguir dichos permisos, es
una empresa inglesa. Esta afirmación no es
exacta, pues, por lo menos, dos importantes
empresas norteamericanas han imitado , si
nó anticipádose en este respecto a dicha
compañía inglesa . La "manifestación " de
títulos de propiedad raíz es en México un
procedimiento exactamente igual como el
registro del título, contrato u otro signo de
propiedad o dominio en los Estados Unidos,
y quien pretenda interesarse en alguna pro
piedad y consiga el permiso de la autori
dad para trabajar en ella , sin haber regis
trado previamente su título, no contará
con el amparo de la ley . Esto es un hecho
evidente en cualquier país del mundo que
tenga un gobierno medianamente organi
zado .
Recientemente se quejaban algunas Com
pañías extranjeras de que el Gobierno
Mexicano había concedido permisos para
perforar pozos en sus terrenos , a personas
que no poseían títulos sobre ellos. Para ob
viar mayores quejas en esta cuestión, el
gobierno ha expedido un decreto por el cual,
antes de concederse ningun permiso para la
perforación, los interesados deberán pre
No. 7
sentar primero las pruebas de título alguno
sobre los terrenos que se proponen explorar.
Pero resulta que ahora las mismas com
pañías que levantaron la primera queja
hacen hoy una ruidosa protesta contra el
complimiento de dicho requisito , que es el
modo único de evitar el agravio de que se
quejaban. La conformidad parece ser algo
ignorado por estos eternos agitadores !
Convenio Estipulado Por Toda
Compañía Petrolera
N este sentido, es interesante observar
E que toda compañía petrolera, sin excep
ción, tiene la siguiente estipulación en los
artículos de su concesión o título , hecha con
el Goberno Mexicano . Se ha insertado ori
ginariamente desde las concesiones otor
gadas bajo el gobierno de Díaz y ésto se
ha observado y observa hasta hoy. Desde
1908 la Huasteca Petroleum Company cele
bró un convenio que contiene dicha esti
pulación, el cual fué publicado íntegro en
La Revista correspondiente a Septiembre de
1919. Este es el texto : "La compañía con
cesionaria será considerada como mexicana,
quedando sujeta a las leyes y tribunales de
la República, tanto la compañía misma
como los extranjeros que formen parte de
ella, sean accionistas, empleados, o cual
quiera que fuere el carácter que en ella
posean . Nunca podrá alegar, respecto de
los títulos y negocios relacionados con la
empresa, derecho alguno de extranjería ,
bajo ningun pretexto , y sólo tendrán los
derechos y medios de hacerlos valer que
las leyes de la República otorgan a los
mexicanos ; no pudiendo , por tanto, tener
ingerencia alguna en dichos asuntos los
Agentes Diplomáticos extranjeros."
Importantes Declaraciones
LAMAMOS la atención sobre él artículo
A del señor Samuel Gompers, que publi
camos en este número, quien expresa sus
puntos de vista después de su participa
ción en la reciente Convención Obrera
efectuada en ciudad México . En relación
con este tópico, publicamos tambien las in
teresantes declaraciones del señor William
H. Johnston, Presidente de la Unión Inter
nacional de Mecánicos, prestando ambas
gran interées a este número de La Revista.
A información relativa a que Villa ha
L estado al servicio del Gobierno , en acti
vas hostilidades contra sus "viejos amigos,"
los hermanos Arrieta de Durango , no pu
ede menos de provocar una sonrisa en qui
enes saben cuán "amistosos" han sido estos
odios de encarnizados enemigos durante la
revolución .
4 THE MEXICAN REVIEW March, 1921

struction and of Labor, and the corelative

reforms to the organic law of the depart
Obregon Urges Needed Reforms
ments, are matters that so frankly respond
to the necessity of a fair administration and
Asks Mexican Congress for New Legislation on Banking,
of the intensification of education amongst
Labor, Petroleum, Land and Agriculture
the people by all means within the reach of
DDRESSING briefly the special ses sion in which they may take up for con the State, that it is only necessary to
sion of the Mexican Congress which sideration and action the reforms of great enunciate the purposes of the respective
A convened Monday, February 7, Presi moment and importance to which the call laws for the Congress to immediately grasp
dent Obregon stressed the necessity for im refers to. the importance of these matters and the
mediate consideration of legislation for the "The great difficulties that the country need of prompt action on the same.
institution of a modern banking system, for has experienced due to the lack of a solidly "As for the Agrarian Law, its object is
making effective Article 123 of the Con established banking system, through which to solve as far as possible ,the already old
stitution relating to the welfare of labor, the country from one end to the other may but none the less important land problem.
for the establishment of an agrarian policy receive the benefits of a credit system, are In the revolutionary program mention is
which will encourage the restoration of the so much in evidence and they have given made at the very first of the fair distribu
land to the people, and for the solution of rise to such a critical situation, that I need tion of the land amongst the working class,
the problems relating to the application of not try to demonstrate to you the supreme and it is the duty of the Executive to see
Article 27 of the Constitution to the Na necessity of applying a remedy to the cha that this promise be not relegated to the
otic condition which in this respect prevails sphere of political dreams, but, at the same
tion's petroleum resources. time, it should not be understood that the
He declared that an effective system of in the Republic. It is for these reasons,
therefore, that the first matter to which the present agrarian system is to be disturbed,
banks throughout the country is a necessity
for the development of its business and in call refers, is the enactment of a law that nor the fundamental basis of agricultural
dustry. In connection with the formulation will settle the banking problem. I am con life of the country attacked . Although the
fident that the bill I have submitted to the Agrarian Bill which I submit to the Legis
of a labor policy, he suggested the creation
of a new Department of Labor. He com
mended the law now before the Congress
for the more equitable distribution of land
among the people as in conformity with the
principles of the revolution and, without
making specific recommendations, urged
upon the Congress the early and careful
consideration of petroleum legislation which,
while protecting the legitimate interests of
both native and foreign proprietors, will 0.00
conserve the interests of the Nation. His
address follows :
"In pursuance of a constitutional mandate
I have the honor of addressing the honor
able members of the Congress of the Union
with the object of informing them of the
causes that prompted the President to call
a special session of the nation's representa
tives, according to the authority vested in GEN4E0R5
T7
him by Section XI, Article 88, of the Mexi
can Constitution .
"The present, a historical moment for the
Republic, is altogether exceptional, but more
so because of the first-class opportunity to
Photo from Underwood & Underwood, New York.
effect not only the reconstruction of the
California Merchants Received by President Obregon at Chapultepec Castle.
country, but the moralization in the several
branches of the public administration , and Congress will be considered in an ample lative Power is inspired from the most ad
the intensification of education among the spirit of fairness and calmness, and within vanced revolutionary principles, it is also
social classes as far as the legislators and the principles of the economic life of the based on a deep knowledge of the necessi
the government can effect it. ties of the country and on the obstacles and
peoples.
"Labor laws are measures of protection difficulties that a law of this nature will
"Poor, indeed, would be the conduct of a
government conscious of its duties and obli for the working classes, and their necessity encounter in its practical realization .
gations, if it did not take advantage of this and opportuneness no one will deny. The "Around the oil question there are revolv
tendency of modern thought in matters per ing grave problems of an internal and in
opportunity, the only one in the history of
taining to labor is so unmistakably marked, ternational character which will have no
Mexico since 1910, to respond to the exi
gencies of public opinion and to the dictates that any government that would dare op little bearing on the future progress of the
pose humanitarian measures of such an im country. On the one side there is the prin
of the well-meaning and the high-spirited ,
by bringing about the realization, within portance as are labor laws, not only would ciple of national autonomy which the Revo
the constitutional powers invested in it, of fail in its opposition, but it would fail in lution proclaimed as indispensable for the
the reforms that it is necessary to put into its duty. Therefore, it has been the desire economic progress of the Republic, and for
practice, and by elevating , as far as possible, of the Executive to bring the realization the development of its energies and of its
of one of the most beautiful ideals of the natural resources . On the other side, the
the level of culture of the people.
Revolution by giving to Article 123 of the interests, the owners of the oil lands, are
"Having in mind that the regular session
Constitution immediate practical effects. opposing, either through the tribunals of
of the Congress is scarcely long enough for
This is, consequently, the second point of Mexico or through diplomatic channels, the
it to deal with all of the matters left in its application of Article 27 of the Constitu
care by special mandate of the Constitution , the call.
"Federalization of education, the estab tion. The result of all this has been to
I have deemed it necessary to call the two
lishment of the Departments of Public In make of the oil question a matter of world
houses of Congress to an extraordinary ses
 Marzo, 1921
Obregon Urge Necesarias
Pide al Congreso decrete una nueva legislación sobre Bancos,
Trabajo, Petróleo, Tierras y Agricultura.
L PRESIDENTE OBREGON, en la
sesión estraordinaria del Congreso
E Mexicano
verificada el 7 de Febrero
último, encareció a este H. Cuerpo
la necesidad de decretar inmediata
mente una nueva legislación para la
institución de un sistema bancario moderno,
la reglamentación del artículo 23 de la Con
stitución, relativo al bienestar obrero, para
el establecimiento de una política agraria
que facilite la devolución de las tierras al
pueblo, y para la solución de los problemas
relativos a la aplicación del artículo 27 con
stitucional a las fuentes petroleras de la
Nación.
Declaró que es de gran necesidad para el
desarrollo comercial e industrial el esta
blecimiento de un efectivo sistema bancario
en todo el país ; la creación de una Secretaría
del Trabajo, para llevar a cabo una franca
política obrera ; la aprobación de la Ley,
hoy en cartera, para la distribución equita
tiva de las tierras entre el pueblo, de acuer
do con los principios revolucionarios ; y, por
último, sin hacer determinada recomenda
ción, urgió al Congreso la pronta y cuidado
sa consideración de la legislación petrolera,
que a la vez que proteja los intereses legíti
mos de nacionales y extranjeros, proteja
tambien los intereses de la Nación. Estas
fueron sus palabras.
"En cumplimiento de un deber constitu
cional tengo la honra de dirigirme a los
miembros del Honorable Congreso de la
Unión, con el objeto de informarles acerca
de las causas que tuvo el Ejecutivo Federal
para convocar a sesiones extraordinarias a
la representación nacional, en ejercicio de
la facultad que le concede el artículo 88 ,
fracción XI, de la Constitución Mexicana.
El momento histórico por el que atraviesa
la República es verdaderamente excepcional
por todos conceptos, pero principalmente
porque significa una oportunidad de primer
orden para llevar a cabo no sólo la re
construcción del país, sino la moralización
do la Administración Pública en todos sus
ramos, y la intensificación cultural de las
diversas clases sociales dentro de la esfera
propia del legislador y del Gobierno.
Mengua fuera para un gobernante con
sciente de sus deberes y de sus facultades,
no aprovechar esta oportunidad, única en
la historia de México, de 1910 a la fecha,
para responder a las exigencias de la opin
ión pública y al desiderátum de todos los
espiritus honrados, realizando, de acuerdo
con sus Poderes Constitucionales, las re
formas que es de toda urgencia llevar a la
práctica, y procurando, en lo posible, elevar
extensivamente el nivel cultural del pueblo.
Necesidad De Un Régimen Bancario.
Teniendo en consideración que el peri
odo ordinario de sesiones del H. Congreso
de la Unión, apenas si es suficiente para
que las Cámaras puedan ocuparse en los
asuntos que los preceptos constitucionales
LA REVISTA MEXICANA
Reformas
les encomiendan de una manera particular,
el Ejecutivo ha creído necesario llamar a
las Cámaras a un período extraordinario
de sesiones, para que dentro de él resu
elvan las trascendentales e importantísimas
reformas a que se contrae la convocatoria .
Los grandes trastornos que la República
ha sufrido por la falta de un régimen
bancario sólidamente establecido , que der
rame a través de todo el país los beneficios
del crédito mercantil, son de tal manera
patentes y han provocado una crisis tan
honda, que es inútil pretender demostrarlos
y más inútil encarecer la suprema necesidad
que existe de poner un remedio radical a la
huuhte
ONS
CHI-24
CHA1-16
HIGH ANIS
FoT
Photo from Underwood & Underwood, New York.
California Excursionists Entertained by President Obregon as Guests of Mexico.
caótica situción que impera en la repú
blica a este respecto . De abí que, el primer
punto a que se refiere la convocatoria , es la
expedición de la ley que resuelva el prob
lema de los bancos de emisión. El Ejecu
tivo tiene la plena seguridad de que el
proyecto que presenta a la alta considera
ción del Congreso será discutido con un espí
ritu imparcial y sereno, dentro de los prin
cipios que rigen la vida económica de los
pueblos.
El Articulo 123 Constitucional.
El Seguro obrero es una medida de pro
tección a la clase trabajadora , cuya oportu
nidad y conveseicia nadie podrá discutir,
pues son tan apremiantes las reivindica
ciones del pensamiento y de la cultura mo
dernas en este sentido, que cualquier go
bernante que quisiera oponerse a un movi
miento humanitario de suyo tan importante,
no sólo fracasaria, sino que dejaría de cum
plir
plir con
con su deber. Por eso el Ejecutivo
ha querido realizar uno de los más hermo
sos ideales de la Revolución y dar al artículo
123 Constitucional efectos prácticos inme
5
diatos. De ahí el segundo punto tratado
en la convocatoria.
La federalízación de la ensenanza, la crea
ción de las Secretarías de Instrucción Pú
blica y del Trabajo, y la reforma correla
tiva de la Ley Orgánica de Secretarías, son
cuestiones que responden de modo tan
franco a las necesidades de una buena ad
ministración y al problema vital de intensi
ficar la cultura del pueblo por cuantos me
dios estén al alcance del Estado, que basta
enunciar el propósito de las leyes respecti
vas, para que el Congreso de la Unión coin
prenda desde luego la importancia de los
puntos tratados y la necesidad de una
pronta resolución.
Proyecto De Ley Agraria.
La Ley Agraria tiene por objeto solucio
nar en lo posible el ya viejo aunque si
empre importante problema de las tierras.
En el programa revolucionario figura en
广十
59
primer término la distribución equitativa de
la tierra entre la clase proletaria, y el
Ejecutivo debe velar porque esa promesa
no quede en la esfera de los ensueños po
líticos, sin que por eso se pretenda tras
tornar todo el regimen agrario que impera,
ni atacar en su base los fundamentos mis
mos de la vida agrícola del país. El
proyecto de Ley Agraria que someto a la
consideración del Poder Legislativo, si
bien está inspirado en los principios revo
lucionarios más avanzados, también
funda en el conocimiento concreto de las
necesidades del país y de las dificultades
prácticas que una ley de esa índole ha de
encontrar en su realización.
En torno a la cuestión del petróleo se
agitan graves problemas de carácter in
terno e internacional, que han de tener no
poca resonancia en la marcha futura del
país. Por un lado el principio de auto
nomía nacional que la Revolución proclamó
como indispensable para incorporar al pro
greso económico todas las fuerzas vivas y
todos los elementos de riqueza de la

Ô THE
wide interest, and to create for Mexico
grave difficulties which can only be settled
by a careful study of the manner in which
the interests of the nation can be sate
guarded , without harm to the property of
natives and foreigners , provided it has been
acquired fairly and legally.
"It is the understanding of the Execu
tive that political and administrative hon
esty must be exemplified by the highest pub
lic officials and thence extended through
the entire civil force of the nation . It is
for this reason that in the call preferential
mention is given to a law that will fix the
responsibilities of the President of the Re
public and of the Cabinet members. Its ob
ject is to place the highest representatives
of the Executive Power strictly subject to
the law in all of their acts, and that they
be not allowed prerogatives and privileges
that are repugnant to honest men and which
have been the origin of delinquencies. In a
real democracy, the public official must ac
count for his acts, whatever his rank or
his legal authority may be, for the greater
his authority, the greater are his duties and
his responsibilities. Therefore, the Execu
tive, wishing to evidence his democratic
spirit and his respect for the law, has initi
ated the law that fixes the responsibilities
of the President of the Republic and of his
Secretaries of State.
"With reference to paragraph ten of the
call, it is highly satisfactory to the Execu
tive, to return to the Permanent Committee
of the Congress the powers it had under
our Political Constitution of 1857, to call ex
traordinary sessions of the Congress, which
an ill-advised spirit of absolutism of the
Constitution of 1917 took away from it with
no justification . In this manner, the Legis
lative Power will enjoy the autonomy which
the greater part of modern constitutions
grant to it, and it will not be subordinated
to the will and the fancies of the Execu
tive Power.
"The clamor of public opinion has pointed
out deep wrongs in the administration of
justice, which today is only written in our
laws, but absolutely is lacking in effect,
notwithstanding the fact that our Political
Constitution establishes that the Tribunals
must at all times expedite the cases in
which they are asked for justice. The
principal cause for this state of affairs lies
in the Organic Law of Tribunals which was
enacted during the past administration , and
whose defects have been pointed out with a
rare unanimity. The Executive wishes to
do all that he can in order that justice may
be something practical and effective, and
not as it has been up to now, a vain hope
and a dream of impossible realization .
"The Executive believes that the gambling
vice ought to be energetically attacked in
order to ameliorate the disturbances it cre
ates, not only because it gives origin to
immoral speculations and waste, but it also
invites to corruption public officials who
sanction it or who enter into agreements
with the owners of the gambling houses . As
the Federal Government has no jurisdiction
throughout the Republic in this matter, it is
MEXICAN REVIEW
necessary to promote a constitutional
amendment so that the Federal Government
can legally prosecute and punish the gam
blers, not only in the Federal District, but
in all of the States of the Union.
"With reference to the military pensions ,
the Government believes it to be of justice
and equity to amend the pension system
now in effect, which establishes odious dif
ferences with relation to the military rank
of the individual , the time of his death
or of an injury that incapacitates him for
work. There is nothing so contrary to the
exigencies of fair and humanitary compen
sation than the differences thus established,
and, therefore, the Executive wishes that
the men who die in the battlefields or their
wounds are such that their vitality is im
paired , while serving their country, be
given the assurance that the Nation will
come to their assistance as a compensation
for their services and their sacrifices.
"All the other laws mentioned in the call
are of importance, and each one of them
deals with social, political and administra
tive problems. Action on them is necessary
if the country is to be placed on a firm
basis of organization and progress.
"Gentlemen of the Congress : At the pres
ent moment the Nation demands of its rep
resentatives an ample and high spirit of
reform , and a firm determination to work
for the reconstruction of the country, for
the restoration of our national credit, and
the abolition of the traditional evils that
have brought the paralization of the en
ergies of the Republic. The welfare of mil
lions of human beings depends from the
action of the Legislative Branch, so it is
not a cause for surprise, therefore, if public
opinion is demanding honest, persistent and
coordinated efforts in the solution of the
problems that are confronting the Nation .
The future of the country depends from
their solution, and it is hoped that the Hon
orable Congress of the Union will bring
about the realization of the hopes and the
aspirations of the Mexican people."
Yaqui Indians File a Protest
ECENTLY statements were
Rthroughout the United States tothe ef
fect that "the Yaqui Indians were again
on the warpath ; " that they were discon
tented with the Government of President
Obregon, and were demanding that the en
tire vast Yaqui river valley should be turned
over to them. It was represented that the
situation was most serious in every respect.
Now come the four chiefs of the Yaqui
tribe- Espinosa, Matus, Mori and Gomez
and file a strenuous protest, in which they
flatly and unequivocally deny that there is
any foundation for the reports. Instead of
being discontented with the government of
President Obregon, they are in hearty ac
cord therewith. Instead of going on the
warpath, they are devoting their every ef
fort to agricultural development of their
lands, and they declare that they have the
utmost faith that the President will carry
out his announced program to the ultimate
0
March, 1921
detail, pledging their hearty support there
to . And as with the false statement about
the Yaquis, so with the greater portion of
the other periodical reports about this and
that and the other bandit organizing a "seri
ous revolution. " They have most of their
foundation in the heads of those responsible
for their circulation , and not elsewhere.
Return of "Intervened"
Property
ERIODICALLY it becomes necessary
P
owing to the often repeated and widely
published misunderstanding regarding the
subject, to explain the status of certain so
called "confiscated " properties in Mexico .
During the recent revolutionary period it
was found necessary by the government to
take over, more or less temporarily, the
real property of certain pronounced enemies,
as well as some that was needed for mili
tary purposes. This property was not
"confiscated," in the sense of permanently
depriving the owners of their title, but was
merely "intervened," for the time being, to
use the local expression. When the neces
sity for such "intervention " had ceased , the
government took steps to return these prop
erties to their owners. A Governmental
Bureau had administered them, but some
thing over a year ago so large a portion
had been restored that it was found ad
visable to abolish this Bureau, leaving the
handling of the small remaining percentage
to the Treasury Department. Notice had
been given to all claimants of such prop
erties, regardless of nationality, political af
filiation or any other consideration , to ap
pear and reclaim the same. A small per
centage only was not thus reclaimed, and
despite all efforts the present addresses of
the owners were not discovered , they having
left the country. This property, therefore,
still remains in the hands of the govern
ment, subject to immediate restoration
what time the owner appears and makes
good his title. Prominent Mexican repre
sentatives in this country repeatedly have
challenged any one to show a single case
where real property belonging to Ameri
cans had been "confiscated ," in the sense
usually given to that word, and so far as
has been noted , this challenge has never
been controverted, for the very good reason
that it could not be. The Review will glad
ly give space to any truthful presentation
of any case of "confiscation" and will even
go further- if such case can be made out, it
will agree to secure the return of the
property.
Arrangements are on foot to establish a
great shipping line between Mexico and
the Republic of Chile, approved by the
Department of Communications and Public
Works. It is intended to organize a bet
ter commercial service between all Latin
American countries with Mexico, something
badly needed .
Marzo, 1921 LA
República ; y, por otra parte, los intereses
de los dueños de fundos petroleros que se
oponen a la aplicación del artículo 27 con
stitucional , sea ante los tribunales de
México o sea en forma diplomática . Todo
ha contribuido a que el problema del pe
tróleo tenga resonancia en el extranjero y
presente graves dificultades que sólo podrán
resolverse estudiando con serenidad la
manera de salvar los intereses de la nación
sin lesionar injustamente el patrimonio de
propios y extraños, que se haya constituido
con arreglo a la ley ya la justicia.
Responsabilidades Del Ejecutivo.
El Ejecutivo entiende que la moralidad
política y administrativa ha de comenzar
con los altos funcionarios y extenderse a todo
el cuerpo de servidores de la nación. De
ahí que en la convocatoria figure pre
ferentemente la ley que fija las responsa
bilidades del Presidente de la República y
de sus Secretarios de Estado . Con ella se
persigue conseguir que los altos repre
sentatantes del Poder Ejecutivo queden su
jetos en todos sus actos al imperio de la
ley y de la justicia, y no gocen de franqui
cias que repugnan a las conciencias honra
das, y al amparo de las cuales se han
cometido tantos delitos. En la verdadera
democracia, el funcionario público debe dar
cuenta de sus actos, sea cual fuere la cate
goría que tenga y su poder legal, pues mi
entras mayor sea éste, mayores son sus de
beres y responsabilidades. El Ejecutivo
cree, por lo mismo , dar una prueba de
espíritu democrático y de respeto al princi
pio de la legalidad , iniciando la expedición
de la ley que fije las responsabilidades del
Presidente de la República y de sus Secre
tarios de Estado.
Con relación al párrafo 100. de la convo
catoria, le es altamente satisfactorio al
Ejecutivo devolver a la Comisión Per
manente del Congreso la facultad que con
forme a nuestra Carta Política de 1857
tenía para convocar a sesiones extraordi
narias, y que un espíritu de absolutismo
mal disfrazado en la Constitución de 1917,
REVISTA MEXICANA !
<
que, como hasta ahora lo ha sido, una vana La Devolucion de
esperanza y un ensueño de imposible realiza Propiedades "Intervenidas ”
ción .
UZGAMOS necesario insistir sobre la lla
El vicio del juego debe ser, en concepto Jada "confiscación" de propiedades en
del Ejecutivo , atacado enérgicamente, para México, con motivo del frecuentemente re
A conseguir que se aminoren en lo posible los
petido y ampliamente divulgado falso con
trastornos que ocasiona, no sólo dando lu
cepto que existe sobre el particular, que
gar a especulaciones y despilfarros inmo
amerita una clara explicación periódica.
rales, sino también provocando la corrupción
En efecto, no debe ignorarse que durante
administrativa de los funcionarios que lo
el reciente período revolucionario en México
consienten o que de modo positivo celebran
el Gobierno juzgó necesario ocupar, más o
convenios con los empresarios de juego .
menos temporalmente, la propiedad raíz de
Como las autoridades federales no tienen en
ciertos declarados enemigos, en cuanto ella
esta materia jurisdicción en toda la Re fué necesaria a las necesidades militares de
pública, se hace necesario promover una
entonces. Estas propiedades no han sido
reforma constitucional para que puedan le
"confiscadas," en el sentido de haberse pri
galmente perseguir y castigar a los tahures,
vado de sus títulos a sus propietarios, sino
no sólo en el Distrito Federal y Territorios,
que fueron simplemente "intervenidas,"
sino en las diversas entidades locales.
como medida de guerra, usando el término
Diferencias Odiosas En Las Pensiones.
vulgar, y una vez que cesó la necesidad de
En orden a las pensiones de las militares,
esa “intervención, ” el Gobierno dió los pasos
el Gobierno ha creído de justicia y de
conducentes a su devolución a los corre
equidad reformar el sistema hoy en vigor,
spondientes propietarios. Una Oficina del
que establece diferencias odiosas, en rela
Gobierno (la Administración de Bienes Inca
ción al grado militar que tenga el agra
ciado en el momento de su muerte, o cu utados ) tuvo la administración de esos
ando es víctima de un accidente que le bienes ; mas hace como un año, y puesto
que la mayor parte de ellos habían sido ya
impida trabajar. Nada más contrario a
devueltos, se creyó conveniente abolir dicha
las exigencias de una compensación equi
Oficina, dejando a cargo de la Secretaría de
tativa y humanitaria que esas diferencias,
Hacienda el muy escaso percentaje de los
y por lo mismo , el Ejecutivo desea que los que se conservan en manos del Gobierno. Se
servidores de la patria que mueran en los
ha dado amplio aviso a todos los dueños de
campos de batalla o sufran heridas que
aminoren su eficiencia vital , tengan la se esas propiedades para presentarse a re
clamarlas, sea cual fuere su nacionalidad ,
guridad de que el Estado vendrá en su
filiación política, etc. I como un pequeño
ayuda y sabrá compensár sus esfuerzos y
sacrificios. percentaje no ha sido reclamado hasta aquí ,
Todas las demás leyes que figuran en la a pesar de los esfuerzos hechos para dar
con sus propietarios, pues éstos han aban
convocatoria son de importancia, y cada
donado el país, éste se conserva aún bajo el
una de ellas en lo particular corresponde
cuidado del Gobierno, para ser entregado
a problemas sociales, políticos o administra
tan pronto como sus propietarios se pre
tivos, cuya solución se impone a fin de en
senten a reclamarlos con la comprobación
cauzar al país en la via del progreso y de
de sus títulos.
la organización .
Frecuentemente buen número de promi
Señores Diputados, señores Senadores :
nentes representantes de México en Estados
En los momentos actuales, la Nación exige
Unidos han retado a cualquiera a que se
a sus representantes un amplio y alto espi
ritu de reforma y el propósito firms de tra ñale un sólo caso en que una propiedad de
algún norteamericano haya sido " confisca
bajar para reconstruir al país, restaurar el
crédito nacional