MEXICO. 



Mexico is associated with romance and mystery The early races 

 who settled it sometime in the 7th century are as mythical as the "little 

 people in green." Faint traces of their deeds and past glories still re- 

 main to make Mexico a land of interest to the antiquitarian. The first 

 race of which so little is known was followed in time by the Aztecs, who 

 were still a powerful people when Spain first set foot in the land, in 1519. 

 Montezuma was the Aztec ruler who tn^n occupied the throne, and the 

 people were a quiet, industrious race, active and enterprising but not at 

 all a war-like nation. In regard to enterprise and industry the present 

 Mexican has sadly degenerated, as he is notoriously lazy. As a proof of 

 this latter statement, if any be needed, we quote from a late issue of 

 Modern Mexico. 



"The mango season has begun at Tampico; to the sorrow of the 

 superintendents and gang bosses. They would like to see mangoes 

 abolished. The natives love them. The reason the men who are re- 

 sponsible for getting work done dislike the mango is that the fruit is so 

 cheap. During the summer the peon can buy 100 luscious mangoes, each 

 as big as his fist, for 12 cenis A hundred mangoes are all the food a 

 Mexican will ask for several Uu^ . So he lays in his supply. He does 

 not have to buy fuel; he needs very, few clothes; so why need he work 

 while the mangoes last? He doesn't." 



That Mexico is improving is true, and that the improvement is due 

 largely to the advent of American capitalists is also true, but it is still 

 far from being the Eldorado many think it. As an investment for men 

 of means it offers many inducements; to the poor man, none at all. The 

 same publication quoted above frankly says so under the heading, "The 

 Truth is Good Enough," believing that in telling the truth regarding 

 Mexico it will be more a factor for good to the republic than are those 

 who persuade settlers to come under false promises and inducements. 

 The article says: 



"Mexican labor is not always cheap. There are sections of the Re- 

 public that have been known to have drouths. There are some dis- 

 honest people who describe Mexico as a land of milk and honey for their 

 own selfish ends. Every man who is brought to Mexico under a misap- 

 prehension as to its resources and the possibilities for profitable invest- 

 ment eventually harms the Republic more than he is harmed. The op- 

 portunities for agricultural and industrial investment and trade expan- 

 sion in Mexico are many and varied in character. But the truth should 

 be frankly told about these advantages. There are many advantages. 

 There are many chances for the investment of large capital where there 

 is one for the man of small means. There is no room at all for the poor 

 man. There are plenty of poor people already in Mexico. The Amer- 



