Carl William Ackerman

“ Whether he will succeed is a puzzle the key to which has not been found. There are Mexicans and foreigners who will tell you that the Carranza Government is as certain to fall as the buildings in Mexico City are certain to sink; and this latter fact no one doubts, as even the National Theatre, the so-called "White Elephant" because its marble walls are uncompleted, is gradually sinking in the mire upon which the capital is built. Others will inform you that this government is gaining strength every day and that if it receives financial assistance nothing will be able to wreck it. ”

“ Discussing the problems of finance and reconstruction with Mexican officials one is impressed by the fact that so few of these can see the viewpoint of the outside business man, the foreign capitalist. Most Mexicans will say that because of the rich natural resources of the country any foreigner ought to be willing to loan money to the government. The resources are here, many of them still untouched, they will declare, and if foreign capital invests in Mexico, it should be prepared to share prosperity or revolution with Mexico. ”

“ Even the present government, according to many Mexicans, is too friendly to the United States. Most of the newspapers of Mexico City, even those that are pro-Ally in their war sympathies, have a grudge against the United States. El Democrata, the chief organ of the Germans, prints more articles of hate about the United States than any other newspaper. Some American journals are most effectively aiding the Germans in Mexico by demanding armed intervention. ”

“ Nevertheless the chief obstacle to reconstruction in Mexico to-day is the lack of confidence of foreign investors in the stability and honesty of the present government. As long as there are rebels and grafting generals about the country, and so long as the present government holds property confiscated when the Constitutionalists were a de facto government, foreigners will be sceptical of Mexico. President Carranza and his most trusted advisors know this but they are still, to a certain degree, hampered by the radicals, who know nothing and care less about international obligations. ”

“ The pacification of Mexico to-day presents in many respects the same problem with which the United States Government had to deal after the Civil War. The Mexican bandits are, so to say, the Ku-Klux Klan of this country. Generals Villa and Zapata may be likened to the James brothers. The difference is that in the United States the bandits attacked American or national property. In Mexico bandits destroy foreign property. The most popular cry of the revolutionists has been "Down with the foreigners who exploited us." ”

“ It is not the ignorance of the peons or the Indians, however, which makes the financial situation in Mexico difficult to solve. It is the ignorance of many officials and leaders regarding international finance. So many Mexicans cannot understand the relationship which should exist between nations, although they have a clear idea of money matters between individuals. ”

“ Within seven days they became soldiers.
Not all of the peons who join the national army are patriotic, a fact which causes considerable trouble in the country districts. Sometimes, after the ex-rebels have been with the government forces long enough to get new rifles and several rounds of ammunition, they trek to the mountains to be welcomed by their old chief with a handshake and an enthusiastic hug, the customary cordial greeting between Mexican friends. ”

“ This general was one of the group of anti-American army officers who are pro-German and who carry around chips as shoulder straps.
One might imagine that a government with so many internal problems to solve might be spared international perplexities. Not so in Mexico. Mexico's internal strife is the chief cause of her international disputes. There are some radical Mexicans who advocate the lynching of all foreigners. Others desire the confiscation of all foreign property. ”

“ This is pointed out by the most optimistic foreigners as an example of what treatment foreign business interests may expect from the Carranza Government where the business men show a willingness to co-operate.
The government is in need of financial assistance. All problems of reconstruction virtually rest upon the possibilities of this government receiving a loan. Granted a loan of $150,000,000 the most reliable foreigners in the capital believe that Mexico will experience more prosperity than it did under the Diaz régime. ”

“ One day I recall when the Chamber of Deputies was in session a member called the attention of the presiding officer to the lack of a quorum. Those who have seen how well the U.S. House of Representatives is attended during most of the debates will understand such a situation. ”