of crystallising an opinion held by many influential Mexicans. It would not be fair to give this minister's name, or to conclude that, because he is anti-German, the government is about to change its policy toward the belligerents.
Mexico is awaiting a provocation. Perhaps it would be better to say that it would not be wise for Germany to provoke her. The famous Zimmermann letter, revealing the German opinion regarding annexation, has been forgotten; but Germany is again playing with neutrality by her growing intrigues in Mexico. The I.W.W. have become as active in Mexico against foreign interests as in the United States; and the money they use is called marks.
President Carranza's authority is, in some states, only nominal to-day. A few governors, especially if they are military leaders, interpret and obey his orders as they see fit. For this reason the Chief Executive is commonly called the Easy Boss; but what for some time Mr. Carranza has been becoming is a Calm Dictator. He has been accomplishing some reforms so quietly that even the men deposed have been unaware of his object.
When Señor Carranza first took office he had to appoint his popular generals to Cabinet positions. To date he has eliminated most of them, and with great skill. One man, who was thought to be dishonest and who was anti-foreign in every policy, demanded a certain Cabinet berth—the Depart-
