Page:Mexico's dilemma.djvu/152

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126
MEXICO'S DILEMMA

ment of Fomento, or Public Works. Mr. Carranza could not remove him, so he wrote a decree changing the duties of this department, taking all the important foreign work out of his hands. The foreigners were delighted; and so was the Cabinet officer, because he had other things to do. He didn't care to deal with foreigners, anyway.

A year ago from the time I was in Mexico ex-President Diaz was regarded as having been the worst dictator and boss Mexico ever had—by the Mexicans. To-day he is being considered in a different light, though his evil acts have not been forgotten. Fifteen years ago, when a list of ten names was placed before Diaz so that he might select a senator from Coahuila, he picked the ninth, that of Señor Carranza. To-day this senator is Diaz's successor, and he had developed many of the qualities of leadership the old Indian had. Mr. Carranza's friends say that he is developing a Democratic dictatorship in Mexico; but the foreigners add: "By his acts we shall judge him."

Still, the question is asked: "Was Diaz a prophet, too?"

Because of the universal lack of education among Indians and Mexicans, a representative government such as exists in Mexico to-day is, in fact, only a representation of the strongest parties and elements supporting Carranza; but Mexico remains more of a nation over Mr. Carranza than under him. He dominates the Central Govern-