Señor Carranza. Forty years ago the United States would not recognise the official or de jure government of Diaz, because he was struggling with the same tasks and inactions of the present day, but on a smaller scale.
Whether Señor Carranza will adopt the same attitude toward foreigners that Don Porfirio did, and whether he will try to reconstruct Mexico with the assistance of outside brains, are questions which events alone can answer. Señor Carranza has the same opportunities. So far as the United States is concerned, one might judge from the former policy of President Wilson that he was willing to help the Republic get on its financial and reconstruction feet, even if the alignment of Mexico on the side of the Allies were a temporary burden. The United States is endeavouring to help the nation by advice and counsel.
One suggestion which has been made to President Carranza is that he shall abolish the decree fixing an artificial value in exchange for American money. Formerly one dollar was equal to two pesos in Mexican currency. To-day, by a government order, a dollar is accepted by the government as equal to but 1.85 pesos in gold, or 1.75 pesos in United States bank notes. If the Mexican Government would agree to the old standard—so it is stated—American gold and silver would be used in exchange and increase the amount of available currency. But the government has not acted. It is claimed that an official is benefiting by the
