Page:Mexico's dilemma.djvu/161

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RISING OR SETTING SUN IN MEXICO
133

the revolutionists, because it was said that foreigners robbed Mexico with concessions; but that word is actually being used to-day to describe what the present government is doing. I met an American who had recently obtained a water-power site near Mexico City. Engineers calculated that the falls would develop twenty-four thousand horse-power. This was concession; and it had been granted by the government that was opposed to such things when it began.

Hated, cursed, vilified and condemned, Venustiano Carranza remains the strongest political figure in Mexico, and the only man who can guide the fateful and fretful destinies of the Republic to-day. All agree about this, Mexicans and foreigners. Carranza or intervention!

There is no organised revolution to-day. Most Mexicans will tell you that Villa has no political influence, that his men are deserting from day to day. But Villa is a Mexican Humpty-Dumpty who falls to pieces one day and is put together a few months later.

When I was in Tampico I was told that Villa had been in communication with Pelaez and that General Enriquez had been designated by Pelaez to serve with Villa on his staff in case of another revolution. It is significant, also, that the troops of Manuel Pelaez call themselves "Villistas."

At one time there was a plan under way for Pelaez and Villa representatives to meet in New York for a conference, but according to a public