Jump to content

Page:Mexico's dilemma.djvu/42

From Wikisource
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
30
MEXICO'S DILEMMA

was just returning from Washington after having persuaded President Wilson that the embargo should be raised.

The bandits, however, which the ambassador saw on the return to his post, were perfectly harmless and the "exploradoro" and "armed" soldiers were not needed. At various points along the line one sees bandits hanging from telegraph poles and trees, swaying in the wind like pendulums. The men who tied these fellows up did a good job of it. They will not drop until they decay, when the wolves will take charge.

From the Texas border to Monterey one sees nothing but sand, cactus plants and dust. Along the route there are "specks" where once stood villages, villages which passed away during some stage of the revolution. The depots and homes are destroyed. The people, who remained, are like animals. They live in the ruins or under the blue sky, day and night. They are clothed in garments which after hard wear would have been discarded five years ago by almost any one else. Many children run with only a rag round their waists. The women and men alike are barefooted, or, perhaps to protect tender feet, some still have the sole of a shoe which is tied to each foot with strings. Almost all live by selling food to the travellers who must go this way to Monterey and Mexico City. Eggs, cheese, pancakes, water, milk, coffee, beans—the national dish—and whatnot, are peddled at so many centavos apiece. Here is