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Page:Mexico's dilemma.djvu/77

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REBELS AND REVOLUTIONS
61

envoy. When he arrived at Vera Cruz a delegation of Mexican Ministers and officers were sent to act as his escort to the capital. In the big palace at the port the incoming diplomat was tendered a banquet at which several speeches were made about the value of Latin-American union. To these cordial addresses the Argentinian replied that his country, too, favoured such a union.

When the speaking had ended, a young general (there are many generals under thirty in Mexico) arose, and in a long, hesitating, after-dinner speech, declared that he believed in the purposes of such a union but considered the name an unfortunate one.

"I propose," said he, "that we call this union a Latin-Mexican union and leave the America out."

This general was one of the group of anti-American army officers who are pro-German and who carry around chips as shoulder straps.

One might imagine that a government with so many internal problems to solve might be spared international perplexities. Not so in Mexico. Mexico's internal strife is the chief cause of her international disputes. There are some radical Mexicans who advocate the lynching of all foreigners. Others desire the confiscation of all foreign property. This group of radicals was influential enough at the Querétaro convention held not long ago to insert confiscatory clauses in the constitution. Some Mexicans will state