CHAPTER VII
The future
MUST the United States intervene in Mexico before that country can take its place among the great nations of the world?"
Mexicans and foreigners ask this question because to most men it seems a pity that a nation with such great possibilities should be under a shadow of internal strife from decade to decade.
The answer, to my mind, is: "Yes, but there is more than one way to intervene in Mexico."
I do not believe that the United States would be justified to-day in intervening in Mexico with armed forces to protect American property or American life because I have confidence in the possibilities of a Mexican Government if the leaders and the people are given an opportunity to work out their own political destiny. But if German intrigue, directed from Berlin, continues to stir up hatred for the United States and continues as a source of irritation and trouble, and if the United States or her Allies during the war are attacked from Mexico, the situation might change over night.
It is obvious, I think, to most people who have travelled in Mexico recently that the people and the government of that country cannot grow in intelligence and economic strength without the co-operation of foreigners. Mexico needs foreign help the same as every young nation, and every nation which has gone through a period of unrest, needs foreign assistance. The Mexican problem is to make the Mexican authorities understand that foreigners want to help Mexico.
The first need of the Mexican people to-day is education. Of the population which is estimated at fifteen million only about two million, according to recent estimates, can read and write. Ignorance is at the bottom of banditry. Ignorance is what enables unscrupulous men to rob the people of land and wages. Ignorance is what keeps the peons dressed in rags.
Mexico needs a public school system from one end of the country to the other, and in establishing such a system it should be understood by Mexico that substantial progress can be expected only by calling foreign educators to Mexico to superintend the work. Mexico needs great educational directors, such as the state superintendents of public instruction in some of our states. Mexico needs men like the Presidents of our great universities to help her build up an educational system.
Mexico needs an educational system that will begin not only with the children but with the men and women of to-day. They, too, must be taught to read and write and think. Mexico needs technical public school education for men. Think of the hundreds of thousands of children in Mexico who know nothing about schools!
To develop her great resources Mexico needs foreign brains and foreign capital. The United States needed it in the early days of her existence. Every country needs foreign help to "get on its feet," and Mexico is very far indeed from being an exception, especially after the many years of revolutions.
Mexico needs foreigners to advise her regarding finance, political economy and labour. Under President Carranza Mexico began by asking two university professors to come to Mexico City and study the financial problems of the Republic. This, indeed, is a step in advance.
Mexico's future depends upon her willingness to have foreigners assist her. This is what I would call political and social intervention. If Mexico is to be helped this sort of intervention must take place.
I look upon Mexico as having more possibilities than any of twelve countries I have visited during the past two years—possibilities for success or failure. And while the nations of the world, particularly the United States and her Allies, might be glad to advise Mexico, the choice rests entirely with that country. Mexico can be a friend or a foe of the United States and she has more to gain through friendship than through enmity.
Within fifty years from to-day Mexico can take her place among the greatest nations of the world if Mexico is willing to seek the co-operation of the great Republics and Democracies of the world. Mexico, as a Republic, owes a duty to her sister nations as well as to herself. Opportunity knocks at the doors of the Republic. The battle for Civilisation, for Humanity, for International Right and for Democracy is being fought throughout the world. Mexico is being tempted by the agents of Berlin. Not only President Carranza but the other leaders of Mexico must choose between a German conquest and American and Allied co-operation.