ple are all right, but the governments are all crooked."
To a great extent Ambassador Fletcher, who speaks Spanish and knows the characteristics of Latin peoples, has been able to re-establish confidence in many circles, but his task is by no means completed. There is a strong anti-American sentiment in Mexico which is being augmented by the pro-German propaganda. One morning I was told in several places that the Allies were about to be defeated and that Russia was to join with Austria-Hungary and Japan against England, France and the United States. Every time I passed the big German book store in Mexico City, where German photographs and maps are displayed, the sidewalks were crowded with people. In one window hung the same map of Europe which one sees in many shop windows in Berlin—a gigantic chart showing the position of the armies of Germany in the occupied territories, a "proof" that Germany is winning the war.
The lack of confidence in the ability of the Allies to defeat Germany and old suspicion of the United States are the two things which hamper the leading Mexicans who are working for a closer relationship between Mexico and the Powers fighting Central Europe. Most intellectual Mexicans, as well as many government officials, realise that the best interests of Mexico are with those of the United States, France and England, but the prejudice of the people is difficult to overcome.
