found practical by a power that has prominently declared its altruistic motives in its actions toward weaker nations. Though the United States has a better perspective in such matters now than at the beginning of the century, it is still less experienced in dealing with weaker peoples than Great Britain and France, the chief European powers that in the near future will be called upon to deal with similar situations. As a consequence the United States approaches the Mexican problem with perhaps greater possibility of error but less bound by precedent.
2. Contrasts in civilization are present in high degree in the Mexican problem. Anglo-Saxon and Latin customs and languages meet. Within Mexico itself there are many contrasts and conflicts arising out of the native elements of the population and the lack of communication between the various districts of the country. From a cultural standpoint these have kept the republic, to a great degree, a collection of units rather than a single state and will make a satisfactory solution of Mexican relations difficult.
3. The great natural wealth of Mexico makes it a region in which the adjustment of its political and economic relations with the rest of the world is of great importance.
4. What may be called the resident international interests within Mexico emphasize the fact that arrangements concerning its government are not merely of local concern. During the Diaz period of orderly government an inflow of foreign capital occurred that makes what happens to the investments in the country a mat-
