CHAPTER XIX
THE FOREIGNER IN MEXICO: HIS LEGAL POSITION
It has been said already that it does not seem profitable to discuss the general organization of the government of Mexico under the constitution of 1917 as compared to that under the constitution of 1857. Constitutions have never been a set rule of action in Mexico and a consideration of the actual conditions within the republic gives little hope that it will be possible to make the political provisions of the Constitution of 1917 function as was intended, until fundamental changes have been accomplished in the social, educational, and economic equipment of the people. The reconstruction of Mexico involves problems deeper than those that can be settled by constitution makers.
It is important, however, to consider the terms of the new Constitution applying to foreigners and their rights, because the manner of the enforcement of these has an immediate bearing on Mexico's relations to other powers and the interpretation, which the governments of the reconstruction period may adopt upon these matters, will determine Mexico's international credit and possibly the continuance of her peaceful relations with other nations. In short, the conditions under which Mexico may work out its own reconstruction and whether it will be allowed to work out its own reconstruction may depend upon its willingness to assume
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