MEXICO.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14842, 6 December 1913, Page 11

MEXICO.

"MOST PITIABLE WAR IN HISTORY." CTimta"-Sydn«? "Sun" Specif Cabl«.J LONDON, Deoember 4. The Mexican correspondent of "Tho Times" says that almost all tho land is held by the rich, who manage to escape taxation.' Numberless peons aro fraudulently deprived of their holdings, while the Indians, who are totally ignorant of land regulations, have lost their property and become slaves. No Moxican Presidents are ever legally elected, and illegalities are tolerated because there is no public opinion. Mexico, he continues, is a country very comparable with eighteenth century Russia, aud it will take generations to raise it. Tho present war was mainly provoked by Madcro's assassination. No principles are at stake, and it is one of ine most pitiable wars in history.

Most authorities on Mexico agree thj-.t to whatever extent other causes may operate, the foundation of the turmoil with which Mexico has been aliiicted during the last i'ow years, is that mentioned by [the correspondent of "The Times," the! treatment of the peon, or rural labourer. Madoro gained most of his adherents by promising to redress the system by which most of the land was held b; a few, and the labourers were practically serfs, but he was unable to do much. It is these oppressed peons who recruit the revolutionary armies. An insight ir.to the state of anarchy which prevails in Mexico is afforded by a letter received by an Englishman from a friend who has been travelling through the country on a business mission (says the "Standard"). He writes:-—'''The whole country is shot to pieces, and if there is peace to-morrow, which is porfectly impossible, it will be a long time before business can ba resumed, and the country be fit for foreigners to go into There arc- so many parties, some acting in conjunction with one another, others absolutely on their own, just robbing ar.d looting, and holding up for ransom any unlucky foreigner they may happen to catch." Describing a journey through an affected district, ho says:—"From here on, all bridges are practically destroyed. It almost makes ono cry to see the state of the country, everything: destroyed; empty and not a living man or woman. That night wo got to San Pedro, Corallitas. where there Trero several families. ?.Ti?xicnr.B really are a most extraordinary race of people. Their whole talk was revolution, but, in spite of that, we had musk and dancing, and although they had practically nothing to eat, they appeared perfectly happy."