The Daily News. THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1914. THE LUST OF REVOLT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 216, 12 March 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1914. THE LUST OF REVOLT.

Readers of history in search of exciting records of wars and insurrections naturally turn to that richly-ondowed but practically cursed country of Mexico. Those who are not acquainted with the unfortunate causes of continuous bloodshed in what is known as Spanish America are inclined to attribute the mania for fighting to cliinatie influences, but so far as Mexico proper is concerned it is one of the most attractive localities that mortal man could desire, being exceptionally favored by Nature, and pos-' sessing the luxuries of many lands, easily procurable, for the climate is in parts tropical, temperate and frigid. The secret of perpetual disorders ami fiendish outrages that are inherent to Mexico is to be found in the fact that that country was in its early stages peopled by a number of races differing from eacli other, and from earliest times engaged in mutual hostilities. In the thirteenth or fourteenth centuries the dominant race on the plains was that of the Tezcacans, who, curiously enouga, were a mild, polished people, skilled in elegant arts, and possessing high literary tastes. The first recorded revolution occurred early in the fifteenth oentury, whereby a confederacy with two neighboring States was effected. Subsequently the Aztecs (or Mexicans) obtained dominance, Montezuma 11. proving himself to be a modern Caesar, who conquered a vast area of territory, inspiring both his subjects and foes with awe. It was during his reign (1518) that the Spaniards, under the renowned Cortes, appeared on the scene, and to their advent can be traced the troubles that are now regarded as the heritage of the country, largely due to class hatred. The numerous disaffections and plots that were in evidence during the determined efforts of this ambitious general were but the prelude to those which have swept the country ever since, and bid fair to do so until the end of time. The record of his battles is not pleasant reading, wholesale massacres (ind devastation marking his career, but his marvellous resourcefulness, diplomatic talent, brilliant genius and organising power command a respect due to one who was certainly the foremost coloniser of his day. Though we shudder at the means whereby he undermined and crushed the foundations of the Mexican Empire, his remarkable personality and pre-eminent fitness for the work in hand are thoroughly apparent. The conquered nation did not submit tamely to the new yoke, but their feeble reprisals only evoked terrible retribution in tho shape of massacres and unmentionable cruelties. In this \jay did Spain acquire the rich territories*known as Spanish America, and brought there, probably, the most haughty and unscrupulous of her nobles to found a class that despised the natives and fomented everlasting troubles. As the years passed the power of Spain declined, Napoleon putting the finishing touch to her degradation, but the peculiar characteristics of her Mexican settlers atill remain as a menace to peace. The invasion of Spain and the captivity of the King afforded the Spanish colonies a fitting opportunity for revolt, which was eagerly embraced, and the year 1822 Baw the independence of the new Republics recognised. In none of tha Spanish possessions was the radical change more keenly felt than in Mexico, whero the. evils of Spanish administration were more clearly marked. The line of demarcation between the two classes the privileged and the exploited—was deeply cut, the former being the Spanish, and the latter the Creoles. The growing aversion, the mutual defiances and the deep enmity which separated these classes manifested themselves on the one hand in an inexorable war and maledictions, and on the other by continual severities, insult and defiance. From 1789 to 1857 Mexico was in a state of continual warfare, sometimes foreign, more often civil, but always disastrous and sanguinary. Notable among the long list of agitators was the military demagogue, Santa Arta, an ambitious, corrupt, avaricious and sensuous monster, and a systematic revolutionist who sought for power to gratify his lust for personal glory, and as a means of enriching himself to gain his ignoble ends. He may well be regarded as a type of dictator that subsequently became famous—or, more properly speaking, infamous—in the history of Mexico. It is to such men as these that Mexico in large measure owes her misfortunes and boundless anarchy. Presidents and counter-presidents went bock and forth in countless numbers, disputes, civil wars, and the deterioration of all classes being the result. In 185/ Juarez appeared on the scene, and attempted to form a federation, but failed. It is said that not even the European ambassadors and consuls who were, living in the midst of affairs were able to give a complete picture of the confusion that existed in Mexico in IMS, when there were no fewer than eight party leaders, each of whom went his own way. The following year a bitter struggle lor the presidency ensued, with (he usual crop of guerilla warfare. Juarez being an Indian was naturally despised by the Spanish, nnd troubles again became thick down to 1802, when a French invasion put an | end to the llepublii. Maximillian of I Austria being made Emperor. The new regime was unstable from the first, and guerilla warfare became rampant. It is not surprising that less than five years elapsed before Maximillian was executed after trial by court-martial. The experiment was foredoomed to failuie, for long years of maladministration and revolution had unfitted the country for a stable government, and so it is to-day; nor can it be otherwise until the middle classes, in whoso growing

strength rests the future of the country, can completely change their natures. Uu Juarez taking up the presidency in 1807 insurrections broke out in various States, and it was not until Diaz came to tho front that any improvement was effected, and even that only temporarily. Under Diaz Mexico enjoyed comparative peace, and made great progress in economic development, and the institution of mounted gendarmerie proved a potent factor in maintaining order. His continued elevation to tho presidency seemed to give promise of the dawn of a new era, but it was not long before brigandage and revolutions gathered strength, and recent events amply testify to the ineradicable pestilence of warfare that broods over the country. Diaz, Madero, Huerta and the other rebel leaders of to-day are but the heritage of past years, and the evidence of the deeply-rooted love of intrigue, lust for power, and hatred that has reduced one of the finest and richest countries on ear.th to a seething cauldron of all that is abhorent to lovers of peace.