Page:Margaret Shipman - Mexico's Struggle Towards Democracy (1927).pdf/59

 to follow suit to hold their places in the market. At last, in August, 1923, more than three years after Obregon had come into power, the United States Government accorded him formal recognition.

The results of the revolution may be summarized as (1st) the constitution of 1917; (2nd) economic, political and social changes actually made; (3rd) psychological changes.

As the constitution of 1857 expressed the ideals of the revolutionists who broke the power of church-controlled feudalism, so the constitution of 1917 expresses the ideals of the Mexican revolutionists of today. In general, it follows the plan of the constitution of 1857, but adds long clauses in regard to control of natural resources and protection of labor. It materially strengthens safeguards against church domination and alien interference, increases the power of the executive, abolishes the "jefes politicos," and makes minor changes in governmental machinery, civil rights, monopolies and instruction.

Ownership of land, water and minerals is vested in the nation. Measures are to be taken to break up the great estates, develop small land holdings, and reconstitute the ejido system. Payment for expropriated lands is to be in government bonds and equal to assessed taxable value, plus 10%. Buyers of land are to reimburse the government in twenty annual payments. Concessions of mineral resources are conditioned upon regular development