Page:Mexico's dilemma.djvu/154

128, of Princeton—had just reached the capital. A member of the Deputies declared he thought their presence ought to be investigated, and that the government ought to be questioned about such an important matter. He denounced Americans in general and the government more particularly.

Cabrera, who is always on hand to support the government, saw the members supporting the speaker and in a clever speech stated that he thought the government ought to be interrogated. The investigation was set for the next day.

The next day he appeared in a different rôle. Cabrera defended the government! A member asked whether there were no Mexicans capable of doing the work the Americans were asked to do; whether Mexicans could not audit the government's accounts. Certainly, replied Cabrera in substance; but unfortunately most of these Mexicans are out of the country. Señor Limantour, who is in Paris, could do it—Limantour was Secretary of the Treasury under Diaz.

The opposition would not be quieted and Cabrera began one of his famous orations. "Because Thomas A. Edison, an American citizen, invented electric lights is no reason why Mexico should burn candles," declared Cabrera in part. These experts, he added, had been consulted by the United States and foreign governments; and Mexico, desiring to obtain the services of financial authorities, had invited them as any other government might.