Page:Mexico's dilemma.djvu/91

Rh "But how are you going to adjust this situation finally?" I asked.

"Quien sabe?" they answered. They don't know. No one else seems to know. But of this they are certain: They don't want President Carranza to control the oil fields, especially during the war. They fear that if his generals control the wells they will submit to German influence and demand a prohibitive tax under threat of cutting the pipe lines. The oil companies are opposed to the policy of the United States Government in lifting the embargo on war material, because they maintain that if the present government begins an attack upon Pelaez the oil companies will suffer. They declare that the only thing that maintains peace is the lack of ammunition.

Time was when the oil interests were under the thumb of General Pelaez. To-day Pelaez and his chief insurgent, General Enriquez, are ruled by the companies; but the relations, at that, are very cordial, though some of the smaller oil companies do not feel this way.

I was sauntering through the hot streets en route to my hotel one day when I met the secretary of one of the small but important companies.

"I have some documents that may interest you," he said, "providing the name of our company is not used. We have just been held up for six thousand dollars."

I accompanied him to his office, where he showed