Page:Mexico and its reconstruction.djvu/101



has been indicated, the debts of Mexico to its own citizens are not ones that involve the possibility of international complications. If Mexican property is destroyed, the only recourse for the injured is to the Mexican government. To what degree the governments of the reconstruction period will feel themselves bound, or find themselves able, to make restitution to Mexican citizens for property confiscated, or taken over in return for warrants issued by the various generals, can not be indicated. There is little reason to believe that any serious effort will be made for a general restitution. Much of the property was taken or destroyed under such confusing conditions that it would be impossible to determine what justice demands. In addition, the government will not pay because it cannot if it would. Heavy as the foreign obligations of Mexico are, the domestic ones are on their face still greater.

Much of the property loss suffered by the Mexican people occurred in connection with the various issues of paper money authorized by the passing governments and put in circulation under circumstances that made them practically the equivalent of forced loans. In fact far the greater part of the nominal value represented by them already has been finally repudiated and whatever loss occurred will never be repaid.