Page:Mexico and its reconstruction.djvu/13



The developments in Mexico during the period that has come to be known as "the old régime" were of peculiar interest to the more advanced nations of Europe and America. It seemed as if here was a republic that was proving that self-government and the guarantee of public order were not incompatible with a geographical position in the sub-tropics and a population predominantly of Indian blood.

What has happened since the fall of Diaz would have been more closely followed by the western world had not the World War absorbed its energy and attention. Mexico became for the moment a factor that was considered less for itself and more in its possible relation to the general conflict. With the end of the war events in Mexico assume greater importance. The revolution has proved that the government was not yet on a foundation so firm as was supposed. The task of the reformers is to find means to make it firm. The brilliant economic show of the Diaz regime must be supplemented by a transformation in social and political conditions. Efforts to bring the new day will be closely watched by those who have capital invested in Mexico itself, by those with economic interests in other undeveloped regions, by students of international affairs, especially in Europe and America, and by students of government the world around.

At the beginning of the century the less informed had come to look upon the problems that might arise in Mexico as similar to those which might arise in the United States, in Great Britain, or in France. Many of those who knew Mexico best held the same belief—the economic foundation of the country was secure, only time was needed for the elimination of the