Page:Mexico and its reconstruction.djvu/267

Rh But in the period before the revolution, Mexico realized that to secure foreign cooperation she must forego her prejudices. She failed to denationalize her immigrants. The foreign capital, which entered her great development enterprises, would not give up its right to look to the home country when justice was denied. Later, when capital had undertaken certain important developments and was receiving unusual returns for the unusual risk assumed, there was frequently a feeling that the special privilege granted was too generous or that it was secured from a government under duress or by corrupt means. But in the Diaz régime, though there were protests, the government stood firm for the fulfillment of the engagements made.

With the outbreak of the revolution it is not surprising to find that the new political leaders took advantage of popular discontent with the results of the policy followed by their predecessors, nor is it surprising to find them embarrassed as the revolution comes to a close, when they are now brought to realize that the promises made to their followers may be difficult to fulfill. To declare against the "curse of concessions" and to secure supporters at home and abroad for a campaign to free the country from alleged oppression is easy, but it is difficult to justify the nation in trying to escape from the responsibility of paying for the benefits it secured through the grants against which complaint is made.

In individual cases it is often difficult to determine whether abuses were involved in the original concessions. There are few who would defend them if they are shown to exist. The only regret is that even such