Conditions in Mexico

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Feb 25, 1913

Conditions in Mexico

A LETTER from a gentleman in Mexico, who has spent years there, to Mr. G. W. Reaser, president of Arizona Conference, has this passage: “At times it seems as if Madero will not be able to handle the government. He took off the lid and let a lot of subjects loose, and now he is having a hard time getting the lid back on and quieting down the people. The condition of this country reminds me of how thin the crust of civilization is. Altho I have lived in Mexico sixteen years, and have thought that I knew the people quite well, I now find that I know nothing about them. I really thought that a large per cent of them were fairly well civilized and law-abiding, but since the Madero revolution I have discovered that a large percentage of them would a great deal rather make their living as bandits than as honorable citizens. Many people who were very anxious to get rid of President Diaz now wish that they had him back again, or at least some one of his ability.” Mr. Reaser further says, “Another man tells me that men who pass for good citizens will secretly congregate at night, and on horseback go out and rob, and be back home in the morning, passing as honorable men.” And this is a revelation of what all civilization is without God.

The above was hardly written before the news came of the revolution which burst February 8, in which General Reyes was killed, the army as a whole almost in rebellion, and Félix Diaz, one day before in prison for life for treason, was liberated, and is now dictator of Mexico. President Madero is in flight. Two hundred and fifty were killed including women and children. It is impossible to tell what a day will bring forth.