■ 1234 .H44 :opy 1 It is Time to Accord Recognition to President Obregon and Mexico By William Randolph Hearst WHY WE SHOULD RECOGNIZE THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT V There was ample reason why the United States should not recognize the Government of Carranza, which was nothing more than an authorized state of protracted an- archy; but what reason is there why we should not recognize the established and universally supported Gov- ernment of General Obregon, which has almost entirely restored law and order and civilized conditions in Mexico; a government which not only maintains the peaceful and ethical conditions of civilized society, but offers the friendship and encouragement to citizens of the United States in Mexico which have so long been denied them? IT IS TIME TO RECOGNIZE THE PRESENT STABLE GOVERNMENT of MEXICO By WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST The jour articles reproduced in this pamphlet originally appeared in the following newspapers: The New York American The New York Evening Journal The Washington Times The Chicago Herald and Examiner The Chicago American The San Francisco Examiner The Boston Advertiser The Boston American The Atlanta Georgian The Wisconsin News The Detroit Times The Los Angeles Examiner The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 119 West 40 th Street.NewYork. Copyright, 1922, by WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST > Printed in U. S. A. g)C!.A654453 m 30 IS22 0-^- '^7 THE OBREGON GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOW BE RECOGNIZED {Published August 24.^ 1921) WHY do not the United States of America and the RepubHc of Mexico come to an agreement that will prop- erly protect the citizens of the United States and permit the recognition by the United States of the present Government of Mexico, which is eminently a good government? President Obregon is a capable, conserva- tive man. He has largely restored law and order and civilized conditions in Mexico. He is very friendly to Americans. It would seem very difficult to secure in all Mexico a better man for President than General Obre- gon. Therefore, if recognition of President Obregon's government will help him in his task of fully restoring peace and order in his country — a task which all the world, and our 7 8 It is Time to Accord Recognition to country particularly, must sincerely desire to see accomplished — ^why cannot an agreement be reached which will bring about that rec- ognition on terms equally satisfactory to Mexico and to the United States ? The United States cannot expect that Mexico will surrender her sovereignty as an independent nation and consent to any defi- nite limitation of her just powers and privi- leges of government, nor can Mexico expect that the United States will ever again main- tain the shameful indifference to the lives and the property rights of her citizens that this country exhibited during the Wilson Administration. There has been but one such Administra- tion In the whole history of this nation, and, please God, there will never be another. No more will the policies of our great coun- try be determined by the exaggerated ego- tism of one unbalanced autocrat. No more will an affront to his vanity plunge the na- tion into war, while murder and outrage of American citizens and insults to the whole nation are passed unheeded. President Obregon and Mexico 9 The present Administration of the United States Government is characteristically American. It regards itself as the servant of the people, placed in power to protect their interests. This Administration will surely permit no encroachment upon the just rights of its citizens in Mexico or elsewhere. Starting with that assumption, or rather with that obvious fact, and starting, also, with the evident inclination of the Mexican Administration to be very well disposed toward Americans, there should be no diffi- culty in reaching an agreement between the two nations which will properly define what adequate protection of American rights and interests means under international law and usage. Then let the United States promptly pro- ceed to recognize the Government of Gen- eral Obregon and to give that able executive full support in the great task of reconstruc- tion and rehabilitation that he has so capa- bly and courageously assumed. Peace throughout the world is the earnest lO desire of the people of the United States, but particularly to be desired are peace, order and prosperity in Mexico, which is our im- mediate neighbor and which for many years preceding this last insurrection had been our good neighbor and good friend. And since peace and order and prosperity in Mexico and restored friendship between Mexico and the United States are our desire as a people and as a government, let us do our best to help secure it by a generous atti- tude towards Mexico and her established Government. MEXICAN RECOGNITION PROBLEM FOR PEOPLE OF AMERICA TO SOLVE El Paso, Texas Oct. 17, 1921 PRESIDENT OBREGON, of Mexico, has given an interview to representatives of the press which contains statements sadly dis- couraging to those who are anxious to see the most cordial relations developed between the United States and Mexico. President Obregon says that official repre- sentatives of Mexico will not be present at the convention of nations to be held at Washington. This is genuinely distressing to Americans who believe in the policy of "America first" and the cultivation of friendly conditions and relations in America first. There might be representatives of Ar- menia, Eurania, China, Korea, Siam, the Congo Free State, Liberia or any kind of II 12 It is Time to Accord Recognition to nation or pseudo nation In distant Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia at the historic as- sembly In Washington, but there will be no representative of peace and good will from our Important Immediate American neighbor and sister Republic of Mexico. Why? What Is the reason that the Gov- ernment of the United States of America does not recognize the present stable Gov- ernment of the Republic of Mexico ? There was ample reason why the United States should not recognize the Govern- ment of Carranza, which was nothing more than an authorized state of protracted an- archy; but what reason Is there why we should not recognize the established and universally supported Government of Gen- eral Obregon, which has almost entirely re- stored law and order and civilized conditions In Mexico; a Government which not only maintains the peaceful and ethical condi- tions of civilized society, but offers the friend- ship and encouragement to citizens of the United States In Mexico which have so long been denied them? President Ohregon and Mexico 13 What is the United States asking of the Mexican Government in return for recogni- tion which the Mexican Government is un- willing to grant? The principle of our demand should be supremely simple. We should ask nothing of Mexico that we would not freely and fully grant to Mexico if that country made the request of us. And Mexico for its part should withhold no right from our citizens in Mexico which it would not wish withheld from its citizens in the United States. This is the plain principle of the Golden Rule applied to international relations, and it applies as aptly to politics and diplomacy as it does to religion, morality, business ac- tivity and all phases of human society. The situation between the United States and Mexico needs light. It needs the light of publicity. It is time that some of the fine phrases propounded by Mr. Wilson and never practised by him were actually put into political operation by the present more practical and apparently more genuine Amer- ican administration of President Harding. 14 It is Time to Accord Recognition to What has become of the plan to abolish secret diplomacy for which as one object our idealistic American youth sacrificed their lives? What has become of the open cove- nants openly arrived at which were so in- spiring a watchword in our self-sacrificing crusade for democracy? Let us make our negotiations with Mexico a matter of democratic diplomacy. Let us take our citizens whose wisdom we so highly extol and so constantly ignore into the con- fidence of government. Let us make our public policy public. Is our Government negotiating with Mexico for the rights of our whole citizenship or for the special ad- vantage of certain financial interests? Friends of the Administration naturally suppose that the Government is considering only the public interest, but when Lamont, spokesman of the international bankers, rushes into print to say what shall be done in regard to Mexico some citizens feel jus- tified in entertaining a mild suspicion as to our purposes, or at least as to our agencies. Why should our Government be mys- President Obregon and Mexico 15 terious about its demands? Why should Mexico be secretive about its reply? There are more than technicalities at stake in this negotiation; there are the friendship and the intimate political, social and commercial relations of two great republican nations which are neighbors and which want to progress together in harmony and amity, in cordiality and healthful co-operation. It is the province of statesmen to find ways and means to enable them so to progress. The obstacles which stand in the way of recognition and cordial relations should be dissipated by actual concession and consider- ation. If statesmen cannot solve the prob- lem, let the public know the facts. The com- bined wisdom and friendly disposition of the people of the two sister Republics will accomplish the results which both desire. WHAT I FOUND IN A MONTH'S TRIP THROUGH MEXICO The Country is Now Orderly, Safe for Na- tives and Foreigners, Well Governed, Happy and Progressive El Paso, Texas, Nov. id, 192 i. I HAVE just returned to the United States after an interesting month in Mexico. If any American business men are anxious to know whether life and property are safe in Mexico I can only cite for their informa- tion my own life and my own properties. I have properties in the north of Mexico and in the south of Mexico. These proper- ties were in continual trouble and turmoil during the several preceding administrations, but have been in complete peace and secur- ity during the administration of President Obregon. 17 1 8 It is Time to Accord Recognition to Furthermore, to speak perfectly frankly, I would not have cared to venture person- ally into Mexico during some of these pre- vious administrations or maladministrations, but under this present administration I have travelled through Mexico by railroad, by automobile and by horseback, not only in the thickly populated centers, but also over infrequented highways and byways, both by day and by dead of night, and I have never experienced the slightest inconvenience nor witnessed the slightest disorder. All the Americans whom I met in Mexico have had practically the same experience that I have had and none of them can un- derstand why the United States Govern- ment recognized the Carranza administra- tion, which could not and did not protect American life and property in Mexico, and why our Government does not recognize the Obregon administration, which can and does protect American lives and interests. My viewpoint is purely the American view- point. I say that without hesitation. When a Mexican administration was in- President Obregon and Mexico 19 differently permitting the killing and out- raging of Americans, I was for intervention, but when any Mexican administration is protecting Americans in their lives and lib- erties, I am for recognition of that compe- tent and friendly administration. This protection of Americans is, I think, the main matter to be considered by our American people and by our American Gov- ernment. But, of course. President Obregon has done much more than merely protect Americans. He has protected his own peo- ple. He is restoring law and order and popu- lar rights and liberties completely through- out his whole country and for all classes, rich and poor alike. He is not a partisan of any class or clique. He is not playing favorites. He is endeavoring to do absolute justice. And it is because he is resting his orderly social and governmental structure upon the firm foundation of equal justice that I believe the peace and prosperity of Mexico will be permanent. As a matter of fact the principles and pol- 20 It is Time to Accord Recognition to icies of President Obregon seem to me so sound and sincere that I could wish that some of our own statesmen would learn a lesson from him. To illustrate all that I have said above, let me review in some detail my trip through Mexico. When I left Los Angeles I was told not to go into Mexico by way of El Paso and Chihuahua, as the railroad was in terri- ble condition and was infested by bandits. The trip to Mexico City was much longer, however, by way of Laredo, so I determined to go by way of El Paso and Chihuahua. I found the roadbed to be on the average quite as good as our American roadbeds, and I found no bandits whatever, nor anything that resembled a bandit from one end of the road to the other. I stopped at various towns along the route to investigate conditions — at Aguas Calien- tes, at Silao, at the great mining town of Guanajuato, at Irapuato, in the center of a great agricultural district, at Celoya, and at Queretaro, famous in the history of Mexi- can independence. I went through these President Ohregon and Mexico 21 towns usually in the street cars, talked with the people as best I could, and as none of them rose in protest against my bad Span- ish, I felt justified in concluding that they were at present at least a patient and peace- ful lot. In Mexico City itself I found the city con- siderably increased in size and population. It is now said to number a population of approximately a million. The streets are thronged, the shops are busy. The news- papers are lively and full of advertisements. The theaters are many and well patronized, and life seems to be going along as it does in any other big metropolis. Certainly the city is well policed and as safe by night as by day. I do not mean to say that there is no crime in Mexico, but apparently there is no more than there is in New York or any other big city, while the police in Mexico are extraor- dinarily prompt and efficient in their detec- tion and arrest of criminals. While in Mexico City I read that the pay car on one of the railroads had been robbed and seventy-five 22 It is Time to Accord Recognition to thousand dollars stolen. In twenty-four hours the police had captured the thieves and had recovered the money. In some of the papers I read of a mail robbery of five hundred thousand dollars in New York City. These thieves have not yet been arrested and this money has not yet been recovered. I rode through the various suburbs of Mexico City in an automobile and found the people everywhere contentedly attending to their businesses I went over the mountains to Cuernavaca and talked with Governor Jose Porres there He said that his State had been m complete quiet for about a year, and that everything had settled back into the regular routine of civilized society. That statement meant much, because this region had been the stamping ground of the terri- ble Zapata, the most savage and destructive of Indian banditti, who sprang up during the revolutionary period. Now, however, the town of Cuernavaca is in complete quiet. The surrounding country, as far as the eye can see from the portales of the old palace of President Obregon and Mexico 23 Cortez, is thriving in the peaceful pursuit of agriculture. On my return to Mexico City I had a long and extremely interesting interview with President Obregon. I found him quite confident that his country was completely and permanently restored to peace and order. The just and legitimate objects of the revolution had been accomplished. The Government had been wrested from the narrow, selfish control of the great landed aristocracy. A govern- ment of the people, by the people and for the people had been substituted, with ro- tation in oifice instead of a permanent dictatorship. The greatest good of the greatest number was the prime object of this Government. The people were contented because of the more liberal social and gov- ernment conditions. They were prosperous because they received a greater measure of the fruits of their industry. Peace was based on satisfaction with better conditions — order established upon recognized justice and equity. 24 It is Time to Accord Recognition to President Obregon is a man who inspires confidence both in the excellence of his purposes and in his ability to carry his plans through to successful operation. He has a strong face, which portrays much force of character, but he has a pleasant smile, which gives evidence of a kindly disposition, and also an acute sense of humor. Like our great President Lincoln, however, he likes to give special point to his statements by a joke or a good story. He is a very human man. He speaks without pose or affectation, but with great dignity and impressiveness. He is a man of many-sided abilities — a successful business man, the possessor of large wealth, a brilliant military man, the most successful general the revolution pro- duced, a wise diplomat, as proven by his clever handling of the Villa situation, and a powerful executive, as shown by the achieve- ments of his administration to date. It is doubtful if another man in Mexico could be found with all the qualities so necessary for the successful handling of the reconstruc- tion situation, and if our country can President Obregon and Mexico 25 strengthen President Obregon's hands by recognition, and so help him In his great work, It would seem to be the worst of bad judgment for it not to do so. President Obregon told me that he hoped that I would go not only to the big centers, where most Americans went, but to some of the more distant districts In my tour. As this was also very much in accord with my own desires, I determined on my way back to the United States to go to the far end of some of the branch railways and then make horseback trips from there Into the interior. I went, therefore, to Uruapan first — the end of a line — :and rode from there through coffee plantations and banana plantations and ranches and rice fields. Everywhere I saw the people at work and apparently glad to be at work developing the products of their fields and farms. Then I went through Guadalajara to Co- llma, well down toward the west coast. There was considerable evidence of revolu- tionary destruction here, in razed buildings and looted churches, but all was peace and 26 It is Time to Accord Recognition to quiet now and the work of restoration was in full progress. I rode from Colima all day and far into the night through the surrounding plantations up to the base of the great vol- cano. I saw nothing but order and industry. Returning late that night through deep barrancas and by lonely roads under the dim light of a thin moon, there was every opportunity for adventure, but none oc- curred. We passed occasional groups of horsemen or plodding peons, but we were never molested. If we were accosted at all it was only with a courteous " Adios, Sefior," "God be with you, Sefior," and sometimes I felt that we had need to have God with us in these solemn solitudes amid sub-tropical jungles, but we travelled in peace and re- turned in safety. All, too, without other guard than our guide, an aged Mexican who looked like a bandit, but talked and acted like the caballero that he was. When we got back to our car I gave him a gun in gratitude. He weighed it approv- ingly and said that if ever I had need he would gladly use it in my defense. President Obregon and Mexico 27 I said that I would remember, but that I thought I would never have greater need than I might have had that very night, which remark I meant rather seriously, but which he considered a bit of pleasantry and laughed at it accordingly. For the Mexicans themselves believe that their country is completely restored to peace and quiet, and that life and property are entirely safe. The Mexican people like their government. They know that no government that they have ever had has done one-half as much for their prosperity and progress. They know that the highest amount that was ever spent for schools under former ad- ministrations was nine million dollars a year, while the Obregon administration is spending over fifty million dollars on educa- tion, and purposes increasing that amount. They know that not only schoolboys, but all other civilizing influences are being de- veloped. They know that the railroads are being extended and improved, and that the great highways are being built from the rail- 28 // ^5 Time to Accord Recognition to road terminals into distant districts. They know that the telephone systems are being installed between towns, that electric light- ing systems are being put even into the smallest towns, that power is being devel- oped, that water systems are being improved for drinking purposes, for Irrigation purposes and for manufacturing purposes. They know that hospitals are being built and cleanliness and sanitation encouraged. They know that temperance legislation has passed in some States and is pending In others. They know that farm schools and manual training schools are being established to teach the farmers and the workingmen how to make the most and best out of their opportunities. They know that everything is being done to increase the Intelligence, the skill, the productivity, the per capita wealth, the hap- piness of the individual citizen. What they do not understand is why the United States, which Is supposed to be a progressive and democratic nation, does not recognize a sister republic which Is keeping President Obregon and Mexico 29 pace with it in progress and democracy, and in the effort for social betterment. General Ignacio Enriquez, capable and cultured governor of Chihuahua, distin- guished graduate of the University of Illi- nois, intense patriot, sincere democrat and profound thinker, declares that the Mexican revolution sprang from the mind of the United States of America — like Athena from the head of Zeus. Very many Mexican young men of the upper classes have been educated at Ameri- can schools and colleges. Many Mexican business men and workingmen in pursuit of their occupations have lived in America for protracted periods. All these men of all classes have come back to Mexico imbued with American ideas of political freedom, of equality before the law, of opportunity for individual and general betterment, and have desired to engraft those ideas upon the Mexican governmental system. Thus, says Governor Enriquez, the revo- lution started in those northern Mexican 30 States which were nearest to the United States, and was born of American thought and modeled on American customs. Why, then, should the United States hesitate to recognize this truly republican government which is in large measure the child of its own brain, and which seeks but to follow in the path of liberty and enlight- enment, of progress and prosperity which the United States itself has trod ? We Americans who have been in Mexico can only echo Governor Enriquez's per- plexed inquiry: "Why, indeed?" WHY IS THE FRIENDLY, ORDERLY, REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT OF MEXICO NOT RECOGNIZED? {Published January 75, ig22) WHEN is the government of one nation "recognized" by the governments of other civilized nations ? The answer to this question is very simple — the practice hitherto invariable. The government of a nation is recognized, first, when it is representative of the nation it governs, when it holds office by the will and through the act of a sufficient majority of the people. The government of a nation is recognized, second, when it demonstrates that it is an efficient government, maintaining law and order and civilized conditions. The government of a nation is recognized, third, when it is a reasonably friendly govern- 31 32 // is Time to Accord Recognition to ment to other nations, extending proper protection to the citizens of other nations in their political and property rights. The Government of the United States of Mexico conforms to all of these three re- quirements. Why, then, is it not recognized by the Government of the United States of Amer- ica? The government of Alvaro Obregon has been in office more than a year. It was elected overwhelmingly. It has been supported almost unanimously. It is, therefore, the most representative government that Mexico has had in the life of the present generation. The government of Alvaro Obregon re- stored peace in Mexico immediately upon its accession, and installed better order and a more generally approved and respected law, and more just and equitable and beneficial civilized conditions in Mexico than have ever prevailed in the history of the country. And finally, the government of Alvaro Obregon is more friendly to the United States President Obregon and Mexico 33 of America and the people of the United States than any Government of Mexico has been for many years. The people of this country are invited into Mexico by the Obregon Government. They are protected while in Mexico by the Obregon Government. They are offered opportunity for invest- ment, and security for their investments; they constitute almost a favored class in the community, in the fact that many laws which are intended to regulate and restrict the property holdings of Mexican citizens do not apply to the citizens of the United States. The Obregon Government is not only friendly to the people of the United States, but to the Government of the United States, making our Government its model in many respects and always speaking and acting in the most friendly and generous way toward our Government and toward the individuals who constitute our Government; notwith- standing the fact that Mexico has encoun- tered so little courtesy and consideration — in fact, so great a lack of courtesy and con- 34 I^ is Time to Accord Recognition to sideration — at the hands of this Govern- ment. There would appear to be then no reason, political or personal, why the Government of Mexico should not be recognized by the Government of the United States. And as a matter of fact there is no reason, political or personal, but there is said very plainly to be a financial reason. And the citizens of the United States must discover the truth about this situation, and this financial reason, although the truth may be rather humiliating to learn. The plain facts, as stated by various in- formed correspondents of these publica- tions, are that the international bankers con- tributed very largely to the campaign funds of the Republican party, and that these in- ternational bankers have since been seeking every opportunity to recoup themselves and make a handsome profit in addition, not only at the expense of the reputation of the Repub- lican party but at the sacrifice of the public welfare of the people of the United States. Consequently, instead of a patriotic and President Obregon and Mexico 35 creditable diplomat going to Mexico to rep- resent this country and negotiate recogni- tion, Mr. Thomas W. Lamont, representative of the international bankers, was sent to Mexico and is declared to have submitted to the Mexican Government the proposition that it secure recognition by redeeming at 120 a vast quantity of Mexican bonds which the international bankers had bought at an average of approximately 40. In other words, the price of recognition was many million dollars in blood money to be paid the international bankers. A proposition of this extraordinary, not to say outrageous, kind savors somewhat of blackmail; and it certainly is not an inspiring thing to think of the Government of the United States acting as agent of the inter- national bankers in an attempt to blackmail the Mexican Government out of many million undue and undeserved dollars as the price of recognition,which should be extended Mexico as a matter of right and justice and plain friendship between neighboring re- publics. 36 It is Time to Accord Recognition to Perhaps the Government of the United States does not know to what extent it was used by the international bankers. Perhaps the Government of the United States does not know to what extent disap- pointed Big Interests have lately endeavored, unsuccessfully, to foment revolution in Mex- ico, and to overthrow a righteous and rightful government, whose only crime was that it would not bleed its people to pay blackmail to the international bankers. If the Government of the United States does not know these discreditable facts, the Hearst publications will proceed to establish them more and more day by day until the Government is convinced of these facts, and proceeds to consider the question of Mexican recognition upon its merits and apart from the selfish schemes of the international bankers and certain big oil in- terests. This article is being written not in the in- terest of the people of Mexico, but in the interest of the people of the United States. The friendship of the people of Mexico is President Ohregon and Mexico 37 important to the United States in a com- mercial way and in a civic way. The good will of a country extending for so many miles along our frontier is of much more vital consequence in a military way than alliances with distant and fundamen- tally different peoples which can bring us nothing but complications and obligations. It is time our Government realized to what extent it is being misled by the selfish in- terests of the international bankers into alien associations which can do us no good and into neighboring enmities which may do us much harm. It is time our Government paid less atten- tion to the interests and influences of the international bankers and gave more heed to the will and the welfare of the American people. ,..„^,„"'*^ °^ CONGRESS 006 804 590 3 I^