Imperial Valley Press

COMMUNICATION LINES
AND MEXICAN POLITICS

Political maneuvering south of the international border since the return of former President Plutarco Calles present an interesting contrast between neighboring countries. The contrast, in fact, is just as sharp between politics as between such concrete items as railroads, telephones and telegraph lines and highways. There is a very close connection.

The distrust that is typical of Mexican politics, the same distrust and lack of understanding that is behind most Mexican revolutions, would be born in any nation lacking in communication and travel facilities. Mexican provinces, isolated to a great extent from the capital and from one another, have more of the stamp of small nations within a nation than almost anywhere else in the world. Governors of the states and territories hold more power, individually, than is usual in such offices. Their system tends to build up such a political set-up as those of the Middle Ages, where barons owed nominal allegiance to kings, but ruled in their own way.

A greater understanding of cooperation, and less strife and plotting, will come into Mexican politics when that country completes the program which has been gaining headway slowly during recent years. Good highways, additional telephone and telegraph lines and closer contact between the peoples of Mexico will bring greater internal peace to the southern republic.