The Land Problem in Mexico, Some Comments |
[Reprinted from Land and Freedom, November-December 1940]
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Mr. Joseph Sinnott, in his article "The Land Problem in Mexico,"
displays a remarkable knowledge of this country and the rapid
development of its national economic life in the course of one
century. I should like, however, to correct a few errors in the
article.
In the first place, the name Anahuac which he applies to one of
the strong tribes in pre-Columbian times is wrong. Anahuac was
the name of the luxuriant valley on which the City of Mexico is
situated; it means "near the water," in reference to its many lakes.
The tribe he mentions was named Nahuatl. This really was a
generic name including several of the best cultured tribes, and it
means "one who speaks well."
The labor movement under Lombardo Toledano which Mr. Sinnott refers to favorably, has been only a political trick to give
power to a group of workingmen's leaders leaning strongly to
Bolshevism. Toledano himself and President Cardenas seem to
believe in the efficacy of Communism and have fanatically worked
for its spread. As often happens, the new Frankenstein has become
too strong for them, and they no longer know how to wield it. Fortunately there is a large amount of common sense among the common people, and workingmen have begun to see the uselessness of
Marx's theory.
I, too, have regretted that our presidents "do not know the way."
But we should not wonder; in Cardenas' cabinet figure men who
are professed Georgeists. Why have they done nothing toward
the subdivision of large estates by means of the fiscal weapon, as
Henry George advises? The other way brings a neat sum into the
private pockets of functionaries. The temptation is too great.
Then, what use would a copy of "Progress and Poverty" be in the
hands of Mexico's leaders? They won't read it. I wonder whether
the leaders of the United States have ever studied it.
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