|R6 WESTERN HEMISPHERE IMMIGRATION

statesman has pointed out, Spain by damming back the conquering Moslem
food, sacrificed herself for Europe, which might otherwise have suffered from
the retrograde influence of the conquering East. The story of aboriginal Mexico
is not so familiar to British readers; but nowhere on the American Continent
had such a high standard of human progress been achieved as in the Valley of
Anahuac, %he civilization of which was self-evolved, and, unlike the cultures of
Europe, owed nothing to other sources.’ (Mexico of the Mexicans, by L.
Spence, pp. 221-222.)
Robert N. McLean, in his book That Mexican, pages 175-176, published in
1928, states:
“Because of their common blood, for the most part their common language,
and their common racial heritage, the Latin nations of the western world are
coming to think together and to act together; and in thus developing community
of interest are more and more looking to Mexico for leadership. As our nearest
neighbor, the South American Republics take it for granted that she must know
as best. Our relationships with Mexico, therefore, will increasingly determine
our position in the Western Hemisphere.
“But the problem is a domestic one also. Ours is a nation of foreigners; a
nation dedicated to the principles of liberty and equality; a nation which has
has proceeded upon the theory that it is possible to welcome strangers and to
turn them into American citizens. A policy which keeps the foreigner foreign
s the denial of our democracy and a reversal of the trend of our national life.’
In his report rendered to the International Reform Bureau. of Washington.
D. C,, in 1921, Col. L. M. Maus says:
“Comparatively few citizens of the United States have any conception of the
number and real character of the Spanish-American people (Mexicans), who are
living in the four border States—Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California—and
probably less have any knowledge of their educational, economical and sociological
 conditions. In this connection I may add that there are no two countries in
the world so close from a geographical standpoint that are so far apart in sympathy,
 friendship, and mutual understanding as the American and Mexican people.
“Generally speaking, the American public look upon the Mexicans as only a
partially developed race of people, still in the springtide of civilization, and
tacking in many of those fundamental qualities so essential to good citizenship
and stable government. Lightly spoken of as “greasers’’ and regarded as bandits
and professional revolutionists, rarely will you find an American who is willing to
give them credit even for a few of the many good qualities they possess, and
hence the commonalty of the Mexican people have greatly suffered in the public
sentiment of our country.
“Having had a very c¢onsiderable experience with the Mexicans of our border
States, as well as of old Mexico, covering a period of nearly 30 years, I feel that
he American people have been greatly deceived as ‘to their real character.
The Mexican peon or laboring class, who compose nine-tenths of the population,
are a peace-loving people, warm and generous hearted, fond of family and home,
and willing and anxious to work if given a proper chance. Among the educated
and wealthy classes are many splendid men and women who would prove an
honor and credit to any country. The Mexican people should not be misjudged
on account of the few notorious and unscrupulous political, military, and bandit
chieftains who have kept the Republic in a state of revolution since the resignation
of Porfirio Diaz. .
“The Mexican people also feel that in their dealings with us as individuals
their finer sensibilities have been studiously insulted. The American people
have never learned that courteous and urbane treatment counted for more with
them than any other congideration, and that our lack of policy in this regard
was largely the foundation of their prejudice. The lesson we failed to learn in
the Philippines, though we had ample opportunity, was that the polite latin
races were outraged by the brusque and aggressive ¢onduect of the Anglo-Saxons.
“Generally speaking, American criticism of the Mexican people centers around
his ignorance, lack of thrift, and improvidence. The Mexicans of to-day are a
product of the eruel masters, who held them under the bondage of ignorance,
serfdom, and poverty ever since the days of the Conquest. For four long and
grueling centuries the peon or laboring class has been ruled by three dominant
factors from which they could find no avenue of escape, the church, the government.
 and the wealthy landowners. not one of which has ever shown a willineness.