'(ohe PAN AME:RICAN UNION

JOHN BARRETT : : Director General

FRANCISCO J. YANES : Assistant Director

MEXICO
THE CITY OF PALACES

Reprinted from the April, 1918, issue of

the Bulletin of the Pan American Union

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WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1918
PAT AfFS'
o'er a vale of antiquities from the top of a great
C'^'KING autumn day, was the
pyramid at the close of a perfect as
writer's experience, casts a meditative spell over the thought-
ful mind. A pyramid itself is of sufficient interest to absorb
one's attention, but the Toltecs and the people who came before
and after them into the beautiful valley of Anahuac builded so
enduringly and over such a wide area that we are truly lost in con-
tem])lating their many works. Mexico's Pyramid of the Sun,
although to-day its apex stands slightly more than 200 feet above
the surrounding country, provides a favorable point from which to
view the valley in which Mexico City lies. The P^^ramid of the Sun,
the greatest of its kind in the western world, may be said to be
analogous to Cheops, which OA^ershadows the valley of the Nile, a
few miles from the chief city of Egypt. Mexico and Cairo, then,
might be appropriately termed the world's pyramid capitals, with
clusters of these marvels standing sentinel-like near their gates. On
opposite sides of the earth were the ancient builders of pyramids,
yet we have no positive assurance that either army of workers had
any knowledge of the existence of the other. The Orientals worked
amid the drifting sands of a sun-parched land, slightly moistened
by the Nile; while those who constructed Mexico's colossal monu-
ments chose a high and fruitful valley liberally watered by great
lakes and small streams.
A view of Anahuac, or the valley of Mexico, as modern peoples-
know this picturesque region, reveals at present a somewhat changed
surface, and only a few large lakes are left of what in prehistoric
years may have been an inland sea dotted with islands. This valley
of Anahuac, about 60 miles long and 30 miles wide, is surrounded by
mountains, some of whose peaks are continually capped with snow,
while in the lowlands tropical fruits and flowers are features of vegeta-
ble life. The altitude of this valley varies from 5,000 to 8,000 feet,
and there prevails, consequently, a climate of perpetual spring, the
thermometer registering a mean annual temperature of about 59° F.
in the vicinity of the capital. May is the hottest month of the year
with an average temperature of 64° F. December is the coolest, the
;

average of the thermometer being about 53° F. Between these

months the Mexican valley experiences its season of rains, which,
beginning with the warmer May days, gradually grow to maximum
and diminish by the end of autumn. The change in temperature
By Wm. A, Reid, of Pan American Union staff.

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6 MEXICO; THE CITY OF PALACES.

varies only a few degrees diiriiig the year, but is especially marked
between sun and shade and between night and day. Usually in
Mexico City the midday sun is hot, but the shade is rather cool;
with the coming of darkness the air cools quickly and light wraps are
comfortable. The name Anahuac, which means "near the water,"
may refer to the lakes in the region of the present City of Mexico,
while Toltec was the name applied to the early inhabitants. These
migratory people, it is recorded, appeared in the valley of Anahuac
in 648 A. D. There seems to be no story of the people who antedated
the Toltecs, but history does show that the Toltecs disappeared from
Anahuac about 1051 A. D., and a hundred and some years later, or
about 1170 A. D., the Chichimecas made their appearance. Then
came the Aztecs or Mexicans to Tula (50 miles north of Mexico City)
and other members of the great Nahuatlan family who began found-
ing cities and erecting temples and palaces in the valley of Mexico.
In 1325 Tenochtitlan, or Mexico City, was founded by the Aztecs.
This event occurred nearly 200 years before Cortez arrived on the
scene.
The story runs that the Aztec god, Huitzilopochtli, had warned
his people that they should not stop their wanderings until they
found an eagle perched on a cactus eating a serpent. When they
reached the shore of Lake Texcoco they saw on a little island in the
lake an eagle perched on a cactus with a serpent in his talons; so
there they rested, and their Chief said to them, " Here our wanderings
shall cease; here you shall found a great city." This is said to have
occurred July 18, 1325.
These Aztecs then and there began to construct huts on piles in the
shallow lake. Their reason for choosmg homes over the water must
have been a precautionary measure against annoyance or attack by
animals or by other migratory human beings. At that time, from
various accounts, it appears that Lake Texcoco spread considerably
farther westward than is the case to-day; or, in other words, its
shore line during intervening centuries has receded, so that the
present heart of Mexico City is several miles from the border of this
beautiful sheet of water.
Thus, we may draw on the imagination for a glimpse of the begin-
ning of Mexico City. The name given to the settlement, as already
mentioned, was Tenochtitlan, which means "place where the cactus
is on the rock." This title, however, appears to have been changed
at an early date to Mexico, in honor of the war god, Mexitli; and it
is recorded that by 1450 many of the earlier houses built of rushes

and mud, etc., on the shore of Lake Texcoco had been replaced by
more pretentious structures of stone. Passing over many years of
stirring events and various eras of primitive construction, we find
that the Aztecs had attained a high state of splendor when the Span-
iards came to invade the country. History shows that the place
64096—18 2
 10 MEXICO, THE CITY OP PALACES.

had from 50,000 to 60,000 houses, a population of something like

300,000, and a circumference of about 12 miles.
The chief of the Aztecs, the first Montezuma (or Moctezuma),
died about 17 years before the arrival of Cortes and his fellow adven-
turers, Montezuma II was ruling over the Aztecs when the Spanish
invaders reached the present site of Mexico City, after a long and
memorable pilgrimage from the shore of the Gulf of Mexico. Their
surprise must have been great when they first beheld the Aztec
capital, for the city is described as havmg been in a high state of
development, but of an entbely different nature from that of Euro-
pean civilization. The splendors of the city and its evident wealth
and luxury doubtless first aroused in the Spanish adventurers the
desire to dispossess the Montezumas and to conquer the country.
Passing over the days of the Spanish Conquest and coming down
\^ to the present, we find Mexico's capital located in a Federal District
having an area of 579 square miles. The city proper covers about 15
square miles. For admmistrative purposes this District is further
divided into 13 municipalities, of which Mexico City is one. At the
head of the Federal District government is a superior council com-
posed of a governor, a director of public works, and a president of
the board of health. All are appointed by the Chief Executive, but
they act under the Department of the Interior. The governor is the
political authority and he enforces laws and decrees, commands the
police, fire department, etc., and is charged with the operation of
public utilities, the inspection of weights, measures, etc. The
director of public works looks after the water supply, streets,
parks, lighting the city, markets, and allied activities affectmg the
public; while the duties of the president of the board of health are
indicated by the title of the office. Each of the three officials is
separately responsible for the conduct of his department. Sittmg
together as the superior council they may annul or revise the action
of any one of the constituent members thereof. The Department of
the Interior may annul or revise the action of the superior council
itself.

Each of the 13 municipalities, including the City of Mexico, has

also its own ayuntamiento, or local council, composed of men
elected by popular vote for a four-year term. A councillor must
be at least 25 years of age and a Mexican citizen.
Probably the city's most important municipal undertaking was the
construction of a canal to drain the valley in which the city stands.
Begun in the 16th century, it was many years in course of construc-
tion. A
special board renewed efforts in 1886 and carried the enter-
prise toconsummation by 1900. We have referred to the valley as
having no natural outlet; by drain pipes, canals, and a tunnel,
however, the surplus waters of the valley and lakes, as well as the
underground sewerage of the capital, are carried beyond the encircling
14 MEXICO, THE CITY OF PALACES.

hillsand moimtaiiis. A wat.n'works system, utilizing the springs of

adjacent mountains, supplies the city to-day with an abundance of
pure water and also Hushes the canals, aided partly by mechanical
pressure. The whole system has cost the municipality more than
S5,000,000.
Mexico City's streets run north and south and east and west, with
many new and broad avenues that offer interesting contrasts to the
narrow streets or ''callejons" constructed in former eras. They
are usually level and the newer ones well paved or constructed in
accordance with modern street paving methods. On older streets
the long popular cobble stones are still to be seen. The beautiful
avenue known as the Paseo de la Reforma, stretching about 3 miles
from the city proper to the Hill of Chapultepec, is a model of its kind.
Many of the world's avenues were examined and studied by a Mexican
street commission, and numerous points of utility or excellence were
adopted for the Paseo de la Reforma. Along this unusually broad
avenue are half a dozen or more great circles, or "glorietas," in some
of which magnificent statues have already been erected, while on the
sides at intervals are placed smaller statues of modern or historical
heroes. Adouble line of beautiful eucalyptus and other trees add
shady patches here and there along the course, while the private
lawns and flower beds on either side provide other features that make
this one of the world's most attractive and interesting avenues.
The streets of Mexico City are somewhat puzzling to the stranger.
For instance, CaUe San Francisco, now the Avenue Francisco I.
Madero, always a popular thorouglifare with native or guest, had
different sections, as FirstSan Francisco, Second San Francisco, etc.,
according to the location of a certain block. This ancient system was
changed a few years ago and all streets from east to west were desig-
nated as avenues; those running north and south became streets or
"calles," and in each case a single name was bestowed on the entire
thoroughfare. Legend and tradition are strong, however, and many
people appear to prefer the older order of street designation, except
some of the new avenues. Mexicans also cling to patriotic
in cases of
names, like Calle Cinco de Mayo for instance, which is the date they
won a victory over the French (May 5, 1862) at Puebla. We also
find the Spanish equivalent for such street names as lUustrious Men,
Sad Indian, Walking Priest, Lost Child, Bridge of the Raven, The
Watch, etc. There are nearly 1,000 streets and "lanes."
At the outward end of the Paseo stands the castle of Chapultepec,
constructed on the crest of a high natural bluff, from which one may
enjoy a magnificent view of the city and surrounding region, a
winding roadway leads from the lower level to the top of this "Hill
of the Grasshopper," as it is called; and along the route on stones

are figures and hieroglyphics made by the Aztecs or their predeces-

sors. At one point on this road we pass a cavelike opening which is
 ^**i'^"iii;l^Fl If

HEADQXTARTERS OF THE POLICE UEPAKTMENT OF MEXICO CITY.

THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC WORKS, MEXICO CITY.

This fine edifice is indicative ofthe numerous pubhc buildings of the more modern type, which have
been erected in the Mexican capital during recent years.
 18 MEXICO, THE CITY OF PALACES.

the entrance to an underground passage to the top of the hill, which

is said to have been a secret route of ascent in olden days. This
interior passage is closed to-day to visitors, but years ago an elevator
was constructed in one part of the passage which has been frequently
used by the presidents.
Once upon the crest of Chapultepec, 200 feet above the city, the
traveler is charmed, not alone by the views but by the way nature
and man have combined forces to produce the unusual, the interest-
ing, and the picturesque. On the Pyramid of the Sun, of which we
have spoken, all is ancient work; on Chapultepec a great modern
castle and fortress stands, a portion of which has long served as the
summer re idence of the President of the Kepublic.
From Chapultepec we have what might be termed a close view of
—
the capital city much closer than from the pyramid's crest. At
the immediate base of the hill stands the Bosque or forest of fine
old cypress trees overshadowing miles of drives and walks, with
here and there hanging baskets of moss and vines arranged by
nature herself. On the edge of this historical setting the Chapultepec
restaurant has been erected, and so popular has this resort become
that in late afternoons or evenings the ehte of capital society may
be found there sipping the tea of the Orient, domestic chocolate, or
partaking of some of the best food to be found in tne city. The roads
are crowded with motor cars, carriages, and slow-moving pedes-
trians, all out for pleasure and recreation, and for the time being
forgetful of the more serious side of life.

Another famous hill in the suburbs of Mexico is that of Guadalupe,

and in visiting its sacred precincts we pass over an ancient causeway
rich in legendary lore, and along which modern electric cars are
now operated. High on Guadalupe's crest a chapel stands which is
closely related to the history of the colonial period of the capital.
At the base of the hill is the famous shrine of Guadalupe.
Stillanother interesting sight, especially for the visitor, is the old
tree in the suburb of Tacuba under which Cortes sat and wept on
the nigJit of July 1, 1520, when he and his troops were so terribly
defeated by the Aztecs. The tree is a species of cypress, and some
years ago a fanatic attempted its destruction by starting a fire at its
base, but the prompt arrival of officers prevented the tree's destruc-
tion. To-day a high iron fence surrounds this relic of the past
'

which has long weathered the ravages of time. It is called the tree '

of the sad night," or, in Spanish, "el arbol de la noche triste."

In Coyeacan, another suburb of the capital, stands one of the
homes of Cortes, still in a fair state of preservation and in use as a
public office building.
To ancient structures of Mexico City are far
the stranger the
more interesting than those of recent date. We have space for
only a glance at a few of the most noteworthy. The site of the
 A,

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THE NORMAL SCHOOL IN MEXICO CITY FOR THE TRAINING OF TEACHERS AND
PROFESSORS.

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THE NATIONAL GEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE, MEXICO CITY.
 THE "GLORIETA" OF CHAPULTEPKC.
Here we have a striMng illustration of thework of nature and man. The great tree standing in the
foreground measures many feet in circumference, as is e^^denced by the human chain drawn around
its base. In the background one catches a glimpse of a beautiful marble monument. Both of these
features of beauty are admired by all visitors, as well as by citizens.

"".^i fi»&»i5a3&t'*t»-^ ^'»?- -~»

THE SCHOOL OF MINES, ONE OF THE FAMOUS SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS OF THE

MEXICAN CAPITAL.
Strangers visiting this institution will be especially interested in the display of minerals and in the
numerous specimens of the geological formation of the country. Many well-known engineers of Mex-
ico and other countries have studied their profession here.
22 MEXICO, THE CITY OF PALACES.

Aztec ruler's teocalli or temple is occupied by the present cathedral,

a massive structure 37-i feet long and 198 feet wide, containing
marble altare, silver rails, and priceless paintings and tapestries.
This great structure was started in 1573 and was many years in
construction. Architecturally it is said to be "composite." The
lower part is Doric, above this is exaggerated Ionic, while the
higher parts are Corinthian. The facade, from which rise two
towers each 204 feet high, is divided into three divisions which rep-
resent the three Greek orders. Gray stone and white marble were
used largely in building this cathedral.
Another side of the Plaza Mayor is occupied to-day by the National
Palace, the official home of the President of the Republic and various
other Government officers. On the site of this palace Cortes built a
home, which was destroyed in 1692. The present edifice was begun
shortly after that date and has been enlarged from time to time.
Over the main entrance hangs the liberty bell of Mexico, which was
rung in 1810 by Hidalgo to call his fellow countrymen to arms.
Volumes have been written about the National Museum of Mexico
City. Truly, it is one of the world's greatest storehouses of aboriginal
art; and scholars from every part of the earth have visited, marveled,
and studied amid this vast collection. On the first floor stand the
giant monoliths. The famous Calendar Stone, long embedded in
the foundation of the cathedral, was removed to the museum in
1886; the Sacrificial Stone is another wonder, with its basin and
channel, the latter supposedly to carry off the blood of its victims.
The Sad Indian, dug up from one of the city streets in 1828, is another
ancient work. The God of Fire is still another notable figure pre-
served at the museum, as are thousands of other rehcs of bygone
peoples.
A Mexico City's floating gardens, or, more properly speak-
visit to
ing, to La Viga Canal, is a memorable experience, especially if the
trip be made on Sunday. It is time well spent if one would know
the humbler type of Mexican, catch a gfimpse of his life and pro-
pensities, and to note his skill as a flower producer and salesman.
—
Mexico City, as we have observed, lies near several lakes Zumpango,
Xaltocan, and San Cristobal on the north, Texcoco on the east; while
Chalco and Xochimilco lie south of the city. La Viga and other
canals connect lakes and city; and it is on these waterways that so
many flowers grow, hence the name of floating gardens seems quite
appropriate. Amid flower-bedecked boats passing and repassing,
the boatmen pole their visitor along this unique watercourse some-
;

times for a few extra centavos a guitar player and a singer may be
engaged, thus adding a romantic feature to the Venice-like experience.
Architecture of Mexico City ranges from the very ancient to the
most modern construction art. After the arrival of Cortes the build-
ings gradually assumed a Spanish-Moorish style as new ones were
'"^v

VIEW OF THE GENERAL HOSPITAL, MEXICO CITY.

As indicated in the picture, tliis establishment is quite modern and is one of the largest and best
equipped institutions of its kind in the world. It is the culmination of a cherished desire of leading
Mexican citizens for a hospital worthy of the name and represents a large financial outlay.
,

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THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT.

» p r '**r
 —

26 MEXICO, THE CITY OF PALACES.

erected. As the 3'ears passed, Spanish architecture replaced other

kinds witli modifications to suit chmatic or special conditions. Dur-
ing the rule of Maximilian modernizing influences were marked.
There is a general absence of cellars on account of the marshy nature
of the region; chimneys also are somewhat scarce, as the climate does
not require heated houses, llecent years have seen the construction
of several modern office buildings, a few of which might be termed
the ''skyscrapers" of Mexico. Naturally, these business structures
have been placed in the most active commercial parts, most of them
being \vithin a short distance of the Alameda or the Plaza de la
Constitucion, familiarly known as the Zocalo. Many very modern
and beautiful residences have also been built in recent years, both in
the city proper and in suburban districts. The National Library,
with its 200,000 volumes; the University with more than 20 allied
institutions of higher academic and professional training, not to
mention at least 600 high and primary schools, give one a fair idea of
how well the capital's youth are looked after in the way of educa-
tional advantages. The National School of Mines, erected in 1813,
cost $200,000 and has been a power in the field of education. For
those engaged during the day there are operated a number of night
schools. The National Military College, at Tlalpam, has several
hundred cadets, while the naval academy at Vera Cruz usually has
more than 100 government students.
The field of journalism is well covered by the publications of the
capital, there being registered about 225 different newspapers and
magazines, with normally 10 daily papers. The leading dailies print
a liberal amount of telegraphic news from all parts of the world,
while the illustrated feature of magazine making has grown to a
high degree of excellence.
Mexico City can not yet be termed a great manufacturing center,
but rather a city in early stages of promising factory growth. On
wandering here and there about the city one is surprised to note the
number of articles that are locally made. Numerous tanneries pro-
duce fine grades of leather and the latter is turned into a hundred
useful articles by the expert Mexican leather worker. In visiting
such establishments one sees trunks, saddles, bridles, belts, carriage
and farm harness, automobile accessories, boots and shoes, and
various other articles of everyday use. A single factory has facili-
ties for manufacturing 2,000 pairs of shoes per day. Every visitor
to Mexico City is sure to admire and to purchase a belt or handbag,
beautifully made and exquisitely carved by the Mexican workmen.
Cotton manufacture in the Republic has grown largely in recent
years and in the capital city large supplies are annually placed upon
the market from 10 or more local mills operated by modern ma-
chinery. That which is said of cotton manufacture is also true of
the making of woolen cloth, shawls, blankets, etc., the most important
factory being ia the State of Mexico not far from the capital city; it
has nearly 5,000 spuidles, 117 looms, and normally about 800 opera-
tives. Mexico City also has a linen mill, and in surbuban towns or
near at hand is produced the bulk of news-print paper used by the
printing establishments of the capital. Within the federal district
are many cigar and cigarette factories, which not only give employ-
ment to thousands of workers, but supply a growing demand. One
of Mexico City's newest industries is that of aeroplane construction
an enterprise that has already produced a number of machines for
 MEXICO, THE CITY OF PALACES. 29

commercial and other purposes. These machmes are now being built
entirely by native mechanics at the aviation school and shops of the
capital, and several improvements are reported to have been devised
by the constructors. An abundant supply of electric energy from the
Necaxa Falls, which were first developed about 15 years ago, fur-
nishes the power for the city's lighting, tramways, etc. Addi-
tional improvements are expected to generate 200,000 horsepower,
and Mexico City as well as other neighboring communities will doubt-
less respond more freely to the call of the factory.
A score or more of public and private hospitals are in operation in
the capital city, and a number of these institutions date from the
colonial period. The General Hospital, completed in 1905, is of very
modern construction and equipment. It has 28 or more "pavilions"
and can accommodate nearly 1,000 patients. There is also a large
and well equipped hospital for children. This institution is non-
sectarian and is capable of taking good care of at least 1,000 children;
and those who are poor or needy are taught useful arts or trades so
L that they may be self-supporting and of service to the country.
There is also a hospital for the use of railway employees; while the
English, American, Spanish, French, and other colonies have their
own hospitals and sanitariums. As in many other cities of the world,
the various foreign colonies also have their own cemeteries.
Mexico City has a well-organized body of police, and in few if any
large cities do we find these guardians of the peace more capable.
Every important street crossing or traffic center has its special
officer; and one of the rather unusual features of the system is the
lantern which forms a part of each officer's equipment. At night as
one looks down a street, a row of low middle-street lights stretshes
away in the distance, and to the stranger this appears as a unique
part of vigilance. On many of the most important avenues and
~^ streets ths mount 3d officer is always on guard, and his soldierly
appearance, thorough equipment, and splendid steed bring terror to
the evildoer. In the city, too, on special holiday occasions, one sees
troops of the world-famous Rurales brought in from their posts of
duty. These men are among the world's most picturesque horsemen,
with large sombreros, often completely leather-clad bodies, superbly
equipped, and mounted on some of the finest horses to be found in
Mexico or in any country.
The journey to Mexico City may be made by various routes over
land or by water. If one passes southward over land from the United
States to Mexico, a long and rather tedious railway trip lies between
the border and the capital. For 300 miles, more or less, the country
is not very interesting, with now and then a mining town or a city
standing along the route. Normally, Pullman cars are attached to
the best trains from El Paso and other Rio Grande cities directly
to the Mexican capital. A hundred miles or so before reaching the
latter, the country blossoms forth in foliage and vegetation, and the
whole aspect presents a complete and agreeable change from the
dry region of the central north. For scenic beauty the wi^iter prefers
the railroad from Vera Cruz to Mexico City, a wonderfully varied route
and a road that taxed engineering talent as well as the coffers of its
promoters. If a night stop is made at Orizaba the traveler may
enjoy an early morning ride through one of the world's most beautiful
regions with the marvelous sights of the Maltrata Valley, in pictur-
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32 MEXICO, THE CITY OF PALACES.

esqiUMi.'ss to b:' conip.uv'cl with tho views along the

railroad up the Himalayas to Darjeeling in India or tl 015 832 943 8,^

land tea districts of Ceylon. The distance to Mexico <^ity ironi uie
four points on the Rio GraiuU' varies from 860 to about 1,200 miles,
while from Vera Cruz to the capital the railroad distance is 263 miles.
There is also thi' well-known rail connection from tlie Mexican capital
to Guatemala and to various Pa"ific and Gulf of Mexico ports. The
citv is the terminus for six railways. The stranger traveling from
any direction tt)ward the City of Mexico, upon reaching the central
plain, linds among the country's striking features the universal
cultivation of flowers and the vast fields of maguey. The former
are to be had during the enth'e year, and of such a multitude of
varieties as to please every individual taste. The latter plant pro-
duces the national drink of the masses; so flowers and pulque are at
least two commodities to be found on every morning train bound for
Mexico City.
Appropos of the annual independence celebration which occurs
the middle of September, the following is an extract taken from the
\M'iter's notebook made on one of these occasions some years ago:
By far the most interesting part of the entire celebration does not begin until to-
Avard midnight of the 15th or 16th. Imagine, if you can, a city with a normal popu-
lation of over half a million people, augmented by thousands from all parts of die
country. The air is balmy, and the gorgeous profusion of blooming flowers and
climbing vines reach from sidewalk to the very tops of the houses and "shake o'era
J'lags of many hues, interwoven among the blossoms and the electric
'

faint perfume. '

bulbs, remind us that friendly nations, too, are joining in the celebration. All ve-
hicles, for the time being, have been ordered from the street connecting the Alameda
with the Plaza Mayor or Zocalo, and the beautiful thoroughfare is now completely in
possession of the shouting populace. The enthusiasm can not l^e restrained; neither
is there any desire on the part of officials to quiet die throng, for this is the national
holiday, and good-natured merrymaking is the order of the day. As the night ad-
vances', humanity moves en masse toward the historic plaza fronting the palace.
Here amid shoufs and gladness and the combined patriotic airs of numerous bands
the great tln-ong awaits the coming of the eventful hour of midnight. Slowly but
surely the time approaches; huzzahs have ceased, and the throng now awaits silently,
almost breathlessly, the final stroke of the great clock. The hour is at hand! The
President of the Republic appears on the bacony of the palace. The lights sur-
rounding the liberty bell, just abo\e, throw Ms figure into bold relief as he utters
the famous "grito,'' and pulls the rope of the same old bell that called to arms the
patriots of Dolores, more than 100 years ago. Instantly the blasts of bugles and the
shouts of "Long live the President of Mexico"' resound again and again far back over
the multitude. The cathedral, so dear to the hearts of all Mexicans, which a moment
ago was in total darkness, is now gemmed against the heavens by thousands of in-
candescent lights. Its giant, deep-toned bells, revolving completely, send forth
thunderous music, which is taken up by all the bells of the city and reechoed far out
over the valley. Rockets blaze forth from scores of towers and exploding liombs
rain showers of fire over the shouting crowds.

Numerous signs point to an era of better days in Mexico, and some

authorities have devoted many pages to analyzing these conditions
in detail, which can not be reiterated here for lack of space. Among
the influences for good let us not underestimate the power of women
in assisting Mexico to work out her social and political problems.
Women of Mexico are becoming more interested m
the country's
welfare and development, and their activities are constantly assum-
ing wider scope. With their aid the thoughtful and patriotic men
of this richlj^ blessed country are bringing about a period of peace
and tranquillity which will assure its future material prosperity.