ns then prevailing in those countries were somewhat
similar to those of America. When their independence was declared,
it seemed that the republican system was best suited to their
condition. For on the one hand there was no imperial house to direct
the people, on the other hand the Republic of North America was a
good example to follow. Public opinion was at that time unanimous
that since the republican form of government was the ideal form, it
was suitable for any country and any people. The idea thus quickly
spread and almost every country became a republic. The independence
of these countries, however, was secured only at the cost of a hard
struggle and once the spirit of rebellion was aroused it became
difficult to suppress in a short while. And since education was not
then universal the intellect of the people was low. What they were
expert in was in autocratic methods. No task is harder than to
establish a republic in a country, the intelligence of whose people
is low. These republics, therefore, reaped no good results although
they tried to retain republicanism unnaturally. The consequence is
that the republics of Central and South America have been a living
drama of continuous internal disturbance. One after another their
military leaders have grasped the power of administration.
Occasionally there has been peace but this peace has only been
secured by the iron hand of one or two powerful men holding the
power. Such powerful men, however, seldom pay any attention to
educational matters, and one never hears of their establishing any
schools. As to the people under them, they are not allowed to
participate in political affairs by which their experience in
politics may be ripened. The result is, on the man in power becoming
sick or dying--and the iron rule relaxed--that those who wish to
usurp the power of the state rise at once; and as the satisfactory
solution of the problem of succession cannot be found, those
undertakings which have made progress during the time of peace are
swept away without a single exception. In extreme cases the
disturbances continue to such an extent that the country falls into
a state of anarchy. Thus the social and financial factors of the
whole country are trodden on and destroyed under foot.

The conditions now prevailing in Mexico have been many