The Land Problem in Mexico

Some Comments

E.T. Westrup

[Reprinted from Land and Freedom, November-December 1940]

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.