Mexican Politics

Congress Opened. Applauded by the public (politicians and peons alike), President Plutarco Elias Calles of the United States of Mexico rode in an open landau through the streets of Mexico City to open the 32nd session of the National Congress.

The streets were lined with troops and cadets from the Military College in glittering full-dress uniforms. Vast areas around Parliament House were closed to traffic.

His arrival at the Legislature was heralded by trumpeters and military bands and his entry into the Senate was the signal for a raucous presidential salute of gunfire.

Inside the Senate, where Senators and Deputies were assembled, representatives of the nations accredited to Mexico crowded the Diplomatic Gallery, attired in gorgeous uniforms of many hues, their breasts sparkling with orders and decorations. Remarked was their contrast with the sombrely dressed legislators, who appeared before their Chief Executive clad in simple evening clothes and uncomfortable stiff white shirts.

Presidential Speech. The object of the presidential address on such occasions is to give an account of the Executive for the year. President Calles, reviewing his administration, noted that the third year of his office had not lacked grave difficulties. Touching on the resignations of several ministers, he went on to mention the enforcement of the religious laws, saying that the result has been to how that the "Mexican people are indifferent to the suppression of the cults" and roundly charging the Roman Catholic clergy with rebellious conduct. He noted, too, that several foreigners, among them two "North Americans" (meaning U. S. citizens), had been expelled in "an effort to clean up the morals of the nation." Referring to education, he stated that "92% of the population to be educated is receiving instruction in well-equipped, modern edifices."

Other points noted: Tourists receive preferential treatment; migration of Mexican workers to the U. S. is not grave, most of them returning to Mexico at the termination of their labors; the electoral campaign had so far been conducted in an orderly manner, the Government observing a strictly neutral attitude. Then he came to international relations.

Instancing progress in amity with Great Britain, France, Spain, Italy, the President mentioned also that the relations with "Hispanic America" were in unfavorable contrast with those with the U. S. Said he: "I can say that relations with the United States, which are so fundamentally important in our national life for patent reasons of commercial intercourse and neighborliness, unfortunately assume a character of indecision, frequently resulting in disagreement." Making it clear that he was referring to foreign oil investments, Senor Calles remarked that some petroleum men had assumed a rebellious attitude to the Government that "no independent country could accept," adding that foreigners must accept Mexican laws and not expect more than the rights of Mexicans, "who are the indisputable owners of their country." He claimed considerable success for the oil laws of Dec. 21, 1926 (TIME, Jan. 10).

Other matters referred to: Production from mines increased by 34,000,000 pesos over the previous year; 973 oil concessions were registered; 125 out of 147 oil companies registered last December had submitted to the new laws; budget remained unbalanced, but the Government was more than ever determined to enforce rigid economy in its services; the Yaqui rising and the rebellions in the States of Jalisco and Guanajuto (TiME, May 2 et seq.) were noted as disturbing factors in the economic life of the nation.

Significance. To those observers who believe that President Calles stands firmly behind his old friend, onetime President Alvaro Obregon, his speech to the Mexican legislators was not without considerable election import.

It was held that a good showing by the Government, which for Mexican purposes meant an appeal to the peons against avaricious U. S. capitalists (as well as placing the blame on the Coolidge Administration for causing a rift in Mexican-U. S. relations by its "indecision"), would be excellent propaganda for the, Obregonists.

On the other hand, it was felt that the President's allusions to the enforcement of the anti-religious laws would rally the Roman Catholics to the banner of "Kaiserlike" General Arnulfo R. Gomez, who sponsors religious toleration as the main plank in his party platform and who opposes one-armed General Obregon, among other reasons, because he has already been President.

Leading candidates in the elections, which take place in the middle of next year: General Alvaro Obregon, General Arnulfo Gomez, General Francisco Serrano, the latter two of whom, it is hinted, may decide to join forces against General Obregon.