Codes & Celebrations

Mexico's struggle for independence from Spain started about 1810 with the quickly suppressed outbreak of the patriotic priest Hidalgo. It lasted until Mexico's first President Guadalupe Victoria (real name: Miguel Antonio Fernandez y Felix) was inaugurated in 1824. Every republic must have an Independence Day. Last week Mexico celebrated her 121st, choosing that September day, the 16th in 1810 when Father Miguel Hidalgo issued his Grlto de Dolores ("Cry from Dolores''). In Mexico City President Pascual Ortiz Rubio solemnly rang the Liberty Bell, reviewed 15,000 troops at Valbuena Airport and gave a dinner to the diplomatic corps at the Presidential Palace.

There was dancing in the streets. Waving a large flag at the merrymakers an unknown woman fell from a third-story window and was killed. Citizens tired revolvers in the air. Two army officers were wounded by random bullets. At Juarez, celebrants attacked the autos of U. S. tourists returning to El Paso, Tex. A Mrs. Bent on R. Spencer of Fort Bliss was cut by flying glass when a patriot decided to celebrate his freedom from the Spanish yoke by smashing the windows of her car with a crowbar. Juarez authorities tut-tutted but insisted there was nothing personal in the attack on Mrs. Spencer.

In New York, Mexican Consul-General Enrique Ruiz and a party of friends celebrated Independence Day by ordering a large dinner at the South Shore Yacht Club and going for a sail on Great South Bay. Mexico's Consul-General & friends ran on a sand bar and remained there in the blazing sun for many hours. As Independence Day drew to a close they were rescued by Commodore Wilbur Johnson of the S. S. Y. C.

Citizens had a notable Independence Day present. Last week it was announced that the much criticised criminal code of 1929 had been completely revised. Notable changes:

P: Under the old law a husband or wife who killed his or her mate for reasons of infidelity was immune from punishment. Commencing last week, such a cuckold must suffer a minimum of three days imprisonment. If the murderer is responsible for his mate's infidelity, punishment may be as much as ten years.

P: Adultery is a crime "only if committed in the conjugal domicile or with scandal." Penalty: two years in jail and suspension of civil rights for six years.

P: Fathers who shoot their daughters' seducers are now faced with 30 years, instead of 20 years in prison.

P: Rebellion against the Government is punishable by one to six years in prison with the exception of members of the Army and Navy who must face the customary firing squad.

P: Opening another's mail is punishable by three days to six months in jail. But this does not apply to husbands or wives whose right to peek is expressly protected.

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