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The artistic heritage of the Mexican people is a rich legacy handed down even from pre-Columbian days.

Bueno!

A little word of international import

JEAN BANCROFT DE CAMP

A RECENT trip of four months, covering some twenty thousand miles on the Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México, revealed to the writer that there are many interesting and important aspects of the picture presented by this our closest LatinAmerican neighbor; but that in order fully to appreciate its vast panorama even the casual visitor should approach it with some understanding of its proper perspective. There are many ways of describing Mexico, a land which permits of infinite

interpretation because of its geological characteristics, its racial variations, climatic extremes, political idiosyncrasies, and historical drama. It would require the combined knowledge of an historian and a scientist, the peculiar genius of an artist, and literary skill of high order to delineate upon paper the depth and brilliance of this particular jewel of the universe. The visual effect alone of Mexico, with the impact of racial contrasts, scenic grandeur, perplexing ex

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of, our neighbor republic and its people.

Mexico is fast becoming a busy and crowded hostelry for the travel-minded, the majority of whom are our own North Americans. Cars from every state in the Union speed along its excellent highways; and every train headed south across the border is filled with curious and interested newcomers. This is all to the good, for Mexico has emerged from that strange Hollywood chrysalis in which it had so long been enveloped in the minds of many Americans, and is being revealed as a virile and progressive nation, standing upon the threshold of unlimited opportunity.

The traveller whose eyes are open to see will soon observe that there is much more to Mexico than gay woven baskets, vivid colorful sarapes, beautiful silver, and the ubiquitous tortilla. Unfortunately, how

ever, the impressions of the average visitor are too often based upon his personal interests and habitual outlook, rather than upon intelligent consideration, and it is this inevitably limited and biased point of view that could be a potential danger to the growth of international amity. According to his attitude of receptive friendly interest or preconceived prejudice, his intelligent comprehension or ignorant appraisal, the traveller will return to his own country with some appreciation of Mexico and an increased respect for the principles of the Good Neighbor Policy, or with only a distorted picture of presently undeveloped resources and remediable poverty.

In the interests of mutual understanding and good will between nations, much depends upon the mental reaction of even the average visitor or tourist, whose impressions, either favorable or unfavorable,

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of a country and its people, he does not hesitate to broadcast to neighbors, friends, and acquaintances, speaking, although absolutely unqualified to do so, as "one with authority." And since public opinion is merely the multiple of individual opinion, the individual's viewpoint assumes an importance in international relationship today which cannot be overlooked.

In a world growing more interdependent by the hour, it is vitally necessary for two such close neighbors to remain in accord. Most citizens of the United States pride themselves upon their knowledge and understanding of world problems, and it is true that under the pressure of world issues involving the future of mankind in general they are acquiring a less isolationist viewpoint. Thus it is a little surprising that their interpretation of the close-athand Mexican scene is still so frequently a medley of misunderstanding.

There are too many facets to the jewel of Mexico for the casual visitor to succeed in appraising it accurately. True appraisal is based upon knowledge and un

derstanding, and few travellers come to Mexico with such mental preparation. Adequate clothing and funds to cope with climatic and financial problems are the accepted rule, but apparently little if any thought is given to preparation for the sudden transition into a mental environment which, as well as the physical, is sufficiently foreign to demand a certain adjustment of thought. To expect the average traveller to prepare himself by means of exhaustive research and study is of course unthinkable. But since so much depends upon the receptiveness of his attitude, whether he is to find himself enriched by his experience, or merely in possession of a little change from the spurious coinage of destructive criticism, and a false sense of superiority, it seems worth while to offer a few suggestions as how to benefit from so fortunate an opportunity, and to point out certain erroneous concepts which, if generally accepted, would mar the true picture presented by our neighbor republic.

It has often been remarked that at the border, where the customs officials care

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