‘Socialism In Mexico’ by Comrade Paul Zierold from the International Socialist Review. Vol. 13 No. 11. May, 1913.

DURING the dictatorial reign of Porferio Diaz it was absolutely impossible to establish any progressive political movement in Mexico, far less a Socialist Party.

Death or long terms of imprisonment in one of the worst prisons on earth–the Island of Man, in the Harbor of Vera Cruz were meted out to those trying to change the unbearable conditions of the country. Many Mexicans of noble, intelligent mind had to pay dearly for their attempt.

Only the capitalist class found favor in his eye. In his long reign, Diaz had clearly demonstrated that he was an outspoken enemy of the working class. Dense ignorance, misery impossible to describe and bondage of farm laborers, were rampant. The same fate which befell the forerunner of a liberal government befell likewise factory strikers.

In the great strike at the big cotton and spinning mills of Rio Blanco-Orizaba, State of Vera Cruz, some five years ago, the despotic and sanguinary Diaz sent his soldiers simply to shoot down the workers. Many of their wives and children were also assassinated. Some 200 strikers lost their lives at the order of this tyrant. As soon as Diaz and his administration fell, a few Socialists united to organize the first Socialist Party of Mexico.

At the same time many trade-workers and laborers organized themselves into Unions and made great progress. Strikes were frequent, some of significant importance and bringing magnificent results. The country has been since in a continuous turmoil of rapid evolution and progress. The railroad employes have asked for an eight hour work day.

It is quite natural and certain that only a few of the masses, as yet, comprehend a fraction of Socialism, but considering the great disadvantages, an enormous awakening has set in. Each day brings new converts to the doctrine of Socialism. At present there are published six Socialist periodicals in various parts of the republic. Without doubt before long a Socialist Party of great importance will be established in Mexico, which will make a fine showing against the professional politicians and the bourgeoisie class, which, in this country, is especially cruel in its exploitation of the workers.

Further, the Socialists of Mexico sincerely desire a connecting link and an extension of co-operation to their Socialist brethren in the United States.

In March of last year the Socialist party of Mexico sent its first delegate to the Socialist Congress at Indianapolis.

The party has also translated and caused to be printed various booklets on Socialism published in the U.S.A., which it is using to good advantage in its propaganda work.

The party desires to get into closer relations with the comrades of the U.S.A., especially those comrades intending to visit Mexico City. They may write the secretary of its local, A. Santibáñez, 8a. Revillagigedo, No. 101 Mexico City, who will be pleased to give any information desired. Suffice it to say, that they carry with them their little “Red Card” of membership, so he may know that they are duly affiliated with the Socialist Party of the U.S.A.—A.S.— C.C.R.

SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

The above article was ready to be sent you some two weeks ago, but it has been delayed until now owing to the revolution. We believe it important to give you likewise a few words on the last horrible events occurring right here in the heart of this city, with a population of some 470,000 inhabitants.

Several thousand people, soldiers, civilians, men women and children and many horses were killed. Five thousand were wounded. Many fine houses were greatly damaged through cannon balls, and machine guns. Telegraph and telephone posts and wires were torn down by cannon shots, a spectacle that even international diplomacy did not prevent. How long will the patience of nations still last before they send their diplomats home?

The murdering of soldiers and civilians has been endured by the people in this city for eleven days. Gustavo Madera was arrested on the 18th of February at noon time at a champagne banquet with some twenty friends in one of the principal streets in a uninterruptedly. The same night he was cafe while the shooting and killing went on executed at the capitol. The President and Vice-President were likewise shot to death a day or two later. We have now a new cabinet, consisting of well known persons, who promise to restore quiet and order out of the chaos in the least possible time.

The International Socialist Review (ISR) was published monthly in Chicago from 1900 until 1918 by Charles H. Kerr and critically loyal to the Socialist Party of America. It is one of the essential publications in U.S. left history. During the editorship of A.M. Simons it was largely theoretical and moderate. In 1908, Charles H. Kerr took over as editor with strong influence from Mary E Marcy. The magazine became the foremost proponent of the SP’s left wing growing to tens of thousands of subscribers. It remained revolutionary in outlook and anti-militarist during World War One. It liberally used photographs and images, with news, theory, arts and organizing in its pages. It articles, reports and essays are an invaluable record of the U.S. class struggle and the development of Marxism in the decades before the Soviet experience. It was closed down in government repression in 1918.

PDF of full issue: https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/isr/v13n10-apr-1913-ISR-riaz-ocr.pdf