to establish order and protect the business interests of her citizens and those of her Allies.
I went to Mexico on the Honeymoon Special which took Ambassador Henry Prather Fletcher and his bride to the ancient capital of the Aztecs. From the sandy banks of the muddy Rio Grande to the rainy plateau of Central Mexico Mr. Fletcher travelled like a conquering hero. In the receptions which were accorded him, if they were not as resplendent as similar functions in the United States, there was evident a good-will and there was present more enthusiasm than had been shown any Americans since the days of Diaz. Mr. Fletcher's return was triumphant despite the fact that the military salutes were crude and the music even cruder. When the Ambassador crossed the international bridge a Mexican cannon, hidden in the bushes of Nuevo Laredo, saluted, but there was a long time between shots. As the official representative of the United States he should have received nineteen salutations instead of five, but the ambassador was so busy exchanging greetings he did not notice this until I asked him whether the embargo had been raised on ammunition for saluting purposes. It seems that because of the famous Tampico incident the Mexicans are not permitted to have fireworks.
Although the first band which greeted the envoy played the "Star-Spangled Banner," the others confined their music to Mexican pieces until the train reached Queretaro. Then during an effer-
