José Rubén Romero's Image of Mexico

Author(s): William O. Cord

Source: Hispania, Vol. 45, No. 4 (Dec., 1962), pp. 612-620
Published by: American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/337339
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 JOSE RUBEN ROMERO'S IMAGE OF MEXICO
WILLIAM O. CORD

Fresno State College

It may be said with reason that the had experienced rebellion and revolution.
very essence of Jos6 Rub6n Romero was It had known native presidents, foreign
Mexico, his fatherland. It was this states- emperors, and dictators. Much of the cul-
man's stimulus to act, this famed novelist's ture of the country had been molded by
inspiration to compose, and this private the dictates of the conqueror. A language
citizen's cause for life. Those who are fa- and a religion had been brought to the
miliar with Romero's actions as a revolu- people. Many of the nation's customs had
tionary, politician, diplomat, and presiden- been introduced by an invader. Thus, un-
tial adviser are cognizant of the vitality and like other democracies, that of Mexico had
sincerity with which he predicated the vir- emerged despite certain factors rather
tues of his country and its national and than because of them. In truth, democ-
international welfare. The student of Ro- racy in Mexico had been the answer in
meros' literature will avow to the sensitive a valiant and seemingless endless struggle
spirit who wrote, with understanding and of a land to achieve identity as a nation.
compassion, of certain problems which The climax of that struggle had been
plagued Mexico and its people during the reached in the twentieth century. And Ro-
years 1910-1930. However, few persons mero would remind the critic that Mexico
outside Mexico are aware that Ruben Ro- only now was leaving its state of political
mero completed a valuable analysis of the infancy. If the ideal democracy had not yet
stimuli, objectives, and cultural mores been achieved in his country, Romero
which dominate the Mexican societal would advise patience and understanding.
group. The vehicle for this revealing study What he considered of greater importance
was a series of articles published by Ro- was the fact that Mexico had established
mero in the Mexican journal Hoy during itself as an independent country and was
the last years of his life, 1948-1951. in the process of formulating a democratic
The fruits of Romero's extensive inter- tradition. In view of this fact, don Rub6n
insisted that his nation had demonstrated
national experiences had taught him that
many foreigners looked with curiosity at its ability to exist as a nation and as a
Mexico's democracy. One of Romero's people.1
most intense desires was to inform these In Ruben Romero's mind, the basis of
curious that if the foreigner looked at that ability was Mexico's stalwart founda-
Mexican democracy in the light of his tion of spiritual and moral values. If Mex-
own, he looked at it as the ultimate result ico still could not boast a formidable mili-
of four hundred years of political struggle. tary and economic strength, it was a coun-
Democracy in Mexico had not been the re- try of great passion for the cause of lib-
erty. And it continuously fought for that
sult of a definite and well-planned theory
of a devoted group which had escaped the cause. It openly protested any form of in-
persecutions of other political systems. dividual or national humiliation. It sacri-
Rather, Mexican democracy had emerged ficed itself to avert subjugation. It dis-
only after decades of enslavement which pensed justice and disseminated friendship
included invasion, conquest, and coloniza- and peace.2 It was a young country which
tion. During these many years, Mexico counted the events of its many years of
612

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 Jost RUBwN RoMERO 613

history as a beneficial teacher rather

his country than
and, rightly or wrongly, caused
an endless current of tragedies.
him to supportItthestill
cause of Mexico. The
fought for independence,fatherland,
but this Romero wrote, "no es sola-
inde-
pendence was that of billeting itself,
mente el terrufio un-
atrido y pobre en donde
aided, among the world of la
vimos nations.
luz primera.Its La patria es una
weapons were now its people and their
extrafia confusi6n de sentimientos, tristes
y alegres,
faith in their country. But, if it quehad mezclan
dem- las cosas mis ele-
vadas del alma
onstrated its ability to stand con las mas
among the humildes: la
family of nations, Romero huella
couldque nos
not dej6 una infancia feliz, o
deny
unastill
that essentially Mexico was juventud
an afortunada,
austere con el sabor de
country ". .. inquietante la
ycomida
contradictorio,
hogarefia, con la memoria de los
con su demagogia de obreros, . . . con
pobres queridos, cuya sus
came, hecha polvo,
minas inexploradas y sus miserias a con
ya se confunde flor de de la tierra."4
el polvo
tierra; con sus estatuas de bronce y sus
Ruben Romero was not unaware of the
lideres de lodo; con sus f6rmulas demo-
fact that any nation in all its numerous
criticas."" It was thus really a country
endeavors is really onlyin
the reflection of
which the incredibility of paradox existed
the attitudes of its people. Although, as
within all facets of life, yet it was a para-
dox which allowed a certain charm and
a people, Mexico was aware of its physi-
cal weaknesses, it was conscious of a re-
elegance.
markably robust fervor for harmonious in-
Romero continued with his analysis of ternal relationships. Romero admitted that
Mexico, the definition of which assumed the Mexican people were easily baffled
the nature of an abstraction only because by those distinct attitudes of other peoples
he was more interested in the aggregation which deemed personal growth more im-
of those characteristics and qualities which portant than national growth. He con-
were common to the entire nation. Romero fessed that Mexicans were a naive people,
concerned himself little with specific de- often unable to comprehend the intellec-
tails. Rather his interest lay in revealing tual reasoning which delineated right from
those underlying currents which distin- wrong, good from bad, legal from illegal.
guished Mexico and its people from an- Romero attributed this confusion, if indeed
other nation and its people. His purpose such it may be termed, to the permeation
was to uncover the stimuli which prompt- throughout Mexico of an indescribable
ed the country into action and those sentimentalism which was saturated with
which determined the course of action of both a feeling for gaiety and one of haunt-
its people. But, as Romero explained, these ing unrest. But, if this nature exhibited
currents were difficult to define. It seemed certain disconcerting elements, it had pro-
fruitless to attempt to describe them be- duced that distinctive characteristic which
cause both the currents and their stimuli Romero considered indispensable for the
were understood by intuition rather than successful growth and development of a
by definition or reason. Because Rub6n nation: indefatigable allegiance to father-
Romero realized the futility of attempting land.5 If this people had been deprived of
that definition, he could thus only sum- those material things which ease the physi-
marize what was Mexico. In that sonorous cal discomforts of life, they had found
but flexible style that had so characterized greater solace in their devotion to country.
his novels, Romero wrote that Mexico was For these people, there were the great re-
the haven of an indefinable attraction wards of satisfaction since they knew that
which despite the factors of poverty and
their Mexico was that which ". .. surge
physical privations, bound the Mexican to
del cieno, como un loto, cada dia m-s es-

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 614 HISPANIA

pl ndido, the province,

para gloria Romero wrote
ythat he dis-
deleit
canos."6 cerned an ". . . afin desinteresado por ayu-
Because it was the character of the
dar al pr6jimo, almicigo de buenos amigos,
fe en los hombres, voluntad para el traba-
people which had ultimately determined
the temperament and complexion ofjo, the
modestia en las aspiraciones."1o It is not
surprising
nation, Romero turned naturally to the then that Ruben Romero
viewed the province as the secret key to
stimulus which had furnished the greatest
influence in the formation of that charac-
the strength of Mexico. It is only logical
that he one time or another write: " ..
ter: the province. In Mexico, the province
is more than a mere geographic division, nuestras
it provincias son la fuerza medular
is a mode of life. There is no doubt that del pais.. ."11
Ruben Romero was in complete accord As the province was the mainstay of the
with the critic who wrote that if one is to
nation, so the people of the province were
understand Mexico, he must comprehend really the substance of national spirit. H6c-
the province and its role in the develop- tor Perez Martinez once wrote that if one
ment of what is termed lo mexicano.7 is to merit the distinction of being called
Like the nation, the Mexican province "un buen mexicano," he must first be "un
was perceived instinctively rather than buen provinciano."'2 Ruben Romero was
concretely defined. But Romero attempted such a person. Indeed, he has been termed
to define, at least to describe, the province the "meollo de la tierra mexicana." Be-
in much the same manner as he had de- cause of his intimate knowledge of pro-
fined the country. Although he was with- vincial life and his talent to perceive and
to interpret accurately, Romero was able
out doubt writing of his native Michoacin,
he was by analogy writing of the province to record the generic qualities of these
in general. Of its physical assets, he wrote: people.
"Oro en su entrafia; peces de plata en sus His first comment concerned their ten-
lagos, de vivida esmeralda sus praderos; en acity. These were hard people in that they
sus bosques, pinos que iloran el caudal dehad lived unpampered by those frills of
sus resinas."8 modem living which rendered a people
But, the province was much more than incapable of becoming truly strong.?4 The
a collection of tangible assets. Its essenceexistence of this tenacity was confirmed by
was those indefinable attributes which had their display of sincerity and bravery in the
made the province the nucleus of the na-face of overwhelming dangers of many
tion, that center around which the dis- types. Romero most adequately demon-
tinctive Mexican character and tempera- strated this resolution when he wrote of
ment had grown. Romero's most definitive the peoples' persistence in pursuing the
words pictured these attributes as "... lohazardous course which revolutionary ac-
mis sano, honesto, limpio, bello y gene- tion had taken during the years 1910-1920.
roso que tiene nuestra patria."9 His intui-So intent had they been on creating a new
Mexico that ". .. con la sonrisa en los
tive nature recognized these traits as those
which had provided the underlying foun-labios desafiaron varias versos la muerte,
dation of Mexico's social patterns and in aoponiendo a una tirania de treinta afios, el
great measure had formulated Mexico's po- pecho descubierto y sofiando con la regene-
litical and economic precepts. It was pro-raci6n y con la libertad de la patria."'5
Romero considered these people a sage
vincial life which had instilled that special
humility in the people and impregnatedand judicious lot despite their lack of for-
them with happiness and a noble desire to mal education. Their troubled existence of
better all things. In his personification ofmany years duration had forced them to

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 Jose RUBPN ROMERO 615

use caution in their actions and Romero

ferent people. to judge
believed that the
Mexican
wisely in their dealings. If it was Revolution
truewas essentially
that a mass
the people were unlettered movement of protest and a struggle
and ignorant of for
even the most elementaryliberation from a dictatorship which pro-
of philosophical
ideas, Romero was convincedhibitedthat the and
free movement eld-
the rendering
ers of the province were capable
of justice in which
of thea people
most so sincerely
profound philosophy ofbelieved.
life.1' In magnitude,
It was Romero
to would
these people that Rubenalso agree that this conflict
Romero would was the move-
turn for counsel, not to the
ment learned scholar
of greatest social and economic signif-
icancelogic
trained in the methods of which theand
twentieth century had
legal
codes. And it was a counsel that he would witnessed. There is no doubt that Ruben
advise all of Mexico to follow for it hadRomero favored revolution in general and
withstood the agonies of hunger, poverty, particularly was he a partisan of this mod-
and ignorance. It was the counsel whichern uprising within his own country.
provided contentment in life. If other con-Such was his zeal for the principles of the
cepts of man and his position in the world Revolution that one critic wrote that Ro-
mero "se lanz6 a esta revoluci6n portando
had afforded contentment, that joy was
only temporary. Unlike that of provincial como bandera la misma que animaba a
philosophy, such contentment in life hadMadero y al doctor Miguel Silva."19
been the result of a specific effort and thus If revolution was mass revolt whose pur-
was beneficial only to a given people dur-pose it was to overthrow an evil regime,
ing a given epoch. Romero wrote that the goal of the Mexican
They were a hungry people but a freeRevolution was the removal of the shackles
people. Their poverty, as Romero wrote,of injustice, poverty and virtual slavery im-
had made them ". .. figuras tragicas pin-posed by a ruthless tyrant. To realize this
tadas con sangre en los muros de nuestrapurpose, all that was considered a part of
patria."17 Their struggle for freedom had the Diaz administration must be obliter-
rendered them humble and their greatest ated. The desire to rid Mexico of this can-
gift to fellow-man was the respect andcerous shroud grew, intensified, and, as
equality in justice which they dispensed.Romero wrote, "Un anhelo incontenible
And mutual respect was all they asked inde mejorar, de sacudir su inveterada mise-
return. In what are perhaps some of Rub6nria, anim6 al pueblo de M6xico a rebelarse
Romero's most impressive words, thisy a revolucionarlo todo, comenzando por
stately dignity is described by a humblelos hombres del campo de los pequefios
provincial muleteer of Apatzingin: "Nadapoblados, que formaron, primero, un re-
pudieron labrar nuestras manos: ofrecimos molino y despues un cicl6n, arrollador que
por la libertad tan s61o el pobre regalo detodo lo mud6 de lugar."20
nuestra sangre; pensamos como hombres
If the Mexicans of the day had under-
libres y hablamos como tales, y el senti-stood that the Revolution had as its pri-
miento de nuestras miserias y dolores nos
mary goal the liberation of an enslaved
impuso el deber de ser humildes con nues-
people, many foreign peoples were appar-
tros iguales y justos con nuestros enemi-
ently unaware of that goal. Even in Mexi-
gos.18
co, as the movement spread and the vio-
It was because of these ingrained quali- lence of the struggle became more intense,
ties that Mexico as a country was to realize its program became less definitive, its lead-
a significant transformation by means of ers less effective and its ideals seemed to
the Revolution. It is quite true that this be lost in an avalanche of greed. As Ro-
Revolution meant different things to dif- mero reviewed the events of that period of

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 616 HISPANIA

time, he It is obvious that Rub6n

realized Romero's con- the
that
really clusions regarding
isolated Mexico the Mexican Revolution
from
world. He are
understood
of a comprehensive nature. It is under- an
those stood that heconsidered
who then was in sympathy with all
who had suffered
lo sanguinario, losses of a personal na- d
violador
gos, poco respetuoso de la
ture. But Romero possessed the remarkable
facility of being able to stand ante
tranjera, indiferente aside from l
the specific de
y las amenazas details of otros
the epoch and view pa
the totality of events as an historic entity.
To those critics, and any
In this position, he viewed the inception
modem day, Romero advi
of the Revolution and its development and
would have them display
verance that characterized Mexican dis- he could analyze the trends it had taken
as well as visualize the ultimate results.
position. Romero would have the critic of
the Revolution foresee the ultimate results
Perhaps there are those who would de-
which would surpass in grandeur and im-mand a more explicit account of the
portance any specific detail, event, or per- achievements of the Revolution than that
son. The Revolution was easily the mostwhich Romero had offered. If he had here-
significant single event in Mexican history.tofore expressed himself somewhat in the
It had proved to a people, and would do manner of the poet, he did outline these
so to the rest of the world, that the seeds achievements in a more matter-of-fact fash-
of liberty had gained roots deep within ion. First of all, the Revolution supplied
Mexican society. Its basic ideal of libera- the people with a new hope and purpose
tion completely overshadowed the horrorin life. Mexico also realized a solid politi-
of personal tragedy which had struck at cal, economic, and social foundation on
almost every Mexican family. It was not which a moribund nation could be re-
an impotent movement of action for thesuscitated and made to thrive. The Revolu-
sake of action. The Revolution had pro- tion had sketched the plan by which a
duced a degree of organization within thepeople could retain all that was beneficial
people and had made them aware of theirin their historic tradition in combination
rightful place within the society of Mexi- with those benefits that had resulted from
co. As Romero believed, this Revolution the scientific and humanistic progress of
had furnished the foundation on which the modern age. The struggle had pro-
Mexico could stand as a truly free and vided an atmosphere in which liberty,
proud nation for it "amamant6 las artes equality, and justice could exist. In its
totality, the Revolution had opened a new
aut6ctonas, recogi6 las canciones del cam-
pamento para formar con ellas una gran path of life for the nation and Romero
rapsodia mexicana que es un himno, would
... have all to understand that Mexico
escribi6 en los muros, con el pincel de sus was following that path ". .. decorosa-
pintores, la tragedia de M6xico, e hizo el mente, sin gestos insolentes, ni maniobras
intento de expresar en espafiol, la cr6nica subterraineas de fingida sumisi6n."23
de nuestra 6poca, retratando sus tipos y To comprehend the full meaning of
sus costumbres, sin recurrir a moldes ex- Romero's words is to comprehend the
tranjeros."22 Romero would thus advise the Mexican Revolution. Romero's special tal-
ent for viewing all facets in their respec-
pacifist or other critic to study these results
and thus understand the motivations which tive order and importance, and to analyze
incited the millions of souls into action and
that totality for the purpose of recording
bear with his nation for the realization ofultimate possibilities merits special praise.
its ideals. One can thus understand that this praise

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 JosE RUB'N ROMERO 617

din of
has been offered, and with law and order,
reason, bythe standard and bul-
that
critic who termed him, wark
"Jose for allRube6n
Hispanic countries.
Ro- Romero
mero . . el int&rprete de lacorrect
would Revoluci6n
such thinking. He would
Mexicana."'24 have all the people aware of the fact that
Mexico the
But, if Romero understood was withdrawn
ultimate from the problems
of its
potential of his country, asLatin neighbors. He by
afforded would have the
people aware of
means of the ideals of the Revolution, hethe little interest Mexico
also admitted that this had shown for the
potential problems
had not of its sister
countries.
yet been realized. If, as the Because of its haughty
interpreter of attitude,
the Revolution, he wasMexico
capablehad developed
of com-a position of lei-
piling a graphic picturesurely repose toward
of that those nations and
struggle,
he was not disinterestedhadin
been consoled by prob-
specific thinking that those
nations wereIndeed,
lems which had beset Mexico. poor and weaker.28
he Romero
would of course
was probably more interested in the infermost
that his country had
elementary problem of turned
his away from its own
country appalling state
than
those of greatest magnitude of inadequacy
in theinworld.25
comparison, let us say
It is in this concern that Romero avoided with the United States, and had become
any poetic ivory tower and temporarily setcloaked with a false comfort by comparing
aside the ambitions he held for his coun- itself with those countries which possessed
try to dedicate himself to those immediatea kindred culture.
problems which plagued Mexico. The second of these false impressions
Romero expressed his anxiety at what concerned the wealth of Mexico. The na-
he considered one of the most disquietingtion considered itself rich. "Mentira," Ro-
problems of his day. Although the Revolu-mero wrote, "Somos pobres y no hacemos
nada para dejar de serlo porque le tenemos
tion had united idealistically the peoples
of Mexico, their complete solidarity had horror al trabajo.""29 Romero would have
not yet been achieved. Romero had no his country know that what it rejected
most often, work, was really the secret of
specific term for this solidarity. He wrote,
however, that the people of Mexico lackedall progress and wealth, economic and
". .. algo-que lo es todo-que convierte spiritual. He would also inform his people
en un solo cuerpo a los habitantes de las that by avoiding toil, both physical and
demais naciones."26 He was convinced that intellectual, they were only supplying a
even the most powerful of nations could psychological fortification by believing that
be rendered decadent and weak because of those whom they vilified [those of the
the lack of this indefinable unifying factor. United States] had despoiled the country
He knew that Mexico had not been under- of its wealth. It was essential, he believed,
mined to the point where it would sur- that Mexico see itself clearly. It must con-
render itself to foreign offers of assistance cede that wealthy countries had gained
with the inevitable restrictions. But he be- that end "con el sudor de la frente o con
lieved certain erroneous self-evaluations las luces de su inteligencia."30 By assuming
had made it susceptible to further internal that their country had been plundered, the
dissolution.27 Mexican people had indifferently excused
their own indolence. Romero was con-
Ruben Romero advanced the theory that
this condition had been arrived at by thevinced that so long as such attitudes pre-
people's acquisition of certain false im- vailed, Mexico was condemned to a certain
pressions. The first of these was that Mexi-internal insecurity and poverty.31
co was a strong country. As a nation, Mexi- The third false impression alive in the
co at times had considered itself the pala-minds of the people was that which con-

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 618 HISPANIA

cerned Mexico's
vidual to work and governme
to profit personally
while all the
wrote, lauded while he contributed as
itself to the bei
democratic national welfare.34
principles. Alt
assured that To his
resolve these country
national problems and h
strides to achieve
to correct the false that
impressions thatend,
seemed i
day it still exhibited an
to serve as a psychological anesthesia, in
recognize the
Rub6n Romero value to
suggested that Mexico give be
minority thinking, legitima
special consideration to that effort which it
even open opposition to
had shirked so efficiently in the past: per- an
present state,
sistentMexican demo
and disciplined toil. He believed
that public that
power was
the people must expend her
a concerted
sence, the people were
effort, the kind which dom
Mexico never before
concept thathada clan
known. of
Such an effort politic
would convert
reproach, that brute
the lingering force
memories of those tragic d
powerful, and that
events of authority
the past into dreams and would
blame but was
convince allabove being
that the present good is but
chastised.32
an iota of the country's potential.5 One
To convince the people of Mexico of literary critic had siphoned this advice
the truth of his statements, Ruben Romero from between the lines of one of Romero's
would have them ask and then answer a first novels and described it by writing that
Romero completely understood that "la
series of questions regarding life in Mexico.
These questions were simple ones which,vida de M6xico es ciega y certera y que
in their totality, probed deeply and sharp-marcha sobre un campo de dolor y de
ly into the open wounds of Mexicansuefio hacia un mundo mejor, imposible
thinking: Are all people equal? Do for-
para los holgazanes, veridico para los vi-
dentes activos.""6 Such an effort, on a na-
eigners really control the country? Has the
tional basis, would be one which would
granting of special privileges to a select
few been eliminated? Has the practice, realize complete discipline for "un pueblo
whereby liberty, even life, are purchased, sin disciplinas."37 And with that discipline,
been erased? Is there no clash between a people would acquire knowledge and
truth.
justice and force? Is there respect for the
rights to personal property? Do ideas andThus, there can be no doubt that Ro-
their originators go unpersecuted? Is edu-
mero's concept of work, at least in the
cation readily available to rich and poorcase of Mexico, was essentially education.
alike?33 If there was to be a future for Mexico and
In substance, the negative answer to Mexicans, its realization lay in effective
each of these questions was the overall education, thorough and continuing, for
problem of Mexico. These disconcerting all citizens, at all times. Although Romero
facts were summed up by Romero as the never dedicated a specific essay to this
lack of that special attitude which bound matter, the totality of his ideas regarding
a people together in harmonious unity, Mexico's future assumed that little could
both internally and externally. It was that be accomplished without an educated
attitude which allowed a people to live people. If he had thought that agriculture
unafraid and secure in their positions and was the basis of Mexico's internal eco-
their futures. It was also an attitude which nomic development,38 and that raw ma-
allowed the nation to live tranquilly, in terials were its contribution to world
peace, without threats from abroad. It was trade,39 and liberty, justice, and fraternity
an attitude which would permit the indi- were the basis of a healthy moral stand, he

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 Jose RUBEN ROMERO 619

was convinced that onlyIt a

was that unity
long, which let people face
perhaps
tedious, development ofwith
a sound educa-
pride the probing questions of the
tional system would answer
man affirmatively
from Apatzingain. With this unity, all
wouldmuleteer
the questions posed by the have work. There
andwould exist a
solve the enigma of Mexico. With
confidence educa-
in those who were serving as
tion, latent qualities and administrators.
capacitiesThere of the
would be respect for
people could be determined laws and developed.
and traditions. Prejudice could not
Once these characteristics had been ex- exist. An aura of tolerance and the inclina-
posed and the abilities expounded, tion
the to absolve would persist. Dedication
people would be in a position to analyze
to neighbor, to land, to nation would pre-
themselves and hence their country. Once
vail. But, above all, with this unity, Mexi-
this self-analysis had been effected on
co acould incorporate honor as a supreme
national basis, a truly dynamic statemotto.41
of
concern could exist.
Thus, by means of his own observations
As was his want, Romero did not con-
and in his own way, Ruben Romero had
centrate on the details of a specific pro-
presented at least a partial analysis of his
gram of education. Rather, he envisioned
country and its people. It is quite evident
a process which would emphasize both the that Romero took advantage of his status
fundamental need of technicians and then
as a citizen of some renown to diagnose
fulfill that need. He did not employ the publically the causes of some of the virtues
word technician purely as a reference to and problems of Mexico. But, he had
one skilled in a profession or a trade. He spoken honestly, as he had witnessed, and
conceived of a greater, more comprehen- had reflected deeply upon several matters.
sive ticnico. As he wrote, education would If there are those of his own people who
aid the people to think and to reason would criticize Romero for his revelation
logically in any field of endeavor. These of some of the ills which had plagued
abilities would then develop what Romero Mexico persistently, it must be remembered
considered the most important kind of that this approach was affirmative. He was
technicians: "tecnicos de conocimientos
interested in determining the causes of
abstractos, . . . ticnicos de moral y de sen-
these ills and then prescribing a cure. He
tido comuin."40
looked at the past with a haunting nostal-
Education would also stimulate intellec- gia, but primarily he had concerned him-
tual curiosity which in turn would create self with his country's future. His sincere
in the people a heretofore unknown dedication to country caused him to be
awareness of the fatherland. This con- frank concerning its lethargy. If he realized
that in his lifetime he would never see
scientiousness of country would not only
awaken dormant desires for individual and
Mexico emerge from this state, his unself-
national improvement but would also sup-ish attitude had suggested a means by
ply the impetus that rouses people into
which succeeding generations could bene-
action. Once that conscientiousness had
fit. If in the immediate present he had
been stirred, it would be only a matter ofbeen called the interpreter of the Revolu-
time until that "algo-que lo es todo" had tion, he was also the interpreter of all
been achieved.
Mexico and somewhat of a seer. Assuming
Romero, then, and perhaps unknowing- that Romero's suggestions were heeded,
ly, described what was that "algo-que lo only time could reveal the degree of such
es todo." It was not a single factor nor a actions.
single action. It was a solidarity that could
only be sensed but never be made graphic.

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 620 HISPANIA

NOTES literary protagonists, Julian: "Me da gusto que

una fuerza superior a nosotros este en marcha
y pueda arrasar todas las cosas que yo odio.
1 "Miguel Alemin," [IV], Hoy, 620 (8 enero
1949), 16; "Hablemos, pues de la guerra,"Deseo
Hoy,que haya revoluci6n y que venga hasta
703 (12 agosto 1950), 18. nuestro pequefio mundo a remover viejas mise-
2 "Petr6leo, sangre de Mexico," Hoy, 636 rias."
(30 Mi caballo, mi perro y mi rifle, Obras
abril 1949), 10. completas (Mixico, 1957), 292.
21 "Pani, el calumniado; Vasconcelos, el olvi-
3 "Gota de amargura," Hoy, 657 (24 septiembre
1949), 17. dado, Ortiz Rubio, el menospreciado," Hoy, 648
(23 julio 1949), 13.
4 "Retorno a la tierra," Hoy, 673 (14 enero
1950), 14. 22 "Mis andanzas academicas," Obras completas,
5 "Alvaro Obreg6n," Obregdon, Aspectos 832.
de suAlthough Romero often inferred similar
vida (M6xico, 1935), 13. beliefs throughout his articles, the selection
6 "Gota de amargura," op. cit. quoted, taken from his discurso de recepci6n as
7 Alfonso de Alba, La provincia oculta. Su academico de nimero in the Mexican Academy,
mensaje literario (M6xico, 1949), 31. embodies most succinctly the substance of these
8 "Morelia, La de las Regias Prosapias," Hoy, ideas concerning the results of the Revolution.
693 (3 junio 1950), 11. 23 "Prestamos a 'Prueba'," Hoy, 669 (17 di-
9 "Mexico es asi, sefiores," Hoy, 718 (25 no- ciembre 1949), 12.
viembre 1950), 21. 24 Rauil Arreola Cortes, op. cit., 14.
10 "Retorno a Tacambaro," Hoy, 649 (30 julio 25 "Lo que un americano desearia saber de este
1949), 13. pals," op. cit., 65.
11 "Instantineas de una jira presidencial," Hoy, 26 "Gota de amargura," op. cit., 17.
637 (7 mayo 1949), 11. 27 "Vispersas nebulosas," Hoy, 731 [for 734]
12 Alfonso de Alba, op. cit. (17 marzo 1951), 8.
13 Genaro Fernandez Macgregor, "Por qu6 Ru- 28 "Di'logo entre dos tontos," [III], Hoy, 662
b6n Romero es academico," Homenaje a Rube'n (29 octubre 1949), 14.
Romero (Mexico, 1937), 30. 29 Ibid.
14 "Lo que un americano desearia saber de este 30 Ibid.
pals," Hov, 640 (20 mayo 1949), 14. 31 "Pani, el calumniado; Vasconcelos, el olvi-
15 "iCarabinas de palo!" Hoy, 653 (27 agosto dado, Ortiz Rubio, el menospreciado," op. cit.
1949), 66. 32 "Diilogo entre dos tontos," [III], op. cit.
16 "Instantineas de una jira presidencial," op. 3. "Viajando sobre recuerdos: Y habl6 un tal
cit. Morelos,"[IV], op. cit.
17 "Oraci6n a Jos6 Clemente Orozco, pintor y 34 "Lo que un americano desearia saber de este
mfirtir," Hoy, 656 (17 septiembre 1949), 17. pais," op. cit.
is "Viajando sobre recuerdos: Y habl6 un tal 35 "iCarabinas de palo!" op. cit., 18.
Morelos," [IV], Hoy, 634 (16 abril 1949), 13. 36 Ermilio Abreu G6mez, "Mi perro, mi caballo
19 Rauil Arreola Cort6s, "Jos6 Ruben Romero: y mi fusil," [sic], Letras de Mexico, 1 (15 enero
vida y obra," Revista Hiw5dnica Moderna, afio 1937), 3.
XII, 1-2 (enero-abril 1946), 17. Dr. Miguel 37 "Alemin ante el bisturi de Rub6n Romero,"
Silva, governor of Michoacin in 1912 and for [I], Hoy, 617 (18 diciembre 1948), 14.
whom Romero worked as private secretary, was38 "Lo que un americano desearia saber de este
a physician who devoted much of his energypais," op. cit.
and skill to help improve the social conditions39 "Dictadura que no quiere serlo," Hoy, 724
of the people. (6 enero 1951), 17.
20 "Vibraci6n de Esvafia," [II], Hoy, 729 (10 40 "Alemin ante el bisturi de Ruben Romero,"
febrero 1951), 14. Note the similarity in mean- [I], op. cit.
ing of these words and those of one of Romero's 41 "Gota de amargura," op. cit.

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