Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-09

conscience, however, among these people.
and when the present ruler has passed be-
yond all earthly power 1t will be difficult
for his successor, no matter who he may
be, to entirely still its promptinSs. The
birthright of q citizen of republic Is a
voice in the government. When that citi-
zen acquires, through education and Supe-
rior environment, knowledge of his birth
right it will not be long before he demands
the freedom to exercise 1t.
Should President Diaz decide to leave the
active administration of affairs to others
the solution of the difficulty would be SIM
Pile. for he would appoint a provincial au
thority who would be sustained by the
same semi-political military machine which
has upheld his own administration. In
such a case there would be no shock, no
disturbance, for he would not abate his
vigilance in the least. The course Of events
to follow his death is matter OF more
uncertainty, and is projected we'll into the
domain Of speculation.
In Case of Presidents Disability.
In case Of the disability of the president
the minister Of foreign affairs, row Senior
Mariscal, formerly minister to Washington,
becomes acting president so long as is
necessary to assemble congress In extra
session and provide for an executive to
hold Office until the expiration Of the regu-
lar term. This presidential term in Mex
leo is now merely matter of form, as
the laws have been so amended since the
incumbency of Diaz to allow man to re-
main in office indefinitely. AS there is no
such thing as an election, as such func-
tons ARE understood in the United States,
once in power 1t becomes a mere mat
ter of control Of the dominant forces to
retain office Indefinitely.
The hastily assembled congress would deS-
ignate a president, and that body as
now constituted is simply part of the adj
ministration political machine, the man
who was strongest with the outgoing pow
er would have the best control of the sit
uation and probably secure the office,
though it would depend entirely upon his
strength to be developed subsequently as
to whether he could hold it for long. With
the Mexican public the military element
is dominant.
Military Power Dominant.
"How Is it possible that Mckinley could
be elected President Of the United States
when he IS only a MAORI" 1 was asked by
a prominent Mexican politician, and in that
question lies much significance. President
Diaz is known more by his military title OF
general than by his civil title as the execu-
tive. In weighing the chances of those who
aspire to power, therefore, the military Gle
meHt must be taken into serious considera-
ton. It Is trite saying In Mexico that he
who has the army with him is the strong
est with the people, and there is good rea-
son for this, as political power in this coun-
try does not rest upon the ballot. but upon
the control Of the physical forces OF the
country.
The man who Is now looked upon as the
active executive head of the government:
under close control of the president. Is Jose
Ives Lirnanteur, the minister of finance
He is the ablest financier and statesman
Mexico has developed outside Of military
circles Were he equally strong In mill
tary sense, or had he the close friendship
and unselfsh support Of great military
leader, there would be no question as to
his becoming the next President Of Mexico,
quickly installed without disturbance. when
Porfirio Diaz laid down the reins, but, for
tunately or unfortunately for Mexico as
the case may be- Limanteur stands purely
by his civil strength, and herein lies the
doubt as to the presidential succession and
the continuance without break of the
present tranquility which prevails In this
southern country J. D. WHELPLEY.