Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-03-14
MEXICAN GOVERNMENT WAKES
Taking Steps Looking to Bringing Of
Disturbance to an Issue.

Of the brigandage and vandalism, in
cident to the revolution led by Fran
cisco /. Madero and determined to
protect property, the Diaz government
this week will begin to wage against
| the lawless element a pitiless war Of
determination.
Resurrecting a provision Of the
Mexican constitution not used for fif-
teen years, and acting under its au-
lthoriZation, the government will set
aside for six months certain personal
guarantees. Then persons detected in
the act OF highway robbery, Of raiding
and any form of train wrecking, Of
cutting telegraph or telephone wires
or even of removing a spike from the
railroad track, or throwing stone
at train, will be summarily shot by
those making the arrest.
On Saturday the bill providing for
this drastic measure was sent to the
permanent commission of the federal
congress. 1t was signed by Miguel
Macedo. sub-secretary Of the depart
ment of the interior, and clearly states
that its enactment is the wish Of the
president.
That the measure does not immedi-
ately become a law Is due only to Off
cial form. The members Of the COM
measure, but under the law 1t Is nee
essary that the bill come up for a
second reading. 1t was referred to
a subcommittee and this subcommit-
tee was instructed to report 1t to the
commission Monday at special ses-
sion. That 1t will be favorably acted
upon there Is no doubt.
Under the constitution, the govern
ment may go further and declare mar
tial law, but the provision invoked
does not abrogate the powers Of the
civil authorities, but does deny, in case
Of certain crimes. the right Of formal
trial to the accused. Possibly the
nearest approach to this provision Of
the Mexican constitution found in
the constitution of the United States
Is that which under certain condi-
tions, permits the withdrawal Of the
habeas corpus.
Under the terms of the measure
approved by the president, the crimes
specified as those which will take
from the accused the ordinary right
Of formal trial, include interference
with the operation Of trains, the inter-
ference with telegraph, telephone and
transmission wires, kidnapping. high
way robbery, and assault, or raiding
Of villages or farms. 1t Is specified
that for the crimes of interference
with trains, cutting Of wires. highway
robbery, and, under certain condi-
tions, raiding, kidnapping and assault
shall be punished by death.
1t is provided that in cases where
the offender Is detected and arrested
in the commission of his act, the men
making the arrest shall need no other
proof than the fact of the offence and
the fact that he has personal knowl-
edge that the man under arrest COM
mitted the act. In cases where the
evidence of guilt Is not so apparent
the accused shall be given eight days
for trial. This trial will be verbal and
conducted by the authorities effecting
the arrest The first seven days shall
be devoted to hearing such evidence as
may be produced, and on the eighth
day sentence shall be passed. II the
penalty be death. and the authorities
are left no other choices in most
cases, the execution must not be de-
layed, except for the purpose Of seek
ing executive pardon. This right Is
granted.
In reviving this provision Of the
Mexican constitution President Diaz
Is preparing to use again that weapon
with which he whipped his country
into order many years ago.
A state Of AFFAIRS bordering on an
archy then prevailed and the prob
lem of dealing with outlawry in its
many forms had to be solved. Igno-
rance and cupidity, combined with
viciousness. caused widespread
movement Of robbery, assault and
willful destruction of property, espe-
cially railway property, and Gen. Diaz
met the situation by the drastic meth
cd he has again adopted.
The reason for the destruction OF
property this time Is different, but
Gen. Diaz believes that what was ef-
ficacious then will be today. The ap-
plication Of this law will fit the for
eigner and it will the native. In the
ranks of the rebels there are numer-
Gus Americans and few Of other ma
tionalities Should any Of these SOL
diers Of fortune be captured while in
the act of blowing up bridge they
will not be entitled to any more mercy
than Is accorded the Mexican revolu-
tiOnists.