The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-04-19
DIAZ MUST GO,

With the battle at Aqua Preta Monday the Mex
lean situation has to point where decisive action
must be taken by Congress Our warnings have been
unheeded and something must be done President
Taft will leave the question of forcibe action the
Congress in session. having done his part by
ing the mobilization of American troops the border.
The fighting to the battle of Aqua Preta has been
desultory and less harmless but with the kill
ing of five American citizens in Douglas, Arizona,
Monday there is presented problem of which Con-
gress take official notice We quote from the New
York Times:
Neutrality laws have been broken and American
citizens American soil have been killed wounded
by Mexican bullets. The reported plan of the insur-
rectionsts close all ports of entry the
Mexico has been nearly carried and if the bridges
in northern Coahuila destroyed there will be
railroad communication with the City of Mexico except
by of Vera Cruz The gravity of the situation is
not to be questioned. The semblance of optimism
maintained by American residents in Mexico, and
by the authorities in the capital is admirable far it
goes, but it is evident that the nsurrection wide
spread and that the Diaz of reform is
satisfactory the revolutionists the
sympathy if not the active support, of very large
proportion of the population of Mexico.
THE obvious inference is that the practical dicta-
torship of the aged President end. peace
is possible until he retres The opposition his
methods of government, which manifested
strongly before the elections of 1904 again last
year, when Diaz was declared elected for eighth
term has now taken definite form, and he eth
er Withdraw from the Presidency, plunge his coun-
try into prolonged civil in which, inevitably
must be the fruit of his patriotic abors will be destroy
ed Under the strong rule of Daz Mexico has develop
ed rapidly He has instituted free education, placed
the national finances sound basis, encouraged the
building of railroads and other engineering works
developed industries, established friendly relations with
foreign nations, abolished the alcabalas, internal
duties kept the administration free from clerical in
Auences while assuring to the Church all the freedom
it has actually needed, and restored to country
which for a century before his advent continual
ly torn by civil warfare The Constitution in his time
been almost dead letter. but he has been educat
ing his people to appreciate the privileges it de-
signed to bestow them, and to demand larger
of self-government
Accounted an honest by his worst enemies
and whose domestic life has been free from scandal his
military achievements and his record a statesman
prove him to be the greatest man his country has
produced But he has grown very old in service, he
lacks the initiative the physical strength and
gy to adapt himself to conditions. That his equal
in craftsmanship exists in Mexico do not believe
but his retirement to be the only solution of the
problem. He still retire gracefully and if he
septs that sacrifice the only means of saving his
country he will always be remembered with admiration
and affection"