The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-10
MEXICAN PRESS
At LAST is FREE
One of Promises Made by Ma
dero Fulfilled-Public Catches
Spirit.

Mexico City, July s.-The Mexican
press Is free" That 1t should be was
one OF the many things promised by
Madero, and local publishers did not
| wait for him to be formally elected be-
fore beginning to exercise their newly
| acquired right.
Their assumption, however. was JUS
tilted. Emilio Vasquez Gomez. Minister
of the Department OF the Interior. was
not slow in publicly assuring the
ws-paper owners that they could
publish whatever they liked
The government is sure that the
liberty OF the press is the best way to
obtain the efficient help OF all news
papers 30 as to realize completely the
said IN a public statement on the sub
ject.
That this unrestricted expression is
stimulating has already been demon
strated; whether It Will prove intoXi-
eating remains to be seen. Since tho
advent OF Madero a dozen new period
icals have been born, and as many
more are said to be projected. Lack
of advertising doubtless will force
many of these youngsters into their
graves. for the only reason apparent
for their being in some instances is
that some one wishes medium OF
public expression.
Most of the new periodicals are
small magazines. the majority devoted
TO the publication OF satIrical verse
and prose, illustrated with caricatures.
No one Is spared by the writers and
artists, but, as is natural. the mos
stinginG-and sometimes vicious
work is reserved for those individuals
who were connected with the old re-
gime. Among the weekly periodicals
Is Eel Ahuizote." a publication resur-
rected. This magazine first appeared
years ago, but because of its cartoons
of Limantour and other public men
was suppressed.
The daily newspapers give most llve-
~ evidence of this freedom" eel I'm
been pro-government. has Inserted un-
der its head the words. "Diarlo indie.
pendieRte," and Independent II Is 1t
publishes news and comment regard
less OF how 1t will be relished by Mad
ero and his friends, for whom il pre-
tends no love.
Spirit OF Free Speech.
The public also has caught the spirit
of free speech. and almost all the
papers publish columns of comment
furnished by readers. Most OF 1t is
signed by the writer's own names. In
this comment. and in the editorial col.
umns, the political questions are freely
! discussed. Madero is criticized as well
as praised and those who would like
to see another chosen for the presi-
dency do not hesitate TO say So
News which never would have been
reported during tho days OF Diaz Is
! now published under column
heads and in ten point type. The cap
ital now, too, has its yellow press"
On the whole. the people appear to
welcome the change
Scores of Curious Sights.
We're free" appears to be the I'M
! spoken idea in the minds of thousands
! OF the poorer people of the capital and
perhaps furnishes the explanation or
scores of curious sights to which the
old resident has not become accustom-
Led. 1t is not uncommon to see hun
dredS of men, women and children
and not all of them peons--wandering
about on the grass of the Alameda
during band concert. In the days OF
Diaz none ever trod that grass with
impunity.
Notwithstanding signs that warn the
public not to ascend the platform of
the famous monument to Juarez, the
snowy marble columns are not infre-
quently black with hundreds OF ragged
men and children gathered there to
hear hand or TO witness a parade in
the street. For a time taking q pris-
oner away from a policeman was a
favorite amusement. but this diversion
has been checked almost altogether.
but not yet does an officer of the law
Insist upon doing his duty without see
Ing an expression of surprise on the
| faces OF the ragged populacc They
are free" and to learn that there are
yet restrictions is disconcerting.