The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-23

< Luque in command Of the Mex ' . ican' troops.
 A report of the firing into the < : troops Is being prepared by Lieut.. J. E. Taylor for trans ' lr mission to Washington. The or ' ders to prevent the crossing of
 ' supplies came from United ] < States customs officials
 
 Mexico City, March 22.-Admitting that Mexico is facing a crisis even greater than he had believed, Minister of Finance Limantour today stated tha the administration had no definite plans for the solution of the problems. con fronting the government. It has no alternative but to continue the military programme upon which it has entered. Notwithstanding the governments ag- gressve attitude. reforms which are intended to remedy the alleged griev- ances complained of are under consid
 eration The most important of these reforms is that relative to the revision of the electoral laws
 | This is a concrete outline of the sit- uation as presented by Senor Limantour | to a representa- tive of the Associated Press today, following meeting of the | cabinet.
 | That great change in the attitude of the people toward the administration has taken place within the time that Minister Lmantour has been abroad was significant admission adopted by.
 him. The administration. he said, was conducting a searching investigation to
 determine the exact cause and to find 6 remedy for the existing sentiment.
 There is no disposition on its part
 to oppose any wise reforms which are demanded by a reasonable public. A. the same time the administration does not propose to accede to demands back cd up by argument of arms.
 Recognize Two Classes In a word. the administration recog- | nized two classes in the dissatisfied public: One represented by the intelli- gent but non-combatant element and the other by the followers of Ma dero. For the latter the administration has no terms other than those formu- lated at the war department.
 Such is the programme announced by Senor Limantour as the result of con ferences with the president and with other members of the cabinet. Senor Limantour frankly expressed surprise at the antagonism toward the administra- ton which he has discovered. Already the minister has discovered that the fundamental demand of the peo- pie is that there be a revision of the, electoral law. The minister admitted that such a revision is essential if the grow ing discomfort is to be checked and said %t.4. af.- reforms to be enacted soon. The exact character of this measure could not be outlined by the minister, who stated that 1t would involve a change in the con- | stitution of the republic and would neces- sitate the elaboration of innumerabe de- tails. Any new electoral law would. in | the opinion of the minister, have to be the subject of most careful consideration and would need to be so framed as to eliminate the iliterate voters. This pro- posed change in the electoral laws is not intended as any concession to the rebels It is, nevertheless, the basic feature of their demands, according to statements made repeatedly by Madero and his as- sociates.
 Doubts Reconciliation That any reconciliation can be effect ed with the rebels Senor Limantour con- sidered improbable. Referring to his re- ported conferences in New York with Francisco Madero, father of the rebel leader. he said that he had hoped through him to find some means of bringing about cessation of hostiities, but he said he learned that the father has now no in- fuence over the son.
 "I am not acquainted with Francisco l. Madero." continued the minister. "I have known his father and his grand father for many years and for a long time has held their power of attorney Through these men l had hoped that the son might be reached, but l found it hopeless. The son must go ahead and the government has no alternative than to meet his opposition.'
 One of the first acts of the congress which convenes April 1 will be the con sideration of a new appropriation for ca irving on the war. Whether this means an increase in the military forces Mir. Limantour did not state. but 1t will be recalled that it has already been official ly stated that Mexico's war resources scarcely have been touched as yet and that an army of 5000 men could be put In the field if necessary.
 Insurrectos Have Hopes Fl Paso, Tex, March 2.--Notwith- standing the reports from Mexico City to the contrary, it is the view of insurrec- to leaders here that Senor Limantours conferences with President Diaz are de- signed to have important results looking toward peace in Mexico. They assert that Senor Limantour has had an object in concealing his mission to Mexico and that in reality great political changes are in formation under terms partly agree able to the insurrectos. What the in surrectos fear is that the reforms will be only partial, yet enough to induce many hundreds now in revolt to lay down thesr arms without achieving a complete suc- cess and without tie retirement of Pres- | ident Diaz. aA,a | A message received today is said to be confirmatory of previous telegram from Gustavo A. Madero. the financial agent | in New York, that Limantour had prom | CONTINUED ON PAGE Ill