Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-20
REBELS MUST YIELD
Only Basis for Peace in Mex
leo, Says Limantour.
COWBOYS GOOD FIGHTERS
Federal Troops Are Declared to Be
No Match for Them.
OPPOSED TO FEUDAL SYSTEM
Former Minister Of Finance De-
clares That He Has No Po-
litical Aspirations.
OPPOSED TO FEUDAL SYSTEM

| PARIS, February o0.-In a review of
the crisis in Mexico, made today for
the Associated Press. Jose Ives Liman-
tour. minister of finance In the cabinet of
President Diaz declared that the only
basis for peace was that the insurgents
lay down their arms pending negotiations
with the government. which, on it's part.
should grant reforms.
The only alternative that he foresaw
was the probability of long, wasting
struggle for, said the minister, "the
federal troops are no match for the cow
boy insurgents
In the opinion of Senior Lmantour, the
1eudal system in Mexico must go, and
the great estates in the north, which
have passed from family to family.
should be distributed among the people.
For himself, the minister said that he
had no political ambitions, although he
frequently had been urged to contest the
presidency with President Diaz. He ex-
poets to start home within two weeks.
Does Not Seek Presidency.
Il have no political aspirations" said
Senior Limantour. In concluding the inter-
view. Il seek merely the unlifting of my
country. / have often been asked to run
for the presidency, but have refused. /
expect to leave Paris in q fortnight for
New York, and to proceed thence by
steamer to Yucatan for a private visit"
Minister Limantour came to Paris early
in August, In order that his wife, who Is
In i'll health, might receive medical treat
ment here. Before leaving Mexico he
declined a nomination for the presidency
and, though he remained in the cabinet, it
was rumored that his relations with
President Diaz were not as close as they
were formerly. Consequently there has
been much interest in his attitude and as
to whether he would feel under the neces-
sity Of returning home during the re-
bellion.
A week ago it was stated that his de-
parture from Paris had been indefinitely
postponed because Of Sonora Lmantours S
condition, which. however, subsequently
SO improved that Saturday the minister
thought he might start home this week.
He now has decided to go during the
first week in March, but to stop ut Yu-
catan for a stay with personal friends
before continuing to the capital
Must Lay Down Arms.
1.-THE only plan which have for the
restoration of peace in Mexico said
Senor Lmantour when asked to review
the situation in his country. lis for the
revolutionists to lay down their arms.
Then and only then will the dignity and
honor Of Mexico permit pourparlers with
the insurgents, who have endangered both
the security and the credit of the nation
This was asserted vigorously and
was at once followed by the statement
that he was convinced that, the insur-
gents having once laid down their arms,
the various reforms the demand 1or
which formed the genesis of the revolu-
tlOn, should be granted to the people
arter careful STUDY and elaboration.
The minister makes three sugges
tons:
First. The abuses communicating
local administrations, as in the cities
and towns, which have the greatesl
grievances, should be Immediately abol-
lsned.
Second. Some means should be found
to allow the people to share more ex-
tensively in the holdings of land The
vast estates IN northern Mexico which
have been handed down from genera
tion to generation by individuals
should be divided and distributed
among the people.
Opposition to Diaz.
Third. There is opposition to President
Diaz on the ground that he has been too
long in Office and that new blood is
needed to direct the affairs Of the re-
public.
But, added the minister, "Diaz was
legally returned to the presidency by the
people"
Should the insurgents fail to adopt his
suggestion to return to their homes pend
Ing the initiation OF negotiation with the
government. Senor Limantour foresees
the likelihood of a protracted and vast
ing struggle. for he says the federal
forces are no match for the cowboy in
surgents, whose nimble-footed ponies es-
cape In the ravines and mountain fast
nesses. Accordingly, he recommends the
deliberate formation Of guerrilla bands by
the government for the purpose of com
batting the insurgents on their own con-
dit1OnS.
Question of Neutrality.
II dislike to touch on the delicate aues-
tion of neutrality" continued the Mexi-
can. but 1 am convinced that the United
States Interpretation is too restricted
Unless it is enlarged it will seriously i'm
peril the governments chances Of auell-
ing the revolution. Mexico prevents
Guatemalan revolutionists from remain
ing near the frontier just as France at
the time Of the Portuguese revolution
forced the Carlists living near the Spanish
frontier to remove at least 200 kilometers
from the border on the ground that their
nearness constituted a menace to a
| friendly power. Why cannot the United
States adopt the same attitude and not
only arrest armed revolutionists if found
crossing into Mexico. but also prevent
revolutionary meetings and the dispatch
of arms and ships?'
| Minister Limantour. who already has
placed in Europe sa5.OOO.OOO Of bonds In
conversion of the Mexican national debt
| OF S11O, 600, 900. has decided not to place
the other half of the bonds for the pres
ent His success in placing the per
cent bonds at 97aa he considers a splendid
tribute to Mexico's credit abroad, though
the revolution caused Mexican securities
generally to fall from one to two points.
Fighting East Of Juarez.
Ell PASO. Tex, February 2O.-Informa-
ton came in last night that the federals
had been fighting east Of Juarez with in
surrectos since morning, and that Gen.
Navarro. commanding the federals, had
retreated some distance toward Juarez,
| with ninety killed and as many wounded