New-York tribune., 1911-04-23
MADERO MORE REASONABLE.

The militant leader or the Mexican III
srrgents Is mending his ways. with
promise of much good. On Friday he
was laughing to scorn the proposals for
an armistice and was declaring that
nothing but the immediate abdication of
the President of the republic would
stay his hand from carrying fire and
sword against the federals along the
American border line. Twenty-four
hours later his tone changed, and he
agreed 10 an armistice and negotiations
of peace while Porfrio Diaz still occu-
pied the Presidential chair. That was
counsel of reason and Of patriotism
for which we have probably to thank
the elder Madero. who during those
twenty-four hours succeeded in securing
the interview with his son which he had
long been seeking. and also TO the earnest
representations of DR.. Gomez the agent
of the insurgents at Washington. We
have hitherto suggested that these two
gentlemen, not being confined to an in
surgent camp, but being in direct touch
ana Intercourse with the world at large,
might be better judges than the younger
Madero Of what is needful or eXpedient.
IL is gratifying 10 see that that view
has at last been accepted by the rebel
chief in the following Of their advice.
1t is 10 be assumed that. either Off
cially or unofIicially. the Mexican gov
ernment will forthwith take advantage
Of the opportunity which is thus pre-
sented 10 it TO bring the war to a close,
or at least TO remove all further preteXt
for a continuance Of the insurrection. 1t
has already in the most practical and
substantial manner acknowledged the
strength of the insurgent cause by de-
creeing many of the identical reforms
which the insurgents have been demand
ing and to secure which the insurrection
was oStensibly-and by many of its
participants actually-begun. Having
done that il can with entire dignity and
good grace enter into negotiations with
the insurgent leaders for their pacifica-
ton. This will not be confession or
display OF weakness, but rather Of
strength, or at any rate Of confidence in
the righteousness of the governments
course and of expectation that its own
good faith in making the reforms will be
accepted.
The terms of peace which will be dis
cussed during the armistice are, Of
course. primarily the business Of the
Mexicans American interest in them
I o., ,fcs 70 nt0 lnd nd i'm
partial desire 10 see peace and tranquil
lity re-establshed and justice and good
government prevail In the neighboring
republic. From such point Of view the
Mexican government seems to have acted
wisely in granting reforms and in con-
senting to an armistice and a conference
with the insurgents, and Mr. Madero ap-
pears also 10 be acting wisely and we'll
in the course which he is now reported
| 10 have taken. We believe that there
should be little difficulty in finding q
ground upon which federals and insur-
gents could agree without any sacrifice
Of dignity or authority by the one or any
abandonment Of essential principle by
the other. For the government to refuse
to grant any legitimate reforms simply
because they happened TO be desired by
men who had revolted TO secure them
would not be cOmmendable, and for the
insurgents 10 reject as insufficient all
the reforms which they had been de-
handing and to stake their whole cause
not upon principle but upon point of
personal ambition or personal spite
would be deplorabe. Americans will
look for the developments Of the next
few days with an earnest hope that no
such error will he committed on either
side.