The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-23
Reyes Not a Candidate

Mexico City, July 22.-Despite the break | ing of the agreement that Gen. Bernardo Reyes should be minister of war in the
 cabinet of Francisco I. Madero and not
 withstanding Madero's assurances that
 Reyes was free to enter the presidential
 race, the general tonight insisted that
 he would not be candidate. Supporters of Madero shrug their
 shoulders and express disbelief in the
 statement. The generals denials of any | intention to oppose Madero are definite. General Reyes said that he offered to re- lease Madero from the promises relative to making him minister of war solely because of the growing opposition in the ranks of the Maderstas as expressed by the anti-Reyesta clubs which have sprung
 up since he and Madero formed their al- liance.
 Madero was prompt in answering him He stated that he not only would release
 the general from the agreement, but that he assured him he was at liberty to be- come a presidential candidate regardless of any promises.
 | In opposing the appointment of the general to cabinet post the anti Reyeistas offered the argument that he | represented the old regime, but were
 more specific in their warnings that he
 would use the army, once he was in power, 10 Selze tIe pTeSlueHcN. | In this fight upon the general there
 was no secrecy and Reyes declared that he did not choose to be a cause of dis sensons that might further upset the
 order of the country. Tonight he in sisted that he and Madero were still good friends and that he did not believe the best interests of his country could be served by the entry of further candi- dates.
 "Conditions now are far from normal
 and I am afraid that in that case the electoral battle might become d battle ot arms" he said and he smiled.
 .If your friends insist upon naming you
 as Q candidate what will you Go?" he was asked.
 T shall not authorize them to do so," was the reply.
 If Reyes does not become a candidate in opposition to Madero it will be be- cause solely of his refusal to enter the contest. Three months ago there was
 no one fin the republic whose popularity was comparable to that of the leader of
 the late revolution, but since then there
 has been steadily growing a party that would gladly nominate Reyes This is true, it Is said not so much be- cause Reyes has done anything to in-
 crease hls popularity as because Madero is losing favor. A considerable part of
 the revolutionary army is yet under arms
 and the frequent disorders in various parts of the republic have given friends of the general. or, more especially,
 enemies of Madero, good argument to
 use against him. They have not neglecteN
 the opportunity.
 Close friends of Reyes give full credence to his statement that he will not oppose
 Madero, however, believing that he is sincere in saying that strong campaign
 against the winner of the revolution would result in more turmoil and possible armed conflict.
 There is little doubt, however, that the
 Reyesta clubs throughout the country
 will feel encouraged by the breaking of the Reyes-Ma adero alliance, and continue
 to urge the general to accept the nomina- tion
 | If he does not finally consent to run
 Ma6ero's followers will be surprised.