The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-22
MADERO FEARED
 D|Az TREACHERY Alfred Henry Lewis Re-
 views Situation PLAYING FOR THRONE "Men's Lives Never of Less Account Than Now in Mexico When
 the Presidency Is the
 Stake"
PLAYING FOR THRONE
By ALFRED HENRY LEWIS

By ALFRED HENRY LEWIS Fl Paso, May 2O.-(SpeciaD-It has been Villas everyday custom to prance about the Fl Paso causeways. Villa thinks we'll of himself, and does not seem to be aware that in this regard he fails to reflect the general sentiment I was hoping he would come over today. With Americans on this side of the river he's about as popular as a wet dog. There are some dozen highly acurate Fl Paso six shooters being held in abeyance for the volatile Villa, and with three rangers, one United States marshal, Sheriff Edwards. Chief of Police Jenkins in town and behind and above all Mayor Kelly-who knows his business and how to transact it-should he, in the language of the bowery, start anything, he will get hs' in minute. So far as Fl Paso is concerned the "close season. is over; Villa and that gentleman of uneasy habits ought to understand it. There be those who say he does and that his thorough appreciation of the fact that the Texas game laws no longer cover him was the reason of his todays non-appear- ance. One of the impressive features in con lnection with insurrecto plans and move ments is the energetic way in which the Madero folk will resolve to do some given thing and the equally energetic way wherein two hours later they will decide to do nothing of the sort. This found H. lustration in Maderos change of mind as to his proposed visit to Mexico City The morning and afternoon were devoted to arrangements for the descent-pacific, of course, and by the wired invitation of Diaz himself, upon the capitol.
 Would Mean Death
 Madero was to have started at once and stopping merely to make a flew tran utilizing speeches, got there as soon as he could At the eleventh hour he comes out with a statement. He has changed his mind. altered his plans, he will not start for Mexico City as scheduled. Now he has retreated to the situation of the day before and cannot say when he will go. He hopes soon, but will not put his finger on a day.
 This shift was due to two causes; first, the implicit confidence wherewth these people do not trust each other; and, sec ond sure word of plan on the part of the Diaz government to either kill or capture Madero the moment he came within reach
 Madero-ever polite, ever diplomatic gave as his argument for the delay: Tt would be indecorous for me to appear in Mexico City while Diaz remains in power."'
 While that was in his mouth, what his heart said was: "It would be death for me to appear in Mexico while Diaz re- mains in power"
 Madero did right and wisely in this re- shaping of his plans. Thousands were slain that Diaz might step to his pres ent high position. It is to be supposed that in order to remain he would balk at the killing of one more. Who says so, or thinks so, doesn't know Mexico doesn't know Diaz. In the death or re- moval of Madero the Diaz-Limantour administration believes it would pull the king pin of the revolution which would then break down. Madero never showed himself so sapent as when he came to last nights resolution of deferring his
 meeting with the dangerous Diaz- dOuDly udnSeTOuS HoW when brought to final bay.
 Mexican Likes Triumph A Mexican likes honor, but he also likes triumph. It is perilous to make him choose between the two. He hates disgrace, but most of all he hates de- feat, which in Mexican estimation is the sublimation of all defeat. In Mex ico-as with the Russian Catherine they never try conquerors. Success Is its own apologist, a victory does not have to be explained. Should Diaz try Madero, no matter how, the waves of a Mexican forgetfulness would roll over 1t and bury it as to either manner or method within a week.
 Ex-War Secretary Reyes. homeward bound from France for Vera Cruz. got off the ship at Havana. By his own word he did so because of Diaz's orders. and will remain in Cuba for the time. He Is out with statement intended to push down the Madero fur. Madero reads the Reyes statements and smiles anbiguousiy. He cannot confess. how
 ever. that Reyes stopping at Havana