The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1911-02-21
JOSEPH LlMANToUR, IN PARIS,
GIVES INTERVIEW ON MExl.
CAN SITUATION.
ONE BASIS FOR PEACE
Minister Of Finance Says lnsurrectos
4 Should Lay Down Arms, Pending
Reform Of the Evils Which Led to
RebeIlion--only Alternative Is Long,
Wasting Strusele-Big Battle Occurs.

Paris. Feb. 2O.--ln d review of the
crisis in Mexico made today for the
Associated Press, Joseph T.. Liman
tour, minister of finance in the cabinet
of President Diaz. declared that the
only basis for peace was that the in
surgcnts lay down their arms pending
a reform of the evils that made the
revolution possible.
The only alternative that he fore
saw was the probability Of long.
wasting struggle. for. said the min
lister. ''thc federal troops are no match
for the cowboy insurgents"
In the opinion of Senor Limantour
the feudal system In Mexico must go
ana the estates In the north which
have been passed from family to fam
lily should DC distributed among the
people. For himself, the minister said
he had no political ambitions. al
though he had frequently been asked
to contest the presidency with Diaz.
He expects to start home within two
weeks.
II have no political aspirations"
said Senor Limantour IN closing the
Interview.
Il seek merely the uplifting of my
country have often been asked to
run for the presidency but have re-
fused. I expect to leave Paris In q
fortnight for New York and to pro-
ceed thence by steamer to Yucatan,
for private visit"
Declined Nomination.
O,,,.,..., rt...a...a.... a....a - n..;.
early last August In order that his
wife, who Is In III health, might re-
ceivc medical treatment here Be-
fore leaving Mexico he declined n
nomination for the presidency, and
though he remained in the cabinet,
II was rumored that his relations with
President Diaz were not as close as
formerly. The minister makes three
suggestions: First. the abuses con-
terminating local administrations in
the cities and towns which have the
greatest grievances should be imme-
diately abolished.
Second, some means should oe
found to allow the people to share
more extensively in the holding of
land.
IN the third place there Is opposl-
tion to President Diaz on the ground
that he has been too long in office ana
that new blood Is needed to direct the
affairs of the republic"
But" added the minister, "Diaz
was legally returned to the presi-
dency by the people"
II dislike to touch OH the delicate
question of neutrality" continued the
minister. ''but l am convinced that the
United States Interpretation Is too
restricted. Mexico prevents Guata-
malan revolutions from remaining
near the frontier, just as France. at
tho time of the Portuguese reyolu-
ton, forced the Carlists living near
the Spanish frontier 10 remove at
least 200 kilomcters from the border
on the ground their nearness con-
stituted menace to a friendly power.
why cannot the United States
adopt the same attitude and not only
arrest armed revolutionlsts, II found
crossing into Mexico, but also prevent
revolutionary meeting and the de-
of arms and ships"
n Minister Limantour who has already
placed In Europe $55.000,000 of bonds
In conversion OF the Mexican ma
tional debt of $110.0O0.000. has de-
cded not to place tho other half of
the bonds for the present. His sue
cess in placing the new per cent
bonds at 97ss he considers u splendid
tribute to Mexco's credit abroad
though the revolution caused Mexican
securities to fall from one to two
U.nts,