Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-05-08
Announces That as Soon as Peace Is Established
He Will Retire..PosSb|y Brought About by the
Breaking Off by "PreS.' Madero of Peace
Negotiations and Resumption Of Fighiing.
DIAZ WILL RESIGN.

Mexico City, May General Porfirio
| Diaz tonight issued a manifesto to the
people of Mexico declaring his inten-
| ton to resign the Presidency as soon
as peace is restored. In this manner
the President has virtually acceded to
the demands of Francisco I. Madero
that he make announcement of such
intention.
As to when peace is actually restor-
ed. Gen. Diaz reserves the right to be
the judge. In the words of the mani
festo. it will be when. according %
the dictates of my conscience | am
sure that my resignation will not be
followed by anarchy" The President
declared that his determination to re-
linquish tine Presidency at this time is
not due to vanity or love of power, be-
cause. a he points out, power now had
no attraction, accompanied as it is with
tremendous responsibilities and worry.
He saws lac is prompted solely BY a de-
sire to conserve the best interests Of
his country.
The President makes it clear that he
does not propose to abandon the Pres
idency while his country is at war and
that he will not do so at any time un-
der compulsion.
President Diaz's manifesto will be
made public in the morning. but it
will not be sent officially to Judge
Carbajal, for formal transmission to
Dr.. Gomez.
The promise of the President is made
to the people of Mexico and its receipt
by rcVelutienists will be incidental.
That it will be sent to them immedi-
ately, however, by private individuals
and that it will be regarded as entire
ly satisfactory by them, is taken for
granted.
1t was at a cabinet meeting this aft
ernoon. Gen. Diaz announced to his
ministers his decision. For two hours
and a half they discussed the terms Of
the manifesto and at the conclusion
of the meeting their remained nothing
to do but to secure its official promul-
cation. Only in a general way does the
manifesto refer to the revolution. The
governments position is that Gen,
Diaz could not have made a public
statement at an earlier moment and it
is indicated that the revolutionists fall
ed to observe the amenities of the
peace HPSDlldliOHS DS HldhIllS tltlli
public. Officially it is said tonight that
Madero and his advisors We're guilty
of betraying an agreement by inject
ing into the conference either secretly
or openly President Diaz's resigna-
ton. 1t is declared that it had been
agreed in confidence that this point
should not be permitted to become an
issue.
Proffering the declaration of his Will
iugness to retire the President dis
cussed the political conditions of the
country and efforts that have been
made by the government to establish
peace. He calls attention to the pro-
gress already made in the direction of
adopting the anti-re- election law and
| declares that the projected reform of
| the electoral laws and of the judiciary
are being studied
He shows further that the govern
ment in all it's acts wishes to confirm
the demand of the public insofar as it
is wise and for the best interests ol
the country.
Events leading to the beginning %
negotiations for peace are taken up
and it is indicated that the government
| is disposed to take into consideration
proposals the revolutionists have made
Regarding the point upon which the
rupture of negotiations occurred the
manifesto declares that compliance
with the demands for Diaz resignation
could now be entertained because his
| immediate resignation would doubtless
precipitate anarchy throughout the
country whereas if his retirement was
fixed for a future date the government
would not have sufficient stability to
assure the return of normal conditions
lpendng the selection of a new execu-
tive.
In concluding. Gen. Diaz appeals tc
the patriotism of the people. calling
upon them to act together for the
Ipeace and progress of the nation and
ieulogizes the army.
At no place in the manifesto is there
made mention of a new election Ac-
cording to the constitution. resignation
is equivalent to political death SO far
las it effects the succession. The Vice
President would assume the executive
chair and he in turn would be follow
ed by the minister of foreign affairs
In this case the Vice President is seri-
ously sick and is in Europe on an eight
months leave of absence in an en-
deavor to regain his health. Should
Vice President Corral not be back in
the country at the time the President
leaves his post the new incumbent
would be Minister De La Barra, the
Ichoice of the rebels themselves fol-
provisional president. What course
affairs would take once the Vice Presi-
dent or the minister was in power, re-
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