The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-02-20
CRISIS IN MEXICO
Minister of Finance Discusses
the Political Situation.
He Looks for a Long and VAST
ing Struggle.
REFORMS ARE NEEDED
Declares the Rebels Have Much
Cause for Complaint.
Nothing Can Be Done While
They Are Under Arms.
REFORMS ARE NEEDED


Paris, Feb. 20.-In review of the
crisis in Mexico made today for the
Associated Press, Jose Yves Lirnaa-
tour, minister of finance in the cabinet
of President Diaz, declared that the
only basis for peace was that the in
surgents lay down their arms pending
negotiations with the government
witch on it's part should grant a re-
form of the evils that made the revo-
luton possible.
The only alternative that he fore
saw was the probability of a long
wasting struggle, for said the min
lister, the federal troops are no match
for the cowboy insurgents
In the opinion of Senior Limantour
the feudal system IN Mexico must go
and the great estates in the north
which have been passed from family
to family should be distributed among
the people.
For himself the minister said he
had no political ambitions though he
had been frequently urged to contest
the presidency with President Diaz.
He expects to start home within two
weeks.
Il have no political aspirations"
said Senior Limantour in concluding
the interview. Il seek merely the up
lift of my country. l have often been
asked to run for the presid ency but
have refused. 1 expect to leave Paris
in a fortnight for New York and to
proceed thence by steamer to Yucatan
for private visit
Minister Limantour came 70 Paris
early last August in order that his
wife, who is in i'll health. might re-
ceive medical treatment here. Be
fore leaving Mexico he declined a.
nomination for the presidency and
though he remained in the cabinet it
was rumored that his relations with
President Diaz were not as close as
formerly The minister makes three
suggestions
Makes Some Suggestions.
'sF'irst-The abuses concentrating
local administrations as in the cities
and towns which have the greatest
grievances, should be Immediately
abolished.
.Second-Some means should be
found to allow the people to share more
extensively in the holdings of land
I'm the third place there is oppos1-
ton to President Diaz on the ground
that he has been too long in Office and
that new blood is needed to direct the
affairs of the republic, but, added the
minister "DiaZ was legally returned to
the presidency by the people. dislike
to touch on the delicate question of
neutrality continued the Mexican,
but I am convinced the United States
Interpretation is too restricted. Unless
it is enlarged it will seriously imperil
the government chances of queIling
the revolution. Mexico prevents Guata
maIan revolutionists from remaining
near the frontier just as France at the
| time of the Portuguese revolution fore
| ed the CarlistS living near the Spanish
frontier to remove at least 200 kllOme-
| tiers from the border on the ground
| that their nearneSS constituted men
ace to a friendly power.
s.Why cannot the United States adopt
| the same attitude and not only arrest
armed reVolutionists if found crossing
| into Mexico but also prevent revolu-
tionary meetings and the dispatch of
arms and ships
Minister Limantour already has plac-
| ed in Europe $55, 100000 of bonds in con-
version of the Mexican national debt of
S11O, 600 900, but has decided not to place
the other half of the bonds for the
present His success in placing the new
| 4 per cent bonds at 975s he considers a
splendid tribute to MeXico's credit
broad. though the revolution caused
Mexican securities fall from one to
two points.
state Heavily in Debt.
FL Paso, Feb. 20.-According to mail
advices from the Herald's correspond
ent at Chihuahua City, investigation of
| the states finances since Miguel All
umada came in as governor three weeks
ago shows that the state is in debt
more than million dollars. When
| Ahumada quit office seven years ago the
| debt was 100000 Most of the money
| is owed to the Banco de Minero of
which Enrique Creel is the head. Creel