New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-03-12


fBv Th- Associated Press
Mexico City. March 11.-Thoroushlv
aroused by the spread Of brisandage and
vandalism incident 10 the revolution led
by Francisco I. Madero. and determined
10 protect property. the Mexican govern
ment the coming week will begin 10
wage against the lavless element a pitt
less war of determination.
Reviving a provision OF the Mexican
constitution. one not used for fifteen
years, and acting under its authorization
the government will set aside for six
months certain personal guarantees
Those detected in the acts Of highway
robbery Of rading a village or farm, or
train wrecking. or cutting telegraph or
telephone wires. or even Of removing a
spike from railroad track or throwing
stone at a train will he summarily shot
by those making the arrest.
In it's application this law will ft the
foreigner as it will the native. In tho
ranks Of the rebels there are numerous
Americans and few Of other nationali-
ties. Should any Of these soldiers %
fortune be captured while blowing up a
bridge, or even pulling a spike, they will
not be entitled, under this clause Of ths
Constitution. to any more mercy than is
accorded to the Mexican revolutionists.
To-day the bill providing for this dras-
tic measure was sent TO the Permanent
Commission Of tho Federal Congress. II
was signed by Miguel Macedo. Sub-Sec-
retary of the Department of the Inte-
ror, and clearly states that its enact
ment is the wish of President Daz
That the measure did not Immediately
become a law is due solely To official
form. The Permanent Commission is a.
body with power to act when Congress
is not in session. The members OF tho
commission unanimously approved tho
measure. but. according to the law. IL ia
necessary that the bill come up for a
second reading. 1t was referred to a
subcommittee. and this sub-committae
was instructed TO report it TO the com
mission on Monday a a special session
1t then will he favorably acted on. L
seems certain
Decision Reached by Diaz.
The decision to ask for the suspension
Of personal guarantees" provided for by
the constitution was reached by the
President in conference with the mem
bers of the Cabinet. This provision of
the constitution is calculated To permit
the federal government to put into effect
at times OF extraordinary conditions a
form of government approaching that of
martial law. Under the constitution the
government may go further and declare
martial law. The provision invoked
does not abrogate the powers Of the civil
authorities. but it does deny i'm cases of
certain crimes. the right of formal trial
to the accused.
Possibly the nearest approach TO this
provision of the Mexican constitution
found i'm the Constitution of the United
States is that which permits, under GER
tain conditions, the suspension Of the
writ Of habeas corpus.
An explanatory note. also sign.l by
Mr.. Macedo, accompanied the measure.
The Sub Secretary reviews the growth
of the railroad systems of the republic.
and calls attention to the part they have
played i'm the development OF the coun
try. Since the beginning Of the revoIu-
ton on November 20. 1910, the note say2
the lawless element has destroyed I'm ~
ricus parts Of the republic railroad as
well as other property, has endangered
the lives Of individuals and produced
such state Of affairs that the President
holds ii advisable for the government To
avail itself Of its constitutional right 20
suspend certain personal guarantees.
Recourse to Drastic Measures.
An analogous condition prevails. ac-
cording to this note. I'm the manner in
which telephone and telegraph wires and
power transmission lines have been cut.
Attention is called 10 the importance of
the lines carrying electricity supplying
light and power TO many of the country's
large cities and the note says that the
criminal element has AZ various times in
terfered seriously with them and with
the telephone and telegraph lines
The growing prevalence OF highway
robbery. pillaSe and the raiding OF vii
lagos and plantations is discussed. and
assurance is given that the President
wishes the measure adopted 10 provide
drastic means TO deal with those who
commit these offences also.
In this note Mr.. Macedo indirectly
quotes President Diaz as saying that hs
profoundly regrets the necessity of re-
sorting TO measures so extreme Th-
conditions now. however. are such that
he deems the safeguarding Of property
OF such great importance that it Justines
recourse 10 the extreme provisions OF the
constitution.
May Shoot Offenders.
Under the measure IL is provided tha.
where the offender IS arrested i'm the
act the men making the arrest shall need
no other proof than the fact of the Of
fence to shoot him.
In cases where the evidence OF guilt IA
not so apparent the accused shall have
eight days for trial. This trial shall be
verbal. conducted by the officers making
the arrest The first seven days shall h