The Calumet news., 1911-03-24
UPPER PENINSULA
DIRECT FROM MEXICO.
Two Sons of Marquette Man Talk of
the Revolution.


James and Bernard Sherman, sons
Of J. Il. sherman, of Marquette, have
returned home from Mexico, where
they have been for several months, EN-.
gagged in mining work. The young
men have been stationed at the city
of Chihauhau, which is the center Of
the revolutionary movement, and are
able to give first hand Information re-
gardng the troubles that are now agi-
tating that country. They left Chihau-
hau week ago and had no trouble In
getting out Of the country into the
United States, though the trip had TO
be made by roundabout way, as the
railroad between Chihauhau and El
Paso, Texas, has been destroyed by the
revolutionists.
That the insurrection in Mexico is
much more serious than the press dis
patches indicate is the statement OF
the Sherman boys. In their opinion,
the revolution will never be put down
by President Diaz until the demands
of the revolutionists, or "pronuncia-
tos," as they style themselves, are
granted. These demands consist of "a
revision of the election system, the
elimination of graft and an equal dis
tributon of the burden of taxation.
1t appears that the elections. as now
conducted in Mexico, are farcical, and
do not in any degree represent the ex-
preston of the people. The chief rea-
son for this condition is that the be =
lots are counted in secret by govern-
ment employees, whom, the revolution
lists allege, make such returns as win
keep supporters of the Diaz regime in
office, no matter what the vote may
be. This sort of thing has gone on so
long that the people realize that the
elections are only a matter of form,
and do not take the trouble to vote at
all. A demand for an open and fair
count of the votes, which was refused
by Diaz, is said by Mr.. Sherman TO
have been the principal cause of the
dissatisfaction.
Favoritism in Taxation.
Another demand of the pronunciatos
is that thirty years back taxes be col
lected from Louis Terrazas, who owns
about half of the land of the state and
is probably the wealthiest citizen.
Terrazas is a relative of Diaz and for
that reason il is said that he has been
grossly favored in the apportionment
of taxes. The revolutionists make a
number of charges of graft, as an ex-
ample of which may be cited the fact
that the governor who preceded Ahum-
ada is alleged to be S5,000,000 short in
his accounts with the state and is now
being held as a prisoner until he
comes across" with the shortage
According to Mr.. Sherman, people OF
Michigan are utterly unable to realize
| the extent to which rottenness and
corruption pervades Mexican politics
II is the general opinion OF the Mex.
] leans that the United States troops arc
being mobolized for the purpose of in
vading Mexico and putting down tho
revolution, i'm order that healthy bust
ness conditions may be restored, rath-
q IMAM btNduSt NiliS N'hhAAg nos hh9
interest in the merits of the contro-
versy at issue Mr.. Sherman. person
ally. does not believe that the United
States government, at the present time
has any intention to invade Mexico
though the troops will be used to pro.
tect this country's interests if need be
He takes no stock whatever in the the
ory that the japanese are behind th'
revolutionary movement, and can SEE
in the movement no Japanese warclout
F, hanging over the horizon.
The Americans are Deing treated
with the greatest respect by both par
ties. says Mr.. Sherman. He has no
been molested in any way and wa!
permitted to move about in both camps
at will, nor did he have any trouble il
getting out of the country, when rail
road connections were re-established
The railroad south of Chihauhau wa!
rebuilt when the insurrectos were on
of the city fighting with a band o
Mexican soldiers, and does not. in Nh
Sherman's opinion, indicate that th
revolution is on the wane.