Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-05-26
AFTER DIAZ-WHAT?

Yesterday marked the last day OF the
rs,on Of Porfirio Diaz OF Mexico. lie
nan who has been lauded from one
end ~ the world to the other as one OF
,bs GREATEST men OF modern time, the
nstriot. the soldier, the empire builder
!. DO longer the idol of his people. Inc
lion Of Chapultepec, the beloved sou
- oa,sca, discredi,ed and dethroned
mus, seek oblivion 10 foreign land.
II seems Incredible to one familiar
With conditions in Mexico that the
comnlete rout OF the Diaz adminlstra-
ton should have occurred so quickly
and so completely. A year ago ne was
in the zonith of his power. Surround
ed by people who burst into hts OF
enthusiasm everytime be appeared on
the streets, spending money with
lavish hand on the public improve
ments of bis capital, equipping bis
army with every modern device for the
betternent OF his men and preparing
them for war, it seems Impossible that
n eulI have been forced IL r1lire
uitbou, raising his hand in defense
The hero Of thousand hard fought
battles the ulan who defeated the
Eranch supporters Of Macmillan. the
revolutionary leader whose name "as
terror to bis opponents, sat quietly III
his palace aud leta theoretical soldier
like Madero aud few thousand bandits
comuIet.ly rout his forces without
one. making An effort to defend him
self. 1t seems almost impossible.
Now thu Dlaz is out of the way,
Yhat $40 folloa? The answer to this
nnrs,,nn has never been made when
il has been repeatedly asked during
The past twenty years by foreign capt
tsl,,ts who we're considering investing
in Mexico. The conditions in Mexico
sbst have brought about the present
sroubis are 50 complicated that it
rould REQUIRE large book to partially
explain them aud the settlement OF
these questions will require the coolest
judgment and tue most careful dipio'
macy. Has Madero and his advisers
this ability? We certainly believe not,
and from the very beginning OF his
reign there is dissenuon.
Some Of the rebel chiefs refuse to
acknowledge Madero's authority. The
rsports OF massacre aud loot at Torreou
and Pachuca have significance that
official explapations fail to minimize.
Figueroa has forced tho federal out
posts to take refuge within the defenses
Of Mexico City, and he gives no sign
Of sympathy with the Maderist pro-
gramme. The capture OF important
,owus and burning OF government
buildings are events Of daily occurrence.
The pent-up savagery of years IS run
ming riot.
The country cannot look to Diaz
and the strong men who have helped
him TO bring about the material pros
perity Of Mexico for assistance. Even
now they are preparing to leave the
country.
The announcement that they we're
to participate in the new regime was
without foundation, or they have be-
come convinced that no agency could
prevent the totterIng walls from col
lansing. The national finances are in
bad way owing TO the war, and the
entire stoppage Of exports has had con-
SEQUENCES most disquieting to banking
Interests. About $40, 10000 gold was
shipped out Of the country in April in
settlement Of the balance OF trade,
seriously disturbing rates Of exchange,
aud tie heavy drain continues.
What than can be the result: we
must say that we can only see rank
anarchy and revolution for many years
to come unless the United States takes
the step which she will ultimately be
required to do-intervent,on and a
military protectorship over the affairs
OF our southern neighbor. We have
nearly billion OF dollars in Mexican
investments which we will be required
TO protect but even beyond that, in our
self assumed role Of policeman for the
western hemisphere, we must protect
the lives and propefty of residents OF
other countries. II We refuse 10 DO
out !uty. Germany, France, Spain aud
and will rot fail to take advantage