Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1911-02-23

been sent against the rebels, and in
variably have been worsted. The
greatest energy displayed by the gov
eminent has been in denials of re-
ports that there was a rebellion.
The feeble strength shown by the
government is leading many observers
to predict that it will soon be con-
fronted by a real civil war. Every
sincere friend of the Mexican repub-
lie wishes that the facts were other
wise. But there is no denying that
the boasted strength of the govern
ment is something which awaits ex-
hibition i'm the future"
All of which is strictly true. Since
the Objectionable piece was printed
confirmation of it's fairness and truth
has come from two high sources of
authority-General Bernardo Reyes.
formerly secretary of war, and now
in Paris on a military mission for
the government. and Don Jose Yves
Limantour. secretary of the treasury.
who also is in Paris.
to the Associated Press. spoke even
more pointedly of the inefficiency of
the military arm of Mexico than The
Republican has done. He pointed out
that the weakness of the Mexican
army lies in its low morale. The
soldiers come from the lowest classes;
many of them are conscripted from
the prisons. Mexicans of the intelli-
gent class will not take service in
the army under existing conditions,
General Reyes explains. and his rem
edy is compulsory service on the lines
compel all Mexicans of eligible age to
Join the colors" for a service of at
least one year. as is done in CONT
mental countries, and upon the exz
piration of their enlistments would
leave them subject to further calls
from the government in emergencies
somewhat after the plan of the
"landwehr'' in Germany.-IR- this way
only, says General Reyes, can the
Mexican army be placed upon an ef
ficient footing.
This. coming from statesman
friendly to the government-the man.
moreover, who is most likely to be
the next president of Mexico-amply
justifies everything The Republican
has said.
Secretary Limantour is hurrying
home to take a higher place in the
cabinet-the secretaryship of foreign
relations. He also is a formidable
aspirant for the presidency, and his
loyalty to the government cannot be
questioned. In a statement given to
the Associated Press at Paris, he
spoke sorrowfully of the troubled
condition of his country. and strongly
indicated that little ability had been
shown in dealing with the insurrec-
ton. In his judgment. there has been
too much harshness. and too little eff
fort to conciliate the rebels by insti-
tuting some of the reforms which
they demand.
The local authorities in Sonora have
placed themselves i'm a ridiculous light
by their confiscation of papers con-
tanning quotations from The Repub-
lican. This paper has told nothing
but the truth. BY attempting to sup
press the truth and by making war
on newspapers and newsboys. they
exhibit precisely the sort of energy
and efficiency of which we spoke.
II is unnecessary to explain that
we have no sympathy whatever with
the Mexican revolutionists. They are
led by a set of irresponsible agitators,
whose success would be followed by
far worse government than Mexico
now has AS we have often stated,
General Diaz has given Mexico an
admirable government in many re-
spects-perhaps the government which
is best suited TO the country, Tor III Is
absurd to speak of the Mexicans as
being capable of self government i'm
the sense that we Americans under
stand when we talk about self gov
eminent. The overthrow of the Diaz
government would be a calamity for
Mexico. and a calamity for the United
States But the fact remains that i'm
dealing with the insurrection thus
far. even less efficiency has been
shown than was pointed out in the
article which proved so offensive to
the authorities of Nogales.