The copper era and Morenci leader., 1913-12-12

fact that, with an imperfect under
 standing of the peculiar character of Mexican problems, there is a likeli-
 hood in certain cases, and notwith-
 standing ones good intentions. of
 of our acts.
 This is due, in all probability, to
 the fact that the criminal acts with
 which this struggle was begun and
 the cruel measures employed to
 maintain it are forgotten When
 Mexico had realized the supreme democratic prerogative of electing
 own representatives and had reason 1 to expect, in the midst of peace and
 tranquility, the periodical change of
 public officials only by an expression
 of popular will, most corrupt min
 ority of the defeated factions, after
 attempting to overthrow for all time
 our political institutions, by means Of violence alone, have destroyed the
 lives, tbe rights and the interests of
 OUT fellow-citizens; have carried out b:ooiy executions without regard to
 any law; ha Te murdered Const;tu-
 tionalists who fell wounded willie lighting with their l. eapons for the
 lihcrt: of the eople and the .'er H. ities and Senators who have ,lefent- e6 with heir Ie.' of speech rur
 Cen 't r;I' ;hsIit I-:Cns. have 'rrn
 away from their homes peaceful men
 and even boys, to compel them to take arms against us, or have filled them with terror by devastating en- tire cities. Destructive acts of this character have made it apparent that the cause, which I represent, has constituted not only a political re- form revolution, but also has the char acter of a proceeding of calm and se-
 were justice which punishes the culpa- ble and safeguards the Mexican fami- ly.
 I have determined, within the
 spirit of our Constitution, and without any feeling of passion, but deliberate ly and with circumspection, to pur-
 sue these ends, until gradually the exercises of clemency and magnanimi- ty can be attained in satisfaction of an imperative demand justice and the urgent necessity of securing
 peace and of insuring the future
 welfare of the nation, 1 have deter mined to enforce vigorously, and in accordance with the Proclamation which was duly issued on May 14th, 1913, the law of Juarez of January 25, 1862, which defines and punishes
 delinquencies inimical to the public peace.
 N1IA U6lCI0nCe lO Iu0 tue law provided, the Huertista officers were tried and executed in the City of Juarez and among them were some who had been captured at Torreon by this same General Villa who, after pardoning them, agreed that they should be enlisted in our forces, among which they endeavored thereafter, but unnecessarily, to ere ate a defection of the men whom
 ,r,&1 4~ ls. deserting to re-engage in crime.
 It is true that the established7prin- ciples observed in international wars extend to prisoners the privilege of pardon or immunity from bodily harm, but in civil struggles, the most civilized nations in all ages have em- ployed more rigorous and bloody means even than we have been con- pelled to adopt; and with reference to the executions of the officers in the city of Juarez there should be perceived, not any needless cruelty visited upon prisoners of war, but merely such punishment as was pre- scribed by the law applicable to of lenders against the public peace and safety.
 The Mexican people, in the begin ming of this civil struggle initiated by Hon. Francisco I. Madero, ex- hausted all their power of clemency and forgiveness, but experienced as the only results of their magnanimity tyranny in their countrys interior and the loss of prestige outside of it's borders. Today, I want to in- sure the operation of the country's institutions and to re-establish tran quility for all time by means of def- nite and effective reparation of the national organization.
 The occurrences at the City of Juarez were far from being invested with the numerical importance which our enemies, in their incorporate frame of mind, desired to give them. In the same manner a ibelous re- port was published by them to the effect that in Durango more than 40 women and girls had committed sui eide through fear of the excesses that might be indulged in by the Constitu- since 1 can personally give assurance that in Durango, as in all other parts of the country, our forces have been disciplined and giving guarantees of | safety to the different populations which have fallen into their power. |
 In conclusion it is my desire to as- | sure you that the same humane | sentiments which you possess also | animate me, and that even though l ! find it necessary, in deference to the | existing national feeling, to justice, to public convenience and the neces- sity of restoring peace to my coun- try, to be somewhat strict in the | of the law of Juarez, I have provided, at the same time, that this law shall be supplied within the fixed by the most abSo- lute need, and shall be enforced only against willful enemies, with the privilege of pardon and safety eX- tended always to the guiltless and 
 I entertain the hope, furthermore, that my former declarations will sui flee to make clear the just and hu-