Semi-weekly herald., 1913-02-24

that modern industrial production Il !,
almost impossible on account OF tho
lack of memory, carefulness or sense
Of shame among the working class
es."
In 1910, then. this was the situs-
ton in Mexico; Porfirio Diaz, sitting
on throne, the sole head Of mil
tary desRotism, has held office for
thirty years. The pretense of = re-
public was farce, small per cent
owned all the land, the resources OK
the country were being monopolized
and pillaged, and the great mass IT
the people knew naught but abject,
hopeless poverty.
But change was in sight. Francisco
/. Madero, son of one of the great
Mexican families, educated in France
and the United States, returned to his
native land with dream of democ-
racy, hope for his country that sm-
braced the welfare of the humblest
He was not long at home before he
commenced to take part in the cleo
tions and it was soon borne in upon
him that these elections were farces.
Independent candidate after inde-
pendent candidate, even when over
whelmingly elected, was counted out,
and in 1910 Madero organized a ma
tional convention to oppose Diaz, and
had the nomination forced upon him.
As consequence, he was arrested
for sedition, and saved his life by flee
ing across the border when released
or bail. Diaz, foiled there, arrested
his fathers and brothers, who, in turn,
managed to escape and join Francisco
in exile.
In November, 1910, young Madsro
slipped back across the line, assumed
active leadership of the rebels, and
inaugurated the campaign that result
ed in victory. On Nov. 8, 1911, Fran
cisco |. Madero entered upon what he
hoped to be five years presidential
term, during which time he planned
vast economic and industrial changes
From that day to this he has met
with nothing but treachery and op-
position for which his gentle ideal
ism has been no match. His policy Of
agrairian reforms-a plan for get
ting the land to the people by gov
ernment purchase and distribution
won the instant antagonism Of the
great landlords.
His emphasis upon the necessity of
protecting the natural resources Of
Mexico against piliage and monopo-
lization brought him into contact with
foreign capital. His ideas of peace
his refusal to continue the military ab-
solutism of Diaz-angered the army
and sowed the seeds of treachery.
To add to his troubles, his refusal
to permit the brigandage of rebel
leaders alienated some of the most
powerful captains. -Zapata, Salgado
and Orozco, no more than highway
men, became active leaders of bush
whacking campaigns, and added to the
confusion of the situation by burning
bridges, sacking towns and destroying
railroads.
The two sinister figures of treach-
cry, however, were Reyes and Felix
Diaz. General Reyes allied himself
with Madero after the latter's sue.
cess, and agreed to accept the port
folio of minister of war. Later, how
ever, he declined and announced him
self as candidate for the presidency
against Madero. Leaving Mexico aft
er his defeat, Reyes went to T.xus
melted revolt, and after various re.
verses, surrendered to Madero.
Madero's advisers urged him to have
Reyes shot. But the gentle soul OF
the president shrank from the ex.
treme penalty, and he kept Reyes in
prison, delaying his decision in the
matter from month to month. And
all the while, from his prison cell
Reyes plotted treason and poisoned
the army.
The other arch-plotter was Felix
Diaz, nephew of Porfrio. In Octo-
ber, 1912, this worthy appeared in
Vera Cruz as the leader of a revolt
calling upon the army to desert Ma
dero and come to his banner of trea.
son. As in the case of Reyes, the
Diaz uprising was fiasco, and Felix
joined the general in prison cell.
Here again, as in the case of Reyes,
Madero's pacific temperament worked
to his undoing. Every member of his
cabinet advised that Diaz be stood
up against wall and made to pay
the penalty, but the president refused
and permitted his enemy to live.
And all the while that this evil
was brewing, the people themselves :.
the masses-were turning against Ma
dero. Illiterate and inebriatc, they
could or would not comprehend the
difficulties that were being placed In
the presidents way.
Madero has promised the breaking
up of the great estates. He has pron,-
ised schools and prosperity. Il was