Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-12
MEXICO.
llI.-Madero's Unhappy
Regime.
By Frederic J. Haskin.

From June 6, 1911, the date of Gen.
Madero's triumphal entry into the Next
can capital, not the slightest doubt exist
ed that he would be chosen president at
the october elections. The platform of
the progressive constitutional party,
promising the much-needed land taxation
election and judiciary reforms, became
known throughout the country. The peo-
PIE, accustomed to small share in their
government, felt that a new era was at
hand. The terrific earthquake at dawn OF
June Z and the sudden activity of the
volcano Colima in Jalisco seemed to SYM
bolize the CONFUSION in government and
to portend either the destruction of the
old order or a violent future for the new
The cientificos plainly saw that the cleo
ton would go against them, but never
theless Gen. Bernardo Reyes a gallant
figure of the old Diaz army. was put for
ward as an opposition candidate. Madero
was easily elected. The number of votes
he received Is in dispute. Henry Lane
Wilson, the late American ambassador
to Mexico, said that the vote did not ex-
coed $4,000. but the constitutionalist junta
at Washington insists that upward of
100000 individual votes were cast for
Madero at the polls. Pine Suarez was
elected vice president over Senior de la
Barra
Taking Office in November. 1911. Presi-r
dent Madero proclaimed the dawn of
brighter and happier day for Mexico.
=
Whether any man could Immediately
have made good the platform pledges of
reform on which
MdQer0 rails TO Francisco /. Ma
Redeem Promises. pae.,s was siee.eo
leo is doubtful. He failed. The reasons
were numerous. In the first place. he had
been elected as radical holly resolved
TO rid his people Of the usages Of the
'cientificos," yet after inauguration he
appointed as minister of finance. the most
potent portfolio of the cabinet, his broth
er. Ernesto Madero. conservative
1t was Ernestos desire to compromise
the fundamental differences that existed
between his brother, with his humanita-
rian aspirations for Mexico and the old
element whose development was primar-
lily materialistic. The launching of
sweeping reforms was DELAYED by the
pleas of the minister of finance for delay
until he might perfect negotiations for a
might be conciliated. Rafael Hernandez,
cousin of the president, was minister Of
the interior, and he, too. acted as a drag
on the radical altruism of the little presi-
dent. until his program was really side
tracked without having been given fair
chance to demonstrate itself. Preliminary
asrarian legislation for the relief Of the
poorer classes was passed. but the new
era failed to dawn as brightly as adver-
tised and President Madero lost prestige
with many of his followers. upon whose
discomfort the 'cientificos'' skillfully
played.
The new president repealed all sugges-
tons that he adopt the iron hand" He
simply could not stand his feiiow-country-
men up against wall and shoot them.
The 'cientificos." whose complete rout had
been stayed by the abdication or Porfirio
Diaz and the brief but vigorous provi-
sional presidency OF de la sBarra, saw a
chance to regain power. Loose admins
| tration began to deplete the treasury.
Naderos relatives and political associates
We're charged with perpetuating some of
the worst evils Of the Diaz regime.
| An alert bandit. Zapata. rejoicing in the
sobrfquet Of the tiger of the SOUTH"
created reign Of
zapata Starts terror south of
Reign of Terror. a sAaeo eity ano
from successful attack by the federal
| forces. II is noteworthy that this chief
tain has given the Huerta government lit
/ tie trouble. The army was loyal while IL
was paid, but the adventures who on
cered IL and the simple minded men in
/, the ranks saw little to admire in the pres
ident WHO preached humanity. brother
hood. fair elections and other non military
moralities
Madero found revolution on his hands
IN the north. whench he had SO recently
/ an idol OF the old Diaz army. and whom
senior Madero had defeated in the presi-
denuai election. went to the United
| states, organized 4 revolution was in
dicted Tor violation of the neutrality
| laws. escaped and tried to gather a fol-
| lowing for new revolution, but was
captured and sentenced to sixteen wears
In prison But the cientifcos never fall
tered IN their plotting. Gen Pascual
Orozco, who had fought under Madero.
| turned AGAINST him and with plentiful
money aid from interests sympathetic to
| the cientfficos. or at least hostile to
| Madero, he began a formidable reyolu.
ton. lie paid his troops regularly. thus
obtaining a satisfactory degree of tenn
| porary loyalty. Presently Orozco con-
trolled all Chihuahua, including the mort
OF Juarez opposite FL Paso. This her
United the free importation OF arms from
| the United States, and the traff1c in guns
| and ammunition was brisk
| Although the Washington Rovernment
| had begun to entertain doubts of Presi-
] dent Maderos ability to control the Sit