The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-02-25
HAS AN UGLY LOOK.

It is possible, TO be sure, that the ac-
count given by Provisional President
Huerta. that the killing Of former Presi.
dent Madcro and of Vice President
Suare1. in the City OF Mexico, was alto.
gethcr veracious. These two officials
were being transferred from their first
place of detention to the penitcntiary
1t is within the limits of possibility that
some of their friends learned Of this
expected transfer and undertook their
rescue. as claimed, and that in the fight
which ensued with the guards. both Ma
dcro and SuareZ were killed. And vet
it will remain puzzle, even taking the
most charitable view of it, why nobody
else was hurt in the melee except these
two.
| 1t is not to be wondered at that the
representatives. Of foreign governments
in the City Of Mexico distrust the Off
cial account as given. and il is not TO
be wondered at that President Huerta
admits that the honor of his govern,
ment is at stake and that it is necessary
TO vindicatc that honor by an iDvesti-
cation which will fix the culpabilitv
where il belongs, and eXculpatc every
official IN his administration from blame
| for this assassination. Civilized coun,
tries do not either assassinate or con.
| pivc at the assassination of helpless
prisoners, and President Hucrta is quite
within bounds in saying that the honor
OF his government is al stake. The pos
! sibility of the yindicatiou of that honor
may be questioned, but that such viudi.
cation is possible every one will have 70
| admit. STILL, it is something that must
be affirmatively proved, for a mere con
| clusion of pegation, that is, a failure to
prove that the government is rcspon-
sible. will not servo the purpose of win.
| dication.
The remonstrancc made by the United
States, which it is understood was
Joined in by other foreign representa-
tivcs, against the killing OF Madero,
gives the case an iuternational impor-
tance. And yet, President Taft is quite
correct IN stating that these murders
even if they were deliberate official as
sassinations, do not afford iusti6ca.
ton, much less do they actively call, for
Intervention The suggestion OF Lon
don newspaper that it is obligatory upon
the United States to intervene can hard
" he accepted in official quarters. Pres
ldent Taft is a great lawyer, as we'll as
a well-balanced man OF uncommonly
sound judgment. The country is safe
IN trusting to his decision in this mat
ter, and when he says that there is not
sufficient ground for intervention we can
all rely upon that as right conclusion.
It is true that we actively reconstructed
against the killing of Madcro, aud yet
that killing occurred. But Mexican Of.
fcialdom denies all responsibility for
that killing, apd so Mexican oficialdom
can hardly be held Internationally re.
sponsible for it under the explanations
and disclaimers made.
There is no question but that the pro
found sensation caused by the killing Of
Madero and Suarez wall add 10 the un~
easy feeling throughout Mexico; but it
is likely, on the other hand, that the ter
ror inspired by that killing. assuming
that the authorities will wink at il and
will do nothing to punish the perpetra-
tors, will have terrorizing effect upon
others who might think Of revolving
against the Huerta regime. This is the
first touch of the old style Of procedure
III Mexico since the Diaz rule of old, and
whether Huerta is responsible for il or
not. he is likely to get the benefit of it
in its phase as u terror to those who
| might be inclined to raise the standard
of revolt
The Madero family is suffering dis.
tressfully in this upturu of Mexican
rule. But the severity displayed will
have its effect even upon them, and we
expect TO see all of the Madero family
that can possibly get away from Mexico,
leave that country which must at pres.
ent be menace TO them We believe.
further, that the idea which must be the
prominent one in the minds OF Mexicans.
that reign of terror has set in, OF
cruelty aud Of blood, against all who op.
| pose the new government, will have a
powerful effect in restraining opposition
TO that government, and in heading of
projects for revolt. For it will evil
| deptly be safer for men TO make terms
with the new government than to oppose
IL; and this feeling will work powerfully
for the maintenance of the present rule,
|
The hy in the ointment Of the pro-
posed National Republican convention