The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-08-29
SOMETHING ABOUT MEXICO.


mysterious about the Mexican prob
lem, regardless /of the opinions of
arm chair Latin-American experts
who have never ventured south of
the Rio Grande.
The basic factor which must al
ways be kept in mind is this: The
masses of the Mexican people are
absolutely untitled for self-govern-
ment. There are ten millions of un-
educated Indians whose males of
voting age never have cast a ballot,
have not the slightest idea of suf-
frage and would not vote If they
could.
Under the Constitution and laws
of the Republic of Mexico there are
no restrictions on manhood suffrage.
That means that there are not less
than 100000 legally qualified vo-
ters in Mexico. 1t is doubtful If
100000 votes were cast in the only
national election ever held in Mex
leo, the one which seated Francisco
/. Madero as the only legally chosen
executive since Mexico began it's ca
reer as a nominal republic. Prior to
that time we never was able to find
a Mexican citizen who coffiuld boast
that he had ever voted or who ever
had a chance to vote.
There are probably about one
million male Mexicans of voting and
| fighting age who are fitted by edu-
cation and position to participate in
self-government. This is the re-
sponsible Mexican million, and it
constitutes the class which must be
induced or forced to exercise it's re-
| Ill fD low.
The fundamental defect with this
responsible million is that most of
it's members either do not know the
rules which prevail in democracy,
or decline to abide by them. In
| the first place, it is difficult for the
American public or its legislative
and executive officials to under
stand that the Mexican people are
without experience in democratic
government.
Therefore, the army is and always
has been the foundation of govern
mental stability in Mexico.
1t does not occur to the average
intelligent Mexican civilian that it
is any part of his duty to come to
the support of his government when
it's authority is challenged by some
revolutionary leader. Please read
that sentence again and study it, be-
cause it embodies the gist of what
is the matter with Mexico.
Why Madero Fell.
The utter lack of real democratic
patriotism-the instinct to sacrifice
even life itself in the defense of a
duly elected and qualified govern
| cod1u fnd
shortly after Madero was chosen
President. At last the people OF
actual experiment in self-govern-
ment. They knew Madero to be a
humane man and a true lover oi
democracy.
President Madero called on the
patriotism of Mexico and asked fol
volunteers to assist the regular army
to put down the revolt of Orozco and
the other traitors to the government
Secretary of State Bryan has
warned Provisional President Huerts
of Mexico, Governor Caranza, the
Constitutionalist leader, and loca
Mexican officials at La Boquillo thai
they will be held personally RESPONSE
BILE if any harm comes to Shirley G
Hulse, son-in-law of Lieutenant
Governor Reynolds of Pennsylvania
Although threats against Hulst
and others were made ten days ago
the State Department has not yet re
ceived word as to the fate of those
concerned. Secretary Bryan is no
certain whether the threats were
made by Federal or Revolutionary
leaders.
Huerta May Reconsider.
The Huerta administration in Mex
leo may reconsider its rejection o.
the American proposals to establish
peace in Mexico and arrange a new
basis for negotiations with the
United States before next Tuesday
Strong intimations of this effec
reached official Washington last Fri
day along with the information tha
the financial condition of the Huerts
administration was such that crisis
was imminent.
Should the Huerta government de
eide to enter into a new basis of dis
cussion Withdrawing its contention
as expressed in the Huerta note re
plying to the proposals communi
Gated by Mr.. Lind, President Wilson
in all probability will not read hi
message to both houses of congress
on Tuesday, as he intended.
Lets House Adjourn.
The president made no effort Fri
day to prevent the house from ad
journing until Tuesday. 1t had beer
supposed that he would read the mes
sage on Monday and would ask tn,
leaders in congress to arrange a join