The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-11-04

tracted nation is a strong man of Cromwellian
spirit who can manage his people with a rod of
iron.
Out of the long imbroglio since Madero's as
sassination there have emerged but two such
men, Huerta and Carranza.
Carranza has styled himself leader of the
Constitutionalists'' and has announced the
slogan return to constituencies government
and down with the dictator" But in the calm
est days of Mexican history since the adoption
of the Constitution in 1857, /. has always been
tacitly understood that the Constitution is very
largely a utopian instrument incapable of appli-
cation. Where only one man in a hundred and
fifty is capable of voting or will vote it is mani
testify impossible to give Mexico representative
government. Therefore Carranza is looked up
on as somewhat of a sentimentalist who, like
Madero before him, promises more than he can
fulfill.
Huerta alone has revealed the true dictator
ability which promises to give Mexico the one
government for which she is fitted. He emerged
from the trying times of Madero's downfall as
the strong man" and showed himself capable
Of handling the situation a situation very SINH
lar to that confronted by Porfirio Diaz, who
climbed to power in much the same manner.
The situation is such that one or the other
must be accepted as MeXico's ruler. Con the one
side we have President Huerta, the man in pow
err says the we'll posted Samuel Salinas, of Hid
algo, ION the other side we have Gen. Carranza,
the man who wants to be in power. AS matters
stand we must accept the rule of either of
these"
Of these two, Huerta alone seems to offer
the necessary qualifications. Why, then, did
President Wilson refuse to recognize him? Be-
cause OF pedantic scruples, say the critics.
Huerta has been compelled to resort to some
what violent and unethical measures to gain his
position just as all other Mexican rulers have
been obliged to do, just as Madero did, who wad-
ed through streams of blood to reach the presi-
Dental chair.
But President Wilson does not take this into
consideration and demands of Mexico what he
might alone demand of a really civilized nation.
He has been unable to look at Mexico's prob
lem from Mexico's point of view, but has ap-
preached it as a New Englander, with a New
Englander's pre- udices and moral s%cruples. Be-
cause Huerta used violence he has refused to
give him formal recognition.
AS a result of this Huerta has been unable
to negotiate the loans which can make possible
lie IulS. WIFI UdIlhI upI SdSu lSo, VII IdIIllIlS
and lack of pestilence in many states, with a
decimated army, and with every department of
government demoralized he has been unable to
quell the numerous instructions which spring.
up over night in every direction.
It is for this the better class of Mexican citi-
zens have so hotly resented President Wilson's
course of action. His uncalled for refusal to
recognize Huerta has tied the dictator's hand
and left Mexico the prey of the bandit and the
depredator, they aver.
Unable to finance his government and there
fore to build up an efficient army Huerta has
found himself in hot water, but still has remain
ed determined to bluff it out. His control of the
recent election and the summary way he broke
up the House of Deputies are parts of this same
bluff. Whether, in spite of Wilson's refusal of
recognition, he will be able to carry out his bluff
is the great question which time alone can ans
wer.
All this, as we said, is agreed to by nearly
every critic of the Mexican situation, but as to
what should be President Wilson's next step
none is willing to say. That too, it seems, must
be left to time.