Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-15
SAY MEXICO FACES
SERIOUS PROBLEM
Students of Situation in the
Republic Unable to Pre-
DICT Outcome.
HUERTA MAKES CLAIMS
ENCOURAGING TO FRIENDS
Assertion of Victory in Negotiations
With United States-Popular
Election Improbable.

1iSOtkOh AMPAOUdulI.
Whoever regards Us a diplomatic VIC
tory for President Huerta and his ad
visers the rejection of the American
proposals for mediation and the atti-
tude toward those proposals of the
Mexican governmental the view OF
distinguished and competent common
tators on the stuaton-should pause to
consider whether 1t Is not an empty
victory, with sure defeat as positive
eventuality.
Mexico climbed into a bottle is the IL
Illustration offered by critics by that so
called diplomatic victory, enthusiasm over
| which created popular applause among
Mexicans submissive to the Huerta gov
eminent, and added to its prestige at
home.
The cork was driven into the bottle.
! the illustration is carried further. when
the United States called upon Amercans
| to withdraw from Mexico. aced an
embargo upon shipments of arms, ana
made it more impossible than ever to OBJ
tain funds for the maintenance OF admln-
istration and the prosecution of the held
campaigns against rebelliouS elements.
Is there any way out for Mexico?
is the question put. A dubious shak-
ing of the head is the response OF the
critics. But there must inevitably De
way out. if only through the ex-
plosion of the bottle-an act of war
on the part of Mexico-or the smash
ing of the bottle-intervention on the
part of the United States. Otherwise
the critics entertain little hope OF saw
ing the situation
Overtures Rejected.
Mexico, tenacious of her sovereign dig
nifty and integrity as nation. having
seen no way else, rejected the friendly
overtures of the United states as an
ill-advised meddling. acouiescence in
which. no matter how well-intentioned
ceptance of the authority of the United
States to exercise a scrutiny into and
voice in the internal affairs of Mexico.
The nationalism of nearly every Mexican
would have resented any other course
upon the part of the Mexican govern
ment. The rejection Of the overtures OF
President Wilson. it is pointed out-es-
pecially by Latin-American commentators
appraised of Mexican sentiment-was
foregone conclusion, impossible of any
other response than that given.
1t is possible that near compliance
with the American propositions would be
reasonably sure of acceptance by the
Mexican people. A remote possibility,
1t is considered. would be the recognition
of Gen. Huerta as constitutional preSi-
dent If chosen at the October elections.
and if 1t should prove evident beyond
question that the will OF the people had
chosen him and that the elections were
not manipulated to seat him.
Policy of Hands OF.
The United States. it is believed. would
not be inclined to assert any right to
dictate to the Mexican people or to ex-
ercise the right Of veto to a popular act.
no matter how Objectionable the result
of that popular procedure. No matter
what the American estimate Of President
Huerta, 1t Is believed the American gov
eminent would even recognize his gov
eminent if the sanctity Of his election
was unquestionable.
But difficulties in the way of this
independent course on the part OF
Mexico seem insurmOuntable. 1t Is not
believed that under present or pros
pective conditions the government OF
President Huerta can proceed with a
purpose to hew to the line In accord
with the proposals OF the United
States government; nor can president
Huerta be elected constitutional presi-
de mt by an election that will satisfy
scrutiny.
As a result of the so-called diplomatic
victory of the Huerto government In the
negotiations with the United States,
throughout that part OF Mexico submits
sive to the government in Mexico City.
there has been a wave of popular en-
thusiasm for President Huerta that has
taken the form of demanding that he
become candidate for president at the
October election. Partisan and nom
partisan Mexicans especially men Of
financial and social standing. every
where consider that the sole hope for
Mexico lies in his retention of the reins
OF mower
There Is no other man on the political
horizon who measures up, in contrast
The demand for Huerta's firm hand on
the tilier Of the ship of state is appar-
entity nearly unanimous within the
sphere of his influence.
Say He Cannot Decline.
For President Huerta not to run for
President at the October elections is
generally regarded as impossible for him.
1t is considered to be out OF his hands.
and that he must bow to the general de-
mand that he remain in power as the
only hope for tranquility and reform
throughout the Mexican republic.
In the unwillingness OF .nex.cans to
trust to any other authority, compliance
with the American exaction that he be
/ not a candidate would seem one of the
impossibi.ities OF the situation. BY re-
signing as president ad interim. il is
argued, Gen. Huerta would be constitu-
tfon2Ily eligible 10 run Tor constitutional
president ut the October elections
In the event that he is a candidate,
the attitude Of the rebeliious elements
would make it impossible that his cleo
ton. Octoter %. would be regarded as
a popular ELECTION. With q great sect on
OF Mexico in revolt, ii is not TO be ex-
pected that the election would be gen.
orally held throughout every part % the
| republic. Election by only part Of the
Poop would not 6 We it the sanctity of
! popular will and would be subject to
| discredit by the United States, should
| that course seem proper to 1t.
Elections in Mexico have never been
! able to bear the light OF scrutiny, II is
said in properly informed circles. With
1 the electoral machinery in power Of
| the government it has always been able
1 to impose its will In the returns. Only
| President Madero was ever elected by
| anything that appeared like an expression
| OF the opular voice even then only one
/ eighth Of the franchiSed vote was polled
Machinery In His Hands
4 cao,tl 81 Navico copcant a. ,o:- A.