The Washington times., 1913-02-15
AGAIN, DE LA BARRA.

Francisco de la Barra seems to be MeXicos one
publicist who can manage the intricate business OF
his country and at the same time can command It's
confidence to the extent of getting the chance
For the second time he is called to the acting
Presidency of the troubled republic. He preceded
Madero as he will follow him. On the whole, ne IS
doubtless the very best man for the present crisis
De la Barra, the diplomat, was known to Wash
ington as an ideally diplomatic person. There was
nothing in his course and conduct here, as rs cou-
trys ambassador during the troubous closing months
of the Diaz regime, to suggest the vigor and deter
mnation that he later displayed when he was made
ad interim chief executive. He declined to be
candidate for regular election to the Presidency and
Madero was the natural choice for that post During
the administration of de la Barra Mexico enjoyed
about the only period of even proximate tranquility
it has known in several. years.
Naturally, the Mexicans turn again to this man
who on the one side understands how to ward OH
foreign complications, and on the other knows, and
has given proof that he knows, how best to handle
the difficult. domestic problems. De Ia Barra looks
today like the real man of the hour for Mexico; the
one man whose attitude of moderation, diplomatic
bearing and skill in reconcing anagonstic elements
commend him for the leadership.
That there is strong enough body of discretion
Barra in this juncture is most encouraging indication
that Mexico is not so badly off as it has been pic
tured. Reyes, Orozco, Zapata, or any of the other
swashbuckling adventurers would have been precisely
the wrong selection. Felix Diaz would be little if
any better. His record as governor of the federal
district in which the capital is situated makes it quite
impossible to impute any lofty motives to him. He
is an advenurer and representative Of that all too
common idea of the better" classes in Mexico, that
the natural resources and the masses of people are
given to them to be exploited to the uttermost limit
De la Barra is no idealist, like Francisco Madero;
but he is honest has some social vision, and has
proved an effective administrator
Madero retires dscredited and broken; but it is
quite too early to pass judgment on his work for.
Mexico. What Madero did, in driving Diaz from
power would have required to be done by somebody,
sooner or later. Diaz would have bequeathed his
system to some other, and the program Of explota-
ton would have gone on Perhaps Madero revolted
too early; perhaps, because the revolution was pre-
mature, there will be long period Of reaction. But
it may fairly be hoped that if de la Barra can be
placed and retained for a reasonable time at the
head of affairs, better things may develop Without
being a jacobin or an extremist, de la Barra does
understand that the time is past for Diaz methods.
He wants to make enough concession to the people
to keep them in order; and he will rule with irmer
stronger hand than Madero did.
The danger that the United States might be forced
to intervene is for the time at an end De la Barra-
and this is of his most important qualifications
for the Presidency perfectly the atti-
tude and the responsibilities of the Washington Gov
ernment He is an intelligent and world-wise enough
person to appreciate, too, that Washington is right
He will try to steer course for his country that will
keep it from falling afou of the interests of other
nations or of civilization in general.