The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-02-13
THE MAN OF THE HOUR?

THE MAN OF THE HOUR?
Is Diaz still name to conjure with? Does the
nephew possess the qualities OF the uncle?
II so, General Felix Diaz will be the next presi
dent OF Mexico and peace win reign IN that lin.
fortunate country. If not, war Will continue or
will recur intervals for a long time to como
with change in the names of the rulers and
Of leaders. but little change in the situation
General Felix Diax is regarded by many Mex
leans as the man of the hour. To the name which
the former president made famous the world over
he adds the qualities which made that fame pos.
sible. is the view of many OF his country and
the hope of Mexicos well 'wishers and peace
lovers throughout the world 1t Is believed that
the name piaz will have much the effect in the
country to the south as that OF Napoleon had in
France when the second empire was established
Name and fame coupled with natural ability
should make Felix Diaz president and natural
ability should keep him so and preserve order
as 1t was preserved before young Madero raised
the standard of revolt
Indication now that Felix Diaz is an
aber man than has been thought in this country
and that the sudden collapse of his revolt at
Vera Cruz was not evidence OF weakness in the
man He betrayed, His plans had been to
win over to his standard the army OF Madero
The plans seemed successful and at the proper
moment he proclaimed his cause at Vera Cruz
and did the only thing he could do-wated to
be Joined by the regular army. The army reached
the city and before an inklng of the fact that
the men who had proven treacherous to Madero
had also proven treacherous to It's new leader
could reach him he In the hands of his
enemy. His coup d'etat had failed Imprisoned
condemned to death, his sentence committed, he
was forgotten. Half the city Of Mexico did not
know that the nephew Of the former president
was in prison within the city walls The fight
ing continued and then one morning the city
and the world awoke to find Diaz in control.
Like Napoleon the Little. Daz, the younger, had
struck at the wrong time. had relied too much
on his name and failure came swiftly and
ludcrously. Unlike Napoleon, Diaz had not so
long TO wait before his next opportunity came and
when 1t did come it was in another form The
iron was hotter and his blow was struck Daz
has fighting before him and may fail 1t depends
upon the man. The magic of his uncles name
has carried him far. The future rests with him.
self
The sympathies OF most Americans naturally
have been with Madero. Young. enthusiastic and
wealthy he dreamed of free republic, such as
that of the strong nation to the north An
tdeatst lie wanted constitutional government :.
republic in fact well in name. To carry out
his aims he put himself at the head of an army
of rebels; overthrow the dictator, was proclaim
ed provisional president and elected on the
retoration of order. Attempting to put his ideas
and theories into practice he failed. Concilatory
when his visionary ideas triumphed tyrannical
In the moments Of recognition OF their failure
weak. vacilating and strong by turns. mercifui
and then ruthless. his administration was
failure and adventures were not slow to take
advantage OF the opportunity for war and prom
Used wealth His dealing with Felix Diaz was
characteristic After sentencing him to death
as rebel and traitor the only course open 90
him. he reiented and committed his sentence II
Imprisonment. Now Diaz is free and all but in
OF Maderos capital 49,
All of this has gone to convince Americans that
government such as ours is not yet for Mexicans
end that the only hope OF peace is the iron
man.