The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-02-20
PEACE FOR MEXICO.

sure peace and order to that much af-
ficted country, although curious to re-
| late Zapata, who has been fighting
dero and against the latest estab-
lished government. We presume, how
ever, that the new regime Will find but
little difficulty in disposing OF zapata.
Madero was in sore straits when Felix
Diaz revolted and captured the arsenal
in Mexico City. Madero did not have
force enough Immediately about him to
put down the Diaz revolt. There was
force enough available in Mexico, of
the regular troops of the government.
but Madero was in this dilemma: He
did not have forces enough loyal to him
self immediately availnble to put down
| Diaz. He could call upon the Federal
troops outside OF the city to come to
his relief. but if he did so he ran the
risk of having the leader of those troops
turn upon him and oust him from the
| Presidency. This latter of the two d.
lemmas is precisely what occurred, and
President Madero undoubtedly knew
the risk that he was assuming when he
called General Huerta and General
Blanquet to his aid. Banquet conf
manded the forces nearest at hand, and
although his force was comparatively
small it was the deciding factor in the
conflict. In turning against Madero,
Banquet to all intents and purposes
sided with Diaz, as the first report in
dicated that he would do. Madero, how
ever, evidently relied upon the loyalty
of Banquet and called on him to help.
That call was fatal.
Madero was not of the stuff that
Mexican rulers are made. He was
merciful, and did not shoot Diaz when
Diaz made his fiasco at Vera Cruz and
was captured, Madero must now see
| that that was a fatal error. Diaz him
| self would not have committed such an
offense against Mexican precedent and
Mexican custom. If Madero had fol-
lowed the usual rule and had Diaz shot
at sunrise the morning after his cap
ture, it is probable that the revolt which
Diaz headed would have been made
hopeless.
It is evident also on other accounts
that Madero was not the man for ruler
of Mexico. He lacked the unbendlng
rieor, the stern, implacable qualities
that made the elder Diaz for SO many
years the idol Of the Mexican people,
or at least, if not the idol, he contrtved
to make them respect him as though
he were, and to keep the peace within
the boundaries OF his rule.
It is evident that the crisis in Me1i-
can affairs came mono too soon, either
for Mexico or for the United States.
The united demands of leading
European powers that the United
States should either enforce peace in
Mexico or allow other nations to do It,,
thus abandoning its semi-protectorate
which is involved in the Monroe doc.
trine, is a startling reminder of the re-
sponsibilities which the upholding of
the Monroe doctrine imposes upon this
country. From the European viewpoint,
it is altogether reasonable that the
United States should either be re.
sponsible for the turbulent Latin re.
publics Of Central and South America
or else abandon the claim of right to
exclude interposition of European
powers. The plain lesson is that we
must either assume the responsibility
of the Monroe doctrine or modify 1T,
But since the American people are not
in the least likely to abate the Monroe
doctrine. and since they are perfect
| " able to assume the responsibility
of it from whatever standpoint that re-
sponsibility may be viewed, it is likely
| that a adjustment and more explicit
determination of precisely what the
Monroe doctrine means must be arrived
at and declared.
We assume that in the new order in
Mexico, peace and the rule of authority
will be established without much delay,
| 1t is sure thing that the vigorous men
of Mexico have come to the leadership
of that country, Madero represented
money and sentiment. The present gov
eminent represents money and force,
and this force Will, we take it. be ample
TO put down all resistance.
1t is fortunate both for Mexico and
for the United States that the demand
of the European powers did not come be
fore the collapse Of the government of
Madero, and the ascendance of rule
and authority which is likely to be much
more effective than any rule that Ma
dero could establish. And so, for the
time being we are likely to be absolved
from any special responsibility fol
peace and order in Mexico. since the
new rulers probably will be able tc
establish at least q passable form o.
government that will protect life anC
property.
TARDY STREET CLEANING.