New-York tribune., 1913-11-24
WRONG TO ANTAGONIZE HUERTA
But Correspondent Suggests Plan In
volving Intervention and Fair Elections.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: | think the desire OF the United
States To help Mexico by nsuring her a
fair election by supervising II, at the
same time disclaiming any desire or in
tention to take any of her territory, is
right and noble.
But | think a mistake was made at first
by approaching acting President Huerta
as an enemy, thus making negotiations
difficult And | think the mistake is con-
tnued by insisting unnecessarily on his
immediate resignation, thus leaving no
one at the head Of affairs to maintain
order-unnecessarily, because the time
would be short Till President Wilson APP
pointed temporary governor. or even
till the election and installation OF the
elected officers had taken place.
The raising OF the embargo on arms and
ammunition and assisting Carranza In his
revolution. think, would be another mis-
take. 1t would probably be just like our
assistance of Madero against Diaz. II he
were successful In reaching Mexico City
1t would probably be revolution after rev.
olution. Any case of relying on Carranza,
or. indeed. on any Mexican at the present
time would only be attended with disas-
ter, and II would be a waste OF time.
The only right and effectual way Is for
the United States to oversee and super
wise a fair election. and to guarantee the
same to Mexico. as We did in the cases of
Cuba and Panama. in the latter case by
invitation. We took no territory In either
case.
But 1t may be asked, What is to be done
now, under the present circumstances?
| would answer:
First--Let Huerta continue in his place,
either till some temporary governor or
successor is appointed, or until fair cleo
ton settles the matter and a President,
Vice-President and Congress- are elected.
Second-Let our marines and other
troops. II necessary. enter such parts of
Mexico as need them to protect our own
and foreign citizens where numbers of
them are congregated in town. or at val
liable works. mines. etc.
Third-Let our President appoint a tenn
porary governor of Mexico to take charge
while we prepare for and supervise fair
election. Acting President Huerta would
then resign, the Presidency then to be
temporarily vacant.
Fourth-Let our President also appoint
a superintendent or supervisor OF election,
with power.
Fifth-Let the temporary governor or
this supervisor Immediately call for state
conventions by delegates for nomination
OF Deputies Tor representatives. and SEN
ators, and OF delegates to a national con-.
vention or conventions for nomination OF
candidates for President and Vice-Presi-
dent.
Sixth-Let the supervisor, with assist
ants, arrange for and supervise the reg
istration and election and the results
Seventh-When the elected officers are
Installed and everything is seen to be
in order, let our officers turn over the
government to the new officers and de-
part.
Eighth-The United States should insist,
however. by written agreement, that in
case Of future disorder in Mexico and the
inability OF the Mexican government to
quell 1t and to maintain order. the United
States should have the right to step I'm
and restore it, but merely for the peace
and benefit Of Mexico, and In no wise for
selfish ACKNOWLEDGMENT. d. o. JUSTICE.
New York, Nov. l6, 1913.