Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-06-02
The Statement

COnStitutlOnallStS regarding Ihe pIo-
eeedings of the mediation commission
at Niagara Falls is one of astonish-
ment that there should be such an APP
parent lack of understanding on the
part of that body not only with regard
to conditions In Mexico, but as to the
attitude of the Constitutionalists re-
garding the mediators. This lack or
understanding is not confined to the
commissioners themselves, but seems
to be shared by a large portion OF
the American press as we'll as by the
Washington government.
Judging from what has been pub
lfshed from day TO day, the mediators
appear to consider Gen. CarranZa ana
his followers as a neglible quantity,
scarcely worthy of attention ana VINO
perface must agree to whatever con-
clusion the commission may reach.
They do not seem to be aware OF the
fact that the Constitutionalists are
conquerors; that they have inaugural
ed and carried almost to successful
completion a revolution and that TINS
means the establishment of govern
nent entitled to recognition by the
rest of the world. The recent success
es of the Constitutionalist army ana
others are conclusive proof that the
powers of Huerta is practically ended.
His troops will not fight; they either
run away or join their opponents with
every sign of willingness.
"All that prevents the Constitution
aIists from entering Mexico city To-
day is the physical obstacle OF the
destruction of the railroads. Win
communication restored, which is be-
ing accomplished with rapidly, the
army will be in Mexico City IN less
than week. Yet the Constitutional
list leaders point to the deliberations
and the statements of the press as
absolutely ignoring this situation. Inc
peace commission even goes so far as
to propose that the Consututonallsts
must recognize whatever provisional
they decide to set up and to declare
that they must be forced to recognize
that government or be crushed
THE Constitutionalist leaders are
wondering how they are to be forced
to do this in favor of their present
accomplishments and by whom they
are to be crushed if they decline 10
obey the commission. Calmly. too
the commission proposed that Huerta
shall be permitted to be candidate
for the presidency in order merely 10
save his face. Do they think the Con
stitutionalists will consent to that any
more than they will consent to recog-
nize a provisional government constl-
tuted as the commission proposes, OF
one person selected by Huerta, one by
themselves and one, perhaps, but not
at all likely, by the Constituuonailsts.
No one, the Constitutionalist Lead
ers point out who has had any ae-
ouaintance with the objects and pur-
nose of their movements, would fan
CIV for a single moment that they would
ever consent that they would have
ANYTHING whatever to do with any one
friendly to. or heretofore connected
with Huerta. The Constitutionalists
make it plain beyond question that
they will recognize a government es-
tablished under the plan of Guadalupe
at the trump of revolution. Accora-
ing to this plan the commandef-lh-
chief of the Constitutlonallst army
will be the provisional president OF the
Mexican Republic while the elections
are being verified and Constitutional
list order is restored to the country
They point out the fact that conquer
ers are not usually wont to permit the
conquered to dictate the terms OF
neaca which is practically what is to
be asked of them by the commission.
Constitutionalists are especially caus-
tic in their comment on the proposal
of the commission to take up the
agrarian question and propose some
form of settlement.
"Thev declare that this is a purely
internal problem and that they VIII
tolerate no outside interference. IN
deed this is their ATTITUDE with re-
gard TO the entire proceedings or the
mediation commission. They declare
that if let alone they viii settle the
entire Mexican problem in Few
months and in proof of their ABILITY
to do this, point to what they nave
already accomplished in the way OF
driving the Federals from two-thlras
of the country with the imminent
nrcspect of securing the other third
in no great time.
"Tbcv point also to what they have
ALREADY done and are doing in settling
the agrarian problem.
when shown statements bearing
the inference that should the Niagara
Falls plan not be agreeable to the
Constitutionalists, they would be fore
ed to accept it or be crushed, the
Constitutionalist leaders ask how ana
by whom They point out that the al
legged object of the Niagara Falls con-
ference was to promote peaceful set
Element. With nearly two-thirds OF
Mexico in their control and now be-
ing restored to a basis of peace after
four years of civil strife, the Constl-
nationalist leaders fail to see what
peaceful measures could be brought to
bear to constrain them to accept the
plan. They assert that with an army
of approximately $4,000 men in the
field the occupation of the remainder
of Mexico. the capture of the capital
and the elimination of Huerta and his
followers is matter of not more than
two months. Should any or all OF the
foreign nations party to the conference
at Niagara decide as result OF that
conference called to promote peace,
to use force to secure acceptance OF
their plan, the Constitutionalists feel
that it would present situation SO
contradictory as to be ludtcrous. The