The Washington herald., 1914-05-11
NATIVESTORULE,
IS KERR'S EDICT
Governor Of Vera Cruz Will
Put Reins IN Mexicans'
Hands.
FEAR PROVES OBSTACLE
Federal Law Provides Extreme PEN
atty for Those Serving For
eigners-Will Call Meeting.
By JOSEPH P. AMIN,
STAFF Correspondent of The Wash-
ington Herald.

Vera Cruz, May 7.-(Dispatch boat to
Galveston. thence by telegraph).-"We
want TO give the people of Vera Cruz.
irrespective of nationality or of the dura-
ton OF American occupation. a clean, ef-
ficient and adaptable government We
want as far as possible to have this
government by Mexicans, selected be-
cause of their fitness When the govern
ment is turned back to Mexican authori-
ties. we want II to be a model after which
other administrations may pattern.
This, in brief, is the platform Gov.
Kerr outlined to me at the outset of his
administration as civil governor Of ter
ritory occupied by American forces in
Mexico. Mr.. Kerr himself proposed TO
Admiral Fletcher exactly the form which
the Admiral instructed him to follow as
governor. This policy not oily Is cor
CURED in by Gen. Funston. who has
taken over supreme command in Vera
Cruz from the navy. but Gen. Funston
goes a step further and asks the civil
government to take over the policing OF
the city.
Has No Party Ties.
The policy advised by Gov. Kerr before
civil government was definitely deter
mined upon was cabled to Washington in
the form of a report to Fletcher by Kerr
on April %. 1t was so perfectly in at
tune with President Wilson's attitude as
indicated in his handling of the Philip
pine government. that Washington in ar-
proving the report and its recommended
lions, let it be known that Kerr seemed
to be excellent timber for the admins
tration of the form OF government he
proposed. -r-.-----s.. -s-.---- --. ...r-
As far as we have been able to ascer-
tain here. Gov. Kerr has no party or
fractional affiliations of Importance He
dropped in and volunteered his services
to Admiral Fletcher the day after the
first forces landed. He has an excellent
understanding of the Mexican character
and methods of thought
II is Gov. Kerr's plan to fill as rapidly
as possible all municipal. state and canton
offices with picked Mexicans. He has
absolute power to appoint and remove.
He has no idea that this can be &C.
complished in a short time, and he will
start out with an administration made up
largely of Americans. But the way will
be constantly open to Mexicans. who
desire to serve their municipality and
have the requisite ability and integrity
of purpose.
Fear Is Obstacle.
1T is my intention to summon to a |
meeting all former state and municipal
officials Gov Kerr said this morning |
L Will tell tnefn just what my nope Is, /
that those who are efficient and spatri-
otto will fall in with US and learn good 1
government and teach II to their people. |
At present the fear that service under |
American occupation may bring down the |
wrath OF their people upon their heads
when American forces withdraw, II they
do withdraw, is an obstacle. There are |
several statutes which provide extreme |
punishment for service under a foreign
or invading government.
Il think all will agree with me that
the United States will take care by treaty
or other agreement of any natives who
have served with them during the occu-
patton. We must do this II we expect
any cooperation or assistance from these
people" |