The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-07-05
HUERTA'S WAY OUT.

There is every reason for conf
dence that Huerta really intends to
give up the dictatorship that has
now become almost nominal, and to
get out of Mexico just as soon as
possible, consistent with formalities
that will save his self-respect. The
election that will be held in the fed
eral district today will be quite as
real an election as Mexico has ever
known, save only that in which
Francisco Madero was chosen Presi-
dent. Under Diaz. as now under
Huerta, the business of holding an
election was always so managed that
the man picked in advance was GER
tain to be chosen. 1t is rather an
unusual concession to the proprie-
ties, indeed, that Huerta permits
some mild uncertainty still to per-
sist, as to who will win in today's
polling. Perhaps Lascrrain, perhaps
Velasco; no difference; it is frankly
enough understood that the winner
will win because the dictator wishes
him to do so.
The point is that the dictator is
willing to retire in favor of a new
mall, and to accept an appointment
that will take him out Of the coun-
thy. If this mu:h is safely to be
accepted, then the rest follows easily
enough. The successor to Huerta,
it is said, will consent to give way
for the establishment Of a provI-
sioral government; and thai, in turn,
would be preliminary to a suspen-
sion of hostilitieS and the holding of
a real election to choose a constitu-
tional President.
These amiable projects always
overlook the highly important detail
of getting assent from Carranza and
Villa. AS those worthless would not
give their assent to any scheme that
the Niagara Falls mediators could
frame up, it is not very likely they
will give it to any plan that may be
rugged in the national palace, for the
express purpose of saving Huerta's
hide. There has not at any time
been notable enthusiasm among the
constitutional leaders about the i'm
portance of saving Huerta. There
has been candid ambition to get hold
of him and plug him full of cold
lead; and it will not be by reason of
the good nature of the northern
leaders that he will escape that fate.
Villa has promised it to him many
times; and Villa has demonstrated
quite a notable fashion of keeping
his promises IS to such details.
1t is not very important, however,
in the last analysis, whether Huerta
gets away, with or without his dig
nifty. He would not be holding an
election" today save as a last re-
sort, hoping to make it a means to
accomplish what Niagara Falls could
net accomplish. He is at the end of
his rope. The question now is wheth-
er he will be smart enough to keep
his neck out of moose in that rope.
Nobody is much concerned about the
answer on that point, save Huerta;
and whatever it may be, the general
results will be unchanged. The
northern leaders will very presently
be in control at the capital, and
Mexico's future will depend on
whether they are able . control
themselves and their followers as
well as they have done thus far.
They are entitled TO have it said
that thus far they have done ex-
tremely we'll. If, with complete Con-
troll in their grasp, they continue do
ing as well, there is every reason
to hope that they will in another
year be carrying forward the con-
Structive reform work for Mexico's
masses, that Madero wanted to do,
but from which he was estopped by