New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-19
Charge of Intent to Destroy
Electoral Liberty in Mex
leo Repudiated.
ANSWER ARGUES FOR
CONSTITUTIONALISTS
Not Only Controlling Force,
1t Says, but in Numer-
ical Majority.
PROVISIONAL HEAD
CRUX OF SITUATION
Americans Declare Man Chosen
More Important than Terms
of Agreement.
BY GEORGE eRIsWoLo HILL.

Late this evening the American media
ton delegates issued a reply to the
statement of Senior Rahasa, Of the
Mexican delegation. made public this
morning.
Briefly, the statement OF Justice La
mar and Judge Lehman is reitera-
ton OF their contention that any agree
ment which would not be accepted by
the Constitutionalists would be futile to
accomplish peace in Mexico.
The American delegates further point
out that heretofore a single member OF
the Cabinet representing the dominant
party has supervised elections in Mex
leo. and that by analogy the next eiec-
tion should be supervised by only one
officer representing that dominant
party.
They contend that the plan contem-
plates supervision Cf the election by
members OF both parties and that all
the influence which the United States
can legitimately use will be exerteo TO
secure an honest electlOn.
The American delegates contradict
the assertion of the Mexicans that the
Constitutionalists represent the senti-
ment of the majority of the people of
Mexico. They assert that the expert
ence of the American government with
BIZ partisan election boards leads il 20
believe that this is the most efficient
method OF securing fair election.
one of the Mexican delegates pointed
out TO me this evening that they favor
what is in effect a bipartisan board,
that is, 4 commission composed of two
Federalists and two Constitutionalists
with neutral at its head, whereas tho
Americans are holding out for board
the majority OF which shall be Con-
stitutionalist. He pointed out further
that the Americans apparently assure
the existence OF only two important
parties in Mexico. whereas there are
many.
He maintained that Senior Rabasa did
not say that the United States sought
TO force an election in favor Of the
COnstitutionalists. but merely warned
the American delegates that such
would be the effect OF an election con-
Quoted by government dominated by
that party. and that an elec<on so
conducted could not command the cou-
fldence of the Mexican people or lead
Al &c ffg
expression OF popular will.
The statement of the American dele
gates follows:
Statement Of U. S. ENJOYS.
THE American representatives
do not think il is conducive TO tho
interests of mediation to publish
during its pendency the various
plans or the contentious of the par
ties, but as the Mexican repreSen-
tatives have given out formal
statement of their objections to the
appointment OF Constitutionalist
as provisional President because,
among other things, an election
conducted by such provisional
government would not represent
the will of the Mexican people, IL
has been thought necessary to give
part OF the answer 10 the letter
written by Mr.. Rabasa.
I'm that answer the American
representatives utterly repudate
any suggestions that the American
President has any intent OF de-
stroying the electoral liberty OF
Mexico and insists that the Mex
lean representatives entirely mis-
understand the motives and objects
OF the President, who recognizes
the facts and sees in the past sue
cess Of the Constitutional army in
disputable evidence of the approval
OF the Mexican people. But he also
secs that the full triumph OF that
army means an indefinite continu- 70
ance Of the war. with the suffering
and bloodshed and death which
every war involves.
Only Fracticaoie way.
These consequences the Presi-
dent seeks to prevent through medi-
alton. but We greatly fear that the
language OF the Mexican note inn
plies that his efforts may no
thwarted because OF unwillingness
to have a Constitutionalist as pro-
visional President. even though that
promises the only practicable means
by which the horrors OF war can be
prevented
Hope is expressed that the Mex
lean representatives will not further
oppose the only plan which prom
Uses peace, when It's rejection means
suffering and death 10 so many.