The Washington times., 1914-07-16
HUERTA'S WITHDRAWAL.

Il - LIN u ~ w ~ th< 49,
Vfctoriano Huerta will make an in
teresting addition to the colony of
ex-dictators resident in Europe. On
the whole it is to be hoped that he
may make good his escape, evident
ly very carefully planned, and that,
having left Mexico in time to save it
from the horrors of an interim of
anarchy, he may get his reward for
this final bit of consideration, by
saving his neck. For Villa to catch
and execute him would not unlikely
serve merely to whet the appetite
for gore, and there is no knowing
what excuses might follow.
With a good deal of bombast and
high-falutin' rhetoric which it isn't
to be expected Americans will I'M
derstand, especially after it has been
dragged through the alternating
processes of translation, the dicta-
tor has given his resignation to the
congress; it has been accepted, and
Carbajal has been installed in his
place. Huerta has paid his last visit
to FL Globo, drunk his last toast in
fiery old cognac, and made good his
getaway from the capital. He may
have been a traitor and a butcher,
but he also has been slayer and a
consummate manipulation of big
forces. He kept pretty good order
in that part of Mexico where he pre-
vailed; he had the United States and
the rest of the interested powers
guessing all the time; and when he
saw his regime nearing the end he
got away with at least all the forms
of decency and dignity.
1t is reported that the new regime
has sent deputation cut of Mexico
City, to meet the advancing consti-
tutionalists, and arrange if possible
for a peaceful turning over of the
city 70 them. This is the sane and
practical course. Its prompt adop-
ton justiies the strong hope that
the change of governments may be
effected without a reign of terror.
Doubtless there will be some blood
spilled, after the new order gets es-
tablished, if not before; but if execu-
lions of traitors and criminals are
held in legal fashion, after real
trials, they will have a good rather
than a demoralizing effect.
The problem of reconstruction in
Mexico is in many ways not unlike
that which our own country faced
half a century age. 1t will be re-
called that President Johnson enter
tanned infexible notions about the
rigorous treatment that must be
dealt to men who had been leaders
of the rebellion. That attitude of
Johnson was the first basic mistake
of his Administration. The nation
was not prepared to back such de-
r1anGs. There was general deter
mination on the program of peace,
amnesty, and restoration of goodwill
through mercy and moderation. That
program was sadly interfered with
by reason of the irInoderate de-
nands of johnson.
In Mexico, it is to be feared, Villa
may prove the Johnson of the situa-
ton; demanding an eye for an eye,
a life for life. That program will
be a terrific mistake for the coun-
try; it is most earnestly to be hoped
that it will not be adopted.
If Villa and Carranza can re-
strain their own disposition to di-
vide on problems of policy; if con-
ficting ambitions do not seize upon
them; if they shall be able to main
tain order and prevent looting and
excuses as they have done hereto
fore-then there is an excellent pros
pect that a peaceful, hopeful end
may be reached in the troubles of
Mexico. At the moment the outlook
is most promising; and the Ameri-
can Administration is entitled to
congratulate itself on the fact that
"watchful waiting" has brought it in
sight at last of a settlement that
will have cost minimum of Ameri-
can life, treasure, and complication.