Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-16
TRIUMPH FOR DIPLOMACY.

The retirement of the American
troops from Vera Cruz means that the
government at Washington is satisfied
its efforts to bring about the establish
ment of stable popular rule in Mex
leo are in a fair way to succeed. APP
parently all that has been needed for
some weeks has been assurance of
some sort of an understanding be-
tween Carranza and Villa, and such an
agreement having been entered into.
the occasion for a further show of
force in Mexico by the United States
has passed. Discussing this alliance
between the two leaders the Sioux
City Journal says:
THE agreement of CarranZa and
Villa on an election program in Mex
leo is a distinct triumph for Wilson
Bryan diplomacy. 1t means at least
a temporary solution of the Mexican
problem on lines which critics of the
administration pronounced wholly i'm
practicable. It indicates that the
optimism which induced the president
and the secretary of state to put faith
in the constitutionalist leaders was
not entirely misplaced. The program
agreed upon must meet many diff
culties and surmount many obstacles.
Failure at an early stage of the pro-
ceedings would be far less surprising
than success. Still, the fact that a
rational program has been adopted
in theory demonstrates that Washing.
ton was not mistaken in crediting the
constitutionalist leaders with ability
TO display a little common sense in
approaching the task OF reconstruc-
ton.
ITO General villa apparently must
go the credit for proposing the plan
for reorganization. General Carranza
seemingly is entitled to commenda-
tion for accepting II, knowing II was
devised in the hope of keeping him out
Of control of the government. Doubt
less IL will be found that President
Wilson is entitled TO not a little credit
for approving the Villa plan and per-
suading Carranza that IL would not be
profitable to set up an attitude Of ar
bitrary opposition.
THE plan now adopted is the one
by Villa several weeks ago
as the basis upon which he would
with CarTanza. II calls for
a colstituticnalist convention to call
an election at which president, vice
president and members of congress
are to be elected. II is stipulated that
d civilian shall be in control of the
provisional government prior to the
election and that military men shall
not figure in the election as candidates
for president. General amnesty Is
granted and IL is agreed that officers
Of the federal army whose loyalty is |
not under suspicion may be affiliated |
with the army.
THE understanding is that Car !
rama. not being a military man by |
is not barred from a can |
iidacy for president providing he re-
inquishes the provisional presidency |
before the campaign opens. The under
also is that villa will oppose !
carranZa by legitimate political means
IN the election campaign. There may.
Of course. be unpleasant developments
to the election. AS to this
It is only possible 10 hope for the
best
so far as is known, Zapata, the
southern revolutionary leader, is not
a signatory to the present protocol.
He has been 4 professional revolution
list so long IL is doubtful whether he
could be included in any peace
scheme. With the constitutionalist
forces united in support of the Mexico
City government. Villa probably
would not be long in disposing OF
Zapata." ]