Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-24
GEN. D|Az PLEASED
BY MEDIATION PLAN
Hopes Niagara Falls Confer
ence Will Solve Mexico's
Difficult Problem.
PROMISES ALLEGIANCE
TO NEW GOVERNMENT
Suggests Settlement of His Country's
Land Troubles-Says People
Fear Villa.


TORONTO. Ont, May 2s.-Gen. Felix
Dlaz, who Is stopping in thfs city, to-
day said he heartily approved Of the
mediation proceedings at Niagara Falls
In the event that a new provisional
government results from the mediation
conferences, he said he would be among
the first to swear allegiance to 1t, for
he declared the interest of peace in his
country. now of all times. required the
subordination of personal desires to
the national welfare.
Seated In his apartments in a private
hotel, where he has been for several
days. Gen. Diaz dictated a statement
to the Associated Press. He suggested
that the mediators consult informally
the leaders of all the political parties
of Mexico taking part in the last two
presidential elections. Thus they could
obtain for provisional president man
satisfactory to all factions. Also Gen.
Diaz said the land problem could be
settled by imposing prohibitive taxes
on the large estates, compelling the
the poems should be given only the usu-
fruct of the land. because otherwise
they would soon sell it rather than cul-
tivate 1t.
Friends Are Near Him.
Grouped about Gen. Diaz were the
members of his suite, some who had
served with him In Vera Cruz and
Mexico City, when he twice revolted
against the Madero government, and
others who saw a pact signed with
Huerta whereby Diaz was to be given
an opportunity to become the candidate
for president but which agreement was
subsequently broken when Huerta sent
him on a mission to Japan and made it
dangerous for him to return.
II desire, first of ALL" said Gen. Diaz,
Ito say that I sincerely hope and wish
that the conference at Niagara Fails
may be a complete success in restoring
internal peace to Mexico and in remov-
ing all differences with foreign govern
ments.
II am greatly pleased that the three
mediating countries have taken so great
an interest in trying to find a solution
for the issues between the United States
and Mexico. and it would be WE'LL indeed.
If this example were followed in the fu-
ture If serious differences arise between
other countries
Benefits Of Mediation.
He spoke at length Of the benefits which
would result from an American solidar-
ity brought about by the present media
ton. He said that while he did not know
the character of the instructions given
the Huerta delegates, he took it for
granted that they could arrange for the
retirement of Gen. Huerta. This seemed
to him essential not only to satisfy the
grievances Of the United States, but to
resuscitate the governmental machinery
of Mexico.
"If Huerta is to co. he said be-
lieve there ought to be a meeting of the
leaders of all the political parties incor-
porated by law, and which took part in
the last presidential elections. in order
that these parties may arrive at some
agreement about designating a person to
take the reins of government, provision
ally, and call a general election. one en-
tirey free. l suggest this only in the
event that the mediators and the dele
gates agree to seek out persons fitted for
provisional president.
Will Support Government.
when a new government shall have
been legally established which shall salts
fy the aspirations of the people. shall
be the first to help to sustain it,
Gen. Diaz said that if the mediation
were to be confined to international ques-
tons he did not believe that representa-
ttves of the political factions in Mexico
should be consulted, for he had confidence
in the ability and integrity OF those chos-
en- to represent Mexico in this respect.
But should a mediation undertake set
tiement of the internal problem, he
thought the mediators should obtain the
views of the Catholic party, the national
felicista party, the national republican
he
well as the other small parties which
have complied with the legal require
ments in previous elections. In TINS way
he believes, the mediatorS can the more
closely reach true public opinion IN Mex *.
leo. He thought the consttutionalist
leaders should, of course, be consulted
about candidates. He disapproVed the
attitude of the constitutionalists refusing
to suspend hostilities, saying that the
course pursued was a selfish one and
showed an unwillingness to submit their
cause to the public opinion of the world.
AS a matter of fact, the Mexican people
abhorred, he added. the terrible crimes
of Villas army. He did not think they
would ever reach Mexico city IN their
military campaign.
Case Of Self
THE people," he said. will rise In
arms to defend themselves against the
invaders. Their terror now Of Villa and
Carranza is the very thing which makes
them rally to the defense of Huerta. for
it is a case Of self-preservauon. and the
region which the constitutionalists are
now approaching is more thickly popu-
lated and Is more easy to defend from a
military point of view than northern
Mexico, with it's small population"
Gen. Diaz drew distinction between
"arbitratiop' and mediation" holding
that in arbitration only certain points
submitted for discussion could be taken
UP, while mediation permitted the inter
vening tribunal to go to the bottom OF
all problems and seek to remedy under
lying evils, which produce national I'M
rest In this connection he pointed out
that the land question was the real cause
of revolutions in Mexico, and that If il
mara So44loa I,rorarl,, other internal de.