Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-11-19

Washington, ~. g., Nov. l9.-Diaz
dead in exile; Madero assassinated;
Huerta exiled and under arrest; Villa
an outlaw, and Carranza heading a ''de
facto" unestablished government, with
civil war still raging.
This is the record of five years in
Mexico, a nation PROSTATE today under
fire, sword and famine. 1t is tae record
of struggle for real republican gov.
ernment, real democracy, a republic
in form and substance, a struggle Of
the masses against the classes.
Behind the curtain of arms on the
stage of battlefields is the long stifled
cry for land. The effort of Mexico 's
poems to own land and prevent exploi-
tation and graft, both by their own
and foreign citizens, are the unlerly-
ing causes of what now promises to be-
some in Mexican history the Give
Years War"
The fight divides into three eras:
Those of Diaz, Madero, Huerta. Its i'm
mediate future rests with Carranza.
Peace, but not liberty or equal individ-
ual opportunity, reigned under Diaz for
a generation. As president and die
tator the "lron Man. was in power
from 1884 to 1910. As military idol
ON platform of freedom and land dis
tribution, Diaz led revolution in 1875
Iagainst President Tejada. He was elect
ed president in 1877, retiring in 1891
i'll favor of Manuel Gonsalez, being re-
elected in 1884 and serving until forced
to abdicate in 1910. Diaz was the ex-
ponent of special privilege. He held
his office with ruthless military force.
Graft flourised among his subordinates
and wealthy, educated Mexicans sup
ported him. Foreign concessionaires
thrived. Land barons extended their
holdings The poorer classes were
slaves unable to rent or buy land. I'M
precedented Mexican development fol-
lowed-for the wealthy. Peace pre-.
vailed.
Then came decay, with age, of Diaz
power. Outcry against the wealthy,
landed and educated classes increased
The poems demanded distribution of
government land, relief from confisca.
tory taxes and voice in elections. Sol
diers presided over the polls, insuring
Diaz' continued reelection Wealthy
and powerful private citizens, civil
authorities and military heads failed to
stem the tide of revolution.
The Madero movement was born in
1909. Francisco |. Madero, of a veal
thy family of northern ranchers, led a
new revolution. He promised social
and economic reforms, including di-
vision OF government lands and cancel
lation by the government of land pat
ents given the cientficos foreign ex-
ploiSation Of Mexico he also promised
to end
Aiding Madero was mis- brother, Gus
tav, and Pasquale Orozco. They organ
lied a revolutionary army in Sonora.
1t soon seized Juarez and swept south.
ward. reinforced by revolutionists from
Chihauhau and other northern states,
the hotbed of revolutionary activity.
Historians differ as to whether Pan
cho Villa, later to become popular
hero, enlisted in the Madero movement.
Certain foreign mine, oil and ranch
concessionaries supported Madero. Otl-
ers supported Diaz whose power weak.
ened with age, his army hOneycombed
with treachery and desertion. Diaz
resigned and fled to Paris, where he
uleu ldSJ summer.
Francisco Madero was elected to the
presidency in 1910.
Can Carranza Do It?
Has Carranza the strength and pur.
pose that Madero lacked, to enforce re-
forms, particularly agrarian, which
Madero failed to establish9
This is the question asked in world
diplomatic Circles today. Mexican af.
fairs observers point to the brief peace.
ful reign of Madero as possibly signifi-
cant.
After his election in 1910 Madero
sought reform laws including the divis-
ion Of land among the poems. He failed
Discomfort followed. Criticism became
active opposition. Nepotism is said
to have weakened Madero's power.
Graft again held sway
Amidst the clamor against Madero
Gen. Victoriano Huerta, Madero s. min
lister Of war, is alleged to have con.
ceived his overthrow. Felix Diaz, a
nephew of the former dictator, and Gen.
Reyes were called Hnerta g cocoon
spirators.
the storm against Madero broke on
February 8, 1918. The Mexico City
garrison, controlled by Huerta, revolt |
ed. The capital was the battle-ground.
Cannon raked the streets. Rioting and
pillage, arson and murder, reimed.
The arrest Of Madero followed Feb.
ruary IS. Under threats Of assassina-
tion he resigned next day. Under the
Mexican constitution, Pedro Lascurian,
Madero's minister OF foreign affairs,
became president--for an hour In that
hour Laseurian appointed Huerta for.
eign minister, then resigned Huerta,
by succession, became president.
Forty-eight hours later Madero and
Iuarez were dead. On the night OF
February % they were taken from |
,arriage while en- route from one prison
10 another and shot down by soldiers
Lieut. Francisco Cardenos IL sai1 IN