Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-19
u. S. RECOGNITION
OF GEN. CARRANzA
IS ANNOUNCED
CONTINUED from First Page

becoming normal in many places. Thou
sands Of troops hitherto under Gen.
Villa have taken advantage OF the offer
Of amnesty and laid down their arms,
and Secretary Lansing and the pam
American diplomats feel that a fair
start has been made toward restoration
OF peace and reconstruction, the success
OF which depends upon the admi nistra-
tive ability OF Carranza and his advts-
ers. Assurances have been given by
Carranza that foreigners will be pro-
tected in their lives and property; that
claims Will be paid: that amnesty will
De given to political enemies who swear
allegiance to the new government, and
that there will be no prosecutions of
the clergy. The American government
Is hopeful that these promises will be
fuinlled. Mr.. Arredendo, who is to be
either minister of foreign relations
or the new Mexican amba ssador to the
United States. has told Secretary Lans-
ing confidently that they will be.
Discussion as to Title.
A decision to refer to Gen Carranza
as the chief executive of the de facto
government of Mexico" was reached
after some discussion as to titles. AL
though provisional president" is a
generic term applied to the executive
of a republic fear was expressed in
some quarters that since it had not
been used by Gen. Carranza himself
the use by foreign governments might
create the impression in Mexico that
he was being chosen to a new Office
by foreign governments. The words
chief executive" were used also to
avoid any impression that a constitu-
tional government was being recog-
nized, for while there is no difference
IN the benefits of recognition to a de
facto or de jure government, the con-
stitutional order in Mexico will not be
proclaimed until a constituent assem-
bly, Is called some weeks hence. This
assembly will formally designate Gen.
Carranza as provisional president" or
president ad interim" and arrange for
the constitutional elections OF president
and vice president.
The recognition means proclamation
OF an embargo on arms in accordance
with the Joint resolution passed by
Congress in March. 1912. All consular
representatives Of the Carranza gov
eminent will be recognized in their
omctal capacity as soon as they present
credentials and apply for exequaturs.
American consuls in Mexico who have
not possessed exeQuaturs will apply
Tor them now. and 1t is understood in
cidentally that the American consular
service in Mexico generally will be reor-
ganized
European governments will be mott
ned by Secretary Lansing of the Wash
ington governments action in extend
ing recognition. and although no sug
geetion will be made to them. it is
understood most of them will follow
the lead of the United States.
Unprecedented Relations.
Extension of recognition to a gov
eminent in Mexico followed nearly
three years Of unprecedented relations
between the two countries. In Feb
ruary. 1913. Francisco Madero, the le-
gally elected president, was overthrown
and Gen. Huerta assumed the executive
power, but the United States as well as
Argentina, Brazil and Chile. refused to
recognize Huerta. Unofficial relations
were maintained by the Washington
government for several months. first
through Ambassador Henry Lane Will
son and later through Nelson Onslaught
messy, charge d'affaires. The charge
finally was Withdrawn in April, 1914,
after an ultimatum had been sent to
Huerta which resulted in the occupa-
ton of Vera Cruz by the United States
Navy.
The American embassy was in the
charge of the Brazilian minister until
q, few months ago, and at present
American interests in Mexico City are
inally a clerk in the American EN-
bassy.
Recognition Brings Jubilation.
The dnal decision to recognize a gov
eminent In Mexico caused much jubila-
ton among the Carranza followers
here. Mr.. Arredondo pointed to it as
triumph OF pan-American policy
Carranza- the recipient Of the honor.
was the first to rise in revolt against
Huerta- He was at the time governor
of the state of Coahuila, and in ac-
cordance with a provision Of the Mex
the governors uphold the constitution,
the revoluttonists, or constitutional
lists" chose him as the rightful sue
cessor OF Madero. and the depository
Of the executive power" In Mexico
he is known today as first chief of the
constitutionalist army, in charge of
the executive power"
carranza's Career.
Gen. Carranza's career has been a
picturesque one in Mexico politics. He
was born fifty-six years ago of a prom
inent family which supported Benito
Juarez in the three years war and
against the French invasion. He
studied for professional career at
Saltillo, his home, and Mexico City,
but was forced to abandon it on ac-
Later he took to farming. He entered
politics early, and always has been an
advocate OF local self-government He
was the first municipal president of
Cuatro Cienegas, deputy to the state
legislature OF Coahuila, and afterward
a member Of the Mexican senate from
the same state.
He opposed the Diaz regime politi-
cally in Coahuila and ran for vice
president on the ticket with Gen. Ber-
nardo Reyes against Diaz. He support
ed Francisco Madero in his unsuccess-
fuls campaign in the election OF 1910
against Dtaz. He was a member of
Madero's provisional cabinet while In
revolution against Diaz. and afterward
became provisional governor of Co.
ahuiia- Later. in the general elections,
he was chosen by a large majority
governor of Coahuila,. and began a
system of reforms in his home state
on taxation and land laws. introducing
also new state constitution.
Plan Of Guadalupe.
When Carranza first took arms
against Huerta he called a conference
OF revolutionary chiefs at the Hacienda
d. icI,