Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-09-15
CARRANzA WOULD
ALTER CONSTITUTION
Calls Election of Delegates to
4. Assembly to Consider
Changes.
OBSTACLES TO REFORM
IN PRESENT LAW OF LAND
Proceeding Along Plan of Guade-
loupe-Says Enemies of Govern
ment Obstruct Program.

MEXICO CITY. September 15.-Gen.
Carranza issued last night call for
the election of delegates to an assembly
to consider changes in the constitution.
His purposes are set forth in the pre-
amble of the decree now made public
here.
The preamble refers to the platform
of the constitutionalists, as set forth
in the plan of Guadeloupe accepted in
1913 before the downfall of Gen. Huerta
and elaborated at Vera Cruz in 1914,
and says it shows clearly that the pro-
gram of the constitutionalists provided
that when their cause was triumphant
and municipal elections had taken place
the first chief should call for the cleo
tion of a congress, give an account OF
his administration and have his ac-
tions ratified er modified by the con-
gress He was then to call presi
Dental election and turn over the ex-
ecutive power to the legally elected
president
Obstacles to Reforms.
The first chief always intended to
carry out this program and, to that
end, adopted various measures to pro-
vide government of and for the people.
to improve the economic situation of
the working classes and to insure a
correct application of republican prin
ciples as embodied in the constitution.
1t has been found. however. that some
of these reforms affected the functions
~ hA 1nVnf tod Iyy h.
constitution.
These reforms were necessary, Cen
Carranza points out, because there ex
listed the danger that if the functions
of government were limited strictly in
accordance with the constitution of
1857 the administration of public af-
fairs would not meet the necessities of
the time and there would be a return
to tyranny through the absorption of
powers by the executive; Another
source of danger was that the powers
vested in the legislative branch of the
government would be a constant stum-
bIing-block in the way Of beneficial adj
~ Enemies obstruct Program.
..The enemies OF the constitutional
lists" Gen. Cafranza continues. have
omitted nothing to prevent completion
of the program, even going so far Al to
imperil the dignity of the republic and
endanger it's sovereignty by provoking
conflict with a neighboring republic.
seeking to bring about Intervention on
the pretext that there was no protec-
ton for the lives and properties of
foreigners They even pretended to
seek Intervention for humanitarian
considerations. appearing to lament
the shedding of blood in a necessary
war. although they did not scruple to
sauander lives and permit all manner
Of excesses against natives and for
eiRners.
"These enemies of the constitutional
lists oppose not only the reforms already
effected. but those in prospect. There
fore" the preamble says. the only way
provide for a constitutional assembly,
through which the whole country will
be able to express clearly its sovereign
will, putting the government on firm
basis, beyond all question 4f legality.
Conyocation of 1857.
AS precedent for the action of Gen.
Carranza in calling a constitutional con-
yention, the decree refers to the fact
that in 1857 a similar assembly was
convoked. after Santa Anna was de-
posed The legality of this assembly
was undoubted. although it did not fol-
low the constitution of 1924.
The enemies Of the constitutionalists.
Gen. Carranza says further. have i'm
puted to him motives which he never
entertained Accordingly he determn-
ed to forestall attacks by frank and
sincere declaration that the reforms
projected are not intended to lead to
the establishment of dictatorship.
On the other hand the government to
be established will be of such form as
to demonstrate categorically that SOW
ereignty resides within the people, by
whom il should be exercised for the
rights will be respected and the spirit
of the constitution will be carried out.
The only purpose is to purge the con-
stitution Of defects in the way of OBJ
scurity and contradiction. or Of clauses
inserted for the purpose Of multiplying
domestic rights.
Procedure Mapped Out.
Then follow the provisions deter
mined upon by Gen. Carranza to carry
out his purpose. The election of dele
gates to the constitutional assembly
will be held October Is. Business ses-
sions will begin December l. and will
be limited to two months.
AS soon as constitution is adopted
a presidential election will be arranged,
and the assembly will be dissolved.
GEN. BLISS OPPOSES
p0pn[p rANeTARIII ADV