El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-04-28
j. s. SHOULD HAVE LEFT HUERTA
RULE, KNOX AND PENROSE ASSERT
Former Secretary of State Denies Wilson Inherited Mex
lean Policy From Taft Administration, Showing From
Chronology of Events in Mexico Wilson Shaped His
Own Course; Huerta Strongest, Says Penrose.

- ITTSBURG, Pa, April 2S.-The
- Wilson administration has con-
4 tributed largely TO the disastrous
conditions in Mexico by its refusal to
recognize president Huerta, a legal sue
cessor Of president Madero, according
to former secretary Of state Philander
C. Knox and senator Boise PenrOse in
addresses Thursday night at a
Republican banquet here. Mr. Knox
denied that president Wilson inherited
the Mexican trouble from his prede-
cessor. president TAFT
Intervention in Mexico, the FORMER
secretary declared, seemed danger
Jusly near. IL not inevitable
Not Inherited From Taft.
ct has been asserted time and again
by the apologists for the Democratic
biunderfng in Mexico shat president
Wilson Inherited the Mexican situation
from president Taft said Mr.. Knox
Nothing could be further from the
truth than this statement, as a review
OF the situation will conclusively dis
when president Taft assumed office
on March 4 1903, Mexico was at peace
Her credit was good, her Golfers
filled, her industries thriving and Por-
firio Diaz, who had been constitu-
tional president OF the republic since
the Lerdo de Tajada, seemed fairly
placed for the remainder of his life to
preside over the destinies Of the land
he had done so much to free from the
empire OF Macmillan, set up by coa-
lition Of European powers.
The MaderO Revolt.
THE MaderO revolution broke out
some two years later and resulted IN
driving Diaz from power. Although
the Madero regime was recognized by
the United States and the other pow
ers. Il was not accepted by powerful
factions in Mexico. Retaliation against
It's authority was almost coincident
with its birth and finally, in Febru-
airy. 1913. Felix Diaz carried the war
against Madero TO the streets Of the
capital city itself
lIaderO'r Overthrow.
when il was apparent thar Ma
dero's downfall was imminent, IL was
made certain by Huerta and a portion
OF the army going over to Diaz, who
then seized the palace and on Febru-
airy 10. 1913, Francisco J.. MaderO and
Jose NJ. Pine Suarez resigned as presi-
dent and vice president, respectively.
Their esignations were in writing and
copies were transmitted TO foreign
powers sustaining diplomatic relations
with the republic and also the Mexican
congress then in session. This was
the congress elected at the same time
that Madero was elected president, the
election having taken place subse-
quent to the success OF the AIadero
revolution.
Nothing Unusual About Course.
"Of course Francisco AIadero resigned
under the compulsion of the revolu-
tion led by Felix Diaz, just as Porfirio
Diaz had abdicated shortly before un-
der the compulsion Of the revolution
led by Francisco Madero. But there
was nothing startling, unusual, or un-
Mexican in that fact During a period
OF so years preceding Porfirio Diaz'
accession to the presidency there had
been some 80 odd governments in Mex
leo. presided over by some 20 odd in
dividuals. Sensible people have no IL
lusions about the stability of govern
ment in Mexico.
Huertn Goes Into office.
When Madero resigned on Febru-
airy 10. 1913, the minister Of foreign
affairs. under the Mexican constitu-
ton, became president This was Pc
drO Lascurain. He appointed General
Huerta minister Of war. The minister
Of foreign affairs then resigned and
the office devolved on Huerta, and this
was on February 10. 1913. It is i'm
portant to mark these dates
1T has been attempted. with a great I
measure OF success, TO make the
American people believe that Huerta
became president through Madero's
death. Perhaps 90 per cent of intelli- |
gent Americans so understand IL. But |
this Is not true. Huerta became presi- I
dent through Madero's and Lascurain's