Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-04-28
Intervention Near

AHSSA ANSok
Intervention in Mexico, the former
secretary declared seemed danger
ously near if not inevitable"
1T has been asserted time and again
by the apologists for the Democratic
laundering in Mexico that President
Wilson inherited the Mexican situation
from President Taft" said Mr.. Knox.
Nothing could be further from the
truth than this statement as review
of the situation will conclusively dis
close.
When President Taft assumed Of
fee on March 4. 1909, Mexico was at
peace. Her credit was good, her cof-
ferS filled, her industries thriving and
Porfirio Diaz. who had been consti-
tutional president Of the republic
since Lerdo De Tojada, seemed fair
| for the remainder Of his life to preside
| over the destinies Of the land he had
| done so much to free from the en-
| pire of Macmillan, set up by coai-
| tion of European powers.
"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, it was not accepted by powerful
| factions in Mexico. Rebellion against
it's authority was almost coincident
with it's birth and finally. in February.
1913, Gen. Felix Diaz carried the war
against Madero to the streets of the
| capital city itself.
Tender designations
when it was apparent that Ma
dero's downfall was imminent it was
made certain by Huerta and a por-
ton of the army going over to Diaz
who then seized the palace and on
Feb. 10, 1913, Francisco I. Madero and
Jose NJ. Pine Suarez resigned as pres
ident and vice president respectively.
| Their designations were in writing,
| the copies were transmitted to foreign
powers sustaining diplomatic relations
with the republic and also to the Mex
lean congress. then in session. This
was the congress elected at the same
time that Madero was elected presi-
dent, the election having taken place
subsequent to the success Of the Ma
dero revolution.
| of course Francisco Madero resigned
under the compulsion Of the revolution
! lead by Felix Diaz. But there was moth
| ing startling, unusual or un-Mexican in
that fact.
| when Madero resigned on Feb. 10,
1913, the minister Of foreign affairs un-
der the Mexican Constitution became
President. This was Pedro Lescurain.
He appointed Gen. Huerta minister of
war. The minister Of foreign affairs
then resigned and the Office devolved on
Huerta. and this was on Feb. 19, 1913.
! How Huerta Became President
1T has been attempted with a great
measure Of success, to make the Ameri-
| can people believe that Huerta became
| president through Madero's death. Per-
! haps 80 per cent. Of intelligent Ameri-
| cans so understand it. But this is not
| true Huerta became president through
| Madero and Lascurain's designations.
! Madero's death did not occur until some
| days later.
Recognition Withheld
Thus Huerta became a provisional
! president Of Mexico Feb. 10, 1918. Mr..
| Taft ceased to be President Of the Uni
ted States March 4, 1913. There were
| thus. 12 days within which President
Taft could have extended recognition.
Why did he not do so?"
1T was the judgment Of the diplo
| mats representing foreign industries in
Mexico that the provisional government
! in Mexico had been installed in COM
pliance with the Mexican Constitution
| and Mexican precedent and that it's
speedy recognition would be helpful in
restoring normal conditions throughout
the country. The American ambassa-
| dor shared this view and asked for in
| structions. General Carranza, who at
! that time was governor Of one Of the
Mexican states. had officially informed
| this government Of his adherence to the
| new government: the Mexican Congress
and courts had recognized its authority,
| and advices from our diplomatic and
consular officers indicated a very general
| adherence to its authority throughout
| the republic.
The main questions involved in de-
| termining whether or not to recognize
| government seeking recognition are
| these:
rs the government able and disposed
to comply with rules Of international
laws? Will 1t respect the obligation Of
treaties and the ethical rules of comfy
observed by self-respecting nations?
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