Omaha daily bee., 1916-05-06
Inside Story Of Mexico
Philander G. Knox.



giss for the democratic laundering In Mexico that
President Wilson inherited the Mexican situation
from President Taft Nothing could be further from
the truth than this statement review Of the stu
ntion viii coneusvey disclose.
When President Taft assumed office March T.
1901 Mexico at peace. Her credit was good her
Golfers filed her Industries thriving, and Portirlo
Diaz who had been constitutional president Of the
republic since Ledo dc Tejadai seemed fair for tho
remainder Of his life To preside over tho destnes Of
the land no had done much to free from the en-
pirs OF Macmillan, set up by coalition Of Euro
pean powers
The Madero revolution broke out some two years
later and resulted in driving Diaz from power, Al
though the Madero regime recognized by The
United states and other powers, II not accepted
by powerful factions In Mexico. Rebellion against
it's authority almost concident with It's birth
and finally in February 1918. General Felix Da5
carried the against Madero TO the streets Of the
capital city itself
When II was apparent that Madero's downfall was
Imminent II WIS made certain by Iiuera and a por
tlon Of tho army going 10 Diaz who then seized
the palace and February TO- 1913, Francisco l.
Madero and Jose M. Pine suarez resigned as pres.
dent and vice president, respectively. Their resig
nations In writing, the copies were transmitted
10 foreign powers sustaining diplomatic relations
with the republic and also TO the Mexican congress-
elected at the time that Madero was elected
president the election having taken place subse.
auent 10 the success Of the Madero revolution
OF course Francisco Madero resigned under the
eompuaion ~ the revolution led by Felix Daz Just
rorflrio Diaz had abdieaed shortly before under
the compuIhon Of the revolution led by Francisco
Madero. But thore WIS nothing startling unusual
or un-Mszican in that fact. During period Of
forty years preceding Porfo Diazs accession TO the
presidency there had been some thirty odd govern
rnsntB IN Mexico presided by seventy odd ind-
viduala Sensible people have illusion about the
stability Of government in Mexico
When Madsro resigned on February 10 1913 the
minister Of foreign affairs under the Mexican canst
tuition became president This Pedro Laseurain
He appointed General HuertA minister OF war. The
minister Of foreign affairs then resigned and the
office dovolvod upon Huerta and this Febru.
airy %, 1918, Is important 10 mark these dates
II has been attempted with great measure Of
success 10 make the American people believe TINT
Huerta became president through Maderos death
Perhaps 10 per cent Of intelligent Americans SO
derstand e. But this Is not true IIucrta became
president through Maderos and Lascurains resIg-
nations Madero's death did not occur until some
days later recital Of the sequence Of events wiz
now mako clear; February IS, the government Of
MAdero overthrown; February 10, Madero
signed February TO- Huerta become provisional pros
ident; February "a. about midnight, Madero was
killed while being transferred from the palace to the
penitentiary.
Mexico, February 49, 1914 Mr.. Taft ceased 20 be
president Of tho United States March l. 1913 There
thus twelve days within which President Taft
could have extended recognition Why did he not
do so7 II was the Judgment Of the diplomats repre-.
Hsnting foreign countries IN Mexico that the provi
honaI government in Mexico had been installed n
compliance with the Mexican constitution and Mex.
lean precedent and that its speedy recognition would
be helpful In restoring normal conditions throughout
the country. The American ambassador shared this
.f... e. l,afr
who at that limo governor of Of the Mex
lean states, had officially informed this government
OF his adherence TO the new government; the Next.
congress and courts had recognized It's authority
and advioes from other diplomatic and consular Off
Indicated very general adherence 20 its author
ity throughout the republic.
The main question involved IN determining whether
not 10 recognize a government seeking recognition
these Is the requesting government able 10
dispose comply with the rules Of international aw7
Will II respect the obligation OF treaties and the eth.
ea rules Of comfy observed by self-respecting
tons7 VIII II recognize respect and protect ths
rights OF foreigners residing within It's borders7 In
vew Of the unhappy experience Of tho preceding two
years In dealing with the Madero administration in
our effort 20 protect Americans in Mexico and 70
adjust automatically important national questions at
issue with the Mexican government II deemed
expedient TO ask some assurances upon these sub
jectH AS 10 all these questions requested Huertn
and his government for some assurances of their
ing his reply the twelve days slipped away Mr..
Taft ceased to DO president; Mr., Wilson assumed Of
flee and this is why the Taft administration did net
recognize Huerta.
What Mr. Wilson inherited from Mr.. Taft was
outstanding unanswered diplomatic request TO the
de taco government at Mexico City for definite as
surances for the security OF American rights and
the adjustment Of American claims preliminary
TO the consideration OF the question Of recognition
What Mr. Wilson did 20 repudate the policy of
his predecessor In this as in all other things and
create situation that made the adjustment OF Amer
iean rights impossible.
The revolutions with which the Taft admnlstra,
ton had 70 contend Of comparatively short duf-
alton while there has been In Mexico practically
ever since Mr. Wilson in and refused 20 recog-
Mise Huerta continuous anarchy. There was never
tma during the Taft administration when there was
not IN Mexico city government recognized IN
large part Of Mexico and conducting its foreign
iatlons with the world Huerta, who came in 50
shortly beforn President Taft went out was rocog.
nlEsd by some twenty odd countries az I recall n
including practically an Of the great powers ~ Europe
that Sir TAFT left the Mexican situation with
Mexico pacifed and, hedlng the power IN Mexico.
the strongest who has appeared since the days