Evening journal., 1920-03-23
CARRANZA MAY
rule IN MEXICO
Likely That President Will
Be Continued in Office
Another Term
CONTROVERSY
OVER ELECTION
nv RALPH Ill TIRNEn.

IDulttu Press SIAN AoIltalOhuent.l
CITY OF MEXICO, March i9lBy Maill
1t is a dull week indeed that doesn't
bring forth a new turn In The political
conjecture IN Mexico's presidential race
An the past week has not been dull
one. This is the question Mexico Is ask
ing herself today:
Does Nesnustiano Carranza intend TO
continue in the presidential chair2"
According TO Carranza's own state
ment, he will not remain In Office "a
single day after the FIRST OF December"
the date when his term expires This
statement. which appeared originally In
II Democratic, a government organ. was
accompanied by the editors declaration
that a contemporary had published ian
insidlous notice TO the effect that a GER
tain political group was comforting prl-
votely TO consider keeping the Presl-
dent In power, without violating the
constitution"
In refut'ng this suggestion, Carranza
was quoted as saying that inasmuch as
reelection was prohibited. he would not
violate the spirit Of the constitution
by remaining In office, even though this
could be done in a constitutional way.
lie declared further, according TO FL
Democratic. that In case internal events
prevented the holding Of the election,
Congress would designate the new ex-
ecutive.
But the Presidents statement. while
exercising a certain quleting effect upon
G campaign situation, has not entirely
stopped the discussion IN political cir
cles that Carranza may succeed him
self Basis OF this discussion general
ly Ia based on two points:
4. The President may declare that
the paciilcation OF the nation is not yet
so complete as 10 permit the holding Of
the elections. thereby extending his
term Of Office.
2 Controversy over the election may
lead CONGRESS TO declare II Illegal. fol-
lowing this action by naming a man TO
enter upOn The new term.
In the event Of the second develop
ment. The newspaper Excelsior (hde-
pendent has pointed out Carranza un-'
doubiedly would be designated as the
provisional president
The Excelsior asserts that the new
constitution provides:
in case Of The absolute lack OF a
President during HE FIRST two years OF
presidential term Congress shall i'm
mediaiely elect a President. the same
CONGRESS- TO cOnvoke new presidential
elections. arranging for these 10 take
place as near as possible 20 the next
elections fer congressman and SEN
ato-s."
This means, according 10 the Excel
s'Or that should Congress declare the
elections Illegal, or should the presi-
dent-elect resign for the sake OF peace.
Carranza would be named 10 AO'f
office for two years longer. or until
1922 when the next congressional cleo
tions are scheduled
Some people. IN fact, declare that it
would be best for Mexico n Carranza
wou'd remain IN power; that he is the
"sirong man" Of the country: that his
continuance IN Ofllce would permit
Mexico 10 cont'nne its steady Improve
meni uninicrruptPd by a shift In the
reins OF government.
But herein lies a factor which led
Carranza's friends 90 insist that he will
retire when his term ends. Carranza,
they point ont. Is EAGER 20 prove before
The world that Mexico under his ad-
m'nisiration has achieved democratic
stability There Is no better way Of
demonstrating this. they say. than by
the Presidents delivering his Office 10 a
man chosen bv the people 10 succeed
him. Very few Mexican rulers. it Is de-
clared. have peacefully stepped aside I'm
favor OF successor-any successor. So |
here is a chance for Carranza TO make !