New-York tribune., 1920-08-09

are volube in their praise of his
ability and do not hesitate to add that
they did not think he had it in him.
Every One Wants Something
In the waiting rooms of several high
government officials there are posters
which ask visitors not to request let
ters of recommendation, because the
President is fed un on them now. He
tions he has been bombarded with re.
quests for everything from the COM
mand Of division to Cabinet port
folio. Some days ago he lost his usual
patience when dealing with one of the
more importunate "heroes" and asked
him, "Why don't You ask for the Pres
idency and have it done with ?"
The President has had the handling
of the political situation as it is un-
derstood in Mexico. He has been called
upon to settle hundreds of little tan
giles in far-away districts, many of
which might develop into serious trou.
bic If not settled properly. Unques-
tlonably he has made enemies because
he cannot please every one, but as u
whole people are we'll, satisfied They
are so we'll satisfied, ia fact, that they
would like to see De la Huerta con-
tinue in office indefinitely and see no
reason for a change.
1T is difficult for the outsider to
grasp the problems of Mexican ex-
ecutive. There exists in the country
as complex a decentralization of au
thorlty as in any country in the world,
but the power which makes that au-
thorlty effective is concentrated in the
executive. 50 long as this condition
exists the President will be called
upon to settle squabbles and his word
VIII be law. He is trying to get away
from 1T as rapidly as he can, and has
refused to so much as express an opin-
ion on number of controversies. but
so long as the habit of appealing to
force of arms in matters purely politi-
cal obtains he will be forced in the
long run to take the initiative.
How Huerta Settles Disputes
The States of Mexico and of Colima.
among others, have two governors, each
claiming the legal right to exercise the
powers of the state executive Both
cases were recently taken to de la
fiuerta for settlement, and his handling
OF them is a good illustration of the
method he has adopted and of the dii-
ncultles 1t presents. In the case of
the State of Mexico the Presd told
the principals to the controversy to 60
ahead and settle matters in their own
way with two conditions-they must
not question the authority of the Fed
eral executive and they must not dis
turb the public peace. One of the
claimants has withdrawn and is talking
of trip to the United States.
Toluca, the capital of the State of
Mexico, is within easy striking dis
tance of the capital, and any trouble
arising there could be handled in short
order, and de la Huerta knew it. He
also knew that the people of the state
were not sufficiently interested in the
fight to take sides.
The fight in Colima was allowed to
continue its course up to the point
where it appeared inevitable that hos
tll-ties were about to begin. The Pres
ident then settled the whole question
by remarking at dinner one night that
the Governor Of Colima was Mr.. Ava-
rez Garcia. Any further developments
in Colima will be handled by General
Gales. There may he trouble, but the
ODDS are against it. Colima, unlike
Mexico, is far from the capital and the
people of the state have already taken
sides in the controversy.
President de la Huerta is frankly
sick of his job. He is unable to under
stand why others are making such a
fuss over the question as to who is to
succeed him. There is no question that
he will turn over the office with the
greatest pleasure. Aside from the
natural cares of the office de la Huerta
is sick man. He is remaining in
office at the possible sacrifice of his
life, and he knows it, He goes to work
daily knowing that he should be in beu
While the Presidential elections in
Mexico have not yet been held, Alvaro
Obregon is generally accepted as the
President-elect. The Conservative can
didate may give him a run for his
money, but he came into the field too
late seriously to menace the popular
hero. With the Presidency before him.
he is naturally interested in each and
every development likely to leave him
a legacy of trouble He is a close
personal friend of the President and
unquestonably is in close touch with
him. In addition to this, every one
knows that in an emergency he would
step into the breach at once and again
become the real leader of Mexico.
This does not mean that Obregon is
the power behind the throne or that
de la Huerta is a puppet dancing to
Obregon music. Obregon has pur~
posely avoided anything which
might give color to any such state