South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-03-19
MAY KEEP MEXICAN
PRESIDENT ON JOB
FOR MANY YEARS
Dull Week Below Rio Grande
Without New Political
Conjecture.

CITY OF MEXICO. March Isl
It is a dun week indeed that doesn't
bring forth a new turn in the po-
1itical conjecture in Meuco's presi-
dental race. And the past week has
not been a dAl one. This is the
question Mexico Is asking herself
today.
Does venustiano Carranza intend
10 continue IN the presidential
chair"
Decidedly not, Carranza replies.
According TO Carauza's own state
ment. he Will not remain in office "a
single day after the first of Deccm-
ber. the date when his term CX-
pires This statement. which ap-
peared originally in Fl Democrat,
a government organ. was accom-
panied by the editors declaration
hat = contemporary had published
AN insidi0us notice 10 the effect
hat certain political group was
couferring privately TO consider
keeping the president I'm power
without violating the constitution
In refuung their suggestion. Car
rama was quoted as saying that in
asmuch as reelection was prohibited
re would not violate the spirit of
the constitution By remaining in of
flee even though this could be done
in a constitutional way. He de-
clared further according to FL DEM
Ocrata. that in case internal events
prevented the holding Of the cleo
lion, congress would designate the
new executive.
But the presidents statement
while exercising a certain quoting
effect upon the campaign situation,
has not entirely stopped the dis
cussion I'm political circles that Car
ranza may succeed himself. Basis
of this discussion generally is based
on two points.
I The presidenct may declare that
the pacification of the nation is not
vet so complete as TO permit the
holding OF the elections, thereby ex-
tending his term of office.
Congress May Act.
. Controversy over the election
may lead congress 20 declare NJ IL
legal. following this action by nam
ing a man to enter upon the new
term.
In the event OF the second devel-
opment. the newspaper Excelsior
independently has pointed out, Car
rama undoubtedly would be desig-
mated as the provisional president
The Excelsior asserts that the
new constitution provides:
On case Of the absolute lack Of a
president during the first two years
~ a presidential term, congress
shall Immediately elect a. president,
the same congress to cOnvoke new
presidential elections. arranging
for these TO take place as near as
possible 20 the next elections for
congressman and senator's"
To Nanne Carranza.
This means, according 10 the EN-
celslor. that should congress declare
the elections illegal. or should the
presid ent -elect resign for the sake
Of peace. Carranza would be named
10 hold ONCE for two years longer.
or until 1922, when the next con-
gressional elections are scheduled.
Some people. in fact, declare that
NJ would be best for Mexico If Car
rama would remain in power. that
he is the strong man of the coun-
try. that his continuance IN Office
would permit Mexico to continue its
steady improve nnent. uninterrupted
by a SHIFT In the reins of govern
ment
But herein lies a factor which led
Carranza's friends 10 insist that he
will retire when his term ends Car
rama. they point out, is eager to
prove before the world that MeXi-
co under his administration has
achieved democratic stability. There
ifs no better way of demonstrating
this. they say, than by the presi-
dents delivering his Office to man
chosen by the people TO succeed
him Very few Mexican rulers, it Is
declared. have peacefully stepped
aside in favor of q successOr-any
successor. so here is a chance foI
s~arranza 20 make good'-for him
9elf and for Mexico. It is this OPP
portunity, say the presidents closest
supporters which explains his
eagerness TO negotiate change m
power by peaceful. regular meth
DDS.