The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1920-03-20

PRESIDENT SAYS HE
WILL QUIT AT CLOSE
BY Ralph H. Turner

limited Press Correspondent
city of Mexico, Feb. 20 (by NALL
IT IA a dull week indeed that doesn't
bring forth a new turn in the pol1ti-
cal conjecture in Mexico's prestden-
tial race. And the past week mas
not been dull one. This Is the
question Mexico is asking herself To-
aDoes Venustiano Caranza intend
to continue in the presidential
chair"
Decidedly not, Carranza replies.
According to Carranza's own state
mont. he will not remain in Office a
sinkle day after the first OF Decem-
ber.'' the date when his term expires.
This statement, which appeared orig
inally In Ell Democrats, a government
organ. was accompanied by the edt-
tors declaration that contemporary
had published ian insidious notice to
the effect that certain political
group was comforting privately to
consider keeping the President In
power without violating the constitu-
tion."
In refuting this suggestion, Car
rama was quoted as saying that mas
much as reelection was prohibited, ne
would not violate the spirit Of the
constitution by remaining In on1qe
even though this could be done In q
constitutional way. He declared fur
Their, according to Ell Democratic, that
in case internal events prevented the
holding OF the election, congress
would designate the new executive.
PaciHcation Not Complete "'f.S v
But the presidents statement,
while exercising d certain quoting
effect upon the campaign situation,
has not entirely s.stopp edl the discus:
sion in political circles that Carran-
"a may succeed himself. Basis Of this
discussion generally is based on two
points: =, "~%i-,.t t.; y {.
l.. The president may declare that
the pacif1cation of the nation is not
yet so complete as to permit the hold.
ing of the elections, thereby extend.
ing his term of office. s2% sll$ ~ :.
I 2. Controversy over Tie election
may lead congress to declare it illegal
following this action by naming 9
man to enter upon the new term.
In the event Of the second develop.
ment, the newspaper Excelsior (inde.
pendent) has pointed out, CarranZa
undoubtedly 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 the first two years OF
in1 Oh 70
Immediately elect president, the
same congress to convoke new presi-
dental elect ions, arranging for these
to take place as near as possible I'd
the next elections for congressman
and senator's" -.
This. means. according to the Elk
celsior. that should congress declare
the elections illegal, or should the
president-elect resign for the sake OF
pea Carranza would be named to
hold office for two years longer, or
until 1922. when the next congress.
sion elections are scheduled.
Some Favor Carranza
Scme people, in fact. declare that
it, would be best for Mexico. If Car.
rama would remain In power; that
he is the STRONG man" of the coun.
try: that bis continuance in office
would permit Mexico to continue its
sic dy Improvement, uninterrupted
by shift in the reigns Of govern.
n!e't. ....'
But herein lies factor which aed
CarraEzH's friends to insist that he
will retire when his term ends. Car.
,arza. they point out, is eager tt
prove before the world that Mexico
under his administration has achiev.
ed democratic stability. There Is ne
. better way of demonstrating this
they say, than by the presidents de.
livering his office to a man chosen
by the people to succeed him. Very
/ few Mexican rulers, 1t is declared
have peacefully stepped aside in fav.
! or of a successor-any successor. 81
Z here is chance for Carranza tt
: make good for himself and fol
ii Mexico. 1t is this opportunity, say
the presidents closest supporters
which explains his eagerness to nego
tiate q change in power by peaceful
hodo-