The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-23

date the concession. At any rate, the Chester grant is said to be annuled.
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 PRESS ON MEXICAN SITUATION
 It has long been 8 punning truism that Mexico casts bullets and not bal lots in her elections. The bullets usually begin to fly some time before the date of elections, and the success full candidate is usually safely in power by that date. It was thought that Obregon had sufficiently pacified the country to forestall revolution on the present occasion; but the ambitious laspirants thought otherwise-and proved it. Latest reports indicate that Obregon is getting the situation in hand, and that those hopes that trusted to the sword will perish by the sword. Public opinion In the United States will generally approve such result, for the people of this country desire the mutual benefit that will result from peaceful pursuits among our southern neighbors
 The reason why such situation can arise in a supposedly constitutional re- public is outlined by the Kansas City Star: "In Mexico as in so many other countries the business of government has been made the business of very small class, and the great mass of the population, knowing and caring little about public affairs, accepts whatever government is provided and by whom ever provided, The governing class in Mexico Is military class; Mexico gets governed by generals" The Star IS somewhat pessimistic over Mexico's po- litical outlook, and concludes: "The people of Mexico are not ready for self-government, and government as a Eesult is merely the prize of the strong est or most unscrupulous general who is first to lay his hands on it. It is q condition from which no country is safe that does not recognize that pub lio education, intelligence and an ac- tive participation in politics by all the people ars the essential foundation stones of any constitutional rule." However. perhaps the Star will admit that the educational influence of q prolonged period of peace and pros- per4ty Is coming to be felt, even In Mexican politics
 That Obregon will gain the upper hand in disaffected localities Is the belief of the New York Times, which then observes: "A1l that can be claimed for him is that he is a natural leader of men, n1ingles freely with his sol- diers, sets them an example of brav- cry, has an instinct for strategy, faces the hazards of WAT coolly, understands the Mexican character and is a shrewd judge of mem" Which is surely by way of claiming a great deal. Like wise the Atlanta Journal finds that Oregon ~has made good use of the country's quiet to restore and recon struct and prepare tho way for a prosperous future. He has encouraged education, particularly that of the common schools; has promoted the re- building and expansion of transport facilities; has put new heart into both agricultural and industrial enterprises; {; and has upheld the law, insofar as that could be done by federal authority, in way highly wholesome to business and to all productive interests. In this record lies Obregon's strength today when destructive forces again chal- lenge. He deserves the support of his countrymen, and apparently is receiv- ing 1t. The sooner the revolt Is put down the better for Mexico and for her international relations"
 That the United States has in the past been partially to blame for Mexi- can troubles because we have per mitted revolutionists to plot within our borders is the belief of the Florida Times-Unioni "We have done too much that could scarcely be termed decent hitherto. Sheltered within our territory enemies of Latin-American government have carried on propa- ganda and in some cases have fur nished substantial aid to the enemies of friendly governments. It is not the duty of our government to help other governments put down insur- rection, but it is the duty of any gov- ernment to see that it does not shel- ter the enemies of any other govern ment with which 1t Is on friendly terms" The Times-Union, however, absolves this country from any such course in the present instance.
 That Eff untrammeled, public opin- ion in Mexico would not sanction the present movement against the Obregon government" is the opinion of San Antonio man as quoted by the Louis vile Courier-Journal, which recalls that "since Madero went into power there has really been no voluntary popular revolutionary movement in Mexico," and that not "any one of the men now in arms against Obregon has been backed by the Mexican masses. Recruits for their armies have been won either by alluring opportu-