Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-18
Mexico's Tragic Loss.

revolver shots the blind, unreasoning
and destructive hand of anarchy mas
reached out once again in Mexico
Within the space Of one startled gasp
Il has turned things topsy-turVy'
swept away order and substituted
chaos, changed the horizon from one
q. bright hope and promise to one
darkened By vague and sinister clouds.
The violent death of Ohregon, Mexicos
strong man. is a bitter and tragic loss
IN the country he served. 1t means
the passing OF a leadership which
seemed to point the way to better
things. II removes from the stage an
engaging and heroic personality: one
that was capable of instilling strong
and loyal love as well as deep and ma
niacal hatred.
To fix the blame for this thing Is as
futile as the mad act itself. The as
ssssin has been caught. He will live
no longer than the hope OF obtaining
enough information TO impiicate ms
confederates. Juan Escapulario Is only
a pawn who has played his strange part
in working toward the hidden destiny
Of Mexico. The promptings of his dis
ordered mind are unimportant. To
sound them Is only to reveal once more
the meaningless processes which have
accounted for similar acts In the his
tory of almost every republic.
But what of ohregon's death? Since
1917 he has played one of the leading
uarts in the dramatic changes which
seemed destined to start his country
on the road to permanent recovery
from internal ailments so long holding
II back. As one of the strong leaders
OF the factions supporting Carranza, 1t
was probably his influence which
brought about the Incorporation IN the
new constitution of 1917 of the famous
article 81, resulting in the long-draTn-
out controversy between Mexico and the
United states over land laws. But
when Carranga ended his term as Pres
hent it was Obregon who seized the
administration. and his election IN 1920
was the beginning of q new era OF
friendly relations between this country
and Mexico. In 1928, Is the result Of
various acts indicating his desire for
this country,s friendship. the United
states recognized his government. His
administration was made notable BY
labor and agrarian reforms, and when
he ended his term 1t was his prestige
and ability as military leader con-
trolling the army that drove de Ia
Huerta. representing the opposition.
from the country and assured the viz
tuaIly unopposed election Of President
Gales.
President Gales is believed to have
been dominated By. If not leaning heay-
Nv upon, the power and advice OF
Obregon. But it was during the Gales
administration that the. oil land .difi-
cs,lties with the United States and the
dispute with the Catholic Church CROP
ped out again Ambassador Morrow
nne work had apparently snoothed out
the last remaining difficuities over the
former question. and the election OF
Gen. obreson three weeks ago 10 sue
coed Gales at the end Of his term. in
December. was welcomed in this CT n
try as assuring continuation Of the ex-
listing and promising regime.
Nov the immediate difficulty Is the
solution Of the question Of Gales
successor, Gales being constitutionally
barred from succeeding himself. obre-
eon and Gales had been able TO stamp
out the flames Of opposition, but they
reduced them only to fiercely burning
spark. which now may be expected To
burn brightly and, mayhap consum-
tnsly. once again. Much depends upon
President Gales. Cool thought and o
steady hand are needed. He and Mex.