Evening star., 1928-12-09
BY GASTON NERVAL,

Ar EXICO. the historical. has jus
NU been the scene of new and i'm
IU portant political developments
However, this time 1t was no
revolution or the aSSaSSina
ton of some government leader in par
ticular, or some improviSed conflict or
internal complication, which has so at
tracted the attention of the rest of the
world to the now turbulent, now peace
full republic of Mexico.
This time. without regard to its ira
ditions or to its well established GUS
toms. it has been a great democratic
principle wholly orderly and legal which
has been accomplished in the political
life Of the neighboring republic. A
fortnight ago Emilio Portes Gil, pro-
visional President of Mexico, took his
oath of Office amid most cordial cere-
monies. This event has a most far
reaching significance, for it occurred
in Mexico. where the change in gov
ernmentS but a short while ago was
the deed of military coupS, and further
because hardly three months had
elapsed since the President-elect, Gen.
Obregon, had been assassinated by the
very hand of one of his countrymen.
Passes Through Crisis.
Shortly after Gen. Obregon's election
for second term as President of the
republic, when his life was untirnely
taken by a religious fanatic, who for
his crime will pay the highest penalty,
the nation as whole was in a high
tension OF expectation respecting the
probable unrest and serious disturb
ances which would as a result impair
~ a n T0fT
commencement of new and compli-
Gated crisis which would unouestion-
ably set back the republic to those
tragic days of political anarchy. Not
w1thstanding, setting great example
OF good democratic principles, hereto
fore denied to 1t, Mexico has success
fully passed this critical moment of its
history and within three months from
such unfortunate occurrence is again
enjoying normal and stable govern
ment.
Is 1t to be understood that Mexico
has forsaken its warlike traditions and
that 1t has abandoned that chaotic
ambient Of confusion and internal un-
rest which have been the most out.
standing events Of its political life?
Has Had Trying Period.
Since 1910 the neighbor republic has
Been undergoing the most trying period
OF Its independent life In that year.
when apparently that country seemed
10 be enjoying life of peace and pros
per1ty under the iron hand of the die
tator Porflrio Diaz, the injustices and
the suppression of certain privileges
curing his regime slowly but inalter-
ably were sowing dissatisfaction, hatred
fnYs H..
hearts Of the political leaders. who
chose to bring an end to this state of
af1airS by force of arms. To accom-
plish the downfall of his dictatorial
regime they sought the aid of the great
masses OF illiterate natives, who, having
been promised their liberation from
their masters, eagerly, under the leader
snip OF Francisco Madero, great intel
lectuality, and Francisco Villa, a mill
tary leader, undertook the hazardous
adventure. The revolution broke out
trom IL different points and very shortly
the rebels captured the City of Juarez,
from where they demanded the abdi-
cation Of the tyrannic Diaz And upon
the cry of Land and Liberty!" advo-
eating the devolution of properties to
the original owners and the distribu-
tlon OF lands among the natives, they
nationwide conflagration. Thus came
to an end the Diaz regime, which for 80
long years had remained in power. Re-
signing his ofdce, the dictator sailed for
France, where he spent his last DAYS.
Thus began revolution which was
destined to reverberate, even to the
present time, in series of similar
scenes, where the names of the princi-
QalS may change, but not the intensity
or the nature of the events.
New Uprisings Start.
Shortly after the new government had
been established new uprisings against
Its stability were in progress. Madero,
tnen IN of1lce, was forced to face a re-
oelllon OF alarming proportions in the
south, headed by zapata, and another
In the north by Reyes Others followed.
but less intensive. Vazquez, Orozco.
Felix Diaz also joined the already great
number OF malcontents and spread dis
oroer and anarchy throughout the
country. Madero, in order to suppress
Sucn opposition, intrusted one of his
sleutenantS, Victoriano de la Huerta
VINO had been colonel in the army of
tne dictator, Diaz with the task of
abating the revolution. Unfortunately
however. this happened to be a most
lnaupSlc1ous step, for Huerta. after
enavng defeated the leaders of the revo-
!9tlon on the battlefield, turned against
ftne President and demanded his resig-
nation, imprisoned his ministers and
| 1orceo the Parliament to form a new
government. The Congress without any
oIner alternative accepted the mandate
and designated de la Huerta as Presi.
cent And few days later Madero was
dying in a most mysterious manner in
. prison.
Carranza Comes to Fore.
The disloyalty and selfish designs o.
de la Huerta, together with his re.
sumption Of the reactionarv method,
OF the Diaz regime and the grantins
OF certain privileges to the supporter,
OF the late dictator, soon met with on
position by the Mexican people. max
ing 1t most feasible for Venustiant
Carranza to again hoist the revolu
tlonary nag. CarranZa gave impetus Il
the revolution by invoking the sacred
ness OF the constitution, which he as
serted had been violated by Presiden
Huerta. He was supported in his &C
lions by all the representatives of tn
various states. Two great leaders join.
cd the cause of the revolution. Alvart
Obregon, who later became Carranza'
right hand" and Francisco Villa,
military man and adventurer extraor
binary. who so mercilessly spread pani
and deSolation wherever his hord
trod. At this time Huerta's inciden
with the United States, which resulted
in the seizure of the City of Vera Cruz
so complicated matters that he wa
forced to resign and hastily sailed t
Europe.
Gen. ObregOn Takes Control.
Thereupon Gen. Obregon with hi
troops entered the City of Mexico an
successfully imposed his will for tn
recognition of Venustiano CarranZa a