Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-16
"Intranquillity" in Mexico.

While American attention has been
riveted on developments in the Far East
and in Europe. that ancient cauldron Of
political unrest, Mexico, has been boiling
up again. How menacing the situation
had become Is indicated by the recall OF
Plutarco Elias Gales, Mexico's iron
man." to a position Of dominance in the
reorganized government Of President
Ortiz Rubio The former President has
Just been made minister Of war; with all
the powers which that post additionally
carries in Mexico.
In the turbulent circumstances now
prevailing south of the Rio Grande
these powers Enthusiastically are intended
to clothe Senior Gales with authority to
suppress ruthlessly anything savoring OF
an uprising against the government.
The fact that four generals, who held
civilian portfolios in President Rubio'S
cabinet. will be the only ones not in
cluded in the new government seems to
speak for itself. Plainly, they represent
an element suspected of q readiness to
convert political dissatisfaction with the
existing regime into something border
ing on revolution.
In proclaiming a reorganization OF
his cabinet President Rubio deplores
the recent renewal of 'intranquillity"
in Mexico, especially in the capital,
lowing to agitation of various kinds in
the political realm" Beneath these
sonorous phrases turks the conviction
of the government that the hour for
drastic preventive action has arrived.
President Rubio indicates that the
measures to which he has felt impelled
to resort, including the recall Of Plu-
tarco Gales to a high post in the gov
eminent. imply not only momentary
settlement, but also formula OF .
definite character resting on desire
for public welfare"
Translated from Mexican into YER
nacular American, this is stern warn
ing that the Rubio- Gales combination
means business not for the day or this
week. but until further notice. 1t sug-
eests that those "intranQuil" forces
which have any plans running counter
to the governments program are headed
for trouble Trouble for revolutionists
in Mexico generally ends before q wall
and firing squad. During Gen. Gales
presidency. stabilizing recourses fire.
quently took that form.
In retiring from executive ONCE In
1928 Gales announced that the rule OF
the man on horseback" was over In
Mexico 1t was not long afterwa-d,
however. that his presidential successor
found it necessary to draft Gales Tor
service to suppress the revolt In Esco-
bar, which threatened the life OF the
Portes Gil government. Gales accepted
temporarily the war minister's portfolio
for that purpose-the same ONCE to
which President Rubio has just re-
summoned him. Three months ago the
iron man" came TO his country's rescue
again, when he emerged from retire.
ment to take over the presidency OF the
Bank of Mexico. The result was the
PRONUNCIATION of the GALES monetary
law" which returned the country to a
silver currency basis for financial re-
construction purposes.
The legend of accomplishment en-
shrines the name Of Plutarco Elias
Gales. Mexicans have supreme faith,
based on experience. in his ability to
tranquillize "intranquillity." But whether
the resultant state of pacification can
long remain such without his con-
tinuance in power is a question. A
Ealles dictatorship may turn out to be
lhe only way.