Evening star., 1935-06-23
BY STARR-HUNT.


n Ar ExICO CITY.-wllile the new
M Cardenas cabinet Is busy re-
Vk organizing the government
4 u the country is speculating on
whether the departure Of Gen. Plu-
tarco Elias Gales really signifies an
historical development as result of
which Mexico, long ruled by dictators
and strong men. has become "coun-
try Of institutions" or whether the
former President will again be called
from retirement, as has happened
frequently since 1928.
Gen. Gales farewell to politics fol-
lowing his statement that he was
leaving responsibility for public
matters" to others, was hailed by the
strong mans enemies as a definite
exit and a decisive triumph for Pres
ident Cardenas in his battle over the
economic policies which caused the
political crisis and brought about the
cabinets mass resignation last week.
But the scene at the airport when
Gen. Gales boarded a special plane to
fly to his Sinaloa ranch seemed more
like a triumphal temporary farewell,
rather than the departure Of de-
feated leader for exile.
Embraced by POrtes Gil.
Chief among the prominent men
who gave Gen. Gales an "abrazo"
(embrace) was former President Emilio
Portes Gil, who, as the new head Of
the National Revolutionary party. will
play one of the most important parts
in the affairs Of the Cardenas gov
ernment. Some Of the country'S most
powerful generals also were present,
but those who are well informed said
this does not signify there is any truth
in the widespread rumors that Gen.
Gales intends to regain his position
by force.
On the contrary, friends of the for
mer President say he feels that his
statement criticizing the numerous
strikes as unwarranted eventually will
be recognized as a far-sighted analysis
of conditions that his position will be
vindicated. Opponents, however, de-
clared that the events of the last two
weeks, definitely and permanently
eliminated Gen. Gales as an important
factor in Mexico's political life, and
have reafirmed the position Of the
government and President Cardenas,
personally, as the representative aspi-
rations Of the Mexican peoples. The
present situation grew out of an ap-
parently relatively unimportant but
significant development.
Formed "Leftist Bloc"
A group of Senators some weeks ago
decided to form 'leftist bloc" which
has met the opposition of the other
members of the Senate. This oppoS-
ing group, headed by Senator Ezequiel
Pedilla, went to Gen. Gales home at
Cuernavaca to explain the develop
ments and ask his opinion. The re-
suit was Gen. Gales statement to
Senator Padilla in which he said Mex
leo, instead of progressing, was going
back, back, ever backward because
of disturbed labor conditions. The
former President attacked labor lead
erS as insincere and declared capital
must be protected if the country is to
advance. He also deplored the divi-
sions in the legislative chamber into
CalliStaS and Cardenistas and asserted
/ that this might lead to an armed con-
f1ict. He recalled that former Presi-
dent PaScual Ortiz Rubio was forced
to resign the presidency when a simi-
lar split developed.
President Cardenas, however, proved
not to be an Ortiz Rubio. Instead OF
resigning, he replied to Gen. Gales
statement with strong declarations in
which he said he would do away with
responsible political divisions and said
he did not regard strikes as harmful
if settled within the possibilities OF
industry"
Labor Backs Cardenas.
Whereas Gen. Gales had received
the congratulations of business anc
commercial leaders and numerous
prominent politicians for his stand
the labor organizations hastened tc
announce to the public their support
of President Cardenas, and some oi
the Senator's deputies who had felici-
tated Gen. Gales, seeing the way the
wind was blowing, pledged themselves
to aid the President, as did the state
! governors.
Feeling his position secure, Presi-
dent Cardenas asked the designations
of the cabinet members and named
a new group of advisers composed
principally of personal friends, most
of whom were little known to the