Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 240, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 October 1910 — THE AUTOCRACY OF PRESIDENT DIAZ [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE AUTOCRACY OF PRESIDENT DIAZ

P OSSESSING the shadow, but denied the substance of constitutional government, Mexico is today a political anomaly among republics, if measured by the standard which prevails in the United States or even In some of the Latin countries in Central and South America. \ye are told that its constitution is modeled after that of the United States, that its president is elected by universal suffrage, that its legislative power Is vested in a congress, consisting of two houses like our own, and that its people have full political and civil rights. But a study of conditions as they are shows that whatever may be the appearances of things Mexico Is as much a despotism today as Russia; that its ruler, who is styled its president, is as much an autocrat as Czar Nicholas, and that he holds power little short of unlimited over the lives and property of Mexicans. The recent presidential election in Mexico shows the absurdity of the claim which that country makes to'being a republic and emphasizes the arbitrary power exercised by President Diaz. The latter, with the exception of the term, 1880-1884, has been presi dent of Mexico since 1876, when he seized the reins of power as the leader of a successful revolution and was subsequently elected chief executive, If the process of selection could really be called an election. Diaz from the beginning held things with a firm hand, and to his ability, which even his enemies recognize, is due the stability with which the government has maintained itself since. That his strong hand checked revolution and that he was politic enough to foster the investment of foreign capital are factors to his credit. But at the same time the political aspirations of the people to a fuller share in government were trampled upon. Freedom of speech and freedom of the press, in so far as they conflicted with Diaz and his policies, were empty sounds. Diaz was not only the president of the republic; he was its dictator, and his strong arm reached to every corner of the land to reward and punish.

A Promise and Its Breaking. Naturally such a condition produced aome political unrest, and when in March, 1908, Diaz announced that he would not be candidate for president again, but would aid in the establishment of a democratic form of government, for which he said the couhtry was ripe, there was great rejoicing. But the exercise of power is sweet, and soon afterward the word went out from official sources that Diaz would be a candidate again. Those striving for fuller political rights were even satisfied with this and started an agitation favoring Bernardo Reyes, governor of the state of Neuvo Leon, for vice-president. Reyes was one of the most popular men in Mexico and his supporters felt that in the event of the death of Diaz, who is now eighty years old, the government would be 6afe in the hands of Reyes, and the wave of reform would go on unchecked. As soon as the Democrats placed Reyes in nomination, the followers of Dia? renominated for the same office Ramon Corral, the most unpopular man in Mexico and a reactionary. And then began a hitter persecution of the'Democrats and the Reyes supporters on the r>-rt of Diaz, which shatters the fiction that there exists political freedom In Mexico. Army officers friendly %o Reyes were removed to undesirable pclsts. Congresman Barron, who' was (chiefly instrumental in naming Reyejk for vicepresident, was banished from the country; several other congressmen were deposed; students who - favored Reyes were expelled from state schools; public meetings were suppressed by the police or soldiers, and in various states Reyes supporters were thrown into jai), most of them charged with sedition. In etiery corner of the country thfe despotic power

of Diaz was felt and neither life nor liberty was secure. Newspapers on every side were subsidized by the government or suppressed and their editors thrown into jail. No criticism of Diaz, or advocacy of the popular move ment, was allowed and the editor who Indulged in either was either expelled or jailed. During this period of political turmoil Bernardo Reyes had kept clear of the entire situation and on several occasions had emphatically declined to be a candidate for vice-president. But this did not save him from the wrath of Diaz. He was treated for a time as a prisoner by the military governor of Nuevo Leon, was forced to resign his governorship and was then Sent on a military mission” to Europe—virtually banished. Disposing of a Candidate. But the popular movement continued to grow and soon after the banishment of Reyes the Democrats nominated Don Francisco 1. Madero for president and Dr. Francisco Vasquez Gomez for vice-president. This was in April, 1910, two months before the election. Meetings were held in the interests Of the Democratic candidates and it was apparent that the popular movement was headway. Then the police and military got active. The popular meetings were suppressed, receptions in favor of the candidates were forbiddden, newspapers advocating their election were seized and the constitutional rights of the people were trampled upon. As if this was not discouraging enough, Madero was arrested and thrown into jail, the charge against him being that of insulting the nation,” presum\ ably for his temerity in daring to be a candidate for the presidency. This virtually ended the farce of “popular” election in Mexico. Diaz and his man Corral were of course elected and the rule of autocracy was confirmed. ‘After Diaz, the deluge,” is an expression that has been frequently used in recent years dealing with political conditions in Mexico and meaning that after his strong arm is removed turmoil and revolution may succeed. It is to be feared that there is too good ground for this apprehension and that the repression which has been practised under Diaz is bound to react. Her people are untrained to assume the duties of citizenship and milions of her peons are in virtual bondage. Popular education has not been fostered as it should and poverty except among the ruling class is general. Had Diaz permitted the people gradually to exercise a greater share of government he would have done more for the country than his absolutism could effect As It Is, when he dies the deluge is likely to take place and Mexico, so long at peace, may enter a revolutionary era.