Affairs in Mexico have rapidly gone from bad to worse
in the last week, and the Madero regime has been seriously shaken if not overthrown by a rising headed by General Felix Diaz, nephew of the late President, who had been recently released from prison. General Bernardo Reyes, formerly Minister of War, who had also been imprisoned by President Madero, was shot dead in the streets, but General Diaz appears on the whole to have had the best of the first encounter, and to have main- tained his position in the Arsenal against a fierce attack by the Federalists or Government troops. In the artillery battles which took place on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday hundreds are said to have been killed, and to make matters worse the Zapatistos and other brigands are reported to be advancing on the capital. Friday's news shows the conflict to be still undecided, but on the whole the insurgents are gaining. The American Government has dispatched addi- tional battleships to the east coast of Mexico, and taken precautionary measures with a view to the transport of troops and marines to Mexico City. It is said, indeed, that thirty- five thousand American troops are to be mobilized. It may be so, but we shall be agreeably surprised if the War Depart. ment is able to accomplish such a miracle. What, as friends of America, we devoutly hope will not take place is armed intervention with an inadequate force. That way madness lies.
Previous page
