MEXICAN PRESIDENT

Hokitika Guardian, 3 July 1928, Page 2

MEXICAN PRESIDENT

United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

(Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) MEXICO CITY. July 2.

General Ohrcgon was elected President:. He is the first to serve under the amended constitution, extending the term from four to six years. He was the only candidate and there were no disturbances. MEXICAN POLITICS. CA LLES-OBREC ON REGIME. The Calles-Obregon regime seems firmly entrenched in Mexico. The present prospect is that General Alvaro Obregon, former President, will again become President on December 1 for a term of six years, and that for the second time since the Madero revolution overthrew in 1910 Porfirio Diaz, dictator for 30 years preceding, there will he a change in the Mexican presidential power unaccompanied by violence.

The first peaceful transfer since 1910 was four years ago from Obregon to General Plutareo Elias Calles, the present chief executive. There are some who predict that six years lienee Calles will once more succeed Obregon. BELIEVED FIRMLY IN SADDLE. The prevalent, well-informed, unbiased opinion in Mexico City now is that Calles and Obregon are in the saddle with a good firm seat, and that a lot of bucking will he necessary to. dislodge them—as long as they do not squabble with each other as to which shall sit in front at any given time. As a team they rule the roost. Divided, one would certainly fall, both might, and in either process Mexico might easily be thrown into another long period of bloodshed-and civil strife.

The Presidential elections are to be held cm Sunday, July 1. Elections are always on Sunday in Mexico. Obregon is the only candidate. There were two others last year. General Francisco Serrano, who was. trusted friend and Secretary of War during Obregon’s previous Presidency, and General Arnulfo Gomez, Military Governor of the State of Vera Cruz. They are dead now. They were captured and executed as rebels for attempting an army revolt. No one else felt like running against Obregon since—nr if anyone has entertained the ambition lie has kept it to himself very successfully. IN AUG Uli ATION IN DECEM BER . The elections will he held, even with only one candidate. The new President will he inaugurated on December 1. Calles will run the dairy farm he has •established near Mexico City. He has always loved a farm. He is eager to get back on one. He will be near if Obregon ever needs him—just as Obregon has been on hand whenever the road was rocky for Calles. It is a system that has worked well so far.

Obregon’s actions and utterances indicate lie will continue the Calles policies. That does not mean hope has been abandoned for an adjustment of the religious controversy. For tbs moment the outlook is not encouraging. But friends both of the Mexican Government and the Catholic Cl lurch do not despair ol an ultimate formula whereby with dignity to each side the dispute, at least in acute aspects, may be ended. As to other problems, Obregon, thanks to American Ambassador Morrow, will inherit from Calles a much happier situation than has existed for a long time in Mexican-United States relations.