DISTRESSFUL MEXICO.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 159, 4 January 1912, Page 2

DISTRESSFUL MEXICO.

PLOTS AND PLOTTERS. UNITED STATES TAKES A HAND. San Francisco, November 2!). Once more the United States Government takes a hand in the game of Mexican politics. Convinced that Oeneral Benardo Reyes, who withdrew as a candidate against Madero for the Presidency, has been fomenting a new revolution in Mexico from United States soil, the Government of this republic took steps that resulted in the general's arrest at San Antonio, Texas, on a charge of violating the Neutrality laws. Four other Mexicans of prominence and an American citizen were arrested at the same time, accused of conspiring with him. Evidence of a well-defined plot for the overthrow of the Madero Government, engineered by the disappointed rival of the present President, was communicated to the State Department. Indeed, this was but one of the number of revolutionary movements in Mexico, and a waggish writer remarked tl|e other day that the Mexicans now wish to fight for freedom from the freedom for which they last fought. Political disorder and strife in Mexico have been quite expensive to the United States. The maintenance of troops along the border—and there are still 5000 sofdiers engaged in this service—has so far cost this country £440,000. The loss of import and export business with Mexico during the time of the revolution is estimated at about £2,000,000. And this does not take into account the millions of dollars that were not earned on American investments in Mexico during the war. Naturally enough, this country is concerned to maintain the existing Government in power so long as it proves itself reasonably efficient. Headed by followers of Reyes, it appears, large bands of malcontents have formed at divers points in Mexico ready to start a new revolution as soon as the word should be given them. Since his flight from the country on the eve of the election, Reyes has during most of the time been in Texas. At first it was the purpose of the United States Government to deport him as an undesirable citizen. But Secretary of State Knox decided that it would be well to make an example of the turbulent plotter. The Government is said to have a strong case against him under the law which penalises conspiracy in the United States against a friendly Power.

The doubtful loyalty of the .army is the chief weakness of the Madero Government. It is known that the forces are torn with dissensions, and many of the soldiers would prefer a man like Reyes in the President's chair. Madero nevertheless is forced to act as if he Relieved the army loyal to him. It is proof of his belief that the threatened new revolution is a serious matter, that a few days ago Madero ordered the mobilisation of 25,000 troops along the northern boundary of the republic. This followed the receipt of information from his secret service that General Reyes, Vasquez Gomez, a politician with a considerable following, and Emilo Zapata had joined hands to overthrow the Government. Zapata has been in open rebellion since the close of the revolution, and frequently he and his men have engaged in bloody fights with the Government troops. He is a thorough irreconcilable. Vasquez proposes to force Congress to declare tjie election of Madero void. Some American papers arij already proclaiming the belief that Madero has signally failed to reunite the Mexicans, and that another bitter revolutionary struggle is imminent. The fear that the United States might "cross the border" may prevent a new outbreak.