DISTRESSFUL MEXICO.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14238, 29 December 1911, Page 2

DISTRESSFUL MEXICO.

I • j PLOTS AM> PLOTTERS. UNITED STATES TAKES A HAN3>. (rBOM OXTB OWN COB-USPOJTDKS-.) SAN FRANCISCO, November 29. Onoe more tho United States GoTernment takes a band in tho game of Mexican politics. Convinced that General Bernardo Reyes, who withdrew as a candidate against Madero for the Presidency, ha_ 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 Sail Antonio, Texas, on a chargo of violating tho neutrality laws. Four other Me_dc_ns 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 tho disappointed rival of the present President, was communicated to the State Department. Indeed, this was but one of a number of revolutionary movements in Mexico, and a waggish writer remarked the other day that the Mexicans now wish to fight for freedom from tho freedom for whicJi they last fought. Political disorder and strife in Mexico has been quito expensive to the United States. The maintenance of troops along the border —and there are still 5000 soldiers engaged in this service—has so far cost this country £4-10,000.- Tho losa 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 of interest 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 tim© 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 bo well to make an example of tho turbulent plotter. The Government is said to have a strong case against him under the law which penalises conspiring in the United States against a friendly Power.' The doubtful loyalty of tho army is the chief weakness of tho Madero Go- I vernment. It is known that the forces | aro torn with dissensions, and many of ] tho soldiers would prefer a man like Reyes in the President's chair. Madero, nevertheless, is forced to act as if he believed 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 servico that Generay Reyes, Vasques Gomez, a politician with a considerable following, and Emilio Zapata, had joined hands to overthrow the Government. Zapata has been in open rebellion since tho close of tho rebellion, and frequently he and his men have engaged in bloody fights with tho Government troops. Ho is a thorough irreconcilable. Vasquez proposes to force Congress to declare the election of Madero void. Some American papers are already proclaiming the belief that Madero has Bignally failed to reunite the Mexicans, and that another bitter revolutionary strugglo is imminent. The fear that the United States might "cross the border" may prevent a new outbreak.