One Hundred Year Old News

Dennett Testifies in "Dick to Dick" Scandal

2011-07-10T20:00:00.002-07:00

The House Committee on the Interior Department Expenditures heard testimony from Land Office Commissioner Fred Dennett today in what has been called the "Dick-to-Dick" scandal in Washington. The scandal began several days ago when it came to light that Charles Taft may have asked his brother, the President, to remove Controller Bay in Alaska from the Chugach National Forest at the request of Richard Ryan, likely promoter of the Guggenheim interests in the territory, though Ryan has denied the allegation.

The story came to light in the July 7 Washington Times when the paper reported the discovery of the "Dick-to-Dick" letter by newspaper writer, Miss M. F. Abbott. The letter sent last July from Ryan to then-Interior Secretary Richard Ballinger, a known Guggenheim collaborator, purported that Ryan would approach Charles Taft in order to change the president's opinion of Ryan:

Dear Dick: I went to see the President the other day about this Controller Bay affair. The President asked me whom I represented. I told him, according to our agreement, that I represented myself. But that didn't seem to satisfy him. So I sent for Charlie Taft, and asked him to tell his brother who it was I really represented. The President made no further objection to my claim. Yours, DICK.

Several months afterward, the President did remove Controller Bay from the National Forest through a secret Executive Order. The order was sent to the General Land Office six days after it was issued. That delay, between October 28 and November 3, 1910 allowed Ryan to get his paperwork together to establish a claim to enough property in Controller Bay to establish supremacy in the area.

Ryan has denied that he part of the Guggenheim Syndicate, a group led by Daniel Guggenheim, who are trying to establish control to coal fields in the Chugach National Forest. After another scandal which led to Secretary Ballinger's resignation, their claims to the coal fields were rejected. Controller Bay would be the natural harbor from which to ship material to and from the coal fields. Ryan instead claims that he represents a competitor to the Guggenheim's in Alaska.

Commissioner Dennett's testimony focused on the legality of surveys conducted by the Ryan group shortly before the Executive Order was issued. Unsurveyed lands are not subject to entry, and Dennett would comment on whether surveys conducted illegally could be submitted to the Interior Department. The surveys had been approved, and were the basis on which Ryan submitted his claims.

In a related story, both the President and the current Interior Secretary, Walter Fischer, are back in Washington to deal with this growing scandal. Both the Taft and Fischer deny knowledge of any "Dick-to-Dick" letter. Secretary Fischer further stated that he and his staff searched all the files in the Interior Department and could find no such letter. In fact, he believes that no such letter exists.

Miss Abbott's article on the Controller Bay scandal can be found in the May 21 issue of Collier's.

Link: House Committee Starts Hunt for "Dick-Dick" Letter [The Washington Times]
Link: The Latest in Alaska: Controller Bay and Its Control of the Alaskan Situation [Collier's]

Taft Promotes Arbitration Treaty in Atlantic City

2011-07-08T13:33:00.001-07:00

The President was in Atlantic City, New Jersey to give a speech at the convention of the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor at the Million-dollar Pier, a sea-side amusement park in the resort town. The main hall at the Pier was filled to capacity with 14,000 spectators there to see the President speak. Another hall nearby was filled with 6,000 more who were at least able to see the Chief Executive, even they couldn't be at his speech, but they did see Booker T. Washington speak. At the main, after being introduced by the Christian Endeavor President, the Reverend Francis Clark, President Taft spoke at length about the impending arbitration deal with the country of Great Britain and how treaties just like around the world could reduces the changes of war in our lifetime. Here is a section of his speech published in the Washington Herald:

We have ameliorated in many ways the ancient cruelties of war by Red Cross agreements, and by the immunity of private property on land from destruction. Now we are agreeing upon what is called the Declaration of London, which, if confirmed, as it seems likely to be, will take away from war on the sea those principles of lawful piracy that have always characterized in a naval war the dealing with the private property of the citizens to our enemies.

By negotiations and mediation and the formation of arbitration agreements wars in the last decade have been stopped in Central and South America in a most gratifying number of instances. I am glad to say that today we have reached such a point in the negotiation for a treaty of universal arbitration with one of the great European powers that we can confidently predict the signing of a satisfactory treaty.

Just today four great powers, England, Russia, Japan, and the United States, signed a fur seal treaty, by which we agreed in effect to abolish the shooting of seals at sea in order to preserve the valuable herds on the land and to allow them to propagate in such a way as to maintain the fur seal industry and to secure for human use the valuable furs that such seals furnish. It is the beginning, I hope, of useful game laws for the open ocean, which has heretofore been subject to the wanton and irresponsible use of men of every nation. It is the settlement by treaty of a controversy that has troubled these four nations for several generations, and it out to be the cause of great congratulation.

The arbitration treaty heretofore with Great Britain and other countries has excepted form the causes which may be arbitrated those which involved the vital interests of either party or its honor. The treaty which we are now closing with Great Britain eliminates those exceptions and provides that all questions of international concern of a justiciable character shall be submitted to the arbitration of an impartial tribunal, and that whenever differences arise befoer they are submitted to arbitration at all they shall be taken up by a commission composed of some representatives from each government that shall investigate the controversy and recommend a solution without arbitration, if possible, and then shall decide whether the issue is capable of arbitration, and if so the arbitration shall take place.

In this way the treaty in one sense, instead of making arbitration necessary, interposes mediation of a year between the happening of the differences and the bringing of the matter to arbitration, with the growing possibility that the ruffled feelings of the nation may be smoothed out by time, that the differences maybe adjusted by mediation instead of judicial action, but holding judicial action as the ultimate resort to prevent war.

I am exceedingly hopeful that other countries beside Great Britain will accept the form of the treaty or one like it, and that we may have half a dozen treaties with the European countries looking toward arbitration of international differences. This will not abolish war, but it will provide a most effective and forcible instrument for avoiding it in many cases.

Of course, war between Great Britain and the United States, between France and the United States, and between Germany and the United States is quite remote, but the adoption by other great countries of arbitration and mediation as a means of meeting all controversies must have the most healthy moral effect upon the world at large, and must assist all the friends of peace in their effort to make it permanent.

To this audience and this great society with its world-wide influence I do not hesitate to appeal to give the tremendous might of its support to such a cause.

Link: Thousands Hear President Taft Predict Peace [The Washington Herald]
Link: Taft Sure of Arbitration Pact [The New York Tribune]

Heat Wave Kills 500

2011-07-06T12:38:00.000-07:00

According to the Bisbee Daily Review today, the heat wave that has gripped this country from the Great Plains to the East Coast has claimed the lives of at least 500 people, with at least 1,000 more hospitalized from heat-related symptoms. The current wave began on July 1 and is only today expected to abate somewhat, with cooler temperatures definitely coming to the eastern seaboard tomorrow. The torrid wave has led to numerous record high temperatures throughout the country, such as 108° F at street level in Chicago, 110° F in Lincoln, Neb., 113° F in Junction City, Kan., 95° F in Boston, 92° F in New York City, 108° F in Concordia, Kan, and 98° F in Washington, D.C.

At least 431 people have died from heat exhaustion so far in this heat wave, with another 80 drowning in their attempt to beat the heat. The increased death rates in many cities have caused over-capacity at city morgues. In Chicago, Express Trains are being used as makeshift morgues to process the heat wave victims. This morning's New York Tribune reported that over 100 have died in that city from the heat wave so far with more expected today.

But all is not lost. Heavy rains in the Great Plains and Midwest have brought some relief to those regions and those storms are slowly making their way east, hopefully clearing out the high-pressure system by the weekend.

Link: Three are dead; Heat Wave End to Come Friday [The Washington Herald]
Link: Fourth Day of Heat is Marked by 43 Deaths [The New York Tribune]
Link: 500 Killed by Heat; 1,000 Prostrated; Others Driven Insane in Many Cities [The Bisbee Daily Review]

French Postpone Official Response to Agadir Crisis

2011-07-04T13:02:00.029-07:00

With French President Armand Fallieres and Foreign Minister Justin de Selves on their way to the Netherlands for an official state visit, it is unlikely that France will send an official response to the crisis in Morocco before he returns, though the dissatisfaction in Paris is increasing, according to the New York Tribune. It is also clear that Germany isn't backing down at present.

The trouble began on July 1 when the German gunboat Panther arrived in the southwest Moroccan port of Agadir. Official statements from the Kaiser's government have referred to this move as a necessary one to protect German citizens in the city from unrest in the country following similar moves by the French and Spanish to both protect their citizens and to prop up Moroccan Sultan Abdelhafid. However, according to the Washington Herald, reports from the nearby port of Mogador suggest that the region around Agadir is "calm and tranquil." Instead French, British, and Russian officials believe that this move is the first step in establishing the port as naval base for the German High Seas Fleet.

If successful, this complete a trifecta of recent diplomatic coups by the German Empire including the establishment of naval base on the Mediterranean at Alexandretta in Syrian Turkey and the concession for the Berlin-to-Baghdad Railroad. A port at Agadir would also help Germany compete in the markets of South America. The Tribune pointed out in their article today that the voyage from Kiel, Germany to Buenos Aires is only 60 hours longer than trip from New York to the Argentine capital.

The New York Tribune's sources in Berlin seem to confirm this suspicion:

The step taken in Southwestern Morocco is merely to place Germany in a position to negotiate the best advantage in order eventually to obtain her long coveted naval depot and coaling station at Agadir, which has always been a favorite project of the Emperor William.

With the warship Panther already sent to Agadir, German officials now await the French response, though that is unlikely to come before they have consulted with their allies, Great Britain and Russia. The Germans stated they would not remove the gunship until the French and Spanish expeditions to quell the uprising have been withdrawn. The move has been viewed favorably in the Spanish press, though Spain has partnered with France in Morocco. According to the Tribune's sources in London, the Spanish sought German intervention in order to force France to agree to a partition of Morocco among the great powers.

Link: French Protest to be Delayed [The Washington Herald]
Link: Germany Stands Pat; French Bourse Shaky [The New York Tribune]

Tremor Shakes San Francisco

2011-07-02T11:19:00.000-07:00

In the biggest test to date of the rebuilding project in San Francisco, a 6.6 magnitude earthquake shook the city yesterday. However, from all reports in the papers we watch, there doesn't appear to have been major damage or loss of life from the earth tremor. There is some evidence for cracked and out of plumb walls, but nothing like the great calamity which struck the city five years ago. The quake was felt as far away as Tucson, Arizona and Seattle, Washington. In Carson City, Nevada, a hearing at the federal courthouse was adjourned outside after the lawyers had fled the building.

While nerves were certainly frazzled by the great shock of the earthquake and with the loss of telephone service, people began to gain some courage as the hours passed and it became clear that this would not be another 1906.

The mean time clock at observatory of the University of California was stopped by the quake for the first time since the great earthquake of 1906.

Link: Subdued Terror Grips Thousands in San Francisco [The Washington Times]
Link: Earthquake Again Jars San Francisco [The New York Tribune]
Link: Tremors Rock Pacific Coast [The Bisbee Daily Review]

Charges Filed in Wire Trust Case

2011-06-30T13:17:00.000-07:00

Indictments were handed down yesterday in New York against nine wire industry associations. They have been charged with violating sections one and two of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. Eighty-three men from thirty-five companies were named in the indictments, officers in the alleged illegal pools and combinations said to have the power to fix prices. Included among them are Edwin Johnson, Jr. of New York who was named in each of the nine indictments as a supervisor and treasurer in the combinations, and William Palmer, who was named in seven of the indictments. Palmer is the President of the American Steel and Wire Company, a subsidiary of the United States Steel Corporation, and is a director in the Steel Trust. Herbert Satteriee, a son-in-law of J. P. Morgan, was also indicted, along with Frank Gould, president of the Old Dominion Iron and Nail Works, and Charles Morgan, a Republican Party Committee member from Connecticut.

The associations named in the indictments are: the Bare Copper Wire Association, the Wire Rope Manufacturers, the Underground Power Cable Association, the Weatherproof and Magnet Wire Association, the Horse Shoe Manufacturers' Association, the Telephone Cable Association, the Fine Magnet Wire Association, the Rubber Covered Wire Association, and the Lead Encased Rubber Wire Association.

The defendants have been charged with:

Entering into an unlawful combination and conspiracy to wrongfully and unduly restrain business, trade, and commerce in violation of Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Anti-Trust Law...

That all the times mentioned in this indictment the aforesaid corporations produced at their various factories in the aggregate 95 per cent of the entire amount of . . . steel wire product . . . consumed in the United States, and by association and co-operation they possessed the power to control and fix the price therefor within the United States;

That because said corporations, all such times, have been and, in fact, now are separate and distinct from each other, their said interstate business, trade, and commerce should have been and should now be conducted by each of them strictly on a competitive basis, and would have been and would so be conducted but for the unlawful combination and conspiracy by and among the aforesaid individuals . . .

As an example of the types of arrangements had, the New York Tribune looked at the case against the Bare Copper Wire Association. The Feds allege that on June 1, 1908, the defendants met in New York to form an illegal combination, which they used to conspire to restrict business and trade until the association was disbanded in November 1909. The Feds allege that the association were to cause and procure the corporation to purchase, at arbitrary and non-competitive prices to be fixed and determined by the defendants, the raw material from which to make bare copper wire. The prices were lower than they would otherwise have to pay or that corporations not in the association had to pay. The bare wire that was manufactured was then sold at non-competitive prices that were higher than what it would otherwise had been sold for.

The Tribune had some reaction to the indictments from the defendents. The supposed supervisor of the combinations, Edwin Johnson, is in Europe and could not be reached for comment but a person close to him at his office in New York said that Johnson was just the supervisor, and not the originator. The counsels for the various companies involved signed off on the agreements and it wasn't until work had reached them that the government was investigating their associations that they began to be dissolved. He went on to say that the associations were nothing more than social gatherings and no business was discussed at these parties among business associates.

The penalty provided by the Sherman Law is imprisonment not to exceed one year, $5,000, or both.

Link: U. S. Jury Indicts 83 Men, Officials of "Wire Trust" [The New York Tribune]
Link: Wire Trust Men Indicted by Jury in Combine Pact [The Washington Herald]
Link: Wire Trust Charged with Big Conspiracy [The Bisbee Daily Review]

Upcoming Smith Report to Show Extent of Steel Trust

2011-06-28T14:57:00.000-07:00

It is expected that on Saturday, President Taft will submit a report to Congress by the Commission of Corporations, Herbert Knox Smith, on the extent of the Steel Trust and its effect on the steel industry. The expansive report is the culmination of a 5-6 year investigation conducted by the Bureau of Corporations. The Washington Times suspects that the timing of the report's publication and submission to Congress is intended to allow it to share some of the public credit for dealing with the massive corporation.

According to the Times, the report will detail the business practices of the $1.4 Billion trust, how it has stifled competition within the steel industry, and how it has affected related industries such as coke, railroad transportation, and cement. For example, the steel trust has bought up cement companies in order to prevent it from seriously competing against steel as a building material. The Times compared this to the buying up of the beet sugar industry by the Sugar Trust.

According to the report, the Steel Trust was formed by a collection of iron, steel, coke, coal, and railroad companies that were combined by J. P. Morgan at the request of the owners of those companies. Faced with intense competition from Andrew Carnegie who planned to build his own railroad to the Atlantic tide line, which would have made his Carnegie Steel Company as powerful as US Steel is today. Carnegie would sell his company to US Steel in 1901.

Link: Steel Trust Mightest of All Combines [The Washington Times]
Link: Report of the commissioner of corporations on the Steel industry [Google Books]

Guggenheims Lose Alaskan Coal Claim

2011-06-26T21:43:00.000-07:00

On the order of Interior Secretary Walter Fischer, Commissioner Dennett of the General Land Office (GLO), dismissed the claims by Clarence Cunningham to coal fields within the Chugach National Forest in Alaksa near the Bering River. The action by the Interior Department comes after a scandal that led to the dismissal of the head of the Forest Service, Gifford Pinchot, and more recently, after an intensive congressional investigation, the resignation of Fischer's predecessor, Richard Ballinger. According to the extensive Washington Times article, the decision is seen as a vindication for Pinchot and several members of the Interior Department including: Louis Glavis, who first brought attention to the possible illegality of the Cunningham claim; Overton Price, Pinchot's assistant, and Alexander Shaw.

In 1909, shortly after Taft took office, Louis Glavis sought the attention of Foresters Pinchot and Price regarding the Cunningham claims. During his tenure as an investigator with the General Land Office, Glavis determined that claims, thirty-three in total, had already been combined and optioned to Daniel Guggenheim, a member of a rich, industrialist family, for the J. P. Morgan-Guggenheim "Alaska syndicate." Once patented, a $5,000,000 company would be formed to process the claim, of which half the stock would go to the Guggenheim for a measly $250,000. Stephen Birch, managing director of the Guggenheim interests in Alaska, told Congress last year that the claims were worth at least $500,000,000 and that additional claims in the Chugach National Forest could be worth billions.

However, such an arrangement, to combine individual claims even before patents are awarded, is illegal. That is exactly what Glavis telegraphed to Pinchot in early July 1909. Glavis also believed that then-Interior Secretary Ballinger was involved in the scheme, as he had previously favored trusts in water power cases while he was Commissioner of the GLO. Ballinger had replaced Roosevelt's interior secretary, James Garfield, who had been seen as a friend to the conservation movement and the progressives in the Republican Party. After convincing Pinchot and Price of the claim's illegality, they urged Glavis to take his case directly to the President. He did so by giving Taft a 50-page report at the President's summer home in Beverly, Ohio.

Shortly afterward, on September 23, 1909, Taft sent a letter to Secretary Ballinger to fire Glavis, implying that Glavis was vindictive, untruthful, and incompetent. Taft based his letter on a memo sent by Oscar Lawler, the assistant attorney general for the Interior Department, though it was reported that it was based on a letter from Attorney General Wickersham, but his department's report was not submitted until December. While Taft wrote a letter to Pinchot that the matter would be dropped, Glavis in November 1909 wrote an article in Collier's Weekly about the situation in Alaska and D.C. titled, "The Whitewashing of Ballinger: Are the Guggenheims in Charge of the Department of the Interior?" The article led to the Senate investigation. Pinchot was later fired as well after he sent a letter to the late Senator Jonathan Dolliver, praising Glavis as a "patriot" and a faithful public servant, and said that the president had been deceived. The letter was read into the Congressional Record. The letter was in violation of an Executive Order forbidding subordinates in a federal department from communicating with congressmen directly and not through a superior. Pinchot's lieutenants at the forest service, Price and Shaw, were dismissed shortly afterward, though not denounced, as Pinchot had been by the administration.

The situation came to a head during the joint congressional investigations last year. Glavis, despite intensive grilling by pro-administration Senators Knute Nelson and Elihu Root, was a strong witness, denouncing the actions by Ballinger and vindicating Pinchot and his subordinates. His testimony swayed public opinion away from the Interior Secretary. A stenographer working for Ballinger by the name of Kirby testified that Ballinger was in correspondence with representatives of the Guggenheim syndicate. He had also seen Lawler and Ballinger burn the notes that served as a basis for Lawler's report to the president on the coal claims and Glavis, which served as a basis for the President's letter firing Glavis.

The damning testimony (and brave testimony as it saw that young man get fired over it), and the fact that the Lawler memo to Taft was found by the committee, was enough to make it clear that Ballinger's tenure as Interior Secretary was untenable and after the end of the last congress, before the new Democrat-led House was seated, Ballinger resigned. Ballinger would have had to resign earlier, but the final reports (yes, reports as the Democrats and Progressive Republicans wrote one report, and the pro-administration congressmen another) have still not been published [or have they], and it was expected that the new Democratic House would vote to release them.

To this point, the claimants had been waiting for the patents to begin working on the claim. Secretary Fischer's decision means that Cunningham can't get the patents and therefore he can not turn the lands over to Guggenheim. Fischer has also gone on to vacate nearly all the coal claims in Alaska, though Taft has stated that the Guggenheim's should get something for the millions they have invested in the territory. This is seen as a major victory for the conservation movement that has been spearheaded by former President Roosevelt. It should also be remembered that Pinchot was appointed to the new Forest Service by his close, personal friend, Theodore Roosevelt. It remains to be seen how much an effect this case will have on next year's Presidential race, particularly as it seems more and more likely that Roosevelt may challenge his successor.

Link: Coal Claims in Alaska Lost by the Guggenheims [The Washington Times]
Link: Congressional Investigation Final Report

Arizona Delegate Cameron Asks Senate to Remove Recall

2011-06-24T12:54:00.000-07:00

Arizona's Delegate to the U.S. Congress, Ralph Cameron, asked the Senate Committee on Territories to remove the provision allowing for the recall of judges from the proposed Arizona State Constitution. The article giving voters the ability to recall judges has been opposed by the Taft Administration and by Conservatives in Congress. Taft has already promised to veto any Arizona constitution with recall included. With Arizonans wishing to be admitted to the brotherhood of states, Cameron told the Senate Committee that voters in his state would be willing to drop to recall provision.

It looks like that despite Cameron's plea, the Committee will submit the constitution's in modified form to the voters of New Mexico and Arizona, however, committee member Knute Nelson (R-Minn.) did note that Arizona's constitution lacked many of the legal protections for Latino citizens and residents that are contained within the New Mexico constitution and that Arizona sought to disenfranchise them. Still the move would put Arizona one step closer to statehood.

During the hearing, there was a clash between Cameron and his predecessor, Mark Smith. Cameron stated that Smith had "cast reflection" on his bid for Arizona statehood, but he had "pursued the only course open to [him]."

Link: Cameron Asks That Recall Be Eliminated in New State [The Bisbee Daily Review]

George V Formally Crowned

2011-06-22T13:52:00.053-07:00

The Washington Times this evening provided the first reports on today's coronation of Great Britain's King George V and Queen Mary. George V has been king since May of last year when his father and predecessor, Edward VII, died, so the coronation of the British monarch is more formality, but it provided England an opportunity to present regal splendor to the whole world.

The day's events began at dawn with a morning salute that transitioned into rain showers. Luckily, just as the King and Queen were getting into the royal carriage at Buckingham Palace, the skies began to clear and the rain ended. Despite the inclement weather, hundreds of thousands of spectators lined the streets along the procession route, including many hundreds who camped out overnight to ensure that they got the best spots to view the British royal family. The parade passed by St. James Park, under Admiralty Arch, then back down past the Parliament building and ended at Westminster Abbey where the coronation took place. Accompaning the gold and glass encased carriage, pulled by eight white horses, were the Royal Line Guards and the Commander-in-Chief, Lord Kitchener. The royal carriage was the last to leave Buckingham Palace, after first the foreign ambassadors, royalty, and envoys, and then the royal family.

For your viewing pleasure below is a moving picture of the procession to Westminster Abbey.

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Guests began to arrive at Westminster Abbey before 8 a.m. this morning. Among the Americans in attendance include the president's brother Charles P. Taft, J. P. Morgan, and U.S. ambassador Whitelaw Reid.

The arrival of the royals at the Abbey is said to have been a splendid occasion, with the Queen and her flowing train encrusted with jewels, King George's more austere robes, and the 15-year-old Prince of Wales wearing the insignia of the garter leading the princes and princesses into the abbey. The King repeated his oath before the Archbishop of Canterbury, which no long used many of the anti-Catholic language seen in earlier British coronations. From their the ceremony progressed through various steps, including the official recognition of George V as king by those assembled and then the paraphernalia of kingship were given to him, such as the king's ring, an orb, and a sceptre before finally be crowned. After the king was inthroned, the Queen-consort was crowned.

After the ceremony, another procession followed from Westminster Abbey back to Buckingham Palace along a longer route so that more Londoners could see their newly crowned King and Queen.

Link: George V Crowned Ruler of Kingdom [The Washington Times]

Tafts Celebrate Silver Anniversary

2011-06-20T13:19:00.000-07:00

Sunday evening, more than 7,000 guests attended a White House event celebrating the 25th wedding anniversary of President and Mrs. Taft. This morning's edition of the Washington Herald proclaimed the gala as the "Greatest Social Function in Washington's History." The attendance figure of the party was certainly greater than any event at the White House in many years. The celebration was also noted for its abundant use of artificial lighting from a great number of incandescent light bulbs.

President William H. Taft and Mrs. Helen Herron Taft were married on June 19, 1886 in Cincinnati. Their 25 years of marriage have produced 3 children: Robert, Helen, and Charles.

A highlight of the feast was a reception line that queued up before 9 o'clock. Despite the rigors of organizing the anniversary party, President and Mrs. Taft seemed enthused the entire night, despite the two hour line. The was especially astonishing for Mrs. Taft, who had been ill in recent months. There were many notables among the guests, including representatives of Presidential families back to the Lincolns. Former President Roosevelt could not attend, but his double, Robert Crain, was. "When did you get here?" asked the President before realizing his mistake. The President's aunt Delia Torrey was also in attendance, escorted by Robert Taft. Like the President and the First Lady, she was also seen to be full of energy throughout the event, despite her age. It took the combined efforts of the First Children, Robert, Charley, and Helen, to keep the First Aunt out of trouble.

Also in attendance to the anniversary gala were ambassadors from many nations. Noted in the Herald were ambassadors from France, Germany, Italy, and Great Britain.

Link: Greatest Social Function in Washington's History Celebrates Taft Anniversary [The Washington Herald]

Bryan Comes Out Against Gov. Harmon

2011-06-18T16:50:00.001-07:00

The Washington Times reported this evening that William Jennings Bryan, the so-called Great Commoner and three-time loser for president, has come out against Gov. Judson Harmon. Harmon is considered one of the top three contenders for next year's Democratic nomination for the Presidency, along with Speaker Champ Clark and New Jersey Governor Woodrow Wilson. In today's edition of The Commoner, the magazine quoted Bryan from the Liberal of Creighton, Nebraska, as calling Harmon the "candidate of the interests." Bryan further accused Harmon of being the "candidate of the commercial criminals, among whom the supreme political issue is continuance of their 'divine right to rule.'"

Readers may remember a couple of weeks back when Bryan attacked Speaker Clark after the vote to continue tariffs on raw wool, which Bryan opposes. While Clark wasn't directly involved in the caucus vote on the wool schedule, he didn't exactly work to stop it either and he is actively committed to its passage in the wider House. Bryan threatened that Clark's chances of winning the nomination next year would depend on the caucus vote and that Woodrow Wilson was "doing good work in New Jersey."

When Bryan was in Washington for the wool tariff vote, he stated that he would not be for Harmon and that he regarded him as "reactionary." With this new gauntlet thrown down, Democrats in Washington now expect Bryan to be more vocal in his opposition to the Ohio Governor.

Is all lost for Harmon in 1912? Ohio's Lieutenant Governor Hugh Nichols recently visited a number of prominent New York Democrats to gauge their support. New York is likely to be a pivotal state in next year's convention, and Harmon supporters are confident that the state along with much of the east coast, save New Jersey, will swing their way, depriving Wilson of much support. Clark remains a determined wild card, with strong congressional support. Wilson has the least support in Congress of the three main candidates, but he is coming on strong, according to an unnamed Democratic Member of Congress, who was quoted in the Washington Times article.

Link: Bryan Comes Out Strongly Against Governor Harmon [The Washington Times]

Former Honduran President in Washington to Denounce Loan

2011-06-16T13:04:00.000-07:00

The Former President of Honduras, Policarpo Bonilla, is in Washington this week on what he calls "private business" and to lobby against a bill that would loan $10,000,000 to Honduras. However, some Central American diplomats in the Capital express doubts about his stated goals for his US visit and believe that he intends to procure arms for his fellow Latin American liberal and ousted Nicaraguan President, Jose Santos Zelaya.

Bonilla arrived in Washington last night and is staying at the Arlington Hotel. He told reporters this morning that, "I come here simply as a private citizen of Honduras. I am opposing the loan [from the U.S. to Honduras] because Honduras gets nothing out of it. The profit is all the bankers who will handle the bonds. They are secured by the United States, which makes them good as American gold and worth at least 120. The bankers get them for 88, and the rake-off-that is what you call them, is it not?-is all for the bankers; Honduras gets nothing."

Bonilla was President of Honduras from February 1894 until February 1899, serving one term. He founded the Liberal Party of Honduras which has close ties with the Liberal Party in Nicaragua, of which Zelaya was a member of before he resigned in two years ago as a result of instability in the country that required the deployment of US Marines to the Mosquito Coast to protect the lives and property of foreigners. Zeleya and Bonilla are also close friends. Diplomats from Central America believe that Bonilla may be in the U.S. to buy arms for Zelaya, who could be trying to foment rebellion.

If Bonilla is in Washington for something other than the Honduras loan issue, he hasn't worked to hard on it. In addition to talking with reporters at his hotel, he was seen reading a magazine article on coffee raising all morning.

During his discussion with a reporter with the Washington Times, Bonilla offered praise for former Secretary of State Elijah Root: "Mr. Root, he is a great statesman. South Americans think very highly of him. I knew him when I was here four years ago. At least I shall call on him to pay him my respects."

When the former Honduran president is finished with his trip here in Washington, he expects settle down. "No more politics at all. I shall make my future home in New Orleans as a practicing lawyer, making a specialty of South American affairs in a legal way."

Link: Bonilla Here Just to Oppose Honduran Loan [The Washington Times]

Administration To Move Against Steel Trust

2011-06-14T12:49:00.000-07:00

Following the successful prosecution of the cases against Standard Oil and the Tobacco Trust in the Supreme Court last month, it is looking increasingly likely that the Taft administration will move against the Steel Trust next. According to an article in today's Bisbee Daily Review, the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Corporations are finishing up their investigations into possible Sherman anti-trust law violations by the steel trust and could send the report to Taft within ten days. Attorney General Wickersham and the head of the Bureau of Corporations, Herbert Smith, have already visited the President to explain the substance of the report, but Taft is unlikely to take action, such as sending the report on to the Stanley Committee in the House.

In this matter, the Republican White House and the Democratic House seem to be in accord on taking action against U.S. Steel. The Stanley Committee has also been investigating the allegations that the Steel Trust has violated the Sherman Anti-Trust Act and have so far heard testimony from two executives on the board, Elbert Gary and John Gates. Elbert Gary is one of the key founders of U.S. Steel, along with J. P. Morgan, Andrew Carnegie, and Charles Schwab.

The report from the Justice Department was held back in order to incorporate lessons learned from the Standard Oil and Tobacco Trust cases. The decisions in those cases were delivered last month, and both the Justice Department and the White House have been reading the decision carefully. The federal government in the case of Standard Oil succeeded in having the trust declared an unlawful monopoly, and the Supreme Court ordered the company to be broken up and dissolved within six months. However, the Supreme Court also inserted a "rule of reason" into their decision, declaring that the intent of the Sherman Law was to go after unreasonable monopolies, opening up a subjective element into future cases prosecuted under the anti-trust act. A similar decision was handed out against the American Tobacco Company.

There is one potential hitch in the government's case. During testimony given to the Stanley committee on June 2, Gary testified that U.S. Steel and then President Roosevelt and Secretary of State Elijah Root had a "gentleman's agreement" regarding the formation of the current massive monopoly. During the banking crisis of 1907, U.S. Steel agreed, at the behest of J. P. Morgan, to buy the Tennessee Coal & Iron Company at a price higher than it was worth in order to stop a growing financial meltdown. Roosevelt consented to the purchase, even though it would make U.S. Steel a virtual monopoly, in order to save the United States financial system. He also stated that the American Iron&Steel Institute was attempting to steer a course between the "archaic" Sherman anti-trust law and "the old-time method of destructive competition, in order to operate for the public welfare."

Link: Three Forces Move Against the Combines [The Bisbee Daily Review]
Link: Sensational Roosevelt Exposure by Gary [The Bisbee Daily Review]

Ice Storm Disrupts Communication

2011-06-13T22:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday a series of ice and electrical storms disrupted telegraph communications. This disruption of service lead to news papers being incomplete, a great delay in personal correspondence, and ultimately to huge delays in the rail network. Because dispatchers for the Rail Roads were not able to get location information or give out order trains ended up sitting where they were until communication could be restored.

This disruption in service ultimately was the result of the hierarchical structure of the telegraph and rail networks. In both cases single avenues of communication are maintained. This means that when the single line is cut everything stops. This hierarchical structure is not necessary however. if we decentralized the telegraph lines, meaning there were many more lines going to a great diversity of places there would be some inherent redundancy in the event of line failure. Rail Roads on the other hand could run shorter distances more frequently, meaning that centralized dispatchers would not be necessary, as local dispatchers could take care of their own region and work together via a central planing committee with each other for longer travel. So while longer travel might slow down if telegraph lines failed, it would not come to a complete stop.

These types of problems are really a result of the hierarchical world we currently live in. If we chose to decentralize authority, these problems would be greatly mitigated. In a world with out hierarchy we would not only be more resilient to disaster but would live freer lives, with No Gods and No Masters.

Great Storm Cuts Off South And West [The New York Tribune]

Movie of George V's Coronation Coming to New York

2011-06-12T15:11:00.000-07:00

There is a report in today's New York Tribune suggesting that filmgoers in New York City and Chicago will be able to watch the coronation of Great Britain's King George V not long after the event itself on June 22 at Westminster Abbey in London. George V became king-emperor last May when his father, King Edward VI, passed away so the coronation is largely ceremonial. The event however will still be well attended by the people of Great Britain and by dignitaries from around the world. The moving pictures of the event will receive a speedy processing onboard a train, with early footage being shipped over to Paris so that it can play there by 9 P.M. the same day. Footage from the rest of the ceremony and related events are expected to play in London that evening as well, while other European cities should have the moving picture within three days.

Here in America, the film of the coronation will be put onboard the swiftest steamers and trains so that Americans will be able to witness the spectacle of a British coronation without having to be there very shortly after the . The last coronation, of Edward VII in August 1902 was the first to be photographed let alone filmed, but the movie technology of even just nine years was quite primitive compared to the direct color cinematograph that will be used in three days time.

We will have full coverage of the coronation of George V next week.

Link: Coronation in New York [The New York Tribune]

Perversion of the Revolution

2011-06-11T23:52:00.000-07:00

The peoples revolution in Mexico is dead. According to the Washington Herald Madero and Reyes, both leaders in the revolution, have been arguing about who should be in charge until elections can be held. Both want to be provisional president, but it appears that Madero will be, as he has the backing of 30,000 troops while Reyes only has 11,000. Madero however has made a "generous" offer and suggested that if Reyes retracts his candidacy for president he might become secretary of war.

Apparently after the revolution nothing has changed. The same self serving capitalist scum is still in charge. The decisions are still being made the same way, in back door deals enforced with armed troops. The result is the same, an oppressed people. Comrades we must not stand for this! The revolution was started with such high hopes. With ideals such as equality for all Mexicans, a fair share for everyone, and the average person truly having some control over their own life. This however is not what has happened. These so called "leaders" usurped the peoples revolution, and in the process have dishonored and perverted all that was fought for. Comrades we must remember this! This is what happens with government. No government can ever be truly free, they all use force against their own people and result in the same self serving capitalists in charge. The only way to combat this is to do away with government entirely! That is the only way to ensure that all people are free, that all people get a fair share, that all people are truly equal. Remember this travesty comrades, and when the time comes, ask your self how shale you build a world of Anarchy and Equality?

Reyes Is Offered Secretary's Post

Temperance Crusader Carrie Nation Dead at 64

2011-06-10T13:03:00.000-07:00

From my old hometown of Leavenworth, Kansas comes a report that Carrie Nation, the hatchet-wielding crusader for the prohibition of alcohol and for temperance, died last night at 8:05 P.M. at the age of 64. She had been living at Evergreen Sanitarium at the corner of Limit and Maple Ave. in the First City since January when she suffered a nervous breakdown while giving a speech at a park in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Reportedly, the breakdown was the result of stress from a lawsuit she filed against a lecture bureau for allegedly failing to pay her for services rendered.

No family was with her when she died. She has no children and was a divorcee at the time of her death. The only people with her where her physician Dr. A. L. Sumalsky and a nurse. She left no messages for her family or followers.

Carrie Nation became world famous as a result of her "Hatchetations" on saloons in Kansas which broke the state's ban on the sale of liquor. In 1889, she started a branch of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union in Medicine Lodge, Kansas. Initially her advocacy for the prohibitionist cause was benign, preaching in front of saloons, serenading saloon patrons, and pointedly calling them sinners. On June 7, 1899, she used rocks to bust up Dobson's Saloon in Kiowa, Kansas along with two other bars in town. Between 1900 and last year, she attacked 30 saloons with her infamous hatchets, including an famous incident in April 1901 when she busted several bars in wet Kansas City, Missouri. She was fined $500 for the attacks but the fees were waved if she never returned to the city. With the hatchets she destroyed the saloon's stock of liquor, bar paraphernalia, and mirrors, often receiving attention from the law. She also preached against the use of tobacco products. More recently she appeared in vaudeville shows to mixed reviews.

Link: Carrie Nation's Life Chapter is at an End [The Bisbee Daily Review]
Link: Carrie Nation, Saloon's Enemy, Ends Long War [The Washington Herald]

Capitalist Conspiracy!

2011-06-09T22:12:00.000-07:00

Comrades we are being conspired against! According to today's Bisbee Daily Review the capitalists are conspiring to fix prices and ensure their profits. In testimony before the house today it came out that Steel Men had been going to a series of dinners. These dinners, called "Gary Dinners" were used to maintain prices for steel, and to coordinate efforts between the different syndicates. This was confessed to openly in the House! They aren't even bothering to hide it anymore! If these capitalist pigs are willing to plot to maintain profit share what makes you think they would stop from plotting against us? After all we are their biggest obstacle to them maintaining their profits.

We comrades are what stand in the way of these greedy pigs. If we leave them to their own devices they will conspire against us and next thing we know we will be even more under their boot heal. No comrades we can not allow that. We must stand up to them! We must make they know we are in charge and we will not be taken advantage of! We must make they know that we the people own this world and nothing will stop us from claiming it! We are free comrades, there is no reason we should submit to these pigs. Instead we must band together and strive to build a better world free of capitalists and their puppet states. For this is the only way we will be able to live in Anarchy and Equality.

Gary Tells About His Dinners [Bisbee Daily Review]

Severe Earthquake Strikes Mexico City

2011-06-08T14:12:00.000-07:00

Tragedy struck Mexico City yesterday morning as a major earthquake shoot the Mexican capital. According to the article in today's Washington Herald, at least 166 people have been killed, many of them soldiers and women who were within a barracks that collapsed in the suburb of San Cosme.

The quake struck at 4:28am local time and aftershocks continued to be felt up to 6am, though more are expected throughout the day and into the night. The initial jolt is reported to have only last a few seconds, shorter than the tremor that devastated San Francisco five years ago. Thousands of people in the capital are reported to have fled, include many insurrectos who were in town to see the arrival of former rebel leader Francisco I. Madero. In another suburb of the capital, Huipulco, a church collapsed killing five and injuring dozens more while parishioners were attending an early morning mass. Despite the omen, many more thousands attended special masses yesterday evening, praying that God will forgive them for the recent internal disruptions in the country. Many people in the country, particularly supporters of the recently deposed President, Porfirio Diaz, believe the earthquake was "divine retribution" for the rebellion.

It is the judgement of God for driving out Diaz. Beware lest a greater visitation comes! Beware!

The panic was made worse by the early hour of the quake. Shortly after the first shock, thousands of people, still dressed for bed, filled into the streets, making it difficult to move around. This lack of space to move about made the panic even worse and people began to fight and struggle with each other. Witness reported the quake to have a undulating motion, not unlike being "on board a ship in a mighty ocean swell," according to the Washington Times.

Link: Earthquake Rocks Mexico City Hundreds Killed [The Washington Times]
Link: City of Mexico Severely Shaken by Earthquake [The Washington Herald]

Love And The Law

2011-06-07T23:18:00.000-07:00

What is love? How does it relate to marriage? In the Washington Herald today a notice was put out that 1500 marriages performed under William Stacey were in fact illegal. This court ruling seems to stem from a charge of Stacey marrying a 24 year old man to a 15 year old girl against her parents wishes. While that act is despicable it does raise some interesting questions. Such as just what business is it of the state to be involved in marriage?

Comrades marriage is an agreement between individuals, usually those in love. There is no reason the state needs be involved! All the state does is tax you for the "privilege" of being with the one you love so long as it falls with in their definition of love. Comrades it is no ones business other than those in the marriage, man or women, white or black, rich or poor. None of it matters, all that matters is that they want to be together. So why do you continue to allow the capitalist state to dictate to you your own relationship? Instead comrades know your own life, and talk with the one you love, for it is there that the marriage happens, not in a court house. Remember, allow No Gods Nor Masters control over your relationship, keep that control safe within your treasured love.

Weddings Ruled To Be Illegal [The Washington Herald]

Detroit Tigers Win Series Over Nationals

2011-06-06T18:29:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since we talked about baseball here on the blog, so I thought today, with not much in the news today, we would take a quick look at what is going on in the majors starting with the Washington Nationals. The Detroit Tigers brought their star outfielder Ty Cobb and their first place record in the American League into town for a four game series, of which the Tigers won three, though on Friday, the Nationals brought the bats to win 14-7. Yesterday though, the Tigers blew out the Washington 5-1 thanks to a stingy performance by Tigers pitchers Ed Lafitte who gave up only six hits, of which five were hit in the first three innings. Ty Cobb finished the game three for four with an RBI off a single in the first as well as a stolen base when National pitcher Bob Groom tried to pick him at first, but the throw went wild and Cobb was able to reach third.

With the loss, the Nationals continue to dwell near the cellar of the American League and are only a 1.5 games ahead of the last place St. Louis Browns. The winning team, Detroit, continues its dominance of the league, now with a 35-12 record and 6.5 games on top of the Philadelphia Athletics. The National League pennant race is much closer, with three teams (the New York Giants, Chicago Cubs, and Philadelphia Phillies) within a half game of first place.

Next up for the Washington Nationals are the Cleveland Naps, who are in sixth place and had a poor showing against the Athletics over the weekend. It is possible that veteran Naps pitcher, Cy Young, may throw in one of the four games, though he just starting to get over an illness that has had him confined to his room for much of the season thus far.

Link: Final Game of the Series Goes to the Tigers [The Washington Herald]

Slaving

2011-06-05T23:29:00.000-07:00

According to the Washington Herald yesterday a man was arrested on charges of White Slavery. It appears that Fleming Bowers was arrested after bringing his 17 year old wife to Washington D.C. and than leaving her in a boarding house which may have been a brothel as well. When she learned of this she apparently broke down crying and insisted the police be called. But the real question is how is this any different from any other marriage?

All marriages are a form of slavery. The man is legally superior and socially is invested with far more rights and control than the women. This creates an uneven relationship that is coercive in it's very nature, resulting in the man being the master and the women being the slave. So why should we be so surprised to hear that a man took the next logical step and chose a way to put his wife to work for him?

This form of relationship is the start of many of societies woes. It is only by forming truly equal relationship that we can raise children who think of all people as equals. We must work on creating relationship that are a joining of willing equals. Of two people coming together because they want to, where no person is above anyone else. Only than will we see all parties in a marriage happy and productive. It is only than we will see a society formed from the bottom up that has no Gods and no Masters.

Nabbed On Charge Of White Slavery [The Washington Herald]

Gov. Wilson Visits with Capitol Hill Democrats

2011-06-04T18:57:00.000-07:00

New Jersey Governor Woodrow Wilson stopped at Washington today, capping a 9,000-mile tour of the West with earlier stops in Oregon and California. A number of Democrats paid a visit to his hotel New Willard to see the possible Democratic front-runner. Wilson told his guests that he approved a recent actions by Democrats in the House and believes that the next election will see a possible obliteration of party lines. So many visited the hotel that his suite became an effective reception hall and that he had little time to talk with all the visitors wanting to at the very least shake his head, or pick his brain on the news of the day.

Gov. Wilson toured Western States for the last month, making speeches like a man who is personally campaigning for the 1912 Democratic presidential nomination. At a stop in Portland, Oregon last month, Wilson praised the state's primary election system of choosing their delegate slate and insinuated that he might considering adopting a similar system for New Jersey. He told reporters at the same stop, when asked about his 1912 plans, "I certainly have not the audacity to seek the nomination, but no man is too big to refuse it." Today's "presidential" reception certainly gives one the impression that Wilson is personally looking to unseat Taft next year.

Among the first visitors was the former publicity man for William Jennings Bryan, who tried and failed to win the White House for the Democrats in three of the last four elections. The public relations adviser's presence with Wilson isn't a surprise given Bryan's tilt toward Wilson's camp following the wool tariff caucus vote in the House. Soon, visitors from the House showed. In response to a question from to Rep. John E. Raker (D-Cal.), Wilson stated that he was in favor of the initiative and referendum, "if political, economic, and civic ills can not be cured by other means."

Among the points that Wilson wanted to drive home among the assembled politicians was that party lines may be blurring as the next campaign season approaches. "I suppose my political views are pretty well known by this time. I may say, however, that one thing struck me, particularly during my journey through the West. That is, the political trend everywhere now seems to be the abandonment of the old party lines."

The governor went on further to support a tariff for revenue only, in contradiction to Bryan's desire for free raw wool, a man who seemed to be leaning toward the Princeton man. However, he seemed to give himself an out by stating that free raw wool was still a principle tenet of the Democratic Party.

Men everywhere seem to be of the same mind. The next election is going to mark the partial obliteration of old time party lines. It is going to be a campaign of men and measures, rather than a campaign of parties.

The people are going to vote for a man whom they believe will cary out the things for which they stand, rather than a man who professes to represent the principles of one of the parties. There is a mide distinction, you know,. between principles and measures.

I approve of the manner in which the Democratic House is conducting itself. Its performances have been creditable, fulfilling the pledges made.

I think the attitude of the Democratic caucus with reference to the revision of the wool schedule is justifiable. The resolution adopted by the caucus is satisfying. It recites that a revenue tax on wool is the practical and possible thing at this time.

It does not mean the abandonment of the principle of free raw wool. But, the Democrats are not revising the entire tariff; the revision is schedule by schedule, and the question of revenue must enter, hence the necessity, for the present, of a revenue tax on wool. If a wholesale revision had been in progress the situation might have been different.

The parade of Democratic notables will wind up this afternoon as Wilson returns to New Jersey tonight to finish his lengthy trip west.

Link: Wilson Approves of Work Done by Democratic House [The Washington Times]

Hand and Glove

2011-06-03T22:42:00.005-07:00

The hand in glove relationship between the capitalists and the government has been made blatantly clear today. According to the Bisbee Daily Review Elbert Gary of the U.S. Steal Trust recently testified in public saying that the Office of the President approved the acquisition of Tennessee Coal and Iron by U.S. Steal in a move to ensure the survival of economy. By approving of this acquisition President Roosevelt made it blatantly clear that the well being of the capitalists, those who would lose most in a market crash, is more important than so called fair competition. More over by ensuring the survival of a strong pro-capitalist economy Roosevelt was ensuring that there was no chance of a socialist revolution during the difficult times that might have happened.

Mr. Gary went on to make some interesting pro-socialist comments about how all production needs to be controlled by the government. While on the surface this might appear to be good for the workers cause nothing could be further from the truth. What Mr. Gary is purposing is not a true socialist revolution. He want production to be controlled by the present capitalist government. This would if anything make life more difficult for the workers. The halls of government require the availability of copious amounts of wealth. This is how one gets into government. Even if a poor person was to attempt to gain access their campaign and ultimate success would be financed by a capitalist, meaning they would be compromised. This is the problem with government. This is why while there is a state there can be no true workers revolution.

To this end comrades I urge you to resist the "socialists" such as Gary and instead focus on bringing anarchism. For it is through anarchism that our true freedom will develop. It is through anarchism that true socialism will flow. It is through anarchism that we build a better world, one devoid of Gods and Masters!

Sensational Roosevelt Exposure By Gary [Bisbee Daily Review]

Fissure in the Democratic Party after Wool Tariff Vote

2011-06-02T16:39:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, the Democratic Party Caucus in the House of Representatives voted to reduce the tariff on import of raw wool and clothing. The bill had been proposed by Representative Oscar Underwood (D-Ala.), Chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee. The duty on raw wool will be reduced from its 44.31%, from the Payne-Aldrich tariff, to 20%, equivalent to 3-5 cents per pound. The tariff on manufactured products made from wool, like yarn, clothing, blankets, and ribbons, have also been reduced. For example, the duty on women's and children's dress goods have dropped from 102.85% to 45%. Chairman Underwood expected the tariff to reduce federal revenue from wool products by $1,400,000 to $40,556,200. The wool schedule was also put on an ad valorem basis.

The caucus was quite heated as William Jennings Bryan, the Democratic Presidential candidate in three of the last four elections and self-proclaimed leader of the Democratic Party, advocated strongly for no duties on raw wool. Previous tariff schedules under Democratic congresses had no raw wool duties. In an editorial in his weekly newspaper, The Commoner, on Tuesday, Bryan criticized Democratic leaders in Congress as protectionists, same as the Republicans:

The Democratic voters have a right to insist that the protectionist Democrats shall be as honest as the protectionist Republicans. The Republicans want protection on wool because they believe in the principle of protection; but let not Democratic advocate of a tax on wool masquerade behind the pretense that he is voting for a revenue tariff. Let him not add hypocrisy to the sin which he commits against his party.

There is no reason a few sheep raisers should be shown favoritism at the expense of all who wear woolen clothing.

If the Democratic party is to be Aldrichised, let the change of policy be made with audacity at least. The man who does wrong boldly may mislead a few, but the man who does wrong by stealth and then tries to conceal it by equivocation confesses his consciousness of guilt and cannot hope for a following.

It may be well to remember that the voters of all parties are braver than politicians.

The Democratic voters know that all needed revenue can be raised in less oppressive ways, and they know that the argument that the tariff on wool is proposed as a revenue tariff is merely subterfuge employed because those who employ it are ashamed to say that they favor protection.

Bryan's harsh comments toward House Democrats had a deep effect on the Caucus but not the one he intended. Underwood stated that free wool would deplete the Treasury's coffers too extremely, and that the country could ill afford it after 15 years of "Republican extravagance." He further stated that free wool would be disastrous for the country economically and the party politically. In the end, the party caucus voted to support the new wool schedule unanimously, preferring Underwood's tariff to Bryan's leadership of the party. The tariff is likely to sail through the House now. House Speaker Champ Clark, while not openly advocating the schedule, has given his commitment to see its passage.

Yesterday's vote could have an impact on the race for next year's Democratic presidential nomination. Bryan is still well regarded in the West and Plains states, and his endorsement could carry sway with those delegates if he doesn't run himself. However, with last year's endorsement of the Republican candidate in the Nebraska gubernatorial race due to the prohibition issue, he is not likely to see the same support he has had in previous conventions, if yesterday's comments by Rep. Underwood are any indication. With this caucus vote, Speaker Clark is likely to be hurt in his run for the White House. Before the vote, Bryan, in a veiled threat, said that Clark's chances at the nomination "would depend on the caucus in Washington." Bryan in the same statement also gave a boost to presidential hopeful, Woodrow Wilson, saying, "Gov. Wilson is doing good work in New Jersey."

While the new tariff has reduced the duties on wool, it looks like the vote could have major repercussions going into 1912. The race on the other side is definitely heating up! A split in the Democratic Party can only boost President Taft's chances at being re-elected next year.

Link: Wool Schedule Revision Bolts Bryan's Desires [The Washington Herald]
Link: Democrats Clash Over Free Wool [The Washington Herald]

What Is Revolution?

2011-06-01T20:38:00.000-07:00

Diaz is finally gone, but his perverted minions remain. According to the Bisbee Daily Review, Diaz set sail for Europe yesterday. Supposedly, he was greeted by fanfare and cheers from those on ship when he boarded. His removal from Mexico, however, does not mean Mexico is free. So far, only 4 states have been turned over to their new governors under the Madero Regime. The remaining are filled with officials who say they have not yet received "Official Orders" to turn over their states, and as such, they will not do so. This means that huge swaths of Mexico are still under control by a military still loyal to Diaz!

Comrades in Mexico, please hear me. Diaz was not the largest problem you had. He was only the figurehead to a corrupt capitalist state. The real problem lies with the petty capitalists: those who would sell out their own people for a little power, such as those in the Diaz-loyal army. It is these individuals you must remove. It is these individuals who are truly standing in the way of a free Mexico. It is these individuals who are truly class traitors.

Comrades, Madero can do nothing to make you freer. If anything, following him is a step backwards. If you truly want to be free and equal, you must throw off leaders and live in a state of anarchist bliss. This is the only way. By removing those Diaz-loyal governors and troops, you are one step closer, but that isn't the end. You must remove Madero as well. You must remove anyone who would claim the right to lead you and force you to comply with their dictates. For you see, comrades, revolution is a state of mind, not a state of nature. By refusing to submit to those who would force you to do anything, you are living in a state of revolution. Through revolution you make yourself truly free, and you create a world of No Gods and No Masters.

Diaz Sounds Warning Note [Bisbee Daily Review]

Ray Harroun wins Endurance Car Race at Indy

2011-05-31T16:16:00.000-07:00

In a nail-biting finish, Ray Harroun won the 500-mile, international endurance race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway yesterday. Ray Harroun finished the race driving a car from the Marmon Motor Car Company, the #32 car. Ralph Mulford, in a Lozier, No. 33, finished the race in second while driving a Lozier and David Bruce-Brown, in a Fiat, finished third. Ray Harroun finished the race in 6 hours, 41 minutes, and 8 seconds, giving him an average speed of an astounding 75 miles per hour, and that includes pit stops.

This new 500-mile race replaces the series of shorter races that had been run at Indianapolis in recent years.

The last twenty miles of the race saw the most exciting action, as Joe Dawson contended with the top three finishers for the lead but he was forced to pit to deal with tire problems. Harroun, Mulford, and Bruce-Brown were bunched together for the latter parts of the race, and Mulford and Bruce-Brown switched places several times, but they never managed to pass Harroun. The leaders were within a lap of each other going into the last 10 miles, and many at the track put their bets on Mulford to overtake Harroun. The closest competitor to the lead pack was Ralph de Palma in a Simplex, and he was ten laps behind the leaders. Despite the desperate jostling for second place, Harroun captured the win.

The Memorial Day race began in spectacular fashion with a show of aerial bombs and daylight fireworks.

After the race, Harroun announced that the endurace race would be his last, stating that the races had become too dangerous, plus he was hungry.

I had to stop only four times for new tires. My engine gave me not the least bit of trouble. The track was fierce. In the last 200 miles it was like a sheet of glass and I never knew how long I was going to be able to keep her on the course.

The mental strain of the first 100 miles, due possibly to the accident that killed poor Dickson, was much greater than the last 100, even if the finish was in sight then. I'm glad it's over, and I'm glad I'm alive. No more for me.

Mulford was more enthusiastic: "It's Great! I enjoyed every minute of the race. It was like a continual picnic. I never thought of danger. I'm ready to start again tomorrow for another race of the same length."

Link: Harroun Wins Big Motor Race in Record Time [The Washington Herald]

The Threat That Is the 4th Of July

2011-05-30T23:32:00.000-07:00

Comrades the statists are at it again. They are trying to show you pretty bobbles, and fancy acts, all with the goal of proving how "great" their oppression is. With the nearing of the 4th of July, the traditional day the American regime celebrate it's "independence", the plans for shows of might and spender are on the rise. According to the Bisbee Daily Review the massive celebration planed in Bisbee can no longer be contained to one day, and now will include the 5th of July as well. This spectacle will include not only competition for prizes but also troop movements! It is these very "celebratory" acts however that highlight the abusive nature of the statist cause.

Comrades this spectacle is no celebration, it is a reminder of the power of the state and no more. The competitions for prizes are no more than the begging of the hungry at the feat of Nero. The troop movements no more than the flash of the Praetorian Guard. These events are carefully crafted, to show you the supposed strength of the state and hide it's weakness. To convince you to submit willingly to the Caesars. Yes comrades we are no freer than those poor souls thousands of years ago made to submit to the Caesars. The only difference is the state has gotten better and making you think submitting is the right thing to do.

Comrades this is not the world we were promised. We should no more submit to the state than we should cut our own throats. We must stand up to the state. We must show them we are strong. To this end comrades turn away this disgusting display of raw power. Don't be drawn in by the bobbles and shouts of the statists. Don't be dazzled by the flash of armed troops or the smell of the bread. Instead comrades remember what this all is, a threat. A threat that if you don't submit they will send those troops against you, and deny you the very bread and gold the capitalists hold in their hands. Remember comrades that what you would be celebrating is your own conquest by the capitalists. So turn away, refuse to even acknowledge that this travesty of a spectacle is going on. Instead put your energies into helping your neighbors, working together for a common cause, and advancing a world where we can all live in Anarchy and Equality.

Will Extend 4th Of July Celebration [Bisbee Daily Review]

Train Wreck in Nebraska Kills Twelve

2011-05-29T14:49:00.000-07:00

A wreck along the Burlington railroad occurred early today, killing twelve and injuring many of the remaining passengers. Considering the state of some of those injured, it is likely that the death toll will rise. Among the victims include members of the Omaha and Denver minor league baseball teams, though none were killed. The wreck also caused the steam pipes in several cars to burst, badly scalding many passengers.

The wreck occurred two miles west of Indianola, Nebraska. Passenger train #12, eastbound, was supposed to stop at Redwood to take on some siding, but it kept traveling east. It collided into the westbound #9 train, which was traveling at fifty miles per hour. The engine crews of both trains were killed instantly.

The Burlington company, from their corporate offices in Lincoln, Nebraska, released the eight of the names of the dead yesterday:

A.A. Hissabeck, Holdrege, Neb.; Robert Shepherd, traveling salesman, Holdrege, Neb.; Engineer John H. Hyder, of No. 12 and his fireman, W. J. Dameron, both of Lincoln; Engineer W. T. Lahey and his fireman, A. J. Olsen, both of Lincoln; Express Messenger Fraser, and Express Messenger Friar.

Link: Twelve Killed in Burlington Wreck, and Many Injured [The Washington Times]

The Revolution Is Falling Apart

2011-05-28T19:59:00.009-07:00

Comrades, the unified fight for a free Mexico is no more. According to the Bisbee Daily Review, Tomas Urkina, who commands the southern zone, has refused to comply with the order coming from Madero stating "that he would dictate the peace terms in his territory." This means that looting has continued in the south, resulting in the destruction of entire towns! At the same time, troops are being pulled out of Agua Prieta fully outfitted for war to be sent to Baja California, for unstated reasons. Even worse, according to the Washington Herald, the train carrying Diaz to the coast so he could leave the country has been stopped and attacked by Free Mexican forces. While these forces were beaten off, it highlights the larger issue, the lack of vision.

Comrades, while originally the revolution was made up of great men with great goals, it seems that has been lost. No longer do the generals lead for the average campesino, but rather for their own glory! This is the inherent problem with a statist system. Instead of the people taking up the fight for their own freedom, they allowed others to lead. Instead of working as an anarchist collective, they willingly formed a new state. Instead of choosing to be free, they willingly submitted to other people! Comrades, you can not be free this way. Please open your eyes. The only way to get what you truly want, ultimate freedom and equality, is to remove the capitalists and the statists. No longer follow these petty caudillos; you need to learn to live without them. Instead of allowing someone to own property, you need to learn to live without the idea of property. This is the only way you can live in Anarchy and Equality.

Reign Of Terror At Cananea; Many Flee From City; Arnold Is Jailed [Bisbee Daily Review]
Rebels Attack Diaz On Train; Thirty Killed [Washington Herald]

Diaz Flees Mexico City; Bound for Spain

2011-05-27T12:47:00.000-07:00

Hours after resigning as Mexico's President, an office he has held since 1884, though his political domination of Mexico has lasted since 1876, Diaz spirited away like a thief in the night away from the capital of Mexico City, bound for Vera Cruz for a sea voyage to Spain and exile. Diaz arrived in Vera Cruz at 3 P.M. yesterday where he then boarded the Ypiranga, a Hamburg-American merchant vessel that is bound for Europe. Details of his departure were kept a secret until yesterday afternoon when he arrived in Vera Cruz in order to prevent possible attacks by marauders along the train's route. Demonstrations in the capital have largely remained peaceful since the violent attacks by police during a riot a few days ago.

A major concern for Mexico's new rulers have been ensuring that Diaz doesn't follow the precident of other Latin American dictators who took sizable chunks of national treasuries with them into exile. However, he was largely unmolested as he used an narrow gauge track that is owned by the government but rarely used, and doesn't afford the former president much luxury. There are reports that the train was attacked near Tepechualco, but that is unconfirmed. The pilot train of the convoy was stopped by rebels at Jalapa, but it was allowed to proceed unmolested.

The details of his escape from the national palace are also quite amazing. Diaz has been ill from fever for many days, but still he managed, while closely muffled, to use a borrowed car to reach the San Lazaro station in Mexico City. The convoy used a series of less frequented streets and where kept safe by police.

With Diaz now out of power, Francisco de la Berra was sworn in yesterday in a quiet ceremony.

In other Mexican news, rebel leader Francisco Madero resigned as provisional president, acknowledging de la Berra as the sole ruler of Mexico until election are held later this year. He released the following statement:

Fellow Citizens,

When by the San Luis Potosi plan of last October I invited you to take up arms to recover our liberties and political rights, you all concurred to my call and in six months, by your heroic efforts, you have overthrown the dictatorial regime which for 35 years has oppressed our fatherland.

Our triumph has been complete and in succession will be justice equally for rich and poor, for the powerful and the humble. Liberty will spread its broad wings to all Mexicans and, united fraternally, we will all work for the aggrandizement of our country.

Having continued the revolution until its conclusion it seemed I should convoke the vernal elections, according to the stipulations of the San Luis Potosi plan, but the war of fratricide which we have obliged to carry on did not triumph in the determination of personalities, but in the victory of our principles. From the moment we triumphed and we saw the republic surely coming under the regime of liberty, Diaz and Ramon Corral resolving to resign and to leave the power in the hands of Senor de la Berra; from that moment, I saw, it appeared to me that I should act in the interests of the fatherland, putting a final stop to bloodshed and of the war of fratricide.

But considering as legitimate the authority of Senor Francisco de la Berra, inasmuch as he comes into power by mutual agreement of both contending parties, it is impossible for me to assume charge of the provisional presidency of the republic, and for that reason I hereby formally resign before the nation.

Thus as all my companions followed me when I invited them to the election of last June and afterward you followed me to arms to reconquer our liberty, thus I hope now all will follow my efforts in re-establishing quickly the peace and tranquility of the whole republic to the end what very soon the Mexican people will enjoy a well-being which is proportionately due under the new regime of the government inaugurated today with President de la Berra, who received so high and honored a post solely with the idea of serving his country, as an intermediary between the despotic government of Diaz and the eminently popular government which will result from the next general election.

To those who for so many years have been victims of tyranny and who fear some trick from their old oppressors I say they should fear nothing. The people already have shown their omnipotence and before I resigned the provisional presidency I agreed with Senor de la Berra upon the necessity of all Mexicans being satisfied with an national aspirants which in the next general elections will respect the popular will.

The Mexican Congress agreed yesterday to general election to be held on November 3, but Madero believes the date should be moved up to early September.

Link: Diaz Flees Capital for Vera Cruz, Going by Way of Little Used Railroad [The Bisbee Daily Review]

Diaz Resigns!!!!

2011-05-26T19:25:00.002-07:00

Comrades according to the Bisbee Daily Review as of yesterday Diaz has resigned! His resignation however was only forced because of the armed resistance to his illegitimate use of force. In his speech to the Chamber of Deputies he specifically said he does not recognize that he has done anything wrong and that the only reason he is leaving is that he can't defeat the Freedom Fighters. This revaluation casts an dark shadow on this glorious day.

Even more disturbing are the actions of the people of Mexico. Instead of taking the momentum they have build up and removing the state, they have fallen back on this old crutch call stateism. They have installed a temporary president and arranged for elections to prop up the old system under a new regime. This is the true reason Diaz left. He knew that if he carried on until the bitter end, fighting until the last loyal man died, that the people of Mexico would be done with states, and done with capitalists. As it is now with his leaving he has left the capitalist headed state system in place. So the capitalists will still be the ones really calling the shots, and the state will still oppress the people to prop up the capitalists. This is Diaz's parting gift, continued oppression and class inequity.

Comrades in Mexico please look around you! Think of all the ideals of the revolution. All that you battled for against tremendous odds! Are they being upheld? Or are you selling out pieces of the revolution because it is easier than keeping fighting. Only by rejecting the state and all forms of capitalism can you truly be free and you know it. Please comrades have the courage to fight for what you know is right. Have the courage to live with No Gods and No Masters!

Diaz's Letter To Chamber Of Deputies Read Yesterday [The Bisbee Daily Review]

Federal Police and Soldiers Clash With Madero Supporters in Mexico City

2011-05-25T13:03:00.000-07:00

With Diaz announcing another "manana" to his impending resignation from the office of the Mexican presidency, a mob of more than 2,000 took to the streets of the capital to protest Diaz's delays. With shouts of "Viva Madero" in the air, they denounced President Diaz after many had attended a Chamber of Deputies meeting where the announcement that the resignations of Diaz and Vice President Ramon Corral would not happen until tomorrow (now today).

The protesters marched in front of the National Palace in Zocolo Plaza, where an ill Diaz is holding up, as well as the building for El Imparcial, the state-run newspaper. In front of both, police and soldiers fired into the crowd, killing between 7 and 18 protesters and injuring between 40 and 45. Three policemen are also dead after being beaten to death by the rioters. The protesters were largely dispersed by midnight due to a heavy rain storm that had moved into the capital, though not before they had set fire to the El Imparcial building. A remnant of the mob remain behind, beating drums, while police and federal troops keep a close eye on them.

The protest had been allowed to remain peaceful with many in the crowd ostracizing Maderists who committed vandalism. By 8:30pm, with some protesters breaking off into smaller groups, other had gathered in Zocolo Plaza, where they hurled insults at police while becoming more demonstrative. The police ordered them to move on, which the protesters ignored, at which point the police and troops fired on the crowd. However, rather than dispersing the mob, they just broke up into smaller groups, still shouting Madero slogans.

It is expected though that despite Diaz's high fever for which he has been bed ridden for the last five days and for which he was unable to receive visitors, including US Ambassador Henry Lane Wilson, he will submit his resignation later today.

Link: Mob of 2,000 Runs Wild for Madero in Mexico City [The Bisbee Daily Review]

The Games Diaz Plays

2011-05-24T23:51:00.000-07:00

Comrades Diaz is at it again. According to the Bisbee Daily Review Diaz has yet again postponed his "departure" date. He is now saying that he will present him self tomorrow to the Chamber of Deputies and resign. This is outrageous! Why are the Freedom fighters waiting?! Comrades there is no reason to play his game. By giving him time you are only allowing him to hurt the people of Mexico a little bit more. More over you are recognizing the current state as legitimate. This is the same state that cooperated with Diaz. The same state that concentrated power with the wealthy. The same state that gave the capitalists control. As such it should suffer the same fate as Diaz. Both the baby and the bath water must be thrown out. Mexico must have a fresh start. Free of the problems of the old governments. A start under an anarchist system. Only than will the people of Mexico truly be free. Only than can they live their lives with No Gods and No Masters!

Madero Is Warned Of Plot Of The Cientificos [The Bisbee Daily Review]

Diaz Expected To Resign Tomorrow

2011-05-23T13:01:00.000-07:00

The latest news from Mexico suggests that President Porfirio Diaz will resign tomorrow, assuming that rebel leader Francisco I. Madero accepts the slate of cabinet officers submitted by incoming President de la Berra. As soon as he receives word from Judge Carbajal that Madero has accepted the appointments, it is expected that Diaz will submit his resignation to the chamber of deputies. Upon his resignation, it is likely that Diaz will travel to Europe for at least a few months onboard a French liner.

However, the transition from Diaz to Madero may not be smooth. Reports from Mexico City suggest that members of the Cientifico ruling party could attempt to disrupt the transition period with a revolution of their own, but it is not known if they are planning an armed rebellion like Madero's. While the people in the capital are not jumping for joy over the end of Diaz's reign, there are expressions of approval and relief that the war that has cost the country millions of pesos is finally at an end. Given the country's exhaustion for conflict, it is unlikely that the Cientifico's will find a sympathetic following who would wish to prolong the Civil War. It is expected then that the Cientifico's activities will be limited to vigorous politicking.

In the midst of all this have been new allegations by the Chinese government of atrocities committed by the rebels against Chinese immigrants in the town of Torreon, Coahulia. As many as 206 Chinese and Japanese migrants were killed in the town during the rebel occupation. It is not known if the rebel commanders simply lost control of their subordinates or whether the soldiers were deliberately let loose on the defenseless community. What is known is that a number of rebels and a mob from the town committed a race riot against many of the leading Chinese businessmen, shooting and stabbing them without mercy. In addition to the Asians killed, one German, 12 Spaniards, and several Americans lost their lives during the riot.

Link: Diaz Resigns Tomorrow; Will Leave For Europe [The Bisbee Daily Review]

French War Minister Killed in Airplane Accident

2011-05-22T18:27:00.000-07:00

An airplane race from Paris to Madrid got off to a tragic start as one of the monoplane of one of the racers, Traine, killed the French War Minister, Henri Maurice Berteaux, and seriously injured the French Premier, Antoine Ernest Monis.

The day started well enough with 50,000 Frenchmen enjoying a holiday morning at the drill grounds of the Issy les Moulineaux. Naval lieutenant Andre Beaumont took off first in his Bleriot aeroplane followed by Roland Garros and Gilbert in a similar machines. Next up was the new aviator, Traine with his passenger Bonnier, who began by circling his machine around to test the motor. However, the crush of the spectators was too great for the cavalrymen there to control the crowds and the VIP section was pushed into the path of Traine's plane. The VIPs apparently had a poor view from the stand of honor and moved closer to the starting line, at which point the rest of the crowd followed. Traine tried to hop his plane over the horsemen before continuing his takeoff, but he failed to see the crowd on the other side of the cavalrymen. It was at this point that the War Minister's arm was caught in the plane's propeller and he was further maimed by it. He was dead almost instantly.

The prime minister was crushed underneath the plane with both bones in his right leg and all the bones in his nose broken. He also suffered a number of abdominal and head injuries. He is not expected to survive his injuries, but he was able to sign several urgent state papers from his home where he is recuperating. Neither Train nor his passenger were injured in the accident. Afterward, Train told the Washington Herald correspondent:

Seeing the soldiers, I made an effort to turn to the right. The motor was too weak, and I therefore raised the aeroplane in an effort to land beyond the cuirassiers. At the same moment a group of ministers and officials that had been hidden from me by the cavalry seemed to scatter in all directions. I risked my own and my passenger's life in an attempt to prolong the flight over the crowd, and was just about to succeed in clearing them when the machine fell heavily. I jumped out and only then discovered the terrible catastrophe.

The race was initially called off after the accident but Premier Monis has ordered that it continue. The Aero Club of France which is sponsoring the race along with Petit Parisien is now expected to go with the cabinet and Monis' decision to continue the race with the other participants starting out today. These include Werman, Nieuporr, and Jules Vedrines. Of the racers who did get off the ground yesterday, Garros traveled 250 miles to reach Angouleme, Beaumont's plane was damaged after landing near Loches to get directions, and Gilbert reached Pont Levoy and is hoping to continue today. Deranzay reach Sancorre.

This is not the first Paris-Madrid Race to be marred by tragedy. An auto race in 1909 resulted in so many deaths before the racers reached Bordeaux that the race was called off.

Aviation experts in France now argue that this accident provides proof that the monoplane has seen its best days. One of these experts, Laffrete, believes that the biplane offers more stability and better control than the monoplane in the crash.

The accident has put a damper on plans for the upcoming state visit by King Peter of Servia, who is expected to arrive today. Decorations at the War Ministry, where the King will be staying, have been removed as Berteaux lies in state. Paris is the only European capital to offer the King royal honors thanks to his participation in the French Foreign Legion during the Franco-Prussian War. Festivities in honor of his arrival have been called off. However, King Peter is likely to delay his French visit and has already offered his condolences to French President Fallieres.

Link: Aeroplane Kills Minister of War, Injures Others [The Washington Herald]

Wilhelm II and George V argue in London

2011-05-21T12:59:00.006-07:00

In a rare public display of emotion between European royals, German Emperor Wilhelm II and British King George V argued in public at a railway station in London. While the nature of the argument was not mentioned in the Washington Herald, the heated discussion was visible to the public at Victoria Station as the royals of Germany and Great Britain awaited the departure of the German Kaiser. Reportedly, the heads of state were arguing as they approached the platform from the royal reception room. The king smacked his hand several times before the Kaiser dismissed him with an "expressive gesture."

After the Kaiser dismissed him with this "expressive gesture", the Kaiser turned away to talk with Lord Lonsdale while the King also turned away to talk with the Duke of Connaught. The King continued his conversation even while the Kaiser and the Kaiserin boarded the train. Eventually, the King did board the train as well, bowed before the Kaiser but refused to shake his cousin's hand, upon which he continued his conversation with the Duke. The rest of royals looked on with awkward silence. Finally, the King returned to Buckingham Palace with a "gloomy face."

The incident has been the only event to mar what has been a successful "German Week" in London. In what has been a family affair between the German and British royals, they oversaw the dedication of the Victoria Monument. It is thought that the state visit by the Kaiser may have improved relations between the powerful nations after years of intense naval buildups, including so-called "super-Dreadnoughts" and improved relations between England and France during Edward's reign. Gossip from the visit has also centered on a possible marriage between the Prince of Wales and the Kaiser's only daughter, Victoria Luise.

Link: Royalties Squabble When Kaiser Departs [The Washington Herald]
Link: "German Week" a Joy to London [The New York Tribune]

Reyes Stopped at Havana

2011-05-20T12:53:00.000-07:00

General Bernardo Reyes, respected by the Mexican Federal Army but despised by the rebels and their leader, Francisco I. Madero, has been halted at Havana under orders from President Porfirio Diaz. Reyes has been suspected to be the pick to be the country's next War Minister, but Madero has ordered a detachment of his rebel army to prevent his landing at Vera Cruz and, if necessary, to place him under arrest. Reyes had been returning from Europe where Diaz sent him to prevent him from causing problems in Mexico. Reyes was a candidate last year for the Mexican Presidency.

According to the Bisbee Daily Review, they have a source in Mexico that says that the names of three generals have been submitted to Madero for the War Ministry post and Reyes is not among them.

Meanwhile, back in his home country, Madero has halted plans to travel to Mexico City to meet with President Diaz after reports that his life may be in danger there. Reports of such a plan have caused great consternation in the capital and there are worries that Madero may resume the war if he and his rebels give more credence to the possibility that the government would try to capture him or have him killed.

In other news, in its first anti-trust suit since Monday's Standard Oil Decision, the Justice Department has filed suit against more than 150 individuals and 10 trade organizations that are alleged to be part of what has become popularly known as the "lumber trust." The government alleges that these organizations conspired to constrain the trade of lumber in this country. Attorney General Wickersham alleges that the organizations conspired to maintain high prices by maintaining agreements between the constituents of the "lumber trust" and blacklisting any retailer not in their organizations.

Link: Reyes Halted At Havana by Diaz -- Madero Calls Off His Trip [The Bisbee Daily Review]
Link: Lumber Trust Attacked by Government [The Bisbee Daily Review]

Roosevelt Attacks Successor's Foreign Policies

2011-05-19T17:30:00.004-07:00

In this week's issue of Outlook Magazine, former President Theodore Roosevelt attacked his successor's plan to sign a general arbitration treaty with Great Britain (and France). The treaty would submit to arbitration any future disputes between the two nations, which Roosevelt argues restricts to harshly the sovereign rights of the United States. What follows is a excerpt from Roosevelt's article:

Hypocrisy never pays in the long run. Even if the indifference of the majority of the nation should permit such a specific agreement to arbitrate such vital questions, that same majority would promptly and quite properly repudiate the agreement the moment that it became necessary to enforce it.

No self-respecting nation, no nation worth calling a nation, would ever in actual practice consent to surrender its rights in such matters.

Take this very case of the agreement between Great Britain and ourselves. Thank heaven, it is now impossible-and I use the word literally-that there shall never be war between the English-speaking peoples.

If Great Britain now started to exercise the right of search as she exercised it 100 years ago, with its incidents of killing peaceful fishermen within the limits of New York Harbor, this country would fight at the drop of the hat, and any man who proposed to arbitrate such a matter would be tossed contemptuously out of the popular path.

We should be very cautious of entering into a treaty with any nation, however closely knit to us, the form of which it would be impossible to follow in making treaties with other great civilized and friendly nations.

In this case [the killing and injuring of Americans on this side of the border due to fighting in Mexico] we have chosen to submit to such invasion, as is our right and privilege if we so desire. But it would be absolutely intolerable to bind ourselves to arbitrate the questions raised by such invasions.

If, for instance, instead of its being Mexican troops firing into our inland towns and killing our citizens, it happened to be an English or a German or a Japanese fleet which not once, but again, fired into our coast towns, killing and wounding our citizens, this nation would immediately demand not arbitration, but either atonement or war.

In the same way, if a dispute arose between us and another nation as to whether we should receive enormous masses of immigrants whom we did not desire from that nation, no one who knows anything of the temper of the American people would dream that they would for one moment consent to arbitrate the matter. In such a case we should say that our honor, our independence, our integrity, and our very national existence were involved, and that we could not submit such a question to arbitration.

The treaty should make no explicit declaration of a kind which would brand us with cowardice if we live up to it, and with hypocrisy and bad faith if we did not live up to it. Also, it is well to remember that as there is not the slightest conceivable danger of war between Great Britain and the United States, the arbitration treaty would have no effect whatever upon the armaments of either country.

In other news, Robert T. Lincoln, the only living son of Abraham Lincoln, resigned yesterday as the president of the powerful Pullman Company. He will now take up the newly created position of chairman of the company's board of directors.

In Mexico, 3,000 rebels under Madero are in Vera Cruz to prevent a landing by General Bernardo Reyes, who is thought to be taking up the War Minister position following the pending resignation of President Diaz. Reyes is deeply unpopular among the Madero's revolutionaries and believe that with Reyes in a cabinet, de la Berra will be interim president in name only, and Reyes will actually be pulling the strings. President Diaz is expected to resign on May 24 or 25.

New Jersey Governor Woodrow Wilson was in Portland, Oregon yesterday to give an address at the Portland Commercial Club. Gov. Wilson praised the "Oregon system" of primary elections but he pointed out that he was against the ability for voters to recall judges. He said that during his stay he will be studying the "Oregon system" and he may introduce some of its good measures in New Jersey when he returns. On whether he was a candidate for the Democratic nomination in 1912, Wilson replied, "I certainly have not the audacity to seek the nomination, but no man is too big to refuse it."

Link: Roosevelt Hits President's Plan [The Washington Herald]
Link: Lincoln Resigns [The Washington Herald]
Link: Rebels Demand Head of Reyes to Bring Peace [The Washington Herald]
Link: General Madero will go to Mexico City to Confer with de la Berra [The Bisbee Daily Review]
Link: Wilson objects to Judges' Recall [The Washington Herald]
Link: Gov. Wilson not a Radical [The Bisbee Daily Review]

Link: The Arbitration Treaty With Great Britain by Theodore Roosevelt [The Outlook]

Mexican President Diaz to Resign by End of May

2011-05-18T11:27:00.000-07:00

Mexican insurrectos received the news yesterday they have been waiting to hear since they began their revolution last November: Porfirio Diaz, President of Mexico since 1884, will resign by the end of the month. The Minister of Foreign Relations, Francisco León de la Barra, will serve is interim President until new elections can be held later this year, while the leader of the revolutionaries, Francisco I. Madero, will serve as his chief adviser in what many are calling a "joint presidency." To aid final negotiations for this peace agreement, Madero has ordered an immediate cessation of hostilities for five days.

Diaz is reportedly in ill health due to a infection brought on by an ulcerated tooth. He suffered a fever on Tuesday but he appears to be recovering well. One of his conditions for his surrender is reportedly political amnesty, suggesting that he may try to stay in Mexico following his retirement.

According to press reports in the Bisbee Daily Review and Washington Herald, the surrender by Diaz appears to be complete and that the Mexican government has accepted nearly all of the insurrectos demands, though are some differences in the details between the two reports. In addition to the resignation of President Diaz, the federals agreed that the government will pay all expenses for the war, grant amnesty to rebel troops and for them to carry their weapons home, to equalize taxation, and to buy up the big landed estates and split them up into smaller lots for men to cultivate them. The Washington Herald reports that Madero will be allowed to name 14 state governors but the Bisbee Daily Review suggests that the retirement of Diaz and the joint regency of de la Berra and Madero is so complete a guarantee that he will drop that demand. The three cabinet officers to be named by Madero include one his chief negotiators, Dr. Vasquez Gomez, who will take the Internal Affairs post.

There is disagreement between the Herald and the Daily Review as to who will take the War Ministry post. The Daily Review suggests that General Bernardo Reyes will be the pick, a man fitting the description given by de la Berra, "a general who has the good will and respect of the army." However, he is not trusted by the rebels. The Herald suggests that the war department pick will be G. Salos.

Of the soon to be former president, Finance Minister Jose Limantour said:

Not once did he think of himself. Every thought he expressed was for the future of the country. He has honest pride, but no vanity. I venture to predict that in a year or two when the new order of things has been established, Mexico will regard him as her greatest hero. This resignation must forever silence those who could find no other criticism than that he lusted for power. He ruled with the single-hearted aim of his country's welfare, and he resigns for the same reason. Throughout his long administration he never failed to listen to the best advice he could obtain.

In this crisis, where he is most vitally concerned, next to the republic itself, he listened impartially to his advisers, and acted with judicial fairness, although the decision went against himself.

Of these developments, Madero said, "Bueno."

Link: Diaz, Broken in Health and Spirit, Drops the Sceptre in Mexico and Surrenders to the Revolutionists [The Bisbee Daily Review]
Link: Madero Declares Armistice Pending Diaz' Retirement [The Washington Herald]

New York City and Washington React to Standard Oil Decision

2011-05-17T18:10:00.021-07:00

On Monday, the Supreme Court issued a ruling in the Standard Oil case, declaring it a monopoly and ordering it to be dissolved within six months. Yesterday, with the ruling being the top story in all the major papers, official Washington and businessmen in New York reacted.

In New York, leading stocks rose between 1 and 3.5 points as much of the uncertainty appeared to have been lifted for many major corporations. Officials at these companies believe the settlement favors them in the long run as they can now decide how to proceed now that a distinction between "reasonable" and "unreasonable" restraint of trade has been made the law of land thanks to the Supreme Court and the legality of many of the trusts has been settled along the lines that a trust is only illegal if it was setup with the purpose of creating a monopoly of a market. Standard Oil itself initially rose 6 points to $685 a share before slipping to $665 during a reaction in heavy trading, a drop on the day of 2%.

The general counsel for the Standard Oil Company, M. F. Elliott, issued the following statement yesterday:

It may be now said that the Standard Oil Company will obey the decree of the court and that all the companies embraced in the court's decree will carry on business as usual under the direction of their own officers and through the their own organization. Having before us only the press reports of Chief Justice White's oral opinion and the remarks of Justice Harlan, and not yet having seen the opinion of the court in full, it is impossible to make any lengthy statement. The full opinion has to be read by my associates and myself before it can be intelligently dealt with.

William Rockefeller told reporters yesterday that any statements regarding the case would come from Elliot. The Board of Directors met in New York yesterday to discuss the ruling but none spoke with reporters about details of the meeting. Among those attending were John D. Archbold, vice president of Standard Oil of New Jersey, H. C. Folger, Jr., James A. Moffatt, Charles M. Pratt, Walter Jennings, brothers Alfred Bedford and Edward Bedford, and John G. Milburn, one of the special counsel for Standard during the oral arguments at the Court.

On Capitol Hill, lawmakers are expressing their opinions on the case. Wisconsin Senator Robert La Follette shared the opinion of Justice Harlan that the majority opinion went too far, "usurping the functions of the legislative branch of the government by writing into the statute a differentiation between "reasonable" and "unreasonable." La Follette brought up the message to Congress submitted by the President in January 1910 on anti-trust laws:

It has been proposed, however, that the word "reasonable" should be made a part of the statute, and then that it should be left to the court to say what is a reasonable restraint of trade, what is a reasonable suppression of competition, what is a reasonable monopoly. I venture to think that this is to put into the hands of the court a power impossible to exercise on any consistent principle which will insure the uniformity of decision essential to just judgment. It is to thrust on the courts a burden that they have no precedents to enable them to carry, and to give them a power approaching the arbitrary, the abuse of which might involve our whole justice system in disaster.

The White House in a statement yesterday expressed its disappointment that the Court reversed its rulings on two previous occasions and included a "reasonableness" standard. However, the New York Tribune have pointed out that Attorney General Wickersham's statement seemed to suggest that the administration concurred with the ruling, but he could have just been restating what the court ruled. Taft, in his January 1910 message, also may have agreed with the Court's current ruling, stating "a mere incidental restraint of trade and competition is not within the prohibition of the [Sherman Anti-Trust] Act."

Link: Stock Goes Up as Suspense is Ended [The New York Tribune]
Link: Mr Taft Long Favored Reasonable Regulation [The New York Tribune]
Link: Court Arouses Progressives Everywhere [The Bisbee Daily Review]
Link: Oil Trust Plan is to Obey Law as Interpreted [The Washington Herald]

Supreme Court Declares Standard Oil a Monopoly

2011-05-16T13:00:00.033-07:00

In a landmark 9-0 decision yesterday, the United States Supreme Court ordered that Standard Oil be dissolved after being declared a monopoly that "unreasonably" restrained trade in the petroleum market in the United States and was thus in violation of both the spirit and letter of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890.

Standard Oil was founded in 1870 by John D. Rockefeller and has since become the largest trust or holding company in the United States with a current capital of $110,000,000. The Standard Oil Trust directly owns and controls 34 companies, including local subsidiaries like the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey or the Standard Oil Company of California. Officially, Rockefeller retired 14 years ago, but he remains a major shareholder and titular president. The company will likely be broken up along the lines of their splitting up into the constituent companies with the over-arching trust being dissolved as a corporate entity.

In reaching their decision, led by Chief Justice Edward White, elevated last year after the death of Chief Justice Fuller, the court applied a "rule of reason" to the Sherman Act. Essentially, Standard Oil actions in the petroleum market place were seen as unreasonably restraining trade, though conversely, reasonable restraints on trade would not be considered illegal under the Anti-Trust Act. According to the New York Tribune, the justices state that "the history of the company, the course of its projectors, and the results of their acts clearly establish a purpose to monopolize the trade in petroleum, which monopoly is equally clearly a violation of the intent of the statute." The majority opinion states that the statute leaves "to the court to enforce the public policy embodied in the statute and to exercise its judgement in the case of each particular act brought before it."

Justice John Harlan, a Hayes appointee, while voting with majority in that Standard Oil violated the Sherman Anti-Trust Act and agreed that the company must be broken up, issued a dissenting opinion, stating that the statute sought to remove all restraints on trade, reasonable or undue or not. In his "concurring in part, dissenting in part" opinion, Justice Harlan stated that trusts have sought to restrict the Sherman Act with a "rule of reason" legislative amendment, and now they sought redress through the courts. It is thought that this "rule of reason" will relieve the anxiety of companies who have the appearance of creating a monopoly, but without an intent to create one, they may be able to show that the restraint on trade is reasonable given market conditions.

The NY Tribune lists two main reasons the Supreme Court came to this conclusion, from the White decision:

Because the unification of power and control over petroleum and its products, which was the inevitable result of the combining in the New Jersey corporation, by the increase of its stock and the transfer to it of the stocks of so many other corporations, aggregating so vast a capital, gives rise in and of itself in the absence of countervailing circumstances, to say the least, to the prima facie presumption of intent and purpose to maintain the dominancy over the oil industry, not as a result of normal methods of industrial development, but by new means of combination which were resorted to in order that greater power might be added than would otherwise have arisen had normal methods been followed, the whole with the purpose of excluding others from the trade, and thus centralizing in the combination a perpetual control of the movements of petroleum and its products in the channels of interstate commerce.

Because the prima facie presumption of intent to restrain trade, to monopolize and to bring about monopolies, resulting from the act of expanding the stock of the New Jersey corporation and vesting it with such vast control of the oil industry, is made conclusive by considering (1) the control of the persons or corporations who are mainly instrumental in bringing about the extension of power in the New Jersey corporation before the consummation of that result and prior to the formation of the trust agreements of 1879 and 1882; (2) by considering the proof as to what was done under those agreements and the acts which immediately preceded the vesting of power in the New Jersey corporation, as well as by weighing he modes in which the power vested in that corporation has been exerted and the results which have arisen from it.

The Supreme Court, to redress Standard Oil's unreasonable restraint on trade, have ordered that the company be dissolved within six months.

Link: Standard Oil Company Ordered Dissolved; Reasonable Restraint on Trade Not Unlawful [The New York Tribune]
Link: Standard Oil Trust is Ordered Dissolved by U.S. Supreme Court and Must Quit Within Six Months [The Bisbee Daily Review]
Link: Government Wins Sweeping Victory in Standard Oil Case; Union Labor Leaders Still Facing Contempt of Court Proceedings [The Washington Herald]
Link: Interests Regard Standard Ruling Favoring Them [The Washington Times]
Link: Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey v. United States - 1911 [Supreme Court Decision]

Fear Grips Mexico City due to Rebels and Rioters

2011-05-15T12:25:00.000-07:00

According to this evening's Washington Times, rioting has broken out in the Bolsa suburb of Mexico City. This could potentially be the first wave of an expected uprising within the city proper.

Mexico City has been gripped by the twin fears of rebels, commanded by Francisco Madero in the north and Francisco Figueroa in the south, attacking the city from the outside and the general populace of the city rising up from within. With Figueroa ending the armistice in the southern Mexican state of Guerrero, it is expected by both the Times and the Washington Herald that he will march north to Mexico City, likely reaching the capital within two weeks. Madero is expected to march south from his newly conquered rebel capital of Ciudad Juarez, across the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas, putting the capital city, and President Diaz in a tight squeeze. There is still no indication that Diaz is considering a political solution to the present crisis.

Figueroa plans to march on the town of Iguala in northern Guerrero and then to the state capital of Chilpancingo. After taking the state capital of Guerrero, he plans to march on Cuernavaca, the capital of the state of Morelos, and then onto the national capital, 85 kilometers (53 miles) to the north.

A brief riot broke out in the Bolsa district last night, however, it was dispersed by a hastily called force of 1,000 cavalrymen, rurales, and mounted police. However, many in the government expect that if either Madero, Figueroa, or both reach the city with the rebel armies, the city will erupt into a general uprising.

Another report today in both the Herald and the refuted in the evening Times suggests that Federal officials offered General Pascual Orozco 300,000 pesos if he would make trouble within the rebel camp. The story was provided to reporters by the rebel general, but Federal officials are denying the bribe report.

Link: Federals Fear Traitors Will Seize Capital [The Washington Herald]
Link: City of Mexico Threatened by Rioting Mobs [The Washington Times]

Secretary Dickinson Resigns; New York Progressive Stimson to Replace Him

2011-05-13T19:56:00.001-07:00

Official Washington is stunned at the news of the sudden resignation of Secretary of War Jacob McGavock Dickinson. According to the Washington Herald, Dickinson submitted his resignation on April 28 and it was approved by President Taft on May 8. According to the published resignation letter, Dickinson resigned in order to deal with personal business matters in Tennessee. Taft has chosen as his successor the former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Henry Lewis Stimson. Stimson ran unsuccessfully for governor of New York last fall. It is not surprising that the President would pick Stimson as he tries to shore up the Progressive wing of the Republican Party in the run up to the 1912 campaign.

According to the Herald's front page article, Dickinson is resigning to deal with a coal company in Tennessee which he, his brother-in-law, and several other members of his family are heavily invested. The company is now in receivership and it is likely that he wants to return to his home state to prevent the company from falling into ruin.

While the White House insists Dickinson's resignation has nothing to do with the current Mexican situation, that has stopped speculation to the contrary, particularly in the Times, which has never been a friendly newspaper for the president. The Times points out disagreements between the Secretary Dickinson and Army Chief of Staff Leonard Wood during the run-up to the decision to send troops to the border in March. When disagreements on this policy did crop up in their discussions with the president, Taft sided with the military expert - Wood. The Times also points out that when Taft and Dickinson were in Atlanta in mid-March, Dickinson addressed the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity at the commercial congress and announced that "on the honor of the S.A.E. that the troops were sent to the border on maneuvers only." At the same time as Dickinson's speech, Taft released a statement to the press confirming newspaper reports that the mobilization was in response to the revolution in Mexico and that the maneuver report was a cover story. Friends of the secretary speculate that his resignation may have something to do with the anger he felt at the situation the President put him in. The President and Secretary Dickinson had a hurried conference at the time that Dickinson's friends insist was not as friendly as it could have been.

Stimson's appointment does not come as a surprise as his position within the Republican Party, particularly the progressive wing of the party has been solidly established. Dickinson is a Free Trade Democrat and not likely to provide the President with much political support in the coming election. Stimson on the other hand could shore up the President's support in New York State, particularly among the Progressives while Vice President Sherman can deal with the Old Guards.

Stimson is expected to arrive with Taft in Washington on Monday at which point Dickinson's resignation will take affect and he will return to Tennessee.

Link: War Secretary Resigns; Stimson Named Successor [The Washington Herald]
Link: Gossip Trails War Chief from Office [The Washington Times]

Mexican Rebel Ranks Swell with Surrendered Federals

2011-05-11T13:43:00.000-07:00

The Mexican insurgent army under Francisco Madero is now firmly in control of the border city of Juarez, just across the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas. General Juan Navarro, of the Mexican Army, surrendered the city at 2:30 P.M. yesterday afternoon after two days of fighting across the city. 50-75 dead and less than 300 wounded have been reported in today's Washington Herald.

The battle was initiated on May 8 when insubordinate commanders under Madero, Cols. Pascual Orozco and Francisco Villa, attacked a Federal outpost on the eastern outskirt of the city and then made there way along the south bank of the Rio Grande to the Santa Fe Bridge. Beginning in the early morning of May 9, insurrectos began a general assault on the city, finally at the command of Madero. By 10:30 A.M. yesterday, the Federals had retreated from the old town mission, assuring the fall of the city as they tried to make for the barracks, but by 1 P.M. an armistice was in effect and Navarro formally surrendered a little over an hour later. The city today remains in good order, with an anti-liquor order in effect, limiting drunkenness among the victorious rebels.

With the capture of Juarez and several other border towns like Tijuana, Agua Prieta, and Mexicali, the Rebels now control the flow of goods from the United States into Mexico and vice versa. They are also now in a position to march south against federal reinforcements marching north from Mexico City. One such force, under Gen. Rabago, is marching for Juarez from Chihuahua and it is expected that Madero will move south to meet him in battle. Madero will be aided in the fight by 150 federal troops who had been part of the federal garrison in Juarez when it fell. Soldiers and officers who have sworn an oath of allegiance to Madero have been given their freedom and allowed to join Madero's rebel army. Those who have not have been taken prisoner, including Gen. Navarro. The general will likely be part of a prisoner exchange with the Diaz government, likely for Eduardo Hayes, a member of the insurrecto board of strategy.

Madero made the following statement yesterday evening:

The Taking of Juarez is of great military and political importance for the revolution and assures our complete triumph in a short time. The forces which defended the town fought valiantly. They owe their defeat to the fact that our forces were inspired in the fight by their spirit to win political liberty, while the federal soldiers were in the ranks by yoke of discipline. The majority are in the army against their will.

For this reason I wish to announce to all soldiers that I will set them free as soon as I can find a way which will assure them some means of employment. Those who do not wish to incorporate themselves in our forces at present I cannot set free, as they have no means of sustenance. As far as I can observe now, the majority of them will augment my forces. Some of the officers may enter my army if they wish, and the others who wish to remain loyal to the government of Diaz will be exchanged for political and military prisoners.

Link: Rebels Control Border Towns; Take Offensive [The Washington Herald]
Link: Federals Take the Oath of Allegiance to Gen. Madero [The Bisbee Daily Review]

Mexican Rebels Capture Border City of Juarez

2011-05-09T13:23:00.000-07:00

The Washington Times is reporting this evening that Mexican insurgents, led by rebel president Francisco I. Madero, have captured the key city of Ciudad Juarez after a desperate firefight. The rebels gained control of the city by 8 A.M. this morning. Federal troops, led by a now wounded Gen. Juan Navarro, have abandoned Juarez, though they anticipate the arrival of reinforcements from the south. At least 12 are confirmed dead in the city, but the list of casualties is expected to climb with deaths being reported as high as fifty this evening.

On the American side of the border, at least five are reported killed including Antonio Garcia who was standing next to an Associated Press reporter when he was struck down by a stray bullet; R. H. Ferguson, a U.S. soldier in the 3rd U.S. Cavalry; W. D. Chandler, a cattleman from Duncan, Arizona; and bartender Vincente Pasedes. At least a dozen others were injured during the attack across the Rio Grande.

Reports from the attack suggest that Madero did not order the attack, but was instead the result, according to the insurrecto leader, of taunting by federal troops garrisoned in Juarez. According to Bisbee Daily Review, this taunting, a possible attack by federal troops, "insubordination in the ranks of Madero's army and a lust for the fight which the concessions from the federal government apparently deprived them of" led to the assault of the town. At the head of the initial insurrecto attack was a Canadian, W. H. McKenzie, who wore a pink shirt was "plainly visible." However, it is clear that Cols. Francisco Villa and Pascual Orozco were coordinating the rebel assault.

The federals then fired a heavy artillery assault at the rebel camp, forcing the insurgent leadership to take cover along the Rio Grande riverbank, as the federals were under orders not to fire into El Paso. By late yesterday afternoon, the rebels had advanced as far as the Santa Fe Bridge, which crosses the Rio Grande into El Paso, took possession of the customs house, and were pushing the federals back into the city.

Confusion reigned within the rebel camp as Madero continually tried to call a halt to hostilities, but the rebel attack continued to progress. A rebel truce flag bearer, sent into Juarez to obtain an armistice from Federal Gen. Navarro, was greeted with bullets. During the afternoon, Madero was said to have ordered a general attack on the city after receiving a response from President Diaz that he would not resign until order had been restored in the country and that he did not think Madero was firmly in control of his men, particularly those fighting in southern Mexico. However, Madero quickly changed his mind and the federals briefly stopped firing. Fighting resumed around 5:15 P.M., with the rebels taking control of all the customs houses save one, the bridges, and the bull ring. Madero claimed that those who were in the attack had disobeyed orders and that he was doing everything in his power to stop the attack. He also denied that the assault was a general attack.

However, according to the Washington Times, Gen. Navarro refused a surrender request sent by Madero last night, at which a general attack was ordered by Madero, which resulted in the capture in the city.

It remains to be seen what the response will be from Mexico City, though it is clear now, with the capture of one of Mexico's most prominent border cities, that Diaz may be on the losing side in this fight and that he needs to resign to save his countrymen from further bloodshed. Washington's response continues to be that intervention is a matter for Congress to take up and that Taft will not unilaterally cross the border.

Link: Rebels Capture Juarez After Desperate Battle [The Washington Times]
Link: Rebels Attack Juarez--General Navarro Wounded [The Bisbee Daily Review]

Fighting to Resume in Mexico

2011-05-07T20:04:00.000-07:00

The two-week armistice that has brought a much needed reprieve to war-torn Mexico appears to have come to an end as Francisco Madero and his band of insurrectos prepare to assault the border city of Juarez. Embattled Mexican President Porfirio Diaz yesterday rejected demands made by the rebel leader to resign his post. With his chief demand rejected, Madero lifted the armistice that was put in place on April 23. According to the Washington Times, rebels now control two-thirds of Mexico, with Diaz in firm control of only the capital, Mexico City, and the Gulf ports of Veracruz and Tampico.

However, Diaz does still have a significant force of federal troops inside Ciudad Juarez under the command of General Juan Navarro and they will face the more than 1,500 rebels outside the city. An attack on the city is not expected, according to today's edition of the Bisbee Daily Review, for at least another 24 hours. Yesterday, Madero made the following statement:

As it is well known, I invited the people of Mexico to take up arms against Diaz when all legal means to bring about the will of the people had been exhausted. The war was unavoidable and indispensable and already we have begun to see its fruits, inasmuch as the principles which the revolution proclaimed have been accepted by Gen. Diaz, and the members of his cabinet.

But that is not enough, for while Gen. Diaz is in power, all laws will be a fiction and all promises tricks of war. With that idea, and in order to obtain peace in Mexico, I asked him to make public the intention which he had manifested privately of resigning from the government. In order that he might not feel humiliated or have any pretext to deny such a request, I proposed that I resign as provisional president, even manifesting to him that I would accept as president for the interim a member of his cabinet who occupied a post of much confidence, and who was correspondingly able to fill it.

It is not possible for me to do more for my country and if the war continues. it will be do solely to the inexplicable ambition of Gen. Diaz. He therefore will be alone responsible to the civilized world and in history, for all the misery which the war may cause.

In the event of renewed hostilities, President Taft made it clear that the United States would not intervene in Mexico, even if Americans are killed fighting for the rebel cause. The Bisbee Daily Review stated that the President was "'firm as a rock' in his purpose to live up the obligations of neutrality." American officials, while disheartened by the end of the armistice, expressed hope that the warring parties would return to the negotiating table, but with Diaz stating that it is impossible for him to continue being involved in peace talks if the rebels continue to demand his resignation, short of a rebel victory, it seems unlikely.

Despite official denials, military officials are nonetheless preparing for a U.S. invasion of Mexico. The War College has drafted plans for an invasion that would involve more than 200,000 regular troops and state militia. The War College plans suggest that the U.S. should be prepared for a long, guerrilla war against the Mexican rebels. The Army Chief of Staff, General Leonard Wood, told members of the House Committee on Military Affairs that an invasion of Mexico was "inevitable" and stated that 200,000 troops would be needed to pacify the southern republic, corroborating the War College's estimate. Again, Taft has issues explicit denials, believing, as he told a caller to the White House yesterday, that "'blood would have to be so deep in Mexico that a man could wade through it' if the American army would cross the border."

In other news today, in the McNamara case, the Los Angeles District Attorney reported yesterday that prominent labor attorney Clarence Darrow will arrive in L.A. on or around May 15 to take over as lead defense council, representing the McNamara brothers. The brothers will arraigned soon on charges that they carried out the October 1, 1910 bombing of the Los Angeles Times building which killed 21 people.

Link: Porfirio Diaz Calmly Refuses to Quit Presidency and Rebels Lift Armistice [The Bisbee Daily Review]
Link: Will Confer with Clarence Darrow About M'Namaras [The Bisbee Daily Review]
Link: Says Troops Must Cross [The Bisbee Daily Review]
Link: Invasion Plans are Completed by War College [The Washington Times]

Madero Demands the Unconditional Resignation of Diaz

2011-05-05T12:47:00.002-07:00

The rebel provisional president in Mexico, Francisco I. Madero, has demanded that Porfirio Diaz resign as a condition of peace during negotiations in Washington. While Madero is invested outside Ciudad Juarez, he submitted his demand to his envoys in the nation's capital who then gave it to the federal negotiator, Judge Carbajal. In it, he appealed to Diaz to make public his intention to resign as he had assured Modero privately. There has been some push back from Madero's camp regarding the plan to have a peace agreement without the explicit condition that Diaz resign so that the Mexican President may do so without looking like he was forced.

In a sign of good faith, Modero offered to resign as provisional president if Diaz and his vice president, Ramón Corral, did the same. In their place, Madero suggested that former Mexican Ambassador to the United States and current Foreign Minister, León de la Barra, be installed as interim president until free and fair elections are held later this year. Madero made it clear in his statement that there is no other way of the present conflict. Diaz has stated that he will resign once peace has returned to Mexico.

This declaration is being announced on the 49th Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla where the outnumbered Mexican army defeated invading French troops who were still able to install Habsburg Ferdinand Maximillian to the Mexican Imperial throne a year later. Porfirio Diaz was a brigadier general during the battle, and with his infantry brigade, he fought off a diversionary, French cavalry attack and chased off a force much larger than his own. His commanding officer, Ignacio Zaragoza, commended him by saying that his actions were "brave and notable."

Here is the complete text of Madero's declaration:

In general, the conditions of peace have been accepted by me in telegrams transmitted by the government's official agents, Senos Braniff and Obregon. I ought to tell you that I have acceded to treat about those conditions because some gentlemen acting as go-betweens, have, in a confidential way, indicated to me that General Diaz has made known to them his irrevocable resolution to retire from power as soon as peace is established in the country.

This resolution appears to me to be highly patriotic because in the present moment it is the one which can satisfy public opinion, and I am convinced that if General Diaz makes public his intention it will permit us to pacify the country in a very few days, a matter which it is difficult to obtain any other way.

For these reasons, and not doubting the patriotism of General Diaz, I wish you present to the envoy of the government the following proposition:

In order to assure the immediate pacification of Mexico and to furnish to the world an example which will increase the prestige of our country, both contending leaders, General Porfirio Diaz, as well as myself as provisional president, and the vice president of the republic, Ramon Corral, shall resign, and in the interim the minister of foreign relations, Francisco de la Berra, shall be president, pending a general election according to the constitution of the country.

As far as I am concerned, I am offering my resignation with good satisfaction, as I only wish to serve my country as circumstances demand.

If General Diaz is inspired by the same patriotic sentiment, I have no doubt he will make public what he has manifested in private.

I beg of you to make this proposition in the most favorable terms, in order not to offend in the slightest degree, and that you may not insist that he retire immediately. I believe that the country will become quiet alone through the announcement of his intention to retire from power, and as soon as all the arrangements you are affecting with the representatives of President Diaz are put into operation.

Link: Gen. Madero Unconditionally Demands Diaz's Resignation as a Price of Peace [The Bisbee Daily Review]

Bald Heads or Beards: Which are the Greater Blight on Mankind?

2011-05-03T13:07:00.002-07:00

Last night at the esteemed National Press Club, great statesmen and members of the Washington press corps debated one of the most important issues of our time: Which is the greater blight on mankind - bald heads or beards. Before all was said and done, the Speaker of the House Champ Clark weighed in an provided a boost to both sides. However, clearly from this *cough* unbiased blogger, the bearded gods of Washington won the argument.

The great former senator from Montana, Thomas Carter, gave a great speech in defense of beards and attack the baldness sickness:

A bald head is an affliction. It is a trace of disease, it is a standing joke, it is a physical infirmity, and it has been for a long, long time. No man ever voluntarily wore a bald head.

Former Speaker "Uncle Joe" Cannon, R-IL, told the assembled statesmen:

I have great respect for Brother Nicholas [Nicholas Longworth, R-OH], but when he attacks whiskers, his mustache gives him away. It largely deals in expectation, but in time, I have no doubt, it will make a showing.

The incorrect viewpoint was presented by Congressman Longworth and Tennessee Senator "Bob" Taylor. Both men have conspicuous balding hair atop their heads as well as mustaches, just beards waiting to show up as the former speaker would put it. From Senator Taylor:

I was born baldheaded. My father before me was extremely bald. I have always admired baldheads because they are symbols of purity and innocence.

Representative Longworth was more forceful in his treason:

Centuries ago, the condition of whiskeritis was excusable. The beard in those days was an object of dignity; it was evidence of good faith. A man is given his choice of hair or brains at birth.

At the end of the debate, the current speaker, Champ Clark, rose to his feet and promised to refer the issue to the House Ways and Means Committee as it deliberates the tariff schedule on hair and wool. This and other statements seemed to bring comfort to both sides, though clearly, the bearded men of Washington won the day.

Link: Whisker Wearers Show Baldheads Their Supremacy [The Washington Herald]

The Power of May Day

2011-05-02T20:08:00.013-07:00

Yesterday, comrades, was May Day. In light of this auspicious day, the Bisbee Daily Review and the Washington Times are both reporting strikes and walkouts of massive proportions. In Chicago alone, nearly 50,000 men are ready to walk off the job. They demand better wages and conditions, they demand to be treated fairly, they demand to be given agency over their own lives. While it may seem these men are demanding only the minimal changes to their working environment, they are in fact demanding much more. They are crying out for an anarchist society of workers!

The Unions these workers have formed are all voluntary organizations. They all exist because the individual workers see the benefit of working together. While they are undoubtedly a good thing, the Capitalists hate them. They hate them not only because it eats into their profits. They hate them because it shows the people they don't have to accept Capitalist rule. That there is a way to fight and take back our world. Comrades, please heed the lessons May Day teaches us! It is time for us to demand our world back. If the workers can band together forming unions with such success, why can't we do the same for the rest of our society? It is time, comrades, for us to come together, and reform this corrupt, unfair society, and truly live in a world that has No Gods and No Masters!

Strikes Spread; Many Thousands Lay Down Tools [The Washington Times]
Strike Wave Sweeps Over The Country [The Bisbee Daily Review]

Bangor, Maine Destroyed by Fire

2011-05-01T13:45:00.000-07:00

A great travesty struck Bangor, Maine yesterday as a fast-moving fire swept through the Business district and last night swept through a residential district on the town's north side. At least three people have been killed according to this evening's edition of the Washington Times and scores injured by the intense flames that were kicked up by high winds in the region. This morning's Washington Herald counts the dead at two. This latest fiery tragedy comes on the heels of a number of deadly conflagrations experienced this year, including Triangle Waistshirt Factory fire that killed nearly 150, a fire that destroyed the New York State Capitol, and another that destroyed Nationals Park where the Washington Nationals play baseball.

The fire started at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon in a hay shed at the corner of Broad and Union Streets, near the junction of the Panobscot River and Kenduskeag Creek, and was pushed into the rest of the business district, containing a number of government buildings, by high winds. The fire spread north flamed by a southerly breeze, and destroyed a number of prominent buildings, including the Morse-Oliver building where firefighter John Wiltshire was struck by a falling wall. While he recovered and was seen at a third-story window, the floor collapsed. The two identified dead, according to the Washington Times were George Abbott of Brewer, Maine, who was killed by a falling chimney, and firefighter John Scribner who was killed in the Morse-Oliver Building, The public library, several buildings of Bangor High School, the Post Office, the depot of the Maine Central, the Bangor News building, Norumbega Hall, the Fairbanks & Co. plant, and the Windsor Hotel were all destroyed by the fire.

Washington newspapers today estimate the cost of the damages from the fire to be around $10,000,000 and more than 3,000 people are homeless today as a result. A great number of firefighters and state militia were called in overnight to aid the overstretched city services in order to combat the fire and potential looting.

Firefighters attempted to control the blaze by dynamiting a block near Hammond and Central Streets but this failed to contain the fire as the fire also spread more to the south, pushed by winds of its own creation.

The Washington Herald reported that a light rain began to fall overnight, and that helped to contain the fire early this morning, according to the Washington Times.

Link: Three Dead and Millions Lost in Bangor Fire [The Washington Times]
Link: Bangor is Swept by Fire causing $6,000,000 Loss [The Washington Herald]

The Falsus Pax Diaz

2011-04-30T23:11:00.018-07:00

It appears that the peace talks that have been going on between the Freedom Fighters and the Diaz Regime are going south. The Washington Times is reporting that there is a major lack of confidence in the talks within Mexico City and that preparations are underway to continue the campaign to put down the perceived insurrection. This comes after reports of clashes in Chihuahua instigated by Diaz loyal troops who supposedly "didn't know about the armistice."

It would appear that Diaz is only using the peace talks as a brief respite to rearm and prepare for the next phase of his battle. The Bisbee Daily Review is reporting a variation on this theme that seems to be common knowledge in official circles in Mexico City. This is outrageous! Diaz does not wish to truly do what is right and step down, allowing the people to control their own world. He should at least see that this game he is playing is only baiting the bear. By toying with the Freedom Fighters, he is only making matters worse! Whereas before, Free Mexican troops were at least willing to accept the surrender of Diaz's forces, what will happen now?! Unless Diaz takes a good look around and changes his behavior, he may be setting up a great many people to suffer.

Those who have not taken up arms to free Mexico from Diaz's oppressive boot heel should look at his current behavior and the possible outcome. Comrades, if you allow this insane pig of a man to do this, you are only setting yourselves up to be hurt. When the Freedom Fighters win, and at this rate they will, you will be on the losing side of the war. Instead of letting this happen why don't you join with the Freedom Fighters, fight to free your country from this insane dictator. Than you will not only be free, but you will also be alive to see the benefits of this revolution. You will see a world where we have No Gods and No Masters.

Federals March On Peace Zone About Juarez [The Washington Herald]
Mexico City Doubts Success Of Present Peace Negotiations [The Washington Times]
Reyes To Put Madero Down [Bisbee Daily Review]

McManigal Turns State's Evidence

2011-04-29T12:25:00.000-07:00

According to this evening's edition of the Washington Times, Ortie McManigal is expected to the key witness in the Los Angeles County District Attorney's case against the McNamara brothers. It has been reported that McManigal has been offered immunity from prosecution in return for testifying against his co-conspirators, but District Attorney Fredricks denies the claim. The district attorney also expected to arraign McManigal and the McNamara's next week on charges that they detonated dynamite bombs at the Los Angeles Times building in October and the Llewellyn Iron Works in December. They will be arraigned before a justice of the peace in order to avoid having to read a transcript of the grand jury minutes.

The defense in the case is expected to ask for a change of venue given the extreme nature of the case, though this is likely to be hotly contested. There is also some question as to who will represent McManigal. He has so far refused to see the attorney provided by the Iron Workers Union, Job Harriman, a socialist lawyer from Los Angeles, due to his connection with the union. "I don't want to see [Harriman] or Judge Hilton [from Denver] or any other attorney connected with the labor movement," McManigal said.

Additional arrests are also expected today for two prominent Los Angeles labor leaders. The Herald today reported that the two men were "being watched night and day by the detectives" in order to "let them sweat." The men are thought to have had knowledge of the bomb plot.

In the mean time, police in Los Angeles are continuing to strength their case against the three terrorists. A clerk for the Giant Powder Company, where the dynamite used to destroy the Los Angeles Times building was purchased, is being brought in to identify the man who made the purchase. The buyer used and signed his name as J. B. Bryce, which is an alias used by James B. McNamara. When McNamara arrived in Los Angeles two days ago, a woman who rented a room to "J. B. Bryce" identified him as Bryce.

Prominent socialists Emma Goldman and Ben Reitman have arrived in Los Angeles to aid in the defense of the accused.

Link: Labor Leaders May Be Jailed For Dynamiting [The Washington Herald]
Link: M'Manigal To be Prosecution's Hope in Dynamite Case [The Washington Times]

The Diaz Regime Disengages.

2011-04-28T23:26:00.000-07:00

Will Diaz soon surrender to the Freedom Fighters? According to today's Bisbee Daily Review, the Minister of War under Diaz has sent orders out telling the generals to cease all activity in their zones. Even Diaz gunboats are putting to sea rather than stay in what had previously been a safe port. These things combined with the increased advance of Free Mexican forces suggests that the Freedom Fighters are winning. Moreover, it would seem that some sort of negotiation is in the works between the two regimes. But what does this mean for the revolution?

While the destruction of infrastructure that is occurring is a major problem for the Freedom Fighters, it is an expected outcome of conflict. During times of violent resistance to capitalist oppression, it is normal for those things built by the capitalists to get destroyed. What would be an even bigger setback to the revolution, however, would be a betrayal of the revolution. If there is some deal in the works with Diaz, unless it holds true to the complete socialization of all property under the people of Mexico, it will be a failure. Hopefully, the leaders of free Mexico are aware of this and will plan accordingly.

Moreover, what would a post revolution Mexico look like? No matter how high the ideals of the revolution, unless the leaders have a solid plan on how to successfully implement radical social change, the revolution will fail. The old way must be wiped clean, allowing a new way to grow. We can but hope that the leaders of free Mexico are aware of this. The peasants in Mexico, however, can do much more. If they internalize the revolution, they can continue even if their leaders sell them out. If they adopt anarchist practices, they can function as a group sans leader, and ensure the ideals of the revolution are fulfilled. If they do this, they can truly be free. They can live with No gods and No masters!

Revolution Spreads To West Coast [Bisbee Daily Review]

McNamara charged in LA Times Bombing case

2011-04-27T13:44:00.000-07:00

John J. and James B. McNamara

The Washington Herald reported this morning on the formal arrest in Los Angeles of James B. McNamara in the Los Angeles Times Bombing case. His brother, John J. McNamara and accomplice Ortie McManigal, members of the Iron Workers Union, are expected to formally charged today. They are accused of detonating 16 sticks of dynamite in the Times building at the corner of First Avenue and Broadway in Los Angeles, California on October 1, 1910 at 1:07 a.m. The bomb, combined with the natural gas that was detonated by the heat of the initial dynamite blast, killed 21 of the 115 people inside the building at the time and maiming just as many. Unexploded bombs were also found that day at the homes of Harrison Gray Otis, the publisher of the Los Angeles Times newspaper, and F. J. X. Zeehandelaar, the secretary of the Merchants and Manufacturers' Association.

Just one of the McNamara's Victims

The suspects arrived yesterday via train in Los Angeles. When J. B. McNamara detrained, one of those waiting to greet him was a Mrs. D. H. Ingersoll, who identified McNamara as being the man she knew as James B. Bryce, a man who rented a room from her last September, before the bombing. "Bryce" was also the man identified, along with two other men, with having purchased more than 500 pounds of dynamite from a Giant, California powder works. These men then brought some of the dynamite north to a vacant building in south San Francisco, while the remainder was stored in Los Angeles.

James B. McNamara was quite defiant upon his arrival in Los Angeles. The Herald reports that he told his guards that if any reporters were allowed inside the compartment he was riding in, he would "brain them with his handcuffs." When questioned by reporters at the train station, he cursed them or stared at them with venomous eyes. His brother John was reported to be more polite, stating that he felt that the "framework of evidence built up by Detective Burns" would collapse but otherwise provided no comment. Oakland socialist lawyer Austin Lewis, Los Angeles socialist lawyer Job Harriman, and Denver lawyer O. N. Hilton have been engaged in the defense of the three accused men.

Meanwhile, the farce continues in Indianapolis, where William Burns, the private detective hired by Los Angeles County to track down the suspects of this heinous act, has been arrested of kidnapping the men. To think that such a brave man, who tracked down some of the worst mass murderers in this nation's history, men who have participated in a campaign of terror on behalf of terrorist organizations like the Iron Workers Union, would be treated in such a ridiculous manner is unconscionable.

The three bombing suspects have been taken to the Los Angeles City Jail where they are being held in separate jails.

Link: Woman Identifies J. B. M'Namara as "Times" Suspect [The Washington Herald]

Capitalist Lap Dogs Attempt Kidnapping.

2011-04-26T22:23:00.000-07:00

According to the Bisbee Daily Review yesterday, some slight form of justice has been initiated for Mr. McNamara. The three Snakes and a hired thug had been sent by the Los Angeles District Attorney's office to Indianapolis to apprehend and return Mr. McNamara for a show trial. These men, however, neglected to even obey the laws they say they are sworn to uphold! They arrested Mr. McNamara and attempted to send him to Los Angeles, all with out the approval of Indiana. They not only lacked the authority to do this heinous act, but somehow managed to talk members of the Indianapolis Police Department into taking part in the apprehension. They were ultimately arrested on charges of kidnapping. After these dastardly four were arrested they posted bail, of $10000 a piece, and were allowed to leave! The fact that these men were allowed to leave is disgusting, showing how much the state and capitalists support their acts, but the fact that all it took was as obscene amount of money, which they were all able to pay, just goes to show that the law only applies to the poor.

These four represent all that is wrong with our current society. They claim to uphold the law, except when it is inconvenient for them to do so. They claim to represent the people, but the laws don't apply to them when they violate them. They claim to act for the best interests of society, but they really are only listening to their Statist and Capitalist masters. These men are nothing more than class traitors! The charges of kidnapping leveled against them by the state, who they serve, as a joke. They are lawyers, the lapdogs of the wealthy. Of course they do what the wealthy say, it is in their own interest to do so, and the Capitalists take care of them for their servitude. As such they will get off scot-free with out the average worker even getting a say. But this is how it has to work if we have a government. It imposes laws on the poor, while allowing the wealthy to do whatever they please. But if the law doesn't apply to the Capitalists, why should it apply to us? The only way to prevent this kind of travesty is to remove all hierarchical authority. If there was no authority no one would be throwing their weight around to ensure they please their masters, and thus get more than their own fair share of society's resources. If there was no authority, traitors like this would be cast out of society, rather than held up as pillars of virtue. If there was no authority, Mr. McNamara would no only be free, but more than likely the explosion he is accused of would never have taken place. Only by removing authority can we all live in this free world. Only then can we all be safe from Capitalist oppression. Only then can we live with No gods and No masters!

Detective Arrested On Kidnaping Charge; Is Held To The Grand Jury [Bisbee Daily Review]

Union Officials In Ploy to Subvert Justice in Terrorism Case

2011-04-25T12:10:00.001-07:00

Legal proceedings continue over the seizure of evidence from the offices of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, and Ornamental Iron Workers Saturday night in relation to last year's bombing of the Los Angeles Times Building that killed 21 people. Brothers John J. and James B. McNamara and Ortie McManigal have been linked to the bombing. J.J. McNamara was arrested Saturday by Private Detective William Burns and two local detectives in Indianapolis, where McNamara was the secretary-treasurer for the Iron Workers Union. He was released into Burns' custody by Indianapolis circuit court judge, James A. Collins, that same day and all three suspects are on their way back to Los Angeles to stand accused of their heinous crimes.

Questions have arisen regarding the legality of the arrest, extradition, and seizure of union documents. A legal brawl has begun over the evidence taken from the Iron Workers Union offices. The attorney for the union, Leo Rappaport, and the Union president, F. M. Ryan, have filed petitions to the court in Indianapolis to retake possession of the potential damning evidence. Perhaps this was done to prevent the world from seeing the truth, that this another other unions are as the president of the Los Angeles Times described them last year following the bombing, "anarchist scum," "cowardly murderers," and "leeches." The police have filed a counter-claim to obtain additional books and evidence that would likely point to the Iron Workers systematic campaign of terror on this country.

Ryan and Rappaport contend that the books were obtained illegally, however, they are being kept for a grand jury that is looking into another bombing, this time at the Indianapolis-based Von Spreckelson Mill in October 1909. The books were in the custody of Judge Collins when the Iron Worker lawyer obtained a writ of replevin from Judge Hart to retrieve the books from Superintendent Hyland. However, Hyland had already turned over the books to the Grand Jury before the writ could be served to him, thus saving the day.

In another attempt to subvert justice, the Iron Workers Union had the prosecuting attorney for Los Angeles County, W.J. Ford, Walter Drew, attorney for the Erectors' Assocations, and their driver, Frank Fox arrested on charges of kidnapping. They have been released from custody on $5,000 bond. Following his release, Ford made the following statement:

We believe we have an unbroken chain of evidence that supports direct statements and admissions of men who are alleged to be connected with the dynamiting in Los Angeles. I do not know of any additional arrests that are to be made here. I will say that I do not understand how John J. McNamara could have spent the sums of money we expect to prove he spent without the knowledge of other members of this organization.

Link: Grand Jury Gets M'Namara's Books Following Fight [The Washington Herald]

Capitalists Frame Innocent Man

2011-04-24T23:33:00.000-07:00

Capital is at it again, friends. According to the Washington Times, the Los Angeles District Attorney has pinned John J. McNamara as one of the bombers of the L.A. Times building. This is just preposterous! Frank Buchana, a member of the Federal House of Representatives, personally testified that there is no way Mr. McNamara, a long term colleague and friend, could be involved in this travesty! The fact that the experience of a member of a governing body, supposedly so dear to the statists, could be ignored just goes to show how little the capitalists care about the government, and who has the real power.

This is just an attempt by the Capitalist to suppress the power of the workers. Mr. McNamara is the secretary-treasure of the Bridge and Structural Iron Workers Union. As such, he is very influential in the union and is a thorn in the side of the capitalists. By ensuring he is sent to California, the Capitalists are ensuring he will be sent to prison, whether he deserves it or not.

We can not put up with this, comrades! Mr. McNamara is our comrade, and as such he deserves our support. All this man did was help the Iron Workers organize, and for this Capital has decided he doesn't deserve liberty! We are in a war comrades, a war with Capital. We must fight this oppression with all our might. Capital is trying to keep us turned under and afraid. They want us to be subservient and thankful for whatever crumbs we are given. We must remind Capital who has the power! That we as the workers are the ones who are really in charge! That we support Mr. McNamara and will stand in solidarity with him. We must inform them that we are free and that we no longer need the Capitalists. Only by doing this can we ensure that all people will be taken care of, and that none receives more than is their due. Only than will trials of this trumped up nature stop happening. Solidarity with Mr McNamara! Anarchy and Equality!

Labor To Defend J.J. McNamara As It Did Haywood [The Washington Times]
Buchanan Calls M'Namara Victim Of Big Conspiracy [The Washington Times]

Mexican Unrest Ends with Armistice

2011-04-23T15:24:00.001-07:00

It now seems all but certain that the unrest that has rocked Mexico since November maybe coming to an end as a four-day armistice has been agreed to by Madero and the federal government. According to the Washington Times, a two-man commission consisting of a representative from each camp will be meeting in Washington in the coming days to work out the details of a peace treaty between the Diaz government and the Moderists. These developments come just two days after Madero threatened to attack the border city of Juarez with 3,000 rebels unless Diaz agreed to step down.

While some early speculation suggested that Diaz had agreed to step down in early May, there is no definite word that such an arrangement has been made. With no agreement for Diaz to resign, there is new speculations about why Madero would sign off on an armistice with Diaz staying in power. The Washington Herald suggests that Madero's position outside Juarez was much weaker than previously believed and that his ultimatum of April 20 was a bluff. Madero has problems with troops being much less disciplined than Mexican federal soldiers and being more loyal to Madero's subordinates, like Pancho Villa. According to the Bisbee Daily Review's well-informed sources, Diaz will be leaving office within 10 days, but he will be allowed to announce his retirement himself in order to save face and to spare the President "any feeling of humiliation." Mexican Ambassador de la Berra has stated that Diaz would not leave unless the safety of the nation could be assured and that it would not look as if he had been forced from office.

When asked about the upcoming peace talks, Madero stated that "all that will be insisted upon, in addition to the reforms already instituted, is that the people of Mexico shall have a square deal as provided in the constitution."

Link: War is Declared Ended Through Armistice; Diaz Expected to Quit [The Bisbee Daily Review]
Link: Armistice Ends Immediate Plans of Rebel Attack [The Washington Herald]
Link: Peace Commission for Mexico is to Meet in Washington [The Washington Times]

Students Join The Revolution

2011-04-22T22:36:00.008-07:00

According to the Bisbee Daily Review yesterday, students at the university in Mexico City organized in support of the revolution. The students of four major schools, Law, Mines, Medicine, and Agriculture, have all officially signed on to the peaceful wing of the revolution. While the students have asserted that they are determined to be peaceful, this was not apparently possible, as a detachment of Diaz-loyal troops was sent to the College of Agriculture. How badly can the war be going for Diaz if he now fears students and must use armed troops to keep them quiet?!

These students rising up is just another symptom of the collapsing support base Diaz used to enjoy. With large swaths of Mexico now in the hands of the Freedom Fighters and polite society in Mexico City starting to reject the Pax Diaz, the question of how long Diaz can remain in power is coming to a head. Hopefully the students can spread the message of Anarchist Living and show the rest of Mexico how to live their lives free from the Capitalist boot heel and be truly free. Hopefully we can follow in their foot steps. Hopefully some day soon we will have No gods and NO masters.

Anarchy and Equality

Revolution Takes Sudden Turn In The City Of Mexico [Bisbee Daily Review]

Rebel Leader Madero Gives Diaz 24 Hours to Resign

2011-04-21T13:59:00.001-07:00

Francisco I. Madero, the leader of the revolutionary party in Mexico, is poised to attack Ciudad Juarez today at 3 p.m. if Porferio Diaz does not give his assurances to Madero's band that he will step down from the office of President of Mexico. Ciudad Juarez is located just across the Rio Grande from the Texas city of El Paso. The ultimatum was given during discussions with a peace commission of El Paso citizens and Mexicans yesterday afternoon, telling them that there would be no armistice unless Diaz resigns. The ultimatum was also in response to a request by the head of the rebel party in Washington, Dr. Vasquez Gomez, to delay the attack. The rebel leader gave the following statement to the Associated Press that was then published in today's New York Tribune:

The peace commission came unofficially and asked under what terms I would make peace.
I said I would agree, as I have already said to Dr. Gomez, that in the interest of peace that I would resign as provisional President of Mexico, but only if I consider that the will of the people has been satisfied; otherwise the revolution will continue, notwithstanding any peace negotiations.
I know all the people want the retirement of General Diaz and no re-election. For that purpose I will accept as Provisional President any one of the members of the present Cabinet who will call a new election.
In case this condition is agreed upon, we want Juarez to be delivered to us, and then an armistice will be signed.
I will wait until tomorrow evening to hear the result of the peace negotiations, which are being directed by Dr. Vasquez Gomez. If tomorrow night no answer comes I will begin hostilities.

Esquibal Obregon and Oscar Baniff agreed to transmit Madero's ultimatum as private citizens, not as officials of the Mexican government, because they wished to see peace restored to their war-torn land. Juan Navarro, the commanding officer of the Federal garrison holding Ciudad Juarez stated that it was not within his power to surrender the city to the rebels.

Diaz stated that he believes that talk of an armistice is nothing more than a scheme by the Diaz government to buy time to reinforce their army in the north.

Meanwhile in Washington, it is becoming clear that Congress is in no mood to deal with the trouble in Mexico, with both sides of the Senate chamber working to prevent a discussion of the matter. A speech by Senator William Stone did not change the matter, and the bill authorizing the president to use force in restoring peace to northern Mexico has been shelved to the Foreign Relations Committee where it is unlikely to see any movement.

Link: Madero Gives Diaz 24 Hours to Quit [The New York Tribune]
Link: DIAZ MUST QUIT--MADERO [The Bisbee Daily Review]

Lies Told To Taft

2011-04-20T23:16:00.002-07:00

Yesterday, a new ambassador for the Diaz Regime went to Washington and opened a dialog with Taft's Regime. This ambassador not only betrayed the patron-client relationship between Washington and Mexico City, but also showed the desperation currently gripping the Diaz regime. Señor Manuel De Zamacona assured President Taft that "peace would be declared in Mexico soon." This assurance seems to go against the facts of the current rebellion. This discontinuity would suggest that the Diaz regime is becoming more desperate and is now making blanket promises they know they can't fulfill. But what is really new about this? All capitalists do is lie. We should have expected this. We should also be rejoicing. This is a good thing! If the Diaz regime is so unstable that they are forced to resort to this obviously untrue statements for some semblance of comfort, the Freedom fighters have already won. It is just a matter of time until they can clear the dead wood out of Mexico City.

Along with this is the clear patron-client relationship that is being displayed between these two regimes. Diaz assures Taft that it will all be fixed soon, and in exchange, Taft assures Diaz he would invade. This is just a clear example of the Capitalists supporting each other. The will of the oppressed workers in Mexico is unimportant to either regime. All either side seems to care about it getting everything back to normal so that American and Mexican capitalists can keep abusing the workers. We must not let this happen! We stand with you, Free Mexico. Show us how to free ourselves from these Capitalist pigs. No gods, no masters!

Taft Is Assured Peace Is In Sight [The Bisbee Daily Review]

Agua Prieta Recaptured as Modero Deny Peace Rumors

2011-04-19T12:50:00.000-07:00

Agua Prieta was recaptured by Mexican Federal Forces yesterday morning after a battle on Monday that left 200 rebels dead. The Insurrectos abandoned Agua Prieta after the battle and after the desertion of one of their commanders, Balasario Garcia, before the Federals could attack the town once more. The commander-in-chief of the Rebel forces, Col. Juan Medina, attributed the retreat to an overindulgence in whiskey by the rebel troops that put them in no condition to withstand another assault by Federal troops. Medina also escaped into U.S. custody.

In an official statement to the Mexican ambassador from Nogales, Arizona, the Diaz government said:

I beg to advise you of the complete triumph of the federal army in taking Agua Prieta from the rebels, who where completely routed. The federals displayed great heroism and abnegation in spite of the tremendous odds and the disadvantages they had to surmount in order to capture the town without doing damage to persons and property in Douglas, Arizona. I am unable to state as yet the number of dead [a later statement said that 200 rebels were killed with 200 horses, 200 saddles, 200 rifles, and 60,000 cartridges captured; 200 rebels crossed the US border; 15 Federal troops were killed with 23 injured]. Those of the rebels are very heavy. Many of the latter, including the leaders, Balasario Garcia and Medina, surrendered to the American officers. The federals captured a great number of guns and ammunition. The public has not been allowed to enter, and the services of the Red Cross have been gracefully declined as the Mexican troops have all the necessary equipment to attend to all the wounded.

There was no rest for Lieut. Col. Reynaldo Diaz and the Federals holding Agua Prieta yesterday evening however, as the Rebel leader of Sonora, Juan Cabral, marched on the town. According to an account by a rebel scout who was captured on the American side of the line, the 500-man strong band were headed for the border town to reinforce the insurrectos who, unbeknown to Cabral, had abandoned the area a day earlier. When they advanced within range of the forward gun emplacements of the Federal troops, they were fired upon, forcing Cabral's group to retreat. At press time for the Bisbee Daily Review, spectators on the American side of the line in Douglas are awaiting a rebel attack on Agua Prieta which may result in more casualties from stray fire.

It is this stray fire that has been experienced in U.S. border towns in recent days that has result in a diplomatic row between the government in Washington and the Diaz government in Mexico City. Hope sprang up early today from reports that Modero may cease military operations pending peace negotiations, though no formal response on what the Diaz government planned to do regarding the protection of US property near the border has been received by the White House as of this afternoon. However, Vasquez Gomez, head of the Insurrecto contingent in Washington, and Francisco Madero, leader of the rebels, both deny the reports. Dr. Gomez told the Washington Times:

There have been no suggestions from the revolutionists that an armistice be arranged pending peace negotiations. Neither have there been any such proposals received from either Senor Limantour [Mexican Finance Minister] or Senor de la Berra [Mexican Ambassador to the U.S.]. No armistice will be thought of by the revolutionists at this time unless the Diaz government and the Cientifico party agree to treat with us on the terms which we laid down several weeks ago. President Diaz has to go. The Científico party must give up its unlawful control of the government. The people of Mexico must be given a free and general election, not only for the executive, but also the legislative positions. Only on those terms will the revolutionary party treat for peace.
The rumors that an armistice has been agreed upon between the Mexican government and leaders of the revolution is but a trick of Limantour's as a last but futile effort to reassure the people and make them think that the present government officials will give them what they want.

Gomez also stated that the revolutionary junta may bring a suit against U.S. Calvary Lieutenant Colonel Shunk who seized ammunition in Douglas, possibly bound for rebel hands. Gomez stated that such a seizure is a violation of the laws of the United States. He further stated that the rebels continued to plans to attack the border towns of Ciudad Juarez, just across the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas, and Ojinaga, which is just across from Presidio, Texas.

Link: JUAN CABRAL APPEARS [The Bisbee Daily Review]
Link: Maderists Seek Peace in Plea for Armistice [The Washington Herald]
Link: No Pledges Come from Mexicans to White House [The Washington Times]

Lines in the Sand

2011-04-18T20:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday in Agua Prieta, Free Mexican forces managed to beat off Federal forces intent on taking the town. According to the Washington Herald, however, this battle has greatly vexed the United States Federal Government. The American regime had demanded that the two fighting forces ensure the safety of Douglas, Arizona, just across the border from Auga Prieta. While both sides had prievously agreed to engage each other in such a way as to avoid firing on the small town claimed by the Americans, this did not happen.

It seems that Washington has forgotten what the Freedom Fighters are fighting for. They are not fighting for our approval, they are fighting for their freedom! Freedom from an oppressive, brutal dictatorship who only serves the capitalist pigs who sit on the top of the peasants. The Federal Mexican forces in turn are fighting to uphold the capitalist minority and to continue oppressing the majority. Given that these are the facts, what made Washington think that either side would listen to and obey the American Regime? It is not in either side's best interest to do so. They only care for their particular cause, not for America's demands.

The Americans are demanding an imaginary line be respected. That is absurd! A line is not what is important, people's lives and freedom are what matters. On both sides of the border we are people suffering the same affliction, the oppressive boot heel of the capitalist pigs and their dogs. Moreover, those fighting for Free Mexico are not solely Mexicans, they are foreigners from all over the world and even some Americans. As such, those fighting have learned the true nature of humanity: that it is not nationality that matters, but humanity. They realized the border is just an idea, and that neither government really has any right to issue demands on either side! So the Freedom Fighters are ignoring the demands of the American Regime and instead attempting to defend Agua Prieta and still leave an opening for their comrades in Douglas to join them. They are attempting to stand together with those who live in Douglas against the pigs and the dogs. They are attempting to throw off all government, not just their own.

We stand in solidarity with those fighting for Free Mexico now. We do so knowing that they fight to remove pigs and dogs from power, and with guidance we hope they will see the benefits of an Anarchist system and forestall any form of government. As such, we we hope when they are free they will stand in solidarity with us in our struggle. No gods, NO masters!

Americans Shot In Bitter Fight For Rebel City [The Washington Herald]

Government investigating reports of American's Death

2011-04-17T13:24:00.000-07:00

Mexican federal troops attacked the new rebel stronghold of Agua Prieta twice today and were repulsed both times. The first attack, involving 1,500 trained soldiers, began at 6:30am local time and last for a few hours before the Moderists pushed them back around noon. The Federals retreated in good order, though they suffered many loses during the battle. 1,500 to 2,000 rebels hold the town that is a few yards from the international border with the United States.

At 1:30pm the Federals reformed along along a line east and south of Agua Prieta, and with three machine gun squads, advanced within a few hundred yards of the rebel fortifications. Reports from on lookers in Douglas, Arizona Territory state that sharpshooters putting the Federals under punishing cross fire. A reckless group of rebels were able to take out one of the machine guns by advancing to within 100 yards of the gun and killing its operators. Diaz sent cavalry to drive off the band, but a hidden cannon and two machine guns trained on the federal line made their appearance to force Diaz's forces to retreat to a position six or eight miles south of Agua Prieta. The Washington Times reports that both sides formed their lines so as to avoid stray bullets from landing in Douglas.

The Federal troops are led by Col. Reynaldo Diaz, a nephew of Mexican President Porfirio Diaz.

The attack comes just three days after insurrectos led by Arturo "Red" Lopez attacked and captured Agua Prieta, leaving three Americans dead and several injured, including Robert Harrington who died on the American side of the border in Douglas from a stray bullet. During these latest battles, bullets again whistled through the streets of Douglas, despite the best efforts of the combatants to the south. One American, Oscar Goil of Tombstone, Arizona, was shot in the head, though there is some question of whether he was north or south of the international boundary. Early reports from the First Cavalry in town, led by Captain Julien Edmond Victor Gaujot, suggest that he was south of the border.

However, still the fact that bullets flew through Douglas, despite Gaujot's warning a few days ago, does put the U.S. in the position that it could intervene in future battles along the border to protect American lives and property and possibly to intervene further to bring peace to war-torn Mexico. According to the Washington Times, "Senator William Stone (D-Mo) introduced a resolution instructing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to investigate conditions in Mexico, and to report without delay to the Senate." President Taft has also instructed our ambassador to Mexico, Henry Lane Wilson, to personally inform the Diaz government that repetitions of the Douglas incident will not be tolerated, carrying the implicit threat of American intervention.

Link: American Shot in Federals' Attack on Border Town [The Washington Times]
Link: Federals repulsed, renew attack upon Agua Prieta [The Washington Times]

International Brigade Fighting For Free Mexico

2011-04-16T21:16:00.001-07:00

As of yesterday, according to the Bisbee Daily Review, a major showdown is building in Auga Prieta, across the border form Douglas, Arizona. A force of approximately 850 freedom fighters is currently holding down the town with a reserve of around 700 waiting in the mountions beyond the reach of the federal troops, who number around 1400. While this will no doubt be a pitched battle, what is truly impressive is who makes up the Free Mexican forces. They include at least 40 Americans, and uncounted Yaqui Indians, Miami Indians, Chinese, and Japanese men. These foreigners who have gallantly volunteered to help free Mexico are a role model for us all!

These men show us the true nature of humanity. Lines on the map do not dictate who we are and what is right in this world. They saw an injustice across the border, and went to help. They looked beyond the differences and saw fellow humans, who they were more than willing to lend a hand to.

While I commend the Freedom Fighters for forming a truly international brigade, they must realize some of their own behavior is hindering the expansion of volunteer international involvement. Reports are surfacing that Freedom Fighter sentries are opening fire on any who cannot give the appropriate pass phrase when queried. Please, comrades in Free Mexico, learn from this grievous error. If you do not welcome in outsiders you won't get any more help from them. Instead, adopt a more welcoming stratagem of interviewing unknown individuals so that you might learn if they are willing to help you.

I believe that if you head my words you will find a great many people willing to help you. People who will see that your cause is just and right. People who will help you free your country so that we can than free our own. People like the American surgeon who is reported to have crossed the border to operate on several Freedom Fighters who might have died otherwise. We are with you, comrades. All you have to do now is welcome us in. Anarchy and Equality Comrades! Viva La Revolution!

1400 Federals With Machine Gun And Cannon Eight Miles From Agua Prieta Last Night [Bisbee Daily Review]

Taft Warns Warring Sides over Border Fighting

2011-04-15T14:49:00.000-07:00

A day after fighting in Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico between rebels under "Red" Lopez and Federals resulted in the death of American Robert Harrington in Douglas, Arizona Territory from a stray bullet, President Taft and the State Department issued a warning to both sides of the Mexican conflict that they will be held responsible for the loss of American lives and property as a result of the fighting. Both major Washington newspapers stated that this is the White House's strongest statement yet regarding the Mexican Civil War since Taft ordered 20,000 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border last month.

The battle in Agua Prieta began early on April 13 when "Red" Lopez attacked the town with 150 rebels who reach the town using a train the band captured the day before. The forces loyal to rebel President Francisco Modero drove the train back to Agua Prieta and formed a firing line from the railway station to the American customs house. After three hours of fighting, the Moderists took control of the town. Much of the fighting took place mere feet from the international border, and a number of stray bullets hit structures and, unfortunately, people on the American side. One American, Harrington, was killed and six injured. Another American, J.C. Edwards, was killed fighting for the Insurrectos.

Soldiers from Troop K of the American First Calvary under Captain Julien Edmond Victor Gaujot rode to the international border, while under fire, to issue a warning to both sides to cease firing into Douglas, but it went unheeded. The twenty-nine Federal troops in Agua Prieta, led by Captains Andreas Basuite and Jesus Vargas, broke from the town and rode across the border, where in accordance with international law, they were disarmed and detained. They are being held in a ballpark in Douglas. At the request of the detained captains, Gaujot and a civilian, Charles McKean, rode into Agua Prieta to secure the surrender of the garrison that remained behind. With the acceptance of the rebel leader Lopez, the remaining garrison surrendered their arms and ammunition and were conducted to safe haven on the American side of the border. Five Americans held prisoner by the Federals were also carried over to the American side. At total of 15 were killed in the battle.

A statement issued yesterday by the White House called the situation "acute," highlighting the seriousness they are taking the situation. With Americans on American soil now confirmed killed by the combatants in the Mexican conflict, Taft has made clear to the Mexican government our sides intentions to protect American citizens. Further complicating the situation is news reached in Washington yesterday of English marines landing in San Quentin, in Baja California. 30 marines and a Maxim gun arrived in the town to protect it from Socialist rebels. This is the first real evidence of another power interfering in the Mexican conflict.

It remains to be seen whether Taft intends to send troops across the border after the Battle of Agua Prieta. Officals from towns near the border are demanding that Taft be more forceful toward the Mexicans in order to defend American lives and property. From the secretary of the Douglas, Arizona chamber of commerce:

During an engagement between the federals and insurrectos at Agua Prieta, Mexico, yesterday, one mile from Douglas, two Americans were killed and eleven wounded, including some children attending to their own business here in Douglas. Thousands of bullets fell in our city, passing through residences and endangering life and property. Is there no way by which Americans can be protected in the peaceful pursuit of their affairs? Expect more fighting along the line at any time. Combatants fought within 10 feet of the American line yesterday.

Captain Gaujot issued a warning to both sides today about the fighting:

If so much as one single bullet whistles across the border line, between Texas and Mexico, and is close enough to an American citizen to be heard, United States soldiers will cross the boundary line at once and put down the rebellion.

Link: Taft Preparing to Send Troops Across the Border [The Washington Times]
Link: Taft Says Firing Over the Line Must Cease [The Bisbee Daily Review]
Link: President Warns Mexican Rebels and Diaz Party [The Washington Herald]
Link: Agua Prieta in the Hands of Rebel Forces [The Bisbee Daily Review]

U.S.A. Forced to Recognize Free Mexico

2011-04-14T23:49:00.021-07:00

According to the Washington Times, within the last several days, the the Mexican freedom fighters have managed to seize the custom houses in Agua Prieta, Sonora, directly opposite of Douglas, Arizona. While this is wonderful for the freedom fighters, finally giving them a way to import armaments through the United States legally, it has seemed to cause a bit of an uproar in the United States.

It seems that for once the federal government may see what situation it is in. With the custom houses now in Free Mexican hands, the federal government is being forced to deal with the freedom fighters as a legitimate government. The Federals even consulted an international lawyer in Washington, D.C. to make sure that they had to recognize the legitimacy of the new regime. According to the lawyer, there is nothing the federal government can do to not recognize the Free Mexican regime without actually becoming militarily involved.

So what does this mean? Now, for the first time, the American Capitalist Regime is being forced to deal with a truly fair government of the people, and they don't seem to like it. The talk in government circles is all of how much danger American citizens are in, not even thinking that the Mexicans are fighting for their freedom, and that maybe the right to not be a slave to their state is important. But why would the American regime consider that right? If they considered the rights of people to social ownership of property and to not be slaves to the state important they wouldn't be ruling in the first place! So this newfound interaction with Free Mexico is just reminding the American Capitalists just how precarious their situation is: that we the workers have the real power! Given our own will, we can send this nation the way of Mexico and remove the Capitalist dogs from power, and perhaps even improve on the advancements pioneered in Mexico. We could remove all government! That is why the Capitalists are afraid of what is going on in Mexico. They know if we pay to much attention to the Mexican war for freedom we will learn to rebel as well, and that is what the Capitalists will strive to prevent at all costs. So, comrades, look at Mexico. Pay attention to it. Then ask yourself, are you really free? Anarchy and Equality, comrades.

Americans On Mexican Border In Grave Danger [The Washington Times]

Baseball's Opening Day Celebrated in Seven Cities

2011-04-13T12:23:00.001-07:00

The bats are finally swinging and balls flying as the 1911 Major League baseball season finally got underway yesterday. At newly renovated National Park in Washington, President Taft threw out the first ball from his box in the grandstands to Nationals opening day pitcher "Dolly" Gray, the second consecutive year the chief executive has done that. Opening day brought a record crowd to the new steel-and-concrete stadium constructed in the three weeks since a fire destroyed the old, wooden grandstands on March 17. The Washington Herald noted the "grand principle of equality demonstrated by the mixture of statesmen, millionaires, social favorites with the humble citizen and ne'er-do-well." While the official attendance number around 16,000, thousands more were perched on nearby rooftops to join in the holiday atmosphere. Among the many baseball at the stadium was American League president Ban Johnson, who had come to see the new concrete grandstands.

The Washington Nationals overcame a 4-0 deficit against the visiting Boston Red Sox after four innings to rally with six run sixth inning and win 8-5.

A major cause of excitement for Washington baseball fans was Walter Johnson, who was in uniform for the Nationals but is not expected for several days in order to recover from his train ride from Kansas. Johnson, who had held out for more money in contract negotiations with the team, agreed after the game to a three-year contract worth $7,000 per year, $500 more than the previous offer made by club management. This is the highest salary currently paid out to an American League pitcher. Ed Walsh of the Chicago White Sox currently earns $6,000 per year and is the next highest paid pitcher. The highest paid player in the American League is Ty Cobb, earning $9,000 per year.

Elsewhere around the American League on Opening Day: the New York Yankees defeated the defending World Series champion Athletics in Philadelphia 2-1 and the St. Louis Browns pounded the Cleveland Naps with 16 hits and won 12-3. The game scheduled in Detroit between the Tigers and the Chicago White Sox was rained out, delay opening day for the best player in baseball, Ty Cobb. Over in the National League, the Boston Terriers won their opener 2-1 against the visiting Brooklyn Superbas, the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals played to a 3-3 tie after 11 innings in the Windy City, the New York Giants were defeated by the Philadelphia Phillies 2-0 at the Polo Grounds, and the Pittsburgh Pirates shut out the Cincinnati Reds 14-0.

Link: Baseball Season Opens in Seven Cities with One Hundred and Thirty-Six Thousand on Hand [The New York Tribune]
Link: Thousands see Opening Day Game and Victory [The Washington Herald]

Triangle Tragedy . . . Continued

2011-04-12T23:14:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, according to the Bisbee Daily Review, the two owners of the Triangle Waist Company were charged with 2 separate counts of manslaughter. While I applaud the grand jury for recognizing the complicity of these men, I am appalled that they were not charged with 154 counts, one for every person who died in that great tragedy! Moreover, I rebuke the manslaughter charges and assert they should be charged with murder!

These two men were well aware of the dangers of their factory. They set up the facility, they knew what could go wrong, yet they chose not to fix it. They chose to place profit over the safety of their workers. In my mind this is far more than causing death through reckless action, this is out and out murder. They made conscious choices that resulted in the death of 154 people. Moreover the fact that they were only charged with 2 counts instead of the full 154 just goes to show how much the State doesn't want to charge these men with anything. If the state wanted to solve the problem, they would have charged the men for all the counts.

They were even released on bail yesterday. $25,000 purchased these men's freedom. That is the price for killing 154 individuals! The existence of bail in our so-called "justice system" just further shows the influence of the Capitalists on the state. For a price, criminals can be freed. For a price, they can avoid justice for a little longer. For a price, they can be above the laws they craft.

The bigger issue here, however, is how this tragedy is being dealt with. Instead of having workers coming together and fixing the problems themselves, via direct action, they are waiting, content for the crumbs the Capitalist State will feed them. Comrades, waiting is not how this problem will get fixed! Until we all are directly involved; until the capitalists are removed and all property socialized; until the state removed so they can't reassert hegemony, we will suffer these tragedies again and again. It is not a matter of if, but when! Only by removing the hierarchy supporting the capitalists, by casting out the capitalists, and by eradicating the concept of property, can we fix these problems. Only then can we all be not only free, but also safe from the greed of the few. Anarchy and Equality, comrades!

Factory Owners Are Charged With Crime Of Manslaughter [Bisbee Daily Review]

Walter Johnson Heads Back to Washington; With Contract?

2011-04-11T13:05:00.001-07:00

Washington Nationals star pitcher, Walter Johnson, is now headed back to the nation's capital today after leaving his Coffeyville, Kansas home last night. He was in St. Louis this morning according to the Washington Times after manager Jimmy McAleer offered him a three-year contract worth $21,000. At $7,000 per year, that is $500 more than McAleer's previous offer that sent Johnson packing.

Johnson told the Times that Coffeyville residents supported him in his row with Nationals management, believing that his services were worth at least that much. "When I went down to the Market square in Coffeyville, yesterday," Johnson told reporters, "I met a Coffeyville fan, who told me that if Ty Cobb is worth $9,000 a year in right field, I am certainly worth $7,500 in the pivotal position of the game."

From the Nationals camp, McAleer told the Washington Times that the contract Johnson would be signing was the same deal they offered him at training camp: $6,500 for one year, all but ensuring that there will be renewed fight next year based on the experience the Detroit Tigers have had with Ty Cobb.

When Johnson departed at 9 o'clock this morning for Washington, it was still not known whether Johnson would accept McAleer's contract offer. Even if he does, he is not likely to start tomorrow's opening day game against the Boston Red Sox. The pitcher will require at least two days' rest after his long train journey from Kansas. "Dolly" Gray is expected to get the opening day start, despite his absymal record last season. In 1910, Gray went 8-19, the second highest loss total in the majors. He also had an ERA of 2.63. By comparison, Johnson had a great season on an otherwise lackluster Nationals team, going 25-17 with an ERA of 1.36. Johnson is expected to arrive in Washington tomorrow at noon, leaving only three hours before the game starts.

Tomorrow's opening day game will come only three weeks after a devastating fire that destroyed the grandstands at National Park. While work continues on the new steel-and-concrete stands to replace the destroyed wooden structure, already 13,000 seats will be available for tomorrow's home opener, a capacity 4,000 greater than the earlier structure was capable of holding. Washingtonian D.S. Van Buskirk was the first to buy a ticket at the new stadium. Van Buskirk works for the Interstate Commerce Commission and is a big fan of Walter Johnson.

Link: Fans Joyful Over News that Johnson has Decided to Come Back to the Fold [The Washington Times]
Link: Walter Johnson Leaves Home for Washington [The Washington Herald]

State Makes Knowledge Illegal

2011-04-10T22:28:00.000-07:00

In the closing days of this last Congress, a bill was quietly passed to reinforce the power of the Federal Government. This bill made it illegal to either possess or attempt to procure information regarding national defense that one would not ordinarily be allowed to have (I.E. that the Federals didn't say you can have). While the specifics of the law spell out such things as sketches and photographs, they also mention knowledge of an undefined nature. So now it is illegal for American "citizens" to know how the army will go about defending the rights of the Capitalists. This is an atrocity! How can the Federal Government claim to represent the people if it makes it illegal to know how it oppresses the people?

This insidious law whose sole aim is to squash the masses a little more under the boot heel must be resisted. Knowledge is not something that can be regulated. It must be free. Only by the free exchange of knowledge can we all see this world for what it is and liberate ourselves from such oppressions. This means the statists and capitalists know this, and specifically passed this law to further entrench themselves. We must resist this maneuver. This precious knowledge of "national defense" must be made available to all. To this end please, if you have such knowledge, share it, show it to as many people as possible, give it to the newspapers, do whatever must be done to get it out there! Only by making sure every one knows these "precious secrets" can we invalidate this insidious law. Only than can we be free. No gods, No masters!

Army Spies In U.S. Find New Law For Them [Bisbee Daily Review]

Roosevelt Not Considering Another Run

2011-04-09T11:55:00.002-07:00

At a speech given to the Commercial Club in Spokane, Washington, former President Theodore Roosevelt told the assembled luncheon that he was not running for the presidency in 1912 against his former vice-president and now President, William Taft. He said:

I am not an aspirant for anything because I have had everything. No other man alive has had--I don't know whether I out to use that simile in the presence of a chaplain, but I am going to take chances--no other man alive has had such a good run for his money.

While many have speculated that his current national tour, started shortly after his return from his African safari last year, was to drum up support for a Presidential run in 1912, he stated that the tour had no other purpose than to thank the American people for electing him to the Presidency. His stops in his tour of the west and south have included Washington, DC, where he spoke at the Press Club about his African adventure, Atlanta, Arkansas, Arizona Territory, where he dedicated a dam on the Salt River named in his honor, and now Washington state.

He told the Spokane luncheon that he was not there to see their votes and that the only thing he wished of them was their "respect and good will." He did state that he wished to continue to help those assembled in the progressive cause, "for the good of the common country."

He felt that that wealthy business men in New York disliked him, even though they read nothing of what he says or about what he says. However, he feels that the vast majority are "honest men who are absolutely hindered by their environment."

Whether Roosevelt will remain honest about this desire not to run next year remains to be seen. His row with the current occupant of the Oval Office and his national tour have made it appear that he is considering a run, despite the fact that Taft was essentially his hand-picked successor.

Link: Presidency Doesn't Tempt Roosevelt [The New York Tribune]

Phoenicians Want Control

2011-04-08T23:52:00.000-07:00

Today, a delegation from "Arizona" met with President Taft to talk about the proposed Arizona constitution. These delegates, however, did not represent all of Arizona. Seeing as they all came from Phoenix, they would seem to have a natural bias in favor of the territorial government. They argued that the "people of Arizona" wanted to be governed this way. But were they really representing all people in the territory, or just those few who make up the territorial government?

Governments are always made up of the rich capitalists. They have to be. Everyone else is busy working to try and feed their families; only the wealthy would have the time to play these games in the capital building. So how can they claim to represent all of Arizona? They can't! No government can ever represent all the people. They just don't work that way. They can only truly represent those who actively take part in them, namely those wealthy capitalists who are in the governing body. So why do we even bother playing this little game?

Instead of voting and arguing about what needs done in the legislature, we should take care of our problems ourselves! We should take direct control over our lives. Who cares what games the capitalists play up in Phoenix? We can manage our lives just fine from here. If we all work together, we will have all of the labor and knowledge we need. If we eliminate all hierarchy in our decisionmaking, we can all truly be represented. Only by living our lives in an anarchist fashion can all of us be free. Only by practicing anarchist philosophies can we all truly be in control of our lives. So don't listen to what those fools in Phoenix or Washington D.C. say. They only want to continue subjugating you for their own benefit. Instead, take control of your life and you will be free. It's as simple as that. Anarchy and Equality comrades!

Arizonans Request Taft To Approve The Constitution [The Washington Times]

Nationals Star Pitcher Walter Johnson Holds Out; Shipped Home

2011-04-07T12:39:00.000-07:00

Washington's star pitcher, Walter Johnson, has been shipped from the National's training camp in Atlanta after failing to come to terms with team management on a new contract. The pitcher won 25 games last season with a 1.36 ERA, making him far and above the best player, let alone pitcher, in what is otherwise a rather lackluster team that finished with a 66-85 record last year and finished next-to-last in the American League. With hopes dimming that the two sides can come to an agreement before the start of the season and Johnson headed back home to Coffeyville, Kansas, it is unlikely that the Nationals will improve on last year's record.

The news that Nationals manager Jimmy McAleer had sent Johnson home came as a surprise to Nationals team president Thomas Noyes. He told the Washington Herald that he had not spoken with McAleer about the Johnson situation and that he was confident that Johnson would accept the team's offer as it is the best in the American League. McAleer believes that Johnson was encouraged by other players in the league to reject the Nationals offer. Said McAleer at the team's spring training camp in Atlanta:

I have ordered Johnson to quit my club at once. I do not want him around. I have tried to reason with him about signing his contract, but he absolutely refuses to come down to the terms the club has offered. I have never been held up by a ball player in my life, and do not propose to start in now. The salary we have agreed to pay him--$6,500--is greater than that of any pitcher in the American League. The club cannot afford to pay more, and Johnson has been plainly told so. I gave him one more chance this afternoon, and he continued his dogged determination to hold out. I will make no more advances. Johnson will have to come to me if he wants to continue in organized baseball.

According to the Herald, while the club has offered a contract of $6,500 for one year, Johnson has demanded $7,500 for one year and has told Team President Noyes that next year he will ask for a three-year, $27,000 contract. This is the same salary that the best player in baseball, Ty Cobb is currently earning with the Detroit Tigers. Johnson told the Herald that he "considered his services worth more than the club saw fit to pay."

The Washington Times canvassed fans in Washington about their feelings about the Johnson hold out. Fans are standing with management in this case:

The news of this action by McAleer startled Washington fandom this morning, and then if the friends of the ball player expected an outburst of sympathy they were sorely disappointed. Almost to a man the baseball enthusiasts of the city denounced Johnson for his stubborn attempt to get more money, and the management of the team was applauded for the stand it has taken.

Opening day for the Nationals is April 12 when they play at home against the Boston Red Sox. Walter Johnson was expected to be the opening day pitcher, though that is obviously up in the air now with the pitcher making his way back home to Kansas. The game will hopefully be played at the new steel-enforced National Park. The wooden stands at the stadium were destroyed in a fire on March 17.

Link: Nationals Star Pitcher Ordered to Leave Club [The Washington Herald]
Link: Johnson Blamed by Fans for Row Over his Salary [The Washington Times]

Slavery Is Alive And Well In America

2011-04-06T23:05:00.000-07:00

In the Washington Times today, a short article was run about three women who left their home in Virgina went to New York, and were thus arrested and returned to Virginia. Their crime? They were married and traveled without their husbands' permission! According to the article, they left their husbands and children because they were tired of the lives they had been living. When found out, they were "returned" to their husbands. How can we live in a "free" society when women are treated like property at every turn?

It seems that what the state responded poorly to in this case was the fact that the women were married and left their husbands. Marriage apparently is a binding tie of ownership. The women became the property of the husband to do with as he will. Her opinion no longer matters. Her life basically over. But why should it be this way? Marriage should be a voluntary union of individuals. It should be two individuals coming together because they want to be together. So doesn't that mean when they no longer want to be together the marriage is over? That would mean that the moment these women left, they stopped being married.

We are all equal. Without the state forcing these types of arbitrary divisions on us, that would become obivous! These women are our comrades just like any one else. They deserve to make decisions that affect their lives and be responsible for their lives. The fact that the state stopped them just proves that the state only cares about maintaining control and profit. If women started doing what they wanted, next thing you know, they might want to vote! After that, maybe they want to work and keep the men home! All things women can do just as well as men. But maybe suffrage isn't the answer. If women can do just as well as men at all these things, why do they need the state to recognise it? Why not just take it? Instead of "asking" for rights, we should take them! Instead of wanting to vote, we should act. Only via direct action will we truly be free. Only via direct action will we leave behind the oppressive hegemony rampantly supported by the state. Only via direct action will women be seen as the true equals of men they are. Anarchy and Equality comrades!

Two Eloping Wives Jailed; Husband of Third Pays Her Fine [The Washington Times]

Congress Convenes in Special Session

2011-04-05T13:34:00.000-07:00

A special session of the new 62nd Congress opened yesterday with the swearing in of new Senators and a new speaker of the house, Champ Clark (D-MO). The Democrats take power after sixteen years of gracious Republican stewardship of Washington politics. The special session was called by President Taft to finish work left over from the previous Congress, such as a tariff commission and the free-trade treaty with Canada.

Vice President Sherman swore in yesterday the 31 new and re-elected Senators, where the margin of the Republican majority was cut to eight by the mid-term elections. According to the Democrat-leaning Washington Herald, this narrow majority would give the insurgents the swing votes they need to put several of their members in key committee chairmanships, as was witnessed yesterday. These Republicans-in-name-only could potentially disrupt Taft's legislative agenda for the session.

Seventeen new Senators were among those sworn in. These included: James O'Gorman, who was elected just last week by the New York Legislature after 64 ballots; Charles Johnson, from Maine, a rare New England Democratic Senator; John Kern, who replaces the same Beveridge who dogged Lorimer in the last session; and Republican Henry Lippit who replaces the venerable Nelson Aldrich. One interesting moment occurred near the end of the day when Senator Kern was invited to preside over the Senate by Vice President Sherman. Kern failed in the 1908 election in his bid to be vice president.

Champ Clark gaveled the House to order at noon yesterday to begin the Democratic reign over that chamber. Raucous cries and obscene rebel yells were heard in the House with two likely Presidential Candidates, Nebraska statesman William Jennings Bryan and Ohio Governor Judson Harmon, who finally met in the House Gallery, looking on. Afterward, Clark outlined the Democratic agenda which includes a downward revision of the tariff, a constitutional amendment allowing for the direct election of Senators, the reduction of waste and extravagance in public expenditures, the publication of campaign contributions and disbursements, and the admission of Arizona and New Mexico as states in the Union. Not mentioned is the Canadian free-trade bill, though it was introduced in the House by Representative Samuel McCall (R-MA) yesterday.

Link: Congress Begins Business of Special Session [The Washington Herald]

King Senate

2011-04-04T22:13:00.000-07:00

The United States Government is no better than a monarchy. According to the Bisbee Daily Review, there is a room in the Senate offices in Washington D.C. that has never been used. This room is jokingly refered to as the "throne room" because of its opulent nature. Even under its official name as the Caucus room, it is still dangerous. This room is a powerful symbol. Even though it is currently not used, the fact that it exists shows the imperial ambitions of the United States Government.

Why would a government need a "Throne Room" unless it intended to rule as a monarch does? The Senate isn't even hiding its lust for power from us any more. It openly admits to its desires and the masses simply look the other way. They show us the true nature of any government, that is to be authoritarian and to impose their will on others. But what gave them this right? Two things did: money and arms. With money they purchase people and build this monstrosity of a "room." With arms they coerced the dissenter into accepting their rule. So this "Throne Room" is really no better than any throne room in Europe, and neither is the government. It has used the same tricks to get power those governments in Europe used. It has built the same inane edifices to its own power. And it will rule us just the same as Europe would, without mercy and at the rule of the rich.

Keep this in mind, comrades. You can't claim you didn't know now. They are showing you their true nature. Now all we must do it, look at it and respond. The real question will be whether we choose to follow our nature and reject this waste of time, or if we embrace the lie they are selling us. Let us hope that we choose wisely.

Throne Room of the Senate A Rich Waste [The Bisbee Daily Review]

Democrats arrive in force in Washington as New Session Nears

2011-04-03T15:28:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow brings the start of the special session of the new 62nd Congress, and congressmen and senators are starting to arrive in the capital city. Of particular fascination are the Democrats, both federal and state level officials who are in town to inaugurate the first Democratic House of Representatives in sixteen years.

Among the Democratic dignitaries in town or rumored to be coming to town are three-time Presidential loser William Jennings Bryan, New Jersey Governor Woodrow Wilson, New York Governor John Dix, and Ohio Governor Judson Harmon, who won re-election last fall by defeating Marion, Ohio newspaper magnate, Warren Harding. These men are in town to meet with the new Democratic congressmen in hopes of possibly bring back money to their states or just to remind people of their relevancy (in the case of Bryan).

The optimistic rabble met in many a downtown Washington hotel. Among these according to the Washington Herald include the New Willard where Bryan and Harmon entertained guests. However, they didn't seem to meet despite being on the same floor. A popular new senator among the celebrities in Washington was New York Senator-elect James O'Gorman, who was elected Friday after a two and a half month stalemate in the state legislature. He met with Harmon and several representatives, including John Fitzgerald of New York and James Cox of Ohio, at the New Willard. A reception in Washington for O'Gorman is planned for Thursday. Bryan had dinner with two new Democratic congressmen from Michigan as well as his 1908 Presidential running mate, John Kern.

The focus around these Democratic celebrities is not without some tinge of Presidential gamesmanship. There is already speculation that the new House Speaker Champ Clark, Governor Wilson, and Governor Harmon might throw their hat into the ring to unseat President Taft next year. It is also within the realm of possibility that Bryan may do so as well, though at this point, only a sadist would support a Bryan candidacy now. Harmon denied that his visit to Washington was to further his presidential ambitions, but instead he was to appear before the Supreme Court as a lawyer for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway.

Another focus is the upcoming legislative agenda which includes Canadian reciprocity, a constitutional amendment for the direct election of Senators, campaign finance reform, government spending cuts (including a commission to look into government waste), the admission of Arizona and New Mexico, and administrative reform. There is optimism within the Democratic caucus and within the assembled Democratic dignitaries that this agenda can be accomplished during the special session opening tomorrow. The session is expected to last through December.

Link: Democrat Chiefs Start Work for New Legislation [The Washington Herald]

Capitalists Distract Masses with Tripe

2011-04-02T23:16:00.016-07:00

Today the Bisbee Daily Review committed the largest waste of newsprint I have ever seen. While a newspaper is supposed to help inform the public at large of current events, today's paper only served as a pedestal to elevate the Capitalists in the eyes of the poor and to encourage them to waste both time and energies drooling over the wares relatively few can afford. Twelve double-sided pages show image after image of what is "fashionable" and should be purchased. This is a complete waste of newsprint.

Fashion is not only unnecessary, it is in some sense counterproductive. This obsession with fashion and purchasing googaws is serving as an opiate to the masses. It distracts them with pretty trifles instead of showing this what is really going on in this world. It focuses the energies of the workers on the whims of the aristocratic minority. By doing this, they are not only encouraged to default to the Bourgiouse for decision making but are also encouraged to try and mimic them.

Instead of mimicking those who leach of of the workers, they should be fighting them. This obsession on fashion is dangerous! We must resist falling prey to its seductive charms. The trends in clothing are ultimately unimportant so long as workers die and children starve for capitalist profits. To that end, comrades, please both contact the offices of the Bisbee Daily Review and inform them of your displeasure about this last issue and continue resisting the heady appeal of the vile tripe that is fashion. Instead, concentrate on improving this world for the workers who build and maintain it, not on mimicking the idle habits of the wealthy capitalists. No Gods and No Masters comrades, no matter what they wear!

Fashion Edition Spring and Summer 1911 [The Bisbee Daily Review]

Tammany Hall Senatoral Candidate Wins in New York

2011-04-01T13:24:00.000-07:00

Tammany Hall's choice for the New York Senate seat vacated by Republican Chauncey Depew won yesterday in the displaced state legislature despite an effort by insurgent Democrats. The election was a straight party-line vote with James O'Gorman winning with 112 Democratic votes and incumbent Depew receiving 80 Republican votes.

The three-month impasse came about when 19 legislators, led by State Senator Franklin Delano Roosevelt, refused to vote for a candidate perceived to have been picked by non-member political bosses. In January, Tammany's man former lieutenant governor William Sheehan. Sixty-three joint assembly and state senate ballots followed through the last three months, with William Sheehan just shy of winning right out. Other candidates were put forth including Daniel Cohalan, the right-hand man of Tammany Hall Boss, Charles Francis Murphy.

However, with the opening of the special session of Congress looming on April 4, the legislature felt pressured to pick a new Senator. Murphy put forth the New York State Supreme Court Justice, James O'Gorman, as a "compromise" candidate. He was able to win over the Insurgent Democrats by promising that no reprisals would be exacted against them for their roadblock against Tammany's candidates. With that promise, opposition of O'Gorman crumbled, in the words of the New York Tribune. With only a few legislators standing with him, Roosevelt voted for O'Gorman during the joint ballot but not in the Democratic Caucus.

While the Insurgents tried to console themselves by saying that won a victory by derailing the candidacies of Sheehan and Cohalan, I agree with the view of the Tribune that the election of O'Gorman still cements Tammany Hall's and Murphy's role as leader of New York's Democratic Party. O'Gorman was Tammany Hall's man and the judge's actions yesterday seemed to be instep with Murphy's moves on Thursday and Friday to bring insurgents to heel. Some upstate Democrats, such as Dr. Bush, were upset that Sheehan and the results of the first democratic caucus were being pushed aside so soon when public opinion would surely bring the insurgents around. To this, State Senate Majority Leader Al Smith told the caucus:

I believe we made every possible effort and sacrifice to keep alive the principle of majority rule. While our duty in the first instance is to the people, we have a duty under the federal statutes to elect a Senator. Even the most rabid of us must have become convinced of the impossibility of maintaining the position imposed on us by the first caucus and electing a Senator. There would have been no excuse for us if Congress had convened and we had elected no senator.

The Minority Leader, Senator Brackett, later stated his sadness that the insurgents had labored so hard to defeat Tammany Hall's chosen candidate only to have a senator that is even closer to Murphy than Sheehan was. To which Roosevelt replied:

I think the best reply I can make to Senator Brackett is that now we are a united Democratic party, while the united Republican party still casts its votes for Chauncey M. Depew. For two and a half months certain Democrats have stood out because they believed the best interests of their party and the state demanded it. Those men today consider themselves regular Democrats and resent any imputations of irregularity. I believe the party has been passing through a necessary ordeal after seventeen years of Republican misrule. The Democrats have put forward a man who will represent no narrower interests than those of the whole state.

Link: O'Gorman Senator; Murphy Wins Out [The New York Tribune]

Top 5 Viral Pictures of 1911

2011-04-01T09:23:00.006-07:00

The computing machine firm Google has released a reel of the top five viral pictures for the first three months of this year. Some very funny stuff:

Don't worry, later today we will have a normal news article, but I felt we needed some lighter fare after all these fire articles.

Yet Another Textile Factory Fire

2011-03-31T23:25:00.000-07:00

In Baltimore today, there was yet another fire at a textile factory. Surprise, surprise, the primary employees at the Hopkins Tailoring Company and the surrounding business were women. While the 25 women in the building that was set ablaze did manage to escape without serious harm, several were forced to crawl along a ledge to safety. Unfortunately, the 200-plus women from the surrounding business panicked and fled into the street, where they greatly impeded the work of the firefighters with their sheer numbers. Coming just days after the deadly blaze in New York, this rash of textile fires is greatly imperiling working class women.

Even more disturbing is the public response, however. The article reporting this in the Washington Times seemed much more concerned that the chief of the Fire Department has to go home ill than that 25 women's lives were put in jeopardy. As if the lives of 25 women are completely unimportant when compared to the exertion of a statist dog. This cannot stand! We as a society are responsible for the lives of our workers, be they men or women, and must work to protect them. We must demand serious action be taken, to stop these sorts of accidents and prevent any more lives from being threatened. We must act to remind the Capitalists we are people too and that we won't lay down our lives for their profit.

A failure to respond to this developing string of conflagrations of women's workplaces will just serve to embolden the Capitalists already exploiting these women. They will attempt to get by with the minimum safety features necessary, as money spent on safety doesn't go into their pocket books. Thus, a decisive response is necessary to remind Management they need us, and if we aren't happy, nothing will be made. To that end we must speak out, and organize committees to inform our individual employers of our demands for safer working environments. If we don't, I fear this will just keep on happening, possibly with dire consequences. To that end, talk with your coworkers, comrades, decide what needs done and do it as a cohesive unit. Together we have the power and can prevent this type of tragedy. Together we can build a better tomorrow. Together we can be truly free. No Gods, No Masters!

Girls In Factory Creep On Ledges To Escape Flames [The Washington Times]

Fire Devastates New York State Capitol

2011-03-30T12:51:00.002-07:00

In what is becoming a rather sad trend here, it is time to cover yet another devastating fire. This time, a massive fire occurred yesterday morning at the New York State Capitol in Albany. The cost of the damages in the fire is thought to exceed $5,000,000. In comparison, the whole building has a relative cost of $27,000,000. This does not include the immeasurable cost of the loss of important records, papers, and books consumed by the fire.

The fire began shortly after 2 a.m. yesterday morning on the northwest side of the building in the Assembly library and quickly spread across the capitol's west side, devastating the State Library. The New York Tribune stated that more than 600,000 volumes were archived in the library that occupied the heavily hit third and fourth floors. The assembly chamber itself was only lightly affected by flames but smoke and water damage was high. A large brass and crystal chandelier in the Assembly chamber was destroyed when it crashed to the floor, demolishing many Assemblymen's desks as a result. The Senate chamber suffered light smoke and water damage.

The state legislature will be meeting in the Albany city hall until the capitol can be repaired to the point that it can be reoccupied.

The fire and water, in addition to damaging a number of offices of New York state officials (like the lieutenant Governor, the State Lunacy Commission, and the State Treasurer), caused significant structural damage. In particular, the large tower on the building's heavily damaged southwest corner caved in.

Governor John Dix released a statement yesterday on the disaster:

It is an appalling disaster. I consider the destruction of the state library a national loss. Fortunately the copies of Abraham Lincoln's emancipation proclamation and General Washington's farewell address were removed not long ago from the library to the safe in Commissioner Draper's office.

Repair work is expected to begin as soon as the Legislature approves making plans and contracts, according to the State Architect Franklin Ware. Work began on the construction of the capitol in 1867 but the legislature didn't use the building until 1879. Ultimately, the building cost two and half times the Capitol building in Washington.

The only known victim of the fire is night watchman Samuel Abbott, a Civil War veteran, who is still missing.

Early speculation as to the cause of the fire is centered around "defective insulation of an electric light wire near a book case in the Assembly library", according to Dwight Goewey, a 17 year old proofreader who discovered the fire.

Link: Capitol at Albany Swept By Flames [The New York Tribune]
Link: $5,000,000 Fire Damages New York Capitol [The Bisbee Daily Review]

The Army is Revolting!

2011-03-29T22:52:00.000-07:00

According to the Washington Times, an attempted mutiny by the Mexico City garrison has taken place. While the Diaz government fervently denies this, it could not have come at a worse time for the state. While Diaz's new cabinet had been announced and the Mexican congress is set to meet on Saturday to discuss the new reform program, the Public doesn't seem to care. If anything, violence is up with increased numbers of bridges destroyed and communication throughout the north of the country disrupted. There are even reports, vehemently denied by the Diaz government of course, that the capital of Sonora has now fallen to the freedom fighters.

All this points to a government that has completely lost touch with its people. Even the Army can no longer be trusted to prop up Diaz. But why is this? Has the Army finally realized that Diaz does not care about them? That all Diaz cares about it his own power? That if the Army joins with the freedom fighters they can set Mexico free from oppressions boot heel? The ambivalence of the Mexican people towards the state, and I would venture towards any state, just shows their readiness to accept an anarchist system. The people of Mexico no longer see the State as either legitimate or needed. If anything, this time of insurrection and violence has helped prepare the people for anarchism by proving to them how useless the state even is!

While this newfound rebellious attitude of the Army may be a good thing, it must be used carefully. The Army must realize it has no need for a state, that it should set Mexico free from all governments and let the people live their lives unfettered. But if the Army should seek to assert its own power, the situation could get much worse. The campesinos could end up just trading one dictator for another. Only time will tell what route the Army will take, but hopefully they will listen to the will of the Mexican people and give the people of Mexico back their world, and disband all states. Solidarity with our comrades in Mexico!

Diaz Now Fears Mutiny Of Troops [The Washington Times]

Labor to Push for More Fire Protection at NYC Factories

2011-03-28T12:21:00.000-07:00

Labor groups in New York City are planning to march to protest for better working conditions, particularly more fire protection, as city officials investigate the cause of Saturday's blaze that killed at least 143 and prepare for the burial of those victims who could not be identified.

The investigators have so far determined that the fire started due to a lit match or cigarette, but it may have spread due to an explosion of cleaning compound kept near the ignition source. This explosion may have spread the fire beyond what workers near the source of the fire could control. Additional scrutiny is being given to an interior stairwell that could have been used by works to exit the burning factory. While the stairwell itself was sufficient fireproof as to eliminate the need for external fire escapes, the doors to it were not, composed of flammable wood. Worse, the doors may have been locked to prevent workers from stealing scraps of clothing when they left work every day.

However, these violations had not been reported prior to the fire and were not found by either the Bureau of Buildings nor the Board of Sanitary Control of the cloak, waist, and suit trade. This contrasts with the more than 13,000 buildings in Manhattan and the Bronx where fire code violations had been found during a recent sweep by inspectors. District Attorney Charles Whitman placed blame for the tragedy on the Bureau of Buildings while Manhattan borough president George McAneny defended Bureau Superintendent Miller and his assistant, stating that no complaint had been made on the Asch Building. According to the New York Tribune, Miller's assistant, Albert Ludwig said that the improper inspections were due to the "inadequate force at the bureau's disposal."

D.A. Whitman also pointed at the State Labor Commission as another source of blame for the tragedy. The commission has the responsibility of overseeing the safety of factory employees in New York state. A commission inspection of the Asch Building occurred as recently as February 27. The state inspector found the building to be in good condition, and even if violations were found, the State Commissioner told the Tribune that the State Labor Commission can only issue recommendations and has no enforcement power.

While the finger pointing continues at the local and state level and plans for an April grand jury develop, labor activists and suffragists in New York City are planning a protest and general strike later this week as the city plans to bury the victims of the fire who could not be identified. They plan to protest for new laws to provide for more fire protection for factory employees.

As of this morning, the Red Cross Fund for the families of the victims of Saturday's fire has risen to $15,000, including a $5,000 donation from Andrew Carnegie.

Link: Labor to Demand Fire Protection [The Washington Times]
Link: Seek to Fix Blame for Disaster and To Avert a Worse One [New York Tribune]

Murder in New York

2011-03-27T23:14:00.001-07:00

Today the District Atorney Whitman firmly assigned blame for the death of 143 women on the State Labor Superintendent John Williams. This comes just months after a lackey for Mr. Williams office okayed the layout of the factory as safe and legal, despite all the obvious dangers that lead to this tragedy.

While Mr. Whitman is on the right track he has not as of yet made the final connection. Yes, Mr Williams is responsible for these deaths. But so are the capitalists for building the factory, so are the statists who allowed such a nation to exist that would let this happen, and so are we all for not opposing the capitalists before now. We are all responsible, some more than others that is true, but nonetheless we all have blood on our hands and we all have the moral duty to help prevent such a tragedy from happening again!

The conditions on the inside were obviously dangerous. Any fool could see that, so why did Mr Williams office approve this building? More than likely a few backs were scratched, a few palms greased, and business as usual took place in New York City. This is capitalism, pure and simple. For a price the rules put in place to keep the workers quiet are circumvented. For a price the capitalists are allowed to do as they will. For a price 143 women are allowed to die. This is capitalism. Take a good long look, comrades. You talk of your freedoms, you talk of your rights. But when push comes to shove they don't mean a thing, because for a few dollars worth of hush money capitalist pigs can murder 143 women.

These women made the ultimate sacrifice for the capitalist pigs. They shouldn't have had to, but they did. So how do we prevent this from happening again? We can change the building regulations, or the labor laws, or even remove the industry entirely, but it will still happen. It will still happen because this is how capitalism works. Anything can be done for the right price, even ignoring the rules. If we truly wish to prevent another tragedy of this magnitude, we must attack the root of the problem. We must attack the capitalists. Only by removing the capitalists who exploit these workers and the statists that allowed them to do so can we make these women's deaths have a meaning. Only by removing capitalism and statism can we prevent the exploitative circumstances from cropping back up. Only by having an anarchist system free of capitalism can we all be free. That is what we must do. Only through this course are we able to assuage our fears about this type of tragedy. Only via this course can we truly be free. Anarchy and Equality, comrades.

Probe of Factory Fire Horror Begun Along Every Line [The Washington Times]

Terror and Heroism as 142 die in NYC Factory Fire

2011-03-26T11:45:00.001-07:00

Horror struck New York City just before closing time yesterday as a fire broke out on the eighth, ninth, and tenth floors of the Asch Building, home to the Triangle Waist Company. According to one of its owners, Max Blanck, in a statement to the press this morning, 750 people were employed by the company, two-thirds of them women between the ages of eighteen and thirty. Of those, 142 were confirmed dead by Coroner Weston at the Charities Department dock on East 26th Street. Of the 100 or so bodies that had arrived at the morgue by 10pm, 33 remain unidentified. The Triangle Waist Company produced shirtwaists, a popular type of buttoned down, women's blouse.

The horrific tragedy, the worst fire disaster since the Slocum steamboat burned on the east river on June 15, 1904, began at 4:40pm yesterday afternoon as the factory began to file past the cashiers to pick up their pay. The fire broke out on the eighth floor of the building and, thanks to the many flammable materials in the factory, quickly spread to the ninth and tenth floors. Due to a horrible oversight and potentially gross negligence, only one fire escape to an interior courtyard was available to those in the factory and that was made less than adequate by poor design and the fact that the windows to the fire escape were barred. Many of the workers, most of them Jewish or Italian immigrants, escaped via two elevators.

However, these escapes provided too little relief to the raging inferno that ingulfed the factory. Many victims died clawing their way to these meager escapes and at least 50 resorted to another means of relief, the windows facing Washington Place. At least one woman, Bertha Weintrup, survived the fall from a 10th floor window, however the rest were not so lucky. On-lookers in Washington Place were gripped by the horror of watching woman after woman, many with clothes ripped off during the mad scramble to escape the flames, some even on fire, fall to their deaths. In one case, a woman who escaped via the elevators was struck and killed by a falling body as she left the burning building. Some women who tried to flee the flames via the windows managed to climb out on to a ledge at the base of the windows, but ultimately lost their grip or were accidentally pushed by the throng on panic-stricken women behind them.

The lone fire escape in the interior of the building was not much comfort. Due to poor design, the escapes stairs ended at the buildings second floor. Worse still was the fact that every window facing the fire escape from the eighth floor down as closed. The mass of men and women who tried to use the escape forced many to either leap of 25 feet from the base of the escape or use a series of wires at the second floor level to crawl over to one of the open windows to safety. Unfortunately, only six or seven of the 50 or so people who tried this method of the escape succeeded. Many fell to the courtyard below where some either drowned in the six feet of water that quick filled the airshaft or impaled themselves on metal spikes that topped a concrete dividing wall. The crush of humanity on the fire escape forced many to make life or death decision before it could be properly thought out.

Amidst the tragedy and horror of the fire, heroes did rise up. A group of law students in an adjacent building managed to carry ladders up the School of Law and Commerce of the New York University in Washington Square. They, along with firemen, used the ladders to bridge the gap between the two buildings, allowing at least 50 women to escape the flames. Many others lost their lives as well as the crush of people trying to save themselves knocked them off the ladder, landing in the flooded courtyard below. The effort had to be suspended after flames reached the university building. More ladders were found in the building and these allowed women on the roof of the Asch Building to be rescued. In another case of heroism, a man only identified as Gregory took control of an elevator abandoned on the ground floor by its operator and made at least ten trips to the tenth floor, carry 30 women on each trip. Gregory slipped back into the crowd surrounding the building before he could be interviewed by the press. In another case, a patrolman managed to catch a small boy who had lept from an eighth floor window.

While victims continue to be identified in the East 26th Street morgue, authorities are promising a thorough investigation both into the cause of the fire and into why so many people died in the fire or trying to escape it. While the former has not be speculated on, both Fire Chief Croker and borough president George McAneny stated that the lack of proper fire escapes and sprinkler systems contributed to the massive loss of life. Coroner Holtzhauser told the New York Tribune:

I am going to find out who is responsible for this carnage and put the blame where it belongs. It is awful to think that these poor girls went to work this morning, being carried up the elevators, only to finish their work by being taken from the building dead and mutilated.

Borough President McAneny stated that he would look into whether any complaints had been made about inadequate fire escapes for the building. "If this structure where a fireproof loft building, as I have been told, fire escapes were not compulsory. If, however, it was a factory building, then to comply with the law there should have been fire escapes." Fire Chief Croker was more adamant about fire safety violations inside the building:

This calamity is just what I have been predicting. There were no outside fire escapes on this building. I have been advocating and agitating that fire escapes be put on building just such as this. This large loss of life is due to this neglect.

The building did have one other means of escape, a stairwell in back of the building. Chief Croker stated that the door to the stairway was closed. A pile of bodies six feet high was found on the other side. He believes that if this stairwell had been used by those trying escape the fire, the death toll would not have been nearly as high.

The owners of the company that was destroyed by the fire, the Triangle Waist Co.'s Max Blanck and Issac Harris in a statement issued to the press this morning, stated that they were still missing several relatives due to the fire, like Blanck's brother-in-law Jacob Bernstein and cousin William Selzer and Harris's niece Esther.

Veronica Stirnitzke should provide an opinion piece on the fire tomorrow.

Link: More than 140 Die as Flames Sweep Through Three Stories of Factory Building in Washington Place [The New York Tribune]
Link: Thousands Fight to Claim Fire Victims [The Washington Times]
Link: 150 Perish in Most Sickening Holocaust [The Bisbee Daily Review]
Link: 142 Die when Shirtwaist Factory Burns [The Washington Herald]

Does Diaz really know?

2011-03-25T23:31:00.001-07:00

According to the Bisbee Review, yesterday the cabinet to President Diaz resigned in its entirety, with the exception of Limantour. The freedom fighters have long been complaining about the lack of representation n the cabinet. Until now, the same individuals have been filling these posts for many years. The fact that the presidential cabinet understands the gravity of a situation Diaz seems to be ignoring just serves to underline the self-servedness of the Diaz state. The cabinet members understood they need to step down to please the people, and having a true love for their country and people, they did. Diaz, on the other hand, appears to be concentrating merely on his own power, not giving a single thought to the wishes of his people.

While it has long been known that the Diaz government uses extensive amounts of propaganda, in light of these current resignations, the question of how much Diaz knows must be asked. The latest case of misinformation about the conflict has arisen from an engagement in Sonora. According to an American whiteness, when federal troops assaulted a reinforced free position, they were beaten back quite harshly, and ultimately retreated. After the federals retreated, the free position was then abandoned. This of course was counted as a victory by the Diaz government. But is Diaz really aware of this event in its entirety? Or just in the reported result? Given Diaz's lack of support for ending this conflict in any way other than the sword, it leads me to believe that he is only being told the manipulated truth, and as such is not responding to reality.

To fix this, the freedom fighters need to concentrate on information management. Instead of just fighting the federals they need to be putting out newspapers, telling the people what is really going on. In the end this is what will ultimately convince the masses, as well as Diaz, that their cause is just and appropriate. Additional support from outside Mexico might even be possible given the spread of good information. As long as you let Diaz do all the talking, comrades, you will always be evil, but the moment you start participating in the conversation you will be seen for the wondrous sight you are: as true freedom loving people who love Mexico.

]Cabinet of Diaz Resigns But No Decision Is Made [The Bisbee Daily Review]

Carnegie backs Taft's Bid for World Peace

2011-03-24T12:23:00.000-07:00

As President Taft tries to work with Congress to push through reciprocity and arbitration agreements with Canada and Great Britain, industrialist Andrew Carnegie lent his support to the goal of world peace through arbitration in an interview published in the Washington Times this evening. Carnegie, who shares his time between his castle in Skibo, Scotland and New York City, gave his full support to the views of Lord Admiral Charles Beresford that America and Britain could together make war between the great powers impossible.

Carnegie believes that if the U.S. and Britain, the two great English-speaker powers of the world, can overwhelmingly support an arbitration treaty than others powers will be so impressed that they will have no choice but to follow suit. Other great powers would want to enter what Carnegie called the "brotherhood of peace." Carnegie stated that a country like America, "where...any man's privilege is every man's right under the law," should push the concept of justice and liberty under the law toward perfection here and throughout the world.

The retired industrialist praised Admiral of the Navy George Dewey, the president of the General Board of the Navy Department, for his supported of arbitration and felt that he might one day live to see a world without war thanks to it despite Dewey's pessimism. Carnegie also felt that right now, this country has no enemies, not even Japan. He had been by a gentleman from Japan that his country desires friendly relations with the United States above all others.

Link: Carnegie Backing Taft's Peace Plea [The Washington Times]

Federalist Take Over

2011-03-23T21:27:00.001-07:00

Congress is at it again, comrades. According to today's Bisbee Daily Review, Congress is attempting to revoke rights not only of the state but of the individual. Power hungry lapdogs of the Capitalists have begun drafting laws that would change the entire way the militias work in this land. Whereas before the militia was under the command of the state it was from and could be lent to the federal government, with appropriate approval from the state government, now the president would be able to call up state militias without the consent of the state government. In essence, the federal government will be usurping the sovereignty of the states! The statist dogs in Washington claim it is necessary for national defense, that if left to our own devices, we wont help them in times of emergency. Maybe they are right! They know we won't tolerate their rule forever, so they are moving to cement their power, to remove our avenues of asserting our freedom. They would even press-gang any militia man who disagrees with this new law, requiring him to stay with the service against his will even though they are changing the rules to the game. Making him into a slave!

Originally, a militia was a beautiful example of anarchist theory in action. Minimal hierarchy internally, agreed on officers, and voluntary. Under this new set of laws, it will become just another hierarchical arm of the state. No more will it represent neighbors banding together to protect and help each other. It will be just another method of coercing compliance utilized by Capital in its attempts to gain ever increasing power!

Our militias should represent us as a people, not the wishes of a power hungry despot in Washington. As such I urge every person, band together. Speak out! Inform our overlords we will not accept this! We have to remind them that the militia is there for us. It is of us. It will always serve us. If this law goes through they are building their own power on our backs and that action is immoral, unethical, and will not be tolerated! No gods, No masters!

New Methods Needed In Dealing With Militia [The Bisbee Daily Review]

NY Tribune: Taft's Mexican Policy Justified

2011-03-22T12:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, President Taft clarified the position of his administration with regards to the current Mexican situation and his deployment of troops along the U.S.-Mexico border. He reiterated that he has no intentions of sending those troops across the border unless the situation on the ground in Mexico provides him with no other alternative and even then, not without the consent of Congress. The objective of the deployment was to protect the lives and property of American citizens in Mexico. Taft believes that the the heavy military presence along the border has had a "sobering" effect on the combatants south of the border. As a result, he feels that Americans in Mexico are now safer from attack than they were before this month's mobilization.

He reassured the Mexican delegation that the U.S. desires peace and friendly relations with Mexico and feels that this desire has not changed as a result of the mobilization of 20,000 troops along the border in Texas and California. While the speed of the deployment raised alarm bells in Mexico City as well as here in the United States, that was not Taft's intention. He felt that the reports of a chaotic situation in Mexico made it imperative that the United States respond and do so quickly to prevent the loss of lives and property of American citizens. He also felt that it was his duty as commander-in-chief to have the army and navy prepared in case Congress decides to intervene in Mexico.

As far as how long troops will remain along the border, the president provide less specific answer. While nominally the force is expected to remain there for four months, Taft also stated that he would keep the army there for as long as there was a possibility of danger and there would be a need to enforce this country's neutrality laws.

In other news, the secretary of state for the insurrecto government and the rebel secretary of the Mexican State of Chihuaha, Gonzales Garza and Braulio Hernaudom, stated that would not lay down their arms while negotiations took place with the Diaz government. They believe that Diaz and his finance minister, Jose Limantour, are only talking about reform because of their armed rebellion, and that before, their demands were flatly rejected. Their comments come after Limantour gave an interview in Mexico City yesterday where he stated that he felt that the rebels demands were reasonable and that Diaz could be convinced to institute the reforms the rebels are demanding, but also stated that the insurrectos must disarm before negotiations could begin. With this impasse, it is unlikely that the optimism expressed here and in newspapers around the country earlier this week regarding the situation in Mexico will come to fruition.

Link: Taft's Mexican Policy Justified [The New York Tribune]
Link: Garza Throws the Gauntlet to Limantour [The Bisbee Daily Review]

Thank You For Oppressing Us

2011-03-21T23:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Mr. Roosevelt, having finished up his tour of the Arizona Territory, addressed a crowd of people regarding the prospect of Arizona Statehood. Mr. Roosevelt asserted that no one should have the right to dictate to someone else what type of government they shall have. Simply because the people of the Arizona Territory desire a form of government is all that is required to make it legitimate and appropriate to govern said people. The constitution of Arizona could and should reflect our desires, not those of any other locality. While Mr. Roosevelt may disagree personally, he was quite willing to admit that Arizona should have been granted statehood; despite all this, however, he seemed to miss the larger point.

Mr. Roosevelt spoke many times of "Rights" and of choice coming from the people, but the implication of his speech is that it only applies to the majority. What of the minority? Are their rights forfeit because they do not have the numbers necessary to impose their will on others? Furthermore, what of this idea of "Rights"? He spoke of "Rights" as if coming down on high, as if they were some magnanimous gift given to the people of Arizona by an almighty deity of light and awe. But this is not the case! Rights can only be "granted" by an oppressor. If no one gave it to you, it wouldn't be called a right, it would be called fact. Just because we are given a scrap of food from the table of those who have real power does not mean we need to thank them!

We should be remembering how they got power in the first place: through lies, through deceit, through the point of the sword. They took the world from us, and expect us to thank them for this petty trifle. No, comrades, we must not accept this bribe. The only path to true freedom available to us is to reject the entire apparatus the statists and capitalists have set up. Remove it, and replace it with an anarchist system of organization. That is the only way we will truly be free. No gods, No masters!

Roosevelt Condemns Recall As Unwise And Regrets That Arizona Has Seen Fit to Favor It [The Bisbee Daily Review]

Peace coming this week in Mexico as US troops head to border

2011-03-20T12:36:00.000-07:00

The New York Tribune and Washington Herald both expect good results from an upcoming conference between Mexican President Porfirio Diaz and Finance Minister Jose Limantour this week. It is hoped that cabinet changes and promises for more reforms from the Diaz government will appease the rebels. At these meetings Limantour will present an explanation of the rebels demands.

These meetings coincide with a pair of developments on this side of the border:

The Washington Herald reports that most of the troops currently stationed at Fort Sam Houston are now headed to the US border with Mexico. 15,000 troops, under the command of Maj. General William Carter, will begin maneuvers along the border after leaving the fort tomorrow morning. The first detachment, thought to be the 11th Calvary, are headed west via the Southern Pacific toward El Paso. The other troops are headed to points unknown along the Rio Grande and as far west as Arizona. The goals of this maneuver seem to be to cut the flow of arms and ammunition to the insurrectos in Mexico. The troops will also be monitoring the border for incursions by rebels and federals after reports that some fighting along the border had leaked to the US side.

Of particularly concern is a danger to a bridge along the Pecos River near Viaduct, Texas, less than 10 miles from the border. The calvary detachment is thought to be moving to act as guards for the bridge which could take as much as a year to replace if damaged by fighting between the Mexican sides. The military will also seek to cut off supplies to the rebel base at Presidio del Norte, just across the Rio Grande from El Oro, Texas. El Oro, Del Rio, and Marfa, a Texas town 50 miles to the north, are thought to be supply conduits between the rebels and their supporters here in the United States.

President Taft returned to Washington this afternoon after spending some vacation time in Augusta, Georgia. Immediately upon his return, he met with Mexican Ambassador de la Berra and War Secretary Jacob Dickinson as well as delivered a message to congress on his priorities for the special session that will start on April 4. Taft made no suggestion that U.S. troops were poised to cross the border, and he and Secretary Dickinson referred to the new troops movements as mere "maneuvers" and that they were not ready to begin operations in Mexico. The President said that he was meeting the Mexican ambassador this afternoon but provide no details on what was discussed. Interior Secretary Fisher, Commerce and Labor Secretary Nagel, and Army Chief of Staff Leonard Wood also met with the president today to discuss the Mexican situation.

The president also delivered a list of his priorities for next month's special session of Congress. He expects the Canadian reciprocity bill to be treated first with prompt approval followed by a new tariff commission. Any other acts to reform the current tariff system will be met with prompt vetos unless they come via recommendations from the commission's reports. Democrats have scoffed at this proviso, believing the president is merely stalling action on tariff reform as such committee recommendations could take months if not years to complete. A report on wool tariffs is not expected until December and is the only report pending.

Link: Peace in Mexico May Come This Week [The New York Tribune]
Link: All U.S. Troops to be Rushed to Mexican Border [The Washington Herald]
Link: Confabs on Mexico Begin Immediately at the White House [The Washington Times]
Link: Democrats Gloat over President's Tariff Ultimatum [The Washington Times]

Are the Freedom Fighters Winning?

2011-03-19T23:37:00.056-07:00

It appears that a regime change is imminent in Mexico, comrades. The Bisbee Daily Review reported today that that the Mexican government has stopped calling the freedom fighters "Insurrectos" and is now using such terms as "disorderly peoples" and "Anarchists." Yes comrades, Anarchists! According to the Washington Times, the freedom fighters want free elections, so the government may have missed the mark in calling them anarchists, but the sentiment is good.

All this, however, seems to be hinged on Limantour's return to Mexico City. Limantour, who has the backing of powerful Capitalists in the U.S.A., is believed to be bringing a peace deal from the freedom fighters to President Diaz. Part of the train line to the Capital, however, has recently been captured by the freedom fighters, so Limantour's arrival is by no means guaranteed. If he does get through Free Mexico, I think it is safe to say he, at least, has the blessings of those controlling Free Mexico.

While any restoration of peace could be seen as a good thing, our Mexican comrades must be strong! If they acquiesce to the capitalists and begin negotiating with them, it will be a short trip back into the strong Caudillo-style government that Mexico has proven to susceptible to! Our Mexican comrades must stand firm in their convictions, remove the government, and not replace it. Do not be swayed by promises of improvements, do not believe the honey-laced lies capital whispers. The only long term solution that will bring peace is the implementation of an anarchist society, and that is what we must strive for in Mexico.

Hopes Of Mexicans Rest In Limantour, Speeding Southward To See Diaz [Bisbee Daily Review]
Mexican Crisis Due With Returning Of Senor Limantour [The Washington Times]
Limantour's Life Imperiled On Trip [The Washington Herald]