What Is Revolution?

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]

The Revolution Is Falling Apart

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

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!!!!

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

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

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

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]

Reyes Stopped at Havana

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

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

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]

Fear Grips Mexico City due to Rebels and Rioters

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]

Mexican Rebel Ranks Swell with Surrendered Federals

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

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

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

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]

The Falsus Pax Diaz

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]

The Diaz Regime Disengages.

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]

Mexican Unrest Ends with Armistice

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

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

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]