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]