Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Ray Harroun wins Endurance Car Race at Indy

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]

Monday, May 30, 2011

The Threat That Is the 4th Of July

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]

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Train Wreck in Nebraska Kills Twelve

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]

Saturday, May 28, 2011

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]

Friday, May 27, 2011

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]

Thursday, May 26, 2011

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]

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

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]

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

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]

Monday, May 23, 2011

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]

Sunday, May 22, 2011

French War Minister Killed in Airplane Accident

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]

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Wilhelm II and George V argue in London

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]

Friday, May 20, 2011

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]

Thursday, May 19, 2011

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]

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

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]

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

New York City and Washington React to Standard Oil Decision

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]

Monday, May 16, 2011

Supreme Court Declares Standard Oil a Monopoly

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]

Sunday, May 15, 2011

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]

Friday, May 13, 2011

Secretary Dickinson Resigns; New York Progressive Stimson to Replace Him

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]

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

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]

Monday, May 9, 2011

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]

Saturday, May 7, 2011

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]

Thursday, May 5, 2011

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]

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

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

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]

Monday, May 2, 2011

The Power of May Day

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]

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Bangor, Maine Destroyed by Fire

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]