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]

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]