MEXICO: President Made

The U. S. has an engineer President. So until last week had Mexico.

Engineer Pascual Ortiz Rubio has had a terrible term. His troubles began two hours after his inauguration when a would-be assassin bloodied his face (TIME, Feb. 17, 1930). He finally had to admit, “A situation of political crisis has existed from the beginning of my administration, making the work of my Government weak and insignificant.” Last week after denying for several days in succession that he would resign, Mexico’s harassed Great Engineer resigned.

“I will leave immediately for Hot Springs, Arkansas,” said Citizen Ortiz Rubio. “There I will undergo treatment for an illness of a. delicate nature.” Cut in his secretary: “Acute stomach trouble!”

In Mexico the real President is General Plutarco Elias Calles, a bull-necked but enlightened political boss. He had enough of being President in 1928, prefers nowadays to make other men Presidents, let them take the risks. In 1929 few Mexicans had ever heard of their Great Engineer, but General Calles had no trouble whatsoever getting him elected. Last week he made a new President almost overnight, made a young one this time, General Abelardo Rodriquez, 43.

Sitting at home beside his radio the eager, beardless young general heard Mexico’s well-drilled Congress unanimously elect him Provisional President to fill out the term expiring Nov. 30, 1934. An hour prior General Calles had thoughtfully sent over to his young favorite the emblem of Presidential power in Mexico: the Grand Cordon of green, white and red ribbon embellished with the Eagle grasping the Snake.

Draping the Grand Cordon across his bosom, Provisional President Rodriquez hurried out to meet friends who were hurrying to tell him the good news. Exactly ten minutes after his election he stood before Congress, proceeded to take the oath : “I swear to observe and to have observed the political Constitution of the United States of Mexico and the laws emanating therefrom. I will loyally and patriotically fulfill the office of Provisional President of the republic, looking only and always to the welfare of the country. If I fail to do so, may the nation hold me responsible.”

Next, without more ado or speeches, the Provisional President motored out to General Calles’ ranch, got his orders. To date Boss Calles has been broadly friendly to the U. S., mildly hostile to private foreign interests in Mexico, firmly hostile to the Catholic Church. Some years ago he picked Second Lieutenant Abelardo Rodriquez as a good & loyal henchman, secured him rapid promotion to Mexico’s highest military rank. General of Division and last year made him War Minister — a supreme mark of trust.

Hurrying to say goodbye to Mexico’s Great Engineer last week, dynamic U. S. Ambassador Clark rushed into the railway station just ten minutes after Citizen Ortiz Rubio’s special train had left for Hot Springs.