MEXICO: Solution Without Blood

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In Mexico City President Cárdenas soberly manifestoed: "I desire to depart from the lamentable precedents which exist in the history of our bitter political struggles and in which frequently little value has been placed on the principle of respect for human life. Therefore I considered the circumstances demanded, as imperative for the public welfare, the immediate departure from national territory of General Plutarco Elías Calles, [onetime Minister of Industry and Commerce] Luis Morones, [onetime Minister of Agriculture] Luis León and [onetime Governor of Guanajuato] General Rafael Melchor Ortega." With this group of Calles men went also Calles' secretary and son Alfredo.

For Mexico, where such impossible situations are usually solved in a welter of blood, last week's solution seemed remarkably well-mannered.