The Científico-Huerta-Madero junta in New York decided a few months ago that if Carranza could not be eliminated through the Convention, he could be forced out by another revolution within the revolution proper. When it was discovered that the appeal Villa had sent out to the revolutionary generals on September 23d before the Convention, had not succeeded in bringing about the desired result, it was decided to induce the doubtful element in the Convention to join in a supposedly legal procedure. After Carranza’s resignation had been refused at the Convention in Mexico, the delegates suggested the Aguascalientes meeting as a means of settling all the questions of reform. Villa’s supporters, instead of keeping to the business on hand, jammed through the Gutierrez election, published the list of the Cabinet members, and sent Carranza an ultimatum. In this way they expected to give a legal appearance to their action, and thus accelerate the secession, throwing the loyal Constitutionalists on the side of the Villa contingent. Neither Villa nor Zapata ever harbored the intention of handing over their forces to the generals designated by the convention--their hope was that Carranza might resign, and then they would control the situation by the mere threat of force, backed by their success. It can be safely asserted that if Villa should succeed, he would be the president maker, the virtual dictator of Mexico. Then Villa and the científico faction would fight for supremacy ... and destroy each other. However, no matter what the result of the struggle may be, the Mexican people are tired of “strong men on horseback” and the succession of a Villa tyranny would not be much more advantageous than a Huerta or Diaz dictatorship. The Mexican people, the 15,000,000 who have suffered so much from military liberators, will very effectively overthrow the pretorian rule of one or more guerrilla czars, when they discover that the strings are managed by Mexican and foreign reactionary interests. Villa will only repeat Orozco’s treachery and defection, and he will pay the price of his foolishness and ignorance with the contempt and ostracism of the real revolutionary element. CHAPTER XIX THE NEED OF A DEMOCRATIC FINANCE IN MEXICO BY CHARLES FERGUSON