Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1913-11-27
HUERTA'S PLEA
DEFENDS SELF
Quotes Napoleon in Justifyinq
Dictatorship.
ASKS LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL
Executive Justifies Act Of falling Dep
uties-TeIis Lawmakers That the
Eyes of the World Are
Upon Them.

City Of Mexico, Nov. 21.-President
Huerta Thursday presented his mes
sage to congress attempting to justify
his dictatorial acts. Meanwhile a
great international feet is virtually
of Mexico
The text of Huerta's message to
congress follows in part:
In accordance with the constitu-
ton and the provisions governing this
matter the executive Of the union
must report to the national assembly
concerning the status of public af-
fairs On two dates of the year CORE
spending to the two semi-yearly in
augurations Of the ordinary sessions
of congress.
Having complied with this law by
means Of the report read in this cham
Der September Is last, and April 1 be-
ing so far in advance IL which the
executive must report to you upon
the state Of the country's affairs, it
must readily be understood that this
BRIEF message cannot be of the usual
character Of these reports, but that it
must conf1ne itself to giving an &C
count of the political events which
have happened since October 20, by
virtue of solemn promise given by
myself.
"To the nation and before the whole
world l saw that the country is again
on the straight, undertaking channel
of the fundamental institutions of the
republic.
This has been done within a per-
emptory term, which, notwithstanding
its shortness, sets in relief before
minds not actuated by passion and
prejudice the undeniable good faith
with which the government has been
laboring to meet its duty and to re-
store the supremacy of law and peace
in the midst Of conditions which, with
out false modesty, we may say are
sufficient to discourage the strongest
spirit If it is not assisted by great
faith in right, justice and the destiny
of the fatherland."
1.-THE efforts on the part OF the
executive to dissuade the chamber of
OSpuL1SS HUH lis IAlcu-
tons were unsuccessful. It proceed
ed regardless of the consideration
that then to place any obstacles in
the sphere of action of the executive
was to menace the life of the nation
itself.
THE executive, nevertheless, was
not lacking in foresight, but under
| standing at once the point to which
the attitude Of the national assembly
was leading, tried by all possible
means to avoid conflict and to main
tain with the legislative that power
and that perfect cooperation without
which all governmental action is i'm
possible. .-....a
Congress became, by the enlisting
of certain elements, a center of revo-
lutionary activity, a sort Of open
agency of the northern rebels, who
with arms in hands engaged in muir
der and piIlage."
Being unable TO vacillate under
such conditions, the executive resort
ed to the last extreme measure and
dissolved the chambers, using in thus
doing a necessary elemen of rigor
which was needed unde- delicate cir
cumstances. He then convened the
people to new election, from which
your power is derived.
while the justice ard utility of
| these acts may be the subject of con-
| troversy, yet in the end they shall al
ways be subject to the motto of the
| great Napoleon:
1.-The law is not violated when you
save the fatherland.'
"Messrs. Senators and Deputies,
| this is a most solemn moment in
every respect, and one that is likely
to prove decisive for the future of the
nation.
Not only the eyes of 100000
| Mexicans, but those of the whole civil
| lied world are at this time watching
! US.
"In giving you III the name Of the
which all Mexicans may join hands in
| close fraternity may be forthcoming
to the end that we may all devote our
efforts to the great and fertile task of
national reconstruction"
Speculation as to what President
| Wilson intends to do was increased by
| the knowledge that the American
| charge d'affaires, Nelson O'Shaugh-
messy, had received orders.