The Sentinel=record., 1913-12-21
ONCE MORE THE WILLY PROvl- SIGNAL PRESIDENT sTAvEs
 OFF IMPENDING DISASTER
SECURED SUFFICIENT MONEY
To Pay Salaries and Expenses With But Little Delay-Question Now is How Long Can He Continue to Secure Ready Funds.

MeXlco City, Dec. 20.-NationaI im- poverlshmene and an increasing or ganization among scores of rebel bands have reduced the provisional government to what appears to be a desperate situation, but conservative residents of the federal capital pro- less to see in the recent military op- eratlons and the continuation of Pro- yisional President Huerta to secure money, even though in driblets, evi- dence that the government may not Tall for many months unless some unexpected turn for the worse occurs.
 This was pay day for government employees and in almost all deparr- ments there was little delay in meet. ing the pay rolls. That the govern ment may not be able to float another loan is conceded by Mexicans gener- ally, but none has lost sight of the fact that the country is rich and tnet Gen. Huerta as a last resort would not hesitate to take money where he can find 1t.
 Already a drastic measure has been discussed by the cabinet. that of the confscation of the property of all in- dividuals who are known to have ar- Tayed themselves against the Huerta government. The measure has not |yet received the full approval of the ministers. but if adopted it will prove a rich resource Collections that fall
 little short of being forced loans have been made in cities outside the cap ital. and Provisional President Huerta's new order for the establish ment of a militia at the expense of the business men generally in the va- rious states is in line with his policy to draw direct from the country the revenue necessary for carrying on the war.
 The failure of Gen. Pancho Villa to march south from Chihuahua because of the undesirabili.y of leaving the forces of Gen Salvador Mercado and Gen. Pascual Orozco in his rear, the failure of the rebels to take Tampico. the reoccupation of Torreon by gov ernment soldiers and the presence at Monterey of 5000 federal troops are construed by military men as indica- tions that the advance of the rebels has been slowed up and tha. from now on, as their campaign Is carried fur ther into the heart of the republic, their progress must be much slower.
 Rebel sympathizers here insist that Tampico will be- easy prey for the rebels on the next attack, but tha. after capturing the port they may be expected to do one of two things, either advance to the center of the country and attack San Luis Potosi or return northward and fight for the of Monterey.
 Military men believe the rebels are unlikely to commit the tactical error Of moving on San Luis Potosi and leaving the largest mobilized govern ment force in their rear at Mon.erey The same military authorities do not believe that successful attack on Monterey would be a simple task.
 At the war office here it is not con- ceded that the rebels would be able 70 take Tampico. defended, as it is, by 1000 or more federals in addition to the guns of the Mexican warships Bravo and Vera Cruz. On the other hand, the rebels, it is known, can bring to the attack at least 5000 men and few pieces of artillery.
 Gen Zapata's threats to enter Tho City of Mexico, while creating slight anxiety are not taken seriously by most people. who believe he will obey Gen. Carranza and wait until his forces are joined by men from t1,e north.
 Reports that President Huer.a has almost no ammunition left in the city is officially denied. and the deenial is officially denied. and the den-al pointed out that one of Gen Huerta's chief objects has been to look af.er the protection of his own seat of gov. ernment.
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