Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1913-11-07
PRES. WILSON ASKS
HUERTA To RETIRE

Washington, Nov. 5.-That the
Washington administration really did
call on President Huerta OF Mexico
Sunday night or some time Monday to
retire, was generally accepted here
today as fact. Secretary of State
Bryan, il was agreed, undoubtedly
told the truth when he denied that
an "ultimatum" was sent, and
Charge d'Affaires o'Shaughnessy Of
the American embassy In Mexico
City was also assumed TO have spoken
with technical accuracy in denying
that he had handed any communica-
tion to Foreign Minister Mohena.
The truth seemed to have been that
the note simply called on Huerta to
make good his pledge, given before
the recent Mexican election, to retire
as soon as the polling was finished.
According to some of the current
accounts, the note informed Huerta
that, If he refused, President Wilson
would have to send him an ultima
tum. Other versions were that Il
was nothing more than a request.
o'Shaughnessy, It was understood,
did not handle it like an official COM
munication, which 1t was not, but
turned 1t over to Huerta's secretary.
Senor Rabago, just as the original
reports had it. without notifying the
foreign minister.
1t was said the state department
was simply waiting today consider
ing that Huerta ought to be given
time to show his hand voluntarily in
stead OF having II forced.
The American government, It was
rumored, favored Pedro Lascurain,
who was the late President Madero's
foreign minister, as Huerta's success
or in the provisional presidency until
another and a fairer election could
be held.
Information from Mexico City in
dicated that Huerta has resorted to
an informal sort of conscription to in
crease the strength OF the Mexico City
garrison, greatly weakened by the ne
cessity for sending reinforcements to
the troops in the north, to the vicin-
ity of Mazatlan and elsewhere where
the rebels are especially aggressive.
Men are simply being rounded up in
the streets, 1t was said, and forced to
enlist.
The members of the diplomatic
corps at Mexico City who conferred
last week with John Lind at Vera
Cruz sent a perfunctory diplomatic"
denial to President Huerta that such
conference took place.
Word was received of the arrival
at Vera Cruz last night OF the United
States warships Rhode Island, vir-
ginia, Nebraska and New Jersey.
1t was learned that Mexico had ask
ed France informally If the latter
would mediate between Mexico and
the United States. Fearing to offend
America, France did not reply.
The Washington administration II
was said, favors Pedro Lascurian as
provisional president of Mexico, be-
tween Huertas retirement and an.
other election.
General Carranza, the Mexican re-
bel leader, notified Secretary Bryan,
through DR.. Henry Allen Tupper, that
if permitted to import munitions Of
war, he can guarantee speedy peace
and constitutional government in
Mexico. He opposed Intervention
strongly.
Word was received Of the arrival
of four more American warships at
Vera Cruz.
The scout Cruiser Chester was or
dered from the Philadelphia navy
yard to Mexican waters.
A strong federal force was reported
beseiging Torreon, Mex, recently
captured by the rebels.