The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-21
May Confiscate Property
OF All Persons Against
President Huerta.
FALL NOT LIKELY
FOR SOME MONTHS
Appears to Be in Desperate Stu
alton, but Recent Occurrences
Indicate Finish May Be De-
layed-Northern Mexico to
Be Made Wilderness
by Federals.

Mexico city. December 20.-National
impoverishment and an increasing
organization among scores of rebel
bands have reduced the provisional
government to what appears to be a
desperate situation. but conservative
residents OF the capital profess to see
In the recent military operations and
In the continuation of Provisional
Ftesdent Huerta to secure money,
the government may not fall for many
months. unlese there IL an unexpected
turn for the worse.
This was pay day for government
employees. and in almost all depart
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 MeNicans general
l., but none has lost sight OF the fact
that the country Is rich. and that Gen
eral iiucrta, az Il last resort. would
not hesitate to take money where he
can find it,
Drastic Measure Discussed.
Already drastic measure has been
discussed by the Cabinet-;hat of the
conhscation OF the property of all in
dividuals who are known 20 have ar
rayed themselves against the Hucrta
government. The measure has not
yet received the full approval OF the
ministers. If adopted, II Will prove
rich resource
Collections that fall little short of
being forced to answer have been made
IN cities outside the capital and Pro-
visional President Huerta's new order
Tor the establishment of a militia ut
me expense OF The business men gen
orally in the various States is in limo
with his policy to draw directly from
the country the revenue necessary for
carrying on the war
The failure OF General Pancho villa
10 march south from chihuahua. the
FAILURE of the rebels to take Tampico.
the reoccupation OF Torreon by govern
ment soldiers. and the presence at
Monterey OF 5000 Federal troops ara
construed as indications that the swing
ing advance of tho rebels has been
stayed.
Rebel sympathizers here insist that
Iampico Will be easy prey for the
rebels on the next attack. but that
after capturing the post they NAV be
expected either TO advance to the CEN
ire OF the country and attack San Luis
fotost. or return nothward and fight
FOR the possession OF Monterey.
Not Conceded at War once.
AT the War Onice here It Is not con-
coded that the rebels would be able to
take Tampico. defended ms II is by
1000 or more Fcderals in addition TO
the guna of the Mexican warships
Bravo and Vera Cruz. on the other
hand. the rebels. it is known. can bring
10 the attack at least 5000 men and n
few pieces OF artillery.
General Zapata's threats TO enter the
City of Mexico. while creating slight
anxiety. are not taken seriously by
most people. who believe he will obey
General Carranza and wait until his
forces are joined by men from the
North
Reports that President Huerta has
almost no ammunition left in the city,
are officially denied and the denial is
generally credited
The banking situation continued bad
to-day. state bank bills being reject
ed except in limited amounts M the
Central Bank. The run on the bank of
London and Mexico, though slightly
diminished continued throughout the
day.
The committee Of bankers. which has
been attempting TO solve the financial
situation, has not yet succeeded in GO
ing beyond the point OF making sug-
Ecstions. II Is believed General Huer-
IA. In the end will issue n decree fore
ing the acceptance OF the state bnnl,
notes. thus charging the volume OF
medium OF exchange in the business
world