The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-02-19

Mexico City, Feb. 1S.-Francisco l.
Madero, president, arrested in the ma
tional palace this afternoon by General
Blanquet, one of his own commanders,
was forced to sign his resignation from
the presidency.
General Victoriano Huerta, COM
mander of the federal troops which
have been fighting Diaz, has been pro-
claimed provisional president.
Gustavo Madero ana all the cabinet
ministers, with the exception of
Ernesto Madero, are under arrest. The
vice president of the republic, Jose
Pine Suarez, still is at liberty, but in
hiding.
The American ambassador and the
other foreign diplomats held con-
ference at the American embassy to-
night to discuss the re-establishment
Of order and the further protection of
foreign residents. The Zocalo, the great
plaza in front of the palace, was
jammed tonight with delirious crowd
with banners inscribed Peace and
Liberty shouting for Diaz, Huerta,
Banquet and Mondragon.
The women members of the Madero
family who were in Chapultepec castle
were whisked away in automobiles by
friends who learned Of the coup at the
national palace.
Will Hold Elections.
kilograms have been sent to the
governors of the states. notifying them
Of the proclamation of Huerta as pro-
visional president, and also to the
military commanders assuring them
that general elections will be held.
General Huerta made a speech from
the balcony of the palace to the as
sembled crowds. He declared that he
had no personal ambition and an
nounced himself as military governor
and General Banquet as military
commander of the federal district. 1t
Is fully believed that a definite agrees
lnent will be reached between the rebel
forces and General Huerta. The ne
gotiations will be conducted through
the American embassy.
Notwithstanding the fact that some
definite action was expected today,
the coup d'etat at the palace caused
sensation and the exact status of
affairs could not be ascertained for
several hours.
The direct move against Madero was
the result of plot which had been
brewing since yesterday.
From the first it had been known
that General Banquet was unwilling
to fight. His men We're of the same
mind. He held complete command of
them, and it was not doubted that they
would follow him in any adventure,
which they did at the national palace
this afternoon.
The forces, numbering 1000 men,
which arrived late yesterday, were sent
Immediately to the palace. ostensibly
to relieve the reserves there. The re-
serves were Sc L into the field.
An agreement between Generals
Banquet and Huerta was reached last
night, but the first intimation that
Blanquet's men had of the new role
they were to play was shortly before
the successful stroke was made. Blan-
quet drew his men UP in order and
delivered stirring speech.
Blanquet to His Men.
This inhuman battle must end" he
said. "The time has come when some
drastic means must be taken to stop
a, conflict in which father is killing
son and brother is fighting against
brother; when nom -combatants are
sharing the fate of War-and all this
because of the caprice of one man"
Banquet then issued orders for the
arrest of the president and assigned
a detachment to that duty. Madero
was soon a prisoner in his own rooms.
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