The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-10-12
situation Most Serious.

Washington. October I1.-Proyisional
PRESIDENT Huerta's arrest of 11o depu-
ties or the Mexican Congress. follow
Cd by the propagation OF both housas
or that body. has put administration
oihciais here In state of anxiety. No
attempts TO disguise the view that the
developments Of tho last twenty four
hours in Mexico City have precinitoted
what probably is the most serious sit
uation since Huerta took office
II was pointed out that conditions
We're similar to those Immediately pre-
ceding the abdication of Porfirio Diaz
The greater part OF the large BODY of
troops that have been maintained In
the capital have been sent north
against the rebellion, and thus Mexico
CITY Is left with comparatively small
garrison.
sltuntion Warrants Z. s. Attention.
Ihe situation Is regarded here as
warrant'ng the United States in main
tainIng a considerable naval force at
Vera Cruz and Tampico. where Rear
Admiral Fletcher has sailors and ma
rines ready for eventralities in case a
situation should develop beyond the
capacity OF the Mexican authorities
Huerta's action in suspending The ses-
slons OF Congress Is regarded merely
as preliminary to Il declaration Of mar
tial law, which will make almost un-
limited his power over the capital.
The weakening of Huerta's control
over his original safe majority has
been observed here, and it is under
stood that aside from serving warn
Ing upon his enemies that he will
brook no opposition ir the development
OF his plans. General Huerta has dis
solved tho present Congress with the
purpose Of seeking through a new
election. conducted simultaneously
with that for the presidency, n strong
and capable Parliament party to sup
port Gamboa, Huerta's candidate a
the elections October &c.
Many officials regarded the deveIon-
ments as bearing out predictions that
TO election would be held October 26.
At the White House it was stated that
President Wilson was studying the
situation carefully. but was not ready
10 announce the next step in the Amer
lean policy.
Huertn Controls by Force,
1t IS believed. however, that Huerta,s
action toward the Congress will be re-
Sarded AS an evidence of his inability
TO control tho situation. and that there
was little likelihood OF the United
States recognizing the choice OF the
election if 1t were held under such cir
cumstances. The invasion of the
Chamber of Deputies by Federal troops
last February. when Nadero's resig-
nation was accepted prompted the viii
son administration to take the position
that the Huerta government was the
creation of arbitrary force. and there
fore illegal
The success of the constitutionalist
armies In the North by their capture
of Torreon, the gateway to Central
Mexico, has also encouraged tho belief
OF the administration here that a fair
election cannot be held and that Mex
leo Is far from pacified. Within tho
last two weeks the Washington gov
ernment has indirectly been in POSI-
tion to act as a medium of communi-
cation between the constitutionalists
and Huerta, looking toward the ar
rangement of an armistice, but the con-
stitutionalists have persistently MAIN
tanned that they would not treat while
Huerta was In power.
Others May withdraw Recognition.
Should no election be held October
26 there is we'll defined belief among
administration officials that foreign
governments. which already have rec
ognized the Huerta regime. may with
draw their recognition. Tho attitude
OF the British government has been
reported from time to time as having
recognized Huerta as the provisional
President pending an election.
Tho dissolution of the national Con-
gress WAS based upon tho alleged
usurpation by the deputies and sena-
tors of the prerogatives OF the chief
Continued onsSecond Pago.)