The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-21

Mexico City. December educational
ganiznfion among scores OF rebel bands
have reduced the provisional govern
ment to what appears to be n desper-
ate situation, but conservative resi-
10 see, I'm the recent military opera
tfOns and I'm the continuation of Pro-
ytsionaI President Huerta to secure
money, even though In driblets, evil
dence that the government msy not
fall for many months unless some un-
expected turn for the worse occurs.
| This was pay day for government em-
ployes, and in almost all departments
there was little delay in meeting the pay
rolls. That the government may not be
able to foat another loan 10 conceded by
Mexioans generally. but none has lost
sight OF the fact that the country is rich,
and that General Huerta, as last resort.
| would not hesitate to take money where
he can find it.
Drastic Measures Discussed
| Already a drastic measure has been dls-
cussed by the cabinet-that of the con-
| isca ton of the property of all individuals
| who are known to have arrayed them
selves against the Huerta government.
| The measure has not yet received the full
| approval of the ministers. bT' ii adopted
| 1t Will prove rich resource Collections
| that fall little short of doing forced loans
| have been made IN cities outside the CAP
| ital, and Provisional President Huerta'
new order for the establishment of a mill,
| tia at the expense of business men gem
1 n n
policy to draw directly from the country
! the revenue necessary for carrying on the
| war
| The failure of Gen. Pancho Villa to
march south from Chihuahua because OF
I the undesirablhty of leaving the toress
of Gen. Salvador Mercade ard Gesa. Pal
| cua Orozco In his rear. the failure of tho
rebels to take Tampico, the re-occupa-
tion OF Torreon by government soldiers,
and the presence at Monterey of 5000 fed
| eral troops are construed by military
men as indications that the swinging ad-
vance of the rebel army has been slowed
up and that from now on, as their CAM
| paign is carried farther into the heart of
the republic, their progress must be much
slower.
Tampico Easy Prey
Rebel sympathizers here insist that
Tampico will be easy prey for the rebels
on the next attack, but that after cap
turing 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 f1gnt
for the possession OF Monterey.
Military iien believe the rebels are un-
likely to commit the tactical error of
moving on San Luis Potosi and leaving
the largest mobilzed government force
| In their rear at Monterey. The same milf
tia authorities do not believe that a sue
cessful attack Monterey would be a
| simple task.
At the war office here II 10 not con-
! ceded that the rebels would be able to
| take Tampico, defended as 1t is by 1000 or
more federals In addition to the guns Of
| the Mexican warships Bravo and vere
| Cruz On the other hand, the rebels. 1t In
known. can bring to the attack at beast
| 5000 men and 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 al
most no ammunition left in the city Is offi-
| cially denied and the denial is credited
by most people, 1t being pointed out that
one of General Huerta's chief objects has
| been to look after the protection of his
| own seat of government.
The banking situation continues bad to
| day, state bank bills still being rejected
except in limited amounts at 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 sit
| uation has not yet succeeded In going be-
yond the point OF making suggestions
although it Is believed General Huerta In
| the end will issue a decree forcing the ac-
| ceptance OF the state bank notes, thus
| enlarging the volume of medium OF ex-
| change In the business world.
villa Makes Public Note
chihuahua. Mex, December 20.--Gen.
| Francisco villa today made public a
note which he delivered to United
States Consul Marion Letcher in ref
| erence to the reported detention In