Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-14
State Department informed
He Has Assumed Absolute
Control in Mexico.
SITUATION is CONSIDERED
AT MEETING OF CABINET
Affairs in Strife-R Ridden Country 0c-
cupy Attention Of the Presi-
dents Advisers.


Copies of proclamation by Provisiona
President Huerta announcing himself a,
dictator over Mexico were received at tn.
State Department today and considered
at the cabinet meeting at the White
House.
Huerta declared suspended that provi-
sion of the constitution which grants inn
munfty from arrest to members of the
Mexican congress- and announces that he
will from time to time issue executive de-
crees because of the dissolution of con-
gress.
Huerta's decree, dated October II, saws
in part:
In view of the fact that the chamber
OF deputies and senators of the congress
OF the union have been dissolved and in.
habilitated to perform their functions
and In view of the powers which / hold
in the department Of gobernacion, &C.
cording to the decree of October II, this
year, L have seen fit to decree that article
| L. the constitutional exemption from ar
rest and judicial action, which the. citi-
zens which form the twenty-sixth Con.
gress of the union enjoyed m view OF
their functions. is hereby repealed, and
consequently they are subject to the iuris.
diction Of the tribunals corresponding ia
the case in the event that they are guilty
Of any crime or offense.
Proclaims Himself Dictator.
In decree under date of October 10
Huerta declares that until the people
elect new magistrates who shall take
over the legislative powers, and in the
belief that the government should
count on all the necessary faculties
to face the situation and to, -estab-
lish the constitutional order of things
in the shortest possible time. as is its
purpose since October rs has been set
as date for election of deputies and
senator's. tictoriano Huerta, constitu-
tional president ad interim. has seen
fit to decree these articles of decree.
Article l. The judicial power of the
federation shall continue in its functions
within the limits set by the constitution
OF the republic, and the decree of the ex-
ecutive of October 10, CT this month, and
such others as shall be issued by him.
Article .. The executive power of the
union conServes the powers conferred
upon him by the constitution. and as
sumes, Furthermore, the departments of
gobernacion, finance and war only for the
time absolutely necessary for the re-
establishment of legislative power =
I'm the meantime the executive takes
upon himself the powers granted by the
Constitution in the aforementioned de-
partments and will make use of them by
issuing DEGREES whichs shall be observed
generally and which he may deem ex-
pedient for the public welfare.
Article 3. The executive of the Union
will render an account to the legislative
power of the use which he makes of the
powers which he assumed by means Of
THIS decree as soon as this is in function"
o.s.aMex4cSd (Anairs. Considered. 7
: Mexican affairs furnished the principal
topic of conference today at the cabinet
meeting. the first regular meeting Of that
body since last June. 1t was stated, fol-
lowing the meeting. that the Secretary of
State would probably give. out state
ment on the subject this afternoon.
The President went into the affairs OF
Mexico in detail with his advisers. and
consideration was. given to the recent
action of Huerta in imprisoning ITO men,
bers of the Mexican congress- a step
which has led to the belief In admins
trative circles here that no actual and le-
gal elections in Mexico can De brought
about. What change, If any. there Is
to be in the, policy of the United States
toward Mexico in consequence of this
belief was not indicated following the
cabinet meeting, beyond the intimation
that Secretary Bryan might have some-
in the day.
While the first object Of the cabinet
meeting had been to take up three
battleship building program to put the
United States back in the place 1t &C.
cupied among naval powers before the
last Congress cut the plans to one ship.
the dispatch of German warship to
Mexican waters and the possibility Of
like action by other European powers
which may foresee a crisis for the
I4A a.- 81
tention.
The battleships Rhode Island, Me-
braska, New Jersey and Virginia Of the
third division OF the Atlantic fleet, which
will leave Hampton roads October % for
Mexican waters will be commanded by
Rear Admiral Cnfford J. Boush en- route.
Upon their arrival in the Gulf Of Mexico
they will be turned over to Rear Admiral
Fletcher.
Admiral Fletcher will retain command
of the squadron patrolling the Mexican
gulf ports. Admiral Boush will bring
back the returning vessels of the second
division, the Louisiana, South Carolina.
New Hampshire and Michigan He then
will be assigned to command the fourth
division of the Atlantic feet.
Reports Stir Mexico.
Reports that foreign nations are pre-
pairing to send warships to Mexican
waters have been received in Mexico
City and caused great excitement there.
according to word received here today
from private sources. 1t is thought
probable that this feeling is being
stirred up purposely by Gen. Huerta
to arouse the patriotism of the Mexi-
cans
Constitutionalists are preparing to carry
on their campaign against Huerta more
vigorously than ever with the idea OF
causing his early downfall according to
reports received from the front today
The constitutionalist representatives here
said that the news Of the fall of Torreon
and other recent rebel victories has not
been published in Mexico City yet, but
that the news is being spread In other
ways, and that the feeling against Huerta
is rapidly growing.
To show that they can and will protect
foreign interests in the territory control
led by them. the constitutionalists have
just begun to issue safe conducts to rep
resentatives of commercial companies
through their lines. giving them guaran-
tees that they may resume business
with perfect safety
Finding that he can spare a part OF his
- r.