South Bend news-times., 1913-11-13
Was Given Until Midnight to
Inform Diplomatic Corps
That Congress Would Not be
Called to Convene.
LIND IS NOW ON HIS
WAY TO VERA CRUZ
All Kinds of RumorS Are AfIOat
and Many People Catch the
First Train in EagerneSS to
Leave Hostile Region.

MEXICO CITY, Nov. 13.-Gen. Vic
torianO Huerta tacitly refused We'd
nesday night to accede to the de-
mands Of the United States expressed
in an ultimatum sent to him by Pres.
Wilson's personal representative, John
Lind. Gen. Huerta was notified early
in the day that unless he returned an
answer by o'clock Wednesday even
ing, to the effect that he would pre-
vent the newly elected congress from
convening. and Furthermore, make
this action known 10 the members of
the diplomatic corps by midnight the
United StaIes would have no further
parleying with the Mexican govern
ment
Mr.. Lind waited until 6 O'Clock and
received no answer He then made
arrangements for his departure on
the train leaving for Vera Cruz at 8
o'clock. 1t was announced however,
that Gen. Huerta had one chance
more. that If he took the action de-
manded by midnight the fact that he
failed 10 reply TO Mr.. Lind within the
time specified Will be overlooked. Mr..
Lind could see no good reason TO sup
pose that Huerta intended to accede.
Delivers Message.
Nelson O'Shaugl1nessy, the charge.
was the messenger who delivered. the
ultimatum. He was unable to get into
personal touch with Gen. Huerta, but
left the message at the presidents
office.
IL was intimated Wednesday night
at the palace that Gen. Huerta had
not received the note in time 10 give
it full consideration. This. however
did not appear TO Mr.. Lind a valid ex-
Cuse for procrastination.
The prevention OF the convening of
congress has been one of the essen
tial points in the negotiations con-
Quoted by Mr.. Lind; this for two rea-
sons, first IL was believed that the
new congress would lose no time in
passing measures having to do with
the oil concessions; and second. be-
cause the cOnvening OF congress would
give an air OF legality 10 Huerta's
government.
Not since the recent revolutions be-
gan has the feeling in the Mexican
capital been SO tense as il was Wed
nesday. The most categorical denials
by the American charge. Nelson
O'Shaughnessy. and Pres. Wilson's 3
personal representative, John Lind, of
knowledge of any developments on
which this feeling could be based.
failed TO disabuse the minds of the
people generally Cf the belief that the
next "a hours would see some decisive
move on the part of the Washington
government
Many Reports Heard.
The reports spread until there was
scarcely foreign resident in the C ~
ital who had not heard that II q
American charge had been given or
was about 10 be given his passports.
A large part of the population conf
IDENTIFY expected to see the whole en-
bassy staff depart on the evening train
for Vera Cruz.
All sorts OF rumors were current.
Many persons who were contemplate
ing leaving the country in the near
future. made hurried preparations and
caught the night train TO Vera Cruz,
preferring 10 wait there until they
can procure steamer accommodations
10 remaining here
Mr.. Lind was said to have received
messages from Vera Cruz. urging him
10 return at once for fear the railroad
would be cut
The uneasiness was accentuated
through the receipt by several per
sons from relatives and friends in the
United States. urging their immediate
departure from Mexico