The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-10
Mexican Congress Declares the
Recent Balloting Void.
Confirms Dictator as Provi-
sional President Until July.
4 new ELECTION IS CALLED
Action Is Taken without De-
bate or Dissenting Vote.
Measure Also Provides for
Choosing New Congress.

OuOOS1uS NcW COuSTeSSe
Mexico City. Dec. 10.-The Mexican
congress has nullified the presidential
elections. New elections are called for
next July. Congress, according to this
action. expects General Huerta to re-
main in the presidency for at least
several months more and II the time
necessary for the selection and install
lation Of his successor is taken into
consideration. it will be toward the
end Of September next year before he
yields his power to another.
In voting that the recent presiden-
tial election was null, the deputies de-
cided to fix the first Sunday in July,
1914, as the date for the new election.
Iney also confirmed the position of
General Huerta as provisional presi-
dent until then.
The action of the deputies was ac-
companied by no debate. The COM
mittee's report was approved without
q dissenting vote as rapidly as the
articles could be read. 1t was not
until the last clause was read referring
to General Huerta, as provisiona
president, that the chamber gave evil
dence other than that of q well train
ed organization. When the reading
clerk stopped some one began ap-
RAe-oAAA6s anu tAcA instantly the QeDu.
ties were shouting vivas for Huerta.
The presiding officer was finally
able to remind them that enthusiasm
was very well. but 1t was necessary to
rattfy the enthusiasm by votes. The
measures taken also provide for the
eiection OF a new congress, since the
one elected to take the place Of that
dissolved by Huerta is to serve out
an unexpired term which should ter.
inmate on September 15.
The reason for nullifying the elec-
tions was the insufficiency Of the
number of votes cast. 1t was stated
the entire number of voting places in
the republfc is 1925 and that re-
turns were received from but 7O7.
Seat of War Shifts.
Juarez. Dec. 1O.-Events TODAY in
dicated that Otinaga, sometimes called
Presidio del Norte. the small Mexican
village on the border opposite Pre-
sidio. Texas. would probably be the
scene Of the next important move In
thet Mexican revolution. Rebel lead
ers were more than ever convinced
that O5inaga, where the federal troops
nave concentrated, cannot be ignored
Dy General Francisco Villa, the rebel
leader. Within the town are nearly
all the federal troops of the north.
Their retreat thither, avowedlv was
to obtain money and provisions be-
cause In the interior they had been on
the verge of famine and the troops
had been without pay. Reprovisioned
and provided with money the federals
would be in a position to renew host,l-
tiles.
Should he determine to attack the
federals in force. General Villa, now
at Chihuahua City. would have to
check temporarily his advance south
ward toward Torreon. The rebel
forces about Ojinaga are greatly IN
excess OF the number at first reported.
1t was said that the 5000 troops
which Villa sent south Of Juarez about
ten days ago have been detourcd east
Ward ana are now on the road to
Ojinaga.
Possible mutiny of the federals.
which was limited at by their calling
across the river to the American side
that they would desert II attacked. is
being relied on by the rebels.
Tampico Is Threatened.
Vera Cruz. Dec. 10.-An overwhelm-
ing force Of rebels threatens to attack
Tamptco at any moment, according to
from Clarence A. Miller, American
consul there.
A messenger from villareal, the
rebel commander, reached the Ameri-
can consulate in Tampico last night
with the information that T. 900 rebels
commanded by him and General Cas-
tro were approaching the city. The
rebel advance guard was at Laguna
Puerite, nine miles from Tampico
General Villareal declared his inten-
ton Of assaulting the city with the
least possible delay. He said he had
given his followers strict orders to re-
frain as Tar lis possible from destruc-
ton Of property and to protect the
lives Of foreigners, but he feared they
would be eravely imperilled in the
attack on the city and the consequent
fighting In the streets. For this rea-
son he earnestly requested the Amerf-
can authorities to take Immediate
steps to remove all foreign residents
from the place.
Rear Admiral Fletcher, commander
Of the United States 1eet, made prepa-
rations to take all foreigners on board
his vessels at q moments notice and to
To oviy Sxvj~ III