The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1913-02-20
MADERO'S FALL May
HURRY INTERVENTION
Disgust Felt in Washington at
Gen. Huerta's Betrayal
Of His Chief.
VIGILANCE NOT RELAXED
General Belief Is That Mexico
Will Continue to Be Scene
Of Many RevOlts.
VIGILANCE NOT RELAXED

WAsIIINGrN. Feb. 19.--The detailed ac-
counts OF the overthrow of former
! President Madero of Mexico and the
circumstances by which his downfall
was accomplished together with SUBJ
sequent events in the Mexican capital
! to-day served to increase the pessi-
mism felt in Washington last night when
1t was learned that Gen. Huerta had
been proclaimed provisional President.
Many in Washington who have
hitherto expressed trust and confidence
in Mexico and her people to-day main
| tained that the series of betrayals and
of Madero would indict the Mexican
people before the world. Many who
have hitherto been opposed to interven-
ton in Mexico predicted that the events
city would ultimately prove to have
done more to bring intervention nearer
than anything else that has occurred.
In official quarters. where the Latin
sAiieIl AsNiN- ui' "''
known and understood. similar views
were expressed. but without any sur
prise The general conclusion was that
Mexico has reverted to the state from
he came into control OF the Government
more than a generation ago. No one
could be found who had any real belief
that the arrangement entered into at
Mexico city will prove lasting or satis-
factory. AZ one man who has most
intimate knowledge OF Mexican affairs
said:
"A Government founded upon such
tres cherry as that displayed in Mexico
city cannot last. no matter in what part
OF the world it may be-"
At the State Department Of course
the officials were unwilling 10 voice such
views. They contented themselves with
expressing the earnest hope that the
provisional Government might prove
successful in exercising full control over
the capital and the country and In re-
storing order and providing adequate
protection for American life and prop
erty. 1t Is known. however. that the
Administration regards the outcome OF
the Diaz revolt as far from presenting
fair prospect OF better things in Mex
leo. Even in ofYicial circles. however,
the disgust felt at the boastful mes
sage received from Gen. Huerta was III
concealed. Gen. Huerta's message,
which was addressed to President Taft,
follows:
"I have the honor TO inform you that
baee overthrown this Government. The
forces are with me and from now on peace
and prosperity will reign.
Your obedient servant.
"vICroRIANo HUERTA.
"Commander-in-Chief.'
II is putting it mildly to say that
President Taft and his advisers are
most sceptical OF Gen. Huerta's assur-
ances that peace and prosperity will
reign, Even TO those familiar with
the ways Of the Latin American revolu-
tions Gen. Huerta's message seemed
most distasteful in view OF the fact
that to the Anglo Saxon mind his ac-
ton appears TO have been simply that
Of betraying his chief.
The fac. that Gen. Huerta had ar
rested Gustavo Madero, the la.e Presi-
dents brother. while the latter was his
host at luncheon added 10 the prejudice
against his conduct.
The execution Of Gustavo Madero un-
der barbarous circumstances to-day
was taken here to indicate that fur
ther bloodshed IL likely to follow in
Mexico city. Il is feared that those
who come into power by a purely mill
tary and mercenary stroke will take ad-
vantage OF their opportunity to revenge
themselves upon their enemies. A series
OF summary executions. such as have
often followed revolutions in some Of
the Central and South American rcpub-
lies. apparently is about to begin.
This afternoon dispatches also
limited at a possible rupture between
Gen. Diaz and Gen. Huerta. even though
their agreement IL hardly twenty-fonr
hours old. SO far as Is yet known no pro-
vision has been made for Gen. Felix Diaz,
and though he has repeatedly declared
that he was not seeking office II is not
believed that he will be content to re-
main unheard in the new government.
W lille IL is expected that the mill
tary group now in control in Mexico
city will succeed in restoring order in
the capital and vicinity, grave doubt
is expressed az to the verdict which
ledueTS LIE TCSt vi MehNO Will phSS
upon their action. In several districts
OF Mexico there are now leaders who
exercise supreme control. Whether
these will submit to the provisional Gov
ernment and lay aside their own as
pirations for power is a matter OF doubt
here.
Popular dissatisfaction with a mill
tary dictatorship in Mexico city is also
considered likely to prove a disturbing
element in the new situation now con-
fronting Mexico. In the south, the
rebel leader Zapata has been receiving
large sums OF money from the former
President, Madero. and II is not expected
he will lay down his arms and disband
his force OF at least 5000 men until
he has been in some way bought off,
or otherwise eliminated from the sltua-
ton.
In view OF these disturbing elements
in the situation in Mexico the United
States is not relaxing its vigilance nor
resembling any of the orders for the
movements of marines or the prepara-
tion OF the army for going into Mexico