The Oskaloosa herald., 1913-02-20
MADERO REFUSES
TO RESIGN POST
Defies Senators, Who Ask to Quit
to Bring Peace.
WILSON IN MARROW ESCAPE
Bullet Pierces Window Of Embassy
just Missing Acknowledgement
can Slain, Another Wounded
as Shell Strikes Hotel.

City of Mexico, Feb. 17.-Henry
Lane Wilson, United States ambassa.
dor. had a narrow escape from death
when a bullet crashed through win
dow in the embassy building, missing
Mr.. Wilson by only few inches. Tw.
Americans were hit when a shell
struck Porter's hotel
r. NJ Meredith of Troy. O., local
agent for an American manufacturing
firm. was killed and Sidney Suther-
land, Salt Lake City, newspaper cor
respondent, was wounded.
The wife OF r. NJ Meredith was
Miss Jett Of Cynthiana, Ky. The cou-
pie were on their honeymoon.
II is estimated that in the fighting
since last Sunday 1900 persons have
lost their lives and 5000 have been
wounded.
Msdero Defies Senate.
While the federal guns pounded the
Diaz Notifications at the arsenal. and
the rebels sent back shell for shell
the senate is discussing the ousting Of
Francisco l. Madero from the presi-
dency.
Confident of ultimately defeating
Diaz Msdero defied the senate and
ignored the counsel of Francisco de Ia
Bsrra and other friends. He absolute
ly refused TO resign, but did not take
the trouble TO make known his deci-
sion personally to the senate
To the Spanish minister, Senior Coz.
ogan y Cologan, he said:
Il will not resign. was elected
by the people. am the constituted
president. ] will die before resign"
And amid all the confusions ana
alarms, the Mexican government has
applied the censorship to all dispatches
and cable messages. This will neces-
sarily vastly increase the difficulties
of informing the outside world OF the
operations within the Mexican capital,
and will effectually suppress incoming
dispatches regarding conditions in 9TH
er parts Of the republic
Fighting 10 Resumed.
With crowds of noncombatants in
the streets. trusting TO the official an
nouncement of 24-hour armistice. fir
ing was resumed shortly before noon
Sunday and heavy toll OF noncombat-
ants lives was again exacted by the
homicidal csnnonading.
In obedience to the demand of the
diplomatic corps MadeID agreed to
suspend hostilities for "a hours. He
did this as a conciliatory measure to-
ward the United States after receiv-
Ing Taft's promise of nonintervention.
DiaZ also agreed to cease firing. al
though he made it plain that he pre-
ferred to continue the battle until
definite result is arrived at General
Huerta, in command of the loyal
forces, refused TO remove his trooGs
from the outposts, and the proximity
Of the opposing forces made the ar
mistice impossible, such is the volatil-
fly of the Latin temperament. Insults
were hurled from one side to the 9th
er and the firing soon became general
The crowds of noncom batants. who
filled the streets, broke for cover DIS
soon as the discharges were heard.
but scores of them remained on the
pavement, struck by flying bullets.
The fighting ended at dark as SUD,
denly as ii began
Hands Off," Says Taft.
Washington. Feb 17-"Hands off
Mexico for the present vas the de
cision Of President Taft and the cahi.
net reached at a prolonged session.
Mr.. Taft and seven OF his advisers
gathered in the White House, after re
viewing the situation from every angle.
and particularly the proposal of an
armistice in Mexico City during which
noncombatants are to be removed
from danger and a neutral zone ere
sted for the American embassy, deter
mined to reafirm the nonintervention
attitude of the United States, mean
while keeping the army and navy
ready for instant action.
Reply to Msdero Unlikely.
II was practically determined that
no further communication would 90 to
President Madero at this time.
After the cabinet meeting broke
Secretary Hilles gave out the follow,
ing statement:
At a meeting Of the cabinet vari
GUS dispatches from Mexico were con
sidered and 1t was decided that the in.
formation so far received afforded no
basis for change in the policy OF the
government OF the United States, al.
ready indicated many times In the last
two years"
Governor Colquitt's request for
more troops to be sent to Laredo and
Brownsville has been referred by Pres.
ideht Taft 70 Secretary Stimson.
.- n.a,ra -