The Washington times., 1913-02-21
INSIDE STORY Of
I MADERO CAPTURE
Minister, With 0usted Ruler
When He Was Taken By
Foes, Tells of Event.

MEAlCO CITY, Via Galveston, Feb
A.-What happened in the national pal
ace when Francisco Madero was taker
prisoner was told by one of the deposet
ministers, who was present with othel
members of the cabinet at the time.
1t is entirely certain, to begin at The
start" said this minister, that Presi
dent Madero had no more than a vague
suspicion of trouble impending. Some
things had happened on Monday night
thet he could not understand. The
1ghting on Monday resulted very ia.
Sorabiy for the government, so much
% that that night everything apparent.
ly was In readiness for a final and de-
ctstve assault on the citadel.
THE President was uneasy and anX-
ious. He sent for Huerra once or twice
on Monday night and urged him to
take advantage of the gains and ad-
: vance his men. Huerra replied that he
was then engaged IN making plans,
which would result satisfactorily.
The President talked to Huerta sew
eral times on Tuesday and questioned
him as to the cause OF the delay. FL
nally Huerta said that the matter must
be left to him, inasmucn as the Presi-
dent had placed him in command, and
that he was responsible.
Went To Madero.
mot long after / O'Clock President
Madero was in the cabinet room with
the ministers when two officers entered.
They saiuted, and informed him they
had been ordered by Huerta to tell him
that everything was ready for the con-
tinuation of the siege, but that Gl-
though the soldiers were brave and
ready TO fight, they had been dispiritcd
by persistent reports that Madero had
he a
soldiers could see no reason for fight
ing further.
President-by Huerta's desire, he said
that the President make a tour of
the lines and show himself to the troops
to convince them that he had not fed.
What nonsense!' exclaimed the
President. They know very well 1 am
here and shall not run away
while he was speaking Madero
glanced through the door and saw In
the anteroom soldiers posted SO as to
command the full length of the cabi-
net room.
he demanded, and he was told that 1t
was thought necessary to have a body
guard for him.
He Suspected Something.
"T need no bodyguard.' replied the
President Bring General Huerta to
me. Something is wrong here
"'Senor President. said one of the
officers, by order, Of General Huerta
you are under arrest
Much confusion followed, although
the President did, not move, except to
turn his head and look through an.
other door, where he saw more SOL
dierB
"The ministers. much agitated,
IN a
room
THE President had two or three
aids. These Immediately fired their
revolvers. Instantly the soldiers, as
II they had received previous orders,
nred a voiiey directly into the csoinet
room.
1T was Marcus Hernandez, brother
of the minister of Fomento, who
threw himself between the President
and the bullets He was wounded,
and not long afterward he died, 1
think.
President Madero acted instantane-
ously. There is a small anteroom be-
tween the cabinet room and the Presi-
dents private elevator. 1t was his
perhaps. to get out of the
palace among the loyal soldiers, and
before he could be stopped he leaped
into the elevator The car operator
was brave, and without hesitation
lowered the car.
Halted By Banquet.
To get from the foot of the elevator
into the corridor of the palace b.
which the Presidential suite is ap-
preached one has to pass through an
other small room. There the President
met General Blanquet, who informed
him he could not pass.
Are you against me, too, Blan-
luet?' asked the President
I regret to say, Senior President.
that / am acting under the orders of
my superior officer replied Blanquet.
You are under arrest You must re-
turn to your apartment with me-
with Banquet the President as
,ended in the elevator. He said moth
ng.
1T was not long before General
Huerta arrived at the palace. He, too,
Ealuted the President respectfully, say
ng to him that the condition of the
made II necessary for him to
abandon his office. but that his life
vas safe.
"I ask you to resign said Huerta
II shall not resign. You may depend
lpon that was the Presidents reply.
I must yield myself to you because
rou are in a position to compel me tc,
,ut, no matter What happens, you shall
lot have my resignation
That was all. II was not more than
en- minutes from the beginning to the
nd. and soon the ministers, paroled.
eft the Face"