The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-10-31
RUNOR SPREADING
HUERTA To DECLARE
HIMSELF PRESIDENT
Broad Hints in Mexico City
Newspapers Cause Colony
to Prepare for Flight in Case
it's True.
viii Call American Bluff, Sag
People of City---W ashingto1
Awaits Next Move and N i'll
Not Act Until it is Taken.

Not Act Until it is AIKEN.
MEXICO CITY, Oct. 30.-Followins
broad hints in today pers, a
rumor that was general tonight caused
intense alarm in the American colony
here. and caused hurried p-eparations
tor departure that In some cases
amounted TO panic.
The rumor is to the effect that Gems
eral Huerta at once viii order a cam
vass of the ballots cast in Sunday,a
election, and forthwith will declarS
himself and Banquet duly chosen
president ana Vice-president.
The official canvass was not to be-
for ten days yet. but it is believed gem
orally that Huerta will wait no longers
In view of the attitude of Washington,
the federal government and the pe0-
pie generally make small pretense of
keeping secret the proposal to q tho
American bluff.
Although Huerta cannot get res
turns even from all the places whera
votes were cast. it is believed he can
make a showing sufficient to Indicate
that he had a majority in the recent
election. This would ciothe the dice
tatorship with a semblance of cons
sti%tutional authority.
WASHINGTON. Oct. 3o.--Tt til
Huerta's move in the Mexican situa-
ton. President Wilson does not fn-
tend to commit himself to any proce-
dure In Mexico until the Mexican gov
has shown what it intends
to do about the elections last Satur-
day.
In this stand the United States ii
in full accord with the European
governments, all Of whom are await
ing the result of Sundays voting and
--rU dFtdv or -rE presidents pTUTrTfEEa
information regarding the American
policy will be perfectly understood by
the powers, which have been requests
ed 10 defer action until the United
States is heard from,
II is explained that should the
president commit himself to any par
ticular policy at this juncture, Huerta
could dodge the issue by changing
his program So as to cause any shaft
directed at him from Washington to
fall wide of the mark. As it now
stands he will have to commit him
self to some line Of action regarding
the elections without knowing what
President Wilson intends to do.
VIM go III Alone.
That the United States government
will be found acting in Mexico en-
tirely independently or other nationH
was the authoritative statement made
here today. While there is nothing
which could be digniied by the term
of serious friction between the United
States and Europe In regard to Mexico
there Is not now any cooperation.
President Wilson is determined to re-
tain for the United states its tradt-
tionaf leadership and domination tn
the political affairs Of this hemi1s
phere. The United States government
is not consulting with he other
regarding Mexico but Is merely
keeping them informed. While hop
ing that the policy OF the UnitedN
States will commend itself to thu
other governments. the administrations
has no intention of asking their ada
! vice about 1T, or submitting its de-
cision to them for approval.
1t was intimated today that some
positive action as contrasted with HI
mere statement OF policy is likely tn
follow the definite disclosures OF
Huerta's plan about the elections. No
indications OF what would be hi
nature of such action was given In
administration circles, though h
thought Of an impressive military Or
naval demonstration suggested itself.
Thus far, however, the administration
has given no hint that 1T contemplateA
the use Of force as a mode of settling
the Mexican situation.
Intervention Probable.
Despite the noncommfttal attitude
of administration officials, the impress
sion is daily growing stronger that the
Mexican situation canno be cons
trolled by the United States without
! either the actual use of force, or thA
threat of it.
should Huerta declare that there haa
been no president elected, and email
in power. there is no question that q
hostility OF the United States toward
him will be increased, and efforts made
to eliminate him. His removal cannot
/ be accomplished in such an event. II n
/ declared. without resort TO force. Theirs
is no doubt but any use Huerta may
make OF Sundays elections will be un-
satisfactory to President Wilson. Of
fcials familiar with. Latin-Americam
elections see no practicable method hy
! W hich the United States can satisfy IL
self as to the character of an election
in Mexico. except by tbs use of thou
sands Of soldiers at the polls Betwe4n
the announcement of such a plan aud
it's execution, army offers see tho vAatN
task Of restoring order th~roughone@
/ Mexieo. 1t was learned today that thA#
4 administration has not yet undertAk01ts
negotiations with representatives O&8
the constftutionalists, me ~revoluttonS8
lists, however, are no more inclined tMa
cease hostilities, or treat with shAs
federal government. han they w4E&8
last summer. when Mr.. Lind submltt4l#
the presidents proposals to Huertas m
Protection Tor French. xses
Steps were taken today toward meNNSNSxS
ing the request OF the French miniak1MN8
at Mexico City fer protection to Frene~
citizens reported In danger at SnMs
~Ignacio, in Lower California Rear A4S@
niral Cowles commanding the Auf&N&&
ticaa squadron on the west coast MkE
Mexico, was instructed by the MMNE
department to send a ship from Gu41&z
mas to santa Rosalia. the port nearN11
san Idnario for the purpose Ut
such steps as may he necessary M n
practicable under the etrcumstMNe
for the protection of the Fr snc1ksA3 e