The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-21
MEXICAN CONGRESS
PLEDGES SUPPORT
To GENERAL HUERTA
Dictator Drives to Chamber Of
Deputies Entirely Surround
ed by Cavalcade of Armed
Men.
Reads Message and Receives
Reply Promising Aid Of Con-
gress---OShaughnessy Not
Present Under Orders from
Washington.

MEXICO CITY, Nov. 20-President
HUerta drove from the castle OF
Cha ultepec to the cham Der of depu-
ties today through lines Of cavalry and
infantry spread out over the route
OF three miles, and read his message
to the new congress, the dissolution
Of which. as illegal, was one of the
points insisted on by the United
States in the last communication
made TO Huerta by Special Envoy
Lind.
General Huerta rode in a coach sur
rounded by large escort of cavalry.
which almost hid the president from
view. Following him were coaches
containing his military aides and
Supreme court justices. The popu-.
lace was undem onstrative.
When the president entered the
chamber there was a dead silence until
the deputy from Jalisco shouted
Long live the man who has saved
our national dignity"
Brief Applause.
This was followed by brief applause.
The provisional president was escort
ed to the platform by General Blan-
quets staff, all the members of his
own staff being members of the con-
gress.
The forum had never seen so great
an exhibition Of arms, All the mem
bers OF the diplomatic corps now in
Mexico City were present. with the
exception of Nelson Shaughnessy,
the American charge d 'affaires, who
had received special instructions from
Washington not to attend. After
President Huerta had read his mes
sage, Senior Eduardo TamariZ the
newly elected speaker, replied in be-
half of the congress. He said:
- =! pEa-i44 asa8.. -- ---
The inauguration of congress In
these solemn moments is fraught with
tremendous interest on account of the
difficult and painful situation. through
which this country is passing.
The deputies and senators have
come together animated, l feel, by
the purest patriotism.
AS you. Mr. President, have Just
said, you have clearly demonstrated
that you have fulfilled your solemn
promise.
MIR. President, you have protected
and solemniy offered to place the
national dignity above every ambition,
and every mean interest. Along that
road we Will accompany you, and you
may ever count upon cur decided coll
lab0rati0n in the noble and supreme
enterprise OF maintaining undiminish-
ed the autonomy and national integrity
" lAttI Aoi nave sustained unIll now.
And count, too, upon US in every eff
fort you shall make To realize the
work of peace and unification of all
Mexicans"
Tsevics New Tax.
MEXICO CITY. Nov. 20.-In order
&c offset President Wilson's financial
starvation policy. also to enable the
government 10 meet the next pay day
and proven, mutiny among the federal
troops. President Huerta today, a few
hourse before the formal opening OF
the new congress. issuet q decree de-
claring a tax Of eight cents a kilogram
upon the production of cotton. This
will be heavy burden upon a people
already on he verge of national
bankruptcy. and it is not expected to
decrease President Huerta's troubles.
The decree, the government ex-
plains. is based upon military neces-
sity Thu excuse is that money Ia
reeded to iefray the expenses of ex-
tensive military operation necessary
TO transport cotton beyond the
reach of the rebels.
The tax IS 10 be paid by the grow
ers in thu form Of stamps placed on
bales delivered for shipment. The
only exemption Is cotton manuractur-
ed into cloth on plantations.
The immediate result OF the decree
will be tho collection of large sums in
the LagunG district, where the pro-
duction this year was very heavy. The
greater part of the federal army Ia
concentrated in the Laguna district
around Torreon, Saltlllo, and Mon
terey The collection of eight cents
kilogram on this cotton will insure the
loyalty of the army. even If it should
ALLEVIATE tSe big landed interests that
have stood behind Huerta,
The government has authorized tho
banks TO make an extraordinary issue
OF bills in denominations of / and
pesos to relieve the demands for silver
pesos ana subsidiary coins.