Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1913-10-14
SUSPENDS THE CONSTITUTION
NoN-ARREsT PRIVILEGE OF CON-
cREssMEN DECLARED NOT
IN FORCE
SAYS HE WILL GIVE ACCOUNT
ANNOUNCES INTENTION OF PUT
TING THROUGH THE NATION
AL ELECTION

Washington, Oct. 14--Copies Of a
proclamation by Provisional President
Huerta announcing himself as dicta-
tor over Mexico were received at
the state department today and con-
sidered at the cabinet meeting at the
White House.
Huerta declared suspended that pro
vision of the constitution which grants
immunity from arrest to members of
the Mexican congress, and announced
that he will from time to time issue
executive DEGREES because Of the dis
solution Of congress.
Huerta's decree, dated October Il,
says in part:
In view of the fact that the cham
Der Of deputies and senators Of the
congress Of the union have been dis
solved and inhibited to perform their
functions, and in view Of the powers
which | hold in the department Of
gobernacion according to the decree
Of October II this year, have seen
fl to decree that Article 6, the consti-
tutional exemption from arrest and
judicial action, which the citizens
who for mthe twenty-sixth congress
Of the union enjoyed in view Of their
functions, is hereby repealed and con
sequently they are subject to the juris-
diction Of the tribunals corresponding
to the case in the event that they are
guilty Of any crime or offense."
In a decree under date Of October
10 Huerta declares that Until the
people elect new magistrates who
shall take over the legislative powers,
and in the belief that the government
should count on, all the necessary fa-
cilities to face the situation and to re-
establish the constitutional order Of
things in the shortest possible time,
as is it's purpose, since October rs
has been set as date for election Of
deputies and senators, Victoriano
Huerta, constitutional president ad
interim, has seen fit to decree these
articles:
article 1. The judicial power OF
the federation shall continue in its
functions within the limits set by the
constitution Of the republic and the
decee of the executive Of October 10
of this year and such others as shall
be issued by him.
Article 2. The executive power Of
the union conserves the powers CON
ferred on him by the constitution and
assumes furthermore the departments
OF gobernacion, finance and war only
for the time absolutely necessary for
the re-establishment of legislative
powers. In the meantime the execu-
tive takes on himself the powers
granted by the constitution in the
aforementioned departments and will
make use Of them BY issuing DEGREES
which shall be observed generally and
which be may deem expedient for the
public welfare.
Article 3. The executive Of the
union will render an accounting to
the legislative power Of the use which
he makes Of the powers which he as
sumed by means Of this decree. as
soon as this is in function"
The Mexican situation took up 50
much time at the cabinet meeting
that the naval program was not
reached for discussion, and it was
agreed that president Wilson would
! take the subject up with each mem
Der Individually
None OF the secretaries would com
ment on HueIta's decree assuming the
powers Of government, further than
to characterize it as very interest
ing"
The president and cabinet discuss
ed the Mexican situation and the
naval policy Of the United States to-