New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-20
Look with Indifference and
Cynical Contempt on the
Preparations for Next
Sundays Contest.
"WHAT'S THE USE?" ASKED
No Congress in Office to Count
the Ballots, as Required
by Law, and Huerta
May Assume Power
to Do So.
[By Gable to The Tribune. ]


Mexico City. oct. 10.-As the date
] for the elections-one week from to-
day-approaches, never have the apa-
/ thy and Mussulmanic fatalism of the
Mexican people in political matters
been more in evidence. The masses
view the preparations for the elections
not merely with Indifference but with
cynical contempt.
Nearly all posters bearing pictures
and programmes OF candidates have
either been torn down or defaced. This
is not because all the candidates are
lpersonally obnoxious to the people. but
because the great majority of Mexicans
view the whole proceedings with skep-
ticism. This is particularly the case
with regard TO the Congressional elec-
tions.
What's the use Of our electing Con-
gressmen II the first time they dis
please the government they are dis
solved and Imprisoned" is the way In
which one Mexican put the matter to
The Tribune correspondent
The political atmosphere Is heavily
charged, however. and II storm does
not break It will be because the masses
hold aloof from the electoral contest
There is considerable curiosity as TO
the case Of General Felix Diaz, but the
people look on as they would at
stage play, wondering what the de-
nouement will be-whether Diaz VIII
no allowed to land at Vera Cruz or
will be transferred to a warship and
put ashore at Tampico after the cleo
tons thus putting him out OF the race
There is no reason 10 expect that the
results OF the balloting Will be nnaIly
decided until weeks after the elections
The law provides that the ballots must
be counted and the result announced 10y
Congress. There is no Congress IN
Mexico. and there will be none until
new members are elected roincioeh'
with the Presidential election.
II therefore would seem to follow az
one OF the candidates has pointed out
that the members elect OF the Senate
and Chamber OF Deputies must be in
Quoted and these bodies organized be-
fore the ballot boxes can be opened.
Just who will pass on the election OF
Senators and Deputies does not appear
10 he clearly defined, but those con-
versant with political affairs believe
the judges Of the Supreme Court Will
be called upon to act, or that President
Buerta. having assumed unusual pow
ers. will do so himself.
a report current in the capital that
General Huerta and General banquet.
the War Minister. had been announced
az candidates in the State OF Chiapas
with their consent was denied to-day
on behalf OF General Huerta by Senior
Moheno.
Minister Moheno said tonight that
the government had not authorized
Emetrio De la Cara, jr., TO try TO
dissuade General Felix Diaz from re-
turning to Mexico as he is reported to
have done at Havana. Sehor De la
Cara was recently appointed Mexican
Consul at Paris, and Is on the way to
his post there. 1t is supposed that a
reprimand will be sent TO him.
Senior Moheno said that advices from
Mexican legations in Europe indicate
that all the European governments will
maintain the same attitude Of friendli
ness toward Mexico as heretofore.
The rebel chieftain Vargas. in the
State Of Coahuila, has offered to sur
render. with four hundred men. All
they ask is amnesty and transfer with
present rank to the Federal army. The
government has granted these condi
tions. and has instructed General Tel
lez 10 act accordingly. II is supposed
that the surrender has already been
effected.
Sefior Moheno confirmed the report
of the evacuation OF Torreon by the
rebels. and said the government ex-
Uected TO receive at any moment news
Of the reoccupation Of the city by the
Federals.
Sefior Moheno. the Foreign Minister.
again denied tonight that the Huerta
government had thought Of handing his
passports to Nelson O'Shaughnessy. the
American charge d'affaires. Sefior
Moheno paid tribute to Mr..
O'Shaughnessy and said that he was
performing his mission with tact and
was persona grata to the government
and in Mexico generally.
/ Government advices are that Pancho
Villa has evacuated Torreon with four
thousand men. leaving Calixto Con-
treras In command.
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