The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-02-15

MEXICO CITY, Feb. 14.-President
Madero resigned-at 7:i5 o'clock to-
night. The resignation of the minis
ter of the interior, Rafael Hernandez,
Immediately followed.
Francisco de La BaTra, the peace
maker of the republic. IL to be created
provisional president with the con-
sent of General Diaz. Senior de La
Barra was the head of the temporary
government after the Punishment of
Porfirio Diaz.
The news of the designations of Ma
dero and Hernandez was given out, at
the British legation shortly after 7
o clock. De La Barra had taken refuge
at the legation on Thursday after Ma
dero angrily spurned his offer to
mediate.
1t Is taken as fact that the British
minister. Francis w. Stronge. used his
influence to end the civil war. The
envoy of Great Britain had spoken his
mind plainly to Madero and to Les
curatn, the foreign minister. on sew
eral occasions 1t is said tonight that
the British minister used the strongest
possible arguments to induce Madero
to retire from an impossible position.
and that the legation insisted on de La
Barra as provisional president.
Entire Country Goes Over.
Despite the optimistic attitude of the
government up to nightfall. 1t had be-
tota% Sti vain tIIdt &hdOStO HOuku nt
obliged to retire. Verified reports
from Pueblo, the second city of
Mexico. from the north and from
many large towns, made ii certain that
the entire country was going over to
the revolution.
Persons arriving here tonight from
Pueblo reported that Colonel Luis @.
Pradiilo. one OF the ablest and most
influential officers OF the federal army.
declared for DiaZ on Thursday and
took possession of the city without
shot being fired. Pradilio's eight hum
dred soldiers and the populace eheered
Diaz's name.
Throughout the state of Pueblo
there was a peaceable revolt, the gar
risons seconding Colonel Pradfllo's
action enthusiastically. The populace
acclaimed Colonel Pradilio, and select
ed him as military governor.
Pradiflo, with four thousand troops.
made up the commands of General
Francisco Pradilio, his brother; Of
Carlos Martinez and of Gaudemin de
La Lave, is maintaining perfect order.
Desert to Diaz.
In the provinces Madero's cause was
lost after the second or third day of
his repulses by DiaZ. Federal COM
manders who had started to reinforce
the government troops here. halted to
await developments. Such comuan-
ders as threw in their lot with Ma
dero, and came to the capital, were
unable to make their troops fight
against Diaz. These reinforceme nts
were lmpotent. Hundreds deserted to
Diaz's standard. Hundreds more re-
fused to fight.
Much OF the truth was disclosed to-
night after the presidents resignation.
The backbone of the government was
General Huerta and two thousand OF
his troops. These have been decimated
by the terrible accuracy of Diaz's artfi-
lerymen, and machine guns. The
where they realized that they had
nothing to expect but death.
Madero's most loyal generals
Huerta and Angeles, particularly, had
been advising compromise, but had
been silenced by the implacable hatred
of Madero for the man whose life he
had spared, Felix dag. It was only
when the British minister supported
by other diplomats, demanded peace.
that the generals were able to con-
vince the president that his cause was
lost.
Loss Is Enormous.
Peace, although ii may be tenn
porary only, has come in time per-
haps to save the capital from the hor-
rors of famine and pestilence. Condi-
tons this afternoon We're appalling.
The main part Of the capital is IN
ruins, and 100000 coo will hardly
cover the damage tn property. At
lease 1900 soldiers and citizens have
been killed and the wounded number
twice ais many.
Before terms were reached tonight.
Dias, n victor all along the line, was
undoubtedly preparing for an advance
on the national palace. which he has
shelled terrificaliy for three days.