New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-11-03
MEXICAN SITUATION
CLOSE TO A CRISIS
Present Week Expected to
Bring On Decisive Action
by President Wilson.
HUERTA TO TAKE HIS STAND
Washington Believes His Course
Will Give European Nations
Excuse Not to Recognize
His Successor.


Washington. Nov. while crises in
the Mexican situation have been follow
ing one another with monotonous regu-
larity for half year. with no parucu-
larly definite result other than further
complicating the situation. II Is believed
that the present week will bring on
phase of the imbroglio which will be de-
cisive 1t seems. in reality. that another
week of delay will create situation
which will demand action by the admin
istration.
President Wilson, IL appears, is waiting
for definite information as TO General
Huerta's course, and all things point
toward Huerta taking some stand THIS
week. There is no thought in Washing
ton that Huerta will do anything except
stay in control of affairs in Mexico CITY,
possibly as President or dictator. but
more likely az chief of the armed forces
of Mexico He could pursue the latter
course and still keep his pledge not TO
continue as President AS commander-in-
chief he would be powerful, and would
be an undesirable element in the MeX-
can government, which President Wilson
probably would not tolerate.
Reports from Mexico City that the cleo
tons were fraudulent and were engi-
neered and controlled by Huerta do not
surprise the administration. In fact. Of
ficials are saying Il told you So with
considerable frequency Huerta's cour-
age. however. i'm holding such farcical
election within less than week after
his promise to the diplomatic body III
Mexico City concerning his non-candidacy
Is cause for surprise, In view of Huerta'
general intelligence and his ability 10
play his game. Primarily. his course will
give any nation that has already recog-
nized him an opportunity to refuse to
recognize his successor. IL IL considered
not unlikely that some nations Of Europe
which have recognized Huerta would be
glad TO avail themselves Of this oppor-
tunty as an act OF friendship 10 the
United States and To strengthen Presi-
dent Wilson's hand.
The Constitutionalists here say that the
week will bring important developments
in military matters, too. They lay claim
10 great successes and say that still
greater victories will soon be achieved.
one of the phases Of the situation
which is a subject of much comment in
official circles is the absence OF official
denial Of the many stories being pub
lshed forecasting Intervention Of some
kind. Officials who were asked tonight
IL they would authorize a denial that the
United States might use drastic meas
ures in case Huerta refused 10 yield said
they did not care to say anything at all
under the present circumstances.
Secretary Daniels OF the Navy Depart
ment when asked concerning the four
American ships on the east coast Of Mex
leo foy whose relief four other ships are
on the way from Hampton Roads, de-
clared that, while transfer ultimately was
intended, the ships at Vera Cruz had
been notified not 10 leave until ordered.
He declared that the Navy Department
had not yet decided when il would order
the ships TO return, but that for the pres
ent seven American warships would be
kept I'm and around Vera Cruz.
Though IL had been generally supposed
the Mexican Huerta government had
made objection to the presence OF the
American vessels beyond october 26, the
date on which Official permission for
them to stay expired, no intimation has
been conveyed at any time to the United
States through official channels that the
presence OF the ships would be unwel-