The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-02-19
MAOERO REFUSES TO RESIGN.
DECLARES HE WILL DIE BEFORE
GIVING RESIGNATION.
Mexican President Declines to See
Committee from Senate, which Fa-
vors His AbdicatiOn - Unheedful
Even of De La Barra's Advice -
Still Appears Confident OF Victory
I'm Conflict with Diaz.

Mexico City, Feb. 15.-While the
Federal guns pounded the Diaz for
tifcations in the arsenal and the reb-
els sent back shell for shell, the Mex
lean Senate sat today and discussed
the outsing OF Francisco 1. Madero
from the Presidency.
Confident of ultimately defeating
Diaz. Madero defed the Senate and
ignored the counsel Of Francisco de
la Barra and other friends. He alb
solutely refused to resign, but did not
take the trouble to make known his
decision personally to the Senate.
The fighting in the streets today was
as savage as on any other day of
the weeks battle. The American
embassy again came directly within
the line Of fire and the American am
bassador, Henry Lane Wilson, had a
narrow escape from a rifle bullet
which whistled close to his head with
in the embassy. Shortly before 5
| o'clock the German legation was
struck by a shell.
| The situation in Mexico City apart
from its terrifying aspect is a re-
markable one. Friends Of President
Madero fully expected his resignation,
but as the day wore along he became
fixed in his determination to retain
his position. To the Spanish minister,
Senior Cologany Cologan. he said:
II will not resign. ! was elected by
the people. / am the constituted
President. 1 will die before resign"
And amid all the confusions and
alarms. at o'clock the Mexican Gov
ernment applied the censorship to all
dispatches and cable messages. This
will necessarily vastly increase the diff
ficulties Of informing the outside
world Of the operations within the
Mexican, Capital and will effectually
suppress incoming dispatches regard
irg conditions in other parts Of the
Republic.
During the night messengers went
about the city locating Senators and
asking them to attend a special session
; to discuss the situation and attempt
q solution of what is recognized by
almost all Mexicans as a critical point
in the nations career.
More than a quorum Of Senators
was present at the meeting. which
took place in the Chamber of Depu-
! ties instead OF the Senate chamber of
the National Palace. Discussion last
ed long time and great crowd
surrounded the building.
The scene was almost identical
with that when Congress met to con-
slider the advisability OF bringing
! about the resignation of Profirio Diaz
In one material respect II differed.
| There were no mounted police or SOL
| oiers drawn across the streets and it
was only after a considerable time
\ that detachment OF rurales, spared
from the fighting line, appeared and
| dispersed the curious. This required
little effort. Overawed already by in
cidents OF the week, the hundreds
moved quickly away from the build
ing. behind the closed doors of
which the Senators were frankly ad-
mitting the imminent danger OF in
tervention. IL the conflict in the Capt.
tai were continued.
a resolution was adopted providing
that n committee Of the whole wait
upon the President at the palace.
Twenty Senators proceeded there, in
Guiding the President of the Senate.
They were informd that Madero was
not in and IL was intimated that he
was on the firing line with Gen.
Huerta.
Only few minutes before, how
| ever, Madcro had been in conference
with the Spanish minister, to whom
ne made his declaration OF defiance
to the rebels.
Mexican attorneys says the Senate
has no power to force the President
TO resign. Joint action OF the houses
practically IS impossible. because
there are not enough Deputies In the
city to make a quorum. 1t Is also
considered questionable whether any
action Of the Scnat" would be valid
in view Of the proclamation Of martial
law