The Washington herald., 1913-09-05
President Wilson Assured
Gen. Huerta Will Not Be
Candidate to Succeed Self


self as President OF Mexico. This, It
was authoritatively disclosed yesterday,
is the basis for the optimism expressed
by the President and Secretary Bryan
in the face of what seemed a period OF
disbursement.
These assurances consist In the con-
struction which the administration it.
self puts on the second note Of Foreign
Minister Gamboa to John Lind and YER
bal exchanges between Gamboa and Mel
son O'Shaugnessy, Charge OF the Amer
ican Embassy. The tenor of the con-
versation between Gamboa and O'Shaugh-
messy, it is asserted, has strengthened
| this governments Interpretation of the
| Gamboa note to the effect that Huerta
will not be a candidate TO succeed him
self
Notwithstanding these favorable de-
velopments, the fact is that the Wash
ington administration has no nat promise
on Acord from Huerta that he will not
resign shortly before the October cleo
tion in order to shake of his present
ineligibility and become a candidate.
Good Faith Taken for Granted.
Oficials OF the Washington government.
however, have decided to take Huertas
good faith for granted and to hold him
as bound under the diplomatic exchanges
not to enter the election under any cir
cumstances. The President and his ad-
visers are confident that this course will
work out satisfactorily to this govern
ment's program, but other persons
familiar with the Mexican situation are
more skeptical.
When the Gamboa note was first re-
ceived, administration officials were en-
phatic in their statements that the argu-
ments advanced by Gamboa were not
sufficient and that more definite assur-
ances would be required against Huerta's
participation in the election. The admin
istration now, however, finds in the note
the strongest assurances on two OF the
chief points in the Presidents original
program. These are the withdrawal Of
the demand by Mexico for an exchange OF
Ambassadors. and therefore, II is argued,
the admission that the Huerta govern
ment has no rightful claim to recognition
from the United StateS and, second. the
statement that underN the constitution
Provisional President Huerta cannot be
a candidate in the elections set for Oc-
tober. The Wilson administration holds
that Minister Gsmboa's note automatical-
ly operates as a pledge that Huerta viii
not enter the race.
It was learned yesterday that Presi-
dent Wilson is confident that the cleo
tions will be held in Mexico next month.
as planned. This government intends to
scrutinize the character of the elections.
though no indication has been given as
to how the United States will determine
whether the elections have been carried
out in accordance with the provisions
of the Mexican constitution and the
spirit of fair play.
Think Mission a Success.
1t was very apparent yesterday that
the administration was inclined to view
the Mexican situation as 1t now stands.
as virtually the successful accomplish
ment of Linds mission.
There are few persons in Washington
familiar with the Mexican situation,
however, who were willing to take the
same view OF the outlook. Many felt
that the administration, having gone as
far as il could in Mexico, was desirous
Of putting the best face on the results.
II was argued that too much was being
taken for granted.
1t was pointed out that when the
four original demands made by Mr..
Lind on behalf of President Wilson are
compared with the utmost concessions
in the Gamboa note, the situation has
not been materially advanced. While
the impression is growing that Huerta
will not be candidate for the Presi-
dency, even IL elections are held as
scheduled, there is apparently no sub
stantial improvement in the really vital
features of the situation. from the
viewpoint OF the United States.
President Wilson's proposals were as
follows: An immediate cessation of
fighting throughout Mexico, and ar
rangement of a definite armistice: the
holding OF a free election at an early
date, in which all parties are to take
part; the pledge of Gen. Huerta not to
be a candidate; the agreement OF all
parties to abide by the result.
Drop Three Proposals.
Three of these have been dropped by
the United States. OF the fourth, it is
said that this government has verbal
assurance that Huerta will not be a
candidate for election to the Presidency.
That is out of four definite proposals
which made up the Presidents program
Tor the settlement of the situation, only
one has remained as a subject for dis
cussion, and the administration has
outside of the indirect statements in the
Gamboa note. only verbal assurances
that Huerta subscribes to its terms
Consequently, even Democratic Senators
who enjoy the Presidents confidence on
relations with Mexico are unable to see
that any material progress has been
made.
1t has been established here beyond a
shadow of a doubt that the Wilson ad-
ministration is extremely desirous OF
seeing in power in aIexico City some
body or something that it can recog-
nize.
In many' quarters here II is not ex-
pected that the elections in Mexico will |
be held next month, because of the pro-
vision in the constitution that elections |
shall take place only when the country |
Is at peace. Those familiar with Mexico |
say that there never has been in Mexico |
an election which would be called hon.
est by American standards, and that |
in the present conditions in Mexico, an
election would be purely a farce.
The constitutionalists have repeatedly |
announced that they would take no part |
in any election held while Huerta has |
control of the government machinery, |
by which elections in the past have al
ways. been swung in the direction de- 1
sired by those in power. Consequently, /
1t is predicted that the administration |
will have q difficult time of 1t in rec |
ognizing any government which may |
be elected next month, IL 1t adheres to
Its present announced intention of