The Oskaloosa herald., 1913-12-25
HUERTA'S BIRTHDAY
T.. IS CELEBRATED
Capital of Mexico Honors the
Dictator.
TRY TO AVERT BANK CRISIS
Financiers Hold Conference and Dis
cuss Means of Raising Funds--
Rebels Blow Troop Train
and Kill $50 Federals.

Mexico City, Dec. 24.-With three
great banks on the brink of failure
and rebels menacing even the capital,
the Mexican government gave itself
up to fetes in celebration of the birth
day of Victoriano Huerta, the dictator
of the republic.
Early in the day a detachment of
troops took up their station at the Ma
tional palace, following announcement
that receptions would take place
there throughout the day. All men,
bers of the diplomatic corps, with the
exception of Nelson O'Shaughnessy,
the American charge d'affaires, are
expected to call on Huerta during the
afternoon.
Flnanciers Hold Conference.
While elaborate preparations were
being made for the birthday celebra-
ton, leading financiers we're holding
a conference at the Bank Of London
and Mexico to devise means of avert
ing the banking crisis and depositors
were besieging that institution as we'll
as the Central bank and the Banco
NacionaL The decree of the govern
ment declaring a legal holiday until
January 2, increased the financial ten
sion, rather than decreased it.
Until the time set the banks can
refuse to meet any obligations, and
as a result many business firms which
require cash daily will have to close
down.
Reports from Tampico indicate that
the rebels are awaiting further rein
forcements before making grand as.
sault on the city's center. They have
occupied positions that will prevent
the federal gunboats giving any aid
to the garrison when the attack is
ordered.
Says Public Is to Blame.
The sub-secretary of finance issued
a circular saying the public is wholly
responsible for the financial crisis
because 1t became unduly alarmed
over the decree making notes of the
Banco Nacional and Bank of London
and Mexico legal tender.
In the meantime Gen. Huerta is re-
ported to be furiously angry at the
bankers, declaring that they are try
ing to force him out by bringing on
financial chaos.
Troop Train Blown; $50 Dead.
Mexico City, Dec. 24.-One hundred
and fifty federal soldiers were killed
when a troop train conveying a pas
senger train en- route to Tampice was
m nv he OF
station, few miles east of San Luis
PotOsi. None of the passengers were
injured, but the rebels have ordered
the train to return to San Luis Potosl.
On Way to Tampico.
Vera Cruz, Dec. "a: The French
its way to Tampico. 1t left suddenly
last night for the north. The Amer
lean warships, Kansas and Connect
cut, which have returned from their
Mediterranean cruise, will go to Tap
leo to relieve the ships now there.
The Vera Cruz branch of the Bank of
London did not open it's doors today.
Spends Christmas With Family
Mexico City, Dec. "a: Gen. Huerta
today decided to leave the affairs of
his tottering government behind for a
few days and will spend Christmas
with his wife and family. Mexicans
are talking OF the bitter speach made
by Huerta at the banquet at the cas-
tie last night in which he attacked
the rich and prominent men for not
joining the army. Three hundred reb-
els have been killed, according to an
official report, in a battle between the
federal gun boat, Tampico, and an
armored train of the rebels near MAJ
atland. The gun boat drew close to
the shore and bombarded the armored
train! The cars were splintered and
the rebels slaughtered where they
sat