The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1913-08-22
HUERTA REJECTS DEMANDS
Declines to Accede to Four I'M
portant Proposals.
MAY END ALL RELATIONS.
In Addition to Refusal, Mexican
President Injects n Counter
claim For Recognition.

Mexico City, Aug. 20.-The pro-
posals Of the Washington govern
ment which Mexico rejected in toto
were:
First, complete cessation of hos
tilities; second, that President
Huerta resign in favor OF a president
ad interim; third, the fixing OF an
early date for the presidential cleo
tions; fourth, that General Huerta
should not be candidate FIR the
presidency.
An additional feature Of the
American proposal was the request
for a reply to the question as to
what, in the opinion of General
Huerta, the present conditions were
due and what is the remedy.
General Huerta's fiat refusal to ac-
cede to the four demands would ap-
pear to be sufficient reason to con-
slider the negotiations between the
two governments definitely conclud-
ed, but in replying to Washington s
pointed request for an explanation
regarding General Huerta himself
injected into the controversy what
might be regarded as a counterde-
mand, that of recognition.
In q general way President Huerta
places the blame for MeXico's civil
war upon the United States. He in
sists that had II not been for Presi-
dent Wilson's refusal to recognize
his administration he long ago would
have suppressed the rebellion, and
even now, he asserts, the United
States can directly enable him to re-
store order in a comparatively short
time. He asks of the United States
government only recognition and the
withdrawal OF the American battle
ships.
FREDERICK Gamboa, Mexican for
eign minister, and other officials of
the government continue to reassure
the public-utilizing the local press
for the purpose-that negotiations
have not been concluded, but on the
contrary, are progressing cordially
and satisfactorily. The foreign min
lister goes so far as to say that in his
opinion a wholly satisfactory ar
rangement will be reached within a
few days.
At the American embassy no one
is promising or denying resumption
of the negotiations. Mr.. Lind did
not appear optimistic on this score
today. The Mexican government is
not specific as to why 1t anticipates
an amicable arrangement.
Virtually all Mexicans regarded
dl IluCl td dbbiOh 90 pau lOIiSi
but many regarded 1t as far from
wise. Mr.. Lind and the Mexican
foreign minister had another long
conference today, but the nature of
the conversation has not been re-
vealed.
If the United States insists upon
the first OF its demands, that hostili-
ties cease forthwith, those familiar
with conditions in Mexico believe
further negotiations will be impos-
sible. There are scores of minor
leaders and thousands of their fol
lowers who would continue to fight
AS to the second demand, President
Huerta has repeatedly announced
that he would not resign and that he
regards 1t as a duty to direct from
the presidency the pacificatiop of the
country and those closest to him dc
not believe the representations OF
any power will cause him to quit
Office. The only condition upon
which he might be expected to re-
sign at all would be for the purpose
OF becoming a candidate for Presi.
dent, which Is prohibited in the
fourth demand. AS to the question
OF elections, these already have beer
called for October 26, and If con.
Quoted in accordance with Mexican
law, which provides for certain pre-.
liminary work, could not we'll be
held at any earlier date.