The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1914-07-23
HUERTAS RULE
HAS BEEN ONE
OF bLOODSHEO
Killing of Madero Marked Begin
ming of Despotism.
MADE VAIN BOAST TO TAFT
Dictator Declared He Would Restore
Peace at Once, but Refusal of
United States to Recognize
Him Assured His Downfall.

Nictoriano Huerta look oath as pro-
visional president of Mexico February
10. 1913, the day after President Fran
cisco /. Madero, Jr., had been ar
rested at the national palace.
Three days later Madero and Jose
Maria Pine Suarez, vice-president,
were shot to death while on a mid
night ride under guard from the pal
ace to the penitentiary. The precise
manner of their death has never been
explained.
One of Huerta's first acts as provi-
sional president was to telegraph Will
am II. Taft, then president of the
United States, the following message:
Il have the honor to inform you
that l have overthrow the govern
ment. The forces are with me, and
from now on peace and prosperity will
reign"
PROVokES CIVIL WAR.
The Mexican republic, however, was
at once plunged into civil war again,
Notwithstanding the issuance by
Huerta Of a proclamation Of general
amnesty. The Sonora state congress
officially repudiated the provisional
government before Huerta settled
himself comfortably in the presidential
chair.
Zapata, revolutionary leader to the
south of the capital, after negotiating
a few days with the new regime, went
back to his guerrilla campaign.
Salazar, n of the highest generals
in the army, denounced Huerta.
Carranza, constitutionalist leader in
Chihuahua, assailed Huerta in a bitter
statement made public at San Anto-
Mo.
Francisco Villa announced himself
an adherent of Madero and joined the
northern army.
Pasqual Orozco of the clan Of the
northern revolutionists was the lone
notable figure among the disaffected
who declared for the new government.
TAFT LEAVES PROBLEM.
President Taft, nearing the end Of
mis- term, left to his successor the
problem of adjusting diplomatic rela-
ions with Mexico. To Woodrow Will
JUL oShI lSliIlNGNlSbo Si hhC
lay of the American presidents in
auguration.
Hampered at the outset of his ad.
ministration by the refusal of the
United States to recognize him, Huer-
ia soon faced growing difficulties in
raising funds to run his government.
His uneasy hold on affairs was weak
o,od 49, ,,i,nr onrtitntinnalic Vic.
tories in the north and by recurring
rumors of a break with Felix Diaz,
nephew Of Porfirio Diaz and Huerta's
ally in the overthrow of Madero.
HUERTA CALLS ELECTION.
May / Huerta announced that he
would urge congress to call elections
in October to choose his successor.
The congress selected October 26 as
the date of the election, and a decree
to hat effect was issued by Huerta
June 3.
Feliz Diaz, who had announced him.
self as a candidate for the presidency,
was sent to Japan July II.
Henry Lane Wilson, American am
bassador, was recalled to Washington,
and Nelson O'Shaughnessy, charge
d'affaires, was left in charge Of Amer
lean interests in Mexico.
REJECTS PEACE EFFORT.
Early in August it became known
that President Wilson intended to
send John Lind, former governor of
Minnesota, to Mexico as his personal
representative in an endeavor to ar
range a basis for the republics peace.
Huerta announced that he would not
tolerate foreign interference.
Nevertheless Mr.. Lind delivered his
note from President Wilson.
Huerta rejected all proposals made
by the American government, chief
OF which were the suggestions that
he resign and not be a candidate cleo
ton day.
Relations between Mexico and the
United States became acute. President
Wilson proclaimed his policy in an ad-
dress before congress to which was
attached the correspondence between
Mr.. Lind and the Huerta administra-
ton.
HUERTA ARRESTS DEPUTIES.
Huerta was attacked in the Mexican
senate October s by Senator Domin-
guez, who had the hardihood to speak
what was in the minds of himself and
some of his colleagues. Dominguez
disappeared.
The chamber of deputies adopted a
resolution calling for an investigation.
To this Huerta's reply was dramatic
and swift. He marched a column OF
troops to the deputies chamber,
seized no of them and threw them
1ntc prison.
Through Mr.. o'Shaughnessy the
United States made representations
against violence to the imprisoned
deputies
In the election campaign certain In
fuence close to the dictator worked
for his return to the presidency, with
General Banquet as his running mate.