New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-04

Euerta has been "crumbling' and tot
tering' for a great many months, SO
confident IL the administration that
even the skeptics are inclined to be-
lieve that at last he really is.
The retirement OF Hucrta will sim
plify matters greatly. II will mean the
necessity OF readjustment and re-
arrangement, but the greatest obstacle
OF all TO a reasonably speedy adjust
ment will have been removed. IL HUI
erta goes IL will be necessary to select
some one in his place. II is probable
that the 4 r c mediators Will offer
their good offices for this purpose. 1t
is said here tonight that Felix Diaz,
nephew Of Porfirio Diaz and leader OF
the revolt which resulted In the over
throw and death of Madero. is being
groomed for the place Of Provisional
President OF Mexico.
An unexplained truce has been ar
ranged between the Federals and rebels
at Tampico. according TO dispatch
from Rear Admiral Badger. who
learned this from Rear Admiral Mayo,
at Tampico. Why hostilities should
suddenly have ceased at tho most inn
portant point of contact Of the two
warning factions is something WASH
ington does not yet know.
No Arnnistice Existing.
General CarranSa, leader OF the con-
stitutionalists, has not entered into the
armistice which the mediators pro-
posed and TO which Huerta subscribed
While the mediators decline to dis
cuss the refusal Of Carranza to agree
10 ON armistice or 10 suspend hostih-
ties. il is evident that they are not
greatly surprised nor discouraged. An
srmistice between Huerta and the
United States they regarded as almost
essential TO the success OF their enorls'
but such a suspension of hostihues
between Carranza and Huerta, whiie
highly desirable. is more humane
than a diplomatic desideratum.
Continued hostilities between the
United States and Mexico were likely
at any moment TO be productive OF an
outburst of resentment which would
nullify every effort TO avert war.
The truce which has been reached at
Tampico is regarded as highly I'M
portant. 1t probably will result In
saving the vast foreign oil interests
located there. In the light Of Car
ranza's refusal to enter into general
armistice It is assumed that the mill
tary experts at Vera Cruz were right IN
their views that the Constituencies
had little prospect Of taking Tamplco
because of the presence of the tederal
gunboats. It is suggested, Also tnat
possibly Carranza realized that con-
tinued fighting at Tampico would
probably result in the destruction OF
the vast oil property, and that in view
Of his military successes elsewhere he
did not wish to run the risk OF destroy
ing what may prove a valuable asse'
once he acquires control in Mexico. IL
is thought, too. that he does not care
by such destruction TO augment the
already immense foreign claim, which,
if he should become President. he
would have TO meet.
The mediators have not been deferred
IN their work by reports Of the proba-
bic withdrawal Of Huerta. Instead
they are going forward with their
plans for the proposed peace confer
ence When and where this conference
will be held has not been fully deter
mined. 1t is stated on good authority.
however. that the meeting probably
will not be in Washington, but in Can
ada. Secretary Bryan will not repre-
sent the United States, according TO the
best information at hand, and neither
will John Lind. 1t is learned to-day
that. in addition to that of Richard
Olney, the President has before him
the names Of John Bassett Moore and
Henry White.
viii Send Peace Envoy.
While Carranza will not enter into
the armistice he will send a delegate to
the proposed peace conference. This
the mediators ascertained before they
announced that he had been invited TO
send a delegate. They also sounded
Uuerta, and found that he, too, would
be willing TO send some one to present
his views if he were formally asked.
Having learned in advance that they
risked no rebuff, the call was issued.
II Is believed here that before Huerta
leaves Mexico City to its fate he will
make a new appointment to the Min
istry Of Foreign Affairs. Since the
abrupt retirement of Lopez Portillo the
place has been occupied by sub-Secre-
tary Esteva Ruiz, but his appointment,
according to the notification which has
been sent here, is only temporary.
Under the Mexican Constitution the
Minister of Foreign Affairs succeeds to
the provisional Presidency if the offices
of President and Vice-President are
vacated There is no Vice-President
now. and when Huerta quits the Min
lister for Foreign Affairs will become
President. 1t was in this manner that
Huerta succeeded to his present office.
Huerta Seeks Strong Man.
Huerta is expected to appoint some
strong man TO the place. This man
would not, of course, be recognized by
the administration here. President
Wilson will continue TO insist upon a