South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-02-05

Mexican President Issues De-
cree Declaring Lives and
Property of All Foreigners in
Danger Zone Will be Pre-
served.


protection Of foreigners. especially
American and foreign owned prop
erty in Mexico. This guarantee call
er forth by reparts of impending
anti-foreign violence, due TO the lift
ting of the embargo on shipments of
arms from the u. s. into Mexico, was
issued from the national palace over
the signature of the president.
1t followed a previous statement
issued last night and cabled to the
principal newspapers in New York
city.
At the same time War Minister
Banquet was instructed to take i'm
mediate steps to increase the federal
army by $4,000 men and TO prepare
for the Inauguration Of the most ag-
gressive campaign yet undertaken to
stamp out revolt in all quarters of
the republic.
TOdays statement follows:
Il have just issued orders TO the
leaders OF the federal army and the
chiefs of the different departments Of
the government here and in the
several territories for drastic military
operations to be begun against those
destroying not only the property Of
the nation by that owned by individ-
uals, both natives and foreigners, in
the states of SinalOa, Sonora, Chi
huahua, Durango and Tamaulipas.
have directed my assistants TO aid
with the greatest consideration not
only our own people, but foreigners
and the government fully guaran-
tees to foreigners that their property
and homes will be protected as far
as possible in all military operations
I have directed my assistants TO
see that all Of the foreigners in zones
of peril are removed to places Of
safety"
Now desiring TO give to newspapers
complete idea of the situation in this
republic, | wish TO state that the gov
eminent has az present $50, 900 men
in the federal army and $4,000 troops.
making "A total OF $4,000 men, with
which armed contingent 1 have begun
to open the campaign in the north.
Il would like to have expert cor
respondents come TO Mexico to wit
ness the military campaign, with the
understanding that the government
under my charge will furnish first
class transportation and passports for
ten staff correspondents of the prin-
cipal newspapers in your great repub-
lie. Upon their arrival in Mexico they
will be provided with all necessaries in
money, food. and armed protection In
order that they may move about with
proper security in the principal fields
OF army operation and may tell as
eyewitnesses the truth about what
they see.
II say TO you further that Thursday
the fifth Of February. in view of public
necessity and for the sole purpose Ui
pacificatiOn. the government is going
To issue a decree adding $4,000 more
men to the armed forces OF the repub-
lie.
This proceeding of the government
has no other object than to augment
its military power in order that it may
carry out in the shortest possible time,
with due effect, it's policy which con-
siSts solely in reeStablishing peace.
(Signed) ~. HUERTA."
A number of students at the Ma
tional Military academy applied for
permission to hold a parade this
afternoon, but this was denied for
fear that an anti-American riot
would result In spite OF the refusal
of the authorities to grant a permit,
the students declared they would par
ade anyhow and make a demOnstra-
ton before the national palace.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.-Belief ex-
lists in official circles Thursday that
Gen VenustianO Carranza's constitu-
tionalist armies will begin their
march against Mexico City about
March /
BY that time the fresh supplies of
arms and ammunition secured in the
L. 5. through the lifting Of the en-
barge on arms shipments Will have
been distributed among the rebel
forces in northern Mexico and all
viii be equipped for an aggressive
campaign.
The first steps in the. campaign
against the Mexican capital probably
will be attacks upon T0rreon and
Tampico.
The suppression Of all anti-Amer-
lean demonstrations IN Mexico City
by Gen Huerta was taken here TO in
diCate that the Huerta regime has, 10
some extent changed its politics.
None of the reCklessnesS Of upper
ance and bravado of attitude which
was formerly shown by the Mexican
executive. marked his demeanor fol-
lowing the action OF Pres. Wilson in
lifting the embargo.
Pres Huerta's claim that he has
about 10000 regular and irregular
troops is discounted here. Official
reports which have been made from
time TO time indicate that Huerta' S
lighting strength is far below this
figure. 1t is believed that the Mexi-
can treasury is too low 20 finance the
needs OF an army of 10000.
Capt Sherry Hopkins. constitution
alist agent in Washington. said that
Villa is awaiting the arrival Of a ship
ment of rapid fire cannon and about
5000 rounds OF small ammunition.
In a telegram received by him We'd
nesday from Gen. Carranza denial is
made Of Villas alleged threat 10 exc
cute Spaniards, about seventy-five OF
whom are reported TO be fighting un-
der Gen. Velasco, the federal leader in
TOrreon
What he did say" said Hopkins.
was that these men had been releas-
ed on parole when he (Villa) captured
Torreon the first time. He understood
that the Spaniards have violated their
parole and are again fighting with the
federals The notice given by Gen.
villa was a reiteration OF the penalty
prescribed by military law for the
breaking OF parole"