The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1914-07-23
HUERTA'S RULE
HAS BEEN ONE
OF BLOODSHEO
KiIIinu 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.


Him Assured His Downfall.
victorano Huerta took oath as pro-
visional president Of Mexico February
10, 1913, the day after President Fran
cisco 1. 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 provl-
sional president was to telegraph Will
lam H. 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 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, one Of the highest generals
In the army, denounced Huerta.
Carranza, constitutionalist leader in
Chihuahua, assailed Huerta in 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
his term, left to his successor the
problem of adjusting diplomatic rela
lions with Mexico. To Woodrow Viii
son Huerta sent Fluctuations on the
day 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 il
raising funds to run his government
His uneasy hold on affairs was weak
ened by minor constitutionalist vic
tories in the north and by recurring
rumors of a break with Felix Diaz
nephew of Porfrio Diaz and Huerta's
ally in the overthrow of Madero.
HUERTA CALLS ELECTION.
May 1 Huerta announced that ht
would urge congress to call elections
in October to choose his successor
The congress selected October 26 a:
the date of the election, and a decret
to that effect was issued by Huert;
June 8.
Feliz Diaz, who had announced him
self as candidate for the presidency
was sent to Japan July II.
Henry Lane Wilson, American am
bassador, was recalled to Washington
and Nelson O'Shaughnessy, charg
daffaires, was left in charge of Amer
lean interests in Mexico.
REJECTS PEACE EFFORT.
Early in August it became know
that President Wilson intended t
send John Lind, former governor Q
Minnesota, to Mexico as his persona
representative in an endeavor to al
range a basis for the republics peace
Huerta announced that he would nc
tolerate foreign interference.
Nevertheless Mr.. Lind delivered hi
note from President Wilson.
Huerta rejected ali proposals mad
by the American government, chic
of which were the suggestions the
he resign and not be a candidate ele
ton day.
Relations between Mexico and tt
United States became acute. Presidel
Wilson proclaimed his policy In an q
dress before congress to which WI
attached the correspondence betwee
Mr.. Lind and the Huerta administr
ton.
HUERTA ARRESTS DEPUTIES.
Huerta was attacked in the Mexics
senate October by Senator Domi
guez, who had the hardihood to spe,
what was in the minds of himself al
some of his colleagues. Domingo
disappeared
The chamber of deputies adopted
resolution calling for an investigate
To this Huertas reply was drama1
and swift. He marched a column
troops to the deputies chamb
seized 40 Of them and threw the
into prison
Through Mr.. O'Shaughnessy
United States made representatio
against violence to the imprison
deputies
In the election campaign certain
f1uence close to the dictator work
for his return to the presidency, W
General Banquet as his running ma
Tap Underground River.