The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1914-07-23
HUERTA'S RULE
HAS BEEN ONE
OF BLOODSHED
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.

Victoriano Huerta took oath as pro-
visional president of Mexico February
19, 1913, the day after President Fran
cisco l. Madero, Jr., had been ar
rested at the national palace.
Three days later Madero and Jose
Maria Pine Suarez, vice-president,
we're 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
lam H. Taft, then president Of the
United States, the following message:
Il have the honor to inform you
that l have overthrown 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
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-
nio.
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-
tions with Mexico. To Woodrow Will
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 in
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 Porfirio Diaz and Huerta
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 rs az
the date of the election, and decree
to that effect was issued by Huerta
June 8.
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 tt
send John Lind, former governor O
Minnesota, to Mexico as his persona
representative in an endeavor to ar
range a basis for the republics peace
Huerta announced that he would no
tolerate foreign interference.
Nevertheless Mr.. Lind delivered hi
note from President Wilson.
Huerta rejected all proposals mad
by the American government, chic
of which were the suggestions tina
he resign and not be a candidate cleo
ton day.
Relations between Mexico and tn
United States became acute. Presiden
Wilson proclaimed his policy in an ad
dress before congress to which wa
attached the correspondence betweel
Mr.. Lind and the Huerta ADMINISTERS
ton.
HuERTA ARRESTS DEPUTIES.
Huerta was attacked in the Mexical
senate October by Senator Dom1r
guez, who had the hardihood to speal
what was in the minds Of himself an
some of his colleagues. Dominique
disappeared.
The chamber Of deputies adopted
resolution calling for an investigation
To this Huerta's reply was dramati
and swift. He marched a column O
troops to the deputies chamber
seized 110 Of them and threw ther
Into prison.
Through Mr.. O'Shaughnessy tn
United States made representation
against violence to the imprisone
deputies
In the election campaign certain IL
duence close to the dictator worke
for his return to the presidency, wit
General Banquet as his running mat'
~-~-@~-~-~~~~~->-~-~-~--