Rocky Ford enterprise., 1914-07-24
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.

cisco l. 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 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:
II 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 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
q 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.
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 VIII
son Huerta sent felicitations 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-
tn 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's
ally In the overthrow of Madero.
HUERTA CALLS ELECTION.
Nav l 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 that 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 IT.
Henry Lane Wilson. American am
bassador, Was recalled to Washington,
and Nelson o'Shaughnessy, charge
d'afYaires, 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
|
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 by Senator Domin
Guez, who had the hardihood to speah
what was in the minds OF himself and
some of his colleagues. Domingue7
disappeared.
The chamber of deputies adopted q
resolution calling for an investigation
To this Huerta's reply was dramatic
and swift He marched column OF
troops to the deputies chamber
seized 110 of them and threw then
into prison.
Through Mr.. o'Shaughnessy the
United States made representations
against violence to the imprisoned
deputies
In the election campaign certain in
huence close to the dictator worked
for hts return to the presidency. witt
General Banquet as his running raate