The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1914-03-09
Written for the United Press

written for the United Press.)
Vera Cruz, March 9-Despite des-
perate attempts by Huerta to build up
some semblance OF the same-iron-
handed sort OF government by which
old Porfirio Diaz had ruled for SO
many years. the institution the Indian
dictator headed slowly grew less sta
Bile. Huerta, however. took conditions
stoically, He still made his usual
round OF drinking places. gambling
parlors and disreputable houses and
by the time he bad been in power ten
months a financial crisis was at hand.
The Banco Central was forced. one
day. 10 close its doors because OF the
rush Of state bank notes. The state
tanks were supposed TO keep, in the
Banco Central sufficient funds TO en-
able the central bank to meet pay.
ments ON The state bank bills But
railroads were out OF operation. money
money could not be shipped, and,
without money. the Banco Central was
forced 10 refuse 10 recognize as valid
the bills OF the state banks. A run
began on the bank. This run extend
ed to other banks. Silver disappear
ed as gold had done. months before
The only money in sight was of paper
and half Of this was made up OF the
worthless state bank notes.
Huerta tried TO solve the problem
by declaring that tue state bank notes
were legal tender. It was estimated
that anyone who refused 10 accept
them might be arrested. But the pub
lie was not put at ease. A run was
started on the Bank OF London aad
Mexico one OF the largest banks in
the republic. The bank closed its
doors Huerta, to save the day. dc
clared bank holiday. and. under this
subterfugc, the Bank OF London and
Mexico, made only small partial pay
ments on the many claims upon 1t.
On January 1. the sum Of s32.0o0.000
was due from the Mexican government
to holders of Mexican bonds This
interest had been guaranteed by a
portion of Mexican customs taxes. For
many months Huerta had seen part Of
the customs income set aside TO meet
the interest and it was money Of which
he was in sore need. The temptation
was too great for the dictator to re-
sist, He issued decree declaring
that the interest payments would be
made for six months. And. at the
same time. he seized the customs
taxes for hissown government
At the end OF twelve months of
Huertaism Mexico finds itself in a
worse situation than it has been in for
Ealf a century A year Of huerta's
dictatorship has meant the slaughter
Of thousands Of Mexicans. the break
ing UP of thousands OF Mexican homes,
the destruction of millions of dollars
worth of mines. railroads. telegraph
lines, bridges and businesses. which
had taken a third of century to build
or create.
The year has seen manyl Mexican
leaders either assassinated. imprison-
ed or exiled. II has seen Mexicos
debts repudiated: it has seen the
countrys financial reputation sink
from the highest point to the equal OF
the low esteem in which the finances
Of the most unstable of South Ameri-
can republics is held
The only bright spot in it all is tha.
Mexico has daily seen the nearer ap
proach and inevitable downfall OF
Huerta. With all their silence, and
they are silent through fear. the aver
age man in Mexico hates Huerta and
loved Madero. To him Villa is a hero
(contlnusd on Page Three.l