Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-02-05
OFFICIALS SAY
WILSON HAS NOT
HELPED REBELS

Mexico City, Feb. 3.-Mexcans holding
official positions, and friends of the
administration generally, profess not to
believe that President Wilson has i'm
proved materially the conditions of the
rebels by lifting the embargo on arms
and ammunition, but the fear that
financial assistance might also be ac-
corded them was frankly expressed to-
night by Queredo Moheno, the minister
of foreign affairs.
Although there Is no disposition to con-
fuse President Wilson's act as recognition
of the beligerency of the rebels, those
at the national palace asserted tonight
that it would have practically the same
effect The fact that the removal of the
embargo permits the free expectation of
arms from the United States to either
faction brings from the officials here
sheer and they point out that the
proximity of the rebels TO the United
States and the admitted impoverishment
Of the federal government leaves no
doubt as to which side will be the great
er beneficiary
President Huerta, however a few days
ago said that the lifting of the embargo
would not improve the rebels position
greatly because already, in his opinion,
they were getting into the country across
the international boundary all the arms
and ammunition they were able to pay
for in spite of the apparent efforts of the
American war department to prevent the
smuggling of war material. He added
that money was the thing the rebels
needed more than anything else and this
they could not get. He appears still to
believe that this situation will continue
and Senior Moheno has expressed the
same opinion, although with less assur-
ance.
Others not so close to the President be-
ieve that the rebels will now be able
to obtain the money necessary to enable
them to make swift campaign against
the capital. They point out that banking
houses and capitalists in general prob
ably will regard loan made to the rebels
under the new conditions, as an excellent
business proposition subject to little
risk.
Tie news that President Wilson in
tended to raise the embargo has been
nc secret at the American embassy for
several days, nor in President Huertas
office. But the receipt of cablegrams
early this afternoon stating that it
was an accomplished face caused
slight stir in both offices and came as
shock to that small part of the pub
lie to whom it became known during
the course of the day.
The American charge under in
structions from the State Department.
int orr IN Anna
tonight the news was widely dis
seminated among the foreigners, in
whom it aroused considerable appre-
hension, due to lack of knowledge as
to its effect upon President Huerta,
The governments information was
not made public until a late hour, and
not more than one per cent. of the
Mexican people were cognizant of
what virtually all the Americans,
many English and most of the other
foreign residents were discussing with
lively interest at their offices ana
clubs.
President Huerta talked over the tele-
phone with Senior Moheno regarding the
affairs this afternoon and later the for
eign minister was summoned to the Presi-
dents office for a conference,
Many months ago 1t was assumed gen.
orally that such action by the United
States would result in ruptured relations
between the two countries and it was he
| lieved not improbable that 1t would result
| in rioting in the capital, The ignorance
of the public as to what has occurred
leaves as yet unanswered the question as to
the part the people VIII play, but there is
! reason to believe that there will be no
anti-American demonstrations.
WILL APPLAUD SECRETLY.
Those who predict that the Mexican
people will accert the attitude of the
United States calmly lint to the fact
that the sentiment of the people has
changed SO much in the past few months
that they will secretly applaud President
Wilson'S action instead of manifesting
disapproval by assailing Americans.
President Huerta has delayed making a
statement either to the public or the for
| eign diplomatic representatives. His atti-
tude as yet is one of doubt. although
many are relying on his assurance few
days ago that such action would not al
ter his attitude towards Americans or
Charge Oshaugnessy That he Will maze
any direct statement to the American
J charge is not certain, as Mr. OShaug-
messy had no part in notifying him of