Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-12-17
HUERTA L|V|N 6
QUIETLY IN SPAIN,
FAR FROM CONFLICT


once a dictator Of Mexico. to-day lives
quietly in a little dwelling half an hours
drive from the center of Barcelona
His surroundings are not those of
man Of wealth, and he explains that he
has barely enough money to keep his
family In comfort He moves about quiet
| ~ and without ostentaton in any form
| Every afternoon he may be found in
prominent cafe, drinking with some Of
| his trusted leutenants and talking
| quietly, but he never is in the spot
light
II Huerta plans a return to Mexico,
he does not admit It. In an interview
recently he declared that only on condl-
ton that his country needed him as a
soldier to help repulse an attack would
/ he return to IT. His ph, slcians have
advised him to go to America, but he
/ refused 20 heed their advice Spanish
society has not extended him welcoming
hands. due, ne says, to foreign Influences
! but he likes the climate of Barcelona so
he will remain here and educate his eight
| children.
The generals house is in small garden
and there are other similar little homes
on all sides When the Associated rress
talk with tho general the front door Of
the house was vide open. One OF several
men planting palm tr-es-small and poor
trees with which It seemed the tenants
wished to recall tropical vegetation-re-
marked that there was no servant to open
the door. ring would bring someone
muscular young man. who turned
out to be one Of the generals aids an
. t,,,r, h,Yt
remarked that the generals dinner was
at that moment ready. The hour was $40
=. m. The reception room was tiny one
and all N" furniture about the place APP
pea red n he Of the simplest and cheapest
kind -Four rooms to he seen from the
hail were empty. ono Of the general $
daughters came and took several cha'r7
from the reception room for Tho dining
room table
The general came ont inn1cdiately He
vas stouter than formerly and wore a
new overruat with the collar turned M,
as he seemed cold. lis health, however,
appeared perfect
Upon the correspondents cXcus!ng him
self from dining. the general made an
appointment to talk over Mexican affairs
at the Cafo Mason Dore. one OF tn" rrill-
cinal catas in Barcelona rhc general
goes there every afternoon and remains
several hours Later he was found in
one corner of the cafe. surrounded
by ten or twelve men with dark faces
cleaning eyes and turnedup mustaches
On the table were water glasses half
filed with cognac. The entire party
went into a back room for greater pri-
vacy. The general ordered more cogna c.
1t was slow In coming and he was Inn
patient. General Suarez, General Huerta
who Is no kinsman of the former dictator
land Colonel Chaves were among the six
generals and three colonies OF the party
They were all Young men. They were
extremely deferential. When Huerta
took a cigar from his pocket two OF
three Of them lit matches and held them
toward him Two Of General Huerta :
sons were also there,
What Is your opinion Of the Mexican
situat,on'" the former dictator was ask
cd
"A letter just received by one of my
aids describes the situation" he re-
piled Houses are being sacked
highwaymen rillage everywhere, nc
one nor anything is safe. There is
burning, robhing and numbering. Nc
one respects Carranza There is Meth.
er order nor authority. Such situa-
ton ought to come to an end form
ed an army and would have restored
, calm to the country had it not heer
for the intervention of the United
States Bandits have taken possession
OF my property. that is OF my wife's
for have nothing"
The general spoke of the great flu
ture of Mexico in which he said there
was room for Spain, Portugal France
and Germany to be placed and YET
there would he unoccupied space II
must, however, have order, he said
! and he could not predict what was
likely to take place
Are you acquainted with General Cru.
, terrez?
, No have never seen him. All | know
of him is that he was formerly miner
and that he had in Mexico City a rattle,
, unpretentous supply store, | know thai
he has succeeded in bribng the assembly
and that they named him provisional
, president He will probably last just 4
, days. | do not know anything of his per
: sonal abilities, Since he has been In com
mand, rascals keep on getting hold Of the
? money ana nave maze themselves mas
tiers OF the situation.
, DO you intend to return to Mexico?
l mo. do not wish to return. l left the
, command in the hands of Carvajal in or
, der that | might not be a hndrance t.
the pacifcation of my country and that Il
might be seen that was not seeking per
sonal advantage. ! shall not return UNI
less my country should need me as a sol
der, not a president II my country
; We're threatened, then yes
You would return in case the United
States should attempt intervention?"
no, ! say in case of any danger
whatever. | am no enemy of the Uni
ted States save they are enemies o
my land. | do not bear a hatred agains
these people, rather do | admire them
My particular dislike is directed agains
the Democratic party and President viii
l son, | said much in my proclamation
and the American people themselves
s have already become convinced of tn,
e evils of It's policies and defeated tn,
party in the last election, This revers,
I ie a consequence of the injustice Will
+ which the President and his party acted
. toward me.
+ why did YOU choose Spain as you
I residence
2 Because | trust in its noble hospita!
= ity, because my only ambition and ain
, now is to educate my young children
, | have eight, | shall devote all my tim,
Ia, hat f,r nDr p,I. ia.