Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-04-02
Peace Is the Keynote of
President Huerta's Message
to the Congress of Mexico

MEXICO CITY, April 2-"Before leav-
ing these precincts. I must engrave upon
your hearts that 1t Is my pdrpose, as 1
have said before the national congress, to
achieve the peace Of the country, and If
to do so, your sacrifice and mine shall be
indispensable you and will know how to
sacrifice ourselves. This is my purpose
OF what is the same thing, my profession
of political faith
With this statement President Huerta
ended his message to congress, which con-
vened last night. The document other
wise was devoid of sensational statements
or dramatic effect.
In his message President Huerta said
he refrained from extensive mention or
International relations, although he COM
rnented with bitterness on the difficulties
the Mexican government had encountered
In obtaining money, owing to the in
nuences exercised by the strange attitude
Of certain power toward Mexico"
The only direct reference to the United
States was in a review of the work done
by the foreign office, when he said: Re
ferring to the department of foreign rela-
tons, must tell you that the government
of the republic has earnestly endeavored
to develop a just nationalistc policy,
which, far from injuring our international
relations. has resulted in making them
the most cordial possible with the chief
powers of the world.
Invitation From the United States.
Some Of the American states have not
yet recognized the constitutionalist gov
eminent ad interim of the republic"
Huerta said, but the greater number OF
them keep in Mexico diplomatic repre-
sentatives and no one of them has inter
rupted relations with the republic. The
United States has been SO good as to in
vite me, through his excellency, President
Wilson, to organize in common accord
the preparatory work for the approaching
peace conference at The Hague
President Huerta told congress that the
department of agriculture was preparing
laws regulating the distribution of 600
square kilometers of government land.
II have the satisfaction of informing
the citizens he added. that the govern
ment has lands sufficient, without dis
bursting centavo from the treasury, to
make landed proprietors of all our citi-
zens as well as of foreigners of good
intention"
Little space was devoted to the war de-
partment. the president confirming himself
to the general statement that this branch
had done excellent work He explained
the apportionment OF the army now total
ing 300, as follows: Regulars. go, 900;
state troops. $1,000; rurales, 200
Explains Financial DEGREES.
Touching on the financial situation, he
said:
The executive has issued various de-
srees to obviate the difficulties Of the
monetary circulation, the principal of
which. aside from the restriction on the
expectation of precious metals and coins,
has been the making of legal tender bills
Of the banks OF the capital and states.
an increase of the issues of some banks
TO three times their cash reserves and
the authorization for the issuance of bills
OF one and two pesos. and. later, fifty
centavos. the last guaranteed by an
equivalent in coins OF the same value
To cope with the crisis which threat
ened the credit OF our institutions so that
they might retain the deposits of which
tho public would have deprived them the
last seven days of last year were de-
clared bank holidays. being continued
later to January Is and finally to March
81. Thanks to this expedient, the banks
have been able to conserve their re-
sources and maintain their solidity de-
spite the economic difficulties