The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1914-01-06
HUERTA GOVERNMENT
IS YET OPTIMISTIC
Administration Officials Point to
Recent Turn of Events.
REBELS SHORT OF ARMS.
ConstitutionaIists Reported Short Of
Ammunition and Federals VIII
Take Advantage Of This.

Mexico City, Jan. 4-The federal
success at Nuevo Laredo, the good
showing made by the federals at
Otinaga, the reported evacuation by
the rebels OF Durango, upon the ap-
proach Of government troops and the
failure OF the revolutionists to renew
the attack on Tampico are pointed
to by government oficials here as
auguing we'll for the fulfllment Of
President Huerta's recent promise
for the early domination of the revo-
lutionist situation.
The threatened attack on San
Luis Potosi has failed to develop,
both private and government advices
indicating this plan has been aban-
GCned for the present, the rebels re-
tiring to the north.
The Tampico line is still out of
commission, however, and an oil fam
inc is threatening to cause suspen-
sion of railroad service and the fac
tories.
SHORT OF AMMUNITION.
In all the developments of the past
few days the federal authorities see
indication of a serious shortage of
ammunition on the part of the revo-
lutionists, of which they declare they
will take full advantage and push the
war with greater vigor.
The revolutionists under General
Contreras, and General Urbina, who
have been in possession of Durango
since early summer, are reported to
have withdrawn northward to San
tiago Papasquiro, about so miles dis
tant, where they have established a
new rebel capital They are said to
have realized the impossibility of
making a stand against the federal
forces now marching from Torreon.
Several thousand troops, many of
them recruits, have gone out from
the capital in the last week 1t is
understood most OF them will be
utilized in campaign against
Chihuahua.
MEXICO IS SORRY.
The announcement that President
Wilson's policy probably would re-
main unchanged after John Lind's
trip to Pass Christian is a source Of
disappointment to most foreigners
and many MeXicans who believed the
interview between the President and
his personal representative might re-
suit in some definite step to put an
end to the distressing conditions,
which, so far as business is concern
ed are fast growing acute.
To official Mexico, while outwardly
Mr. Lind's visit to the President was
of little significance, the apparent de-
termination OF the United States still
to keep its hands off is known to be
highly gratifying. One official sum-
married. the relation with the United
States:
"The best Mexico expects of Wash
ington Is to be let alone to work out
its problem"
In spite OF the critical financial out
look the administration appears to
be highly optimistic. President Huer-
ia regards the floating OF a foreign
loan as far from a vain hope. The
premature announcement recently of
assurance from the Mexican finance
minister, Senior de la Barar, now in
Europe that he had induced the aC-
ceptance by English and French
bankers of bonds amounting to $25,-
100000, is now explained as incor-
rect Interpretation of the code used
in the cablegram. The finance de-
partment. however, declared that the
minister's efforts are progressing ia
vorably and that there is reason to
believe he soon will be successful.
The banking situation shows little
improvement and the scarcity Of coin
for ordinary trading is working hard
ship on business.