The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-23
DIAZ SAYS HUERTA
SPRANG TRAP ON HIM
Disclaims Any Responsibility
for Assassination Of
MadcrO.

Apart from my unfortunate part,efpa-
ton in Senior Huerta's forcible overthrow
OF the MaderO administration. into which
was led through a Misunderstanding OF
Mr.. Huerta's motives. I have not at any
time been connected with any plan or
combination OF plans in Mexico which
have led to the establishment OF the exist
/ ing dictatorship"
Thus spoke Gen. Felix Diaz. nephew OF
ex-Prsident Porfirio Diaz. In refutation
Of the interview printed In Ney York
newspapers In which he was represented
as attacking President wilson's Mexican
policy.
Gen. Dlaz. who arrived in New York
on Friday direct from Havana, was very
indignant over the charge that he violated
the rules Of hospitality by saying. as
alleged. that anarchy. bloodshed. loss or
life and property in Mexico could have
been avoided had President Wilson not
been willing to foster conditions that
would ultimately force Intervention by the
United States
When seen at the Sulgreve apartments.
81 West l39th street. last night Gen.
piaz. at FIRST somewhat reticent, finally
said that owing to his difficulty In ex-
/ pressing himself In English there might
have been "A misconstructi ION OF the state
ments which he made TO eight reporters
Blames Wilson Policy.
Gen. Daz said he thought President Will
sons refusal to lend moral or other aid
/ to Seror Huerta when Senior Huerta (Gen
/ Diaz always referred to the provisional
| President as Senior Huerta) took over the
control OF Mexican affairs after the assas-
snation of Madero and Pine Suarez is
responsible for the anarchy and disorder
/ IN his country.
IL regret exceedingly" said Gen. Diaz
/ that the people of the United States
should have obtained the impression which
they have regarding me. There has not
at any time been n combination between
Senior Hu.rta and myself. nor 10 there At
the present time.
I'm spite of statements to the contrary,
l wish 10 repeat my assertion that the
revolution which l headed at Vera Cruz
! in october. 1912. was organised by me
without any connivance with Senior Huerta
or any other official OF the Mexican Gov
eminent. / believed at the time that the
Madero administration was calculated to
! dry our country Of its LIE blood and that
/ the only way TO put a stop to the bleed m
process was to make an armed protest.
When l was In prison by order OF
/ Senior Huerts, at that time commander
I In chief OF the united Mexican armies, /
! certainly was not in combination with
him. and when | was released from Belem
prison al the time Of the concerted move
ment against the Maderos made the I'M
fortunate mistake OF acting with Senior
Huerta for the only time in my career.
Il took command Of the artillery gar
| risoned in the arsenal and conducted the
| campaign against the National Palace in
| the belief that Senior Huerta like my self
/ was actuated by a sincere desire to work
/ for tho good OF our Country and our
people. The cannonad!ng which ! directed
would not have been possible II left to
| any one else. because I controlled all Of
/ the necessary elements and my fire was
directed rs much against Huerta as II was
! against Madero, because Huerta at that
| time represented Madero
| when l found that Senior Huerta had
deliberately trapped me into partcpat ion
In a reasonable action which resulted in
| the assassination OF the constituted head
OF the Mexican Government l went at the
head OF my troops on February 20, 1913,
| to the National Palace and formally In
writing delivered my command to Senior
| Huerta.
ResiGned His Command.
/ 'In that document renowned all In
| tenton OF contesting with Senior Huerta
any possible election TO the Presidency Of
| Mexico and announced my intention OF
going to my private residence and resum-
| Ing my position as private citizen, even
without rank In the army. l did not do
! this in an underhand manner and Senior
Huerta thoroughly understood that l was
opposed to his brutal tactics. Please note
| that this occurred on February 20. and
| that the unfortunate Madero and Pine
Suarez were not murdered, IT, as II 10
| charged, they were murdered, although of
this I am not competent 10 make positive
assertion, until some time between the
| 22d and ESD OF February. OF two days
| after / turned over the arsenal an the