The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-09
GENERAL HUERTA.
A soldier NJ the Regular Army and Ne
bandit"

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN--Sir: There
seems to be disposition to view the
Mexican question as q sort OF Hobson's
choice between the recognition OF one OF
two rebel leaders. both Of whom are ex-
cattle thieves and bandits. on this point
the public needs little knowledge.
General vlctoriano Huerta, who has
held down the job of dictator for more
than IA year. Is a regular army officer and
has never been anything else. He was
graduated at Chapultepec. Mexicos mill
tary school. and has been loyal soldier
ever since. or until. finally finding himself
under the orders OF an incompetent die
tator he was obliged to engage in a fra
tricidal war in the capital city against a
portion of the army OF which he himself
was part. lie never In all his life fig
ured as an Irregular soldier. al is gener-
ally supposed. and even stated by many
who profess to be familiar with the Mcxi-
can situation. He did not transfer his SER
vice to Madero with the ousting OF Por-
firio Diaz, as Is generally stated. Madero
having usurped the power OF Diaz and be-
coming the recognized Executive OF the
Government. Huerta's only alternative rs
"A soldier was to accept Madcro as his
commander In chief and obey his orders
implicitly, which he did, even after he was
called upon TO fight that portion OF the
army which had rebelled against Madero
and his nepotic and incompetent sway. The
situation during the street fighting In the
city OF Mexico. from the soldiers view
point. was graphically illustrated when a
young artillery officer, being complimented
for sending n we'll directed shot into the
besieged citadel. which Slaughtered a
number of men, replied with an OATH
Don't compliment me for killing my
brother soldiers :"
When Don Porflrio abdlcated he took
his farewell OF General Huerta In "A few
words full of pathos lie said.
My one regret in leaving my country 1,
that my successor IL not military man
but remember. General, that you are a sol
dier and that tho duty of the soldier Is e
obey.
And that General Huerta DID not forge,
his soldier training is shown by his i'm
plicit obedience to the Madero regime
, until after ten days battling in the streets
of Mexico city with the obstinate dreamer
determined TO destroy the city itself rather
than Weld one iota OF his despotlc sway
Huerta for the first time in his long and
honorable career OF loyalty TO his Gov.
eminent abandoned his soldierly princi'
pie OF obedience To the powers that he
and in so many words told Madero that
ho was done with him. that his rule was
marked by incompetency from beginning
to end. and that he must get out and hs
put him out. 1t seems unfortunate indeed
that Madero was killed. but as our owr
| American soldiers declared when they
were chasing Indians on our plains, The
! only good Indian II Il dead ono. 80 the
Mexican soldiers viewpoint IL that tn,
only good" politician is a dead one. Con
sequcntly Maderos life was sacrificed
whether by order OF Hucrta or not neve,
/ has been determined.
/ Now comes Mr. Creelmaus statement
that liuorta IL an Indian and that h,
drinks brandy to excess. Lest We for